The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with diet. While consumption of plant-based foods may reduce blood sugar levels, the impact of consuming plant-based foods on fasting blood sugar levels has not been well defined. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Health-Promoting Hospital in Pak Phun Municipality, Thailand. It included 61 patients with T2DM and 74 controls matched for age and gender. Dietary intake levels among T2DM and controls were assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire from which plant-based-food scores were calculated. This study found significant differences between specific plant foods and fasting blood sugar levels in patients with T2DM. Adherence to a plant-based diet appeared to influence fasting blood sugar levels. Patients who consumed higher amounts of certain vegetables and fruits showed lower fasting blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients consumed more legumes than controls, but the consumption of cereals and nuts/seeds in the two groups were similar. Consumption of nuts and seeds was also associated with a 76.3% reduction in the risk of a T2DM diagnosis. These findings suggest the potential efficacy of glycemic control in T2DM patients. More work is required to explore strategies for preventing and treating metabolic disorders through dietary modification.

Introduction/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) continues to pose a substantial global public health challenge. Current evidence has linked an increase in the risk of T2D to chronic exposure to the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The present study aimed to examine whether the reported links existed in an area of southern Thailand with known Pb contamination. Materials and Methods: A case–control study design was used to recruit 88 diagnosed T2D cases and 90 age-, gender- and locality-matched non-diabetic controls. Blood levels of Cd and Pb were used as exposure indicators. Exposure-related risk factors and socio-demographic data were collected through questionnaires. Results: A significant association was found between blood Pb and T2D diagnosis, but the association between blood Cd and T2D was not statistically significant. Factors related to high Pb exposure were education, occupation, income, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and dietary patterns, particularly the consumption of sweet and fatty foods. Participants with higher blood Pb levels had poorer glycemic control, thereby suggesting potential interference of Pb with oral hypoglycemic agents. Conclusions: This study confirms the connection between Pb exposure and increased risk of having T2D. Additionally, it identified socio-demographic factors, and consumption habits that contributed to such an enhanced T2D risk. The role of Cd exposure requires further studies, using urinary Cd excretion, which reflects long-term exposure conditions. These findings suggest the need to incorporate environmental and occupational exposure in diabetes care strategies. From the clinical and public health perspectives, targeted interventions should focus on reducing heavy metal exposure, improving risk awareness, and strengthening occupational safety measures to prevent disease progression.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized by excessive lipid accumulation, is a significant global health concern that is strongly associated with metabolic dysregulation, including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Thai kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) extracts exhibit diverse biological activities; however, their effects on hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism in MAFLD remain poorly documented. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of ethanol-extracted red and green kratom and its major alkaloid, mitragynine, in an in vitro MAFLD model using free fatty acid (FFA)-exposed HepG2 cells. Thai Kratom extracts significantly reduced FFA-induced lipid accumulation by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and downregulating lipogenic enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, key in fatty acid biosynthesis. Thai kratom extract and mitragynine enhanced glycogen production by increasing AKT and GSK3 phosphorylation, reducing precursors for fatty acid synthesis. Additionally, the extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by decreasing p38 MAPK phosphorylation and downregulating key inflammatory mediators (TLR4, c-Jun, CCL2, and CCL21). These results highlight the multifaceted effects of Thai kratom extract and mitragynine on lipid metabolism, insulin signaling, and inflammation, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents for MAFLD. Future in vivo studies are essential to elucidate the mechanisms of action, paving the way for safe and effective kratom-based MAFLD interventions.

Background: Chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) has been associated with hepatic inflammation and metabolic liver dysfunction in experimental and epidemiological studies. Experimental evidence indicates that these metals can disrupt redox homeostasis, impair mitochondrial function, suppress nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidant responses, and activate inflammatory signaling pathways, with potential relevance to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for peer-reviewed English-language literature published from January 2000 to March 2026. Epidemiological, experimental, and interventional studies linking Cd, Pb, or Hg exposure to hepatic outcomes, as well as potentially relevant plant-derived bioactive compounds, were considered. Results: Human studies report associations between metal exposure and hepatic outcomes, although the evidence is largely observational and affected by important confounders. Polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metal-chelating effects predominantly in vitro and in animal models, with limited clinical validation. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the liver as a potentially important target of chronic metal exposure; however, the available human evidence remains largely observational and does not establish causality. The hepatoprotective effects of plant-derived compounds remain predominantly preclinical and require validation in human populations. Future longitudinal and interventional studies should incorporate exposure assessment and appropriate control of confounding before clinical or dietary recommendations can be established.

Insecticidal Potency of Three Selected Tropical Wood Dusts in the Control of Maize Weevil ( Sitophilus zeamais ) on Stored Maize

Infestation of domestic animals with ticks constitutes both a major health and economic problem in livestock production. The study was conducted to identify the species of ticks infesting domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats in Mubi cattle market, Adamawa State. Ten (10) each of cattle, sheep and goat were randomly selected at Mubi Cattle Market at every collection date, and were examined for tick infestation. Ticks were collected from different predilection sites. Ticks collected were transferred to Safe-Lock Eppendorf tubes containing 70% ethanol. The specimens were identified to species level using hand lens and dissecting microscope. A total of 232 adult ticks (17 male, 215 females) were collected. 8 species of ticks were identified across three genera namely Ripicephalus microplus (79.74%) was the most prevalent, followed by Ripicephalus decoloratus (9.05%), Amblyomma variegatum (4.31%), Rhipicephalus simus (3.02%), Hyalomma dromedarii (2.16%), Amblyomma habraeum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (0.86%), respectively, and the least was Hyalomma truncatum (0.43%). Cattle were the most heavily infested (44.8%), followed by sheep (33.6%) and goat (21.6%). The study revealed that livestock in Mubi were infested by varieties of ticks especially Ripicephalus microplus which was the highest and found on all the animals examined.