Caries clinical trial of a remineralising toothpaste in radiation patients

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a specially formulated remineralising toothpaste in controlling caries in a high‐risk population: head and neck radiation patients. Design: The study compared the performance of the remineralising toothpaste with a conventional fluoride dentifrice using double‐blind randomisation. Materials and methods: Test products: The products compared contained equivalent quantities of fluoride (1100 p.p.m.). The dual‐phase remineralising toothpaste, Enamelon^®, also delivered soluble calcium and phosphate ions, essential components of teeth, from separate phases. Both groups had all caries restored at baseline and used a fluoride rinse daily. Subjects: Fifty‐seven subjects who received radiation to the head and neck causing saliva hypofunction, entered the study, while 44 completed the 10–12 month visit. Measurements: Examinations included coronal and root caries using the Pitts Diagnostic Criteria, salivary flow rate, plaque and gingival indices and microbiological counts over a 1‐year period. Results: The average net increment per year for root caries per subject was 0.04 (±.052) in subjects completing the study using the remineralising toothpaste and 1.65 (±0.51) for root caries in subjects completing the study using the conventional fluoride dentifrice. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03), suggesting lower net root surface increment/year for the remineralising toothpaste relative to the conventional toothpaste. No significant differences were noted on coronal surfaces. Conclusion: The results indicate that the remineralising toothpaste provides a significant benefit in preventing and remineralising root caries in high‐risk patients.     

Weight loss on the web: A pilot study comparing a structured behavioral intervention to a commercial program

Objective: Internet weight loss programs have become widely available as alternatives to standard treatment, but few data are available on their efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a structured behavioral weight loss website (VTrim) vs. a commercial weight loss website ( eDiets.com ). Research Methods and Procedures: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted from February 2003 to March 2005, in 124 overweight and obese subjects ages 18 years and older with a BMI of 25 to 39.9 kg/m² (mean age, 47 ± 9 years; BMI, 32 ± 3 kg/m²; 20% men). Analyses were performed for the 88 subjects who had complete follow‐up data. Participants were randomly assigned to 12‐month VTrim (n = 62) or eDiets.com (n = 62) intervention. VTrim participants had access to a therapist‐led structured behavioral weight loss program delivered on‐line. eDiets.com subjects had access to a self‐help commercial on‐line weight loss program. Body weight, social support, and use of website components were measured at 0, 6, and 12 months. Results: Repeated‐measures analyses showed that the VTrim group lost significantly more weight than the eDiets.com group at 6 months (8.3 ± 7.9 kg vs. 4.1 ± 6.2 kg; p = 0.004) and maintained a greater loss at 12 months (7.8 ± 7.5 kg vs. 3.4 ± 5.8 kg; p = 0.002). More participants in the VTrim group maintained a 5% weight loss goal (65% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.01) at 12 months. Discussion: An on‐line, therapist‐led structured behavioral weight loss website produced greater weight loss than a self‐help commercial website. Because commercial sites have great potential public health impact, future research should investigate the feasibility of incorporating a more structured behavioral program into a commercial application.     

Controlled study of critical parent and family factors in the obesigenic environment

Objective: Critical gaps remain in our understanding of the obesigenic family environment. This study examines parent and family characteristics among obese youth presenting for treatment in a clinic setting. Research Methods and Procedures: Families of 78 obese youth (BMI z‐score = 2.4; age, 8 to 16 years; 59% girls; 49% African‐American) were compared with 71 non‐overweight (BMI z‐score = ?0.02) demographically matched comparisons. Parents completed measures assessing family demographics, psychological distress (Symptom Checklist 90‐Revised), and family functioning both broadly (Family Environment Scale: Conflicted, Support, Control) and at mealtimes (About Your Child's Eating‐Revised: Mealtime Challenges, Positive Mealtime Interaction). Height and weight were obtained from all participants. Results: Compared with mothers and fathers of non‐overweight youth, parents of obese youth had significantly higher BMIs (p < 0.001). Mothers of obese youth reported significantly greater psychological distress (p < 0.01), higher family conflict (p < 0.05), and more mealtime challenges (p < 0.01). Less positive family mealtime interactions were reported by both mothers (p < 0.01) and fathers (p < 0.05) of obese youth. These group differences did not vary by child sex or race. Logistic regression analyses indicated that maternal distress and mealtime challenges discriminated between obese and non‐overweight youth after controlling for maternal BMI. Family conflict was explained, in part, by maternal distress. Discussion: Obese youth who present for treatment in a clinic setting are characterized by psychosocial factors at the parent and family level that differ from non‐overweight youth. These data are critical because they identify factors that may be serving as barriers to a family's or youth's ability to implement healthy lifestyle behaviors but that are potentially modifiable.     

Both base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair in humans are influenced by nutritional factors

Lack of reliable assays for DNA repair has largely prevented measurements of DNA repair from being included in human biomonitoring studies. Using newly developed modifications of the comet assay we tested whether a fruit‐ and antioxidant‐rich plant‐based intervention could affect base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) in a group of 102 male volunteers. BER and NER repair capacities were measured in lymphocytes before and after a dietary intervention lasting 8 weeks. The study had one control group, one group consuming three kiwifruits per day and one group consuming a variety of antioxidant‐rich fruits and plant products in addition to their normal diet. DNA strand breaks were reduced following consumption of both kiwifruits (13%, p = 0.05) and antioxidant‐rich plant products (20%, p = 0.02). Increased BER (55%, p = 0.01) and reduced NER (?39%, p < 0.01) were observed in the group consuming a wide variety of plant products. Reduced NER was also observed in the kiwifruit group (?38%, p = 0.05), but BER was not affected in this group. Here we have demonstrated that DNA repair is affected by diet and that modified versions of the comet assay can be used to assess activity of different DNA repair pathways in human biomonitoring studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of age on children's intake of large and self-selected food portions

Objective: Whether developmental periods exist in which children become particularly sensitive to environmental influences on eating is unclear. This research evaluated the effects of age on intake of large and self‐selected portions among children 2 to 9 years of age. Research Methods and Procedures: Seventy‐five non‐Hispanic white children 2 to 3, 5 to 6, and 8 to 9 years of age were seen at a dinner meal in reference, large, and self‐selected portion size conditions in which the size of an entrée was age‐appropriate, doubled, and determined by the child, respectively. Weighed food intake data were collected. Entrée bite size and bite frequency were assessed. Height and weight measurements were obtained. Results: The effect of age on children's intake of the large portion was not significant. Entrée consumption was 29% greater (p < 0.001) and meal energy intake was 13% greater (p < 0.01) in the large portion condition than in the reference condition. Increases in entrée consumption were attributable to increases in average bite size (p < 0.001). Neither child weight nor maternal weight predicted children's intake of large portions. Self‐selection resulted in decreased entrée (p < 0.05) and meal energy (p < 0.01) only among those children who ate more when served the large portion. Discussion: The results of this research confirm that serving large entrée portions promotes increased intake at meals among 2‐ to 9‐year‐old children. These findings suggest that any age‐related differences in children's response to large portions are likely to be smaller than previously suspected.     

The perceived effectiveness of continuing care and group support in the long-term self-help treatment of obesity

Objective : Obesity is increasingly considered a chronic disease requiring continuing care, but professional long‐term treatment for most patients is not available. This study examined treatment recipients’ perception of the effectiveness of different components of a group self‐help, continuing‐care treatment program for obesity. Research Methods and Procedures : Members (n = 120) and volunteer leaders (n = 66) of a self‐help, continuing‐care treatment program of previously demonstrated effectiveness (mean treatment duration, 40.6 months; mean weight lost, 14.1 kg) rated how helpful and effective they found the various therapeutic strategies used by this program. The strategies examined were continuing care, group support, behavior therapy, motivational enhancement strategies involving positive reinforcement, and motivational enhancement strategies involving punishment. Results : The single most highly valued aspect of treatment was the provision of continuing care, followed by group support. Greater success at achieving one's goal weight was associated with perceptions of greater effectiveness of the program's strategies overall (r = 0.219, p < 0.005), of continuing care (r = 0.225, p < 0.005), and of positive reinforcement strategies (r = 0.223, p < 0.01). Participants who had successfully attained their goal weight perceived behavior therapy strategies as more effective than did participants who had not reached their goal weight [t (170) = 2.93, p < 0.005]. Discussion : The high ratings given to continuing care and group support strategies indicate the acceptability of supportive self‐help treatment for obesity administered over the long term. The findings suggest that continuing care and group support should be made available to participants in the self‐help treatment of obesity.     

Utilization of dental health services by community-dwelling older adults in Japan who attended a weekly educational programme

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe dental health services utilization and identify factors which influenced a group of independently living elderly persons in an urban area of Japan. Subjects: The study sample consisted of 2,990 participants, 83% of the total sample of the Senior Citizen's College, who were 60 years and over. Measurements: Their dental utilization and satisfaction with dental treatment were measured by a questionnaire from 1993 to 1998 Results: The mean age of the subjects was 66.5 years and 52% were male. Sixty percent of the subjects had visited a dentist within the previous year, and 33% of them had received a regular oral health check‐up. The majority of the subjects (63%) were satisfied with their dental treatment. A multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that dental services utilization had a significant positive association with presence of teeth (p<0.001), being male (p<0.01) and satisfaction with financial status (p<0.05). A regular oral health check‐ups had a significant association with presence of teeth (p<0.001), satisfaction with financial status (p<0.05) and aging (p=0.001). Conclusions: Dental health services utilization was related to the presence of teeth and financial status, rather than age or medical conditions, among independently living elderly persons in an urban area of Japan.     

Calcium and body fat in peripubertal girls: cross-sectional and longitudinal observations

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether calcium intake is independently associated with body fat in peripubertal girls. Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 45 healthy premenarcheal girls (initially 10.5 ± 0.6 years of age) completed a 2‐year prospective observational study. Percent body fat and trunk fat (by DXA), height, weight, maturational stage, and eating attitudes (children's Eating Attitudes Test [EAT]) were measured at baseline and at 1 and 2 years. Physical activity (by questionnaire) and calcium intake (by calcium‐specific food frequency questionnaire and 3‐day food records) were assessed at 6‐month intervals. Results: Girls with 2‐year mean calcium intake below and above the median had similar age, height, lean mass, and maturational stage at baseline, but girls below the median had significantly higher baseline percentage body fat (29.3 ± 10.3% vs. 22.0 ± 6.8%, p < 0.01) and trunk fat (24.2 ± 10.6% vs. 15.8 ± 6.8%, p < 0.01). However, differences were no longer significant when covariates (most notably children's EAT dieting score) were considered. Regression analysis revealed that dieting score was a consistent positive predictor of percentage body and trunk fat at all cross‐sectional time‐points, accounting for >20% of the variance, but did not predict 2‐year change in percentage fat. Calcium intake did not enter longitudinal regression equations for 2‐year change in percentage fat. Discussion: In this group of girls, an inverse cross‐sectional association between calcium intake and body fat appeared to result from avoidance of foods high in calcium by girls who were concerned about their body weight or shape. Calcium intake was not associated with change in fat over time.     

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram,India

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 713 cattle were examined and out of which 452 (63.39%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (66.43%) than males (48.83%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in 1–5 years (73.41%) age group followed by >5 years age group (61.92%) and < 1 year (42.65%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard tick infestation was found highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (77.91%) and lowest in winter (43.16%). The present study provides data on tick infestation in cattle of Mizoram, India.     

Lifestyle Regularity Measured by The Social Rhythm Metric in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive motor disorder that may present with a spectrum of symptoms and disease severity. Therapy is frequently associated with motor fluctuations and dyskinesias; therefore, monitoring of motor fluctuations and daily abilities is important for adequate management. The Social Rhythm Metric (SRM) is a diary‐like questionnaire that quantifies the extent to which a person's life is regular vs. irregular on a daily basis with respect to event timing. Lifestyle regularity has been assessed by the SRM in other clinical situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate lifestyle regularity in a population with PD using the SRM and its relationship to clinical and therapeutic factors. Twenty‐eight consecutive patients with PD and 14 control subjects were studied. Severity of motor dysfunction was evaluated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery Asberg Depressive Rating Scale (MADRS), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and subjective daytime sleepiness with the Epworth sleepiness scale. Daily lifestyle regularity was assessed by the SRM for 2 weeks. Patients with PD had lower SRM scores than controls, and those with motor fluctuations had even lower scores (p=0.04). Patients with motor fluctuations showed more clinical disability (p=0.01), a worse quality of sleep (p=0.02), and more depressive symptoms (p=0.02). SRM results were correlated with PSQI values (p=0.016). Our findings show that the regularity of daily activities as measured by the SRM is disorganized in patients with PD and that this irregularity is related to sleep quality.     

Effect of a Dietary Herbal Supplement Containing Caffeine and Ephedra on Weight,Metabolic Rate,and Body Composition*

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a dietary supplement containing herbal caffeine (70 mg/dose) and ephedra (24 mg/dose; C&E) on metabolic rate, weight loss, body composition, and safety parameters. Research Methods and Procedures: In phase I, 12 healthy subjects with a BMI of 25 to 35 kg/m² had resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured for 2 hours after ingesting C&E or a placebo on two occasions 1 week apart, followed by a 1‐week washout before phase II. In phase II, these 12 and 28 additional subjects were randomized to a 12‐week, double‐blind trial comparing C&E (3 times/day) to placebo. In phase III, the C&E group was given open‐label C&E for 3 months, and the placebo group was given C&E for 6 months. Results: In phase I, C&E gave an average 8 ± 0.1% (SE) rise in RMR over 2 hours compared with placebo (p < 0.01). In phase II, weight loss at 12 weeks was 3.5 ± 0.6 kg with C&E compared with 0.8 ± 0.5 kg with placebo (p < 0.02). The percentage fat lost, shown by DXA, was 7.9 ± 2.9% with C&E and 1.9 ± 1.1% with placebo (p < 0.05). Pulse decreased more in the placebo group that in the C&E group (p < 0.03). There were no differences in lipid levels or blood pressure. In phase III, there was a 6‐month loss of 7.3% and 7.8% of initial body weight for the groups on placebo and C&E during phase II, respectively. There were no serious adverse events. Discussion: C&E increased RMR significantly by 8% compared with placebo, promoted more weight and fat loss than placebo, and was well tolerated.     

The effect of an insulin releasing agent, BTS 67582, on advanced glycation end product formation in vitro.

BTS 67582 (1,1-dimethyl-2-(2-morpholinophenyl) guanidine fumarate) is an insulin-releasing agent currently in phase II clinical trials. Its effect on advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation was measured in the BSA/D-glucose and L-lysine/glucose-6-phosphate assay systems and Amadori product formation was measured in the BSA/D-glucose assay system, following a 3 week incubation period. In the BSA/D-glucose assay system, 200 mM BTS 67582 caused an approximate 70% inhibition in AGE formation (p<0.001), whilst at 20 mM and 2 mM it caused a marginal inhibition (21%, (p<0.001) and 8% respectively). 200 mM and 20 mM aminoguanidine-HCl inhibited AGE formation by 95% and 69% (p<0.001), respectively, whereas 2 mM aminoguanidine-HCl had no significant effect. Tolbutamide (200 microM) and glibenclamide (100 microM) had significant, but only marginal, effects on AGE formation (16% and 17%, respectively, p<0.01). In the BSA/D-glucose assay system 200 mM BTS 67582 and 200 mM aminoguanidine-HCl retarded Amadori product formation by 88% (p<0.001) and 60% (p<0.01), respectively. BTS 67582 at 20 mM and 2 mM was shown to inhibit Amadori product formation by 67% and 57%, respectively, (p<0.01). In the lysine and glucose-6-phosphate assay system 200 mM BTS 67582 and 200 mM aminoguanidine-HCl were shown to inhibit AGE formation by about 70% and 96% (p<0.001), respectively. Tolbutamide (200 microM) and glibenclamide (100 microM) had no significant effect on AGE formation.     

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal,India

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of West Bengal from July 2015 to June 2016. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 310 cattle were examined and out of which, 130 (41.93%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent species were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp., Hyalomma sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. of ticks. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (43.30%) than males (35.71%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in <1 year (65%) age group followed by >3 years age group (36.8%) and 1–3 years (35.63%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard ticks was highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (59.25%) and lowest in winter (27.09%). The study revealed that the prevalence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sp. (32.25%) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher compared to Hyalomma (12.58%) and Haemaphysalis sp. (3.22%). The observations of the present study would provide a basis for evolving effective control strategy for the management of ticks in bovines of West Bengal.     

Effect of Protein Intake on Bone Mineralization during Weight Loss: A 6‐Month Trial

Objective: The long‐term effect of dietary protein on bone mineralization is not well understood. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixty‐five overweight (body mass index, 25 to 29.9 kg/m²) or obese (≥30 kg/m²) subjects were enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, 6‐month dietary‐intervention study comparing two controlled ad libitum diets with matched fat contents: high protein (HP) or low protein (LP). Body composition was assessed by DXA. Results: In the HP group, dietary‐protein intake increased from 91.4 g/d to a 6‐month intervention mean of 107.8 g/d (p < 0.05) and decreased in the LP group from 91.1 g/d to 70.4 g/d (p < 0.05). Total weight loss after 6 months was 8.9 kg in the HP group, 5.1 kg in the LP group, and none in the control group. After 6 months, bone mineral content (BMC) had declined by 111 ± 13 g (4%) in the HP group and by 85 ± 13 g (3%) in the LP group (not significant). Loss of BMC was more positively correlated with loss of body fat mass (r = 0.83; p < 0.0001) than with loss of body weight. Six‐month BMC loss, adjusted for differences in fat loss, was greater in the LP group than in the HP group [difference in LP vs. HP, 44.8 g (95% confidence interval, 16 to 73.8 g); p < 0.05]. Independent of change in body weight and composition during the intervention, highprotein intake was associated with a diminished loss of BMC (p < 0.01). Discussion: Body‐fat loss was the major determinant of loss of BMC, and we found no adverse effects of 6 months of high‐protein intake on BMC.     

Randomized trial of a multifaceted commercial weight loss program

Objective: To test whether a commercial weight loss program promotes greater weight loss in overweight or obese women compared with control conditions and to describe the effect on plasma lipids, carotenoids, hormones, and fitness. Research Methods and Procedures: Overweight or obese women were randomized to commercial weight loss program or control conditions (n = 35 each). Results: At randomization, participants were 41.1 (11.4) (mean [standard deviation]) years, BMI 34.0 (3.5) kg/m², and weight 92.0 (11.1) kg. At 6 months, change in weight by intent‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis was ?7.2 (6.7) kg and ?7.8% (7.2%) in the intervention group vs. ?0.3 (3.9) kg and ?0.3% (4.5%) in the control group (n = 35 for each; p < 0.01). One‐year ITT analysis revealed significantly greater change in weight, percent weight, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences in the intervention vs. control group. Completers at 1 year exhibited change in weight of ?7.3 (10.4) kg for the intervention group (n = 32) vs. ?0.7 (5.6) kg for controls (n = 33) (p < 0.01), and ?7.8% (11.1%) weight change for the intervention group vs. ?0.7% (6.2%) for controls (p < 0.01). High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration increased significantly in the intervention group. Fasting serum insulin decreased in the intervention but increased in the control group at 6 months (p < 0.01), remaining different at 1 year (p = 0.05). Discussion: The commercial program successfully facilitated weight loss, which was notably maintained at 1 year, and promoted favorable changes in plasma lipid and hormone concentrations.     

Modulation of age‐related changes in oxidative stress markers and energy status in the rat heart and hippocampus: a significant role for ozone therapy

Oxidative stress emerges as a key player in the ageing process. Controlled ozone administration is known to promote an oxidative preconditioning or adaptation to oxidative stress. The present study investigated whether prophylactic ozone administration could interfere with the age‐related changes in the heart and the hippocampus of rats. Four groups of rats, aged about 3 months old, were used. Group 1 (Prophylactic ozone group) received ozone/oxygen mixture by rectal insufflations (0.6 mg/kg) twice/week for the first 3 months, then once/week till the age of 15 months. Group 2 (Oxygen group) received oxygen as vehicle for ozone in a manner similar to group 1. Group 3 (Aged control group) was kept without any treatment until the age of 15 months. A fourth group of rats (Adult control group) was evaluated at 3 months of age to provide baseline data. Ozone alleviated age‐associated redox state imbalance as evidenced by reduction of lipid and protein oxidation markers, lessening of lipofuscin deposition, restoration of glutathione levels in both tissues and normalization of glutathione peroxidase activity in the heart tissue. Ozone also mitigated age‐associated energy failure in the heart and the hippocampus, improved cardiac cytosolic Ca²⁺ homeostasis and restored the attenuated Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase activity in the hippocampus of aged rats. These data provide new evidence concerning the anti‐ageing potential of prophylactic ozone administration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visceral Adipose Tissue in Women: Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Fat Gain,Time, and Race

Objective: To determine the effects of fat gain, time, and race on the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a group of normal‐weight premenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixty‐five women participated in the study (32 African American and 33 white). The mean age of subjects was 34 ± 6 years (range, 22 to 47 years). Eligible subjects were women who had body mass indices <25 kg/m² at baseline and who had completed evaluations at baseline and at follow‐up year 1, without intervention. A subset of subjects was reevaluated annually for up to 4 years. Body composition was assessed by DXA, and VAT was determined from a single computed tomography scan. A linear mixed model was used to examine changes in VAT over time, with total body fat as a covariate Results: Total fat mass was not significantly different between races at baseline and increased significantly in both groups over time (p < 0.001). Time‐related increases in total body fat were greater in African‐American women (p < 0.01). VAT was significantly higher in white women at baseline (p < 0.01) and increased significantly over time in both races (p < 0.01), but remained higher in white women (p < 0.001). Increases in VAT, relative to total body fat, were greater than the increases in total body fat over time, independent of age and race (p < 0.001). Discussion: Gaining total body‐fat mass results in a higher increase in VAT, relative to total body fat, regardless of race and age, although African‐American women maintain a lower VAT levels across time.     

Effects of brewer's yeast on glucose tolerance and serum lipids in Chinese adults

This study was designed to investigate the supplemental effects of brewer's yeast on serum glucose and lipids in Chinese adults. Twenty-two participants (8 males and 14 females) were recruited from Pingtung city. Mean age of the group was 51 yr, and fasting values of total cholesterol and glucose were from 3.21 to 6.90 and 4.3 to 6.2 mmol/L, respectively. Before supplementation, a 75 g oral glucose load was administered after an overnight (9 h) fast. Blood was drawn before and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the glucose load. The subjects were randomly assigned into either brewer's yeast or torula yeast group and consumed 10 g yeast powder daily for 12 wk. Brewer's yeast demonstrated a beneficial effect on decreasing serum triacylglycerol values (p<0.05). The brewer's yeast supplemented group had an increment at 0 min (p<0.01) and significant decrements at 60 (p<0.05) and 90 (p<0.01) min of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). However, after 12-wk supplementation, torula yeast increased glucose values at both 0 and 30 min (p<0.05) after a glucose load. Brewer's yeast and torula yeast addition significantly altered glucose concentrations at 60 min after the glucose dosage (p<0.05). Brewer's yeast had significantly decreasing effects on insulin output both at 90 (p<0.05) and 120 min (p<0.01) after the glucose load. Likewise, serum insulin contents decreased at 90 min (p<0.01) after supplementation in the group given torula yeast. Brewer's yeast supplementation had beneficial effects both on serum triacylglycerol and on 60-min and 90-min glucose values of OGTT.     

Failure to meet weight loss expectations does not impact maintenance in successful weight losers

Objective: The objective was to examine whether having a weight loss experience that lives up to one's expectations is related to maintenance in a group of successful weight losers participating in the STOP Regain trial. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants (N = 314, 81% women, mean age, 51.3 ± 10.1 years; BMI = 28.6 ± 4.8 kg/m²) who lost ≥10% of their body weight within the past 2 years were randomly assigned to a maintenance program delivered either face‐to‐face or via the Internet or to a control group and assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: At study entry, participants had lost 19% of their body weight, yet 86% of participants were currently trying to lose more weight. Further losses of 13% of body weight were needed to reach self‐selected ideal weights, with heavier participants wanting to lose more (p < 0.001). The weight loss‐related benefits participants achieved did not live up to their expectations (p ≤ 0.01). However, neither satisfaction with current weight, nor amount of further weight loss desired, nor discrepancies between actual and expected benefits predicted regain after adjusting for treatment group, gender, baseline weight, and percent weight loss before entry. Discussion: Even among very successful weight losers, expectations were not met and substantial further weight losses were desired; however, these factors were not related to subsequent weight maintenance outcomes.     

Age, insulin, SHBG and sex steroids exert secondary influence on plasma leptin level in women

AIM: As the link between body fat and leptin is well known, the aim of the study was to seek for secondary regulators of plasma leptin level. PATIENTS: 86 women (mean: age 47.0+/-14.3 years; estradiol 50.0+/-60.6 ng/l; FSH 52.4+/-42.9 IU/l; BMI 26.9+/-5.9) divided into three groups according to their BMI. Group A: 39 normal weight women (mean: age 44.4+/-16.0 years; estradiol 69.6+/-79.8 ng/l; FSH 50.4+/-47.7 IU/l; BMI 22.9+/-1.3). Group B: 27 overweighted women (mean: age 55.0+/-6.4 years; estradiol 25.1+/-17.2 ng/l; FSH 75.6+/-26.3 IU/l; BMI 27.7+/-1.6). Group C: 21 obese women with mean: age 48.7+/-12.2 years; estradiol 36.9+/-44.0 ng/l; FSH 42.3+/-36.6 IU/l and BMI 34.6+/-4.9. METHODS: Standard clinical evaluation and hormone evaluation (LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, leptin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin, dihydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globin (SHBG) and testosterone were done in basic condition which levels of were measured by RIA kits. Statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon u test, Spearman rank correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression: p values of 0.05 or less were considered as significant. RESULTS: Taking all women into account (n=86) the plasma leptin level correlated directly with age (r=0.32; p<0.02), body mass (r=0.60; p<0.001), BMI (r=0.71; p<0.001) as well as inversely with estradiol (r=-0.21; p<0.05), IGF-I (r=-0.24; p<0.05), SHBG (r=-0.34; p<0.01) and DHEAS (r=-0.30; p<0.01). However only in the group B leptin/age relation remained (r=0.40; p<0.05) after the division according to BMI. In the group B the leptin /DHEAS (r=-0.40; p<0.05) and leptin/PRL (r=0.51; p<0.05) links were also present. In the group C the leptin/SHGB relation (r=-0.56; p<0.02) only remained and an association between insulin and leptin was found (r=0.48; p<0.05). The body mass and BMI relation to age were again present only in all 86 women (r=0.30; p<0.002: r=0.36; p<0.001 resp.). Having split the women into groups, these links either disappeared or became inverse (rC=-0.39; p<0.05). Taking into consideration age/leptin relation in all women, the division according to the menopausal status revealed the direct relation in premenopausal women (n=29; r=0.43; p<0.02) and a reverse one in postmenopausal women (n=38; r=-0.32; p<0.05). The plasma leptin level was the highest (p<0.001) in group C (23.2+/-10.4 microg/l) and the lowest was found in the group A (8.9+/-4.1 microg/l). That corresponded with the differences in mean body mass index and mean body mass. The stepwise multiple regression revealed that body mass index accounted for 31% (p<0.001) and plasma SHBG level accounted for 17.7% (p<0.02) of plasma leptin variance in all women. In the group A body mass and age together accounted for 61% (p<0.01) and estradiol alone accounted for 44% (p<0.02) of plasma leptin variance. In the group B insulin alone accounted for 39% (p<0.05) and together with testosterone accounted for 46% (p<0.05) of plasma leptin variance. Finally in obese women none of the evaluated parameters significantly accounted for leptin variance. CONCLUSION: The results presented in this paper confirmed the strong influence of body fat mass on serum leptin concentration. However insulin, SHBG, sex steroids as well as age may also exert secondary influence on plasma leptin level in certain groups of women.