Adding Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Vitamin D to Whey Protein Is More Effective than Protein Alone in Preserving Fat Free Mass and Muscle Strength in the First Month after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Objectives: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most commonly performed weight loss (WL) bariatric procedures. The main goal of WL is reducing total body weight (TBW) and fat mass (FM). However, TBW loss is systematically accompanied by a decline in fat-free mass (FFM), predominantly in the first post-surgical month, despite protein supplementation.

Le Petit Machiavellian Prince: Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis on Political Beliefs and Values.

Humans infected by express no specific symptoms but manifest higher incidence of many diseases, disorders and differences in personality and behavior. The aim of this study was to compare the political beliefs and values of -infected and -free participants. We measured beliefs and values of 2315 responders via an online survey (477 -infected) using the Political Beliefs and Values Inventory (PI34).

Development and validation of a scoring system for pre-surgical and early post-surgical prediction of bariatric surgery unsuccess at 2 years.

Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. However, a simple and easy-to-use tool for the prediction of BS unsuccess is still lacking. Baseline and follow-up data from 300 consecutive patients who underwent BS were retrospectively collected.

Pre-operative micronutrient deficiencies in patients with severe obesity candidates for bariatric surgery.

Purpose: In patients with obesity, micronutrient deficiencies have been reported both before and after bariatric surgery (BS). Obesity is a chronic pro-inflammatory status, and inflammation increases the risk of micronutrient malnutrition. Our objective was to assess in pre-BS patients the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and their correlation with blood values of C-reactive protein (CRP).

What predicts the unsuccess of bariatric surgery? An observational retrospective study.

Purpose: Bariatric surgery (BS) has been recognized as an effective treatment for most patients with morbid obesity, but a variable range of patients failed to achieve a successful weight-loss. Controversial data are available about predictors of unsuccess. We aimed to retrospectively assess whether clinical baseline characteristics of patients submitted to sleeve gastrectomy (SL) or gastric bypass (GBP) were associated with unsuccessful weight-loss after 12 and 24-month follow-up.

Effects of Self-Conditioning Techniques (Self-Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The usefulness of the rapid-induction techniques of hypnosis as an adjunctive weight-loss treatment has not been defined. This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether self-conditioning techniques (self-hypnosis) added to lifestyle interventions contributed to weight loss (primary outcome), changes in metabolic and inflammatory variables, and quality of life (QoL) improvement (secondary outcomes) in severe obesity.

Methods: Individuals (with BMI = 35-50 kg/m ) without organic or psychiatric comorbidity were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 60) or control arm (n = 60).

A novel liquid chromatography method using diode-array detector for the determination of oleuropein in dietary supplements.

A simple and fast chromatographic method using ultraviolet diode-array detector (UV-DAD) was developed for the automatic high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of the title of oleuropein in a new dietary supplements in form of effervescent granules. The chromatographic separations were performed on a C18 core-shell column with detection at λ=232nm. The mobile phase consisted of deionized water with 0.

A novel automated hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography method using diode-array detector/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of sodium risedronate and related degradation products in pharmaceuticals.

A simple, sensitive and fast hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method using ultraviolet diode-array detector (UV-DAD)/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of sodium risedronate (SR) and its degradation products in new pharmaceuticals. The chromatographic separations were performed on Ascentis Express HILIC 2.7μm (150mm×2.

An high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of acetylcarnitine taurinate, carnosine, asparagine and potassium aspartate and for the analysis of phosphoserine in alimentary supplements.

A RP-HPLC method with pre-column derivatization was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of carnosine (Carn), acetylcarnitine taurinate (AC-Tau), asparagine (Asn), potassium aspartate (Asp) and for the determination of phosphoserine (p-Ser) in new and commercial alimentary supplements. The effect of complex matrices was evaluated by the study of the amino acid derivatization reaction with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) both in standard and placebo solutions. The reaction was carried out for 20 min at 70 °C in alkaline medium (pH10) for p-Ser analysis, whereas for 60 min in the case of Carn, AC-Tau, Asn and Asp analysis.

Prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of overweight in children and adolescents who underwent renal transplantation--short- and medium-term analysis.

Unlabelled: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for (i) overweight/obesity and (ii) weight gain six months after transplantation and to study the effect of weight excess on graft function and survival. We performed a retrospective study of kidney transplanted children.

Endpoints: (i) prevalence of overweight/obesity at sixth month, (ii) gaining 1.

Study of 1,4-naphthoquinone as a new useful derivatization reagent for LC analysis of aliphatic thiols in dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals.

The use of 1,4-naphthoquinone as an advantageous pre-column reagent for liquid chromatography analysis of aliphatic thiol compounds is proposed. The compound reacts selectively in mild conditions (5 min at room temperature; pH 7.5) with thiol function.

Physical compatibility of binary and ternary mixtures of morphine and methadone with other drugs for parenteral administration in palliative care.

The parenteral administration of combinations of drugs is often necessary in palliative medicine, particularly in the terminal stage of life, when patients are no longer able to take medication orally. The use of infusers to administer continuous subcutaneous infusions is a well-established practice in the palliative care setting and enables several drugs to be given simultaneously, avoiding the need for repeated administrations and the effects of peaks and troughs in the doses of medication. The method is also appreciated by patients and caregivers in the home care setting because the devices and infusion sites are easy to manage.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and acetaminophen in pharmaceuticals.

A reversed-phase ion pair liquid chromatographic method (RP-LC) for the determination of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and ascorbic acid (AA) and also acetaminophen, which is combined in pharmaceuticals, is proposed and validated. AA and acetaminophen were analyzed directly, while DHA was determined after pre-column derivatization with 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylenediamine (DMPD). The derivatization reaction was carried out under mild conditions (10min at ambient temperature) in the dark in sodium acetate buffer (80mM; pH 3.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic method for the determination of branched-chain amino acids in new dosage forms.

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method (RP-LC) is proposed and validated for the analysis of branched-chain amino acids (l-leucine, l-isoleucine and l-valine) in new pharmaceutical formulations. The pre-column derivatization reaction of these amino acids with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) has been investigated considering the matrix effect. The compound reacts at 60 degrees C for 10 min at pH 9 with the amino function, in presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), to give adducts that have been separated on a RP amide C16 column and detected at lambda=360 nm.

Binding of hybrid molecules containing pyrrolo [2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) and oligopyrrole carriers to the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus TAR-RNA.

The binding properties of a set of four hybrids, prepared combining from one to four polypyrrole minor groove binders and pyrrolo [2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD), have been studied using as target molecule the HIV-1 TAR-RNA. We found that these hybrids bind to TAR-RNA and inhibit TAR/protein(s) interactions. The anti-proliferative activity of the hybrids has been tested in vitro on HL3T1 cells and compared to the anti-proliferative effects of the natural product distamycin A and PBD.

Fractal patterns for cells in culture.

The present study aims to understand the growth of human malignant tumours in vitro, using the geometry of fractals as a method of analysis. The fractal dimensions of HN-5 and MDCK cell growth patterns have been measured. The first results may suggest the possibility of distinct growth processes characterized by different (time-dependent) effective fractal dimensions for MDCK and HN-5 cells.