OW Group Research Articles

Response of protist community dynamics and co-occurrence patterns to the construction of artificial reefs: A case study in Daya Bay, China

Artificial reefs (ARs) are widely used for biodiversity conservation and coastal habitat restoration. Although protists play an important ecological role in marine ecosystems, the response of the protist community to ARs is still poorly understood. In the current study, an Illumina sequencing analysis of 18S rDNA was performed, and the diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks of protists in the ARs and open sea area (OW) in Daya Bay were described. The results indicated that significant seasonal differences occur in the seawater protists between the surface and bottom of the ARs and OW. However, the protists in the ARs and OW had different seasonal variations. The ARs always affected the alpha diversity of marine protists in different seasons, while the surface and bottom OW sites had different seasonal effects. The ARs sites had different effects on the community composition of the surface and bottom seawater in different seasons relative to the OW sites. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) method showed that 85 biomarkers mainly belonging to 11 taxa, including Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Dinophyceae, were affected by the ARs (P < 0.05, LDA > 2.0). The ARs played an important role in the seasonal changes in the protist community composition and had different effects on the dominant species of protists in the surface and bottom seawater. A redundancy analysis (RDA) significance test showed that the structure of the protist community in Daya Bay was mainly affected by environmental factors, such as seawater temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen. Compared with the OW group, the surface and bottom layers of the ARs had more complex protist interactions or more niches. The ARs increased the degree of spatial heterogeneity, which may lead to significant niche differentiation, indicating that ARs as habitat factors affect the complexity and stability of the symbiotic network of protists. The results could provide basic data on the response of the protist community to the ARs in Daya Bay and a reference for assessments of the impact of ARs on the ecological environment.

Activation of Systemic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Adolescent Girls with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Combination with Metabolic Disorders and Excessive Body Weight.

Relevance: Mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation are believed to play pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and related complications of metabolic disorders in adult patients. Though such researches are limited or almost absent in adolescents. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation on PCOS pathogenesis during adolescence with regard to body mass index and insulin resistance. Design: a case-control study. Methods: The study included 95 adolescent girls (15 to 17 years old inclusive) diagnosed with PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria. The control group consisted of 30 healthy girls of the same age with a regular menstrual cycle. All participants were subjected to a full clinical and instrumental examination, as well as an assessment of the levels of leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress marker. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α, and plasma concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), sFas, and sFasL were determined. Patients with PCOS were divided into groups according to the presence of metabolic disorders (MD) (impaired glucose tolerance and/or over insulin resistance) and normal weight or excessive weight (NW or OW). Results: Patients with PCOS of NW in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD−/NW) had a lower concentration of MDA and a higher level of IL-10 compared to healthy girls (p < 0.05). The group (MD−/NW) was characterized with lower levels of CRP, leptin, MDA, and higher levels of sFasL, when compared to OW patients with PCOS in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD−/OW) (p < 0.05). Overweight adolescent girls with PCOS and metabolic disorders (MD+/OW) showed higher CRP, leptin, and a two-fold increase in IL-6 and IL-18 concentrations compared to the control group of healthy girls (p < 0.05 for all parameters). The group (MD+/OW) was also characterized with higher levels of CRP, leptin, MDA, IL-18, MIF (p < 0.05), when compared to overweight patients with PCOS in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD−/NW). In comparison with the MD−/OW group, the obese insulin resistant girls with PCOS (MD+/OW) had a highera level of IL-18 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the MD+/OW girls demonstrated a significant increase in CRP, MDA and IL-18 levels when compared to the MD+/NW group (p < 0.05). OW girls with PCOS without MD (MD−/OW) had lower concentrations of sFasL compared to healthy girls (p < 0.05), and higher levels of MDA compared to MD+/NW (p < 0.05). Adolescent girls of NW with PCOS and with MD (MD+/NW) had lower levels of MDA compared to the control group of healthy girls (p < 0.05). These data are confirmed by a correlation analysis and two-factor ANOVA test. Conclusions: Lean girls with PCOS demonstrate the protective mechanism of decrease in oxidative stress mediated by the activation of antioxidant defense, reduction of lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation. Excessive weight and metabolic disorders in adolescents with PCOS are the most significant factors in reducing the capacity of antioxidant systems, activation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation.

Weight and LVAD Outcomes; Not Just a "Bridge to the Fridge?"

Obesity in LVAD recipients has been well documented. There is a lack of data on the predictive effect of baseline weight and weight gain after LVAD implantation on morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate if weight at LVAD implant and the change in weight during LVAD support could predict morbidity and/or mortality. We reviewed the impact of baseline weight and weight gain on post-LVAD survival in patients who received a durable LVAD at our institution from January 1, 2014 until December 31, 2017. Patients who were supported for more than 12 months were divided into two groups: patients with baseline BMI < 30 (NW) and BMI > 30 (OW) and were evaluated for association of weight change with overall survival and freedom from LVAD related complications. Baseline characteristics of 189 patients are summarized in Table 1. One year survival was 74 ± 5% in patients with baseline BMI <30, and 77 ± 5% in patients with BMI >30. Baseline BMI was not associated with survival in multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis (P = 0.91). Out of 89 patients who were still being supported 12 months after the LVAD implantation, 51 (57%) had BMI >30. Median weight gain in NW group at 12 months was 12(6,18)kg compared to 7(3,12)kg in OW group (P=0.02). There was no association of BMI at 12 months or weight change with overall post-LVAD survival, freedom from infection, pump malfunction, and neurological dysfunction. Freedom from right heart dysfunction at 12 months was 84 ± 5% in patients with BMI>30 compared to 97±3% in patients with BMI<30. For patients who crossed over from a baseline BMI<30 to BMI>30 at 12 months, weight gain emerged as a significant predictor of right heart failure (HR: 16.133 [95% CI; 1.806-145.026] p=0.013) CONCLUSION: Baseline, as well as 12 months post implantation BMI, had no impact on overall post-LVAD survival. Patients with NW at implant who crossed over to OW had no effect on survival, infection, pump complication or neurological dysfunction. However, this population had significantly less freedom from right heart failure.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on endothelial function, lipid profile, body composition and physical fitness in normal-weight and overweight-obese adolescents: A clinical trial

Endothelium-aggressive factors are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Exercise training can either prevent or attenuate this process, but little is known about the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in adolescents. Thus, we assessed the effects of HIIT on endothelial function, lipid profile, body composition and physical fitness in normal-weight and overweight-obese adolescents. Thirty-eight participants aged 14–17 years who were physically inactive (IPAq) were divided in two groups: normal weight (NW, n = 13) and overweight-obese (OW, n = 25). Body composition, lipid profile, physical fitness and endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation, FMD) were assessed before and after undergoing the study protocol consisting of 12-week HIIT (∼15 min) + sport activities (30 min, 3×/week) + no diet. The differences were tested by GEE, Bonferroni post-hoc, p < 0.05. There were no changes in body composition after training period, but the OW group showed a reduction in waist (4.8 cm; p = 0.044) and abdominal circumference (3.7 cm; p = 0.049). We found improved physical fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, explosive strength, abdominal muscle endurance and flexibility) in both groups. Lower endothelial function was found in the OW compared to NW (p = 0.042) at baseline. FMD increased (p < 0.001) in both groups from baseline (NW Δ4.1%; Cohen's effect size 0.64; OW Δ4.5%; Cohen's effect size 0.73) with no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, a HIIT program even without any dietary changes can improve physical fitness and endothelial function among adolescents. These findings are clinically relevant because they support a reduction in endothelial damage that precedes the development of atherosclerosis.

Night-time cardiac autonomic modulation as a function of sleep–wake stages is modified in otherwise healthy overweight adolescents

ObjectiveEven though sympathetic dominance during the daytime period is well known, currently, scarce data exist on autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation during sleep in pediatric obesity. We aimed to evaluate sleep cardiac ANS regulation in normal-weight (NW) and overweight and obese (OW) adolescents. Patients/methodsIn this study, 60 healthy adolescents (15.7 ± 0.7 years) belonging to a birth cohort since infancy were classified based on body mass index percentiles criteria as: OW (N = 27) or NW (N = 33). Sleep was evaluated by polysomnography (PSG) during two consecutive in-lab overnight sessions. Non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep stages (stages 1, 2, and slow-wave sleep [SWS]), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and wakefulness (Wake) were scored. R-waves were detected automatically in the electrocardiographic (ECG) signal. An all-night heart rate variability analysis was conducted in the ECG signal, with several time- and frequency-domain measures calculated for each sleep–wake stage. Sleep time was divided into thirds (T1, T2, T3). The analysis was performed using a mixed-effects linear regression model. ResultsSleep organization was comparable except for reduced REM sleep percentage in the OW group (p < 0.04). Shorter R–R intervals were found for all sleep stages in the OW group; time-domain measured standard deviation of all R–R intervals (RRSD) was lower during stage 2, SWS and REM sleep (all p < 0.05). The square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R–R intervals (RMSSD) was also lower only during wake after sleep onset (WASO) in T1 and T3 (p < 0.05). The OW group had increased very low- and low-frequency (LF) power during WASO (in T1 and T2), and LF power during stage 2 and REM sleep (in T2). During WASO in the OW group, high-frequency (HF) power was lower (in T1 and T2), and LF/HF ratio was higher (in T2, p < 0.007). ConclusionsSeveral sleep-stage-dependent changes in cardiac autonomic regulation characterized the OW group. As sleep-related ANS balance was disturbed in the absence of concomitant metabolic alterations in this sample of otherwise healthy OW adolescents, their relevance for pediatric obesity should be further explored throughout development.

In vivo31P-MRS of muscle bioenergetics in marine invertebrates: Future ocean limits scallops' performance

ObjectDynamic in vivo31P-NMR spectroscopy in combination with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to study muscle bioenergetics of boreal and Arctic scallops (Pecten maximus and Chlamys islandica) to test the hypothesis that future Ocean Warming and Acidification (OWA) will impair the performance of marine invertebrates. Materials & methodsExperiments were conducted following the recommendations for studies of muscle bioenergetics in vertebrates. Animals were long-term incubated under different environmental conditions: controls at 0 °C for C. islandica and 15 °C for P. maximus under ambient PCO2 of 0.039 kPa, a warm exposure with +5 °C (5 °C and 20 °C, respectively) under ambient PCO2 (OW group), and a combined exposure to warmed acidified conditions (5 °C and 20 °C, 0.112 kPa PCO2, OWA group). Scallops were placed in a 4.7 T MR animal scanner and the energetic status of the adductor muscle was determined under resting conditions using in vivo31P-NMR spectroscopy. The surplus oxidative flux (Qmax) was quantified by recording the recovery of arginine phosphate (PLA) directly after moderate swimming exercise of the scallops. ResultsMeasurements led to reproducible results within each experimental group. Under projected future conditions resting PLA levels (PLArest) were reduced, indicating reduced energy reserves in warming exposed scallops per se. In comparison to vertebrate muscle tissue surplus Qmax of scallop muscle was about one order of magnitude lower. This can be explained by lower mitochondrial contents and capacities in invertebrate than vertebrate muscle tissue. Warm exposed scallops showed a slower recovery rate of PLA levels (kPLA) and a reduced surplus Qmax. Elevated PCO2 did not affected PLA recovery further. ConclusionDynamic in vivo31P-NMR spectroscopy revealed constrained residual aerobic power budgets in boreal and Arctic scallops under projected ocean warming and acidification indicating that scallops are susceptible to future climate change. The observed reduction in muscular PLArest of scallops coping with a warmer and acidified ocean may be linked to an enhanced energy demand and reduced oxygen partial pressures (PO2) in their body fluids. Delayed recovery from moderate swimming at elevated temperature is a result of reduced PLArest concentrations associated with a warm-induced reduction of a residual aerobic power budget.

OR25-6 Higher Ovarian Androgen Responses to Ambient Luteinizing Hormone and to Recombinant Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Stimulation in Late Pubertal Girls with Obesity

Our studies suggest that 60% of obese peripubertal girls have androgen excess, a precursor to polycystic ovary syndrome. Since the ovary is a major source of androgens in women, we studied steroid levels after dexamethasone (DEX) and after recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) in girls to assess how obesity affects ovarian androgens during puberty. We studied 41 peripubertal girls in the mid-follicular phase (if relevant, 11 were pre-menarcheal): age 13.2 ± 3.0 (7.3-18.8) y (mean ± SD [range]); BMI Z-score 1.2 ± 1.1 (-1.08 to +2.64); Tanner breast 4.0 ± 1.3 (1-5); bone age 14.2 ± 2.9 (7.8-18) y. In early pubertal girls (Tanner 1-3), 5 were normal weight (NW, BMI%-for-age [BMI%] 5-84) and 6 overweight (OW, BMI% ≥ 85). In late pubertal girls (Tanner 4-5), 12 were NW and 18 OW. DEX (1 mg po) was given at 10 pm. At 7 am the next day, progesterone (P4), 17-OH progesterone (OHP), 17-OH pregnenolone, androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and anti-mullerian hormone were measured immediately before r-hCG (25 mcg IV) was given. DEX was again given at 10 pm; hormone levels were repeated 24h after r-hCG. Free T was calculated using SHBG. Forty girls also had frequent (q 10 min) LH sampling from 7 pm-7 am. Comparisons were made using Student’s t-tests. In early pubertal girls, NW girls had higher DHEA levels after r-hCG compared to OW girls (2.46 ± 1.07 vs. 1.23 ± 0.68 ng/dL, p=0.04). In late puberty, OW girls had higher free T after DEX (19.3 ± 15.6 vs. 8.6 ± 4.1 pmol/L, p=0.03) and after r-hCG (27.2 ± 22.3 vs. 10.7 ±4.5 pmol/L, p=0.02) versus NW girls. OW girls also had higher total T levels after DEX (21.7 ± 15.2 vs. 16.7 ± 7.4 ng/dL, p=0.3) and after r-hCG (30.0 ± 20.4 vs. 21.1 ± 10.2 ng/dL, p=0.2), but did not achieve significance. SHBG was lower in OW versus NW girls in late puberty only (20.7 ± 13.4 vs. 48.0 ± 21.8 nmol/L, p=0.0002). No other hormone levels were different. Overnight mean LH was not different for NW and OW groups, for either early or late puberty. However, in late pubertal girls, 33% in OW group had mean LH values ≥ 5 (5.3-9.3) mIU/mL compared to 17% in NW group. Compared to OW girls with mean LH < 5, OW girls with mean LH ≥ 5 had higher OHP, A4, free T, and total T after DEX and after r-hCG (p ≤ 0.05 for all, except A4 after r-hCG [p=0.06]). Results suggest that OW late pubertal girls had higher free T levels after DEX, which may reflect steady-state ovarian androgen production related to ambient LH milieu. OW late pubertal girls had higher free T levels after r-hCG, which may suggest increased capacity to produce ovarian androgens in response to stimulation. In a subgroup of OW girls, obesity during late puberty was associated with higher mean LH values and higher androgen levels after DEX and r-hCG, in keeping with our earlier reports that LH levels predict free T levels in girls with obesity.

Changes in non-fasting concentrations of blood lipids after a daily Chinese breakfast in overweight subjects without fasting hypertriglyceridemia

BackgroundOverweight is always accompanied by hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), but the change in non-fasting triglyceride (TG) concentration in overweight subjects without postprandial hypertriglyceridemia was unknown. MethodsConcentrations of serum lipids were measured at 2 and 4 h in matched overweight (OW group, n = 54) and control subjects (CON group, n = 55) after a daily meal. Concentrations of remnant cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol were calculated according to the formulas. The diagnostic criteria for non-fasting HTG were based on 2 different consensus statement. ROC curve was used to determine the pointcut of postprandial HTG. ResultsOW group had higher fasting concentrations of RC and non-HDL-C than CON group. Non-fasting concentrations of triglyceride and RC significantly increased in 2 groups while were higher in OW group (p < .05). The proportion of non-fasting HTG increased after a daily meal in OW group was significantly higher than the percentage of fasting HTG (p < .05). There was a significant correlation between the postprandial concentrations of TG and RC. ConclusionsOverweight subjects were more likely to develop non-fasting hypertriglyceridemia and higher concentrations of RC and non-HDL-C. Additionally, 2.0 mmol/l at 4 h after breakfast could be a pointcut value to detect changes in lipid profile of Chinese overweight people.

The determination of physical activity, nutrition and self-sufficiency levels of sedanter individuals of fitness club member

Purpose : This study was planned to determine the physical activity (PA), nutrition and self-efficacy levels of sedentary individuals have long been members of fitness clubs Material : A total of 80 participants were divided into two groiips according to body mass index (BMI) according to their obesity status: Group 1 (overvveight obesity (OW)) and Group 2 (Normal Weight (NW)). All participants were watched for a year. The stiidy includes questionnaires on PA, eating habits, nutrition knovvledge and self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentiles, inean and Standard deviation were used. The T test was used to examine differences between PA, eating habits, nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy. Statistical significance was accepted as P <0.05. Results : Regarding participants' eating habits, the OW group was less frequent breakfast (P <0.05) and snack (P <0.01), ate more meals (P <0.01). When coinpared with the NW group, they showed less desirable behavior during the meal (P <0.05 for men). OW men spent less time (P <0.01) during vveekdays or weekends while doing less PA (P <0.01). OW woinen sat more in the vveekdays or weekends (P <0.01) and spent less time walking or riding a bicycle (P <0.05) than the NW group. The nutritional information of the OW and NW groups was not significantly different. Especially PA self-efficacy in OW was significantly lower than in NW group (P <0.01). Conclusion : This study revealed differences betvveen PA, eating habits and self-efficacy betvveen OW and NW individuals. Sedanter individuals who are members of fitness clubs should exercise exercise programs to prevent obesity and to increase the confidence about exercise or physical activity.

The Effects of Eating Habits, Physical Activity, Nutrition Knowledge and Self-efficacy Levels on Obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eating habits, physical activity, nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy levels on obesity. The participants of the research were the students of Kafkas University Physical Education and Sports College and Sarikamis Vocational School. Research includes eating habits, physical activity (PA), nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy questionnaire. The cases were divided into normal weight (NW) and overweight - obese (OW) groups based on age, gender, and body mass index percentages. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS. According to the findings; approximately 35.5% of participants were identified as overweight or obese. Significant differences were observed between the OW and NW groups in terms of gender, weight control (P <0.01). OW group women were found to exhibit less desirable behaviors compared to NW. In comparison between OW group and NW group, it was determined that women participated in less physical activity than men. There was no significant difference in nutritional information between OW and NW groups. In particular, the self-efficacy level of the PA was significantly lower in the OW group than in the NW group (P <0.01). Conclusion: this study reveals eating habits, PA and self-efficacy differences among university students. It should focus on improving the self-efficacy of university students, changing eating habits and increasing PA levels by organizing programs to combat obesity.

Body mass index is a prognostic factor in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Body mass index (BMI), which represents the proportion of weight to height, is a controversial prognostic factor for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated prognostic value of BMI in Japanese AML. The study included 369 adult patients with newly diagnosed AML who were administered either daunorubicin or idarubicin with cytarabine as induction chemotherapy. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their BMI: the NW group (BMI<25.0kg/m2; normal and underweight) and OW group (BMI≥25.0kg/m2; overweight and obese). We analyzed treatment efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy, and survival outcomes in each group. Patients in the OW group showed a better complete remission rate than the NW group (86.1 versus 76.5%, P=0.045), no early death (0.0 versus 4.1%, P=0.042), and better overall survival (OS) at 3years (62.2 versus 50.1%, P=0.012). Multivariate analysis showed BMI is an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.92, P=0.017). These results indicate the prognostic value of BMI in adult AML patients.

Increased risk of major bleeding in underweight patients with atrial fibrillation who were prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

There is a paucity of evidence regarding the effects of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in underweight patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NOACs in underweight AF patients. We analyzed 1353 AF patients who were prescribed NOACs according to their body mass index (BMI): underweight (UW: n = 62, BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (NW: n = 753, BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), and overweight to obese (OW: n = 538, BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2). We analyzed the association between clinical outcomes and BMI. During the median 7 months (interquartile range 3-10 months) of follow-up, there were 29 major bleeding events, 11 thromboembolic events, and 15 deaths. The risks of major bleeding and all-cause death were significantly higher in the UW group compared to the NW group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 4.135, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.442-11.854, P = .008; adjusted HR 10.524, 95% CI 2.949-37.561, P < .001) and the OW group (adjusted HR 5.352, 95% CI 1.597-17.935, P = .007; adjusted HR 11.385, 95% CI 2.523-51.386, P = .002). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of thromboembolism among these groups. In AF patients taking NOACs, being underweight was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding and all-cause death compared with being normal weight or overweight to obese, whereas the risk of thromboembolism was not different. Dose reduction should be considered in underweight patients who are at high risk for bleeding.

Ghrelin, metabolic and hormonal parameters during OGTT in patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa

Anorexia and obesity are the opposite states of body weight and body fat, but it is not known that regulating mechanisms of body weight are the same or not? Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with high levels, obesity with low levels of ghrelin. The most effective suppressor of ghrelin is the glucose load, but the regulating role of glucose or insulin in – ghrelin suppression is questionable. This study examined the associations of ghrelin levels with leptin, glucose, insulin and growth hormone (GH) during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in anorectic, overweight and normal females. Participants included overweight-OW ( n = 11), anorexia nervosa-AN ( n = 14) and normal weight-NW ( n = 10) females. The fall in serum ghrelin at 30 min during OGTT was significantly lower in the OW group than in other groups ( p = 0.026). In AN subjects, significant correlation has been found between ghrelin and GH during the OGTT ( p = 0.0001). In OW and NW subjects, the multiple regression analysis showed that the glucose was the only independent predictor of ghrelin during the OGTT (OW, p = 0.003; NW, p = 0,004). Ghrelin secretion during OGTT may be controlled by different mechanisms in individuals with anorexia nervosa than in overweight individuals.

The experience of a tertiary referral centre in Romania on basal cell carcinomas in outdoor workers: why to assess?

Published epidemiological literature indicates that outdoor workers are at significantly increased risk for developing basal cell carcinomas. The main objective is to identify basal cell carcinoma features in patients with prolonged occupational exposure to UV radiation and compare them to basal cell carcinoma in patients with no occupational exposure to UV radiation. Data regarding age, gender, living area, occupation, number of lesions, involved anatomic site and histologic subtype of tumor were collected from the charts of 321 patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in our department between 01.01.2013-31.12.2014. We divided the patient population in which the occupation was accurately identified in two study groups: occupations with UV exposure (OW), and non-UV exposed occupations (IW) and we compared the clinical and histologic features of the lesions in the two groups. The most affected area in both groups was the facial "mask area". The cheek was second most affected area in exposed group whereas the scalp area was the second most affected in the non-exposed group. The nodular pattern is the most numerous in both groups (30 lesions in OW group and 15 lesions in the IW group with a mean number of lesions of 1.57±0.90 and 1.27±0.46, respectively) with the mixed type being the second most frequent type for both groups. However, for the OW group the mixed type with an aggressive component was the second most frequent one, while in the non-exposed group, the mixed type with non-aggressive components was the second most frequent, the difference being statistically significant. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict the presence of histopathologically aggressive lesions using gender, age, exposure and anatomical site out of which UV exposure and 3 main anatomical sites (mask zone, cheek and torso) were selected in the final analysis. The probability of the model chi-square (9.430), p=.05, supports a relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. Our data suggest that in Romania patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, occupationally exposed to UV radiation, develop more frequently lesions on the "mask area" of the face; furthermore, prediction of the histo-pathologically aggressive lesions may be supported by the presence of occupational UV exposure and anatomical site (mask zone, cheek and torso) involved.Also, these patients may be at a higher risk to develop more aggressive histologic subtype BCCs. Although limited by a number of factors, especially the small number of subjects, these data suggest the necessity of conducting both retrospective and prospective studies on clinical and histological types of BCCs evolving in patients working outdoor along with identifying additional risk factors.

Eating habits, physical activity, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy by obesity status in upper-grade elementary school students.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESChildhood obesity has increased in recent decades in Korea. This study was designed to examine differences in the eating habits, physical activity (PA), nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy of children by obesity status.SUBJECTS/METHODSSubjects were 5th-grade children from 70 elementary schools in 17 cities nationwide. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed. Survey questionnaire included items related to general characteristics, eating habits, PA, nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy. Excluding incomplete responses, 3,531 data were analyzed using SPSS. Subjects were categorized into overweight·obesity (OW) and normal weight (NW) groups based on body mass index percentiles for age by sex.RESULTSA total of 21.5% of subjects was overweight or obese. There were significant differences in gender, perceived stress, perception of body shape, body satisfaction, and interest in weight control between the OW and NW groups (P < 0.001). With respect to eating habits, the OW group ate breakfast (P < 0.05) and snacks (P < 0.01) less frequently, ate bigger meals (P < 0.001), and demonstrated less desirable behaviors during meals (P <0.05 in boys) compared to the NW group. The OW group participated in less PA than the NW group, especially boys. OW boys spent less time walking during weekdays (P < 0.05) or the weekend (P < 0.001), spent more time being sedentary during weekdays or the weekend (P < 0.001), and exercised a fewer number of days (P < 0.01). For girls, the OW group spent more time being sedentary during the weekend (P < 0.01) and exercised a fewer number of days by walking or bicycle riding (P < 0.05) than the NW group. Nutrition knowledge was not significantly different between the OW and NW groups. Self-efficacy (P < 0.01 in boys), especially PA self-efficacy (P < 0.01), was significantly lower in the OW than NW group.CONCLUSIONSThis study revealed differences in eating habits, PA, and self-efficacy between OW and NW children. Obesity management programs for children need to focus on increasing self-efficacy, modifying eating habits, and increasing PA.

Gating of attention towards food stimuli in binge eating disorder

Cognitive models of eating disorders propose that attentional biases for disorder-relevant stimuli contribute to eating disorder pathology. Empirical evidence of a contribution of attentional biases for binge eating disorder (BED) is still scarce. The aim of the present study was to assess attention engagement towards, and disengagement from, food stimuli in overweight females with BED (n = 25) and a group of overweight and obese women without BED (OW; n = 30). Participants completed a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm with food and neutral words as target stimuli. This task can be used to decompose an attentional bias for food stimuli into its stimulus engagement and stimulus disengagement components. Findings indicate that facilitated stimulus engagement for food stimuli over neutral stimuli was more pronounced in the BED group compared to the OW group. Conversely, there were no substantial disengagement effects in either group. Thereby, results support the idea that early attentional processes are biased in BED.

The independent and interacting effects of hedonic hunger and executive function on binge eating

Poor executive function (EF; pre-frontal cognitive control processes governing goal-directed behavior) and elevated hedonic hunger (i.e., preoccupation with palatable foods in the absence of physiological hunger) are theoretical risk and maintenance factors for binge eating (BE) distinct from general obesity. Recent theoretical models posit that dysregulated behavior such as BE may result from a combination of elevated appetitive drive (e.g., hedonic hunger) and decreased EF (e.g., inhibitory control and delayed discounting). The present study sought to test this model in distinguishing BE from general obesity by examining the independent and interactive associations of EF and hedonic hunger with BE group status (i.e., odds of categorization in BE group versus non-BE group). Treatment-seeking overweight and obese women with BE (n = 31) and without BE (OW group; n = 43) were assessed on measures of hedonic hunger and EF (inhibitory control and delay discounting). Elevated hedonic hunger increased the likelihood of categorization in the BE group, regardless of EF. When hedonic hunger was low, poor EF increased the likelihood of categorization in the BE group. Results indicate that the interplay of increased appetitive drives and decreased cognitive function may distinguish BE from overweight/obesity. Future longitudinal investigations of the combinatory effect of hedonic hunger and EF in increasing risk for developing BE are warranted, and may inform future treatment development to target these factors.

Effects of Physical Training on Cardiac Modulation in Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Individuals: A Comparative Study

Our study has assessed the effect of aerobic physical training on the heart rate variability (HRV) on sedentary women with different body mass indices (BMI; weight/height2). Forty-eight volunteers were divided into three groups according to their BMI as follows: NW group (normal weight), 18.0-24.9; OW group (overweight), 25.0-29.9; and OB group (obese), 30.0-39.9. HRV was assessed with the subjects at rest and during tilt test by means of spectral analysis before and after 16 weeks of an aerobic physical training protocol. Prior to the aerobic physical training, OW and OB groups exhibited decrease in low frequency (LF, 0.4-0.15 Hz) and high frequency (HF, 0.15-0.5 Hz). After aerobic physical training all groups had similar HF oscillations, with only OB group exhibiting increase in LF oscillations. The HRV responses to tilt test obtained before and after aerobic physical training showed that NW group had no differences in LF (34 ± 6% vs. 36 ± 8%) and HF (-65 ± 6% vs. -60 ± 7%) oscillations. However, OW group had an increase in LF (46 ± 6% vs. 86 ± 14%) and HF (-44 ± 7% vs.-61 ± 7%) oscillations, whereas OB group had a decrease in LF (288 ± 25% vs. 159 ± 16%) and HF (-83 ± 5 vs. -70 ± 4%) oscillations. In conclusion, our results suggest that the increase in the percentage of body fat may impair the cardiac autonomic modulation in proportion to BMI, which is an important predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In turn, the physical exercise can attenuate this negative effect, regardless of the reduction of body fat mass.

Differences between opening versus closing high tibial osteotomy on clinical outcomes and gait analysis

BackgroundHigh tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) is mainly performed via two procedures: closing wedge HTO (CW) and opening wedge HTO (OW). In this study, differences between these procedures were assessed by serial clinical evaluation and gait analysis before and after surgery. MethodsTwenty-one patients underwent HTO for medial knee OA in 2011 and 2012, with 12 patients undergoing CW and nine undergoing OW. The severity of OA was classified according to the Kellgren–Lawrence classification. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score for assessment of knee OA (JOA score), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the femoral tibial angle (FTA) on X-ray were evaluated. For gait analysis, gait speed, varus moment, varus angle and lateral thrust were calculated. ResultsThe JOA score and NRS were improved significantly oneyear postoperatively in both groups. The FTA was maintained in both groups at oneyear. Varus angle and varus moment were significantly improved in both groups at each postoperative follow-up, when compared preoperatively. Lateral thrust was significantly improved at threemonths postoperatively in both groups. However, the significant improvement in lateral thrust had disappeared in the CW group sixmonths postoperatively, whereas it was maintained for at least oneyear in the OW group. ConclusionsThis study found that clinical outcomes were well maintained after HTO. OW reduced knee varus moment and lateral thrust, whereas CW had little effect on reducing lateral thrust. Level of evidenceLevel IV

Oval and round window vibroplasty: a comparison of hearing results, risks and failures

The aim of this study was to compare oval and round window vibroplasty. Eighteen (18) patients implanted with Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) were enrolled. Two groups were formed depending on FMT placement: on round window in ten cases (RW group) and on oval window in eight (OW group). Pre and postoperative audiological tests were performed both under headphones and free-field settings, VSB on and off. One (1) RW patient experienced sudden hearing loss at the operated side after 4 months from surgery and was excluded from the analysis. Both groups showed good hearing results. Significant differences were measured at free-field pure-tone test with VSB on at 0.5 kHz (RW better than OW, p = 0.026) and 4 kHz (OW better than RW, p = 0.043). Both techniques share similar good results and are considered safe. However, we had one failure with deep and sudden hearing threshold worsening after some months of good results. From a surgical point of view OW vibroplasty is easier and safer to perform, when the stapes suprastructure is absent, as it does not require any drilling and should be preferred in such cases. More reports are needed to explain if RW vibroplasty is risky in a mid to long term.