The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review

This study provides a critical overview of experimental studies in vitro, in humans, and in animals that evaluated the efficacy of Berberine and its effect on management of obesity and the related metabolic consequences. As a result of this review, we summarized the effects of Berberine in different models and the related mechanism of actions. In preclinical models, Berberine demonstrates that it affects gut microbiota by reducing diversity of microbes starting at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day. Moreover, in animal models, Berberine explicates an action on glucose through the inhibition of α-glycosidase at a dose of 200 mh/kg/day. Berberine is also known to be effective against differentiation of adipocytes through a decrease in LXRs, PPARs, and SREBPs expression at 150 mg/kg/day. Other mechanism ascribed to Berberine are related to its inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis through the Phospheoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), Glucose-6-phosphate (G6Pase) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, Berberine (associated to Red Yeast Rice) is effective in decreasing lipid levels in rats, which consequently lowers the change of weight gain at dosage of 40 mg/kg to 380 mg/kg/day. All the above preclinical data are confirmed in human studies where Berberine can modulate the diversity of gut microbes at the dose of 500 mg/day. In addition, Berberine is found to have a beneficial impact on gene regulation for the absorption of cholesterol at a daily dose of 300 mg in humans, an amelioration on glucose accumulation at 1.0 g daily dose was also observed. For all these reasons, this review gives an important good account of the impact of Berberine in obesity treatment and prevention

High frequency of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in patients with diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is becoming increasingly prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus in the Middle East. We examined the relationship of these bacteria and their resistance mechanisms to the diabetic disease status of patients in Saudi Arabia. Susceptibilities of 271 isolates to carbapenems, tigecycline and colistin were determined, followed by detection of carbapenemase genes. A blaVIM gene was detected in ~95 % of isolates; blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-40 genes were also prevalent. Diabetic patients were significantly more likely to carry carbapenem-resistant isolates. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii is a serious problem in diabetic patients, and molecular detection of resistance mechanisms in these isolates is required

Association between des-acyl ghrelin at fasting and predictive index of muscle derangement, metabolic markers and eating disorders: a cross-sectional study in overweight and obese adults

Background: This study aimed to analyse the impact of des-acyl and acyl ghrelin (AG) on a wide range of muscular and metabolic markers and in order to discover the possible relationships and interactions of des-acylated ghrelin (DAG) on eating disorders. Materials & Methods: A total of 88 subjects (64 women and 24 men, with a mean age of 43 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.20 ± 3.27 kg/m2) were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Results: The findings showed that for each unit of increase of free fat mass index (FFMI), levels of DAG decreased by −41.11 pg/mL (p < 0.05). Moreover, similar associations with DAG were found for insulin (β = −30.67; p < 0.001), leptin (β = −0.64; p < 0.05), body weight (β = −14.36; p < 0.001), and free fat mass (FFM) (β = −30.67; p < 0.001). In addition, associations were found between DAG and resting energy expenditure (REE) (β = −0.84; p = 0.05) and the binge eating scale (BES) in which a unit increase of the BES score Q3 (depression) correlated with a decrease of DAG levels (β = −9.98; p = 0.08). Further, a unit increase of AG/DAG ratio correspond with an increase in body weight (β = 12.20; p < 0.05), BMI (β = 4.70; p < 0.05) and fat mass (β = 7.30; p < 0.05). However, the AG/DAG ratio was not associated with FFMI (β = 2.61; p = 0.165) and FFML/BMI (β = −0,064; p = 0.625). Conclusion: This study suggests that higher levels of DAG at fasting are indices of poor muscle mass, insulin resistance and depression

Evidence-Based role of nutrients and antioxidants for chronic pain management in musculoskeletal frailty and sarcopenia in aging

Musculoskeletal disorders in aging and pain are closely connected because of multiple mechanisms leading to loss of mobility and autonomy. Pain is predictive of diability and worsening frailty and the strength of this relationship increases with the severity of pain. This study presents a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, cross sectional studies, and observational studies based on treatment of pain in adults with musculoskeletal disorders using nutritional non-pharmacological (nutrients and antioxidants) interventions. The review found the efficiency of the following topics: (a) accession of the patient to a dietary counselling (e.g., daily recommended amount of protein-equivalent to at least of 1 g of protein per kilogram of body weight); (b) intake of glutamic acid-rich such as soy, egg, and cod and tryptophan-rich foods such as milk and peanuts-or taking quick-acting, free-form supplements; (c) supplementation of vitamin D and magnesium, if lacking; (d) weekly consumption of fish or supplements of omega-3 fatty acids; and (e) availability of botanicals, in particular curcumin and gingerol. These non-pharmacological interventions can help the pain therapist to create a personalized medicine (precision medicine), acting with the maximum efficacy and safety, and also reducing the dosage of analgesic drugs needed

Cementation of sand soil by microbially induced calcite precipitation at various degrees of saturation

A newly emerging microbiological soil stabilization method, known as microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP), has been tested for geotechnical engineering applications. MICP is a promising technique that utilizes the metabolic pathways of bacteria to form calcite precipitation throughout the soil matrix, leading to an increase in soil strength and stiffness. This paper investigates the geotechnical properties of sand bio-cemented under different degrees of saturation. A series of laboratory experiments was conducted, including sieve analysis, permeability, unconfined compressive strength, consolidated undrained triaxial, and durability tests. The results indicate that higher soil strength can be obtained at similar CaCO3 content when the treatment is performed under a low degree of saturation. The experimental results are further explained with a mathematical model, which shows that the crystallization efficiency, i.e., actual volume of crystals forming at the contact point where they contribute the most to strength, can be calculated from the degree of saturation and grain size. Fine sand samples exhibited higher cohesion, but lower friction angle than coarse sand samples with similar CaCO3 content. The results also confirm the potential of MICP as a viable alternative technique for soil improvement in many geotechnical engineering applications, including liquefiable sand deposits, slope stabilization, and subgrade reinforcement. The freeze-thaw and acid rain resistance of MICP-treated sand has also been tested

Consolidation of sand particles by nanoparticles of calcite after concentrating ureolytic bacteria

Ureolytic bacteria in the presence of high concentration of urea and calcium ions will precipitate calcite crystals in the form of nanocrystal aggregates. Those aggregates consolidate sandy materials by forming bridging points between sand particles. Bacterial cells that were isolated in a previous study, Bacillus sp. MCP11 (DSM 23526), were successfully concentrated in situ by up-loading 3-void volumes of cells followed by cementation solution (calcium/urea). Sandstone with UCS of 1200 kPa was formed with three applications of cells and cementation solution without clogging the void spaces resulting in a permeable consolidated sand core. ESEM images, EDS, and XRD analysis for the consolidated sandstone showed nanoparticles of rhombohedral calcite crystals aggregates of very fine particles at the nanoscale forming point-to-point contact between the sand particles

Optimizing Lateral Airway Offset for Collision Risk Mitigation Using Differential Evolution

A majority of aircraft are now using Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) for navigation. This has led to an effect of reducing the magnitudeof lateral deviations from the route center line and, consequently, increasingthe probability of a collision, should a loss of vertical separation betweenaircraft on the same route occur. The International Civil Aviation Organiza-tion (ICAO) has introduced Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures (SLOP) thatallow suitably equipped aircrafts to fly with 1nmi or 2nmi lateral offset tothe right of airway centerline in oceanic airspace. Very few aircraft, how-ever, are using the SLOP procedure because of the lack of understanding ofits safety benefits and implementation issues in identifying correct lateraloffset that can reduce the collision risk. This paper proposes an Evolution-ary Computation framework using Differential Evolution process to identifyoptimal lateral offsets for each airway in a given airspace such that itreduces the overall collision risk. Airway specific lateral offsets are thencorrelated with airway-traffic features using Multiple Regression models toidentify which features can explain the optimal lateral offset. The proposedapproach establishes a generic mapping that can suggest optimal lateraloffsets for a given airspace based on airway-traffic features to mitigate colli-sion risk. The proposed methodology is applied to Collision Risk assessmentof one-day traffic data (710 flights) in Bahrain Upper Airspace (FL290-FL410) o estimate optimal lateral offset that resulted in significant reduction ofcollision risk. Further, the number of flights and crossings on an airwaywere identified as key features affecting optimal lateral offset

Strength formation by nanoparticles of calcite after concentrating ureolytic bacteria in-situ

Ureolytic bacteria in the presence of high concentration of urea and calcium ions will precipitate calcite crystals in the form of aggregates. Those nanocrystals aggregates consolidate sandy materials by forming bridging points between sand particles. Bacterial cells isolated in a previous study, Bacillus sp. MCP11 (DSM 23526), were successfully concentrated in‐situ by uploading 3‐void volumes of cells followed by cementation solution (calcium∕urea). Sandstone with UCS of 1200 kPa was formed with three applications of cells and cementation solution without clogging the void spaces resulting in permeable consolidated sand core. ESEM images, EDS and XRD analysis for the consolidated sandstone showed nanoparticles of rhombohedral calcite crystals aggregates of very fine particles at the nanoscale forming point‐to‐point contact between the sand particles