Comparison and effect of plain and calcium fortified yogurt on glycemic responses, anthropometrics and metabolic biomarkers.

Metabolic syndromes including obesity and diabetes are the most common health issues due to insulin resistance, disturbance in glucose homeostasis, lack of exercise, and improper diet. The current study was planned to evaluate the potential effects of regular diet with fortified yogurt on blood glycemia and anthropometric responses. Plain yogurt was procured from the local market, and then it was fortified with calcium. Furthermore, the subsequent effect of fortified yogurt on blood glucose, insulin, and anthropometric measurements was assessed at different time intervals. A total of 40 healthy females and males aged about 20 years with a normal BMI range (20-24.9 kg/m2) were recruited within the Government College University Faisalabad. Participants filled out the habits Performa, stress factors questionnaire, and activity questionnaire. Blood glucose (BG) and visual analogous scale (VAS) performs were also taken in the fasting stage and then assigned treatment was given. After 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min intervals VAS and BG estimation was carried out. The results shows that fortified yogurt contained a higher amount of calcium. Likewise, a similar trend was observed for the desire to eat, a feeling of fullness, palatability, physical comfort, and overall acceptability. The results obtained from various analyses were statistically evaluated.

Costs of services and funding gap of the Bangladesh National Tuberculosis Control Programme 2016-2022: An ingredient based approach.

BACKGROUND: Bangladesh National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme (NTP) has deployed improved diagnostic technologies which may drive up the programme costs. We aimed to estimate the supply-side costs associated with the delivery of the NTP and the funding gap between the cost of implementation and available funding for the Bangladesh NTP. METHODS: An ingredient-based costing approach was applied using WHO's OneHealth Tool software. We considered 2016, as the base year and projected cost estimates up to 2022 using information on NTP planned activities. Data were collected through consultative meetings with experts and officials/managers, review of documents and databases, and visits to five purposively selected TB healthcare facilities. The estimated costs were compared with the funds allocated to the NTP between 2018 and 2022 to estimate the funding gap. FINDINGS: The estimated total cost of NTP was US$ 49.22 million in 2016, which would increase to US$ 146.93 million in 2022. Human resources (41.1%) and medicines and investigations/ supplies (38.0%) were the major two cost components. Unit costs were highest for treating extensively drug-resistant TB at US$ 7,422.4 in 2016. Between 2018-2022, NTP would incur US$ 536.8 million, which is US$ 235.18 million higher than the current allocation for NTP. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated a funding gap associated with the NTP in each of the years between 2018-2022. Policy planners should advocate for additional funding to ensure smooth delivery of TB services in the upcoming years. The cost estimates of TB services can also be used for planning and budgeting for delivering TB services in similar country contexts.

Uroprotective and Hepatoprotective Potential of Anagallis arvensis against the Experimental Animal Model.

Anagallis arvensis (A. arvensis) belonging to the family Primulaceae is traditionally used for liver and kidney diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the uroprotective and hepatoprotective potentials of A. arvensis in cyclophosphamide-induced interstitial cystitis and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity rat model, respectively. Nociception, bladder weight, vesical vascular permeability, Gray's criteria for edema and hemorrhage, and levels of nitric oxide, catalase, and glutathione were estimated and studied in the cystitis model. Liver function test, lipid profile, and histopathological evaluation were carried out in the hepatoprotective activity. Oral administration of methanol extract of A. arvensis significantly reduced bladder weight, vesical vascular permeability, edema, hemorrhage, nitric oxide, IL-6, and TNF-α, while the level of catalase and glutathione peroxide was increased. In hepatoprotective activity, pretreatment with A. arvensis significantly decreased the level of liver markers (Bilirubin, ALT, AST, and ALP) and lipid profile (cholesterol, TG, LDL, and VLDL). Histopathological studies confirmed the biochemical findings of both studies. GC-MS analysis presented the presence of antioxidant phytoconstituents. Thus, it was concluded that A. arvensis might act as uroprotective and hepatoprotective due to the presence of antioxidant phytochemicals in the rodent model. Isolation and identification of phytochemicals present in the methanol extract of A. arvensis and evaluation of their exact mechanism of action become mandatory in future studies.