bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fat Depot‐specific Impact of Visceral Obesity on Adipocyte Adiponectin Release in Women
Authors: Drolet Renée , Bélanger Chantal , Fortier Michel , Huot Céline , Mailloux Jacques , Légaré Denis , Tchernof André
Published: January 2009

Our objective was to examine omental and subcutaneous adipocyte adiponectin release in women. We tested the hypothesis that adiponectin release would be reduced to a greater extent in omental than in subcutaneous adipocytes of women with visceral obesity. Omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained from 52 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomies (age: 47.1 ± 4.8 years; BMI: 26.7 ± 4.7 kg/m2). Adipocytes were isolated and their adiponectin release in the medium was measured over 2 h. Measures of body fat accumulation and distribution were obtained using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and computed tomography, respectively. Adiponectin release by omental and subcutaneous adipocytes was similar in lean individuals; however, in subsamples of obese or visceral obese women, adiponectin release by omental adipocytes was significantly reduced while that of subcutaneous adipocytes was not affected. Omental adipocyte adiponectin release was significantly and negatively correlated with total body fat mass (r = −0.47, P < 0.01), visceral adipose tissue area (r = −0.50, P < 0.01), omental adipocyte diameter (r = −0.43, P < 0.01), triglyceride levels (r = −0.32, P ≤ 0.05), cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol (r = −0.31, P ≤ 0.05), fasting glucose (r = −0.39, P ≤ 0.01), fasting insulin (r = −0.36, P ≤ 0.05), homeostasis model assessment index (r = −0.39, P ≤ 0.01), and positively associated with HDL‐cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.33, P ≤ 0.05). Adiponectin release from subcutaneous cells was not associated with any measure of adiposity, lipid profile, or glucose homeostasis. In conclusion, compared to subcutaneous adipocyte adiponectin release, omental adipocyte adiponectin release is reduced to a greater extent in visceral obese women and better predicts obesity‐associated metabolic abnormalities.
A QTL on 12q Influencing an Inflammation Marker and Obesity in White Women: The NHLBI Family Heart Study
Authors: Wu Jun , Pankow James S. , Tracy Russell P. , North Kari E. , Myers Richard H. , Feitosa Mary E. , Province Michael A. , Borecki Ingrid B.
Published: January 2009

It has been recognized that obese individuals are intrinsically in a state of chronic inflammation, as indicated by positive correlations between serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and various anthropometric measures of obesity. To explore the hypothesis that a gene(s) may underlie this relationship, we conducted bivariate linkage analyses of BMI and CRP in white and African‐American (AA) families of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Family Heart Study (FHS). Variance components linkage analysis as implemented in SOLAR was performed in 1,825 whites (840 men and 985 women) and 548 AAs (199 men and 351 women). CRP exhibited significant genetic correlations with BMI in women (0.54 ± 0.10 for white and 0.53 ± 0.14 for AA) and the combined samples (0.37 ± 0.09 for white and 0.56 ± 0.13 for AA), but not in men. We detected a maximum bivariate lod score of 3.86 on chromosome 12q24.2–24.3 at 139 cM and a suggestive linkage signal (lod = 2.19) on chromosome 19p13.1 (44 cM) in white women. Both bivariate peaks were substantially higher than their respective univariate lods at the same locus for each trait. No significant lod scores were detected in AAs. Our results indicate that chromosome 12q may harbor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) jointly regulating BMI and CRP in white women.
The Metabolic Syndrome and Behavioral Correlates in Obese Patients With Binge Eating Disorder
Authors: Roehrig Megan , Masheb Robin M. , White Marney A. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: January 2009

This study examined the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and explored behavioral eating‐ and weight‐related correlates in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Ninety‐three treatment‐seeking obese BED patients (22 men and 71 women) with and without the MetSyn were compared on demographic features and a number of current and historical eating and weight variables. Sixty percent of the obese patients with BED met criteria for the MetSyn, with men and whites having significantly higher rates than women and African Americans, respectively. Patients with vs. without coexisting MetSyn did not differ significantly in self‐reported frequency of binge eating or severity of eating disorder psychopathology. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that, after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and BMI, fewer episodes of weight cycling and regular meal skipping were significant predictors of the MetSyn. These findings suggest that lifestyle behaviors including weight loss attempts and regular meal consumption may be potential targets for prevention and/or treatment of the MetSyn in obese patients with BED.
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Is Associated With Obesity, Male Gender, and Symptoms in Healthy Adolescents
Authors: Movahed Mohammad Reza , Martinez Adolfo , Greaves Jeff , Greaves Seaneen , Morrell Holly , Hashemzadeh Mehrtash
Published: January 2009

Obesity has been found to be associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH). However, the occurrence of LVH in obese teenagers who are involved in sport programs has not been studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of LVH and its correlation with obesity, gender, and symptoms in teenage athletes. We used echocardiographic database of 1,500 adolescences between the ages of 12 and 20 years who were actively involved in school sport programs. We evaluated associations between obesity and LVH (defined as LV wall thickness (LVWT)) >12 mm, or LV mass (LVM) >215 g or relative wall thickness (RWT) >0.43) and physical symptoms. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, male gender was associated with increased LVWT (multivariate odds ratio (OR) 4.87, confidence interval (CI) 2.41–9.82). Obesity was associated with parameters of LVH using univariate and multivariate analysis. (LVM > 215 g) occurred in 10.32% of obese athletes vs. 0.2% (1/445) of controls, (OR 51.33, CI 6.05–433.8), P < 0.001, LVWT >12 mm occurred in 16.5% of obese students vs. 3.6% of controls (OR 5.2, CI 2.7–10.1, P < 0.001), RWT >0.43 occurred in 41.4% of obese students vs. 15.7% of controls (OR 3.78, CI 2.11–6.76, P < 0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, reported history of shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue and leg edema were also significantly more prevalent in obese students and in students with LVH. In conclusion obesity is associated with LVH in a population of healthy teenagers actively involved in sport programs. Furthermore, the presence of LVH was independently associated with many physical symptoms suggesting negative effect of LVH on myocardial function.
Best Practice Updates for Weight Loss Surgery Data Collection
Authors: Hutter Matthew M. , Jones Daniel B. , Riley Stancel M. , Snow Roger L. , Cella Robert J. , Schneider Benjamin E. , Clancy Kerri A.
Published: January 2009

To update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for collection of data on weight loss surgery (WLS). Systematic search of English‐language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library on WLS and data collection, registries, risk adjustment, accreditation, benchmarks, and administrative and outcomes databases published between April 2004 and May 2007. Use of key words to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. During our search, we identified 212 papers; the 63 most relevant were reviewed in detail. Most data collection on WLS has relied on administrative data sets, single‐institution studies, and other sources that are not WLS specific. A six‐center, nationwide study involving data collection has been started by the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery, but results are not yet available. Two WLS‐specific, longitudinal, national data collection systems are about to be implemented. Key factors in patient safety include data collection for all weight loss procedures; prospective, risk‐adjusted, universal, benchmarked, longitudinal data collection systems; and use of WLS‐specific data points that track clinical effectiveness and complications following WLS. Data collection will need to include assessments of novel therapies and specific subgroups (e.g., adolescents, the elderly, and individuals who are at the greatest risk or have the most to gain from WLS). Quality indicators, including metrics on processes of care and determination of outliers, need to be established and monitored to advance patient safety and quality improvement.
Best Practices in Policy and Access (Coding and Reimbursement) for Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Shikora Scott A. , Kruger Rayford S. , Blackburn George L. , Fallon John A. , Harvey Alan M. , Johnson Elvira Q. , Kaplan Lee , Mun Edward C. , Riley Stancel , Robinson Malcolm K. , Sabin James E. , Snow Roger L. , LoNigro Robert , Steingisser Lee J. , Lautz David B. ,   Policy & Access Task Group
Published: January 2009

To update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for coding and reimbursement and establish policy and access standards for weight loss surgery (WLS). Systematic search of English‐language literature on WLS and health‐care policy, access, insurance reimbursement, coding, private payers, public policy, and mandated benefits published between April 2004 and May 2007 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Use of key words to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. We identified 51 publications in our literature search; the 20 most relevant were examined in detail. These included reviews, cost‐benefit analyses, and trend and cost studies from administrative databases. Literature on policy issues surrounding WLS are very sparse and largely focused on economic analyses. Reports on policy initiatives in the public and private arenas are primarily limited to narrative reviews of nonsurgical efforts to fight obesity. A substantial body of work shows that WLS improves or reverses most obesity‐related comorbidities. Mounting evidence also indicates that WLS confers a significant survival advantage for those who undergo it. WLS is a viable and cost‐effective treatment for an increasingly common disease, and policy decisions are more frequently being linked to incentives for national health‐care goals. However, access to WLS often varies by payer and region. Currently, there are no uniform criteria for determining patient appropriateness for surgery.
Best Practice Updates for Pediatric/Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Pratt Janey S.A. , Lenders Carine M. , Dionne Emily A. , Hoppin Alison G. , Hsu George L.K. , Inge Thomas H. , Lawlor David F. , Marino Margaret F. , Meyers Alan F. , Rosenblum Jennifer L. , Sanchez Vivian M.
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study is to update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for pediatric/adolescent weight loss surgery (WLS). We performed a systematic search of English‐language literature on WLS and pediatric, adolescent, gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric banding, and extreme obesity published between April 2004 and May 2007 in PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. Keywords were used to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. In light of evidence on the natural history of obesity and on outcomes of WLS in adolescents, guidelines for surgical treatment of obesity in this age group need to be updated. We recommend modification of selection criteria to include adolescents with BMI ≥ 35 and specific obesity‐related comorbidities for which there is clear evidence of important short‐term morbidity (i.e., type 2 diabetes, severe steatohepatitis, pseudotumor cerebri, and moderate‐to‐severe obstructive sleep apnea). In addition, WLS should be considered for adolescents with extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 40) and other comorbidities associated with long‐term risks. We identified >1,085 papers; 186 of the most relevant were reviewed in detail. Regular updates of evidence‐based recommendations for best practices in pediatric/adolescent WLS are required to address advances in technology and the growing evidence base in pediatric WLS. Key considerations in patient safety include carefully designed criteria for patient selection, multidisciplinary evaluation, choice of appropriate procedure, thorough screening and management of comorbidities, optimization of long‐term compliance, and age‐appropriate fully informed consent.
Best Practice Updates for Multidisciplinary Care in Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Apovian Caroline M. , Cummings Sue , Anderson Wendy , Borud Loren , Boyer Kelly , Day Kristina , Hatchigian Edward , Hodges Barbara , Patti Mary E. , Pettus Mark , Perna Frank , Rooks Daniel , Saltzman Edward , Skoropowski June , Tantillo Michael B. , Thomason Phyllis
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study is to update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for multidisciplinary care of weight loss surgery (WLS) patients. We performed systematic search of English‐language literature on WLS, patient selection, and medical, multidisciplinary, and nutritional care published between April 2004 and May 2007 in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Key words were used to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. A total of 150 papers were retrieved from the literature search and 112 were reviewed in detail. We made evidence‐based best practice recommendations from the most recent literature on multidisciplinary care of WLS patients. New recommendations were developed in the areas of patient selection, medical evaluation, and treatment. Regular updates of evidence‐based recommendations for best practices in multidisciplinary care are required to address changes in patient demographics and levels of obesity. Key factors in patient safety include comprehensive preoperative medical evaluation, patient education, appropriate perioperative care, and long‐term follow‐up.
Endoscopic Interventions for Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Ellsmere James C. , Thompson Christopher C. , Brugge William R. , Chuttani Ram , Desilets David J. , Rattner David W. , Tarnoff Michael E. , Kaplan Lee M.
Published: January 2009

In this paper we review the state‐of‐the‐art in endoscopic interventions for obesity treatment and make best practice recommendations for weight loss surgery (WLS). We performed a systematic search of English‐language literature published between April 2004 and June 2008 in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library on WLS and endoscopic interventions, endoscopically placed devices, minimally invasive surgery, image‐guided surgery, endoluminal surgery, endoscopic instrumentation, interventional gastroenterology, transluminal surgery, and natural orifice transluminal surgery. We also searched the literature on endoscopic interventions and WLS and patient safety. We identified 36 pertinent articles, all of which were reviewed in detail; assessed the current science in endoscopic interventions for WLS; and made best practice recommendations based on the latest available evidence. Our findings indicate that endoscopic interventions and endoscopically placed devices may provide valuable approaches to the management of WLS complications and the primary management of obesity. Given the rapid changes in endoscopic technologies and techniques, systematic literature review is required to address issues related to the emerging role of endoluminal surgery in the treatment of obesity. These interventions should be a high priority for development and investigation.
A Longitudinal Study of Sedentary Behavior and Overweight in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Treuth Margarita S. , Baggett Chris D. , Pratt Charlotte A. , Going Scott B. , Elder John P. , Charneco Eileen Y. , Webber Larry S.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study is to examine sedentary and light activity in relation to overweight in adolescent girls. Adolescent girls were randomly recruited from 36 schools participating in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG). Assessments included age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and body composition estimated from weight, height, and triceps skinfold. Sedentary and light activity was measured for 6 days using accelerometry in 6th and in 8th grade among two randomly sampled cross‐sections of girls. Sedentary activity increased from the 6th to 8th grade by 51.5 min/day. In the 8th grade, a significantly higher number of hours in sedentary activity for each of the 6‐days of measurement were evident with higher tertiles of percent body fat (30–35%, >35% fat) (P < 0.05), but not across all increasing tertiles of BMI (5th to 85th, 85th to 95th, and >95th percentiles). The increase in sedentary activity was observed on weekdays, but not on weekends for percent body fat tertiles. In the cohort of girls measured in both 6th and 8th grades, the mean cross‐sectional coefficient estimates were significant for percent body fat, but not BMI for sedentary and light activities. Adolescent girls from the 6th to 8th grade are shifting their time from light to more sedentary activity as measured by accelerometers. In addition, the increase in sedentary activity is not associated with an adverse effect on BMI or percent body fat. The eventual impact of this shift to a more sedentary lifestyle on body composition and other outcomes needs to be evaluated further.
Dieting Frequency in Obese Patients With Binge Eating Disorder: Behavioral and Metabolic Correlates
Authors: Roehrig Megan , Masheb Robin M. , White Marney A. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: January 2009

This study examined the clinical significance of self‐reported frequency of time spent dieting in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). A total of 207 treatment‐seeking obese BED patients (57 men and 150 women) were dichotomized by dieting frequency and gender and compared on a number of historical, psychological, and metabolic variables. Frequent dieters reported significantly earlier age of onset for binge eating, dieting, and obesity, more episodes of weight cycling, greater weight suppression, and greater eating disorder pathology than infrequent dieters; no differences, however, emerged on current binge eating frequency or psychological distress. Among women but not among men, frequent dieters had consistently lower chances of abnormalities in total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio while infrequent dieters had greater chances of abnormalities on these variables. Dietary restraint was inversely correlated with abnormalities in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio but was unrelated to low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In summary, frequent dieters of both genders had greater lifetime and current eating and weight concerns, and in women, decreased chance of metabolic abnormalities than infrequent dieters. Our findings suggest that frequent dieting attempts, particularly in women, are associated with greater eating disorder pathology but may have a beneficial effect on metabolic functioning and cardiovascular disease risk independent of actual weight status. These findings may have implications for clinical advice provided to obese BED patients.
Liver NF‐κB and AP‐1 DNA Binding in Obese Patients
Authors: Videla Luis A. , Tapia Gladys , Rodrigo Ramón , Pettinelli Paulina , Haim Daniela , Santibañez Catherine , Araya A. Verónica , Smok Gladys , Csendes Attila , Gutierrez Luis , Rojas Jorge , Castillo Jaime , Korn Owen , Maluenda Fernando , Díaz Juan C. , Rencoret Guillermo , Poniachik Jaime
Published: January 2009

Oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) are major contributors in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in the progression from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Our aim was to assess nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) activation and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression as signaling mechanisms related to liver injury in obese NAFLD patients, and examined potential correlations among them, oxidative stress, and IR. Liver NF‐κB and AP‐1 (electromobility shift assay (EMSA)), TLR4 expression (western blot), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and IR evolution (HOMA) were evaluated in 17 obese patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy with gastro‐jejunal anastomosis in Roux‐en‐Y and 10 nonobese subjects who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (controls). Liver NF‐κB and AP‐1 DNA binding were markedly increased in NASH patients (n = 9; P < 0.05) compared to controls, without significant changes in NAFLD patients with steatosis (n = 8), whereas TLR4 expression was comparable between groups. Hepatic NF‐κB activation was positively correlated with that of AP‐1 (r = 0.79; P < 0.0001); both liver NF‐κB and AP‐1 DNA binding were inversely associated with FRAP (r = −0.43 and r = −0.40, respectively; P < 0.05) and directly correlated with HOMA (r = 0.66 and r = 0.62, respectively, P < 0.001). Data presented show enhanced liver activation of the proinflammatory transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1 in obese patients with NASH, parameters that are significantly associated to oxidative stress and IR.
Transcriptional Control of Human Adipose Tissue Blood Flow
Authors: Perez‐Matute Patricia , Neville Matthew J. , Tan Garry D. , Frayn Keith N. , Karpe Fredrik
Published: January 2009

Adipose tissue is highly vascularized and expresses several genes involved in vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive regulation. We took a transcriptional approach to study the relationships between adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) and genes involved in vasoactive processes. As ATBF is impaired in obesity, we tested whether body weight interfered with the transcriptional regulation of ATBF. The mRNA content (real‐time PCR) of 26 genes was quantified in subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies from 28 healthy men with a wide range of BMI. ATBF was measured by 133Xe washout. None of the transcripts was related to fasting ATBF (ATBFF). However, the expression levels of two transcripts involved in vasodilation (natriuretic peptide receptor A/guanylate cyclase A (NPRA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)) were positively associated with postprandial ATBF (r = 0.53 and r = 0.55, P < 0.01, respectively). Although BMI was negatively related to the mRNA content of NPRA and eNOS (r = −0.78 and r = −0.63, P < 0.01, respectively), the strong associations found between postprandial ATBF and the two transcripts were not affected by obesity. Several genes were subject to coordinated regulation of expression. This study demonstrates for the first time that ATBF responsiveness to nutrient intake is related to the transcription of two genes expressed in adipose tissue and directly involved in vasodilatory actions (eNOS and NPRA), suggesting that part of the regulation of ATBF is at a transcriptional level. Interestingly, these associations were not secondary to changes in BMI. We also found that certain genes involved in the regulation of ATBF are subject to coordinate regulation of expression suggesting physiological autoregulation.
Variants in the CNR1 and the FAAH Genes and Adiposity Traits in the Community
Authors: Lieb Wolfgang , Manning Alisa K. , Florez Jose C. , Dupuis Josée , Cupples L. Adrienne , McAteer Jarred B. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Hoffmann Udo , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Meigs James B. , Fox Caroline S.
Published: January 2009

Pharmacologic blockade of the endocannabinoid receptor 1 leads to weight loss and an improved metabolic risk profile in overweight and obese individuals. We hypothesize that common genetic variants in the CNR1 (encoding endocannabinoid receptor 1) and FAAH genes (encoding fatty acid amide hydrolase, a key enzyme hydrolyzing endocannabinoids) are associated with adiposity traits. We genotyped 18 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CNR1 gene and 9 SNPs in the FAAH gene in 2,415 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age 61 ± 10 years; 52.6% women; mean BMI 28.2 ± 5.4 kg/m2; 30.3% obese) and studied them for association with cross‐sectional and longitudinal measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, change over time in BMI and waist circumference, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue) using linear mixed‐effect models. The selected SNPs captured 85% (r2 = 0.8) of the common variation (minor allele frequency >5%) at the CNR1 locus and 96% (r2 = 0.8) of the common variation at the FAAH locus (defined as the genomic segment containing the gene +20 kb upstream and +10 kb downstream). After correction for multiple testing, none of the SNPs in the CNR1 gene or in the FAAH gene displayed statistical evidence for association with BMI, waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue or subcutaneous adipose tissue (all P > 0.18). Despite comprehensive SNP mapping across the genes and their regulatory regions in a large unselected sample, we failed to find evidence for an association of common variants in the CNR1 and FAAH genes with measures of adiposity in our community‐based sample.
Proteasome Subunits mRNA Expressions Correlate With Male BMI: Implications for a Role in Obesity
Authors: Sakamoto Kozue , Sato Youichi , Shinka Toshikatsu , Sei Masako , Nomura Isoko , Umeno Mayumi , Ewis Ashraf A. , Nakahori Yutaka
Published: January 2009

Obesity as well as its associated chronic diseases and adverse health consequences such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease are afflicting middle‐aged adults and an ever greater number of children globally. We planned to investigate new obesity‐related factors using proteomics approaches in a randomly selected three high and three low BMI samples of Epstein‐Barr‐transformed B (EBV‐B) lymphoblastoid cell lines prepared from two groups of young Japanese men with different BMI. To search novel obesity‐related factors, comparisons of protein expressions between high and low BMI groups were carried out by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE). Gene transcripts of proteasome subunits found out from 2‐DE were further determined by quantitative real‐time PCR. Results from proteomics approach showed that the expression of proteasome α subunit type 5 (PSMA5) was significantly lower in the high BMI male group than in those with low BMI (P < 0.05). To validate these results, we expanded the study to include 20 more men and used real‐time PCR to quantify the mRNA expression level in their EBV‐B cells. Both PSMA5 and PSMA2 of EBV‐B cells showed negative correlation with BMI. Furthermore, the mRNA levels measured in the peripheral blood B lymphocytes for many proteasome subunits in 75 healthy men and women showed significant negative correlation with BMI in healthy men. Our findings suggest that proteasome expression may play a key role in obesity.
The Common Variant in the FTO Gene Did Not Modify the Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Body Weight: The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study
Authors: Lappalainen Tiina J. , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija , Kolehmainen Marjukka , Schwab Ursula , Lindström Jaana , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Pulkkinen Leena , Eriksson Johan G. , Laakso Markku , Gylling Helena , Uusitupa Matti ,   The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study Group
Published: January 2009

The common single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene is consistently associated with an increased risk of obesity. However, the knowledge of a potential modifying effect of the FTO gene on changes in body weight achieved by lifestyle intervention is limited. We examined whether the FTO gene variant (rs9939609, T/A) is associated with body weight and BMI and long‐term weight changes in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). Altogether, 522 (aged 40–65 years; BMI ≥25 kg/m2) subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were randomized to control and lifestyle intervention groups. SNP rs9939609 was genotyped from 502 subjects. At baseline, those with the AA genotype had higher BMI than subjects with other genotypes (P = 0.006). The association was observed in women (P = 0.016) but not in men. During the 4‐year follow‐up, the subjects with the AA genotype had consistently the highest BMI (P = 0.009) in the entire study population. The magnitude of weight reduction was greater in the intervention group, but the risk allele did not modify weight change in either of the groups. Our results confirm the association between the common FTO variant and BMI in a cross‐sectional setting and during the long‐term lifestyle intervention. We did not observe association between FTO variant and the magnitude of weight reduction achieved by long‐term lifestyle intervention. Based on the results from the DPS, it is unlikely that the common variant of the FTO gene affects the success of lifestyle modification on weight loss.
Pre‐ and Postsurgery Behavioral Compliance, Patient Health, and Postbariatric Surgical Weight Loss
Authors: Toussi Ruzbeh , Fujioka Ken , Coleman Karen J.
Published: January 2009

This study investigated the relationship between weight loss from gastric bypass surgery, patient characteristics, and compliance with physician instructions before and after surgery. A chart review of psychiatric and medical files was conducted for an initial cohort of 172 patients in a postsurgical management program. A total of 112 patients (primarily women (85%), white (79%), and well educated) from this cohort had presurgical data. Of these 112 subjects, 67 (60%) had postsurgical compliance information and BMI at 24 months postsurgery. The relationships between weight loss and a number of demographic, psychiatric, comorbid, and behavioral compliance factors were examined for these 67 patients. Missed appointments and noncompliance with exercise and weight loss plan instructions were high before and after surgery (65% vs. 72% for missed appointments, 39% vs. 51% for exercise, 42% vs. 57% for weight loss instructions). Although poor food choices were not frequently a problem before surgery (11%), they increased significantly after surgery: 37%, χ2(1) = 25.00, P < 0.001. Participants who lost the least weight at 2 years postsurgery were more likely to be nonwhite (r = 0.27, P = 0.039), have a lower socioeconomic status (SES) (r = 0.285, P = 0.02), and have a diagnosis of binge eating before surgery (r = 0.25, P = 0.039). Having more contact with patients and requiring adherence to behavioral changes, especially with respect to exercise and dietary restrictions, may improve the long‐term outcomes for bariatric procedures. In addition, those patients who are depressed and suffer from binge eating may need special attention from physicians during long‐term postoperative follow‐up.
Waist Circumference Measurement by Site, Posture, Respiratory Phase, and Meal Time: Implications for Methodology
Authors: Agarwal Sunil K. , Misra Anoop , Aggarwal Priyanka , Bardia Amit , Goel Ruchika , Vikram Naval K. , Wasir Jasjeet S. , Hussain Nazia , Ramachandran Krithika , Pandey Ravindra M.
Published: January 2009

Waist circumference (WC) has been advocated as a simple, reliable, and cost‐effective measure to understand an individual's cardio‐metabolic risk. Although several protocols exist for measuring WC, the variation induced by a few factors has not been investigated. We compared several established and experimental WC measurement protocols to identify factors that may cause variations in WC measurement. In this cross‐sectional study, we examined the variations in the measurement of waist circumference (WC) measures carried out in 11 ways differing by anatomical site, posture, respiratory phase, and time since last meal, using repeated measure analysis of variance (using mixed models) after Tukey‐Kramer adjustment. We estimated the proportion of variance in percentage of body fat (%BF) and fat‐free mass (FFM) explained by each of the WC measures. We studied 123 apparently healthy Asian Indians (75 females), with mean (s.d.) age of 34 (8.7) years and BMI of 23.9 (4.8) kg/m2. Overall, the mean of WCs measured using the 11 protocols were statistically different. Further, post hoc analysis showed statistically significant, yet mostly small, differences between most of the pairs. No single WC measure explained highest variance in %BF or FFM for both genders. Although, the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA, protocol was convenient and may be less prone to errors, at present it does not control for many variables tested in this study. Measures of WC measured using different protocols were statistically different. We suggest that the site of measurement, posture, phase of respiration, and time since last meal should be standardized for the development of a protocol for measurement of WC for worldwide use.
Optical characteristics of III-nitride quantum wells with different crystallographic orientations
Authors: Kisin Mikhail V. , Brown Robert G. W. , El-Ghoroury Hussein S.
Published: January 2009

This article presents a direct comparison of calculated optical characteristics of polar, nonpolar, and semipolar III-nitride quantum wells. We show that the advantage of using wider quantum wells offered by nonpolar/semipolar technology is severely limited by narrower valence subband separation, thermal hole redistribution, and resulting optical gain degradation in wider wells. However, we emphasize the importance of using wider quantum wells to prevent electron leakage. We also show that gain characteristics of laser structures grown in nonpolar/semipolar orientations are less vulnerable to detrimental effect of nonradiative recombination.
Interference in wave-front-division-based spectrometers illuminated with ultrafast pulses of light
Authors: Grave de Peralta L.
Published: January 2009

Visually appealing simulations of the ultrafast response of an integrated-optics spectrometer reveal how interference occurs inside of the device and before the light arrives to the external measurement instrument. The device was especially designed for having no more than one pulse at a time in the common path of the spectrometer. Simulations are in excellent agreement with recent experiments involving arrayed waveguide grating pulse shapers.
Energy levels of oxygen vacancies in BiFeO3 by screened exchange
Authors: Clark S. J. , Robertson J.
Published: January 2009

The oxygen vacancy in BiFeO3 is calculated to be a double donor with states 0.6 eV below the conduction band edge, consistent with cathodoluminescence and electronic conductivity data. The atomic configurations were relaxed using the local density approximation plus Hubbard U (LDA+U) to the electron-correlation energy for each defect charge state to ensure that the oxide had a nonzero band gap. The defect formation energies were calculated using the screened exchange (sX) functional.
Pulse generation at 346 GHz using a passively mode locked quantum-dash-based laser at 1.55 μm
Authors: Merghem K. , Akrout A. , Martinez A. , Aubin G. , Ramdane A. , Lelarge F. , Duan G.-H.
Published: January 2009

We report on subpicosecond pulse generation at 346 GHz repetition rate based on InAs/InP quantum dash passively mode locked lasers emitting at 1.55 μm. This is achieved owing to the high optical modal gain of the multilayer InAs/InP quantum dash active region.
The Reversible Limbs of a Stick Walker
Authors: Oh Songjoo
Published: January 2009

A stick walker whose limbs consisted of segments reversible in depth was presented from the frontal perspective. As one would expect, in the upright orientation observers were more likely to see the arms bend forwards and the legs bend backwards with respect to the body. In the inverted orientation, however, observers were more likely to see all limbs bend in the same direction rather than in random directions, so that the arms and the legs appeared to be either concave or convex structures at any given time. This codirectional perception of limb structure in the inverted orientation suggests that inverted body parts are organised on the basis of their perceptual similarities, including figural and dynamic features, rather than stored representations of the human body form, leading to the usual perception of upright walkers.
Pumpkin kernel and garlic as alternative treatments for the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep
Authors: Strickland V. J. , Krebs G. L. , Potts W.
Published: January 2009

Two alternative remedies for controlling Haemonchus contortus in sheep (pumpkin kernel and garlic) were investigated. The experiment involved 18 4-month-old Merino ram lambs with six lambs per treatment group. The lambs were initially drenched to render them worm free, and then infected with 4000 L3 H. contortus larvae, 2 weeks later. Four weeks after infection, faecal egg counts were performed and lambs were allocated into treatment groups and fed their respective diets (control, pumpkin kernel or garlic) for 2 weeks. The lambs were combined into a single group grazing pasture for the last week of the experiment. Faecal worm egg counts (WEC) were carried out weekly for 3 weeks following allocation to treatment diets. Clinical signs of infection observed included liveweight, body condition score and voluntary feed intake.
The pumpkin kernel treatment resulted in a 65.5% decrease in the initial level of WEC, but this increased back to the initial level as soon as animals came off treatment. The garlic resulted in a 64.4% decrease in WEC from the initial level and this increased slightly (to 25.5% of the initial level and 43.5% lower than the control) when the animals came off treatment, suggesting that there was a residual effect of the garlic and/or that the garlic had an effect beyond decreasing the fecundity of the parasites. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between treatments in liveweight, body condition score or voluntary feed intake. Throughout the experiment voluntary feed intake and liveweight increased while body condition scores remained stable.
We concluded that pumpkin kernel and garlic show potential for parasite control by affecting the fecundity of the parasites. Our results also indicate that with good nutrition lambs can cope with high parasite burdens and still be productive during the early stages of infection.
Repletion of glycogen in muscle is preceded by repletion of glycogen in the liver of Merino hoggets
Authors: Jacob R. H. , Gardner G. E. , Pethick D. W.
Published: January 2009

An experiment was conducted using 105 Merino hoggets to measure the change in tissue glycogen concentration over a 48-h period following an exercise regime. The exercise regime consisted of a 2-km run repeated four times with a 15-min break between each run. After exercise the hoggets were split into treatment groups and fed three different levels (fasting, maintenance and three times maintenance) of the same ration. A subset of each group of hoggets was killed at –24, 0, 12, 24 and 48 h from the time of exercise and samples taken from the liver, skin, rumen, duodenum, colon, kidney, M. semimembranosus, M. semitendinosus, M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum, M. psoas major, M. triceps brachii and M. subscapularis. Exercise caused a reduction in glycogen concentration in the liver and all muscles but not in the kidney, skin, duodenum, or colon tissues. After exercise the most significant changes in glycogen concentration were in the liver, muscle and skin. Metabolisable energy intake influenced the change in the liver and muscle tissue but not in the skin. It was concluded that glycogen concentration increased in liver before muscle and that this effect may contribute to the slower rate of glycogen concentration in muscle for ruminants compared with monogastric animals. Skin may also compete with muscle for glucose during the repletion phase in Merino sheep but the exact nature of this effect remains uncertain.
Effects of Australian strains of infectious bronchitis virus on internal and external quality of hen eggs
Authors: Chousalkar K. K. , Roberts J. R.
Published: January 2009

The effects of two Australian strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV-T and N1/88) on the internal and external quality of eggs were studied in unvaccinated Isa Brown hens in full lay. Overall, there was no decline in egg production in either of the infected groups. However, there were some long-lasting negative effects on the egg internal quality of T-infected hens. Negative effects on internal quality in the N1/88-infected group were relatively short term. Yolk colour score was lower only in T-infected hens. Egg shell quality was affected only in terms of loss of egg shell colour. IBV infection resulted in paler egg shells in both the infected groups. Paler egg shells may not be regarded well by consumers. The egg shape index was lower in both infected groups.
Hitch-hiking parasitic wasp learns to exploit butterfly antiaphrodisiac
Authors: Huigens Martinus E. , Pashalidou Foteini G. , Qian Ming-Hui , Bukovinszky Tibor , Smid Hans M. , van Loon Joop J. A. , Dicke Marcel , Fatouros Nina E.
Published: January 2009

Many insects possess a sexual communication system that is vulnerable to chemical espionage by parasitic wasps. We recently discovered that a hitch-hiking (H) egg parasitoid exploits the antiaphrodisiac pheromone benzyl cyanide (BC) of the Large Cabbage White butterfly
Pieris brassicae
. This pheromone is passed from male butterflies to females during mating to render them less attractive to conspecific males. When the tiny parasitic wasp
Trichogramma brassicae
detects the antiaphrodisiac, it rides on a mated female butterfly to a host plant and then parasitizes her freshly laid eggs. The present study demonstrates that a closely related generalist wasp,
Trichogramma evanescens
, exploits BC in a similar way, but only after learning. Interestingly, the wasp learns to associate an H response to the odors of a mated female
P. brassicae
butterfly with reinforcement by parasitizing freshly laid butterfly eggs. Behavioral assays, before which we specifically inhibited long-term memory (LTM) formation with a translation inhibitor, reveal that the wasp has formed protein synthesis-dependent LTM at 24 h after learning. To our knowledge, the combination of associatively learning to exploit the sexual communication system of a host and the formation of protein synthesis-dependent LTM after a single learning event has not been documented before. We expect it to be widespread in nature, because it is highly adaptive in many species of egg parasitoids. Our finding of the exploitation of an antiaphrodisiac by multiple species of parasitic wasps suggests its use by
Pieris
butterflies to be under strong selective pressure.
Libraries against libraries for combinatorial selection of replicating antigen–antibody pairs
Authors: Bowley Diana R. , Jones Teresa M. , Burton Dennis R. , Lerner Richard A.
Published: January 2009

Antibodies are among the most highly selective tight-binding ligands for proteins. Because the human genome project has deciphered the proteome, there is an opportunity to use combinatorial antibody libraries to select high-affinity antibodies to every protein encoded by the genome. However, this is a large task because the selection formats used today for combinatorial antibody libraries are geared toward generating antibodies to one antigen at a time. Here, we describe a method that accelerates the identification of antibodies to a multitude of antigens simultaneously by matching combinatorial antibody libraries against eukaryotic antigen libraries so that replication-competent cognate antigen–antibody pairs can be directly selected. Phage and yeast display systems are used because they each link genotype to phenotype and can be replicated individually. When combined with cell sorting, the two libraries can be selected against each other for recovery of cognate antigen–antibody clones in a single experiment.
Lymphotoxin β receptor signaling promotes tertiary lymphoid organogenesis in the aorta adventitia of agedApoE−/− mice
Authors: Gräbner Rolf , Lötzer Katharina , Döpping Sandra , Hildner Markus , Radke Dörte , Beer Michael , Spanbroek Rainer , Lippert Beatrix , Reardon Catherine A. , Getz Godfrey S. , Fu Yang-Xin , Hehlgans Thomas , Mebius Reina E. , van der Wall Michael , Kruspe Dagmar , Englert Christoph , Lovas Agnes , Hu Desheng , Randolph Gwendalyn J. , Weih Falk , Habenicht Andreas J.R.
Published: January 2009

Atherosclerosis involves a macrophage-rich inflammation in the aortic intima. It is increasingly recognized that this intimal inflammation is paralleled over time by a distinct inflammatory reaction in adjacent adventitia. Though cross talk between the coordinated inflammatory foci in the intima and the adventitia seems implicit, the mechanism(s) underlying their communication is unclear. Here, using detailed imaging analysis, microarray analyses, laser-capture microdissection, adoptive lymphocyte transfers, and functional blocking studies, we undertook to identify this mechanism. We show that in aged apoE−/− mice, medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) beneath intimal plaques in abdominal aortae become activated through lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) to express the lymphorganogenic chemokines CXCL13 and CCL21. These signals in turn trigger the development of elaborate bona fide adventitial aortic tertiary lymphoid organs (ATLOs) containing functional conduit meshworks, germinal centers within B cell follicles, clusters of plasma cells, high endothelial venules (HEVs) in T cell areas, and a high proportion of T regulatory cells. Treatment of apoE−/− mice with LTβR-Ig to interrupt LTβR signaling in SMCs strongly reduced HEV abundance, CXCL13, and CCL21 expression, and disrupted the structure and maintenance of ATLOs. Thus, the LTβR pathway has a major role in shaping the immunological characteristics and overall integrity of the arterial wall.
The induction of antibody production by IL-6 is indirectly mediated by IL-21 produced by CD4+ T cells
Authors: Dienz Oliver , Eaton Sheri M. , Bond Jeffrey P. , Neveu Wendy , Moquin David , Noubade Rajkumar , Briso Eva M. , Charland Colette , Leonard Warren J. , Ciliberto Gennaro , Teuscher Cory , Haynes Laura , Rincon Mercedes
Published: January 2009

Interleukin (IL) 6 is a proinflammtory cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells and nonhematopoietic cells in response to external stimuli. It was initially identified as a B cell growth factor and inducer of plasma cell differentiation in vitro and plays an important role in antibody production and class switching in vivo. However, it is not clear whether IL-6 directly affects B cells or acts through other mechanisms. We show that IL-6 is sufficient and necessary to induce IL-21 production by naive and memory CD4+ T cells upon T cell receptor stimulation. IL-21 production by CD4+ T cells is required for IL-6 to promote B cell antibody production in vitro. Moreover, administration of IL-6 with inactive influenza virus enhances virus-specific antibody production, and importantly, this effect is dependent on IL-21. Thus, IL-6 promotes antibody production by promoting the B cell helper capabilities of CD4+ T cells through increased IL-21 production. IL-6 could therefore be a potential coadjuvant to enhance humoral immunity.