Context:Although several previous studies have investigated the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the results have been inconsistent.Aim:We attempted to assess the presence of MS and IR in patients with AGA. This may help to detect if AGA can be considered as a clue for underlying serious systemic diseases.Materials and Methods:One hundred male patients with stages III-VII AGA, in Hamilton-Norwood classification, and 100 normal, gender- and age-matched control subjects were included. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured for the all participants. The presence of MS and IR was evaluated.Results:There were statistically significant differences regarding mean values of body weight (P < 0.001), height (P = 0.002), waist circumference (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), systolic (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), fasting glucose (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), fasting insulin (P = 0.02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P < 0.001) between cases and controls. A statistically significant association was found between AGA and MS (P = 0.002) and between AGA and IR (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that waist circumference (>102 cm) was the most significant risk factor for developing MS. It increased the risk of MS by 1.25-folds (95% CI = 1.10-1.42, P < 0.001).Conclusion:Our results support the recommendation for assessing MS and IR in all young males with stage III or higher AGA. Early intervention is critical to reduce the risk and complications of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life.

No abstract

No abstract

Graphene is being used as a patch as it possesses a number of desirable electromagnetic and mechanical properties that assist in providing flexible and reconfigurable antenna structure. A graphene reflective unit cell is examined to demonstrate that the reflection coefficient can be controlled by changing the chemical potential and size of the graphene patch. The phase compensation of the reflected waves is achieved by patches with different sizes. Reflection coefficient phase variations for 0°-525° with a variable slope are obtained for different graphene conductivities. A graphene-based reflectarray antenna is proposed. A reflect array with dimensions of 𝟐𝟎 𝛌 𝐱 𝟐𝟎 𝛌 that operates at 1.6 THz is analyzed. The reflectarray is composed of 40x40 unit cells with 𝛌 𝟐 ⁄ 𝒙 𝛌 𝟐 ⁄ for each unit cell size. They are placed upon silicon dioxide substrate. A horn antenna is used as a feed. The focal-length-to-diameter (F/D) ratio is equal to one. A maximum gain of 20.7, 13.6, and 21.4 dBi are obtained at 1.4, 1.8, and 1.6 THz respectively.

No abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. β -cell failure is a main contributor to the development of T2DM. Oxidative stress and enhanced apoptosis play a critical role in pathogenesis of β -cell failure. Recently, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), a universal antioxidant, has been shown to exert anti-apoptotic actions. Aim of Study:The present study was aimed to evaluate the possible ameliorative effect of ALA against pancreatic tissue oxidative stress and apoptotic mechanisms in a rat model of High Fat Diet (HFD)-induced T2DM.Material and Methods: Eighty albino rats were included, 20 rats received a standard diet and served as normal control group (Group I) and 60 rats were fed a homemade HFD for 6 months for induction of T2DM, only diabetics (40 rats) were included and divided into 2 groups; 20 continued to receive HFD for further 21 days, served as diabetic untreated group (Group II); 20 received ALA (50mg/kg i.p) for 21 days and served as ALA-treated group (Group III). Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP) and cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) were immunoassayed in addition to determination of levels of plasma fructosamine, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and pancreatic tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) along with pancreatic catalase and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities.Results: ALA treatment showed significant improvement in fructosamine and FBG levels, decreased MDA level and increased catalase and SOD activities, in addition to increased cAMP level and decreased TXNIP level. Conclusion:We concluded that ALA has the ability to interfere with β -cell dysfunction associated with HFD-induced T2DM possibly by improving redox status, rescuing cAMP signaling and decreasing the level of TXNIP.