Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in early pregnancies- a Singapore study.

Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone and mineral metabolism. There is increased interest in understanding prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy as many studies report association of low vitamin D levels with obstetric complications and neonatal sequelae. There is a paucity of studies in Singapore evaluating levels of vitamin D levels during the first trimester of pregnancies. We aim to study the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in this population. Our study assessed vitamin D levels in these women. Vitamin D (Plasma 25(OH)D concentration) levels in multiracial women during the first trimester were collected via venepuncture at their booking antenatal visit. They were stratified into sufficient ≥30ng/ml, insufficient ≥20ng/ml and <30ng/ml, moderately deficient ≥10ng/ml and <20ng/ml and severely deficient <10ng/ml. 93 women were included in this study. Only 2.2% of our study population had sufficient vitamin D levels. In women who had insufficient levels, the heavier the weight, the more likely to be vitamin D deficient. Interestingly, we also note that the older the patient, the less likely they are to be deficient. In women with periconceptual multivitamin supplementation, the average vitamin D level for those with supplementation was 2.10ng/ml higher than those without. Majority of patients were recruited from a single study member's patient pool who were mostly Chinese. Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in general obstetric patients with higher BMI and darker skinned patients may be even lower in Singapore. The high prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in our patients prove that it is a prominent problem in our population. We aim to implement screening of vitamin D levels as part of antenatal investigations in the first trimester and recommend supplementation as required. We also hope to evaluate the association of low vitamin D levels with obstetric or neonatal complications further understanding its implications.

Crocetin Alleviates Ovariectomy-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction through Regulating Estrogen Receptor ß.

Metabolic dysfunction (MD) is a major health problem threatening the life quality of menopausal women. Saffron has been widely used in herb prescriptions for treating menopausal syndrome. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of saffron are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of crocin, the major ingredient of saffron and its active metabolite in blood, crocetin, on MD and lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The present study showed that intragastric treatment of crocin prevented weight gain, fat accumulation, and insulin resistance in OVX mice by increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Mechanistically, crocin influenced adipose tissue homeostasis by regulating adipogenic and lipolytic factors, which was strongly associated with the restoration of the downregulated ERß function in white adipose tissue (WAT). In vitro, crocetin facilitated lipid metabolism in an ERß-dependent manner. Our results demonstrated the beneficial effects of crocetin/crocin-mediated intervention against metabolic dysfunction, revealing a prospective therapeutic application in menopausal women.

Bi-phasic effect of gelatin in myogenesis and skeletal muscle regeneration.

Skeletal muscle regeneration requires extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, including an acute and transient breakdown of collagen that produces gelatin. Although the physiological function of this process is unclear, it has inspired the application of gelatin to injured skeletal muscle for a potential pro-regenerative effect. Here, we investigated a bi-phasic effect of gelatin in skeletal muscle regeneration, mediated by the hormetic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Low-dose gelatin stimulated ROS production from NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and simultaneously upregulated the antioxidant system for cellular defense, reminiscent of the adaptive compensatory process during mild stress. This response triggered the release of the myokine IL-6, which stimulates myogenesis and facilitates muscle regeneration. By contrast, high-dose gelatin stimulated ROS overproduction from NOX2 and the mitochondrial chain complex, and ROS accumulation by suppressing the antioxidant system, triggering the release of TNFα, which inhibits myogenesis and regeneration. Our results have revealed a bi-phasic role of gelatin in regulating skeletal muscle repair mediated by intracellular ROS, the antioxidant system and cytokine (IL-6 and TNFα) signaling.

Panic buying during COVID-19: Survival psychology and needs perspectives in deprived environments.

Panic buying (PB), a typical consumer behaviour induced by crisis, was observed worldwide in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on Survival Psychology and Maslow's motivation theories, this study introduced a theoretical model to establish the factors affecting consumers' PB and investigate their interrelationships. An online survey was designed and administered to 508 respondents in Singapore. Then, structural equation modelling was implemented to study the survey data. The results indicated that the effects of several constructs namely, normative social influence, observational learning, perceived severity, and perceived scarcity, with mediation by control, impose significant influence on consumers' PB. Analysis of total effects showed that normative social influence has the strongest effect on PB. This is followed by perceived scarcity, control, social trust, observational learning, and perceived severity. Two diverse research paradigms centring on Survival Psychology and Maslow's motivation theories were integrated to offer a logical explanation of the motivation driving PB. By utilising a theory-driven approach, the current study has offered a unique approach to interpreting consumers' PB. Overall, this study enhances current research on consumers' PB, offers new insights into understanding the motivating factors behind consumers' PB, and implicates policies on tackling hoarding situations in the event of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enhancing Interprofessional Communications Training in Internal Medicine. Lessons Drawn From a Systematic Scoping Review From 2000 to 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional communication (IPC) enhances patient experiences and outcomes and improves well-being and satisfaction among health care professionals. This scoping review seeks to guide design of IPC training in internal medicine. METHODS: The framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005) guided this systematic scoping review in internal medicine across PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, JSTOR, and Google Scholar databases for publications from the years 2000 to 2018. RESULTS: Twenty-two thousand eight hundred seventy-four abstracts were retrieved, 326 full-text articles were reviewed, and 32 articles were included. The themes identified using directed content analysis were indications for an IPC program, training stages, and obstacles. The rationale for IPC programs was to improve interprofessional teamwork and enhance patient care. IPC training occurs in five stages beginning with instilling the role, value, and skills behind IPC and gradually practicing these skills within the clinical setting. The challenges to IPC highlight the need to confront workplace hierarchies and the lack of resources. DISCUSSION: The findings of this systematic scoping review also serve to underscore the importance of understanding, evaluating, and influencing the clinical environment and the work environment and the need for new assessment tools that will guide the individualized, longitudinal, competency-based learning process that underpins IPC training.

Paraburkholderia caseinilytica sp. nov., isolated from the pine and broad-leaf mixed forest soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated HM451T, was isolated from forest soil sampled at the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, PR China (112° 31' E 23° 10' N). It grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 5.0-6.0 and in the presence of 0-2.5 % (w/v) NaCl on R2A medium. Strain HM451T was closely related to Paraburkholderia mimosarum NBRC 106338T (98.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Paraburkholderia heleia NBRC 101817T (98.4 %) and Paraburkholderia silvatlantica SRMrh-20T (98.0 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain HM451T and the three closely related strains formed a clade within the genus Paraburkholderia, but was clearly separated from the established species. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain HM451T and its phylogenetically closest relative, P. mimosarum NBRC 106338T, was much lower than 70 %. Strain HM451T contained ubiquinone 8 as the major respiratory quinone. Major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 0cyclo and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain HM451T was 65.4 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and a polar lipid. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data showed that strain HM451T represents a novel species of the genus Paraburkholderia, for which the name Paraburkholderia caseinilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HM451T (=GDMCC 1.1190T=LMG 30092T).