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Δευτέρα 5 Νοεμβρίου 2018

Binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome in adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasing in prevalence worldwide, and is closely linked to obesity. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Night Eating Syndrome (NES) are eating disorders that are common in obesity, and may affect the management as well as long term outcomes of T2DM. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess the prevalence and associations of BED or NES in adults with T2DM.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review. The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and AMED were searched for articles which met the inclusion criteria; including patients > 18 years old, with T2DM, and BED and/or NES. The reference lists of included studies were also searched. Meta-analysis was not attempted due to the limited number of studies that measured the outcomes of interest.

Results

A total of 10 studies (2 included NES) were included in this systematic review. The number screened for BED and NES were 6527 and 1039 participants, respectively. Point prevalence was 1.2–8.0% for BED and 3.8–8.4% for NES. Patients with T2DM and BED had higher BMI than patients with T2DM without BED in the two studies that reported BMI. There was no statistically significant difference in HbA1c between patients with and without BED in the two studies that measured HbA1c.

Conclusions

BED and NES are common in adults with T2DM, and BED is associated with higher BMI in patients with T2DM. However, only two studies reported important outcomes measures such as BMI and HbA1c in patients with T2DM. Hence, further well-designed studies are needed to assess the impact of BED and NES in patients with T2DM. Health Care Professionals should consider the diagnosis of BED and NES in patients with T2DM.



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The revised short-form of the Eating Beliefs Questionnaire: Measuring positive, negative, and permissive beliefs about binge eating

Abstract

Background

The Eating Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ) is a self-report assessment tool that measures positive and negative beliefs about food and eating that are believed to play a key role in maintaining binge eating behaviour that occurs in individuals with Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and other atypical eating disorders. The present study aimed to further refine this measure with the addition of a third scale to assess permissive beliefs about eating, also thought to play a crucial role in the maintenance of binge eating. Permissive beliefs are defined as beliefs about eating that provide justification for the individual to engage in a binge eating episode.

Methods

After consultation with the literature and endorsement from 10 experts in eating disorders, 19 permissive belief items were generated. Eight hundred eighty-three participants were recruited to complete a test battery online that included the EBQ and the new permissive items.

Results

An exploratory factor analysis (n = 441) found a three-factor solution (positive, negative and permissive beliefs) explaining 63.4% of variance. A confirmatory factor analysis (n = 442) provided support for the three-factor model, with the data best supporting a shorter 18-item questionnaire. The revised scale demonstrated good internal consistency, as well as good convergent validity with measures of related eating disorder symptoms, emotional regulation, mood and anxiety.

Conclusions

With the addition of a third scale to measure permissive beliefs, the revised short-form of the EBQ offers clinicians and researchers a brief comprehensive tool for the measurement of positive, negative and permissive beliefs about binge eating.



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Impact of Brain Fatty Acid Signaling on Peripheral Insulin Action in Mice

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes
DOI: 10.1055/a-0735-9533

Aims and Methods Glucose homeostasis and energy balance are under control by peripheral and brain processes. Especially insulin signaling in the brain seems to impact whole body glucose homeostasis and interacts with fatty acid signaling. In humans circulating saturated fatty acids are negatively associated with brain insulin action while animal studies suggest both positive and negative interactions of fatty acids and insulin brain action. This apparent discrepancy might reflect a difference between acute and chronic fatty acid signaling. To address this question we investigated the acute effect of an intracerebroventricular palmitic acid administration on peripheral glucose homeostasis. We developed and implemented a method for simultaneous monitoring of brain activity and peripheral insulin action in freely moving mice by combining radiotelemetry electrocorticography (ECoG) and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. This method allowed gaining insight in the early kinetics of brain fatty acid signaling and its contemporaneous effect on liver function in vivo, which, to our knowledge, has not been assessed so far in mice. Results Insulin-induced brain activity in the theta and beta band was decreased by acute intracerebroventricular application of palmitic acid. Peripherally it amplified insulin action as demonstrated by a significant inhibition of endogenous glucose production and increased glucose infusion rate. Moreover, our results further revealed that the brain effect of peripheral insulin is modulated by palmitic acid load in the brain. Conclusion These findings suggest that insulin action is amplified in the periphery and attenuated in the brain by acute palmitic acid application. Thus, our results indicate that acute palmitic acid signaling in the brain may be different from chronic effects.
[...]

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text



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Associations of Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism Indices with Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

05-2018-0197-dia_10-1055-a-0762-0341-1.j

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes
DOI: 10.1055/a-0762-0341

Objective To identify correlations of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism indices with the urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) as an indicator of nephropathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods In this retrospective analysis, 297 patients with T2D were divided into 3 groups according to the urine ACR. Patients' data were analyzed to identify associations of general conditions, blood glucose level, lipid levels, and uric acid level with BMD and bone metabolism indices. Results BMD at every location tested (femoral neck, trochanter, inside hip, Ward's triangle, total hip, and lumbar vertebrae) was negatively correlated with the urine ACR (all p<0.05). Osteocalcin, beta-C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTX), and procollagen type 1 N- peptide (P1NP) were positively correlated with urine ACR (all p<0.05). Finally, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was negatively correlated with urine ACR (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis with adjustment for age, body mass index, disease duration, and other clinical measurements revealed no significant correlation between urine ACR and BMD measurements or β-CTX (p>0.05). However, significant correlations remained between urine ACR and osteocalcin, P1NP, and 25(OH)D (p<0.05). The same results were obtained for postmenopausal women specifically, with the exception of a significant correlation between the ACR and β-CTX (p<0.05). Conclusion In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, BMD changes and bone transformation acceleration may occur, and the acceleration of bone transformation may occur before the change in BMD. Therefore, it is important to monitor bone metabolism indices in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy in T2D patients.
[...]

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text



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Radiofrequency Ablation vs. Cryoablation for Localized Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity-matched Population Study

Background/Aim: To compare overall survival (OS) and liver cancer-specific survival (LCSS) of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) database patients treated with cryoablation (cryo) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of Stage I or II HCC patients from the SEER database treated with cryo and RFA from 2004-2013. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regressions were performed on pooled and propensity-matched cohort. Results: Out of 3,239 patients, RFA showed a significant survival advantage over cryo in liver cancer specific survival (LCSS) (HR=1.634 p=0.0004). A total of 91 propensity-matched pairs had similar OS (HR=1.006 p=0.9768), but no difference in LCSS was observed between the groups [HR=1.412 (95%CI=0.933-2.137) p=0.1023]. Survival Cox models did not reveal treatment type as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Propensity-matched cohort showed no significant difference in terms of OS and LCSS was found for patients treated with either cryo or RFA for localized HCC.



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Cancer Patients in the Emergency Department: A "Nightmare" that Might Become a Virtuous Clinical Pathway

Background/Aim: Emergency departments (EDs) often face overcrowding issues while simultaneously confronting with the increasing clinical needs of patients, such as cancer patients, with both acute and chronic illnesses. In order to guarantee a prompt and specialized treatment of ED-attending cancer patients and reduce inappropriate inpatient admissions, a dedicated ED cancer pathway (EDCP) consisting of ED-bound Medical Oncology (MO) resident doctor and direct admission for candidate patients exclusively to the MO division was established at the Tor Vergata University Hospital in April 2015. Patients and Methods: Consecutive cancer patients attending the ED in two reference three-month periods were enrolled: pre-EDCP period, from 1st October 2014 to 31st December 2014, and post-EDCP period, from 1st October 2014 to 31st December 2015. Inpatient admission rate, mortality rate and both ED and inpatient length of stay were compared between the two analyzed periods, pre- and post-EDCP. Results: In the pre- and post-EDCP periods 127 and 123 cancer patients, respectively, were included. Most of the analyzed indicators were improved by EDCP implementation: Inpatient admission rate from 70% to 41% (p<0.0001), ED mortality rate from 10-4% (p=0.04), mean ED length of stay, from 58 to 42 h (p=0.03), mean inpatient length of stay, from 15.5 to 6.5 days (p<0.0001), in the pre- and post-EDCp period, respectively. Conclusion: EDCP implementation led to a significant improvement of health care delivery to cancer patients attending the Emergency Department.



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Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD



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The Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease



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Statistical Methods in Medical Research



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Prebiotic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution of Nucleic Acids



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Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Transport



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Cell Biology and Translational Medicine, Volume 1. Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Advances and Challenges



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Molecular Applications in Cytology



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Gene Therapy in Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery



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The Heterogeneity of Cancer Metabolism



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Genetic Epidemiology. Methods and Protocols



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Programmed Necrosis. Methods and Protocols



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Stromal Immunology



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Single Cell Biomedicine



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Small Molecules in Oncology



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The Human Virome. Methods and Protocols



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Book Reviews



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Patterns of Recurrence After Salvage Radiotherapy Encompassing Pelvic Lymphatics in Men with High-risk Prostate Cancer

Background/Aim: The efficacy of adjuvant or salvage radiation to the regional lymph node area has not been fully investigated in high-risk prostate cancer patients; instead, radiotherapy is limited to the prostate fossa. The present study aimed to assess patterns of recurrence in prostate cancer patients with biochemical failure (BCF) who were treated with whole-pelvic salvage radiotherapy (SRT) following radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: The clinical data from 196 high-risk prostate cancer patients who received SRT for BCF after radical prostatectomy were reviewed. BCF after SRT was detected in 80 patients, and 59 patients underwent imaging studies. Results: Twenty four recurrences in 16 patients were identified, including 13 bone metastases, 6 vesicourethral anastomosis site recurrences, and 5 lymph node recurrences (one simultaneous with vesicourethral anastomosis). Regarding the treatment field, no in-field nodal recurrence was observed, whereas 4 out-of-field and 1 edge-of-field recurrences were detected. Conclusion: Locoregional recurrence was most common at the anastomosis site. Most nodal recurrences were located outside the pelvis, suggesting that elective pelvic nodal irradiation should be recommended in a selected patient population.



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The Adenosine Receptors



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Environmental risk assessment of psychoactive drugs in the aquatic environment

Abstract

The consumption of psychoactive pharmaceuticals has increased worldwide, and wastewater treatment plants are not able to eliminate them from the effluent. An extensive review was carried out to assess the environmental risk (ERA model) based on secondary data about potential impacts on non-target organisms of seven psychoactive drugs consumed worldwide (alprazolam, bromazepam, citalopram, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and oxazepam). Risk quotients (RQs) were calculated according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on ERA of Medicinal Products For Human Use based on (i) the predicted and measured environmental concentrations (PEC and MEC, respectively) of the psychoactive drug in surface water, groundwater, and wastewater effluent and (ii) the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) derived from ecotoxicological assays or ECOSAR software. Furthermore, this study reviews and discusses non-standardized ecotoxicity assays, such as sublethal and behavioral effects on different organisms. In total, 903 MEC entries of psychoactive drugs and 162 data on ecotoxicological assays were gathered from the literature survey addressing behavioral effects (115), acute/chronic effects (35), and sublethal effects (12). Citalopram and diazepam were the only substances that are likely to pose an environmental risk (RQ > 1) to surface waters. Even though there is considerable amount of data on behavioral effects of psychoactive drugs to aquatic species, results are currently not integrated into the EMA risk assessment framework. The large amount of data on psychoactive drug concentrations and effects on non-target organisms collected, interpreted, and discussed in the present study should be used as a baseline for future improvement of ERA strategies.



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A multivariate analysis of physiological and antioxidant responses and health hazards of wheat under cadmium and lead stress

Abstract

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a global issue confronting the environmental pollution and human/animal health. Much work has been done on physiological and antioxidant responses of wheat in hydroponic experiments and health risks from individual heavy metal contamination to human, but limited information is available on their combined application in soil. Therefore, this pot study delineates the uptake of lead and cadmium, as well as physiological responses of wheat and associated health risks under different levels of alone and combined Cd and Pb treatments. Metal uptake increased with their increasing applied levels. The highest Cd (4.24, 1.38, and 0.92 mg kg−1) and Pb (763.33, 39.63, and 16.35 mg kg−1) concentrations in root, shoot, and grain, respectively, were observed at highest applied levels (0.4 mM Cd and 10 mM Pb). Furthermore, all the treatments increased lipid peroxidation and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase, while decreased total chlorophyll contents and membrane stability index. Under combined application of Cd and Pb, the toxicity and detoxification responses of wheat increased compared to alone treatments. Multivariate analysis further confirmed the toxicity and accumulation pattern of metals under alone and combined treatments. Target hazard quotient values of Cd and Pb were < 1 under alone and combined treatments. The health hazard index values of Pb (97.07 and 87.89%) were higher than those of Cd (2.93 and 12.10%) in combined application for human and buffalo, respectively. This study highlights that the multi-metal contamination (Cd and Pb) is detrimental for wheat growth and human/animal health.



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American Thyroid Association: Dr. Elizabeth Pearce to Lead 2018-2019 Board of Directors

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October 17, 2018—The American Thyroid Association (ATA) announces with pleasure that Elizabeth Pearce, MD, MSc, began a one-year term as president of the Board of Directors at the close of the Annual Meeting, October 7 in Washington, DC. Dr. Pearce has served for the past year as President-Elect.

Newly elected board members are:

Martha Zeiger, MD, President-Elect
Jacqueline Jonklaas, MD, Secretary-Elect
Joshua Klopper, MD, Director
Angela Leung, MD, MSc, Director

Elizabeth Pearce, MD, MSc, Board President

Elizabeth Pearce, MD, MSc, Board PresidentDr. Pearce is professor of medicine in the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition Section at Boston University School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard and a masters' degree in epidemiology from the Boston University School of Public Health. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and her fellowship in endocrinology at Boston University under the mentorship of Dr. Lewis Braverman. Her research interests include: the sufficiency of dietary iodine in the U.S. and globally; thyroid function in pregnancy; thyroidal effects of exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors; and the cardiovascular effects of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. She has been part of the leadership of the Iodine Global Network (IGN; formerly ICCIDD) since 2009. She is a member of the AACE Thyroid Disease State Network and serves as faculty for the Endocrine Society's annual board review course. She has served on multiple editorial boards, including those for Endocrine Practice, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Endocrinology, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Dr. Pearce has been a member of the American Thyroid Association since 2000. She has chaired both the ATA's Publications and Public Health Committees. She cochaired the 2012 Annual Meeting Program Committee and the 2009 and 2016 Spring Symposia and was a member of the Program Committee for the 2015 International Thyroid Congress. Dr. Pearce has also served as a member of the ATA Finance Committee and the Guidelines Policy Task Force. She was one of the leaders in establishing the ATA's Braverman Lectureship and cochaired the task force for the 2017 Pregnancy Guidelines. She is associate editor for both Thyroid and Clinical Thyroidology journals. She served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2009­ to 2013 and again as president-elect for the past year. Dr. Pearce was the 2011 recipient of the Van Meter Award for outstanding contributions to research on the thyroid gland.

Martha Zeiger, MD, President-Elect

Martha Zeiger, MD, President-ElectDr. Martha Zeiger is the S. Hurt Watts professor and chair of surgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Regarded as a world leader in endocrine surgery, she is also an expert in the molecular aspects of thyroid cancer and an experienced academic leader. Her surgical training includes a surgical oncology fellowship, focused on endocrine surgery, at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, prior to joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1993. There, she built her endocrine surgery practice, established an endocrine surgery fellowship program, and directed an NIH-funded molecular biology laboratory for over 20 years. Today, her research team continues at Johns Hopkins, focusing on the molecular aspects of thyroid cancer.

While at John Hopkins, Dr. Zeiger took the lead as: associate dean for postdoctoral affairs; professor of surgery, oncology, cellular and molecular medicine; associate vice chair of surgery faculty development; and medical director of business development, strategic alliance, and venture technology. While associate dean for postdoctoral affairs, she oversaw 1,200 research fellows in the School of Medicine. She also established a formal program for international postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Zeiger has held numerous leadership positions in national medical societies: the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the ATA. Through AAES, she founded Endocrine Surgery University, an annual course for all endocrine surgery fellows in North America.

She has served on the ATA Board of Directors and many ATA committees, including publications, membership, conflict of interest task force.  She co-chaired the annual meeting program committee in 2011.

Jacqueline Jonklaas, MD, Secretary-Elect

Jacqueline Jonklaas, MD, Secretary-ElectDr. Jonklaas is currently a professor in the endocrinology division at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where she completed her medical degree, residency, and fellowship training. As a clinical researcher in the thyroid field, her time is divided between research, clinical activities, and teaching. Dr. Jonklaas's research has focused on the management of hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. Current research involves examining patient-reported outcomes after radioiodine therapy. Her recent publications address topics such as how to optimize the treatment of hypothyroidism and the outcomes of thyroid cancer patients based on their treatment, age, and gender.

She is the program director of the Georgetown University Clinical Research Unit. She is involved in translational research and the activities of the Georgetown University's Clinical and Translational Science Award. She recently directed the endocrinology courses for Georgetown University Medical School's first- and second-year medical students. She currently teaches in these courses.

She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. She is involved in teaching at the national level as a member of the Endocrine Society Self-Assessment Committee.

Dr. Jonklaas has been a member of the ATA since 1999. She has served on several past ATA committees, including the Patient Education and Advocacy Committee, the Surgical Task Force Committee, and the Awards Committee. She was cochair of the ATA Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement, whose guidelines were published in 2014. She previously served on the Board of Directors from 2013–2017, and recently completed a term as the cochair of the Guidelines and Statement Committee. Currently she serves on the Program Committee. She also serves on the editorial board of the ATA journal Thyroid.

Joshua Klopper, MD, Director (Endocrinologist in Community Practice)

DJoshua Klopper, MD, Directorr. Klopper joined the Colorado Permanente Medical Group (CPMG) of Kaiser Permanente in July 2015 and was appointed chief of the department in April 2016. He was appointed associate clinical professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in October 2015.

He earned a B.S. in psychology in 1995 from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1999 he received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2002. Dr. Klopper then completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Endocrinology Division, prior to starting his endocrinology fellowship at the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, completed in 2006.

Dr. Klopper was a full-time faculty member in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine from 2006–2015, where he specialized in the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, including advanced thyroid cancer. During his academic career, he received grant funding at the local, state, and national level including from the American Cancer Society. He has published original research on the evaluation and management of thyroid nodules and advanced thyroid cancer and has written several book chapters and reviews. Additionally, he participated as an original member of the Thyroid Cancer Care Collaborative development committee. He has served on the Clinical Affairs and Development committees of the ATA as well as on the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting Steering committee. Currently, Dr. Klopper is on the Medical Specialty Peer Review Committee for CPMG and has been codirector of the Endocrine Society's Introductory Hands-On Thyroid Ultrasound Workshop since 2014.

Angela Leung, MD, MSc, Director (Endocrinologist in Academic Practice)

Angela Leung, MD, MSc, DirectorAngela M. Leung, MD, MSc, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and in the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, and an associate program director of the UCLA/VA endocrinology fellowship program.

She received her undergraduate degree at Occidental College in Los Angeles, her medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, and a masters' degree in epidemiology from the Boston University School of Public Health. She completed her internal medicine residency and a clinical and research endocrine fellowship at Boston University Medical Center. Her research areas of interest include iodine deficiency and excess, thyroid toxicant exposures, and maternal-child thyroid health. She is a member of the AACE Thyroid Disease State Network and the editorial board of Endocrine Practice, has participated in the AACE Endocrine Training Support Committee, and was a recipient of the Endocrine Society Early Investigator Award. She has reviewed for several NIH standing and early-career award endocrine study sections; for the U.S. EPA's Biologically-Based Dose Response model to guide perchlorate regulation in U.S. drinking water; and for the EPA's draft toxicity assessments of the thyroid disruptors GenX and perfluorobutane sulfonate. Through the Endocrine Society, she participates in reviewing the effects of thyroid toxicants for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a global initiative focused on the regulatory policies of endocrine disruptors.

Dr. Leung has been involved in multiple ATA programs and initiatives. She serves on the editorial boards of three ATA journals: Thyroid, Clinical Thyroidology, and Clinical Thyroidology for the Public. She is past Chair of the ATA Public Health Committee (2012–16), during which she led the publication of the ATA's statements on iodine excess and the use of potassium iodide in nuclear accidents; was a member of the Program Committee for the 2016 ATA Annual Meeting; and served as clinical cochair for the 2017 ATA Annual Meeting in Victoria, British Columbia.

The ATA thanks this year's Nominating Committee, chaired by David Steward, and the Secretary-Elect Selection Task Force, chaired by John Morris. We are extremely grateful to all who serve on the Board of Directors. Special thanks go to those who will retire from the Board this year: Regina Castro, MD, Christine Spitzweg, MD, and outgoing Past-President John C. Morris, MD.

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The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the leading worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement, understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer. ATA is an international membership medical society with over 1,700 members from 43 countries around the world. Celebrating its 95th anniversary, the ATA continues to deliver its mission of being devoted to thyroid biology and to the prevention and treatment of thyroid disease through excellence in research, clinical care, education, and public health.  These efforts are carried out via several key endeavors:

  • The publication of the highly regarded professional journals Thyroid, Clinical Thyroidology, and VideoEndocrinology
  • Annual scientific meetings
  • Biennial clinical and research symposia
  • Research grant programs for young investigators
  • Support of online professional, public, and patient educational programs
  • Development of guidelines for clinical management of thyroid disease and thyroid cancer

 The ATA promotes thyroid awareness and information online through Clinical Thyroidology for the Public and extensive, authoritative explanations of thyroid disease and thyroid cancer in both English and Spanish. The ATA website serves as the clinical resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the Internet. Every fifth year, the American Thyroid Association joins with the Latin American Thyroid Society, the European Thyroid Association, and the Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association to cosponsor the International Thyroid Congress (ITC).

The post American Thyroid Association: Dr. Elizabeth Pearce to Lead 2018-2019 Board of Directors appeared first on American Thyroid Association.



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Comments on: "Sleep disturbances increase the risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis”

We read an article written by Shi et al. (1) with interest. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 longitudinal studies to determine whether sleep disturbances (including insomnia, sleep disordered breathing, and other sleep problems) increase the risk of dementia. The meta-analysis was done by computing overall relative risk (RR) of incident dementia. The main findings from this study showed that sleep disturbances might increase risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.

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The Effect of Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions on Depression Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Poor sleep is a significant risk factor for depression across the lifespan and sleep problems have been hypothesised to contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression symptoms. However, sleep problems are usually not a direct target of interventions for depression. A range of non-pharmacological treatments can reduce sleep problems but it is unclear whether these interventions also reduce other depression symptoms. The aim of this review was to examine whether non-pharmacological interventions for sleep problems are effective in reducing symptoms of depression.

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Post-obturation pain following the use of carrier-based system with AH Plus or iRoot SP sealers: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain after root canal treatment using a carrier-based obturation system and two different sealers.

Materials and methods

In this prospective randomized clinical trial, 160 patients were selected. Patients with vital and devital teeth were randomized into four groups using a randomized block design with block sizes of 10 patients each. The groups were devital/vital teeth treated with iRoot SP sealer and devital/vital teeth treated with AH Plus sealer. Patients were prescribed ibuprofen, a 200-mg analgesic, if needed, and postoperative pain was recorded by visual analogue scale at 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after obturation. Pain score and frequency of tablet intake were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results

Results showed that there was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of postoperative pain; however, iRoot SP sealer was associated with less analgesic intake compared to AH Plus sealer.

Conclusion

The use of different sealers did not significantly affect pain levels.

Clinical relevance

iRoot SP sealer was associated with less analgesic intake compared to AH Plus sealer.



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Pulsed‐dye laser as a novel therapeutic approach for post‐filler bruises

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.


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A farewell from your Editor

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Volume 43, Issue 8, Page 867-867, December 2018.


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Issue Information

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Volume 43, Issue 8, Page i‐ii, 865-866, December 2018.


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Peptide mimetic of N‐terminal ghrelin enhances ghrelin induced growth hormone secretion and c‐Fos expression in mice

Journal of Neuroendocrinology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.


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Diagnostic performance of temporal artery ultrasound for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

Publication date: Available online 5 November 2018

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

Author(s): Marina Rinagel, Emmanuel Chatelus, Sandrine Jousse-Joulin, Jean Sibilia, Jacques-Eric Gottenberg, François Chasset, Laurent Arnaud

Abstract

Despite major recent advances in the therapeutic management of Giant cell arteritis (GCA), the diagnosis accuracy of temporal artery ultrasound remains controversial in this disease. We performed a systematic review to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and summary positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios of temporal artery ultrasound for the diagnosis of GCA. For this, we searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews without language restriction. Original articles reporting on diagnostic accuracy of temporal artery ultrasound compared to temporal artery biopsy, for the diagnosis of GCA, were selected. Sensitivity and specificity from each study were used to fit a bivariate diagnosis accuracy model. Of 1280 articles identified, 48 underwent full-text review, and 25 were included. Based on a total of 20 studies, the sensitivity and specificity of hypoechoic halo compared to positive temporal artery biopsy were respectively of 68% (95% CI: 57–78) and 81% (95%CI: 75–86). The summary mean positive and negative likelihood ratios were respectively of 3.64 (95%CI: 2.76–4.73) and 0.40 (0.28–0.52). Taking into account 11 studies reporting on the presence of any abnormal sign on temporal artery ultrasound yielded similar results with largely overlapping 95% confidence interval regions. This study provides the summary estimates of the diagnostic properties of temporal artery ultrasound compared to temporal artery biopsy, for the diagnosis of GCA. Those parameters allow the calculation of the post-test probability of GCA in a given patient, based on the results of temporal artery ultrasound and will help improving the diagnosis strategy for this common disease.



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Autoimmune diseases in myelodysplastic syndrome favors patients survival: A case control study and literature review

Publication date: Available online 5 November 2018

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

Author(s): Julie Seguier, Véronique Gelsi-Boyer, Mikael Ebbo, Zeinab Hamidou, Aude Charbonnier, Emmanuelle Bernit, Jean-Marc Durand, Jean-Robert Harlé, Norbert Vey, Nicolas Schleinitz

Abstract
Background

We conducted a monocentric retrospective study of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and autoimmune or inflammatory disorders (AIMs) and a literature review. We analyzed the association with subgroups of the WHO 2016 MDS classification and patient's survival in a case control study. Risk factors associated with survival were analyzed by uni- and multivariate analysis.

Results

From all MDS patients 11% presented with AIMs. These were heterogeneous and the most frequent where polyarthritis (25%) and autoimmune cytopenias (17%). No difference for frequency and type of AIMs was observed for the WHO 2016 MDS subgroups (p=.3). In the case control study WHO classification, karyotype abnormalities, IPSS-R and IPSS were similar in both groups. The overall survival from MDS diagnosis was better in the group with AIMs [10.3 ± 0.6 (IC95% 6.2–12.9) versus 4.8 ± 1.1 years (IC95% 4.2–8.7), p=.04]. The better survival was restricted to MDS with low or intermediate-1 IPSS [11.1 ± 1.5 (IC95% 9.9-NR) versus 8.7 ± 1.3 years (IC95% 4.8–10.3), p=.006]. The better survival was only observed when AIMs diagnosis was timely associated or appeared after MDS diagnosis (p=.04). Factors associated with a better overall survival and survival without AML were steroid dependence [respectively HR = 0.042, p=.003, (IC95% 0.005–0.33) and HR = 0.07, p=.002, (IC95% 0.013–0.39)], a diagnosis of AIMs and MDS timely associated [respectively HR = 0.05, p=.009, (IC95% 0.006–0.478) and HR = 0.1, p=.008, (IC95% 0.018–0.54)] or a diagnosis of AIMs after MDS [respectively HR = 0.024, p=.009, (IC95% 0.001–0.39) and HR = 0.04, p=.008, (IC95% 0.003–0.43)].

Conclusion

Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases associated to MDS are heterogeneous. AIMs diagnosed after or concomitantly to MDS seems associated with a better survival. Prospective studies are necessary to demonstrate that autoimmunity is associated to a better control of the MDS clone.



https://ift.tt/2QiTGCB

Guidelines for biomarkers in autoimmune rheumatic diseases - evidence based analysis

Publication date: Available online 5 November 2018

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

Author(s): Roberto Giacomelli, Antonella Afeltra, Alessia Alunno, Elena Bartoloni-Bocci, Onorina Berardicurti, Michele Bombardieri, Alessandra Bortoluzzi, Roberto Caporali, Francesco Caso, Ricard Cervera, Maria Sole Chimenti, Paola Cipriani, Emmanuel Coloma, Fabrizio Conti, Salvatore D'Angelo, Salvatore De Vita, Salvatore Di Bartolomeo, Oliver Distler, Andrea Doria, Eugen Feist

Abstract

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases are characterised by an abnormal immune system response, complement activation, cytokines dysregulation and inflammation. In last years, despite many progresses in managing these patients, it has been shown that clinical remission is reached in less than 50% of patients and a personalised and tailored therapeutic approach is still lacking resulting in a significant gap between guidelines and real-world practice. In this context, the need for biomarkers facilitating early diagnosis and profiling those individuals at the highest risk for a poor outcome has become of crucial interest. A biomarker generally refers to a measured characteristic which may be used as an indicator of some biological state or condition. Three different types of medical biomarkers has been suggested: i. mechanistic markers; ii. clinical disease markers; iii. therapeutic markers. A combination of biomarkers from these different groups could be used for an ideal more accurate diagnosis and treatment. However, although a growing body of evidence is focused on improving biomarkers, a significant amount of this information is not integrated on standard clinical care.

The overarching aim of this work was to clarify the meaning of specific biomarkers during autoimmune diseases; their possible role in confirming diagnosis, predicting outcome and suggesting specific treatments.



https://ift.tt/2qsHSTd

Immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of anti-pneumococcal vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: An evidence-informed and PRISMA compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

Publication date: Available online 5 November 2018

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

Author(s): Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Dennis McGonagle, Samaa Watad, Mohammad Adawi, Naim Mahroum, Giovanni Damiani, Rosalynn Conic, Charlie Bridgewood, Hussein Mahagna, Luca Giacomelli, Roberto Eggenhöffner, Mahmud Mahamid, Paolo Daniele Maria Pigatto, Howard Amital, Abdulla Watad

Abstract

The immunological perturbations associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) puts many patients at higher risk of infections including pneumococcal pneumonia. However, the uptake and utility of anti-pneumococcal vaccines in SLE patient is both controversial and not completely agreed on. Indeed, several epidemiological studies of anti-pneumococcal vaccine safety and efficacy in SLE have reported short term immunogenicity with elevated anti-pneumococcal antibody titres but inconsistent long term findings with some studies finding poor responses, mainly for long-term immune protection. Moreover, the safety and efficacy of the pneumococcal vaccine in SLE patients remains controversial due to the different types of anti-pneumococcal vaccines, and the heterogeneity of SLE patients. Several reviews addressing anti-pneumococcal vaccination in SLE patients exist, however, to the best of our knowledge, the present is the first systematic review and meta-analysis. To better understand the efficacy and safety of pneumococcal vaccination in SLE, a comprehensive literature search was performed identifying 18 studies in the present systematic reviews and meta-analysis. All studies were designed as longitudinal investigations, two, in particular, were of high quality, being randomized, double-blind trials (RCTs). Four studies had control groups. Sample size ranged from 12 to 204 participants. Vaccine immunogenicity in terms of subjects with protective antibody titers ranged from 36.0% to 97.6%. According to our metanalysis high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), older earlier SLE, high disease activity, and immunosuppressive therapy were predictors of poor immunogenicity, although belimumab was found to have no significant impact. With regard to safety, no serious adverse events were found, with up to third of cases reporting mild/low-grade and complaints.

In conclusion, due to the high risk of pneumococcal infection in SLE patients and given the safety and, at least partial, effectiveness according our study in such patients, preventive strategies mainly by immunization are required in all age groups and in those needing immunosuppressive therapy, immunization should be given prior the initiation of the treatment.

PROSPERO registration code 103605.



https://ift.tt/2Qp8ZtP

Systemic sclerosis and exposure to heavy metals

Publication date: Available online 4 November 2018

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

Author(s): Isabelle Marie

Abstract

As a mirror image of the Roman god Janus Bifrons, the environment has a hidden face. To highlight this hidden face of the environment in the field of systemic sclerosis (SSc) will allow to identify responsible agents emerging in the future. To date, there is, in fact, a growing scientific evidence that environmental factors have a crucial impact on both alterations and modulation of epigenetic determinants, resulting in SSc onset and progression. It has been well established that there is a marked correlation between SSc onset and occupational exposure to crystalline silica and organic solvents. More recently, an association between SSc and exposure to heavy metals has further been found, including: antimony, cadmium, lead, mercury. These latter findings interestingly underscore that occupational exposure to heavy metals should be systematically checked in all SSc patients at diagnosis, as the identification of the occupational toxic agent will allow its interruption, which may result in potential improvement of SSc outcome.



https://ift.tt/2Qs0iP2

Abnormal Erythrocyte Morphology in Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

Publication date: Available online 4 November 2018

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Deborah N. Dorrell, Litton F. Whitaker, Kathryn L. Anderson, Lindsay C. Strowd



https://ift.tt/2QldQfe

A fugacity model assessment of ibuprofen, diclofenac, carbamazepine, and their transformation product concentrations in an aquatic environment

Abstract

An updated version of FATEMOD, a multimedia fugacity model for environmental fate of organic chemicals, was set up to assess environmental behaviour of three pharmaceuticals in northern Lake Päijänne, Finland. Concentrations of ibuprofen, diclofenac, and carbamazepine were estimated at various depths at two sites: near a wastewater treatment plant and 3.5 km downstream the plant. When compared with environmental sampling data from corresponding depths and sites, the predicted concentrations, ranging from nanograms to hundreds of nanograms per litre, were found to be in good agreement. Weather data were utilised with the model to rationalise the effects of various environmental parameters on the sampling results, and, e.g. the roles of various properties of lake dynamics and photodegradation were identified. The new model also enables simultaneous assessment of transformation products. Environmentally formed transformation product concentrations were estimated to be at highest an order of magnitude lower than those of the parent compounds, and unlikely to reach a detectable level. However, a possibility that conjugates of ibuprofen are present at higher levels than the parent compound was identified. Simulation results suggest that environmental degradation half-lives of the inspected contaminants under stratified lake conditions are in the range of some weeks to months.



https://ift.tt/2RxAOA0

Evaluating polar pesticide pollution with a combined approach: a survey of agricultural practices and POCIS passive samplers in a Tunisian lagoon watershed

Abstract

A study of pesticides in the Bizerte lagoon watershed on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia showed that herbicides and fungicides are the most commonly used compounds. A survey was made of selected farmers. Pesticide contamination was monitored in the water column and sediments at four selected sampling sites (lagoon (A) and in three oueds—Chegui (B), Garaa (C), and Tinja (D)). Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were used to assess pesticide contamination. Thirty-two pesticides were investigated; the total concentration of active ingredients ranged from 35.9 ng L−1 in Tinja oued to 1246 ng L−1 in Chegui oued. In the lagoon, the total concentration of pesticides was 67.7 ng L−1. In the sediments, the highest concentration was measured in Chegui oued in the spring (31 ng g−1 dw). The main compounds found in the analyzed sediments were prosulfocarb and tebuconazole molecules.



https://ift.tt/2PNmMNL

Effect of temperature on the cyclic fatigue resistance of thermally treated reciprocating instruments

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of body temperature on the cyclic fatigue resistance of different NiTi alloys used for the manufacturing of Reciproc Blue R25 (RB 25.08; VDW, Munich, Germany), X1 Blue File 25 (X1 25.06; MK Life Medical and Dental Products, Porto Alegre, Brazil) and WaveOne Gold Primary (WOG 25.07; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland).

Materials and methods

Sixty instruments of the RB 25.08, X1 25.06 and WOG 25.07 systems were used (n = 20). Cyclic fatigue tests were performed at room temperature (20° ± 1 °C) and at body temperature (37° ± 1 °C). The instruments were reciprocated until fracture occurred in an artificial stainless steel canal with a 60° angle and a 5-mm radius of curvature. The time to fracture (TTF) was recorded. Also, the number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was calculated. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests for inter-group comparison at both temperatures and for the reduction of cyclic fatigue at body temperature. For intra-group comparison at the different temperatures, the unpaired t test was used.

Results

The cyclic fatigue test at 20 °C showed that RB 25.08 and X1 25.06 presented significantly higher TTF and NCF than WOG 25.07 (P < 0.05). At 37 °C, all groups presented significant reduction of TTF and NCF (P < 0.05). RB 25.08 presented significant higher TTF than WOG 25.07 (P < 0.05). Regarding the NCF, there was no significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). The WOG 25.07 presented the lowest percentage reduction of cyclic fatigue (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The body temperature treatment caused a marked reduction of the cyclic fatigue resistance for all reciprocating instruments tested. The RB 25.08 and X1 25.06 systems presented similar results at both temperatures tested. However, WOG 25.07 presented the lowest percentage reduction in fatigue resistance at body temperature.

Clinical relevance

The cyclic fatigue resistance of NiTi reciprocating instruments has been evaluated at room temperature. However, the fatigue resistance significantly decreases upon exposure to body temperature, which could affect the mechanical behaviour of the NiTi instruments during root canal preparation.



https://ift.tt/2PDUVPW

Impact of a modified motion on the fatigue life of NiTi reciprocating instruments: a Weibull analysis

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of a modified motion on the fatigue life of four brands of nickel–titanium (NiTi) reciprocating instruments.

Materials and methods

Cyclic fatigue (CF) resistance of 160 instruments was evaluated in an artificial stainless-steel canal (90° angle, 5-mm radius of curvature). WaveOne and WaveOne Gold (Denstply Maillefer, Baillagues, Switzerland) and Reciproc and Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munich, Germany) were tested with two different motions: (1) X-Smart Plus (Denstply Maillefer) endodontic motor and (2) a 4:1 contra-angle with an experimental motion (EVO) with different rotation angles and based on a sinusoidal acceleration. Motions with X-Smart Plus and EVO were recorded and analyzed at a reduced speed with VLC Media Player software for a more accurate analysis. Mean half-life, beta, and eta Weibull parameters were determined and compared.

Results

Reciproc Blue resulted the most resistant instruments either with EVO or X-Smart. WaveOne Gold lasted significantly longer than WaveOne with EVO (probability of 91%) while no significant differences were found with X-Smart. Considering NCF, Reciproc, WaveOne Gold, and Reciproc Blue lasted significantly longer with EVO (probabilities of 66%, 80%, and 89% respectively). WaveOne Gold showed the highest beta parameter.

Conclusions

The experimental motion was found to have a positive impact on fatigue lifetime of reciprocating instruments.

Clinical relevance

Current findings provide insight for future improvements in the clinical use of reciprocating files. Experimental motions may be considered when searching for additional strategies in order to increase the safer use of NiTi files during endodontic procedures.



https://ift.tt/2RznDyq

Characterization of differentially expressed genes to Cu stress in Brassica nigra by Arabidopsis genome arrays

Abstract

Phytoremediation is an efficient and promising cleanup technology to extract or inactivate heavy metals and several organic and inorganic pollutants from soil and water. In this study, different Brassica nigra L. ecotypes, including Diyarbakır, collected from mining areas were exposed to different concentrations of copper and harvested after 72 h of Cu stress for the assessment of phytoremediation capacity. The Diyarbakır ecotype was called as "metallophyte" because of surviving at 500 μM Cu. To better understand Cu stress mechanism, ArabidopsisATH1 genome array was used to compare the gene expression in root and shoot tissues of B. nigra under 25 μM Cu. The response to Cu was much stronger in roots (88 genes showing increased or decreased mRNA levels) than in leaf tissues (24 responding genes). These genes were classified into the metal transport and accumulation-related genes, signal transduction and metabolism-related genes, and transport facilitation genes. Glutathione pathway-related genes (γ-ECS, PC, etc.) mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed in root and shoot tissues. QRT-PCR validation experiments showed that γ-ECS and PC expression was upregulated in the shoot and leaf tissues of the 100 μM Cu-subjected B. nigra-tolerant ecotype. This is the first study showing global expression profiles in response to Cu stress in B. nigra by Arabidopsis genome array. This work presented herein provides a well-illustrated insight into the global gene expression to Cu stress response in plants, and identified genes from microarray data will serve as molecular tools for the phytoremediation applications in the future.



https://ift.tt/2JF8j0z

China’s provincial CO 2 emissions and interprovincial transfer caused by investment demand

Abstract

Based on the China's 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012 multiregional input–output model, this study calculates China's provincial CO2 emissions from investment demand and interprovincial transfer of CO2 emissions caused by investment demand. The findings of this study are as follows: (1) From 1997 to 2012, the CO2 emissions from China's investment demand have seen rapid growth—the CO2 emissions from investment demand has increased by 4.52 times, and the per capita CO2 emissions caused by investment demand has increased by 4.13 times. Investment demand is an important driver of growth of China's CO2 emissions. The proportion of CO2 emissions from investment demand in CO2 emissions from China's three final demands rose from 37.72% in 1997 to 50.68% in 2012. (2) The CO2 emissions from investment demand are relatively large in provinces which have large-scale industries. Affected by investment-driven economic growth, CO2 emissions from investment demand in central, western, and northeastern provinces have increased more rapidly. (3) Large amounts of CO2 are emitted in the less-developed central and western provinces to meet the investment demand of the developed eastern provinces. As China's economy enters the "new normal," economic growth is shifting from investment-driven to consumption-driven, and the growth of CO2 emissions from investment demand will slow down.



https://ift.tt/2DmAhxL

Changes in metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors after therapeutic control of acromegaly vary with the treatment modality. Data from the Bicêtre cohort, and review of the literature

Summary

Context

Untreated acromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to malignant, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disorders. Effective treatment of acromegaly reduces excess mortality, but its impact on cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters are poorly documented.

Aim

We analyzed changes in cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters in patients receiving various treatment modalities.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied 96 patients with acromegaly, both at diagnosis and after IGF-I normalization following surgery alone (n = 51) or medical therapy with first generation somatostatin analogues (SSA, n = 23), or pegvisomant (n = 22). Duration of follow-up was 77 (42–161) months, 75 (42–112) months, and 62 (31–93) months, in patients treated with surgery alone, SSA, and pegvisomant, respectively. In all the cases except four, patients treated medically had underwent previous unsuccessful surgery.

Results

IGF-I normalization was associated with increased body weight, decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in hypertensive patients, decreased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HOMA-IR and HOMA-B levels, increased HDL cholesterol (HDLc); whereas, LDL cholesterol (LDLc) was not significantly different. Plasma PCSK9 levels were unchanged in patients with available values. Cardiovascular and metabolic changes varied with the treatment modality: surgery, but not pegvisomant, had a beneficial effect on SBP; FPG decreased after surgery but increased after SSA; the decline in HOMA-IR was only significant after surgery; pegvisomant significantly increased LDLc and total cholesterol; whereas SA increased HDLc and had no effect on LDLc levels.

Conclusion

Treatments used to normalize IGF-I levels in patients with acromegaly could have differential effects on cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters.



https://ift.tt/2PEt1TH

Changes in metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors after therapeutic control of acromegaly vary with the treatment modality. Data from the Bicêtre cohort, and review of the literature

Summary

Context

Untreated acromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to malignant, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disorders. Effective treatment of acromegaly reduces excess mortality, but its impact on cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters are poorly documented.

Aim

We analyzed changes in cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters in patients receiving various treatment modalities.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied 96 patients with acromegaly, both at diagnosis and after IGF-I normalization following surgery alone (n = 51) or medical therapy with first generation somatostatin analogues (SSA, n = 23), or pegvisomant (n = 22). Duration of follow-up was 77 (42–161) months, 75 (42–112) months, and 62 (31–93) months, in patients treated with surgery alone, SSA, and pegvisomant, respectively. In all the cases except four, patients treated medically had underwent previous unsuccessful surgery.

Results

IGF-I normalization was associated with increased body weight, decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in hypertensive patients, decreased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HOMA-IR and HOMA-B levels, increased HDL cholesterol (HDLc); whereas, LDL cholesterol (LDLc) was not significantly different. Plasma PCSK9 levels were unchanged in patients with available values. Cardiovascular and metabolic changes varied with the treatment modality: surgery, but not pegvisomant, had a beneficial effect on SBP; FPG decreased after surgery but increased after SSA; the decline in HOMA-IR was only significant after surgery; pegvisomant significantly increased LDLc and total cholesterol; whereas SA increased HDLc and had no effect on LDLc levels.

Conclusion

Treatments used to normalize IGF-I levels in patients with acromegaly could have differential effects on cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters.



https://ift.tt/2PEt1TH

Duckweed biomarkers for identifying toxic water contaminants?

Abstract

Surface or ground waters can be contaminated with numerous toxic substances. The duckweeds Lemna minor and Lemna gibba are widely used for assaying waterborne toxicity to higher plants in terms of growth inhibition and photosynthetic pigment reduction. These tests cannot, however, in themselves determine the nature of the agents responsible for toxicity. Morphological, developmental, physiological, biochemical, and genetic responses of duckweeds to exposure to toxic water contaminants constitute biomarkers of toxic effect. In principle, the very detection of these biomarkers should enable the contaminants having elicited them (and being responsible for the toxicity) to be identified. However, in practice, this is severely compromised by insufficient specificity of biomarkers for their corresponding toxicants and by the lack of documentation of biomarker/toxin relationships. The present contribution illustrates the difficulties of using known water contaminant-related duckweed biomarkers to identify toxins, and discusses possibilities for achieving this goal.



https://ift.tt/2Qkr1NH

Smartphone app review: British National Formulary (BNF)

British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2D3nJKT

Inhibition of HYBID (KIAA1199)‐mediated hyaluronan degradation and anti‐wrinkle effect of Geranium thunbergii extract

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2zqnFkY

A parasternal intercostal perforator flap for esthetic reconstruction after complete chest keloid resection: A retrospective observational cohort study

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2SLVMgc

Fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatment for axillary osmidrosis: A minimally invasive procedure

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2zvbzqy

Efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma in androgenetic alopecia patients

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


https://ift.tt/2SMxX7K

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