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The aim of this pragmatic intervention study was to investigate changes in cardiometabolic outcomes, irisin plasma concentration, and body composition during a 4-month intervention in unselected obese individuals.

In 111 obese women aged 36.73 ± 7.2years, we measured changes in weight, lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR), uric acid, aminotransferases, and irisin. Body composition including lean mass (LM) and total (TF), gynoid (GF), android (AF), and visceral fat (VF) was assessed using densitometry. INCB024360 IDO inhibitor Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The participants received tailored written advice targeting lifestyle according to current guidelines. At follow-up, patients rated their adherence in the self-administered questionnaire.

Mean weight loss in the whole group was 3.12kg (- 3.3%); 26% of the women achieved the desired target of weight loss (> 5% of the initial weight), whereas weight deinfluence plasma irisin.

Well-differentiated stage IV neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) have an extremely heterogeneous, unpredictable clinical behavior. Survival prognostic markers, such as the recently proposed NEP-Score, would be very useful for better defining therapeutic strategies. We aim to verify NEP-Score applicability in an independent cohort of stage IV well-differentiated (WD) gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) NEN, and identify a derivate prognostic marker taking into account clinical and pathological characteristics at diagnosis.

Age, site of primary tumor, primary tumor surgery, symptoms, Ki67, timing of metastases of 27 patients (10 females; mean age at diagnosis 60.2 ± 2.9years) with stage IV WD GEP NEN were evaluated to calculate the NEP-Score at the end of follow-up (NEP-T). We calculated the NEP-Score at diagnosis (NEP-D), which does not consider the appearance of new metastases during follow-up. Patients were subdivided according to whether they were alive or not at the end of follow-up (EOF) and an NEP-Score threshold was investigated to predict survival.

Mean NEP-T and mean NEP-D were significantly lower in 15 live patients as compared to 12 deceased patients (p < 0.01) at EOF. We identified an NEP-D = 116 as the cutoff that significantly predicts survival. No gender differences were identified.

In our series, we confirmed NEP-Score applicability. In addition, we propose NEP-D as a simple, quick and cheap prognostic score that can help clinicians in decision making. NEP-D threshold can predict NEN aggressiveness and may be used to define the best personalized therapeutic strategy.

In our series, we confirmed NEP-Score applicability. In addition, we propose NEP-D as a simple, quick and cheap prognostic score that can help clinicians in decision making. NEP-D threshold can predict NEN aggressiveness and may be used to define the best personalized therapeutic strategy.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism is reported to be associated with cognitive dysfunction, an important comorbidity factor in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in elderly populations, however, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear.

This study was performed to investigate the association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in elderly patients with T2DM.

In total, 105 MCI and 105 normal cognition controls of T2DM patients were enrolled; all of the patients underwent neuropsychological assessments. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was genotyped via TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Data from clinical and laboratory-based examinations were collected.

The frequency of the BDNF Met allele was significantly higher in the MCI group than in the controls. Multiple regression analysis indicated an association of the Met allele with MCI in patients with T2DM (OR = 2.54; 95% CI 1.33-4.84; p = 0.005). Stratified by educational level, the BDNF Met allele was significantly associated with MCI in elderly T2DM patients (OR = 3.29; 95% CI 1.26-8.57; p = 0.015) among the group of low educational levels (< 12years); however, the association was insignificant among those with higher educational levels.

BDNF Met allele carriers showed a higher frequency of MCI than Val/Val homozygotes in elderly T2DM patients. However, this association was only significant in patients with low education levels.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may have a potential role in MCI in elderly T2DM patients, especially those with low educational levels.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may have a potential role in MCI in elderly T2DM patients, especially those with low educational levels.

To assess accrual of new vertebral fractures (VF) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) over a period of time.

Hundred patients who were previously enrolled for a cross-sectional study on prevalence of asymptomatic VF were telephonically requested to review with repeat spinal radiographs and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) after 3 years. Radiographs were scored using Genant’s semi-quantitative technique. Disease activity and damage were assessed by myositis damage index (MDI) extent of damage and modified MDI for which the osteoporotic fracture item in MDI was removed. VF progressors were compared with non-progressors.

Of 31 patients reviewed, 11 had dermatomyositis, 8 polymyositis, and 6 each overlap and anti-synthetase syndrome. Eighteen patients underwent DEXA scan. Seventeen had VF at baseline. At 91.62 patient years of follow-up, total number of VF increased from 27 to 51. Patients who had previous VF had higher risk of developing a new VF when compared with those with no fractures. • Patients with baseline vertebral fractures incur a high risk of future fractures on follow-up. • Number of fractures is negatively correlated with age, BMD values at lower end of radius, L4, and damage.The outbreak of coronavirus in the world has led to an uncertainty about treatment of patients with autoimmune disorders because of their weakened immune system coupled with immunosuppressive agents they take which predisposes them to a host of infections. Data on COVID-19 patients with underlying rheumatological diseases has been emerging mostly in the form of small case series and one global registry. From these data, it seems like our patients, although immunosuppressed, are not particularly susceptible to the coronavirus infection and if infected, do not have significantly worse outcomes than other patients. In fact, drugs like hydroxychloroquine, dexamethasone, and tocilizumab have been studied for treatment of COVID-19. However, this is only preliminary data, and since a few parts of the world are still grappling with the pandemic at its peak, we need to be equipped on how to protect and manage our immunosuppressed patients. Published evidence to guide treatment decisions are lacking and doubts regarding continuation and initiation of immunosuppressants remain.