Correlation between mesenteric fat thickness and serum apolipoproteins in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

BACKGROUND: Visceral fat possesses the most detrimental potential for cardiovascular morbidity through the release of adipokines, as well as metabolic and proinflammatory mediators, which adversely affect metabolic and vascular homeostasis. Among the different types of visceral adipose tissue, mesenteric fat is considered particularly detrimental, due to its close proximity to the portal circulation, affecting directly the liver, which is the main regulator of body metabolic homeostasis. Mesenteric fat can be reliably estimated using abdominal ultrasonography, the only available imaging method able to depict individual mesenteric leaves. Aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) with serum apolipoprotein levels in patients undergoing digital subtraction angiography in a single center. METHODS: 35 male patients with peripheral arterial disease were examined. After careful examination of the periumbilical area, the mesenteric leaves were identified. The maximal distance between each pair of sequential leaves was measured, and the mean value of the three thickest leaves was determined as the mesenteric fat thickness. Six apolipoprotein fasting serum concentrations were measured using a Luminex proteomics platform (xMAP Multiplex immunoassay): apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein A-II (apoAII), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein C-II (apoCII), apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). RESULTS: MFT correlated with apoAII and apoB serum concentrations. The correlations with apoAII and apoB remained significant following correction for BMI. No correlations were noted between MFT and serum apoAI, apoCII, apoCIII or apoE levels before or after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that MFT is significantly correlated with the concentration of atherogenic low density lipoproteins particles, as well as with apoAII, a determinant of free fatty acids levels. No correlation was observed between mesenteric fat thickness and very low density lipoprotein or chylomicron particles concentration

UW Dawgstar: One Third of ION-F - An element of the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F)

The preliminary design for the UW Dawgstar nanosatellite is presented. The Dawgstar is a 13 kg satellite designed as a part of the University Nanosatellite Program funded by AFOSR, DARPA, AFRL, and NASA. The goal of this two-year program is to design, build, and fly nanosatellites. The mission overview is detailed, including the coupling with the University partners Utah State and Virginia Tech in the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F). The mission includes several formations and formation keeping experiments, and distributed ionospheric measurements. Each of the subsystems is also detailed, including the design and integration of eight miniature pulsed plasma thrusters for attitude control and formation flying

C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Survival and Length of Hospital Stay in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) presents high mortality rates and high healthcare costs worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been widely used as a biomarker for the management of CAP. We evaluated the performance of CRP threshold values and ΔCRP as predictors of CAP survival and length of hospital stay. Methods: A total of 173 adult patients with CAP were followed for up to 30 days. We measured serum CRP levels on days 1, 4, and 7 (D1, D4, and D7) of hospitalization, and their variations between different days were calculated (ΔCRP). A multivariate logistic regression model was created with CAP 30-day survival and length of hospital stay as dependent variables, and absolute CRP values and ΔCRP, age, sex, smoking habit (pack-years), pO2/FiO2 ratio on D1, WBC on D1, and CURB-65 score as independent variables. Results: A total of six patients with CAP died (30-day mortality 3.47%). No difference was found in CRP levels and ΔCRP between survivors and non-survivors. Using a cut-off level of 9 mg/dL, the AUC (95% CI) for the prediction of survival of CRP on D4 and D7 were 0.765 (0.538–0.992) and 0.784 (0.580–0.989), respectively. A correlation between CRP values on any day and length of hospital stay was found, with it being stronger for CRPD4 and CRPD7 (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0024, respectively). A reduction of CRP > 50% from D1 to D4 was associated with 4.11 fewer days of hospitalization (p = 0.0308). Conclusions: CRP levels on D4 and D7, but not ΔCRP, could fairly predict CAP survival. A reduction of CRP > 50% by the fourth day of hospitalization could predict a shorter hospital stay

Modulated human maternal and premature neonatal erythrocyte membrane enzyme activities in relation to the mode of delivery: in vitro restoration with L-carnitine

No abstract available

Multi-Port Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Myomectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Clinical and Fertility Outcomes

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most frequently diagnosed gynaecological tumours, and they often require surgical treatment (conventional laparoscopic myomectomy—CLM). The introduction and evolution of robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) in the early 2000s has expanded the range of minimally invasive options for the majority of cases. This study aims to compare RALM with CLM and abdominal myomectomy (AM). Methods and materials: Fifty-three eligible studies adhered to the pre-established inclusion criteria and were subsequently evaluated for risk of bias and statistical heterogeneity. Results: The available comparative studies were compared using surgical outcomes, namely blood loss, complication rate, transfusion rate, operation duration, conversion to laparotomy, and length of hospitalisation. RALM was significantly superior to AM in all assessed parameters other than operation duration. RALM and CLM performed similarly in most parameters; however, RALM was associated with reduced intra-operative bleeding in patients with small fibroids and had lower rates of conversion to laparotomy, proving RALM as a safer overall approach. Conclusion: The robotic approach for surgical treatment of uterine fibroids is a safe, effective, and viable approach, which is constantly being improved and may soon acquire widespread adoption and prove to be superior to CLM in certain patient subgroups

Laparoscopic Cystectomy In-a-Bag of an Intact Cyst: Is It Feasible and Spillage-Free After All?

This prospective study was conducted to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic cystectomy of an intact adnexal cyst performed inside a water proof endoscopic bag, aiming to avoid intraperitoneal spillage in case of cyst rupture. 102 patients were recruited. Two of them were pregnant. In 8 of the patients the lesions were bilateral, adding up to a total of 110 cysts involved in our study. The endoscopic sac did not rupture in any case. Mean diameter of the cysts was 5.7 cm (range: 2.3–10.5 cm). In 75/110 (68.2%) cases, cystectomy was completed without rupture, whereas in the remaining 35/110 (31.8%) cases the cyst ruptured. Minimal small spillage occurred despite every effort only in 8/110 (7.2%) cases with large (>8 cm) cystic teratomas. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. We concluded that laparoscopic cystectomy in-a-bag of an intact cyst is feasible and oncologically safe for cystic tumors with a diameter < 8 cm. Manipulation of larger tumors with the adnexa into the sac may be more difficult, and in such cases previous puncture and evacuation of the cyst contents should be considered

Correlation between mesenteric fat thickness and serum apolipoproteins in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Abstract Background Visceral fat possesses the most detrimental potential for cardiovascular morbidity through the release of adipokines, as well as metabolic and proinflammatory mediators, which adversely affect metabolic and vascular homeostasis. Among the different types of visceral adipose tissue, mesenteric fat is considered particularly detrimental, due to its close proximity to the portal circulation, affecting directly the liver, which is the main regulator of body metabolic homeostasis. Mesenteric fat can be reliably estimated using abdominal ultrasonography, the only available imaging method able to depict individual mesenteric leaves. Aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) with serum apolipoprotein levels in patients undergoing digital subtraction angiography in a single center. Methods 35 male patients with peripheral arterial disease were examined. After careful examination of the periumbilical area, the mesenteric leaves were identified. The maximal distance between each pair of sequential leaves was measured, and the mean value of the three thickest leaves was determined as the mesenteric fat thickness. Six apolipoprotein fasting serum concentrations were measured using a Luminex proteomics platform (xMAP Multiplex immunoassay): apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein A-II (apoAII), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein C-II (apoCII), apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). Results MFT correlated with apoAII and apoB serum concentrations. The correlations with apoAII and apoB remained significant following correction for BMI. No correlations were noted between MFT and serum apoAI, apoCII, apoCIII or apoE levels before or after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions Our study indicates that MFT is significantly correlated with the concentration of atherogenic low density lipoproteins particles, as well as with apoAII, a determinant of free fatty acids levels. No correlation was observed between mesenteric fat thickness and very low density lipoprotein or chylomicron particles concentration.</p