Obesity in the elderly diabetic patients: Townsville Hospital experience

Background / Aims: Although the increase in the prevalence of obesity among Australian diabetics (DM) generally is well documented, little information has been published specifically about the situation among older Australians living in North Queensland. This is despite the reportedly growing geriatric population in the region. The main aim of the study is to determine prevalence of obesity in the elderly subjects with DM. Methods: Hospital-based cross sectional study was prospectively conducted on patients admitted at the Townsville Hospital aged >70 years. Questionnaire was administered and anthropometric measurements were recorded in subjects with DM (study group) and non-DM (control group). Results: Data of 68 subjects were analysed comprising of 31 DM and 37 non-DM. Prevalence of obesity (BMI>25 kg/m2) was 74.7% compared with 45.9% in non-DM X2 = 5.6, P = 0.018. The mean BMI and body weight were higher in DM than in non-DM, 28.2 + 6.7 vs 25 .2 + 5.3 kg/m2 and 78.5 + 18 vs 68.6 + 17 kg, both P < 0.05. Gender, mean age, and prevalence of other co -morbidities were similar in both groups. Conclusion: We report high prevalence of obesity in diabetes elderly population. Prevention of DM may likely reduce rate of over weight in our geriatric subjects. This being pilot project further prospective studies on a larger population are needed to confirm our findings

A power-efficient thermocycler based on induction heating for DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction

We have built a thermocycler based on the principles of induction heating for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of target sequences in DNA samples of interest. The cycler has an average heating rate of ~0.8°C/s and a cooling rate of ~0.5°C/s, and typically takes ~4 h to complete a 40-cycle PCR protocol. It is power-efficient (~6 W per reaction tube), micro-processor controlled, and can be adapted for battery operation. Using this instrument, we have successfully amplified a 350 bp segment from a plasmid and SRY, the human sex determining gene, which occurs as a single-copy sequence in genomic DNA of human males. The PCR products from this thermocycler are comparable to those obtained by the use of commercially available machines. Its easy front-end operation, low-power design, portability and low cost makes it suitable for diagnostic field applications of PCR

Pattern of diabetes limb amputations: review of two regional centres in Queensland

Background / Aims: Diabetes limb amputation (DLA) is common in Australia's Queensland with notable regional variations in clinical features. Despite this, there is no comparative study of DLA in the 2 regions -north and south Queensland. The aim of the study was to determine clinical characteristics of DLA at The Townsville Hospital (TTH) compared with South Queensland's Gold Coast Hospital (GCH). Methods: Clinical data for all DLAs from the 2 tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed for a 3 year-period from 2009 to 2011. Results: Fifty DLAs were recorded at GCH and 31 for TTH. 35% of the subjects at TTH who had DLAs were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) compared to 2% in GCH X2 = 17.3, P<0.001. The mean age, number of previous amputations and male-female ratio were similar in both centres. Conclusion: We reported high proportion of DLAs in the ATSI's North Queensland. Primary prevention of diabetes foot ulcer in the Indigenous Australian diabetic population may reduce DLA in the region. Further studies on larger population are suggested to confirm our findings

Effect of Organics and Inorganics on Yield Parameters in Bell Pepper under Open Condition

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of organics on yield and fruit quality parameters in bell pepper grown under open condition. Split plot design, with three replications, was adopted taking two bell pepper varieties, viz., California Wonder and Gangavati Local (as main-plot treatments) and nutrient source (as sub-plot treatments). Variety California Wonder performed better with respect to yield parameters compared to the Local variety. Application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through a combination of 50% FYM and 50% poultry manure (O5) as basal dose recorded significantly higher fruit yield (16.33 t/ha) and yield components over other treatments. Among interactions, O5&nbsp;(FYM (50%) + poultry manure (50%) recorded significantly higher fruit yield (18.47 t/ha), followed by 18.31 t/ha with organic application in O1&nbsp;(FYM (50%) + Vermicompost (50%) in California Wonder variety

Floral biology studies in wild melon [Cucumis melo L. ssp. agrestis (Naudin) Pangalo var. agrestis Naudin]

Studies on floral morphology, phenology and biology of wild melon revealed that the ratio of staminate and pistillate flowers was 3.40:1. The longevity of the male flowers were between 5 and 6 days, whereas, female flowers between 6 and 7 days. Anthesis was observed from 4.00 am to 10.00 am, while, the anther dehiscence started from 5.00 am which was continued to 7.00 am. The peak anthesis was observed from 8.00 am to 9.00 am and anther dehiscence from 6.00 am to 6.30 am. Freshly opened flowers showed pollen viability up to 98.35%, decreased upon closure and crashed to 17.48% in 3 days. Pollen germination was occurred after 15 minutes of incubation and continued up to 24 h of incubation. The stigma receptivity lasts from one to two days of anthesis. Major pollinator of wild melons observed was honey bee, mostly visited between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Synthesis and evaluation of analgesic, anti-asthmatic activity of (E)-1-(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1 ones

Abstract Seventeen (E)-1-(8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1 one derivatives were synthesized via aldol condensation of substituted benzaldehydes with quinoline chalcones starting from 8-hydroxy quinoline. Molecular docking studies were performed on COX-2 protein for analgesic activity and PDE 4 enzyme for anti-asthmatic activity. Docking studies for analgesic activity reveal that the compounds 2 , 4 , 12 , 14 , and 15 showed significant interaction in terms of hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic attachment and van der Waal interaction with COX-2. The docking studies and pharmacological screening indicate that substitution of hydroxyl and conjugated ketone groups on the aldehyde ring and the quinoline ring accelerates analgesia with better binding to active site. Eddy's hot plate method was used to evaluate analgesic activity of the synthesized compounds. Compounds showed a substantial increase in reaction time when compared with standard pentazocin. Compounds 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 and 13 showed significant binding interactions with PDE 4 enzyme and hence were selected for evaluation of anti-asthmatic activity using the goat tracheal chain method. Studies reveal that substitution of the methoxy group at 4th & 5th positions for compounds 2 , 4 & 7 leads to significant percentage inhibition of histamine induced contraction. The synthesized compounds are thus found to be potent as analgesic and anti-asthmatic agents

Controlled comparison of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: Veterans Administration multicenter study

Controlled comparison of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: Veterans Administration multicenter study. We measured mortality and morbidity among 114 patients assigned randomly to home hemodialysis (HD) and home intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD). Data were collected during the time of home training and for 12 months after initiation of home dialysis. Training time was shorter for the IPD than for the HD patients (P < 0.001) with median time 1.8 months for IPD and 3.9 months for HD. Switching to the alternative mode of treatment was more frequent for the IPD group (29/59 vs. 5/55, P < 0.001). Survival time was not different, perhaps because of the modality change. More IPD patients were hospitalized in the first 6 months (20 for IPD vs. 9 for HD, P = 0.02), but they had fewer troublesome cardiovascular events in the first year (0 vs. 12, P < 0.001). The HD patients maintained better nutritional status as reflected in body weight and arm muscle circumference and possibly in urea appearance rate. Thus, these data suggest that for most patients, IPD is a less satisfactory form of therapy than HD, but certain advantages of IPD did emerge. Applications of this information to the currently more popular mode of CAPD await further study.Comparaison contrôlée entre l'hémodialyse et la dialyse péritonéale: Étude multicentrique de l'Administration des Veterans. Nous avons mesuré la mortalité et la morbidité chez 114 malades, pris au hasard, en hémodialyse à domicile (HD) ou en dialyse péritonéale intermittente à domicile (IPD). Les données ont été recueillies pendant l'entrainement à domicile et pendant les 12 mois suivant le début de la dialyse à domicile. La durée d'entrainement était plus brève pour les malades en IPD que pour ceux en HD (P < 0,001), avec un temps médian de 1,8 mois pour l'IPD et de 3,9 mois pour l'HD. Le changement pour l'autre mode de traitement était plus fréquent pour le groupe IPD (29/59 contre 5/55, P < 0,001). La durée de suivi n'était pas différente, peut-être à cause du changement de modalité. Plus de malades en IPD ont été hospitalisés dans les 6 premiers mois (20 en IPD, contre 9 en HD, P = 0,02), mais ils ont eu moins d'ennuis cardiovasculaires gênants au cours de la première année (0 contre 12, P < 0,001). Les malades HD conservaient un meilleur état nutritionnel, reflété par le poids corporel, la circonférence musculaire du bras, et probablement la vitesse d'apparition de l'urée. Ainsi ces données suggèrent que pour la plupart des malades, l'IPD est une forme de traitement moins satisfaisante que l'HD, mais certains avantages de l'IPD sont apparus. Les applications de cette information au mode actuellement le plus répandu de CAPD requièrent d'autres études

The crystal structures of six (2E)-3-aryl-1-(5-halogeno­thio­phen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones

The structures of six chalcones containing 5-halogeno­thio­phen-2-yl substituents are reported: (2E)-1-(5-chloro­thio­phen-2-yl)-3-(4-ethyl­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C15H13ClOS, (I), and (2E)-1-(5-bromo­thio­phen-2-yl)-3-(4-ethyl­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C15H13BrOS, (II), are isostructural in space group P-1, while (2E)-1-(5-chloro­thio­phen-2-yl)-3-(4-eth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C15H13ClO2S, (III), and (2E)-1-(5-bromo­thio­phen-2-yl)-3-(4-eth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one C15H13BrO2S, (IV), are isostructural in space group P21/c. There are no hydrogen bonds of any kind in the structures of compounds (I) and (II), but in the structures of compounds (III) and (IV), the mol­ecules are linked into C(7) chains by means of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In the structure of (2E)-3-(4-bromo­phen­yl)-1-(5-chloro­thio­phen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C13H8BrClOS, (V), there are again no hydrogen bonds nor π–π stacking inter­actions but in that of (2E)-1-(5-bromo­thio­phen-2-yl)-3-(3-meth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C14H11BrO2S, (VI), the mol­ecules are linked into C(5) chains by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In each of compounds (I)–(VI), the mol­ecular skeletons are close to planarity, and there are short halogen⋯halogen contacts in the structures of compounds (II) and (V) and a short Br⋯O contact in the structure of compound (VI). Comparisons are made with the structures of some similar compounds

Tumor localizing agents. IX. Radioiodinated cholesterol

19-Iodocholesterol-125I was synthesized for study as a possible agent for photoscanning the adrenal gland and associated tumors. In contrast to previous radioiodinated steroids, it was found to be much less prone to rapid in vivo deiodination. Preliminary tissue distribution studies and biochemical analyses have revealed a marked similarity in the behavior of the radioiodinated derivative with the natural steroid. The concentration of radioactivity in the adrenal cortex of dogs at 48 hours was found to greatly exceed that found in other organs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32739/1/0000108.pd