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BackgroundStudies generally show that higher acculturation is associated with greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among immigrants in the United States (US). However, few studies have compared how proxies of acculturation are differentially associated with metabolic abnormalities measured using objective biomarkers, self-reported diagnosis, and medication use, particularly among East Asian Americans.MethodsSurvey data and biomarker measurements collected from random (non-fasting) blood samples of Chinese and Korean immigrants in the US (n = 328) were used to examine the associations between two proxies for acculturation (years living in the US and English speaking proficiency) with three cardiometabolic abnormalities (high triglyceride levels, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia). Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios adjusted for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and body mass index. Gender, Asian subgroup, and household income were tested as potential effect modifiers.ResultsLiving longer in the US was associated with greater likelihood of having high triglycerides. In addition, living longer in the US was associated with greater likelihood of diabetes for people with lower household income and greater likelihood of hypercholesterolemia for people with higher household income. Higher level of English proficiency was less consistently associated with higher cardiometabolic risk, although there was a significant association with greater likelihood of hypercholesterolemia.ConclusionsLonger time lived in the US is associated with higher risk of cardiometabolic abnormalities among Chinese and Korean Americans. Future studies of acculturation and cardiometabolic risk should carefully consider potential mechanisms and what proxy measures of acculturation capture.Trial registration numberNCT03481296, date of registration: 3/29/2018.

Prior research contends that social support positively influences health by optimizing individuals' psychological processes such as appraisals, emotions, and sense of control-known as stress-buffering effects. This study tests this theoretical concept by examining whether the association between social support and health can be explained by the psychological processes of perceived stress and distress among Chinese and Korean American immigrants. Furthermore, we examine what predicts social support in this population, with a particular focus on factors related to immigration. Using a total sample of 400 Chinese and Korean American immigrants, we examine the association between social support and self-rated health (SRH), accounting for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, and perceived distress using multivariable logistic regression models. We conducted a mediation analysis using the Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) method to determine whether perceived stress and distress partly explained the association between social support and SRH. Findings showed a strong total effect of higher social support on better SRH. Furthermore, mediation was detected, with perceived stress and distress explaining 42.98% of the total effect of social support on SRH. Multivariable linear regression models revealed that social support among Chinese and Korean American immigrants was associated with marital status, employment, ethnic identity, and acculturative stress. This study highlights the centrality of social support for Chinese and Korean American immigrants, which lowers perceived stress and distress, leading to better overall health. By confirming these stress-buffering effects, our findings suggest that bolstering social support among vulnerable Chinese and Korean American immigrant populations can have a positive effect on health by optimizing stress appraisals.

Some immune system cells express type A and/or type B γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA-Rs and/or GABAB-Rs). Treatment with GABA, which activates both GABAA-Rs and GABAB-Rs), and/or a GABAA-R-specific agonist inhibits disease progression in mouse models of type 1 diabetes (T1D), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and COVID-19. Little is known about the clinical potential of specifically modulating GABAB-Rs. Here, we tested lesogaberan, a peripherally restricted GABAB-R agonist, as an interventive therapy in diabetic NOD mice. Lesogaberan treatment temporarily restored normoglycemia in most newly diabetic NOD mice. Combined treatment with a suboptimal dose of lesogaberan and proinsulin/alum immunization in newly diabetic NOD mice or a low-dose anti-CD3 in severely hyperglycemic NOD mice greatly increased T1D remission rates relative to each monotherapy. Mice receiving combined lesogaberan and anti-CD3 displayed improved glucose tolerance and, unlike mice that received anti-CD3 alone, had some islets with many insulin+ cells, suggesting that lesogaberan helped to rapidly inhibit β-cell destruction. Hence, GABAB-R-specific agonists may provide adjunct therapies for T1D. Finally, the analysis of microarray and RNA-Seq databases suggested that the expression of GABAB-Rs and GABAA-Rs, as well as GABA production/secretion-related genes, may be a more common feature of immune cells than currently recognized.

Background & Aims: Although non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC risk in non‐cirrhotic NAFLD received little attention. We aimed to develop and validate an HCC risk prediction model for non‐cirrhotic NAFLD. Methods: A nationwide cohort of non‐cirrhotic NAFLD patients in Korea was recruited to develop a risk prediction model and validate it internally (n = 409 088). A model using a simplified point system was developed by Cox proportional hazard model. K‐fold cross‐validation assessed the accuracy, discrimination and calibration. The model was validated externally using a hospital cohort from Asan Medical Center (n = 8721). Results: An 11‐point HCC risk prediction model for non‐cirrhotic NAFLD was developed using six independent factors of age, sex, diabetes, obesity, serum alanine aminotransferase level and gamma‐glutamyl transferase level (c‐index 0.75). The average area under receiver operating curves (AUROCs) of the model was 0.72 at 5 years and 0.75 at 10 years. In the external validation cohort, the AUROCs were 0.79 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–0.95] at 5 years and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.73–0.94) at 10 years. The calibration plots showed the expected risks corresponded well with the observed risks. Risk stratification categorized patients into the low (score 0–6), moderate (7, 8) and high (9–11; estimated incidence rate >0.2%/year) risk groups. Conclusions: A novel HCC risk prediction model for non‐cirrhotic NAFLD patients was developed and validated with fair performance. The model is expected to serve as a simple and reliable tool to assess HCC risk and assist precision screening of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Although obesity is a known risk factor for colorectal neoplasms, the correlation between weight change and colorectal neoplasm is unclear. Thus, we aim to evaluate the association between weight change and advanced colorectal neoplasm (ACRN) recurrence during post‐polypectomy surveillance colonoscopy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 7473 participants diagnosed with colorectal neoplasms between 2003 and 2010 who subsequently underwent surveillance colonoscopies until 2020. We analyzed the association between the risk of metachronous ACRN and weight change, defining stable weight as a weight change of <3% and weight gain as a weight increase of ≥3% from baseline during the follow‐up period. Results: During a median 8.5 years of follow‐up, 619 participants (8.3%) developed ACRN. Weight gain was reported as an independent risk factor for metachronous ACRN in a time‐dependent Cox analysis. A weight gain of 3–6% and ≥6% had adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) of 1.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.84) and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.71–2.69), respectively. Participants aged 30–49 and 50–75 years with weight gain of ≥6% showed AHRs of 2.88 (95% CI: 1.96–4.21) and 1.90 (95% CI: 1.43–2.51), respectively. In men and women, weight gain of ≥3% was significantly correlated with metachronous ACRN. Conclusions: Weight gain is associated with an increased risk of metachronous ACRN. Furthermore, weight gain is associated with the recurrence of ACRN in both men and women regardless of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]