Blood Viscosity in Subjects With Normoglycemia and Prediabetes

OBJECTIVE Blood viscosity (BV) is higher in diabetic patients and might represent a risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, data in subjects with normal glucose or prediabetes are missing. In the current study, we evaluated the relationship between BV and blood glucose in subjects with normal glucose or prediabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Enrolled subjects were divided into three groups according to blood glucose: group A ( n = 74), blood glucose <90 mg/dL; group B ( n = 96), blood glucose ranging from 90 to 99 mg/dL; and group C ( n = 94), blood glucose ranging from 100 to 125 mg/dL. BV was measured at 37°C with a cone-plate viscometer at shear rates ranging from 225 to 22.5 s−1. RESULTS Blood pressure, blood lipids, fibrinogen, and plasma viscosity were similar in the three groups. BMI and waist circumference were significantly increased in group C. Hematocrit ( P < 0.05) and BV ( P between 0.01 and 0.001) were significantly higher in groups B and C compared with group A. Blood glucose was significantly and inversely correlated with HDL cholesterol and directly with BMI, waist, hematocrit ( r = 0.134), and BV (from 225 s−1 to 22.5 s−1; r ranging from 0.162 to 0.131). BV at shear rate 225 s−1 was independently associated with blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS The current study shows a direct relationship between BV and blood glucose in nondiabetic subjects. It also suggests that, even within glucose values considered completely normal, individuals with higher blood glucose levels have increased BV comparable with that observed in subjects with prediabetes

Markers of insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis. A comparison of the homeostasis model assessment and triglyceride glucose index.

Summary Aims The present investigation was designed to test the association between carotid atherosclerosis and two simple markers of insulin resistance, i.e. HOMA-Index and TyG-Index. Materials and methods The study was performed in two different cohorts. In the first cohort, 330 individuals were enrolled. Blood pressure, lipids, glucose, waist and cigarette smoking were evaluated. HOMA-IR and TyG-Index were calculated as markers of prevalent hepatic and muscular insulin resistance respectively. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. The association between cardiovascular risk factors, markers of insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by multiple logistic regression analyses. In the second cohort, limited to the evaluation of TyG-Index, 1432 subjects were studied. Results In the first cohort, TyG-Index was significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a model including age, sex, diabetes, cigarette smoking and LDL cholesterol, while HOMA-IR was not. When components of metabolic syndrome were added to the model as dichotomous variables (absent/present), TyG-Index retained its predictive power. The same result was obtained when the metabolic syndrome was added to the model (absence/presence). The association between TyG-Index and carotid atherosclerosis was confirmed in the second cohort. Conclusions The present findings suggest that TyG-Index is better associated with carotid atherosclerosis than HOMA-IR

W-F substitutions in apomyoglobin increase the local flexibility of the N-terminal region causing amyloid aggregation: A H/D exchange study.

Myoglobin is an α-helical globular protein containing two highly conserved tryptophanyl residues at positions 7 and 14 in the N-terminal region. The simultaneous substitution of the two residues impairs the productive folding of the protein making the polypeptide chain highly prone to aggregate forming amyloid fibrils at physiological pH and room temperature. The role played by tryptophanyl residues in driving the productive folding process was investigated by providing structural details at low resolution of compact intermediate of three mutated apomyoglobins, i.e., W7F, W14F and the amyloid forming mutant W7FW14F. In particular, we followed the hydrogen/deuterium exchange rate of protein segments using proteolysis with pepsin followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed significant differences in the N-terminal region, consisting in an alteration of the physico-chemical properties of the 7-11 segment for W7F and in an increase of local flexibility of the 12-29 segment for W14F. In the double trypthophanyl substituted mutant, these effects are additive and impair the formation of native-like contacts and favour inter-chain interactions leading to protein aggregation and amyloid formation at physiological pH

Overview on Molecular Biomarkers for Laryngeal Cancer: Looking for New Answers to an Old Problem

Laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) accounts for almost 25–30% of all head and neck squamous cell cancers and is clustered according to the affected districts, as this determines distinct tendency to recur and metastasize. A major role for numerous genetic alterations in driving the onset and progression of this neoplasm is emerging. However, major efforts are still required for the identification of molecular markers useful for both early diagnosis and prognostic definition of LSCC that is still characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Non-coding RNAs appear the most promising as they circulate in all the biological fluids allowing liquid biopsy determination, as well as due to their quick and characteristic modulation useful for non-invasive detection and monitoring of cancer. Other critical aspects are related to recent progress in circulating tumor cells and DNA detection, in metastatic status and chemo-refractoriness prediction, and in the functional interaction of LSCC with chronic inflammation and innate immunity. We review all these aspects taking into account the progress of the technologies in the field of next generation sequencing

Near-infrared imaging of FSC 10214+4724 with the W. M. Keck Telescope

Near-infrared observations of the z = 2.286 IRAS source FSC 10214+4724, made with the near-infrared camera on the W. M. Keck Telescope, are reported. Deep broad-band images at 2.15 and 1.27 micrometers, and narrow-band images at 2.165 and 2.125 µm with 0.”6 to 0.”9 seeing show that FSC 10214+4724 consists of at least three distinct components in a compact group of galaxies. The source of the infrared luminosity appears to be in a strongly interacting galaxy that has a luminosity of ~100 times that of a present-day L* galaxy. The interaction suggests and 'age' of this galaxy of ≃ 10^9 yr. The Hα emission is resolved as a source of diameter ≃ 5 kpc, suggesting that a starburst contributes to the observed Hα emission. There is an excess of objects in the FSC 10214+4724 field that could represent galaxies in an associated cluster

Clinical use of a 180-day implantable glucose sensor improves glycated haemoglobin and time in range in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aims: This real-world study evaluated the changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics associated with use of the implantable 180-day Eversense CGM System (Eversense) in patients with type 1 diabetes. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study among adult participants aged ≥18 years with type 1 diabetes across seven diabetes-care centres in Italy who had Eversense inserted for the first time. HbA1c was measured at baseline and at 180 days. Changes in time in range [TIR (glucose 70–180 mg/dL)], time above range [TAR (glucose &gt;180 mg/dL)], time below range [TBR (glucose &lt;70 mg/dL)] and glycaemic variability were also assessed. Data were also analysed by previous CGM use and by mode of insulin delivery. Results: One-hundred patients were enrolled (mean age 36 ± 12 years, mean baseline HbA1c 7.4 ± 0.92% [57 ± 10 mmol/mol]). Fifty-six per cent of patients were users of the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump and 45% were previous users of CGM. HbA1c significantly decreased in patients after 180 days of sensor wear (−0.43% ± 0.69%, 5 ± 8 mmol/mol, P &lt; 0.0001). As expected, CGM-naïve patients achieved the greatest reduction in HbA1c (−0.74% ± 0.48%, 8 ± 5 mmol/mol). TIR significantly increased and TAR and mean daily sensor glucose significantly decreased while TBR did not change after 180 days of sensor wear. Conclusions: Real-world clinical use of the Eversense CGM System for 180 days was associated with significant improvements in HbA1c and CGM metrics among adults with type 1 diabetes. The study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04160156)

Genistein supplementation and cardiac function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: Results from a pilot strain-echo study

Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone,may improve cardiovascular risk profile in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but few literature data on its cardiac effects in humans are available. The aim of this sub-study of a randomized double-blind case-control study was to analyze the effect on cardiac function of one-year genistein dietary supplementation in 22 post-menopausal patients with MetS. Participants received 54 mg/day of genistein (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) in combination with a Mediterranean-style diet and regular exercise. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was assessed as the primary endpoint, according to conventional and strain-echocardiography measurements. Also, left atrial (LA) morphofunctional indices were investigated at baseline and at the final visit. Results were expressed as median with interquartile range (IQ). A significant improvement of LV ejection fraction (20.3 (IQ 12.5) vs. -1.67 (IQ 24.8); p = 0.040)), and LA area fractional change (11.1 (IQ 22.6) vs. 2.8 (9.5); p = 0.034)) were observed in genistein patients compared to the controls, following 12 months of treatment. In addition, body surface area indexed LA systolic volume and peak LA longitudinal strain significantly changed from basal to the end of the study in genistein-treated patients. One-year supplementation with 54 mg/day of pure genistein improved both LV ejection fraction and LA remodeling and function in postmenopausal women with MetS

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE): Mission Description and Initial On-orbit Performance

The all sky surveys done by the Palomar Observatory Schmidt, the European Southern Observatory Schmidt, and the United Kingdom Schmidt, the InfraRed Astronomical Satellite and the 2 Micron All Sky Survey have proven to be extremely useful tools for astronomy with value that lasts for decades. The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer is mapping the whole sky following its launch on 14 December 2009. WISE began surveying the sky on 14 Jan 2010 and completed its first full coverage of the sky on July 17. The survey will continue to cover the sky a second time until the cryogen is exhausted (anticipated in November 2010). WISE is achieving 5 sigma point source sensitivities better than 0.08, 0.11, 1 and 6 mJy in unconfused regions on the ecliptic in bands centered at wavelengths of 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 microns. Sensitivity improves toward the ecliptic poles due to denser coverage and lower zodiacal background. The angular resolution is 6.1, 6.4, 6.5 and 12.0 arc-seconds at 3.4, 4.6, 12 and 22 microns, and the astrometric precision for high SNR sources is better than 0.15 arc-seconds.Comment: 22 pages with 19 included figures. Updated to better match the accepted version in the A

Towards a map of the Upper Pleistocene loess of the Po Plain Loess Basin (Northern Italy)

Upper Pleistocene (MIS 4-2) loess sequences occur in most of continental Europe and in Northern Italy along the Po Plain Loess Basin. Loess is distributed along the flanks of the Po Plain and was deposited on glacial deposits, fluvial terraces, uplifted isolated hills, karst plateaus, slopes and basins of secondary valleys. Loess bodies are generally tiny and affected by pedogenesis, being locally slightly reworked by slope processes and bioturbation. Notwithstanding, loess in the Po Plain is an important archive of paleoenviron-mental record and its mapping provides new insights in paleoenvironmental and palaeoseismic reconstructions of Northern Italy