The color difference in human subcutaneous fat (SF) and orbital fat (OF) is apparent, but the reasons have been rarely elaborated. We speculate that differences in carotenoid and lipid contents may account for the discrepancy in color. In this study, the intrinsic differences in SF and OF were analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE Plus LC−MS/MS). Lipid profiling was performed in an independent batch. The morphology between orbital septum and SF differed statistically in the size of adipocytes and the distribution area of adipocytes. We compared carotenoid contents between two groups (seven samples) and found that lutein was more abundant in SF than that in OF with a p-value of 0.0409, suggesting that lutein could be mainly responsible for the yellow color of adipose tissue. Lipidomic results proved that SF and OF were well differentiated. Totally, 402 lipid features were detected, with 349 features in the positive ion mode and 53 features in the negative ion mode. Features (99.9%) in the positive ion mode and features (98.7%) in the negative ion mode well described various separation patterns in principal component analysis. Thirty-two features selected by variable importance in projection might account for the diversity of compounds in SF and OF. In conclusion, SF and OF differed from each other in carotenoids and lipidome. It is helpful to study the metabolism process of lipid droplets in adipocytes.

BackgroundVasovagal reactions are common amongst patients with a fear of needles receiving injections or during venipuncture, but they are rarely studied in healthy people undergoing earlobe piercing. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence and the features of vasovagal reactions observed during earlobe piercing.MethodsThousand eight hundred and sixty six participants aged older than 13 years had their earlobes pierced in our department from January 2020 to January 2022. When vasovagal reactions occurred during the procedure (e.g., dizziness, pallor, diaphoresis, and faintness, etc.), they were recorded and more detailed demographic information was collected.ResultsA total of 196 cases of vasovagal reactions were reported in females amongst 1,866 participants, including 58 who actually lost consciousness during earlobe piercing. The incidence of vasovagal reactions and vasovagal syncope was 10.5 and 3.11% respectively. All syncopal reactions occurred in persons younger than 30 years.ConclusionVasovagal syncope is often very sudden and occurs without warning. Practitioners need to be familiar with these reactions, and prevent people from an unpredictable fall and subsequent injury during ear piercing.