Controversial Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Reducing Insulin Resistance and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Patients with Prediabetes: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Prediabetes has become a worldwide health problem. Multiple clinical trials have been conducted to determine the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in preventing the conversion to diabetes, but the results are inconsistent. The aims of this study were to evaluate the current knowledge and to suggest recommendations for researchers on designing future trials regarding that matter.

METHODS

Four databases were searched for randomized control trials from the last 10 years about vitamin D and insulin resistance. The systematic electronic literature search identified 2645 studies, of which thirty-eight qualified for full-text reading and discussion. Finally, eight trials were included.

RESULTS

Final results of seven trials reported that supplementation of vitamin D does not reduce insulin resistance nor reduces the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 development in prediabetes. Only one trial showed improvements in fasting glucose and HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the great variation and biases in study designs, an unambiguous interpretation of the results is not possible. To eliminate those vulnerabilities in the future, we made certain suggestions for study design. Long-term and well-designed studies are still required.

Polymorphous light eruption in children – clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and treatment

Polymorphous light eruption is classified as an immune-mediated photodermatosis. It is the most common cause of photosensitivity in children between 6 and 14 years old. It is characterised by pruritic or tingling erythematous papular or plaque lesions of sunlight-exposed skin which occur in spring or early summer. The first signs of polymorphous light eruption typically appear several hours to days after the first exposure to intense sunlight and take the form of an irritable rash persisting for a few days, and subsiding within a week or two with minimal or no scarring. Its recurrences may have a detrimental impact on the quality of life. Due to the significant heterogeneity of clinical manifestations of polymorphous light eruption, the disorder is relatively challenging to diagnose. The differential diagnoses include photosensitivity associated with lupus erythematosus, solar urticaria, actinic prurigo, erythema multiforme, photocontact allergic dermatitis, and genetic dermatoses. UVA and UVB phototesting followed by histological examination is an important diagnostic tool to objectify light-related symptoms. Once the diagnosis is established, the patient should be monitored and educated on prevention. The management of polymorphous light eruption is based on prevention such as sun protection and sunscreens. The first-line treatment includes glucocorticoids and antihistamines.

Fuel-Air Mixing In A Turbulent Coannular Pipe Flow Measured Using Laser Absorption With Genetic Algorithm-Based Tomographic Reconstruction And Modeled With LES

This research aims at improving the knowledge base of fuel-air mixing through measurements and modeling. The measurements are from an improved tomographic reconstruction method that is relatively easy to accomplish. A novel aspect of this research is the use of tomography for generating the RMS of fuel concentration. Measurements of fuel concentration for a mixing field were tomographically reconstructed from time resolved line of sight laser absorption measurements. The modeling is done using large eddy simulations (LES). LES predictions were compared to measurements of the mean and RMS of fuel concentration. The LES model predicted time-averaged radial fuel concentration profiles to within 5%, and overpredicted the RMS of fuel concentration slightly, predicting the trends correctly.

Liquid perfluorochemical-supported hybrid cell culture system for proliferation of chondrocytes on fibrous polylactide scaffolds

CP5 bovine chondrocytes were cultured on biodegradable electrospun fibrous polylactide (PLA) scaffolds placed on a flexible interface formed between two immiscible liquid phases: (1) hydrophobic perfluorochemical (PFC) and (2) aqueous culture medium, as a new way of cartilage implant development. Robust and intensive growth of CP5 cells was achieved in our hybrid liquid-solid-liquid culture system consisting of the fibrous PLA scaffolds in contrast to limited growth of the CP5 cells in traditional culture system with PLA scaffold placed on solid surface. The multicellular aggregates of CP5 cells covered the surface of PLA scaffolds and the chondrocytes migrated through and overgrew internal fibers of the scaffolds. Our hybrid culture system simultaneously allows the adhesion of adherent CP5 cells to fibers of PLA scaffolds as well as, due to use of phase of PFC, enhances the mass transfer in the case of supplying/removing of respiratory gases, i.e., O2 and CO2. Our flexible (independent of vessel shape) system is simple, ready-to-use and may utilize a variety of polymer-based scaffolds traditionally proposed for implant development.

Thermally assisted fluorescence of laser-excited OH A(2)Σ(+) as a flame diagnostic tool

A simple laser-induced-fluorescence measurement technique for turbulent flame temperature and OH concentration measurement is proposed and successfully tested. The main idea is that a narrow-band tunable excimer laser beam (λ = 308 nm) is focused into a turbulent atmospheric-pressure nonpremixed flame. The OH molecule Q(1)(3) (X(2)II υ″ = 0, A(2)Σ+υ″ = 0) transition is excited. By subsequent vibrational energy transfer, the distribution in the molecules' upper electronic energy level (excited Σ(+) state) is redistributed. By evaluating the spectrum of the broadband emission from the υ' = 1 ? υ″ = 0 and υ' = 2 ? υ″ = 1 bands with a full spectral fit, we were able to evaluate the temperature and the OH molecule density. The concurrent processes of quenching, vibrational energy transfer, and rotational energy transfer were taken into account in the evaluation process. The results were compared with numerical flame calculations and revealed good agreement. One problem with this new proposed application of laser-induced fluorescence is the self-absorption of the emitted light. This, however, is shown not to be serious, but it has to be checked carefully. The main advantages are a simple experimental setup and procedure, high signal intensity, and a simple and straightforward data evaluation method. Thus this measurement technique is suitable for turbulent flame temperature and OH concentration measurement, and it is an alternative to other well-established techniques that are much more complicated.