Liver enlargement predicts obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome in morbidly obese women

Obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is frequently present in patients with severe obesity, but its prevalence especially in women is not well defined. OSAHS and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are common conditions, frequently associated in patients with central obesity and metabolic syndrome and are both the result of the accumulation of ectopic fat mass. Identifying predictors of risk of OSAHS may be useful to select the subjects requiring instrumental sleep evaluation. In this cross-sectional study, we have investigated the potential role of hepatic left lobe volume (HLLV) in predicting the presence of OSAHS. OSAHS was quantified by the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen desaturation index in a cardiorespiratory inpatient sleep study of 97 obese women [age: 47 ± 11 years body mass index (BMI): 50 ± 8 kg/m2]. OSAHS was diagnosed when AHI was ≥5. HLLV, subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat were measured by ultrasound. After adjustment for age and BMI, both HLLV and neck circumference (NC) were independent predictors of AHI. OSAHS was found in 72% of patients; HLLV ≥ 370 cm3 was a predictor of OSAHS with a sensitivity of 66%, a specificity of 70%, a positive and negative predictive values of 85 and 44%, respectively (AUC = 0.67, p < 0.005). A multivariate logistic model was used including age, BMI, NC, and HLLV (the only independent predictors of AHI in a multiple linear regression analyses), and a cut off value for the predicted probability of OSAHS equal to 0.7 provided the best diagnostic results (AUC = 0.79, p < 0.005) in terms of sensitivity (76%), specificity (89%), negative and positive predictive values (59 and 95%, respectively). All patients with severe OSAHS were identified by this prediction model. In conclusion, HLLV, an established index of visceral adiposity, represents an anthropometric parameter closely associated with OSAHS in severely obese women

Psychopathological behaviour and cognition in morbid obesity

Background: Obesity is a chronic condition with high prevalence and multifaceted aetiology, accompanied by an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Obesity has several negative effects on the psychological status, and the severity of psychological disorders correlates with the degree of obesity. Objective: Aim of this review is to provide an overview of the literature concerning the psychological distress associated with severe obesity, which contributes to deterioration of the quality of life of affected patients. Methods: Dysfunctional eating behaviours and eating disorders, psychiatric comorbidity, cognition and quality of life will be discussed together with the most common drugs that can be employed to treat the various disorders in this peculiar clinical setting. The effects of bariatric surgery will be also reviewed. Results: Obesity is often the result of pathological behaviours implemented in an eating disorder. Inconsistent results have been reported with regard to the effect of severe obesity on cognition, which recognize a multifaceted aetiology. Serotonergic agents play an important role in the management of patients with obesity and binge episodes, fluoxetine being currently a drug approved for this disorder. The efficacy of lorcaserin, a combination of bupropion and naltrexone, or antiepileptic medications (topiramate and zonisamide) has also been proposed. A neuroprotective role of leptin and oestrogen has been hypothesized. Bariatric surgery is a helpful treatment of morbid obese patients, with long-term favourable results on the psychopathological profile. Conclusion: Psychological, psychoeducational and psychopharmacological treatment can facilitate weight loss in morbid obese subjects with psychopathological comorbidities. A precise definition of the mechanisms affecting appetite, satiety and energy balance is expected to foster the development of new effective antiobesity drugs

Serum IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) concentrations change early after gastric bypass bariatric surgery revealing a possible marker of leptin sensitivity in obese subjects

PURPOSE: Expression of IGFBP-2 in mice is regulated by leptin. Over-expression of IGFBP-2 is associated with reduced caloric intake and resistance to weight gain. Hormonal variations contributing to weight loss occur very early after bariatric surgery but have not been fully elucidated. We evaluated IGFBP-2 serum changes after bariatric surgery and their relationship with leptin variations to test the hypothesis that an increase of leptin sensitivity may explain some of the effects of gastric bypass. METHODS: This is a historical prospective study. Fifty-one obese patients (41 women e 10 men), 9 non-obese surgical controls and 41 lean matched controls were studied. Serum IGFBP-2 and leptin were measured after bariatric bypass surgery at various time points up to 18 months, after non-bariatric laparoscopic surgery in a control group, and in lean matched controls. RESULTS: Compared to lean controls, serum IGFBP-2 levels were lower in obese patients. After gastric bypass, IGFBP-2 significantly increased at 3 days and became normal before the occurrence of relevant changes in body weight, remaining stable up to 18 months after surgery. IGFBP-2/leptin ratio increased early after surgery and became normal after one year. CONCLUSIONS: After gastric bypass, serum IGFBP-2 increases in a window of time when variations of hormones mediating the effects of bariatric surgery occur. Our results suggest that IGFBP-2, a leptin-regulated protein, may be an in-vivo marker of leptin action. If this is the case, an early improvement of leptin sensitivity might contribute to the anorectic effect of gastric bypass

Observation of a new Ξb−\Xi_b^- resonance

International audienceFrom samples of pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at s=7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.0, 2.0 and 1.5  fb-1, respectively, a peak in both the Λb0K- and Ξb0π- invariant mass spectra is observed. In the quark model, radially and orbitally excited Ξb- resonances with quark content bds are expected. Referring to this peak as Ξb(6227)-, the mass and natural width are measured to be mΞb(6227)-=6226.9±2.0±0.3±0.2  MeV/c2 and ΓΞb(6227)-=18.1±5.4±1.8  MeV/c2, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third, on mΞb(6227)-, is due to the knowledge of the Λb0 baryon mass. Relative production rates of the Ξb(6227)-→Λb0K- and Ξb(6227)-→Ξb0π- decays are also reported

Observation of the decay Bs0→D‾0K+K−B_s^0 \to \overline{D}^0 K^+ K^-

International audienceThe first observation of the Bs0→D¯0K+K- decay is reported, together with the most precise branching fraction measurement of the mode B0→D¯0K+K-. The results are obtained from an analysis of pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1. The data were collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The branching fraction of the B0→D¯0K+K- decay is measured relative to that of the decay B0→D¯0π+π- to be B(B0→D¯0K+K-)B(B0→D¯0π+π-)=(6.9±0.4±0.3)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The measured branching fraction of the Bs0→D¯0K+K- decay mode relative to that of the corresponding B0 decay is B(Bs0→D¯0K+K-)B(B0→D¯0K+K-)=(93.0±8.9±6.9)%. Using the known branching fraction of B0→D¯0π+π-, the values of B(B0→D¯0K+K-)=(6.1±0.4±0.3±0.3)×10-5 and B(Bs0→D¯0K+K-)=(5.7±0.5±0.4±0.5)×10-5 are obtained, where the third uncertainties arise from the branching fraction of the decay modes B0→D¯0π+π- and B0→D¯0K+K-, respectively

Observation of Bs0→D‾∗0ϕB_s^0 \to \overline{D}^{*0} \phi and search for B0→D‾0ϕB^0 \to \overline{D}^0 \phi decays

International audienceThe first observation of the Bs0→D¯*0ϕ decay is reported, with a significance of more than seven standard deviations, from an analysis of pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb-1, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The branching fraction is measured relative to that of the topologically similar decay B0→D¯0π+π- and is found to be B(Bs0→D¯*0ϕ)=(3.7±0.5±0.3±0.2)×10-5, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third from the branching fraction of the B0→D¯0π+π- decay. The fraction of longitudinal polarization in this decay is measured to be fL=(73±15±4)%. The most precise determination of the branching fraction for the Bs0→D¯0ϕ decay is also obtained, B(Bs0→D¯0ϕ)=(3.0±0.3±0.2±0.2)×10-5. An upper limit, B(B0→D¯0ϕ)<2.0 (2.3)×10-6 at 90% (95%) confidence level is set. A constraint on the ω-ϕ mixing angle δ is set at |δ|<5.2° (5.5°) at 90% (95%) confidence level

Observation of Bs0→Dˉ∗0ϕB_s^0 \to \bar{D}^{*0} \phi and search for B0→Dˉ0ϕB^0 \to \bar{D}^0 \phi decays

The first observation of the $B^0_s → \bar{D}^{*0}ϕ$ decay is reported, with a significance of more than seven standard deviations, from an analysis of pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb$^{−1}$, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The branching fraction is measured relative to that of the topologically similar decay $B^0 → \bar{D}^0 π^+ π^−$ and is found to be $\mathcal{B}(B^0_s → \bar{D}^{*0}ϕ)=(3.7±0.5±0.3±0.2) × 10^{−5}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third from the branching fraction of the $B^0 → \bar{D}^0 π^+ π^−$ decay. The fraction of longitudinal polarization in this decay is measured to be $f_L = (73±15±4)\%$. The most precise determination of the branching fraction for the $B^0_s → \bar{D}^{0}ϕ$ decay is also obtained, $\mathcal{B}(B^0_s → \bar{D}^0 ϕ)=(3.0±0.3±0.2±0.2) × 10^{−5}$. An upper limit,$\mathcal{B}(B^0 → \bar{D}^0 ϕ) < 2.0 (2.3) × 10^{−6}$ at 90% (95%) confidence level is set. A constraint on the $ω−ϕ$ mixing angle $δ$ is set at $|δ| < 5.2°$ (5.5°) at 90% (95%) confidence level

Measurement of the branching fraction and CPCP asymmetry in B+→J/ψρ+B^{+}\rightarrow J/\psi \rho^{+} decays

International audienceThe branching fraction and direct $C\!P$ asymmetry of the decay ${{{B} ^+}} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} {{\rho } ^+}$ are measured using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 3 $\,\text{ fb }^{-1}$ . The following results are obtained: $\begin{aligned} \mathcal {B}({{B} ^+} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} {{\rho } ^+} )&= (3.81^{+0.25-0.24} \pm 0.35) \times 10^{-5},\\ \mathcal {A}^{{C\!P}} ({{B} ^+} \!\rightarrow {{J /\psi }} {{\rho } ^+} )&= -0.045^{+0.056-0.057} \pm 0.008, \end{aligned}$ where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. Both measurements are the most precise to date

Amplitude analysis of the B(s)0→K∗0K‾∗0B^0_{(s)} \to K^{*0} \overline{K}^{*0} decays and measurement of the branching fraction of the B0→K∗0K‾∗0B^0 \to K^{*0} \overline{K}^{*0} decay

International audienceThe ${B}^0\to {K}^{\ast 0}{\overline{K}}^{\ast 0}$ and ${B}_s^0\to {K}^{\ast 0}{\overline{K}}^{\ast 0}$ decays are studied using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{−1}$. An untagged and timeintegrated amplitude analysis of B_{( s}_{)}^{0}  → (K$^{+}$π$^{−}$)(K$^{−}$π$^{+}$) decays in two-body invariant mass regions of 150 MeV/c$^{2}$ around the K$^{∗0}$ mass is performed. A stronger longitudinal polarisation fraction in the ${B}^0\to {K}^{\ast 0}{\overline{K}}^{\ast 0}$ decay, f$_{L}$ = 0.724 ± 0.051 (stat) ± 0.016 (syst), is observed as compared to f$_{L}$ = 0.240 ± 0.031 (stat) ± 0.025 (syst) in the ${B}_s^0\to {K}^{\ast 0}{\overline{K}}^{\ast 0}$ decay. The ratio of branching fractions of the two decays is measured and used to determine $\mathrm{\mathcal{B}}\left({B}^0\to {K}^{\ast 0}{\overline{K}}^{\ast 0}\right)=\left(8.0\pm 0.9\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)\pm 0.4\left(\mathrm{syst}\right)\right)\times {10}^{-7}$

Measurement of CPCP-violating and mixing-induced observables in Bs0→ϕγB_s^0 \to \phi\gamma decays

International audienceA time-dependent analysis of the Bs0→ϕγ decay rate is performed to determine the CP -violating observables Sϕγ and Cϕγ and the mixing-induced observable AϕγΔ. The measurement is based on a sample of pp collision data recorded with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb-1 at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The measured values are Sϕγ=0.43±0.30±0.11, Cϕγ=0.11±0.29±0.11, and AϕγΔ=-0.67-0.41+0.37±0.17, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the first measurement of the observables S and C in radiative Bs0 decays. The results are consistent with the standard model predictions