Leptin to adiponectin ratio - A surrogate biomarker for early detection of metabolic disturbances in obesity.

Aim: To study if the leptin to adiponectin (L:A) ratio, can be a potential biomarker for postprandial triglyceride clearance, insulin resistance (IR) or leptin resistance (LR) in apparently healthy obese, and obese individuals with established metabolic disease.

Methods And Results: Fifty adult subjects with obesity (BMI ≥30); of which 36 metabolic healthy obese (MHO), and 14 metabolic dysregulated obese (MDO), with clinical and/or biochemical signs of metabolic disease were included. Seventeen healthy, normal weight subjects represented the control group.

The Effects of β-Adrenergic Blockade on the Degrading Effects of Eye Movements on Negative Autobiographical Memories.

Background: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. During EMDR, patients make horizontal eye movements (EMs) while simultaneously recalling a traumatic memory, which renders the memory less vivid and emotional when it is later recalled again. Recalling highly emotional autobiographical memories enhances noradrenergic neurotransmission.

Brain stem testing your patient: would you invite the relatives to be present?

Brain stem death can be a very difficult concept for relatives of the patient to comprehend. The presence of relatives during brain stem testing could be beneficial for their longer term ability to come to terms with the situation. Nurses need to place greater emphasis on communication with patients' relatives to support them effectively during the entire process.