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Purpose: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of the CC chemokine family, and the MCP-1 2518 A/G gene polymorphism is reported to be correlated with chronic inflammatory diseases, including insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, few studies have investigated the association between MCP-1 gene polymorphisms and obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a retrospective case-control study and evaluated the association between the MCP-1 2518 A/G polymorphism and obesity in Korean patients with T2DM. Patients and Methods: This single-center, retrospective, case-control study enrolled 526 Korean patients with T2DM. Obesity was defined using the body mass index (BMI) with a cutoff level of 25 kg/m2. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze MCP-1 2518 A/G polymorphism; the genotypes was presented as GG, AG, or AA. We compared the MCP-1 2518 A/G polymorphism with the prevalence of diabetic complications, as well as clinical and biochemical characteristics. Results: The obese group had a higher number of females and higher C-peptide, insulin, triglycerides, aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. The obese group also had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease than the non-obese group. The obese group had a higher frequency of the MCP-1 2518 AA genotype and the A allele than the non-obese group. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the non-G allele of MCP-1 was significantly associated with obesity (odds ratio (OR), 1.888; P=0.016). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the MCP-1 2518 A/G polymorphism is associated with obesity in Korean patients with T2DM. Further studies involving various ethnic groups are required to validate our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSymptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis are nonspecific and assessing its clinical status is difficult with conventional physical examinations and history taking. Increased heart rate (HR) is one of the easiest signs to quantify this, and current wearable devices can monitor HR. ObjectiveWe assessed the association between thyroid function and resting HR measured by a wearable activity tracker (WD-rHR) and evaluated the clinical feasibility of using this method in patients with thyrotoxicosis. MethodsThirty patients with thyrotoxicosis and 10 controls were included in the study. Participants were instructed to use the wearable activity tracker during the study period so that activity and HR data could be collected. The primary study outcomes were verification of changes in WD-rHR during thyrotoxicosis treatment and associations between WD-rHR and thyroid function. Linear and logistic model generalized estimating equation analyses were performed and the results were compared to conventionally obtained resting HR during clinic visits (on-site resting HR) and the Hyperthyroidism Symptom Scale. ResultsWD-rHR was higher in thyrotoxic patients than in the control groups and decreased in association with improvement of thyrotoxicosis. A one standard deviation–increase of WD-rHR of about 11 beats per minute (bpm) was associated with the increase of serum free T4 levels (beta=.492, 95% CI 0.367-0.616, P

This study analyzes the determinants of Korean households' intention to take out a trust-type home pension (Korean reverse mortgage) or switch from a collateral-type home pension to a trust-type home pension. Using a proportional odds logit model, we analyzed 2018 survey data on home pension demand. Trust-type home pension enrollment is most significantly influenced by homeowners' relationship with children after enrollment, followed by homeowners' need for retirement-related financial education. The presence (or absence) of a homeowner's spouse most significantly influenced conversion intention, affirming that for homeowners with a spouse, their priority in pension selection was securing their spouse's future entitlement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]