Associations between iodine intake and thyroid nodules (TNs) were not consistent. We aimed to illustrate the relationship between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and TNs.

Weishi Huogu I (WH I) capsules, developed through traditional Chinese medicine, have been used to treat clinical osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) for decades. However, the mechanisms have not been systematically studied.

Adult stem cells maintain regenerative tissue structure and function by producing tissue-specific progeny, but the factors that preserve their tissue identities are not well understood. The small and large intestines differ markedly in cell composition and function, reflecting their distinct stem cell populations. Here we show that SATB2, a colon-restricted chromatin factor, singularly preserves LGR5+ adult colonic stem cell and epithelial identity in mice and humans. Satb2 loss in adult mice leads to stable conversion of colonic stem cells into small intestine ileal-like stem cells and replacement of the colonic mucosa with one that resembles the ileum. Conversely, SATB2 confers colonic properties on the mouse ileum. Human colonic organoids also adopt ileal characteristics upon SATB2 loss. SATB2 regulates colonic identity in part by modulating enhancer binding of the intestinal transcription factors CDX2 and HNF4A. Our study uncovers a conserved core regulator of colonic stem cells able to mediate cross-tissue plasticity in mature intestines.

Insulin plays a central role in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance (IR) is widely considered as the "common soil" of a cluster of cardiometabolic disorders. Assessment of insulin sensitivity is very important in preventing and treating IR-related disease. This study aims to develop and validate machine learning (ML)-augmented algorithms for insulin sensitivity assessment in the community and primary care settings.

Blood parameters, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, have been identified as reliable inflammatory markers with diagnostic and predictive value for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, novel hematological parameters derived from high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) have rarely been studied as indicators for the risk of poor outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of these novel biomarkers in COVID-19 patients and the diabetes subgroup.

We previously reported that fenugreek-derived 4-hydroxyisoleucine ameliorates insulin resistance via regulation of TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) expression. In the present study, we further investigate the effects and mechanisms of fenugreek on obesity-induced inflammation and insulin signaling in the high-fat diet (HFD)-challenged obese mice.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is spreading globally. Studies revealed that obesity may affect the progression and prognosis of COVID-19 patients. The aim of the meta-analysis is to identify the prevalence and impact of obesity on COVID-19. Studies on obese COVID-19 patients were obtained by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library databases and Web of Science databases, up to date to 5 June 2020. And the prevalence rate and the odds ratio (OR) of obesity with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as comprehensive indicators for analysis using a random-effects model. A total of 6081 patients in 11 studies were included. The prevalence of obesity in patients with COVID-19 was 30% (95% CI 21-39%). Obese patients were 1.79 times more likely to develop severe COVID-19 than non-obese patients (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.52-2.11, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). However obesity was not associated with death in COVID-19 patients (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.65-1.71, P = 0.84, I2 = 66.6%). In dose-response analysis, it was estimated that COVID-19 patients had a 16% increased risk of invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10-1.23, P < 0.0001) and a 20% increased risk of admission to ICU (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11-1.30, P < 0.0001) per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI. In conclusion, obesity in COVID-19 patients is associated with severity, but not mortality.

4-Hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL) is an active ingredient extracted from Trigonella foenum-graecum L., a Chinese traditional herbal medicine, which exerts the efficacy of anti-obesity and anti-diabetes. We previously reported that 4-HIL potentiates anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin resistance effects through down-regulation of TNF-α and TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 cells. In the present study, we further investigate the effects and mechanisms of 4-HIL on obesity-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages and 3 T3-L1 adipocytes co-culture system.

Albuminuria, or elevated urinary albumin-to-creatine ratio (UACR), is a biomarker for chronic kidney disease that is routinely monitored in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Head-to-head comparisons of novel antidiabetic drugs on albuminuria outcomes remain limited. This systematic review qualitatively compared the efficacy of novel antidiabetic drugs on improving albuminuria outcomes in patients with T2D.