A comprehensive analysis of tree-level weak interaction processes at low energy is presented for the Randall-Sundrum (RS) model with SU(2)
L
× U(1)
Y
bulk gauge symmetry and brane-localized Higgs ...sector. The complete form of the effective weak Hamiltonian is obtained, which results from tree-level exchange of Kaluza-Klein (KK) gluons and photons, the
W
±
and
Z
0
bosons and their KK excitations, as well as the Higgs boson. Exact expressions are used for the bulk profiles of the various fields, and for the exchange of entire towers of KK gauge-boson states. A detailed phenomenological analysis is performed for potential new-physics effects in neutral-meson mixing and in rare decays of kaons and
B
mesons, including both inclusive and exclusive processes. We find that while the predictions for ∆
F
= 2 observables are rather model-independent, ∆
F
= 1 processes depend sensitively on the exact realizations of the electroweak gauge and the fermionic sector. In this context, we emphasize that the localization of the right-handed top quark in the extra dimension plays a crucial role in the case of rare
Z
0
-mediated decays, as it determines the relative size of left- to right-handed couplings. We also extend earlier studies of quark flavor-changing neutral currents by examining observables which up to now attracted little attention. These include
mixing,
B
→ τν
τ
,
B
→
X
s
(
K
*)
l
+
l
-
, ϵ′
K
/ϵ
K
,
,
,
, and
B
+
→ π
+
π
0
.
Summary
Imbalances in the gut microbiota, the bacteria that inhabit the intestines, are central to the pathogenesis of obesity. This systematic review assesses the association between the gut ...microbiota and weight loss in overweight/obese adults and its potential manipulation as a target for treating obesity. This review identified 43 studies using the keywords ‘overweight’ or ‘obesity’ and ‘microbiota’ and related terms; among these studies, 17 used dietary interventions, 11 used bariatric surgery and 15 used microbiota manipulation. The studies differed in their methodologies as well as their intervention lengths. Restrictive diets decreased the microbiota abundance, correlated with nutrient deficiency rather than weight loss and generally reduced the butyrate producers Firmicutes, Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. The impact of surgical intervention depended on the given technique and showed a similar effect on butyrate producers, in addition to increasing the presence of the Proteobacteria phylum, which is related to changes in the intestinal absorptive surface, pH and digestion time. Probiotics differed in strain and duration with diverse effects on the microbiota, and they tended to reduce body fat. Prebiotics had a bifidogenic effect and increased butyrate producers, likely due to cross‐feeding interactions, contributing to the gut barrier and improving metabolic outcomes. All of the interventions under consideration had impacts on the gut microbiota, although they did not always correlate with weight loss. These results show that restrictive diets and bariatric surgery reduce microbial abundance and promote changes in microbial composition that could have long‐term detrimental effects on the colon. In contrast, prebiotics might restore a healthy microbiome and reduce body fat.
Background
Dietary recommendations for adults with diabetes are to follow a healthy diet in appropriate portion sizes. We determined recent trends in energy and nutrient intakes among a nationally ...representative sample of US adults with and without type 2 diabetes.
Methods
Participants were adults aged ≥20 years from the cross‐sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1988–2012 (N = 49 770). Diabetes was determined by self‐report of a physician's diagnosis (n = 4885). Intake of energy and nutrients were determined from a 24‐h recall by participants of all food consumed. Linear regression was used to test for trends in mean intake over time for all participants and by demographic characteristics.
Results
Among adults with diabetes, overall total energy intake increased between 1988–1994 and 2011–2012 (1689 kcal versus 1895 kcal; Ptrend < 0.001) with evidence of a plateau between 2003–2006 and 2011–2012. In 2007–2012, energy intake was greater for younger than older adults, for men than women, and for non‐Hispanic whites versus non‐Hispanic blacks. There was no change in the percentage of calories from carbohydrate, total fat or protein. Percentage of calories from saturated fat was similar across study periods but remained above recommendations (11.2% in 2011–2012). Fibre intake significantly decreased and remained below recommendations (Ptrend = 0.002). Sodium, cholesterol and calcium intakes increased. There was no change in energy intake among adults without diabetes and dietary trends were similar to those with diabetes.
Conclusions
Future data are needed to confirm a plateau in energy intake among adults with diabetes, although the opportunity exists to increase fibre and reduce saturated fat.
The health of younger adults in the U.S. has important public health and economic-related implications. However, previous literature is insufficient to fully understand how the health of this group ...has changed over time. This study examined generational differences in cardiovascular risk factors of younger adults over the past 40 years.
Data were from 6 nationally representative cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1971-2012; N = 44,670). Participants were adults age 20-49 years who self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions, and had examination/laboratory measures for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. Prevalences of sociodemographic characteristics and health status were determined by study period. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval of health conditions by study period: models adjusted only for age, sex, and race, and fully adjusted models additionally adjusted for socioeconomic characteristics, smoking, BMI, diabetes, and/or hypertension (depending on the outcome) were assessed.
Participants in 2009-2012 were significantly more likely to be obese and have diabetes compared to those in 1971-1975 (OR = 4.98, 3.57-6.97; OR = 3.49, 1.59-7.65, respectively, fully adjusted). Participants in 2009-2012 vs. 1988-1994 were significantly more likely to have had hypertension but uncontrolled hypertension was significantly less likely (OR = 0.67, 0.52-0.86, fully adjusted). There was no difference over time for high cholesterol, but uncontrolled high cholesterol was significantly less likely in 2009-2012 vs. 1988-1994 (OR = 0.80, 0.68-0.94, fully adjusted). The use of hypertensive and cholesterol medications increased while chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases were relatively stable.
Cardiovascular risk factors of younger U.S. adults have worsened over the past 40 years, but treatment for hypertension and high cholesterol has improved. The sub-optimal and worsening health in younger adults may have a substantial impact on health care utilization and costs, and should be considered when developing health care practices.
Regular blood glucose/A1c, blood pressure (BP), and cholesterol (ABC) testing is important for diabetes management. It is unknown whether pandemic-related disruptions in medical care were negatively ...associated with ABC testing among US adults with diagnosed diabetes.
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among adults ≥18 years with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2019 or 2021 National Health Interview Survey (n=3355 and n=3127, respectively). Adults with diabetes self-reported sociodemographic and diabetes-related characteristics, ABC testing in the past year, and delays or not getting medical care due to the pandemic (2021 only). Descriptive statistics were used to determine differences in ABC testing in 2019 vs 2021. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between delays or not getting medical care due to the pandemic and ABC testing, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes duration, and diabetes medication use.
Overall, the prevalence of having a blood glucose/A1c or a BP test in the past year was high (>90%) but it was significantly lower in 2021 compared with 2019 (A1c: 94.2% vs 96.8%, p<0.001; BP: 96.8% vs 98.4%, p=0.002, respectively). Cholesterol testing remained stable (93.0% in 2021 vs 94.5% in 2019, p=0.053). In logistic regression analysis, after full adjustment, adults who reported delaying or not getting medical care when needed due to the pandemic were 50% less likely to get an ABC test in the past year compared with those who promptly received medical care (A1c: adjusted OR (aOR)=0.44, 95% CI 0.29-0.68; BP: aOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.27-0.85; cholesterol: aOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.31-0.75).
Disruptions in medical care during the pandemic were associated with a decrease in ABC testing. Future research is needed to assess whether blood glucose/A1c and BP testing returns to prepandemic levels and if reductions in these tests result in excess diabetes-related complications.
Aims
Adolescents with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors but there are few data available among adolescents with prediabetes. We characterized CVD risk ...factors among adolescents with prediabetes in the USA and compared levels of those risk factors with adolescents with normal glucose.
Methods
The 2005–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative cross‐sectional survey, included 2843 adolescents aged 12–19 years after excluding those with diabetes. Prediabetes was based on an HbA1c, a fasting plasma glucose or a 2‐h plasma glucose. We determined cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents using age‐appropriate cut‐off points. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of these outcomes associated with having prediabetes compared with normal glucose levels.
Results
The weighted prevalence of prediabetes was 17.4%. After adjustment, prediabetes (vs. normal glucose) was associated with obesity (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.35–2.55), low HDL‐cholesterol (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.08–2.44), high triglycerides (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12–2.30) and elevated liver transaminase (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.19–3.67), but not with hypertension (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.88–3.54), elevated total cholesterol (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.82–2.06), elevated LDL‐cholesterol (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.88–2.88) or albuminuria (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.76–2.02).
Conclusions
US adolescents with prediabetes are more likely to have obesity, low HDL‐cholesterol, high triglycerides and elevated liver transaminase than adolescents with normal glucose. Addressing prediabetes in youth is important for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes and long‐term comorbidity.
What's new?
Adolescents with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors but there are few data available among adolescents with prediabetes.
Using a nationally representative survey, we found that US adolescents with prediabetes were more likely to have obesity, low HDL‐cholesterol, high triglycerides and elevated liver transaminase than adolescents with normal glucose.
We observed increasing odds of these health outcomes beginning at levels below the cut‐off point for prediabetes.
Addressing prediabetes and comorbidity in youth is important to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and the risk of substantial long‐term health consequences.
We reexamine the Randall-Sundrum (RS) model with enlarged gauge symmetry
SU
(2)
L
×
SU
(2)
R
×
U
(1)
X
×
P
LR
in the presence of a brane-localized Higgs sector. In contrast to the existing ...literature, we perform the Kaluza-Klein (KK) decomposition within the mass basis, which avoids the truncation of the KK towers. Expanding the low-energy spectrum as well as the gauge couplings in powers of the Higgs vacuum expectation value, we obtain analytic formulas which allow for a deep understanding of the model-specific protection mechanisms of the
T
parameter and the left-handed
Z
-boson couplings. In particular, in the latter case we explain which contributions escape protection and identify them with the irreducible sources of
P
LR
symmetry breaking. We furthermore show explicitly that no protection mechanism is present in the charged-current sector confirming existing model-independent findings. The main focus of the phenomenological part of our work is a detailed discussion of Higgs-boson couplings and their impact on physics at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. For the first time, a complete one-loop calculation of all relevant Higgs-boson production and decay channels is presented, incorporating the effects stemming from the extended electroweak gauge-boson and fermion sectors.
IntroductionA healthy diet is recommended to support diabetes management, including HbA1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol (ABC) control, but food insecurity is a barrier to consuming a healthy diet. ...We determined the prevalence of food insecurity and diet quality among US adults with diabetes and the associations with ABC management.Research design and methodsCross-sectional analyses were conducted among 2075 adults ≥20 years with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Food insecurity was assessed using a standard questionnaire and diet quality was assessed using quartiles of the 2015 Healthy Eating Index. Adjusted ORs (aOR, 95% CI) were calculated from logistic regression models to determine the association between household food insecurity/diet quality and the ABCs while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare utilization, smoking, medication for diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol, and body mass index.ResultsOverall, 17.6% of adults had food insecurity/low diet quality; 14.2% had food insecurity/high diet quality; 33.1% had food security/low diet quality; and 35.2% had food security/high diet quality. Compared with adults with food security/high diet quality, those with food insecurity/low diet quality were significantly more likely to have HbA1c ≥7.0% (aOR=1.85, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.80) and HbA1c ≥8.0% (aOR=1.79, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.08); food insecurity/high diet quality was significantly associated with elevated HbA1c; and food security/low diet quality with elevated A1c.ConclusionsFood insecurity, regardless of diet quality, was significantly associated with elevated A1c. For people with food insecurity, providing resources to reduce food insecurity could strengthen the overall approach to optimal diabetes management.
PDF
