Morphometric analysis of peroxisomes in hepatocytes of alcohol-fed rats

Author(s):  
D.C. Dominguez ◽  
J.T. Ellzey

Peroxisomes which participate in 1ipid metabolism have been shown to be altered in several metabolic disorders and toxic conditions. In alcoholic liver disease, the single lesion most frequently found is lipid accumu1ation in hepatocytes. However, the mechanisms for this 1ipid accumu1ation are not clear. The occurrence of modifications of liver peroxisomes due to excess alcohol consumption has not been subjected to a controlled study. We utilized a combination of cytochemica1 and morphometrictechniques to study the size and number of liver peroxisomes in rats fed an alcohol-supplemented diet compared to those of matched-paired control animals.Male Sprague-Daw1ey rats (400-500 g) received a liquid diet. The experimental group (N = 5/group) was fed a diet containing 30% ethanol-derived calories (EDC) and the control group was fed an isocaloric diet to 30% EDC. A pair feeding procedure was employed to control for caloric intake. Small pieces of liver randomly selected, were fixed in 2.3% -glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, pH 7.2, incubated in a DAB medium and postfixed with. 2% aqueous osmium tetroxide. EM photographs were taken from sections of 3 tissue blocks from each sample (7,200X) with a Zeiss EM10-A (60 kV). With the use of a point counting method and a digital planimeter the volume density (Vv) and numerical density (Nv) were determined.

Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽  
Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).


Author(s):  
Sataz Rahmania ◽  
Vanitha Shetty ◽  
Balakrishnan Ragavendrasamy

AbstractBackground & ObjectivesThe douche, one of the hydrotherapeutic treatment modality is commonly used by Naturopathy physicians as a treatment of choice in the management of several ailments. This study was done to assess the effect of full body neutral douche in the management of pain and systemic symptoms in adult females with primary dysmenorrhoea.Methods68 subjects of age 18-22 years with primary dysmenorrhoea were recruited for the study and were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 34) and the control group (n = 34). The experimental group received whole body neutral douche, whereas the control group followed the routine as usual. Assessments for the pain, systemic symptoms and menstrual cramps were done by using McGill Pain Questionnaire, Verbal multidimensional scoring system and analog scale for severity of pain and menstrual cramps respectively at baseline, day 30 and day 60 of intervention. Two- way repeated measures of ANOVA was performed to understand the between group changes, adjusted for the respective baseline values and age.ResultData was analyzed with SPSS (Version 21.0) package. Neutral douche resulted in significant improvement in pain [F(2,66) = 114.564, p < 0.0005, partial ?2 = 0.771], severity of pain [F(2,66) = 70.418, p < 0.0005, partial ?2 = 0.681], cramps [F(2,66) = 75.986, p < 0.0005, partial ?2 = 0.697] and systemic symptoms [F(2,66) = 14.64, p < 0.0005, partial ?2 = 0.307] as compared to the control group.ConclusionFindings suggest that neutral douche can be used as a non-pharmacological intervention in the management of pain and systemic symptoms in primary dysmenorrhea.


1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Burns ◽  
Alan Beadsmoore ◽  
Ashok V. Bhat ◽  
Andrew Oliver ◽  
Carola Mathers

While research has shown community-based psychiatric care to be as good as, or better than, hospital-based care, generalisation to clinical practice has been difficult. This prospective, randomised controlled study examined a community-based approach feasible within NHS conditions. Ninety-four patients were randomly allocated to experimental and 78 to control treatments and followed for one year. The groups were well matched apart from an excess of psychotic control patients. No differences in clinical or social functioning outcome were found. Both groups improved substantially on clinical measures in the first six weeks, with some slow consolidation thereafter. There were three suicides in the control group and one in the experimental group. Access to care was better in the experimental group (93% attended assessment) than in the control group (75% attended assessment).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso

Abstract Background: Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may origin lower limb injuries, such as for example adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: This randomized controlled trial conducted over an 8-week period included 25 female footballers randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength.Results. Lumbo-pelvic stability after surgery was higher in the control group (MD: 4.84 vs MD: 9.58; p < .01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p<.001), but not in group interaction (p =.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: -2.48; p<.001 in the left adductor; MD: -1.48; p<.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: -1.68; p<.001 in the left adductor; MD: -2.05; p<.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p<.001) and right (p<.001) adductor strength.Conclusions. An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength and flexibility, while improvements are maintained at four weeks follow-up. Trial Registration Number: NCT03617887.


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. E47-E55 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL de Geus ◽  
M Rezende ◽  
LS Margraf ◽  
MC Bortoluzzi ◽  
E Fernández ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Objective This single-blind controlled study evaluated the genotoxicity and efficacy of at-home bleaching in smokers and nonsmokers. Methods We selected 60 patients with central incisors A2 or darker: 30 smokers (experimental group) and 30 nonsmokers (control group). The bleaching was carried out with 10% carbamide peroxide for three hours a day for three weeks. The color was evaluated using a shade guide, Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master, at baseline, during bleaching (first, second, and third weeks), and one week and one month after bleaching. Smears were obtained with a moistened wooden spatula from marginal gingiva. All the cytologic smears were stained with Giemsa solution. From each slide, 1000 cells were examined under 40× magnification and where micronuclei (MN) were located, they were examined under 100× magnification. The change in shade guide units at the different assessment periods and the frequency of MN were subjected to a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05). Results In both groups we detected a whitening of approximately 4 to 5 shade guide units, without color rebound after one month (p&gt;0.05). The frequency of MN was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, regardless of the bleaching treatment (p&gt;0.001). Conclusion The efficacy of bleaching does not appear to be affected by the smoking habit. Additionally, at-home bleaching did not induce DNA damage to the gingival tissue during the bleaching period.


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 862-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Ellis ◽  
Theresa Sukal-Moulton ◽  
Julius P. A. Dewald

Background. Total reaching range of motion (work area) diminishes as a function of shoulder abduction loading in the paretic arm in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. This occurs when reaching outward against gravity or during transport of an object. Objectives. This study implements 2 closely related impairment-based interventions to identify the effect of a subcomponent of reaching exercise thought to be a crucial element in arm rehabilitation. Methods. A total of 14 individuals with chronic moderate to severe hemiparesis participated in the participant-blinded, randomized controlled study. The experimental group progressively trained for 8 weeks to actively support the weight of the arm, up to and beyond, while reaching to various outward targets. The control group practiced the same reaching tasks with matched frequency and duration with the weight of the arm supported. Work area and isometric strength were measured before and after the intervention. Results. Change scores for work area at 9 loads were calculated for each group. Change scores were significantly larger for the experimental group indicating a larger increase in work area, especially shoulder abduction loads equivalent to those experienced during object transport. Changes in strength were not found within or between groups. Conclusions. Progressive shoulder abduction loading can be utilized to ameliorate reaching range of motion against gravity. Future work should investigate the dosage response of this intervention, as well as test whether shoulder abduction loading can augment other therapeutic techniques such as goal-directed functional task practice and behavioral shaping to enhance real-world arm function.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Angel Rajakumari G ◽  
Soli T. K ◽  
Malathy D

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of meditation lowers stress and supports forgiveness among nursing Students.Participants and setting: The study was conducted by adopting a Quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group pre and post test design.50 nursing students who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using Non-probability purposive sampling technique. 50 women were assigned in experimental and control group. The study was conducted in Bhavana College of nursing, Nalgonda, Telugana, India.Intervention: A brief introduction about self and study was given to the nursing students and consent was obtained (both oral and written) and the confidentiality of the response was assured. Pre assessment was done in both experimental and control groups. In the experimental group meditation technique was practiced by the women and pre and post test level of stress was obtained using John D. Catherine & T. Mac Arthurs perceived stress scale. In the control group without any intervention, the pre and post test level of stress was obtained for both the groups and the level of stress was assessed.Measurement and findings: Analysis revealed that the women in the experimental group showed a highly significant decrease in the level of stress following meditation at P<0.001 level when compared with the control group.Conclusion: Evidence suggests that meditation-based stress-management practices reduce stress and enhance forgiveness among college undergraduates. Such programs merit further study as potential health-promotion tools for college populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Prokopowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Byrka

AbstractWe aimed to investigate whether psychological intervention (single mental simulation) among women after cesarean surgery (CC) can affect their willingness to verticalize, actual verticalization, and the duration of the first mobilization. In this prospective randomised, controlled study, 150 women after CC were divided into 3 groups: experimental group with process-simulation with elements of relaxation, experimental group with outcome-simulation with elements of relaxation and control group with elements of relaxation only. After a 5-h stay in the post-operative room, women listened to a recording with a stimulation. Pain and anxiety of verticalization were measured before and after listening to the recording and after verticalization. Almost 12% more patients verticalized in the process-simulation group than in the control group. Percentages of mobilized patients were: 39.4% the process-simulation group; 32.8% in the outcome-simulation group; 27.7% controls (p = 0.073). Mobilization was 5 min longer in the process-simulation group then in control (p < 0.01). Anxiety after the simulation was a significant covariate of the willingness to verticalize, actual verticalization and time spent in mobilization. We conclude that a single mental simulation can effectively motivate patients for their first verticalization after CC. Perceived anxiety before verticalization may affect the effectiveness of interventions, so we recommend to check it at the postoperative care.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04829266.


2021 ◽  

Thermal and massage therapies have long been used to control pain. Although spinal thermal massage (STM) has been used worldwide, its effectiveness has not been proven in a controlled clinical study. We here conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to assess the pain-relieving and immunomodulatory effects of STM in old-aged patients experiencing pain or disability. The experimental group was treated with STM five times a week for 8 weeks and rehabilitative regular care (RRC). The control group was treated with only RRC. Pain and immunological parameters were tested before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The scores of three pain parameters were lowered by STM, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant at the two time points (p < 0.01). Quality of life determined using the 3-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire scores was significantly higher in patients in the experimental group than those in the control group. Effect sizes (ES) were in the range of medium to large in the pain-related measures (0.54–1.22). The total leukocyte counts and the proportions of lymphocytes and subsets were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the proportions of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). The production of interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon γ in T cells was not significantly different between the groups, whereas the production of IL-2 was high in the control group. However, there was a significant increase in IFN-γ production by NK cells in the experimental group (at 4 weeks, p < 0.05). ES were medium in the immunological measures (0.53–0.68). No significant difference was observed in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, or IL-6 between the groups. In conclusion, STM treatment has a positive effect on subjective pain and quality of life. It also enhanced NK cell proportion and activity, suggesting that STM may be beneficial in the prevention of viral diseases and cancer in old-aged people.


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