Elevated levels of salivary α- amylase activity in saliva associated with reduced odds of obesity in adult Qatari citizens: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between salivary α-amylase activity (ssAAa) and the risk of metabolic disorders remains equivocal. We aimed to assess this relationship in adults from Qatar, where obesity and type 2 diabetes are highly prevalent. We cross-sectionally quantified ssAAa in saliva and estimated AMY1 CN from whole-genome sequencing data from 1499 participants. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between ssAAa and adiposity and glycemic markers. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between ssAAa and occurrence of obesity or diabetes. The mean and median ssAAa were significantly lower in obese individuals. There were significant inverse associations between ssAAa and BMI, and fat mass. We detected a marked effect of ssAAa on reduced odds of obesity after adjusting for age and sex, glucose, LDL, HLD, total cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (OR per ssAAa unit 0.998 [95% CI 0.996-0.999], p = 0.005), with ssAAa ranging between 6.8 and 422U/mL. The obesity odds were significantly lower in the upper half of the ssAAa distributional (OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.42-0.76], p<0.001) and lower in the top versus the bottom decile of the ssAAa distribution (OR 0.46 [95% CI 0.23-0.92], p = 0.03). Our findings suggest a potential beneficial relationship between high sAAa in saliva and low odds of obesity in Qatari adults.

High plasma salivary α-amylase, but not high AMY1 copy number, associated with low obesity rate in Qatari adults: cross-sectional study.

The relationship between salivary α-amylase activity (psAAa) or AMY1 copy number and the risk of obesity remains controversial. We aimed to assess this relationship in a cohort from Qatar, where obesity affects 43% of adults. The relationship was investigated cross-sectionally in 923 Qatari adults from the Qatar biobank cohort. AMY1 CN was estimated form whole genome sequencing data. The associations with obesity prevalence were assessed by linear and logistic regressions. We found no difference in AMY1 CN between obese and normal-weight individuals. However, the psAAa was significantly lower in obese individuals. Significant inverse correlations were found between adiposity markers and psAAa in both sexes, but were marginally stronger in men. A significant effect of high psAAa, but not AMY1 CN, on reduced obesity rates was identified in men (OR per psAAa unit 0.957 [95% CI 0.937-0.977], p < 0.001, with psAAa ranging between 5 to 66 U/L). A significantly higher prevalence of obesity was observed in the lowest quartile of psAAa in men (75% (Q1) vs. 36% (Q4), p < 0.001) and women (74% (Q1) vs 56% (Q4), p = 0.009). Our findings suggest that high psAAa, but not AMY1 CN, has a potential positive benefit against obesity in the Qatari population.

Mixed alkali metal/transition metal coordination polymers with the mellitic acid hexaanion: 2-dimensional hexagonal magnetic nets.

The hexaanion of mellitic acid, mel = (C(6)(CO(2))(6))(6-), links metal ions into extensively connected magnetic coordination polymers. Reaction of alkali metal mellitate salts, M(6)(mel) (M = K, Rb), with M'Cl(2) precursors (M' = Mn, Co, Ni) under mild (473 K) hydrothermal conditions yields an extensive family of isostructural 3-dimensional mixed alkali metal/transition metal polymers of general formula M(2)[M'(2)(mel)(OH(2))(2)] (M/M' = K/Mn (1a); K/Co (1b); K/Ni (1c); Rb/Mn (2a); Rb/Co (2b); Rb/Ni (2c)). These materials incorporate distorted 2-dimensional magnetic hexagonal nets with a honeycomb topology that are exclusively based on metal-carboxylate-metal bridging interactions. A further isostructural alkali metal-free Co(2+) material with NH(4)(+) cations, (NH(4))(2)[Co(2)(mel)(OH(2))(2)] (3), produced by reaction of H(6)mel with [Co(NH(3))(6)]Cl(3) is also presented. The magnetic susceptibility data for 1a-c, 2a-c, and 3 are presented. The susceptibility data for the Mn(II)- and Ni(II)-containing phases have been analyzed using a simple Mean Field Theory approach, and have been modeled using a high temperature series expansion. The comparative magnetism of the Co(II) phases is also presented, and is more complicated because of significant spin-orbit coupling effects.

Biodegradability of naltrexone-poly(DL) lactide implants in vivo assessed under ultrasound in humans.

Ultrasound was used to assess the in vivo biodegradability of a sustained release poly(DL)lactide naltrexone implant in 71 persons previously treated for heroin dependence. We assessed 139 implant sites ranging from 2 to 1808 days post implant. Ultrasound assessment showed that implant tablets were initially well demarcated from each other and from the surrounding tissues. Biodegradation resulted in less demarcated tablets followed by clumping into a single mass-like structure. This mass subsequently dispersed by approximately 1201 days post implant with no implant material visualized by ultrasound. The biodegradation was also assessed by visual clinical examination and palpation of the implant site as well as patient self-report. These measures were generally well correlated with ultrasound results. Clinical assessment of the biodegradation process concluded that the implant changed from 'firm' to 'less firm' and from 'initial square edge' to 'rounded edge' tablets. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence of the in vivo absorption of the Go Medical implant over time, and its biodegradability in humans.

Asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: comparison of thin-section CT features.

PURPOSE: To identify differences, if any, in thin-section computed tomographic (CT) features between asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and to test the findings in a subset of histopathologically proved cases of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of IPF (n = 212) or asbestosis (n = 74) were included. The relationships derived from the initial comparison were tested in a separate group of biopsy-proved UIP (n = 30) and NSIP (n = 23) cases. Two observers independently scored thin-section CT images for extent, distribution, and coarseness of fibrosis; proportion of ground-glass opacification; severity of traction bronchiectasis; and extent of emphysema. RESULTS: After controlling for extent of fibrosis, patients with asbestosis had coarser fibrosis than those with IPF (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.84; P <.001). Compared with the biopsy-proved cases, the asbestosis cases involved coarser fibrosis (after controlling for disease extent) than the NSIP cases (odds ratio, 2.48; 95% CI: 1.49, 4.11; P <.001) but fibrosis similar to that in the UIP cases. A basal and subpleural distribution of disease was usual in all subgroups but significantly more prevalent (P, <.01 to.001) with asbestosis than with UIP or NSIP. CONCLUSION: The thin-section CT pattern of asbestosis closely resembles that of biopsy-proved UIP and differs markedly from that of biopsy-proved NSIP.