Discussing systemic racism and racial privilege at a large, academic health center using a modified privilege walk.

Background: There is a motivation for organizations to understand race and racism from the perspective of minoritized individuals. Academic health centers (AHC) are ideal organizations to have these conversations as they educate healthcare providers, support research in health disparities, and care for diverse patients.

Methods: We piloted and evaluated a virtual Modified Privilege Walk (MPW) with faculty, staff, and students at an AHC in July 2020 to promote difficult conversations about race/racism, social class, and privilege.

Metabolic improvements following Roux-en-Y surgery assessed by solid meal test in subjects with short duration type 2 diabetes.

Background: Glucose homeostasis improves within days following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. The dynamic metabolic response to caloric intake following RYGB has been assessed using liquid mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTT). Few studies have evaluated the glycemic and hormonal response to a solid mixed meal in subjects with diabetes prior to, and within the first month following RYGB.

Serum leptin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, fibroblast growth factor 23, bone alkaline phosphatase, and sclerostin relationships in obesity.

Background: Obesity is associated with hyperparathyroidism and increased bone mass and turnover, but their pathogeneses are unclear.

Aims: Our aim was to determine in obesity interrelationships among serum levels of leptin, the mineral-regulating hormones, bone turnover markers, and sclerostin.

Methods: This case-control study was performed in 20 women having bariatric surgery and 20 control women matched for race and age.

Ethanol impairs differentiation of human adipocyte stromal cells in culture.

Background: Bioinformatic resources suggest that adipose tissue expresses mRNAs for alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and ALDH2, and epidemiological studies indicate that heavy alcohol use reduces adipose tissue mass. We therefore characterized the expression of alcohol metabolizing enzymes in human, rat and mouse adipose tissue, preadipocytes, and adipocytes, the ability of adipocytes to metabolize ethanol, and the effects of ethanol on differentiation of human adipose stromal cells (hASCs).

Methods: Adipose tissue, preadipocytes, and adipocytes were collected from rodents or from humans undergoing bariatric surgery.

Vitamin D and hyperparathyroidism in obesity.

Background: Low vitamin D status and hyperparathyroidism occur in obesity and may be involved in pathogenesis of obesity-associated comorbid conditions.

Aims: Our aims were to determine in obesity whether there was vitamin D insufficiency, assessed by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25D) and serum PTH (sPTH) and whether it related to comorbid conditions.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 48 women having bariatric surgery and 50 healthy women frequency matched for race, age, year, and season of study.

Serum markers of bone turnover are increased at six and 18 months after Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery: correlation with the reduction in leptin.

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine serum markers of bone turnover at 6 and 18 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Participants: Ten women and 10 men [body mass index (BMI), 50.2 +/- 8.

Adipose tissue production of hepatocyte growth factor contributes to elevated serum HGF in obesity.

Serum HGF is elevated in obese individuals. This study examined the contribution of excess adipose tissue to increased circulating HGF levels in obesity. Serum HGF was measured by ELISA before and after weight loss due to bariatric surgery or a 24-h fast.

Regulation of adiponectin expression in human adipocytes: effects of adiposity, glucocorticoids, and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Objective: Adiponectin mRNA expression in isolated subcutaneous and omental adipocytes was examined across a wide range of adiposity to determine whether adiponectin synthesis is impaired in these adipose tissue depots in obese humans. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and dexamethasone were tested for inhibitory effects on adiponectin release from human adipocytes in vitro.

Research Methods And Procedures: Adipocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion of abdominal adipose tissue obtained from subjects undergoing surgical procedures or outpatient needle biopsy.

Serum resistin (FIZZ3) protein is increased in obese humans.

The role of resistin in obesity and insulin resistance in humans is controversial. Therefore, resistin protein was quantitated by ELISA in serum of 27 lean [13 women/14 men, body mass index (BMI) 21.7 +/- 0.