If Mediterranean Diet Could Slow Atherosclerosis Progression, Could Specific Herbal Supplement Achieve the Same?

Dietary Control has been emphasized as an important means to prevent the development of atherosclerosis. It is a form belief without scientific evidence until the early report of the Study on Coronary Diet Intervention with olive oil and Cardiovascular Prevention (CODIOPREV Study on Mediterranean Diet). The current study is using Surrogate market IMT as the objective indicator, to compare the CORDIOPREV volunteers with known cardiovascular disease, which have demonstrated objective reduction in IMT thickness after 5 to 7 years of Mediterranean diet consumption. A study done in Hong Kong since 2003 using a simple twin herb formula for the prevention of progress of atherosclerosis in 4 different groups of patients with cardiovascular diseases, and using the same surrogate marker IMT as the objective indicator, showed comparable results within a much shorter period of 6-12 months. Extensive laboratory tests have also been completed to verify the bioactivities of the twin herb formula on anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, endothelial protection and regenerative capacity related to atherosclerosis. It is suggested that before more potent therapeutic measures become available to slow atherosclerosis progression are available. The purpose of the paper is to compare the Mediterranean Diet for long term consumption and selective herbal preparations for shorter term or intermittent scheduled intake, and recommend to high-risk individuals.

Objective Reduction in Many-Objective Optimization with Social Spider Algorithm for Cloud Detection in Satellite Images

An important difficulty with multi-objective algorithms to analyze many-objective optimization problems (MaOPs) is the visualization of large dimensional Pareto front. This article has alleviated this issue by utilizing objective reduction approach in order to remove non-conflicting objectives from original objective set. The present work proposed formulation of objective reduction technique with multi-objective social spider optimization (MOSSO) algorithm to provide decision regarding conflict objectives and generate approximate Pareto front of non-dominated solutions. A comprehensive analysis of objective reduction approach is carried out with existingmulti-objective methods on many-objective DTLZ and WFG test suite which highlight the superiority of proposed technique. Further, the performance of proposed approach is evaluated on satellite images to detect cloudy region against various types of earth’s surfaces. The performance of proposed approach is compared against existing benchmark many-objective algorithm, NSGA-III in order to evaluate the potential of proposed method in clustering application. It is observed that obtained clustering results using reduced objective set of MOSSO algorithm provides almost equivalent accuracy with results obtained using NSGA-III with many-objective set.

Perceived efficacy of HIV treatment-as-prevention among university students in Johannesburg, South Africa

ObjectiveAntiretroviral therapy (ART) nearly eliminates HIV transmission. Yet information on treatment as prevention (TasP) has been slow to diffuse in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed TasP knowledge among university students in South Africa.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of first-year university students at a large public university in Johannesburg, South Africa, all of whom would have recently completed secondary school HIV curricula. Respondents were asked to consider the likelihood of HIV transmission in a serodiscordant couple having condomless sex with and without virally suppressive ART. Beliefs were elicited using a 0–20 visual scale. Perceived TasP efficacy was computed as the relative reduction in risk associated with virally suppressive ART. We compared beliefs with estimates from the scientific literature and assessed associations with demographics, HIV testing history and qualitative measures of HIV knowledge and risk perception.ResultsThe analysis included 365 university students ages 18-25 years (48% female, 56% from Gauteng Province). On average, perceived annual risk of HIV transmission with virally suppressive ART was 73%; the objective risk is <1%. On average, respondents perceived that virally suppressive ART reduced annual transmission risk by 17%; the objective reduction in risk is >96%. We observed no differences in perceived TasP efficacy by participant characteristics and testing history. Perceived TasP efficacy was correlated with the (correct) belief that HIV risk increases with sexual frequency.ConclusionsUniversity students in South Africa underestimated the prevention benefits of HIV treatment. Low knowledge of TasP could limit demand for HIV testing and treatment among young adults.

The brain microbiota as it relates to the orch or theory of consciousness

t is proposed to incorporate the concepts of brain microbiota and microbial consciousness in the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) theory of human consciousness with the goal of increasing its explanatory and predictive powers. If consciousness arises from quantum computations in cytoskeletal structures inside human neurons, there is no theoretical impediment at hypothesizing that it might also occur in the cytoskeletal structures of the microbes resident in the human brains. If the concept of the brain microbiota is integrated in a general Orch OR theory, its explanatory and predictive powers would be vastly increased.

Linking Self-Reported Social Distancing to Real-World Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In an effort to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics, researchers have attempted to identify the factors underlying social distancing. Yet, much of this research relies on self-report measures. In two studies, we examine whether self-reported social distancing predicts objective distancing behavior. In Study 1, individuals’ self-reported social distancing predicted decreased mobility (assessed via smartphone step counts) during the COVID-19 pandemic. While participants high in self-reported distancing (+1 SD) exhibited a 33% reduction in daily step counts, those low in distancing (−1 SD) exhibited only a 3% reduction. Study 2 extended these findings to the group level. Self-reported social distancing at the U.S. state level accounted for 20% of the variance in states’ objective reduction in overall movement and visiting nonessential services (calculated via the GPS coordinates of ∼15 million people). Collectively, our results indicate that self-reported social distancing tracks actual social distancing behavior.

COVID-19-induced postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome treated with ivabradine

A 22-year-old woman was referred with exertional dyspnoea and chest tightness 3 weeks following a diagnosis of COVID-19. Evaluation revealed a resting sinus tachycardia and criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome were met. After non-pharmacological interventions failed to yield symptomatic improvement, ivabradine was commenced. This intervention was followed by a substantial improvement in the patient’s exercise tolerance and energy levels and an objective reduction in supine and standing heart rate.

EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING ON CALF MUSCLE IN CASE OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT WITH MILD RESTRICTION OF KNEE JOINT MOVEMENT: A CASE STUDY

Background: Trigger point on calf muscle is a common musculoskeletal condition it is usually felt as an intense pain when the concerned extremity is used to put on weight.The upper medial and upper lateral trigger points refer pain locally to the back of the knee causing slight end range restrictions. it is the most common musculoskeletal complaint presenting to physicaltherapy. Objective: Reduction of calf pain and to improve the end range of motion of the knee joint. Thus, helps in enhancing the functional activities. Methods: The study was done on one patient aiming to reduce calf pain and mild end range restriction of knee joint movements, we used dry needling technique for treatmentpurpose Result: We found reduction in the calf muscle pain and improvement in end range of movement of the knee joint after 2 sessions of dry needling. Case Representation: one patient came to us having pain on calf muscle, local tenderness and end range restriction of the knee joint and patient was having no history of trauma patient was undergoing for analgesic medication.