Abdominal Superficial Subcutaneous Fat

OBJECTIVE: Unlike visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the association between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and obesity-related morbidity is controversial. In patients with type 2 diabetes, we assessed whether this variability can be explained by a putative favorable, distinct association between abdominal superficial SAT (SSAT) (absolute amount or its proportion) and cardiometabolic parameters. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 73 patients with diabetes (mean age 58 years, 83% were men) and cross-sectionally analyzed fat distribution at S1-L5, L5-L4, and L3-L2 levels. Patients completed food frequency questionnaires, and subgroups had 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography. RESULTS: Women had higher %SSAT (37 vs. 23% in men; P < 0.001) despite a similar mean waist circumference. Fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.046) and HbA1c (P = 0.006) were both lower with increased tertile of absolute SSAT. In regression models adjusted for age, waist circumference, and classes of medical treatments used in this patient population, increased %SSAT was significantly associated with decreased HbA1c (β = −0.317; P = 0.013), decreased daytime ambulatory blood pressure (β = −0.426; P = 0.008), and increased HDL cholesterol (β = 0.257; P = 0.042). In contrast, increased percent of deep SAT (DSAT) was associated with increased HbA1c (β = 0.266; P = 0.040) and poorer heart rate variability parameters (P = 0.030). Although total fat and energy intake were not correlated with fat tissue distribution, increased intake of trans fat tended to be associated with total SAT (r = 0.228; P = 0.05) and DSAT (r = 0.20; P = 0.093), but not with SSAT. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal SAT is composed of two subdepots that associate differently with cardiometabolic parameters. Higher absolute and relative distribution of fat in abdominal SSAT may signify beneficial cardiometabolic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes

Microbiota dynamics in lionfish (Pterois): insights into invasion and establishment in the Mediterranean Sea

Lionfishes (Pterois spp.), originally native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, have become one of the most invasive marine species globally, including the recent establishment in the Mediterranean Sea. This study investigates the microbiota of lionfish to explore its potential role in their invasion success and establishment. Using high-throughput sequencing and microbiota analyses, we characterized the species-specific core microbiome and identified habitat-specific markers across different regions (Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean, and aquarium populations) and organs. Focusing on the Mediterranean invasion, we tracked lionfish distribution and population dynamics along the Israeli coastline from 2017 to 2023, monitoring size, seasonal trends, and depth preferences. Our findings reveal that lionfish initially established themselves in deeper waters before expanding to shallower habitats, with a gradual increase in population size and body length over time. From a microbial aspect, we compared the microbiota of lionfish organs and identified a similar pattern (Photobacterium), to Earlier Lessepsian migrants fish species. This study provides novel insights into the interactions between microbiota and host ecology, shedding light on the mechanisms that may support the successful invasion. This study contributes to the understanding of lionfish invasion dynamics in the Mediterranean. It highlights the microbiota as an integral component for studying the ecological and biological mechanisms underpinning invasive species’ success and establishment of lionfish

Remodeling of Proteostasis Upon Transition to Adulthood is Linked to Reproduction Onset

Abstract: Protein folding and clearance networks sense and respond to misfolded and aggregation-prone proteins by acti-vating cytoprotective cell stress responses that safeguard the proteome against damage, maintain the health of the cell, and enhance lifespan. Surprisingly, cellular proteostasis undergoes a sudden and widespread failure early in Caenorhabditis elegans adulthood, with marked consequences on proteostasis functions later in life. These changes in the regulation of quality control systems, such as chaperones, the ubiquitin proteasome system and cellular stress responses, are controlled cell-nonautonomously by the proliferation of germline stem cells. Here, we review recent studies examining changes in proteostasis upon transition to adulthood and how proteostasis is modulated by reproduction onset, focusing on C. ele-gans. Based on these and our own findings, we propose that the regulation of quality control systems is actively remod-eled at the point of transition between development and adulthood to influence the subsequent course of aging

Analgesic Efficacy of Single-Shot Adductor Canal Block Before Versus After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia, including peripheral nerve block, is recommended for post-operative pain relief. Administration of some pain medications prior to surgery has shown to be more effective than after the operation. This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of the adductor canal block (ACB) performed immediately before or immediately after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesized that ACB before the surgery will reduce postoperative pain and improve knee function.Methods: A total of 50 patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups, with 26 patients receiving a preoperative ACB and 24 receiving a postoperative ACB. Results: Treatment groups were similar in terms of gender (p=0.83), age (p=0.61) weight (p=0.39) and ASA score. Average visual analogue scale (VAS) on arrival to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were 4.9±3.2 in the preoperative ACB versus 3.4±2.8 for the postoperative ACB (p=0.075). VAS scores at different time points as well as the mean, minimal and maximal reported VAS scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The cumulative quantities of Fentanyl administered by the anesthesia team was comparable between the groups. Similarly, the dosage of Morphine, Tramadol, Acetaminophen and Dipyrone showed only small variations. The Quality of Recovery Score, Knee Society Scores and knee range of motion did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate no significant differences in patient total narcotics consumption, pain scores and functional scores, between preoperative and postoperative ACB in patients undergoing TKA. Trial Registration: The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov and was assigned the registration number NCT02908711Level of Evidence: level I randomized controlled trial</jats:p

Analgesic Efficacy of Single-Shot Adductor Canal Block Before Versus After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia, including peripheral nerve block, is recommended for post-operative pain relief. Administration of some pain medications prior to surgery has shown to be more effective than after the operation. This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of the adductor canal block (ACB) performed immediately before or immediately after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesized that ACB before the surgery will reduce postoperative pain and improve knee function.Methods: A total of 50 patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups, with 26 patients receiving a preoperative ACB and 24 receiving a postoperative ACB. Results: Treatment groups were similar in terms of gender (p=0.83), age (p=0.61) weight (p=0.39) and ASA score. Average visual analogue scale (VAS) on arrival to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were 4.9±3.2 in the preoperative ACB versus 3.4±2.8 for the postoperative ACB (p=0.075). VAS scores at different time points as well as the mean, minimal and maximal reported VAS scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The cumulative quantities of Fentanyl administered by the anesthesia team was comparable between the groups. Similarly, the dosage of Morphine, Tramadol, Acetaminophen and Dipyrone showed only small variations. The Quality of Recovery Score, Knee Society Scores and knee range of motion did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate no significant differences in patient total narcotics consumption, pain scores and functional scores, between preoperative and postoperative ACB in patients undergoing TKA. Trial Registration: The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov and was assigned the registration number NCT02908711Level of Evidence: level I randomized controlled trial</jats:p

Risk Factors for the Development of Olecranon Bursitis&mdash;A Large-Scale Population-Based Study

Background: Olecranon bursitis (OB) involves fluid accumulation in the bursa, with common causes being trauma and preexisting conditions. Its incidence is difficult to quantify, and risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and male gender are frequently noted. Hyperlipidemia has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, but its role as a risk factor for OB remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between OB and hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and statin use. Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed a large-scale database (2005&ndash;2020), ultimately including 10,301 patients with olecranon bursitis and 44,608 controls after applying exclusion criteria. Participants were aged 18&ndash;90 years, with BMI between 10 and 55. Key variables such as smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, statin use, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) were analyzed. Logistic regression models were applied with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for risk factors, and p-values were adjusted using the Benjamini&ndash;Hochberg method. Results: OB was significantly associated with male gender (OR: 1.406; p &lt; 0.0001), hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.239; p &lt; 0.0001), statin use (OR: 1.117; p = 0.0035), and smoking (OR: 1.068; p = 0.0094). Age and BMI were significant continuous variables influencing OB risk, particularly in older patients and those with elevated BMI. CVDs and diabetes were not significantly linked to OB. Hyperlipidemia increased OB risk, especially in males and individuals with higher BMI. Conclusions: Male gender, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are key risk factors for OB, with hyperlipidemia posing a notable risk in older individuals and those with higher BMI. Statin use did not significantly alter OB risk in hyperlipidemic patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind these associations

First record of the Western Atlantic cocoa damselfish <i>Stegastes variabilis</i> from the Levant (Perciformes: Pomacentridae)

Abstract In the present paper, we report the collection of a specimen of the West central Atlantic Stegastes variabilis in the shores of Israel, eastern shore of the Mediterranean. This record was preceded by a record of this species from Malta, in the central Mediterranean. The present record suggests that S. variabilis has established a small population in the Mediterranean.</jats:p