Bone turnover biomarkers in obese postmenopausal Saudi women with type-ІІ diabetes mellitus

Background: There is a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus type-2 (T2DM) and osteoporosis are problems worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between T2DM and bone turnover in diabetic obese postmenopausal Saudi women.Subjects and Methods: The present study included total of 65 T2-DM obese postmenopausal Saudi women, (36 uncontrolled, 29 controlled) .The following serum biochemical parameters were evaluated [fasting blood glucose (FBG),total calcium (Ca), phosphorus (Pi), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25-(OH)2Vitamin D3 ,osteocalcin (OC), procollagen (PICP) and cathepsin k (Cath K) ].Results: Serum OC levels were significantly decreased in diabetic obese postmenopausal group compared to their respective healthy group (P < 0.004). PICP and Cath K were significantly elevated in diabetic postmenopausal group compared to the healthy group ( P < 0.024 & 0.001). A significant elevation in 1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3, Ca and Pi levels in diabetic obese postmenopausal patients group compared to the healthy group. However, a non-significant changes was observed in serum PTH level between different groups.Conclusion: In this study, the changes in the biochemical parameters and bone turnover markers in obese women are strong risk factors for diabetes development that may contribute to osteopenia and osteoporosis. The study showed the strong effect of T2DM on biochemical markers of bone turnover in obese postmenopausal Saudi women.Keyword: Diabetes mellitus type-2, Bone markers, Postmenopausa

Exploring community perceptions in preparation for a randomised controlled trial of biofortified flour in Pakistan

Background: Biofortification of staple food crops may be a cost-effective and sustainable approach to reducing micronutrient deficiencies in resource-poor settings with low dietary diversity. However, its success depends on uptake by the local population. This paper presents formative research conducted in a remote, rural community in North West Pakistan, prior to commencing a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of consuming zinc-biofortified wheat flour for alleviating zinc deficiency. It explored local community members’ knowledge, understanding and attitudes towards biofortification and views on members of their community taking part in the trial. Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted with male and female community members (separately for cultural reasons) and four in-depth interviews were conducted with Jirga members—respected male elders. Participation was limited to households that were ineligible for the trial so that we could explore the perspectives of community members who were not influenced by the incentives of the trial. Focus group participants were selected at community events for transparency. Data collection took place at the local school and homes of Jirga members. Thematic analysis was undertaken, using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches to identify key themes. Results: A total of 47 men and women participated in this study. Participants reported clear motivation to access and consume more nutritious flour, believing this would bring health benefits, particularly to women and children. Trusted members of the local community, including Jirga members and female health workers, should be involved in providing information on biofortified flour (and the trial) to increase levels of awareness and acceptance. Without their involvement, there is a risk that biofortified flour would be mistrusted. The cost of flour is the main factor affecting purchasing decisions, and biofortified flour will need to be cost-competitive to achieve widespread uptake in marginalised, rural communities. Conclusion: This formative study generated rich, qualitative data from a range of community stakeholders to improve the understanding of important barriers and facilitators to the widespread acceptability and adoption of biofortified wheat. Implementation research such as this will inform future decision-making in relation to scaling up biofortified wheat in Pakistan

Determinants of vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children: A hospital based case-control study

Background: Risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among children have been identified in many developed countries but not yet in some developing countries like Bangladesh. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the determinants of vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children.  Methods: This case-control study was conducted at 2 paediatric hospitals in Dhaka city from January to June 2017. We recruited 198 vitamin D deficient cases and 198 apparently healthy controls. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS, where quantitative variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The association between vitamin D deficiency with different lifestyle and dietary factors were analyzed by using Chi-square test. A 2-tailed p-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to confirm the association.  Results: The study revealed that not playing outdoor games (OR=3.09; 95% CI 1.46, 6.54), playing video/ TV/mobile games (OR=4.14; 95% CI 1.97-8.67), no sun exposure (OR=2.42; 95% CI 1.25-4.67), no milk consumption (OR=3.01; 95% CI 1.38-6.57), no sea fish consumption (OR=2.20; 95% CI 1.19-4.08) and not exclusively breastfeeding (OR=2.03; 95% CI 1.14-3.63) were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency.  Conclusion: We concluded that improper lifestyles and nutritional habits are the key determinants of Vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children. Strategy for hypovitaminosis D prevention should be implemented immediately, which includes vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants and ensuring adequate maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy. Also an awareness program should be initiated to promote a healthy lifestyle and to improve nutritional habits.&nbsp

Complete larval development of the hermit crabs Clibanarius aequabilis and Clibanarius erythropus (Decapoda : Anomura : Diogenidae), under laboratory conditions, with a revision of the larval features of genus Clibanarius

The complete larval development (four zoeae and one megalopa) of Clibanarius aequabilis and C. erythropus, reared under laboratory conditions, is described and illustrated. The larval stages of the two northeastern Atlantic Clibanarius species cannot be easily differentiated. Their morphological characters are compared with those of other known Clibanarius larvae. The genus Clibanarius is very homogeneous with respect to larval characters. All Clibanarius zoeae display a broad and blunt rostrum, smooth abdominal segments and an antennal scale without a terminal spine. Beyond the second zoeal stage, the fourth telson process is present as a fused spine, and the uropods are biramous. In the fourth larval stage all species display a mandibular palp. The Clibanarius megalopa presents weakly developed or no ocular scales, symmetrical chelipeds, apically curved corneous dactylus in the second and third pereiopods, and 5-11 setae on the posterior margin of the telson. Apart from the number of zoeal stages, Clibanarius species may be separated, beyond the second zoeal stage, by the telson formula and the morphology of the fourth telson process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis and cytotoxicity of Asparagus adscendens roots against human cancer cell lines

Background: Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Asparagaceae), is native to the Himalayas. This plant has been used in the prevention and effective treatment of various forms of cancers. Objective: This paper reports, for the first time, on the cytotoxicity of the methanol (MeOH) extract of the roots of A. adscendens and its solid‑phase extraction (SPE) fractions against four human carcinoma cell lines and LC‑ESI‑QTOF‑MS analysis of the SPE fractions. Materials and Methods: Finely powdered roots of A. adscendens were macerated in methanol and extracted through SPE using gradient solvent system (water: methanol) proceeded for analysis on LC‑ESI‑QTOF‑MS and cytotoxicity against four human carcinoma cell lines: breast (MCF7), liver (HEPG2), lung (A549), and urinary bladder (EJ138), using the 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. Results: The MeOH extract and four SPE fractions exhibited cytotoxicity against all cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 6 to 79 μg/mL. As observedin other Asparagus species, the presence of saponins and sapogenins in the SPE fractions was evident in the liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry data. Conclusion: It is reasonable to assume that the cytotoxicity of the MeOH extract of the roots of A. adscendens and its SPE fractions, at least partly, due to the presence of saponins and their aglycones. This suggests that A. adscendens could be exploited as a potential source of cytotoxic compounds with putative anticancer potential

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 mediates overlapping mechanisms across brain disorders

MECP2 and its product, Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), are mostly known for their association to Rett Syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. Additional evidence suggests that MECP2 may underlie other neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions, and perhaps modulate common presentations and pathophysiology across disorders. To clarify the mechanisms of these interactions, we develop a method that uses the binding properties of MeCP2 to identify its targets, and in particular, the genes recognized by MeCP2 and associated to several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Analysing mechanisms and pathways modulated by these genes, we find that they are involved in three main processes: neuronal transmission, immuno-reactivity, and development. Also, while the nervous system is the most relevant in the pathophysiology of the disorders, additional systems may contribute to MeCP2 action through its target genes. We tested our results with transcriptome analysis on Mecp2-null models and cells derived from a patient with RTT, confirming that the genes identified by our procedure are directly modulated by MeCP2. Thus, MeCP2 may modulate similar mechanisms in different pathologies, suggesting that treatments for one condition may be effective for related disorders

Self-perceived competence correlates poorly with objectively measured competence in Evidence Based Medicine among medical students

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies report various degrees of agreement between self-perceived competence and objectively measured competence in medical students. There is still a paucity of evidence on how the two correlate in the field of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM). We undertook a cross-sectional study to evaluate the self-perceived competence in EBM of senior medical students in Malaysia, and assessed its correlation to their objectively measured competence in EBM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited a group of medical students in their final six months of training between March and August 2006. The students were receiving a clinically-integrated EBM training program within their curriculum. We evaluated the students' self-perceived competence in two EBM domains ("searching for evidence" and "appraising the evidence") by piloting a questionnaire containing 16 relevant items, and objectively assessed their competence in EBM using an adapted version of the Fresno test, a validated tool. We correlated the matching components between our questionnaire and the Fresno test using Pearson's product-moment correlation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-five out of 72 students in the cohort (62.5%) participated by completing the questionnaire and the adapted Fresno test concurrently. In general, our students perceived themselves as moderately competent in most items of the questionnaire. They rated themselves on average 6.34 out of 10 (63.4%) in "searching" and 44.41 out of 57 (77.9%) in "appraising". They scored on average 26.15 out of 60 (43.6%) in the "searching" domain and 57.02 out of 116 (49.2%) in the "appraising" domain in the Fresno test. The correlations between the students' self-rating and their performance in the Fresno test were poor in both the "searching" domain (r = 0.13, p = 0.4) and the "appraising" domain (r = 0.24, p = 0.1).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides supporting evidence that at the undergraduate level, self-perceived competence in EBM, as measured using our questionnaire, does not correlate well with objectively assessed EBM competence measured using the adapted Fresno test.</p> <p>Study registration</p> <p>International Medical University, Malaysia, research ID: IMU 110/06</p

Ethnomedicinal plants used against common digestive problems

Background: Ethnomedicinal knowledge is highly significant for persistence of human health care. Different studies have shown that medicinal plants are considered as curing agent for digestive disorders in Pakistan. The aim of present review is to explore this ethnomedicinal information all over the Pakistan and to investigate the ecological status of these species in the country.Methodology: Online literatures on ethnomedicinal plants used to treat digestive complaints in Pakistan were searched and gathered using online bibliographic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Flora of Pakistan.Results: The review documented 178 medicinal plant species, belonging to 59 families, used for different digestive ailments. The majority of species were herbs (60%), used in drug preparation. The most frequent part used in preparation of these remedies is leaves (23%), followed by roots (19%).Conclusion: In conclusion, the study provides enormous ethno-medicinal knowledge and due to the unsustainable activities of the people of Pakistan, some medicinal plants need to be conserved for the future.Key words: Ethno-medicine, medicinal plants, gastrointestinal diseases, ecological status

Biochar as a cheap and environmental friendly filler able to improve polymer mechanical properties

This study reports about the use of Biochar derived from maple tree as a filler in Epoxy resin. Maple tree blocks were pyrolyzed in inert atmosphere at 600 °C and 1000 °C respectively and were characterized morphologically. The composite mechanical properties, i.e. stress-strain curves and related parameters (ultimate tensile strength, Young modulus, resilience, tensile toughness) were recorded as well as their friction coefficient. It is shown that at very low wt.% of the filler, the Young modulus is increased while at higher wt.% (2 wt% and above) the fragile behavior of the resin was converted in a ductile one, as elongation at break increased from 0.02 to 0.12. A huge impact of the filler is observed on tensile toughness as for the best sample is increased 11 times with respect with pure resin. A simple model able to describe the results and make predictions on other wt.% is presented as well

Cancer screening and preventative care among long-term cancer survivors in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: Long-term cancer survivors in the United Kingdom are mostly followed up in a primary care setting by their general practitioner; however, there is little research on the use of services. This study examines whether cancer survivors receive adequate screening and preventative care in UK primary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified a cohort of long-term survivors of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer with at least a 5-year survival using the General Practice Research Database, with controls matched for age, gender and practice. We compared adherence with cancer screening and the use of preventative care between cancer survivors and controls. RESULTS: The cancer survivors' cohort consisted of 18 612 breast, 5764 colorectal and 4868 prostate cancer survivors. Most cancer survivors receive cancer screening at the same levels as controls, except for breast cancer survivors who were less likely to receive a mammogram than controls (OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.66-0.92). Long-term cancer survivors received comparable levels of influenza vaccinations and cholesterol tests, but breast (OR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74-0.87) and prostate cancer survivors (OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.87) were less likely to receive a blood pressure test. All survivors were more likely to receive bone densitometry. CONCLUSION: The provision and uptake of preventive care in a primary care setting in the United Kingdom is comparable between the survivors of three common cancers and those who have not had cancer. However, long-term breast cancer survivors in this cohort were less likely to receive a mammogra