Association of Circulating Irisin with Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Obese Women

Irisin is a myokine/adipokine with potential role in obesity and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to assess irisin levels and its association with insulin resistance and oxidative stress markers in premenopausal normal-weight and obese women. Ten obese (mean body mass index, 32.65±3.04 kg m^-2) and 10 normal-weight (23.00±2.23 kg m^-2) premenopausal women were involved in the present study. Anthropometric, and body composition parameters, blood chemistry, oxidative stress markers, and irisin concentrations of different groups were measured. Correlation analyses were performed between irisin and other measured parameters. Plasma irisin levels were lower in the obese group than the normal-weight group (p<0.05). Glucose, homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR), and MDA levels in the obese group were higher than that in the normal-weight group (p<0.05). Plasma irisin was negatively correlated with insulin (r=-0.648, p<0.05), HOMA-IR (r=-0.664, p<0.05) and MDA (r=-0.690, p<0.05). These data suggest that irisin levels are decreased with obesity, and irisin may have an antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.

How Vitamin D Levels of Children Changed During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Pre-pandemic and Pandemic Periods

OBJECTIVE

The synthesis of vitamin D is related to sun exposure, thus the restrictions during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have affected the levels of vitamin D in all age groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin D levels of healthy children and adolescents during the first year of the pandemic.

METHODS

The study group included healthy children and adolescents who were admitted for general check-ups and evaluated with 25(OH)D levels. Then, it was divided into two groups: Group 1 “pre-pandemic”, and Group 2 “pandemic”. Vitamin D levels were recorded from the hospital database and were compared according to age groups, gender, and the season, retrospectively.

RESULTS

The study group [mean age=90.29±59.45 median age=79 interquartile range (IQR): 102 months, male/female: 1409/1624] included 3033 children and adolescents (Group 1/Group 2 n=1864/1169). Although the mean 25(OH)D levels among preschool children did not differ between groups, the vitamin D levels of school-aged children and adolescents were significantly lower in the pandemic period than in the pre-pandemic period [Group 1 median=16.50 (IQR: 10.5) vs Group 2 median=15.9 (IQR: 11.3) in 6-12 age group (p=0.026); Group 1 median=13.30 (IQR: 10.2) vs Group 2 median=11.20 (IQR: 9.7) in 12-18 age group (p=0.003)]. Moreover, the 25(OH)D levels of adolescents showed seasonal variance with lower levels in winter, and unexpectedly, in summer.

CONCLUSION

Pandemic-related restrictions have caused significant decreases in vitamin D levels of school-aged children and adolescents. We suggest that children and adolescents should be given vitamin D supplementation in order to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D during the pandemic.

Theoretical studies on molecular structure and vibrational spectra of 8-hydroxyquinolinium picrate

Quantum chemical calculations of geometrical structure and vibrational wavenumbers of 8-hydroxyquinolinium picrate (8-HQP) were carried out by ab initio HF and density functional (DFT/B3LYP) method with 6-31++G(dp) basis set. The calculated geometric parameters of 8-HQP are presented. A detailed interpretation of the infrared spectra of 8-hydroxyquinolinium picrate (8-HQP) are also reported. Theoretical molecular frontier orbital energies of the title compound have been calculated using the method mentioned above in order to understand this phenomenon in the context of molecular orbital picture. The molecular HOMOs and LUMOs generated via HF and B3LYP method have been outlined.

Interaction of functional gastrointestinal disorders with postpartum conditions related to mother and baby

BACKGROUND

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) may affect or may be affected by postpartum depression (PPD), mode of feeding and postpartum life quality. We aimed to evaluate the interaction between FGID and these parameters in infants.

METHODS

The study group consisted of babies attending our outpatient clinics. There were three age groups: 4-6 weeks, 3-4 months and 6-7 months. Demographic data of the babies and mothers, and data of feeding were collected. For the diagnosis of FGID, Rome III criteria were used. Mothers were screened with the Edinburgh Depression Scale. Quality of life (QoL) scores were obtained by using the `Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire`. Factors affecting the presence of FGID, PPD and quality of life were analyzed.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirteen infants were enrolled during the study period. FGID was present with similar rates in both genders and was lower (31.5%) in the 6-7 month-old group (p=0.001). Infantile colic was higher in girls (68.6% vs. 31.4%, p=0.016). In 4-6 week-old infants with infantile dyschesia, the delivery route was mostly cesarean (83.3% vs. 16.7%, p=0.006). Similarly, regurgitation was more frequent in 6-7 month-old infants born by cesarean (88.9% vs. 11.1%, p=0.035), and was more frequent in infants being exclusively breastfed (60.9%, p=0.037). QoL scores were lower in mothers with depression (20.9±3.4 vs. 23.9±3.6, p=0.003). Infantile colic was higher in mothers with depression, but not significantly (29.3% vs. 11.4%, p=0.057).

CONCLUSIONS

Caesarian section delivery and breastfeeding were influential on infantile dyschesia and regurgitation subgroups. No other studied factor seemed to affect FGID.

Job satisfaction in primary care after the health reform in a province of Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Health care reform, which started to be restructured after the Alma Ata Declaration, positively contributed to the development of primary health care administrations around the world. In Turkey, the Ministry of Health launched a "Health Transformation Program" by initiating the "Family Medicine Model" that influenced the working conditions and job satisfaction of primary health care workers (PHCWs). In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated job satisfaction levels of PHCWs and the factors affecting these levels a decade after the introduction of the health care reform in a province of Turkey.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 223 PHCWs participated in the study and completed a structured questionnaire that probed their views regarding their jobs and working conditions. Additionally, the short version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was administered to each participant. Participants were also asked to indicate whether they had any intention to quit their job, whether they liked their profession and workplace, and whether they were satisfied with their job. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to determine predictors of job satisfaction.

RESULTS

PHCWs were found to be generally dissatisfied with their working conditions and they declared that they were not sufficiently qualified to work in primary care. Their overall satisfaction was found to be moderate (3.21±0.67 out of 5) and the most important predictor for job satisfaction was found to be "Liking the workplace" (OR=3.07; 95% CI=1.46-6.45).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that environmental factors for job-related issues need to be examined more intensively for future planning and policy making in primary care.