Non-overweight depressed patients who respond to antidepressant treatment have a higher risk of later metabolic syndrome: findings from the METADAP cohort.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex disorder with a significant public health burden. Depression remission is often associated with weight gain, a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The primary objective of our study was to assess prospectively the impact of response to antidepressant treatment on developing MetS in a sample of MDD patients with a current major depressive episode (MDE) and who are newly initiating their treatment.

Association of Patient Factors and Follow-Up in an International Volunteer Cleft Lip and Palate Repair Clinic in El Salvador.

Background: In countries which lack robust health care systems, congenital conditions such as cleft lip and/or palate deformities are often untreated in certain individuals. Many volunteer organizations have stepped in to fill this gap but certain factors, such as continuity of care, are yet to be studied for these clinics.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 167 pediatric patients with cleft lip and/or palate residing in El Salvador treated by a nongovernmental organizations between 2011 and 2020.

Urbanization and Socioeconomic Disparities in Hypertension among Older Adult Women in Sudan.

Background: Evidence from the developed world associates higher prevalence of hypertension with lower socioeconomic status (SES). However, patterns of association are not as clear in Africa and other developing countries, with varying levels of socioeconomic development and epidemiological transition. Using wealth and education as indicators, we investigated association between SES and hypertension among older adult women in Sudan and examined whether urbanicity mediates the relationship.

Type-3c Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes of Exocrine Pancreas - An Update.

Background: The incidence of diabetes is increasing steeply; the number of diabetics has doubled over the past three decades. Surprisingly, the knowledge of type 3c diabetes mellitus (T3cDM) is still unclear to the researchers, scientist and medical practitioners, leading towards erroneous diagnosis, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), or more frequently type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review is aimed to outline recent information on the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic management of T3cDM patients.

Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus: A review on current treatment approach and gene therapy as potential intervention.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious and lifelong condition commonly characterised by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels due to a failure in insulin production or a decrease in insulin sensitivity and function. Over the years, prevalence of diabetes has increased globally and it is classified as one of the leading cause of high mortality and morbidity rate. Furthermore, diabetes confers a huge economic burden due to its management costs as well as its complications are skyrocketing.

Chemical composition of kale as influenced by dry vermicast, potassium humate and volcanic minerals.

Biofortification using agronomic practices can be used to improve the nutritional quality of food crops. Three natural media amendments (dry vermicast, potassium (K)-humate and volcanic minerals) were assessed under greenhouse conditions to determine the effects on the chemical composition of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var.

Development and quality characteristics of shelf-stable soy-agushie: a residual by-product of soymilk production.

A process was developed for the production of a high-protein food ingredient, soy-agushie, from the residual by-product of soymilk production. The product, with a moisture content of about 6%, was evaluated for its quality characteristics and performance in traditional dishes. The protein content was about 26% with similar amino acids content as that of the whole soybean.

[Approaches to reduce shortage of general practitioners in rural areas--results of an online survey of trainee doctors].

Background: In times of shortage of general practitioners (GPs), especially in rural areas, it is of particular interest to explore expectations and interests of GP trainees relating to their future work. The aim of this study was, to survey the willingness of trainee doctors to work in or open a general practice, as well as their expectations and plans concerning future work as a GP in a rural area.

Methods: The survey was conducted online between April to October 2010 with trainee doctors.

Volatile compounds profile and sensory evaluation of Beninese condiments produced by inocula of Bacillus subtilis.

Background: Three Beninese food condiments (ABS1(24h), IBS2(48h) and SBS3(48h)) were produced by controlled fermentation of African locust beans using inocula of pure cultures of Bacillus subtilis, BS1, BS2 and BS3, respectively. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the volatile compounds in the condiments produced have been performed using the Likens-Nickerson simultaneous distillation-extraction method and GC-MS analysis, followed by a sensory evaluation in comparison with the spontaneously fermented condiments.

Results: A total of 94 volatile compounds have been found including 53 compounds identified in relatively high concentrations and were subdivided into seven main groups with the predominance of four major groups: pyrazines, aldehydes, ketones and alcohols.

Microencapsulation in genipin cross-linked gelatine-maltodextrin improves survival of Bifidobacterium adolescentis during exposure to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions.

To improve survival during exposure to adverse conditions, probiotic Bifidobacterium adolescentis 15703T cells were encapsulated in novel mono-core and multi-core phase-separated gelatine-maltodextrin (GMD) microspheres where the gelatine (G) phase was cross-linked with genipin (GP). Microscopy showed that encapsulated cells were exclusively associated with maltodextrin (MD) core(s). Small (average diameter 37 microm) and large (70 microm) GMD and G microspheres were produced by modulating factors (e.

The nucleoside backbone affects durability of efavirenz- or nevirapine-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in antiretroviral-naive individuals.

Objectives: We wished to determine the efficacy of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens in antiretroviral-naive patients commencing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to evaluate the effect of calendar year, nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone, sex, and ethnicity on treatment outcome.

Methods: Antiretroviral-naive individuals commencing efavirenz or nevirapine with dual-nucleoside analogue backbones were identified from a prospective database. Virological success was defined as HIV viral load <500 copies per milliliter.

Rectal chlamydia--a reservoir of undiagnosed infection in men who have sex with men.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of rectal chlamydia infection in a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) and the proportion of infection that would be missed without routine screening.

Methods: MSM presenting to four HIV/GUM outpatient clinics at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust between 1 November 2005 and 29 September 2006 were offered testing for rectal chlamydia infection in addition to their routine screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) tests were performed using the Beckton-Dickinson Probe-Tec Strand Displacement Assay.

Lymphogranuloma venereum presenting as genital ulceration and inguinal syndrome in men who have sex with men in London, UK.

Objectives: To describe a series of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases presenting as inguinal syndrome and/or genital ulceration seen among men who have sex with men (MSM) in London, UK.

Methods: Collaborative retrospective case note review. Clinicians from three London genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics accessed by large populations of MSM within the current LGV outbreak collected clinical data from confirmed cases of LGV inguinal syndrome or genital ulcer.

Outpatient management of severe gonococcal ophthalmia without genital infection.

We report a case of severe gonococcal ophthalmia and peri-orbital cellulitis in an HIV-positive man without genital infection who was treated successfully in the outpatient department. We also highlight the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and liaison with ophthalmology in order to prevent visual complications.

Effect of process variables on particle size and viability of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 in genipin-gelatin microspheres.

Gelatin microspheres cross-linked with genipin were developed to encapsulate the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 The effects of different gelatin concentrations (10-19% w/v), bloom strengths (175 and 300), surfactants, stirring rates during emulsion formation and genipin concentrations (0-10 mM) on the microsphere sizes and viability of bacterial cells were investigated. Principal Component Analysis revealed microsphere size distribution differed depending on the presence or absence of surfactants as well as a trend of increasing micropshere size with increasing gelatin concentration and bloom strength. Lower stirring rates resulted in larger microspheres with higher encapsulation yields of bifidobacteria Microsphere size and cell viability were not significantly (p < 0.

Preinvasive duct-derived neoplasms in pancreas of keratin 5-promoter cyclooxygenase-2 transgenic mice.

Background & Aims: Basic research aimed at a better understanding of pancreatic carcinogenesis and improving the treatment of this disease is crucial because the majority of pancreatic cancers are highly aggressive and therapeutically nonaccessible. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, which is a key enzyme of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, is overexpressed in around 75% of human carcinomas including those of the pancreas.

Methods: The pathologic changes of transgenic mouse pancreas with keratin 5-promoter-driven expression and activity of COX-2 were characterized.

Volatile compounds of Soumbala, a fermented African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) food condiment.

Aims: To determine the profile of volatile compounds responsible for the aroma of Soumbala produced spontaneously and with pure and mixed cultures of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus.

Methods And Results: Traditional and controlled fermentation trials of African locust bean with pure and mixed starter cultures of B. subtilis (B7, B9 and B15) and B.

Effect of soybean fortification on Ghanaian fermented maize dough aroma.

The effect of soy fortification on the development of aroma compounds, dough acidity and growth of the predominant microorganisms were investigated in Ghanaian maize dough fermented spontaneously over a period of 72 h. The fortified maize dough was prepared from a milled mixture of soaked maize grains and pre-soaked, blanched and dehulled soybeans added at 20% replacement level. Extracts of volatiles from the soy-fortified and unfortified dough samples were obtained by Likens-Nickerson simultaneous distillation and extraction method analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry (gas chromatography-sniffing).

Effect of boiling and roasting on the fermentation of soybeans into dawadawa (soy-dawadawa).

Soybeans which had initially been dehulled by either boiling (boiled/dehulled) or roasting (roasted/dehulled) before peeling, were cooked and fermented into dawadawa, a traditional food condiment. The micropopulation, enzymatic activities, proximate composition, amino acid, and aroma profiles of the two types of soybean dawadawa were evaluated during fermentation. Only minor differences were found in the microbial profiles of the two types of soy-dawadawa.

Treatment of chancroid in resource-poor countries.

Chancroid, formerly a major cause of the genital ulcer disease syndrome, remains an important cofactor in both the transmission and acquisition of HIV-1 infection. Those countries with the greatest burden of HIV also have some of the highest prevalence rates of chancroid worldwide. The diagnosis of chancroid, caused by the fastidious bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi, is both expensive and difficult in many resource-poor areas.

Volatile compounds produced by Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida krusei in single starter culture fermentations of Ghanaian maize dough.

Aims: To identify and compare the volatile compounds associated with maize dough samples prepared by spontaneous fermentation and by the use of added starter cultures in Ghana.

Methods And Results: The starter cultures examined were Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida krusei. For identification of aroma volatiles, extracts by the Likens-Nickerson simultaneous distillation and extraction technique were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and using a trained panel of four judges by GC-Olfactometry (GC-sniffing).

Effect of soy-fortification method on the fermentation characteristics and nutritional quality of fermented maize meal.

Studies were conducted to develop an appropriate household/small-scale enterprise level technique for the production of soy-fortified fermented maize dough (or meal) by comparing different treatments, processing methods and fortification levels. The effects of fortification method of the Ghanaian traditional fermented maize dough with raw or heat-treated whole soybeans and full-fat soyflour at 0%, 10% and 20% replacement levels, on the rate of fermentation and product quality were investigated. Sensory characteristics, trypsin inhibitor activity, amino acid pattern, proximate composition and hot paste viscosity were used as the indices of quality.

Cultivar and processing effects on the pasting characteristics, tannin content and protein quality and digestibility of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

Four popular West African local cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), with distinctly different seed coat colors, were evaluated for their relative amylograph pasting characteristics, condensed tannin content, in vitro protein digestibility and Tetrahymena protein efficiency ratio (t-PER). The effects of roasting and dehulling on these properties were also determined. There were wide variations in the hot paste viscosity characteristics of the different cultivars studied.

New analogues of N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-chlorobenzamide (Ro 16-6491). Some of the most potent monoamine oxidase-B inactivators.

A series of halo- and nitro-substituted analogues of N-(2-aminoethyl)benzamide has been synthesized. All of the compounds are competitive, time-dependent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), but upon dialysis complete return of enzyme activity is observed for all compounds. Therefore, these are mechanism-based reversible inhibitors of MAO-B.

Evidence for cross-linking DNA by bis-intercalators with rigid and extended linkers is provided by knotting and catenation.

A new series of DNA bis-intercalators is reported in which acridine moieties are connected by rigid and extended pyridine-based linkers of varied length. Cross-linking of DNA by bis-intercalation is inferred from the unwinding and folding of linear DNA induced by the compounds; after ligation and removal of the bis-intercalator, superhelical circles, catenanes and knots that bear a residual imprint of the bis-intercalator are observed. These novel bis-intercalators are of interest because they can be used to probe the spatial organization of DNA, especially near sites of replication, recombination or topoisomerase action where two duplexes must be in close proximity.