Monosodium glutamate causes hepato-cardiac derangement in male rats

People in the fast-food era rely on pre-packaged foods and engage in limited physical activity, which leads to a shift in eating patterns. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a dietary ingredient used in this sort of cuisine, has been found to be hazardous to both experimental animals and humans. The objective of this study was to explore at the unnecessary changes caused by consuming MSG in secret and exceeding the recommended dosage. Hence, we decided to evaluate the impact of MSG by using three different doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight orally) for 28 days in rats. We uncovered that all three MSG dosages result in a rise in body weight, dyslipidemia, inflammatory response, and hepato-cardiac marker enzymes, all of which imply hepatic and cardiac toxicity. Furthermore, changes in redox status suggest oxidative stress, which was higher in all three MSG dosages although not as much as in the MSG-600 group when compared to control. Such effects eventually manifested themselves in tissue architecture of the liver and heart, resulting in severe hepato-cardiac derangement, but the degree of tissue damage was greater in the MSG-600 group. As a result, it is possible that MSG has a negative influence on the liver and heart. However, the MSG-600 group showed a substantial effect, indicating that MSG should not be used in food preparation. Therefore, the findings of the study may aid in the formulation of health-care strategies and serve as a warning to the general public regarding the use of MSG in daily diet.

Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in children with overweight, obesity and morbid obesity: a cross-sectional analysis

Background Limited physical activity (PA) and a high level of sedentary time (ST) are associated with childhood obesity and are a target for intervention. This study aimed to assess objectively measured PA and ST in Dutch children across weight categories, age groups and sex. Methods 202 children with overweight, obesity and morbid obesity (55% girls, 12 ± 3y of age, BMI z-score + 3.15 ± 0.73), referred to the Centre for Overweight Adolescents and Children’s Healthcare (COACH, Maastricht UMC+) were included. PA (total PA, light PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)) and ST were measured with the GT3X Actigraph accelerometer. Wear time validation was set to include at least four days, 480 min/day, including one weekend day. Results PA levels in children with morbid obesity were higher compared to children with obesity, also after correction for age and sex (corrected difference (B) 118 counts per minute (cpm), p = .006). ST was lower in children with morbid obesity compared to children with obesity (B − 51 min/day, p = .018). Girls performed significantly less MVPA than boys (B − 11 min/day, p < .001) and for each year increase of age, children performed less PA (B − 46 cpm, p < .001) and ST increased (B 18 min/day, p < .001). Conclusion PA and ST is different in subgroups of children with overweight, obesity and morbid obesity, depending on sex, age and overweight severity. In particular, children with obesity perform less PA and more ST compared to children with morbid obesity. Future research could explore the preferences and needs for PA and ST in children in the different weight categories. Trial registration The trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.govNCT02091544 at March 19, 2014.

Impacts on and Care of Psychiatric Patients during the Outbreak of COVID-19

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019 has led to massive lifestyle, economic, and health changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has had broad impacts on psychiatric patients, exacerbating symptoms such as psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. Therefore, we aimed to review the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental healthcare staff and provide practical guidance for medical staff and authorities. The main findings of this review included the impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental health professionals as well as the transformation of mental health care. Greater consideration should be given to the care of patients with psychosis and depression because of their lack of self-care ability, neurocognitive impairment, and impaired immune function. Depressive symptoms can be exacerbated due to several factors, such as economic crises, social isolation, and limited physical activity. Unemployment and financial problems can lead to an increased suicide rate. Consequently, mental healthcare workers’ workload can increase, which could lead to burnout and psychological symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. A transformation of psychiatric care is needed during the time of the pandemic. While emergency care should be maintained, outpatient care should be limited to decrease viral spread. Shifting care to telemedicine and community-based psychiatry can be helpful. Inpatient services should be adapted by tightening admission criteria, shortening the length of hospital stays, suspending some group activities, limiting visitors, and preparing for quarantine if necessary. Mental healthcare workers can be supported with telecommunication, appropriate work shifts, alternative accommodations, and good communication between the team leader and staff.

Soldiers’ physical activity of daily life: a systematic literature review

Purpose High physical fitness and good health are not only essential for the civilian population but also for persons working in physically and psychologically demanding professions, such as armed forces personnel. To date there is no scientific summary of studies dealing with the physical activity of daily life in armed forces personnel, but this is necessary for a targeted intervention. Methods A systematic review was performed in the PubMed database (target date: 24 May 2020), using the search terms “military personnel” and “exercise” or “(physical) activity of daily life” including the assigned MESH words. Results Seven original papers have focused on the daily physical activity of military personal, and they were all conducted in different countries. The activity of daily life was on average 11,540 steps per day. Conclusions It could be shown that soldiers performed more physical activity than the civilian population and that the recommended 10,000 steps per day were slightly exceeded on average. However, the number of steps performed was very low in fields of activity with limited physical activity options, such as on board a ship. Altogether, it thus seems that additional health-promoting physical activity programs are not required for most of the soldiers, but that, in contrast, corresponding offers for physical activity alternatives, e.g., in the form of fitness equipment, are urgently required in specific task areas (e.g., on board ships).

Effect of Diet, Physical Activity, and Psychosocial Factors, on Menstrual Cycle Abnormalities in College Students of Karad, Maharashtra, India

BACKGROUND Menstruation is a periodic and cyclical shedding of pre-gestational endometrium. Abnormalities of menstruation can be seen as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), hypomenorrhea etc. This abnormality can be due to various factors like diet, smoking, physical activity, exercise, stress etc. This study was conducted to study the factors affecting menstrual cycle like diet, physical activity, psychosocial factors and menstrual cycle abnormalities. METHODS This was an observational study undertaken on 300 participants aged between 18 - 26 years. A structured questionnaire comprising of components related to type of diet, physical activity, and the alterations in psychosocial factors along with the changes in menstrual cycle was used for this study. RESULTS According to the data, it could be seen that there was a significant relation between the diet altered (67 % of 300 participants) and the occurrence of menorrhagia (73 % with altered diet) (P < 0.0001) as well as oligomenorrhea (63 % with altered diet) (P < 0.0001). It was seen that absence of physical activity or following a sedentary lifestyle (61 % of 300 participants) had a relation with higher occurrence of dysmenorrhea (94 % with limited physical activity) (P < 0.0001) and menorrhagia (78 % with limited physical activity). A significant relation was seen between alterations in psychosocial factors (high levels of stress, anxiety, etc) (81 % of 300 participants) and oligomenorrhea (71 % with high levels of psychosocial factors alteration). High levels of stress also had a considerable effect on premenstrual symptoms (93 % with alterations in psychosocial factors). CONCLUSIONS Diet, physical activity or exercise and psychosocial factors had an effect on menstrual cycle abnormalities. Proper education about the effects of these factors is needed as these factors could be the underlying cause of abnormalities and hence can prevent future complications as well as improve the quality of life. KEY WORDS Menstrual Cycle, Diet, Physical Activity, Psychosocial Factors, Abnormalities

Challenges to Fitness and Coaching During Covid-19

COVID-19 pandemic has halted fast-forwarding activities of the world. Everything has been confined to homes with limited physical activity. The imposition of lockdowns has paralyzed activities and public interaction. Consequently, physical fitness has been disadvantaged compromising public health. Restrictions of COVID-19 also put down coaching and sports. Physical training and interaction between players and coaches are significant to improve players performance. The sports sector affected by pandemics due to the low-level education of the players and coaches and lacking knowledge of modern training programs. Technological illiteracy has also added to the adversity, preventing players from getting effective benefits from online training programs. This study explores the challenges to coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research also explores a comparison between direct coaching and online training in this regard. The research emphasizes the scope of maintaining physical fitness during pandemics. Findings of the interview conclude that Covid-19 has compromised the coaching and sports performance of athletes, and concepts like distance training remain ineffective due to the purely physical nature of the matter.

Concerns of pregnant women and women in childbed during the pandemic

Aim. The purpose of the paper was to determine the type of concerns of pregnant women and women in childbed during the announced state of pandemic in the country.Material and methods. The study included a group of 102 women, including 87 (85.3%) pregnant women and 15 (14.7%) puerperal women. A self-written questionnaire containing 18 questions was used for the study. The comparison of the values of the qualitative variables in the groups was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. The statistical analysis was performed in the R program, version 4.0.22.Results. In the study group, the respondents’ greatest fear was childbirth without an accompanying person. A frequent cause of concern among the respondents was the limitation of follow-up visits to the doctor or midwife providing prenatal care. Limited physical activity during the pandemic also turned out to be a significant concern. Only 11.8% of the respondents did not feel any fear in their current pregnancy. Additionally, among the reasons for their concerns, the respondents mentioned, among others: fear of separation of mother and child after delivery, the need to care for an older child, no visits to specialists, fear of infection with SARS CoV-2 virus. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant correlation between the number of children already owned and the concerns of pregnant women regarding being resourceful in caring for themselves and their child after returning home.Conclusions. The duration of the pandemic is a significant stress factor for a pregnant woman. A significant group of female respondents was concerned about the deterioration of maternity care and infection with the virus during hospital stay. Therefore, the task of medical personnel is to provide mental support and educate patients.

Current Position of Sacral Neuromodulation in Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as uncontrolled passage of feces or gas for at least 1-month duration in an individual who previously had control. FI is a common and debilitating condition affecting many individuals. Continence depends on complex relationships between anal sphincters, rectal curvatures, rectoanal sensation, rectal compliance, stool consistency, and neurologic function. Factors, such as pregnancy, chronic diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, previous anorectal surgery, urinary incontinence, smoking, obesity, limited physical activity, white race, and neurologic disease, are known to be the risk factors for FI. Conservative/medical management including biofeedback are recognized as the first-line treatment of the FI. Those who are suitable for surgical intervention and who have failed conservative management, sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has emerged as the treatment of choice in many patients. The surgical technique involves placement of a tined lead with four electrodes through the S3 sacral foramen. The lead is attached to a battery, which acts as a pulse generator, and is placed under the patient's skin in the lower lumbar region. The use of SNS in the treatment of FI has increased over the years and the beneficial effects of this treatment have been substantiated by multiple studies. This review describes SNS as a modality of treatment for FI and its position in the current medical diaspora in patients with FI.

Knee Extensor Strength Measurement in Patients With Limited Physical Activity Using a Supine Dynamometer Anchoring Frame

Objective To investigate the reliability of knee extensor strength measurements using a supine hand-held dynamometer (HHD) anchoring frame in patients with limited physical activity. Although an HHD is suitable for bedside use, its inter-rater reliability is low because measurements can be influenced by tester strength.Methods Maximal knee extensor isometric strength was measured using an HHD anchored to the supine frame. Three trials of three maximal contractions were assessed by two raters.Results A total of 33 inpatients who were non-ambulatory due to acute illness participated in the study. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.974 (inter-rater) and 0.959 (intra-rater). The minimal detectable changes in intra- and inter-observer measurements were 29.46 N (24.10%) and 36.73 N (29.26%), respectively. The limits of agreement ranged from -19.79% to 24.81% for intra-rater agreement and from -21.45% to 37.07% for inter-rater agreement.Conclusion The portable dynamometer anchoring system can measure the isometric strength of the knee extensor reliably in the supine position, and could be used for measurements in patients who have difficulty visiting the laboratory and maintaining a seated posture.