MON-594 The Peculiarity of the Gut Microbiota in Patients with Different Phenotypes of Obesity (Pilot Study)

Abstract Recent studies have shown that obesity is not a homogeneous condition and that there is a subgroup of people with obesity, but without metabolic disturbance. This phenotype of obesity is called “metabolically healthy obesity” (MHO) [1]. More and more data are appearing in the scientific literature, indicating that quantitative and qualitative changes in the gut microbiota (GM) can be a trigger in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders [2]. In order to study the role of GM in the development of various types of obesity, 37 patients were examined, divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 11) - healthy people without obesity and overweight (control), group 2 (n = 13) - patients with MHO, group 3 (n = 13) - patients with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). The basic metabolic parameters were determined for all of them and a quantitative assessment of the condition of the GM was performed using the Real-time PCR method. Results: 1. In people from the control group (group 1) in the GM, compared with formal normative indicators, the number of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., B. thetaiotaomicron was reduced (p<0.05) and indicators of the total bacterial mass and Enterobacter spp./Citrobacter spp. were increased (p<0.05). 2. In subjects with MHO (group 2), GM changes similar to group 1 were observed. However, in comparison to group 1, Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. were recorded in feces in quantities exceeding the formal regulatory. In patients with MUHO (group 3), in addition to changes detected in group 2, C. difficile was found in feces, as well as a significant (p <0.05) decrease in F. prausnitzii and an increase (p <0.05) in the detection frequency of banal E.coli, as well as the more diverse composition of the microbiota. Thus, the data obtained as a result of a pilot study certainly indicate changes in the GM in people with different phenotypes of obesity and in healthy ones. Further study of the GM in patients with various types of obesity, but in a larger groups, is required. Reference: 1) Phillips C.M. Metabolically healthy obesity across the life course: epidemiology, determinants and implications. Ann N.Y. Acad Sci 2017 Mar;139(1):85-100.doi:10.1111/nyas.13230. 2). Giovanna Muscogiuri, Elena Cantone, Sara Cassarano, Dario Tuccinardi, Luigi Barrea, Silvia Savastano, Annamaria Colao & on behalf of the Obesity Programs of nutrition, Education, Research and Assessment (OPERA) group. Gut microbiota: a new path to treat obesity. International Journal of Obesity Supplements 2019 Apr;9(1):10-19. doi: 10.1038/s41367-019-0011-7

Download Full-text

Cognitive training for robotic surgery: a chance to optimize surgical training? A pilot study

Journal of Robotic Surgery ◽

10.1007/s11701-020-01167-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Schönburg ◽

Petra Anheuser ◽

Jennifer Kranz ◽

Paolo Fornara ◽

Viktor Oubaid

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Training Session ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Control Group ◽

Training Simulator ◽

Neo Personality Inventory ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

AbstractThe rapid rise of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has necessitated an efficient and standardized training curriculum. Cognitive training (CT) can significantly improve skills, such as attention, working memory and problem solving, and can enhance surgical capacity and support RAS training. This pilot study was carried out between 02/2019 and 04/2019. The participants included 33 student volunteers, randomized into 3 groups: group 1 received training using the da Vinci training simulator, group 2 received computer-based cognitive training, and group 3 was the control group without training. Before (T1) and after-training (T2), performance was measured. Additionally, expert ratings and self-evaluations were collected. Subjective evaluations of performance were supplemented by evaluations based on three scales from the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). In total, 25 probands remained with complete data for further analyses: n = 8 (group 1), n = 7 (group 2) and n = 10 (group 3). There were no significant differences in T1 and T2 among all three groups. The average training gain of group 1 and 2 was 15.87% and 24.6%, respectively, (a restricting condition is the loss of the last training session in group 2). Analyses of semi-structured psychological interviews (SPIs) revealed no significant differences for T1, but in T2, significance occurred at ‘self-reflection’ for group 2 (F(2.22) = 8.56; p < .005). The efficacy of CT in training highly complex and difficult procedures, such as RAS, is a proven and accepted fact. Further investigation involving higher numbers of training trials (while also being cost effective) should be performed.

Download Full-text

The clinical and histological effects of Dermagraft® in the healing of chronic venous leg ulcers

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1258/026835503321236858 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 12-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Latha Krishnamoorthy ◽

Keith Harding ◽

David Griffiths ◽

Keith Moore ◽

David Leaper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Venous Disease ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Venous Leg Ulcers ◽

Compression Bandaging ◽

Group 4 ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Objective: Pilot study to assess the safety and effectiveness of Dermagraft® when used in conjunction with multi-layer compression bandage therapy (Profore™) compared with multilayer compression only in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers. Design: Open-label, prospective, multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Methods: Patients aged at least 18 years with leg ulceration of venous aetiology were screened for inclusion in the trial. Patients with arterial disease (ankle brachial pressure index <0.7) and causes of ulceration other than venous disease were excluded. Patients were randomized into four groups. Three active treatment groups received Dermagraft® in combination with compression bandaging, Profore™: Group 1, 12 pieces of Dermagraft (one per week for 12 weeks); Group 2, four pieces of Dermagraft (Weeks 0, 1, 4, 8); Group 3, one piece of Dermagraft (Week 0). The control group was treated with compression bandaging alone (Group 4). The study was not powered to detect statistical differences in healing rates. Adverse events were reported according to national guidelines. There was no statistical analysis of adverse event data. Results: In all 53 patients were randomized, of whom 47 completed the study per protocol. At 12 weeks complete healing of the ulcer, analysed by 'intention-to-treat' (ITT) was 15% using Profore alone, 7% using single application Dermagraft and Profore (Group 3), compared with 38% using multiple applications of Dermagraft and Profore (Groups 1 and 2). At study discontinuation, the median percentage reduction in wound area was 81.4% for Group 1, 88.6% for Group 2, 59.4% for Group 3 and 78.1% for Group 4. No major safety issues were identified during the course of the study. Conclusions: The results of the pilot study indicate that four pieces of Dermagraft are the optimal application frequency to take forward to further clinical trials. Further studies are required to confirm these data, and these should be powered to detect whether there are statistical differences in healing rates and safety between different regimens.

Download Full-text

Computer Kinesiology: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Lower Back Pain Treatment (Pilot Study)

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/2987696 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Pavla Honcu ◽

Petr Zach ◽

Jana Mrzilkova ◽

Dobroslava Jandova ◽

Vladimir Musil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Back Pain ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Chronic Back Pain ◽

Pain Treatment ◽

Medical Information System ◽

Control Group ◽

Pain Group ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the diagnostic and therapeutic medical information system Computer Kinesiology in physiotherapy in patients with low back pain who were not responding to conventional therapy. Computer Kinesiology is primarily intended for the diagnostics and therapy of functional disorders of the locomotor system. This pilot study population included 55 patients (Group 1) with acute and chronic back pain and 51 persons (Group 2) without back pain. The third group was a control group of 67 healthy volunteers with no evidence of musculoskeletal pathologies and no back pain. All 173 subjects were examined three times by the diagnostic part of the Computer Kinesiology method. Groups 1 and 2 were treated after every diagnostics. Group 3 was not treated. The effect was evaluated by H score. Improvements after therapy were defined by reducing the H score by at least 1 point. In Group 1, the H score decreased by at least 1 point in 87.3% (95% CI: 75.5-94.7) and in Group 2 in 78.4% (95% CI: 64.7-88.7). There was no change of distribution of H Score grade in Group 3. The improvement neither depended on gender, age, and BMI nor was it influenced by the length of the therapy. This study demonstrated a high therapeutic efficacy of the Computer Kinesiology system in patients with back pain (Group 1) and in persons without back pain (Group 2) who used the Computer Kinesiology system for primary and secondary prevention of back pain.

Download Full-text

Postoperative Morphine Use and Hyperalgesia Are Reduced by Preoperative but Not Intraoperative Epidural Analgesia

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-200306000-00023 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 1449-1460 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Joel Katz ◽

Lorenzo Cohen ◽

Roger Schmid ◽

Vincent W.S. Chan ◽

Adarose Wowk

Keyword(s):

Morphine Consumption ◽

Gynecologic Surgery ◽

Control Group ◽

Epidural Administration ◽

Blinded Manner ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Double Blinded ◽

Postoperative Morphine ◽

Group 1

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative morphine-sparing effects and reduction in pain and secondary mechanical hyperalgesia after preincisional or postincisional epidural administration of a local anesthetic and an opioid compared with a sham epidural control. Methods Patients undergoing major gynecologic surgery by laparotomy were randomly assigned to three groups and studied in a double-blinded manner. Group 1 received epidural lidocaine and fentanyl before incision and epidural saline 40 min after incision. Group 2 received epidural saline before incision and epidural lidocaine and fentanyl 40 min after incision. Group 3 received a sham epidural control (with saline injected into a catheter taped to the back) before and 40 min after incision. All patients underwent surgery with general anesthesia. Results One hundred forty-one patients completed the study (group 1, n = 45; group 2, n = 49; group 3, n = 47). Cumulative patient-controlled analgesia morphine consumption at 48 h was significantly lower (P = 0.04) in group 1 (89.8 +/- 43.3 mg) than group 3 (112.5 +/- 71.5 mg) but not group 2 (95.4 +/- 60.2 mg), although the hourly rate of morphine consumption between 24 and 48 h after surgery was significantly lower (P < 0.0009) in group 1 (1.25 +/- 0.02 mg/h) than group 2 (1.41 +/- 0.02 mg/h). Twenty-four hours after surgery, the visual analog scale pain score on movement was significantly less intense (P = 0.005) in group 1 (4.9 +/- 2.2 cm) than group 3 (6.0 +/- 2.6 cm) but not group 2 (5.3 +/- 2.5 cm), and the von Frey pain threshold near the wound was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in group 1 (6.4 +/- 0.6 log mg) than in group 3 (6.1 +/- 0.8 log mg) but not group 2 (6.2 +/- 0.7 log mg). Conclusions Preincisional administration of epidural lidocaine and fentanyl was associated with a significantly lower rate of morphine use, lower cumulative morphine consumption, and reduced hyperalgesia compared with a sham epidural condition. These results highlight the importance of including a standard treatment control group to avoid the problems of interpretation that arise when two-group studies of preemptive analgesia (preincisional vs. postsurgery) fail to find the anticipated effects.

Download Full-text

Antioxidant Effect of MnTE-2-PyP on Lung in Asthma Mice Model

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/2012/379360 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lyudmil Terziev ◽

Violeta Dancheva ◽

Veneta Shopova ◽

Galya Stavreva

Keyword(s):

Superoxide Dismutase ◽

Glutathione Peroxidase ◽

Control Group ◽

Mice Model ◽

Antioxidant Defence ◽

Group 4 ◽

Antioxidant Defence System ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Aim. To investigate the effects of MnTE-2-PyP on some markers of antioxidant defence system in asthma mice model.Material and Methods. The animals were divided into four groups: group 1, controls; group 2, injected with ovalbumin, group 3, treated with MnTE-2-PyP, and group 4, treated with ovalbumin and MnTE-2-PyP. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and nonprotein sulfhydryl groups content (NPSH) were determined in lung homogenate.Results. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in group 2 decreased significantly as compared to control group. The decrease of the same enzymes in group 4 was lower and significant as compared to group 2. Changes in the glutathione peroxidase activity showed a similar dynamics. The NPSH groups content decreased in group 2. In group 4 this decrease was relatively lower as compared to group 2.Conclusions. The application of MnTE-2-PyP mitigated the effects of oxidative stress in asthma mice model.

Download Full-text

Pengaruh Monoklonal Antibodi Bovine Zona Pelusida 3 (bZP3) terhadap Diameter dan Atresia Folikel Ovarium Mencit (Mus musculus)

Majalah Obstetri & Ginekologi ◽

10.20473/mog.v24i12016.37-42 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 37

Author(s):

Annisa Trissatharra ◽

Sri Ratna Dwiningsih ◽

Ratna Sofaria Munir

Keyword(s):

Mus Musculus ◽

Ovarian Follicles ◽

Observation Time ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Group Design ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Group 4 ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Objectives: To identify the effect of monoclonal antibody bZP3 at ovarian follicles that undergo atresia and diameter of various ovarian follicles.Materials and Methods: This is a true experimental research with post only control group design. Samples were 36 female mices (Mus musculus) which is divided into 6 groups, there are 3 control groups (group 1, 2, and 3) injected by Phospatase Buffer Saline (PBS) 50µl and 3 treatment groups (group 4, 5, and 6) injected by Mab bZP3 50µl. Group 1 and 4 terminated at 5th day, group 2 and 5 terminated at 10th day, and group 3 and 6 terminated at 20th day. Evaluation of atretic ovarian follicles and diameter of ovarian follicles performed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) and the data processed by parametric statistic.Results: There are no significant in different among groups in the aspect of atretic follicles and diameter of folicles (p>0.05), but descriptively, number of follicles undergo atresia of the follicle primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment group was higher than the control group, except on the 20th day of observation time.Conclusion: administration of Mab bZP3 had no effect to amount of atretic follicles and diameter of folicles during observation time.

Download Full-text

Zingerone Ameliorates Hepatotoxicity

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11i1.1817 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 280-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julietpoornamathy J ◽

Parameswari C.S.

Keyword(s):

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Toxic Compounds ◽

Group 4 ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 5 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Insight Into ◽

Group 1

In medical sciences, toxicity is an area wherein extensive studies have been carried to improve the diseases as well as to prevent. So, there is a high requirement for novel and improved alternative therapeutic strategies to manage diseases. The liver is the largest gland in the body, which executes several important mechanisms; it stores minerals and vitamins and releases them in periods of need. The main aim of this study was to give a closer insight into potent non- toxic compounds that is capable of modifying the responses. Animals were divided into five equal groups viz control (Group 1), administered with food and water ad libitum, (Group 2) administered with olive oil, (Group 3) administered with zingerone, (Group 4) administered with concanavalin A, (Group 5) administered with cyclosporine A followed by zingerone. Our results revealed significant changes in liver marker enzymes and liver histology of zingerone treated rats when compared to control rats. A corollary, zingerone has no toxic effect on hepatocytes and was found to be safe at a dose of 10mg/kg b wt and also ameliorates hepatotoxicity.

Download Full-text

Comparative parasitological and electron microscopic studies on the effects of Nitazoxanide and Praziquantel in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice

International Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology ◽

10.14419/ijpt.v4i2.6822 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 228

Author(s):

Hend A. El-Taweel ◽

Mona H. El-Sayad ◽

Sahar A. Abu Helw ◽

Mohammad A. Al-Kazzaz

Keyword(s):

Schistosoma Mansoni ◽

Control Group ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Male And Female ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopic ◽

Antischistosomal Activity ◽

Microscopic Studies ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

This study was designed to evaluate antischistosomal activity of Nitazoxanide (NTZ) in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice compared to Praziquantel (PZQ). Fifty four infected mice were recruited into 3 groups, each of 18 mice. Group 1 was infected non-treated control. Group 2 was infected and then treated with PZQ 500 mg for two days, and group 3 was infected and treated with NTZ 100 mg/kg for seven days. Efficacy of drugs was assessed by Parasitological, and scanning electron microscopic studies. PZQ reduced (4.9%, 22.5% and 50.7%) of faecal eggs, (22%, 22.6% and 55.1%) of intestinal eggs, (20.4%, 44.3% and 46.7%) of hepatic egg counts and (27%, 45.1% and 64.9%) of total worm load whereas, NTZ reduced (4.9%, 22.5% and 50.7%),of faecal eggs, (22%, 22.6% and 55.1%) of intestinal eggs ,(20.4%, 44.3% and 46.7%) of hepatic egg counts and (27%, 45.1% and 64.9%) of total worm load at 1, 2 and 4 WPT, respectively. The percentages of dead eggs were more than 80% after PZQ treatment and only 30% after NTZ at 4 WPT. PZQ showed extensive tegumental damages in male and female worms more than NTZ at 2 WPT. Our findings concluded that Nitazoxanide showed weaker antischistosomal activity in animal models than praziquantel.

Download Full-text

Double activation improves rabbit freeze–thawed oocytes developmental potential

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199409990098 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. Wang ◽

L. Cong ◽

Z.G. Zhang ◽

Y.X. Cao ◽

Z.L. Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Group ◽

Strontium Chloride ◽

Random Group ◽

Developmental Potential ◽

Group 4 ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Double Activation ◽

Potential Methods ◽

Group 1

SummaryObjective: To investigate the effects of various activation methods on freeze–thawed rabbit oocytes developmental potential. Methods: Rabbit oocytes were vitrified by cryoleafs and cryoprotected with ethylene glycol and propanediol. After thawing, the oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Surviving oocytes after ICSI were divided into five groups at random. Group 1: Oocytes (n = 30) activated 1 h after ICSI by calcium ionomycin (I0634); Group 2: Oocytes (n = 26) activated by strontium chloride an hour after ICSI; Group 3: Oocytes (n = 33) activated by I0634 twice; Group 4: Oocytes (n = 28) were activated by strontium chloride twice; Control Group: Inactivated oocytes (n = 39). Blastocysts derived from each group were transplanted to recipient rabbits. Results: Rates of fertilization, cleavage and blastocyst formation of Group 3 were higher than those of Group 1 and Group 2 (81.8% vs 33.3% vs 53.8%, 54.5% vs 16.7% vs 26.9%, p < 0.05; 15.2% vs 3.3% vs 7.7%, p > 0.05). The rabbit transplanted with embryos derived from Group 3 became pregnant. Embryos derived from double activation could implant into endometrium. Conclusion: Double activation may increase freeze–thawed oocytes developmental potential. After activation, oocytes cleavage velocity may be faster than that of oocytes without activation.

Download Full-text

Investigation of TAp63 gene Expression and Follicle Count Using Melatonin in Cisplatin-induced Ovarian Toxicity

10.21203/rs.3.rs-52313/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hacı Öztürk Şahin ◽

Mehmet Nuri Duran ◽

Fatma Sılan ◽

Ece Sılan ◽

Duygu Sıddıkoglu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Female Rats ◽

Histological Evaluation ◽

Saline Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Ovarian Toxicity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Abstract Background: Premature ovarian failure is among the most important side effects of chemotherapy during reproductive period. Preserving ovarian function is gradually gaining importance during oncologic treatment. The present study aims to investigate the potential of melatonin to protect from cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats. Twenty nine female rats were divided to three groups: Saline control group (Group 1), cisplatin group (Group 2), and cisplatin+melatonin group (Group 3). While the rats in Groups 2 and 3 were administered 5 mg/kg single dose of cisplatin via intra-peritoneal (IP) route, the rats in Group 3 were started on melatonin (20 mg/kg IP) before cisplatin administration and continued during 3 consecutive days. Ovaries were removed one week after cisplatin administration in all groups. Blood samples were obtained before the rats were decapited. Histological evaluation, follicle count, and classification were performed. TAp63 mRNA expression was evaluated using mRNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Serum estradiol (E2) and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) values were measured with enzyme immune-assay technology. Results: While primordial follicles were seen to decrease in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 (p:0.023), primordial follicle count was observed to be preserved significantly in melatonin group as compared to Group 2 (p:0.047). Moreover, cisplatin-induced histo-pathological morphology was preserved in favor of normal histology in melatonin group. A significant difference was not observed between groups with regard to mean serum AMH and E2 values (p:0.102 and p:0.411, respectively). While TAp63 gene expression significantly increased in Group 2 as compared to control group (p:0.001), we did not detect a statistically significant difference in cisplatin+melatonin group, although gene expression decreased (p:0.34). Conclusion: We conclude that concurrent administration of melatonin and cisplatin may protect from ovarian damage.

Download Full-text