The Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Glycemic Status in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of 4000 IU and 6000 IU of daily vitamin D3 supplementation for 3 months and 6 months on 8-hydroxy-2`-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and glycated albumin (GA%) among a group of individuals with T2D and hypovitaminosis D. Furthermore, this study investigated the association between dietary inflammatory index (DII), C-reactive protein (CRP), 8-OHdG, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), GA% and insulin. Ninety participants were recruited by community outreach and were screened. Sixty-eight participants met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and completed the study. DII for each individuals was calculated based on the values obtained from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Measurements of variables were conducted at baseline, after 3 months and after 6 months of supplementation. Serum CRP, 8-OHdg, GA%, HbA1c and insulin were measured by enzymatic immunoassay methods. Mixed model was used to compare treatment groups. Covariates in the adjusted model included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), insulin, HbA1c, years with type 2 diabetes, perceived stress, physical activity, and sun exposure. Mean age was 54.94± 7.93 years.A multivariable linear regression model adjusted for age, gender, waist circumference, and fasting plasma glucose was used to test for the linear trend between DII and CRP, 8-OHdG, GA% and insulin.The unadjusted model showed no significant associations between quartiles of DII, CRP, HbA1c and GA%. A significant inverse association was observed between the fourth DII quartile and insulin level (p=0.030). There was a significant association between SBP and DII in Q4 (p=0.029).The unadjusted mean ± SD for 8-OHdG levels at baseline, after 3 and 6 months were 8068.94 ± 2158.13 pg/mL, 9462.22 ± 2403.89 pg/mL, and 7412.69 ± 2031.68 pg/mL, respectively. The unadjusted mixed model showed no difference between the 4000 and 6000 IU groups regarding the oxidative stress and GA%. Interactions between time and treatment were not significant. The model showed a statistically significant difference in 8-OHdG level between baseline and 3 months (PP=0.015), and from 3 months to 6 months (P=0.039), but not from baseline to 6 months (P= 0.488). The results of the present study showed daily oral supplementation with higher doses of vitamin D for 6 months may have beneficial effects on oxidative stress and glycemic status among a group of individuals with type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory dietary patterns may be associated with increased risk of hyperinsulinemia and hypertension among individuals with T2D and hypovitaminosis D

The Effects of Vitamin D on the Renin-Angiotensin System

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: The current literature indicates that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be an important consideration in the treatment of hypertension, especially in individuals with vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency

Facile Surfactant-Free Preparation, Characterization and Investigation of Optical Properties of Zirconia Nanostructures

Zirconia nanostructures have been successfully synthesized through sonochemical-assisted rout. Zirconia nanostructures were synthesized by employing of the zirconyl nitrate and tetramethylethylenediamine (TMED) as starting materials. Here, TMED was used not only as precipitator, but also as capping agent to form zirconia nanostructures. The products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results demonstrated that utilizing of this precipitator is suitable choice for preparation of zirconia nanostructures with very uniform sphere-like morphology

Facile Solvent-Less Preparation, Characterization and Investigation of Photocatalytic Properties of Pr6O11 Nanostructures

Pr6O11 nanostructures were synthesized through a facile solvent-less method. Nanostructures were prepared by heat treatment in air, using [Pr L(NO3)2]NO3 (L bis-(salicyladehyde)-1,4-butadiimine Schiff base ligand), as new precursor, which was obtained by a solvent-free solid–solid reaction from praseodymium nitrate and Schiff base ligand. The as-obtained nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis)spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated that utilizing of this precursor is suitable choice for preparation of Pr6O11 nanostructures with very uniform sphere-like morphology. The photocatalyst activity of as-obtained Pr6O11 was also examined by degradation of 2-naphthol as organic contaminant under ultraviolet light irradiation

Rare-Earth-Based Materials for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

Recently, the synthesis of rare-earth-based nanostructures as a significant class of materials with photocatalysis activity has attracted the attention of researchers. Many studies have shown their applications in various fields, specifically in photocatalysis. There are different methods to synthesis of rare-earth nanostructures. In this study, we discuss about modification of rare-earth-based materials. Also production methods and their advantages and disadvantages have been presented, briefly. Finally, photocatalytic applications of rare-earth nanostructures are highlighted

Facile Solvent-Less Preparation, Characterization and Investigation of Photocatalytic Properties of Pr6O11 Nanostructures

Pr6O11 nanostructures were synthesized through a facile solvent-less method. Nanostructures were prepared by heat treatment in air, using [Pr L(NO3)2]NO3 (L bis-(salicyladehyde)-1,4-butadiimine Schiff base ligand), as new precursor, which was obtained by a solvent-free solid–solid reaction from praseodymium nitrate and Schiff base ligand. The as-obtained nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis)spectroscopy. The obtained results demonstrated that utilizing of this precursor is suitable choice for preparation of Pr6O11 nanostructures with very uniform sphere-like morphology. The photocatalyst activity of as-obtained Pr6O11 was also examined by degradation of 2-naphthol as organic contaminant under ultraviolet light irradiation

L2 Pronunciation Accuracy across Different Parts of Speech: The Case of Iranian L2 Learners

This study investigates the effect of noun and verb categories on second language (L2) pronunciation of Iranian adult EFL learners. The participants were native speakers of Farsi and were at the intermediate level. They pronounced 20 sentences matched for the phonetic content and frequency and contained areas of pronunciation difficulty for EFL learners. Each participant's pronunciation was audiotaped and submitted to two raters so as to pinpoint mispronounced phonetic segments in the data. Results revealed that the participants had difficulty in pronouncing the phonemes non-existent in their L1. The most common errors were epenthesis, substitution errors, and vowel shortening/lengthening, and more pronunciation errors were produced in verbs than nouns. The findings may present to the EFL teachers a set of general ideas about the possible problems that L2 learners may encounter in pronunciation

The association of depression and perceived stress with beta cell function between African and Haitian Americans with and without type 2 diabetes

Background: Diabetes and diabetes-related complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Depressive symptoms and perceived stress have been identified as possible risk factors for beta cell dysfunction and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess associations between depression symptoms and perceived stress with beta cell function between African and Haitian Americans with and without type 2 diabetes. Participants and Methods: Informed consent and data were available for 462 participants (231 African Americans and 231 Haitian Americans) for this cross-sectional study. A demographic questionnaire developed by the Primary Investigator was used to collect information regarding age, gender, smoking, and ethnicity. Diabetes status was determined by self-report and confirmed by fasting blood glucose. Anthropometrics (weight, and height and waist circumference) and vital signs (blood pressure) were taken. Blood samples were drawn after 8 10 hours over-night fasting to measure lipid panel, fasting plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations. The homeostatic model assessment, version 2 (HOMA2) computer model was used to calculate beta cell function. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: Moderate to severe depressive symptoms were more likely for persons with diabetes (p = 0.030). There were no differences in perceived stress between ethnicity and diabetes status (p = 0.283). General linear models for participants with and without type 2 diabetes using beta cell function as the dependent variable showed no association with depressive symptoms and perceived stress; however, Haitian Americans had significantly lower beta cell function than African Americans both with and without diabetes and adjusting for age, gender, waist circumference and smoking. Further research is needed to compare these risk factors in other race/ethnic groups

Perceived Stress and Self‑rated Health of Haitian and African Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Blacks have a higher incidence of diabetes and its related complications. Self-rated health (SRH) and perceived stress indicators are associated with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between SRH, perceived stress and diabetes status among two Black ethnicities. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included 258 Haitian Americans and 249 African Americans with (n = 240) and without type 2 diabetes (n = 267) (N = 507). Recruitment was performed by community outreach. Results: Haitian-Americans were less likely to report ‘fair to poor’ health as compared to African Americans [OR=0.58 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.95), P = 0.032]; yet, Haitian Americans had greater perceived stress than African Americans (P = 0.002). Having diabetes was associated with ‘fair to poor’ SRH [OR=3.14 (95% CI: 2.09, 4.72),P \u3c 0.001] but not perceived stress (P = 0.072). Haitian-Americans (P = 0.023), females (P = 0.003) and those participants having ‘poor or fair’ SRH (P \u3c 0.001) were positively associated with perceived stress (Nagelkerke R2=0.151). Conclusion: Perceived stress associated with ‘poor or fair’ SRH suggests that screening for perceived stress should be considered part of routine medical care; albeit, further studies are required to confirm our results. The findings support the need for treatment plans that are patient-centered and culturally relevant and that address psychosocial issues

Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine in Haitian and African Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between n-3 with, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (HCY) in Black minorities with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 406 participants: Haitian Americans (HA): n=238. African Americans (AA): n=172. Participants were recruited from a randomly generated mailing lists, local diabetes educators, community health practitioners and advertisements from 2008-2010. Sociodemographics and anthropometrics were collected and used to adjust analyses. All dietary variables were collected using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and used to quantify vitamin components. Blood was collected to measure CVD risk factors (blood lipids, HCY, and CRP). Results: African Americans had higher waist circumferences and C-reactive protein and consumed more calories as compared to Haitian Americans. Omega 3 fatty acid intake per calorie did not differ between these ethnicities, yet African Americans with low n-3 intake were three times more likely to have high C-reactive protein as compared to their counterparts [OR=3. 32 (1. 11, 9. 26) p=0.031]. Although homocysteine did not differ by ethnicity, African Americans with low omega 3 intake (\u3c1 g/day) were four times as likely to have high homocysteine (\u3e12 mg/L) as compared to their counterparts, adjusting for confounders [OR=4.63 (1.59, 12.0) p=0.004]. Consumption of n-3 by diabetes status was not associated with C-reactive protein or homocysteine levels. Conclusions: Consumption of n-3 may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors such as C-