Insulin-Driven PI3K-AKT Signaling in the Hepatocyte Is Mediated by Redundant PI3Kα and PI3Kβ Activities and Is Promoted by RAS

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Circulating adiponectin as a biomarker in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Metabolic imbalance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can lead to abnormal adiponectin levels.

Objective: To evaluate circulating adiponectin as a detection or predictive marker for RCC.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis was performed on studies reporting circulating adiponectin levels and RCC. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan.

Results: Seven studies compared the circulating adiponection levels between RCC cases and controls. Adiponectin level was significantly lower in RCC cases compared to controls at pre-diagnosis and pre-operative time-points. RCC stage, grade and subtype did not affect adiponectin levels.

Conclusion: Low circulating adiponectin could be a predictive or risk factor for RCC.     

Obesity is an independent determinant of elevated C-reactive protein in healthy women but not men

Background and aims: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) has emerged as an inflammatory biomarker to predict metabolic syndrome. Here, we investigate the association of hs CRP with metabolic variables and determine the risks for elevated hs CRP levels in healthy Singaporean adults.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 225 participants (104 men). The levels of hs CRP and fasting lipid parameters were analyzed by COBAS. Body composition was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: Twenty-one (9?%) participants had elevated hs CRP levels (>3?mg/mL). The levels of hs CRP had significant correlations (p?<0.05) with obesity and metabolic variables among women. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis identified FM (%) (accounted for 22.5% of the variability in hs CRP levels) as a major determinant of hs CRP levels. On multivariate regression, FM (%) was the independent determinant of intermediate and elevated hs CRP in women after adjustment for the potential confounders.

Conclusions: Obesity may play a direct role in the elevated hs CRP levels in women, but not men living in Singapore. This is probably due to different body composition or different effects of sex hormones on adipose tissue between men and women.     

ADAMTS5 deficiency in mice does not affect cardiac function

The aggrecanase ADAMTS5 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin type 1 motifs, member 5) and the cleavage of its substrate versican have been implicated in the development of heart valves. Furthermore, ADAMTS5 deficiency was shown to protect against diet‐induced obesity, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the potential role of ADAMTS5 in cardiac function using ADAMTS5‐deficient (Adamts5^?/?) mice and their wild‐type (Adamts5^+/+) counterparts exposed to a standard‐fat or a high‐fat diet (HFD). Eight‐weeks‐old Adamts5^?/? and Adamts5^+/+ mice were exposed to each diet for 15 weeks. Cardiac function and electrophysiology were analyzed by transthoracic echocardiogram and electrocardiogram at the end of the study. Cleavage of versican, as detected by the appearance of the DPEEAE neo‐epitope on western blotting with protein extracts, was defective in the heart of HFD‐treated Adamts5^?/? as compared with Adamts5^+/+ mice. ADAMTS5 deficiency led to statistically significant increases in diastolic posterior wall thickness (0.94 ± 0.023 vs. 0.82 ± 0.036 mm; P = 0.0056) and left ventricle volume (47 ± 4.5 vs. 31 ± 2.5 μL; P = 0.0043) in comparison to Adamts5^+/+ mice, but only in animals on a HFD. Cardiac function parameters such as ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and stroke volume were unaffected by ADAMTS5 deficiency or diet. Electrocardiogram analysis revealed no ADAMTS5‐specific changes in either diet group. Thus, in the absence of ADAMTS5, cleavage of versican in the cardiac extracellular matrix is impaired, but cardiac function, even upon exposure to a HFD, is not markedly affected.     

6周不同强度间歇性运动对肥胖大鼠体成分的影响*

目的:探讨不同强度间歇性运动对肥胖大鼠身体机能影响,为肥胖症的防治提供依据。方法:80只SD大鼠随机分成普通膳食组(n=20)和高脂膳食组(n=60),适应性喂养8周后,筛选普通膳食大鼠8只和高脂膳食肥胖大鼠32只,用于后续实验。将实验大鼠随机分为5组(n=8):普通对照组(CS),普通饲料喂养,不做任何运动;高脂安静组(HS):高脂饲料喂养,不作任何运动;高脂持续运动组(HC):进行60 min/d×5天/周×6周;高脂长时间低频率间歇性运动组(HLL):进行30 min/次×2次/天(间歇6 h)×5天/周×6周;高脂短时间高频率间歇性运动组(HSH):进行20 min/次×3次/天(间歇3 h)×5天/周×6周,各运动组大鼠在跑台上训练强度均为25 m/min。6周后,各组大鼠称重、检测RMR、FBG、TG等生化指标,并测量体脂及肌肉重量。结果:实验前,各组大鼠之间RMR、FBG、TG指标无统计学差异(P＞0.05);HSH、HLL、HC、HS组体重均明显高于CS组(P＜0.05)。实验后,HSH、HLL、HC组RMR均明显高于HS、CS组(P＜0.05),但HSH、HLL、HC组之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);HS组体重高于CS组(P＜0.05),HSH、HLL、HC组体重明显低于HS组(P＜0.05),但三组之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);HSH、HLL、HC组之间PF、EF、PF/W、EF/W均明显低于HS组(P＜0.01),而三者之间无统计学差异(P＞0.05);各组大鼠GM、QF均无显著性差异(P＞0.05),HSH、HLL、HC组之间GM/W、QF/W高于HS组(P＜0.05),而HSH、HLL、HC组之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05);HSH、HLL、HC组FBG、TG均明显低于CS、HS组(P＜0.05),但与HS组差异更显著(P＜0.01),而各训练组之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05)。结论:6周不同强度间歇性运动对肥胖大鼠体成分产生了良好的干预效果,且短时间高频率间歇性运动(HSH)效果可能更好。     

Leptin Signaling in the Arcuate Nucleus Reduces Insulin’s Capacity to Suppress Hepatic Glucose Production in Obese Mice

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Single-Cell Heterogeneity Analysis and CRISPR Screen Identify Key β-Cell-Specific Disease Genes

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A multimedia tool for the informed consent of patients prior to gastric banding

Objective: Severe obesity is a clear indication for appropriate, effective weight loss therapy. One option is operative intervention, e.g., gastric banding. Risks of the operation and therapeutic alternatives need to be comprehensibly presented to the patient. The literature has shown that better informed consent is obtained using information presented in a multimedia/video‐based format. The current study developed and evaluated a multimedia program aimed at obtaining informed consent from obese patients before gastric banding. Research Methods and Procedure: An interactive multimedia program was developed with information about preoperative examinations, the operation itself, hospital stay, operative risks, alternative therapies, and the pathophysiology and health risks of obesity. Two groups (Group 1, n = 20, mean age 38 years, informed consent attained with conventional document information; Group 2, n = 20, mean age 37 years, informed consent attained with additional multimedia information) were interviewed regarding comprehensibility of the information presented, personal satisfaction, and anxiety levels during the informed consent process. Results: Group 2 showed significantly better (p < 0.05) understanding of the presented information and higher levels of satisfaction with the informed consent process. Anxiety levels did not significantly differ between the two groups. Discussion: Because patient satisfaction with the informed consent process and understanding of the presented information significantly improved, the multimedia program clearly benefits both surgeons and patients. Personal contact from the surgeon remains essential. High volumes of information presented in multimedia format do not alleviate patient anxiety, and personal contact may be beneficial.     

Adiposity, physical activity, and physical fitness among children from Aragón, Spain

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and adiposity. The secondary purpose was to assess the effect of physical fitness and living area on adiposity. Research Methods and Procedures: A cross‐sectional study was carried out in a regional representative sample of 1068 children 7 to 12 years of age. Anthropometric and physical fitness values (including BMI, aerobic capacity, strength levels, velocity assessment, and flexibility) were measured in all children. Results: The prevalence of being overweight and obese in the entire sample was 31% and 6%, respectively. No difference between urban and rural children was found. The proportion of boys who were classified as overweight and obese was similar in physically active and sedentary (non‐physically active) groups. However, physically active girls tended to show lower obesity prevalence compared with their sedentary counterparts (p = 0.06). In girls, the sum of the 6 skinfolds thickness (SSF) measurements was lower in the physically active group when compared with the non‐physically active group (p < 0.05); however, this effect was not observed in boys. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of physical activity (PA) had a significant effect on BMI and SSF in boys but not in girls, while maximal oxygen uptake (Vo _2max) was significantly related to adiposity in both sexes. Discussion: Regular participation in at least 2 hours per week of sports activities on top of the compulsory education program is associated with better physical fitness and lower whole body adiposity. In the children included in our study, among all physical fitness variables, Vo _2max showed the strongest relationship with BMI and fat mass assessed by means of skinfold measurements.     

Designer schools: the role of school space and architecture in obesity prevention

Spatial features of obesogenic environments studied on a broad community level have been associated with childhood overweight and obesity, but little research has focused on the effects of the design of micro spaces, such as schools, on individual health behaviors. This article aims to generate thinking and research on the link between school space and architecture and obesity prevention by reviewing and synthesizing available literature in architecture, environmental psychology, and obesity research, in an effort to propose promising ideas for school space design and redesign. The school environment is defined through 5 dimensions: physical, legal, policy, social, and cultural domains. Theories underlying environmental interventions and documented associations between the environment and health behaviors and outcomes are reviewed to illustrate how existing environmental research could translate to obesity prevention. Design strategies aimed at promoting physical activity and healthful eating are proposed, with particular emphasis on the design of cafeterias, activity spaces, connectivity with the larger community, and student health centers.