Nutritional Patterns, Anthropometric and Sociodemographic Aspects Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is the most frequent metabolic disorder during pregnancy. Its development is related to multiple factors and is associated with maternal and perinatal adverse effects. This study aims to determine the association of nutritional patterns, anthropometric and sociodemographic aspects with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and perinatal results. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 237 pregnant women with the application of questionnaires: structured, global physical activity (GPAQ), 24-hour recall, and review of the perinatal medical history. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine the nutritional patterns; descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis between the groups of patients with GDM and without GDM in users of the Centro de salud de Puengasí 2, and the Hospital Gineco Obstetrico Isidro Ayora in the city of Quito, from January to September 2021. Three nutritional patterns were identified in pregnant women. There was a difference in the variables, such as age, years of study, previous pregnancies, weight, and body mass index (BMI) for gestational age at the beginning of pregnancy between pregnant women diagnosed with GDM and those without GDM. Multivariate analysis confirms the association of GDM with BMI for gestational age at the start of pregnancy RR 0.293 (0.08-0.970) and passive smoking RR 0.037 (0.00196-0.701). No association with nutritional patterns was found. In conclusion,the affinity for nutritional patterns and physical activity does not show an association with GDM. The association between BMI for gestational age at the beginning of pregnancy and passive smoking with GDM is confirmed. Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, nutritional pattern, exercise. Resumen Introducción: La Diabetes es el trastorno metabólico mas frecuente durante la gestación, su desarrollo está relacionado a múltiples factores, y asociada a efectos adversos maternos y perinatales. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación de patrones nutricionales, aspectos antropométricos y sociodemográficos con el diagnóstico Diabetes Mellitus Gestacional (DMG) y resultados perinatales. Metodología: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo en 237 gestantes con la aplicación de cuestionarios: estructurado, global de actividad física (GPAQ), Recordatorio de 24 horas, y revisión de la historia clínica perinatal. Se realizó análisis factorial exploratorio para determinar los patrones nutricionales; análisis descriptivo, bivariado y multivariado entre los grupos de pacientes con DMG y sin DMG en usuarias del centro de salud Puengasí 2 y del Hospital Gineco-Obstétrico Isidro Ayora de la ciudad de Quito desde enero a septiembre 2021. Resultados: Se identificaron 3 patrones nutricionales en las gestantes. Hay diferencia en las variables: edad, años de estudio, gestas previas, peso e índice de masa corporal (IMC) para la edad gestacional al inicio del embarazo entre las gestantes con diagnóstico de DMG y sin DMG. El análisis multivariado confirma la asociación de DMG con el IMC para la edad gestacional al inicio del embarazo RR 0,293 (0,08- 0,970), y el tabaquismo pasivo RR 0,037 (0,00196-0,701). No se encontró asociación con los patrones nutricionales. Conclusiones: La afinidad por los patrones nutricionales y la actividad física no muestran asociación con DMG. Se confirma la asociación entre el IMC para la edad gestacional al inicio del embarazo y el tabaquismo pasivo con DMG. Palabras Clave: diabetes mellitus gestacional, gestación, patrón nutricional, ejercicio

Effect of molecular and electronic structure on the light harvesting properties of dye sensitizers

The systematic trends in structural and electronic properties of perylene diimide (PDI) derived dye molecules have been investigated by DFT calculations based on projector augmented wave (PAW) method including gradient corrected exchange-correlation effects. TDDFT calculations have been performed to study the visible absorbance activity of these complexes. The effect of different ligands and halogen atoms attached to PDI were studied to characterize the light harvesting properties. The atomic size and electronegativity of the halogen were observed to alter the relaxed molecular geometries which in turn influenced the electronic behavior of the dye molecules. Ground state molecular structure of isolated dye molecules studied in this work depends on both the halogen atom and the carboxylic acid groups. DFT calculations revealed that the carboxylic acid ligands did not play an important role in changing the HOMO-LUMO gap of the sensitizer. However, they serve as anchor between the PDI and substrate titania surface of the solar cell or photocatalyst. A commercially available dye-sensitizer, ruthenium bipyridine (RuBpy), was also studied for electronic and structural properties in order to make a comparison with PDI derivatives for light harvesting properties. Results of this work suggest that fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated, and iyodinated PDI compounds can be useful as sensitizers in solar cells and in artificial photosynthesis.Comment: Single pdf file, 14 pages with 7 figures and 4 table

High prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding in women with rare bleeding disorders in the Netherlands:retrospective data from the RBiN study

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is associated with a reduced quality of life and limitations in social and physical functioning. Data on HMB in women with rare bleeding disorders (RBDs), including coagulation factor deficiencies and fibrinolytic disorders, are scarce. Objectives: To analyze the prevalence, severity, and treatment of HMB in Dutch women with an RBD. Methods:The Rare Bleeding Disorders in the Netherlands (RBiN) study included 263 patients with an RBD from all 6 hemophilia treatment centers (October 2017-November 2019). In this analysis, data of 111 women aged ≥16 years were studied. According to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis bleeding assessment tool, HMB symptoms were scored from 0 (no/trivial) to 4 (severe symptoms requiring medical intervention). HMB was defined as a score ≥1. Age at RBD diagnosis was extracted from patient files. Results: HMB was reported by 80% of women (89/111) and was more prevalent in women with a fibrinolytic disorder (33/35; 94%) than in women with a coagulation factor deficiency (56/76; 74%) (P = .011). Of the 89 women with HMB, 82% (n = 73) ever required treatment. Multiple treatment modalities were frequently used, both in severe and mild deficiencies. Hormonal treatment was mostly used (n = 64; 88%), while antifibrinolytics were prescribed less frequently (n = 18; 25%). In women with HMB since menarche (n = 61; 69%), median age at RBD diagnosis was 28 years (IQR, 14-41).Conclusion: HMB is common in women with RBDs. Women with mild deficiencies also frequently reported HMB. Only a minority of women were treated with hemostatic agents. A significant diagnostic delay was observed after the onset of HMB symptoms.</p

GQ-16, a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR ) ligand, promotes insulin sensitization without weight gain

ABSTRACTBackground: PPAR agonists improve insulin sensitivity but also evoke weight gain. Results: GQ-16 is a PPAR partial agonist that blocks receptor phosphorylation by Cdk5 and improves insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice in the absence of weight gain. Conclusion: The unique binding mode of GQ-16 appears to be responsible for the compound’s advantageous pharmacological profile. Significance: Similar compounds could have promise as anti-diabetic therapeutics

Development of a diagnostic protocol for dizziness in elderly patients in general practice: a Delphi procedure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dizziness in general practice is very common, especially in elderly patients. The empirical evidence for diagnostic tests in the evaluation of dizziness is scarce. Aim of our study was to determine which set of diagnostic tests should be part of a diagnostic protocol for evaluating dizziness in elderly patients in general practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a Delphi procedure with a panel of 16 national and international experts of all relevant medical specialities in the field of dizziness. A selection of 36 diagnostic tests, based on a systematic review and practice guidelines, was presented to the panel. Each test was described extensively, and data on test characteristics and methodological quality (assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, QUADAS) were presented. The threshold for in- or exclusion of a diagnostic test was set at an agreement of 70%.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During three rounds 21 diagnostic tests were selected, concerning patient history (4 items), physical examination (11 items), and additional tests (6 items). Five tests were excluded, although they are recommended by existing practice guidelines on dizziness. Two tests were included, although several practice guidelines question their diagnostic value. Two more tests were included that have never been recommended by practice guidelines on dizziness.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study we successfully combined empirical evidence with expert opinion for the development of a set of diagnostic tests for evaluating dizziness in elderly patients. This comprehensive set of tests will be evaluated in a cross-sectional diagnostic study.</p