Bone size and bone strength are increased in obese male adolescents

Context: Controversy exists on the effect of obesity on bone development during puberty. Objective: Our objective was to determine differences in volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone geometry in male obese adolescents (ObAs) in overlap with changes in bone maturation, muscle mass and force development, and circulating sex steroids and IGF-I. We hypothesized that changes in bone parameters are more evident at the weight-bearing site and that changes in serum estradiol are most prominent. Design, Setting, and Participants: We recruited 51 male ObAs (10-19 years) at the entry of a residential weight-loss program and 51 healthy age-matched and 51 bone-age-matched controls. Main Outcome Measures: vBMD and geometric bone parameters, as well as muscle and fat area were studied at the forearm and lower leg by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Muscle force was studied by jumping mechanography. Results: In addition to an advanced bone maturation, differences in trabecular bone parameters (higher vBMD and larger trabecular area) and cortical bone geometry (larger cortical area and periosteal and endosteal circumference) were observed in ObAs both at the radius and tibia at different pubertal stages. After matching for bone age, all differences at the tibia, but only the difference in trabecular vBMD at the radius, remained significant. Larger muscle area and higher maximal force were found in ObAs compared with controls, as well as higher circulating free estrogen, but similar free testosterone and IGF-I levels. Conclusions: ObAs have larger and stronger bones at both the forearm and lower leg. The observed differences in bone parameters can be explained by a combination of advanced bone maturation, higher estrogen exposure, and greater mechanical loading resulting from a higher muscle mass and strength

Sex steroids in relation to sexual and skeletal maturation in obese male adolescents

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with an accelerated skeletal maturation. However, data concerning pubertal development and sex steroid levels in obese adolescents are scarce and contrasting. Objectives: To study sex steroids in relation to sexual and skeletal maturation and to serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), as a marker of androgen activity, in obese boys from early to late adolescence. Methods: Ninety obese boys (aged 10-19 y) at the start of a residential obesity treatment program and 90 age-matched controls were studied cross-sectionally. Pubertal status was assessed according to the Tanner method. Skeletal age was determined by an x-ray of the left hand. Morning concentrations of total testosterone (TT) and estradiol (E2) were measured by liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry, free T (FT) was measured by equilibrium dialysis, and LH, FSH, SHBG, and PSA were measured by immunoassays. Results: Genital staging was comparable between the obese and nonobese groups, whereas skeletal bone advancement (mean, 1 y) was present in early and midadolescence in the obese males. Although both median SHBG and TT concentrations were significantly (P < .001) lower in obese subjects during mid and late puberty, median FT, LH, FSH, and PSA levels were comparable to those of controls. In contrast, serum E2 concentrations were significantly (P < .001) higher in the obese group at all pubertal stages. Conclusion: Obese boys have lower circulating SHBG and TT, but similar FT concentrations during mid and late puberty in parallel with a normal pubertal progression and serum PSA levels. Our data indicate that in obese boys, serum FT concentration is a better marker of androgen activity than TT. On the other hand, skeletal maturation and E2 were increased from the beginning of puberty, suggesting a significant contribution of hyperestrogenemia in the advancement of skeletal maturation in obese boys

Demer door Diest fase 4-1 Brouwerijstraat Zoutstraat en De Kaai gemeente Diest. Archeologische begeleiding en opgraving (deel 2 van 2)

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Using wearable inertial sensors to compare different versions of the dual task paradigm during walking

The dual task paradigm (DTP), where performance of a walking task co-occurs with a cognitive task to assess performance decrement, has been controversially mooted as a more suitable task to test safety from falls in outdoor and urban environments than simple walking in a hospital corridor. There are a variety of different cognitive tasks that have been used in the DTP, and we wanted to assess the use of a secondary task that requires mental tracking (the alternate letter alphabet task) against a more automatic working memory task (counting backward by ones). In this study we validated the x-io x-IMU wearable inertial sensors, used them to record healthy walking, and then used dynamic time warping to assess the elements of the gait cycle. In the timed 25 foot walk (T25FW) the alternate letter alphabet task lengthened the stride time significantly compared to ordinary walking, while counting backward did not. We conclude that adding a mental tracking task in a DTP will elicit performance decrement in healthy volunteers

Allergic sensitization: screening methods

Experimental in silico, in vitro, and rodent models for screening and predicting protein sensitizing potential are discussed, including whether there is evidence of new sensitizations and allergies since the introduction of genetically modified crops in 1996, the importance of linear versus conformational epitopes, and protein families that become allergens. Some common challenges for predicting protein sensitization are addressed: (a) exposure routes; (b) frequency and dose of exposure; (c) dose-response relationships; (d) role of digestion, food processing, and the food matrix; (e) role of infection; (f) role of the gut microbiota; (g) influence of the structure and physicochemical properties of the protein; and (h) the genetic background and physiology of consumers. The consensus view is that sensitization screening models are not yet validated to definitively predict the de novo sensitizing potential of a novel protein. However, they would be extremely useful in the discovery and research phases of understanding the mechanisms of food allergy development, and may prove fruitful to provide information regarding potential allergenicity risk assessment of future products on a case by case basis. These data and findings were presented at a 2012 international symposium in Prague organized by the Protein Allergenicity Technical Committee of the International Life Sciences Institute’s Health and Environmental Sciences Institute

Running GAGs: myxoid matrix in tumor pathology revisited: What’s in it for the pathologist?

Ever since Virchow introduced the entity myxoma, abundant myxoid extracellular matrix (ECM) has been recognized in various reactive and neoplastic lesions. Nowadays, the term “myxoid” is commonly used in daily pathological practice. But what do today’s pathologists mean by it, and what does the myxoid ECM tell the pathologist? What is known about the exact composition and function of the myxoid ECM 150 years after Virchow? Here, we give an overview of the composition and constituents of the myxoid ECM as known so far and demonstrate the heterogeneity of the myxoid ECM among different tumors. We discuss the possible role of the predominant constituents of the myxoid ECM and attempt to relate them to differences in clinical behavior. Finally, we will speculate on the potential relevance of this knowledge in daily pathological practice

Methyl methacrylate and respiratory sensitization: A Critical review

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a respiratory irritant and dermal sensitizer that has been associated with occupational asthma in a small number of case reports. Those reports have raised concern that it might be a respiratory sensitizer. To better understand that possibility, we reviewed the in silico, in chemico, in vitro, and in vivo toxicology literature, and also epidemiologic and occupational medicine reports related to the respiratory effects of MMA. Numerous in silico and in chemico studies indicate that MMA is unlikely to be a respiratory sensitizer. The few in vitro studies suggest that MMA has generally weak effects. In vivo studies have documented contact skin sensitization, nonspecific cytotoxicity, and weakly positive responses on local lymph node assay; guinea pig and mouse inhalation sensitization tests have not been performed. Cohort and cross-sectional worker studies reported irritation of eyes, nose, and upper respiratory tract associated with short-term peaks exposures, but little evidence for respiratory sensitization or asthma. Nineteen case reports described asthma, laryngitis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis in MMA-exposed workers; however, exposures were either not well described or involved mixtures containing more reactive respiratory sensitizers and irritants.The weight of evidence, both experimental and observational, argues that MMA is not a respiratory sensitizer