scholarly journals Acute Impacts of Different Types of Exercise on Circulating α-Klotho Protein Levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Iturriaga ◽  
Thomas Yvert ◽  
Isabel M. Sanchez-Lorente ◽  
Ignacio Diez-Vega ◽  
Valentin E. Fernandez-Elias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Strength Exercise ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Klotho Protein

Introduction: Elevated plasma α-klotho (αKl) protects against several ageing phenotypes and has been proposed as a biomarker of a good prognosis for different diseases. The beneficial health effects of elevated plasma levels of soluble αKl (SαKl) have been likened to the positive effects of exercise on ageing and chronic disease progression. It has also been established that molecular responses and adaptations differ according to exercise dose. The aim of this study is to compare the acute SαKl response to different exercise interventions, cardiorespiratory, and strength exercise in healthy, physically active men and to examine the behavior of SαKl 72h after acute strength exercise.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, plasma SαKl was measured before and after a cardiorespiratory exercise session (CR) in 43 men, and strength exercise session (ST) in 39 men. The behavior of SαKl was also examined 24, 48, and 72h after ST.Results: Significant differences (time×group) were detected in SαKl levels (p=0.001; d=0.86) between CR and ST. After the ST intervention, SαKl behavior varied significantly (p=0.009; d=0.663) in that levels dropped between pre- and post-exercises (p=0.025; d=0.756) and were also significantly higher compared to pre ST values at 24h (p=0.033; d=0.717) and at 48h (p=0.015; d=0.827).Conclusions: SαKl levels increased in response to a single bout of cardiorespiratory exercise; while they decreased immediately after strength exercise, levels were elevated after 24h indicating different klotho protein responses to different forms of exercise.

scholarly journals Elevated Plasma Stromal-Cell-Derived Factor-1 Protein Levels Correlate with Severity in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Kun Tsai ◽  
Ming-Ju Hsieh ◽  
Hsiang-Ling Wang ◽  
Ming-Chih Chou ◽  
Shun-Fa Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Stromal Cell ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Biological Marker ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stromal Cell Derived Factor

Background.The aim of this study was to investigate differential changes in plasma levels of stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) before and after antibiotic treatment in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and observe the association between the severity of CAP and the plasma SDF-1 level.Methods.We gathered blood specimens from 61 adult CAP patients before and after antibiotic treatment and from 60 healthy controls to measure the plasma concentrations of SDF-1 by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results.The plasma SDF-1 concentration was elevated significantly in patients with CAP before receiving treatment compared with the controls and decreased significantly after the patients received treatment. Leukocyte (WBC) and neutrophil counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels decreased significantly after antibiotic treatment. Moreover, differences in the plasma concentration of SDF-1 were significantly correlated with PSI, CURB-65, and APACHE II scores (r=0.389,P=0.002, andn=61;r=0.449,P<0.001, andn=61; andr=0.363,P=0.004, andn=61, resp.).Conclusions.An elevated plasma SDF-1 concentration can be used as a biological marker for the early diagnosis of CAP and for the early detection of its severity.

scholarly journals Dance Is for All: A Social Marketing Intervention with Children and Adolescents to Reduce Prejudice towards Boys Who Dance

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6861
Author(s):  
Ana Silva ◽  
Elisabete Sá ◽  
Joaquim Silva ◽  
José Carlos Pinho
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Marketing Intervention

Dance is proven to offer a myriad of physical, psychological, and social benefits. However, because dance has been frequently perceived as a feminine practice, there is a prevailing prejudice towards boys who dance, making it hard for them to engage in this physical activity. Social marketing has been presented as a promising framework to deal with different social problems, including prejudice, although its effectiveness is still difficult to establish. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), a quasi-experimental study involving a sample of 436 children and adolescents, composed of 51.38% boys and 48.62% girls was implemented to measure the effectiveness of a Social Marketing Intervention (SMI) in reducing prejudice towards dance and boys who dance, in particular, and in increasing their intentions to practice this physical activity. The study furthermore aimed to compare the influence of the SMI on participants of two different stages of child development to ascertain when it is most effective to intervene. The questionnaire was used to collect information and included items derived from relevant literature. To assess differences between children and adolescents before and after the SMI, the analysis relied on independent t-tests and paired t-tests. Results suggest positive effects of the SMI on some dimensions of the TPB.

Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1032
Author(s):  
Chia-Hsin Wu ◽  
Roger W. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Vocal Tract ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Perceptual Evaluation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Aging Voice ◽  
Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency can Reduce Fuel Storage and Utilization in Physically Trained Rats

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choi ◽  
Cho
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Plasma Free Fatty Acid ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Liver Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Exercise Muscle

This study investigated the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the utilization and recuperation of stored fuel in physically trained rats. 48 rats were given either vitamin B6-deficient (B6–) diet or control (B6+) diet for 4 weeks and were trained on treadmill for 30 minutes daily. All animals were then subdivided into 3 groups: before-exercise (BE); during-exercise (DE); after-exercise (AE). The DE group was exercised on treadmill for 1 hour just before being sacrificed. Animals in the AE group were allowed to take a rest for 2 hours after being exercised like the DE group. Glucose and free fatty acids were compared in plasma. Glycogen and triglyceride were compared in liver and skeletal muscle. Protein levels were compared in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle. Compared with the B6+ group, plasma glucose levels of the B6– group were significantly lower before and after exercise. Muscle glycogen levels of the B6– group were significantly lower than those of the B6+ group regardless of exercise. The liver glycogen level of the B6– group was also significantly lower than that of B6+ group during and after exercise. Before exercise, plasma free fatty acid levels were not significantly different between the B6+ and B6– groups, and plasma free fatty acid levels of the B6– group were significantly lower during and after exercise. The muscle triglyceride level of the B6– group was significantly lower than that of the B6+ group before exercise, and there were no differences between B6+ and B6– groups during and after exercise. Liver triglyceride levels were not significantly different between B6+ and B6– groups. Plasma protein levels of the B6– group were lower than those of B6+ before and after exercise. Muscle protein levels of the B6– group were not significantly different from those of the B6+ group. Liver protein levels of the B6– group were significantly lower than that of the B6+ group after exercise. Liver protein levels of both B6+ and B6– groups were not significantly changed, regardless of exercise. Thus, it is suggested that vitamin B6 deficiency may reduce fuel storage and utilization with exercise in physically trained rats.

Brief psycho-education for caregivers of persons with first episode psychosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Praful Prabhuappa Kapse ◽  
Manisha Kiran
Keyword(s):  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Episode Psychosis ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Expressed Emotions ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Group Family

Caring for the persons with first episode psychosis is challenging and demanding. It may lead to the increased burden, expressed emotions among the caregivers. The numerous studies have shown that high burden and negative expressed emotions among caregivers can lead to early relapse in the patients with first episode psychosis. To evaluate the effects of the brief psychoeducation on the caregivers burden and expressed emotions. A quasi experimental - before and after with control group research design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 caregivers have participated in the study, of which 30 caregivers in experimental group and 30 caregivers in the control group. Family Burden Interview Schedule (Pai and Kapoor, 1981) and Attitude Questionnaire (Sethi et al., 1981) was used to assess caregiver's burden and expressed emotions. At end of the psychoeducation intervention, burden among caregivers and negative expressed emotions of the caregivers have significantly reduced. The positive expressed emotions have been increased. Study results demonstrates the importance of psychoeducation intervention in reducing the burden and negative expressed emotions.

The Effect of Using Flipped Classroom Model to Improve Iraqi EFL Learners’ Pronunciation in English at University Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (40) ◽  
pp. 631-654
Author(s):  
Khaldoon Waleed Husam Al-Mofti
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

For Iraqi EFL learners who are studying English pronunciation in a traditional instruction method often requires more effort and hard work. Thus, using new methods of teaching such as the flipped classroom model (FCM) is necessary to facilitate learning and improve performance. Hence, this study reports on explanatory research that investigates the effect of using the FCM in the teaching of English pronunciation for Iraqi EFL learners at the university level. The study implemented mixed research methods for data collection in a quasi-experimental analysis. Therefore, two tests were conducted on the assigned groups to measure the effect of the FCM before and after the intervention. Besides, a questionnaire and interviews were used on the experiment group students to collect data about their perceptions of the FCM. The study length (lasted)  was 15 weeks and is comprised of 60 students from the department of English, College of Arts at the University of Anbar. The students were divided into two groups, experimental, and control with 30 students in each group. The findings revealed that there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups in favour of the experimental group with better performance, indicating that the FCM has considerably assisted the Iraqi EFL learners to improve their English pronunciation. Moreover, the students expressed their positive feedback and satisfaction on the use of the FCM in their responses to the questionnaire and the interviews. As such, the current study recommends further research to study the effect of applying the FCM in areas and disciplines other than language learning.

THE USE OF MEDICINES IN TREATING HYPERTENSION IN HUE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

2016 ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Khoa Bao Chau Thai ◽  
Thi Hong Phuong Vo
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Enzyme Inhibitor ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Target Blood Pressure ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Key Words Hypertension ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects

Background: Hypertension is a common condition in the world as well as in Viet Nam. If hypertension isn’t treated well, it can cause many serious complications. Controlling target blood pressure will bring positive effects on reducing mortality rate and also disabilities caused by diseases related to hypertension. Objectives: (1) Analyzing the use of medicines in treating hypertension. (2) Evaluating the effects of medicine usage in treating hypertension at the hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Materials and methods: 388 patients were diagnosed as having hypertension with inpatient care at the Cardiovascular Department of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy’s hospital, using cross-sectional descriptive study methods. Results: All antihypertensive drugs in the research were contained in the antihypertensive list recommended by Vietnamese Society of Cardiology. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and calcium channel blocker were the two most popular drug groups (96.6% and 71.4%, respectively). The rate of using multi-therapy regimens was higher than the rate of using uni-therapy regimens in both initial therapies (64.7%>35.3%) and final therapies (61.9%>38.1%). The rate of patients having interactions between antihypertensive drugs and the other kinds of drugs was 7.5%. The rate of patients having reasonable prescriptions was 84.3%. Evaluating the effects of medicine usage in treatments showed that the rate of patients reaching target blood pressure before leaving the hospital was 67.3%. Most patients were evaluated as having good prognosis after treatment, up to 81.7%. Conclusions: All antihypertensive drugs in the research were contained in the antihypertensive list recommended by Vietnamese Society of Cardiology. The rate of using multi-therapy regimens was higher than the rate of using uni-therapy regimens. The rate of drug interactions was quite low; most patients were evaluated as having good prognosis after treatment. Key words: hypertension, antihypertensive drugs.

scholarly journals Squalenoyl siRNA PMP22 nanoparticles are effective in treating mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 A

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzan Boutary ◽  
Marie Caillaud ◽  
Mévidette El Madani ◽  
Jean-Michel Vallat ◽  
Julien Loisel-Duwattez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Models ◽  
Disease Type ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Charcot Marie Tooth ◽  
Charcot Marie Tooth Disease ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Tooth Disease

AbstractCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 A (CMT1A) lacks an effective treatment. We provide a therapy for CMT1A, based on siRNA conjugated to squalene nanoparticles (siRNA PMP22-SQ NPs). Their administration resulted in normalization of Pmp22 protein levels, restored locomotor activity and electrophysiological parameters in two transgenic CMT1A mouse models with different severity of the disease. Pathological studies demonstrated the regeneration of myelinated axons and myelin compaction, one major step in restoring function of myelin sheaths. The normalization of sciatic nerve Krox20, Sox10 and neurofilament levels reflected the regeneration of both myelin and axons. Importantly, the positive effects of siRNA PMP22-SQ NPs lasted for three weeks, and their renewed administration resulted in full functional recovery. Beyond CMT1A, our findings can be considered as a potent therapeutic strategy for inherited peripheral neuropathies. They provide the proof of concept for a new precision medicine based on the normalization of disease gene expression by siRNA.

Effects of Short-Term Mission Trips on Recipients’ Self-Esteem and Readiness for Self-Directed Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 009164712110115
Author(s):  
Charissa H. W. Wong ◽  
Li Neng Lee ◽  
Alberto Pérez Pereiro
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Group Post ◽  
Mission Trips

Short-term Christian overseas volunteer trips, also known as short-term mission trips (STMs), have become increasingly prevalent (Howell & Dorr, 2007). However, research on these programs has been limited. This quasi-experimental study adds to the literature by quantitatively measuring the effects of an STM from Singapore to Thailand. STM recipients’ ( n = 44) self-esteem and readiness for self-directed learning (RSDL) were compared across timepoints – pre-test, post-test, follow-up – and with a control group ( n = 50). It was hypothesized that recipients would experience an increase in self-esteem and RSDL such that their scores would be higher than the control group post-STM. Results provide partial support for the hypotheses; while improvements among recipients were either not significant (for self-esteem) or not long-lasting (for RSDL), recipients had higher scores than the control group post-STM. This suggests that STMs have some, albeit limited, positive effects. Recommendations for promoting greater and longer-lasting effects are offered.

scholarly journals Is Brief Exposure to Green Space in School the Best Option to Improve Attention in Children?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7484
Author(s):  
Asier Anabitarte ◽  
Gonzalo García-Baquero ◽  
Ainara Andiarena ◽  
Nerea Lertxundi ◽  
Nerea Urbieta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
School Children ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Design ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Attention Network Test ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Before And After

The positive effects of Green Spaces on health are thought to be achieved through the mechanisms of mitigation, instoration and restoration. One of the benefits of Green Spaces may be the restoration of attention and so the objective of this research is testing empirically whether exposure to a green environment improves attention in school children. For so doing, we first used a split-unit statistical design in each of four schools, then combined the primary results via meta-analysis. The Attention Network Test (ANT) was used to measure attention before and after exposure and a total of 167 seven-year-old students participated in the experiments. Overall, our experimental results do not support the hypothesis that students’ exposure to activities in green vs. grey spaces affected their performance in ANT. This was so despite the fact that neither age nor gender biases have been detected and despite that our experiments have been proved to be sufficiently statistically powerful. It would be advisable to consider air pollution and noise. We also recommend that participants attend the experiment with mental exhaustion to maximize the ability to detect significant changes.

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