Several studies have identified that obesity and being overweight can increase the risk of developing myocardial infarction (MI). However, the predictive value of the central obesity index, that is, the waist-hip ratio (WHR), regarding MI risk remains unclear. This study aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of WHR as a predictor of MI incidence.

Neck circumference (NC) is an attractive method for determining overweight and obesity in school age children because it is inexpensive and culturally acceptable. However, this technique has not been assessed for its accuracy in school children from countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which have high prevalence of overweight and obesity.The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the correlation between the body mass index (BMI), NC, and waist-hip ratio and demographic characteristics among 10- to 18-year-old adolescent school children in Bahrain.BMI was calculated using Center of Disease Control and Prevention Children's BMI Tool for Schools. Data was collected for a total of n = 397 adolescents from 4 different private schools with an average age of 12.91 years; 57.7% were male and 42.3% female.In this sample of adolescents, 50.1% were either overweight (21.4%) or obese (28.7%). BMI was significantly associated with waist-hip ratio (P < .01), gender (P < .05), and age (P < .01). Multiple linear regressions revealed that NC was significantly associated with age (P < .001) and less so with gender (P = .071) and BMI was significantly associated with NC (P < .01), gender (P < .01), and age (P < .05). Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic for males and females combined showed fair sensitivity and specificity (Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.707; 95% CI: 0.656, 0.758).NC is weakly correlated with BMI, and only a fair instrument for identifying overweight/obesity based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Therefore, NC could only be used as an adjunct screening tool for weight status in this sample.

The autoimmune and gene etiology are implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) is important for negative regulation of T-cell activation, and CTLA4 gene has been identified as a risk factor for some autoimmune diseases. However, none studies have been performed about the association between PCOS and the CTLA4 gene before. Here, we aimed to investigate the association of CTLA4 with PCOS in the Chinese Han population though a case-control association analysis of 606 individuals. The tagging variants rs733618 and rs231775 in the CTLA4 gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis method. Further analysis found the rs733618 was significantly different between case and control groups in either genotypic or allelic distribution (P = .01 and .009, respectively) while rs231775 not. Moreover, rs733618 was significantly associated with higher body mass index in the dominant model (P = .003) and with higher waist/hip ratio in the recessive model (P = .02). Interestingly, rs733618 was only found to have significant association with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in both dominant and recessive model (P = .009 and .0065, respectively). This is the first study to investigate the association of CTLA4 gene with PCOS. The CTLA4 gene is suggested to correlated with PCOS, and influence PCOS through regulating obesity and the HOMA-IR in a novel way.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely related to hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with T2DM and to explore the risk factors.A total of 629 patients with T2DM were enrolled. Liver stiffness value (LSV) and controlled attenuation parameters (CAP) were measured using Fibroscan. Liver fibrosis was diagnosed when LSV was greater than 7.4 kPa, and advanced liver fibrosis was diagnosed when LSV was greater than 10.6 kPa. Hepatic steatosis diagnosis was made when CAP value was greater than 238 dB/m. Demographic information, physical examination data, and laboratory tests results were collected. The 629 patients were classified into 2 groups by the liver fibrosis and liver steatosis, and then the difference was analyzed.Among patients enrolled, 231 patients were diagnosed as liver fibrosis. The age of the patients in the fibrosis group was significantly greater than that in the non-fibrosis group, and similar trends were observed in the waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The proportion of smoking and alcoholic consumption was significantly lower in patients with non-fibrosis group. A total of 426 patients were diagnosed with liver steatosis. Body mass index (BMI), WHR, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in patients with steatosis were significantly higher than those in non-steatosis group. We observed that the LSV (P = .042) and CAP value (P < .001) are positively correlated with metabolic syndrome components in T2DM patients. Older age (OR = 1.099, P = .001), high BMI (OR = 1.088, P = .003), low platelet level (OR = 0.996, P = .014), and smoking (OR = 1.653, P = .013) were independent risk factors of liver fibrosis among T2DM patients. High BMI (OR = 1.369, P < .001), high diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.048, P < .001), and high gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (OR = 1.018, P = .009) were independent risk factors for liver steatosis among T2DM patients.This study suggested risk factors screening of liver fibrosis and steatosis. Timely intervention should be taken into consideration among high risk patients to prevent progress liver diseases.