Dairy Calcium Supplementation and Its Effects on Body Fat, Plasma Leptin and Glucose Levels in Obese Postmenopausal Women | Chapter 6 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 6

 

The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CADIA) study of young overweight adults, black and white, demonstrated that dietary patterns characterised by increased dairy consumption had an inverse association with insulin resistance in their study population. The inclusion of low or non-fat dairy products, which provide additional calcium in the diet, may promote increased weight loss and improve insulin resistance. Therefore, supplementing dairy products to obese subjects on a caloric-restricted diet may be a useful strategy to enhance weight loss and improve insulin resistance. The study assesses dairy Calcium supplementation and its effects on body Fat, plasma leptin and glucose levels in obese postmenopausal women. This prospective randomised study of 3 months, parallel trial on the effect of non-fat / low-fat dairy calcium combined with energy restriction in overweight/obese postmenopausal women. The study therefore tested the short-term effects of supplementing 56 overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI] >26 kg/m2) post menopausal women on a caloric-restricted diet (1,400 kilocalories [kcal]) with two levels of dairy as yoghurt on body composition, blood insulin, leptin and glucose concentration. The group consuming four supplemented dairy servings (DS-4) was provided ~1400 mg Ca/day, and the group consuming two supplemented dairy servings (DS-2) were provided ~800 mg Ca/day.

 

Over the 3-months daily energy intake averaged 51% carbohydrate, 20.7% of protein and 27.6% of fat for both groups. At 3 months, the DS-4 group demonstrated decreased weight (87.7 to 86.2 kg, P=0.001), BMI (33.5 to 32.8 kg/m2, P < 0.001), total fat (36.1 to 34.7 kg, P<0.001), and trunk fat (18.3 to 17.6 kg, P < 0.001). There were non-significant decreases in plasma glucose (74.7 to 71.1 mg/dl, P=0.494), leptin (32.5 to 31.3 µg/L, P=0.231) and insulin. For the DS-2 group, there was decreased weight (86.4 to 84.4 kg, p<0.02), BMI (32.5 to 31.8 kg/m2, P=0.002), total fat (37.3 to 35.4 kg, P=0.003), trunk fat (17.1 to 16.5 kg, P = 0.27) and plasma leptin (27.8 to 25.2 µg/L, P=0.114). The DS-2 group demonstrated a surprising and significant increase in the fasting blood glucose, with a marginally significant increase in insulin resistance as measured by HOMA at 3 months. We observed a significant treatment effect between the DS-2 and DS-4 groups for: % energy from fat (P=0.025), % energy from protein (P=0.047) and leptin (P=0.044). The study report that in a population of obese/overweight postmenopausal women supplementing their diet with dairy which provided a total estimated calcium intake of ~1400 mg/day (i.e. DS-4) was successful in the reduction of trunk fat and plasma glucose, while dairy calcium and caloric restriction decreased weight, BMI, total body fat, and insulin and leptin during the intervention. In contrast, the supplemented group ingesting 800 mg/d of dairy calcium (i.e. DS-2) in combination with caloric restriction provided significant increases in plasma glucose and insulin resistance.

 

Our study demonstrated the expected weight loss with caloric restriction, but a paradoxical increase in blood glucose levels with dairy supplementation provided to maintain baseline calcium intake. Increasing dairy supplementation abrogated this small increase in fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. The benefits of dairy calcium supplementation may be dependent on both the dose and the context of overall caloric intake.

 

Author(s) Details

Dina H. Fakhrawi
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.

 

Carol J. Lammi-Keefe
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA and College of Agriculture, LSU, Agricultural Center, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

 

W. Lawrence Beeson
School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA and Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, USA.

 

T. Allan Darnell
School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

Anthony Firek
J L Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center, Endocrinology, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

Zaida R. Cordero-MacIntyre
School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, USA and Whittier College, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Whittier, CA, USA.

 

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v6/7123

Effects of Energy Restriction and Dairy Consumption on Lipids and Bone Health in Overweight and Obese Postmenopausal Women | Chapter 5 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 6

 

Background: Women in the post-menopausal stage of life are susceptible to a number of chronic health conditions related to obesity and osteoporosis. Dairy products represent one of the five core food groups embedded in most dietary guidelines worldwide. Dietary calcium, particularly from dairy sources, has been widely studied for its potential role in improving bone health and supporting weight management.

 

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the association between lipids and bone mineral density (BMD) in overweight/obese postmenopausal women placed on a dairy calcium weight-reduction diet.

 

Methodology: A total of 56 overweight/obese postmenopausal women (mean age: 55.61±8.19; mean BMI: 32.95±6.12 kg/m2; mean weight: 86.88±17.25 kg; and mean BMD level: 1.05±0.17 g/cm2) were randomly assigned into a low dairy servings [DS-2] (800 mg/d of calcium or high diary servings [DS-4] (1400 mg/d of calcium) diet to evaluate differences in bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI) and lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C), and triacylglycerol (TAG)) during a 3 month lifestyle education program. The study conducted repeated measures ANOVA (group × time interaction) with Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests, Spearman and Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses.

 

Results: For the high calcium group, the change “D” in values at 3 months compared to baseline were: ∆BMD: 0.03 (p=0.31); DBMI: -0.69 (P=0.005); ∆LDL: -25.41 (p<0.001); DHDL: 3.49 (p=0.365); ∆TC: -22.14 (p=0.004) and ∆TAG: -1.97 (p=0.998). In the low calcium group, the 3 month – baseline changes were: ∆BMD: -0.04 (p=0.69); DBMI: -0.74 (P=0.002); ∆LDL: -10.86 (p=0.314); DHDL: 3.99 (p=0.269); ∆TC: -5.96 (p=0.769) and ∆TAG: 4.53 (p=0.97). ∆BMD was correlated with ∆LDL and ∆TC: r=-0.27 (p=0.052) and r=-0.27 (p=0.054), respectively.

 

Conclusion: This study concludes that overweight/obese post-menopausal women who were placed on a dairy calcium weight-reduction diet during a 3-month educational program had lower in BMI, LDL, TC and higher HDL values. Although this study observed a positive correlation between ∆LDL and ∆TC, and a negative correlation for ∆BMD with ∆LDL and ∆TC, the study concluded suggest an association between bone mineral density and lipid profile in postmenopausal overweight and obese women. Further research and analysis using larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to clarify the relationship between an atherogenic lipid profile and bone mineral density.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Dina H. Fakhrawi
Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

W. Lawrence Beeson
Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA and Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

Narmina Mamed
Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

T. Allan Darnell
Center for Health Promotion, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

Zaida Cordero-MacIntyre
Center for Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle and Disease Prevention, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA and Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v6/7122

 

Financing Fixed Assets of SMEs in Cameroon: The Rule of Minimum Financial Balance in this Context| Chapter 6 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

The balanced financial structure of firms is not a new issue in financial analysis. However, the respect of the rule of minimum financial balance within the context of SMEs, characterised by the rationing of capital, particularly bank credit, constitutes a new avenue for research. The main aim of this study is to highlight the breaking of the minimum financial balance rule by companies and propose ways of financing the long and medium term needs of SMEs in a context of excessive rationing of bank credit in order to obtain a balanced financial structure. In order to highlight the sources of financing for the long and medium-term needs of SMEs, a simple random sampling method was used. The researcher collected data from two surveys, the first based on the observation of 100 Cameroonian SMEs, from 2017 to 2023, in which we focus on the frequencies of the alternative methods of financing the assets of SMEs. On the data of the second survey performed between 2013 and 2016 on 452 SMEs in Cameroon, the researcher applied a Logit regression to empirically explain the probability of the choice of the mode of financing made in the presence of credit rationing and used the techniques leading to a mode of financing to highlight the modes of financing chosen by SMEs. The sample was made up mainly of companies having 9 years of experience (68.6%). They are followed by SMEs with more than 10 years of survival (28.57%) and those with 5 years (2.85%). The study results show the following modes of financing: For the first survey, equity, savings and loan associations (tontines), assistance from friends and family members, microfinance institutions, intercompany credit, leasing institutions, and bank credit. For the second survey: savings and loan associations, microfinance institutions, intercompany credit, help from friends and family members, contributions of partners, leasing institutions, and the issue of new shares are found as the main modes of financing. The field study reveals that the structure of financing of SMEs violates the rule of minimum financial balance. Therefore, the study proposed ways of enabling SMEs to comply with this rule and ensure their financial safety. These findings can be important in line with the Modigliani and Miller, Myers and Majluf, and Quintart models if the question of the financing of SMEs in the context of excessive credit rationing is to be addressed.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Ndjeck Noé
FSEGA, University of Douala, Cameroon.

 

Eugène Mohe
ENSET, University of Douala, Cameroon.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/2939

Ethical Leadership of Managers in Jubail City, Saudi Arabia: A Case Study |Chapter 5 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

This book chapter examines the ethical leadership of managers in organisations in Jubail City, Saudi Arabia. The need for ethical leadership in organization steam from many scandals both in the public and corporate sectors, which have created an interest in studying ethical leadership in organisations. Furthermore, in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the role of managers in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, extends beyond traditional operational oversight to encompass the ethical dimensions of leadership. "Ethical Leadership of Managers" delves into the crucial intersection of management practices and ethical decision-making, offering a comprehensive examination of how ethical leadership can shape organisational culture, influence employee behaviour, and drive sustainable success. This insightful volume draws on interdisciplinary research, blending theories from management, psychology, and philosophy to provide a robust framework for understanding ethical leadership in contemporary organisations. Through real-world case studies and empirical evidence, the book illustrates the profound impact that ethical leaders can have in fostering an environment of trust, accountability, and inclusivity. The result show that most managers in various organizations in Saudi Arabia agree that ethical issues such as communicating clear ethical standards for members, being honest can be trusted to tell the truth, insisting on doing what is fair and ethical even if it is difficult, acknowledging mistakes and accepting responsibility for them, and regard honesty and integrity as important personal values were things on which they agreed completely. Most of the managers were in disagreement with issues related to holding members accountable for using ethical practice in their work and putting the needs of others above their own self-interest, being fair and objective when evaluating member performance and providing rewards, and finally setting out an example of dedication and self-sacrifice for the organisation. The highest disagreement in percentage 20% disagree that they hold members accountable for using ethical practice in their work and seconded by 23.34% disagreement of managers in putting the needs of others above their own self-interest, 6.66% disagree on being fair and objective when evaluating member performance and providing rewards, 6.64% disagrees on setting out an example of dedication and self-sacrifice for the organization.

 

Readers of this book chapter will explore key themes such as the role of ethical leadership in crisis management, the implications of ethical decision-making for stakeholder engagement, and the necessity of cultivating an ethical organisational climate. Furthermore, the book presents practical strategies and actionable insights for current and aspiring managers, equipping them with the tools to navigate ethical dilemmas and promote ethical standards within their teams. By emphasising the importance of self-awareness, moral reasoning, and effective communication, "Ethical Leadership of Managers" serves as an essential guide for those seeking to lead with integrity in their organisations. Ultimately, this book advocates for a transformative approach to leadership—one that prioritises ethical considerations as fundamental to achieving long-term organisational success and societal benefit, reaffirming the vital role of managers as ethical stewards in the workplace.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Asan Vernyuy Wirba

Department of Business Administration, Jubail Industrial College (JIC), The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, KSA.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/1706

Survival and Complications of Impacted Teeth Versus Immediate Post-Extraction Implants: A Comparative Review | Chapter 8 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 6

 

Dental implant therapy increasingly emphasises shortening treatment time and minimising surgical morbidity while maintaining long-term biological stability and esthetic integration. Two approaches that aim to reduce or avoid extensive hard-tissue surgery are (i) implant placement through impacted teeth or retained dental tissues (hereafter, “transdental” placement) and (ii) immediate post-extraction implant placement in fresh sockets. Implant placement through impacted teeth generally describes preparing an osteotomy that passes through the enamel and/or dentin of an impacted tooth that remains in situ, followed by insertion of an implant along that trajectory. On the other hand, immediate implant placement refers to inserting an implant into a fresh extraction socket during the same surgical session as tooth removal. Although both strategies may reduce the number of surgical stages compared with conventional delayed placement, they arise from different clinical problems: transdental placement is typically considered when an impacted tooth obstructs the ideal implant trajectory and surgical removal would create substantial defects, whereas immediate placement addresses replacement of a failing or hopeless tooth at the time of extraction.

 

This narrative review synthesises contemporary evidence on survival, marginal bone loss, and complications for each approach, and interprets these outcomes through a biological and risk-management lens. A structured literature search was conducted on major biomedical databases using predefined keywords related to transdental and immediate implant placement.  Current human data indicate that implants placed through impacted teeth can achieve high short- to medium-term stability in carefully selected cases, but the evidence base remains dominated by small case series and heterogeneous follow-up. Immediate post-extraction implants demonstrate high overall survival in systematic reviews and randomised trials, though slightly lower survival than delayed protocols have been reported in some meta-analyses, and esthetic complications remain a key concern in thin phenotypes or compromised sockets.

 

Across both approaches, outcomes appear highly dependent on case selection, meticulous imaging-based planning, primary stability, infection control, and soft-tissue management. Robust comparative studies with standardised radiographic and patient-reported outcomes are needed before transdental placement can be recommended beyond narrowly defined indications. A significant research gap exists in the transdental field due to the absence of well-designed prospective trials, standardised outcome reporting, and long-term comparative data. Future research should prioritise prospective multicentre studies and registries with standardised reporting of implant systems, surgical protocols, radiographic assessment methods, and patient-reported outcomes to enable meaningful comparison and evidence-based clinical recommendations. Standardisation of outcomes is also recommended.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Bhushan Krishna Chalmela
Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra-431001, India.

 

Ulhas Tandale
Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra -431001, India.

 

Kishor Mahale
Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra -431001, India.

 

Smita Khalikar
Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra -431001, India.

 

Vilas Rajguru
Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra -431001, India.

 

Sonali Mahajan
Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ghati Hospital Campus, Panchakki Road, Maharashtra -431001, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v6/7130

Altered Plasma and Hepatic Tissue Uric Acid Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats | Chapter 7 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 6

 

Background: Uric acid is a heterocyclic weak organic acid, formed during the oxidation of purine nucleotides in humans. The levels of serum uric acid (UA) alteration in human beings cause major health problems due to its pivotal role in the aetiology of many systemic diseases. Many research works in the recent past have shown elevated uric acid levels in diabetic subjects. Despite a large number of research activities, the prevalence of diabetic related complications is increasing worldwide. Some reports indicate that uric acid elevation is related to diabetic complications, whereas a few claim that uric acid elevation is also seen in pre-diabetic conditions. The reason for this elevation of uric acid and a possible role of insulin in this regard is obscure.

 

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the uric acid status in alloxan diabetic rats with an attempt to establish the possible cause for uric acid elevation.

 

Methods: The studies were carried out on healthy male Wistar rats with a body weight of 150-180g. The rats were divided into two groups, the normal group (Group-1) and the alloxan diabetic group (Group-2), with six animals in each group. Induction of diabetes was done by administering a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared aqueous solution of Alloxan Monohydrate (150mg/ Kg body weight) prepared in normal saline, to the overnight fasted rats. Rats with blood-glucose levels above 250mg/dL were considered diabetic and were employed in the study. After the stipulated period of 30 days, the animals (Group-1 and Group-2) were anaesthetised using Isoflurane and sacrificed. They were dissected immediately, and liver tissue was procured, blotted to remove blood stains, and placed in cold phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4). Blood samples were collected using heparin as an anticoagulant. The uric acid levels in plasma, erythrocytes and liver tissue, as well as the levels of ADA in plasma and liver tissue, were estimated. Results were expressed as mean ± SD, and statistical significance was assessed using Student’s t-test.

 

Results: A significant (p<0.001) rise in uric acid levels in plasma, erythrocytes and liver tissue, as well as increased levels of ADA in plasma and liver tissue was observed in alloxan diabetic rats compared to normal control.

 

Conclusion: The increased uric acid levels noticed in alloxan diabetic rats may be due to increased catabolism of purines, as evidenced by increased activity of ADA. This study was limited by a small sample size, warranting further investigations with larger cohorts.

 

 

Author(s) Details

C. V. Yogaraje Gowda
Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru-560 002, Karnataka, India and Department of Research and Development, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai-602 105, India.

 

S. Senthilkumar
Department of Research and Development, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai-602 105, India.

 

R. T. Kashinath
Department of Biochemistry, Department of Research and Development, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Purle, Shivamogga- 577 222, Karnataka, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v6/6976

Concurrent Severe Rheumatic Carditis and Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in a Child: A Rare Case Report | Chapter 8 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 7

 

Background: Rheumatic carditis is a severe immune-mediated complication of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection, while idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common glomerular disease in childhood. The coexistence of rheumatic carditis and renal disease suggests a shared immunopathogenic mechanism related to streptococcal infection. However, the simultaneous occurrence of rheumatic carditis and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in the same patient is exceptionally rare, with very few cases reported in the literature.

 

Aim: The study aims to present the case of a 5-year-old child presenting with severe rheumatic carditis associated with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, highlighting the diagnostic challenges, therapeutic management, and possible immunological links between these two conditions.

 

Case Presentation: This chapter presents the case of a 5-year-old boy admitted for generalised oedema and respiratory distress following a recent episode of tonsillitis. Clinical evaluation and investigations revealed severe decompensated rheumatic carditis associated with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Echocardiography showed dilation of all four cardiac chambers, biventricular systolic dysfunction, and multiple valvular regurgitations. Laboratory findings revealed nephrotic-range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia, with elevated antistreptolysin O titers. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids, diuretics, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and antibiotic therapy, including secondary prophylaxis with benzathine penicillin. The clinical course was favourable, with rapid resolution of oedema, improvement in respiratory symptoms, normalisation of cardiac findings, and complete disappearance of proteinuria within one month of treatment.

 

Conclusion: This case describes the first documented association of severe rheumatic carditis and idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in a pediatric patient. It highlights the potential for multisystem immune-mediated complications following streptococcal infection and underscores the importance of early recognition and appropriate management in pediatric patients. Owing to the single-case design, causal inferences and definitive conclusions regarding shared immunopathogenic mechanisms remain limited. Further investigations are warranted to clarify the mechanisms that may account for the coexistence of these two conditions.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Idrissa Maïga
Pediatric Department, Naomi Harris Mother and Child Hospital, Bongourou, Kayes, Mali and Department of Pediatrics, Gabriel Touré University Hospital, Bamako, Mali.

 

Brehima Traore
International NGO Muso, Bamako, Mali.

 

Mamady Camara
Kayes Reference Health Center, Mali.

 

Mamadou Diakite
Department of Pediatrics, Gabriel Touré University Hospital, Bamako, Mali.

 

Fatoumata N. Diarra
Pediatric Department, Naomi Harris Mother and Child Hospital, Bongourou, Kayes, Mali.

 

Aminata Sangaré
Pediatric Department, Naomi Harris Mother and Child Hospital, Bongourou, Kayes, Mali.

 

Yaya Traoré
Pediatric Department, Naomi Harris Mother and Child Hospital, Bongourou, Kayes, Mali.

 

N'diaye Sory Ibrahimaa
International NGO Muso, Bamako, Mali.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v7/7249