Wide Weight Range Research Articles

Evaluation of Total Lean and Saleable Meat Yield Prediction Equations and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry for a Rapid, Non-Invasive Yield Prediction in Beef

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the beef yield equations currently used in North America and the potential use of the Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology to predict either total or saleable yield of beef carcasses.Materials and MethodsA total of 316 left carcass sides over a wide range of weight (192 to 453 kg) and backfat thickness (1 to 29 mm) were fabricated into primal and retail cuts. Carcass break points were identified following Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) for Fresh Beef Products, Series 100. The primals collected from the left fabricated carcass side were the chuck (IMPS #113), rib (IMPS #103), brisket (IMPS #118), flank (IMPS #193, non-trimmed), foreshank (IMPS #117), loin (IMPS #172A), round (IMPS #158A) and plate (IMPS #121) primal cuts. All the cuts were scanned with an iDXA unit (GE Lunar Prodigy Advance, General Electric, Madison, WI) and then for the chuck, rib, loin and round, broken into closely trimmed retail cuts. Cuts were then fully dissected into fat [subcutaneous (SQ), intermuscular (IM) and body cavity (BC)], lean and bone and weighed.ResultsRegressing total lean meat yield predicted using the Canadian grade ruler versus dissected total lean meat yield resulted in an R2 of 0.56 (i.e., the equation predicted 56% of the variation). Regressing USDA calculated meat yield estimation (saleable yield) versus actual saleable yield of the boneless, closely trimmed round, loin, rib and chuck retail cuts resulted in an R2 of 0.34. Regressing total lean meat yield versus saleable meat yield yielded a moderate R2 (0.63). DXA was able to accurately predict total lean and total fat content in the carcass (R2 = 0.98) using partial least squares regression (PLSR). Predictions of saleable yield for each of the four major primals, using DXA technology were slightly lower (R2 ranged from 0.70 to 0.87) than those for total carcass lean and fat estimations.ConclusionAccurate prediction of beef yield is required to provide fair settlements for producers, and to help guide genetic improvements. This database provides important knowledge regarding the prediction accuracy and relationships between total lean meat yield and saleable meat yield necessary to support North American grade harmonization. In addition, DEXA technology may have the potential to estimate beef carcass traits such as total or saleable yield performance.

Comprehensive dataset of mangrove tree weights in Southeast Asia

AbstractWe assembled a dataset tabulating the weights of Thai and Indonesian mangrove trees that we measured between 1982 and 2001. We selected four Thai study sites in Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, and Trat Provinces and one site in eastern Indonesia on Halmahera Island in Maluku Province. The stands in Ranong Province and on Halmahera Island were in primary forests with data collected in the 1980s and the remaining stands were in secondary forests with data collected later. We collected 124 tree samples from ten species (Avicennia alba, Bruguiera cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Sonneratia alba, S. caseolaris, Xylocarpus granatum, and X. moluccensis) and measured the root weights of 32 individuals of nine species (A. alba, B. cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, C. tagal, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, S. alba, S. caseolaris, and X. granatum). All sampled trees were subjected to a standardized protocol to obtain aboveground weights. The trunks were divided into horizontal segments from which the leaves and branches were collected separately. Roots were collected by winching them out of the ground, by trench digging, or by complete excavation. Thus, we were able to compile the weights of the trunk, branches, leaves, and roots of each tree sampled. Aerial roots were included in root weight measurements, although they were collected above ground. We compiled separate lists of trunk diameters, trunk heights, heights of the lowest living branches, and the heights of aerial roots on the trunks of trees in different size categories. Our dataset includes a wide range of tree sizes (maximum trunk diameter 48.9 cm), geographical locations (1°10′N–12°24′N, 98°32′E–123°49′E) and organ weights (trunks, branches, leaves, and roots), and therefore should prove useful in future biomass studies of mangrove forests.

Novel genes on rat chromosome 10 are linked to body fat mass, preadipocyte number and adipocyte size

The genetic architecture of obesity is multifactorial. We have previously identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on rat chromosome 10 in a F2 cross of Wistar Ottawa Karlsburg (WOKW) and Dark Agouti (DA) rats responsible for obesity-related traits. The QTL was confirmed in congenic DA.WOKW10 rats. To pinpoint the region carrying causal genes, we established two new subcongenic lines, L1 and L2, with smaller refined segments of chromosome 10 to identify novel candidate genes. All lines were extensively characterized under different diet conditions. We employed transcriptome analysis in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by RNA-Seq technology to identify potential underlying genes in the segregating regions. Three candidate genes were measured in human paired samples of VAT and subcutaneous (SC) AT (SAT) (N=304) individuals with a wide range of body weight and glucose homeostasis parameters. DA.WOKW and L1 subcongenic lines were protected against body fat gain under high-fat diet (HFD), whereas L2 and DA had significantly more body fat after high-fat feeding. Interestingly, adipocyte size distribution in SAT and epigonadal AT of L1 subcongenic rats did not undergo typical ballooning under HFD and the number of preadipocytes in AT was significantly elevated in L2 compared with L1 and parental rats. Transcriptome analysis identified three candidate genes in VAT on rat chromosome 10. In humans, these candidate genes were differentially expressed between SAT and VAT. Moreover, HID1 mRNA significantly correlates with parameters of obesity and glucose metabolism. Our data suggest novel candidate genes for obesity that map on rat chromosome 10 in an interval 102.2-104.7 Mb and are strongly associated with body fat mass regulation, preadipocyte number and adipocyte size in rats. Among those genes, AT head involution defective (HID1) mRNA expression may be relevant for human fat distribution and glucose homeostasis.

Transoral robotic surgery for upper airway pathology in the pediatric population.

The purpose of this study is to present one of the largest case series of pediatric transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the upper airway demonstrating a wide range of ages and indications. A retrospective case series at an academic tertiary referral center from August 2010 to September 2014. The da Vinci surgical robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) was used on 16 pediatric patients for 18 procedures. A variety of upper airway pathologies and reconstructions in children with a wide range of ages and weights were treated. No lingual tonsillectomies or base-of-tongue reductions were included. Sixteen children (6 males) underwent 18 TORS procedures, including resection of hamartoma (n = 1), repair of laryngeal cleft (n = 7), removal of saccular cyst (n = 2), release of pharyngeal or esophageal strictures (n = 2), and excision of lymphatic malformations (n = 4). Patient ages ranged from 14 days to 15 years. There were no intraoperative complications. All patients had successful robotic access, and no patients had conversions to open or traditional endoscopic surgery. Hospital courses varied with duration ranging from 1 to 20 days. The median follow up was 22 months. Applying TORS to the pediatric population can be feasible and safe for appropriate airway pathologies. Because many patients are small in size, there is inherent risk in using robotic instruments and scopes transorally. Pearls in this series include a standardized two-robot experienced attending team and longitudinal airway follow-up. 4 Laryngoscope, 127:247-251, 2017.

Evaluating drape shape in woven fabrics

A search of the scientific literature for the period 1950–2013 retrieved 36 different drape indicators. Despite the large number of indicators currently available, the drape ratio (%DR) continues to be the most widely used, even though it has proved inadequate to explain drape shape. In order to assess their actual performance, the 36 currently existing drape indicators were determined in a total of 37 commercial drapery, woolmaking, shirtmaking and lining woven fabrics spanning a wide range of composition, aerial weight and weave type using a digital Cusick drape meter. A correlation analysis between indicators, and subsequent suppression of duplicity and collinearity, revealed that seven were mutually correlated. A principal component analysis of the results revealed an underlying structure consisting of three common factors which allowed the indicators to be classified into three different groups according to drape intensity (a), severity (b) and shape symmetry and variability (c). Cluster analysis was additionally used to examine the results in graphical form and exposed three clusters coinciding with the three factors of the underlying structure. A criterion for distinguishing fabrics with an identical drape ratio in terms of drape shape based on sequential application of four of the seven initially selected indicators was developed and experimentally validated.

Novel genes on rat chromosome 10 are linked to body fat mass, preadipocyte number and adipocyte size

We have previously identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on rat chromosome 10 in a F2 cross of WOKW and Dark Agouti rats responsible for obesity and cholesterol metabolism. To pinpoint the region carrying causal genes, we established two new sub-congenic lines, L1 and L2, with refined segments of chromosome10. All lines were extensively characterized under different diet conditions. We employed transcriptome analysis in visceral adipose tissue (AT) by RNA-Seq technology to identify potential underlying genes in the segregating regions. Three candidate genes were measured in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous AT from 232 individuals with a wide range of body weight and parameters of glucose homeostasis.

Relations between elliptic multiple zeta values and a special derivation algebra

We investigate relations between elliptic multiple zeta values (eMZVs) and describe a method to derive the number of indecomposable elements of given weight and length. Our method is based on representing eMZVs as iterated integrals over Eisenstein series and exploiting the connection with a special derivation algebra. Its commutator relations give rise to constraints on the iterated integrals over Eisenstein series relevant for eMZVs and thereby allow to count the indecomposable representatives. Conversely, the above connection suggests apparently new relations in the derivation algebra. Under https://tools.aei.mpg.de/emzv we provide relations for eMZVs over a wide range of weights and lengths.

Bevacizumab dosing strategy in paediatric cancer patients based on population pharmacokinetic analysis with external validation.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab and various dosing strategies for this agent in paediatric patients. Data were collected from 232 paediatric patients (1971 concentrations) in five studies, with a wide range of age (0.5-21 years), body weight (BWT; 5.9-125 kg), and regimens (5-15 mg kg(-1) biweekly or triweekly). Data from 152 patients (1427 concentrations) and 80 patients (544 concentrations) were used for model building and external validation, respectively. Steady-state exposure was simulated under BWT-based, body surface area (BSA)-based, ideal body weight (IBW)-based, and tier-based doses. NONMEM and R were used for analyses. Typical estimates of clearance, central volume of distribution (V1), and median half-life were 9.04 ml h(-1) , 2851 ml, and 19.6 days, respectively. Clearance decreased with increasing albumin. Clearance and V1 increased with BWT and were higher in male patients. Clearance and V1 were lower in children with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours than in children with sarcomas, resulting in 49% higher trough (C min) and 29% higher peak (Cmax) concentrations. BWT-adjusted clearance and V1 remained unchanged across ages. Paediatric C min was similar to adult C min under all dosing strategies. Paediatric Cmax exceeded adult Cmax under tier-based doses. BWT-adjusted pharmacokinetic parameter estimates in paediatric patients were similar to those in adults, and similar across ages. Bevacizumab exposure was higher in children with primary CNS tumours than in children with sarcomas. BSA-based, IBW-based, and tier-based doses offered no substantial advantage over the BWT-based dose currently used in adults for bevacizumab. Given the similarity in pharmacokinetics among many monoclonal antibodies, this may help to develop practical paediatric dosing guidelines for other therapeutic antibodies.

Kinetic studies on radio-selenium uptake by ion exchange resin

ABSTRACTKinetic studies on the sorption of radioactive Se (IV) ion on Amberlite MB9L have been carried out under a wide range of temperature, pH, initial concentration, and resin weight. Analyses of the experimental data by two theoretical models commonly used to explain the ion exchange kinetics and shrinking core model (SCM), and homogeneous diffusion model (HDM) against exponential diffusion decay model (EDM) show a greater preference of EDM over HDM and SCM at all reaction conditions. The obtained regression coefficient values in case of HDM and SCM are in general not high enough to give a satisfactory fit for the experimental data. The estimated values for EDM parameters provides a good satisfactory fit for the yielded adsorption results as the corresponding linear regression values are high. The sorption process is found to be accompanied with fast film diffusion and slow diffusion between the reacted layer and the shrinking un-reacted core within the ion exchange resin. It also shows that ion exchange as the controlling step offers the lowest probability due to the highest obtained diffusion parameters over the normal tested reaction conditions.

Evolving Larger: Dosing Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) Drugs in an Obese World.

Current clinical practice guidelines recommend dosing anti-tuberculosis drugs according to ideal body weight and provide dosing caps for most first-line agents. However, this recommendation may be placing corpulent patients with tuberculosis at risk as increased total body weight is associated with an increased risk of clinical failure. Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing tuberculosis and typically weigh more than patients with tuberculosis alone. All these factors in-combination stress the importance of evaluating the effect of weight on the pharmacokinetics of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Multiple studies suggest the use of total body weight based dosing for rifampin. Less data are available for pyrazinamide and ethambutol, but both appear to be candidates for total body weight based dosing. The study evaluating levofloxacin concluded that no adjustment is required. However, the larger variability in obese patients is concerning as to whether "one size fits all" dosing is optimal for levofloxacin. The vast majority of the isoniazid's pharmacokinetic variability is due to NAT2*4 status. However, more extensive analysis of slow and fast metabolizers is needed to determine the effect of weight within each subgroup. Moxifloxacin does not appear to be affected by weight, but doses of at least 800 mg are likely needed to optimize its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment. Future pharmacokinetic evaluations should focus on recruiting a wide range of patient weights. These analyses should take advantage of the full weight distribution instead of arbitrarily dichotomizing patients into obese vs. non-obese persons. A subsequent evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of optimized dosing regimens is needed.

Obesity and carotid artery remodeling.

Background/Objective:The present study tested the hypothesis that obesity-related changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) might represent not only preclinical atherosclerosis but an adaptive remodeling meant to preserve circumferential wall stress (CWS) in altered hemodynamic conditions characterized by body size-dependent increase in stroke volume (SV) and blood pressure (BP).Subjects/Methods:Common carotid artery (CCA) luminal diameter (LD), IMT and CWS were measured in three different populations in order to study: (A) cross-sectional associations between SV, BP, anthropometric parameters and CCA LD (266 healthy subjects with wide range of body weight (24–159 kg)); (B) longitudinal associations between CCA LD and 3-year IMT progression rate (ΔIMT; 571 healthy non-obese subjects without increased cardiovascular (CV) risk); (C) the impact of obesity on CCA geometry and CWS (88 obese subjects without CV complications and 88 non-obese subjects matched for gender and age).Results:CCA LD was independently associated with SV that was determined by body size. In the longitudinal study, baseline LD was an independent determinant of ΔIMT, and ΔIMT of subjects in the highest LD quartile was significantly higher (28±3 μm) as compared with those in the lower quartiles (8±3, 16±4 and 16±3 μm, P=0.001, P<0.05 and P=0.01, respectively). In addition, CCA CWS decreased during the observational period in the highest LD quartile (from 54.2±8.6 to 51.6±7.4 kPa, P<0.0001). As compared with gender- and age-matched lean individuals, obese subjects had highly increased CCA LD and BP (P<0.0001 for both), but only slightly higher CWS (P=0.05) due to a significant increase in IMT (P=0.005 after adjustment for confounders).Conclusions:Our findings suggest that in obese subjects, the CCA wall thickens to compensate the luminal enlargement caused by body size-induced increase in SV, and therefore, to normalize the wall stress. CCA diameter in obesity could represent an additional biomarker, depicting the impact of altered hemodynamics on arterial wall.

Effect of different diets on digestive enzyme activities, in vitro digestibility, and midgut gland structure in juvenile crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of food quality on digestive enzyme activities, in vitro protein digestibility and histological traits of the midgut gland in juvenile crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. Animals of a wide weight range were fed different diets: two commercial diets with high or low lipid content (high lipid and low lipid, respectively) and were compared with a reference diet (RF) previously formulated for this species. Proteinase, lipase and amylase activities were significantly influenced by diet and weight. Specific trypsin activity was significantly higher for crayfish fed with the HL diet. Trypsin activity depended on diet and weight. Protein digestibility showed that HL was the most digestible diet and RF the least. The weight of the animals did not affect protein digestibility. Structural disorganization, hypertrophy of B‐cells and presence of large vacuoles in R‐cells were mainly observed in juveniles fed with HL, indicative of malnutrition. Thus, our data suggest that the HL diet would not be the most appropriate for C. quadricarinatus, while RF diet would be more convenient for culture of this species.

Length-weight relationships for two marine fish species from the Gulf of Oman: Uranoscopus guttatus Cuvier, 1829 and Lagocephalus inermis (Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1850)

Summary This study presents the first report of length–weight relationships (LWRs) for Uranoscopus guttatus and Lagocephalus inermis from the Iranian coast on the Gulf of Oman. A wide range of body lengths and weights were obtained using samples from non-selective trawling surveys. The LWRs obtained were W = 41.408L3.519 and W = 16.525L2.847 for U. guttatus and L. inermis, respectively.

Dual Residual for Centralized Augmented Lagrangian Coordination Based on Optimality Conditions

Centralized augmented Lagrangian coordination (ALC) has drawn much attention due to its parallel computation capability, efficiency, and flexibility. The initial setting and update strategy of the penalty weights in this method are critical to its performance. The traditional weight update strategy always increases the weights and research shows that inappropriate initial weights may cause optimization failure. Making use of the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions for the all-in-one (AIO) and decomposed problems, the terms “primal residual” and “dual residual” are introduced into the centralized ALC, and a new update strategy considering both residuals and thus guaranteeing the unmet optimality condition in the traditional update is introduced. Numerical tests show a decrease in the iteration number and significant improvements in solution accuracy with both calculated and fine-tuned initial weights using the new update. Additionally, the proposed approach is capable to start from a wide range of possible weights and achieve optimality, and therefore brings robustness to the centralized ALC.

The sorption mechanism of Selenium-75 on Amberlite MB9L

The sorption mechanism of 75Se(IV) on Amberlite MB9L is investigated under a wide range of pH, initial concentration, and resin weight to give a proper solution for the decontamination as a result of radioactive selenium. The sorption ability of is found to be high except in highly acidic environment. A monolayer exchange mechanism is confirmed and the reaction rate is found to be controlled by diffusion. The overall equilibrium equation and sorption parameters are estimated. Thus, Amberlite MB9L can be used as barrier to avoid the release of radioactive selenium from the stored nuclear wastes when exposed to groundwater.

How Weight Affects the Perceived Spacing between the Thumb and Fingers during Grasping.

We know much about mechanisms determining the perceived size and weight of lifted objects, but little about how these properties of size and weight affect the body representation (e.g. grasp aperture of the hand). Without vision, subjects (n = 16) estimated spacing between fingers and thumb (perceived grasp aperture) while lifting canisters of the same width (6.6cm) but varied weights (300, 600, 900, and 1200 g). Lifts were performed by movement of either the wrist, elbow or shoulder to examine whether lifting with different muscle groups affects the judgement of grasp aperture. Results for perceived grasp aperture were compared with changes in perceived weight of objects of different sizes (5.2, 6.6, and 10 cm) but the same weight (600 g). When canisters of the same width but different weights were lifted, perceived grasp aperture decreased 4.8% [2.2 ‒ 7.4] (mean [95% CI]; P < 0.001) from the lightest to the heaviest canister, no matter how they were lifted. For objects of the same weight but different widths, perceived weight decreased 42.3% [38.2 ‒ 46.4] from narrowest to widest (P < 0.001), as expected from the size-weight illusion. Thus, despite a highly distorted perception of the weight of objects based on their size, we conclude that proprioceptive afferents maintain a reasonably stable perception of the aperture of the grasping hand over a wide range of object weights. Given the small magnitude of this ‘weight-grasp aperture’ illusion, we propose the brain has access to a relatively stable ‘perceptual ruler’ to aid the manipulation of different objects.

Population pharmacokinetics of ε-aminocaproic acid in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery

Despite demonstrated efficacy of ϵ-aminocaproic acid (EACA) in reducing blood loss in adolescents undergoing spinal fusion, there are no population-specific pharmacokinetic data to guide dosing. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of EACA in adolescents undergoing spinal fusion surgery and make dosing recommendations. Twenty children ages 12-17 years were enrolled, with 10 children in each of two groups based on diagnosis (idiopathic scoliosis or non-idiopathic scoliosis). Previously reported data from infants undergoing craniofacial surgery were included in the model to enable dosing recommendations over a wide range of weights, ages, and diagnoses. A population non-linear mixed effects modelling approach was used to characterize EACA pharmacokinetics. Population pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a two-compartment disposition model with allometrically scaled weight and an age effect on clearance. Pharmacokinetic parameters for the typical patient were a plasma clearance of 153 ml min(-1) 70 kg(-1) (6.32 ml min(-1) kg(-0.75)), intercompartmental clearance of 200 ml min(-1) 70 kg(-1) (8.26 ml min(-1) kg(-0.75)), central volume of distribution of 8.78 litre 70 kg(-1) (0.13 litre kg(-1)), and peripheral volume of distribution of 15.8 litre 70 kg(-1) (0.23 litre kg(-1)). Scoliosis aetiology did not have a clinically significant effect on drug pharmacokinetics. The following dosing schemes are recommended according to patient weight: weight <25 kg, 100 mg kg(-1) loading dose and 40 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion; weight ≤25 kg-<50 kg, 100 mg kg(-1) loading dose and 35 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion; and weight ≥50 kg, 100 mg kg(-1) loading dose and 30 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion. An efficacy trial employing this dosing strategy is warranted. NCT01408823.

Cannulated, locking blade plates for proximal femoral osteotomy in children and adolescents.

BackgroundProximal femoral osteotomy is the most common major reconstructive surgery in the region of the hip joint in children and adolescents. Given that it may be required across a wide range of ages and indications, appropriate instrumentation is necessary to ensure a technically satisfactory result. Recent developments in fixation include cannulation of the blade plate and locking screw technology.MethodsWe conducted a prospective audit of our first 25 patients who had a unilateral or bilateral proximal femoral osteotomy using a recently available system which combines cannulation and locking plate technology. The principal outcome measures were the radiographic position of the osteotomy at the time of union and surgical adverse events.ResultsForty-five proximal femoral osteotomies were performed in 25 patients, mean age 8 years (range 3–17 years), for a variety of indications, the most common of which was hip subluxation in children with cerebral palsy. All osteotomies were soundly united by 6 weeks in children and by 3 months in adolescents, in the position achieved intra-operatively. There were no revision procedures and the technical goals of surgery were achieved in all patients. There was one adverse event, a low-grade peri-prosthetic infection, diagnosed at the time of implant removal.ConclusionsIn this prospective audit of our first 25 patients, the new system performed well across a wide range of ages, body weights and surgical indications. Further comparative studies will be required to determine whether it offers additional advantages over more traditional systems.

ADCY5 gene expression in adipose tissue is related to obesity in men and mice.

Genome wide association studies revealed an association of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs11708067 within the ADCY5 gene—encoding adenylate cyclase 5—with increased type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk and higher fasting glucose. However, it remains unclear whether the association between ADCY5 variants and glycemic traits may involve adipose tissue (AT) related mechanisms. We therefore tested the hypothesis that ADCY5 mRNA expression in human and mouse AT is related to obesity, fat distribution, T2D in humans and high fat diet (HFD) in mice. We measured ADCY5 mRNA expression in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue from 244 individuals with a wide range of body weight and parameters of hyperglycemia, which have been genotyped for rs11708067. In addition, AT ADCY5 mRNA was assessed in C57BL/6NTac which underwent a 10 weeks standard chow (n = 6) or high fat diet (HFD, n = 6). In humans, visceral ADCY5 expression is significantly higher in obese compared to lean individuals. ADCY5 expression correlates with BMI, body fat mass, circulating leptin, fat distribution, waist and hip circumference, but not with fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Adcy5 expression in mouse AT is significantly higher after a HFD compared to chow (p<0.05). Importantly, rs11708067 is not associated with ADCY5 mRNA expression levels in either fat depot in any of the genetic models tested. Our results suggest that changes in AT ADCY5 expression are related to obesity and fat distribution, but not with impaired glucose metabolism and T2D. However, altered ADCY5 expression in AT does not seem to be the mechanism underlying the association between rs11708067 and increased T2D risk.

Impact of body weight on virological and immunological responses to efavirenz-containing regimens in HIV-infected, treatment-naive adults.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among HIV-infected patients. Whether standard antiretroviral drug dosage is adequate in heavy individuals remains unresolved. We assessed the virological and immunological responses to initial efavirenz (EFV)-containing regimens in heavy compared to normal-weight HIV-infected patients. Observational European cohort collaboration study. Eligible patients were antiretroviral-naïve with documented weight prior to EFV start and follow-up viral loads after treatment initiation. Cox regression analyses evaluated the association between weight and time to first undetectable viral load (<50 copies/ml) after treatment initiation, and time to viral load rebound (two consecutive viral load >50 copies/ml) after initial suppression over 5 years of follow-up. Recovery of CD4 cell count was evaluated 6 and 12 months after EFV initiation. Analyses were stratified by weight (kg) group (I - <55; II - >55, <80 (reference); III - >80, <85; IV - >85, <90; V - >90, <95; VI - >95). The study included 19,968 patients, of whom 9.1, 68.3, 9.1, 5.8, 3.5, and 4.3% were in weight groups I-VI, respectively. Overall, 81.1% patients attained virological suppression, of whom 34.1% subsequently experienced viral load rebound. After multiple adjustments, no statistical difference was observed in time to undetectable viral load and virological rebound for heavier individuals compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Although heaviest individuals had significantly higher CD4 cell count at baseline, CD4 cell recovery at 6 and 12 months after EFV initiation was comparable to normal-weight individuals. Virological and immunological responses to initial EFV-containing regimens were not impaired in heavy individuals, suggesting that the standard 600 mg EFV dosage is appropriate across a wide weight range.