Infertility treatment outcome in sub groups of obese population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is a common disorder with a negative impact on IVF treatment outcome. It is not clear whether morbidly obese women (BMI >= 35 kg/m2) respond to treatment differently as compared to obese women (BMI = 30–34.9 kg/m2) in IVF. Our aim was to compare the outcome of IVF or ICSI treatments in obese patients to that in morbidly obese patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care centre. Patients inclusion criteria were as follows; BMI ≥ 30, age 20–40 years old, first cycle IVF/ICSI treatment with primary infertility and long follicular pituitary down regulation protocol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 406 obese patients (group A) and 141 morbidly obese patients (group B) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Average BMI was 32.1 ± 1.38 kg/m2 for group A versus 37.7 ± 2.99 kg/m²for group B. Patient age, cause of infertility, duration of stimulation, fertilization rate, and number of transferred embryos were similar in both groups. Compared to group A, group B had fewer medium size and mature follicles (14 vs. 16), fewer oocytes collected (7 vs. 9) and required higher doses of HMG (46.2 vs. 38.5 amps). There was also a higher cancellation rate in group B (28.3% vs. 19%) and lower clinical pregnancy rate per started cycle (19.9% vs. 28.6%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In a homogenous infertile and obese patient population stratified according to their BMI, morbid obesity is associated with unfavorable IVF/ICSI cycle outcome as evidenced by lower pregnancy rates. It is recommended that morbidly obese patients undergo appropriate counseling before the initiation of this expensive and invasive therapy.</p

Food safety culture in food companies amid the Lebanese economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic

The challenges to food safety in Lebanon are many and have worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Lebanese economic crisis. Against a backdrop of loosely enforced food laws and regulations, a cross-sectional study was carried out in 23 Lebanese food companies on 204 participants using a validated online food safety culture self-assessment tool consisting of 28 indicators. Food safety motivation, burnout/job stress and conscientiousness and their impact on food safety culture were also investigated. Overall, the perceived food safety culture was “good” with a mean value of 119.1 over 140 (equivalent to 4.3/5). A young workforce, the female gender, a science background, and a university degree were associated with a higher food safety culture. The food safety culture score was also perceived higher among participants who attended food safety trainings, and among those working at the managerial level and in the quality department. In addition, the results showed that the food safety culture was significantly better in companies exporting their goods than companies with no international market exposure (121.6 vs 118.1). Moreover, Food safety motivation (mean score 4.1/5) and conscientiousness (3.5/5) were moderately associated with a positive food safety culture. However, the low burnout/job stress scores (2.8/5) may exhibit a negative impact on the food safety culture and could be related to several consequences caused by the Lebanese economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. Further studies are to be conducted to understand better the causal effects relationship

The influence of socio-demographic factors on patterns of thyme and thyme products consumption: the case of a Mediterranean country

Thyme intake assessment is gaining significance because thyme is becoming a global staple food and its use has been on the rise. In our study, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to assess thyme intake in Lebanon. Out of the total 1555 adult participants, 1523 persons (97.9%) consumed at least one thyme product among the14 assessed thyme-containing products. The mean consumption of thyme products was estimated to be 425.5 g/day, providing an estimated 31.4 g/day of thyme. Thyme pie had the highest mean intake (72.5 g/day) and represented the highest thyme contribution (10.4 g/day) among all thyme products, while crackers with thyme had the lowest mean intake (3.7 g/day) and the lowest thyme contribution (0.2 g/day). The mean consumption values for thyme products were significantly different between participants of different genders, age categories, socio-economic and demographic levels. This study highlighted the importance of a food frequency questionnaire as a tool for data collection about the consumption patterns

The relationship between hypovitaminosis D and metabolic syndrome: a cross sectional study among employees of a private university in Lebanon

Abstract Background The prevalence of low vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome is increasing globally and in Lebanon. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (elevated triglycerides, low HDL, abdominal obesity defined by high waist circumference, hypertension, impaired fasting blood glucose) and investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and MetS and its components among a sample of Lebanese adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on Notre Dame University employees. A background questionnaire, a short-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were administered. Participants were invited to the nutrition laboratory to gather data on anthropometric (height, waist circumference, weight, body composition and body mass index) and biochemical measurements (serum vitamin D, triglycerides, HDL and fasting blood glucose). Vitamin D status was assessed according to the Institute of Medicine cut-offs (inadequate or adequate: 25(OH)D < or ≥ 50 nmol/L).The definition of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program was used to identify individuals who had MetS. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 344 participants (age range of 20 to 74 years) were included in the study. The prevalence of MetS was 23.5%. Among MetS components, central obesity was the most prevalent condition (50.6%), while the least prevalent was impaired fasting blood glucose (20.3%). The odds of having MetS were found to be 2.5 (95% CI 1.3–4.7) higher among those with inadequate vitamin D status, than among those with adequate vitamin D status while controlling for important confounders (age, marital status, education level, income, medical morbidity, smoking and percent body fat and gender). Among the components of MetS, only hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.3–4.2) and low HDL (OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–3.0) were associated with inadequate vitamin D status while controlling for important confounders. Conclusions Early identification and control of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the primary care level is needed, particularly among adults who have low vitamin D status, are obese, and have low income level

Aflatoxin B1 in Rice: Effects of Storage Duration, Grain Type and Size, Production Site, and Season

ABSTRACT: Our study evaluated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in packed rice marketed in Lebanon and determined the exposure to this toxin from rice consumption. A total of 105 packed white, parboiled, and brown rice bags were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFB1. A comprehensive food frequency questionnaire was completed by 500 participants to determine patterns of rice consumption and, subsequently, the exposure levels to AFB1 from rice consumption in Lebanon. AFB1 was detected in all rice samples (100%). The average concentration ± standard deviation of AFB1 was 0.5 ± 0.3 μg/kg. Contamination ranged between 0.06 and 2.08 μg/kg. Moisture content in all rice samples was below the recommended percentage (14%). Only 1% of the samples had an AFB1 level above the European Union limit (2 μg/kg). Brown rice had a significantly higher AFB1 level than white and parboiled rice (P = 0.02), while a significant difference was found between both collections for the same brands (P = 0.016). Packing season, packing country, country of origin, presence of a food safety management certification, grain size, and time between packing and purchasing had no significant effect. Exposure to AFB1 from rice consumption in Lebanon was calculated as 0.1 to 2 ng/kg of body weight per day