Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Accumulating preclinical and preliminary translational evidence shows that the hypothalamic peptide oxytocin reduces food intake, increases energy expenditure, and promotes weight loss. It is currently unknown whether oxytocin administration is effective in treating human obesity. METHODS:], and liver fat fraction [proportion; range, 0 to 1; higher values indicate a higher proportion of fat]), and resting energy expenditure (kcal/day; adjusted for lean mass) from baseline to week 8 and caloric intake (kcal) at an experimental test meal from baseline to week 6. RESULTS:[-11.0 to 17.2]; liver fat: -0.01 [-0.03 to 0.01]; resting energy expenditure: -64.0 kcal/day [-129.3 to 1.4]). Oxytocin compared with placebo was associated with reduced caloric intake at the test meal (-31.4 vs. 120.6 kcal; difference [95% confidence interval], -152.0 kcal [-302.3 to -1.7]). There were no serious adverse events. Incidence and severity of adverse events did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS:In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adults with obesity, intranasal oxytocin administered four times daily for 8 weeks did not reduce body weight. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03043053.).

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of body composition measures obtained from opportunistic abdominal computed tomography (CT) in order to predict hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day postoperative complications, and reoperations in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases. 196 patients underwent CT of the abdomen within three months of surgery for spinal metastases. Automated body composition segmentation and quantifications of the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and abdominal skeletal muscle was performed. From this, 31% (61) of patients had postoperative complications within 30 days, and 16% (31) of patients underwent reoperation. Lower muscle CSA was associated with increased postoperative complications within 30 days (OR [95% CI] = 0.99 [0.98-0.99], p = 0.03). Through multivariate analysis, it was found that lower muscle CSA was also associated with an increased postoperative complication rate after controlling for the albumin, ASIA score, previous systemic therapy, and thoracic metastases (OR [95% CI] = 0.99 [0.98-0.99], p = 0.047). LOS and reoperations were not associated with any body composition measures. Low muscle mass may serve as a biomarker for the prediction of complications in patients with spinal metastases. The routine assessment of muscle mass on opportunistic CTs may help to predict outcomes in these patients.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), the most commonly performed weight loss surgery in adolescents and young adults with moderate to severe obesity, is highly effective for weight loss. Current literature regarding depressive and anxiety symptomatology following SG in youth is sparse and conflicting. We evaluated changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and young adults with moderate to severe obesity 2 years following SG compared with non-surgical controls (NS) followed for a similar duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Forty-six youth 13-25 years old with moderate-severe obesity (33 female) were followed for 2 years; 21 underwent SG, and 25 were NS. Subjects underwent anthropometric measurements and completed self-report questionnaires. Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to assess depressive symptoms and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-X2 for anxiety symptoms. RESULTS:; p = 0.011). At 2-year follow-up, SG had greater reductions in weight and BMI vs. NS (p < 0.0001). Groups did not differ for changes in BDI-II and STAI scores (BDI-II: - 1.0 (- 6.0, 10.0) in SG vs. - 1.0 (- 6.0, 3.5) in NS, p = 0.37; STAI: 3.1 ± 3.2 in SG vs. - 1.1 ± 1.5 in NS, p = 0.24). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:No change was found in depressive and anxiety symptomatology following surgery despite marked weight reduction over a 2-year period, underscoring the need to better evaluate psychopathology in youth undergoing SG to develop supportive therapeutic strategies. GOV IDENTIFIER/UNASSIGNED:NCT02557438 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02557438?id=NCT02557438&draw=2&rank=1 ; The study was registered on 23 September 2015.

OBJECTIVE:To utilize hip MRI 3D models for demonstration of location and frequency of impingement during simulated range-of-motion in ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) compared to non-IFI hips. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Sixteen hips (N = 7 IFI, 9 non-IFI) from 8 females were examined with high-resolution MRI. We performed image segmentation and generated 3D bone models and simulated hip range-of-motion and impingement. We examined the frequency and location of bone contact in early external rotation and early extension (0-20°), isolated maximum external rotation, and isolated maximum extension. Frequency and location of impingement at varied combinations of external rotation and extension and areas of simulated bone impingement at early external rotation and extension were compared between IFI and non-IFI. RESULTS:Higher frequency of bony impingement occurred more often in IFI hips at each simulated range-of-motion combination (P < 0.05). Impingement involved the lesser trochanter more often in IFI hips (P < 0.001) and occurred at early degrees of external rotation and extension. In isolated maximum external rotation, only the greater trochanter, intertrochanteric area, or both combined were involved, in 14%, 57%, and 29% in IFI hips. In isolated maximum extension, the lesser trochanter, intertrochanteric area, or both combined were involved in 71%, 14%, and 14% in IFI hips. The simulated area of bone impingement was significantly higher in IFI hips (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Hip MRI 3D models are feasible for simulated range-of-motion and show a higher frequency of extra-articular impingement at early stages of external rotation and extension in IFI compared to non-IFI hips.

Recruiting and retaining research participants is challenging because it often requires overcoming structural barriers and addressing how histories of mistrust and individuals' lived experiences affect their research engagement. We describe a pilot workshop designed to educate clinical research professionals on using empathy skills to recognize and mitigate bias to improve recruitment and retention. In a post-workshop survey (22/31 participants completed), 94% agreed the workshop helped them practice perspective-taking, recognize implicit bias, and identify opportunities for empathy. Participants reported increased confidence in key recruitment and retention skills (p < 0.05). Future studies will evaluate whether this translates into improved recruitment.

Despite the risk of complications, high dose radiation therapy is increasingly utilized in the management of selected bone malignancies. In this study, we investigate the impact of moderate to high dose radiation (over 50 Gy) on bone metabolism and structure. Between 2015 and 2018, patients with a primary malignant bone tumor of the sacrum that were either treated with high dose definitive radiation only or a combination of moderate to high dose radiation and surgery were prospectively enrolled at a single institution. Quantitative CTs were performed before and after radiation to determine changes in volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) of the irradiated and non-irradiated spine. Bone histomorphometry was performed on biopsies of the irradiated sacrum and the non-irradiated iliac crest of surgical patients using a quadruple tetracycline labeling protocol. In total, 9 patients were enrolled. Two patients received radiation only (median dose 78.3 Gy) and 7 patients received a combination of preoperative radiation (median dose 50.4 Gy), followed by surgery. Volumetric BMD of the non-irradiated lumbar spine did not change significantly after radiation, while the BMD of the irradiated sacrum did (pre-radiation median: 108.0 mg/cm³ (IQR 91.8-167.1); post-radiation median: 75.3 mg/cm³ (IQR 57.1-110.2); p = 0.010). The cancellous bone of the non-irradiated iliac crest had a stable bone formation rate, while the irradiated sacrum showed a significant decrease in bone formation rate [pre-radiation median: 0.005 mm³/mm²/year (IQR 0.003-0.009), post-radiation median: 0.001 mm³/mm²/year (IQR 0.001-0.001); p = 0.043]. Similar effects were seen in the cancellous and endocortical envelopes. This pilot study shows a decrease of volumetric BMD and bone formation rate after high-dose radiation therapy. Further studies with larger cohorts and other endpoints are needed to get more insight into the effect of radiation on bone. Level of evidence: IV.

After myocardial infarction (MI), emergency hematopoiesis produces inflammatory myeloid cells that accelerate atherosclerosis and promote heart failure. Since the balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism regulates hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis, metabolic cues may influence emergency myelopoiesis. Here, we show in humans and female mice that hematopoietic progenitor cells increase fatty acid metabolism after MI. Blockade of fatty acid oxidation by deleting carnitine palmitoyltransferase (Cpt1A) in hematopoietic cells of Vav1