Leptin, a 16-kD protein of the ob gene product, is produced by adipose tissue and acts on the hypothalamus to suppress neuropeptide Y secretion which reduces the appetite. It has been demonstrated that serum leptin levels in healthy subjects are correlated with body mass index(BMI). Leptin is also produced by stimulation of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha and interleukin(IL)-1. Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is one of the chronic inflammatory diseases in which high serum cytokine levels are noted. In this study, we measured serum leptin levels(s-leptin) by RIA kit in 20 healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females) and 49 RA patients(14 males and 35 females) and the markers for joint inflammation such as ESR and CRP. There was no difference in s-leptin between controls(male: mean +/- SD = 5.6 +/- 3.0 ng/ml; female: 7.8 +/- 4.5 ng/ml) and RA patients(male: 4.9 +/- 3.2 ng/ml; female: 9.1 +/- 5.7 ng/ml). S-leptin was correlated with BMI in both healthy subjects and RA patients. However, there was no correlation between s-leptin and the values of ESR or CRP, disease stages in RA patients. In conclusion, s-leptin in RA patients reflects BMI but not joint inflammation.
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Front Neurosci
January 2025
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
Introduction: Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder frequently associated with subcortical damage. However, the precise roles of the subcortical nuclei, particularly the basal ganglia and thalamus, in the speech production process remain poorly understood.
Methods: The present study aimed to better understand their roles by mapping neuroimaging, behavioral, and speech data obtained from subacute stroke patients with subcortical lesions.
J Voice
December 2024
Department of Duquesne-China Health Institute, John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA; Speech Science Laboratory, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Acupunct Med
October 2024
Department of Rehabilitation, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Introduction: Consistency of liquid food plays an important role in managing patients with dysphagia, which can be objectively evaluated by using IDDSI Flow Test and consistometry. The present study established the relationship between IDDSI Flow Test and consistometric measures, and examined the measurement limitations of each test associated with thickened liquids prepared using starch-based and xanthan gum-based thickening agents.
Methods: Thirteen thickened liquid samples of consistency ranging from IDDSI Level 1 (mildly thick) to Level 3 (moderately thick) were prepared using starch-based and xanthan gum-based thickeners.
J Voice
June 2024
Duquesne-China Health Institute, John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address:
Objectives: Face masks have become important after the pandemic, but the change in voice when wearing a face mask is still unclear. The study investigated the effect of face masks on the acoustic and perceptual characteristics of voice quality associated with young and older Chinese adults.
Methods: Voice samples of the sustained vowel /a/ and continuous speech produced by 44 older and 61 young adults with and without an ASTM level-3 surgical face mask were recorded and analyzed.
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