Glycemic effects and safety of L-Glutamine supplementation with or without sitagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients-a randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: L-glutamine is an efficacious glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 secretagogue in vitro. When administered with a meal, glutamine increases GLP-1 and insulin excursions and reduces postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of daily glutamine supplementation with or without the dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor sitagliptin in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: Type 2 diabetes patients treated with metformin (n = 13, 9 men) with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.1±0.3% (54±4 mmol/mol) received glutamine (15 g bd)+ sitagliptin (100 mg/d) or glutamine (15 g bd) + placebo for 4 weeks in a randomized crossover study. RESULTS: HbA1c (P = 0.007) and fructosamine (P = 0.02) decreased modestly, without significant time-treatment interactions (both P = 0.4). Blood urea increased (P<0.001) without a significant time-treatment interaction (P = 0.8), but creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were unchanged (P≥0.5). Red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin modestly decreased (P≤0.02), without significant time-treatment interactions (P≥0.4). Body weight and plasma electrolytes remained unchanged (P≥0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Daily oral supplementation of glutamine with or without sitagliptin for 4 weeks decreased glycaemia in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients, but was also associated with mild plasma volume expansion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov NCT00673894

Impedance Analysis of Complex Formation Equilibria in Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers Containing Decanoic Acid or Decylamine

Bilayer lipid membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine and decanoic acid or phosphatidylcholine and decylamine were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Interaction between membrane components causes significant deviations from the additivity rule. Area, capacitance, and stability constant values for the complexes were calculated based on the model assuming 1:1 stoichiometry, and the model was validated by comparison of these values to experimental results. We established that phosphatidylcholine and decylamine form highly stable 1:1 complexes. In the case of decanoic acid-modified phosphatidylcholine membranes, complexes with stoichiometries other than 1:1 should be taken into consideration

In-situ monitoring of biofouling on reverse osmosis membranes: Detection and mechanistic study using electrical impedance spectroscopy

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to monitor biofilm formation on the membrane surface in-situ and non-invasively. An EIS-derived parameter, the normalized conductance of the diffusion polarization (GDP) layer showed two stages of biofilm formation. The first stage was related to the accumulation of bacterial cells and the formation of the respiration products from the bacteria. The second stage referred to the accumulation of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) which was the main component for the formation of the biofilm matrix. The effect of a biostat, sodium azide was also investigated and its presence slowed down the growth of bacteria and caused the partial detachment of bacteria from the membrane surface. Sodium azide's effects were also reflected in the normalized GDP plot. The sustainable flux, at which the fouling was minimal, could be estimated from the rate of change of the initial increase of the normalized GDP with respect to flux. Conventional monitoring methods such as transmembrane pressure (TMP) or autopsy by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) on their own gave little insights into the mechanisms of the biofilm formation. This study demonstrates the ability of EIS to be incorporated into a “canary” cell located in a side stream of the high pressure membrane vessel for the monitoring of biofouling as well as for the assessment of the cleaning efficiency in a water treatment plant

Quality of life: a new perspective for cancer patients

Quality of life (QoL) research provides patients and health-care providers with vital information about the impact that disease and its treatment has on physical, functional, social and emotional well-being. QoL outcomes are also being recognized as important prognostic variables, which help to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from treatment. Nevertheless, many remain unreasonably sceptical about the scientific rigour and value of the assessment tools that are available. So how can QoL be measured, and how can this be used for the benefit of patients