Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes Self-Care, Diabetes Time Management, and Diabetes Distress

This descriptive correlational study examined the relationships between and among diabetes self-care, diabetes time management, and diabetes distress in women with type 2 (T2DM). A gap of knowledge exists between these variables and this study, guided by Orem’s self-care theory, aimed to identify these relationships and predictors of diabetes self-care. The sample (N = 188) was comprised of predominately White (81.4%) women recruited from multiple office locations, community hospitals, and diabetes support groups predominately from the Mid-Atlantic Region (64.04%). Participants voluntarily participated by responding to flyers posted in data collection locations or by electronic survey disseminated by diabetes support group newsletters. Participants completed three established survey instruments to measure the main study variables: the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), the Diabetes Time Management Questionnaire (DTMQ), and the Diabetes Distress Scale (DSS). Survey responses were analyzed using several descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Study results showed a strong inverse bivariate relationship between diabetes self-care and diabetes time management and a medium inverse relationship between diabetes self-care and diabetes distress. Additionally, diabetes time management and diabetes distress showed a moderate positive relationship. A multivariate model demonstrated that time management and diabetes distress explained 37.7% of the variance in diabetes self-care, F (2, 185) = 55.86, p \u3c 0.001. Diabetes time management was the strongest, statistically significant, unique contributor to explaining self-care (β = -0.56, p \u3c 0.001). The ANCOVA procedure showed that time management demonstrated a large effect size (0.300) and diabetes distress demonstrated a small effect size (0.016)

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of prenatal omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation to reduce the incidence of preterm birth: The ORIP trial

Introduction: Preterm birth accounts for more than 85% of all perinatal complications and deaths. Seventy-five per cent of early preterm births (EPTBs) occur spontaneously and without identifiable risk factors. The need for a broadly applicable, effective strategy for primary prevention is paramount. Secondary outcomes from the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to Optimise Mother Infant Outcome trial showed that maternal supplementation until delivery with omega-3 (ω-3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), predominantly as DHA, resulted in a 50% reduction in the incidence of EPTB and an increase in the incidence of post-term induction or post-term prelabour caesarean section due to extended gestation. We aim to determine the effectiveness of supplementing the maternal diet with ω-3 LCPUFA until 34 weeks’ gestation on the incidence of EPTB. Methods and analysis: This is a multicentre, parallel group, randomised, blinded and controlled trial. Women less than 20 weeks’ gestation with a singleton or multiple pregnancy and able to give informed consent are eligible to participate. Women will be randomised to receive high DHA fish oil capsules or control capsules without DHA. Capsules will be taken from enrolment until 34 weeks’ gestation. The primary outcome is the incidence of EPTB, defined as delivery before 34 completed weeks’ gestation. Key secondary outcomes include length of gestation, incidence of post-term induction or prelabour caesarean section and spontaneous EPTB. The target sample size is 5540 women (2770 per group), which will provide 85% power to detect an absolute reduction in the incidence of preterm birth of 1.16% (from 2.45% to 1.29%) between the DHA and control group (two sided α=0.05). The primary analysis will be based on the intention-to-treat principle. Trial registration number: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry Number: 2613001142729; Pre-results

Optimized Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Borosilicate MCM-70

A structure analysis of the borosilicate zeolite MCM-70, whose synthesis had been patented in 2003, was reported in 2005. Unfortunately, that structure analysis was somewhat ambiguous. Anisotropic line broadening made it difficult to model the peak shape, some peaks in the electron density map could not be interpreted satisfactorily, the framework geometry was distorted, and MAS NMR results were partially contradictory. In an attempt to resolve some of these points, an optimization of the synthesis was undertaken, and the structure was reinvestigated. The structure was solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data collected on an as-synthesized sample (Pmn2_1, a = 13.3167(1) Å, b = 4.6604(1) Å, c = 8.7000(1) Å) using a powder charge-flipping algorithm. The framework topology, with a 1-dimensional, 10-ring channel system, is identical to the one previously reported. However, the B in this new sample was found to be ordered in the framework, fully occupying one of the four tetrahedral sites. Two extra-framework K^+ ion positions, each coordinated to five framework O atoms and one water molecule, were also found. The solid state ^(29)Si, ^(11)B and ^1H NMR results are fully consistent with this ordered structure

The role of satisfaction and involvement in loyalty: Comparing residents and tourists

Satisfaction is commonly considered important in predicting future behavioral loyalty in tourism contexts. However, few attempts have been made to find out if the role of satisfaction intensifies involvement as a factor contributing to loyalty, and if the loyalty process for residents and tourists in the context of cultural and historic festivals is the same. Therefore, this study examined the loyalty process of residents (n=181) and tourists (n=227) who attended the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan, measuring the relationship between involvement, satisfaction, and likelihood of returning to the festival. The results showed that tourists\u27 loyalty is not assured by satisfaction and as such is different from that of residents. A more dynamic relationship between residents and tourists was suggested to increase tourists’ loyalty

Age differences in the use of serving size information on food labels: numeracy or attention?

ObjectiveThe ability to use serving size information on food labels is important for managing age-related chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cancer. Past research suggests that older adults are at risk for failing to accurately use this portion of the food label due to numeracy skills. However, the extent to which older adults pay attention to serving size information on packages is unclear. We compared the effects of numeracy and attention on age differences in accurate use of serving size information while individuals evaluated product healthfulness.DesignAccuracy and attention were assessed across two tasks in which participants compared nutrition labels of two products to determine which was more healthful if they were to consume the entire package. Participants' eye movements were monitored as a measure of attention while they compared two products presented side-by-side on a computer screen. Numeracy as well as food label habits and nutrition knowledge were assessed using questionnaires.SettingSacramento area, California, USA, 2013-2014.SubjectsStratified sample of 358 adults, aged 20-78 years.ResultsAccuracy declined with age among those older adults who paid less attention to serving size information. Although numeracy, nutrition knowledge and self-reported food label use supported accuracy, these factors did not influence age differences in accuracy.ConclusionsThe data suggest that older adults are less accurate than younger adults in their use of serving size information. Age differences appear to be more related to lack of attention to serving size information than to numeracy skills

Mutations in the _SC4MOL_ gene encoding a novel methyl sterol oxidase cause autosomal recessive psoriasisiform dermatitis, microcephaly and developmental delay

Disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis have clinical manifestations involving skeleton, eyes, neurologic development, and skin. We describe a patient with congenital cataracts, developmental delay, microcephaly, and low serum cholesterol who developed severe psoriasiform dermatitis and arthralgias beginning at age 3. Her brain MRI indicatedminor gliosis. Quantitative sterol analysis of patient plasma and skin showed marked elevation of 4alpha-methyl- and 4, 4'-dimethylsterols, indicating a deficiency in the first step of sterol C4 demethylation in cholesterol biosynthesis. Molecular studies showed mutations in _SC4MOL_, a gene predicted to encode a sterol C4 methyl oxidase. Thus, our patient has a previously undescribed inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis. Cellular studies with patient-derived fibroblasts showed higher mitotic rate than control cells in cholesterol-depleted medium, in which _de novo_ cholesterol biosynthesis was increased with the accumulation of methylsterol. Immunologic analyses showed dysregulation of immune-related receptors in the patient and her father. Inhibition of sterol C4 methyl oxidase in human transformed lymphoblasts or in fresh leukocytes induced activation of cell cycle, and immune receptor dysregulation. These findings suggest that methylsterols influence mitotic capacity and immune function. _SC4MOL_ is situated within the psoriasis susceptibility locus _PSORS9_, and is likely a genetic risk factor for common psoriasis

Distribution and diversity of isoprene degrading bacteria in the terrestrial environment

Isoprene is the most abundantly produced biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) and is an important climate active gas that plays a complex role in atmospheric chemistry. Through a combination of cultivation, and cultivation-independent techniques this project set out to investigate the diversity and distribution of isoprene degrading bacteria, and to investigate the factors that influence their abundance in complex microbial communities in a range of environments. DNA-Stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) was combined with amplicon sequencing techniques and metagenomics, investigating the isoprene degrading community harboured by a high isoprene emitting willow (Salix fragilis) in the UK, and one of the highest known emitters, the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) in Malaysia. Willow leaves harboured a diverse community of isoprene degrading bacteria and represented the first phyllosphere environment to contain communities of Methylobacterium and Mycobacterium that could metabolise isotopically-labelled isoprene during a DNA-SIP experiment. A Mycobacterium metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) was recovered, containing the first known instance of two complete isoprene degradation metabolic gene clusters in a single genome. Malaysian oil palm soil and phyllosphere studies showed that the soil environment harboured a novel and much more diverse community of isoprene degrading bacteria than the associated phyllosphere. Amplicon sequencing of the isoA gene (encoding the α-subunit of the isoprene monooxygenase) showed that genomes from phyllosphere and soil communities contained a novel diversity of isoA which is essential for bacterial degradation of isoprene. The abundance of isoprene degrading bacteria in a number of environments was also investigated with a combination of metagenomic gene mining and qPCR. qPCR methods were carried out with newly-designed gene probes, validated in this study, that target the isoA gene. Results showed that isoA containing bacteria are found in environments that do not emit isoprene, and make up 0.02% - 1% of the whole microbial community in a given environment

Complete genome of isoprene degrading nocardioides sp. WS12

Isoprene is a climate-active gas whose wide-spread global production stems mostly from terrestrial plant emissions. The biodegradation of isoprene is carried out by a number of different bacteria from a wide range of environments. This study investigates the genome of a novel isoprene degrading bacterium Nocardioides sp. WS12, isolated from soil associated with Salix alba (Willow), a tree known to produce high amounts of isoprene. The Nocardioides sp. WS12 genome was fully sequenced, revealing the presence of a complete isoprene monooxygenase gene cluster, along with associated isoprene degradation pathway genes. Genes associated with rubber degradation were also present, suggesting that Nocardioides sp. WS12 may also have the capacity to degrade poly-cis-1,4-isoprene

Chemical characterisation and determination of sensory attributes of hydrolysates produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of whey proteins following a novel integrative process

The overall aim of this work was to characterize the major angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of whey proteins, through the application of a novel integrative process. This process consisted of the combination of adsorption and microfiltration within a stirred cell unit for the selective immobilization of β-lactoglobulin and casein derived peptides (CDP) from whey. The adsorbed proteins were hydrolyzed in-situ which resulted in the separation of peptide products from the substrate and fractionation of peptides. Two different hydrolysates were produced: (i) from CDP (IC50 =287μg/mL) and (ii) from β-lactoglobulin (IC50=128μg/mL). IC50 is the concentration of inhibitor needed to inhibit ACE by half. The well known antihypertensive peptide IPP and several novel peptides that have structural similarities with reported ACE inhibitory peptides were identified and characterized in both hydrolysates. Furthermore, the hydrolysates were assessed for bitterness. No significant difference was found between the control (milk with no hydrolysate) and hydrolysate samples at different concentrations (at, below and above the IC50)