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Given the common anatomical features and similar short-term weight loss outcomes, Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) and Single-Anastomosis Duodenoileal bypass with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) are considered identical bariatric procedures, apart from technical complexity being lower for SADI-S. In the absence of prospective randomized trials or long-term comparative studies the rationale for choosing between procedures is hampered. Post-bariatric hormonal profiles could contribute to understand the underlying mechanisms and potentially be used as a decision aid when choosing between procedures. The main aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of BPD/DS and SADI-S, in genetically identical individuals exposed to similar environmental factors. Two identical twin (T) female patients, one submitted to BPD/DS (T_BPD/DS) and another to SADIS-S (T_SADI-S) were followed up to one year after surgery. Before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, both patients underwent mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTT) to evaluate postprandial glucose, glucagon and GLP-1 response. In addition, 3 months after surgery, glucose dynamics were assessed using a Flash Glucose Monitoring (FGM) system for 14 days. The percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was higher for T_BPD/DS compared to T_SADI-S (34.03 vs 29.03 %). During MMTT, T_BPD/DS presented lower glucose, glucagon, insulin and C-peptide excursions at all timepoints when compared to SADI-S; along with a greater percentage of time within the low glucose range (55.97 vs 39.93 %) and numerically lower glucose variability indexes on FGM (MAG change:0.51 vs 0.63 mmol/l×h−1). In patients with the same genetic background, BPD/DS was shown to result in greater weight loss than SADI-S. The differences in glucose and enteropancreatic hormone profiles observed after BPD/DS and SADI-S suggest that different mechanisms underlie weight loss.

ObjectivesIdentifying the prevalence of palliative care (PC) needs among patients who die at the emergency department (ED) and to assess symptom control and aggressiveness of care.MethodsWe conducted a decedent cohort study of adults deceased at the ED of a Portuguese teaching hospital in 2016. PC needs were identified using the National Hospice Organization terminality criteria and comorbidities measurement by the Charlson’s Index.Results384 adults died at the ED (median age 82 (IQR 72–89) years) and 78.4% (95% CI 73.9% to 82.2%) presented PC needs. Only 3.0% (n=9) were referred to the hospital PC team. 64.5%, 38.9% and 57.5% experienced dyspnoea, pain and confusion, respectively. Dyspnoea was commonly medicated (92%), against 56% for pain and 8% for confusion. Only 6.3% of the patients were spared from aggressive interventions, namely blood collection (86.0%) or intravenous fluid therapy (63.5%). The burden of aggressive interventions was similar between those with or without withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation order (median 3 (2–4) vs 3 (2–5)), p=0.082.ConclusionsNearly four out of five adults who died at the ED had PC needs at the time of admission. Most experienced poor symptom control and care aggressiveness in their last hours of life and were mostly unknown to the PC team. The findings urge improvements in the care provided to patients with PC needs at the ED, focusing on patient well-being and increased PC referral.

Our aim was to assess the potential of flash glucose monitoring (FGM) for diagnostic workup of suspected post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH). Patients (N = 13) with suspected PBH underwent a food and symptoms diary (FSD) record along with FGM over 14 days. Targeted data analysis confirmed the occurrence of low glucose events in parallel to meal-triggered symptoms. Glycaemic variability, as assessed by Mean Absolute Glucose change (MAG change), was increased, while a higher risk of glycaemic excursions towards both hyper and hypoglycaemia (ADRRFGMGT) was observed in those with more frequent and severe hypoglycaemia. The herein described hypoglycaemia risk index (LBGIFGMGT) with a cut-off value of 4.6 showed to have 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for PBH. This pilot proof-of-concept study highlighted that FSD coupled with FGM followed by targeted data analysis, provides relevant insights towards PBH diagnosis and grading in a user-friendly and easy to implement study protocol. Furthermore, LBGIFGMGT demonstrated to be an excellent index for PBH diagnosis. The unexpected improvement of glucose profile noticed along the monitoring time also unravels a possible application for PBH management. The authors thank the patients who have participated in the study for trusting the clinical team on the off-label approach endeavoured towards the management of their condition. The authors also acknowledge Rita Magalhães, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, and Henrique Vasconcelos, Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal for technical assistance with software. UMIB is funded by FCT (UID/MULTI/0215/2016, UID/MULTI/0215/2019, UIDB/00215/2020 and UIDP/00215/2020)

Despite the fact that there can be argued that no single cell in the human body can be devoid of molecular tools that fit into the broad definition of an endocrine function, some organs are primarily dedicated to hormone secretion and are therefore designated endocrine glands. Under regulation by pituitary gland (reviewed on the previous chapter), three peripheral organs are exclusively devoted to endocrine functions: the thyroid, the parathyroid and the adrenal glands. This Chapter on endocrine system will cover the signaling pathways implied in these three organs, with identification of their particular and shared features.

The endocrine system is responsible for ensuring whole body homeostasis through the regulation of multiple systemic functions. This goal is achieved by enabling a highly efficient intra and inter-cellular communication through the use of chemical messengers, commonly known as hormones. Given the unquestionable importance that the endocrine system assumes for survival, each endocrine function is tightly regulated through multiple molecular mediators organized in redundant signalling pathways that intermingle towards a single common aim, the continuous strive for body balance. In this section, promised of two parts/chapters, the signaling pathways responsible for the regulation of physiological functions within the endocrine organs are reviewed. This is the first section comprising the detailed description of the signalling pathways that were identified in the pituitary gland.

The need to improve post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) diagnosis and clinical management is well recognized. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of meal nutritional composition on interstitial fluid glucose (IFG) profiles and symptom profile after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Seventeen subjects previously submitted to RYGB were allocated into two groups of symptomatic (n = 9) or control individuals (n = 8), according to spontaneous report of symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia. Subjects were provided with a food and symptom diary (FSD) to record dietary intake and symptoms experienced, while using a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system for 14 days. Postprandial symptom reports occurred in 70.5% of subjects (88.9% vs 50.0%, p = 0.0790, symptomatic vs control), although symptoms with concurrent IFG

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is the most effective bariatric intervention to treat morbid obesity and related disorders. Single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is a new bariatric procedure devised with the purpose of simplifying the complexity of the BPD-DS technique while maintaining its efficacy. However, whether BPD-DS and SADI-S result in similar fasting and post-prandial hormone profiles has not yet been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess and compare the hormone response to a standardized mixed meal in subjects operated with BPD-DS or SADI-S.SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects submitted to BPD-DS (n = 9) or SADI-S (n = 9) 1.5 years earlier on average, with no past nor current diabetes diagnosis underwent a liquid mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) to assess the baseline and post-prandial profile of glucose, enteropancreatic hormones and total bile acids.RESULTS: Fasting glucose, enteropancreatic hormones and total bile acids levels after BPD-DS and SADI-S were similar. After the MMTT, the response of subjects who underwent SADI-S was characterized by higher glucose (t = 30 min: p CONCLUSIONS: The post-prandial hormone secretion profile after SADI-S is characterized by increased GLP-1, glucagon and insulin secretion, when compared to BPD-DS, which suggests the existence of different endocrine driven mechanisms leading to weight loss and metabolic improvement after the two procedures.

Iodine deficiency remains a worldwide problem with two billion individuals having insufficient iodine intake. Universal salt iodisation was declared by UNICEF and WHO as a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable way to tackle iodine deficiency. In Portugal, the few studies available unravel an iodine status below the WHO guidelines for pregnant women and school-aged children. In the present study, the iodine levels of household salt consumed in Portugal was assessed, for the first time. Non-iodised (median 14 ppm) and fortified (median 48 ppm) marine salt samples showed iodine levels lower than the minimum and above the maximum threshold recommended by non-mandatory Portuguese law and WHO recommendations, respectively. This study calls attention to the fact that marine salt per se, in spite of containing a natural high amount of iodine, requires further fortification in order to be used as an effective tool to deal with iodine insufficiency.