Psychological wellbeing and biochemical modulation in response to weight loss in obese type 2 diabetes patients

Background

Obesity in type 2 diabetes patients is a serious health issue by itself; it is also associated with other health problems including psychiatric illnesses. The psychological effects of dieting and weight loss have been a matter of controversy in the field of obesity management.

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of weight loss because of aerobic exercise training and dietary measures on psychological wellbeing and biochemical modulation in obese type 2 diabetes patients.

Material and methods

One hundred obese type 2 diabetes patients of both sexes participated in this study, and were included into two equal groups. The first group (A) received aerobic exercise training, three sessions per week for three months combined with dietary measures. The second group (B) received no training intervention for three months.

Results

There was a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI), leptin, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides(TG), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance- index (HOMA-IR) , beck depression inventory (BDI ) & profile of mood states(POMS) and increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) & Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) of group (A) after treatments, but the changes of group (B) were not significant. Moreover, there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters of group (B) and group (A) at the end of the study.

Conclusion

Physical training and dietary measures can be used as methods of choice for psychological wellbeing and biochemical modulation in obese type 2 diabetes patients.     

Effects of Hybridized Synthetic Fibers on the Shear Properties of Cement Composites

The use of fibers in cementitious composites yields numerous benefits due to their fiber-bridging capabilities in resisting cracks. Therefore, this study aimed to improve the shear-resisting capabilities of conventional concrete through the hybridization of multiple synthetic fibers, specifically on reinforced concrete structures in seismic-prone regions. For this study, 16 hybrid fiber-reinforced concretes (HyFRC) were developed from the different combinations of Ferro macro-synthetic fibers with the Ultra-Net, Super-Net, Econo-Net, and Nylo-Mono microfibers. These hybrids were tested under direct shear, resulting in improved shear strength of controlled specimens by Ferro-Ultra (32%), Ferro-Super (24%), Ferro-Econo (44%), and Ferro-Nylo (24%). Shear energy was further assessed to comprehend the effectiveness of the fiber interactions according to the mechanical properties, dosage, bonding power, manufactured material, and form of fibers. Conclusively, all fiber combinations used in this study produced positive synergistic effects under direct shear at large crack deformations.     

Leishmania infantum DNA detection in Phlebotomus tobbi in a new northern focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

Objective

To identify the vector(s), the parasite and the species composition of sand flies in the district during May-October 2012.

Methods

For reaching our objectives we used polymerase chain reaction of kDNA, ITS1-rDNA, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

Two species of Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus tobbi were the most prevalent among 8 species identified comprising 51.1% and 32.9% respectively. Among the 160 specimens of female sand flies tested by polymerase chain reaction of kDNA, ITS1-rDNA, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms, only 1 out of 80 Phlebotomus tobbi (1.25%) were positive to Leishmania infantum parasites.

Conclusions

Our finding showed that Phlebotomus tobbi may play as a vector to circulate the parasite of Leishmania infantum among reservoir(s) and human.     

Indirect effects of cigarette butt waste on the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Despite major insecticide-based vector control programs, dengue continues to be a major threat to public health in urban areas. The reasons for this failure include the emergence of insecticide resistance and the narrowing of the spectrum of efficient products. Cigarette butts (CBs), the most commonly discarded piece of waste, also represent a major health hazard to human and animal life. CBs are impregnated with thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are highly toxic and none of which has history of resistance in mosquitoes. This study was performed to examine whether exposure to CB alters various biological parameters of parents and their progeny. We examined whether the mosquito changes its ovipositional behaviors, egg hatching, reproductive capacity, longevity and fecundity in response to CB exposure at three different concentrations. Females tended to prefer microcosms containing CBs for egg deposition than those with water only. There were equivalent rates of eclosion success among larvae from eggs that matured in CB and water environments. We also observed decreased life span among adults that survived CB exposure. Extracts of CB waste have detrimental effects on the fecundity and longevity of its offspring, while being attractive to its gravid females. These results altogether indicate that CB waste indirectly affect key adult life traits of Aedes aegypti and could conceivably be developed as a novel dengue vector control strategy, referring to previously documented direct toxicity on the larval stage. But this will require further research on CB waste effects on non-target organisms including humans.     

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy predicts renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cohort study

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this work was to assess the impact of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) on the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study in adults with type 2 diabetes. Patients with end-stage renal disease were excluded. CKD was defined as the presence of albuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio GFR >?3.4 mg/mmol) or an estimated (eGFR) <?60 ml min^?1 1.73 m^?2. CKD progression was based on repeated eGFR measurements and/or the development of albuminuria. CAN was assessed using heart rate variability.

Results

Two hundred and four patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, the prevalence of CKD and CAN was 40% and 42%, respectively. Patients with CAN had lower eGFR and higher prevalence of albuminuria and CKD. Spectral analysis variables were independently associated with eGFR, albuminuria and CKD at baseline. After a follow-up of 2.5 years, eGFR declined to a greater extent in patients with CAN than in those without CAN (?9.0?±?17.8% vs ?3.3?±?10.3%, p?=?0.009). After adjustment for baseline eGFR and baseline differences, CAN remained an independent predictor of eGFR decline over the follow-up period (β?=??3.5, p?=?0.03). Spectral analysis variables were also independent predictors of eGFR decline.

Conclusions/interpretation

CAN was independently associated with CKD, albuminuria and eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, CAN was an independent predictor of the decline in eGFR over the follow-up period. CAN could be used to identify patients with type 2 diabetes who are at increased risk of rapid decline in eGFR, so that preventative therapies might be intensified.     

Design and synthesis of 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives as PDE 4B inhibitors endowed with bronchodilator activity

A series of 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives was designed, synthesized, and screened for their phosphodiesterase (PDE 4B) inhibitory activity and bronchodilation ability. Compound 7e showed 41.80% PDE 4B inhibition at 10 µM. Eight compounds were screened for their bronchodilator activity, where compounds 7f and 7e elicited promising bronchodilator activity with EC₅₀ values of 18.6 and 57.1 µM, respectively, compared to theophylline (EC₅₀ = 425 µM). Molecular docking at the PDE 4B active site revealed a binding mode and docking scores comparable to those of a reference ligand, consistent with their PDE 4B inhibition activity.     

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sleep and Breathing - Obesity is a common risk factor for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Both PCOS and OSA are associated with increased risk of type 2...     

Antioxidant concentrations in serum, follicular fluid, and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant’s vitamins concentrations in serum, follicular fluid and corpus luteum of cyclic buffalo cows. A total of 34 clinically healthy buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis), aged 8–10 years, were subjected to study. All animals were examined before slaughtering and the findings on the ovaries and the uterus were recorded. Blood samples and the whole genital tract of each animal were collected just after slaughtering. Antioxidants were measured in serum, CL and follicular fluid at different stage of the estrus cycle (proestrus n?=?8, estrus n?=?7, metestrus n?=?7, and diestrus n?=?12). The results revealed significant increases in serum α-tocopherol concentration during metestrus and diestrus stages (p?<?0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease (p?<?0.05) in follicular ascorbic acid concentration at diestrus phase. Follicular β-carotene (p?<?0.01) showed a significant increase at the metestrus than at estrus and diestrus phases of the cycle. Follicular Vitamin A significantly increased (p?<?0.01) at proestrus phase. Although during metestrus there was significant decrease in the corpus hemorrhagicum weight (p?<?0.01), ascorbic acid concentration was significantly increased (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that serum α-tocopherol concentration increased during metestrus and diestrus stages, follicular vitamin A increased in proestrus phases when regeneration and steroideogenesis are required. Ascorbic acid increased in diestrus phase to help corpus luteum to function properly.