[Patterns of eating habits and body composition in primary school children]

The study of the influence of nutrition and its associations with other parameters, which are closely related to the metabolic profile, in order to better understand the mechanisms of realization of the obesity phenotype in the child population is of particular interest. The aim of the study was to investigate the eating habits of elementary school children and their dependence on the parameters of physical development and body composition of the child population of Tomsk. Material and methods. 506 children aged 7 to 12 years were examined. The main group consisted of 216 children (53.1% boys, 46.9% girls) with overweight and obesity, the control group - 290 healthy children (49.0% boys, 51.0% girls). All children underwent measurement of anthropometric parameters with the calculation of SDS body mass index (WHO Anthro Plus), estimation of body composition by bioimpedancemetry. The actual nutrition of schoolchildren was assessed by the frequency method using a questionnaire. Results. Overweight and obese children had levels of body fat, percent body fat, visceral fat area and whole-body phase angle which were statistically significantly (p<0.001) higher in comparison with the control group. Regular meals were more typical for schoolchildren of the control group compared to the main group (p=0.002). A survey of parents showed that 55.0% of them don't have problems with the nutrition of their children, 32.0% do not have conditions for monitoring their nutrition, 37.5% of children consume high-calorie foods, 29.0% do not comply with the diet, 64.5% - eat while watching TV. Only 21.1% of children consume fresh vegetables daily, cereals - 21.8%, dairy products - 30.3%, milk - 56.5%, meat - 58.5%, cottage cheese - 10.3%. Fish is not consumed by 25.6% of children, consumed less than once a week - by 47.2%. Several times a week, sausages and sausages are consumed by 41.7% of schoolchildren, confectionery - by 32.5%, chocolate and sweets - by 51.5%. Conclusion. The food habits of primary school students in Tomsk are characterized by an insufficient amount of vegetables and fruits, dairy products, fish dishes, a high level of consumption of ultra-processed red meat and various confectionery products (sweets, chocolate, cakes). The absence of statistically significant differences in the results of the survey between the control group and the main group may be due to the multifactorial nature of obesity associated with a variety of behavioral, biological and social factors, the real contribution of which remains to be determined.

[Structural and functional characteristics of the brain and their role in the development of eating behaviour in obesity: A review]

Obesity is a major public health problem that requires new approaches. Despite all interventions, the behavioural and therapeutic interventions developed have demonstrated limited effectiveness in curbing the obesity epidemic. Findings from imaging studies of the brain suggest the existence of neural vulnerabilities and structural changes that are associated with the development of obesity and eating disorders. This review highlights the clinical relevance of brain neuroimaging research in obese individuals to prevent risky behaviour, early diagnosis, and the development of new safer and more effective treatments.

Alpha-2 macroglobulin activity in SARS-CoV-2 induced infection and in the post-COVID-19 period

The universal proteinase inhibitor α2-macroglobulin (α₂-MG) exhibiting antiviral and immunomodulatory activities, is considered as an important participant in the infectious process. The activity of α₂-MG in the new coronavirus infection and post-covid syndrome (long COVID) has not been studied yet. We examined 85 patients diagnosed with community-acquired bilateral polysegmental pneumonia developed under conditions of a new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2. For assessment of the post-COVID period, 60 patients were examined 5.0±3.6 months after the coronavirus infection. Among these patients, 40 people had complications, manifested in the form of neurological, cardiological, gastroenterological, dermatological, bronchopulmonary symptoms. The control group included 30 conditionally healthy individuals with a negative PCR result for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and lack of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The α₂-MG activity in serum samples of patients with coronavirus infection dramatically decreased, up to 2.5% of the physiological level. This was accompanied by an increase in the activity of the α₁-proteinase inhibitor, elastase- and trypsin-like proteinases by 2.0-, 4.4- and 2.6-fold respectively as compared with these parameters in conditionally healthy individuals of the control. In the post-COVID period, despite the trend towards normalization of the activity of inhibitors, the activity of elastase-like and especially trypsin-like proteinases in serum remained elevated. In overweight individuals, the increase in the activity of trypsin-like proteinases was most pronounced and correlated with an increase in the antibody titer to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the post-COVID period, the α₂-MG activity not only normalized, but also exceeded the control level, especially in patients with dermatological and neurological symptoms. In patients with neurological symptoms or with dermatological symptoms, the α₂-MG activity was 1.3 times and 2.1 times higher than in asymptomatic persons. Low α₂-MG activity in the post-COVID period persisted in overweight individuals. The results obtained can be used to monitor the course of the post-COVID period and identify risk groups for complications.

The Role Of Osteopontin In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Cognitive Impairment

Background — type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease; in combination with dysmetabolic and proinflammatory pathophysiological mechanisms, it leads to cognitive impairment. Objective — analysis of the osteopontin role in formation of cognitive disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods — the study complies with generally accepted ethical rules; it was approved by the Ethics Committee of Siberian State Medical University. It involved 50 patients with type 2 diabetes, who were divided into groups depending on the presence of cognitive impairment; the control group consisted of 25 subjects. All patients underwent general clinical examination, blood sampling for biochemical parameters, and plasma osteopontin content assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on SIGNA Creator E magnetic resonance imaging system, GE Healthcare, 1.5 T, China. The employed techniques included dynamic contrast and arterial spin labeling, proton spectroscopy, tractography. SPSS Statistics software was used for statistical analysis. Results — osteopontin levels were higher in patients with excess weight, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, and cognitive impairment; and in neuroimaging studies with microangiopathy, based on perfusion MRI, with impaired white matter integration, as well as with neurometabolism of choline, creatine and phosphocreatine metabolites in the hippocampus, as well as their NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, Cho/Cr ratios (p≤0.05). Conclusion — patients with type 2 diabetes, along with cognitive and metabolic disorders, exhibited elevated levels of osteopontin, which was also associated with impaired cerebral vascularization in general, and white matter organization, as well as neurometabolism in the hippocampus.

[Features of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its pharmacotherapy in outpatients]

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) remains the most common type of DM and is associat-ed with disabling complications, reduced quality of life and reduced life expectancy. Satisfactory control of carbohydrate metabolism remains the key way to manage them.

AIM

To perform a retrospective analysis of carbohydrate metabolism (in terms of glycated hemoglobin - HbA1c), the prevalence of complications, and features of hypoglycemic and concomitant therapy in patients with type 2 DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis of sex and age characteristics, achieved level of HbA1c, diabetes complications, sugar-reducing and concomitant therapy according to the data of outpatient records of the patients who are on dispensary registration with an endocrinologist in the Endocrinology Department of the Consultative and Diagnostic Polyclinic of the Tomsk Regional Clinical Hospital in Tomsk was carried out.

RESULTS

546 outpatient medical records of patients with type 2 DM were analysed, among which there were 39.6% men (n=216) with a history of type 2 DM 8.0 years [3.0; 13.0] , median age 64.0 years [54.5; 71.0] and 60.4% women (n=330), history of type 2 DM 10.0 years [5.0; 15.0], median age 70.0 years [63.0; 75.0]. The achieved HbA1c level in men was 7.6% [6.3; 9.0] and in women 7.4% [6.4; 9.1]. 19.4% of men and 13.6% of women had an aggravated history of type 2 DM. According to the history, 6.5% of men (n=14) and 3% of women (n=10) with type 2 DM had a history of stroke, and myocardial infarction 12% (n=26) and 1.5% (n=5), respectively. Among the analysed outpatient records of type 2 DM patients, 18.5% of men (n=40) and 12.4% of women (n=41) were found to have diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic retinopathy was reported in 9.3% (n=20) of men and 4.2% (n=14) of women. Diabetic macroangiopathies were detected in 29.6% (n=64) of males and 9.7% (n=32) of females. Among other chronic complications of DM, diabetic neuroosteoarthropathy was recorded in 1% (n=2) of males and 3% (n=10) of females, diabetic polyneuropathy in 25% (n=54) and 21.5% (n=71), respectively. Diabetic foot was diagnosed in 1.9% (n=4) of men and 1.8% (n=6) of women. Among comorbid pathology, obesity was diagnosed in 45.4% (n=88) of men and 69.1% (n=228) of women, dyslipidaemia in 10.2% (n=22) and 10.6% (n=35) respectively, hypertension in 39.8% (n=86) and 32.6% (n=108) of cases. The diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was verified in 3.7% of men (n=7) and 1.8% of women (n=6), chronic heart failure in 7.4% of men (n=16) and 2.4% of women (n=8) registered for type 2 DM. According to the analysed outpatient records, 4.1% (n=23) of patients received diet therapy, 48.3% (n=263) received monotherapy and 47.6% (n=260) received combination therapy for type 2 DM. Metformin was the most commonly used monotherapy for type 2 DM 36.1% (n=197), followed by insulin 6.9% (n=38), sulfonylurea derivatives - 2.7% (n=15). Combination of metformin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (13.9%) was the most commonly used combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of the current situation in the diabetology service will help to identify weaknesses and strengths, which is necessary to optimise existing therapeutic approaches in accordance with current clinical recommendations.