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Significant Weight Loss (significant + weight_loss)
Selected AbstractsDose-dependent uptake, elimination, and toxicity of monosodium methanearsonate in adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Courtney A. Albert Abstract Monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), an arsenic-based pesticide, has been used for the past 10 years in attempts to suppress mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks in British Columbia, Canada. Previous studies have shown that cavity nesting forest birds such as woodpeckers forage and breed in MSMA treated pine stands. Here we examined the effects of MSMA in the laboratory using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), with the objective to examine tissue distribution and sublethal toxic effects in a model avian species. Zebra finches were exposed to this pesticide at doses similar to those found in bark beetle samples from MSMA stands of trees treated in the southern interior of British Columbia (8, 24, and 72 ,g/g/d and a control group). Results showed high excretion (>90%) of arsenic in all dose groups, as well as dose-dependent trends in accumulation of arsenic in the blood (p < 0.001) and specific tissues. Monomethylarsonic acid, MMA (V), was the predominant form of arsenic in the blood plasma. Dimethylarsinic acid was the major form of arsenic found in the liver (83%) and kidney (61%) tissues. The brain tissue contained primarily the MMA (V) form (57%). Significant weight loss occurred in the two highest dose groups (p < 0.05). Birds in the highest dose group lost up to 15% of initial body mass. [source] Sintering of AlN Using CaO-Al2O3 as a Sintering Additive: Chemistry and Microstructural DevelopmentJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2002Eirik Hagen The densification of aluminum nitride using Ca12Al14O33 as a sintering aid has been studied with emphasis on the effect of using coarse or fine powder, the amount of sintering aid, the sintering temperature, and embedding. Both crystalline and amorphous grain boundary phases were observed. Significant weight losses were observed for coarse-grained samples, and if suitable embedding was not used. Porous and coarse-grained ceramics with high contiguity and minor amounts of secondary phases were obtained by enhanced evaporation while dense ceramics were obtained limiting the evaporation. High weight losses in the graphite environment resulted in formation of a dense AlN surface layer. [source] Effect of Orlistat in Obese Patients With Heart Failure: A Pilot StudyCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 3 2005Luís Beck-da-Silva MD Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization. Obesity is increasingly common and is a major public health problem. The aim of this study is to assess whether obese patients with heart failure can benefit from losing weight via an orlistat-assisted diet. This randomized clinical trial included obese patients with ejection fractions ,40%. Orlistat and diet counseling were compared with diet counseling alone. Twenty-one consecutive obese patients with heart failure were recruited. Significant improvement in 6-minute walk test (45.8 m; 95% confidence interval, 5.2,86.4 m; p=0.031), functional class (,0.6±0.5, p=0.014), weight loss (,8.55 kg; 95% confidence interval, ,13.0 to ,4.1 kg;p<0.001) and also significant decreases in total cholesterol (p=0.017), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.03), and triglycerides (p=0.036) were observed in the orlistat group. Orlistat can promote significant weight loss and symptoms of relief in obese patients with heart failure, as measured by 6-minute walk test and functional capacity. The lipid profile improved. Orlistat was safe and well tolerated. [source] Rosiglitazone is more effective than metformin in improving fasting indexes of glucose metabolism in severely obese, non-diabetic patientsDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2008A. Brunani Aim:, In obese patients, the diet-induced weight loss markedly improves glucose tolerance with an increase in insulin sensitivity and a partial reduction of insulin secretion. The association with metformin treatment might potentiate the effect of diet alone. Methods:, From patients admitted to our Nutritional Division for diet programme, we selected obese, non-diabetic, uncomplicated patients with age 18,65 years and body mass index 35,50 kg/m2 and studied the effects of a 6-month pharmacological treatment with either metformin (850 mg twice daily) or rosiglitazone (4 mg twice daily) on possible changes in body weight, fat mass, glucose and lipids metabolism. Results:, A significant weight loss and reduction of fat mass was demonstrated with metformin (,9.7 ± 1.8 kg and ,6.6 ± 1.1 kg) and also with rosiglitazone (,11.0 ± 1.9 kg and ,7.2 ± 1.8 kg), without fluid retention in either treatment group. Rosiglitazone administration induced a significant decrease in glucose concentration (4.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.4 ± 0.1 mmol/l, p < 0.005) and insulin-circulating level (13.6 ± 1.5 vs. 8.0 ± 0.,7 ,U/ml, p < 0.005), an increase in insulin sensitivity as measured by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) of insulin sensitivity (68.9 ± 8.8 vs. 109.9 ± 10.3, p < 0.005) with a concomitant decrease in ,-cell function as measured by HOMA of ,-cell function (163.2 ± 16.1 vs. 127.4 ± 8.4, p < 0.005). In contrast, metformin did not produce any significant effect on blood glucose concentration, insulin level and HOMA2 indexes. No adverse events were registered with pharmacological treatments. Conclusion:, Our study shows that in severely obese, non-diabetic, hyperinsulinaemic patients undergoing a nutritional programme, rosiglitazone is more effective than metformin in producing favourable changes in fasting-based indexes of glucose metabolism, with a reduction of both insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia. In spite of previous studies reporting rosiglitazone-induced body weight gain, in our study the joint treatment with diet and rosiglitazone was accompanied by weight loss and fat mass reduction. [source] Enhanced weight loss with protein-enriched meal replacements in subjects with the metabolic syndromeDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 5 2010Marion Flechtner-Mors Abstract Background The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a protein-rich diet in comparison with a conventional protein diet on weight loss, weight maintenance, and body composition in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Methods Obese subjects received instructions for an energy-restricted diet with a calorie deficit of 500 kcal/day and were randomly assigned to either high-protein (1.34 g/kg body weight) or conventional protein (0.8 g/kg body weight) diets for 12 months. Protein-enriched meal replacements were used to enrich one arm of the diet with protein throughout the study. In all, 67% of the participants completed the 1-year study. Results Subjects following the high-protein diet lost more body weight and more fat mass compared with those on the conventional protein diet, whereas the loss of fat-free mass was similar in both diet groups. Biochemical parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome improved in both diet groups. Improvements were modestly greater in subjects with the high-protein diet. After 12 months of treatment, 64.5% of the subjects in the high-protein diet group and 34.8% of the subjects in the conventional diet group no longer met three or more of the criteria for having the metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Individuals with the metabolic syndrome achieved significant weight loss while preserving fat-free mass when treated with an energy-restricted, high-protein diet that included nutrient-dense meal replacements, as compared with the results for conventional protein intake. An intervention with a protein-enriched diet may have advantages for the management of the metabolic syndrome. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The different mechanisms of insulin sensitizers to prevent type 2 diabetes in OLETF ratsDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 5 2007Sung Hee Choi Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of pioglitazone and metformin treatment during pre-diabetic period for the prevention of diabetes in a rat model. Methods OLETF rats aged 18-weeks, were treated with pioglitazone (10 mg/kg/day) and metformin (300 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks from their pre-diabetic period. We measured weight, lipid profiles, fat distribution, glucose tolerance, and pancreatic insulin content. Results Prominent weight gain (mostly subcutaneous fat area) was observed in the pioglitazone-treated OLETF (O-P) rats versus significant weight loss was observed in the metformin-treated OLETF (O-M) rats. Pioglitazone reversed the serum triglyceride (TG) and FFAs levels to normal (TG 0.46 ± 0.04 vs 0.88 ± 0.05 mmol/l in LETO). At the age of 28 weeks, the O-P rats showed completely normal glucose tolerance, and the glucose disposal rate (GDR) was markedly improved (25.6 ± 0.4 vs 20.6 ± 0.5 mg/min/kg in O-C, p < 0.05). The O-M rats also showed an improved fasting glucose and GDR level, but not as much as those with O-P rats. The pancreas insulin contents were much improved in the O-P rats (22.9 ± 1.2 vs 18.8 ± 1.3 nmol/pancreas in O-M rats, p < 0.05) with histological improvement. Conclusion The pre-diabetic treatment with pioglitazone, despite significant weight gain, completely prevents to develop diabetes and enhances beta cell function with preservation of islet cell changes. Metformin treatment was also effective, but mainly by ameliorating the insulin resistance with marked reduction in body weight. The reversal of dyslipidaemia and the fat redistribution might contribute to the greater improvement of pioglitazone treatment compared to metformin in OLETF rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Systematic review of interventions in the management of overweight and obese children which include a dietary componentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 1 2007Clare E Collins PhD BSc Dip Nutr Diet Dip Clin Epi APD Background, The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is increasing at an alarming rate around the world and prevention has become a key public health objective. Treatment and management of those already overweight and obese must be aligned with the best available evidence on effectiveness, if the risk of obesity-related morbidity and mortality is yet be reduced. Diet plays a pivotal role in successful treatment of obesity but to date, there is limited evidence on which to base practice. Objectives, To identify and present the best available evidence on the optimal dietetic treatment and management of children and adolescent who are overweight or obese. Search strategy, Published English language literature was searched using the electronic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PRE-MEDLINE, DARE, COCHRANE, EMBASE, AUSTROM, Current Concepts and Dissertation Abstracts. The databases were limited to English Language from 1975 until 2003. Government reports from the UK, USA and Australian were also searched and a hand search performed for the Journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia, International Journal of Obesity and the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and the bibliographies of retrieved articles. Selection criteria, (i) Interventions that evaluated the effectiveness of nutrition or dietary interventions to treat or manage overweight and obesity; (ii) Children aged less than 18 years; and (iii) Participants were defined as overweight or obese by relative weight or a measure of body weight status, studies that reported body weight per se were excluded. Data collection and analysis, An experienced professional librarian searched the databases, and two trained research assistants independently identified studies for retrieval and assessed each article for inclusion. The included studies were critically appraised for methodological quality by two people independently. Data were extracted from the appropriate articles and when a discrepancy arose, a third party would arbitrate. Main results, There were 116 articles that met the inclusion criteria. While 49 articles described randomised controlled trials, they arose from 37 separate studies. There were 67 non-randomised trials. Meta-analyses were performed on eight studies that included both a dietary intervention component and an adequate control group and on four studies that had follow-up data. There was a high degree of heterogeneity between studies and this made comparisons between studies problematic. Interventions that include diet therapy generally result in significant weight loss, at least in the short term. Many studies were poorly designed and had no or only minimal follow up. The details of the dietary intervention were often inadequately described and dietary outcomes rarely reported, making repetition of the studies difficult. Reviewers' conclusions, There is an urgent need for high quality studies investigating the optimal dietary approach to management of paediatric overweight and obesity. These studies require adequate follow up to ascertain if weight loss can be sustained in the long term. Details of the dietary prescription, adherence to the dietary intervention and diet-specific outcomes need to be reported in order to inform best practice. [source] A review of low and reduced carbohydrate diets and weight loss in type 2 diabetesJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2008P. A. Dyson Abstract Background, Recent evidence from randomized controlled trials of hypocaloric low carbohydrate diets in people without diabetes has shown that they promote significant weight loss over the short term. There is very little evidence for any effects of reduced carbohydrate intakes on body weight, glycaemia and cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods, An electronic search was performed using MEDLINE (1966 to March 2007), EMBASE (1988 to March 2007) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1991 to March 2007) using the keywords low carbohydrate, type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Studies including subjects with type 2 diabetes who adopted a reduced carbohydrate weight loss diet were identified. Data were extracted on study design, weight loss, effects on glycaemia and cardiovascular risk and potential adverse effects. Results, Six studies investigating the effects of hypocaloric reduced carbohydrate diets in people with type 2 diabetes were identified. The studies were heterogenous and most included small numbers, were short-term and provided varying amounts of carbohydrate. No studies were identified that were both low carbohydrate (<50 g day,1) and also designed as randomized controlled trials. All studies reported reductions in both body weight and glycated haemoglobin, with no deleterious effects on cardiovascular risk, renal function or nutritional intake. Conclusions, Conclusions are limited by study design and small numbers, but it appears that reduced carbohydrate diets are safe and effective over the short term for people with type 2 diabetes. [source] Synthesis and properties of novel soluble polyamides having ether linkages and laterally attached p -terphenyl unitsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 16 2004Sheng-Huei Hsiao Abstract A new ether-bridged aromatic dicarboxylic acid, 2,,5,-bis(4-carboxyphenoxy)- p -terphenyl (3), was synthesized by the aromatic fluoro-displacement reaction of p -fluorobenzonitrile with 2,,5,-dihydroxy- p -terphenyl in the presence of potassium carbonate, followed by alkaline hydrolysis. A set of new aromatic polyamides containing ether and laterally attached p -terphenyl units was synthesized by the direct phosphorylation polycondensation of diacid 3 with various aromatic diamines. The polymers were produced with high yields and moderately high inherent viscosities (0.44,0.79 dL/g). The polyamides derived from 3 and rigid diamines, such as p -phenylenediamine and benzidine, and a structurally analogous diamine, 2,,5,-bis(4-aminophenoxy)- p -terphenyl, were semicrystalline and insoluble in organic solvents. The other polyamides were amorphous and organosoluble and could afford flexible and tough films via solution casting. These films exhibited good mechanical properties, with tensile strengths of 91,108 MPa, elongations to break of 6,17%, and initial moduli of 1.95,2.43 GPa. These polyamides showed glass-transition temperatures between 193 and 252 °C. Most of the polymers did not show significant weight loss before 450 °C, as revealed by thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen or in air. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4056,4062, 2004 [source] Use of oseltamivir in the treatment of canine parvoviral enteritisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 1 2010DACVECC, Michelle R. Savigny DVM Abstract Objective , To determine if oseltamivir with standard therapy for canine parvoviral enteritis ameliorates disease morbidity, mortality, or both; to document significant adverse effects associated with its use. Design , Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting , University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals , Thirty-five dogs. Interventions , Standard therapy was administered to all dogs. Treatment dogs also received oseltamivir, while control dogs received an equivalent volume of placebo. Measurements and Main Results , Dogs were monitored daily according to a clinical scoring system, physical parameters, and diagnostic evaluations. Dogs in the treatment group gained a significant percentage of weight during hospitalization (mean, +2.6%; SD, 7.1%) versus the control dogs (mean, ,4.5%; SD, 6.9%) (P=0.006). Treatment dogs did not have any significant changes in their white blood cell (WBC) count, while control dogs experienced a significant drop in their WBC counts during their initial stay. In addition, it did not appear that oseltamivir use was associated with any major adverse clinical effects. Conclusions , While a clear advantage to the use of oseltamivir was not established, a significant weight loss during hospitalization, as well as a significant decrease in WBC count were documented in the control group. No major adverse effects were identified that could be associated with oseltamivir administration. Based on these results, the true role of oseltamivir in the treatment of parvoviral enteritis remains speculative, although it is believed that further investigation is warranted. [source] Role for CTLA-4 but not CD25+ T cells during Schistosoma mansoni infection of micePARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2007C. M. WALSH SUMMARY Schistosoma mansoni infection of mice increases the frequency of cells that are CD4+CD25+ in the acute (4 and 8 weeks) and chronic (16 week) stages of infection. Depletion of > 85% of CD25+ cells in the acute or chronic stages of schistosome infection caused no overt changes in morbidity or immunological responses. The absence of effect in mice with CD25+ cells depleted may be due to the preferential expression of IL-4 and IL-10, two cytokines that are protective in schistosome infection, on CD25, CD4+ cells. We also assessed infection-induced changes of other regulatory markers, GITR, CD103 and CTLA-4 on CD4+ cells. We identified a marked expansion of CTLA-4+ population on CD25, CD4+ cells in acute and chronic infection. Blocking of CTLA-4 during acute, but not chronic infection, caused significant weight loss and altered the type 2 cytokine response of mice, with increased IL-4 and IL-5 production associated with significantly more Th2 cells and eosinophils in the liver granuloma. This study illustrates the complexity of regulation of T cells in schistosome infection and highlights a specific role for CTLA-4+, but not CD25+ cells, in the regulation of Th2 responses in helminth infection. [source] The dietetic treatment of obesityPRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 9 2001Alison H. Beattie BSc Hons, SRD Senior Dietitian Abstract Obesity has a direct, proportional link to morbidity and mortality, and despite the proven medical benefits of weight loss treatment failure rates are high. Historical approaches to weight management within the health service have focused solely on dietary issues. It is now widely accepted that dietary advice given in isolation is ineffective in inducing and sustaining significant weight loss. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease and any successful weight management programme should provide tailored dietary advice and facilitate permanent behavioural and lifestyle change. In addition, realistic goals (10% body weight loss) should be recommended. Exercise and physical activity suggested should be geared to individual capabilities. This article addresses how dietitians are treating obesity and what factors other than traditional diet sheets are essential components of a weight management programme. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Long-Term Evaluation of Tracheostomy in the Management of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2003Gentry W. Thatcher MD Abstract Objective To determine the long-term success and morbidity of tracheostomies for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Study Design A retrospective study of patients who have undergone tracheostomy for documented obstructive sleep apnea at Hennepin County Medical Center since 1979. Methods Retrospective chart review of all tracheostomy patients operated January 1, 1979, to June 30, 1999, were evaluated. Follow-up data from patient records, death certificates, and DMV. Results Seventy-nine patients (70 men and 9 women; age range, 25,70 y; mean age, 47 y) received tracheostomies at a regional sleep disorder center. Respiratory distress index ranged from 45 to 146 (mean value, 81). Tracheostomy eliminated obstructive sleep apnea in all cases. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 20 years (mean period, 8.3 y). In all, 16 patients had decannulation (range, 2 mo to 13 y): 5 of the patients chose continuous positive airway pressure, 3 grew intolerant of their tracheostomy, 3 had obstructive sleep apnea fully resolve after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, 3 unknown diagnosis for decannulation, 2 had significant weight loss. Morbidity seen within the first year was primarily limited to granulation tissue, infection, and stoma revision. Fourteen deaths were identified. Average age at time of death was 62 years. Five deaths were cardiopulmonary related, four were from cancer, two were from postoperative complications of unrelated surgery, and one was from aspiration. Tracheostomy-related mortality included one postoperative myocardial infarction and one tracheal-innominate fistula. Conclusion Severe obstructive sleep apnea and its comorbid conditions are effectively treated in the long term with tracheostomy. Initial management of more frequent complication is well tolerated. Significant morbidity and mortality are low. Chances of obstructive sleep apnea resolution allowing decannulation remain poor. [source] BT03 SILASTIC RING MINI GASTRIC BYPASS FOR MORBID OBESITY: THE NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCEANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 2009K. C. Wong Purpose: , The laparoscopic mini gastric bypass (LMGB) is purportedly a technically simpler, yet equally effective operation to the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as treatment for morbid obesity. This study reports the early results of LMGB in a major New Zealand bariatric centre. Methodology: , Clinical data was prospectively collected on all patients undergoing LMGB over a two year period. Results: , 142 patients were studied. 77% were females. Mean age was 43.8. Pre-operative mean body weight and body mass index (BMI) were 121.3 kg and 45.4 kg/m2 respectively. Mean BMI at one and two years follow up had decreased to 27.35 and 25.72 kg/m2 respectively. 83% of patients reported obesity associated co-morbidities pre-operatively. Post-operatively, 78% of patients reported a reduction in medication requirement. All surgery was performed laparoscopically. There were no anastomotic leaks and zero mortality. 8% of patients required further operations for complications or revision to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. 20% of patients required subsequent endoscopic interventions, the majority for investigation of vomiting and/or pain. 22% of patients required re-admission. 14% of patients reported new onset reflux or worsening of pre-existing reflux after LMGB. 82% of patients reported increased exercise capability post LMGB. 54% of patients required vitamin supplementation. Conclusion: , LMGB achieves significant weight loss and resolution of obesity related co-morbidities with a low short term complication rate. LMGB should be considered as a safe and simple surgical option for morbid obesity. [source] The Effect of Metformin in Overweight Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Poor Metabolic ControlBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Iben Brock Jacobsen Double-blinded intervention with 2000 mg metformin or placebo daily in 24 type 1 diabetic patients as adjunct to intensive insulin therapy. Primary endpoint was HbA1c, while secondary endpoints were body weight, frequency of hypoglycaemia, blood pressure, lipids, insulin dosage and self-monitored blood glucose profiles were measured. After 24 weeks, no difference in HbA1c was seen between the metformin and placebo groups (,0.5 ± 0.3 vs. ,0.2 ± 0.2%, P = 0.26. , mean ± S.E.M). Mean diurnal blood glucose profiles showed no statistical significant difference between the groups. The total daily insulin dose (IU) was significantly reduced in the metformin group compared to placebo after 24 weeks (,5.9 ± 2.2 vs. 2.9 ± 1.7, P = 0.004. , mean ± S.E.M). An increase in the frequency of hypoglycaemia was seen in the metformin group (0.7 ± 0.9 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5 events patient,1 week,1, P = 0.005), and a reduction in body weight was found using metformin compared to placebo (,3.0 ± 1.0 vs. 0.8 ± 1.1, P = 0.02. , mean ± S.E.M). Lipids and blood pressure did not differ significantly after intervention. Metformin, as adjunct to intensive insulin therapy, was associated with a reduction in the total daily insulin dose and a significant weight loss in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. [source] Transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarumBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Jackie Y.L. Tan Objective To characterise the clinical, biochemical and thyroid antibody profile in women with transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Hospital inpatient gynaecological ward. Population Women admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum and found to have hyperthyroidism. Methods Fifty-three women were admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum and were found to have hyperthyroidism. Each woman was examined for clinical signs of thyroid disease and underwent investigations including urea, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function test, thyroid antibody profile and serial thyroid function test until normalisation. Main outcome measures Gestation at which thyroid function normalised, clinical and thyroid antibody profile and pregnancy outcome (birthweight, gestation at delivery and Apgar score at 5 minutes). Results Full data were available for 44 women. Free T4 levels normalised by 15 weeks of gestation in the 39 women with transient hyperthyroidism while TSH remained suppressed until 19 weeks of gestation. None of these women were clinically hyperthyroid. Thyroid antibodies were not found in most of them. Median birthweight in the infants of mothers who experienced weight loss of >5% of their pre-pregnancy weight was lower compared with those of women who did not (P= 0.093). Five women were diagnosed with Graves' disease based on clinical features and thyroid antibody profile. Conclusions In transient hyperthyroidism of hyperemesis gravidarum, thyroid function normalises by the middle of the second trimester without anti-thyroid treatment. Clinically overt hyperthyroidism and thyroid antibodies are usually absent. Apart from a non-significant trend towards lower birthweights in the infants of mothers who experienced significant weight loss, pregnancy outcome was generally good. Routine assessment of thyroid function is unnecessary for women with hyperemesis gravidarum in the absence of any clinical features of hyperthyroidism. [source] Toxicity and efficacy of combined radioimmunotherapy and bevacizumab in a mouse model of medullary thyroid carcinoma,CANCER, Issue S4 2010Pierre-Yves Salaun MD Abstract BACKGROUND: Significant antitumor effects were previously observed with radioimmunotherapy (RIT) using an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (F6) labeled with iodine-131 in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)-bearing nude mice. Nevertheless, no complete response was achieved. Because angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth, bevacizumab is used to treat solid tumor in clinical practice. The present pilot study evaluated toxicity and efficacy of RIT combined with bevacizumab in mice subcutaneously grafted with TT MTC cells. METHODS: Groups of 4-6 nude mice were treated with 5 ,g/g bevacizumab twice weekly during 4 weeks and/or 100 MBq of 131I-F6. For combined therapy, bevacizumab was given at Day 0 followed by 131I-F6 at Day 30. The control group received no treatment. Animal weight, hematological toxicity, tumor volume, and serum calcitonin were monitored for 2 or 4 months. RESULTS: Bevacizumab alone induced no cytopenia and no significant weight loss. A weight loss of 12 ± 1% and 15 ± 2% was observed in mice treated by RIT alone or bevacizumab + RIT, respectively. RIT alone and combined treatment induced leukopenia and anemia. RIT alone and RIT plus bevacizumab induced tumor responses with minimum relative tumor volume of 0.38 ± 0.24 and 0.15 ± 0.07%, respectively, and time to progression of 35 ± 5 and 56 ± 11 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with bevacizumab improved RIT efficacy, with similar toxicity as compared as RIT alone. Cancer 2010;116(4 suppl):1053,8. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source] Overcoming diabetic gastroparesis en route to kidney transplantCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2006John De Csepel Abstract: Gastroparesis is a debilitating condition that affects a significant number of diabetic patients. Some of these patients have end-stage renal disease and are in need of kidney transplant. Symptoms of gastroparesis include: early satiety, pyrosis, epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting, which may lead to caloric and electrolyte deficiencies as well as significant weight loss. A viable option for diabetic gastroparesis patients who fail first line treatments consisting of dietary changes and gastric prokinetic medications is gastric electrical stimulator (GES) implantation. We present a 41-yr-old man and 35-yr-old woman with diabetic gastroparesis, who were initially deemed unacceptable candidates for renal transplantation because of marked malnourishment and a concern that they would not be able to tolerate immunosuppressant medications. In less than two yr following GES implantation, each patient underwent a successful kidney transplant. [source] Effects on litter-dwelling earthworms and microbial decomposition of soil-applied imidacloprid for control of wood-boring insectsPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 2 2008David P Kreutzweiser Abstract BACKGROUND: Imidacloprid is an effective, systemic insecticide for the control of wood-boring insect pests in trees. Systemic applications to trees are often made by soil injections or drenches, and the resulting imidacloprid concentrations in soil or litter may pose a risk of harm to natural decomposer organisms. The authors tested effects of imidacloprid on survival and weight gain or loss of the earthworms Eisenia fetida (Savigny) and Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny), on leaf consumption rates and cocoon production by D. octaedra and on microbial decomposition activity in laboratory microcosms containing natural forest litter. RESULTS:Dendrobaena octaedra was the most sensitive of the two earthworm species, with an LC50 of 5.7 mg kg,1, an LC10 of about 2 mg kg,1 and significant weight losses among survivors at 3 mg kg,1. Weight losses resulted from a physiological effect rather than from feeding inhibition. There were no effects on cocoon production among survivors at 3 mg kg,1. The LC50 for E. fetida was 25 mg kg,1, with significant weight losses at 14 mg kg,1. There were no significant effects on microbial decomposition of leaf material at the maximum test concentration of 1400 mg kg,1. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that, when imidacloprid is applied as a systemic insecticide to the soil around trees, it is likely to cause adverse effects on litter-dwelling earthworms if concentrations in the litter reach or exceed about 3 mg kg,1. Copyright © 2007 Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of Canada, Canadian Forest Service. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||