Intragastric Balloon Fundal or Antral Position Affects Weight Loss and Tolerability

Background

Intragastric balloons (BIB) are routinely used for weight reduction. They should be placed to the gastric fundus, as this place is believed more effective for achievement of satiety and thus weight reduction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the balloon position may affect 6-month weight loss as well as first-month side-effects, i.e. nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux.

Methods

From a total of 158 BIB-treated obese individuals, 105 females were found eligible, since the balloon in the stomach was found upon removal in the same position (fundus or antrum) placed at the time of insertion. These subjects were divided into fundus and antral groups. Data related to obesity were recorded on day 0 and upon BIB removal, 6?months thereafter. Data related to transient side-effects (nausea, vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux) were recorded on days 0?C3, 7, and weekly thereafter, for 1?month.

Results

BIB placed in the antrum was found to have significantly better results on weight loss parameters, while nausea, vomiting (p?=?0.02) as well as gastroesophageal reflux still remained up to the fourth week in a relation to the fundus group. Similarly, the rate of gastric distension was found significantly increased (p?=?0.001) during the days 1?C3 in fundus group in relation to antrum, followed by a progressive decrease in both groups.

Conclusions

Intragastric balloon placed in the antrum lead to better results in weight reduction but to longer duration of tolerability-related side-effects, i.e., nausea, vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux.     

Electric and magnetic field measurements in a high voltage center

This paper investigates the electric and magnetic fields inside a large high voltage center constituted both of 400/150 and 150/20 kV substation areas. Results of previous field measurements and calculations in substations, made by the authors of this paper or other researchers, are presented first. The basic data distinguishing the examined center from previously examined substations follow. The main results of the field measurements in the areas of the above-mentioned center are presented in relevant diagrams. General conclusions arising from the comparison of the measured field values with relevant reference levels in force for safe public and occupational exposure as well as with the results of previous research are finally given.     

Depression,Internet Gaming Disorder,and the Moderating Effect of the Gamer-Avatar Relationship: an Exploratory Longitudinal Study

Research into Internet gaming disorder (IGD) literature largely uses cross-sectional designs and seldom examines gaming context-related factors. Therefore, the present study combined a cross-sectional and longitudinal design to examine depression and the gamer-avatar relationship (GAR) as risk factors in the development of IGD among emerging adults. IGD behaviors of 125 gamers (64 online gamers, M_age = 23.3 years, SD = 3.4; 61 offline gamers, M_age = 23.0 years, SD = 3.4) were assessed using the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Short Form (IGDS-SF9; Pontes and Griffiths Revista Argentina de Ciencias del Comportamiento, 7, 102–118, 2015a; Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 137–143, 2015b). The Self-Presence Scale (Ratan and Dawson Communication Research, 2015) and the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck et al. 1996) were also used to assess gamers’ levels of GAR and depressive symptoms, respectively. Regression and moderation analyses revealed that depression and the GAR act as individual risk factors in the development of IGD over time. Furthermore, the GAR exacerbates the IGD risk effect of depression.     

Mapping frailty in people living with HIV: A nationwide study in Greece

Objectives

Frailty is known to affect people living with HIV prematurely, compared to the ageing seronegative population. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess frailty prevalence in people living with HIV in Greece and find associations of frailty criteria with clinical data.

Methods

Demographic and clinical data were collected from 477 participants in six HIV clinics. Fried's frailty phenotype was used to assess frailty prevalence, and participants were classified as frail, pre-frail or robust. Associations of several factors with overall frailty phenotype, as well as with frailty criteria, were explored.

Results

The median age was 43 years old (IQR = 51.5) and 444/477 (93%) were men. Most of the participants (429/477, 93.5%) had an undetectable HIV viral load, and a CD4 cell count over 500 cells/μl (366/477, 76.7%). Frailty assessment classified 285/477 (62.1%) as robust, 155/477 (33.8%) as pre-frail and 19/477 (4.1%) as frail. Weakness in grip strength was the most prevalent criterion (128/477, 26.8%), followed by exhaustion (46/477, 9.6%). Lower CD4 cell count, history of AIDS diagnosis, CNS disorders, psychiatric diagnoses, and polypharmacy were strongly associated with frailty.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of frailty in people living with HIV in Greece is uncommon, when combined with pre-frailty over a third of people are affected, which requires attention in clinical practice. The physical and psychological aspects of frailty highlight the need for a holistic approach to prevent or counteract it. The diverse associations of frailty criteria with HIV-related and non-HIV-related factors suggest a possible variation in people's different healthcare needs.     

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a duodenal mass

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the duodenum.