Although genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified various genes and loci in predisposition to metabolic syndrome (MetS) or each component of this condition, the genetic basis of MetS in individuals remains to be identified definitively. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible association of MetS in individuals with 29 polymorphisms that were previously identified as susceptibility loci for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction by meta-analyses of GWASs. The study population comprised 1,822 subjects with MetS and 1,096 controls. Subjects with MetS had ≥3 of the 5 components of the diagnostic criteria for MetS, whereas control individuals had 0-1 of the 5 components. The genotypes for the 29 polymorphisms were determined by the multiplex bead-based Luminex assay. Comparisons of allele frequencies by the χ test revealed that rs17514846 (A→C) of the furin (paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme) gene (; P=0.0006), rs964184 (C→G) of the ZPR1 zinc finger gene (; P=0.0078) and rs599839 (G→A) of the proline/serine-rich coiled-coil 1 gene (P=0.0486) were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the prevalence of MetS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender and smoking status revealed that rs17514846 of (P=0.0016; odds ratio, 0.76; dominant model) and rs964184 of (P=0.0164; odds ratio, 1.21; dominant model) were significantly associated with MetS. The minor allele of rs17514846 of was significantly associated with a decrease in the serum concentration of triglycerides (P=0.0293) and to an increase in the serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P=0.0460). The minor allele of rs964184 of was significantly associated with increases in the serum concentration of triglycerides (P=6.2×10) and fasting plasma glucose level (P=0.0028) and to a decrease in the serum concentration of HDL cholesterol (P=0.0105). and may thus be susceptibility loci for MetS.

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a potentially life-threatening disorder, which can occur secondary to deep vein thrombosis. Ovarian vein thrombosis has classically been considered to be a postpartum complication and is less frequently associated with other disease processes, such as recent pelvic surgery. Herein, we report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism as a result of ovarian vein thrombosis in a 39-year-old woman after an uneventful laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uterine myoma. On postoperative day 3, the patient experienced fever of unknown origin, followed by lower abdominal pain, chest discomfort and shortness of breath. A hematological examination revealed an elevated D-dimer level. Computerized tomography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism caused by left ovarian vein thrombosis. The administration of anticoagulants resolved the symptoms. In order to avoid significant morbidities and potential mortality, attention should be paid to the possibility of pulmonary thromboembolism resulting from ovarian vein thrombosis, even after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign conditions.

No abstract

Abstract.Smoking is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Given that certain common pathologies, including hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, are major risk factors for CVDs, the association of smoking with CVDs may be attributable, at least in part, to its effects on common diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of smoking with the prevalence of common diseases and metabolic abnormalities in community-dwelling Japanese individuals. The study included 5,959 subjects (1,302 current smokers, 1,418 past smokers and 3,239 nonsmokers) recruited to the Inabe Health and Longevity Study, a longitudinal genetic epidemiological study of atherosclerotic, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Various metabolic parameters and prevalence of common diseases were compared between smokers and nonsmokers using multivariable regression or logistic regression analysis with adjustments for age. Analysis indicated significantly higher serum concentrations of triglycerides and lower concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in current smokers compared with nonsmokers in men and women. Serum concentrations of creatinine and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower and estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher in male current smokers. In addition, body weight was higher in female current smokers. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, smoking was significantly associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemia [P=6.3x10 -10 ;odds ratio (OR), 1.81], hypertriglyceridemia (P=2.3x10-20

Abstract. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and their meta-analyses have identified various genes and loci underlying the predisposition to ischemic stroke or coronary artery disease in Caucasian populations. Given that ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease may have a shared genetic architecture, certain polymorphisms may confer genetic susceptibility to these two diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible association of ischemic stroke with 29 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified by the meta-analyses of GWASs as susceptibility loci for coronary artery disease. The study population comprised 3,187 Japanese individuals, including 894 subjects with ischemic stroke and 2,293 controls. The genotypes for the 29 SNPs of the 28 genes were determined by a method that combines the polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes with suspension array technology. Comparisons of the allele frequencies by the χ 2 test between subjects with ischemic stroke and controls revealed that rs9319428 (G→A) of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 gene (P=0.0471), rs2075650 (G→A) of the translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homolog gene (TOMM40, P=0.0102) and rs273909 (T→C) of the solute carrier family 22, member 4 gene (SLC22A4, P=0.0097) were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the prevalence of ischemic stroke. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status and the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia revealed that rs2075650 of TOMM40 (P=0.0443; recessive model; odds ratio=0.50) and rs273909 of SLC22A4 (P= 0.0123; dominant model; odds ratio= 0.45) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke with the minor G and C allele, respectively, being protective against this condition. TOMM40 and SLC22A4 may thus be susceptibility loci for ischemic stroke in Japanese individuals.