Dementia, characterized by a progressive cognitive decline and a cumulative inability to behave independently, is highly associated with other diseases. Various cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, are well-known risk factors for dementia. Currently, increasing evidence suggests that sex factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and dementia. Recent studies show that nearly two-thirds of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are women; however, the incidence difference between men and women remains vague. Therefore, studies are needed to investigate sex-specific differences, which can help understand the pathophysiology of dementia and identify potential therapeutic targets for both sexes. In the present review, we summarize sex differences in the prevalence and incidence of dementia by subtypes. This review also describes sex differences in the risk factors of dementia and examines the impact of risk factors on the incidence of dementia in both sexes.
Alzheimer Disease ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Dementia* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Sex Characteristics* ; Sex Factors

Background: Although urine culture is considered a reference standard for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI), it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. Here, we evaluated the performance of five recent automated urine analyzers for UTI diagnosis. Methods: For the 510 specimens analyzed, the criterion for ‘significant bacteriuria’ was defined as ≥ 104 CFU/mL in the inoculated plate for all specimens or ≥ 103 CFU/mL for specimens from patients using a Foley catheter or with urinary symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of UTI were analyzed using indicators individually, in different combinations, or with various cut-off values. Results: Seventy-one specimens (13.9%) exhibited ‘significant bacteriuria’. In the eceiver operating characteristics curve analysis, UF-5000 (Sysmex Corp., Japan) showed the highest area under the curve values for both males and females (0.876 and 0.846, respectively). The PPVs for specimens from males with all indicators positive increased up to 100% after adjusting the cut-off values. NPVs for specimens with all indicators negative were 94.3%– 98.2% in males and 78.1%–93.8% in females after adjusting the cut-off values. Conclusion As a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool, urine sediment analyzers can be valuable for UTI diagnosis by reducing unnecessary culture and can help clinicians determine a treatment plan.

Background: Although urine culture is considered a reference standard for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI), it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. Here, we evaluated the performance of five recent automated urine analyzers for UTI diagnosis. Methods: For the 510 specimens analyzed, the criterion for ‘significant bacteriuria’ was defined as ≥ 104 CFU/mL in the inoculated plate for all specimens or ≥ 103 CFU/mL for specimens from patients using a Foley catheter or with urinary symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of UTI were analyzed using indicators individually, in different combinations, or with various cut-off values. Results: Seventy-one specimens (13.9%) exhibited ‘significant bacteriuria’. In the eceiver operating characteristics curve analysis, UF-5000 (Sysmex Corp., Japan) showed the highest area under the curve values for both males and females (0.876 and 0.846, respectively). The PPVs for specimens from males with all indicators positive increased up to 100% after adjusting the cut-off values. NPVs for specimens with all indicators negative were 94.3%– 98.2% in males and 78.1%–93.8% in females after adjusting the cut-off values. Conclusion As a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool, urine sediment analyzers can be valuable for UTI diagnosis by reducing unnecessary culture and can help clinicians determine a treatment plan.

Uncontrolled inflammation is considered the pathophysiological basis of many prevalent metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The inflammatory response is a self-limiting process that produces a superfamily of chemical mediators, called specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs include the ω-3-derived family of molecules, such as resolvins, protectins, and maresins, as well as arachidonic acid-derived (ω-6) lipoxins that stimulate and promote resolution of inflammation, clearance of microbes, and alleviation of pain and promote tissue regeneration via novel mechanisms. SPMs function by binding and activating G protein-coupled receptors, such as FPR2/ALX, GPR32, and ERV1, and nuclear orphan receptors, such as RORα. Recently, several studies reported that SPMs have the potential to attenuate lipid metabolism disorders. However, the understanding of pharmacological aspects of SPMs, including tissue-specific biosynthesis, and specific SPM receptors and signaling pathways, is currently limited. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of SPMs in resolution of inflammatory diseases with metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, obtained from preclinical animal studies. In addition, the known SPM receptors and their intracellular signaling are reviewed as targets of resolution of inflammation, and the currently available information on the therapeutic effects of major SPMs for metabolic disorders is summarized.

Uncontrolled inflammation is considered the pathophysiological basis of many prevalent metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. The inflammatory response is a self-limiting process that produces a superfamily of chemical mediators, called specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs). SPMs include the ω-3-derived family of molecules, such as resolvins, protectins, and maresins, as well as arachidonic acid-derived (ω-6) lipoxins that stimulate and promote resolution of inflammation, clearance of microbes, and alleviation of pain and promote tissue regeneration via novel mechanisms. SPMs function by binding and activating G protein-coupled receptors, such as FPR2/ALX, GPR32, and ERV1, and nuclear orphan receptors, such as RORα. Recently, several studies reported that SPMs have the potential to attenuate lipid metabolism disorders. However, the understanding of pharmacological aspects of SPMs, including tissue-specific biosynthesis, and specific SPM receptors and signaling pathways, is currently limited. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of SPMs in resolution of inflammatory diseases with metabolic disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, obtained from preclinical animal studies. In addition, the known SPM receptors and their intracellular signaling are reviewed as targets of resolution of inflammation, and the currently available information on the therapeutic effects of major SPMs for metabolic disorders is summarized.