Effects of Zinc Combined with Probiotics on Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea Secondary to Childhood Pneumonia

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-426
Author(s):  
Rong Xiang ◽  
Qing Tang ◽  
Xiu-Qi Chen ◽  
Mu-Yan Li ◽  
Mei-Xiong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Intestinal Flora ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Probiotic Treatment ◽  
Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Lactate Levels ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of zinc combined with probiotics (Bifico) on antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) secondary to pneumonia.MethodsA total of 50 patients with AAD secondary to pneumonia were randomly divided into a probiotics group (Bifico) and a combined group (zinc combined with Bifico) and 25 pneumonia patients without AAD as the control group. Serum levels of zinc, diamine oxidase (DAO) activity, D-lactate and intestinal flora [Bifidobacterium, Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium/E. coli (B/E) ratio] were detected before and after intervention.ResultsThe results showed that zinc combined with Bifico had significantly higher overall efficiency than Bifico alone for treatment of AAD secondary to pneumonia. Notably, the combined treatment increased the population of Bifidobacterium, while the number of E. coli was reduced, the B/E value was improved and DAO activity and D-lactate levels were markedly reduced.ConclusionPatients with AAD secondary to pneumonia benefit from zinc supplementation of probiotic treatment.

scholarly journals The Impact of Maryam Exercise Towards the Stress Level and Cortisol Serum Level among Primiparous Pregnant Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 598-607
Author(s):  
Maya Erisna ◽  
Runjati Runjati ◽  
Apoina Kartini ◽  
Mahalul Azam ◽  
Donny Kristanto Mulyantoro
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Women are more at risk to stress in pregnancy than during the puerperium. One method of coping with stress is through physical exercise. Maryam Exercise can be used as an alternative to the development of pregnancy exercises in Indonesia because it covers the holistic aspects and easy to do. It is a combination of basic pregnancy exercises, Islamic prayer (Salat) movements and dhikr.  The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Maryam exercise on the stress levels and cortisol serum levels among primiparous pregnant women. This study used a quasi-experimental study design, pre-test and post-test with non-equivalent control group. In the third trimester of 40 primiparous women  were randomly assigned into two groups such the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). The experimental group received the Maryam exercise while the control group received the standard antenatal exercise. There was a significant difference in stress levels between the intervention group and the control group before and after receiving the intervention (p <0.05). The cortisol levels also showed the significance difference between the intervention group and the control group before and after receiving the intervention (p <0.05). The findings of this study suggest that Maryam Exercise has a positive impact on stress levels and cortisol serum levels of primiparous pregnant women.

scholarly journals Interleukin-31 Serum And Pruritus Dimension After Acupuncture Treatment In Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 196-201
Author(s):  
Dedi Ardinata ◽  
Rozaimah Zain-Hamid ◽  
Irma. D. Roesyanto-Mahadi ◽  
Hasan Mihardja
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-31 serum levels were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients with pruritus, whereas acupuncture in LI11 was shown to improve symptoms of pruritus. However, there is limited information that IL-31 serum levels that correlate with decreased dimensions of the pruritus after acupuncture in LI11 in a hemodialysis patient. AIM: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the impact of acupuncture in LI11 and IL-31 serum level and its correlation with dimensions of the pruritus in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial has been carried out from August 2019 to December 2019 at H. Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. Sixty patients underwent hemodialysis who were randomly allocated to two groups, one group got acupuncture in Quchi LI11 (intervention group), and the other group got a placebo (control group). IL-31 serum levels and pruritus were measured before and after 6 weeks of acupuncture in both groups. RESULTS: Acupuncture did not significantly reduce IL-31 (p = 0.931) and decreased dimensions: Degree, duration, disability, and distribution of the pruritus between the intervention group and the control group after 6 weeks of acupuncture in LI11. It can be shown that there is no significant correlation between IL-31 serum levels and dimensions of the pruritus. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the effect of acupuncture on reducing dimensions of the pruritus not related to IL-31 serum levels. Identifying the action mechanism of acupuncture to minimize pruritus considerably enhances knowledge of the impacts of acupuncture on reducing pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

scholarly journals A prospective, observational clinical trial on the impact of COVID-19-related national lockdown on thyroid hormone in young males

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Brigante ◽  
Giorgia Spaggiari ◽  
Barbara Rossi ◽  
Antonio Granata ◽  
Manuela Simoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Endocrine Regulation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hpt Axis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTrying to manage the dramatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection spread, many countries imposed national lockdown, radically changing the routinely life of humans worldwide. We hypothesized that both the pandemic per se and the consequent socio-psychological sequelae could constitute stressors for Italian population, potentially affecting the endocrine system. This study was designed to describe the effect of lockdown-related stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in a cohort of young men. A prospective, observational clinical trial was carried out, including patients attending the male infertility outpatient clinic before and after the national lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic. The study provided a baseline visit performed before and a follow-up visit after the lockdown in 2020. During the follow-up visit, hormonal measurements, lifestyle habits and work management were recorded. Thirty-one male subjects were enrolled (mean age: 31.6 ± 6.0 years). TSH significantly decreased after lockdown (p = 0.015), whereas no significant changes were observed in the testosterone, luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol and prolactin serum levels. No patient showed TSH serum levels above or below reference ranges, neither before nor after lockdown. Interestingly, TSH variation after lockdown was dependent on the working habit change during lockdown (p = 0.042). We described for the first time a TSH reduction after a stressful event in a prospective way, evaluating the HPT axis in the same population, before and after the national lockdown. This result reinforces the possible interconnection between psychological consequences of a stressful event and the endocrine regulation.

The impact of a music education program on meta-musical awareness, logical-mathematical, and notational skills in preschoolers

2021 ◽  
pp. 025576142110272
Author(s):  
Oriana Incognito ◽  
Laura Scaccioni ◽  
Giuliana Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
General Domain ◽  
Music Program ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

A number of studies suggest a link between musical training and both specific and general cognitive abilities, but despite some positive results, there is disagreement about which abilities are improved. This study aims to investigate the effects of a music education program both on a domain-specific competence (meta-musical awareness), and on general domain competences, that is, cognitive abilities (logical-mathematical) and symbolic-linguistic abilities (notational). Twenty 4- to 6-year-old children participated in the research, divided into two groups (experimental and control) and the measures were administered at two different times, before and after a 6-month music program (for the experimental group) and after a sports training program (for the control group). Children performed meta-musical awareness tasks, logical-mathematical tasks, and emergent-alphabetization tasks. Non-parametric statistics show that a music program significantly improves the development of notational skills and meta-musical awareness while not the development of logical-mathematical skills. These results show that a musical program increases children’s meta-musical awareness, and their ability to acquire the notational ability involved in the invented writing of words and numbers. On the contrary, it does not affect the development of logical skills. The results are discussed in terms of transfer of knowledge processes and of specific versus general domain effects of a musical program.

scholarly journals Association of Genetic Polymorphisms and Serum Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 with the Prognosis in Children with Neuroblastoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 529
Author(s):  
Silvia Selene Moreno-Guerrero ◽  
Arturo Ramírez-Pacheco ◽  
Luz María Rocha-Ramírez ◽  
Gabriela Hernández-Pliego ◽  
Pilar Eguía-Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Genetic Polymorphisms ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mexican Children ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Circulating Levels

There is evidence that high circulating levels of IL-6 and IL-8 are markers of a poor prognosis in various types of cancer, including NB. The participation of these cytokines in the tumor microenvironment has been described to promote progression and metastasis. Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic role of genetic polymorphisms and serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in a cohort of Mexican pediatric patients with NB. The detection of the SNPs rs1800795 IL-6 and rs4073 and rs2227306 IL-8 was carried out by PCR-RFLP and the levels of cytokines were determined by the ELISA method. We found elevated circulating levels of IL-8 and IL-6 in NB patients compared to the control group. The genotype frequencies of the rs1800795 IL-6 and rs4073 IL-8 variants were different between the patients with NB and the control group. Likewise, the survival analysis showed that the GG genotypes of rs1800795 IL-6 (p = 0.014) and AA genotypes of rs4073 IL-8 (p = 0.002), as well as high levels of IL-6 (p = 0.009) and IL-8 (p = 0.046), were associated with lower overall survival. We confirmed the impact on an adverse prognosis in a multivariate model. This study suggests that the SNPs rs1800795 IL-6 and rs4073 IL-8 and their serum levels could be promising biomarkers of a poor prognosis, associated with overall survival, metastasis, and a high risk in Mexican children with NB.

scholarly journals The Use of Procalcitonin as a Sepsis Marker in a Community Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-552
Author(s):  
Nathalia De Oro ◽  
Maria E Gauthreaux ◽  
Julie Lamoureux ◽  
Joseph Scott
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Current Cutoff ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker that shows good sensitivity and specificity in identifying septic patients. Methods This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of PCT in a community hospital setting and how it compared to that of lactic acid. It explored the impact on patient care before and after PCT implementation regarding costs and length of stay. Two comparative groups were analyzed using an exploratory descriptive case–control study with data from a 19-month period after PCT implementation and a retrospective quasi-experimental study using a control group of emergency department patients diagnosed with sepsis using data before PCT implementation. Results Post-procalcitonin implementation samples included 165 cases and pre-procalcitonin implementation sample included 69 cases. From the 165 sepsis cases who had positive blood cultures, PCT had a sensitivity of 89.7%. In comparison, lactic acid's sensitivity at the current cutoff of 18.02 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L) was 64.9%. There was a 32% decrease in median cost before and after PCT implementation, even with the length of stay remaining at 5 days in both time periods. Conclusions There was a significant decrease after the implementation of PCT in cost of hospitalization compared to costs before implementation. This cost is highly correlated with length of stay; neither the hospital nor the intensive care unit length of stay showed a difference with before and after implementation. There was a positive correlation between lactic acid and PCT values. PCT values had a higher predictive usefulness than the lactic acid values.

scholarly journals The Effect of 12 Hz Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Visual Memory of Male Macaque Monkeys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoomeh Kazemi ◽  
◽  
Hamed Aliyari ◽  
Elaheh Tekieh ◽  
Hassan Tavacoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Behavioral Tests ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Male Rhesus

Introduction: Today, humans leave in a world surrounded by electromagnetic fields. Numerous studies have been carried out to discover the biological, physiological, and behavioral effects of electromagnetic fields on humans and animals. Given the biological similarities between monkeys and humans, the goal of the present research was to examine Visual Memory (VM), hormonal, genomic, and anatomic changes, and changes of the amygdala function in the male rhesus macaques who exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF/MF). Materials and methods: Four male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) were used. For the behavioral tests the animals were needed to be fasting for 17 hours, and for the behavioral tests such as visual memory, cooperation of the animal was necessary. Using the radiation protocol, two of the monkeys were exposed to 12-Hz electromagnetic fields with a magnitude of 0.7 microtesla (electromagnetic radiation) four hours a day for a month. Before and after the exposure, a visual memory test was conducted using a coated device (visible reward) on a movable stand. Ten mL of blood was obtained from the femoral artery of the monkeys and half of it was used to examine cortisol serum levels using MyBioSource kits (made in the USA). The other half of blood samples were used to extract lymphocytes for assaying expressions of Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) genes before and after radiation using the PCR method. Anatomic studies of the amygdala were carried out based on pre- and post-radiation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Findings: Research results indicated that visual memory in male primates increased significantly at the 12Hz frequency. Hormonal analysis at the 12Hz frequency showed a decrease in cortisol serum levels. However, visual memory and serum cortisol levels did not change considerably in male primates in the control group. There was no considerable amygdala volumetric difference at the 12 Hz frequency. The expression of the GR genes decreased at 12Hz compared to the control group. Conclusion: In short, these results indicated that ELF may have a beneficial value for memory enhancement as indicated by the fact that exposure to the 12 HZ ELF can enhance visual memory. This may be due to a decrease in plasma cortisol, and/or expression of GR genes. Moreover, direct involvement of the amygdala in this regard cannot be recommended.

scholarly journals Effect of 12 Months of Exercise with Stachys Lavandulifolia Consumption on anxiety, Metabolic Syndrome Profiles and Antioxidant Defense and Lipid Peroxidation in Women with Syndrome Metabolic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali osali ◽  
Alireza Rostami
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Antioxidant Defense ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 months of aerobic exercise combining stachys lavandulifolia (S. lavandulifolia) consumption on anxiety, Metabolic Syndrome profiles and antioxidant defense (Glutathione) and lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde) in 50-65 years old women with syndrome metabolic.Methods48 women with syndrome Metabolic were randomly divided into four groups: exercise (n=12), exercise+S. lavandulifolia (n=12), S. lavandulifolia (n=12) and control group (n=12). S. lavandulifolia groups consumed 3 g aerial parts of S. lavandulifolia daily. Training groups performed an exercise protocol of aerobic exercise for 12 months (three sessions per week). Blood samples were obtained before and after training period for antioxidant indicators and lipid degradation measurement. Also, Beck anxiety questionnaire used for evaluating levels of anxiety. T-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for the evaluation of within-group and between-group differences, respectively.ResultsA significant increase was observed in serum levels of Malondialdehyde (P =0.004), Catalase indexes (Pvalue= 0.01), and Glutathione (P=0.001) in the training group and S. lavandulifolia groups after 12 months. Body weight, BMI, and SBP and Anexiety was decreased significantly greater in exercise +S. lavandulifolia group compared to control, exercise and S. lavandulifolia groups (P=0.001)ConclusionAnxiolytic effect and Anti-Oxidative Stress Activity was seen, so taking S. lavandulifolia along with exercises may have beneficial effects on reinforcement the antioxidant system and prevention of anxiety and The negative effects of indicators related to cardiovascular disease in women with metabolic syndrome.

scholarly journals Controlled Study of the Impact of a Virtual Program to Reduce Stigma Among University Students Toward People With Mental Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matías E. Rodríguez-Rivas ◽  
Adolfo J. Cangas ◽  
Daniela Fuentes-Olavarría
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
University Students ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Global Score ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Stigma toward mental disorders is one of today's most pressing global issues. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the barriers to social inclusion faced by individuals with mental disorders. Concurrently, stigma reduction interventions, especially those aimed at university students, have been more difficult to implement given social distancing and campus closures. As a result, alternative delivery for programs contributing to stigma reduction is required, such as online implementation. This paper reports the results of a controlled study focused on an online multi-component program on reducing stigma toward mental illness that included project-based learning, clinical simulations with standardized patients and E-Contact with real patients. A total of 40 undergraduate students from the Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile, participated in the study. They were randomly divided between an intervention and control group. The intervention group participated in the online multi-component program, while the control group participated in an online educational program on cardiovascular health. We assessed the impact of the program by using the validated Spanish-language versions of the Attribution Questionnaire AQ-27 and the Questionnaire on Student Attitudes toward Schizophrenia with both groups, before and after the intervention. In addition, an ad hoc Likert scale ranging from 0 to 5 was used with the intervention group in order to assess the learning strategies implemented. Following the intervention, the participants belonging to the intervention group displayed significantly lower levels of stereotypes, perception of dangerousness, and global score toward people with schizophrenia (p &lt; 0.001). In addition, participants presented lower levels of dangerousness-fear, avoidance, coercion, lack of solidarity, and global score (p &lt; 0.001). The control group displayed no statistically significant differences in the level of stigma before and after the evaluation, for all of the items assessed. Finally, the overall assessment of each of the components of the program was highly positive. In conclusion, the study shows that online programs can contribute to reducing stigma toward mental disorders. The program assessed in this study had a positive impact on all the dimensions of stigma and all of the components of the program itself were positively evaluated by the participants.

scholarly journals (A296) Psychosocial Disaster Preparedness Program Form School Children

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s83-s83 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Raj ◽  
K. Sekar
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

The impact of natural disasters on individuals is substantial. Among the affected population in any disaster, children are identified as the most vulnerable group along with women, aged and disabled people. An estimated 77 million children under 15, on average, had their lives severely disrupted by a natural disaster or an armed conflict, each year, between 1991 and 2000 (Plan UK, 2003). Children are most affected since they loose the familiar environment, loss of parents, witness death of their loved ones, fear of reoccurrence of the disaster event. The impact of disaster on children of different age group is multiple times greater than that of the adults. This leads to various psychological problems in children (Dave et al., 2003). Disaster preparedness, through care givers, is one among the ways to reduce the distress of individuals followed by any disaster because it reduces the vulnerability factor that minimizes the impact of any disaster on the individual. A disaster preparedness program with special reference to psychosocial aspects was developed and implemented among the school children through teachers in Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India, one of the severely affected areas in Tsunami. The current attempt was to standardize a disaster preparedness module focusing on preparing children to deal with their psychosocial issues before and after disaster in an effective manner. The outcome of disaster preparedness input through teachers and its reach out to the students was determined through an experimental research. The results reveal that the teachers and students from the experimental group gained significantly more knowledge on psychosocial disaster preparedness after implementation of the program in comparison to control group where the program was not implemented. The implications of the study points out the need to integrate psychosocial component of disaster preparedness in to the broader Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) programs.

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