Real World Adherence to a Severely Energy Restricted Meal Replacement Diet in Participants with Class II and III Obesity

Severely energy-restricted diets (SERDs) are an effective treatment for obesity, however, adherence to such diets is often perceived as poor by healthcare professionals. This investigation evaluated adherence to a 12-week SERD in participants with class II and III obesity. Reported food consumption was compared against individualised SERD prescriptions. Body weight measures were obtained at baseline, 12 and 52 weeks. The data were analysed in three groups (i) the entire cohort (n = 26), (ii) completers (n = 13) and (iii) non-completers (n = 13). SERD prescription elements included (i) the number of meal replacement products; (ii) total protein; (iii) total energy intake; (iv) level of dietary energy restriction; (v) vegetable serves; (vi) water serves, and (vii) how much physical activity was performed. A generalised repeated-measures mixed-effects model was used to investigate if adherence to the program elements individually, or collectively, influenced weight loss. Completers had an average (± SD) of 4549 ± 748 kJ energy intake per day, resulting in a mean energy restriction of 62% compared to the 69% prescribed, indicating a degree of non-adherence. The percent weight changes for completers and non-completers were −7.8 ± 4.7% and −1.6 ± 2.6% at 12 weeks, and −12.2 ± 12.1% and −1.8 ± 3.2% at 52 weeks, respectively. Complete dietary adherence to a SERD may not be necessary to achieve a clinically relevant weight loss of 12% at 52 weeks, if energy is restricted by at least 62% (~4600 kJ per day) relative to requirements.

Histological and Weight Changes in the Testes of Plasmodium Berghei- Infected Swiss Mice Treated with Chloroquine

Chloroquine has gained great emphasis in the treatment of malaria. This study sought experimentally to determine the histomorphological and weight changes in the testes of male mice infected with Plasmodium berghei and treated with chloroquine. The study used 30 Swiss mice divided into five groups. Group 1 is Control that was not infected with Plasmodium berghei and not treated with chloroquine as control, Group 2 is Plasmodium (Plasmodiul berghei) Infected animals but not treated, Group 3 is Plasmodium Infected animals + Chloroquine (5mg/kg), Group 4 is Plasmodium Infected animals + Chloroquine (10mg/kg) and Group 5 is Plasmodium Infected animals + Chloroquine (15mg/kg). The mice were treated for 7 days after parasitaemia was confirmed and the Group 2-5 testes studied with reference to Group 1. The results showed that the Group 2 showed a little distortion, difference in spermatogenic activities and increased cellular activities; Group 3 showed large, convoluted tubules, moderate number of spermatids and large interstitial spaces, Group 4 showed Large seminiferous tubules, large spermatids, increased distortion and group 5 showed shrinking of seminiferous tubules, degeneration of interstitial cells of Leydig cells and Sertolic cells with spermatids. Groups 1-5 showed no significant effect in in body weights and testes weights of Swiss mice. Plasmodium berghei (malaria) and chloroquine have effects on histomorphological structures of Swiss mice testes but not on their teste’s weights. The testicular section from Swiss mice infected with malaria and treated at various doses when compared with the Control (Group 1) showed some moderate distortion in some structures like seminiferous tubules, connective tissues between the tubules, lumen and interstitial spaces. It can be deducted that Plasmodium berghei which caused parasitaemia in mice could cause a little tissue effect on mice if not treated.

Biomass production and nutritive value of Sida alba leaves fed to desert sheep

The study was established to study the effects of supplementation with Sida alba leaves on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, live body weight changes of Sudanese Desert lambs. Fifteen Lambs of 4-6 months old and weighing 18±500 kg were divided into three similar groups each with five animals. Seven days were allowed for adaptation. The lambs were weighed weekly for 8 weeks. Daily feed intake was obtained by subtracting the remained amounts from quantities offered the day before. Feces were collected at the last ten days for determination of nutrients digestibility coefficients via total feces collection method. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Differences among means were detected using least significant difference test. The results indicated that group II that was on natural grazing supplemented with Sida alba leaves consumed significantly (p<0.01) greater amount of feed compared to group I that was on the natural grazing only and group III supplemented with a concentrate ration feed intake was 1316,730, 1381,500 and 1207.650 g for group I, II and III, respectively. No significant differences (P≥0.05) in digestibility coefficients of all nutrients between group II and III but group I had lowers coefficients than II and III. Total and daily body weight was higher in group II and III when compared with group I. The biomass production was estimated to be 84.910 g/shrub or 1.697 per hectare based on a square meter space for a plant. It was concluded Sida alba leaves could support lambs on low quality grazing.

Weight Gain after Treatment of Thyroid Dysfunction and Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is generally recommended for malignant conditions and for some benign thyroid disorders. Many patients report weight gain after thyroidectomy especially during the first months following surgery. Studies on patients with Graves&rsquo; disease treated either with antithyroid drugs or radioiodine confirm that these patients frequently gain weight after restoration of thyroid function. Other studies have also shown that there is considerable weight gain after thyroidectomy for both nodular goiter and thyroid cancer. Transient hypothyroidism during the postoperative period is often thought to be associated with weight gain after thyroidectomy. The role of a number of adipocytokines and their interaction with the thyroid function has been investigated in the pathogenesis of weight changes. Levothyroxine replacement or suppressive therapy after thyroidectomy has a different impact on the metabolic parameters independent of TSH levels. The long-term effects of the impaired T3/T4 ratio are not fully understood as there are no sensitive markers to assess the biological response of target organs and tissues. Future studies are needed to identify such parameters, provide new considerations for the treatment of patients after total thyroidectomy, and help determine individual target hormone levels to ensure a sustained euthyroid state.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Bi Zhong Xiao Decoction Against Collagen-induced Arthritis Rats in the Early and Late Stages

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease. Bi Zhong Xiao decoction (BZXD) performs multiple functions for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment for decades. In this study, we aimed to study the protein alterations of BZXD in the early and late stages of RA.Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the Control, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and BZXD groups. Clinical assessment, paw thickness, weight changes and serum inflammatory cytokine levels were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects. Histopathological tests were performed to assess the improvement of inflammation and synovial hyperplasia. Moreover, we analyzed the proteins profiling of synovial tissue samples with different time intervals after BZXD treatment by Isobaric Tag for Relative Absolute (ITRAQ) quantitative proteomics technology. To further explore the interrelationships among differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), we used DAVID Bioinformatics Resources v6.8 and STRING 11.0 for bioinformatics analysis. Besides, western blot was exerted to verify related proteins.Results: In our study, BZXD ameliorated joint inflammation, suppressed the pathological changes in arthrosis of CIA rats. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that CIA rats were mainly involved in two significant pathways (the focal adhesion and the ECM-receptor interaction) in the early stage. BZXD down-regulated the expression of proteins involved in these pathways, such as CAV1, CHAD, COL3A1, COL5A2, COL6A1 and COL6A5. Additionally, BZXD exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the late stage mainly by increasing the expression of FASN, and affecting fatty acid metabolism.Conclusion: BZXD exerts therapeutic effects on RA through multi-pathways in the early and late stages. This work may provide proteomic clues for treating RA by BZXD.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Caloric Restriction but Not Gut Hormone-Based Treatments Profoundly Impact the Hypothalamic Transcriptome in Obese Rats

Background: The hypothalamus is an important brain region for the regulation of energy balance. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and gut hormone-based treatments are known to reduce body weight, but their effects on hypothalamic gene expression and signaling pathways are poorly studied. Methods: Diet-induced obese male Wistar rats were randomized into the following groups: RYGB, sham operation, sham + body weight-matched (BWM) to the RYGB group, osmotic minipump delivering PYY3-36 (0.1 mg/kg/day), liraglutide s.c. (0.4 mg/kg/day), PYY3-36 + liraglutide, and saline. All groups (except BWM) were kept on a free choice of high- and low-fat diets. Four weeks after interventions, hypothalami were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: While rats in the RYGB, BWM, and PYY3-36 + liraglutide groups had comparable reductions in body weight, only RYGB and BWM treatment had a major impact on hypothalamic gene expression. In these groups, hypothalamic leptin receptor expression as well as the JAK–STAT, PI3K-Akt, and AMPK signaling pathways were upregulated. No significant changes could be detected in PYY3-36 + liraglutide-, liraglutide-, and PYY-treated groups. Conclusions: Despite causing similar body weight changes compared to RYGB and BWM, PYY3-36 + liraglutide treatment does not impact hypothalamic gene expression. Whether this striking difference is favorable or unfavorable to metabolic health in the long term requires further investigation.

COVID 19 Pandemic: Changes in the emotions, body weights and nutrition habits of individuals during social intervention measures

BACKGROUND: During the Covid 19 pandemic, the increase in the anxiety levels of individuals is associated with the increase in body weight. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of changes in individuals’ experiences and mood on eating habits and body weights in during social restrictions due to COVID-19. METHODS: The study included 623 adults in Turkey. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, information about nutritional habits during the pandemic period were questioned via an online survey. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to evaluate individuals’ negative perspectives. RESULTS: The rate of patients who experienced body weight changes during the pandemic period was 61.4% (40.2% experienced increase), the mean BDI value was found to be higher in individuals whose body weight increased/decreased compared to those who experienced no change in body weight (p = 0.008, p = 0.02, respectively). Variables that positively affected the BDI scores, which was performed in individuals with increased body weight, main meal numbers (p < 0.03), and change in dried fruit consumption (p = 0.05). The variables that negatively affected the BDI scores were body weight increase (p = 0.05) and changes in cheese consumption. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the changes in the emotional state during COVID-19 had an effect on dietary habits and body weight. There is a need for more comprehensive randomized studies on the interaction between lifestyle changes during the social intervention period due to the Covid 19 epidemic, quality of life, emotional state and eating habits.

Weighted Scoring Committees

Weighted committees allow shareholders, party leaders, etc. to wield different numbers of votes or voting weights as they decide between multiple candidates by a given social choice method. We consider committees that apply scoring methods such as plurality, Borda, or antiplurality rule. Many different weights induce the same mapping from committee members’ preferences to winning candidates. The numbers of respective weight equivalence classes and hence of structurally distinct plurality committees, Borda commitees, etc. differ widely. There are 6, 51, and 5 plurality, Borda, and antiplurality committees, respectively, if three players choose between three candidates and up to 163 (229) committees for scoring rules in between plurality and Borda (Borda and antiplurality). A key implication is that plurality, Borda, and antiplurality rule are much less sensitive to weight changes than other scoring rules. We illustrate the geometry of weight equivalence classes, with a map of all Borda classes, and identify minimal integer representations.

Combined Intranasal Insulin/Saxagliptin/Metformin Therapies Ameliorate the Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptive- (COC-) Induced Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with a Major Target on Glucose Metabolism in Adult Female Wistar Rats

Objective. To evaluate the effect of the chronic use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) on the indices of metabolic syndrome in adult female Wistar rats and possible therapeutic management. Materials and Methods. 64 female Wistar rats received either distilled water, norethindrone (NOR), COC, intranasal insulin (INI), metformin (MET), saxagliptin (SAX), INI+MET, and INI+SAX. After 8 weeks of exposure to COC, the animals were sorted into the therapeutic groups. Several parameters were assayed for, such as body weight changes, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, insulin levels, inflammatory cytokines, and glycated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac). Results. The levels of FBG, insulin, and Hb1Ac were increased consequent upon COC treatment. Treatment with INI+SAX and INI+MET reduced significantly the levels of FBG and Hb1Ac; in addition, the level of insulin was significantly increased in the INI+MET groups ( p ≤ 0.05 ). Serum lipid profile analysis showed a statistical reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level; this reduction was also significantly reversed in the INI+SAX group. Reduced catalase activity observed in the COC group was reversed in the INI+MET group ( p ≤ 0.05 ). A nonsignificant increase in the level of TNF-α as a result of COC treatment was reversed by INI and INI+MET treatment. Liver GLUT4 and G-6-phosphate levels were significantly increased by COC treatment, and this effect was reversed by INI+SAX in both assays, respectively ( p ≤ 0.01 ). Conclusions. The use of MET and SAX in combination with INI has been shown to reverse some indices of MetS. This study proposes a clinical phase to backup and ascertain these preclinical findings.