Personality Traits and Physical Complaints in Patients With Acromegaly: A Cross Sectional Multi-Center Study With Analysis of Influencing Factors.

Acromegalic patients display a distinct neuropsychological profile and suffer from chronic physical complaints. We aimed to investigate in more detail these aspects in acromegalic patients, dependent on influencing factors like disease activity, age, sex, chronic medication, surgery, pituitary radiation, pituitary insufficiency and comorbidities. Cross sectional, multicentric.

Cardiovascular safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes patients with high cardiovascular risk: A meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcomes trials.

Aim: To show long-term cardiovascular safety of the GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes patients with cardiovascular risk.

Methods: For cardiovascular outcomes, the association between treatment and outcomes was estimated using the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. I test was adopted to assess the magnitude of heterogeneity between studies, with values more than 25%, 50%, and 75% defined as low, moderate, or high heterogeneity.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus among middle-aged and elderly people in a rural Chinese population: A cross-sectional study.

Diabetes mellitus ranks high on the international health agenda as a global pandemic and as a threat to human health and global economies. A total of 10851 participants aged over 40 years were included in the cross-sectional analysis. This observational study analyzed the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the awareness, treatment and glycemic control of diabetes in a rural Chinese population.

Free fatty acids mediates human umbilical vein endothelial cells inflammation through toll-like receptor-4.

Objective: To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) in the free fatty acids (FFAs) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) inflammation and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Materials And Methods: HUVECs and HEK293 cell lines were obtained from Shanghai Type Culture Collection. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and flow cytometry (FCM) were performed to examine the cell viability and apoptosis rate of HUVECs induced by FFAs treatments with or without infection of toll-like receptor-4 interference (TLR4i) adenovirus.

Unsatisfactory Glucose Management and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Real World of Clinical Practice: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Facing the increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), this study aimed to evaluate the management of GDM and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The data of 996 inpatients with GDM who terminated pregnancies in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2015 were collected. Treatments during pregnancy and the last hospital admission before delivery were analyzed.

Clinical and molecular characterization of 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency due to mutations (p.Q6X, p.R246Q) in SRD5A2 gene.

Early diagnosis and optimal management for steroid 5α-reductase type 2 deficiency (5α-RD2) patients are major challenges for clinicians and mutation analysis for the 5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) gene is the golden standard for the diagnosis of the disease. In silico analysis of this enzyme has not been reported due to the lack of appropriate model. Moreover, the histological and pathological changes of the gonads are largely unknown.

Association of maternal serum lipids at late gestation with the risk of neonatal macrosomia in women without diabetes mellitus.

Background: Macrosomia is a serious public health problem worldwide due to its increasing prevalence and adverse influences on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal dyslipidemia exerts potential and adverse impacts on pregnant women and newborns. However, the association between maternal serum lipids and the risk of macrosomia has not yet been clearly elucidated.

Loss of PDK4 switches the hepatic NF-κB/TNF pathway from pro-survival to pro-apoptosis.

It has been established that nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) members promote survival by upregulating antiapoptotic genes and that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB is required for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that this pro-survival pathway is switched to pro-apoptosis under pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4)-deficient conditions. PDK4-deficiency triggered hepatic apoptosis concomitantly with increased numbers of aberrant mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, sustained c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activation, and reduction of glutathione (GSH).

Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is more informative than traditional cholesterol indices in predicting diabetes risk for women with normal glucose tolerance.

Aims/introduction: Limited data are available regarding the performance of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL) in predicting incident diabetes. We aimed to analyze the association between non-HDL and development of diabetes, and to estimate the cut-off point of non-HDL for discriminating incident diabetes in people with normal glucose tolerance.

Materials And Methods: Of 3,653 middle-aged and elderly Chinese with normal glucose tolerance at enrollment, 1,025 men and 1,805 women returned to the 3-year follow up and were involved in the final analysis.

A predictive model of thyroid malignancy using clinical, biochemical and sonographic parameters for patients in a multi-center setting.

Background: Thyroid nodules are highly prevalent, but a robust, feasible method for malignancy differentiation has not yet been well documented. This study aimed to establish a practical model for thyroid nodule discrimination.

Methods: Records for 2984 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were analyzed.

Identification of a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the CYP21A2 gene causing 21‑hydroxylase deficiency in a Chinese pedigree.

21‑Hydroxylase deficiency (21‑OHD) is the most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, 21‑OHD is caused by mutations in the cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2 (CYP21A2) gene. The present study was designed to investigate the genetic characteristics of one Chinese pedigree and to identify the genotype‑phenotype association, thereby facilitating the precise diagnosis of 21‑OHD at the molecular level.

S149R, a novel mutation in the gene causing X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common peroxisomal disorder. It is a heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in the () gene, encoding the peroxisomal membrane protein ALDP, which is involved in the transmembrane transport of very long-chain fatty acids. For the first time, we report a case of olivopontocerebellar X-ALD on the Chinese mainland.

Identification of a novel mutation in the FGFR3 gene in a Chinese family with Hypochondroplasia.

Background: Hypochondroplasia (HCH; OMIM 146000) is a common autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by disproportionate short stature, short extremities, relative macrocephaly, and lumbar lordosis. Because of its clinical and genetic heterogeneity, gene mutational analysis is particularly important in diagnosis and the phenotypes may be ameliorated if diagnosed early.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we examined a Chinese family with HCH, performed an inductive analysis of their clinical features and radiographic results, and applied targeted exome sequencing (TES) technology to perform a molecular diagnosis.

Confirmation of the pathogenicity of a mutation p.G337C in the COL1A2 gene associated with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Mutation analysis as the gold standard is particularly important in diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and it may be preventable upon early diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and genetic materials of an OI pedigree as well as to confirm the deleterious property of the mutation.A pedigree with OI was identified.

Effect of liraglutide on ectopic fat in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were treated with the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide to investigate the effect on liver fat content, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial 72 women with PCOS, with a BMI > 25 kg/m and/or insulin resistance, were treated with liraglutide or received placebo 1.8 mg/d (2:1) for 26 weeks.

The Effect of Aromatase on the Reproductive Function of Obese Males.

Obesity has increased dramatically worldwide, which is associated with male infertility. Androgen deficiency, impaired spermatogenesis, and erectile dysfunction are characteristics of male infertility. The balance of androgens and estrogens is essential for maintaining normal reproductive function in males.

Resveratrol attenuates triglyceride accumulation associated with upregulation of Sirt1 and lipoprotein lipase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol (Rsv) on expression of genes regulating triglyceride (TG) accumulation and consumption in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. Upon reaching confluence, cells were induced to differentiate for 4 days, cultured for 10 days for TG accumulation, and then incubated with Rsv (0, 25 or 50 μM) for 3 days.

Effects of saxagliptin on glucose homeostasis and body composition of obese patients with newly diagnosed pre-diabetes.

Aims: To assess the effect of saxagliptin monotherapy on blood glucose and islet β-cell function in obese patients with newly diagnosed pre-diabetes and abnormal fat metabolism.

Methods: A 24-week, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 25 obese subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (mean age 45years) to receive lifestyle intervention only (control group) or combined with saxagliptin 2.5mg or 5mg daily (S2.

Quantification of visceral adipose tissue in polycystic ovary syndrome: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry versus magnetic resonance imaging.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with frequent overweight and abdominal obesity. Quantifying visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in PCOS patients can be a tool to assess metabolic risk and monitor effects of treatment. The latest dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology can measure VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in a clinical setting.

Insulin sensitivity in relation to fat distribution and plasma adipocytokines among abusers of anabolic androgenic steroids.

Objective: Abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is prevalent among young men, but information regarding effects on insulin sensitivity and fat distribution is limited. The objective was to investigate insulin sensitivity in relation to fat distribution and adipocytokines among current and former AAS abusers compared with controls.

Design: Cross-sectional study among men involved in recreational strength training.

Benefits of Levothyroxine Replacement Therapy on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Patients.

. To evaluate the effect of levothyroxine (LT) replacement therapy on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients. .

A novel role for CRTC2 in hepatic cholesterol synthesis through SREBP-2.

Unlabelled: Cholesterol synthesis is regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) and its target gene 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element (CRE) binding protein-regulated transcription coactivator (CRTC) 2 is the master regulator of glucose metabolism. However, the effect of CRTC2 on cholesterol and its potential molecular mechanism remain unclear.

Exenatide improves liver mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance by reducing oxidative stress in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

Oxidative stress is associated with obesity and may be accompanied by liver insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. Decreased mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymatic activities and decreased insulin metabolic signaling may promote these maladaptive changes. In this context, exenatide has been reported to reduce hepatic lipid deposition, improve insulin sensitivity and improve mitochondrial dysfunction.

Thyroid stimulating hormone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis via CRTC2.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is positively correlated with abnormal glucose levels. We previously reported that TSH has direct effects on gluconeogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of Gitelman syndrome in 5 pedigrees].

To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of 5 pedigrees of Gitelman syndrome (GS), and summarize its advances in genetics, diagnosis and management. Five families with GS were identified and total genome DNA were extracted from the peripheral blood of all the family members. The exons and their flanking introns of gene were amplified by PCR and screened for mutation using Autoassembler 2.