Glucose Homeostasis Variables in Pregnancy versus Maternal and Infant Body Composition

Intrauterine factors influence infant size and body composition but the mechanisms involved are to a large extent unknown. We studied relationships between the body composition of pregnant women and variables related to their glucose homeostasis, i.e., glucose, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance), hemoglobin A_1c and IGFBP-1 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1), and related these variables to the body composition of their infants. Body composition of 209 women in gestational week 32 and of their healthy, singleton and full-term one-week-old infants was measured using air displacement plethysmography. Glucose homeostasis variables were assessed in gestational week 32. HOMA-IR was positively related to fat mass index and fat mass (r² = 0.32, p < 0.001) of the women. Maternal glucose and HOMA-IR values were positively (p ≤ 0.006) associated, while IGFBP-1was negatively (p = 0.001) associated, with infant fat mass. HOMA-IR was positively associated with fat mass of daughters (p < 0.001), but not of sons (p = 0.65) (Sex-interaction: p = 0.042). In conclusion, glucose homeostasis variables of pregnant women are related to their own body composition and to that of their infants. The results suggest that a previously identified relationship between fat mass of mothers and daughters is mediated by maternal insulin resistance.     

Herbal drug BNO 1016 is safe and effective in the treatment of acute viral rhinosinusitis

Conclusion: Daily intake of 480 mg of BNO 1016 for 15 days is an effective treatment in acute viral rhinosinusitis. Objectives: The pooled efficacy data of two similar randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials were analyzed. Safety was evaluated on the basis of the individual trials. Methods: The efficacy analysis was based on 589 patients. Treatment was performed orally with either 3 × 160 mg BNO 1016 (n = 294) or 3 × placebo (n = 295) for 15 days. In both trials patients underwent five visits to the investigational sites. Symptoms were evaluated according to the EPOS 2012 guideline. Ultrasonography was used to confirm the diagnosis at onset of treatment and the remission of symptoms at the last visit. Efficacy was evaluated by the investigator as the mean major symptom score (MSS) at the end of treatment (visit 5, day 14). Patients reported symptoms and social/emotional consequences of rhinosinusitis using a quality of life questionnaire (SNOT-20 GAV). Results: MSS improved during the treatment period by a mean of 10.02 ± 1.61 score points to 2.47 ± 2.55 for BNO 1016 and of 9.87 ± 1.52 to 3.63 ± 3.63 for placebo. Differences between treatment groups at end of therapy (1.16 ± 3.14 score points; p < 0.0001) and patient-assessed quality of life (p = 0.0015) were statistically significant in favor of BNO 1016.     

Physical fitness in relation to later body composition in pre-school children

Objectives

Although physical fitness is considered a marker of health in youth, little is known whether physical fitness in pre-school age is related to later body composition. Thus, this study investigated (i) associations of physical fitness at 4.5 years of age with body composition 12 months later and (ii) whether improvements in physical fitness during the 12-month follow-up were associated with changes in body composition.

Combined portal vein embolization and preoperative chemotherapy prior to liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases

Abstract Objective. Compare perioperative course and long-term mortality after liver resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases between patients who had preoperative treatment with portal vein embolization (PVE) and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Methods. Among patients undergoing liver resection for CRC metastases following preoperative chemotherapy treatment, 17 patients who had received preoperative PVE (group A) were compared with 17 matched controls who had no PVE (group B). Perioperative course and long-term mortality were compared between groups A and B and between group A and the entire group of 75 cases with preoperative chemotherapy (group C). Results. Baseline characteristics for the matched groups A and B were similar. Group C included less major resections. Median intraoperative bleeding was 1600 ml in group A, 1200 ml in group B, and 1000 ml in group C (p < 0.05 vs. group A). Median postoperative stay was comparable in all groups (8-9 days). Operation time was 542 min in group A and 464 min in group B (p < 0.01). Mortality after 30 days and 1, 2, and 5 years was similar in all groups. Conclusion. Perioperative outcome and long-term survival did not differ when comparing liver resection for CRC liver metastases preceded by PVE and chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, except for the operation time. The study supports the safety of this "aggressive" combination approach in patients in need of tumor "downstaging" by chemotherapy and PVE to increase the remnant liver volume.