Trunk fat and leg fat have independent and opposite associations with fasting and postload glucose levels: the Hoorn study

Trunk fat and leg fat have independent and opposite associations with fasting and postload glucose levels: the Hoorn study. Snijder MB, Dekker JM, Visser M, Bouter LM, Stehouwer CD, Yudkin JS, Heine RJ, Nijpels G, Seidell JC; Hoorn study. Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected] OBJECTIVE: Waist and hip circumferences have been shown to have independent and opposite associations with glucose levels. Waist circumference is positively associated with glucose levels, whereas hip circumference is negatively associated. It is unclear which tissues are involved in the pathophysiological mechanism causing these associations. The main goal was to determine which tissue in the trunk and legs, fat or lean tissue, is associated with measures of glucose metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 623 participants of the third examination of the Hoorn Study, whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to determine fat and lean soft-tissue mass in the trunk and legs. Fasting and 2-h postload glucose levels after 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined. After exclusion of known diabetic patients, cross-sectional analyses were performed in 275 men aged 60-87 years (140 with normal glucose metabolism, 92 with impaired glucose metabolism; and 43 with diabetes) and in 281 women (148 with normal glucose metabolism, 90 with impaired glucose metabolism, and 43 with diabetes). RESULTS: Greater trunk fat mass was associated with higher glucose levels after adjustment for age, trunk lean mass, leg lean mass, and leg fat mass. Standardized beta (95% CI) in men were 0.44 (0.25-0.64) for fasting and 0.41 (0.22-0.60) for postload glucose. For women, these values were 0.49 (0.35-0.63) and 0.47 (0.33-0.61), respectively. In contrast, in the same regression models, a larger leg fat mass was associated with lower glucose levels. Standardized beta in men were -0.24 (-0.43 to -0.05) and -0.12 (-0.31 to 0.07) and in women -0.24 (-0.37 to -0.10) and -0.27 (-0.40 to -0.13) for fasting and postload glucose, respectively. In these models, larger leg lean mass was also associated with lower glucose levels but was only statistically significant in men. CONCLUSIONS: If trunk fat is taken into account, accumulation of fat in the legs seems to be protective against a disturbed glucose metabolism, particularly in women. Further research is needed to unravel underlying pathophysiological mechanism

Ionospheric quasi-static electric field anomalies during seismic activity in August–September 1981

The paper proposes new results, analyses and information for the plate tectonic situation in the processing of INTERCOSMOS-BULGARIA-1300 satellite data about anomalies of the quasi-static electric field in the upper ionosphere over activated earthquake source regions at different latitudes. The earthquake catalogue is made on the basis of information from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) website. The disturbances in ionospheric quasi-static electric fields are recorded by IESP-1 instrument aboard the INTERCOSMOS-BULGARIA-1300 satellite and they are compared with significant seismic events from the period 14 August–20 September 1981 in magnetically very quiet, quiet and medium quiet days. The main tectonic characteristics of the seismically activated territories are also taken in account. The main goal of the above research work is to enlarge the research of possible connections between anomalous vertical electric field penetrations into the ionosphere and the earthquake manifestations, also to propose tectonic arguments for the observed phenomena. The studies are represented in four main blocks: (i) previous studies of similar problems, (ii) selection of satellite, seismic and plate tectonic data, (iii) data processing with new specialized software and observations of the quasi-static electric field and (iiii) summary, comparison of new with previous results in our studies and conclusion. We establish the high informativity of the vertical component <i>Ez</i> of the quasi-static electric field in the upper ionosphere according observations by INTERCOSMOS-BULGARIA-1300 that are placed above considerably activated earthquake sources. This component shows an increase of about 2–10 mV/m above sources, situated on mobile structures of the plates. The paper discusses the observed effects. It is represented also a statistical study of ionospheric effects 5–15 days before and 5–15 days after the earthquakes with magnitude M 4.8–7.9

Морфологічне дослідження впливу мелатоніну на стан слизової оболонки шлунка щурів в умовах експериментальної гастральної виразки

Введение серотонина вызывает в слизистой оболочке желудка животных острые деструктивные изменения преимущественно в виде эрозий и язв различного размера и численности, которые сопровождаются уменьшением содержания нейтральных мукополисахаридов в цитоплазме клеток поверхностно-ямочного эпителия. Введение мелатонина при гастральной язве уменьшает деструктивные изменения в слизистой оболочке желудка и восстанавливает состояние защитного слизистого барьера.Введение серотонина вызывает в слизистой оболочке желудка животных острые деструктивные изменения преимущественно в виде эрозий и язв различного размера и численности, которые сопровождаются уменьшением содержания нейтральных мукополисахаридов в цитоплазме клеток поверхностно-ямочного эпителия. Введение мелатонина при гастральной язве уменьшает деструктивные изменения в слизистой оболочке желудка и восстанавливает состояние защитного слизистого барьера.The introduction of serotonin is in the gastric mucosa of animals’ acute destructive changes mainly in the form of erosions and ulcers of various sizes and numbers, which are accompanied by a decrease in the amount of neutral mucopolysaccharides in the cytoplasm of the cell surface patching of the epithelium. The administration of melatonin in the gastric ulcer reduces the destructive changes in the gastric mucosa and restores the state of the protective mucus barrier

Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective

This Report has a number of inter-related general purposes. One is to explore the extent to which food, nutrition, physical activity, and body composition modify the risk of cancer, and to specify which factors are most important. To the extent that environmental factors such as food, nutrition, and physical activity influence the risk of cancer, it is a preventable disease. The Report specifies recommendations based on solid evidence which, when followed, will be expected to reduce the incidence of cancer

Влияние толщины диффузионного слоя на возникновение динамических неустойчивостей в модельном электрокаталитическом процессе

Определено влияние толщины диффузионного слоя Нернста на возникновение неустойчивостей Хопфа, седло–узел и гомоклинной неустойчивости в модельном электрокаталитическом процессе на поверхности сферического электрода при потенциостатических условиях. Показано, что увеличение толщины диффузионного слоя Нернста способстует расширению области потенциалов (в системе могут наблюдаться спонтанные периодические колебания тока), а также области бистабильности системы. Возможная реализация в системе гомоклинной бифуркации может привести и к более сложным динамическим режимам.Визначено вплив товщини дифузійного шару Нернста на виникнення нестійкості Хопфа, сідло–вузол та гомоклінної нестійкості в модельному електрокаталітичному процесі на поверхні сферичного електроду за потенціостатичних умов. Показано, що збільшення товщини дифузійного шару Нернста спричинює розширення області потенціалів (у системі можуть спостерігатися спонтанні періодичні коливання струму), а також області бістабільності системи. Можлива реалізація в системі гомоклінної біфуркації може привести і до більш складних динамічних режимів.The influence of the Nernst diffusion layer thickness on the appearance of the Hopf instability, saddle–node instability, and homoclinic instability in a model electrocatalytic process on a spherical electrode surface under potentiostatic conditions is determined. It is shown that the Nernst diffusion layer thickness increase leads to an increase in the potential range, where spontaneous periodic current oscillations can be observed and also in the system bistability range. A possible realization of the homoclinic bifurcation in the system can initiate more complicated dynamical regimes

Sagittal abdominal diameter: no advantage compared with other anthropometric measures as a correlate of components of the metabolic syndrome in elderly from the Hoorn Study.

BACKGROUND: The sagittal abdominal diameter has been proposed as a useful measure by which to estimate abdominal obesity and as being more strongly related to components of the metabolic syndrome than are other anthropometric measures. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study which anthropometric measure (ie, sagittal abdominal diameter, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, or body mass index) is the strongest correlate of components of the metabolic syndrome (ie, glucose and lipid concentrations and blood pressure) in the elderly. DESIGN: The Hoorn Study is a population-based cohort study in older Dutch men and women. Cross-sectional data were analyzed. Age-adjusted Pearson correlations of anthropometric measures with components of the metabolic syndrome were calculated in 826 subjects (389 men, 437 women) aged 56-83 y. Analyses were performed with adjustment for age and stratification for sex and age (/=65 y). RESULTS: No single anthropometric measure was consistently correlated more strongly with components of the metabolic syndrome than were the other measures in either men or women. The associations were generally stronger in younger subjects than in older subjects and in women than in men. For example, the correlation between sagittal abdominal diameter and postload glucose was 0.35 (P < 0.001) in younger and 0.14 (P = 0.051) in older men, and the correlation between waist circumference and postload glucose was 0.33 (P < 0.001) in older women and 0.14 (P = 0.062) in older men. CONCLUSION: The use of sagittal abdominal diameter has no advantages over simpler and more commonly used anthropometric measures such as the waist circumference in older men and women

Relation of C-reactive protein to body fat distribution and features of the metabolic syndrome in Europeans and South Asians.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and indices of body fat distribution and the insulin resistance syndrome in South Asians and Europeans. DESIGN: : Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 113 healthy South Asian and European men and women in West London (age 40-55 y, body mass index (BMI) 17-34 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Fatness and fat distribution parameters (by anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and abdominal CT scan); oral glucose tolerance test with insulin response; modified fat tolerance test; and CRP concentration by sensitive ELISA. RESULTS: Median CRP level in South Asian women was nearly double that in European women (1.35 vs 0.70 mg/1, P=0.05). Measures of obesity and CRP concentration were significantly associated in both ethnic groups. The correlation to CRP was especially strong among South Asians (P0.15). CONCLUSION: We suggest that adiposity and in particular visceral adipose tissue is a key promoter of low-grade chronic inflammation. This observation may in part account for the association of CRP with markers of the metabolic syndrome. Future studies should confirm whether CRP concentrations are elevated in South Asians and whether losing weight by exercise or diet, or reduction in visceral fat mass, is associated with reduction in plasma CRP concentrations

Fluxoid dynamics in superconducting thin film rings

We have measured the dynamics of individual magnetic fluxoids entering and leaving photolithographically patterned thin film rings of the underdoped high-temperature superconductor Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+\delta}$, using a variable sample temperature scanning SQUID microscope. These results can be qualitatively described using a model in which the fluxoid number changes by thermally activated nucleation of a Pearl vortex in, and transport of the Pearl vortex across, the ring wall.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, fixed typo

Impact of process variables on the micromeritic and physicochemical properties of spray-dried microparticles, part II: physicochemical characterisation of spray-dried materials

YesObjectives  In this work we investigated the residual organic solvent content and physicochemical properties of spray-dried chlorothiazide sodium (CTZNa) and potassium (CTZK) salts. Methods  The powders were characterised by thermal, X-ray diffraction, infrared and dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) analyses. Solvent levels were investigated by Karl–Fischer titration and gas chromatography. Key findings  Spray-drying from water, methanol (MeOH) and mixes of MeOH and butyl acetate (BA) resulted in amorphous microparticles. The glass transition temperatures of CTZNa and CTZK were ∼192 and ∼159°C, respectively. These materials retained their amorphous nature when stored at 25°C in dry conditions for at least 6 months with no chemical decomposition observed. DVS determined the critical relative humidity of recrystallisation of CTZNa and CTZK to be 57% RH and 58% RH, respectively. The inlet temperature dependant oxidation of MeOH to formaldehyde was observed; the formaldehyde was seen to deposit within the amorphous matrix of spray-dried product. Spray-drying in the open blowing mode coupled with secondary drying resulted in a three-fold reduction in residual BA (below pharmacopoeial permitted daily exposure limit) compared to spray-drying in the closed mode. Conclusions  Experiments showed that recirculation of recovered drying gas increases the risk of deposition of residual solvents in the spray-dried product.The Irish Research Council for Science and Engineering Technology (IRCSET), the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster (SSPC), supported by Science Foundation Ireland under grant number (07/SRC/B1158) and the Irish Drug Delivery Research Network, a Strategic Research Cluster grant (07/SRC/B1154) under the National Development Plan co-funded by EU Structural Funds and Science Foundation Ireland