Exploring the Opinions of Irish Beef Farmers Regarding Dairy Beef Integration.

There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the opinions of farmers regarding dairy beef integration. The need for increased dairy beef integration has assumed a greater importance in Ireland in recent years due to a rapid expansion in dairy production, and associated increase in numbers of male dairy calves born on Irish farms. The objective of this study was to explore beef farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to dairy beef integration, using a survey methodology.

Exploring the Opinions of Irish Dairy Farmers Regarding Male Dairy Calves.

There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the farmers' opinions regarding calf welfare issues. Calf welfare, particularly for male dairy calves, has assumed greater importance in Ireland in recent years due, in part, to an increase in the number of dairy cattle over the past decade. The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to the expansion in the dairy herd.

Development and Application of a Prioritization Tool for Animal Health Surveillance Activities in Ireland.

Decisions around animal health management by stakeholders are often subject to resource limitation, therefore prioritization processes are required to evaluate whether effort is attributed appropriately. The objectives of this study were to develop and apply a surveillance prioritization process for animal health surveillance activities in Ireland. An exploratory sequential mixed research methods design was utilized.

Effect of reversible intermittent intra-abdominal vagal nerve blockade on morbid obesity: the ReCharge randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Although conventional bariatric surgery results in weight loss, it does so with potential short-term and long-term morbidity.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intermittent, reversible vagal nerve blockade therapy for obesity treatment.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial involving 239 participants who had a body mass index of 40 to 45 or 35 to 40 and 1 or more obesity-related condition was conducted at 10 sites in the United States and Australia between May and December 2011.

Evaluation of pre- and postoperative physical activity participation in laparoscopic gastric banding patients.

Background: Weight loss outcomes following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are widely variable, and physical activity (PA) participation improves these results. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively describe PA behaviors before and after LAGB and to evaluate the impact of PA on weight loss outcomes.

Methods: Participants were 172 individuals (145 females, mean age 43.

The EMPOWER study: randomized, prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial of vagal blockade to induce weight loss in morbid obesity.

Background: Intermittent, reversible intraabdominal vagal blockade (VBLOC® Therapy) demonstrated clinically important weight loss in feasibility trials. EMPOWER, a randomized, double-blind, prospective, controlled trial was conducted in USA and Australia.

Methods: Five hundred three subjects were enrolled at 15 centers.

Long-term results of malabsorptive distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in superobese patients.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and nutritional outcomes of malabsorptive distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (D-RYGB) 20-25 years later at a university hospital.

Methods: From 1985 to 1989, 49 mostly superobese (body mass index >50 kg/m(2)) patients had undergone D-RYGB. D-RYGB consisted of open laparotomy with a 50-mL proximal gastric pouch and gastroenterostomy performed 250 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction, with common channels of 50-150 cm.

Analysis of factors associated with durable remission of diabetes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Data on the durability of remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after gastric bypass are limited. Our purpose was to identify the rate of long-term remission of T2DM and the factors associated with durable remission.

Methods: A total of 177 patients with T2DM who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 1993 to 2003 had 5-year follow-up data available.

Drain amylase levels are an adjunct in detection of gastrojejunostomy leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Because anastomotic leaks after gastric bypass surgery can have devastating consequences for the patient, early detection is highly desirable. This and many other bariatric surgical centers have discontinued routine use of upper gastrointestinal contrast x-ray because of the lack of cost-effectiveness, discomfort to the patient, and the failure of the study to detect some leaks. We postulated that drain amylase levels from a juxta-anastomotic drain would detect the presence of salivary amylase and be a sensitive test for gastrojejunostomy leak.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with altered hepatic MicroRNA expression.

Unlabelled: The expression of microRNA in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and their role in the genesis of NASH are not known. The aims of this study were to: (1) identify differentially expressed microRNAs in human NASH, (2) tabulate their potential targets, and (3) define the effect of a specific differentially expressed microRNA, miR-122, on its targets and compare these effects with the pattern of expression of these targets in human NASH. The expression of 474 human microRNAs was compared in subjects with the metabolic syndrome and NASH versus controls with normal liver histology.

Becoming physically active after bariatric surgery is associated with improved weight loss and health-related quality of life.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre- to postoperative increases in physical activity (PA) are associated with weight loss and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following bariatric surgery. Participants were 199 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery patients. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to categorize participants into three groups according to their preoperative and /1-year postoperative PA level: (i) Inactive/Active (<200-min/week/>or=200-min/week), (ii) Active/Active (>or=200-min/week/>or=200-min/week) and (iii) Inactive/Inactive (<200-min/week/<200-min/week).

Bariatric surgery in Medicare patients: greater risks but substantial benefits.

Background: Recent reports have documented greater mortality for bariatric surgery in Medicare (MC) patients compared with patients from other payors.

Methods: We reviewed our database for the mortality and outcomes of 282 MC and 3169 non-Medicare (NMC) patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Results: Of the MC patients, 27 were >65 years of age, and 255 were receiving disability.

Four hundred fifty consecutive laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses with no mortality and declining leak rates and lengths of stay in a bariatric training program.

Background: We reviewed our obesity surgery database for 2 experienced bariatric surgeons since their last patient death in October 2003 through July 2007.

Study Design: Data on all patients undergoing planned laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (L-GBP) by the two attending bariatric surgeons at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals were reviewed. The operations were performed by fellows in minimally invasive surgery, assisted by the 2 attending physicians in more than 90% of patients.

Activation and dysregulation of the unfolded protein response in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are associated with known triggers of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The aims were to (1) evaluate the activity of UPR in NAFL and NASH and (2) correlate expression of UPR pathways with liver histology.

Methods: Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Does diabetes affect weight loss after gastric bypass?

Background: Weight loss in diabetics improves glycemic control. We investigated whether diabetes mellitus (DM) adversely affects postgastric bypass weight loss.

Methods: Our database was queried for the demographics and outcomes of patients with and without DM who had undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Participation in 150 min/wk of moderate or higher intensity physical activity yields greater weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.

Background: The American College of Sports Medicine's position stand on weight loss and prevention of weight regain in adults has suggested that overweight adults should participate in a minimum of 150 min/wk of moderate intensity physical activity (PA). This study compared the 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative weight loss between gastric bypass surgery (GBS) patients who met or exceeded the recommended 150 min/wk of moderate or higher PA and those not meeting the recommendation.

Methods: The self-administered short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess moderate or higher intensity PA participation at 3 (n = 178), 6 (n = 128), and 12 months (n = 209) after GBS.

Selective, versus routine, upper gastrointestinal series leads to equal morbidity and reduced hospital stay in laparoscopic gastric bypass patients.

Background: The use of routine upper gastrointestinal contrast radiology series (UGIS) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (LRYGB) can entail risk, expense, and patient discomfort. We have discontinued routine UGIS in favor of selective UGIS guided by patient symptoms and signs or elevations in the juxta-anastomotic drain amylase. We hypothesized that elimination of routine UGIS would not adversely affect morbidity or mortality.

Effect of location and speed of diagnosis on anastomotic leak outcomes in 3828 gastric bypass cases.

Introduction: Leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are a major cause of mortality. This study attempts to define the relationship between the leak site, time from surgery to detection, and outcome.

Methods: Retrospective review of 3,828 gastric bypass procedures.

Pulmonary embolism complicating bariatric surgery: detailed analysis of a single institution's 24-year experience.

Background: Morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric procedures are at risk for pulmonary embolism (PE). Because large series are required to analyze low-incidence complications, factors predictive of PE have not been clearly defined. Since 1992, short-course heparin prophylaxis, beginning immediately before operation, has been used in this center.

Physical activity stage of readiness predicts moderate-vigorous physical activity participation among morbidly obese gastric bypass surgery candidates.

Background: Despite the ever-growing body of literature linking stage of physical activity readiness (PAR) with physical activity (PA) participation in overweight and obese populations, this relationship has not been examined among individuals seeking gastric bypass surgery (GBS). Furthermore, little is known about the specific intensity of activities undertaken by GBS candidates. Therefore, this study sought to determine whether greater PAR was associated with greater moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation among GBS candidates.

Laparoscopic transgastric removal of an eroded Angelchik prosthesis.

The Angelchik prosthesis is a silicone gel-filled implant historically placed around the gastroesophageal junction for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Herein, we describe the laparoscopic transgastric removal of an Angelchik prosthesis that had eroded through the gastroesophageal junction of a patient 25 years after its placement. Under direct laparoscopic and endoscopic guidance, laparoscopic trocars were placed transabdominally, directly into the gastric lumen.

The long-term effects of gastric bypass on vitamin D metabolism.

Objective: Alterations of the endocrine system in patients following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP) are poorly described and have prompted us to perform a longitudinal study of the effects of GBP on serum calcium, 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D (vitamin D), and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Methods: Prospectively collected data were compiled to determine how GBP affects serum calcium, vitamin D, and PTH. Student t test, Fisher exact test, or linear regression was used to determine significance.

Effects of gastric bypass procedures on bone mineral density, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D.

Weight loss after gastric bypass procedures has been well studied, but the long-term metabolic sequelae are not known. Data on bone mineral density (BMD), calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D were collected preoperatively and at yearly intervals after gastric bypass procedures. A total of 230 patients underwent preoperative BMD scans.

Long-term data indicate a progressive loss in efficacy of adjustable silicone gastric banding for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Background: Many short-term follow-up reports on the efficacy of the adjustable silicone gastric band (ASGB) and its modification for laparoscopic insertion (Lap-Band) for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity have been reported in the surgical literature. However, long-term studies are lacking.

Methods: Between March 17, 1992, and January 7, 1997, 45 females and 17 males consecutively entered this prospective study.