ABSTRACT. Objective. In preterm infants, the rapid and accurate determination of the presence of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is extremely important, but this is often difficult. Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement has been reported to be a helpful aid in the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant PDA in preterm infants. The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of a rapid BNP assay as a diagnostic marker of symptomatic PDA (sPDA) in preterm infants.Methods. Sixty-six preterm infants, ranging from 25 to 34 gestational weeks of age, underwent clinical and echocardiographic examinations for PDA every other day from the third day of life until the disappearance of ductal flow. Blood samples were collected and plasma BNP concentrations were measured simultaneously using a commercial kit, (Triage BNP test kit; Biosite Diagnositics, San Diego, CA). When >2 clinically significant features of PDA were noted, and a large ductal flow was confirmed by color Doppler echocardiography, sPDA was diagnosed and treated with indomethacin.Results. On the third day after birth, the mean BNP concentration in the sPDA group (n ‫؍‬ 23) was significantly higher than in the control group (n ‫؍‬ 43) (2896 ؎ 1627 vs 208 ؎ 313 pg/mL). Seventeen infants (74%) in the sPDA group became asymptomatic after an initial course of indomethacin and their BNP levels concomitantly decreased. Moreover, BNP concentrations were significantly correlated with the magnitudes of the ductal shunt, such as the ratio of left atrial to aortic root diameter and the diastolic flow velocity of the left pulmonary artery (r ‫؍‬ 0.726 and 0.877). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for the detection of sPDA was high: 0.997 (95% confidence interval: 0.991-1.004). The best cutoff of BNP concentration for the diagnosis of sPDA was determined to be 1110 pg/mL (sensitivity: 100%; specificity: 95.3%).Conclusion. In preterm infants, the circulating BNP levels correlated well with the clinical and echocardiographic assessments of PDA. Although not a stand-alone test, the rapid BNP assay provides valuable information for the detection of infants with sPDA that require treatment. Moreover, serial BNP measurements may be of value in determining the clinical course of PDA in preterm infants. ABBREVIATIONS. PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; hsPDA; hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus; BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide; sPDA, symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus; LA/AO, a ratio of left atrium to the aortic root diameter; DFLPA, diastolic flow velocity of the left pulmonary artery; ROC, receiver operator characteristic; asPDA, asymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. R apidly and accurately determining the indications of therapeutic closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in preterm infants is extremely important. [1][2][3] The currently used tools, such as the clinical findings, which include heart failure and the typical echocardiographic features of hsPD...

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Central precocious puberty (CPP) is caused by premature activation of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Kisspeptin and G-protein coupled receptor-54 system is the essential gatekeeper of the reproductive system, playing a key role in the activation of the gonadotropic axis at puberty. We aimed to determine whether serum kisspeptin may function as a marker for CPP by investigating serum kisspeptin levels in Korean girls with CPP and their prepubertal controls. Serum kisspeptin levels of Korean girls with CPP (n = 30) and age-matched healthy prepubertal controls (n = 30) were measured with a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Serum kisspeptin levels were significantly higher in CPP group than in control group (4.61 ± 1.78 vs 2.15 ± 1.52 pM/L, P < 0.001). Serum kisspeptin was positively correlated with peak luteinizing hormone (LH), peak/basal LH ratio and peak LH/follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio during GnRH stimulation test. CPP is supposed to be triggered by premature increase of kisspeptin. Serum kisspeptin may be used as a marker of CPP. Further studies on KISS1 gene polymorphisms leading to higher risk of premature increase of kisspeptin and upstream regulator of kisspeptin are also needed.

Body weight is positively associated with bone mineral density but the relationship between obesity and bone mineral density is unclear. Leptin and adiponectin are potential independent contributors to bone mineral density. We assessed the correlations of body composition, leptin and adiponectin with bone mineral density, and whether leptin, adiponectin and body composition determine bone mineral density independently in prepubertal girls. Forty-eight prepubertal girls were classified into obese and control groups by body mass index. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy radiography absorptiometry and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Lean and fat mass, and leptin were positively correlated with bone mineral density. Lean mass was a positive independent predictor of femoral and L-spine bone mineral density. Serum leptin was a postivie independent predictor of femoral bone mineral density. Fat mass was a negative independent predictor of femoral bone mineral density. In prepubertal girls, lean mass has a favorable effect on bone mineral density. Fat mass seems not to protect the bone structure against osteoporosis, despite increased mechanical loading. Serum leptin may play a biological role in regulating bone metabolism.

ObjectivesTo examine trends in socioeconomic inequalities in major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among the Korean population.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA nationally representative population survey database.ParticipantsA total of 42 725 Koreans, aged 25–64 years, who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) II (2001) to VI (2013–2014).Main outcome measuresTrends in socioeconomic inequalities in five major CVD risk factors (smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia).ResultsGender differences were noted in the time trends in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Among men, low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with higher prevalence of smoking, but not with obesity, diabetes or hypertension. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity and diabetes remained unchanged, and the magnitude of the inequality in hypertension decreased over time. However, among women, low SES was associated with higher prevalence of smoking, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Time trends towards increasing socioeconomic inequalities, measured by income, in smoking, obesity and diabetes were found in women. Unlike the other CVD risk factors, hypercholesterolaemia was not associated with socioeconomic inequality.ConclusionsSES had a stronger impact on major CVD risk factors among Korean women than men. Moreover, socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity and diabetes worsened among Korean women over time. Public policies to prevent smoking, obesity and diabetes in women with lower SES are needed to address inequalities.