Effect of BMI on the Thermogenic Response to Cold Exposure and Associated Changes in Metabolism and Browning Markers in Adult Humans

IntroductionBrown adipose tissue (BAT) serves to produce heat by nonshivering thermogenesis. Activation of BAT increases energy expenditure and is seen as a putative strategy to treat obesity. There are conflicting data on the capacity for cold-induced thermogenesis in individuals with higher BMI.MethodsTo investigate the effect of BMI on cold-induced stimulation of energy expenditure, changes in the metabolic profile, and the expression of browning markers in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT), healthy adults (N = 173, 50.9% females) with a median age of 26.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 23.0; 28.0) years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 23.6 [IQR: 21.9; 26.6] kg/m² were exposed to short-term mild cold exposure (CE). Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by indirect calorimetry and blood sampling was conducted at baseline and after CE. In a subgroup of participants with obesity, subcutaneous abdominal fat biopsies were taken before and after CE.ResultsThe cold-induced median increase in REE was 74 (IQR: −28; 241) kcal/day (p < 0.001). This increase negatively correlated with BMI (p < 0.001). Participants with BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m² displayed a significant median increase of 103 kcal/day (p < 0.001), participants with overweight or obesity were not able to increase REE (23, p = 0.468 or −30 kcal/day, p = 0.917, respectively). In participants with obesity, expression of cell death activator in scWAT after CE was upregulated in females (p = 0.034).ConclusionsPersons with overweight and obesity do not increase REE in response to CE, presumably reflecting lower BAT activity. Likewise, the metabolic response to cold is diminished in participants with elevated BMI.     

Biofilm inhibition and antimicrobial activity of a dentifrice containing salivary substitutes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A healthy mouth harbours the continuous combined action of a salivary defence system with that of a salivary peroxidase system, containing lactoferrin, lysozyme, immunoglobulin and growth factors. This system maintains neutral pH and creates an oral environment where harmful bacteria are inhibited, thus preventing the formation of biofilms. The objective of this clinico-microbiological trial was to evaluate the anti-plaque effect of a dentifrice containing salivary substitutes, compared with a placebo-control dentifrice and to assess the effect of dentifrice on oral bacterial count. METHODS: The design was a randomized controlled, double-blind, parallel study comparing a placebo-dentifrice to a dentifrice formulation containing salivary substitutes. Toothpaste slurry rinses were used over a 96-h period by 20 volunteers who refrained from all other oral hygiene procedures. Commercially available fluoride toothpaste was used as control. Plaque was scored and unstimulated salivary samples were collected at day 0 and after 4 days. A microbiological analysis was carried out for the salivary samples. Data were analyzed by using Student's t-tests. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant mean difference in plaque scores after using test paste (1.19 + 0.31) in comparison with those using placebo toothpaste (1.95 + 0.33). The difference between mean increase in colony forming units for the test and the placebo group was (25.2 + 8) x 10(5) and (17.5 + 6.01) x 10(5), respectively, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study support the hypothesis that toothpaste containing salivary substitutes prevents dental biofilm formation and exhibits antimicrobial property when compared with a placebo dentifrice.     

Earthworms of Hyderabad-Karnataka Province,Karnataka, India,with Two New Records

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Hyderabad-Karnataka region is the second arid region after parts of Rajasthan in India. In this study,...     

Considerable variation of trough β-lactam concentrations in older adults hospitalized with infection—a prospective observational study

In older adults, few studies confirm that adequate concentrations of antibiotics are achieved using current dosage regimens of intravenous β-lactam antibiotics. Our objective was to investigate trough concentrations of cefotaxime, meropenem, and piperacillin in older adults hospitalized with infection. We included 102 patients above 70 years of age. Total trough antibiotic concentrations were measured and related to suggested target intervals. Information on antibiotic dose, patient characteristics, and 28-day outcomes were collected from medical records and regression models were fitted. Trough concentrations for all three antibiotics exhibited considerable variation. Mean total trough concentrations for cefotaxime, meropenem, and piperacillin were 6.5 mg/L (range 0–44), 3.4 mg/L (range 0–11), and 30.2 mg/L (range 1.2–131), respectively. When a target range of non-species-related breakpoint ? 5× non-species-related breakpoint was applied, only 36% of patients had both values within the target range. Regression models revealed that severe sepsis was associated with varying concentration levels and increasing age and diminishing kidney function with high concentration levels. The study was not powered to demonstrate consequences in clinical outcomes. Conclusively, in older adults treated with cefotaxime, meropenem, or piperacillin-tazobactam, trough antibiotic concentrations varied considerably. Better predictors to guide dosing regimens of β-lactam antibiotics or increased use of therapeutic drug monitoring are potential ways to address such variations.