Regulation and functional effects of ZNT8 in human pancreatic islets

Zinc ions are essential for the formation of insulin crystals in pancreatic β cells, thereby contributing to packaging efficiency of stored insulin. Zinc fluxes are regulated through the SLC30A (zinc transporter, ZNT) family. Here, we investigated the effect of metabolic stress associated with the prediabetic state (zinc depletion, glucotoxicity, and lipotoxicity) on ZNT expression and human pancreatic islet function. Both zinc depletion and lipotoxicity (but not glucotoxicity) downregulated ZNT8 (SLC30A8) expression and altered the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion index (GSIS). ZNT8 overexpression in human islets protected them from the decrease in GSIS induced by tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine and palmitate but not from cell death. In addition, zinc supplementation decreased palmitate-induced human islet cell death without restoring GSIS. Altogether, we showed that ZNT8 expression responds to variation in zinc and lipid levels in human β cells, with repercussions on insulin secretion. Prospects for increasing ZNT8 expression and/or activity may prove beneficial in type 2 diabetes in humans.     

Screening for common eye diseases in the elderly with Optos ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy: a pilot study with focus on ocular toxoplasmosis

Purpose

Studies on the occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in a general population are rare. Therefore, we conducted this pilot study to assess whether a nonmydriatic ultra-wide-field (UWF) scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) is suitable for a simple, rapid screening procedure.

Methods

The population of this cross-sectional study was randomly recruited from a cohort of hospital-based patients in an urban geriatric hospital. Ophthalmologic evaluation was performed on 201 eyes from 101 participants through nonmydriatic UWF-SLO (Optos Daytona) and assessed for suspicious lesions and other relevant ocular findings. All images were evaluated by two independent examiners. Individuals who presented lesions with a morphological appearance suggestive of OT underwent fundoscopy and serological analysis of Toxoplasma gondii-specific antibodies.

Results

The mean age of the study group was 76 years, and 63 (62%) were female. Despite many health restrictions, the SLO examination was carried out easily in this geriatric population. Three participants presented findings by SLO suspicious for T. gondii-related injury. Further clinical examination and serological investigation confirmed the diagnosis, with funduscopic evaluation and positive T. gondii ELISA testing. In addition, a high rate of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemias within the cohort led to a high incidence of vascular changes and age-related fundus findings.

Conclusion

In our study, we confirm that UWF-SLO technology is helpful in the rapid detection of peripheral retinal injuries in elderly patients such as OT and may be used as a routine screening tool.

     

Gastric pouch resizing for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass failure in patients with a dilated pouch

BackgroundInsufficient weight loss or weight regain a few years after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is becoming a serious problem given the large diffusion of this procedure. In the present study, we analyzed the feasibility and safety of pouch resizing for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass failure in a consecutive series of 20 patients at a university hospital.MethodsA prospectively maintained database was queried regarding patient demographics, the indication for revision morbidity, the percentage of excess weight loss, and the evolution of co-morbidities.ResultsA total of 20 patients, 18 women and 2 men, with a mean age of 44 years and mean body mass index of 45.8 kg/m², underwent pouch resizing. No patients died; 6 patients (30%) developed complications, including acute abdomen due to volvulus of the small bowel in 1, intra-abdominal abscess in 3, and pulmonary embolus in 2. At a mean follow-up of 20 months, the percentage of excess weight loss was an average of 69.1% and persistent co-morbidities had improved or resolved.ConclusionPouch resizing has been shown to be a valuable option in the short term for weight loss failure or regain in patients who have undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and have a dilated gastric pouch. However, the long-term efficacy of this procedure needs to be determined.     

CT-Guided Percutaneous Gastrostomy without Preliminary Placement of a Nasogastric Tube

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) requires preliminary gastric inflation through a nasogastric tube (NGT) to safely perform gastric puncture. However, in case of pharyngeal or esophageal obstruction, NGT placement may be impossible even with a hydrophilic angiography catheter and wire. This brief report describes percutaneous computed tomography (CT)–guided gastrostomy with a 2-stick approach without nasogastric insufflation in 13 patients. Technical success rate was 100% with a mean of 1.8 punctures ± 1.0 to access the gastric lumen. Traversal of the colon and liver with a 22-gauge needle was necessary in 4 and 1 patients, respectively. There were no major complications. Minor complications occurred in 6 patients (46%). CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy is technically feasible with minimal morbidity.     

Lifestyle factors in somatic patients with and without potential alcohol problems

Background

In the present study, we investigated the overall lifestyles of patients with hazardous alcohol use and alcohol dependence who were admitted to the hospital and investigated unhealthy lifestyle factors and their clustering in inpatients.

Methods

Patients admitted to the gastrointestinal, neurologic or orthopedic departments at Odense University Hospital or to the emergency department at Aabenraa Hospital in the inclusion period, October 2013 to June 2016, completed a lifestyle questionnaire asking questions about their diet, alcohol consumption, exercise and smoking habits. Patients were divided into three groups depending on their score from the alcohol use disorder identification test, which was embedded in the lifestyle questionnaire, and odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression.

Results

Patients with alcohol dependence had statistically significantly higher odds of being smokers, having unhealthy diets and being physically inactive compared with patients without alcohol problems. Among patients with hazardous alcohol drinking, we found an increased occurrence of smokers and an inverse association between hazardous alcohol drinking and being physically inactive. Many of the patients had attempted to change their unhealthy lifestyles.

Conclusion

We found that alcohol problems are related to a clustering of other lifestyle factors and that many of the patients admitted to certain departments showed signs of various kinds of alcohol problems. Therefore, specific hospital departments could be opportune settings for preventive alcohol interventions.

     

Use of a case-mix approach to study the trends in the incidence of second primary cancers

Purpose

To analyze trends in second primary cancer (SPC) incidence by using a case-mix approach to standardize on first cancer site distribution.

Challenges in Bariatric Surgery: Outcomes in Patients Having Three or More Bariatric Procedures

Obesity Surgery - Over the last two decades, a progressive increase in failure rate of bariatric surgery (BS) has occurred in conjunction with an exponential increase in BS worldwide. Bariatric...