Insulin Resistance in Young Obese Subjects and Its Relation to Smoking (A Pilot Study)

Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells fail to respond to the normal actions of insulin. Dietary fat, obesity and smoking have been attributed to increase insulin resistance. However, the prevalence of insulin resistance in young obese subjects and its relation to smoking is not well established. This study comprising seventy-five healthy young adults was undertaken to find insulin resistance in obese smokers and non smokers both. Present study showed an overall prevalence of raised homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance in 14.7 % otherwise healthy young subjects (20–30 years age group). Non-smokers did not show any significant correlation between insulin resistance and body mass index at either stage (normal, pre-obese as well as obese). Smokers also did not show any significant difference of insulin resistance in normal and pre-obese stages. However, marked increase in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was observed in obese smokers. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance showed a linear trend in relation to body mass index and its values were found to be higher in smokers. Obesity combined with smoking demonstrated statistically significant increase in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.     

Vitamin D Deficiency and Insulin Resistance in Normal and Type 2 Diabetes Subjects

Vitamin D is recognized to serve a wide range of biological functions. The presence of vitamin D receptors on different tissues explains it’s diversity of actions. Reduced levels of vitamin D is associated with insulin resistance and increased diabetes risk. The study included 50 normal healthy individuals and 49 type 2 diabetes subjects. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDLc, fasting insulin, parathyroid hormone, calcium, albumin and Homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) were measured in all the study participants. Type 2 diabetes subjects were divided into group 1 with 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤20 ng/ml and group 2 with 25(OH)D >20 ng/ml. By the results of this study, the mean 25(OH)D level was low (20.09 ng/ml) in type 2 diabetes compared to controls (23.89 ng/ml) and the p value was 0.02. The estimated insulin resistance by HOMAIR was more in group 1 than in group 2 of diabetes with p value of 0.037. The Pearson’s correlation-coefficient was negative for 25(OH)D and insulin in type 2 diabetes (r = ?0.294), 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with HOMAIR in total subjects. Type 2 diabetes subjects had reduced levels of vitamin D than normal individuals. The insulin resistance was more in vitamin D deficiency state. Hence vitamin D has a role in glucose metabolism, deficiency can result in insulin resistance and diabetes.     

Age-Related Changes in Soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) and Receptor 2 (sVEGFR2) in Healthy Japanese Subjects

We measured serum soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) and receptor 2 (sVEGFR2) levels in healthy Japanese individuals in order to establish a reference value using a specific ELISA. Significant differences were observed in serum sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 levels between children and adults. To demonstrate the usefulness of the reference value for children, we measured serum sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 levels in children with diarrhea positive (D+) hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a preliminary study. Serum sVEGFR2 levels in children with HUS were markedly higher than those in healthy children from the onset of D + HUS. The reference value for healthy children in the present study will allow normal and pathological conditions to be discriminated from each other in future study     

Angiogenic Potential,Circulating Angiogenic Factors and Insulin Resistance in Subjects with Obesity

Altered vascular function and pathological angiogenesis are important factors common to the development of obesity and obesity-associated diseases. Most human studies relating obesity and angiogenesis have compared levels of angiogenic factors in obesity without looking at the serum angiogenic capacity which reflects the balance between the effects of angiogenic and angiostatic factors. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, the serum angiogenic potential and levels of angiogenic factors in serum of obese (BMI > 25 kg/m²) and lean subjects (BMI < 23 kg/m²), with no history of obesity associated co-morbidities, were assessed. Serum angiogenic potential was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in both male (n = 67) and female (n = 35) obese subjects and showed a positive correlation (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001) with BMI. Serum levels of the angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin were significantly higher in obese subjects. Levels of angiostatic factors such as angiostatin, endostatin were not altered in obese male subjects but were elevated in female obese subjects. Angiogenic potential and levels of VEGF did not vary in obese subjects with high HOMA-IR compared to obese subjects with low HOMA-IR. These results suggest that the angiogenic potential of serum was elevated in obesity and that insulin resistance may not contribute to the increased angiogenic potential in obesity.     

Association of Interleukin-6 and Myeloperoxidase with Insulin Resistance in Impaired Fasting Glucose Subjects

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is a high risk subclinical condition for the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the hyperglycemia seen in this condition is because of the development of insulin resistance (IR). Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress and many other factors have been implicated in development of IR in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its successive complications. Current study was aimed to ascertain the correlation of inflammation and oxidative stress markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)] with IR in subjects with IFG. In this study, 80 subjects (40 IFG, 40 healthy controls) aged 25–45 years were selected based on their fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values and clinical history. Serum insulin, IL-6 and MPO were estimated by ELISA method and IR was calculated using Homeostatic Model Assessment Index 2 (HOMA 2) calculator. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent sample ‘t’ test were used for statistical analysis. IL-6 and MPO were found to be significantly elevated in IFG group and both correlates significantly with IR (r 0.413, r 0.645). Only MPO had significant correlation with FPG (r 0.388). In conclusion, the association of altered levels of IL-6 and MPO with IR are suggestive of a role of inflammation and oxidative stress in the initiation and progression of IR in individuals with IFG.     

A Study of Microalbuminuria (MAU) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Levels in Diabetic and Hypertensive Subjects

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) is growing worldwide. Both lead to nephropathy if not controlled effectively. Microalbuminuria (MAU) is recognized as an early predictor for nephropathy. Additionally, the timely detection of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is also considered to be an important prognostic factor for diabetic nephropathies. Hence, screening for the early detection of MAU and AGEs would be an useful and relatively inexpensive laboratory test for early clinical diagnosis for the incidence of nephropathy in these diseases. This study was conducted in DM, HTN and pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH) subjects. MAU and N^ε-Carboxymethyllysine (CML) levels were estimated by in-house RIA kits in the patient groups and controls, while the total AGEs level in serum was determined by ELISA. The levels of MAU, CML and AGE-BSA were observed to be significantly higher in DM, HTN and PIH subjects compared to controls (p < 0.001). Increased serum CML and AGEs levels in DM, HTN and PIH subjects indicated ongoing glycemic damage and their susceptibility to develop renal complications.     

Consciousness and Action: Does Cognitive Science Support (Mild) Epiphenomenalism?

Questions about the function(s) of consciousness have long beencentral to discussions of consciousness in philosophy and psychology.Intuitively, consciousness has an important role to play inthe control of many everyday behaviors. However, this view hasrecently come under attack. In particular, it is becoming increasinglycommon for scientists and philosophers to argue that a significantbody of data emerging from cognitive science shows that consciousstates are not involved in the control of behavior. Accordingto these theorists, nonconscious states control most everydaybehaviors. Andy Clark ([2001]) does an admirable job of summarizingand defending the most important data thought to support thisview. In this paper, I argue that the evidence available doesnot in fact threaten the view that conscious states play animportant and intimate role in the control of much everydaybehavior. I thereby defend a philosophically intuitive viewabout the functions of conscious states in action.

1 Introduction

2 Clarifying EBC

2.1 Control and guidance

2.2 Fine-tunedactivity

3 The empirical case against EBC

4 Conclusion

     

地塞米松体外诱导胰岛素抵抗细胞模型的建立

目的:探讨在体外建立方便可靠的肝胰岛素抵抗细胞模型、脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗模型和肌细胞胰岛素抵抗模型的方法。方法:3T3-L1小鼠前脂肪细胞、C2C12小鼠成肌细胞分别诱导分化为成熟的脂肪细胞和肌细胞。采用地塞米松(EDX)诱导人肝细胞Hep G2以及分化成熟的Hep G2、C2C12细胞,以葡萄糖氧化酶法检测细胞对葡萄糖的消耗情况。结果:1μmol/L DEX作用24 h和48 h均能抑制细胞葡萄糖消耗,撤掉DEX,胰岛素抵抗细胞模型在48 h内维持稳定。对于Hep G2和C2C12细胞,DEX造模48 h优于24 h;但对于3T3-L1细胞,DEX造模24 h和48 h对细胞葡萄糖消耗影响无显著性差异。结论:DEX可诱导3T3-L1、Hep G2、C2C12细胞产生胰岛素抵抗,这种细胞模型简便稳定。     

大麦抗赤霉病性的遗传研究

采用特矮大麦／早熟３号、特矮大麦／紫皮大麦、特矮大麦９１－６４１１、９１－６４１１／早熟３号４具杂交组合的Ｐ１、Ｐ２、Ｆ１、Ｆ２、Ｂ１、Ｂ２世代，研究了大麦抗赤霉病性的遗传，结果表明，大麦抗郝霉病性表现 部分显性或超显性，细胞质作用不明显，在特矮大麦／早熟３号、特矮大麦／紫大麦和特矮大麦／９１－６４１１中，共同亲本特矮大感病性主要受一对隐性基因控制；在９１－６４１１／早熟３号中，抗赤霉病性为数量性     

灰色预测GM(1,1)模型在股价预测中的应用

通过对原始数据进行筛选,将GM(1,1)模型用于股票预测,进行了实例分析,结果表明,模型准确度高,对市场有一定的参考意义。     

简单光反射模型(Phong模型)的导出

简单光反射模型只考虑物体对直接光照的反射作用,而物体间的光反射作用,只用环境光来表示,Phong模型即为这样的一种模型。本文分别从光反射作用的各个组成部分来导出Phong模型。     

六维球面中的SU(2)-轨道(英文)

利用标准的SU(2)不可约酉表示,构造了SU(2)到G2的实不可约表示.同时,研究了S6中不同的SU(2)-轨道类型,特别是3维CR-轨道.     

基于AR(1)-MA(0)模型的房地产价格预测研究

分析了利用AR(1)-MA(0)模型进行房地产价格预测的基本思想、操作流程,推导了AR(1)-MA(0)模型进行房地产价格一步及多步预测的公式。在此基础上,对2001～2005年太原市商品房住宅价格进行预期评估的实证研究,评估结果证实该方法具有良好的可操作性及评估精度。     

基于上下文的SPIHT算法研究

文章在SPIHT算法的基础上,通过合理分配比特、改进零树集合、完善分类策略等措施,提出了一种新嵌入零树小波ECG信号压缩编码算法（简称为改进的SPIHT算法）。算法首先将ECG数据进行离散小波变换;其次,对离散小波变换后的系数进行均匀量化;最后用基于上下文的自适应算术编码对量化后的系数进行编码。仿真结果显示,该算法压缩比大,信息损失小,能够较好的恢复原有的信号。     

女性胆固醇随年龄变化灰色GM(1,1)预测模型的建立

研究女性胆固醇随年龄变化的趋势.采集大最女性胆固醇数据,以10岁为年龄段,计算每个年龄段健康女性胆固醇平均值,并以女性70岁以下6个年龄段的胆固醇为原始数列,建立了女性胆固醇随年龄变化的灰色系统(GM(1,1))模型预测.后验差检验合格,预测70～79岁、80以上年龄段的女性胆固醇.预测分析结果表明,灰色系统GM(1,...     

基于多重镜像法的球型接地模型接地电阻计算

采用电磁场理论中的多重镜像法,并结合数学中的级数与差分方程理论,分析了球型接地模型的接地电阻。同时指出教材中推导接地电阻公式时的一个疏漏,并予以一定的修正,对已有的一个多重镜像法算例加以推广。这是镜像法在实际应用中的一个实例。     

共词分析法研究(二)——类团分析

提出粘合力、密度及向度为类团分析的三个重要计量指标,并对三个指标的原理、算法进行深入分析,还给出类团可视化分析的两种方法:类团关系图及战略坐标图.