Recent advances in synthetic strategies and SAR of thiazolidin-4-one containing molecules in cancer therapeutics.

Cancer is one of the life-threatening diseases accountable for millions of demises globally. The inadequate effectiveness of the existing chemotherapy and its harmful effects has resulted in the necessity of developing innovative anticancer agents. Thiazolidin-4-one scaffold is among the most important chemical skeletons that illustrate anticancer activity. Thiazolidin-4-one derivatives have been the subject of extensive research and current scientific literature reveals that these compounds have shown significant anticancer activities. This manuscript is an earnest attempt to review novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives demonstrating considerable potential as anticancer agents along with a brief discussion of medicinal chemistry-related aspects of these compounds and structural activity relationship studies in order to develop possible multi-target enzyme inhibitors. Most recently, various synthetic strategies have been developed by researchers to get various thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. In this review, the authors highlight the various synthetic, green, and nanomaterial-based synthesis routes of thiazolidin-4-ones as well as their role in anticancer activity by inhibition of various enzymes and cell lines. The detailed description of the existing modern standards in the field presented in this article may be interesting and beneficial to the scientists for further exploration of these heterocyclic compounds as possible anticancer agents.

COVID-19 infection in children, adolescents, and young adults with Down syndrome and hematologic malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYAs) with Down syndrome (DS) and hematologic malignancies are particularly vulnerable to infections and related complications. There are limited data regarding COVID-19 infections in this group. We aimed to understand the clinical course of COVID-19 in this population. METHODS: This observational study leverages the de-identified clinical and sociodemographic data captured by the Pediatric Oncology COVID-19 Case Report Registry (POCC) regarding CAYAs with cancer and COVID-19. We evaluated CAYAs (≤21 years at COVID-19 infection) with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 reported from April 1, 2020 to May 2, 2023, comparing those with and without DS. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, respiratory support, and changes in cancer-directed therapy. RESULTS: Among 1408 CAYAs with hematologic malignancies, 55 had DS (CAYA-DS). CAYA-DS had higher rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and respiratory support (p < .001) than CAYAs without DS. Similarly, multivariable analyses found higher odds of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-5.1), ICU admission (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.9-9.1), and need for respiratory support (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.0-8.8) among CAYA-DS. Modifications to cancer-directed therapy were more common among CAYA-DS when related to neutropenia (p = .001), but not when unrelated to neutropenia (p = .88); CAYA-DS did not have higher odds of changes to cancer-directed therapy (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.7-2.1). CONCLUSIONS: We identify CAYA-DS with hematologic malignancies as a vulnerable subpopulation at greater risk for severe COVID-19 infection. This can inform conversations with patients and families regarding therapeutic and preventive measures, as well as the risks and benefits of modifying chemotherapy in the setting of COVID-19.

Evaluation of a digital FFQ using 24 h recalls as reference method, for assessment of habitual diet in women with South Asian origin in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary assessment tools should be designed for the target population. We developed an FFQ designed to assess diet in South Asian women in Norway. The study objective was to evaluate this FFQ using 24-h dietary recalls as reference method. DESIGN: Approximately 3 weeks after the participants (n 40) had filled in the FFQ, the first of three non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls was completed. The recalls were telephone-based, unannounced and performed by a trained dietitian, with 2-3 weeks between each interview. SETTING: The DIASA 1 study, in Oslo, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Women of South Asian ethnic origin participating in the DIASA 1 study were invited to participate in the evaluation study. RESULTS: The WebFFQasia significantly overestimated the absolute intake of energy, protein, fat and carbohydrates compared with the 24-h dietary recalls. Absolute intakes of sugar, starch and fibre did not differ significantly between the methods. For energy percentages (E%), there were no significant differences, except for monounsaturated fat. Correlations were strong for E% from sugar and saturated fat and moderate for E% from fibre, carbohydrate, total fat and protein. Fourteen food groups out of twenty three were not significantly different compared with the reference method, and sixteen groups showed strong to moderate correlations. CONCLUSION: The WebFFQasia may be used to assess E% from habitual diet and can adequately estimate intakes and rank participants according to nutrient intake and main food categories at group level.

Identifying the Determinants of Hookah Smoking Among the Youth; A Mixed-Methods Study.

Hookahs have been rising in popularity in the United States (U.S.) especially among the youth yet not much research has been carried out to understand the various predictors of hookah use among youth. We have thus conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods triangulation design to identify the hookah use determinants at different levels of the Social Ecological Model among youth. Participants between the ages of 18-24 years were sampled purposively, between April to November 2023, following a snowballing technique from various communities in Virginia and California, United States. Data were collected via a survey, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups. The study had a total sample size of 20. We found that participants smoked for a median of 5 times in the past 30 days. The main determinants of hookah smoking included the limited knowledge of health effects and addiction, positive attitude, family and peer influence, use as a means to socially connect with others, culture, social acceptability, lack of education at school and work place, access to hookah bars and smoke shops, and lack of strict enforcement of laws to ban smoking of youth. Educational interventions should be implemented by public health authorities to target the youth, their social and communities to provide education on hookah harm and addictiveness and to restrict access to- and the production, distribution, marketing and sales of hookahs.

Synthesis and characterization of high-sensitivity Dy,Eu co-doped CaSO4 thermoluminescent phosphor using coprecipitation technique.

In this work, (99 - x)CaSO4 -Dy2 O3 -xEu2 O3 , (where x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) thermoluminescence phosphors were prepared using a coprecipitation method. The thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry (TLD) characteristics such as TL sensitivity, dose-response, minimum detectable dose, thermal fading, and the effect of sunlight on the prepared phosphors were investigated. The obtained results indicated that the most sensitive phosphor was obtained at x = 0.05. Large thermal fading of 6% after 1 h and 26% after 24 h from irradiation followed by 71% after 1 month with no additional fading was observed within a time frame exceeding 2 months throughout the remaining duration of the investigation, which also spanned over 2 months. Despite the phosphor's high fading rate, the relative sensitivity of the prepared samples was ~90% compared with TLD-100. The marked effect of day sunlight was also determined. High dose-response within the low-dose range from 0.01 to 5 Gy was observed. The obtained results suggested that the synthesized phosphor is well suited for applications involving radiation biology and radiotherapy dosimetry.

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of different polymer-based mesalamine delayed-release granules in TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis in wistar rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory condition of colon characterized by severe damage to the innermost colon tissues. A number of studies described the use of medication delivery systems based on natural polymers like polysaccharides for the purpose of reaching the colon. In this research, polymer-based mesalamine delayed-release granules (DRGs) were tested for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy against UC. Chitosan (C), pectin (P), and pectin-chitosan (PC) mesalamine (M) DRGs were prepared and characterized. Data revealed satisfactory compatibility, flow, packing properties, drug release pattern, and delayed drug release by DRGs. Wistar rats were treated with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) (100 mg/kg) via rectal administration. Mesalamine and mesalamine DRGs (50 mg/kg) were administered orally separately for 14 days. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, hematological tests, colon profile, and histopathology were performed. The findings demonstrated the good efficacy of the polysaccharides in delivering mesalamine to colon. Mesalamine and mesalamine DRGs based on various polymers showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in rats with UC. Mesalamine granules significantly attenuated colon lipid peroxidation, nitrites, myeloperoxidase activity, and interleukin-1ß levels, and improved anti-oxidants (GSH, SOD). Data showed upregulation of Nrf2 activity by mesalamine granules with CM-DRGs showing maximum effect. Mesalamine and different polymer-based mesalamine DRGs significantly attenuated TNBS-induced decline in body weight, ulcer severity, and colon damage. CM-DRGs showed the most pronounced ameliorative effect on colon and hematology parameters via anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Chitosan can be used as a carrier for oral colon delivery of mesalamine in DRG formulation for enhanced therapeutic efficacy in UC.

Recent advances in microbial toxin-related strategies to combat cancer.

It is a major concern to treat cancer successfully, due to the distinctive pathophysiology of cancer cells and the gradual manifestation of resistance. Specific action, adverse effects and development of resistance has prompted the urgent requirement of exploring alternative anti-tumour treatment therapies. The naturally derived microbial toxins as a therapy against cancer cells are a promisingly new dimension. Various important microbial toxins such as Diphtheria toxin, Vibrio cholera toxin, Aflatoxin, Patulin, Cryptophycin-55, Chlorella are derived from several bacterial, fungal and algal species. These agents act on different biotargets such as inhibition of protein synthesis, reduction in cell growth, regulation of cell cycle and many cellular processes. Bacterial toxins produce actions primarily by targeting protein moieties and some immunomodulation and few acts through DNA. Fungal toxins appear to have more DNA damaging activity and affect the cell cycle. Algal toxins produce alteration in mitochondrial phosphorylation. In conclusion, microbial toxins and their metabolites appear to have a great potential to provide a promising option for the treatment and management to combat cancer.

Miniaturized double transit magnetic field measurement probe using the Faraday rotation principle.

This paper presents the design and experimental results of a double transit magnetic field measurement probe based on the Faraday rotation principle using terbium doped borosilicate glass as a sensor element. When the magnetic field is applied in the direction of propagation of light through the glass, the Faraday effect produces non-reciprocal circular birefringence. This property of the Faraday effect adds rotations when the light beam is reflected using a mirror placed at the other end of the glass and passed through the glass, making double transit of light through the sensor element. Experiments were carried out to verify the characteristics of the designed probe by inserting it inside the solenoid load coil. The Verdet constant of the glass is determined using the slope of the linear least-squares fitted curve between the Faraday rotation angle and the applied magnetic field, obtained as 89.22r a d/(T⋅m) with a relative uncertainty of 2.43%. The magnetic field was measured with 0.28% accuracy. In the optics experiments, alignment of components is the major task. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first of its kind double transit miniaturized magnetic field measurement probe configuration in which components are aligned inside the single probe structure. The probe is easily portable and can be used in inaccessible locations in various applications such as accelerators, Z/θ pinch devices, or fusion reactors such as tokamaks, in which the magnetic field is one of the main parameters.

Black fungus outbreak in India - A direct consequence of COVID-19 surge: A myth or reality.

The deadly second wave of COVID-19 has seen an unprecedented surge in mucormycosis associated mortality in India, overwhelming the heath authorities with challenges beyond measure. Also known as black fungus, this life-threatening fungal infection usually manifests in the nose, spreads to the eyes, and in some cases also to the brain. Immune suppression, pre-existing conditions, prolonged and indiscriminate use of steroids, and unhygienic environments are some of the widely recognized risk factors for contracting black fungus in individuals recovered from COVID-19. However, diagnosis of the infection remains insufficient due to the lack a holistic understanding of the possible risks, symptoms, and exposure pathways and therefore no definite protocol exists for managing this fatal infection. Here, we synthesize the current state of knowledge on black fungus outbreak in India and identify key gaps in its understanding with respect to potential risk factors leading to the widespread infection. We looked at 3354 black fungus cases in India, enlisting ailment history (particularly diabetes) and steroid usage in COVID-19 patients as the key factors responsible for exacerbating risks associated with the disease. However, we also press on the possibilities that other less studied non-traditional risk factors may also have a role in causing the infection. Black fungus is therefore a reality of COVID-19, with or without diabetes or steroid use needs to be investigated. We believe such a review is imperative for making informed decisions specially around timely diagnosis and channelizing efforts in controlling the spread of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis.

High prevalence and significant ethnic differences in actionable HbA1C after gestational diabetes mellitus in women living in Norway.

BACKGROUND: The type 2 diabetes risk after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is twice as high in South Asian compared to European women. Current guidelines differ regarding which test to use as a screening-tool post-GDM. We aimed to identify ethnic differences in the prevalence rates and early predictors for actionable HbA1c (defined as prediabetes and diabetes) short time after GDM. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, enrolling South Asian and Nordic women 1-3 years after a diagnosis of GDM, was undertaken at three hospitals in Norway. We performed a clinical and laboratory evaluation including an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Medical records were used to retrieve data during pregnancy. Prediabetes was classified with HbA1c alone or combined with OGTT glucose measurements according to the WHO, WHO-IEC, and ADA criteria (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, FPG 6.1-6.9 mmol/L and/or HbA1c 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%), and FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L and/or HbA1c 39-47 mmol/mol (5.7-6.4%)). Ethnic differences in prevalence and predictors of glucose deterioration were assed by χ2 (Pearson) tests and logistic regression models. RESULTS: We included 163 South Asian and 108 Nordic women. Actionable HbA1c levels were highly prevalent and more so among South Asian than Nordic women (WHO-IEC-HbA1c: 25.8% vs. 6.5% (p ≤ 0.001), ADA-HbA1c: 58.3% vs. 22.2% (p ≤ 0.001)). Although adding OGTT-data gave higher combined prevalence rates of prediabetes and diabetes (WHO: 65.6% vs. 47.2% (p ≤ 0.05), WHO-IEC: 70.6% vs. 47.2% (p ≤ 0.001), ADA: 87.8% vs. 65.7% (p ≤ 0.001)), the excess risk in the South Asian women was best captured by the HbA1c. Important predictors for glucose deterioration after GDM were: South Asian ethnicity, GDM before the index pregnancy, use of glucose-lowering drugs in pregnancy, higher age, and higher in-pregnancy fasting glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: In women with GDM 1-3 year previously, we found high prevalence and significant ethnic differences in actionable ADA-HbA1c levels, with South Asian ethnicity, GDM before the index pregnancy, and the use of glucose-lowering drugs in pregnancy as the most important risk factors. This study reinforces the importance of annual screening-preferably with HbA1c measurements-to facilitate early intervention after GDM.

Titanium dioxide based nanocomposites - Current trends and emerging strategies for the photocatalytic degradation of ruinous environmental pollutants.

Many ruinous pollutants are omnipresent in the environment and among them; pesticides are xenobiotic and pose to be a bio-recalcitrance. Their detrimental ecological and environmental impacts attract attention of environmental excerpts and the surge of stringent regulations have endows the need of a technically feasible treatment. This critical review emphasizes about the occurrence, abundance and fate of structurally distinct pesticides in different environment. The practiced remedial strategies and in particular, the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) those utilize the photo-catalytic properties of nano-composites for the degradation of pollutants are critically discussed. Photo-catalytic degradation utilizes many composite materials at nano-scale level, wherein synthesis of nano-composites with appropriate precursors and other adjoining functional moieties are of prime importance. Therefore, suitable starter materials along with the reaction conditions are prerequisite for effectively tailoring the nano-composites. The aforementioned aspects and their customized applications are critically discussed. The associated challenges, opportunities and process economics of degradation using photo-catalytic AOP techniques are highlighted and in addition, the review tries to explain how best the photo-degradation can be a stand-alone tool with a societal importance. Conclusively, the future prospects for undertaking new researches in photo-catalytic breakdown of pollutants that can be judiciously sustainable.

Understanding mechanisms behind unwanted health behaviours in Nordic and South Asian women and how they affect their gestational diabetes follow-ups: A qualitative study.

AIMS: The type 2 diabetes risk following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is high, particularly among South Asian women in Western countries. Our study aimed to advance the knowledge regarding the mechanisms behind suboptimal follow-up in the Nordic and South Asian women with previous GDM by comparing (1) their experiences, (2) health and disease perceptions and (3) barriers to and facilitators of health-promoting behaviours. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in three hospital outpatient clinics in Norway, comprising six focus group interviews with 28 women 1-3 years after a pregnancy with GDM. The participants were purposively sampled and grouped according to their ethnicity. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and a theoretical approach was applied to support the analysis and discuss the study's findings. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: lack of resilience, emotional distress, 'caught between a rock and a hard place', postpartum abandonment and insufficient guidance. The key determinants of the maintenance of unwanted health behaviours after GDM were consistent across the ethnic groups. Although the importance of a culturally sensitive approach was emphasised, it appeared secondary to the need for a more organised public healthcare during and after GDM. CONCLUSIONS: Women's real-life constraints, combined with the inadequate healthcare-service implementation, could explain the non-adherence to the lifestyle-changes guidelines essential for preventing diabetes post-GDM. We suggest promoting specific coping strategies and changing the healthcare service approach rather than relying on women's capacity to initiate the necessary changes.

Characterization of COVID-19 disease in pediatric oncology patients: The New York-New Jersey regional experience.

PURPOSE: Pediatric oncology patients undergoing active chemotherapy are suspected to be at a high risk for severe disease secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; however, data to support this are lacking. We aim to describe the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this population and also its impact on pediatric cancer care in the New York region during the peak of the pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study included 13 institutions. Clinical and laboratory information on 98 patients ≤21 years of age receiving active anticancer therapy, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was collected. RESULTS: Of the 578 pediatric oncology patients tested for COVID-19, 98 were positive, of whom 73 were symptomatic. Most experienced mild disease, 28 required inpatient management, 25 needed oxygen support, and seven required mechanical ventilation. There is a slightly higher risk of severe disease in males and obese patients, though not statistically significant. Persistent lymphopenia was noted in severe cases. Delays in cancer therapy occurred in 67% of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Of four deaths, none were solely attributable to COVID-19. The impact of the pandemic on pediatric oncology care was significant, with 54% of institutions reporting delays in chemotherapy, 46% delays in surgery, and 30% delays in transplant. CONCLUSION: In this large multi-institutional cohort, we observed that mortality and morbidity from COVID-19 amongst pediatric oncology patients were low overall, but higher than reported in general pediatrics. Certain subgroups might be at higher risk of severe disease. Delays in cancer care due to SARS-CoV-2 remain a concern.

Therapeutic efficacy of rifaximin loaded tamarind gum polysaccharide nanoparticles in TNBS induced IBD model Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Rifaximin is a non-systemic antibiotic used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Antibiotics are demonstrating a significant role in the treatment of IBD by altering the dysbiotic colonic microbiota and decreases the immunogenic and inflammatory response in the patient population. Mucoadhesive colon targeted nanoparticles provide the site-specific delivery and extended stay in the colon. Since the bacteria occupy the lumen, spread over the surface of epithelial cells, and adhere to the mucosa, delivering the rifaximin as a nanoparticles with the mucoadhesive polymer enhances the therapeutic efficacy in IBD. The objective was to fabricate and characterize the rifaximin loaded tamarind gum nanoparticles and study the therapeutic efficacy in the TNBS-induced IBD model rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimentation includes fabrication and characterization of drug excipient compatibility by FTIR. The fabricated nanoparticles were characterized for the hydrodynamic size and zeta potential by photon correlation spectroscopy and also analyzed by TEM. Selected best formulation was subjected to the therapeutic efficacy study in TNBS-induced IBD rats, and the macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical parameters were reported. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that the formulation TGN1 is best formulation in terms of nanoparticle characterization and hydrodynamic size which showed the hydrodynamic size of 171.4 nm and the zeta potential of -26.44 mV and other parameters such as TEM and drug release studies were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic efficacy study revealed that TGN1 is efficiently reduced the IBD inflammatory conditions as compared to the TNBS control group and reference drug mesalamine group.

Severe ketoacidosis in a patient taking an SGLT2 inhibitor for diabetes. / Alvorlig ketoacidose hos en pasient med SGLT2-hemmer som diabetesmedisin.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is rarely seen in patients with type 2 diabetes. Doctors and patients need to be aware that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, also in patients with type 2 diabetes. Here we present the case of a woman in her forties hospitalised with severe diabetic ketoacidosis while undergoing treatment for a presumed type 2 diabetes.

Review on Indian Municipal Solid Waste Management practices for reduction of environmental impacts to achieve sustainable development goals.

Open dumping is a common practice for MSW disposal in most of the Indian cities, apart from the metro-cities. This practice poses significant environmental and health risks due to toxic and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission through direct combustion and/or decay of wastes. Therefore, integrated solid waste management (ISWM) using different methods viz., incineration, composting, anaerobic digestions, refuse derived fuel, material recovery facility and sanitary landfilling, is much needed. Accordingly, three waste management case scenarios were studied for year 2001-2051 by keeping weightage of sustainable development goals 2030 of India. Case I depicts Indian present scenario of waste management where 164-735 tonnes/year of wastes would be generated for year 2001-2051. Further, 60% of waste can be treated in case II that help in reducing the land requirement up to 40% from estimated conditions of 2031 i.e., 83.8 × 107 m3. The case III is most ideal waste management condition for year 2031 to reduce 80% waste hence landfill requirement would minimize up to 16.76 × 107 m3 where population is at controlled conditions. This article concludes the formal handling and treatment of ISWM would minimize the landfilling, where LCA can be an antidote to achieve sustainable development goals.

Navigating the structure-function-evolutionary relationship of CsaA chaperone in archaea.

CsaA is a protein involved in the post-translational translocation of proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. It is considered to be a functional homolog of SecB which participates in the Sec-dependent translocation pathway in an analogous manner. CsaA has also been reported to act as a molecular chaperone, preventing aggregation of unfolded proteins. It is essentially a prokaryotic protein which is absent in eukaryotes, but found extensively in bacteria and earlier thought to be widely present in archaea. The study of phylogenetic distribution of CsaA among prokaryotes suggests that it is present only in few archaeal organisms, mainly species of Thermoplasmatales and Halobacteriales. Interestingly, the CsaA protein from these two archaeal orders cluster separately on the phylogenetic tree with CsaA from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It, thus, appears that this protein might have been acquired in these archaeal organisms through independent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events from different bacteria. In this review, we summarize the earlier biochemical, structural, and functional characterization studies of CsaA. We draw new insights into the evolutionary history of this protein through phylogenetic and structural comparison of bacterial CsaA with modelled archaeal CsaA from Picrophilus torridus and Natrialba magadii.

Ten gigahertz microwave radiation impairs spatial memory, enzymes activity, and histopathology of developing mice brain.

For decades, there has been an increasing concern about the potential hazards of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields that are present in the environment and alarming as a major pollutant or electro-pollutant for health risk and neuronal diseases. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to explore the effects of 10 GHz microwave radiation on developing mice brain. Two weeks old mice were selected and divided into two groups (i) sham-exposed and (ii) microwave-exposed groups. Animals were exposed for 2 h/day for 15 consecutive days. After the completion of exposure, within an hour, half of the animals were autopsied immediately and others were allowed to attain 6 weeks of age for the follow-up study. Thereafter results were recorded in terms of various biochemical, behavioral, and histopathological parameters. Body weight result showed significant changes immediately after treatment, whereas non-significant changes were observed in mice attaining 6 weeks of age. Several other endpoints like brain weight, lipid peroxidation, glutathione, protein, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were also found significantly (p < 0.05) altered in mice whole brain. These significant differences were found immediately after exposure and also in follow-up on attaining 6 weeks of age in microwave exposure group. Moreover, statistically significant (p < 0.001) effect was investigated in spatial memory of the animals, in learning to locate the position of platform in Morris water maze test. Although in probe trial test, sham-exposed animals spent more time in searching for platform into the target quadrant than in opposite or other quadrants. Significant alteration in histopathological parameters (qualitative and quantitative) was also observed in CA1 region of the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and ansiform lobule of cerebellum. Results from the present study concludes that the brain of 2 weeks aged mice was very sensitive to microwave exposure as observed immediately after exposure and during follow-up study at 6 weeks of age.

The usage of fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin for the identification of unknown type 2 diabetes in high risk patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: In spite of increased vigilance of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (DM2), the prevalence of unknown DM2 in subjects with morbid obesity is not known. AIM: To assess the prevalence of undiagnosed DM2 and compare the performance of glycated A1c (HbA1c) and fasting glucose (FG) for the diagnosis of DM2 and prediabetes (preDM) in patients with morbid obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured fasting glucose and HbA1c in 537 consecutive patients with morbid obesity without previously known DM2. RESULTS: A total of 49 (9%) patients with morbid obesity had unknown DM2 out of which 16 (33%) fulfilled both the criteria for HbA1c and FG. Out of 284 (53%) subjects with preDM, 133 (47%) fulfilled both the criteria for HbA1c and FG. Measurements of agreement for FG and HbA1c were moderate for DM2 (κ = 0.461, p < .001) and fair for preDM (κ = 0.317, p < .001). Areas under the curve for FG and HbA1c in predicting unknown DM2 were 0.970 (95% CI 0.942, 0.998) and 0.894 (95% CI 0.837, 0.951) respectively. The optimal thresholds to identify unknown DM2 were FG ≥6.6 mmol/L and HbA1c ≥ 6.1% (43 mmol/mol). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of DM2 remains high and both FG and HbA1c identify patients with unknown DM2. FG was slightly superior to HbA1c in predicting and separating patients with unknown DM2 from patients without DM2. We suggest that an FG ≥6.6 mmol/L or an HbA1c ≥6.1% (43 mmol/mol) may be used as primary cut points for the identification of unknown DM2 among patients with morbid obesity.