Fiber-Based Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for Wearable Electronics

Fiber-based thermoelectric materials and devices have the characteristics of light-weight, stability, and flexibility, which can be used in wearable electronics, attracting the wide attention of researchers. In this work, we present a review of state-of-the-art fiber-based thermoelectric material fabrication, device assembling, and its potential applications in temperature sensing, thermoelectric generation, and temperature management. In this mini review, we also shine some light on the potential application in the next generation of wearable electronics, and discuss the challenges and opportunities.

Fecal microbiome composition in pancreatic cancer cachexia and response to nutrition support.

4129 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 10.0%. Previous studies in stool microbiome indicate that microbiome composition has been associated with therapy response and pathogenesis across multiple cancers, and PDAC patients (pts) with higher bacterial diversity have demonstrated greater long-term survival. The fecal microbiome has not previously been characterized for PDAC pts with cancer cachexia or associated interventions. The study addressed the changes in microbiome over the course of treatment and the association between baseline bacterial composition and outcome in PDAC pts with cachexia. Methods: Stool specimens were collected from the PNCX1 trial (NCT02400398), where all pts were given a semi-elemental diet—enzymatically hydrolyzed protein—with enteral tube feeding. Stool samples (n = 29) were collected at time points aligned with enteral feeding and chemotherapy cycles separated by 6 weeks (C1D1, C2D1, and C3D1) and analyzed using 16S v4 sequencing of the microbiome. Microbiome changes from C1D1 to C3D1, weight stability, and overall survival (OS) were measured alongside microbiome characterization. Results: Pts with a complete set of stool samples were analyzed (n = 6) for differences in microbiome composition across treatment cycles. C3D1 samples were significantly associated with both an increased population of Veillonella and Actinomyces and decreased Bacteroides and Butyricicoccus compared to C1D1. Baseline stool microbiome composition was also evaluated to predict weight stability throughout treatment. In patient stool samples (n = 8) at C1D1, greater abundance of Veillonella (p = 0.0006) and reduced Bifidobacterium (p = 2.62E-5) were linked to greater weight stability. Microbiome alpha-diversity was also characterized using Shannon and Chao1 indices, where stable weight was related to reduced species richness (Chao1, p = 0.0194) but not evenness (Shannon, p = 0.1716). C1D1 patient stool samples were then analyzed and compared to OS (n = 16). Although no significant differences in global microbiome composition were noted between OS < 180 days and OS > 180 days, Parasutterella, Tyzzerella, Phascolarctobacterium, and Lachnoclostridium were identified as more prevalent in OS > 180 days despite their relatively low abundance. Conclusions: We are among the first evaluate stool bacteria changes over treatment course in PDAC pts. While Veillonella was associated with weight stability in a cohort of advanced PDAC pts all receiving enteral feeding, several genera were found in abundance in pts with prolonged OS, though this needs further validation. The potential impact of the gut microbiome and enteral feeding on weight stability is provocative given that cachexia is a hallmark of PDAC and an effective strategy to mitigate this process would be transformative.

The mass balance model of obesity explains the weight loss advantage of a low-carbohydrate diet over a isocaloric low-fat diet

Currently, obesity treatment rests on the "calories-in, calories-out" (CICO) rule, formally named the energy balance theory (EBT). It maintains that body weight (BW) increases as food calories are greater than expended calories but decreases when the opposite occurs; hence, weight stability is expected at energy balance meaning that over time energy-in equals energy-out. It follows that dietary regimens with identical energy content should evoke similar amounts of weight and fat loss with only minor differences that follow from diet's macronutrient composition, e.g., diet-induced glycogen depletion and water excretion. A vast collection of evidence shows, however, that low-carbohydrate diets typically result in much greater weight and fat loss than isocaloric low-fat diets. Furthermore, our recent mathematical analysis demonstrated that weight stability coincides with a persistent energy imbalance and not otherwise. As an alternative, the mass balance model (MBM) was proposed that fitted weight loss data and explained the often superior weight loss evoked by low-carbohydrate diets versus low-fat diets. Here, we expand on these observations by computationally contrasting the predictions of both models in two scenarios described in the literature: altering the diet's macronutrient composition while energy intake is kept at weight maintenance level; and the weight loss response as diet composition is changed under untreated type 1 diabetes. Our results indicate that MBM predictions are remarkably accurate while those of the EBT are clearly erroneous. These findings may represent the beginning of a paradigm shift in obesity research.

A Social-Belonging Intervention Benefits Higher Weight Students’ Weight Stability and Academic Achievement

Psychological interventions can narrow college achievement gaps between students from nonstigmatized and stigmatized groups. However, no intervention we know of has investigated effects for one highly stigmatized group: people of higher bodyweights. We analyzed data from a prematriculation social-belonging intervention trial at 22 colleges, which conveyed that adversity in the college transition is normative, temporary, and nondiagnostic of lack of belonging. Nine months postintervention, higher weight participants in a standard belonging treatment had higher first-year grade point averages (GPAs) than controls and maintained more stable weights, an indicator of physical well-being. Effects of a belonging treatment customized to specific colleges were directionally similar but nonsignificant. Exploratory analyses revealed that effects did not differ by race and that weight effects were driven by women. Together, results show that higher weight students contend with belonging concerns that contribute to a weight gap in GPA, but belonging interventions can raise GPA and promote healthy weight stability.

Metabolic adaptation is not a major barrier to weight-loss maintenance

ABSTRACT Background The existence of metabolic adaptation, at the level of resting metabolic rate (RMR), remains highly controversial, likely due to lack of standardization of participants’ energy balance. Moreover, its role as a driver of relapse remains unproven. Objective The main aim was to determine if metabolic adaptation at the level of RMR was present after weight loss and at 1- and 2-y follow-up, with measurements taken under condition of weight stability. A secondary aim was to investigate race differences in metabolic adaptation after weight loss and if this phenomenon was associated with weight regain. Methods A total of 171 overweight women [BMI (kg/m2): 28.3 ± 1.3; age: 35.2 ± 6.3 y; 88 whites and 83 blacks] enrolled in a weight-loss program to achieve a BMI &lt;25, and were followed for 2 y. Body weight and composition (4-compartment model) and RMR (indirect calorimetry) were measured after 4 wk of weight stability at baseline, after weight loss and at 1 and 2 y. Metabolic adaptation was defined as a significantly lower measured compared with predicted RMR (from own regression model). Results Participants lost, on average, 12 ± 2.6 kg and regained 52% ± 38% and 89% ± 54% of their initial weight lost at 1 and 2 y follow-up, respectively. Metabolic adaptation was found after weight loss (−54 ± 105 kcal/d; P &lt; 0.001), with no difference between races and was positively correlated with fat-mass loss, but not with weight regain, overall. In a subset of women (n = 46) with data at all time points, metabolic adaptation was present after weight loss, but not at 1- or 2-y follow-up (−43 ± 119, P = 0.019; −18 ± 134, P = 0.380; and − 19 ± 166, P = 0.438 kcal/day respectively). Conclusions In overweight women, metabolic adaptation at the level of RMR is minimal when measurements are taken under conditions of weight stability and does not predict weight regain up to 2 years follow-up. The JULIET study is registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00067873 as NCT00067873.

A prospective trial of elemental enteral feeding in patients with pancreatic cancer cachexia (PANCAX-1).

726 Background: Unintentional weight loss affecting > 85% of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients contributes to low therapeutic tolerance, reduced quality of life, and overall mortality. Optimal treatment approaches have not been developed. We hypothesize that peptide-based enteral nutritional support in cachectic advanced PC patients, receiving palliative chemotherapy, results in improved weight, lean body mass (LBM), and hand-grip strength. Methods: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with cachexia (> 5% unintentional weight loss within the previous 6 months) were provided a jejunal tube peptide-based diet for 3 months. Primary outcome was weight stability (0.1kg/BMI unit decrease). Secondary outcomes included changes from baseline in LBM, bone mineral density (BMD), total body fat mass (BFM), handgrip strength, physical activity (Fitbit), and CA19-9 and CRP. Planned interim analysis was performed after 14 patients completed treatment. Results: From 31 consenting patients, 16 were evaluable for the primary outcome. Patients receiving enteral therapy were 39% male, median age 69 (Range: 41 to 89 years), and 74% ECOG 1. A summary of change in outcomes at 3 months from baseline is shown in Table. The primary endpoint of weight stability in 10 (62.5%) patients was met, thus completing study. Overall survival was 6.5 months (n=31) and 9.9 months for evaluable patients (n=16). Weight stability was statistically associated with LBM (Pearson’s correlation: 0.87, p<0.001), but not survival (HR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.32, 2.83, p=0.92). Conclusions: Peptide-based enteral feeding resulted in weight stability and improvements in lean body mass and physical function. Further randomized trials assessing nutritional support in advanced patients are warranted. NIH/NCATS Grant # UL1TR000124. Clinical trial information: NCT02400398 . [Table: see text]

Evaluasi Dosis Fraksionasi Sinar Gamma dalam Melemahkan Parasit Malaria Plasmodium berghei pada Mencit untuk Pengembangan Vaksin Iradiasi

Malaria is still a big problem in Indonesia so that the development of vaccine is urgently needed. However, the immunity is not fully obtained in host that may be due to high dose of irradiation to parasites. This study aimed to determine the infectiveness of Plasmodium berghei malaria parasite in mice after being irradiated with gamma fractionated dose of 0 Gy, 100+50, 100+75 and 100+100 Gy at a dose rate of 717 Gy/h. Observation of the percentage of parasitic appearance forms (parasitemia) such as trophozoite (including ring) and schizont was done on thin blood smears stained by Giemsa from observation day 2 to 20 post injection. The results showed that fractionated irradiation was effectively suppressed the growth of parasites in the blood of mice for all treatment groups except the fractionation dose of 100+75 Gy. Mice injected with a dose of 100+100 Gy have a stable body weight during days of observation, supported by a relatively normal macroscopic appearance of the liver and spleen. It was concluded that fractionated dose of 100+100 Gy is most effectively weakened the parasite for malaria vaccine material supported by body weight stability and better condition of liver-lymph organ. AbstrakMalaria masih merupakan pemasalahan besar di Indonesia sehingga pengembangan vaksin sangat diperlukan. Akan tetapi, imunitas pada inang belum sepenuhnya diperoleh yang kemungkinan disebabkan oleh tingginya dosis iradiasi pada parasit. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui daya infektif parasit malaria Plasmodium berghei pada mencit setelah diiradiasi gamma fraksinasi 0 Gy, 100+50, 100+75 dan 100+100 Gy pada laju dosis 717 Gy/jam. Diamati persentase kemunculan bentuk-bentuk parasit (parasitemia) seperti tropozoit (termasuk cincin) dan skizon pada apusan darah tipis yang diwarnai Giemsa, dari hari pengamatan ke-2 hingga 20 pasca penyuntikan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa iradiasi fraksinasi efektif menekan pertumbuhan parasit dalam darah mencit untuk semua perlakuan kecuali dosis fraksinasi 100+75 Gy. Mencit disuntik dosis 100+100 Gy memiliki berat badan yang stabil selama pengamatan, didukung oleh tampilan makroskopis hati dan limpa yang relatif normal. Disimpulkan bahwa iradiasi fraksinasi 100+100 Gy paling efektif melemahkan parasit sebagai bahan vaksin malaria, didukung oleh kestabilan berat badan dan kondisi organ hati-limpa yang lebih baik.

The association between weight stability and parenteral nutrition characteristics and survival in patients with colorectal cancer

Objective Knowledge about the impact of metabolic disturbances and parenteral nutrition (PN) characteristics on the survival of cancer patients receiving PN is limited. We aimed to assess the association between clinical and PN characteristics and survival in colorectal-cancer patients receiving PN support. Methods Our study included 572 consecutive colorectal-cancer patients who had received PN support between 2008 and 2013. Patient characteristics, body mass index, weight, medical/surgical history, indication for PN, PN data and survival were recorded. Associations between clinical and PN characteristics and survival were analysed with important confounding factors. Results The final cohort included 437 evaluable patients, with a mean age of 57 years. Eighty-one percent of the study population had advanced stage of colorectal cancer. Unstable weight (weight change ≥2.5%) prior to PN initiation [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.41, P = 0.023] was adversely associated with survival after adjusting for multiple factors including cancer stage. Bowel obstruction (HR = 1.75, P = 0.017) as a PN indication was associated with worse survival when compared with without bowel obstruction. Higher PN amino acid by ideal body weight (g•kg−1) (HR = 0.59, P = 0.029) was associated with longer survival, whereas a higher percentage of non-PN intravenous calories (HR = 1.04, P = 0.011) was associated with shorter survival independently of confounding factors. Conclusions Body mass index and weight stability can be useful nutritional indices for survival prediction in cancer patients receiving PN. PN planning should take into account of non-PN calories to achieve optimal energy support and balance. Future research is needed to define optimal PN amino-acid requirement and energy balance.