Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

PURPOSE: To characterize the microstructure of three yttria partially stabilized zirconia ceramics and to compare their hardness, indentation fracture resistance (IFR), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), and fatigue flexural strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc-shaped specimens were obtained from 3Y-TZP (Vita YZ HT), 4Y-PSZ (Vita YZ ST) and 5Y-PSZ (Vita YZ XT), following the ISO 6872/2015 guidelines for BFS testing (final dimensions of 12 mm in diameter, 0.7 and 1.2 ± 0.1 mm in thicknesses). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed, and mechanical properties were assessed by Vickers hardness, IFR, quasi-static BFS and fatigue tests. RESULTS: All ceramics showed similar chemical compositions, but mainly differed in the amount of yttria, which was higher as the amount of cubic phase in the diffractogram (5Y-PSZ > 4Y-PSZ > 3Y-TZP). The 4Y- and 5Y-PSZ specimens showed surface defects under SEM, while 3Y-TZP exhibited greater grain uniformity on the surface. 5Y-PSZ and 3Y-TZP presented the highest hardness values, while 3Y-TZP was higher than 4Y- and 5Y-PSZ with regard to the IFR. The 5Y-PSZ specimen (0.7 and 1.2 mm) showed the worst mechanical performance (fatigue BFS and cycles until failure), while 3Y-TZP and 4Y-PSZ presented statistically similar values, higher than 5Y-PSZ for both thicknesses (0.7 and 1.2 mm). Moreover, 3Y-TZP showed the highest (1.2 mm group) and the lowest (0.7 mm group) degradation percentage, and 5Y-PSZ had higher strength degradation than 4Y-PSZ group. CONCLUSION Despite the microstructural differences, 4Y-PSZ and 3Y-TZP had similar fatigue behavior regardless of thickness. 5Y-PSZ had the lowest mechanical performance.

PURPOSE: . This study evaluated the influence of prosthesis weight and number of implants on the bone tissue microstrain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . Fifteen (15) fixed full-arch implant-supported prosthesis designs were created using a modeling software with different numbers of implants (4, 6, or 8) and prosthesis weights (10, 15, 20, 40, or 60 g). Each solid was imported to the computer aided engineering software and tetrahedral elements formed the mesh. The material properties were assigned to each solid with isotropic and homogeneous behavior. The friction coefficient was set as 0.3 between all the metallic interfaces, 0.65 for the cortical bone-implant interface, and 0.77 for the cancellous bone-implant interface. The standard earth gravity was defined along the Z-axis and the bone was fixed. The resulting equivalent strain was assumed as failure criteria. RESULTS: . The prosthesis weight was related to the bone strain. The more implants installed, the less the amount of strain generated in the bone. The most critical situation was the use of a 60 g prosthesis supported by 4 implants with the largest calculated magnitude of 39.9 mm/mm, thereby suggesting that there was no group able to induce bone remodeling simply due to the prosthesis weight. CONCLUSION . Heavier prostheses under the effect of gravity force are related to more strain being generated around the implants. Installing more implants to support the prosthesis enables attenuating the effects observed in the bone. The simulated prostheses were not able to generate harmful values of peri-implant bone strain.

Cerebral pericytes are perivascular cells that stabilize blood vessels. Little is known about the plasticity of pericytes in the adult brain in vivo. Recently, using state-of-the-art technologies, including two-photon microscopy in combination with sophisticated Cre/loxP in vivo tracing techniques, a novel role of pericytes was revealed in vascular remodeling in the adult brain. Strikingly, after pericyte ablation, neighboring pericytes expand their processes and prevent vascular dilatation. This new knowledge provides insights into pericyte plasticity in the adult brain.
Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; physiopathology ; Capillaries ; physiology ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; physiopathology ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Pericytes ; physiology ; Vascular Remodeling

BACKGROUND: To compare bone density accrual and markers of bone geometry and formation between female adolescents engaged and not engaged in artistic gymnastics (AGs). METHODS: This was a 12-month longitudinal study involving 20 female adolescents, including 10 controls and 10 gymnasts (AGs) aged 11 to 16 years. At baseline, the gymnasts had a minimum of 12 months of practice, and the controls reported no participation in any organized sport. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the lower limbs, upper limbs, spine, and whole body. In addition, BMD and geometrical properties of the femur were assessed. As a bone formation marker, osteocalcin level was measured. RESULTS: Femoral aspects were increased in the gymnasts by 19% (P=0.009), 14% (P=0.047), and 10% (P=0.046) in the Ward's triangle, trochanter, and the overall bone, respectively, than in the control girls. Geometrical parameters, bone accrual, and osteocalcin levels were similar in both groups. The weekly training load explained 30.8% of all bone gains on the lower limbs and affected the density on parts of the femur. CONCLUSIONS: The gymnasts, after a 12-month follow-up, demonstrated a higher BMD in the Ward's triangle and whole femur than the controls, as well as an improvement in femur density. These changes were mainly due to the weekly training load. Lastly, the gymnasts had significant bone accrual (after 12 months) in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and whole body.
Adolescent ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gymnastics ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Extremity ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Spine ; Sports ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic therapy for esophageal varices may lead to esophageal dysmotility. High-resolution manometry is probably the more adequate tool to measure esophageal motility in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate esophageal motility using high resolution manometry following eradication of esophageal varices by endoscopic sclerotherapy. METHODS: We studied 21 patients (11 women, age 52 [45-59] years). All patients underwent eradication of esophageal varices with endoscopic sclerotherapy and subsequent high resolution manometry. RESULTS: A significant percentage of defective lower esophageal sphincter (basal pressure 14.3 [8.0-20.0] mmHg; 43% hypertonic) and hypocontractility (distal esophageal amplitude 50 [31-64] mmHg; proximal esophageal amplitude 40 [31-61] mmHg; distal contractile integral 617 [403-920] mmHg · sec · cm; 48% ineffective) was noticed. Lower sphincter basal pressure and esophageal amplitude correlated inversely with the number of sessions (P < 0.001). No manometric parameter correlated with symptoms or interval between last endoscopy and manometry. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal motility after endoscopic sclerotherapy is characterized by: (1) defective lower sphincter and (2) defective and hypotensive peristalsis. Esophageal dysmotility is associated to an increased number of endoscopic sessions, but manometric parameters do not predict symptoms.
Endoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Manometry* ; Peristalsis ; Sclerotherapy*

BACKGROUND: The practice of swimming in "hypogravity" conditions has potential to decrease bone formation because it decreases the time engaged in weight-bearing activities usually observed in the daily activities of adolescents. Therefore, adolescents competing in national levels would be more exposed to these deleterious effects, because they are engaged in long routines of training during most part of the year. To analyze the effect of swimming on bone mineral density (BMD) gain among adolescents engaged in national level competitions during a 9-month period. METHODS: Fifty-five adolescents; the control group contained 29 adolescents and the swimming group was composed of 26 athletes. During the cohort study, BMD, body fat (BF) and fat free mass (FFM) were assessed using a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner. Body weight was measured with an electronic scale, and height was assessed using a stadiometer. RESULTS: During the follow-up, swimmers presented higher gains in FFM (Control 2.35 kg vs. Swimming 5.14 kg; large effect size [eta-squared (ES-r)=0.168]) and BMD-Spine (Swimming 0.087 g/cm² vs. Control 0.049 g/cm²; large effect size [ES-r=0.167]) compared to control group. Male swimmers gained more FFM (Male 10.63% vs. Female 3.39%) and BMD-Spine (Male 8.47% vs. Female 4.32%) than females. Longer participation in swimming negatively affected gains in upper limbs among males (r=-0.438 [-0.693 to -0.085]), and in spine among females (r=-0.651 [-0.908 to -0.036]). CONCLUSIONS: Over a 9-month follow-up, BMD and FFM gains were more evident in male swimmers, while longer engagement in swimming negatively affected BMD gains, independently of sex.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Athletes ; Body Weight ; Bone Density* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis ; Spine ; Sports ; Swimming* ; Upper Extremity ; Weight-Bearing