JSCC-Cast: A Joint Source Channel Coding Video Encoding and Transmission System with Limited Digital Metadata.

This work considers the design and practical implementation of JSCC-Cast, a comprehensive analog video encoding and transmission system requiring a reduced amount of digital metadata. Suitable applications for JSCC-Cast are multicast transmissions over time-varying channels and Internet of Things wireless connectivity of end devices having severe constraints on their computational capabilities. The proposed system exhibits a similar image quality compared to existing analog and hybrid encoding alternatives such as Softcast.

Changes in Soluble TWEAK Concentrations, but Not Those in Amyloid-β(1-40), Are Associated with a Decrease in Carotid Intima-Media Thickness after Bariatric Surgery in Obese Women.

Background/aim: Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and amyloid-β(1-40) (Aβ40) emerged as markers of cardiovascular risk because of their actions in the endothelium and their role in atherosclerotic progression. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of these two factors with the decrease in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) after bariatric surgery in obese women.

Methods: We studied 60 severely obese women, of whom 20 were submitted to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 20 to sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and 20 to lifestyle modification therapy.

Transmission of Still Images Using Low-Complexity Analog Joint Source-Channel Coding.

An analog joint source-channel coding (JSCC) system designed for the transmission of still images is proposed and its performance is compared to that of two digital alternatives which differ in the source encoding operation: Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and JPEG without entropy coding (JPEGw/oEC), respectively, both relying on an optimized channel encoder-modulator tandem. Apart from a visual comparison, the figures of merit considered in the assessment are the structural similarity (SSIM) index and the time required to transmit an image through additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh channels. This work shows that the proposed analog system exhibits a performance similar to that of the digital scheme based on JPEG compression with a noticeable better visual degradation to the human eye, a lower computational complexity, and a negligible delay.

Circulating adiponectin increases in obese women after sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass driving beneficial metabolic changes but with no relationship with carotid intima-media thickness.

Background & Aims: Obesity surgery induces beneficial effects in metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Adiponectin increase might be associated with some of these changes. However, direct comparison between different surgical techniques has not been extensively performed.

Improvement in cardiovascular risk in women after bariatric surgery as measured by carotid intima-media thickness: comparison of sleeve gastrectomy versus gastric bypass.

Background: Bariatric surgery may diminish cardiovascular risk (CVR) and its associated mortality. However, studies that compare these effects with different techniques are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the changes in CVR as estimated by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) after obesity surgery in women with high CVR as defined by the presence of metabolic syndrome.

The role of serum osteoprotegerin and receptor-activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in metabolic bone disease of women after obesity surgery.

Metabolic bone disease may appear as a complication of obesity surgery. Because an imbalance in the osteoprotegerin and receptor-activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand system may underlie osteoporosis, we aimed to study this system in humans in the metabolic bone disease occurring after obesity surgery. In this study we included sixty women with a mean age of 47 ± 10 years studied 7 ± 2 years after bariatric surgery.

Serum Bioavailable Vitamin D Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Women After Obesity Surgery.

Introduction: Low bone mass after obesity surgery may arise as a consequence of chronic malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D. However, we have not found any role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D or of polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene in previous studies.

Purpose: To investigate the circulating bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D in women after bariatric procedures and its association with bone mass.

Phase IV prospective clinical study to evaluate the effect of taurine on liver function in postsurgical adult patients requiring parenteral nutrition.

Background: Taurine's role in bile acid metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity could exert a protective effect on hepatobiliary complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). In this study, the effects of 2 amino acid solutions, with and without taurine, on liver function administered to nonacutely ill postsurgical patients as part of a short-term PN regimen were prospectively compared.

Methods: Adult patients randomly received (double-blind) Tauramin 10% or a standard PN solution without taurine as the control (1.

Estimation of the economic and health impact of complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the autonomous community of Madrid (Spain).

Objective: To estimate the economic and health impact of chronic complications (macrovascular and microvascular) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the autonomous community of Madrid (Spain) (ACM).

Methods: The number of expected complications was obtained from a descriptive, cross-sectional study on a cohort of 3,268 patients with T2DM from the ACM. Cost of complications (€, 2012) was assessed both at hospitals and in primary care.

Metabolic control and chronic complications during a 3-year follow-up period in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients attended in primary care in the Community of Madrid (Spain).

Background: Our aim was to analyze both metabolic control and chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients regularly attended in primary care during a 3 years of follow-up in the Community of Madrid (Spain).

Methods: From 2007 to 2010 we prospectively included 3268 patients with T2D attended by 153 primary care physicians from 51 family health centers. An prospective cohort study with annual evaluation over 3 years to the same population was performed.

Role of peripherally inserted central catheters in home parenteral nutrition: a 5-year prospective study.

Background: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has become a common therapy, with tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) being preferred for its administration. Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are not currently recommended for long-term HPN, although evidence to support this statement is scarce. The authors aimed to evaluate the outcomes of HPN, focusing on CVC-related complications.

Insulin action in adipose tissue in type 1 diabetes.

Background: Insulin action has been reported to be normal in type 1 diabetic patients. However, some studies have reported an insulin resistance state in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate insulin resistance in a group of type 1 diabetic patients.

Copper and zinc serum levels after derivative bariatric surgery: differences between Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion.

Background: There are limited data on the prevalence of copper and zinc deficiency in the long term after bariatric surgery.

Methods: We analysed copper and zinc serum levels in a cohort of 141 patients, 52 who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and 89 biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), with a follow-up of 5 years.

Results: Mean copper level was significantly lower in the BPD group (P < 0.

Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms in secondary hyperparathyroidism after Scopinaro's biliopancreatic diversion.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent metabolic complication of bariatric surgery. Individual differences in calcium absorption determine chronic secondary hyperparathyroidism after biliopancreatic diversion in half of the patients who have normal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. We aimed to evaluate if certain vitamin D receptor polymorphisms may be responsible for the latter.

Perioperative oral nutritional supplements in normally or mildly undernourished geriatric patients submitted to surgery for hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Oral nutritional supplements have been recommended after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients. This has been shown to be effective even in normally nourished or mildly undernourished geriatric patients. Whether perioperative administration of these products is also effective and suitable is not known.

[Patients in need of parenteral nutrition in their homes using a PICC catheter].

The authors presented their information in a poster format at the VI GAVeCeLT National Congress "VI Congresso Nazionale GAVeCeLT (Centro Congressi Europa, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)". The authors point out that the use of less invasive systems, such as a PICC catheter (peripherally inserted central catheter), produce excellent results, provided the protocols for care and maintenance are correctly applied.

Chronic increase of bone turnover markers after biliopancreatic diversion is related to secondary hyperparathyroidism and weight loss. Relation with bone mineral density.

Background: Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is the most effective bariatric procedure. Around 70% of these patients have secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) in the long term as a consequence of calcium and vitamin D malabsorption. This work was aimed to study the influence of SH on bone turnover and its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD).

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol in morbid obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: We aimed to study serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in a cohort of obese patients and their possible association with several obesity-related conditions, given that the former may be implicated in a diminished capacity of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential in obese patients.

Methods: Eighty patients with morbid obesity participated in the study. Many clinical and biochemical variables were measured including serum retinol, alpha-tocopherol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations.

Effects of oral nutritional supplements in normally nourished or mildly undernourished geriatric patients after surgery for hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Oral nutritional supplements have been recommended after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients to reduce postoperative complications. However, tolerability of supplements could be a limitation, and their universal use is not supported by the heterogeneity of previous studies, especially in patients without malnutrition.

Methods: This study is a randomized, controlled, open, parallel, 3-arm clinical trial comparing supplementation with protein powder dissolved in liquids to aim at 36 g of protein per day, energy and protein supplements to aim at 37.

[Prevalence of psychiatric cases in overweight or obese patients attended in a hospital outpatient clinic].

Background And Aims: It has been recently shown that psychiatric disorders are associated with obesity. However this association has not been studied in overweight/obese patients at a hospital setting in our country.

Patients And Methods: We have studied 333 consecutive patients who were referred to our hospital outpatient clinic with overweight or obesity.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the metabolic syndrome in morbid obesity.

Background & Aims: Vitamin D deficiency has been recently associated with the metabolic syndrome. However, it is not known whether this possible association of vitamin D deficiency with the metabolic syndrome is still present at very high degrees of obesity, as in morbidly obese patients.

Methods: Transversal, observational study that included 73 consecutive morbidly obese patients (body mass index 40 kg/m(2)).

Implication of pituitary vasoactive intestinal peptide in dopaminergic inhibition of estrogen-induced pituitary hyperplasia and vascular endothelial growth factor expression.

We have shown that pituitary vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) mediates the effects of estrogen on lactotrope hyperplasia, angiogenesis and hyperprolactinemia, and reduces the pituitary content of transforming growth factor beta beta1 (TGF-beta1, an inhibitor of lactotrope proliferation). Dopamine agonists reverse lactotrope hyperplasia and hyperprolactinemia and also reduce the pituitary VIP content in hyperestrogenized rats. To elucidate the interaction of bromocriptine (BC) and pituitary VIP, a VIP receptor antagonist (VA), BC, or both drugs were administered for 5 days to F344 rats treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Autocrine/paracrine action of pituitary vasoactive intestinal peptide on lactotroph hyperplasia induced by estrogen.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) content is increased in the hyperplastic pituitaries of estrogen (E)-treated rats, thus suggesting that this neuropeptide could mediate the E effect on lactotrophs. E also decreases pituitary TGF-beta1 content, an autocrine/paracrine inhibitor of lactotroph proliferation, and induces pituitary angiogenesis. To elucidate the role of VIP in this context, lactotroph hyperplasia was induced in female Fisher 344 rats by implanting sc pellets of diethylstilbestrol (DES).