Exploring the Determinants of Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Among Seniors Residing in a Low-Income Urban Community in Singapore: A Participatory Study.

The growing interest regarding the role of the living environment in healthy ageing highlights the need to investigate place-related urban features contributing to health and socio-emotional wellbeing. This study aimed to use a participatory methodology to explore the determinants of an age-friendly neighbourhood built environment that promotes or limits healthy ageing in place among seniors residing in a low-income urban community in Singapore. The study utilised photovoice and semi-structured interviews with 25 community-dwelling seniors aged 65 and above, residing in government-built public housing.

Circulating Metabolic Biomarkers Are Consistently Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Asian and European Populations.

Context: While Asians have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) than Europeans for a given body mass index (BMI), it remains unclear whether the same markers of metabolic pathways are associated with diabetes.

Objective: We evaluated associations between metabolic biomarkers and incidence of T2D in 3 major Asian ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) and a European population.

Methods: We analyzed data from adult males and females of 2 cohorts from Singapore (n = 6393) consisting of Chinese, Malays, and Indians and 3 cohorts of European-origin participants from Finland (n = 14 558).

Dietary Fat and Protein Intake in Relation to Plasma Sphingolipids as Determined by a Large-Scale Lipidomic Analysis.

Sphingolipid concentrations have been associated with risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Because sphingolipids can be synthesized de novo from saturated fatty acids (SFA), dietary fatty acids may affect plasma sphingolipid concentrations. We aimed to evaluate dietary fat and protein intakes in relation to circulating sphingolipid levels.

Plasma sphingolipids and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a large-scale lipidomic analysis.

Introduction: Sphingolipids are a diverse class of lipids with various roles in cell functions and subclasses such as ceramides have been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in previous studies.

Objectives: We aimed to measure molecularly-distinct sphingolipids via a large-scale lipidomic analysis and expand the literature to an Asian population.

Methods: We performed a lipidomics evaluation of 79 molecularly distinct sphingolipids in the plasma of 2627 ethnically-Chinese Singaporeans.

The Effect of Coconut Oil Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

Background: Coconut oil is high in saturated fat and may, therefore, raise serum cholesterol concentrations, but beneficial effects on other cardiovascular risk factors have also been suggested. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the effect of coconut oil consumption on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors compared with other cooking oils using data from clinical trials.

Methods: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Registry, and Web of Science through June 2019.

Needle-based sampling coupled with colorimetric reaction catalyzed by layered double hydroxide peroxidase mimic for rapid detection of the change of d-glucose levels with time in bananas.

For analyte detection in raw fruits, the conventional sample pretreatment method usually involves mashing (blending or homogenization), extraction, and dilution. This process is time-consuming, solvent-intensive and laborious. Usually, there is also a lot wastage with multiple fruits being combined into composite samples.

Consumption of Red Meat, but Not Cooking Oils High in Polyunsaturated Fat, Is Associated with Higher Arachidonic Acid Status in Singapore Chinese Adults.

High arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4 n - 6) status may have adverse effects on inflammation and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Concerns about high intake of n - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are based on the premise that endogenous conversion from linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 n - 6) is an important source of AA, but few population-based studies have investigated dietary determinants of AA status. In this study, we examined habitual food consumption in relation to plasma concentrations of AA and other PUFAs in population-based studies.