Could gestational diabetes mellitus be managed through dietary bioactive compounds? Current knowledge and future perspectives

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious problem growing worldwide that needs to be addressed with urgency in consideration of the resulting severe complications for both mother and fetus. Growing evidence indicates that a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, extra-virgin olive oil and fish has beneficial effects in both the prevention and management of several human diseases and metabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss the latest data concerning the effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and PUFA on the molecular mechanisms regulating glucose homoeostasis. Several studies, mostly based on in vitro and animal models, indicate that dietary polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, positively modulate the insulin signalling pathway by attenuating hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, reducing inflammatory adipokines, and modifying microRNA (miRNA) profiles. Very few data about the influence of dietary exposure on GDM outcomes are available, although this approach deserves careful consideration. Further investigation, which includes exploring the 'omics' world, is needed to better understand the complex interaction between dietary compounds and GDM

Understanding the FEDUP group savings scheme model for self-help housing. a case study of Namibia Stop 8 housing project in Inanda, KwaZulu Natal.

Master’s degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The post-apartheid South African government is faced with a severe housing backlog due to the apartheid regime which created inequalities through segregation policies. Consequently, due to a number of factors the current government has been struggling to address the high housing demand. The Federation of the Urban Poor (FEDUP) group savings scheme model for self-help housing appears to be complementing the government’s efforts in the provision of housing. The model operates under the Enhanced People’s Housing Process (EPHP) policy, previously known as the People’s Housing Process (PHP), which was adopted by the government after engagements with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) which included FEDUP and uTshani Fund, to encourage more community participation for housing development. The aim of this study is to understand the FEDUP group savings scheme model for self-help housing. The research was conducted using the qualitative approach for data collection, analysis and presentation. The study used the case study of Namibia Stop 8 housing project to understand the model and assess its potential for replicability elsewhere. The findings of the study indicate that group savings schemes are able to deliver good quality housing products, encourage more community involvement during housing projects, including participation in decision-making. The success of the model relies mainly on good cooperation between the key stakeholders of the project. The findings have suggested that the FEDUP group savings scheme model can be replicated elsewhere. These findings, in relation to the enabling approach, autonomous approach and social capital theory suggest that the culture of poverty theory can be negated through the use of the model as communities are given the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of their own homes with support from organisations such as FEDUP, thereby breaking the poverty cycle. Using group savings schemes, communities can work together to better their living conditions and improve their housing conditions. The conclusion of the study is that the FEDUP group savings scheme model as means of self-help housing assists to enhance the current unsustainable government system of low-cost housing provision, through community participation in the housing development process and production of an arguably better housing product

Short-term effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on fat distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: an ultrasonography study

AIMS:Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) induce weight loss and reduction in adipose tissue, but the effects of GLP-1 RA on the distribution of fat deposits have been poorly investigated. METHODS: In 25 patients with type 2 diabetes (16 females and 9 males, mean age 63.5 ± 8.8 years), treated with GLP-1 RA (exenatide, n. 12; liraglutide, n.13), both before and 3 months after starting treatment, an abdominal ultrasonographic scan, with Doppler of renal arteries, and echocardiography were performed. Subcutaneous fat width (peri-umbilical and sub-xiphoid), deep fat deposits (pre-aortic, peri-renal, and epicardial), and renal resistive index (RI) were evaluated. RESULTS: GLP-1 RA induced highly significant (p < 0.001) decrease in BMI and in fat thickness at all the assessed sites, without differences between exenatide and liraglutide treatment. A slight decrease in RI (p = 0.055) was also found. The percent changes of fat thickness was different between sites (p < 0.025), and the changes in subcutaneous deposits showed no significant correlation (p = 0.064) with those of deep fat deposits. CONCLUSIONS: A short course of treatment with GLP-1 RA, besides weight loss, induces a redistribution of adipose tissue deposits, possibly contributing to a better cardiovascular risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Endothelial dysfunction markers as a therapeutic target for Sildenafil treatment and effects on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a role in diabetic cardiovascular complications. Hyperglycemia increases cytockines involved in vascular inflammation. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) exerts a relaxation on corpora cavernosa and has cardioprotective properties. The effect of chronic sildenafil treatment, on ED markers and metabolic parameters in a non-randomized study on men with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), was investigated

Riboflavin alleviates cardiac failure in Type I diabetic cardiomyopathy

Heart failure (HF) is a common and serious comorbidity of diabetes. Oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications including cardiomyopathy. The ability of antioxidants to inhibit injury has raised the possibility of new therapeutic treatment for diabetic heart diseases. Riboflavin constitutes an essential nutrient for humans and animals and it is an important food additive. Riboflavin, a precursor of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), enhances the oxidative folding and subsequent secretion of proteins. The objective of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effect of riboflavin in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in 30 rats by a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (70 mg /kg). Riboflavin (20 mg/kg) was orally administered to animals immediately after induction of diabetes and was continued for eight weeks. Rats were examined for diabetic cardiomyopathy by left ventricular (LV) remadynamic function. Myocardial oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein level. Myocardial connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) level was measured by Western blot in all rats at the end of the study. In the untreated diabetic rats, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) rate of pressure rose (+dp/dt), and rate of pressure decay (−dp/dt) were depressed while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased, which indicated the reduced left ventricular contractility and slowing of left ventricular relaxation. The level of SOD decreased, CTGF and HO-1 protein expression and MDA content rose. Riboflavin treatment significantly improved left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in diabetic rats, there were persistent increases in significant activation of SOD and the level of HO-1 protein, and a decrease in the level of CTGF. These results suggest that riboflavin treatment ameliorates myocardial function and improves heart oxidant status, whereas raising myocardial HO-1 and decreasing myocardial CTGF levels have beneficial effects on diabetic cardiomyopathy

Targeting the Monocyte–Macrophage Lineage in Solid Organ Transplantation

textabstractThere is an unmet clinical need for immunotherapeutic strategies that specifically target the active immune cells participating in the process of rejection after solid organ transplantation. The monocyte-macrophage cell lineage is increasingly recognized as a major player in acute and chronic allograft immunopathology. The dominant presence of cells of this lineage in rejecting allograft tissue is associated with worse graft function and survival. Monocytes and macrophages contribute to alloimmunity via diverse pathways: antigen processing and presentation, costimulation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and tissue repair. Cross talk with other recipient immune competent cells and donor endothelial cells leads to amplification of inflammation and a cytolytic response in the graft. Surprisingly, little is known about therapeutic manipulation of the function of cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage in transplantation by immunosuppressive agents. Although not primarily designed to target monocyte-macrophage lineage cells, multiple categories of currently prescribed immunosuppressive drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and calcineurin inhibitors, do have limited inhibitory effects. These effects include diminishing the degree of cytokine production, thereby blocking costimulation and inhibiting the migration of monocytes to the site of rejection. Outside the field of transplantation, some clinical studies have shown that the monoclonal antibodies canakinumab, tocilizumab, and infliximab are effective in inhibiting monocyte functions. Indirect effects have also been shown for simvastatin, a lipid lowering drug, and bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitors that reduce the cytokine production by monocytes-macrophages in patients with diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. To date, detailed knowledge concerning the origin, the developmental requirements, and functions of diverse specialized monocyte-macrophage subsets justifies research for therapeutic manipulation. Here, we will discuss the effects of currently prescribed immunosuppressive drugs on monocyte/macrophage features and the future challenges

TRACTATVS || DE MONITORIIS || CLARISS. IVRISCONS.|| ET CELEBERRIMI IN || CVRIA ROMANA || ADVOCATI,|| QVINTILIANI MANDOSII.|| ... Ac ab eodem Auctore, iterum recognitus ... ||

Vorlageform des Erscheinungsvermerks: SPIRAE.|| Typis Bernardi Albini,|| An. M.D.LXXXVII.|

De Casibus Annalibus,|| DN. QVINTILIA=||NI MANDOSII, CV-||RIAE ROMANAE QVON-||dam Aduocati solertissimi & celeber-||rimi, Tractatus succinctus & methodicus.|| Cui, ob materiae affinitatem, adiecta sunt haec sequentia:|| DYNI DE MVXELLIS, TRA-||ctatus de Praescriptionibus.|| IOANNIS OLDENDORPII, IN MAR-||purgensi Academia quondam Professoris, de || temporum praescriptione, libellus.|| EVSTATHII, OLIM CONSTANSTINO-||politani Antecessoris, de varia temporum, in Iure ciuili,|| obseruatione, libellus, Simone Shar-||dio IC. interprete.|| IACOBI OMPHALII QVAESTIO, IN ||materia praescriptionum.|| Cum Indice ... ||

Vorlageform des Erscheinungsvermerks: 15 94.|| Francofurti, apud Nicolaum Bassaeum.||Dinus aus Mugello: Tractatus de praescriptionibus. (VD16 D 1788)Eustathius Antecessor: De varia temporum in iure civili observatione . Beteiligte Pers.: Schard, Simon. (VD16 E 4320)Oldendorp, Johannes: De temporum praescriptione. (VD16 O 616)Omphalius, Jakob: Quaestio in materia praescriptionum. (VD16 O 760