Metabolic phenotype of male obesity-related secondary hypogonadism pre-replacementand post-replacement therapy with intra-muscular testosterone undecanoate therapy

Aim: To explore the metabolic phenotype of obesity-related Secondary Hypogonadism (SH) in men pre- and post-replacement therapy with long-acting intramuscular (IM) testosterone undecanoate (TU). Methods: A prospective observational pilot study on metabolic effects of TU IM in male obesity-related SH (Hypogonadal [HG] group, n=13), including baseline comparisons with controls (Eugonadal [EG] group, n=15). Half the subjects (n=7 in each group) had Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D). Baseline metabolic assessment on Human Metabolism Research Unit: fasting blood samples; BodPod (body composition), and; whole-body indirect calorimetry. The HG group was treated with TU IM therapy for 6-29 months (mean 14.8-months [SD 8.7]), and assessment at the Human Metabolism Research Unit repeated. T-test comparisons were performed between baseline and follow-up data (HG group), and between baseline data (HG and EG groups). Data reported as mean (SD). Results: Overall, TU IM therapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in HbA1C (9mmol/mol, P=0.03), with 52% improvement in HOMA%B. Improvement in glycaemic control was driven by the HG subgroup with T2D, with 18mmol/mol [P=0.02] improvement in HbA1C. Following TU IM therapy, there was a statistically significant reduction in fat mass (3.5Kg, P=0.03) and increase in lean body mass (2.9Kg, P=0.03). Lipid profiles and energy expenditure were unchanged following TU IM therapy. Comparisons between baseline data for HG and EG groups were equivalent apart from differences in testosterone, SHBG and BMR. Conclusion: In men with obesity-related SH (including a subgroup with T2D), TU IM therapy improved glycaemic control, beta cell function and body composition

Application of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> for the Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Different Cultivars of Wheat <i>(Tritium aestivum</i> L.)

Salinity has a negative impact on the agricultural production of crops. It adversely affects the physiochemical properties of the soil and ecological balance of the area. Plant growth-promoting bacteria play a key role in the biological control of phyto-pathogens and abiotic stress including salinity. Four varieties of wheat crop (V1: Akbar 2019, V2: Dilkash 2021, V3: Faisalabad 2008, and V4: Subhani 2020) were compared for their salinity stress tolerance and response towards Bacillus subtilis NA2. A completely randomized design (4 wheat varieties × 3 salt stress levels × 3 replicate × 2 control and bacterial treatments = 72 pots) was adopted using distilled water as a control. Stress negatively affected the plant growth. However, plants primed with Bacillus subtilis NA2 showed improved growth (plant lengths 29.45% and increased biomass 33.23%). Overall, bacterial strain enhanced the levels of carotenoids (45.53%), anthocyanin (32.51%), ascorbic acid (41.53%), total soluble proteins (59.21%), chlorophyll contents (49.65%), and peroxidase activity (31.76%). Levels of malondialdehyde (27.42%) and hydrogen peroxide (20.37%), catalase (16.48%), and ascorbate peroxidase (19.24%) decreased. With commensurable benefits, it can be inferred from the above study that the Bacillus subtilis NA2 strain is beneficial for the better yield of wheat under salinity stress by improving the plant defense mechanism and may be adopted in future by farmers

Predictors of weight loss at 1 year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the role of presurgical quality of life

Background There is uncertainty regarding preoperative predictors of a successful outcome for bariatric surgery (BarSurg), on which to determine appropriateness for such a procedure. Our aims were to identify preoperative clinical and psychosocial predictors of success following BarSurg and to explore the influence of body mass index (BMI) on these parameters. Methods Preoperative data, including Impact of Weight on Quality of Life—Lite (IWQOL-Lite) scores transformed to Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) scores, were accrued from 76 morbidly obese adults awaiting BarSurg. Pre- and postoperative data were also accrued for 26 patients who had completed 1-year follow-up post-bariatric surgery (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding—LAGB). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between preoperative HRQOL scores, preoperative BMI and excess weight loss 1 year following BarSurg (EWL-1 year). Results Preoperative BMI showed a significant independent, negative linear correlation with the public distress domain of preoperative quality of life (QOL) (r = −0.368, p = 0.001; β = −0.245, p = 0.009). Preoperative BMI had a significant, positive and independent association with EWL-1 year (r = 0.499, p = 0.009; β = 0.679, p = 0.015). Preoperative QOL scores had no association with EWL-1 year. Conclusions Preoperative BMI appears to predict EWL-1 year following restrictive bariatric surgery (LAGB). Preoperatively, patients with higher BMI appear to manifest greater public distress. Preoperative QOL scores, however, do not appear to have any predictive value for EWL-1 year post-LAGB. Preoperative BMI should therefore be employed as a predictor of EWL-1 year post-LAGB. Other measures of successful outcomes of bariatric surgeries (such as effects on QOL scores at 1 year) should be explored in future, larger and longer term studies

Metabolic phenotype of male obesity-related secondary hypogonadism pre-replacement and post-replacement therapy with intra-muscular testosterone undecanoate therapy

To explore the metabolic phenotype of obesity-related secondary hypogonadism (SH) in men pre-replacement and post-replacement therapy with long-acting intramuscular (IM) testosterone undecanoate (TU). A prospective observational pilot study on metabolic effects of TU IM in male obesity-related SH (hypogonadal [HG] group, n = 13), including baseline comparisons with controls (eugonadal [EG] group, n = 15). Half the subjects (n = 7 in each group) had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Baseline metabolic assessment on Human Metabolism Research Unit: fasting blood samples; BodPod (body composition), and; whole-body indirect calorimetry. The HG group was treated with TU IM therapy for 6-29 months (mean 14.8-months [SD 8.7]), and assessment at the Human Metabolism Research Unit repeated. T-test comparisons were performed between baseline and follow-up data (HG group), and between baseline data (HG and EG groups). Data reported as mean (SD). Overall, TU IM therapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in HbA1C (9 mmol/mol, P = 0.03), with 52% improvement in HOMA%B. Improvement in glycaemic control was driven by the HG subgroup with T2D, with 18 mmol/mol [P = 0.02] improvement in HbA1C. Following TU IM therapy, there was a statistically significant reduction in fat mass (3.5 Kg, P = 0.03) and increase in lean body mass (2.9 kg, P = 0.03). Lipid profiles and energy expenditure were unchanged following TU IM therapy. Comparisons between baseline data for HG and EG groups were equivalent apart from differences in testosterone, SHBG and basal metabolic rate (BMR). In men with obesity-related SH (including a subgroup with T2D), TU IM therapy improved glycaemic control, beta cell function, and body composition