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Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is an endogenous inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase that modulates lipid levels, coronary atherosclerosis risk, and nutrient partitioning. We hypothesize that loss of ANGPTL4 function might improve glucose homeostasis and decrease risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigate protein-altering variants in ANGPTL4 among 58,124 participants in the DiscovEHR human genetics study, with follow-up studies in 82,766 T2D cases and 498,761 controls. Carriers of p.E40K, a variant that abolishes ANGPTL4 ability to inhibit lipoprotein lipase, have lower odds of T2D (odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.85–0.92, p = 6.3 × 10−10), lower fasting glucose, and greater insulin sensitivity. Predicted loss-of-function variants are associated with lower odds of T2D among 32,015 cases and 84,006 controls (odds ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.49–0.99, p = 0.041). Functional studies in Angptl4-deficient mice confirm improved insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. In conclusion, genetic inactivation of ANGPTL4 is associated with improved glucose homeostasis and reduced risk of T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pott’s puffy tumor is characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of frontal bone. Reports are limited for this rare entity in the antibiotics era but increase during past decade. We had clinical analysis of a series with six consecutive pediatric patients of Pott’s puffy tumor during 20 years in a tertiary medical center via retrospective chart review. One case was described in detail. Male-to-female ratio was 5:1. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 13 years–3 months. The risk factors were acute sinusitis in two (33%), chronic sinusitis in two (33%), recent head trauma in two (33%), and acupuncture therapy on skull in one (17%). The commonest presenting symptoms were fever, headache, forehead tenderness, vomiting, and fatigue/malaise (100%). Pott’s puffy tumor was diagnosed on average the seventh day after fever, and half had intracranial involvement at diagnosis. All had intracranial infections, and most of them had subdural empyema. The most often involved sinus was frontal sinus (100%). The frontal lobe was the most common site of intracranial infection (100%), two thirds of which are polymicrobial from two or more sites. The initial operation was performed on average on the 5.8th days after diagnosis. Half of the patients underwent reoperation. The mortality rate was 17% (one of six). The symptoms of Pott’s puffy tumor are inconspicuous even though early intracranial involvement often occurred. The importance of early diagnosis and aggravated and prompt treatment with prolonged antibiotic therapy is emphasized for better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnolol, a compound extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Magnolia officinalis, has several biological effects. However, its protective effects against endothelial injury remain unclear. In this study, we examined whether magnolol prevents oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced vascular endothelial apoptosis. Incubation of oxLDL with magnolol (2.5–20 μM) inhibited copper-induced oxidative modification via diene formation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and electrophoretic mobility assay. Apoptotic cell death as characterized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) stain. We measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by using the fluorescent probe 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (DCF-AM), and observed the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, several apoptotic signaling pathways which showed NF-κB activation, increased cytosolic calcium, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release and activation of caspase 3 were also investigated. We demonstrated that magnolol prevented the copper-induced oxidative modification of LDL. Magnolol attenuated the oxLDL-induced ROS generation and subsequent NF-κB activation. Furthermore, intracellular calcium accumulation and subsequent mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, cytochome c release and activation of caspase 3 caused by oxLDL were also inhibited by magnolol. Our results suggest that magnolol may have clinical implications in the prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease through decreasing the oxLDL-induced ROS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??It is known that osteoporosis decreases physical function in older males. However, the role of metabolic parameters and physical activity influencing older men's bone status remains unclear. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate calcaneus bone mass by ultrasonic screening and the associated physical and metabolic functions in older men. This was a cross-sectional study. Three hundred sixty-eight older men (average age, 78.8 years) living in a veterans' home were enrolled. We measured body height and weight, waist and hip circumference, body fat, lean body mass, blood pressure, 6-min walking distance, complete blood count, and blood biochemical profile. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and T-score were recorded using Soundscan quantitative ultrasound over the right calcaneus. The range of calcaneus BUA was 27.3?134.0; T-score was from ?4.78 to 3.43. Of the total participants, 36.4% were osteopenic (?2.5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]