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Objective Ghrelin is a novel gastric peptide identified in 1999 as a ‘hunger hormone’. Plasma ghrelin level is decreased in human obesity. Factors associated with ghrelin have been mainly investigated in western countries where the prevalence of obesity is high. The aim of this study is to examine factors associated with plasma ghrelin in a Japanese general population where obesity is not so common. Methods Fasting ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA in 638 subjects in 2005–2007. We measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure. Blood was drawn in the morning after a 12-h fast for determinations of ghrelin, lipid, glucose (FPG), insulin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and uric acid levels. Univariate and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to find out factors associated with ghrelin. Results In our population, the mean BMI was 23·8 kg/m2, indicating a nonobese population. Results of univariate analysis showed that age (P

Gymnastatins F (1) and Q (2) were successfully synthesized using the tandem Michael and aldol reaction of the corresponding spirodienones with hemiacetal functions. Inspection of the optical purities of the substrates suggested that undesired racemization does not proceed during the tandem reaction. Results of theoretical calculations agreed with the ratio of the reaction outcome.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nonhistone chromatin-associated protein, is implicated as a mediator of both infectious and non-infectious inflammatory conditions. Clinical research on this protein in humans just has begun; serum HMGB1 was reported to be elevated in a small number of critically ill patients suffering from sepsis. However, the kinetics, distribution and factors associated with circulating HMGB1 are unknown in a general population. In this study, we examined these issues in a large population of healthy subjects. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 626 subjects (237 males and 389 females). HMGB1 levels showed a skewed distribution with a mean of 1.65 ± 0.04 ng/ml. Multiple stepwise regression analyses found that white blood cell (WBC) counts (P = .016) and the soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE; P < .001, inversely), which is also known to be a receptor for HMGB1, were independently associated with HMGB1 levels. We demonstrated for the first time that circulating HMGB1 levels were inversely associated with sRAGE levels in a general population. Because RAGE is involved in HMGB1 signaling, our present study suggests that sRAGE may capture and eliminate circulating HMGB1 in humans.

ratio, 1.9 (95%CI: 1.09 3.33), 2.04 (956%CI:1.01 4.15) and 2.98 (95%CI: 1.36 6.55) respectively. This association of the ECG abnormalities with coronary death was independent of age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, blood sugar level, smoking and drinking. Conclusion: ST-segment depression, T-wave abnormality and ST-T abnormality in ECG are associated with significantly higher risk for CVD and CHD mortality in women.

Purpose: Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) induces secondary erythrocytosis and CCHD is thought to be one of the risk factors for cholelithiasis, but the frequency of cholelithiasis and/or gallstones in patients with CCHD is unknown. Materials and Methods: A hundred and two patients with CHD were divided into 4 groups: group A 22 CCHD without reparative surgery or with palliative surgery; group B 35 CCHD after repair who were eliminated cyanosis; group C 17 acyanotic CHD without repair; and group D 28 acyanotic CHD after repair. Gallstones were studied by abdominal ultrasonography or CT in each patient. For analysis of risk factors, patient records regarding cyanotic period, family history and past abdominal surgery were reviewed and blood pressures, lipid profiles, blood sugar and liver enzyme were evaluated. Results: Cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis was underwent in 7 of 279 CCHD patients (2.5%). In group A, 7 patients (31%) underwent cholecystectomy, and 3 patients (18%) have gallstones. In group B, 11 patients (37%) had gallstones. In group C, nobody had gallstones, and in group D 2 patients (7%) had gallstones. SPO2 was significantly lower and red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, HbA1C and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in group A (p 19.8, 95%CI 1.30 300.1). Conclusions: The incidence of cholelithiasis and gallstones is significantly high in CCHD regardless of repair. The most important factor related to gallstones was having CCHD even after desaturation was improved by surgical repair.