METHODS: Fifty-one (51) participants (36 males and 15 females, 38.84 ± 11.73 years) with overweight and obesity (BMI = 29.75 ± 5.04 kg/m2) were recruited and monitored before and at the end of the commencement of the four-week IF. Six healthy subjects with normal BMI (21.4 ± 2.20 kg/m2) were recruited only to standardize the reference for normal levels of gene expressions. At the two time points, anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary assessments were performed, and LAMP2, LC3B, ATG5, and ATG4D gene expressions were assessed using qRT-PCR on RNA extracted from whole blood samples.
RESULTS: At the end of IF, and compared to the pre-fasting levels, the relative gene expressions among participants with overweight/obesity were significantly increased for the three autophagy genes LAMP2, LC3B, and ATG5, with increments of about 4.2 folds, 1.9-fold, and 1.4-fold, respectively. In contrast, the increase in the ATG4D gene was not significant. Concomitantly, significant decreases were found in body weight, BMI, fat mass, body fat percent, hip and waist circumferences, LDL, IL-6, and TNF-a (P
AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antineuropathic and antinociceptive activities of Trifolium resupinatum leaves essential oil (TREO) in male Wistar rats, as well as to explore the potential mechanisms of action.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antinociceptive activity of TREO and its main constituents, quercetin (Qc) was assessed using the formalin-induced paw licking test. Moreover, the potential mechanisms of antinociception were evaluated through various competitive and non-competitive antagonisms. Additionally, the antineuropathic potential was investigated using the cervical spinal cord hemi-contusion (CCS) model, and the role of phosphorylated Stat-3 was analyzed using Western blotting.
RESULTS: TREO exerted significant antinociceptive activity (P
AIMS: The PEACH in Asia pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of a standardized protocol for investigating SCEs in anesthesia practices across Asia, evaluate the data acquisition processes, and determine the sample size for a main study.
METHODS: This multicenter pilot study involved ten institutions across nine Asian countries, including children from birth to 15 years undergoing diagnostic or surgical procedures. Data on SCEs were collected using standardized definitions. The study assessed the feasibility and estimated the sample size needed for the main study.
RESULTS: The pilot study enrolled 330 patients, with a SCE incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: 9.2-16.4%). Respiratory events were observed in 7.0% of cases, cardiovascular instability in 4.9%, and drug errors in 0.6%. Based on the SCE incidence observed in the pilot study, the estimated sample size required for the main study is at least 10 958 patients. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of the study protocol but identified several challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings. These challenges included a significant burden associated with data collection, technical issues with electronic case report forms (e-CRFs), variability in patient enrollment across institutions (ranging from 4 to 86 patients per site), and incomplete data acquisition (24.8% of height data and 9.7% of disposition data were missing).
CONCLUSIONS: The PEACH in Asia pilot study successfully validated a protocol for investigating SCEs in pediatric anesthesia across Asia. Addressing the challenges identified in the pilot study will be crucial for generating robust data to improve pediatric anesthesia safety in the region. Key issues to address include improving data collection methods, resolving e-CRF technical difficulties, and ensuring consistent institutional support.
AIM: This study seeks to evaluate the effective radiation doses associated with common diagnostic and treatment procedures, as well as propose diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), within two nuclear medicine centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
METHODOLOGY: Data from 445 patients were gathered from two nuclear medicine centers in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. The data were categorized based on the type of nuclear medicine (NM) procedure, the chemical composition of the administered radiopharmaceutical, as well as patient age and weight. Effective radiation doses for prevalent NM procedures were computed, and suggested DRLs were formulated.
RESULTS: Effective radiation doses were analyzed for 16 adult and 2 pediatric NM procedures (divided into 8 groups). The effective radiation doses for adult diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures range from 0.05 mSv (Nanocoloid) to 29 mSv (67Ga-citrate). For pediatric procedures, the doses range from 0.80 mSv (5-year-old undergoing renal DTPA) to 1.6 mSv (1-year-old undergoing renal DMSA). Furthermore, DRL values were determined for both adult and pediatric NM procedures. The study's findings demonstrated a high degree of concordance between effective radiation doses and DRL values, aligning well with previously published research.
CONCLUSION: While the effective radiation doses outlined in this study were generally within acceptable limits and consistent with prior research findings, optimizing radiation doses remains imperative, particularly for pediatric NM procedures.
METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 8 each): negative control (NC) receiving food ad libitum without orchiectomized, positive control (PC) receiving daily testosterone enanthate injections, IF with 16/8 time-restricted feeding, PT with 1-h forced swimming sessions, and combined IF + PT. After 8 weeks, DHEA and testosterone levels, AR expression, gastrocnemius muscle histology, and body weight were assessed.
RESULTS: In comparison to the NC group (429.40 ± 26.86 g), body weight in the IF (348.90 ± 15.94 g, PT (391.40 ± 16.35 g), and IF + PT groups, (360.90 ± 29.90 g) was significantly lowered (p
METHODS: A 55 questions survey encompassing nine domains relevant to CeD care (awareness, gluten-free [GF] foods availability/cost/quality, GF labeling, CeD dietician availability, insurance for CeD patients, medical training, research funding, patient support groups, and unmet needs) was generated and sent to CeD experts worldwide electronically. Countries were stratified based on per capita income as high-income (HIC) and lower-income countries (LIC) (including upper-middle-, lower-middle-, and low-income countries). Survey responses were summarized as a single score using principal component analysis.
RESULTS: Valid responses were obtained from 131(37.4%) [HIC: 71; LIC: 60] of contacted CeD experts from 63 countries. Compared with HIC, LIC experts perceived worse availability (HIC:80% vs LIC: 47%; P
METHOD: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO CRD42020211324. Eligible articles were selected from CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed and Science Direct. Original qualitative studies exploring parental perspectives on the influence of cultural values on the uptake of HPV vaccination by their daughters under the age of 18, published in the English language with no restriction dates were reviewed. Two authors independently screened abstracts, conducted the fill-text review, extracted information using a standardized form, and assessed study quality. A third author is needed to resolve the disagreements if necessary.
RESULTS: Of the 1552 citations, 22 were included, with information on 639 parents. Five themes emerged from the data: sexuality-related concerns; upbringing and moral values; obligation to protect; external influences; and vaccine-related concerns.
CONCLUSION: This systematic review is beneficial to identify and understand the culturally related facilitators and barriers to HPV vaccination among young women for the development of strategies to optimize HPV vaccine coverage among this population group by the policymakers.