The Role of the Gut Microbiota on the Beneficial Effects of Ketogenic Diets

The ketogenic diet is a dietary regime focused on strongly reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat intake; leading to a state of ketosis. The ketogenic diet has gained much popularity over the years due to its effects on promoting weight loss, increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing dyslipidaemia. All these factors play a crucial role in the development of cardio-metabolic diseases; one of the greatest health challenges of the time. Moreover, the ketogenic diet has been known to reduce (epileptic) seizure activity. It is still poorly understood how following a ketogenic diet can lead to these beneficial metabolic effects. However, in recent years it has become clear that diet and the gut microbiota interact with one another and thus influence host health. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the beneficial metabolic effects of the ketogenic diet and the role of gut microbiota in these effects.

Honest signaling in mouse lemur vocalizations?

Animal vocalizations may provide information about a sender’s condition or motivational state and, hence, mediate social interactions. In this study, we examined whether vocalizations of gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) emitted in aggressive contexts (grunts, tsaks) co-vary with physical condition, which would underly and indicate honest signaling. We recorded calls from captive individuals that were subjected to a caloric restricted (CR) or ad libitum (AL) diet, assuming that individuals on an ad libitum dietary regime were in better condition. We analyzed 828 grunts produced by seven CR and nine AL individuals and 270 tsaks by eight CR and five AL individuals. Grunts consisted of two separate elements, with the 1st element having more energy in higher frequencies than the 2nd element. Body mass correlated negatively with acoustic features of grunts, and heavier individuals produced lower-frequency grunts. Acoustic features of grunts did not differ between sexes. Acoustic features of tsaks were predicted by neither body mass nor sex. However, tsaks produced by AL individuals were noisier than those of CR individuals. Hence, manipulation of body condition via dietary regimes affected acoustic features of calls given during aggression in different ways: acoustic features of grunts varied according to the rule of acoustic allometry, and can be considered as honest signals. Acoustic features of tsaks, however, varied according to motivational structural rules. Longitudinal studies are now indicated to examine whether intra-individual changes in body mass are also reflected in the acoustic structure of calls, allowing callers to signal more flexible variation in condition.

Primeiro registro e predação de Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) em lagartas de Palpita forficifera Munroe, 1959 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Palpita forficifera Munroe, 1959 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is the main pest of the olive tree (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae) in Brazil. We observed the stink bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) predating larvae of P. forficifera in olive orchards. Therefore, the aim of this study was to register the occurrence of this predator in olive orchards as well as verify the predation of nymphs of P. nigrispinus when offered different numbers of P. forficifera larvae. In laboratory bioassays, it was verified that duration (days) of insects of 4th and 5th instars of P. nigripinus was prolonged when fewer larvae were offered (Dietary regime 1). The average consumtion of 3rd instar larvae of P. forficifera per instar of P. nigrispinus was superior for the dietary regime 2, where there was a greater availability of preys, resulting in a higher total consumption of larvae of P. forficifera over time. In addition, in the availability of larger quantities of P. forficifera larvae, adults of P. nigrispinus showed a higher weight gain. The sex ratio was not affected by dieraty contition. This study reports the first occurrence of nymphs and adults of P. nigrispinus predating larvae of P. forficifera in field, and shows the predation potential of P. nigrispinus in larvae of P. forficifera, demonstrating the importance of preserving this natural enemy in olive orchards.

Evészavartünetek, problematikus evési magatartás egyes kamaszkori krónikus betegségekben

Összefoglaló. A táplálkozás iránti figyelmet igénylő krónikus betegségek (így a coeliakia, az 1-es típusú diabetes és a gyulladásos bélbetegségek), valamint az evészavartünetek kapcsolata egyelőre kevéssé széleskörűen tanulmányozott terület serdülők körében. Az eddigi kutatási eredmények kiemelik a testkép- és evészavartünetek iránti magasabb kockázatot ezekben a betegségekben. Rizikótényező lehet az evési szokások megváltozása, a táplálkozásra irányuló fokozott figyelem és az ételekkel, valamint az elfogyasztásuk következményeivel kapcsolatos aggodalom. A korai felismerést nehezíti, hogy az evészavartünetek sokáig rejtve maradhatnak, és átfedést mutathatnak a krónikus betegség egyes tüneteivel (például testsúlyváltozás, hasmenés, hányás, hasfájás). A fennálló evészavar-érintettség gyengítheti a krónikus betegség hatékony terápiáját, súlyosbíthatja a szövődményeket, és növelheti a mortalitási rizikót. A tünetek korai felismerése és az adekvát terápia csak multidiszciplináris szemléletben és teammunkával, a szomatikus gondozás és a pszichoterápia összehangolásával lehet eredményes. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(44): 1872–1876. Summary. Disordered eating is not a well-understood phenomenon in diet-related chronic illnesses (e.g., celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases) among adolescents. Previous research found a higher risk for eating disorders and negative body image among these patients. Following the prescribed or suggested dietary regime may lead to increased food awareness and become an eating disorder risk factor. Further risks may be the altered eating patterns, the fear from unknown food sources and its consequences. In many cases, eating disorder characteristics may be hidden and the symptoms of chronic illness (e.g., changes in weight, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and disordered eating can mimic each other. Disordered eating can worsen the effective therapy of physical illnesses and increase complications and mortality. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment can only be provided through multidisciplinary approach and teamwork. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(44): 1872–1876.

Effect of Walking on Sand with Dietary Intervention in OverweightType 2 DiabetesMellitusPatients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: The primary goal of this study was to assess the effect of sand walking on Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and quality of life among individuals with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). (2) Methods: A randomized-controlled design was conducted on 66 overweight participants suffering from T2DM. Participants were randomly allocated to sand walking (SW) (n = 33) and normal walking (NW) (n = 33) groups. Participants performed moderate-intensity walking for 30 min, 3 times a week for 4 months. Participants walking on sand had statistically significant mean scores for HbA1c, BMI, waist circumference and quality of life((M = 7.32, SD = 0.47),(M = 25.77, SD = 1.366),(M = 92.94, SD = 2.59), (M = 91.48, SD = 34.08)) than those walking on leveled surface ((M = 8.38, SD = 0.77),t(52.8) = −6.73, p = 0.003, (M = 26.80, SD = 1.38), t(64) = −3.05, p = 0.001,(M = 98.12, SD = 2.16.3), t(64) = −3.75, p = 0.001, (M = 112, SD = 33.7), t(64) = −2.45, p = 0.017)respectively. (3) Conclusions: Regular SW with a healthy dietary regime for 4 months led to a statistically significant difference in HbA1c, BMI, waist circumference, and quality of life as compared to NW group.

Extended nursing and/or increased starter diet allowances for low weaning weight pigs

Objective: To evaluate the use of nurse sows and post-weaning nutrition strategies for low wean weight (WW) pigs on lifetime growth and efficiency.Methods: Animals (n = 270) were assigned to one of five treatments at 28 d. Low WW pigs (<6 kg) were either weaned and offered a special dietary regime recommended for low WW pigs (WEAN) or placed on a nurse sow (NURSE) and weaned at 49 d. Normal WW pigs (9 kg) (NORM) were also weaned at 28 d. After weaning, NORM and NURSE pigs were offered either a ‘high’ (4 kg/pig of starter 1 diet followed by 8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) or ‘low’ (8 kg/pig of starter 2 diet) starter diet allowance in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. A typical grower diet was then offered, followed by a typical finisher diet until 147 d of age.Results: NORM pigs where heavier throughout their life compared to NURSE pigs (91.4 kg vs 76.2 kg at 147 d; p<0.001). WEAN pigs were heavier at 70 d compared to NURSE pigs (23.9 kg vs 21.0 kg; p<0.001), but there was no significant difference at 147 d between NURSE and WEAN treatments. NURSE pigs had reduced feed intake throughout the finishing period (1.6 kg/d; p<0.001) compared to WEAN (2.0 kg/d) and NORM (1.9 kg/d) pigs. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of NURSE (2.20) was lower than NORM and WEAN during the finishing period (2.40 and 2.79, respectively).Conclusion: Extended (up to 49 d) nursing for low WW pigs resulted in improved FCR during the finishing period, but no overall improvement in growth rate compared to low WW pigs weaned at 28 d and offered a specialised starter regime. Normal WW pigs where significantly heavier than low WW pigs throughout the study.

“Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Benefitted by Yoga.”

Now a days PCOS is one of the commonest problems of reproductive age caused by hormonal imbalance. Aims and Objects: To Study PCOS. To assess the effectiveness of Yoga in management of PCOS. To highlight the key messages. Conclusion : Weight reduction is main preventive and therapeutic potential to combat with this. It can be achieved by incorporating lifestyle modifications. Ayurveda dietary regime the wholesome food (Pathya Ahar) and Yoga interventions mentioned in Ayurveda literature are main key

Specificity of gastronomic code of Salvador Dali

The object of this research is the analysis of specificity of gustatory preference of Salvador Dali that allows reconstructing gastronomic code of the genius. The results of analysis demonstrate that Dalian gastronomic code is based on the principles of legitimacy, hierarchy and mysticism. Legitimacy is expressed in the precision of the shapes of ingredients and their compatibility, carefully following the recipe, prevalence of the dishes of Catalonian cuisine. Hierarchy of gastronomic practices in life of the genius was associated with his dietary regime and its quality, as well as knowledge of gastronomic preferences. The process of saturation and appearance of delicacies, erotic component of food underlines the mystical component of gastronomic culture of the genius. Overall, the gastronomic code of Salvador Dali demonstrates Cosmo-Psycho-Logos of the artist, structuring at the intersection of emotional and rational, material and spiritual components of gastronomic culture. The indicated problematic is viewed on the basis of culturological analysis of diary notes and recipe book of Salvador Dali, which help to determine the peculiarities of his gastronomic taste and reconstruct his gastronomic code. This article is first to reconstruct the gastronomic code of Salvador Dali and his key elements (legitimacy, hierarchy, and mysticism). The acquired results can be used in further research dedicated to studying personality and works of Salvador Dali, as well as in analysis of individual gastronomic codes that allow bringing more details into psychological characteristics of personality.

Motivation for change, cornerstone of diabetes self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background Personal motivation for change plays a fundamental role in creation of sustainable changes regarding diabetes self-management. The aim of this study is to assess the motivation as well as the relation between the level of patient`s motivation in relation to disease characteristics, metabolic control, behavioral determinants and the barriers patients encounter in diabetes self-management. Methods The data for this cross-sectional study were obtained by combining anthropometric measurements (body mass index-BMI), biochemical parameters (glycosylated hemoglobin-HbA1c) and by interviewing respondents using certain sub-scale of a structured Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (PDQ). Results The sample consisted of 117 respondents with T2DM. The majority (61.06%) was not motivated to make self-management changes. Non-motivated respondents were older than 65 years of age (X^2=8,046; p = 0.005) and had: a lower level of education (X^2=35.320; p = 0.000), diabetes for more than 10 years, poor glyco-regulation (90,14%) and were overweight / obese (81,7%). Motivated respondent were more physically active (X^2=6.439; p = 0.000), more adherent to anti-hyperglucemic therapy (OHAs) (X^2=9.673; p = 0,002), and more adherent to dietary regime. Average barrier scores: in the following healthy diet [t=-7.960; p = 0.000], in therapeutic adherence [t=-4.318; p = 0.000] and physical activity [t=-6.439; p = 0.000] were also statistically significantly different with the high impact in relation to respondents’ motivation. Conclusions Assessment of the motivation for changes in diabetes self-management should become an integral part of monitoring patients with T2DM in Primary Health Care (PHC). In this way, individual advisory strategies could be developed, because motivated and not motivated persons have different needs for counseling. Key messages Motivated and not motivated persons with T2DM have different needs for counseling. Assessment of the motivation for changes in diabetes self-management should become an integral part of monitoring patients with T2DM.