A Study Comparing Pre-Ingested L-Leucine and L-Isoleucine on Glycemic Responses in Healthy Inactive Adults: Preliminary Data.

Background The co-ingestion of amino acids with a glucose drink has been shown to blunt the elevated post-prandial glucose response. Though not entirely clear, some suggest amino acids will facilitate an incretin-driven insulin response that improves glucose sensitivity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the “priming” effect of pre-ingested amino acids on glycemic control in healthy inactive adults. We present here some preliminary data from 7 adults. Hypothesis We hypothesize that the pre-ingested amino acids would attenuate the post-prandial rise in glucose during a 75 g glucose tolerance test. Methods To test this, seven healthy adults (Females: n =4, Males: n=3, Age 27.17 ± 4.7 y; Height 165.84 ± 9.53 cm; Weight 82.47 ± 14.63 kg; BMI 30.14 ± 7.54 kg/m2; Lean body mass (LBM) 56.83 ± 20.56 kg; Fasting blood glucose (FBG) 87.43 ± 5.29 mg/dL) completed four trials in a randomized, single blinded fashion. The four trials required participants to ingest either Leucine (LEU), L-Isoleucine (ISO), an equal combination of LEU/ISO combined and lastly a control. Each treatment was ingested 30-min prior to a 2 h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. The amino acid drink (200 mL) was standardized by the participant LBM (0.3g/kg) while the control consisted of inert stevia and non-amino acid ingredients found in equal amounts as other treatment mixtures (3.54 g). Venous blood samples were taken at baseline, and at 10, 30, 40, 60, 90, 120, and 150-min post-treatment and 75 g glucose drink. Because data collection is ongoing, the researchers are still blinded to the composition of the amino acid drinks and thus results are presented as: Red A, Green B, Yellow C, and control (White D). Plasma glucose (GLU) was analyzed using a YSI 2900 analyzer (Yellow Springs Instruments) and insulin (INS), glucagon (GCG), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were quantified by fluorescent bead-based technology (MAGPIX, Luminex xMAP technology). A 2-way RMANOVA was used to assess glucose data (Graphpad Software). Results Pre-ingestion of amino acid had no significant treatment effect on GLU compared to control (P = 0.5912). Currently, only 2 individuals have been analyzed for insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1Active, and GIPTotal. However, we observed early and promising, non-statistical supported differences in concentrations between trials of insulin (Red A, Yellow C \u3e Green B, White D), GLP-1Active (Red A, Green B, Yellow C \u3e White D), and GIPTotal (Red A \u3e Green B, Yellow C, White D). Conclusion Based on these preliminary results, it appears that pre-ingestion of an amino acid drink does not influence glucose control in healthy and inactive young adults. It remains to be seen if pre-ingestion of the amino acids LEU and ISO, have any definitive effect on incretin secretion or subsequent insulin and glucagon responses

A Unified Strategy to ent-Kauranoid Natural Products: Total Syntheses of (−)-Trichorabdal A and (−)-Longikaurin E

The first total syntheses of (−)-trichorabdal A and (−)-longikaurin E are reported. A unified synthetic strategy is employed that relies on a Pd-mediated oxidative cyclization of a silyl ketene acetal to generate an all-carbon quaternary center and build the bicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework. These studies, taken together with our previous synthesis of (−)-maoecrystal Z, demonstrate that three architecturally distinct ent-kauranoids can be prepared from a common spirolactone intermediate

Universal Design for Learning in K-12 Educational Settings: A Review of Group Comparison and Single-subject Intervention Studies

This literature review on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) included articles from January 1984 through June 2014. We (a) investigated the UDL educational framework without the inclusion of other major K-12 educational frameworks in learning environments, (b) reported researchers’ scope and depth of use of the UDL principles, and (c) focused our investigation on two research methods: group comparison and single-subject. We used the quality indicators for evidence-based practices (EBPs) in special education to review, not rate, the final pool of five peer-reviewed articles. Results included analyses of the incorporation of UDL principles in all identified studies, highlighting the need for caution in promoting conceptual frameworks until sufficient empirical evidence is available to validate pedagogical utility in educational environments. We conclude that the UDL framework has merit but researchers must conduct studies that use group comparison and single-subject studies to independently test the UDL principles, guidelines, and checkpoints to increase the likelihood of causation in treatment outcomes

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Dimethyl Malonate to 2 Cyclopenten-1-one Catalyzed by a Heterobimetallic Complex

A. Preparation of GaNa-(S)-BINOL((S)-2) Solution (0.05 M).2 A flame-dried 1L, three-necked round-bottomed flask with 24/40 joints and a 1.5" Teflon coated egg-shaped magnetic stir bar is brought into a nitrogen filled glovebox (Note 2). The flask is charged with gallium (III) chloride (5.0 g, 28.4 mmol, 1.0 equiv) (Notes 3 and 4). The flask is sealed with three rubber septa (one of which is fitted with an internal temperature probe) brought out of the glovebox, and put under positive pressure of nitrogen via a needle attached to a nitrogen line. Another flame-dried 1L, three-necked round-bottomed flask with 24/40 joints and a 1.5" Teflon coated egg-shaped magnetic stir bar is charged with (S)-(-)-1,1'-bi(2-naphthol) ((S)-BINOL, (S)-1) (16.26 g, 56.8 mmol, 2.0 equiv) (Note 5). The flask is sealed with three rubber septa (one of which is fitted with a thermometer) and evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times (5 minutes under vacuum per cycle). A flame-dried 500 mL round-bottomed flask with a 24/40 joint and a 1" Teflon coated egg-shaped magnetic stir bar is charged with sodium tert -butoxide (10.92 g, 113.6 mmol, 4.0 equiv) (Note 6). The flask is sealed with a rubber septum and evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times (5 minutes under vacuum per cycle)

Characterisation of the proximal airway squamous metaplasia induced by chronic tobacco smoke exposure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Continuous exposure to tobacco smoke (TS) is a key cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a complex multifactorial disease that is difficult to model in rodents. The spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat exhibits several COPD-associated co-morbidities such as hypertension and increased coagulation. We have investigated whether SH rats are a more appropriate animal paradigm of COPD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>SH rats were exposed to TS for 6 hours/day, 3 days/week for 14 weeks, and the lung tissues examined by immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TS induced a CK13-positive squamous metaplasia in proximal airways, which also stained for Ki67 and p63. We hypothesise that this lesion arises by basal cell proliferation, which differentiates to a squamous cell phenotype. Differences in staining profiles for the functional markers CC10 and surfactant D, but not phospho-p38, indicated loss of ability to function appropriately as secretory cells. Within the parenchyma, there were also differences in the staining profiles for CC10 and surfactant D, indicating a possible attempt to compensate for losses in proximal airways. In human COPD sections, areas of CK13-positive squamous metaplasia showed sporadic p63 staining, suggesting that unlike the rat, this is not a basal cell-driven lesion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study demonstrates that although proximal airway metaplasia in rat and human are both CK13+ and therefore squamous, they potentially arise by different mechanisms.</p

Sleep Insufficiency, Sleep Health Problems and Performance in High School Students

A survey on sleep schedule, sleep health, school performance and school start times was conducted in 1,941 adolescents. A high level of early and circadian-disadvantaged sleep/wake schedules during weekdays was observed. Shorter sleep duration on weekdays was reported, especially in upper classmen. Complaints of inadequate sleep and sleepiness during weekdays, alarm clock use, and napping were prevalent. Night awakening and prolonged sleep onset were common and associated with poor school performance. Students with a sleep length of less than 7 hours on both weekdays and weekends exhibited poorer performance, while those who made up this sleep loss on weekends did not. The total number of poor sleep factors in an individual also correlated with poor school performance. Earlier school start times were associated with a perception of poor sleep quality, shorter sleep duration and more sleep health problems. We conclude that sleep inadequacies and sleep health problems were prevalent in this population, especially in those who started school earlier in the morning, and that these poor sleep factors were associated with school performance

Vaccine trials with no serious adverse reactions – estimation of upper 95% confidence intervals for likelihood of such events

COVID‑19 remains a pandemic at the time of writing (July 2021) and the ultimate solution appears to be global vaccination. In trials, vaccines did not demonstrate serious side effects and only manifested transient symptoms such as fever and malaise, as well as local reactions such as pain and tenderness at the injection site, effects that continue to be observed even with ongoing mass vaccination. However, it is still possible to have serious rare side effects as millions and even billions are vaccinated. This paper will demonstrate a simple way to estimate such risks based on actual trial data and the on ongoing vaccination. [Excerpt]peer-reviewe

A glimpse into long COVID characteristics and the mental health impact within a highly vaccinated population : a Malta observational study

Background. Post-acute COVID-19 consequences are gaining global recognition. This study explores Long COVID characteristics and associated mental health impact/s among the highly vaccinated adult population of Malta. Methods. A social media survey gathered demographics, vaccination, and COVID-19 data. Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 assessment tools were used for anxiety and depression. Quantitative analyses were performed. Results. 41% reported Long COVID, mostly female, 30-39 years, absence of chronic disease/s and vaccinated. Shortness of breath commonest persistent symptom among males, and fatigue for females. Significantly higher depression scores were present in Long COVID cohort compared to no persistent symptoms (p=0.001) and never acquiring COVID-19 (p=<0.01). A significant higher anxiety scores was present for Long COVID cohort than never acquiring COVID-19 (p=<0.01). Conclusions. Long COVID occurs even in healthy individuals and vaccinated, while exacerbating mental health burdens. Urgent action is required to manage Long COVID and preventing the sequela.peer-reviewe

A cross‐sectional study exploring the Covid‐19 vaccination landscape in Malta through social media : an insight into experiences, attitudes, and perspectives

Background and Aims: Covid‐19 vaccines were disseminated across Europe from the end of 2020. Malta had one of the fastest vaccination rollouts in Europe and by March 2022 most adults had their booster dose. The aim was to investigate adult's perspectives, experiences, and attitudes regarding vaccination in Malta. Methods: An anonymous online survey targeting adult social media users living in Malta was disseminated through social media, with a snowball technique. Demographic information, vaccination uptake, side‐effects, perceptions, and experiences were gathered through quantitative and qualitative means. Participants were sub‐grouped according to their vaccination status and descriptive analysis through frequency was performed. χ 2/Fisher test testing followed by logistic regressions were performed to assess the vaccination perspectives according to vaccination status. Results: Out of 611 participants 79.87% had the booster, 4.91% had two doses awaiting booster, 6.55% refused booster while, 8.67% refused any dose. Booster sub‐group when compared to vaccine hesitant sub‐group exhibited an association with the perception for the need to “continue wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and hand washing following vaccination” (odds ratio [OR]: 5.97 confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.09–32.36 p = 0.04). Those waiting for the booster dose when compared to those refusing booster, exhibited an association with the perspective that “COVID‐19 vaccine is the solution to returning to normality” (OR: 5.00 CI 95%: 1.12–22.35 p = 0.04). The commonest reason for inoculation was to protect against severe disease (63.08% CI 95%: 58.91–67.07). More pronounced booster adverse effects raised concern about future booster doses uptake. Unwillingness among anti‐booster and vaccine hesitant arose among high socioeconomic background participants, with concern for vaccine safety and adverse effects. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy is low yet, vaccination unwillingness even among highly educated may act as a barrier to control the pandemic. Clear, transparent public health communication which targets concerns is crucial, with unified messages from governing bodies optimizing population safety.peer-reviewe

Assessing the impact of the four COVID-19 variants and the vaccine coverage on mortality in Malta over 2 years : an observational case study

Background: Mortality may quantify a population's disease burden. Malta, like other European countries, experienced COVID-19 surges in cases and mortality across the pandemic. This study assesses COVID-19's mortality impact, while exploring the effects of the four dominant COVID-19 variants and that of the vaccination coverage on the Maltese population. Methods: COVID-19 data (cases, mortality, positivity, and vaccination rates) was obtained from the websites of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Malta Ministry of Health. Data was categorized into the four periods according to reported dominant COVID-19 variant. Years of life lost (YLL) and Case-Fatality-Ratio (CFR) for each period were estimated. CFR was also estimated for the pre-vaccine and post-vaccine periods. Results: The original COVID-19 period (36 weeks) had the highest YLL (4,484), followed by the Omicron variant period (12 weeks; 1,398). The Alpha variant period (7 weeks) had the highest CFR (1.89%) followed by the Original COVID-19 (1.35%). The pre-vaccine (1.59%) period had higher CFR than the post-vaccine period (0.67%). Conclusion: Various factors contributed to mortality, but the variant's infectivity, transmissibility, and the effectiveness of the vaccine against the variant play an important role. Reducing mortality by embracing mass vaccination that targets current variants along with other non-pharmaceutical interventions remains paramount.peer-reviewe