scholarly journals OR33-05 Amino Acid Signature of Abdominal Obesity in the TwinsUK Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Maltais-Payette ◽  
Jinchu Vijay ◽  
Elin Grunberg ◽  
Andre Tchernof

Abstract Background and aim: Metabolomic studies have shown that circulating amino acid levels are altered in the context of obesity. The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs, namely leucine, isoleucine and valine) have been the most studied because of their consistent positive association with adiposity and their ability to prospectively predict type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (1). Circulating glutamate has been much less investigated, but some have shown that its specific association with central fat accumulation was stronger than that of BCAAs (2). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between circulating glutamate and abdominal obesity and the impact of genetic factors on this association. Methods: In the TwinsUK cohort, we selected individuals for whom both metabolomics and DXA trunk fat measurements were available (n=4 665). We used linear regression to assess the correlation between glutamate level and trunk fat. Those with a trunk fat mass greater than 15 kg were considered abdominally obese. We compared the odds of presenting abdominal obesity in each circulating glutamate quintile with logistic regression models. Monozygotic twin pairs discordant for trunk fat were selected to identify analyte differences driven by non-genetic factors. All analyses were also performed with BCAAs for comparison. Results: Circulating glutamate was positively and significantly associated with trunk fat (β: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.26-0.31). Individuals in the highest circulating glutamate quintile had a more than 8-fold higher risk of being characterized by abdominal obesity compared to those in the lowest quintile (OR: 8.44, 95%CI: 6.17-11.55). In the 54 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for trunk fat, the heavier twin had significantly higher glutamate level compared to the leaner co-twin (p-value: 4.05e-07). In all these analyses, the results for glutamate were more significant than with any of the BCAAs. Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between circulating glutamate and trunk fat that is partially independent of genetic background. This often-overlooked metabolite might represent an interesting biomarker of abdominal obesity. References: (1) Newgard (2017). Metabolomics and Metabolic Diseases: Where Do We Stand? Cell Metab, 25(1), 43-56, (2) Kimberly et al. (2017). Metabolite profiling identifies anandamide as a biomarker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. JCI Insight, 2(9).

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Azza A. M. H. Swar Aldahab ◽  
Abdallah. O. Elkhawad

Anticoagulation with warfarin is characterized by a wide inter-individual variations in dose requirements and INR (International Normalised Ratio) stability, as there are evidences that warfarin response variability is associated with CYP2C9 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 9) and VKORC1 (Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex1) genetic polymorphisms. Carriers of CYP2C9*2 and VKORC11639G>A variant alleles are at greater risk of unstable anticoagulation therapy. Objectives: This retrospective case control study was directed to analyze the impact of genetic and non-genetic factors on warfarin therapy in Sudanese out-patients who were on long term warfarin therapy. Method: 118 Sudanese outpatients receiving warfarin treatment for at least six months, were interviewed for their non-genetic factors that included age, sex, indication for warfarin therapy, compliance, Vitamin K rich foods intake and concomitant drug therapy, in addition to their blood samples which were taken for DNA extraction and genotyping of CYP2C9*2 and VKORC11639G>A gene polymorphisms to study the genetic factors. INR stability % index was calculated, accordingly patients were classified into 2 groups, stable and unstable groups. Results: The frequencies of VKORC11639G>A alleles in Sudanese out-patients who were on long term warfarin therapy were 70.3% and 29.7% for the VKORC1/G and VKORC1/A alleles respectively. The frequencies of CYP2C9*2 alleles in Sudanese out-patients were 92.4% and 7.6% for CYP2C9*1 and CYP2C9*2 alleles respectively. Variables associated with low INR stability were VKCOR1/AA genotype (p-value = 0.028) and sex (p = 0.017). Variables that showed no association with INR stability were age (p-value = 0.259), compliance (p-value = 0.058). Vitamin K rich foods intake (p- value = 0.743), and mean stable warfarin dose (p-value = 0.439). Conclusion: Polymorphism in warfarin drug target gene VKORC1-11639G>A and sex are important elements of INR stability in Sudanese out- patients on long term warfarin therapy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Freuer ◽  
Jakob Linseisen ◽  
Christa Meisinger

ABSTRACTObjectivesRecent studies suggested obesity to be a possible risk factor for COVID-19 disease in the wake of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the causality and especially the role of body fat distribution in this context is still unclear. Thus, using a univariable as well as multivariable two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, we investigated for the first time the causal impact of body composition on the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19.MethodsAs indicators of overall and abdominal obesity we considered the measures body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and trunk fat ratio (TFR). Summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for these body composition measures were drawn from the GIANT consortium and UK Biobank, while for susceptibility and severity due to COVID-19 disease data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative was used. Total and direct causal effect estimates were calculated using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), sensitivity analyses were done applying several robust MR techniques and mediation effects of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were investigated within multivariable MR analyses.ResultsGenetically predicted BMI was strongly associated with both, susceptibility (OR=1.31 per 1 SD increase; 95% CI: 1.15–1.50; P-value=7.3·10−5) and hospitalization (OR=1.62 per 1 SD increase; 95% CI: 1.33–1.99; P-value=2.8·10−6) even after adjustment for genetically predicted visceral obesity traits. These associations were neither mediated substantially by T2D nor by CVD. Finally, total but not direct effects of visceral body fat on outcomes could be detected.ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence for a causal impact of overall obesity on the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 disease. The impact of abdominal obesity was weaker and disappeared after adjustment for BMI. Therefore, obese people should be regarded as a high-risk group. Future research is necessary to investigate the underlying mechanisms linking obesity with COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
Firstyono Miftahul Aziz ◽  
Suratini Suratini

For some people, dementia is considered as a disease that is common in elderly, regardless the impact of dementia. Taking care for the elderly with dementia brings stress for the family. It can cause and increase the family burden. Brain vitalization gymnastics is one of the methods to improve memory. The study aims to investigate the effect of brain vitalization activity on dementia incidence in elderly at Budi Luhur Nursing Home of Yogyakarta. The study used Quasi Experimental with Pretest-Posttest control group and randomized sampling system. The samples were taken randomly as many as 26 respondents and were divided into two groups namely 13 respondents of experimental group and 13 respondents of control group. The statistical test used Wilcoxon Match Pairs Test. The result showed that Wilcoxon Match pairs test obtained p value 0,003, which is smaller than 0,005. There is an effect of brain vitalization activity on dementia incidence in elderly at Budi Luhur Nursing Home of Yogyakarta


Objective: While the use of intraoperative laser angiography (SPY) is increasing in mastectomy patients, its impact in the operating room to change the type of reconstruction performed has not been well described. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether SPY angiography influences post-mastectomy reconstruction decisions and outcomes. Methods and materials: A retrospective analysis of mastectomy patients with reconstruction at a single institution was performed from 2015-2017.All patients underwent intraoperative SPY after mastectomy but prior to reconstruction. SPY results were defined as ‘good’, ‘questionable’, ‘bad’, or ‘had skin excised’. Complications within 60 days of surgery were compared between those whose SPY results did not change the type of reconstruction done versus those who did. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were entered into multivariable logistic regression models if significant at the univariate level. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: 267 mastectomies were identified, 42 underwent a change in the type of planned reconstruction due to intraoperative SPY results. Of the 42 breasts that underwent a change in reconstruction, 6 had a ‘good’ SPY result, 10 ‘questionable’, 25 ‘bad’, and 2 ‘had areas excised’ (p<0.01). After multivariable analysis, predictors of skin necrosis included patients with ‘questionable’ SPY results (p<0.01, OR: 8.1, 95%CI: 2.06 – 32.2) and smokers (p<0.01, OR:5.7, 95%CI: 1.5 – 21.2). Predictors of any complication included a change in reconstruction (p<0.05, OR:4.5, 95%CI: 1.4-14.9) and ‘questionable’ SPY result (p<0.01, OR: 4.4, 95%CI: 1.6-14.9). Conclusion: SPY angiography results strongly influence intraoperative surgical decisions regarding the type of reconstruction performed. Patients most at risk for flap necrosis and complication post-mastectomy are those with questionable SPY results.


Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lisco ◽  
Vito A. Giagulli ◽  
Giovanni De Pergola ◽  
Anna De Tullio ◽  
Edoardo Guastamacchia ◽  
...  

Background: The novel pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has becoming a public health issue since March 2020 considering that more than 30 million people were found to be infected worldwide. Particularly, recent evidences suggested that men may be considered as at higher risk of poor prognosis or death once the infection occurred and concerns surfaced in regard of the risk of a possible testicular injury due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: Several data support the existence of a bivalent role of testosterone (T) in driving poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. On one hand, this is attributable to the fact that T may facilitate SARS-CoV-2 entry in human cells by means of an enhanced expression of transmembrane serine-protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). At the same time, younger man with normal testicular function compared to women of similar age are prone to develop a blunted immune response against SARS-CoV-2, being exposed to less viral clearance and more viral shedding and systemic spread of the disease. Conversely, low levels of serum T observed in hypogonadal men predispose them to a greater background systemic inflammation, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and immune system dysfunction, hence driving harmful consequences once SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred. Finally, SARS-CoV-2, as a systemic disease, may also affect testicles with possible concerns for current and future testicular efficiency. Preliminary data suggested that SARS-CoV-2 genome is not normally found in gonads and gametes, therefore sex transmission could be excluded as a possible way to spread the COVID-19. Conclusion: Most data support a role of T as a bivalent risk factor for poor prognosis (high/normal in younger; lower in elderly) in COVID-19. However, the impact of medical treatment aimed to modify T homeostasis for improving the prognosis of affected patients is unknown in this clinical setting. In addition, testicular damage may be a harmful consequence of the infection even in case it occurred asymptomatically but no long-term evidences are currently available to confirm and quantify this phenomenon. Different authors excluded the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sperm and oocytes, thus limiting worries about both a potential sexual and gamete-to-embryos transmission of COVID-19. Despite these evidence, long-term and well-designed studies are needed to clarify these issues.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Ndwiga

BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION: The Kenyan constitution seeks to guarantee every citizen the right to quality healthcare services. Quite often this delivery is hampered by geographical location, socio-economic statuses among other factors. The country has a high mobile phone penetration rate. Digitalization of the healthcare sector is a vital aspect that contributes to effective delivery of care services. This study set out to assess the impact of mobile technology in closing the gaps within the health care service delivery. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of mobile phone technology in bridging the gap in healthcare service delivery in Kenya with a focus on Nairobi, Kibera informal settlements. Hypothesis testing using P-value of 0.05 also showed that use of mobile phone technology positively impacted the delivery of healthcare services. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of mobile phone technology in bridging the gap in healthcare service delivery in Kenya with a focus on Nairobi, Kibera informal settlements. Hypothesis testing using P-value of 0.05 also showed that use of mobile phone technology positively impacted the delivery of healthcare services. METHODS The target population were patients visiting Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Kibera informal settlements. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Purposive and simple random sampling method was used to select the study sample of 210 participants and 3 healthcare providers. Data were collected using survey questionnaire that was provider-administered and Data were analyzed using SPSS version. RESULTS The characteristics of the respondents were general (mean age, education level, social economic status) to only patients who visited the clinics for HIV tests and other related services such as going for ARVs. The main findings showed that 66.12% of the respondents (14.29% strongly agreed + 55.24% agreed) that the use of mobile phone technology improved their access to healthcare services. Using chi square, there was a statistical difference due to the positive impact of mobile technology on healthcare delivery (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS The study findings showed that 66.12% of the respondents agreed that the use of mobile phone technology and SMS improved their access to healthcare services. The results hypothesis also proved that use of mobile phone technology positively impacts the delivery of healthcare services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Wasiu Ajani Musa ◽  
Ramat Titilayo Salman ◽  
Ibrahim Olayiwola Amoo ◽  
Muhammed Lawal Subair

Greater pricing presume on audit service has been put by the regulations of the auditing and accounting practices for the disclosure of audit fees, since audit fee is directly related to audit quality. However, the audit fees perceived by the client is often different from the amount charged by the auditors. Hence, this study investigated the impact of firm-specific characteristics on audit fees of quoted consumer goods firms in Nigeria using a purposive sampling technique. Secondary data were obtained from annual reports of the companies for the period from 2009-2016. The empirical result from Breusch-Pagan Lagrange Multiplier Test (BP-LM) produced a chi-square value of 13.94 with p-value of 0.0001 indicating that pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) will not be appropriate for the study. The Hausman test showed a chi-square of 23.55 with a p-value of 0.001 indicating that the null hypothesis is strongly rejected. Thus, the only estimate from the fixed effect model was interpreted to explain the relationship between firm-specific characteristics and audit fees of quoted consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The result revealed that auditee size, auditee risk, auditee profitability and IFRS adoption are the firm specific characteristics that impact on audit fees with only auditee size and IFRS adoption being positively related to audit fees while the other factors are negatively related to audit fees. Based on this finding, this study concluded that the firm’s specific factors are the major drivers of audit fees in Nigeria consumer goods firms. This study recommends among others that companies should implement corporate governance principles that address issues relating to board independence and committee sizes to guide activities in the consumer goods sector since profitability behave negatively with audit fees.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Fauna Herawati ◽  
Yuni Megawati ◽  
Aslichah ◽  
Retnosari Andrajati ◽  
Rika Yulia

The long period of tuberculosis treatment causes patients to have a high risk of forgetting or stopping the medication altogether, which increases the risk of oral anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The patient’s knowledge and perception of the disease affect the patient’s adherence to treatment. This research objective was to determine the impact of educational videos in the local language on the level of knowledge, perception, and adherence of tuberculosis patients in the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Bangil. This quasi-experimental study design with a one-month follow-up allocated 62 respondents in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The pre- and post-experiment levels of knowledge and perception were measured with a validated set of questions. Adherence was measured by pill counts. The results showed that the intervention increases the level of knowledge of the intervention group higher than that of the control group (p-value < 0.05) and remained high after one month of follow-up. The perceptions domains that changed after education using Javanese (Ngoko) language videos with the Community Based Interactive Approach (CBIA) method were the timeline, personal control, illness coherence, and emotional representations (p-value < 0.05). More than 95% of respondents in the intervention group take 95% of their pill compared to 58% of respondents in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Utilization of the local languages for design a community-based interactive approach to educate and communicate is important and effective.


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