Measurement of hepatic insulin sensitivity early after the bypass of the proximal small bowel in humans

Objective: Unlike gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy procedures, intestinal bypass procedures, and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in particular, lead to rapid improvements in glycaemia early after surgery. The bypass of the proximal small bowel may have weight loss and even caloric restriction independent glucose-lowering properties on hepatic insulin sensitivity. In this first in humans mechanistic study, we examined this hypothesis by investigating the early effects of the duodeno-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL; GI Dynamics, USA) on the hepatic insulin sensitivity using the gold standard euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp methodology. Method: Seven patients with obesity underwent measurement of hepatic insulin sensitivity at baseline, one week after a low-calorie liquid diet and after a further one week following insertion of the DJBL whilst on the same diet. Results: DJBL did not improve the insulin sensitivity of hepatic glucose production (HGP) beyond the improvements achieved with caloric restriction. Conclusions: Caloric restriction may be the predominant driver of early increases in hepatic insulin sensitivity after the endoscopic bypass of the proximal small bowel. The same mechanism may be at play after RYGB and explain, at least in part, the rapid improvements in glycaemia

Real-time Camera Tracking in the Matris Project

In order to insert a virtual object into a TV image, the graphics system needs to know precisely how the camera is moving, so that the virtual object can be rendered in the correct place in every frame. Nowadays this can be achieved relatively easily in post-production, or in a studio equipped with a special tracking system. However, for live shooting on location, or in a studio that is not specially equipped, installing such a system can be difficult or uneconomic. To overcome these limitations, the MATRIS project is developing a real-time system for measuring the movement of a camera. The system uses image analysis to track naturally occurring features in the scene, and data from an inertial sensor. No additional sensors, special markers, or camera mounts are required. This paper gives an overview of the system and presents some results

Canalization and plasticity in psychopathology

This theoretical article revives a classical bridging construct, canalization, to describe a new model of a general factor of psychopathology. To achieve this, we have distinguished between two types of plasticity, an early one that we call 'TEMP' for 'Temperature or Entropy Mediated Plasticity', and another, we call 'canalization', which is close to Hebbian plasticity. These two forms of plasticity can be most easily distinguished by their relationship to 'precision' or inverse variance; TEMP relates to increased model variance or decreased precision, whereas the opposite is true for canalization. TEMP also subsumes increased learning rate, (Ising) temperature and entropy. Dictionary definitions of 'plasticity' describe it as the property of being easily shaped or molded; TEMP is the better match for this. Importantly, we propose that 'pathological' phenotypes develop via mechanisms of canalization or increased model precision, as a defensive response to adversity and associated distress or dysphoria. Our model states that canalization entrenches in psychopathology, narrowing the phenotypic state-space as the agent develops expertise in their pathology. We suggest that TEMP - combined with gently guiding psychological support - can counter canalization. We address questions of whether and when canalization is adaptive versus maladaptive, furnish our model with references to basic and human neuroscience, and offer concrete experiments and measures to test its main hypotheses and implications