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Objective. To study health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in obese presurgery patients with binge eating disorder (BED) and with subdiagnostic binge eating disorder (SBED) compared to patients without eating disorders or SBED. Method. Participants were patients referred to St. Olavs University Hospital, Norway, for bariatric surgery. Eating Disorders in Obesity (EDO) questionnaire was used to diagnose BED and SBED. Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) assessed health-related quality of life. Questionnaires were returned by 160 of 209 patients. The present study sample consisted of 143 patients (103 women and 40 men) as 17 patients did not complete the SF-12. Results. Patients with BED and patients with SBED both had significantly lower mental HRQoL, but not physical HRQoL, compared to patients without eating disorders. Discussion. The findings indicate that obese presurgery patients with BED, and also SBED, may have special treatment needs in regard to their mental health.

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) powder designed for the selective removal of interfering chlorophyll pigment from heavily pigmented green plant extracts during pesticide residue analysis or analysis for bioactives in natural product research is reported. The polymer powder imprinted with chlorophyll a was synthesized by copolymerizing the functional and cross-linking monomers, methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), respectively. During batch rebinding experiments, the MIP effectively removed chlorophyll from neat chlorophyll standards, green medicinal plants, and spinach extracts with determined absorbance as high as 2.501 absorbance units (Au) to as low as 0.084 Au after the optimum quantity of the MIP (170 mg mL−1) was added as the adsorbent prior to instrumental analysis. The determined 0.084 Au absorbance was far below the absorbance of 2% chlorophyll (0.401 Au) regarded as the cut-off point for interfering chlorophyll. Thus the newly developed polymer presents itself as a suitable adsorbent for the selective removal of chlorophyll from heavily pigmented, chlorophyll containing extracts.

A lectin was isolated from the roots of 7-day old Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. seedlings using size-exclusion chromatography. The root lectin revealed two subunits in SDS-PAGE and migrated as a single protein in a pH gradient isoelectrofocusing gel electrophoresis as well as in native gel electrophoresis. The root lectin exhibited no specificity to any of the erythrocytes tested. In addition, the agglutinating activity of the root lectin was markedly increased by enzymes. The hemeagglutinating activity of the root lectin was inhibited by the sugars N-acetyl-galactosamine and methyl-a-D-glucopyranoside.

Intercellular transport of the plant hormone auxin is mediated by three families of membrane-bound protein carriers, with the PIN and ABCB families coding primarily for efflux proteins and the AUX/LAX family coding for influx proteins. In the last decade our understanding of gene and protein function for these transporters in Arabidopsis has expanded rapidly but very little is known about their role in woody plant development. Here we present a comprehensive account of all three families in the model woody species Populus, including chromosome distribution, protein structure, quantitative gene expression, and evolutionary relationships. The PIN and AUX/LAX gene families in Populus comprise 16 and 8 members respectively, and show evidence for the retention of paralogs following a relatively recent whole genome duplication. There is also evidence for differential expression across tissues within many gene pairs. The ABCB family is previously undescribed in Populus and includes 20 members, showing a much deeper evolutionary history including both tandem and whole genome duplication as well as probable loss. A striking number of these transporters are expressed in developing Populus stems and we suggest that evolutionary and structural relationships with known auxin transporters in Arabidopsis can point toward candidate genes for further study in Populus. This is especially important for the ABCBs, which is a large family and includes members in Arabidopsis that are able to transport other substrates in addition to auxin. Protein modeling, sequence alignment and expression data all point to ABCB1.1 as a likely auxin transport protein in Populus. Given that basipetal auxin flow through the cambial zone shapes the development of woody stems, it is important that we identify the full complement of proteins involved in this process. This work should lay the foundation for studies targeting specific proteins for functional characterization and in situ localization.

Clinical and scientific work routinely relies on antecubital venipunctures for hematological, immunological or other analyses on blood. This study tested the hypothesis that antecubital veins can be considered to be a good proxy for other sampling sites. Using a hematocytometer and a flow cytometer, we analyzed the cell counts from samples coming from the radial artery, the dorsal hand veins and the antecubital veins from 18 volunteers. Most surprisingly, we identified the greatest difference not to exist between arterial and venous circulation, but between the distal (radial artery & dorsal hand veins) and proximal (antecubital veins) sampling sites. Naïve T cells had a higher cell count distally compared to proximally and the reverse was true for effector memory T cells. Despite these differences there were high correlations between the different sampling sites, which partially supports our initial hypothesis. Our findings are crucial for the future design and interpretation of immunological research, and for clinical practice. Furthermore, our results suggest a role for interval lymph nodes in the trafficking of lymphocytes.

Results on a systematic study on the effects of ion implantation on the near-surface mechanical and structural properties of boron suboxide (B6O) prepared by uniaxial hot pressing are reviewed. 150 keV fluorine ions at fluences of up to 5.0×1016 ions/cm2 were implanted into the ultrahard ceramic material at room temperature and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Evidence of ion-beam-assisted nucleation of novel clustered BxOyFz particles by ion implantation is revealed. In addition, obtained results also reveal that fluorine implantation into the B6O specimen leads to an overall degradation of near-surface mechanical properties with increasing fluorine fluence. Implications of these observations in the creation of amorphous near-surface layers by high-dose ion implantation are discussed in this paper.

Distance learning is seen as the obvious answer for remote learners, and the use of online media is expected to overcome any access difficulties imposed by geographical distance. However, this belief may be obscuring our understanding of the role that location and individual circumstances have in shaping student experience. This paper explores the variation in experiences of remote rural students who study with the Open University (UK). The researchers found that perceptions of remoteness depended on geography, but were also relative to individual circumstances. With respect to students’ sense of connection with university staff and peers, most mentioned their contact with their personal tutor. Networks with peers were less common, a matter of concern if peer networks are integral to fostering improved retention and progression. In this particular context, distance education may be playing an important and distinctive role for remote students by providing opportunities for connections with like-minded people.

The Vickers microhardness measurements of boron suboxide (B6O) ceramics prepared by uniaxial hot-pressing was investigated at indentation test loads in the range from 0.10 to 2.0 kgf. Results from the investigation indicate that the measured microhardness exhibits an indentation load dependence. Based on the results, we present a comprehensive model intercomparison study of indentation size effects (ISEs) in the microhardness measurements of hot-pressed B6O discussed using existing models, that is, the classical Meyer's law, Li and Bradt's proportional specimen resistance model (PSR), the modified proportional specimen resistance model (MPSR), and Carpinteri's multifractal scaling law (MFSL). The best correlation between literature-cited load-independent Vickers microhardness values, the measured values, and applied models was achieved in the case of the MPSR and the MFSL models.

Introducción: el municipio de Juan de Acosta en el departamento del Atlántico, es la segunda población del mundo después del lago de Maracaibo en Venezuela, con mayor concentración de pacientes con enfermedad de Huntington, con ascendencia española. Actualmente existen casos clínicos de Huntington y un número desconocido de familiares en riesgo de padecerla sin diagnóstico molecular. Este estudio pretende establecer por primera vez para el departamento del Atlántico el diagnostico molecular de la enfermedad, al determinar mutaciones en el gen HD en el brazo corto del cromosoma 4. Materiales y métodos: se seleccionaron siete pacientes con manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad y 157 familiares a riesgo de padecerla provenientes de los municipios de Juan de Acosta, Baranoa, Barranquilla, Tubará, Puerto Colombia y corregimientos aledaños. El 50% de los pacientes estudiados correspondieron a hombres y el 50% restante a mujeres. De cada paciente se obtuvo un consentimiento informado, historia clínica y antecedentes genéticos de la enfermedad. Se tomó muestra de sangre pareadas en tubo al vacío con anticoagulante y se garantizó la confidencialidad. Se realizó extracción de ADN total se cuantificó y se estandarizó las condiciones de la PCR. Se utilizaron primers diseñados para amplificar la proteína huntingtina. Resultados: los productos de amplificación fueron purificados se identificaron los positivos por secuenciación.

El consumo de alimentos con residuos de oxitetraciclina (OTC) puede causar diversos efectos tóxicos en el humano. Con la finalidad de extraer y cuantificar dichos residuos en matrices biológicas, como carne de pollo, se han desarrollado diversos métodos. Dentro de los métodos propuestos el más empleado es la extracción líquido-líquido por ser sencillo, rápido y económico. Este tipo de extracción fue aplicada por Furusawa para OTC en pollo, empleando acetonitrilo/hexano en una proporción 5:4 obteniendo una recuperación del 88%. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar la recuperación de OTC en carne de pollo ensayada por Furusawa, aumentando la proporción del solvente polar con respecto al hexano (2:1), para su posterior cuantificación mediante cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). Para ello se utilizaron 24 porciones de 1 g de tejido muscular perteneciente al muslo de 3 pollos libres de antibióticos, las cuales se fortificaron con soluciones estándares de OTC de 0,1; 0,2; 0,5 y 1 µg/g, obteniendo 6 muestras fortificadas con cada concentración, las cuales fueron almacenadas por 12 horas a 4°C. La extracción del antibiótico se llevó a cabo con acetonitrilo/hexano en proporciones 5:4 y 2:1. En cada caso se evaluó la recuperación, precisión y sensibilidad. Tanto para la proporción 5:4 como 2:1, la concentración de 0,2 µg/g presentó la mayor recuperación, siendo 91,5 y 92,5%, respectivamente; sin embargo, al aumentar la concentración de OTC disminuyó la recuperación. La precisión se incrementó a la concentración de 0,5 µg/g, sin embargo, al duplicar la concentración a 1 µg/g disminuyó dicho parámetro. El límite de detección obtenido para la extracción de OTC con acetonitrilo/hexano en proporción 2:1 fue de 0,09 µg/g. Se recomienda realizar una desproteinización de la muestra previo al proceso de extracción.

Se investigó las características físico-químicas y microbiológicas de 32 muestras de queso de mano provenientes de cuatro centros de mayor venta en el municipio Girardot, Edo. Aragua, Venezuela. Los resultados promedios obtenidos de la evaluación físico-química fueron: humedad 51,31%, grasa 49,40%(bs), proteína 45,52%(bs), NaCl 3,74%(bs), pH 4,51 y acidez 0,76%. La evaluación microbiológica de las muestras dieron como resultados promedios: Staphylococcus spp 2,9 í—106 UFC/g de las cuales 25% se registraron como coagulasa (+), mesófilos aerobio 4,3 í—109 UFC/g y coliformes totales 2,23 í—106 NMP/g. Los resultados obtenidos en el análisis físico-químico demostraron que entre cada fabricación o lote y entre centros de ventas hay una variación bastante notable para cada variable evaluada. Lo anterior probablemente se debió a razones multifactoriales como falta de estandarización en el esquema tecnológico, manejo inadecuado en el transporte y almacenamiento, falta de controles en las condiciones de temperatura y tiempo de almacenamiento. Los resultados de la evaluación microbiológica demostraron que todas las muestras estudiadas están por encima de los valores recomendados por la norma Venezolana COVENIN. Por lo tanto, el consumo del queso de mano, en los centros evaluados, puede constituir un riesgo de salud pública

Las denominadas superwarfarinas se desarrollaron a partir de la década de 1970 como solución a las resistencias que habían desarrollado los roedores a los raticidas hasta entonces existentes1. Sus principales ventajas son su mayor potencia (hasta 100 veces más potentes que la warfarina)2 y el disponer de una semivida más larga (hasta 6-8 semanas). Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón que ingresa en nuestro servicio de Medicina Interna por otorragia y hematuria para estudio. Como único antecedente es consumidor ocasional de cocaína inhalada. Se confirma la intoxicación por un potente raticida, la bromadiolona.

This study aims to determine the variability and trends of tropical biomass burning, tropospheric ozone levels from 2005–2012 in Thailand and the ozone transport from the surrounding regions. Intense biomass burning and tropospheric ozone in this area have a seasonal variability with the maximum generally occurring during the dry season. The northern part of Thailand was observed to have high tropospheric ozone during the dry peak season in April. Forward trajectory analysis determined that ozone sources due to biomass burning in the northern and western surrounding regions (Myanmar, Laos and India) enhance the tropospheric ozone column in northern Thailand. Seasonal variations were also seen for the middle and northeastern regions of Thailand. During August, most biomass burning occurs in Indonesia and Malaysia. However, forward trajectory analysis showed that the effect in the tropospheric ozone column level in the southern part of Thailand is minimal from these regions. Eight-year trends of tropospheric ozone column were also calculated for the different regions of Thailand. However, statistical analysis showed that these trends were not significant. The interannual variability of the tropospheric ozone column concentrations due to El Niño Southern Oscillation were also investigated. It was observed that the best correlation of the tropospheric ozone column with the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) occured when ONI was advanced 3 months for the north, northeast and south regions of Thailand and 4 months for the middle region of Thailand.

Background. It is uncertain whether albuminuria precedes the future development of high total cholesterol (TC > 6.2 mmol/l) and high LDL-C (>4.1 mmol/l) while renal dysfunction precedes the future development of low HDL-C (<0.9 mmol/l) in type 2 diabetes. Methods. A prospective cohort of 2761 type 2 diabetic patients without significant dyslipidaemia and having at least one measurement of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C during 2.8 years of follow-up was analysed. The spline Cox regression model was used to derive hazard ratio (HR) curves of the spot urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for dyslipidaemia, followed by standard Cox models to confirm the findings from the HR curves. Results. Seven percent of the cohort developed high TC, 4.6% developed high LDL-C and 5.7% developed low HDL-C during follow-up. In multivariate analysis, the HR of ACR for high TC and high LDL-C increased rapidly and linearly from zero with no apparent threshold. Patients with macroalbuminuria (ACR ≥25 mg/mmol) were, respectively, 1.6- and 2.4 folds more likely to develop high TC and high LDL-C than those with normoalbuminuria at baseline. The HR of eGFR for low HDL-C increased rapidly with declining eGFR at <110 ml/min/ 1.73 m2. Subjects with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and ≥60–<110 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, had 3.0-fold and 1.8-fold risks of low HDL-C compared to those with eGFR ≥110–<140 ml/min/1.73 m2. Conclusions. In type 2 diabetes, macroalbumninuria predicts high TC and high LDL-C, while reduced renal function, even within normal range, predicts low HDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El presente estudio reporta la obtención de nano-emulsiones del tipo aceite-en-agua (O/W) para uso parenteral en sistemas formados por surfactantes no-iónicos/aceite triglicérido/agua. Los sistemas fueron formulados a diferentes HLB (balance hidrofílico-lipofílico del surfactante) para diferentes mezclas de surfactantes no-iónicos. El proceso de emulsionación se llevó a cabo mediante dilución con agua de una mezcla de surfactante no-iónico/aceite triglicérido manteniendo agitado el sistema. La variación de la relación agua/aceite en el sistema originó la formación de diferentes fases dependiendo del HLB de la mezcla inicial de surfactantes. Se encontró que el tamaño de gota de las nano-emulsiones está relacionado con el HLB de la mezcla de surfactantes. Asimismo, los resultados obtenidos reflejan la importancia de la formación de una fase de cristal líquido lamelar durante el proceso de emulsionación.

A presente pesquisa visou constatar as condições afetivo-emocionais em mulheres com síndrome pré-menstrual (SPM), comparadas com outras mulheres sem sintomas pré-menstruais. A amostra foi constituída de 43 universitárias, na faixa etária de 18 e 35 anos, distribuídas em dois grupos: Grupo 1, constituído de 25 mulheres com SPM, e Grupo 2 (Controle), de 18 mulheres sem estas disfunções. Foram utilizados como instrumentos a técnica de Zulliger (Z-Teste forma coletiva) e o Inventário de Ansiedade-Traço-Estado - IDATE (Spielberger), e para tratamento estatístico na análise comparativa dos dados o t-Teste para amostras independentes. O nível de significância escolhido foi p < 0.05. Os resultados indicaram que as mulheres do grupo com síndrome pré-menstrual reagem emocionalmente de forma mais intensa e têm tendência à perda de controle emocional em índice maior que as mulheres do grupo sem sintomas pré-menstruais.

Con la finalidad de diversificar el uso de la harina de plátano verde, se propuso evaluar la funcionalidad de una galleta de chocolate sustituyendo la harina de trigo con 7% de harina de plátano verde con el fin de obtener un producto con propiedades físicas y organolepticas agradables, además de mejorar la calidad nutricional, en cuanto a fibra dietaria y almidones resistentes. Las galletas elaboradas en una industria con sustitución del 7% de la harina de plátano verde deshidratada en doble tambor rotatorio (G-HT/HPV) incrementaron significativamente (P£0,05) con respecto a la galleta patrón (GP) en los siguientes componentes químicos:ceniza (de 2,46 a 2,69%), proteínas(de 8,93 a 9,69%), fibra dietaria (4,97 a 5,4%), almidones resistentes (0,19 a 0,23%) y azucares totales (25,36 a 30,55%). La G-HT/HPV cumplen con los requerimientos establecidos en la industria en cuanto a humedad (2,73%), pH (8,43), a w (0,205) y color (L=31,78; a=7,95 y b=10,51). Además en la G-HT/HPV limitó el esparcimiento de las harinas durante el proceso de amasado disminuyendo de esta forma el diámetro de las galletas y aumentando la resistencia a la fractura (de 1,48 a 2,06 Kgf) con respecto a la GP. En cuanto al estudio de tiempo de vida útil para la G-HT/HPV fue demostrado que la estabilidad se vio afectada en la humedad, pH, a w, y acidez después del primer mes de almacenamiento. Para la prueba de comparación pareada por preferencia de la G-HT/HPV con respecto a una galleta de marca comercial (GC), en ambas no se encontraron diferencias significativas, pero fueron igualmente aceptadas y calificada entre buenas y muy buenas en los atributos sensoriales color, olor y sabor, por el contrario para la textura, lograron apreciar diferencias significativas que son corroboradas en el análisis de perfil de textura. En esta prueba los panelistas caracterizaron a ambas galletas y demostraron que existen 8 descriptores característicos (firmeza, desmoronable, crujiente, harinoso, pastoso, grumoso, tamaño de la partícula y masticoso).

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a heterogeneous group of bioactive compounds, are thought to contribute to arterial stiffness, which in turn is a causal factor in the pathogenesis of stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Whether AGEs derived from food also contribute to arterial stiffness is not clear.Objectives: We investigated whether higher intake of dietary AGEs is associated with arterial stiffness.Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study in 2255 participants of The Maastricht Study (mean ± SD age: 60 ± 8 y, 51% male, mean ± SD BMI: 26.9 ± 4.4 kg/m2, n = 1326 normal glucose metabolism, n = 341 prediabetes, and n = 585 type 2 diabetes mellitus), we estimated intake of the dietary AGEs Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), Nε-(1-carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), and Nδ-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-ornithine (MG-H1) by a validated FFQ coupled to our ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry dietary AGE database. Arterial stiffness was determined using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid distensibility coefficient (DC), and carotid Young's elastic modulus (YEM). We performed multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders (demographic, hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and dietary factors).Results: In the fully adjusted models we observed no statistically significant associations between intake of the dietary AGEs CML, CEL, and MG-H1 and arterial stiffness expressed as cfPWV, carotid DC, and carotid YEM.Conclusions: In adults aged 40-75 y, habitual intake of the dietary AGEs CML, CEL, and MG-H1 is not associated with arterial stiffness measured as cfPWV, carotid DC, or carotid YEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is a matter of debate whether sodium and potassium intake are associated with heart disease. Further, the mechanisms underlying associations of sodium and potassium intake with cardiac events, if any, are not fully understood.Objectives: We examined cross-sectional associations of 24-h urinary sodium excretion (UNaE) and potassium excretion (UKE), as estimates of their intakes, with high-sensitivity cardiac troponins T (hs-cTnT) and I (hs-cTnI), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which are markers of cardiomyocyte injury and cardiac dysfunction.Methods: We included 2961 participants from the population-based Maastricht Study (mean ± SD age 59.8 ± 8.2 y, 51.9% men), who completed the baseline survey between November 2010 and September 2013. Associations were examined with restricted cubic spline linear regression analyses and ordinary linear regression analyses, adjusted for demographics, lifestyle, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.Results: Median [IQR] 24-h UNaE and UKE were 3.7 [2.8-4.7] g/24 h and 3.0 [2.4-3.6] g/24 h, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, 24-h UNaE was not associated with hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI, and NT-proBNP concentrations. In contrast, after adjustment for potential confounders, lower 24-h UKE was nonlinearly associated with higher hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP. For example, as compared with the third/median quintile of 24-h UKE (range: 2.8-3.2 g/24 h), participants in the first quintile (range: 0.5-2.3 g/24 h) had 1.05 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.11) times higher hs-cTnT and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.26) times higher NT-proBNP. Associations were similar after further adjustment for estimated glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, blood pressure, and serum potassium.Conclusions: Twenty-four-hour UNaE was not associated with the studied cardiac biomarkers. In contrast, lower 24-h UKE was nonlinearly associated with higher hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP. This finding supports recommendations to increase potassium intake in the general population. In addition, it suggests that cardiac dysfunction and/or cardiomyocyte injury may underlie previously reported associations of lower potassium intake with CVD mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Arterial remodelling aims at normalising circumferential wall stress (CWS). Greater CWS in the carotid artery has previously been associated with the prevalence and severity of cerebral small vessel disease, a major cause of ageing-related cognitive decline. Here we test the hypothesis that greater carotid CWS is associated with poorer cognitive performance. Methods We studied 722 individuals (60 ± 8 years, 55% men, 42.5% highly educated, blood pressure 137 ± 19/77 ± 11 mmHg, n = 197 with type 2 diabetes) who completed a neuropsychological assessment and underwent vascular ultrasound to measure the intima-media thickness (IMT) and interadventitial diameter (IAD) of the left common carotid artery at a plaque-free site. From IMT and IAD, lumen diameter (LD) was calculated. These structural measures were then combined with local carotid pulse pressure and brachial mean arterial pressure to obtain a measure of pulsatile (CWS pulsatile ) and average (CWS mean ) mechanical load on the vessel wall. Cognitive domains assessed were memory, executive function and attention, and processing speed. Results After adjustment for age, sex, and education, regression analyses showed that neither CWS pulsatile nor CWS mean were associated with measures of cognitive performance (p-values ≥0.31). This null association did not differ by age or educational level, and was observed in both individuals with and without carotid plaque, diabetes and/or hypertension. In addition, none of the individual measures of carotid structure (i.e. IMT, IAD, and LD) was related to cognitive performance. Conclusions The present cross-sectional study shows that carotid CWS is not associated with cognitive performance, at least not among relatively highly educated individuals in late middle age with adequately controlled cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether serum advanced glycation endproducts are associated with left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in participants with normal glucose metabolism, impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus., Methods: Participants from a cross-sectional, population-based study (n = 280 with normal glucose metabolism, n = 171 with impaired glucose metabolism, n = 242 with type 2 diabetes mellitus) underwent echocardiography. Serum protein-bound advanced glycation endproducts [i.e. Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, pentosidine and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine] were measured. Linear regression analyses were used and stratified according to glucose metabolism status., Results: In normal glucose metabolism, higher Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and pentosidine levels were associated with worse diastolic function (left atrial volume index and left atrial volume × left ventricular mass index product term) and higher Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine levels with worse systolic function (ejection fraction). In impaired glucose metabolism, a similar pattern emerged, though less consistent. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, these associations were non-existent for diastolic function or even reversed for systolic function., Conclusion: This suggests that serum advanced glycation endproducts are associated with impaired left ventricular function in normal glucose metabolism, but that with deteriorating glucose metabolism status, serum advanced glycation endproducts may not mirror heart failure risk., (© The Author(s) 2016.)