The TALLYHO/JngJ (TH) strain is a newly established, polygenic mouse model for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, and we have previously reported some key physiological features of this model after the overt onset of diabetes. In the present work, we conducted a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of TH in order to completely characterize this new and relevant model for human T2D and obesity. We monitored the development of obesity and diabetes starting at 4 weeks of age by measuring body weight, glucose tolerance, and plasma levels of insulin, glucose, and triglyceride. Additionally, histological alterations in the pancreas and glucose uptake and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) content in soleus muscle were also examined. Compared with age-and sex-matched C57BL/6J (B6) mice, both male and female TH mice were significantly heavier, hyperleptinemic, and hyperinsulinemic at 4 weeks of age, without glucose intolerance or hyperglycemia. TH mice maintained higher body weights throughout the study period of 16 weeks. The hyperinsulinemia in TH mice worsened with age, but to a lesser degree in females than in males. Both the male and the female TH mice had enlarged pancreatic islets. Male TH mice showed impaired glucose tolerance at 8 weeks that became more prominent at 16 weeks. Plasma glucose levels continuously increased with age in male TH mice resulting in frank diabetes, while female TH mice remained normoglycemic throughout the study. Impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia in male TH mice were accompanied by impaired 2-deoxyglucose uptake in the soleus muscle at basal and insulin-stimulated states, but without any reduction in GLUT4 content. Interestingly, male TH mice exhibited a drastic elevation in plasma triglyceride levels in the pre-diabetic stage that was maintained throughout the study. These findings suggest that obesity and insulin resistance are an inherent part of the TH phenotype and glucose intolerance is evident preceding progression to overt diabetes in male TH mice.

Background: There is paucity of studies defining the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Saudi Arabia despite the surging epidemic of obesity, change in dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of NCDs risk factors among employees at King Faisal University in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia and to determine the possible correlates for clustering of NCDs risk factors among them. Materials and Methods: All employees were invited to participate; the World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for data collection which consisted of a personal interview to collect socio-demographic characteristics, NCD history, tobacco use, vegetables and fruit consumption, and physical activity (PA), followed by anthropometric measurements namely weight, height and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, subjects were finally subjected to biochemical tests with determination of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoproteins. Results: Of the surveyed employees (n=691), daily current smokers accounted for 22.7%. 94.9%, 95.1% and 86% consumed < 5 servings per day of vegetables, fruits and both fruits and vegetables respectively, 73% were physically inactive, 64% were overweight or obese, 22.1% had hypertension, and 21.5% were diabetics. Elevated cholesterol levels were found in 36.6%, low high density lipoproteins in 36.8%, and elevated triglycerides in 36.1%. Only 3% had no NCD risk factors, and 57.6% had ≥3 factors. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender (being male, adjusted odds ratio 'aOR'=1.51), aged ≥ 50 years (aOR=3.06), < college education (aOR=1.75), current smokers (aOR=2.37), being obese (aOR=6.96) and having a low PA level (aOR=4.59) were the significant positive predictors for clustering of NCD risk factors. Conclusions: Over fifty percent of the studied university's employees had multiple (≥3) NCD risk factors. Screening and health promotion initiatives should be launched at least targeting the modifiable factors to avert the excessive risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and several types of cancers.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding provides an unequalled way of infant nutrition, despite that, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months in Egypt is only 13%, and the rates of artificial feeding are rising. AIM: The current study aimed to explore the reasons for the use of artificial feeding among mothers receiving subsidised milk from formula dispensing centres in Egypt, and to detect the reasons behind the use of a formula only for infant feeding rather than mixed breastfeeding and artificial feeding. METHODS: This exploratory cross-sectional study involved 197 mothers; who attended centres for dispensing subsidised artificial formula at primary health care facilities (PHC) in El-Fayom and Ismailia governorates via a purposive sampling technique. The study spanned over 6-months duration from June till December 2018. RESULTS: A statistically significant higher percentage of artificial feeding only was noticed in male infants (47.5% in the AF group only versus 28.7% in the mixed feeding group (p = 0.018), and infants aged 6-12 months (47.5% in the AF group only versus 28.7% in the mixed feeding group, p = 0.032). A statistically significant higher percentage of artificial feeding only was noticed among infants born to mothers who have general anaesthesia during labour (67.2% in the AF group only versus 41.9% in the mixed feeding group, p = 0.004), and among infants born to mothers who think that formula feeding is better (13.1% in the AF group only versus 0.7% in the mixed feeding group, or that formula has a similar quality to breast milk (6.6%% in the AF group only versus 4.4% in the mixed feeding group, p = 0.0004. The most common reasons for formula feeding reported by both groups were perceived breast milk insufficiency (60.9%), weak babies (50.3%), and doctors’ advice (37%). Previous negative breastfeeding experience and the need for own body privacy were the two reasons which differed statistically in both groups p = 0.004 and 0.008, respectively. CONCLUSION: antenatal care education is essential to improve mothers’ knowledge and practice of breastfeeding. Baby-friendly hospital initiative implementation is essential to ensure early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

Background: Professional advice provided to mothers has an effective role on the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. Previous studies showed that health care providers had defective knowledge and skills necessary to promote and support breastfeeding. Aim: To assess breastfeeding-related knowledge and attitude among interns at Cairo University Hospital, before and after the provision of breastfeeding educational training sessions. Materials and methods: The first phase was a cross-sectional study, conducted in Cairo University Hospital (Kasr Al Ainy) among 137 interns. The second phase was a pre-post interventional design. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to explore breastfeeding-related knowledge and attitude before, immediately after, and 3 months after breastfeeding educational sessions. Results: Participants' mean age was 23.7 ± 0.81, (range 22-27 years), with equally distributed males and females. The median total knowledge percent score was 56.4 (45.2-64.5). The highest median subtotal knowledge percent score was for effective feeding 100 (100-100), and the least median was for breast milk expression 20 (0:40). Participants' knowledge improved after the educational intervention: The subtotal knowledge scores showed a statistically significant improvement immediately after and 3 months after the intervention in the following items: advantages for the baby, colostrum, duration, complementary feeding, and breast milk expression. The median total attitude percent score was 80 (74.1-83.5) and significantly improved immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: Baseline knowledge and attitude scores among interns significantly improved after the intervention. Therefore, adoption of different curricular and extracurricular activities to improve breastfeeding knowledge and skills is required.

Background: Depression during pregnancy occurs more often than most people realize. Early detection of depression during pregnancy is critical because depression can adversely affect birth outcome and neonatal health. Mental health care during pregnancy is a serious public health issue. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of antepartum depression and its effects on pregnancy outcome; among pregnant women in the last trimester,living in rural Egypt. Methods: the first part of the study was cross sectional; to assess the prevalence of antepartum depression. This was followed by a prospective part to detect the effects of antepartum depression on the outcome of pregnancy. The sample size was 300 consented women. A structured interview questionnaire was designed including socio-demographic and economic data, obstetric history, and neonatal information. Hamilton Rating Scale was used to detect the prevalence and level of Depression   Results: 68.7% of sampled women suffered from antepartum depression.  The incidence of low birth weight was (4%), and about one fifth of babies were admitted in NICU in the first month. Death in first month of life was (3%). The only significant predictor of unfavorable birth outcome using logistic regression was depression level. Females with severe depression were 9.43 at higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than normal ones. Also females with moderate depression had 1.4 higher risk to have unfavorable birth outcome than females without depression. Conclusion: (68.7%) of women suffered from depression during pregnancy. Increasing level of depression was significantly associated with adverse birth outcome. Key Words: depression, pregnancy, mental health, ANC, neonatal health.