Free sugar intake is associated with reduced proportion of circulating invariant natural killer T cells among women experiencing overweight and obesity

BackgroundHigher prevalence of obesity has been observed among women compared to men, which can be explained partly by the higher consumption of sweets and physical inactivity. Obesity can alter immune cell infiltration, and therefore increase the susceptibility to develop chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between free sugar intake and other unhealthy lifestyle habits in relation to the proportion of circulating iNKT cells among women with healthy weight and women experiencing overweight and obesity.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 Saudi women > 18 years, wherein their daily free sugar intake was assessed using the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data on smoking status, physical activity, and supplement use were also collected. Anthropometric data including height, weight, waist circumference were objectively measured from each participants. The proportion of circulating iNKT cells was determined using flow cytometry.ResultsSmoking, physical activity, supplement use, and weight status were not associated with proportion of circulating iNKT cells. Significant association was found between proportion of circulating iNKT cells and total free sugar intake and free sugar intake coming from solid food sources only among women experiencing overweight and obesity (Beta: -0.10: Standard Error: 0.04 [95% Confidence Interval: -0.18 to -0.01], p= 0.034) and (Beta: -0.15: Standard Error: 0.05 [95% Confidence Interval: -0.25 to -0.05], p= 0.005), respectively.ConclusionExcessive free sugar consumption may alter iNKT cells and consequently increase the risk for chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders

Synthesis of PS/RB-Cs and its use in the treatment of water polluted with heavy metals

Polystyrene waste are non-biodegradable materials that causes harm to the environment. Red brick waste resulting from demolition and reconstruction are an obstacle to its disposal. To solve this problem and meet modern sustainability standards, this study utilized polystyrene (PS) foam and red brick construction waste to prepare composite materials (PS/RB-Cs) as a new efficient adsorbent. The PS/RB-Cs composite as an adsorbent was characterized using a UV–Vis Spectrophotometer, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed a clear spectrum shift after using PS/RB-Cs as an adsorbent. The PS/RB-Cs was characterized by a porous structure with higher surface area and high stability. The efficiency of the PS/RB-Cs in treating water contaminated with heavy metals such as cobalt and nickel was verified under different initial concentrations, temperatures, doses, pH, and contact times. The experimental qe values were consistent with the qe calculated values and were approximately 8 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm models showed that the adsorption results fit the Langmuir, Freundlich and Flory-Huggins isotherm models and that the process was favorable. By applying pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models, the adsorption process was found to follow PSO. The findings of this research validated that the composite material that was prepared serves as a potent adsorbent for the treatment of water that has been polluted by heavy metals

Validation of the Arabic version of the Short Form Leed's Dyspepsia Index (SF-LDQ) amongst patients with type II diabetes

Since an unambiguous clinical definition of dyspepsia does not currently exist, the diagnosis is made on the basis of symptoms. For this purpose, a tool which is valid, reliable and convenient to use is needed that can accurately assess both frequency and severity of dyspepsia. Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire meets all of these requirements and thus, has to be validated in native languages before it can be used to diagnose dyspepsia. We conducted a cross-sectional study at King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Adult patients with type II diabetes were recruited in the study after giving informed consent. A total of 245 patients were recruited in the study; 95 (38.8%) were males, while 149 (61.1%) were females. We found that 27.3% (n = 67) of the participants had dyspepsia according to the SF-LDQ Arabic version compared to 24.1% (n = 59) by physician's diagnosis. The Area Under the Curve was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81–0.9). At a cut-off value of 7/32, the tool has a sensitivity of 69.49% and a specificity of 83.24%. In conclusion, The Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire was found to be valid for assessment of frequency and severity of dyspepsia among Arab diabetes Type 2 patients