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Chen J, Zhang X, Sun G. Causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and common respiratory system diseases: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1332664. [PMID: 39091286 PMCID: PMC11291206 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1332664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) frequently co-occurs with respiratory system diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial asthma, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Although a potential association is noted between these conditions, the available research is limited. Objective To investigate the causal relationship between patients with T2D and respiratory system diseases using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Methods Causal relationships were inferred using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on publicly available genome-wide association studies. We employed the variance inverse-weighted method as the primary analytical approach based on three key assumptions underlying MR analysis. To bolster the robustness and reliability of our results, we utilized MR Egger's intercept test to detect potential pleiotropy, Cochran's Q test to assess heterogeneity, funnel plots to visualize potential bias, and "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis to ensure that our findings were not unduly influenced by any single genetic variant. Result The inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis indicated a causal relationship between T2D and COPD [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.87; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.82-0.96; p < 0.05]. No significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy were observed through their respective tests (p > 0.05), and the statistical power calculations indicated that the results were reliable. The IVW analysis showed a negative causal relationship between T2D and bronchial asthma [OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.81-0.89; p < 0.05]. However, the IVW under the random-effects model indicated heterogeneity (p < 0.05), suggesting instability in the results and requiring cautious interpretation. The study found a positive causal relationship between T2D and pulmonary tuberculosis (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.05-1.45, p < 0.05). However, they exhibited pleiotropy (p < 0.05), indicating their instability. No correlation between T2D and interstitial lung disease or lung cancer was observed. Conclusion T2D is negatively associated with COPD, suggesting that T2D may reduce the risk of developing COPD. A negative causal relationship between T2D and bronchial asthma has been observed, but the results exhibit heterogeneity. There is a positive causal relationship between T2D and pulmonary tuberculosis, yet the findings suggest the presence of pleiotropy. No significant causal relationship between T2D and lung cancer or interstitial lung disease was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- General Medicine Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Gengyun Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Yoshida A, Takata Y, Tabara Y, Maruyama K, Inoue S, Osawa H, Sugiyama T. Interaction effect between low birthweight and resistin gene rs1862513 variant on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood: Toon Genome Study. J Diabetes Investig 2024; 15:725-735. [PMID: 38421160 PMCID: PMC11143422 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION Gene-environment interactions are considered to critically influence type 2 diabetes mellitus development; however, the underlying mechanisms and specific interactions remain unclear. Given the increasing prevalence of low birthweight (LBW) influenced by the intrauterine environment, we sought to investigate genetic factors related to type 2 diabetes development in individuals with LBW. MATERIALS AND METHODS The interaction between 20 reported type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes and the development of type 2 diabetes in LBW (<2,500 g) individuals in a population-based Japanese cohort (n = 1,021) was examined by logistic regression and stratified analyses. RESULTS Logistic regression analyses showed that only the G/G genotype at the rs1862513 locus of the resistin gene (RETN), an established initiator of insulin resistance, was closely related to the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with LBW. Age, sex and current body mass index-adjusted stratified analyses showed a significant interaction effect of LBW and the RETN G/G genotype on fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance, Matsuda index and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (all P-values for interaction <0.05). The adjusted odds ratio for type 2 diabetes in the LBW + G/G genotype group was 7.33 (95% confidence interval 2.43-22.11; P = 0.002) compared with the non-LBW + non-G/G genotype group. Similar results were obtained after excluding the influence of malnutrition due to World War II. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous assessment of LBW and the RETN G/G genotype can more accurately predict the risk of future type 2 diabetes than assessing each of these factors alone, and provide management strategies, including early lifestyle intervention in LBW population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Yoshida
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
| | - Yasunori Takata
- Department of Diabetes and Molecular GeneticsEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
| | - Yasuharu Tabara
- Center for Genomic MedicineKyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Graduate School of Public HealthShizuoka Graduate University of Public HealthShizuokaJapan
| | - Koutatsu Maruyama
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of AgricultureEhime UniversityToonEhimeJapan
| | - Shota Inoue
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
| | - Haruhiko Osawa
- Department of Diabetes and Molecular GeneticsEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
| | - Takashi Sugiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyEhime University Graduate School of MedicineToonEhimeJapan
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Yeung YL, Lee KL, Lau ESH, Yung TF, Yang A, Wu H, Wong KTC, Kong APS, Chow EYK, Ma RCW, Yeung T, Loo KM, Ozaki R, Luk AOY, Lui JNM, Chan JCN. Associations of comorbid depression with cardiovascular-renal events and all-cause mortality accounting for patient reported outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a 6-year prospective analysis of the Hong Kong Diabetes Register. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1284799. [PMID: 38586459 PMCID: PMC10999250 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1284799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Psychosocial status and patient reported outcomes (PRO) [depression and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL)] are major health determinants. We investigated the association between depression and clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), adjusted for PRO. Methods Using prospective data from Hong Kong Diabetes Register (2013-2019), we estimated the hazard-ratio (HR, 95%CI) of depression (validated Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) score≥7) with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic kidney disease (CKD: eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2) and all-cause mortality in 4525 Chinese patients with T2D adjusted for patient characteristics, renal function, medications, self-care and HRQoL domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression measured by EQ-5D-3L) in linear-regression models. Results In this cohort without prior events [mean ± SD age:55.7 ± 10.6, 43.7% women, median (IQR) disease duration of 7.0 (2.0-13.0) years, HbA1c, 7.2% (6.6%-8.20%), 26.4% insulin-treated], 537(11.9%) patients had depressive symptoms and 1923 (42.5%) patients had some problems with HRQoL at baseline. After 5.6(IQR: 4.4-6.2) years, 141 patients (3.1%) died, 533(11.8%) developed CKD and 164(3.6%) developed CVD. In a fully-adjusted model (model 4) including self-care and HRQoL, the aHR of depression was 1.99 (95% confidence interval CI):1.25-3.18) for CVD, 2.29 (1.25-4.21) for IHD. Depression was associated with all-cause mortality in models 1-3 adjusted for demographics, clinical characteristics and self-care, but was attenuated after adjusting for HRQoL (model 4- 1.54; 95%CI: 0.91-2.60), though HR still indicated same direction with important magnitude. Patients who reported having regular exercise (3-4 times per week) had reduced aHR of CKD [0.61 (0.41-0.89)]. Item 4 of PHQ-9 (feeling tired, little energy) was independently associated with all-cause mortality with aHR of 1.66 (1.30-2.12). Conclusion Depression exhibits significant association with CVD, IHD, and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes, adjusting for their HRQoL and health behaviors. Despite the association between depression and all-cause mortality attenuated after adjusting for HRQoL, the effect size remains substantial. The feeling of tiredness or having little energy, as assessed by item Q4 of the PHQ-9 questionnaire, was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality after covariate adjustments. Our findings emphasize the importance of incorporating psychiatric evaluations into holistic diabetes management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiu-Lam Yeung
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Ka-Long Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Eric SH. Lau
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Tsun-Fung Yung
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Aimin Yang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Hongjiang Wu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Kelly TC. Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Alice PS. Kong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Elaine YK. Chow
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Ronald CW. Ma
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Theresa Yeung
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Kit-man Loo
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Risa Ozaki
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Andrea OY. Luk
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Juliana NM. Lui
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
| | - Juliana CN. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China
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Elfaki I, Mir R, Tayeb F, Alalawy AI, Barnawi J, Dabla PK, Moawadh MS. Potential Association of The Pathogenic Kruppel-like Factor 14 (KLF14) and Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) SNVs with Susceptibility to T2DM. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:1090-1100. [PMID: 38031795 DOI: 10.2174/0118715303258744231117064253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the associations of the pathogenic variants in Kruppel-like Factor 14 (KLF 14) and Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a pandemic metabolic disease characterized by increased blood sugar and caused by resistance to insulin in peripheral tissues and damage to pancreatic beta cells. Kruppel-like Factor 14 (KLF-14) is proposed to be a regulator of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. Adiponectin (ADIPOQ) is an adipocytokine produced by the adipocytes and other tissues and was reported to be involved in T2DM. OBJECTIVES To study the possible association of the KLF-14 rs972283 and ADIPOQ-rs266729 with the risk of T2DM in the Saudi population. METHODS We have evaluated the association of KLF-14 rs972283 C>T and ADIPOQ-rs266729 C>G SNV with the risk to T2D in the Saudi population using the Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR (ARMS-PCR), and blood biochemistry analysis. For the KLF-14 rs972283 C>T SNV we included 115 cases and 116 healthy controls, and ADIPOQ-rs266729 C>G SNV, 103 cases and 104 healthy controls were included. RESULTS Results indicated that the KLF-14 rs972283 GA genotype and A allele were associated with T2D risk with OR=2.14, p-value= 0.014 and OR=1.99, p-value=0.0003, respectively. Results also ADIPOQ-rs266729 CG genotype and C allele were associated with an elevated T2D risk with an OR=2.53, p=0.003 and OR=1.66, p-value =0.012, respectively. CONCLUSION We conclude that SNVs in KLF-14 and ADIPOQ are potential loci for T2D risk. Future large-scale studies to verify these findings are recommended. These results need further verifications in protein functional and large-scale case control studies before being introduced for genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imadeldin Elfaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris Tayeb
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel I Alalawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jameel Barnawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pradeep Kumar Dabla
- Department of Biochemistry, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (GIPMER), Associated to Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi 110002, India
| | - Mamdoh Shafig Moawadh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
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Nagarajah S, Alkandari A, Marques-Vidal P. Genetic risk scores: are they important for diabetes management? results from multiple cross-sectional studies. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2023; 15:227. [PMID: 37950303 PMCID: PMC10636836 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-023-01204-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several genetic risk scores (GRS) for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have been published, but not replicated. We aimed to 1) replicate previous findings on the association between GRS on prevalence of T2DM and 2) assess the association between GRS and T2DM management in a sample of community-dwelling people from Switzerland. METHODS Four waves from a prospective study conducted in Lausanne. Seven GRS related to T2DM were selected, and compared between participants with and without T2DM, and between controlled and uncontrolled participants treated for T2DM. RESULTS Data from 5426, 4017, 2873 and 2170 participants from the baseline, first, second and third follow-ups, respectively, was used. In all study periods, participants with T2DM scored higher than participants without T2DM in six out of seven GRS. Data from 367, 437, 285 and 207 participants with T2DM was used. In all study periods, approximately half of participants treated for T2DM did not achieve adequate fasting blood glucose or HbA1c levels, and no difference between controlled and uncontrolled participants was found for all seven GRS. Power analyses showed that most GRS needed a sample size above 1000 to consider the difference between controlled and uncontrolled participants as statistically significant at p = 0.05. CONCLUSION In this study, we confirmed the association between most published GRS and diabetes. Conversely, no consistent association between GRS and diabetes control was found. Use of GRS to manage patients with T2DM in clinical practice is not justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureka Nagarajah
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Office BH10-642, 46 Rue du Bugnon, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Pedro Marques-Vidal
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Office BH10-642, 46 Rue du Bugnon, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Ziqubu K, Dludla PV, Moetlediwa MT, Nyawo TA, Pheiffer C, Jack BU, Nkambule B, Mazibuko-Mbeje SE. Disease progression promotes changes in adipose tissue signatures in type 2 diabetic (db/db) mice: The potential pathophysiological role of batokines. Life Sci 2023; 313:121273. [PMID: 36521548 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Unlike the white adipose tissue (WAT) which mainly stores excess energy as fat, brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become physiologically important and therapeutically relevant for its prominent role in regulating energy metabolism. The current study makes use of an established animal model of type 2 diabetes (T2D) db/db mice to determine the effect of the disease progression on adipose tissue morphology and gene regulatory signatures. Results showed that WAT and BAT from db/db mice display a hypertrophied phenotype that is consistent with increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf-α). Moreover, BAT from both db/db and non-diabetic db/+ control mice displayed an age-related impairment in glucose homeostasis, inflammatory profile, and thermogenic regulation, as demonstrated by reduced expression of genes like glucose transporter (Glut-4), adiponectin (AdipoQ), and uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp-1). Importantly, gene expression of the batokines regulating sympathetic neurite outgrowth and vascularization, including bone morphogenic protein 8b (Bmp8b), fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf-21), neuregulin 4 (Nrg-4) were altered in BAT from db/db mice. Likewise, gene expression of meteorin-like (Metrnl), growth differentiation factor 15 (Gdt-15), and C-X-C motif chemokine-14 (Cxcl-14) regulating pro- and anti-inflammation were altered. This data provides some new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in BAT hypertrophy (or whitening) and the disturbances of batokines during the development and progression of T2D. However, these are only preliminary results as additional experiments are necessary to confirm these findings in other experimental models of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanyisani Ziqubu
- Department of Biochemistry, North-West University, Mmabatho 2745, South Africa
| | - Phiwayinkosi V Dludla
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
| | - Marakiya T Moetlediwa
- Department of Biochemistry, North-West University, Mmabatho 2745, South Africa; Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Thembeka A Nyawo
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Carmen Pheiffer
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa, Division of Medical Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Babalwa U Jack
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
| | - Bongani Nkambule
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
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