The biopsies found a very high prevalence of steatosis in the studied population. The ultrasound results yielded a high positive predictive value (95.4%), suggesting its use as a diagnostic tool for this co-morbidity in morbidly obese patients. The low sensitivity of the method could be related to the lack of objective criteria for the ultrasound diagnosis of steatosis, and probably, technical problems in performing ultrasound in such patients. We believe that in patients with a BMI of 35-40 kg/m(2) without other comorbidities, the ultrasound finding of steatosis could be of value as an indication for bariatric surgery.

Significant improvement in the hepatic histology of steatosis was observed after weight loss induced by bariatric surgery in most patients. There was no patient with a worsening in the histology.

Low radiation dose is essential when assessing potential lower extremity discrepancies. A new biplanar low-dose X-ray device can assess such discrepancies in children/adolescents. This LDX device provides equally reliable 3D measurements as prevalent practice LDX measurements carry good overall interobserver agreement.

Background: Both endocrine and immune systems are continuously remodeled during aging. Objective: Here, we investigated to what extent adrenal and somatosenescence are associated reciprocal changes in the immune system during strictly healthy aging. Methods: Forty-six elderly subjects and 33 young adults were recruited according to the health criteria of the SENIEUR protocol. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin to assess the production of immunoreactive growth hormone (GH). Peripheral sensitivity to steroids was assessed in vitroby dexamethasone-, cortisol- or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced inhibition of T-cell proliferation. DHEA and GH levels were measured by radioimmunoassays. Results: Healthy elderly had lower salivary DHEA and serum GH levels (somatosenescence). They presented reduced T-cell sensitivity to dexamethasone but similar cellular sensitivities to cortisol and DHEA. Their cells produced similar levels of immunoreactive GH compared to the cells of young adults. Conclusions: These data indicate that healthy aging is associated with adrenal and somatosenescence as well as impaired neuroendocrine immunoregulation at the level of the lymphocyte. In addition, somatosenescence may not be associated with a reciprocal decline in immunoreactive GH.

Needle biopsies were as effective as wedge biopsies in assessing the degree of steatosis in morbidly obese patients. More important, the presence of subcapsular fibrosis in needle biopsies was less than in wedge biopsies, suggesting an adequate tissue sample by the less invasive technique.