Prevalence, awareness and control of diabetes in the Seychelles and relationship with excess body weight

BACKGROUND: The evidence for a "diabesity" epidemic is accumulating worldwide but population-based data are still scarce in the African region. We assessed the prevalence, awareness and control of diabetes (DM) in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing country in the African region. We also examined the relationship between body mass index, fasting serum insulin and DM. METHODS: Examination survey in a sample representative of the entire population aged 25-64 of the Seychelles, attended by 1255 persons (participation rate of 80.2%). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in individuals with fasting blood glucose between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/l. Diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were defined along criteria of the ADA. Prevalence estimates were standardized for age. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM was 11.5% and 54% of persons with DM were aware of having DM. Less than a quarter of all diabetic persons under treatment were well controlled for glycemia (HbA1c), blood pressure or LDL-cholesterol. The prevalence of IGT and IFG were respectively 10.4% and 24.2%. The prevalence of excess weight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) was respectively 60.1% and 25.0%. Half of all DM cases in the population could be attributed to excess weight. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of DM and pre-diabetes in a rapidly developing country in the African region. The strong association between overweight and DM emphasizes the importance of weight control measures to reduce the incidence of DM in the population. High rates of diabetic persons not aware of having DM in the population and insufficient cardiometabolic control among persons treated for DM stress the need for intensifying health care for diabetes

Metabolic syndrome according to different definitions in a rapidly developing country of the African region

AIMS: We examined, in a country of the African region, i) the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to three definitions (ATP, WHO and IDF); ii) the distribution of the MetS criteria; iii) the level of agreement between these three definitions and iv) we also examined these issues upon exclusion of people with diabetes. METHODS: We conducted an examination survey on a sample representative of the general population aged 25-64 years in the Seychelles (Indian Ocean, African region), attended by 1255 participants (participation rate of 80.3%). RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS increased markedly with age. According to the ATP, WHO and IDF definitions, the prevalence of MetS was, respectively, 24.0%, 25.0%, 25.1% in men and 32.2%, 24.6%, 35.4% in women. Approximately 80% of participants with diabetes also had MetS and the prevalence of MetS was approximately 7% lower upon exclusion of diabetic individuals. High blood pressure and adiposity were the criteria found most frequently among MetS holders irrespective of the MetS definitions. Among people with MetS based on any of the three definitions, 78% met both ATP and IDF criteria, 67% both WHO and IDF criteria, 54% both WHO and ATP criteria and only 37% met all three definitions. CONCLUSION: We identified a high prevalence of MetS in this population in epidemiological transition. The prevalence of MetS decreased by approximately 32% upon exclusion of persons with diabetes. Because of limited agreement between the MetS definitions, the fairly similar proportions of MetS based on any of the three MetS definitions classified, to a substantial extent, different subjects as having MetS

Diabetes and pre-diabetes are associated with cardiovascular risk factors and carotid/femoral intima-media thickness independently of markers of insulin resistance and adiposity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Impaired glucose regulation (IGR) is associated with detrimental cardiovascular outcomes such as cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVD risk factors) or intima-media thickness (IMT). Our aim was to examine whether these associations are mediated by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (waist) or fasting serum insulin (insulin) in a population in the African region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Major CVD risk factors (systolic blood pressure, smoking, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol,) were measured in a random sample of adults aged 25–64 in the Seychelles (n = 1255, participation rate: 80.2%).</p> <p>According to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association, IGR was divided in four ordered categories: 1) normal fasting glucose (NFG), 2) impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and normal glucose tolerance (IFG/NGT), 3) IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IFG/IGT), and 4) diabetes mellitus (DM). Carotid and femoral IMT was assessed by ultrasound (n = 496).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Age-adjusted levels of the major CVD risk factors worsened gradually across IGR categories (NFG < IFG/NGT < IFG/IGT < DM), particularly HDL-cholesterol and blood pressure (p for trend < 0.001). These relationships were marginally attenuated upon further adjustment for waist, BMI or insulin (whether considered alone or combined) and most of these relationships remained significant. With regards to IMT, the association was null with IFG/NGT, weak with IFG/IGT and stronger with DM (all more markedly at femoral than carotid levels). The associations between IMT and IFG/IGT or DM (adjusted by age and major CVD risk factors) decreased only marginally upon further adjustment for BMI, waist or insulin. Further adjustment for family history of diabetes did not alter the results.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found graded relationships between IGR categories and both major CVD risk factors and carotid/femoral IMT. These relationships were only partly accounted for by BMI, waist and insulin. This suggests that increased CVD-risk associated with IGR is also mediated by factors other than the considered markers of adiposity and insulin resistance. The results also imply that IGR and associated major CVD risk factors should be systematically screened and appropriately managed.</p

Pneumonia and exposure to household air pollution in children under the age of 5 years in rural Malawi findings from the Cooking And Pneumonia Study

Background Exposure to household air pollution is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in children in low- and middle-income countries, however exposure-response data are limited and there are uncertainties around the extent to which biomass-fueled cookstoves can reduce these exposures. Research question What is the association between exposure to household air pollution and pneumonia in children under the age of 5 years in rural Malawi and what are the effects of a biomass-fueled cookstove intervention on personal exposure to household air pollution? Study design and methods We measured personal exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) [48 hours of continuous measurement and transcutaneous carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)] 6-monthly in children participating in a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a cleaner-burning biomass-fueled cookstove intervention to prevent pneumonia in children under the age of 5 years in rural Malawi – the Cooking And Pneumonia Study (CAPS). Exposure-response and multi-variable analyses were done. Results We recruited 1805 (928 intervention; 877 control) children (mean age 25.6 months, 50.6% female). We found no evidence of an association between exposure to CO (IRR=1.0 95% CI:0.967-1.014; p=0.53) or COHb (IRR=1.00 95% CI:0.993-1.003; p=0.41)) in children who experienced pneumonia versus those who did not. Median exposure to CO in the intervention and control groups was was 0.34 ppm (IQR 0.15-0.81) and 0.37 ppm (IQR 0.15-0.97), respectively. The group difference in means was 0.46 (95% CI:-0.95-0.012; p=0.06). Interpretation Exposure to CO in our population was low with no association seen between exposure to CO and pneumonia incidence and no effect of the CAPS intervention on these exposures. These findings suggest that CO may not be an appropriate measure of household air pollution exposure in settings like rural Malawi and that there is a need to develop ways to directly measure particulate matter exposures in young children instead

Sosialisasi Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Pancasila di SD Negeri 004 Babulu

Pancasila is the philosophy of the Indonesian nation which is a guideline for behavior designed in accordance with the culture of the Indonesian nation which has eastern customs. So it is important for Indonesian people to practice the values of Pancasila. Elementary school students' lack of knowledge about Pancasila and students' low awareness of implementing Pancasila values is the urgency of Pancasila as a state ideology. For this reason, the service team carries out socialization of Pancasila-based character education to elementary school students. The service method used is field observation and studying phenomena directly. This socialization is intended for students at SD Negeri 004 Babulu. In this activity the methods used are presentation of material, short discussion and documentation. This Pancasila-based character education socialization activity aims to develop students who have noble character, character and integrity in accordance with the values contained in Pancasila. The results obtained from this service are increasing students' knowledge about Pancasila, forming students' character based on Pancasila, instilling Pancasila values and making students aware of how to apply Pancasila in everyday life.Pancasila adalah falsafah bangsa Indonesia yang merupakan pedoman dalam berperilaku yang dirancang sesuai dengan kultur bangsa Indonesia yang memiliki adat ketimuran. Sehingga penting bagi masyarakat Indonesia untuk mengamalkan nilai-nilai dari Pancasila. Minimnya pengetahuan siswa/i Sekolah Dasar terkait Pancasila serta rendahnya kesadaran mereka untuk mengimplementasikan nilai-nilai Pancasila merupakan urgensi Pancasila sebagai ideologi negara. Karena itu, tim pengabdian melaksanakan sosialisasi pendidikan karakter berbasis Pancasila kepada siswa/i Sekolah Dasar. Metode pengabdian yang dilakukan yaitu observasi lapangan dan mengkaji fenomena secara langsung. Pelaksanaan sosialisasi ini diperuntukkan kepada siswa/i di SD Negeri 004 Babulu. Pada kegiatan ini, metode yang digunakan yaitu pemaparan materi, diskusi singkat, serta dokumentasi. Kegiatan sosialisasi pendidikan karakter berbasis Pancasila ini bertujuan untuk membangun siswa/i yang berakhlak mulia, bermoral, berintegritas yang sesuai dengan nilai-nilai yang tertuang di dalam Pancasila. Hasil yang didapatkan dari pengabdian ini yaitu menambah pengetahuan siswa/i tentang Pancasila, membentuk karakter siswa/i yang berlandaskan Pancasila, menanamkan nilai-nilai Pancasila serta menyadarkan siswa/i untuk mengimplementasikan Pancasila dalam kehidupan sehari-hari

The effects of gender stereotype-based interfaces on users’ flow experience and performance

Despite recent advances in the personalization of education, it is still unknown how different kinds of personalization affect students’ experiences. To advance this literature, in this article, we present an experimental study with 307 participants investigating the effects of gender stereotype-based interfaces (in terms of colors and avatars stereotypes) on users’ flow experience (i.e., challenge–skill balance, merging of action and awareness, clear goals, feedback, concentration, control, loss of self-consciousness, and autotelic experience), and performance in a gamified educational system. The main results indicate that gender stereotype-based interfaces affect users’ action–awareness merging, however, do not affect users’ performance and overall flow experience. We contribute with the basis for new studies and challenge thorough future research attempts.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

PEMBUATAN ALAT PENYARINGAN AIR SEDERHANA

Tewai Baru adalah salah satu desa di wilayah Kecamatan Sepang, Kabupaten Gunung Mas, Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Desa Tewai Baru dibentuk pada tahun 1930-1950. Desa Tewai Baru berbatasan dengan Desa Tanjung Karitak di bagian utara, Kabupaten Kapuas di bagian timur, Kelurahan Sepang Simin dan Desa Sepang Kota di bagian selatan dan Kecamatan Rungan dan Kelurahan Sepang Simin di bagian barat. Jarak Desa Tewai Baru dari pusat pemerintahan kecamatan (Kecamatan Sepang) sejauh 6,9 Km, jarak Desa Tewai Baru dari ibukota kabupaten (Kuala Kurun) sejauh 59 Km dan jarak Desa Tewai Baru dari ibukota provinsi (Palangka Raya) sejauh 102 Km. Luas wilayah Desa Tewai Baru sebesar 5.300 Ha. Jumlah penduduk berdasarkan hasil sensus pada tahun 2022 adalah sebanyak 1.182 jiwa dengan penduduk laki-laki sebanyak 606 jiwa dan penduduk perempuan sebanyak 576 jiwa. Kondisi ekonomi warga di Desa Tewai Baru memiliki pendapatan yang berbeda-beda. Hal ini dikarenakan oleh profesi warga yang berbeda, dimana mayoritas berprofesi sebagai petani dan peternak, selain itu warga berprofesi sebagai pedagang. Kondisi sosial budaya yang ada di Desa Tewai Baru, masyarakat yang tinggal di desa masih melestarikan adat istiadat seperti mengadakan ritual Pakan Sahur Lewu yang dilakukan satu tahun sekali dan tradisi gotong royong mengangkat rumah atau memindahkan rumah ke tanah yang lain. Desa Tewai Baru belum memiliki ketersediaan air bersih yang cukup, karena pasokan air bersih hanya berasal dari satu PDAM yang ada di desa. Keterbatasan air bersih dari PDAM mengakibatkan warga menggunakan pompa air untuk membuat sumur bor hingga kedalaman sekitar 20 meter dengan kualitas air berminyak dan berkarat, jika didiamkan selama satu malam maka karat di dalam air tersebut akan mengendap sehingga membuat air menjadi keru

Ultrahigh Piezoelectric Strains in PbZr1−xTixO3 single crystals with controlled Ti content close to the tricritical point

Intensive investigations of PbZr Ti O (PZT) materials with the ABO perovskite structure are connected with their extraordinary piezoelectric properties. Especially well known are PZT ceramics at the Morphotropic Phase Boundary (MPB), with x~0.48, whose applications are the most numerous among ferroelectrics. These piezoelectric properties are often obtained by doping with various ions at the B sites. Interestingly, we have found similar properties for undoped PZT single crystals with low Ti content, for which we have confirmed the existence of the tricritical point near x~0.06. For a PbZr Ti O crystal, we describe the ultrahigh strain, dielectric, optical and piezoelectric properties. We interpret the ultrahigh strain observed in the region of the antiferroelectric-ferroelectric transition as an inverse piezoelectric effect generated by the coexistence of domains of different symmetries. The complex domain coexistence was confirmed by determining optical indicatrix orientations in domains. The piezoelectric coefficient in this region reached an extremely high value of 5000 pm/V. We also verified that the properties of the PZT single crystals from the region near the tricritical point are incredibly susceptible to a slight deviation in the Ti content

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe