Metabolic and behavioral effects of olanzapine and fluoxetine on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

The use of many psychotropic drugs (PDs) is associated with increased caloric intake, significant weight gain, and metabolic disorders. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been used to study the effects of PDs on food intake. However, little is known about PDs effects on the body fat of C. elegans. In C. elegans, feeding behavior and fat metabolism are regulated through independent mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the body fat and food intake of C. elegans in response to treatment olanzapine and fluoxetine. Here we report that, with careful consideration to the dosage used, administration of fluoxetine and olanzapine increases body fat and food intake in C. elegans.

Barriers and Enablers of Diabetes Self-Management Strategies Among Arabic-Speaking Immigrants Living with Type 2 Diabetes in High-Income Western countries- A Systematic Review.

The aim of this review is to investigate barriers and enablers of diabetes self-management strategies among migrant Arabic-speaking background [ASB] individuals living with type 2 diabetes in high-income Western countries. Despite living in high-income Western countries, individuals from ASB are perceived to have difficulties adopting self-management strategies and this necessitates gaining an understanding of factors that may impact the uptake of these strategies. Ten studies are included in this review: five quantitative and five qualitative. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and Hawker tools. The findings of the quantitative studies were descriptively analysed, while thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative studies. The results indicate that individuals from ASB are perceived to have low levels of adherence to diabetes self-management. It is also suggested that participants who did not complete high school have poorer glycaemic control compared to those with a high school qualification (30 vs. 16%). Regular exercise was reported to be less likely to be adopted by ASBs homemakers, and those who were unemployed, by 82% and 70%, respectively, compared to those employed (homemakers: OR = 0.187, P = 0.006; 95% CI = 056-0.620), (unemployed OR = 0.30, P = 0.046; 95% CI = 0.093-0.980). Cultural, social, religious beliefs, lack of knowledge and language barriers are some of the factors identified that impact self-management among ASB individuals. It is suggested that diabetes self-management education program (DSME) tailored to ASB immigrants culture may be an effective way to encourage them to uptake self-management strategies.

Altered expression of histone and synaptic plasticity associated genes in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Accumulating evidence indicates that hyper-glycaemia is deleterious to brain function, in particular to the hippocampus. It is thought this hippocampal dysfunction may contribute to hyperglycaemia related cognitive impairment, such as that which manifests with diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the effects of diabetes-related hyperglycaemia on hippocampal gene expression, in order to identify potential mechanisms that might be associated with the cognitive dysfunction that develops with diabetes mellitus. Genome-wide gene expression profiling was carried out on the hippocampi from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, and from vehicle treated control mice. Genes of interest that satisfied expression fold-change and statistical criteria, and that were considered to be potentially associated with cognitive function, were further tested by real time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. We found that STZ-induced diabetes resulted in decreased hippocampal expression of genes involved in epigenetic regulation and synaptic plasticity, for example, histone deacetylases and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (HDACs and GSK3ß). We also found increased expression of genes involved in signalling cascades related to cell growth, cell survival and energy metabolism, such as neurotropic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2, apolipoprotein E, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type (Ntrk2, APOE, PTPRT). To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate a gene expression profile implicating epigenetic modifications and alterations of synaptic plasticity associated genes in diabetes mellitus. The present study will improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms that might underpin diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction.

Using 17th century medication for modern diabetes management: Doctors' perceptions of self-medication practices - A qualitative study.

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore doctors' perceptions and understanding of the self-medication practices of people living with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A qualitative research design incorporating 20 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with doctors treating people with type 2 diabetes in Mysuru, India, between July 2019 and January 2020. All the interviews were conducted in doctors' clinics, audio-recorded and thematically analyzed. Results: Three themes were identified from these interviews- i) Doctors' beliefs towards their patients' use of traditional medicine and environmental factors influencing prescription practices, ii) Doctors reported little faith in traditional medicines, iii) Limited strategies implemented by doctors to overcome barriers to self-medications. Doctors reported greater belief in western medications over traditional medications and expressed concern that their patients favored traditional medications over western. Multiple factors such as social media, accessibility of healthcare facilities and pill burden influenced adherence to western medications. Also, lack of knowledge about traditional medications and trust in western medications available under government schemes have influenced prescription practices among doctors. It appears that doctors implemented strategies such as educating patients on the detrimental effects of self-medication and insisting on patients to take only western medications to achieve desired blood glucose levels when managing self-medication practices among people with diabetes. Conclusion: These results suggest that doctors have limited strategies to implement to prevent self-medication practices among people with diabetes. Increasing knowledge amongst doctors about JAS medication effectiveness and thereby garnering greater trust in generic medications. In addition, efforts should be made to identify the best ways to integrate traditional and western medicine into patient-centered care delivery. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-022-01154-5.

The Effect of Mianserin on Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegan is Abolished by Glucose.

BACKGROUND: The antidepressant Mianserin has been shown to extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegan (C. elegan), a well-established model organism used in ageing research. The extension of lifespan in C. elegan was shown to be dependent on increased expression of the scaffolding protein (ANK3/unc-44). In contrast, antidepressant use in humans is associated with an increased risk of death. The C. elegan elegan in the laboratory are fed Escherichia coli (E. coli), a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrate, whereas a typical human diet is high in carbohydrates. We hypothesized that dietary carbohydrates might mitigate the lifespan-extension effect of mianserin. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of glucose added to the diet of C. elegan on the lifespan-extension effect of mianserin. METHODS: Wild-type Bristol N2 and ANK3/unc-44 inactivating mutants were cultured on agar plates containing nematode growth medium and fed E. coli. Treatment groups included (C) control, (M50) 50 µM mianserin, (G) 73 mM glucose, and (M50G) 50 µM mianserin and 73 mM glucose. Lifespan was determined by monitoring the worms until they died. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier version of the log-rank test. RESULTS: Mianserin treatment resulted in a 12% increase in lifespan (P<0.05) of wild-type Bristol N2 worms but reduced lifespan by 6% in ANK3/unc-44 mutants, consistent with previous research. The addition of glucose to the diet reduced the lifespan of both strains of worms and abolished the lifespan-extension by mianserin. CONCLUSION: The addition of glucose to the diet of C. elegan abolishes the lifespan-extension effects of mianserin.

Early Exposure is Necessary for the Lifespan Extension Effects of Cocoa in C. elegans.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that cocoa, a rich source of polyphenols improved the age-associated health and extended the lifespan in C. elegans when supplemented starting from L1 stage. AIM: In this study, we aimed to find out the effects of timing of cocoa exposure on longevity improving effects and the mechanisms and pathways involved in lifespan extension in C. elegans. METHODS: The standard E. coli OP50 diet of wild type C. elegans was supplemented with cocoa powder starting from different larval stages (L1, L2, L3, and L4) till the death, from L1 to adult day 1 and from adult day 1 till the death. For mechanistic studies, different mutant strains of C. elegans were supplemented with cocoa starting from L1 stage till the death. Survival curves were plotted, and mean lifespan was reported. RESULTS: Cocoa exposure starting from L1 stage till the death and till adult day 1 significantly extended the lifespan of worms. However, cocoa supplementation at other larval stages as well as at adulthood could not extend the lifespan, instead the lifespan was significantly reduced. Cocoa could not extend the lifespan of daf-16, daf-2, sir-2.1, and clk-1 mutants. CONCLUSION: Early-start supplementation is essential for cocoa-mediated lifespan extension which is dependent on insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and mitochondrial respiration.

Factors affecting self-medication practices among people living with type 2 diabetes in India- A systematic review.

Self-medication practices of type 2 diabetes in India include the use of both traditional and western medications. It is important to understand the factors influencing self-medication. A total of 3257 studies were screened and nine studies (six quantitative and three qualitative) were included. The Hawker tool and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool were used to assess the quality of studies. The findings of the quantitative studies were descriptively analysed while thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes from the qualitative studies. The analysis indicated that participants had greater trust in traditional medications regardless of their socioeconomic and/or educational backgrounds as these were often recommended by friends and family members. Low cost, ease of availability and perceived lower side effects of traditional medications were some of the factors contributing to greater trust. It is suggested that ongoing management of type 2 diabetes requires stringent policies and regulations in the dispensing of traditional and western medications. Continual education to inform people on the use of self-medications and its possible adverse effects is also required.

Factors dictating the nuclearity/aggregation and acetate coordination modes of lutidine-coordinated zinc(II) acetate complexes.

The reactions of Zn(OAc)(2).2H(2)O with various positional isomers of lutidine were explored with a view to understand the factors responsible for the nuclearity/aggregation and acetate coordination modes of the products. The reactions of Zn(OAc)(2).2H(2)O with 3,5-lutidine, 2,3-lutidine, 2,4-lutidine, and 3,4-lutidine in a 1:1 ratio in methanol at ambient temperature afforded three discrete trinuclear complexes [Zn(3)(OAc)(2)(mu(2)-eta(2):eta(1)-OAc)(2)(mu(2)-eta(1):eta(1)-OAc)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(3,5-lutidine)(2)] (1), [Zn(3)(mu(2)-eta(1):eta(1)-OAc)(4)(mu(2)-eta(2):eta(0)-OAc)(2)L(2)] [L = 2,3-lutidine (2) and 2,4-lutidine (3)], and a one-dimensional coordination polymer [Zn(OAc)(mu(2)-eta(1):eta(1)-OAc)(3,4-lutidine)] (4) in 93, 79, 81, and 94% yields, respectively. Complexes 1-4 were characterized by microanalytical, IR, solution ((1)H and (13)C), and solid-state cross-polarization magic angle spinning (13)C NMR spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Complex 1 is unique in that it contains three types of acetate coordination modes, namely, monodentate, bridging bidentate, and asymmetric chelating bridging. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR data indicated that complex 1 partially dissociates in solution, and the remaining undissociated 1 undergoes a rapid "carboxylate shift" even at 218 K. The plausible mechanism of formation of complexes 1-4 was explained with the aid of a point zero charge (pzc) model, according to which the nuclearity/aggregation observed in complexes 1-4 depends upon the number and nature of equilibrating species formed upon dissolution of the reactants in methanol, and these in turn depend upon the subtle basic/steric properties of lutidines. Further, noncovalent interactions play a crucial role in determining the nuclearity/aggregation and acetate coordination modes of the products.

Dietary resveratrol supplementation normalizes gene expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57Bl/6 mice.

Diabetes is associated with cognitive impairment and brain aging, with alterations in hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity implicated in these changes. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, readily implemented strategies are increasingly needed in order to protect the brain's cognitive functions. One possibility is resveratrol (RES) (3,5,4- trihydroxystilbene), a polyphenol of the phytoalexin family that has been shown to be protective in a number of neuropathology paradigms. In the present study, we sought to determine whether dietary supplementation with RES has potential for the protection of cognitive functions in diabetes. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin, and once stable, animals received AIN93G rodent diet supplemented with RES for 6 weeks. Genome-wide expression analysis was conducted on the hippocampus and genes of interest were confirmed by quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction. Genome-wide gene expression analysis of the hippocampus revealed that RES supplementation of the diabetic group resulted in 481 differentially expressed genes compared to non-supplemented diabetic mice. Intriguingly, gene expression that was previously found significantly altered in the hippocampus of diabetic mice, and that is implicated in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity (Hdac4, Hat1, Wnt7a, ApoE), was normalized following RES supplementation. In addition, pathway analysis revealed Jak-Stat signaling was the most significantly enriched pathway. The Jak-Stat pathway induces a pro-inflammatory signaling cascade, and we found most genes involved in this cascade (e.g. Il15, Il22, Socs2, Socs5) had significantly lower expression following RES supplementation. These data indicate RES could be neuroprotective and beneficial for the maintenance of cognitive function in diabetes.

Dietary supplementation with resveratrol and/or docosahexaenoic acid alters hippocampal gene expression in adult C57Bl/6 mice.

The hippocampus is an important brain structure for multiple cognitive functions, including memory formation. It is particularly sensitive to insults, such as stress, ischemia, and aging; all of these can affect hippocampal and therefore cognitive function. To understand the potential of diet for the preservation of hippocampal function, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with resveratrol (RES) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or their combination, on hippocampal gene expression in adult C57BL/6 mice. Animals in the supplemented group received either 50 mg/kg/day of RES or DHA, while the combination group received 50 mg/kg/day of each supplement. Dietary supplements were mixed with the AIN93G diet, and supplementation lasted 6 weeks. The control group received AIN93G diet alone for the same period. At the end of the experiment, the hippocampi were processed for genome-wide gene expression and pathway analyses. Most of the genes that were significantly altered were associated with inflammatory responses as determined by pathway analysis. RES-supplemented animals showed decreased expression of IL-6 (P=.001), MAPKapk2 (P=.015), and increased expression for PI3KR2 (P=.034) and Wnt7a (P=.004) expression. DHA-supplemented animals showed a decreased IL-6 (P=.003) and an increased Wnt7a (P=.003) expression. Animals on the combination diet showed a decreased IL-6 (P=.005) and Apolipoprotien E (ApoE) (P=.035) expression. Our findings demonstrate that hippocampal gene expression is significantly altered by all three dietary supplementation regimes. Moreover, our analysis indicates that RES and DHA likely exert their beneficial effects through antiinflammatory mechanisms.

Surgical importance of variant hepatic blood vessels: a case report

This report describes a variation in blood vessels of the liver and abnormal entry of hepatic arteries into the liver found during routine dissection in an approximately 43-year-old male cadaver. An accessory hepatic artery arose from the superior mesenteric artery and entered the liver at the porta hepatis, whereas the proper hepatic artery was seen entering the left liver lobe at the fissure for ligamentum venosum. Clinical implications of such variation are discussed in the article.

Este relato descreve uma variação nos vasos hepáticos e uma entrada anormal de artérias hepáticas no fígado, encontradas durante uma dissecção de rotina em um cadáver masculino de aproximadamente 43 anos. Uma artéria hepática acessória surgiu da artéria mesentérica superior e entrou no fígado no porta hepatis, ao passo que se constatou que a artéria hepática própria entrava no lobo hepático na fissura do ligamento venoso. Implicações clínicas desta variação são discutidas neste artigo.