Describing Polymers Synthesized from Reducing Sugars and Ammonia Employing FTIR Spectroscopy

          يمكن تشخيص الميلانويد باستخدام تقنية مطيافية الأشعة تحت الحمراء (FTIR) . أن UV/Vis هي أداة فعالة للتحليل النوعي والكمي للمكونات الكيميائية في بوليمرات الميلانودين. تتطابق الميزات الهيكلية والاهتزازية للميلانويدات المُصنَّعة من D-Glucose و D-Fructose ، وفقًا لأطياف FTIR ، مع الاختلاف الوحيد في شدة القمم. باستخدام أطياف FTIR ، ينقسم الهيكل التركيبي للميلانودين إلى سبع مناطق رئيسية. تم تأكيد وجود مجموعات C = C و C = N و C = O في جميع الميلانويدات المكونة من الفركتوز والجلوكوز مع الأمونيا من خلال المناطق التي تتراوح من 1600 إلى 1690 سم -1 ، ويتضح النطاق إلى حد كبير على أنه نطاق واسع. يحتوي كل من الميلانويدات على كربوكسيل أو كربونيل في المنطقة تقريبا 1700 سم -1. في جميع الميلانويدينات، اختفت مجموعة +NH في نطاق 3080 سم-1. ومع ذلك ، فإن كثافة اللون تعتمد على نوع السكر المستخدم في تخليق الميلانويدين. علاوة على ذلك، بالمقارنة مع ميلانويدين المخلق من الأمونيا و الكلوكوز Glc-ammoina ، التي تحتوي على نسبة أعلى من الكربون المهجن sp3 ، فإن الميلانويدين المخلق من الأمونيا و الفركتوز Fru-ammonia لديها نسبة أعلى من الكربون المهجن sp2 على أساس تحليل الأشعة فوق البنفسجية / المرئية و FTIR وأطياف المشتق الثاني. علاوة على ذلك ، تمت محاكاة البيانات بأستخدام تحليل المكون الرئيسي (PCA). تم استخدام تحليل المكون الرئيسي (PCA) لتفسير البيانات.          Melanoidins can be diagnosed using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. UV/Vis is an effective tool for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components in melanoidin polymers. The structural and vibrational features of melanoidin synthesized from D-glucose and D-fructose are identical, according to FTIR spectra, with the only difference being the intensity of bands.  Using FTIR spectra, the skeleton of melanoidin is divided into seven major regions. The existence of the C=C, C=N, and C=O groups in all melanoidins formed from fructose and glucose with ammonia is confirmed by the areas ranging from 1600 to 1690 cm-1, and the band is largely evident as a broad shoulder. Both melanoidins have a carboxyl or carbonyl extending around 1700 cm-1. In all melanoidins, the NH+ group has vanished in the 3080 cm-1 range. However, the color intensity depends on the type of sugar employed in melanoidin synthesis. Furthermore, in comparison to Glc-ammonia, which has a higher proportion of sp3 hybridized carbon, Fru-ammonia has a higher proportion of sp2 hybridized carbon based on UV/Vis, FTIR and second-derivative spectra. Moreover, the data were simulated using principal component analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to interpret the data

Review Article p16 INK4A and p14 ARF Gene Promoter Hypermethylation as Prognostic Biomarker in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous group of tumors with each subtype having a distinct histopathological and molecular profile. Most tumors share, to some extent, the same multistep carcinogenic pathways, which include a wide variety of genetic and epigenetic changes. Epigenetic alterations represent all changes in gene expression patterns that do not alter the actual DNA sequence. Recently, it has become clear that silencing of cancer related genes is not exclusively a result of genetic changes such as mutations or deletions, but it can also be regulated on epigenetic level, mostly by means of gene promoter hypermethylation. Results from recent studies have demonstrated that DNA methylation patterns contain tumor-type-specific signatures, which could serve as biomarkers for clinical outcome in the near future. The topic of this review discusses gene promoter hypermethylation in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The main objective is to analyse the available data on gene promoter hypermethylation of the cell cycle regulatory proteins p16 INK4A and p14 ARF and to investigate their clinical significance as novel biomarkers in OSCC. Hypermethylation of both genes seems to possess predictive properties for several clinicopathological outcomes. We conclude that the methylation status of p16 INK4A is definitely a promising candidate biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of OSCC, especially for recurrence-free survival

Founder effect in the Horn of Africa for an insulin receptor mutation that may impair receptor recycling.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Genetic insulin receptoropathies are a rare cause of severe insulin resistance. We identified the Ile119Met missense mutation in the insulin receptor INSR gene, previously reported in a Yemeni kindred, in four unrelated patients with Somali ancestry. We aimed to investigate a possible genetic founder effect, and to study the mechanism of loss of function of the mutant receptor. METHODS: Biochemical profiling and DNA haplotype analysis of affected patients were performed. Insulin receptor expression in lymphoblastoid cells from a homozygous p.Ile119Met INSR patient, and in cells heterologously expressing the mutant receptor, was examined. Insulin binding, insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation, and cooperativity and pH dependency of insulin dissociation were also assessed. RESULTS: All patients had biochemical profiles pathognomonic of insulin receptoropathy, while haplotype analysis revealed the putative shared region around the INSR mutant to be no larger than 28 kb. An increased insulin proreceptor to β subunit ratio was seen in patient-derived cells. Steady state insulin binding and insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the mutant receptor was normal; however it exhibited decreased insulin dissociation rates with preserved cooperativity, a difference accentuated at low pH. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The p.Ile119Met INSR appears to have arisen around the Horn of Africa, and should be sought first in severely insulin resistant patients with ancestry from this region. Despite collectively compelling genetic, clinical and biochemical evidence for its pathogenicity, loss of function in conventional in vitro assays is subtle, suggesting mildly impaired receptor recycling only

Behavioural Lifestyle Intervention Study (BLIS) in patients with type 2 diabetes in the United Arab Emirates: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification is a cornerstone of the management of type 2 diabetes. However, in the United Arab Emirates, a country where type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent, non-compliance with a healthy lifestyle has been reported in many diabetic Emirati patients. The use of behavioural theories in lifestyle counselling is believed to facilitate behavioural changes, nevertheless, there are no published data regarding the use of structured behavioural lifestyle programmes tailored to suit Emirati culture. The primary objective of this study was to develop a behavioural lifestyle programme and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving glycaemic control in Emirati patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The Behavioural Lifestyle Intervention Study (BLIS) was a translational randomized controlled trial in which patients (n = 35) were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group went through a six-month behavioural lifestyle programme composed of 8 sessions, whereas patients in the control group received standard care. Cognitive behavioural theory was the underpinning theory for the lifestyle intervention. HbA1c levels were the trial’s primary outcome measure, and the main dietary factor targeted for change was carbohydrate intake. They were measured at baseline, 3 months and 6 months and were assessed using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of P < 0.05. All of the patients were then followed up at 1 year on all outcome measures. RESULTS: At 6 months, the HbA1c levels of the patients (n = 18) in the intervention group were significantly reduced (−1.56 ± 1.81, P < 0.05), whereas no significant change was observed in the patients of the control group. Similarly, both carbohydrate intake from cereals and total carbohydrate intake (in grams) were reduced (p < 0.05) in the intervention group, by 32.92 ± 54.34 and 20.94 ± 56.73, respectively. At 1 year, the patients in the intervention group maintained a significant reduction in HbA1c levels (−1.12 ± 1.46, p < 0.05), whereas no change was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: The behavioural lifestyle intervention programme was effective in improving glycaemic control and compliance with carbohydrate intake goals in Emirati patients with type 2 diabetes. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these results and to identify key behavioural strategies that will improve compliance to lifestyle modifications in real life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov trial identifier NCT0238693

Quality of Type 2 Diabetes Management in the States of The Co-Operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf: A Systematic Review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing, worldwide public health concern. Recent growth has been particularly dramatic in the states of The Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and these and other developing economies are at particular risk. We aimed to systematically review the quality of control of type 2 diabetes in the GCC, and the nature and efficacy of interventions. We identified 27 published studies for review. Studies were identified by systematic database searches. Medline and Embase were searched separately (via Dialog and Ovid, respectively; 1950 to July 2010 (Medline), and 1947 to July 2010 (Embase)) on 15/07/2009. The search was updated on 08/07/2010. Terms such as diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent, hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and Gulf States were used. Our search also included scanning reference lists, contacting experts and hand-searching key journals. Studies were judged against pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and where suitable for inclusion, data extraction/quality assessment was achieved using a specifically-designed tool. All studies wherein glycaemic-, blood pressure- and/or lipid- control were investigated (clinical and/or process outcomes) were eligible for inclusion. No limitations on publication type, publication status, study design or language of publication were imposed. We found the extent of control to be sub-optimal and relatively poor. Assessment of the efficacy of interventions was difficult due to lack of data, but suggestive that more widespread and controlled trial of secondary prevention strategies may have beneficial outcomes. We found no record of audited implementation of primary preventative strategies and anticipate that controlled trial of such strategies would also be useful

Factors affecting the motivation of healthcare professionals providing care to Emiratis with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify facilitators of and barriers to healthcare professionals' motivation in a diabetes centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). DESIGN: A qualitative research approach was employed using semistructured interviews to assess perception of and attitudes regarding healthcare professionals' motivation in providing good quality diabetes care. SETTING: A diabetes centre located in Abu-Dhabi, UAE. PARTICIPANTS: Healthcare professionals including specialist physicians, dieticians, podiatrists, health educators and nurses were recruited through purposive sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After data collection, the audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to content analysis. RESULTS: Nine semistructured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals of various professional backgrounds. Important facilitators and barriers related to patient, professional, organization and cultural factors were identified. Barriers that related to heavy workload, disjointed care, lack of patient compliance and awareness, and cultural beliefs and attitudes about diabetes were common. Key facilitators included the patient's role in achieving therapeutic outcomes as well as compliance, cooperation and communication. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study provides some unique insights about factors affecting healthcare professionals' motivation in providing good quality care. To improve the motivation of healthcare professionals in the management of diabetes and therefore the quality of diabetes care, several steps are needed. Importantly, the role of primary care should be reinforced and strengthened regarding the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, privacy of the consultation time should be highly protected and regulated, and awareness of the Emirate culture and its impact on health should be disseminated to the healthcare professionals providing care to Emirates with diabetes. Also, greater emphasis should be placed on educating Emiratis with diabetes on, and involving them in, the management of their condition

La comunicazione interculturale e l’approccio comunicativo: dall’idea allo strumento

il saggio si inserisce in un filone di ricerca aperto nel 199 e proseguito con saggi e volumi: in questo caso di descrive e discute la progettazione di un passo fondamentale, dall'elaborazione teorica del modello di riferimento alla traduzione di tale modello in strumento operativo per la consultazione e la didattica

A literature review and survey of childhood pneumonia etiology studies: 2000-2010.

The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) project is the largest multicountry etiology study of childhood pneumonia since the Board on Science and Technology in International Development studies of the 1980s. However, it is not the only recent or ongoing pneumonia etiology study, and even with seven sites, it cannot capture all epidemiologic settings in the developing world. Funding providers, researchers and policymakers rely on the best available evidence to strategically plan programs, new research directions and interventions. We aimed to describe the current landscape of recent pneumonia etiology studies in children under 5 years of age in the developed and developing world, as ascertained by a literature review of relevant studies with data since the year 2000 and a survey of researchers in the field of childhood pneumonia. We collected information on the study population, study design, case definitions, laboratory samples and methods and identified pathogens. A literature review identified 88 studies with child pneumonia etiology results. As of June 2010, our survey of researchers identified an additional 65 ongoing and recently completed child pneumonia etiology studies. This demonstrates the broad existing context into which the PERCH study must be placed. However, the landscape analysis also reveals a multiplicity of case definitions, levels of clinician involvement, facility types, specimen collection, and laboratory techniques. It reinforces the need for the standardization of methods and analyses for present and future pneumonia etiology studies in order to optimize their cumulative potential to accurately describe the microbial causes of childhood pneumonia