Nutrition transition – Pattern IV: Leads Bangladeshi youth to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity

Fast food and soft drinks consumption leading to excess calorie intake coupled with lack of acceptable physical activity has augmented the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the world population for the past few eras. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 475 youth selected by systematic random sampling attending in 27 established public and private universities and colleges of Bangladesh. The study was aimed to evaluate habitual facts associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Bangladeshi youth. The rates of fast food consumption (once/week) are 50.6%, 43.7%, and 53.3% in overweight, pre-obese and obese-1 respondents accordingly and the rates of soft drinks consumption (4–6 times/week) are 40.5%, 59.2%, and 73.3% respectively for the same subjects. Moreover, approximately 40.8% of the youth went to fast food restaurants at least once per week and 27.2% went regularly (2 times/week). Youth having fast foods 2 times/week, consuming soft drinks 3–4 times/week were more likely to be obese. Besides, obesity epidemic was observed among those who have not the habit of doing physical exercise. This study provides evidence of increasing trend and threat to overweight and obesity for the Bangladeshi youth.     

杜仲叶提取物对腹部脂肪蓄积抑制作用的研究

目的 探讨杜仲叶提取物对人体内腹部脂肪蓄积的抑制作用.方法 将27例腹型肥胖患者随机分为2组(试验组15例,对照组12例),分别口服杜仲胶囊(含杜仲叶提取物)及安慰剂胶囊,第8周末观察每组患者体重、腹围、体重指数(BMI)、皮下脂肪及内脏脂肪的变化.结果 试验组与对照组比较,内脏脂肪及皮下脂肪明显减少(P＜0.05),...     

A Pilot Study of a New Chicken Model of Alcohol-Induced Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption is recognized as a common cause of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. It is currently thought that 36% of all cases of dilated cardiomyopathy are due to excessive alcohol intake. Suitable animal models are needed to study the pathogenic mechanisms of ethanol-induced LV dysfunction. We have therefore created a new model of ethanol-induced LV dysfunction in the chicken. METHODS: For 12 weeks, adult chickens were given, twice a day, by gavage, 73% of their total calculated daily water intake containing a 20% ethanol concentration. Twenty percent ethanol also was placed in the water and provided ad libitum. Control chickens received the same volume of water by gavage twice a day without ethanol. Water without ethanol was given ad libitum to control birds. RESULTS: Our study shows that after a relatively short duration of ethanol ingestion, chickens developed LV dilatation and LV dysfunction. The serum concentrations of ethanol attained in this new model were similar to those reported in humans. Furthermore, unlike other currently available animal models of ethanol-induced cardiac disease, this model demonstrates myocyte hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and myocytolysis, similar to observations in human ethanol-induced cardiac dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that this new avian model should provide a useful tool for investigating the mechanism(s) and pathophysiology of ethanol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.     

男性老年中心型肥胖与血脂及载脂蛋白的关系

分析84名中心型肥胖、104名外周型肥胖及101名正常体重老年人血脂和载脂蛋白资料。结果发现，中心型肥胖与外周型肥胖者血脂紊乱类型一致，均表现为血清胆固醇、甘油三酯及载脂蛋白B升高，高密度脂全白胆固醇、载脂蛋白AI降低，但中已心型肥胖者紊乱更为严重；随着腰围臀围比值水平升高，胆固醇和甘油三酯值亦升高；中心型肥胖者高脂血症患病率为82．2％，明显高于外周型肥胖者（476％，P＜0．01）。提示，腹部脂肪堆积与高脂血症密切相关，在血脂异常的预防和控制中，应重视对人体脂肪分布的观察与调整。     

血清irisin水平与腹型肥胖成人体脂率相关

目的探索血清irisin水平与体脂率的关系。方法选取2011年4月至2012年8月入组的厦门莲前社区腹型肥胖（男性腰围≥90cm,女性≥85cm）居民1204名,所有受试者接受问卷调查、体格测量、生化指标及血清irisin的测定,采用生物电阻抗的方法测定体脂率。数据运用t检验、单因素方差分析及logistic回归等进行统计分析。结果1204名肥胖受试者中女性807例,男性397例,年龄（534-7）岁（35～65岁）。女性体脂率高于男性[（39±4）％比（26±4）％,t=-53．50,P〈0．05],女性血清irisin水平亦高于男性[8．9（4．7—17．2）比7．6（4．0～14．4）肛∥L,t=-2．87,P〈0．05]。按血清irisin水平对受试者进行三分位分层分析,发现不同的血清irisin组间体脂率、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL—C）差异有统计学意义（F=4．49、3．63、4．88,趋势P均〈0．05）。对体脂率进行分层分析,发现随着体脂率的增加,血清irisin水平增加（F=3．33,P〈0．05）,进一步进行logistic回归分析发现,校正年龄、性别、体质指数（BMI）、腰围、体力活动、血压、吸烟饮酒、TG、TC、LDL—C、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）、糖化血红蛋白（HbAlC）、空腹血糖（FPG）、稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA—IR）后,体脂率每升高一个百分比,血清irisin水平则增加13％（OR=1．13,95％CI：1．01～1．25,X^2=4．83,P〈0．05）。结论在腹型肥胖人群中血清irisin水平与体脂率有关。     

两种瑞利绦虫形态发育的比较研究

目的 比较寄生于家鸡小肠的棘盘瑞利绦虫和四角瑞利绦虫的形态特征及发育过程。方法 采集寄生于鸡消化道内的两种鸡瑞利绦虫, 分别切取两种绦虫的新鲜头节片段3～5个, 经漂洗、固定、干燥、离子溅射喷金后, 扫描电镜观察拍照。分别取自来水中自然伸展后的两种绦虫数条, 取其不同发育片段, 按照常规方法制备连续石蜡切片、经伊红-苏木素（HE）染色、树胶封固后, 光学显微镜观察拍照。分别取自来水中自然伸展后的两种绦虫的完整虫体数条, 置于两块玻璃板间加重物压片, 经染色、脱水、透明、树胶封固后, 光学显微镜观察拍照。 结果 两种绦虫的成虫均由链体构成, 成节中均各含一套雌、雄生殖器官, 生殖孔均为单侧开口, 睾丸均分布在卵巢两侧及卵黄腺后部。不同之处, 棘盘瑞利绦虫链体较短, 头节及吸盘均呈圆形, 其颈部较短、不明显;卵巢呈叶状分支, 卵黄腺呈肾形, 孕节中散布有大量嗜酸性颗粒及细小折光性物质, 卵囊周围无明显界线, 其内仅含1个虫卵。四角瑞利绦虫链体相对较长, 头节及吸盘均呈椭圆形, 颈部尤为细长;卵巢呈花朵样分瓣, 卵黄腺呈豆状, 卵囊周围有明显的囊壁, 卵囊内含有4～12个数目不等的虫卵及大量成团的细小折光性颗粒。发育过程均为雄性生殖器官先发育成熟, 雌性后发育成熟, 当两者均发育成熟并完成受精后, 开始形成孕节, 孕节中卵囊形成方式也基本相同。 结论 两种绦虫的形态及发育存在相似之处。     

Autopsy case of duodenal obstruction from impacted mushroom

We report an autopsy case of duodenal bulb obstruction caused by a shiitake mushroom. A 74-year-old woman with depression was admitted to the hospital after suffering nausea and abdominal fullness for 3 days. Because the physical findings and laboratory data on admission revealed marked dehydration, lactated Ringer's solution was administered. Twelve hours later, the patient suddenly died. Autopsy showed an enlarged stomach filled with 850 ml of partially digested food. In the anal side of the pylorus, a 9-cm-diameter shiitake mushroom had become impacted, causing complete obstruction. We conclude that the patient suffered from duodenal bulb obstruction caused by the impacted mushroom and subsequently died of ileus. This case illustrates a rare cause of duodenal obstruction and emphasizes that ingested food can cause obstructive ileus and death. (Received Aug. 22, 1997; accepted Jan. 23, 1998)     

Impact of Visceral Fat on Survival and Metastasis of Stage III Colorectal Cancer

Background/AimsPrevious studies have investigated the relationship between visceral obesity and the risk of colorectal tumors. Visceral obesity may affect the outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC), including survival and metastasis. We investigated the associations between visceral adipose tissue and oncologic outcomes in stage III CRC.MethodsFour hundred seventy-two patients with stage III CRC were identified. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue areas were measured volumetrically via computed tomography for each patient at different levels of the lumbar spine. After adjusting for age, sex, and other clinical factors, the effects of visceral adipose tissue area on mortality and recurrence were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression.ResultsIn univariate and multivariate analyses, a higher visceral adipose tissue to total adipose tissue (VT) ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 1.041; 95% CI, 1.008 to 1.075; p=0.015) and higher visceral adipose tissue to subcutaneous adipose tissue (VS) ratio (HR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.028; p=0.006) were both associated with poor CRC-specific survival. Interestingly, in the evaluation of each site of recurrence, a higher VT ratio (HR, 1.069; 95% CI, 1.010 to 1.131; p=0.020) and higher VS ratio (HR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.045; p=0.023) were both related to a higher risk of peritoneal seeding and tumor recurrence. The VT ratio at the L3–L4 level was significantly associated with a higher risk of peritoneal seeding and tumor recurrence (HR, 4.969; 95% CI, 1.303 to 18.949; p=0.019), while other levels showed no such relationship.ConclusionsVisceral obesity is closely related to increased risks of CRC-specific mortality and peritoneal seeding metastasis in stage III CRC patients.     

The Impact of Obesity on Risk Factors and Prevalence and Prognosis of Coronary Heart Disease—The Obesity Paradox

Obesity is associated with a host of cardiovascular risk factors and its prevalence is rising rapidly. Despite strong evidence that obesity predisposes to the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD), numerous studies have shown an inverse relationship between various measures of obesity (most commonly body mass index) and outcomes in established CHD. In this article we review the evidence surrounding the ? obesity paradox ? in the secondary care of CHD patients and the CHD presentations where a paradox has been found. Finally we discuss the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness and a number of mechanisms which may offer potential explanations for this puzzling phenomenon.     

Obesity and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans: Evidence for the “Jolly Fat” hypothesis from the Ansan Geriatric (AGE) Study

The current study is to examine the association between obesity and depressive symptoms and to test the validity of “Jolly Fat” hypothesis in elderly Koreans. A total of 1229 elderly (60-85 years old) Koreans selected from the Ansan Geriatric Study participated in this study. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from the measured weights and heights of subjects. Overweight and obese were defined as BMI ≥23 and ≥25, respectively. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 30-item Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (K-GDS), with a cutoff point of 18. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly Korean women was higher than in men (20.9% vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001). Among elderly women, higher mean values of obesity indexes, such as weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body fat mass, were found in normal subjects than in those with depressive symptoms. No such differences were found in elderly men. Obese elderly women were less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms compared to those with apparently normal weight (odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.96). This inverse association was evident after adjustment for confounders, such as age, education, personal expenses, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, self-perceived health, presence of chronic disease, and cognitive function. Our data are consistent with the “Jolly Fat” hypothesis being valid only in women, but not in men, among elderly Koreans. A causal relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms should be evaluated in future studies in elderly Korean women.     

Lifestyle improvement reduces the consumption of ultra-processed foods in adults with metabolic syndrome

Background and aims:The high consumption of ultra-processed products is a concern because it is positively associated with the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases, as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim is to evaluate the effects of three different interventions to modify lifestyle on the consumption of ultra-processed foods in adults with MetS.Methods and results:This was a randomized clinical trial, in which the participants were divided into three groups: Standard Intervention (SI), Group Intervention (GI) and Individual Intervention (II). The interventions were carried out over a three-month period and the data was collected in a 24-h food record, taken at the beginning and end of the intervention. The food they ate was classified into four groups according to the degree of processing (unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods) in accordance with the NOVA food classification. Seventy adults took part in the study with a mean age of 51.2 ± 6.6 years old; most of whom were female (55.7%). The amount of ultra-processed food consumed by the three groups (SI, GI and II) was significantly reduced (46%, 34%, and 33%, respectively). The amount of processed food consumed only reduced in the II group. The Total Energy Value (TEV) consumed by the SI and II groups decreased.ConclusionsThe interventions that were intended to alter lifestyles were able to reduce the amount of ultra-processed food consumed, which can have an impact on the prevention and treatment of MetS.Registrationregistered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, ReBEC, under number: RBR-9wz5fc.     

Gastro-oesophageal Reflux in Obese Subjects: Influence of Overweight,Weight Loss and Chronic Gastric Balloon Distension

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux is an obesity-related health risk assumed to improve after weight loss. Prolonged intragastric balloon distension might oppose this. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in untreated obese subjects and to study the consequences of weight loss with or without intragastric balloon treatment. Methods: Patients participating in a randomized double-blind, sham-controlled trial received balloon or sham treatment for the first 13 weeks. Thereafter, all subjects received a balloon for the remaining year. Twenty-four-hour pH recordings were made at the start, after 13 weeks of balloon or sham treatment, after 26 and 52 weeks of balloon treatment and 13 weeks after balloon removal. Results: Group-wise, pH data of 42 untreated patients (BMI 43.4 kg/m 2 ) were highly abnormal. On an individual level, 22 subjects (52%) had some evidence of reflux, 17 patients (40%) showed pathological total reflux times and 8 (19%) had combined total, upright and supine reflux with grade B reflux oesophagitis in only one patient. Albeit poorly, oesophageal acid exposure was related to body weight and visceral fat distribution. A reduction in acid reflux was observed in sham-treated weight-losing subjects, whereas in balloon-treated subjects supine reflux and duration of the longest reflux increased. In the second 13-week period, the initially improved pH values worsened by balloon placement in sham-treated subjects. Values in balloon-balloon-treated subjects stabilized. After 52 weeks, acid reflux levelled off at pretreatment values and further improved after balloon removal. At these times, decreased visceral fat masses correlated significantly with diminished oesophageal exposure to acid. Conclusions: Obesity predisposed to gastro-oesophageal reflux. Body weight loss and, strikingly, visceral fat loss resulted in improved reflux parameters. Adverse effects on acid reflux by gastric balloon distension wore off over time.     

Chicken growth hormone: further characterization and ontogenic changes of an N-glycosylated isoform in the anterior pituitary gland

Glycosylation is one of the post-translational modifications that growth hormone (GH) can undergo. This has been reported for human, rat, mouse, pig, chicken and buffalo GH. The nature and significance of GH glycosylation remains to be elucidated. This present study further characterizes glycosylated chicken GH (G-cGH) and examines changes in the pituitary concentration of G-cGH during embryonic development and post hatching growth. G-cGH was purified from chicken pituitaries by affinity chromatography (Concanavalin A-Sepharose and monoclonal antibody bound to Sepharose). Immunoreactive G-cGH has a MW of 26 kDa or 29 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE, respectively, under non-reducing and reducing conditions. Evidence that it is N-glycosylated comes from its susceptibility to peptide N-glycosidase F, and its resistance to O-glycosidase. Based on the ability of G-cGH to bind Concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin but not other lectins and its susceptibility to peptide N-glycosidase F, a hybrid or biantennary type glycopeptide (GlcNac2, Man) structure is proposed. Some G-cGH can be observed in the pituitary at most ages examined (from 15-day embryo to adult). Moreover, electron microscopy revealed the presence of both immuno-reactive GH and Concanavalin A-reactive sites in the same secretory granules in the somatotrope. There were marked changes in the level and relative proportion of G-cGH in the pituitary gland during development and growth, the proportion of G-cGH rising during late embryonic development (e.g., between 15 and 18 days of development) and with further increases between 9 weeks and 15 weeks old. G-cGH was able to bind to chicken liver membrane preparations with less affinity than non-glycosylated monomer; on the other hand, however, G-cGH stimulated cell proliferation on Nb2 lymphoma bioassay whereas the non-glycosylated monomer was uncapable to do it.     

Comparison of sarcopenic status between elderly leprosy survivors and general population

Because of chronicity and poor environments, elderly leprosy survivors might be at greater risk of developing obesity and sarcopenia than healthy individuals. This study aimed to investigate whether body composition and the prevalence of obesity and sarcopenia among elderly leprosy survivors with no or mild physical impairment differ from those of the general population. A total of 36 leprosy survivors aged 65–90 years with no or mild physical impairment were recruited. Individuals matched for sex, age, and height were selected as a control group from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), modified skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and the prevalence of obesity and sarcopenia were compared between the leprosy survivors and the control group. Compared to the control group, the leprosy survivors had higher body weight, BMI, total fat mass, and total fat percentage. The leprosy survivor group also had lower ASM (P = 0.035) and SMI (P < 0.001) values. Comparison of the composition of regional body parts showed that the lean body mass of the legs was lower in the leprosy survivor group even though this group had higher body weight. The leprosy survivor group also had a significantly higher prevalence of sarcopenia than the control group (38.7% vs. 5.6%; P = 0.002). These findings suggest that leprosy survivors are at greater risk of developing obesity and sarcopenia than healthy individuals. Further researches are required to investigate causes and mechanisms of sarcopenia in leprosy survivors.     

Sarcopenic obesity: a new category of obesity in the elderly

Background and aimIn elderly patients, age-related changes in body composition, as well as the increased prevalence of obesity, determine a combination of excess weight and reduced muscle mass or strength, recently defined as sarcopenic obesity (SO). This review examines the main studies regarding sarcopenic obesity in the elderly.Data synthesisDefinition of SO necessarily combines those of sarcopenia and obesity. The prevalence of sarcopenia and SO increases with age. Muscle and fat mass are strongly interconnected from a pathogenetic point of view. A better understanding of the mechanisms which lead from loss of muscle mass to fat gain or vice versa from fat gain to muscle loss seems to be crucial. Recent data suggest that peptides produced by adipose tissue may play an important role in the pathophysiology of SO, thus more research is needed to better characterize this new area. Obesity and Sarcopenia in the elderly may potentiate each other maximizing their effects on disability, morbidity and mortality. Identifying elderly subjects with SO should be mandatory; effective treatment of sarcopenia and SO may attenuate its clinical impact.ConclusionThe concept of SO may help to clarify the relationship between obesity, morbidity and mortality in the elderly.     

Studies on the morphologic and metabolic changes of human fat cells maintained in culture

Summary Specimens of human adipose tissue were maintainedin vitro for one week and cell size as well as metabolic rates determined before and after the culture period. Large fat cells from obese donors decreased towards ‘normal’ cell size while this was not the case for cells from non-obese donors. This decrease was probably due to the increased lipolysis found while glucose incorporation was unchanged. Analogous to the findings with obese subjects placed on a weight-reducing regimen, the present data show that when large fat cells are removed from their anabolic, hyperinsulinic environment, ‘normalization’ in cell size occurs. Visiting Scientist,Istituto di Clinica Medica III dell’Università di Padova, Verona, Italy.     

Differences in the gut microbiota of women according to ultra-processed food consumption

Background and aimsHigh consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) has been associated with increased risk of obesity and other metabolic diseases, and this dietary pattern seems to be responsible for chronic changes in the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of UPF with the gut microbiota and obesity-associated biometrics in women.Methods and resultsThis cross-sectional study examined 59 women. The following parameters were evaluated: food consumption using NOVA classification, anthropometric and metabolic parameters, and gut microbiome by next-generation sequencing. The mean age was 28.0 ± 6.6 years. The mean caloric intake was 1624 ± 531 kcal, of which unprocessed or minimally processed food (G1) accounted for 52.4 ± 13.5%, and UPF accounted for 31.4 ± 13.6%. Leptin levels adjusted for fat mass were negatively associated with G1 and positively associated with UPF. We found 15 species in the gut microbiota that correlated with G1 (3 positively and 12 negatively) and 9 species associated with UPF (5 positively and 4 negatively).ConclusionHigher consumption of UPF was directly associated with leptin resistance, and this study suggests that the consumption of UPF or G1 may affect the composition of the gut microbiota.