AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the anti-hyperglycemic potential of AE through in-vitro enzymatic activities and streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rat models using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-based metabolomics approach.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-α-amylase and anti-α-glucosidase activities of the hydroethanolic extracts of AE were evaluated. The absolute quantification of bioactive constituents, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was performed for the most active extract. Three different dosage levels of the AE extract were orally administered for 4 weeks consecutively in STZ-NA induced diabetic rats. Physical assessments, biochemical analysis, and an untargeted 1H-NMR-based metabolomics analysis of the urine and serum were carried out on the animal model.
RESULTS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model was successfully developed based on the clear separation observed between the STZ-NA induced diabetic and normal non-diabetic groups. Discriminating biomarkers included glucose, citrate, succinate, allantoin, hippurate, 2-oxoglutarate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate, as determined through an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model. A treatment dosage of 250 mg/kg body weight (BW) of standardized 70% ethanolic AE extract mitigated increase in serum glucose, creatinine, and urea levels, providing treatment levels comparable to that obtained using metformin, with flavonoids primarily contribute to the anti-hyperglycemic activities. Urinary metabolomics disclosed that the following disturbed metabolism pathways: the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), butanoate metabolism, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, were ameliorated after treatment with the standardized AE extract.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the first attempt at revealing the therapeutic effect of oral treatment with 250 mg/kg BW of standardized AE extract on chemically induced T2DM rats. The present study provides scientific evidence supporting the ethnomedicinal use of Ardisia elliptica and further advances the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanisms affected by this herbal antidote.
METHODS: The present study examined the inhibitory effects of all collected honey on the release of selected inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, histamine, and β-hexosaminidase in an activated HMC. Besides that, all honey's total phenolic content (TPC) was also examined, followed by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify the phytochemicals in the honey. Further examination of the identified phytochemicals on their potential interaction with selected signaling molecules in an activated mast cell was conducted using computational methods.
RESULTS: The results indicated that there were significant inhibitory effects on all selected inflammatory mediators' release by KH sourced from bamboo (BH) and rubber tree (RH) at 0.5% and 1%, but not KH sourced from mango (AH) and noni (EH). BH and RH were found to have higher TPC values and were rich in their phytochemical profiles based on the LC-MS/MS results. Computational studies were employed to determine the possible molecular target of KH through molecular docking using HADDOCK and PRODIGY web servers.
CONCLUSIONS: In short, the results indicated that KH possesses anti-allergic effects towards an activated HMC, possibly by targeting downstream MAPKs. However, their anti-allergic effects may vary according to their botanical sources. Nevertheless, the present study has provided insight into the potential application of stingless bee honey as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat various allergic diseases.
METHODS: The dataset used in this study consist of ECG data collected from 45 ADHD, 62 ADHD+CD, and 16 CD patients at the Child Guidance Clinic in Singapore. The ECG data were segmented into 2 s epochs and directly used to train our 1-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) model.
RESULTS: The proposed model yielded 96.04% classification accuracy, 96.26% precision, 95.99% sensitivity, and 96.11% F1-score. The Gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) function was also used to highlight the important ECG characteristics at specific time points that most impact the classification score.
CONCLUSION: In addition to achieving model performance results with our suggested DL method, Grad-CAM's implementation also offers vital temporal data that clinicians and other mental healthcare professionals can use to make wise medical judgments. We hope that by conducting this pilot study, we will be able to encourage larger-scale research with a larger biosignal dataset. Hence allowing biosignal-based computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) tools to be implemented in healthcare and ambulatory settings, as ECG can be easily obtained via wearable devices such as smartwatches.
METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 Perak state hospitals and 12 primary health clinics through an online survey. All ward pharmacists and trainee pharmacists with at least 1 month of ward pharmacy experience and working in government-funded health facilities were included. The validated survey tool consisted of demographic characteristics, pharmacists' experience towards challenges (22 items), and their attitude towards adaptive measures (9 items). Each item was measured based on a 5-point Likert scale. One-way ANOVA and logistic regression were employed to determine the association of pharmacists' characteristics against their experience and attitude.
RESULTS: Out of 175 respondents, 144 (81.8%) were female, and 84 (47.7%) were Chinese. Most pharmacists served in the medical ward (124, 70.5%). Commonly reported perceived challenges were difficulties in counselling medication devices (3.63 ± 1.06), difficulties in clerking medication history from family members (3.63 ± 0.99), contacting family members (3.46 ± 0.90), patient's digital illiteracy in virtual counselling (3.43 ± 1.11) and completeness of the electronic records (3.36 ± 0.99). For attitude towards adaptive measures, improving internet connection (4.62 ± 0.58), ensuring availability of multilingual counselling videos (4.45 ± 0.64), and provision of internet-enabled mobile devices (4.39 ± 0.76) were the most agreeable by the pharmacists. Male (AOR: 2.63, CI 1.12-6.16, p = 0.026) and master's degree holders (AOR: 2.79, CI 0.95-8.25, p = 0.063) had greater odds of high perceived challenging experience scores. Master's degree holders (AOR: 8.56, CI 1.741-42.069, p = 0.008) were also more likely to have a positive attitude score towards adaptive measures.
CONCLUSION: Pharmacists faced multiple challenges in the ward pharmacy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in medication history assessment and patient counselling. Pharmacists, especially those with higher levels of education and longer tenure, exhibited a higher level of agreement towards the adaptive measures. The positive attitudes of pharmacists towards various adaptive measures, such as improvement of internet infrastructure and digital health literacy among patients and family members, warrant immediate action plans from health authorities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty single-rooted permanent human teeth were chosen after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The teeth were divided into two groups (n = 30). The test group was instrumented with TN files and the other with XPS according to manufacturer's instructions. CBCT images were taken before and after instrumentation to record the root canal distances from mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual borders of the root at 3, 5, and 7 mm distances from the root apex using a specific formula. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software program, version 20.0. The data were analyzed using the unpaired t test.
RESULTS: Both TN and XPS were safe for use in oval-shaped canals with moderate root curvature. However, the XPS showed higher buccolingual transportation as compared with TN at 3 mm from the apex and higher mesiodistal transportation at 3 and 5 mm levels from the apex as compared with TN.
CONCLUSION: Canal transportation has been detected in both systems; however, the values obtained were within the safe range (<0.3 mm). Overall, no significant difference was observed between TN and XPS (p > 0.05) in their canal transportation tendencies and centering ability.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The study assesses the canal centering and transportation tendencies of the recently launched TN rotary system in extracted teeth with a combination of morphologies. The findings of the study are significant clinically as minimum transportation of the canal, minimal dentin removal, efficient disinfection, and three-dimensional obturation of the root canal are considered important factors in deciding the prognosis of endodontic therapy.
METHODS: Ovid, MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), EBSCOHOST, Cochrane library and Open Grey databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro Scale and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was undertaken when the same outcome measures were reported in a minimum of two studies with appropriate data. (PROSPERO: CRD42020177317).
RESULTS: Eleven studies with 900 participants were included, out of which 395 participants were allocated to group exercise programs and 383 completed the program. Culturally adapted Thai dance programs and multicomponent exercise programs were the most-commonly reported group exercises. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and attendance rates were the most-frequently reported outcomes. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvement in physical function assessed using the Timed Up and Go test (Random effect model -1.27 s, 95% CI -1.65, -0.88, I2 = 74%). In two studies, adherence (81% and 94%) and dropout rates (4% and 19%) were reported.
CONCLUSIONS: Group-based exercise programs in Southeast Asia consisting mostly of culturally adapted Thai dance programs and multicomponent exercise programs appear to have positive effects on physical function. However, better descriptions of fidelity, including adherence, are required in future studies.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between exposure to teacher violence and mental health problems.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: An international sample of young adults aged 18 to 24 (N = 283).
METHODS: Participants completed self-report measures of childhood trauma, exposure to teacher violence, depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol misuse.
RESULTS: Exposure to teacher violence could be reliably and validly measured using the Teacher Violence Scale (TVS). Current mental health problems - including depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol misuse - were associated with exposure to teacher violence during high school years, but not with childhood non-betrayal trauma.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings expand the application of the betrayal trauma theory to school settings and point to the importance of preventing and managing teacher violence. It is important to provide more support and training to teachers and enhance monitoring measures in schools. More research on the prevalence and correlates of exposure to teacher violence is needed. We also provided first evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the English version of the TVS to facilitate future research.