To verify whether myo-inositol plus α-lactalbumin may reduce insulin resistance and excessive fetal growth in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. In a 12-month period, 120 women with a ...diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus were consecutively enrolled with an allocation of 1:1 in each group and randomly treated with myo-inositol plus α-lactalbumin plus folic acid (treated group) or folic acid (control group) for 2 months. Primary outcome was the variation of insulin resistance through the study evaluated by HOMA-IR. Secondary outcome was the evaluation, through the study, of fetal growth by ultrasound measurements of abdominal circumference centiles and estimated fat thickness. Some clinical outcomes were also considered. After 2 months, in the treated group, a significant reduction in insulin resistance (HOMA values 3.1 ± 1.4 vs 6.1 ± 3.4, p = 0.0002) and fetal growth was shown (Abdominal circumference centiles 54.9 ± 23.5 vs 67.5 ± 22.6, P = 0.006). Among clinical outcomes, a significant decrease in the rate of women who needed insulin (6.7% vs 20.3%, p = 0.03) and of pre-term birth (0 vs 15.2%, p = 0.007) was evidenced. A combination of myo-inositol and α-lactalbumin may reduce insulin resistance and excessive fetal growth.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03763669, first posted date 04/12/2018; last posted date December 06/12/2018.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of myo-inositol supplementation on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rates and body water distribution in overweight non-obese women. 223 overweight ...non-obese women pregnant were randomly assigned to the treatment group (2 g of myo-inositol plus 200 µg of folic acid) or to the placebo one (200 µg of folic acid). The treatment lasted until three weeks after delivery. A tetrapolar impedance analyser was used to study body composition. The incidence of GDM was significantly reduced in the myo-inositol group compared with the placebo group. There was a significant increase in TBW, ECW and ICW values in the placebo group compared to the myo-inositol group. We have recorded a significant reduction in the overall incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the myo-inositol group compared with the placebo group. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of myo-inositol supplementation in preventing GDM in overweight non-obese pregnant women.
Age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share common features such as amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation. Retinal deposition of Aβ ...aggregates in AMD patients has suggested a potential link between AMD and AD. In the present study, we analyzed the expression pattern of a focused set of miRNAs, previously found to be involved in both AD and AMD, in the retina of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) at different time-points. Several miRNAs were differentially expressed in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, compared to the retina of age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. In particular, bioinformatic analysis revealed that miR-155 had a central role in miRNA-gene network stability, regulating several pathways, including apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways modulated by TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TNFSF10). We showed that chronic treatment of 3xTg-AD mice with an anti-TNFSF10 monoclonal antibody was able to inhibit the retinal expression of miR-155, which inversely correlated with the expression of its molecular target SOCS-1. Moreover, the fine-tuned mechanism related to TNFSF10 immunoneutralization was tightly linked to modulation of TNFSF10 itself and its death receptor TNFRSF10B, along with cytokine production by microglia, reactive gliosis, and specific AD-related neuropathological hallmarks (i.e., Aβ deposition and Tau phosphorylation) in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice. In conclusion, immunoneutralization of TNFSF10 significantly preserved the retinal tissue in 3xTg-AD mice, suggesting its potential therapeutic application in retinal degenerative disorders.
Objective: To evaluate whether myo-inositol supplementation may reduce gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rate in overweight women.
Methods: In an open-label, randomized trial, myo-inositol (2 g ...plus 200 μg folic acid twice a day) or placebo (200 μg folic acid twice a day) was administered from the first trimester to delivery in pregnant overweight non-obese women (pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m
2
). The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM.
Results: From January 2012 to December 2014, 220 pregnant women were randomized at two Italian University hospitals, 110 to myo-inositol and 110 to placebo. The incidence of GDM was significantly lower in the myo-inositol group compared to the placebo group (11.6% versus 27.4%, respectively, p = 0.004). Myo-inositol treatment was associated with a 67% risk reduction of developing GDM (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15-0.70).
Conclusions: Myo-inositol supplementation, administered since early pregnancy, reduces GDM incidence in overweight non-obese women.
Context:
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of genistein on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in Caucasian postmenopausal subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Objective:
Our ...objective was to assess the effects of genistein on surrogate endpoints associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Design and Setting:
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 3 university medical centers in Italy.
Patients:
Patients included 120 postmenopausal women with MetS according to modified Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria.
Intervention:
After a 4-week stabilization period, postmenopausal women with MetS were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 60) or 54 mg genistein daily (n = 60) for 1 year.
Main Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at 1 year. Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, visfatin, adiponectin, and homocysteine levels. Data on adverse events were also recorded.
Results:
At 1 year in genistein recipients, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR (mean from 4.5 to 2.7; P < .001) decreased and were unchanged in placebo recipients. Genistein statistically increased HDL-C (mean from 46.4 to 56.8 mg/dL) and adiponectin and decreased total cholesterol, LDL-C (mean from 108.8 to 78.7 mg/dL), triglycerides, visfatin, and homocysteine (mean from 14.3 to 11.7 μmol/L) blood levels. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was also reduced in genistein recipients. Genistein recipients neither experienced more side adverse effects than placebo nor discontinued the study.
Conclusion:
One year of treatment with genistein improves surrogate endpoints associated with risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women with MetS.
Many research results show that students often highlight “mixed-type” reasoning when tackling problematic situations and problems. This reasoning is based on the simultaneous use of common-sense and ...mere descriptions of facts, perceived as sufficient to build an “explanation” of observed or proposed situations and problems. This fact can be interpreted as a lack of coherence. In this paper, we study the coherence of responses that a sample of undergraduate chemical engineering student give when they are asked to face real-life situations, to create explanations, and to use models in different contexts. We administered open-ended questionnaires before and after a twenty-hour Inquiry-Based workshop related to phenomena activated by a thermal overcoming of a potential barrier. Based on the Physics Education Research literature on student understanding of relevant physics contents, the student responses are analysed by using researcher-generated categories of reasoning and their coherence is studied. Finally, we discuss some implications of the results to improve the development of students’ explicative skills.
Background During pandemic period, a single fast glycemia value (greater than or equal to 92 mg/dl) performed within the recommended time window for the risk level defined by the Italian guidelines, ...was considered an acceptable surrogate for GDM diagnosis following Italian Diabetes Association recomendations. Methods All pregnant women who performed an OGTT following Italian Guidelines from march 2020 to september 2021 and then delivered at our University Hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study. Primary outcome of the study was the number of women diagnosed with GDM with only the FPG value (greater than or equal to 92 mg/dl), following Italian Diabetes Societies recommendations for COVID 19 pandemic period. At the same time, the data of women who became diabetic according to the 1999 WHO criteria was collected too. The secondary outcome was the comparison of risk factors of women undergoing OGTT according to IADPSG and WHO'99 criteria for the diagnosis of GDM and associated clinical outcomes. Results The number of women with a diagnosis of GDM following Italian guidelines in the 18-month period considered was 161. Only 109 (67.7%) had a fast glucose value greater than or equal to 92 mg/dl. No differences between IADPSG and WHO'99 groups in relation to risk factors, with the exception for overweight and obesity, and clinical outcomes. Conclusion Recommendations of Italian Diabetes Societis for COVID 19 pandemic failed to recognize one third of GDM diagnosis. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05026840, August 30, 2021, 'retrospectively registered'. Keywords: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, IADPSG criteria, WHO'99 criteria
TRAIL, a member of TNF superfamily, is a potent inducer of neuronal death. Neurotoxic effects of TRAIL appear mediated by its death receptor TRAIL-R2/DR5. To assess the role of TRAIL/TRAIL-R2 pathway ...in AD-related neurodegeneration, we studied the impact of the treatment with amyloid-β (Aβ) upon cell viability and inflammation in TRAIL-R-deficient mice (TRAIL-R−/−). Here, we demonstrate that the lack of TRAIL-R2 protects from death cultured TRAIL-R−/− mouse embryonic hippocampal cells after treatment with either Aβ1-42 or TRAIL. Consistently, stereotaxic injection of Aβ1-42 resulted in blunted caspase activation, as well as in reduction of JNK phosphorylation and increased AKT phosphorylation in TRAIL-R−/− mice. Moreover, the lack of TRAIL-R2 was associated with blunted constitutive p53 expression in mice that have undergone Aβ1-42 treatment, as well as in decrease of phosphorylated forms of tau and GSK3β proteins. Likewise, TRAIL-R2 appears essential to both TRAIL and Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity and inflammation. Indeed, hippocampi of TRAIL-R−/− mice challenged with Aβ1-42, showed a slight expression of microglial (Iba-1) and astrocytic (GFAP) markers along with attenuated levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NOS2 and COX2. In conclusion, the bulk of these results demonstrate that the constitutive lack of TRAIL-R2 is associated with a substantial reduction of noxious effects of Aβ1-42, providing further evidence on the prominent role played by TRAIL in course of Aβ-related neurodegeneration and confirming that the TRAIL system represents a potential target for innovative AD therapy.
To check the hypothesis that myo-inositol supplementation may reduce gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) onset in pregnant women with a family history of type 2 diabetes.
A 2-year, prospective, ...randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled study was carried out in pregnant outpatients with a parent with type 2 diabetes who were treated from the end of the first trimester with 2 g myo-inositol plus 200 µg folic acid twice a day (n = 110) and in the placebo group (n = 110), who were only treated with 200 µg folic acid twice a day. The main outcome measure was the incidence of GDM in both groups. Secondary outcome measures were as follows: the incidence of fetal macrosomia (>4,000 g), gestational hypertension, preterm delivery, caesarean section, shoulder dystocia, neonatal hypoglycemia, and neonatal distress respiratory syndrome. GDM diagnosis was performed according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) recommendations.
Incidence of GDM was significantly reduced in the myo-inositol group compared with the placebo group: 6 vs. 15.3%, respectively (P = 0.04). In the myo-inositol group, a reduction of GDM risk occurrence was highlighted (odds ratio 0.35). A statistically significant reduction of fetal macrosomia in the myo-inositol group was also highlighted together with a significant reduction in mean fetal weight at delivery. In the other secondary outcome measures, there were no differences between groups.
myo-Inositol supplementation in pregnant women with a family history of type 2 diabetes may reduce GDM incidence and the delivery of macrosomia fetuses.
The Northern Bald Ibis
is an endangered species, and recently it was reintroduced in Europe by the Waldrappteam. The reintroduction program has been strongly threatened by several sudden deaths, ...mainly in Italy. The present study used a forensic approach to analyze all of the 27 Northern Bald Ibises found dead in Italy between 2016 and 2022, which were suspected to have been victims of poaching, and it followed the veterinary forensic guidelines. Human-related causes accounted for 60% of the deaths, including illegal hunting (30%), blunt force trauma (26%), and electrocution (4%). Natural causes, starvation (15%), predation (11%) and disease (7%), accounted for 33% of the deaths. 7% of the causes of deaths remained undetermined. This study uses a forensic approach to analyze, for the first time, the main causes of death in
and highlights the relevance of detecting illegal actions related to endangered species and stopping the phenomenon of poaching.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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