The mechanisms by which exercise reduces fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations in women and the effect of negative energy balance independent of muscular contraction are not known. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of equivalent energy deficits induced by exercise or calorie restriction on basal very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) TG metabolism in women. Methods Eleven healthy women (age: 23.5±2.7 years, BMI: 21.6±1.4 kg/m2) underwent a stable isotopically labeled tracer infusion study to determine basal VLDL-TG kinetics after performing, in random order, three experimental trials on the previous day: i) a single exercise bout (brisk walking at 60% of peak oxygen consumption for 123±18 min, with a net energy expenditure of 2.06±0.39 MJ (~500 kcal)), ii) dietary energy restriction of 2.10±0.41 MJ, and iii) a control day of isocaloric feeding and rest (zero energy balance). Results Fasting plasma VLDL-TG concentration was ~30% lower after the exercise trial compared to the control trial (P<0.001), whereas no significant change was detected after the calorie restriction trial (P=0.297 vs control). Relative to the control condition, exercise increased the plasma clearance rate of VLDL-TG by 22% (P=0.001) and reduced hepatic VLDL-TG secretion rate by ~17% (P=0.042), whereas hypocaloric diet had no effect on VLDL-TG kinetics (P>0.2). Conclusion (i) Exercise-induced hypotriglyceridemia in women manifests through a different mechanism (increased clearance and decreased secretion of VLDL-TG) than that previously described in men (increased clearance of VLDL-TG only), and (ii) exercise affects TG homeostasis by eliciting changes in VLDL-TG kinetics that cannot be reproduced by an equivalent diet-induced energy deficit, indicating that these changes are independent of the exercise-induced negative energy balance but instead are specific to muscular contraction.

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INTRODUCTION Mechanically ventilated critically ill patients with acute COPD exacerbation (AECOPD) have significantly higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to patients hospitalized for AECOPD but not requiring ventilatory support. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of ventilated critically ill AECOPD patients and to identify prognostic variables associated with 28-day ICU mortality. METHODS One hundred and twenty-seven patients admitted to the University respiratory ICU in 'Sotiria' Hospital due to AECOPD were retrospectively studied. Data were extracted from the medical records of the ICU database. Demographic features, comorbidities, disease severity, exacerbation rate, and treatment, were recorded along with SOFA and APACHE-II scores and laboratory variables. RESULTS Thirty-five percent of the patients died in the ICU (mean age 73±8 vs 67±8 years in survivors, p<0.001). Non-survivors had significantly more comorbidities compared to survivors (p<0.001), significantly higher APACHE II score (30±7 vs 22±7, p<0.001), and significantly higher rates of multi-organ failure (MOF) (62% vs 10.2%, p<0.001). Independent factors associated with ICU mortality were older age (OR=1.13 per year increase; 95% CI: 1.04-1.22, p=0.004), APACHE II score on admission (OR=1.11 per unit increase; 95% CI: 1.04-1.22, p=0.004), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR=1.79 per unit increase; 95% CI: 1.25-2.55, p=0.001), admission lactate levels (OR=2.60 per mEq/L increase; 95% CI: 1.17-5.80, p=0.019), and COPD severity (OR=4.57; 95% CI: 1.14-18.22, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Severe physiological derangement upon ICU admission, COPD disease severity and high co-morbidity burden are predictive factors of 28-day mortality in critically ill AECOPD patients.

Background: Ectoine is a widespread osmolyte enabling halophilic bacteria to withstand high osmotic stress that has many potential applications ranging from cosmetics to its use as a therapeutic agent.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of ectoine 1% and hyaluronic acid 0.1% containing (EHA) cream with a vehicle cream in children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: A randomized, controlled, observer-blind, multicenter clinical trial was conducted in children aged 2-18 years, diagnosed with mild-to-moderate AD (SCORAD ≤20). Patients were randomized to either receiving EHA cream or vehicle cream twice daily for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the mean change in objective SCORAD from baseline to the final visit. The secondary outcome measures included the mean change in Investigator's Global Assessment score, patient's judgment of efficacy and patient's assessment of pruritus. Safety of EHA cream was also assessed. Results: A total of 70 patients (35 in each group) were randomized and 57 were included in the final analysis set. Based on SCORAD measurements, patients using EHA cream achieved superior clinical improvement compared to the control group at 28 days (p < .001). EHA cream was also superior to the vehicle cream regarding all secondary outcome measures. Eight (23.5%) patients receiving EHA cream and two (5.7%) patients receiving vehicle cream experienced mild cutaneous adverse events (AEs).

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