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Data on the efficacy of vitamin D in improving the glycemic status of elderly people with prediabetes are scarce. This open-label, randomized-controlled trial investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glycemic markers of Greek people with prediabetes aged 60 years or above, over 12 months. Participants were randomized to a weekly vitamin D3 dose of 25,000 IU (n = 45) or nothing (n = 45), on top of lifestyle measures. Anthropometric and glycemic markers were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months Supplemented participants demonstrated a significant increase in 25(OH)D concentrations at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to baseline . In the intervention group, fasting glucose was decreased at 6 months compared to baseline (96.12 ± 5.51 vs 103.40 ± 12.05 mg/dl, p < 0.01) and glycated hemoglobin was significantly lower at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline [5.82 ± 0.21% vs 5.87 ± 0.21%, p = 0.004 and 5.80 ± 0.23% vs 5.87 ± 0.21%, p < 0.001, respectively]. Vitamin D could be complementary to lifestyle change strategy for the management of prediabetes in the elderly. ISRCTN51643592.

For seven weeks, 37 overweight adults followed a hypocaloric diet based on Orthodox Fasting (OF). A hypocaloric, time restricted eating (TRE) plan (eating between 08:00 to 16:00 h, water fasting from 16:00 to 08:00 h) was followed by 23 Body Mass Index (BMI)-matched participants. Anthropometric, glycaemic and inflammation markers and serum lipids were assessed before and after the diets. Both OF and TRE groups demonstrated reductions in BMI (28.54 ± 5.45 vs 27.20 ± 5.10 kg/m2, p

Diabetes Mellitus type 1 (T1DM) is a chronic disease that requires patients' self-monitoring and self-management to achieve glucose targets and prevent complications. Telenursing implicates technology in the interaction of a specialized nurse with patients with chronic diseases in order to provide personalized care and support.To evaluate the effect of telenursing on T1DM patients' compliance with glucose self-monitoring and glycemic control.Randomized controlled study.Outpatient Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism of a University Hospital in Northern Greece.Ninety-four T1DM patients were recruited and randomized in two groups by a random number generator. The intervention group (N = 48) was provided with telenursing services. A specialized nurse made a weekly contact via telephone motivating patients to frequently measure blood glucose and adopt a healthy lifestyle. The control group (N = 46) received standard diabetes advice and care in the clinic. The primary outcome was the effect of the intervention in glucose control and glucose variability. The secondary outcome was the effect on frequency of self-monitoring. SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis.The two groups did not differ in age, sex, physical activity or initial HbA1c. In the intervention group, blood glucose significantly decreased at the end of the study in all predefined measurements, compared to control group: morning (93.18 ± 13.30 mg/dl vs. 105.17 ± 13.74 mg/dl, p 0.005), pre-prandial (114.76 ± 9.54 mg/dl vs. 120.84 ± 4.05 mg/dl, p 0.005), post-prandial (193.35 ± 25.36 mg/dl vs. 207.84 ± 18.80 mg/dl, p 0.005), and HbA1c decreased significantly over time in the intervention group (8.3 ± 0.6% at the beginning of the study vs. 7.8 ± 1% at the end of the study, p = 0.03). In the intervention group there were also fewer omitted glucose measurements than in the control group.Patients in the intervention group achieved better glucose control and more frequent self-monitoring than patients in routine care in the clinic. The findings of our study indicate that telenursing can motivate T1DM patients to better control their disease.

Within the framework of finding new fumigants, less toxic and environmentally friendly, in comparison with conventional fumigants, natural products and essential oils are considered to be alternative sources of potentially active compounds. In this context, the aim of the present study was the chemical analysis and the evaluation of fumigant toxicity against the adults of rice weevil Sitophylus oryzae of sixteen essential oils obtained from fourteen plant species. The essential oils of the species Apium nodiflorum, Bupleurum fruticosum, Crithmum maritimum, Liquidambar orientalis and Laurus azorica consisted mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the prevailing group of compounds in the essential oils of Laurus nobilis, Myrtus communis, Salvia fruticosa S. pomifera subsp. calycina, S. officinalis and Thymbra capitata. The essential oils of Cotinus coggygria, S. microphylla and Teucrium capitatum were rich in sesquiterpenes. The most active essential oils were those of T. capitata (LC50 = 3.4 μL/L air) and S. pomifera subsp. calycina (LC50 = 4.4 μL/L air) against S. oryzae adults. The essential oils of S. fruticosa, L. nobilis and S. officinalis were also found to be highly toxic (LC50 = 7.4–15.5 μL/L air). Most of the other essential oils tested exhibited moderate to low toxicities (LC50 = 17.7–37.9 μL/L air), while those of C. coggygria and S. microphylla did not exhibit any noticeable activity. Our results indicate that some essential oils, and in particular those of T. capitata and S. pomifera subsp. calycina might be promising fumigants for the control of important pests of stored grain such as the rice weevil S. oryzae.

Absence of adequate maternal vitamin D supplementation and decreased maternal ultraviolet exposure during pregnancy are key determinants for the manifestation of neonatal hypovitaminosis D at birth. These parameters may vary, according to country-specific dietary patterns, health policies and sunshine exposure. We aimed to investigate differences in calcium metabolism and anthropometric profiles according to neonatal vitamin D status at birth, in a sunny region of Northern Greece. A secondary aim was to identify maternal parameters as risk factors for developing neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth. A total of 129 mother-neonate pairs were included in the study and classified into three groups, according to neonatal 25-hydroxy-D [25(OH)D)] concentrations at birth [deficiency (30 nmol/l), insufficiency (30-50 nmol/l) and sufficiency (50 nmol/l)]. Neonatal biochemical and anthropometric profiles and maternal demographic, social, dietary and biochemical profiles were comparatively evaluated between the three groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent associations of maternal factors with neonatal vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficient-neonates manifested higher parathyroid hormone (7.20 ± 2.60 vs 5.50 ± 1.50 pg/ml, p = 0.01) and lower corrected calcium (10.70 ± 0.70 vs 11.30 ± 1.30 mg/dl, p = 0.02) concentrations compared with vitamin d-insufficient neonates. Mothers of vitamin D deficient and insufficient neonates had a lower total of 25(OH)D (31.7 ± 19.2 and 36.5 ± 22.3 vs 53.3 ± 39.0 nmol/l, p 0.01) and 25(OH)D

Maternal vitamin D deficiency is considered to be the key determinant of the development of neonatal vitamin D deficiency at birth and during early infancy. Specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have been associated with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal and neonatal VDR polymorphisms (ApaI, TaqI, BsmI, FokI, Tru9I) on maternal and neonatal vitamin D status. VDR polymorphisms were genotyped in 70 mother-neonate pairs of Greek origin, and classified according to international thresholds for Vitamin D status. Mean neonatal and maternal 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were 35 ± 20 and 47 ± 26 nmol/l, respectively. Neonatal VDR polymorphisms were not associated with neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations. In contrast, mothers with the Fokl FF polymorphism had a 70 % lower risk of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D

Incretin hormones, namely glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are gastro-intestinal hormones released from different enteroendocrine cells after nutrient intake. Incretins exert their actions though binding to and activation of specific GIP and GLP-1 receptors which are present in several target tissues. Incretin receptor activation in the pancreas leads to the incretin effect and other significant non-insulinotropic effects. Extra-pancreatic effects of incretin hormones in several other target tissues, such as their role in the pathophysiology of obesity and their potential relation with cardiovascular function, cognitive function, triglyceride storage in adipose tissue and bone metabolism, have attracted scientific interest. In the current review we intend to summarize existing knowledge on specific effects of GIP and GLP-1 in bone cells and bone metabolism. Starting from the identification of GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor in animal and human bone cells, continuing with the skeletal effects of incretin deficiency or overexpression in animals, ending to the latest data on incretin and incretin agonists administration in cells, animals and humans, incretins play a significant yet complex role in the pathophysiology of bone metabolism affecting both formation and resorption. Although existing evidence seem strong and concrete, there is still a long way to go until their possible therapeutic or adjuvant use as bone modulating drugs can be considered.

Background Although primary hyperparathyroidism has been associated with insulin resistance, potential optimal effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on glucose homeostasis remain controversial. Accordingly, the impact of PTX on glucose-stimulated incretin (glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP-1] and gastric inhibitory peptide) secretion has not been evaluated. The aim of this pilot study was to compare glucose-stimulated incretin secretion (GSIS) in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism with normal glucose homeostasis, before and after PTX. Methods Fourteen patients were included in the study. Fasting calcium, parathyroid hormone, glucose, insulin, GLP-1, and gastric inhibitory peptide were measured pre- and post-operatively. Homeostasis Model Assessment 2, QUICKI, and Matsuda indexes were used as markers of insulin sensitivity and resistance before and after PTX. Preoperatively, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to evaluate the response of glucose, insulin, and GSIS. OGTT measurements were repeated 6 ± 2 wk post-PTX. Results Patients had a mean age of 52.93 ± 9.96 y, and female-to-male ratio was 12:2. Pre- and post-operatively, a positive correlation between parathyroid hormone and Homeostasis Model Assessment 2 for β-cell function was evident (r = 0.74, P = 0.002 and r = 0.55, P = 0.04, respectively). After PTX, a significant increase in GSIS for GLP-1 during OGTT was observed (in 60 min: 63.06 ± 44.78 versus 102.64 ± 40.19 pg/mL, P = 0.02; and in 120 min: 71.20 ± 35.90 versus 102.49 ± 40.02 pg/mL, P = 0.03). Conclusions The increase of GLP-1 response following oral glucose load after PTX may reflect an initial recovery phase of glucose homeostasis. Long-term studies are required to elucidate the physiological interplay between the normalization of calciotropic axis and the rising GLP-1 concentrations post-PTX.

The combined effect of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on glucose homeostasis has not been adequately investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the role of parathyroid hormone/vitamin D axis on glucose homeostasis in elderly persons with prediabetes.Patients with prediabetes ( n = 144) and healthy age-matched controls ( n = 81) were included in this cross-sectional study. Study parameters included anthropometric characteristics, morning fasting glucose (fasting plasma glucose), insulin (fasting plasma insulin), parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function. Both groups were stratified into subgroups according to vitamin D status and tertiles of parathyroid hormone.Both groups were comparable in terms of body mass index, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone status. In the prediabetes group, fasting plasma glucose differed significantly across parathyroid hormone tertiles, increasing from the first to the third tertile ( p = 0.011). There were higher fasting plasma glucose values in participants with vitamin D deficiency/parathyroid hormone third tertile compared to all other groups ( p = 0.031, 0.027 and 0.039, respectively).Parathyroid hormone status is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis; hypovitaminosis D combined with high parathyroid hormone concentrations are associated with glycaemic dysregulation in elderly patients with prediabetes.

Different studies have pointed towards a positive effect of religious fasting on human health. Orthodox fasting (OF) regime could be characterized as a periodical vegetarian diet, demonstrating several common characteristics with the typical Mediterranean diet. The present systematic review aimed to synthesize available results regarding the potential impact of OF on human health. Key biomedical databases were searched to identify studies examining the effects of OF on humans. Following implementation of specific criteria, ten studies were included in the analysis and their results were systematically reported and critically appraised in this review. According to the available limited results, OF periods are characterized by a restriction in total energy and fat intake, an increase in carbohydrate and fiber consumption, while in terms of protein intake, results are contradictive. The overall effect of OF on lipids profile seems to be optimal, with the reduction of total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, being a consistent finding across studies (up to 17.8 and 31.4%, respectively). However, the effect on HDL-C is still unclear. Conclusions regarding the impact on body weight and glucose homeostasis cannot be drawn, given that relevant data are limited with conflicting results. Any potential negative aspects of OF, mainly attributed to reduced dietary intake of vitamin D and B12 and minerals (mainly calcium), require further investigation. Given the limitations of available evidence, more studies are required before reaching definite conclusions about the effects of OF on human health.

Background The case of Romand concerns a man who pretended to be a medical doctor and killed his family while the fake identity he had cautiously impersonated for 18 years was about to be exposed. The purpose of this study is to determine the motive of Romand’s following criminal act. In 1993, Romand smashed his wife’s skull and shot his children while asleep. Afterwards, he joined his parents for a meal and shot them both. Later that night, he attacked his ex-mistress, but strangely enough, the few words she uttered, made him apologise and release her. He finally returned to his family home, which still contained the bodies of his dead wife and children, and set it on fire.

Materials and methods Our bibliographic review of recent case reports strongly suggests that pathological liars share an extraordinary, yet paradoxical profile: individuals beyond suspicion, prominent men with social status (Judge Couwenberg and Professor Joseph Ellis) and women incarnating the graces of motherhood (later on to be diagnosed with Munchausen by Proxy) seeming particularly genuine and convincing, often driven by their lies to a clash with the judicial system or administrative structures (such as hospitals). This review also traces the historical development of pathological lying and its place in modern-day psychiatry.