The need to enhance crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity in food systems

Biodiversity loss is a global threat and biodiversity for food and agriculture is particularly relevant in the context of our food systems. This report discusses the current status and trends of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity, in relation to food systems. The impact of decreasing or enhanced use of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity – within and across species and varieties – is discussed in relation to four different food system dimensions: 1) safe and healthy diets, 2) food security, 3) inclusiveness and equal benefits, and 4) sustainability and resilience. To this end, both a literature review and stakeholder and expert interviews were used. We provide a conceptual framework for assessing trade-offs of different measures and strategies for increased use of crop, livestock and aquatic genetic diversity. We furthermore highlight key topics for future research and policy recommendations in this area

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity, loss of intra-abdominal fat is associated with resumption of ovulation

BACKGROUND: It is not clear why some anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity resume ovulation and others remain anovulatory after weight loss. The objective of this study was to compare the changes in body fat distribution and specifically intra-abdominal fat (IAF) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (SAF) between a group of anovulatory women with PCOS and obesity who resume ovulation (RO+) to those who remain anovulatory (RO-) during a lifestyle program. METHODS: In a prospective pilot cohort study, anovulatory women with PCOS underwent a 6 month lifestyle program in a tertiary fertility clinic. Body fat distribution was assessed by anthropometrics, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and single slice abdominal CT scan at intake, after 3 months and after 6 months. Baseline-corrected changes over time were analysed using generalized estimating equations longitudinal regression analysis. RESULTS: In 32 anovulatory women with PCOS (age, 28 +/- 4 years; BMI, 37.5 +/- 5.0 kg/m(2)), there were no significant baseline differences in anthropometrics and biochemical assessment between 14 RO+ participants and 18 RO- participants. RO+ women lost more weight (6.3 versus 3.0%) and abdominal fat on DEXA (15.0 versus 4.3%) compared with RO- women. Resumption of ovulation was associated with early and consistent loss of IAF (12.4 versus 5.0% at 3 months and 18.5 versus 8.6% at 6 months). Loss of SAF between the RO+ women and the RO- women was similar at 3 months (6.2 versus 6.1%) but did not change any further in RO- women (6.1%) as it did in RO+ women (11.4%) at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In anovulatory women with PCOS and obesity undergoing a lifestyle program, RO+ women lose more body weight and abdominal fat on DEXA than RO- women. In addition, this study shows that early and consistent loss of IAF is associated with resumption of ovulation. Future studies should address the mechanisms behind these changes and should assess interventions aimed at loss of IAF to facilitate resumption of ovulation

Pregnancy-related hemangioblastoma progression and complications in von Hippel-Lindau disease

OBJECTIVE: We studied the reciprocal effect of pregnancy and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease by analyzing the influence of pregnancy on VHL disease- related lesions and VHL disease on pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Medical charts and imaging reports from the VHL disease expertise centers in the Netherlands were used to retrospectively assess lesion progression score before and after pregnancy and to obtain data on pregnancy outcome and VHL disease-related lesions. The Friedman test was used for analysis (p </= 0.05). Twenty-nine patients were studied (48 pregnancies, 49 newborns). RESULTS: The progression score of cerebellar hemangioblastomas significantly changed between the single MRI scan before and the 2 scans after pregnancy (p = 0.049) (n = 12). Fetal mortality rate was 2% (n = 1) caused by maternal pheochromocytoma. Maternal VHL disease-related complications occurred in 17% (n = 8) of all pregnancies. In 4 patients, a life-threatening situation emerged: hydrocephalus due to cerebellar hemangioblastoma (n = 2) and pheochromocytoma (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy in patients with VHL disease induces cerebellar hemangioblastoma progression and causes a high VHL disease-related pregnancy complication rate. We recommend intensified surveillance of patients with VHL disease, especially of cerebellar hemangioblastomas during preconception care and pregnancy

EUS is superior for detection of pancreatic lesions compared with standard imaging in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: In multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are the leading MEN1-related cause of death. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate EUS and (11)C-5-hydroxytryptophan positron emission tomography ((11)C-5-HTP PET), compared with the recommended screening techniques in MEN1 patients for early detection of pNETs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary-care university medical center. PATIENTS: This study involved 41 patients with a proven MEN1 mutation or with one MEN1 manifestation and a mutation carrier as a first-degree family member, with recent screening by abdominal CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS). INTERVENTIONS: EUS by using a linear Pentax echoendoscope and Hitachi EUB-525 and (11)C-5-HTP PET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patient-based and lesion-based positivity for pNET was calculated for all imaging techniques. The McNemar test was used to compare the yield of the 4 imaging techniques. RESULTS: In 35 of 41 patients, 107 pancreatic lesions were detected in total. EUS detected 101 pancreatic lesions in 34 patients, (11)C-5-HTP PET detected 35 lesions in 19 patients, and CT/MRI + SRS detected 32 lesions in 18 patients (P < .001). (11)C-5-HTP PET performed similarly to CT/MRI + SRS and better compared with SRS only (13 lesions in 12 patients), both at a patient-based and lesion-based level (P < .05). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study. CONCLUSION: EUS is superior to CT/MRI + SRS for pancreatic lesion detection in patients with MEN1. In this setting, (11)C-5-HTP PET is not useful. We recommend EUS as the first-choice pancreas imaging technique in patients with MEN1. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR1668.)