Search

OBJECTIVE--We examined if chronic cannabis smoking is associated with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, reduced β-cell function, or dyslipidemia in healthy individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--In a cross-sectional, case-control study, we [...]

OBJECTIVE--In patients with type 2 diabetes, but not type I diabetes, abnormal secretion of incretins in response to oral nutrients has been described. In healthy youths, we recently reported accentuated [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2006.07.025 Byline: John K. Park (a), MingQing Song (a), Celia E. Dominguez (a), Mary F. Walter (b), Nalini Santanam (c), Sampath Parthasarathy (c), Ana A. Murphy (a) Abstract: We hypothesized that glycodelin stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in response to oxidative stress. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine (b) Atlanta VA Medical Center, Emory Lipid Laboratory, Atlanta, GA (c) Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Baton Rouge, LA Article History: Received 16 January 2006; Revised 13 June 2006; Accepted 19 July 2006 Article Note: (footnote) Support provided by NIH/NICHD 1PO1HD35276 awarded to S.P. and A.M. and NIH/NICHD K24HD01471-01 awarded to A.M. Presented at the Thirty-Second Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, April 3 through 5, 2006, Tucson, AZ. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Veterans Administration or the US government.

Minnesota's local telephone companies have succeeded in unifying 11 rural service areas and six metropolitan service areas which has greatly improved cellular radio services statewide. Called Cellular 2000, the more than 90 telephone companies have opted to increase the network's efficiency and economic viability by doing things in a common way. The different cell sites are connected to a Northern Telecom DMS-MTXD switch in Osseo, MN, through DS1 and DS3 facilities.

OBJECTIVE--The goal of this study was to determine the effect of artificial sweeteners on glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 in humans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--For this study, 22 healthy [...]

The carbohydrate–insulin model of obesity posits that high-carbohydrate diets lead to excess insulin secretion, thereby promoting fat accumulation and increasing energy intake. Thus, low-carbohydrate diets are predicted to reduce ad libitum energy intake as compared to low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets. To test this hypothesis, 20 adults aged 29.9?±?1.4 (mean?±?s.e.m.) years with body mass index of 27.8?±?1.3?kg?m-2were admitted as inpatients to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and randomized to consume ad libitum either a minimally processed, plant-based, low-fat diet (10.3% fat, 75.2% carbohydrate) with high glycemic load (85?g?1,000?kcal-1) or a minimally processed, animal-based, ketogenic, low-carbohydrate diet (75.8% fat, 10.0% carbohydrate) with low glycemic load (6?g?1,000?kcal-1) for 2 weeks followed immediately by the alternate diet for 2 weeks. One participant withdrew due to hypoglycemia during the low-carbohydrate diet. The primary outcomes compared mean daily ad libitum energy intake between each 2-week diet period as well as between the final week of each diet. We found that the low-fat diet led to 689?±?73?kcal?d-1less energy intake than the low-carbohydrate diet over 2 weeks (P?

Direct evidence in humans for the impact of the microbiome on nutrient absorption is lacking. We conducted an extended inpatient study using two interventions that we hypothesized would alter the gut microbiome and nutrient absorption. In each, stool calorie loss, a direct proxy of nutrient absorption, was measured. The first phase was a randomized cross-over dietary intervention in which all participants underwent in random order 3 d of over- and underfeeding. The second was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacologic intervention using oral vancomycin or matching placebo (NCT02037295). Twenty-seven volunteers (17 men and 10 women, age 35.1 ± 7.3, BMI 32.3 ± 8.0), who were healthy other than having impaired glucose tolerance and obesity, were enrolled and 25 completed the entire trial. The primary endpoints were the effects of dietary and pharmacological intervention on stool calorie loss. We hypothesized that stool calories expressed as percentage of caloric intake would increase with underfeeding compared with overfeeding and increase during oral vancomycin treatment. Both primary endpoints were met. Greater stool calorie loss was observed during underfeeding relative to overfeeding and during vancomycin treatment compared with placebo. Key secondary endpoints were to evaluate the changes in gut microbial community structure as evidenced by amplicon sequencing and metagenomics. We observed only a modest perturbation of gut microbial community structure with under- versus overfeeding but a more widespread change in community structure with reduced diversity with oral vancomycin. Increase in Akkermansia muciniphilawas common to both interventions that resulted in greater stool calorie loss. These results indicate that nutrient absorption is sensitive to environmental perturbations and support the translational relevance of preclinical models demonstrating a possible causal role for the gut microbiome in dietary energy harvest.

Postprandial hyperinsulinemia might be an important cardiometabolic risk determinant in black compared with white women. However, the contributions of insulin clearance and β-cell function to racial differences in postprandial insulin response are unknown.

Lower sympathetic and thyroid tone are associated with higher cold-induced BAT activity (CIBA) in humans. Lower CIBA and greater norepinephrine and thyroxine concentrations predict fat mass gain.

ABSTRACTAims:We sought to examine whether disturbances in central and peripheral circadian rhythms were related to the experience of fatigue in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).Methods:Fatigued and non-fatigued patients with compensated CLD were enrolled in a prospective pilot study. Patients underwent a one week evaluation of free-living sleep and physical activity patterns, followed by a 24-hour admission, during which they underwent serial blood sampling, polysomnography, a 6-minute walk test and continuous core temperature measurements under standardized conditions. Blood samples were analyzed for liver tests, melatonin levels, lipids, and cortisol. Circadian rhythms were analyzed using single cosinor analyses.Results:Six fatigued and six non-fatigued patients were studied; five participants had cirrhosis. Fatigue severity was positively associated higher peak melatonin levels (rho = 0.59, p = 0.04) and a delay in night-time melatonin peak and inversely associated with sleep efficiency (rho = −0.63, p = 0.04). Polysomnography, 6-minute walk test, and core temperature measurements did not differ significantly between the fatigued and non-fatigued patients. Although liver enzymes, bilirubin and albumin demonstrated a circadian pattern, it was not associated with fatigue. Fatigued patients showed a blunted and delayed cortisol rhythm and fatigue was strongly correlated with cortisol amplitude (rho = −0.77, p = 0.004) and phase (r = −0.66, p = 0.02).Conclusion:Subtle aberrations in melatonin and adrenal circadian rhythms, as well as reduced sleep efficiency, likely contribute to fatigue in patients with CLD. These abnormalities may ultimately be a therapeutic target to improve quality of life for fatigued patients with CLD.

The House adjourned on December 6, 2003, bringing to a close a busy Fall Sitting. During the 4th Session, ninety-five Government Bills and nine Private Bills have received Royal Assent. [...]

Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare disorders of deficient adipose tissue. Metreleptin, a human analog of leptin, improved metabolic abnormalities in mixed cohorts of children and adults with lipodystrophy and low leptin.

USTA SEEKS UNITY BUT ISSUES REMAIN Large Independents, small Independents and BEll companies share common goals, but each uses a different roadmap for arriving there. In diversity there is strength.' [...]

* I read with mixed emotions about the coming canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II (NCR, July 19-Aug. 1). I wonder if the time has come for [...]

Context:Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII), an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase, plays an important role in triglyceride metabolism. However, the role of apoCIII in hypertriglyceridemia in lipodystrophy and the effects of leptin replacement on apoCIII levels are unknown.Objective:The objective of the study was to test the hypotheses that apoCIII is elevated in hypertriglyceridemic patients with lipodystrophy and that leptin replacement in these patients lowers circulating apoCIII.Design, Setting, Study Participants, Intervention, and Outcome Measures:Using a post hoc cross-sectional case-control design, we compared serum apoCIII levels from patients with lipodystrophy not associated with HIV (n = 60) and age-, gender-, race-, and ethnicity-matched controls (n = 54) participating in ongoing studies at the National Institutes of Health. In a prospective, open-label, ongoing study, we studied the effects of 6–12 months of leptin replacement on apoCIII in lipodystrophy patients as an exploratory outcome.Results:ApoCIII was higher in lipodystrophy patients (geometric mean [25th and 75th percentiles]) (23.9 mg/dL [14.6, 40.3]) compared with controls (14.9 mg/dL [12.3, 17.7]) (P< .0001). ApoCIII and triglyceride levels were positively correlated in patients with lipodystrophy (R = 0.72, P< .0001) and healthy controls (R = 0.6, P< .0001). Leptin replacement (6–12 mo) did not significantly alter apoCIII (before leptin: 23.4 mg/dL [14.5, 40.1]; after leptin: 21.4 mg/dL [16.7, 28.3]; P= .34).Conclusions:Leptin replacement in lipodystrophy did not alter serum apoCIII levels. Elevated apoCIII may play a role in the hypertriglyceridemia of lipodystrophy independent of leptin deficiency and replacement.

Background:Myocardial steatosis, an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction, is frequently present in type 2 diabetes mellitus. High free fatty acid flux, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia may play a role in myocardial steatosis. There are no prior studies examining the relationship between insulin sensitivity (antilipolytic and glucose disposal actions of insulin) and cardiac steatosis.Objective:Using a cross-sectional study design of individuals with and without metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), we examined the relationships between cardiac steatosis and the sensitivity of the antilipolytic and glucose disposal actions of insulin.Methods:Pericardial fat (PF) volume, intramyocardial and hepatic fat (MF and HF) content, visceral fat (VF) and sc fat content were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in 77 subjects (49 without MetSyn and 28 with MetSyn). In a subset of the larger cohort (n = 52), peripheral insulin sensitivity index (SI) and adipocyte insulin sensitivity (Adipo-SI) were determined from an insulin-modified frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test. The Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index was used as a surrogate for hepatic insulin sensitivity.Results:Individuals with the MetSyn had significantly higher body mass index, total body fat, and MF, PF, HF, and VF content. HF and VF, but not MF, were negatively correlated with the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, Adipo-SI, and SI. Stepwise regression revealed that waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels independently predicted MF and PF, respectively. Adipo-SIand serum triglyceride levels independently predict HF.Conclusion:Myocardial steatosis is unrelated to hepatic, adipocyte, or peripheral insulin sensitivity. Although it is frequently observed in insulin-resistant subjects, further studies are necessary to identify and delineate pathogenic mechanisms that differentially affect cardiac and hepatic steatosis.

ITPA: ONE STEP BACK, SEVERAL STEPS FORWARD Pioneers look back on 1987 as a year of growth, and forecast 1988 and beyond as years of change for their organization. Pioneering [...]

ORLANDO Sea World Spaceport USA Cypress Gardens Kennedy Space Center Walt Disney World Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Mexico EPCOT Center WHEN people call the Orlando area the 'premiere vacation destination,' [...]

Weight loss interventions have produced little change in insulin sensitivity in black women, but mean data may obscure metabolic benefit to some and adverse effects for others. Accordingly, we analyzed insulin sensitivity relative to fat mass change following a weight loss program. Fifty-four black women (BMI range 25.9 to 54.7 kg/m2) completed the 6-month program that included nutrition information and worksite exercise facilities. Fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and insulin sensitivity index (SI) was calculated from an insulin-modified intravenous glucose tolerance test using the minimal model. Baseline SI(range 0.74 to 7.58 l/mU−1•min−1) was inversely associated with fat mass (r= −0.516, p< 0.001), independent of age. On average, subjects lost fat mass (baseline 40.8 ± 12.4 to 39.4 ± 12.6 kg [mean ± SD], P< 0.01), but 17 women (32 %) actually gained fat mass. SIfor the group was unchanged (baseline 3.3 ± 1.7 to 3.2 ± 1.6, P= 0.67). However, the tertile with greatest fat mass loss (−3.6 kg, range −10.7 to −1.7 kg) improved insulin sensitivity (SI+0.3 ± 1.2), whereas the tertile with net fat mass gain (+0.9 kg, range −0.1 to +3.8 kg) had reduced insulin sensitivity (SI−0.7 ± 1.3) from baseline values (P< 0.05 by ANOVA). Black women in a weight loss program who lose fat mass may have improved insulin sensitivity, but fat mass gain with diminished sensitivity is common. Additional support for participants who fail to achieve fat mass loss early in an intervention may be required for success.

We tested the hypothesis that atorvastatin active metabolite (ATM), on the basis of its distinct structural features and potent antioxidant activity, preferentially inhibits lipid oxidation in human small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) and other small lipid vesicles. LDL, sdLDL, and various subfractions were isolated from human plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation, treated with ATM, atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, or simvastatin and were subjected to copper-induced oxidation. Lipid oxidation was measured spectrophotometrically as a function of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances formation. Similar analyses were performed in reconstituted lipid vesicles enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and prepared at various sizes. ATM was found to inhibit sdLDL oxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant effects of ATM in sdLDL were 1.5 and 4.7 times greater (P< 0.001) than those observed in large buoyant LDL and very low–density lipoprotein subfractions, respectively. ATM had similar dose- and size-dependent effects in reconstituted lipid vesicles. None of these effects were reproduced by atorvastatin (parent) or any of the other statins examined in this study. These data suggest that ATM interacts with sdLDL in a specific manner that also confers preferential resistance to oxidative stress. Such interactions may reduce sdLDL atherogenicity and improve clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Knowledge about the impact of prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of the elderly on mRNA vaccination response is needed to appropriately address the demand for additional vaccinations in this vulnerable population. Here, we show that octogenarians, a high-risk population, mount a sustained SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response for 15 months following infection. This response boosts antibody levels 35-fold upon receiving a single dose of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine 15 months after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In contrast, antibody responses in naive individuals boost only 6-fold after a second vaccine. Spike-specific angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) antibody binding responses in the previously infected octogenarians following two vaccine doses exceed those found in a naive cohort after two doses. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) demonstrates activation of interferon-induced genetic programs, which persist only in the previously infected. A preferential increase of specific immunoglobulin G heavy chain variable (IGHV) clonal transcripts that are the basis of neutralizing antibodies is observed only in the previously infected nuns.

The article presents letters to the editor responding to previous issues, including one responding to the February 25, 2008 on the inexperience of U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama, one responding to the same issue on incorrectly awarded Academy Awards, and one responding to the February 11, 2008 issue on former U.S. President Bill Clinton's participation in his wife Hillary Clinton's campaign for the U.S. Presidency.