Shortening of Leucocyte Telomerase Length Is Independently Correlated With High Body Mass Index and Subcutaneous Obesity (Predominantly Truncal), in Asian Indian Women With Prediabetes

Introduction: Leucocyte telomerase length (LTL) are inked to accelerate aging and premature mortality. In this research, we aimed to explore the relations between biochemical and anthropometry markers and LTL in Asian Indian women with prediabetes.Methods: In this study, 797 prediabetic women (aged 20-60 years, obese, 492; non obese, 305) were recruited. Demographic and clinical profiles, medical history, skin exposure and duration of sunlight exposure were determined. Anthropometry, fasting blood glucose and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] were evaluated. LTL was quantified by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The study subjects were separated into quartiles groups according to the LTL.Results: The average telomerase length (T/S) ratio was significantly decreased with increasing age. The average telomerase length (T/S) ratio was significantly shorter in obese women with prediabetes (p<0.05). Univariate and multivariable linear regression analysis after adjustment for age, family income, education and hypertension showed that LTL was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, waist-hip and waist-to-height ratio, and truncal skinfolds (subscapular, lateral thoracic, and subscapular/triceps ratio, central and total). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified BMI (93%, p<0.0001), central (92%, p<0.0001) and total skinfolds (90%, p<0.0001) as independent predictors of LTL. Conclusions: Besides age, obesity, and subcutaneous adiposity (predominantly truncal) are major contributors to telomerase shortening in Asian Indian women with prediabetes.

The Early Sonographic Prediction of Gestational Diabetes in Women From India

Objective: The purpose of this study was to look for the earliest, cost -effective method that can be added to the routine antenatal screening for identifying patients who might develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a proactive manner, as opposed to the current reactive approach of screening and treating GDM, during the second trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: 190 singleton pregnant women in the age group 18-35 years were selected for the study. On these women two step assessment was done. The current project was carried out to utilize sonography as an early, cost-effective method which could be added to routine antenatal screening for identifying patients, at risk for developing GDM. Results: Body mass index was found to have a significant association in those patients with GDM with a P < .001. There was a significant association between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) depth and occurrence of GDM, with a P-value of <.001. Also, in the present study, the occurrence of GDM significantly increased with a rise in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and there was a significant association between the two, with P < .001. It was noted that there were greater incidences of GDM as VAT depth increased. The existence of GDM greatly increased with a rise in total abdominal tissue (TAT), and there was a significant association between the two, with P < .001 Conclusion: The sonographic measurement of SAT, VAT, and TAT, could be potential marker to identify probable events for the development of GDM, among Asian Indian women who tend to have T2DM, due to differential distribution of fat.

Prevalence and predictors of multimorbidity among immigrant Asian Indian women residing in Sydney Australia: A cross-sectional study

Background: There has been a rise in multimorbidity as people age and technology advances which is challenging for health systems. Multimorbidity prevalence varies globally due to various biological and social risk factors which can be accentuated or mitigated for populations in migration. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of multimorbidity amongst a group of migrant Asian Indian women living in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design using convenience sampling investigated the multimorbidity risk factors among first generation migrant Asian Indian women in Australia. This study was part of a larger study titled “Measuring Acculturation and Psychological Health of Senior Indian Women Living in Australia” that was conducted in Sydney, Australia. Data were collected using validated instruments as well as investigator developed questions. Women completed questionnaire surveys either by themselves or through the assistance of bilingual coordinators as English was not their first language. Results: 26% of the participants had one chronic condition and 74% had multimorbidities. The prevalence of individual conditions included cardiovascular disease 67.0%, osteoarthritis 57.6%, depression 37.4%, diabetes 31.5%, chronic respiratory conditions 10.8%, cancer 4.9% and nephrological problems 1.47%. In the unadjusted model, factors such as increasing age, education level, employment status, living arrangements, low physical activity, and elements of acculturative stress were significantly associated with multimorbidity. Multi-variable analysis identified the acculturative stress factor of threat to ethnic identity as a predictor of multimorbidity. Conclusion: Identifying the key determinants of multimorbidity in older adults from a migrant community with pre-existing risk factors can assist with the development of culturally appropriate strategies to identify people at risk of health conditions and to mitigate the health effects of acculturative stress.

Resisting intersectional marginality by developing a mestiza consciousness : undergraduate women of color challenging and shaping power

This critical qualitative study explores how power shapes the experiences of undergraduate Women of Color engaged in activism and advocacy on social justice issues at the University of Missouri. The development and design of this study is grounded in a Critical Race Feminist (CRF) epistemology. The research questions were: 1) How does power shape the experiences of undergraduate Women of Color engaged in activism and advocacy at the University of Missouri? 2) How do Women of Color experience exclusion in their activist/advocacy work and/or spaces on campus? 3) What strategies do Women of Color employ to resist marginalization on campus " in and outside of activist work? The research focused on the experiences of five Women of Color undergraduate students at the University of Missouri, four of whom were in their fourth year at the institution and one of whom was a junior. More specifically, there was one Black woman, a Chicana, a mixed-race Mexicana who is also White, and two South Asian Indian women. the use of testimonios, plnticas, and sista circles, participants shared their stories and experiences. The identification of these frames and methods is partly a result of my own position as a Boricua, Woman of Color, who seeks to conduct research in a way that is liberatory and reciprocal for participants. The findings of this research were interpreted using intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991; Collins, 2019) and Mestiza consciousness (Anzaldna, 1997). I found four over-arching themes: Engaging and Adjusting Behavior, Culture of Exploitation, Distrust Confirmed and Cultivated, and Developing a Mestiza Consciousness. Overall findings demonstrate how participants activism largely came in the form of creating awareness for others, predominantly White people. In addition, findings showed how those with privilege and power regulate participants' emotions; a lack of intersectional praxis and analysis in all areas of campus life, including equity and diversity work; a performative diversity culture that haed in equity and justice; dominant representation reflecting political investments; and how the development of a Mestiza consciousness is used by participants to challenge intersectional marginalization. Finally, this study demonstrates how participants' consciousness and activist work are continuously evolving and how they work to meet their needs and find reciprocity in their activist and advocacy efforts.

Role of Metabolic Risk Factors, Family History, and Genetic Polymorphisms (PPARγ and TCF7L2) on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk in an Asian Indian Population

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Women with family history of diabetes (FHD) are at significantly increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus which may eventually lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in later life. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study investigates the role of FHD on metabolic markers and gene polymorphisms and hence on T2DM susceptibility in nondiabetic pregnant women and the subsequent risks in their newborns. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> The present study was conducted on 200 healthy (nondiabetic and normotensive) adult Asian Indian women, including 100 with and 100 without FHD, living in and around Kolkata, India. During the gestational period, they were studied twice and followed up till delivery. During delivery, both mothers’ venous blood and cord blood were collected to estimate serum CRP, glucose, and lipid profiles of the respective mothers and their newborns. Genotyping of PPARγ and TCF7L2 polymorphisms was done from these blood samples. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A comparison of the metabolic variables among the subjects with and without FHD revealed significant differences among them. We also found close relationship between mothers and their newborn babies in terms of both PPARγ (rs1801282) C/G and TCF7L2 (rs7903146) C/T polymorphisms. More specifically, genotyping results for mothers with FHD and their newborn babies showed high concordance in inheritance of alleles: (i) for PPARγ via the risk allele G (74.0%) which is carried over to the newborn babies (64.5%) and (ii) for TCF7L2 via the risk allele T (73.0%) which is carried over to the newborn babies (68.5%). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study leads to the conclusion that Asian Indian women population based in Kolkata, India, are ethnically and genetically predisposed to the risk factors of diabetes through FHD, which is reflected in their gestational phase, and it has a significant implication on their birth outcomes.

FIRST TRIMESTER MATERNAL BMI AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME AT DMCH, LAHERIASARAI, BIHAR

Aim: The aim of the study was to find out relationship of maternal BMI to pregnancy outcome. Methodology: The study carried out in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Laheriasarai, Bihar from February 2019 to January 2020 and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in relation BMI recorded in first trimester of primigravida. Results: Mean age of pregnant women was 26.2 years. At first booking obese women were significantlyolder (28.0 years) than others. Family history of diabetes was significantly higher among obese women (8.25%) compared to others. Rates of cesarean sections were higher in obese compared to others. The macrosomia rates were higher in obese compared to other group. The preeclampsia (1.89%), were significantly higher in obese women than others. Conclusions: Obese women were at a high risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes in terms ofgestational diabetes, macrosomia, preeclampsia more of ceasarean section. Normal weight women have low risk for cesarean section and macrosomia. These results highlight the need for preconception counseling, especially for obese and overweight and have beneficial outcomes in Asian Indian women.