Evaluation of some anthropometric indices for the diagnosis of obesity in pregnancy in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Obesity in pregnancy is a global health problem which is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The use of weight and height, measured at about ten weeks of gestation, to produce pre-gestational body mass index is recommended for the diagnoses of the condition but limitations abound in under resourced settings.Objectives: To measure anthropometric indices such as mid upper arm circumference, calf circumference, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio, for identification of obesity in pregnancy.Methods:Anthropometric measurements were carried out on cohorts of pregnant women from 4 hospitals in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria.Results: There were no significant difference in the mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) across the trimester groups. The mean values of waist circumferences, hip circumference and waist to hip ratios changed significantly across the trimesters. The 75th percentile of MUAC (33 cm) and CC (39 cm) in all trimesters, had sensitivity and specificity of more than 70% for identifying obesity in pregnancy.Conclusion: MUAC and CC values of 33cm and 39cm respectively might be reliable cut off points for diagnoses of obesity throughout pregnancy in Enugu, NigeriaKeywords: Anthropometric indices, Body mass index, obesity, oregnancy, NigeriaAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1034 - 104

Gestational Diabetes Is Characterized by Reduced Mitochondrial Protein Expression and Altered Calcium Signaling Proteins in Skeletal Muscle

The rising prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects up to 18% of pregnant women with immediate and long-term metabolic consequences for both mother and infant. Abnormal glucose uptake and lipid oxidation are hallmark features of GDM prompting us to use an exploratory proteomics approach to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying differences in skeletal muscle metabolism between obese pregnant women with GDM (OGDM) and obese pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (ONGT). Functional validation was performed in a second cohort of obese OGDM and ONGT pregnant women. Quantitative proteomic analysis in rectus abdominus skeletal muscle tissue collected at delivery revealed reduced protein content of mitochondrial complex I (C-I) subunits (NDUFS3, NDUFV2) and altered content of proteins involved in calcium homeostasis/signaling (calcineurin A, α1-syntrophin, annexin A4) in OGDM (n = 6) vs. ONGT (n = 6). Follow-up analyses showed reduced enzymatic activity of mitochondrial complexes C-I, C-III, and C-IV (−60–75%) in the OGDM (n = 8) compared with ONGT (n = 10) subjects, though no differences were observed for mitochondrial complex protein content. Upstream regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation were not different between groups. However, AMPK phosphorylation was dramatically reduced by 75% in the OGDM women. These data suggest that GDM is associated with reduced skeletal muscle oxidative phosphorylation and disordered calcium homeostasis. These relationships deserve further attention as they may represent novel risk factors for development of GDM and may have implications on the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on both treatment strategies for GDM and for prevention of type 2 diabetes postpartum

Application of the simplex method of linear programming model to Saclux paint production

This work discussed how the simplex method of linear programming could be used to maximize the profit of any business firm using Saclux Paint Company as a case study. It equally elucidated the effect variation in the optimal result obtained from linear programming model, will have on anygiven firm. It was demonstrated that linear programming is simply an input-output model in which limited resources represent the input and the value of the objective function represents the output. It is therefore very essential to determine the unit worth of a resource used in Saclux paint production. Considering the result of the optimum solution and the sensitivity of the optimal value to slight changes Saclux Paint Company will maximize her daily profit to $21,000 = N2,520,000 by producing 3 tons of oil paint daily and 1.5 tons of emulsion paint daily.Keywords: Paint, simplex method, objective function, sensitivity analysis, linear programmin

Minimizing the daily cost of formulating feed supplement in the poultry farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

The cost of formulating feed supplements in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria poultry unit was assessed by looking at the cost of two main components that were always used in feed formulation. An optimization model was formulated and was solved using the simplex method, which gave N437.64, as the minimum cost for the formulation of this feed per day. The sensitivity analysis was used to alter the protein content of the feed by increasing its size, which led to the formulation of another model, which was solved by the above mentioned method.The minimum cost gotten was N720 showing that it will be quite demanding for the university if they should increase the quantity of the protein content of this feed supplement. Therefore the university should not embark on such increase but rather invest their remaining finance inpurchasing other components in other to enrich the quality of this feed since there is already mapped out daily feed outside this supplement which could be protein rich.Keywords: Poultry farm, feed formulation model, the simplex method, sensitivity analysi

Bidirectional association between depression and obesity in middle-aged and older women

International audienceObjective: Although it has been hypothesized that the depression-obesity relation is bidirectional, few studies have addressed this hypothesis in a prospective setting. We aimed to examine the bidirectional relationship in middle-aged and elderly women. Subjects: A total of 65 955 women aged 54-79 years in the Nurses' Health Study were prospectively followed from 1996 to 2006 with updated information on body weight, depression status and various covariates every 2 years. Depression was defined as self-report of physician-diagnosed depression and/or antidepressant use. Obesity was defined as a BMI >= 30.0 kg m(-2). The first three waves (1996-2000) were used as the baseline period and the last three waves (2002-2006) were used as the follow-up period. Results: After adjusting for baseline age, physical activity, comorbidities, BMI and other covariates, depression at the baseline period was associated with an increased risk of obesity at the follow-up period in all women (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.38; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.24-1.53) and baseline non-obese women (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.36-1.67). In the opposite direction, after adjusting for baseline age, physical activity, comorbidities, depression status and other covariates, obese women at baseline had a moderately increased risk of depression at the follow-up period compared with normal-weight women (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.18), and this association was similar for new onset of depression (OR for obese versus normal weight women, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20). Conclusions: Our results suggest a bidirectional association between depression and obesity in middle-aged and elderly women. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings in different populations, and investigate the potential mechanisms underlying this association. Our results underscore the importance of early detection and proper behavioral modifications to lower the burden of both conditions. International Journal of Obesity (2012) 36, 595-602; doi: 10.1038/ijo.2011.111; published online 7 June 201