scholarly journals Assessment of Changes in Lipids Metabolism in Patients with Degenerative Joints and Discs Diseases Subjected to Spa Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Michał Kasperczak ◽  
Jadwiga Kuciel-Lewandowska ◽  
Jan Gnus ◽  
Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spa Therapy ◽  
Health Resort ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. High levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and, connected with them, lipoprotein fractions may result in atherosclerosis. There are various forms of therapy used to prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as balneophysiotherapy, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by numerous scientific publications. Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of balneophysiotherapeutic procedures on the systemic metabolism of lipids in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the motor organ. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in the Health Resort Świeradów-Zdrój. Observation included patients undergoing radon water therapy. Before therapy and after 21 days of treatment, lipid profile was assessed with the use of standard colorimetric assay. Study group consisted of n=34 patients with degenerative joints and disc disease. The mean age of patients was 56.5l. The control group consisted of 17 people selected among the employees of the spa also suffering from osteoarthritis. The mean age was 54.2 years. Results. The results of the study are based on a single, 21-day health resort stay period in April/May. A statistically significant increase in HDL cholesterol levels was observed in female patients having undergone health resort treatment (P<0.01). Statistically significant drops in LDL cholesterol and TG levels were observed in the control group (P<0.01). An increase in HDL levels was observed in the male and female control subjects, with P<0.05. Conclusions. (1) After the end of therapy, there were no changes in lipid metabolism in men, while in the group of women an increase in HDL level was observed. (2) In the control group, statistically significant changes in the field of lipid metabolism may be related to lifestyle changes as a result of educational activities conducted prior to the research. (3) Due to the divergent results, it is advisable to conduct randomized studies in a larger population. This trial is registered with NCT03274128.

scholarly journals The Impact of Game-Based, Modeling, and Collaborative Learning Methods on the Achievements, Motivations, and Visual Mathematical Literacy Perceptions

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110035
Author(s):  
Aziz İlhan
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Conventional Instruction ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Mathematical Literacy ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Learning Groups ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of geometry instruction activities conducted in nature based on modeling, game-based, and cooperative learning methods on achievement, mathematical motivation, and visual mathematical literacy perceptions of third-grade elementary school students. The present study is a quantitative study conducted with a pre-test/post-test experimental design with a control group. The study was conducted with 61 students (35 students in the experimental group and 26 students in the control group). Modeling-, game-, and collaborative learning-based activities were conducted with the students in the experimental group. It was determined that the achievements of students who were instructed with modeling-based activities in geometry were high when compared to that of the students instructed with collaborative learning- and game-based methods, and those in the control group where no intervention was applied. This group was followed by the game-based and collaborative learning groups. Based on the variable of motivation, the mean motivation of the students in the modeling group was higher when compared to that of the students in the collaborative learning, game-based, and conventional instruction groups. This group was followed by the collaborative and game-based learning groups. Also, based on the visual mathematical literacy perception variable, the mean visual mathematics literacy perception of the students in the collaborative learning group was higher when compared to that of the students in the groups where the modeling, game-based, and conventional instruction methods were used. This group was followed by the modeling and game-based learning groups.

scholarly journals The impact of vildagliptin on the daily glucose profile and coronary plaque stability in impaired glucose tolerance patients with coronary artery disease: VOGUE—A multicenter randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Yamamoto ◽  
Akihide Konishi ◽  
Toshiro Shinke ◽  
Hiromasa Otake ◽  
Masaru Kuroda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Fibrous Cap ◽  
Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Fibrous Cap Thickness ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The impact of reduction in glycemic excursion on coronary plaques remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate whether a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor could reduce the glycemic excursion and stabilize the coronary plaques compared with conventional management in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Methods This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial including CAD patients with IGT under lipid-lowering therapy receiving either vildagliptin (50 mg once a day) or no medication (control group) regarding glycemic treatment. The primary endpoint was changes in the minimum fibrous cap thickness and lipid arc in non-significant native coronary plaques detected by optical coherence tomography at 6 months after intervention. Glycemic variability expressed as the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) measured with a continuous glucose monitoring system was evaluated before and 6 months after intervention. Results A total of 20 participants with 47 lesions were allocated to either the vildagliptin group (10 participants, 22 lesions) or the control group (10 participants, 25 lesions). The adjusted difference of mean changes between the groups was − 18.8 mg/dl (95% confidence interval, − 30.8 to − 6.8) (p = 0.0064) for the MAGE (vildagliptin, − 20.1 ± 18.0 mg/dl vs. control, 2.6 ± 12.7 mg/dl), − 22.8° (− 40.6° to − 5.1°) (p = 0.0012) for the mean lipid arc (vildagliptin, − 9.0° ± 25.5° vs. control, 15.8° ± 16.8°), and 42.7 μm (15.3 to 70.1 μm) (p = 0.0022) for the minimum fibrous cap thickness (vildagliptin, 35.7 ± 50.8 μm vs. control, − 15.1 ± 25.2 μm). Conclusions Vildagliptin could reduce the MAGE at 6 months and may be associated with the decreased lipid arc and increased minimum FCT of the coronary plaques in CAD patients with IGT as compared with the control group. These findings may represent its potential stabilization effect on coronary plaques, which are characteristic in this patient subset. Trial registration Registered in the UMIN clinical trial registry (UMIN000008620), Name of the registry: VOGUE trial, Date of registration: Aug 6, 2012, URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000010058

scholarly journals When is a Match Sufficient? A Score-based Balance Metric for the Synthetic Control Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-228
Author(s):  
Layla Parast ◽  
Priscillia Hunt ◽  
Beth Ann Griffin ◽  
David Powell
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Synthetic Control ◽  
Donor Pool ◽  
Synthetic Control Method ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn some applications, researchers using the synthetic control method (SCM) to evaluate the effect of a policy may struggle to determine whether they have identified a “good match” between the control group and treated group. In this paper, we demonstrate the utility of the mean and maximum Absolute Standardized Mean Difference (ASMD) as a test of balance between a synthetic control unit and treated unit, and provide guidance on what constitutes a poor fit when using a synthetic control. We explore and compare other potential metrics using a simulation study. We provide an application of our proposed balance metric to the 2013 Los Angeles (LA) Firearm Study [9]. Using Uniform Crime Report data, we apply the SCM to obtain a counterfactual for the LA firearm-related crime rate based on a weighted combination of control units in a donor pool of cities. We use this counterfactual to estimate the effect of the LA Firearm Study intervention and explore the impact of changing the donor pool and pre-intervention duration period on resulting matches and estimated effects. We demonstrate how decision-making about the quality of a synthetic control can be improved by using ASMD. The mean and max ASMD clearly differentiate between poor matches and good matches. Researchers need better guidance on what is a meaningful imbalance between synthetic control and treated groups. In addition to the use of gap plots, the proposed balance metric can provide an objective way of determining fit.

scholarly journals The Impact of Divergent and Convergent Tasks on Iraqi EFL Students Reading Comprehension Success

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
Sabeeha Hamza Dehham ◽  
Nadia Majeed Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Reading Skills ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Preparatory Stage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

This research attempted to explore the effects of divergent and convergent tasks on the successful reading of EFL students at the preparatory stage. To verify the analysis, the null hypothesis was established that states "There are no differences of statistical significance at the level of (0,05) among the mean of scores of the experimental group who study according to divergent and convergent task technique and the mean of the scores of the control group who study according to the regular method".  The experimental approach is used by designing two equivalent experimental groups of 32 students studying the technique proposed, and an 8-week (2019-2020) control group of 32 students, three classes each week using the Google Classroom Platform and Telegram. The present study utilized the platform Google Classroom (GC) and Telegram as an educational platform to assist students during their course learning process. The writing skills test was administered after checking with the experts. The results show that there are statistical differences at level (0,05) between the average of the experimental and control groups' reading skills and those of the experimental group. This difference is because the experimental group uses divergent and convergent tasks.

scholarly journals Safety and Effectiveness of Transforaminal Epiduroscopic Laser Ablation in Single Level Disc Disease: A Case-Control Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (21;1) ◽  
pp. E643-E650
Author(s):  
Dong Ah Shin
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Nucleus Pulposus ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Disc Disease ◽  
Single Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Control Study

Background: The non-operative treatment of herniated intervertebral discs has long been a fundamental challenge. A novel technique of laser ablation to ablate the nucleus pulposus under a transforaminal epiduroscope (TELA system, Lutronics, Seoul, Republic of Korea) was recently developed. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) for selective ablation of the nucleus pulposus in single-level disc disease. Study Design: Prospective case control study Setting: Multicenter study Methods: This study included a group of 56 patients who underwent transforaminal epiduroscopic laser ablation (TELA) and 56 patients who underwent selective transforaminal epidural block (STEB) for single-level disc disease. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-12 were assessed at admission and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results: The mean VAS of back pain was lower for the TELA group than for the STEB group 12 months postoperative (P < 0.05). The mean ODI was lower in the TELA group than in the STEB group at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no major complications related to the TELA and STEB procedures. Limitations: The primary limitation is a small sample size. The control group was created from a database which was prospectively collected in a different time line. Conclusions: The TELA procedure is superior to the STEB procedure in terms of patients reporting less pain and better quality of life over a year. TELA may be a reasonable alternative to conventional interventions or open surgery in single-level disc disease. Key words: Laser-assisted spinal endoscopy, disc decompression, Nd:YAG laser, laser ablation, intervertebral disc disease, lumbar spine

Resistant Starch Supplementation Improves Bifidobacteria Colonization and Lipid Profile in Adult Obese Subjects Residing in Urban Vadodara

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Mini Sheth ◽  
Aanchal Johari ◽  
Isha Shah
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Resistant Starch ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Obese Subjects ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Obesity continues to be a growing problem globally among all age groups, further associated with life threatening co-morbidities. Resistant Starch (RS) as a dietary component has been recently recognized as a prebiotic with potential role in improving the bacterial ecology of human gut. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of resistant starch supplementation by the obese adults in urban Vadodara on microbial changes in gut flora with respect to Bifidobacteria and Enterobacteria. Using a non randomised control trial study design, 60 obese adults were enrolled from the free living population of urban Vadodara. Baseline information was collected and subjects were classified into control (n=30) and experimental group (n=30). Experimental group was supplemented with 10 g of RS daily for the period of two months (60 days). The control group were not given anything during this period. Blood and stool samples were analysed for lipid profile and the presence of Bifidobacteria and pathogenic Enterobacteria, respectively both at baseline and after the intervention period. Results revealed a significant increase in the mean log counts of Bifidobacteria by 11.7% with no significant reduction in the mean log counts of enteric pathogens and lipid profile of subjects. Hence study concludes that a daily supplementation of 10 grams of RS for 60 days to the obese subjects improved colonization of beneficial gut microbiota in terms of Bifidobacteria, but had little effect on obesity.

scholarly journals The Impact of Wood, Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke on the Reproductive Health of Tandoor Occupants

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Ghulam Nabi ◽  
Muhammad Amin ◽  
Jeena Urooj ◽  
Muhammad Kamil ◽  
Ayaz Ali Khan
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fuel Type ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wood, cigarette and marijuana smoke on the reproductive health of tandoor occupants. A total of 100 male individuals were selected (50 control and 50 tandoor occupants). A standard questionnaire was designed regarding their age, economic status, marital status, fuel type, exposure time (per day), use of mask, addiction and reproductive health. Morning blood samples of 5 mL of the size were taken from all participants. Serums were obtained and analyzed for total serum testosterone concentration. Bio-check (USA) kit was used according to the manufacturer protocol and procedures for testosterone analysis. In control group the mean ± SEM of total serum testosterone was 671.9 ± 20.02 ng/dl where as in tandoor occupants it was 542.7 ± 16.40 ng/dl. There was a significant reduction (P**** < 0.0001) in total serum testosterone concentration in tandoor occupants as compared to control group. Reproductive health problems like, low libido, erection problems, infertility, decreased frequency for shaving and absent morning and nocturnal erection were common in tandoor occupants as compared to control group. Wood, cigarette and marijuana smoke negatively affects testosterone concentration and lowers it significantly. This reduced testosterone concentration then produces ill effects like low libido, erection problems, infertility and absent morning and nocturnal erection. 

scholarly journals The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Haegdorens ◽  
Peter Van Bogaert ◽  
Koen De Meester ◽  
Koenraad G. Monsieurs
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Nurse Staffing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Growing evidence indicates that improved nurse staffing in acute hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality. Current research is limited to studies using hospital level data or without proper adjustment for confounders which makes the translation to practice difficult. Method In this observational study we analysed retrospectively the control group of a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial concerning 14 medical and 14 surgical wards in seven Belgian hospitals. All patients admitted to these wards during the control period were included in this study. Pregnant patients or children below 17 years of age were excluded. In all patients, we collected age, crude ward mortality, unexpected death, cardiac arrest with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and unplanned admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A composite mortality measure was constructed including unexpected death and death up to 72 h after cardiac arrest with CPR or unplanned ICU admission. Every 4 months we obtained, from 30 consecutive patient admissions across all wards, the Charlson comorbidity index. The amount of nursing hours per patient days (NHPPD) were calculated every day for 15 days, once every 4 months. Data were aggregated to the ward level resulting in 68 estimates across wards and time. Linear mixed models were used since they are most appropriate in case of clustered and repeated measures data. Results The unexpected death rate was 1.80 per 1000 patients. Up to 0.76 per 1000 patients died after CPR and 0.62 per 1000 patients died after unplanned admission to the ICU. The mean composite mortality was 3.18 per 1000 patients. The mean NHPPD and proportion of nurse Bachelor hours were respectively 2.48 and 0.59. We found a negative association between the nursing hours per patient day and the composite mortality rate adjusted for possible confounders (B = − 2.771, p = 0.002). The proportion of nurse Bachelor hours was negatively correlated with the composite mortality rate in the same analysis (B = − 8.845, p = 0.023). Using the regression equation, we calculated theoretically optimal NHPPDs. Conclusions This study confirms the association between higher nurse staffing levels and lower patient mortality controlled for relevant confounders.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SIZE OF A REPRINT ORDER?

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Hopewell ◽  
Mike Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Citation Index ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Control Set ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Very High ◽  
Subsequent Literature

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of articles with very high reprint orders (“high-reprint articles”) by measuring their citation in the subsequent literature as compared with a control group of articles.Methods: The twenty-one articles (published in the Lancet in 1998) with reprint orders of over 10,000 were matched with a control set of twenty-one articles with smaller reprint orders. The Science Citation Index was used to obtain the number of citations for each of the forty-two articles.Results: The twenty-one high-reprint articles were cited 2,548 times; the mean number of citations was 121 (range, 3 to 499 citations per article). Five of the twenty-one high-reprint articles had more than 200 citations, but seven (33%) were cited twenty-five times or fewer. The twenty-one control articles were cited 986 times; the mean number of citations was forty-seven (range, 1 to 165). Fifteen (71%) of the twenty-one control articles were cited twenty-five times or fewer. Thirteen of the high-reprint articles were reports of randomized trials with a mean of 163 citations. In the control articles, six were reports of randomized trials with a mean of eighty-eight citations.Conclusions: Articles with a high-reprint order were cited more frequently than other articles. However, some high-reprint articles were cited infrequently. If the size of a reprint order is related to the importance of an article, those articles with very high reprint orders may, therefore, be perceived as more important. Further research is needed to explore other aspects of the relative importance and impact of high-reprint articles.

scholarly journals Rapeseed Lecithin Increases Lymphatic Lipid Output and α-Linolenic Acid Bioavailability in Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (11) ◽  
pp. 2900-2911
Author(s):  
Chloé Robert ◽  
Leslie Couëdelo ◽  
Carole Knibbe ◽  
Laurence Fonseca ◽  
Charline Buisson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Linolenic Acid ◽  
Soybean Lecithin ◽  
Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Postprandial Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Postprandial Lipid ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rapeseed Lecithin

ABSTRACT Background Soybean lecithin, a plant-based emulsifier widely used in food, is capable of modulating postprandial lipid metabolism. With arising concerns of sustainability, alternative sources of vegetal lecithin are urgently needed, and their metabolic effects must be characterized. Objectives We evaluated the impact of increasing doses of rapeseed lecithin (RL), rich in essential α-linolenic acid (ALA), on postprandial lipid metabolism and ALA bioavailability in lymph-cannulated rats. Methods Male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) undergoing a mesenteric lymph duct cannulation were intragastrically administered 1 g of an oil mixture containing 4% ALA and 0, 1, 3, 10, or 30% RL (5 groups). Lymph fractions were collected for 6 h. Lymph lipids and chylomicrons (CMs) were characterized. The expression of genes implicated in intestinal lipid metabolism was determined in the duodenum at 6 h. Data was analyzed using either sigmoidal or linear mixed-effects models, or one-way ANOVA, where appropriate. Results RL dose-dependently increased the lymphatic recovery (AUC) of total lipids (1100 μg/mL·h per additional RL%; P = 0.010) and ALA (50 μg/mL·h per additional RL%; P = 0.0076). RL induced a faster appearance of ALA in lymph, as evidenced by the exponential decrease of the rate of appearance of ALA with RL (R2 = 0.26; P = 0.0064). Although the number of CMs was unaffected by RL, CM diameter was increased in the 30%-RL group, compared to the control group (0% RL), by 86% at 3–4 h (P = 0.065) and by 81% at 4–6 h (P = 0.0002) following administration. This increase was positively correlated with the duodenal mRNA expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (Mttp; ρ= 0.63; P = 0.0052). The expression of Mttp and secretion-associated, ras-related GTPase 1 gene homolog B (Sar1b, CM secretion), carnitine palmitoyltransferase IA (Cpt1a) and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (Acox1, beta-oxidation), and fatty acid desaturase 2 (Fads2, bioconversion of ALA into long-chain n–3 PUFAs) were, respectively, 49%, 29%, 74%, 48%, and 55% higher in the 30%-RL group vs. the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions In rats, RL enhanced lymphatic lipid output, as well as the rate of appearance of ALA, which may promote its subsequent bioavailability and metabolic fate.

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