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The economic importance of insect pests in agricultural fields and the potential biological control by their natural enemies warrant foundational studies for the development of integrated pest management strategies. An insect survey was conducted in alfalfa (Fabaceae) seed production fields in southern Alberta, Canada, during the bud, flowering, and seed crop stages in 2020 and 2021. We examined the seasonal abundance of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Miridae), Lygus spp. Hahn (Hemiptera: Miridae), and 12 natural enemy taxa. We also examined the seasonal abundance, richness, and diversity of generalist predators and the seasonality of the two H. postica parasitoids, Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Oomyzus incertus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). The seasonality of pests and natural enemies was inconsistent between years. Hypera postica larvae, B. curculionis, and O. incertus were present from mid-June to mid-August. However, we detected no correlations between H. postica larvae and its two parasitoids in either year. A number of generalist predators were correlated with A. lineolatus and Lygus spp. Further research is needed to understand the effects of environmental and biotic factors on the seasonality of pests and natural enemies in alfalfa seed production fields, and the insects’ trophic interactions.
A positive association has been demonstrated between consumption of sucrose-sweetened beverages and the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Since the administration of 30 % sucrose in the drinking water (sucrose-rich diet (SRD)) to rats has proven to be a good model of systemic insulin resistance, the aim of our study was to analyse the effect of caloric restriction applied on SRD-treated rats by switching back to a standard diet, on liver morphology, function and metabolism. Consumption of an SRD causes a metabolic shift towards gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis leading to an increase in TAG levels in plasma and in the liver that were associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity. Moreover, our results show that animals fed an SRD develop steatohepatitis characterised by the generation of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Although no histological changes were observed after a 2-week caloric restriction, key pathways associated with the progression of MASLD as inflammation, ER stress and apoptosis were slowed down. Notably, this 2-week intervention also increased liver insulin sensitivity (evaluated by AKT activity in this tissue) and drove the lipid metabolic profile towards oxidation, thus lowering circulating TAG levels. In summary, the present study uncovers underlying mechanisms affected, and their metabolic consequences, during the first stages of the phenotypic reversal of steatohepatitis by switching back to a standard diet after receiving sucrose-sweetened water for several weeks.
Laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) play a detrimental role in energy coupling to the target in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The recent development of applied strong magnetic fields for use in ICF and laboratory astrophysics experiments has opened opportunities to investigate the role of external magnetic fields on LPIs. Recent numerical studies have shown that stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) can be mitigated by external magnetic fields in the kinetic regime of the instability and warrant systematic experimental studies to validate modelling. To this end, we design experiments at the OMEGA-EP laser facility to investigate the effect of an external perpendicular $B$-field of 5–30 T on the backscattered light spectrum from a gas-jet target. We present measurements from a proof-of-principle experiment, where the backward-SRS (BSRS) is in the kinetic regime, for which the magnetization is expected to produce the greatest effects on instability growth. New simulations motivated by this experiment are used to inform the proposal of an upgraded experimental design. Our simulation predictions show that the new design is suited to experimentally demonstrating BSRS mitigation by an external magnetic field, despite the magnetization effects on the hydrodynamics, as well as the inherent temporal and spatial variations in plasma conditions.
Animal and human data demonstrate independent relationships between fetal growth, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function (HPA-A) and adult cardiometabolic outcomes. While the association between fetal growth and adult cardiometabolic outcomes is well-established, the role of the HPA-A in these relationships is unclear. This study aims to determine whether HPA-A function mediates or moderates this relationship. Approximately 2900 pregnant women were recruited between 1989-1991 in the Raine Study. Detailed anthropometric data was collected at birth (per cent optimal birthweight [POBW]). The Trier Social Stress Test was administered to the offspring (Generation 2; Gen2) at 18 years; HPA-A responses were determined (reactive responders [RR], anticipatory responders [AR] and non-responders [NR]). Cardiometabolic parameters (BMI, systolic BP [sBP] and LDL cholesterol) were measured at 20 years. Regression modelling demonstrated linear associations between POBW and BMI and sBP; quadratic associations were observed for LDL cholesterol. For every 10% increase in POBW, there was a 0.54 unit increase in BMI (standard error [SE] 0.15) and a 0.65 unit decrease in sBP (SE 0.34). The interaction between participant’s fetal growth and HPA-A phenotype was strongest for sBP in young adulthood. Interactions for BMI and LDL-C were non-significant. Decomposition of the total effect revealed no causal evidence of mediation or moderation.
The use of standardized tools for assessment and monitoring of a rehabilitation program is strongly recommended, though not so often accomplished in clinical practice.
Aims
To describe the development and feasibility of a computerised method of assessment of rehabilitation activities based on psychometrics.
Methods
The software “SVAROSKI” was implemented by means of a relational ER (Entity-Relationship) model with a user interface managed by MS-Access. The rehabilitation activities were: Physical therapy; Locomotion, Occupational Therapy and Reality-Orientation Therapy. Patients were administered at the beginning and at the end of admission the following tests: MMSE, MODA, Barthel Index, Tinetti.
The software enables processing of test data with those obtained from rating scales at each session.
Results
For each patient, two graphical reports are made available:
Punctual performance of each item divided by subject areas;
Overall pace of the three scales assessing rehabilitation (physical therapy was maintained for an evaluation board, partly qualitative, for the sake of the physiotherapist of the structure).
The software allows:
1) the rapid storage of the scores obtained from patients during the course of rehabilitation activities,
2) the real-time consultation of the development of therapeutic and rehabilitation,
3) the comparison of the iteration of several rehabilitation interventions on the patient.
Conclusions
SVAROSKY is a useful tool for analysis and monitoring of developments in the rehabilitation of the patient as a valid tool for the development of a synthesis report of the rehabilitation process.
A G4C2 repeat extension in the first intron of C9ORF72 is the most common cause of familial frontotemporal dementia with and without motoneuron disease or atypical Parkinsonism. We recently found that the characteristic p62 positive/TDP43 negative neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) mainly seen in cerebellum und hippocampus consist of different dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) generated by an ATG independent translation of stable sense and antisense transcripts of the extended intron.
After creating specific antibodies against all potential DPRs resulting from different reading frames, we investigated their regional and cellular distribution pattern in the central nervous system of autopsy cases with C9ORF72 mutation by immunohistochemistry.
Aggregates of all DPRs were seen in neuronal cell bodies and processes. Glycine-alanine and glycine-prolin DPRs dominated. NCIs were abundant in all neocortical areas, in the hippocampal formation and in cerebellum, less frequent in subcortical nuclei, and rare in brain stem and spinal cord following a rostro-caudal gradient. Different DPRs were found in the same NCI. The regional distribution pattern of NCIs was similar in all clinical subtypes, and did not directly correlate with neurodegeneration. DPRs and TDP43 that usually also aggregates in C9ORF72 mutation cases were rarely co-localized in the same NCI. In case of co-localization DPR proteins formed a central core surrounded by TDP43.
The detection of DPR inclusions directly connects the mutation with specific neuropathological alterations. The formation of DPR inclusions seems to precede the formation of TDP43 inclusions. If there is a neurotoxic effect of DPRs, DPR inclusions might be neuroprotective.
Several psychotropic medications (i.e. antipsychotics, antidepressant) have been recently associated with QTc prolongation. Despite literature data report only mild prolongation of QTc following the use of antidepressants or typical antipsychotics, post-marketing studies have clearly evidenced an increased risk of QTc prolongation and potentially lethal arrhythmias (i.e. torsade de pointes) in psychiatric patients.
Objectives
We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of prolonged QTc and to identify potential predictors influencing QTc in a psychiatric inpatient population.
Methods
Medical records of 200 patients admitted to our psychiatric ward between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results
Prevalence of prolonged QTc at admission was very low (0.1%). No significant differences in QTc interval were observed between patients taking or not antipsychotics (P = 0.66), mood stabilizers (P = 0.36), or antidepressants (P = 0.07). A statistically significant difference was observed between patients on depot formulation and patients who were taking oral antipsychotic (P = 0.02). However, the pharmaceutical class of the medications appeared not significant.
Conclusions
We observed a very low rate of QTc prolongation in psychiatric inpatients at admission. Surprisingly we did not find a significant effect of specific medications; however, in our sample intramuscular formulation was associated with lower QTc interval.
Disclosure of interest
The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
There is an increasing incidence of overweight/obesity and mental health disorders in young adults and the two conditions often coexist. We aimed to investigate the influence of antenatal and postnatal factors that may underlie this association with a focus on maternal prenatal smoking, socio-economic status and gender. Data from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study (women enrolled 1989–1991) including 1056 offspring aged 20 years (cohort recalled 2010–2012) were analyzed (2015–2016) using multivariable models for associations between offspring depression scores (DASS-21 Depression-scale) and body mass index (BMI), adjusting for pregnancy and early life factors and offspring behaviours. There was a significant positive relationship between offspring depression-score and BMI independent of gender and other psychosocial covariates. There was a significant interaction between maternal prenatal smoking and depression-score (interaction coefficient=0.096; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.19, P=0.037), indicating the relationship between depression-score and BMI differed according to maternal prenatal smoking status. In offspring of maternal prenatal smokers, a positive association between BMI and depression-score (coefficient=0.133; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.21, P=0.001) equated to 1.1 kg/m2 increase in BMI for every 1standard deviation (8 units) increase in depression-score. Substituting low family income during pregnancy for maternal prenatal smoking in the interaction (interaction coefficient=0.091; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.17, P=0.027) showed a positive association between BMI and depression score only among offspring of mothers with a low family income during pregnancy (coefficient=0.118; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.18, P<0.001). There were no significant effects of gender on these associations. Whilst further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are supported in other populations, they suggest potentially important maternal behavioural and socio-economic factors that identify individuals vulnerable to the coexistence of obesity and depression in early adulthood.
Strontium-rich epidote, including epidote-(Sr) and epidote with major amounts of Sr (i.e. epidote containing up to 17.3 wt.% SrO), was found in pumpellyite schist and epidote blueschist in a tectonic block in the serpentinite mélange of the Kurosegawa Zone, central Kyushu, Japan. The tectonic block is 20 m wide and made primarily of lawsonite blueschist, with subordinate amounts of pumpellyite schist and epidote blueschist. The pumpellyite schist typically occurs at the edge of the block and is composed mainly of pumpellyite with subordinate amounts of strontium-poor epidote, albite and chlorite, and thin veins of fine-grained calcite and clinopyroxene. Epidote-(Sr) forms rims around strontium-poor epidote, fills fractures in strontium-poor epidote and also occurs interstitially between pumpellyite aggregates and along the boundaries between pumpellyite and calcite-clinopyroxene veins. The epidote blueschist is found between the pumpellyite schist and lawsonite blueschist, and consists mainly of sodic amphibole, epidote and titanite, with albite veining. Strontium-rich epidote occurs as rims, replacing Sr-poor epidote near the albite vein. The bulk strontium contents of the rocks are as follows: lawsonite blueschist (200 ppm), epidote blueschist (2800 ppm) and pumpellyite schist (~10,700 ppm). The chemical and petrological characteristics of the Sr-rich epidote-bearing metabasites suggest that the infiltration of a metamorphic fluid promoted extensive Sr metasomatism during the later stages of high-pressure metamorphism.
To study the association between density of stores (food and beverage stores, stores selling only fruits and vegetables, and supermarkets) and the BMI of adults aged ≥20 years in Mexico.
Design
A cross-sectional study was performed. Individual data came from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey, while information on stores was taken from the National Institute of Geography and Statistics’ National Statistics Directory of Economic Units. A weighted least-squares model was estimated to test the association between density of stores and BMI of adults adjusting for sex, age, education, presence of hypertension, diabetes or both, household assets index and marginality index at the municipality level.
Setting
Mexico.
Results
An additional 1 sd in the density of fruit and vegetable stores was associated with a reduction of 0·24 (95 % CI −0·37, −0·12) kg/m2 in BMI when the densities of the other stores were at their mean values. For food and beverage store density, a difference of 1 sd was associated with an increase of 0·50 (95 % CI 0·33, 0·67) kg/m2 in BMI, while for supermarkets the corresponding association was a reduction of 0·48 (95 % CI −1·52, 0·56) kg/m2 in BMI.
Conclusions
In places with a higher density of stores that offer unhealthy foods, the BMI of adults tends to be higher.
We compared the cost-effectiveness (CE) of an active case-finding (ACF) programme for household contacts of tuberculosis (TB) cases enrolled in first-line treatment to routine passive case-finding (PCF) within an established national TB programme in Peru. Decision analysis was used to model detection of TB in household contacts through: (1) self-report of symptomatic cases for evaluation (PCF), (2) a provider-initiated ACF programme, (3) addition of an Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test for a single sputum sample from household contacts, and (4) all strategies combined. CE was calculated as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in terms of US dollars per disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Compared to PCF alone, ACF for household contacts resulted in an ICER of $2155 per DALY averted. The addition of the Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic test resulted in an ICER of $3275 per DALY averted within a PCF programme and $3399 per DALY averted when an ACF programme was included. Provider-initiated ACF of household contacts in an urban setting of Lima, Peru can be highly cost-effective, even including costs to seek out contacts and perform an Xpert/MTB RIF test. ACF including Xpert MTB/RIF was not cost-effective if TB cases detected had high rates of default from treatment or poor outcomes.
It has been demonstrated that negatively distorted self-referential processing, in which individuals evaluate one's own self, is a pathogenic mechanism in subthreshold depression that has a considerable impact on the quality of life and carries an elevated risk of developing major depression. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective intervention for depression, including subthreshold depression. However, brain mechanisms underlying BA are not fully understood. We sought to examine the effect of BA on neural activation during other perspective self-referential processing in subthreshold depression.
Method
A total of 56 subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans during a self-referential task with two viewpoints (self/other) and two emotional valences (positive/negative) on two occasions. Between scans, while the intervention group (n = 27) received BA therapy, the control group (n = 29) did not.
Results
The intervention group showed improvement in depressive symptoms, increased activation in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), and increased reaction times during other perspective self-referential processing for positive words after the intervention. Also, there was a positive correlation between increased activation in the dmPFC and improvement of depressive symptoms. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times.
Conclusions
BA increased dmPFC activation during other perspective self-referential processing with improvement of depressive symptoms and increased reaction times which were associated with improvement of self-monitoring function. Our results suggest that BA improved depressive symptoms and objective monitoring function for subthreshold depression.
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are the incretin hormones secreted from the intestine in response to enteral feeding to stimulate insulin secretion. We investigated the relationship serum GIP and GLP-1 levels with gestational age, and insulin secretion in preterm infants. Serum GIP and GLP-1 levels were measured at birth and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after birth in 30 infants, including 12 born before 30th week of gestation (early group) and 18 born after 30th week of gestation (late group). Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured, and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was also calculated. The levels of GLP-1 at 2 and 4 weeks were significantly higher in the early group than those in the late group. The levels of GIP were not significantly different between two groups. At 4 weeks, serum insulin level was significantly higher and QUICKI was significantly lower in the early group. Furthermore, GLP-1 levels were significantly correlated with QUICKI and the serum insulin levels in all infants at 4 weeks. In preterm infants, enteral feeding to premature intestine may be associated with GLP-1 secretion. GLP-1 is also related to stimulated insulin secretion in early postnatal period.
Enhancement of the quality of laser wake-field accelerated (LWFA) electron beams implies the improvement and controllability of the properties of the wake waves generated by ultra-short pulse lasers in underdense plasmas. In this work we present a compendium of useful formulas giving relations between the laser and plasma target parameters allowing one to obtain basic dependences, e.g. the energy scaling of the electrons accelerated by the wake field excited in inhomogeneous media including multi-stage LWFA accelerators. Consideration of the effects of using the chirped laser pulse driver allows us to find the regimes where the chirp enhances the wake field amplitude. We present an analysis of the three-dimensional effects on the electron beam loading and on the unlimited LWFA acceleration in inhomogeneous plasmas. Using the conditions of electron trapping to the wake-field acceleration phase we analyse the multi-equal stage and multiuneven stage LWFA configurations. In the first configuration the energy of fast electrons is a linear function of the number of stages, and in the second case, the accelerated electron energy grows exponentially with the number of stages. The results of the two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations presented here show the high quality electron acceleration in the triple stage injection–acceleration configuration.
This paper describes the SPICA array at Akeno, and discusses recent efforts made to improve the angular resolution of the array, concentrating on the determination of the departure of the shower front from a plane. Future research plans are also outlined.
Evidence associating serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors is inconsistent and studies have largely been conducted in adult populations. We examined the prospective associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors from adolescence to young adulthood in the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations, BMI, homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), TAG, HDL-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured at the 17-year (n 1015) and 20-year (n 1117) follow-ups. Hierarchical linear mixed models with maximum likelihood estimation were used to investigate associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors, accounting for potential confounders. In males and females, respectively, mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 73·6 (sd 28·2) and 75·4 (sd 25·9) nmol/l at 17 years and 70·0 (sd 24·2) and 74·3 (sd 26·2) nmol/l at 20 years. Deseasonalised serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were inversely associated with BMI (coefficient −0·01; 95 % CI −0·03, −0·003; P=0·014). No change over time was detected in the association for males; for females, the inverse association was stronger at 20 years compared with 17 years. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with log-HOMA-IR (coefficient −0·002; 95 % CI −0·003, −0·001; P<0·001) and positively associated with log-TAG in females (coefficient 0·002; 95 % CI 0·0008, 0·004; P=0·003). These associations did not vary over time. There were no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and HDL-cholesterol or SBP. Clinical trials in those with insufficient vitamin D status may be warranted to determine any beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance, while monitoring for any deleterious effect on TAG.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most commonly identified infectious aetiologies of encephalitis in North America and Europe. The epidemiology of encephalitis beyond these regions, however, is poorly defined. During 2009–2012 we enrolled 313 patients in a multicentre prospective study of encephalitis in Peru, 45 (14·4%) of whom had confirmed HSV infection. Of 38 patients with known HSV type, 84% had HSV-1 and 16% had HSV-2. Patients with HSV infection were significantly more likely to present in the summer months (44·4% vs. 20·0%, P = 0·003) and have nausea (60·0% vs. 39·8%, P = 0·01) and rash (15·6% vs. 5·3%, P = 0·01) compared to patients without HSV infection. These findings highlight differences in the epidemiology and clinical presentation of HSV encephalitis outside of the Northern Hemisphere that warrant further investigation. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for improved HSV diagnostic capacity and availability of intravenous acyclovir in Peru.
Adult patients with CHD often require complex operations, and indications for particular aspects of the operation are sometimes unclear. The aims of our study were as follows: to characterise concomitant procedures performed during adult congenital cardiac surgery, and to better define the risk involved with performing concomitant procedures during a single operation.
Methods
We retrospectively studied 458 adult congenital cardiac surgical patients. Major procedures were characterised as aortic, mitral, pulmonary, tricuspid, septal defect, single ventricle, transplant, and others. We constructed logistic regression models to assess the risk for mortality, major adverse event, and prolonged length of stay.
Results
A total of 362 operations involved a single major procedure, whereas 96 involved concomitant procedures. Performing concomitant procedures increased mortality (7.3 versus 2.5%), major adverse events (21.8 versus 14.9%), and prolonged length of stay (29.2 versus 17.1%). The added risks of concomitant procedures on mortality, major adverse event, and prolonged length of stay were 2.9 (95% CI 1.0–8.5, p=0.05), 1.9 (95% CI 1.1–3.3, p=0.02), and 2.4 (95% CI 1.4–4.1, p=0.003), respectively. There were 200 patients with conotruncal anomalies who underwent pulmonary valve surgery. In this subset, the added risks of concomitant procedures in addition to pulmonary valve surgery on mortality, major adverse events, and prolonged length of stay were 6.6 (95% CI 1.2–37.3, p=0.03), 2.8 (95% CI 1.2–6.6, p=0.03), and 3.3 (95% CI 1.5–7.4, p=0.005), respectively.
Conclusion
Concomitant procedures performed during adult congenital heart surgery increase risk. Awareness of this risk may improve surgical decision making and outcomes.
An outbreak of leptospirosis occurred in the South of Belgium, during August 2012, in teenagers who participated in two consecutive adventure scout camps near the Semois river. Among the symptomatic patient population (ten scouts), clinical manifestations included headache (70%), myalgia (50%), fever (50%), bilateral conjunctival injection (50%), general malaise (30%), vomiting (20%), anorexia (20%) and cough (20%). Some of the cases presented elevated blood creatinine (40%), or proteinuria (30%). Three patients were confirmed by serology and one by polymerase chain reaction. Potential risk factors included direct contact with a muskrat and indirect contact with potentially contaminated environments including the river water. Prospective environmental investigation carried out near the river banks 2 weeks after the outbreak identified Ondatra zibethicus (muskrat) as one Leptospira sp. reservoir.
Evidence suggests that breastfeeding during infancy lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its attendant risk factors in adult life. To investigate the influence of feeding type on the risk factors of MS, we assessed insulin sensitivity and lipid and apolipoprotein metabolism in preterm infants. Blood samples were collected from preterm infants at the time of discharge. Infants were separated into two groups: a breast milk (BM) group receiving ⩾90% of their intake from BM, and a mixed-fed (MF) group receiving ⩾50% of their intake from formula. The following indices were then compared between the two groups. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were used to calculate the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). We also measured serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), apolipoprotein-A1 (apoA1) and apolipoprotein-B (apoB) levels, and the ratios of TC/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc and apoB/apoA1. The mean gestational age was 32.9 weeks at birth, and blood samples were collected at a mean corrected age of 37.4 weeks. There were 22 infants in the BM group and 19 in the MF group. QUICKI was significantly higher in the BM group. TC, HDLc and apoA1 were not significantly different between the groups, but LDLc and apoB levels were significantly higher in the BM group. The TC/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc and apoB/apoA1 ratios were significantly higher in the BM group. In preterm infants, the type of feeding exposure in the early postnatal period may influence glucose, lipid and apolipoprotein metabolism, and affect markers of MS.