Association between metabolic syndrome and agerelated cataract

·AIM: To determine the effect of metabolic syndrome on age-related cataract formation.·METHODS: We analyzed data for 2852 subjects [41.8%men and 58.2% women; mean(±SD) age, 52.9 ±13.9y],taken from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by criteria proposed by the Joint Interim Societies. Cataract was diagnosed by using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. The association between metabolic syndrome and cataract was determined using age-adjusted and multivariable logistic regression analyses.· RESULTS: In multivariable analyses, men with metabolic syndrome had a 64% increased risk of nuclear cataract [odds ratio(OR), 1.64; 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.12-2.39]. Women with metabolic syndrome had a56% increased risk of cortical cataract(OR, 1.56; 95% CI,1.06-2.30). Men and women with metabolic syndrome had a 46%(OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.12) and 49%(OR,1.49; 95% CI, 1.07-2.08) increased risk of any cataract,respectively. The prevalence of nuclear and any cataract significantly increased with an increasing number of disturbed metabolic components in men, and prevalence of all types of cataracts increased in women. Men using hypoglycemic medication had an increased risk of nuclear(OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.41-4.86) and any(OR, 2.27;95% CI, 1.14-4.51) cataract, and women using antidyslipidemia medication had an increased risk of cortical(OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.12-4.24) and any(OR, 2.21;95% CI, 1.14-4.26) cataract.·CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome and its components,such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, andimpaired fasting glucose, are associated with age-related cataract formation in the Korean population.

The J-shape association of serum total IgE levels with age-related cataract

AIM： To address the association between serum total IgE levels and age-related cataract in adults. METHODS： The study participants consisted of 1052 adults aged 40y or older in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses using the quartile cut-points of total IgE levels. RESULTS： The odds ratios （ORs） for nuclear and any cataract with ≥267 kU/L of serum IgE levels were 1.75 [95% confidence intervals （CI）, 1.04-2.96] and 2.00 （95%CI, 1.22-3.27）, respectively, comparing to 35-87 kU/L. Interestingly, participants with ≤35 kU/L of IgE levels （OR, 1.67; 95%CI, 1.02-2.72） also had higher risk for any cataract than those with 35-87 kU/L. The risk for any cataract （OR, 1.48; 95%CI, 1.03-2.13） was higher in participants with high total IgE levels （〉150 kU/L）, comparing to normal participants. CONCLUSION： Our findings indicate a J-shaped relationship between serum IgE levels and age-related cataract.

The distribution of drinking water-to-cattle ratios in the summer across four feedlots in the Texas High Plains

In this short communication, we report the findings of a cross-sectional pilot study of the amount of water available per head of cattle (water-to-cattle ratio) and the associated feedlot and environmental factors across 26 pens in four Texas feedlots. The water-to-cattle ratio varied greatly among pens within and between feedlots. Mixed-effect linear regression modeling with feedlot as a random effect indicated that water in troughs with a higher water-to-cattle ratio was generally warmer when compared with water in troughs with a lower water-to-cattle ratio. This may have implications in the transmission and persistence of pathogens in feedlot cattle, such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella, because warmer water has been reported to favor the growth of these pathogens. Therefore, future field studies in feedlot cattle are warranted to assess whether the water-to-cattle ratio affects the prevalence of these pathogens in the water itself or in feces shed by the animals.