The Effect of Sucrose and Stress on Male Participants' Memory

Hyperglycaemia has been indicated as a pro-tumoural factor; however, the prognostic role of diabetes mellitus (DM) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNETs) remains ambiguous, partly due to the effects of anti-diabetic drugs. We hypothesise that the blood sugar level per se affects the outcome of panNETs, and thus, we investigated the prognostic significance of the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in resected panNET patients with no pre-existing DM. A retrospective cohort study comprising 201 patients with radically resected non-functional panNETs was conducted. A total of 164 patients without pre-existing DM were further studied. An FBG level greater than 5.6 mmol/L was defined as high (otherwise, normal). Survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests. Multivariate analyses for survival were performed using the Cox regression model. High FBG levels were significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS; p = 0.019) and recurrence-free survival (RFS; p = 0.011) in resected patients with panNET who had no pre-existing DM. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality and recurrence comparing patients with high and normal FBG levels were 12.19 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-128.78, p = 0.038) and 2.43 (95% CI = 1.03-5.72, p = 0.042), respectively. A pre-operative FBG level greater than 5.6 mmol/L is associated with poor OS and RFS metastasis for patients with panNET who undergo radical surgical resection.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of a single dose of water-soluble α- glycosylated rutin (monoglucosyl rutin; MR) on postprandial blood glucose elevation in healthy subjects with relatively high fasting blood glucose levels.Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study enrolled 34 healthy Japanese adult subjects with relatively high fasting blood glucose levels. The study period ran from November 13, 2019, to March 19, 2020. All subjects were randomly allocated to either sequence A or sequence B (n = 17 per group) using a computerized random number generator. The washout period was at least one week between periods I and II. In period I, the subjects took either MR or placebo tablets. In period II, subjects took different tablets from the ones they had taken in period I. We evaluated their blood glucose and insulin levels after glucose loading (150 g of cooked rice). The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of the postprandial blood glucose level was determined as the primary outcome. The blood glucose and insulin levels at maximum (maximum blood concentration; Cmax), each measurement point, and IAUC of the blood insulin level after glucose loading were the secondary outcomes.Results: Out of 33 subjects, 16 in sequence A (11 men and 5 women, 54.5 ± 9.8 years) and 17 in sequence B (9 men and 8 women, 58.8 ± 9.4 years) were analyzed as a per-protocol dataset. The glucose IAUC after MR consumption was significantly lower than that of the placebo (P = 0.034). Results of the other outcomes were not observed with significant treatment effects. There were no adverse events attributable to the test foods.Conclusions: We suggest that MR has a suppressive effect on the elevation of postprandial blood glucose in healthy adults with relatively high fasting blood glucose levels.Trial registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000038515. Foundation: Toyo Sugar Refining Co., Ltd.Keywords: monoglucosyl rutin, blood glucose level, incremental area under the curve, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, crossover study

Depression and anxiety present high and complex comorbidity with diabetes. One proposed explanation is that glycemic dysregulations and diabetes-related processes can influence mental health risk. We examined the associations of concurrent and prior glycemic indicators (Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels) with depression and anxiety symptoms in a community-based sample of middle-aged Lebanese adults. Data come from the Greater Beirut Area Cardiovascular Cohort (GBACC), with baseline and 5-year assessments of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and biological factors (n=198). Depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7) symptoms were assessed at follow-up. We investigated associations between glycemic indicators and continuous mental health scores using first linear and then piecewise regression models. Adjusted piecewise regression models showed different associations with mental outcomes across glycemic indicators in the diabetic/clinical compared to the non-diabetic range: Among participants with <126 mg/dl baseline FBG, higher FBG levels in this range were significantly associated with lower depressive (beta=-0.12, 95%CI= [-0.207, -0.032]) and anxiety symptoms (beta=-0.099, 95%CI= [-0.186, -0.012]). In contrast, among participants with baseline FBG levels ≥126 mg/dl, higher FBG levels were significantly associated with higher anxiety symptoms (beta=0.055; 95%CI= 0.008, 0.102). Higher baseline FBG levels in the ≥126 mg/dl range showed a not statistically significant trend for higher depressive symptoms. Although not significant, baseline HbA1c levels showed similar patterns with negative associations with mental health symptoms in the <6.5% range. Results show that FBG levels were associated with poorer mental health symptoms only in the clinical/diabetic range, and not in the normal range. Associations were observed with baseline glycemic indicators, highlighting potentially early and prolonged associations with mental health. Findings highlight the importance of clinical changes in glycemic indicators for mental health and motivate further research into the transition toward adverse associations between diabetes and mental health.

Background: Migraine ranks as the eighth most disabling condition and one of the most common causes of headache in Pakistan. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the association between migraine and diabetes in pregnant women. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 498 pregnant women, grouped into pregnant without diabetes (n = 300) and pregnant with diabetes (n = 198) according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study criteria. Seventy-five women with known migraine were also recruited as positive controls. After confirming that the study subjects had headache at least once a month, the researcher filled out a comprehensive form based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders version II. Migraine disability score was used to assess severity. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured by using the enzymatic method. Data were presented as meanSD and frequencies, where applicable. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation test were performed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The headache prevalence during pregnancy was 69% in the women with diabetes and 64% in the women without diabetes. A positive unilateral distribution was observed in 51% of the cases and 36.3% of the controls (P< 0.01). However, 94.7% of the pregnant cohort reported not having experienced aura. Of the pregnant women with diabetes, 19% fell within the mild to moderate disability score as compared with the 10.3% of the pregnant women without diabetes (P < 0.01). High fasting blood glucose levels showed a significant association with headache scores (r = 0.144; P < 0.01). Conclusions: Headaches, particularly migraine without aura, are a common occurrence in pregnancy in our population. Migraine severity is positively associated with high blood glucose levels.

Seasonal changes in acute stressor-mediated plasma glucocorticoid regulation in New World flying squirrels

Objective: The effect of spiritually augmented healthy lifestyle intervention on clinical risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is still unclear. The aim and objective of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of a user-friendly, non-invasive spiritually augmented healthy lifestyle intervention to improve blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes within a reasonable time frame. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted over a period of one year on 552 subjects who attended Madhur Madhumeh camps in the age group of 30 years to 82 years (mean 57.82, SD 10.38) with T2DM of at least 6 months duration and on diabetic diet and oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin (treatment). All the participants were trained by Rajyoga experts. In all the participants pre-camp fasting (FBS) and random (RBS) blood glucose levels were taken and further fasting and random (after 3½ hours of lunch) blood glucose levels were estimated in regular intervals during the camp to obtain 3 readings each of fasting and random blood glucose levels. Results: Comparing with standard care alone, Rajyogi lifestyle resulted in significant reduction in blood glucose levels within 24 hrs to 48 hours even after their high fasting (Max.455, 141 participants above 200 mg/dL) and random (Max.700, 104 participants above 300 mg/dL) blood glucose levels. The reduction in FBS (mean 28.24, p < 0> Conclusions: The study finds that Rajyogi lifestyle intervention showed significant benefit in reduction of blood glucose levels in T2DM patients. It is evident that Rajyogi lifestyle can be used as an adjunct therapy in effectively controlling and managing blood glycemic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Translating this finding into effective long term implementation requires further studies and evaluation. Keywords: Diabetes, T2DM, Rajyoga, Yogic lifestyle, Meditation.

Abstract— Juvenile Penaeus monodon prawns were exposed to a variety of putative stressom and blood glucose concentrations monitored as an index of metabolic stress. Prawns were held under controlled conditions and food deprived for 12–18 h before blood sampling. Juvenile prawns maintained in tanks at densities of 9, 23, 36 and 50 prawns/m2 for 4 wk did not have significantly different baseline levels of blood glucose, with mean concentrations varying from 1.1 to 1.3 mmol/L. In contrast, as an index of overall condition, antennal length and rostral spine length were significantly degraded in the 36 and 50 prawns/m2 groups compared to the 9 and 23 prawns/m2 groups (P &lt; 0.05). Blood glucose levels were significantly elevated after prawns were exposed to air for 10 min and also increased Significantly when dissolved oxygen was decreased from 6.5 mg/L to 2.1 mg/L. (P &lt; 0.05). Gassing of water from pH 8.5 to 5.9 with carbon dioxide, with a corresponding decrease of dissolved oxygen from 6.6 to 5.9 mg/ L, induced a rapid and significant rise in blood glucose levels from 1.1 to 2.3 mmol/L. In contrast, a decrease of water pH from 8.3 to 5.9 with sulfuric acid, did not result in a significant change in blood glucose concentrations. These findings are discussed in relation to pond management for maintaining prawns in a low stress environment.

Adrenocortical Function in Patients investigated for Active Tuberculosis

Background: Occupation and working conditions may affect the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS), an important risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To investigate the prevalence of MetS and its risk factors in employees in an industrial workplace and compare them with those in employees from a nonindustrial setting. Methods: Male employees (n = 757) from a gas-refinery and 2700 adult men from the general population of whom 750 were nonindustrial employees (Khorasan province, Iran), were evaluated for CVD risk factors, including those used to define MetS. Individuals were matched for age and educational attainment, and 670 industrial and681 nonindustrial employees were included in the final analysis. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria were used for diagnosis of MetS. We compared MetS and its risk factors between the two groups. Results: There were more gas refinery employees with a body mass index > 30 kg/m2, abdominal obesity, and a high fasting blood glucose level than nonindustrial employees (P Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS among male gas refinery employees was higher than for male nonindustrial employees. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, industrial employees, metabolic syndrome, obesity

Objective To investigate the value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) for assessing the plaque stability as well as the risk factors for unstable plaque and severe stenosis in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Methods The patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were enrolled. HR-MRI was use to evaluate carotid plaque compositions and identify the stability of plaques. The carotid plaques from the patients underwent carotid endarterectomy were collected for pathological examination. The consistency of the preoperative HR-MRI and the postoperative pathological findings were compared. The clinical data of all patients were collected and the risk factors for the stability of carotid plaques and the severity of vascular stenosis were analyzed. Results A total of 219 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (stenosis >50%) who underwent HR-MRI were enrolled. Among them, 102 patients (46.6%) had stable plaques and 117 (53.4%) had unstable plaques; 118 (53.9%) had moderate stenosis and 101 (46.1%) had severe stenosis. Thirty-five patients received carotid endarterectomy, HR-MRI showed that the plaque in 19 (54.3%) of them were instable, and pathological examination showed that the plaque in 20 (57.1%) cases were instable, and both were highly consistent (κ=0.942, P<0.001). The proportions of male (P=0.007), hyperlipidemia (P=0.013), smoking (P<0.001), as well as the levels of total cholesterol (P=0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.01), and fasting blood glucose (P=0.001) in the unstable plaque group were significantly higher than those in stable plaque group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-5.04; P=0.032), smoking (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.67-7.14; P=0.001), and higher fasting blood glucose level (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.48; P=0.006) were the independent risk factors for unstable plaque. All the data did not show any significant difference between the moderate stenosis group and the severe stenosis group. Conclusions HR-MRI accurately assessed the plaque stability in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Sex, smoking, and fasting blood glucose level were the independent risk factors for carotid artery unstable plaque. Key words: Carotid Artery Diseases; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Carotid Stenosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Risk Factors

Objectives:Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression, and hypocortisolism. To date, published studies have not investigated the effects of yoga on cortisol in FM. This pilot study used a time series design to evaluate pain, psychological variables, mindfulness, and cortisol in women with FM before and after a yoga intervention.Methods:Participants (n = 22) were recruited from the community to participate in a 75 minute yoga class twice weekly for 8 weeks. Questionnaires concerning pain (intensity, unpleasantness, quality, sum of local areas of pain, catastrophizing, acceptance, disability), anxiety, depression, and mindfulness were administered pre-, mid- and post-intervention. Salivary cortisol samples were collected three times a day for each of two days, pre- and post-intervention.Results:Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that mean ± standard deviation (SD) scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) from pre- to post-intervention for continuous pain (pre: 5.18 ± 1.72; post: 4.44 ± 2.03), pain catastrophizing (pre: 25.33 ± 14.77; post: 20.40 ± 17.01), pain acceptance (pre: 60.47 ± 23.43; post: 65.50 ± 22.93), and mindfulness (pre: 120.21 ± 21.80; post: 130.63 ± 20.82). Intention-to-treat analysis showed that median AUC for post-intervention cortisol (263.69) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than median AUC for pre-intervention levels (189.46). Mediation analysis revealed that mid-intervention mindfulness scores significantly (p < 0.05) mediated the relationship between pre- and post-intervention pain catastrophizing scores.Discussion:The results suggest that a yoga intervention may reduce pain and catastrophizing, increase acceptance and mindfulness, and alter total cortisol levels in women with FM. The changes in mindfulness and cortisol levels may provide preliminary evidence for mechanisms of a yoga program for women with FM. Future studies should use an RCT design with a larger sample size.

Serial 1-mg dexamethasone suppression tests with concurrent plasma dexamethasone assessments were conducted in 58 patients with endogenous depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Plasma cortisol levels decreased significantly from pretreatment to immediately posttreatment, and they declined further during the first week after the ECT course, when patients remained drug free. Plasma dexamethasone levels showed an opposite pattern of progressive increases over these three time points. The progressive changes in plasma dexamethasone and cortisol levels seen during the week after ECT indicate that alterations in the bioavailability of dexamethasone and in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function may be incomplete immediately after the ECT course. This may partly account for previous inconsistencies in serial dexamethasone suppression test findings with this treatment modality. The major finding was that clinical response was associated with increased plasma dexamethasone levels, whereas changes in cortisol levels were independent of clinical outcome. With ECT, changes in plasma dexamethasone levels may be more related to changes in clinical state than changes in postdexamethasone cortisol levels. The extent to which clinical recovery with other treatments in depression is associated with altered bioavailability of dexamethasone and perhaps other compounds is unknown and in need of investigation.

The Relationship of Cortisol Levels to Social Environment and Reproductive Functioning in Female Cotton-Top Tamarins, Saguinus oedipus

The purpose of this study is to explore physiological and psychological changes immediately after a short-term visit to urban parks in an uncontrolled condition. Sixty park visitors completed a short questionnaire evaluating their subjective well-being (SWB) and donated a saliva sample immediately before and after their park visit. In addition, participants wore a pedometer to track their physical activity level during the park visit. Results indicated the levels of all biomarkers (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], and cortisol/DHEA ratio) decreased while SWB scores increased after the park visit. The duration of park visit was identified as a key variable significantly associated with cortisol reduction, and changes in SWB scores after the park visit were significantly associated with changes in cortisol level. A park visit duration of 21.8 min has the predictive ability to discriminate park visitors who exhibit reductions in cortisol levels after the park visit from those who do not.

Exploring stress and depressive symptoms in pregnancy and the IL-1β, IL-6, and C-reactive protein pathway: Looking for possible biomarker targets.