scholarly journals Brief Training in Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Symptoms in Patients with a Chronic or Recurrent Lifetime History of Depression: A Randomized Controlled Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Winnebeck ◽  
Maria Fissler ◽  
Matti Gärtner ◽  
Paul Chadwick ◽  
Thorsten Barnhofer
Keyword(s):  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Stress Buffering ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Lifetime History ◽  
Brief Training ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
To Receive

Background: Training in mindfulness has been introduced to the treatment of depression as a means of relapse prevention. However, from a stress-buffering perspective, mindfulness techniques would be expected to unfold their beneficial effects particularly in those who are currently suffering from symptoms. This study investigated whether a brief and targeted mindfulness-based intervention can reduce symptoms in acutely depressed patients.Methods: Seventy-four patients with a chronic or recurrent lifetime history were randomly allocated to receive either a brief mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) encompassing three individual sessions and regular home practice or a control condition that combined psycho-educational components and regular rest periods using the same format as the MBI. Self-reported severity of symptoms, mindfulness in every day life, ruminative tendencies and cognitive reactivity were assessed before and after intervention.Results: Patients in the MBI condition showed pronounced and significantly stronger reductions in symptoms than those in the control condition. In the MBI group only, patients showed significant increases in mindfulness, and significant reductions in ruminative tendencies and cognitive reactivity.Conclusions: Findings are in line with a stress-buffering account of mindfulness and suggest that brief targeted mindfulness interventions can help to reduce symptoms in acutely depressed patients with chronic or recurrent lifetime history.

scholarly journals Ketogenic diet reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms in humans and alcohol intake in rodents

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. eabf6780
Author(s):  
Corinde E. Wiers ◽  
Leandro F. Vendruscolo ◽  
Jan-Willem van der Veen ◽  
Peter Manza ◽  
Ehsan Shokri-Kojori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ketogenic Diet ◽  
Alcohol Withdrawal ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Alcohol Cues ◽  
History Of ◽  
To Receive

Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) show elevated brain metabolism of acetate at the expense of glucose. We hypothesized that a shift in energy substrates during withdrawal may contribute to withdrawal severity and neurotoxicity in AUD and that a ketogenic diet (KD) may mitigate these effects. We found that inpatients with AUD randomized to receive KD (n = 19) required fewer benzodiazepines during the first week of detoxification, in comparison to those receiving a standard American (SA) diet (n = 14). Over a 3-week treatment, KD compared to SA showed lower “wanting” and increased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) reactivity to alcohol cues and altered dACC bioenergetics (i.e., elevated ketones and glutamate and lower neuroinflammatory markers). In a rat model of alcohol dependence, a history of KD reduced alcohol consumption. We provide clinical and preclinical evidence for beneficial effects of KD on managing alcohol withdrawal and on reducing alcohol drinking.

scholarly journals Soy-enriched bread, a pilot study to determine its beneficial effects in menopause

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Giustarini ◽  
Comasia Ricci ◽  
Ilaria Ceccarelli ◽  
Stefano Pieretti ◽  
Paolo Andre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
The Body ◽  
Many Body ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Regular Consumption ◽  
Aging Women ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quality Of Life Index ◽  
Antioxidant Parameters ◽  
History Of

Menopause is the last step in the reproductive history of a woman. The ovaries stop producing hormones and the body reacts by lowering its functions, including the neuronal one. Phytoestrogens are plant products with estrogen-like activity able to affect many body functions. The aim of the present experiment was to study the effects of 30 days of regular consumption of a soy-enriched bread containing a known amount of phytoestrogens (genistein and daidzein). Women at climacteric, within 5 years or more than 5 years of menopause, were asked to include in their diet 200 g/day of a bread containing 40 mg of phytoestrogens. The effect on common menopausal symptoms and neurophysiological, hormonal and antioxidant parameters were determined before and after 30 days through questionnaires and experimental tests. Phytoestrogens were measured in the urine. In all groups, there was a significant increase of phytoestrogens in the urine and a decrease of the classical symptoms of menopause as well as a significant improvement in attentional performance tests, the quality of life index and pain intensity. Phytoestrogens present in the soy-enriched bread, are an important supplement in aging women due to their ability to induce estrogen-like effects without the potential side effects of estrogens.

Acute Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Cognitive Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Chen ◽  
T Essader ◽  
J Jang ◽  
K Kaundinya
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Pressure Pulse ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Temporal Order Judgement

The beneficial effects of mindfulness meditation on higher-order cognitive performance as well as physiological parameters, such as decreased cortisol levels, blood pressure, pulse rate, and reaction time, have been studied extensively. However, most of these studies have been conducted over a relatively long term, comparing subjects who meditate on a regular basis with those who have never meditated. In this study, the acute effects of mindfulness meditation are investigated by examining the differences between tactile reaction time and temporal-order judgement (TOJ) obtained before and after a 10-minute meditation session in several case studies. Additionally, the participants reported their mood and stress levels in a survey before and after the meditation session. The results demonstrate that mindfulness meditation improves performance on the tactile reaction time and TOJ tasks, and it also promotes a peaceful state of mind.

scholarly journals A homoeopathic drug proving of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH and a subsequent comparison with that of Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nalini Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Materia Medica ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Galeocerdo Cuvier ◽  
Carcharhinus Leucas ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mind

Introduction The aim of this study was to conduct a homoeopathic proving of Carcharhinus leucas in the thirtieth centesimal potency (30CH) and to subsequently establish and describe the symptomatology in standard materia medica format and then compare this symptomatology to Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Methodology The homoeopathic proving of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was conducted at the Durban University of Technology and was accomplished by means of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was manufactured by the researchers according to Method 6, Method 8a and 10 of the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (Benyunes, 2005: 36-39). The homoeopathic proving was conducted in the form of a double blind placebo controlled study of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH with a total of 30 healthy provers. The prover sample was divided into two groups by a process of randomisation. Twenty four provers (80%) comprised the verum group and the remaining 6 provers (20%) comprised the placebo group. The identity of the proving substance and the potency used was not disclosed to provers. Provers documented their physical, mental and emotional status for one week preceding the administration of the proving remedy. A comprehensive physical examination and case history of every prover was taken before and after the proving period. Provers were instructed to ingest one powder three times a day for two days but were told to discontinue the powders once symptoms arose. The duration of the proving spanned 6 weeks and throughout the proving process, researchers were in constant communication with all the participants. Upon completion of the proving process, journals were collected and the information therein was translated into materia medica and repertory format. This was done in order to acquire the remedy picture of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH. Thereafter, the symptomatology of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH was compared to the symptomatology of Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Results The proving of Carcharhinus leucas 30CH produced a total of 590 already existing rubrics and 43 new rubrics. The majority of these rubrics were located in the MIND (127), GENERALS (64), HEAD (55), EXTREMITIES (50), and EYE (34). In regard to the mind, prominent features were apparent such as anger, anxiety, cheerfulness, an aversion or amelioration within company, difficulty concentrating or increased focus, varying delusions and fears and irritability. Pertaining to the head, headaches were evident with varying concomitants and modalities, with headaches predominantly affecting the forehead and sides. Sensations included dryness, heat, heaviness, perspiration and shaking. The extremities displayed symptoms primarily in the forearms, legs and thighs and sensations included paralysis, shaking, swelling and weakness. In regard to the eye, eye pain with multiple modalities were apparent, with symptoms related to the canthi and eyelids. Sensations included heat, heaviness, inflammation, itching and photophobia as well as a visible discolouration of the eye. Analysis of the results presented an understanding of the similarities and differences between Carcharhinus leucas 30CH and Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH. Conclusion As hypothesised, it was evident that administering Carcharhinus leucas 30CH to healthy individuals did yield observable symptomatology. Additionally, it was apparent that various correlations between Carcharhinus leucas 30CH and Galeocerdo cuvier hepar 30CH existed

Treatment of Depression Using Sleep Electroencephalogram Modulated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1142-1142
Author(s):  
M. He ◽  
Z. Gu ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
H. Shi
Keyword(s):  
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Psychoactive Medication ◽  
Before And After ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Hamilton Rating Scale

Background and purposeThe conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has some inadequate of efficacy weak and inadequate for the treatment of depression, easy symptomatic recurrence when stop the treatment. Ours invented the device of sleep electroencephalogram-modulated rTMS (SEM-rTMS) were safe and effective by proved of the animal experiments and clinical pre-test for the treatment of depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of SEM-rTMS for the treatment of depression.MethodsAfter 7 days without psychoactive medication, 164 patients with clinically defined depression, were randomly assigned to receive SEM-rTMS (N = 57), conventional rTMS (C-rTMS (N = 55), or sham-rTMS (N = 52) for 30 minutes/time/day for 10 days. Before and after scores on the 24-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-24) and the clinical outcome at the 10th-day of therapy for all subjects were analyzed.ResultsTwenty two cases in the SEM-rTMS group improved mood as compared to 6 in the C-rTMS group and 2 in the sham-rTMS group (c2 = 15.89, p = 0.0004). After completion of the rTMS phase of the protocol, a (51 ± 5) % reduction of HAMD-24 scores from the baseline in the SEM-rTMS group compared with a (34 ± 4)% in the C-rTMS group ((q = 26.09, p = 0.001) and a (14 ± 3)% in Sham-rTMS group (q = 57.53,p = 0.000). The 88% total efficacy ratio in the SEM-rTMS group was significant higher than 68% in the C-rTMS group and 20% in the sham-rTMS group (c2 = 12.01, p = 0.0025). No significant side effects were noted.ConclusionIt is efficient and safe to treat depression with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. (The registration. No: ChiCTR-TRC-00000438).

scholarly journals Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications in Smart Production: Progress, Trends and Directions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Petrillo ◽  
Marta Travaglioni ◽  
Fabio De Felice ◽  
Raffaele Cioffi ◽  
Giuseppina Piscitelli
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Machine Learning ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Machine Learning Applications ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject ◽  
To Receive

The history of Artificial Intelligence (AI) development dates to the 40s. The researchers showed strong expectations until the 70s, when they began to encounter serious difficulties and investments were greatly, reduced. With the introduction of the Industry 4.0, one of the techniques adopted for AI implementation is Machine Learning (ML) that focuses on the machines ability to receive data series and learn on their own. Given the considerable importance of the subject, researchers have completed many studies on ML to ensure that machines are able to replace or relieve human tasks. This research aims to analyze, systematically, the literature on several aspects, including publication year, authors, scientific sector, country, institution, keywords. Analyzing existing literature on AI is a necessary stage to recommend policy on the matter. The analysis has been done using Web of Science and SCOPUS database. Furthermore, UCINET and NVivo 12 software have been used to complete them. Literature review on ML and AI empirical studies published in the last century was carried out to highlight the evolution of the topic before and after Industry 4.0 introduction, from 1999 to now. Eighty-two articles were reviewed and classified. A first interesting result is the greater number of works published by USA and the increasing interest after the birth of Industry 4.0.

Sedation during Spinal Anesthesia

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 728-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia E. Pollock ◽  
Joseph M. Neal ◽  
Spencer S. Liu ◽  
Dan Burkhead ◽  
Nayak Polissar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Anesthesia ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Sedation Scale ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Block Height ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Reticular Activating System ◽  
Sedation Scores ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background Central neuraxial anesthesia has been reported to decrease the dose of both intravenous and inhalational anesthetics needed to reach a defined level of sedation. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is speculated to be decreased afferent stimulation of the reticular activating system. The authors performed a two-part study (nonrandomized pilot study and a subsequent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study) using the Bispectral Index (BIS) monitor to quantify the degree of sedation in unmedicated volunteers undergoing spinal anesthesia. Methods Twelve volunteers underwent BIS monitoring and observer sedation scoring (Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale [OAA/S]) before and after spinal anesthesia with 50 mg hyperbaric lidocaine, 5%. Subsequently, 16 volunteers blinded to the study were randomized to receive spinal anesthesia with 50 mg hyperbaric lidocaine, 5% (n = 10) or placebo (n = 6) and underwent BIS and OAA/S monitoring. Results In part I, significant changes in BIS scores of the volunteers occurred progressively (P = 0.003). The greatest variations from baseline BIS measurement occurred at 30 and 70 min. In part II, there were significant decreases in OAA/S and self-sedation scores for patients receiving spinal anesthesia versuscontrol patients (P = 0.04 and 0. 01, respectively). The greatest decrease in OAA/S scores occurred at 60 min. BIS scores were similar between groups (P = 0.4). Conclusions Spinal anesthesia is accompanied by significant sedation progressively when compared with controls as measured by OAA/S and self-sedation scores. This effect was not related to block height. The late sedation observed by OAA/S at 60 min may indicate a second mechanism of sedation, such as delayed rostral spread of local anesthetics. BIS was not a sensitive measure of the sedation associated with spinal anesthesia in the randomized, blinded portion of this study.

Oral vancomycin prophylaxis against recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: Efficacy and side effects in two hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 908-913
Author(s):  
Ioannis M. Zacharioudakis ◽  
Fainareti N. Zervou ◽  
Yanina Dubrovskaya ◽  
Michael S. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Oral Vancomycin ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile Infection ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Benefit ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractObjective:The data regarding the effectiveness of chemical prophylaxis against recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI) remain conflicting.Design:Retrospective cohort study on the effectiveness of oral vancomycin for prevention of recurrent CDI.Setting:Two academic centers in New York.Methods:Two participating hospitals implemented an automated alert recommending oral vancomycin 125 mg twice daily in patients with CDI history scheduled to receive systemic antimicrobials. Measured outcomes included breakthrough and recurrent CDI rates, defined as CDI during and 1 month after initiation of prophylaxis, respectively. A self-controlled, before-and-after study design was employed to examine the effect of vancomycin prophylaxis on the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp (VRE) colonization and infection.Results:We included 264 patients in the analysis. Breakthrough CDI was identified in 17 patients (6.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8%–10.1%) and recurrent in 22 patients (8.3%; 95% CI, 5.3%–12.3%). Among the 102 patients with a history of CDI within the 3 months preceding prophylaxis, 4 patients (3.9%; 95% CIs, 1.1%–9.7%) had breakthrough CDI and 9 had recurrent disease (8.8%; 95% CIs, 4.1%–16.1%). In the 3-month period following vancomycin prophylaxis, we detected a statistically significant increase in both the absolute number of VRE (χ2, 0.003) and the ratio of VRE to VSE isolates (χ2, 0.003) compared to the combined period of 1.5 months preceding and the 3–4.5 months following prophylaxis. This effect persisted 6 months following prophylaxis.Conclusions:Prophylactic vancomycin is an effective strategy to prevent CDI recurrence, but it increases the risk of VRE colonization. Thus, a careful selection of patients with high benefit-to-risk ratio is needed for the implementation of this preventive policy.

scholarly journals Training with rhythmic beat gestures benefits L2 pronunciation in discourse-demanding situations

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria Gluhareva ◽  
Pilar Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Discourse Comprehension ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
Brief Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
L2 Pronunciation

Recent research has shown that beat gestures (hand gestures that co-occur with speech in spontaneous discourse) are temporally integrated with prosodic prominence and that they help word memorization and discourse comprehension. However, little is known about the potential beneficial effects of beat gestures in second language (L2) pronunciation learning. This study investigates the impact of beat gesture observation on the acquisition of native-like speech patterns in English by examining the effect of a brief training with or without beat gestures on participants’ ratings of accentedness. In a within-participants, pre-/post-test design, participants (undergraduate students learning English as a foreign language) watched a training video in which an L2 instructor gave spontaneous responses to discourse prompts. The prompts belonged to one of two categories (easy and difficult), and were presented by the instructor either with or without accompanying beat gestures. Participants’ own answers to the prompts were recorded before and after training and evaluated by five native speaker judges. The results of the comparison between the participants’ pre-training and post-training speech samples demonstrated that beat gesture training significantly improved the participants’ accentedness ratings on the set of difficult (more discourse-demanding) items. The results of the study support the role of beat gestures as highlighters of rhythmic information and have implications for pronunciation instruction practices.

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