New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Remote controlled prolonged conscious sedation for gynaecological radiotherapy

Conscious sedation with subanaesthetic doses of propofol is an effective technique for the management of highly anxious patients in dentistry. Prolonged administration of propofol to achieve conscious sedation in spontaneously breathing patients without an airway adjunct has not been reported previously. We describe the management of target-controlled conscious sedation with propofol for 21 h in a patient undergoing gynaecological radiotherap

A comparison of the effects of propofol and nitrous oxide on the electroencephalogram in epileptic patients during conscious sedation for dental procedures

The influence of sedative doses of propofol or nitrous oxide on the electroencephalogram was studied in 11 mentally handicapped patients with treated epilepsy undergoing dental procedures. At one session, propofol was titrated to achieve conscious sedation. The mean (+/- SD) dose requirements were 5.5 +/- 1.1 mg.kg-1.h-1. In six patients, the electroencephalogram was unchanged during propofol administration. In three patients, there was a decrease in epileptic activity, and in two patients, paroxysmal discharges disappeared. At another session, nitrous oxide was administered by nasal mask. The mean (+/- SD) concentration of nitrous oxide needed was 43.6% +/- 4.8%. The electroencephalogram did not change in nine patients, whereas in two patients epileptic activity decreased. There were no clinical epileptoid or other adverse manifestations during any treatment or up to 48 h thereafter. The results of the present study suggest that propofol or nitrous oxide can be administered in subanesthetic doses for conscious sedation in mentally handicapped patients with treated epileps

Preterm Infant Outcomes after Randomization to Initial Resuscitation with FiO <inf>2</inf> 0.21 or 1.0

© 2018 Elsevier Inc. Objective: To determine rates of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 2 years corrected age (primary outcome) in children <32 weeks' gestation randomized to initial resuscitation with a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) value of 0.21 or 1.0. Study design: Blinded assessments were conducted at 2-3 years corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition or the Ages and Stages Questionnaire by intention to treat. Results: Of the 290 children enrolled, 40 could not be contacted and 10 failed to attend appointments. Among the 240 children for whom outcomes at age 2 years were available, 1 child had a lethal congenital anomaly, 1 child had consent for follow-up withdrawn, and 23 children died. The primary outcome, which was available in 238 (82%) of those randomized, occurred in 47 of the 117 (40%) children assigned to initial FiO 2 0.21 and in 38 of the 121 (31%) assigned to initial FiO 2 1.0 (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.86-2.5; P =.16). No difference in NDI was found in 215 survivors randomized to FiO 2 0.21 vs 1.0 (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.70-2.28; P =.11). In post hoc exploratory analyses in the whole cohort, children with a 5-minute blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) <80% were more likely to die or to have NDI (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.07-3.2; P =.03). Conclusions: Initial resuscitation of infants <32 weeks' gestation with initial FiO 2 0.21 had no significant effect on death or NDI compared with initial FiO 2 1.0. Further evaluation of optimum initial FiO 2 , including SpO 2 targeting, in a large randomized controlled trial is needed. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry ACTRN 12610001059055 and the National Malaysian Research Registry NMRR-07-685-957