Protein-based therapeutics (PPTs) are drugs used to treat a variety of different conditions in the human body by alleviating enzymatic deficiencies, augmenting other proteins and drugs, modulating signal pathways, and...Protein-based therapeutics (PPTs) are drugs used to treat a variety of different conditions in the human body by alleviating enzymatic deficiencies, augmenting other proteins and drugs, modulating signal pathways, and more. However, many PPTs struggle from a short half-life due to degradation caused by irreversible protein aggregation in the bloodstream. Currently, the most researched strategies for improving the efficiency and longevity of PPTs are post-translational modifications (PTMs). The goal of our research was to determine which type of PTM increases longevity the most for each of three commonly-used therapeutic proteins by comparing the docking scores (DS) and binding free energies (BFE) from protein aggregation and reception simulations. DS and BFE values were used to create a quantitative index that outputs a relative number from −1 to 1 to show reduced performance, no change, or increased performance. Results showed that methylation was the most beneficial for insulin (p < 0.1) and human growth hormone (p < 0.0001), and both phosphorylation and methylation were somewhat optimal for erythropoietin (p < 0.1 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Acetylation consistently provided the worst benefits with the most negative indices, while methylation had the most positive indices throughout. However, PTM efficacy varied between PPTs, supporting previous studies regarding how each PTM can confer different benefits based on the unique structures of recipient proteins.展开更多
Background: Nowadays, a substantial number of women spend more than one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal period. It is characterized by a marked decrease in the production of estrogen, which leads to urogeni...Background: Nowadays, a substantial number of women spend more than one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal period. It is characterized by a marked decrease in the production of estrogen, which leads to urogenital atrophy. The symptoms stemming from vulvovaginal atrophy and the lower urinary tract are currently referred to as the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which can have a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). Estrogen replacement is the ideal treatment for GSM, and vaginal administration is the most recommended. Objective: To assess the impact of the use of topical vaginal estriol on the quality of life (QoL) of postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: This is an interventional, prospective study, performed in 49 women at the Antonio Pedro Hospital, at the Universidade Federal Fluminense, in Niterói, Brazil, from August 2014 to April 2015. It included postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms who were not using any estrogen hormone therapy, and it excluded those with contraindications for the use of estriol. A specific questionnaire on QoL and urinary tract symptoms, the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), which identifies LUTS and assesses to what extent those symptoms interfere with QoL, has been used as a research tool. Results: The average age was 62.24 years. Urinary urgency and urge incontinence were reported by 91.8% of women. The average scores of the domains of the KHQ decreased in the domains General Health Perception (before: 46.42 ± 21.65;after: 40.81 ± 22.64), Incontinence Impact (before: 74.82 ± 27.66;after: 41.49 ± 30.83), Role Limitations (before: 43.20 ± 32.80;after: 21.09 ± 24.71), Physical Limitations (before: 38.09 ± 32.09;after: 14.62 ± 24.20), Social Limitations (before: 30.38 ± 28.75;after: 12.62 ± 19.85), Emotions (before: 43.31 ± 32.96;after: 20.18 ± 26.41), Sleep/Energy (before: 41.48 ± 37.74;after: 15.98 ± 23.31) and Severity Measures (before: 48.02 ± 24.68;after: 22.31 ± 20.25). All the differences were statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: In the group of postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms included in the study, the use of topical vaginal estriol led to a decrease in the frequency of each symptom and the average scores in all domains of the KHQ, suggesting a positive effect on women’s QoL.展开更多
A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to...A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to the total impacts, and to determine how the impacts compare to the primary alternative product, galvanized steel posts. Guard rail posts are the supporting structures for highway guard rails. Transportation engineers, as well as public and regulatory interests, have increasing need to understand the environmental implications of guard rail post selection, in addition to factors such as costs and service performance. This study uses a life cycle inventory (LCI) to catalogue the input and output data from guard rail post manufacture, service life, and disposition, and a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) to assess anthropogenic and net greenhouse gas (GHG), acidification, smog, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication potentially resulting from life cycle air emissions. Other indicators of interest also are tracked, such as fossil fuel and water use. Comparisons of guard rail post products are made at a functional unit of one post per year of service. This life cycle assessment (LCA) finds that the manufacture, use, and disposition of CCA-treated wood guard rails offers lower fossil fuel use and lower anthropogenic and net GHG emissions, acidification, smog potential, and ecotoxicity environmental impacts than impact indicator values for galvanized steel posts. Water use and eutrophication impact indicator values for CCA-treated guard rail posts are greater than impact indicator values for galvanized steel guard rail posts.展开更多
COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can cause various symptoms which last even after the acute stage and negatively impact the quality of life of patients. It is of utmost importance to comprehensively evaluate how...COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can cause various symptoms which last even after the acute stage and negatively impact the quality of life of patients. It is of utmost importance to comprehensively evaluate how COVID-19 affects not only patients’ physical and mental health, but also their family and social life. This knowledge plays a significant role in the creation of effective ways to assist those suffering from long COVID to address health-related quality of life issues in a timely manner.展开更多
This article gives a summary and analasis to experimental study on the restoration and giving a new lease of life to the alpine grassland vegetation along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Through on-the-spot investigation a...This article gives a summary and analasis to experimental study on the restoration and giving a new lease of life to the alpine grassland vegetation along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Through on-the-spot investigation and vegetaion storation experimental study to the constructive fetching soil ground in Tuotuo River experiment section in the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the result shows: after the activities of the construction, soil conditions on the fetching soil ground have changed a lot, the soil quality has obviously degraded. In order to do well the vegetaton storation and reconstruction in the process of the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the backfilling of the surface soil should really be done well. According to the result of on -the-spot experiment, the Elymus dahuricus Turcz and Poa annua Linn are all more suitable to the fetching soil environment on the alpine grassland, the plant can normally grow in the growing season. The timing selection of the vegetation should fully use feature of both rain and heat in the same season, thus can improve the percentage of success.展开更多
The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence for the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in affecting survival and quality of life in patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency ...The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence for the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in affecting survival and quality of life in patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). Systematic searches of the literature were performed using the PubMed database. Articles were selected for inclusion if they reported findings from trials assessing the effects of PERT on quality of life, survival, malabsorption, growth parameters (such as height, body weight and body mass index), or gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal pain, stool consistency and flatulence). PERT improved PEI-related malabsorption and weight maintenance in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and post-surgical states. In patients with chronic pancreatitis, PERT improved PEI-related symptoms and quality of life measures. Several small retrospective studies have also suggested that PERT may have a positive impact on survival, but long-term studies assessing this effect were not identified. PERT is effective for treating malnutrition and supporting weight maintenance, and it is associated with improved quality of life and possibly with enhanced survival in patients with PEI. However, there is evidence that not all patients with PEI receive adequate PERT. Future work should aim to assess the long-term effects of PERT on the survival of patients with PEI.展开更多
The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education (EDUCAM) School of Osteopathy, following the earthquake that occurred in Amatrice-Italy on August 24th 2016, promoted the project “Una mano per la salute” [One ha...The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education (EDUCAM) School of Osteopathy, following the earthquake that occurred in Amatrice-Italy on August 24th 2016, promoted the project “Una mano per la salute” [One hand for health], aimed at giving therapeutic support to the population affected by this cataclysm. A review of the literature in the osteopathic field has been performed to identify a more functional approach to quickly relieve the inhabitants from the shock they suffered, and to identify the techniques with greater effectiveness on the stress axis. The protocol of ten chosen techniques will then be verified later in a pilot study, to check whether and how a protocol of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) might play a clinically relevant role in the management of subjects exposed to extraordinary exogenous stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevention, in addition to the psychological therapy treatments in use today.展开更多
Background: Post hepatitis C virus chronic liver disease (CLD) is prevalent among the Egyptian population with a bad impact upon their quality of life (QOL). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the long term and ...Background: Post hepatitis C virus chronic liver disease (CLD) is prevalent among the Egyptian population with a bad impact upon their quality of life (QOL). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the long term and fatal complications of CLD and it also has its negative impact on patient’s quality of life. Aim: To assess impact of CLD and HCC on the quality of life of group of hospitalized elderly patients. Methodology: Ninety elderly patients were divided into three groups: 30 elderly with post hepatitis C virus CLD, 30 elderly with HCC and 30 others free of liver disease as control group (Cn), all were recruited from the in-patient ward and the outpatient clinic of the Geriatric Department, Ain-Shams University Hospital. After giving consent, comprehensive geriatric assessment was done with assessment of their quality of life by using the Short Form-36 health survey (SF-36). Investigations including liver enzymes, serum albumin, serum bilirubin and abdominal ultrasound were done. Results: All QOL domains were the highest among control group, followed by HCC group and the least among CLD group. The differences were statistically significant in most subscales and total score [Mean of Cn = 81.9 ± 12.4, Mean of CLD = 47.5 ± 21.9, Mean of HCC = 62.3 ± 16.1;P Cn/CLD ≤ 0.001, P Cn/HCC ≤ 0.001, P CLD/HCC = 0.004]. Albumin was the only biochemical marker correlated positively with total SF score and two subscales (PF and EF) [r = 0.408;P = 0.025]. Conclusion & Recommendation: Our study showed a decrease in the QOL of Egyptian post hepatitis C virus CLD and HCC patients compared with Egyptian population norms. The results showed that CLD were more affected than HCC patients. This had a particularly serious negative impact on their life. The findings indicate a need for updated counseling and educational materials designed to provide adequate information and consistent healthcare service to this patient setting.展开更多
Banana (Musa spp.) is a highly perishable fruit that requires special handling. In Eritrea, post-harvest handling practices are characterized to be poor and as a result, poor fruit quality and high post-harvest loss a...Banana (Musa spp.) is a highly perishable fruit that requires special handling. In Eritrea, post-harvest handling practices are characterized to be poor and as a result, poor fruit quality and high post-harvest loss are common. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-harvest handling and ripening methods on quality and shelf-life of banana. A Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used for evaluating a combination of two levels of post-harvest handling and four ripening methods in a factorial combination conducted in the laboratory of Horticulture at Hamelmalo Agricultural College. Peel colour change, physiological weight loss, pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids (TSS), pulp pH, ripening period and shelf life were parameters studied. The results showed fruits treated with ripened tomato showed improved characteristics in all parameters compared to those treated with smoke from kerosene burning or mixed with moringa leaf. Similarly, fruits brought directly from the farm were better than those collected from the ripening room after passing the conventional post-harvest handling. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that ripening of banana with the help of tomato improves fruit quality and shelf life. Thus, it can be a safe and better alternative to smoking from kerosene burning. While moringa leaf has no potential as an alternative.展开更多
Background: Stroke has been considered the major cause of chronic disability in the world and ranks among the leading causes of death. Despite the fact that new vascular events often happen and risk factors are the sa...Background: Stroke has been considered the major cause of chronic disability in the world and ranks among the leading causes of death. Despite the fact that new vascular events often happen and risk factors are the same that Cardiovascular Diseases, secondary prevention through non-pharmacological measures, are not part of the routine physical rehabilitation after stroke. Objective: The aim is to answer the following clinical question: Should aerobic fitness be part of the physical rehabilitation of individuals post-stroke? Methodological Design: The methodology used in the study was an integrative literature review. Inclusion Criteria: Articles in English are published in secondary databases: systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, which address the question PICO: patient (post-stroke), intervention (aerobic exercise), comparison (with or without aerobic conditioning) the outcome (volume of oxygen consumed peak (VO<sub>2peak</sub>), quality of life (QoL), morbidity and mortality). Outcomes: VO<sub>2peak</sub>, QoL, complications and mortality. Analysis of Studies: The methodological quality of included studies is assessed using the tools: PRISMA and R-AMSTAR. Results: There was “good” evidence for the inclusion of aerobic exercise on physical rehabilitation of post-stroke individuals to improve their physical capacity (VO<sub>2peak</sub>), facilitating the completion of activities of daily living and gait. There was weak evidence on the association of aerobic fitness with positive results on QoL in stroke victims and insufficient results to evaluate the effect of aerobic fitness on the risk of stroke recurrence and mortality. Conclusion: The aerobic conditioning should be included in the rehabilitation of stroke victims.展开更多
With the introduction of new drugs, the treatment of acne vulgaris has improved dramatically;however, there remains a considerable gap between treatment outcomes and patients’ treatment goals. This study aimed to det...With the introduction of new drugs, the treatment of acne vulgaris has improved dramatically;however, there remains a considerable gap between treatment outcomes and patients’ treatment goals. This study aimed to determine whether dermatologists’ guidance on appropriate skincare for skin symptoms such as post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which are not covered by acne treatment, leads to an improvement in patients’ skin condition and patient satisfaction. Japanese women who had completed standard treatment for acne vulgaris and those with mild symptoms not requiring treatment were included in the study. The participants received instructions about skin care at the beginning of the study, which they continued to apply for 6 weeks. At the start and end of the study, participants were examined by a dermatologist;afterward, skin measurements, including skin color, skin surface lipid content, and image analysis by VISIA<sup>®</sup> Evolution, analysis of stratum corneum obtained from the skin surface, and Skindex-16 questionnaire for assessing quality of life (QOL), were performed. The following showed significant improvements: PIH score, number of inflammatory acne lesions, and number of non-inflammatory acne lesions observed via skin examination;skin surface lipid content and values of L* and a* obtained via instrumental measurement;n number of pore, texture, red spot, and pigmented spot obtained via by image analysis;and degree of multilayer exfoliation and interleukin-1α determined by analysis of epidermal stratum corneum. QOL measurement using Skindex-16 also improved significantly. Appropriate skin care guidance following standard acne vulgaris treatment is helpful in achieving patients’ treatment goals. .展开更多
目的探讨头针联合吞咽功能康复训练治疗中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者的临床疗效。方法选取2023年1月—2023年12月期间保定市第一中心医院收治的中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者80例,按照随机对照试验设计方法分为对照组和观察组,每组各4...目的探讨头针联合吞咽功能康复训练治疗中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者的临床疗效。方法选取2023年1月—2023年12月期间保定市第一中心医院收治的中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者80例,按照随机对照试验设计方法分为对照组和观察组,每组各40例。对照组接受康复训练等常规西医治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联合头针治疗。治疗4周后,观察比较两组患者治疗前后中医证候积分、洼田氏饮水试验评分、Barthel指数评分、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National institute of health stroke scale,NIHSS)评分、吞咽功能评估表(Standardized swallowing assessment,SSA)评分、吞咽障碍特异性生活质量量表(Swallowing quality of life,SWAL-QOL)评分改善状况,并比较两组患者临床总有效率和不良反应发生率。结果治疗后两组患者中医证候积分和洼田氏饮水试验评分均较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组中医证候积分和洼田氏饮水试验评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者Barthel指数评分较治疗前升高,NIHSS评分较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组Barthel指数评分高于对照组,NIHSS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者SSA评分较治疗前降低,SWAL-QOL评分较治疗前升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组SSA评分低于对照组,SWAL-QOL评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后观察组临床总有效率92.50%(37/40)高于对照组75.00%(30/40),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗期间,两组患者均未出现晕针、血肿等不良反应发生情况。结论头针联合吞咽功能康复训练能改善中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者的神经损伤程度和吞咽功能,缓解患者临床症状表现,提高吞咽障碍患者生活质量,具有显著的临床疗效。展开更多
文摘Protein-based therapeutics (PPTs) are drugs used to treat a variety of different conditions in the human body by alleviating enzymatic deficiencies, augmenting other proteins and drugs, modulating signal pathways, and more. However, many PPTs struggle from a short half-life due to degradation caused by irreversible protein aggregation in the bloodstream. Currently, the most researched strategies for improving the efficiency and longevity of PPTs are post-translational modifications (PTMs). The goal of our research was to determine which type of PTM increases longevity the most for each of three commonly-used therapeutic proteins by comparing the docking scores (DS) and binding free energies (BFE) from protein aggregation and reception simulations. DS and BFE values were used to create a quantitative index that outputs a relative number from −1 to 1 to show reduced performance, no change, or increased performance. Results showed that methylation was the most beneficial for insulin (p < 0.1) and human growth hormone (p < 0.0001), and both phosphorylation and methylation were somewhat optimal for erythropoietin (p < 0.1 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Acetylation consistently provided the worst benefits with the most negative indices, while methylation had the most positive indices throughout. However, PTM efficacy varied between PPTs, supporting previous studies regarding how each PTM can confer different benefits based on the unique structures of recipient proteins.
文摘Background: Nowadays, a substantial number of women spend more than one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal period. It is characterized by a marked decrease in the production of estrogen, which leads to urogenital atrophy. The symptoms stemming from vulvovaginal atrophy and the lower urinary tract are currently referred to as the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which can have a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL). Estrogen replacement is the ideal treatment for GSM, and vaginal administration is the most recommended. Objective: To assess the impact of the use of topical vaginal estriol on the quality of life (QoL) of postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: This is an interventional, prospective study, performed in 49 women at the Antonio Pedro Hospital, at the Universidade Federal Fluminense, in Niterói, Brazil, from August 2014 to April 2015. It included postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms who were not using any estrogen hormone therapy, and it excluded those with contraindications for the use of estriol. A specific questionnaire on QoL and urinary tract symptoms, the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), which identifies LUTS and assesses to what extent those symptoms interfere with QoL, has been used as a research tool. Results: The average age was 62.24 years. Urinary urgency and urge incontinence were reported by 91.8% of women. The average scores of the domains of the KHQ decreased in the domains General Health Perception (before: 46.42 ± 21.65;after: 40.81 ± 22.64), Incontinence Impact (before: 74.82 ± 27.66;after: 41.49 ± 30.83), Role Limitations (before: 43.20 ± 32.80;after: 21.09 ± 24.71), Physical Limitations (before: 38.09 ± 32.09;after: 14.62 ± 24.20), Social Limitations (before: 30.38 ± 28.75;after: 12.62 ± 19.85), Emotions (before: 43.31 ± 32.96;after: 20.18 ± 26.41), Sleep/Energy (before: 41.48 ± 37.74;after: 15.98 ± 23.31) and Severity Measures (before: 48.02 ± 24.68;after: 22.31 ± 20.25). All the differences were statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: In the group of postmenopausal women with lower urinary tract symptoms included in the study, the use of topical vaginal estriol led to a decrease in the frequency of each symptom and the average scores in all domains of the KHQ, suggesting a positive effect on women’s QoL.
文摘A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to the total impacts, and to determine how the impacts compare to the primary alternative product, galvanized steel posts. Guard rail posts are the supporting structures for highway guard rails. Transportation engineers, as well as public and regulatory interests, have increasing need to understand the environmental implications of guard rail post selection, in addition to factors such as costs and service performance. This study uses a life cycle inventory (LCI) to catalogue the input and output data from guard rail post manufacture, service life, and disposition, and a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) to assess anthropogenic and net greenhouse gas (GHG), acidification, smog, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication potentially resulting from life cycle air emissions. Other indicators of interest also are tracked, such as fossil fuel and water use. Comparisons of guard rail post products are made at a functional unit of one post per year of service. This life cycle assessment (LCA) finds that the manufacture, use, and disposition of CCA-treated wood guard rails offers lower fossil fuel use and lower anthropogenic and net GHG emissions, acidification, smog potential, and ecotoxicity environmental impacts than impact indicator values for galvanized steel posts. Water use and eutrophication impact indicator values for CCA-treated guard rail posts are greater than impact indicator values for galvanized steel guard rail posts.
文摘COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can cause various symptoms which last even after the acute stage and negatively impact the quality of life of patients. It is of utmost importance to comprehensively evaluate how COVID-19 affects not only patients’ physical and mental health, but also their family and social life. This knowledge plays a significant role in the creation of effective ways to assist those suffering from long COVID to address health-related quality of life issues in a timely manner.
文摘This article gives a summary and analasis to experimental study on the restoration and giving a new lease of life to the alpine grassland vegetation along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Through on-the-spot investigation and vegetaion storation experimental study to the constructive fetching soil ground in Tuotuo River experiment section in the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the result shows: after the activities of the construction, soil conditions on the fetching soil ground have changed a lot, the soil quality has obviously degraded. In order to do well the vegetaton storation and reconstruction in the process of the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the backfilling of the surface soil should really be done well. According to the result of on -the-spot experiment, the Elymus dahuricus Turcz and Poa annua Linn are all more suitable to the fetching soil environment on the alpine grassland, the plant can normally grow in the growing season. The timing selection of the vegetation should fully use feature of both rain and heat in the same season, thus can improve the percentage of success.
文摘The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence for the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) in affecting survival and quality of life in patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). Systematic searches of the literature were performed using the PubMed database. Articles were selected for inclusion if they reported findings from trials assessing the effects of PERT on quality of life, survival, malabsorption, growth parameters (such as height, body weight and body mass index), or gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal pain, stool consistency and flatulence). PERT improved PEI-related malabsorption and weight maintenance in patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and post-surgical states. In patients with chronic pancreatitis, PERT improved PEI-related symptoms and quality of life measures. Several small retrospective studies have also suggested that PERT may have a positive impact on survival, but long-term studies assessing this effect were not identified. PERT is effective for treating malnutrition and supporting weight maintenance, and it is associated with improved quality of life and possibly with enhanced survival in patients with PEI. However, there is evidence that not all patients with PEI receive adequate PERT. Future work should aim to assess the long-term effects of PERT on the survival of patients with PEI.
文摘The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education (EDUCAM) School of Osteopathy, following the earthquake that occurred in Amatrice-Italy on August 24th 2016, promoted the project “Una mano per la salute” [One hand for health], aimed at giving therapeutic support to the population affected by this cataclysm. A review of the literature in the osteopathic field has been performed to identify a more functional approach to quickly relieve the inhabitants from the shock they suffered, and to identify the techniques with greater effectiveness on the stress axis. The protocol of ten chosen techniques will then be verified later in a pilot study, to check whether and how a protocol of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) might play a clinically relevant role in the management of subjects exposed to extraordinary exogenous stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevention, in addition to the psychological therapy treatments in use today.
文摘Background: Post hepatitis C virus chronic liver disease (CLD) is prevalent among the Egyptian population with a bad impact upon their quality of life (QOL). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the long term and fatal complications of CLD and it also has its negative impact on patient’s quality of life. Aim: To assess impact of CLD and HCC on the quality of life of group of hospitalized elderly patients. Methodology: Ninety elderly patients were divided into three groups: 30 elderly with post hepatitis C virus CLD, 30 elderly with HCC and 30 others free of liver disease as control group (Cn), all were recruited from the in-patient ward and the outpatient clinic of the Geriatric Department, Ain-Shams University Hospital. After giving consent, comprehensive geriatric assessment was done with assessment of their quality of life by using the Short Form-36 health survey (SF-36). Investigations including liver enzymes, serum albumin, serum bilirubin and abdominal ultrasound were done. Results: All QOL domains were the highest among control group, followed by HCC group and the least among CLD group. The differences were statistically significant in most subscales and total score [Mean of Cn = 81.9 ± 12.4, Mean of CLD = 47.5 ± 21.9, Mean of HCC = 62.3 ± 16.1;P Cn/CLD ≤ 0.001, P Cn/HCC ≤ 0.001, P CLD/HCC = 0.004]. Albumin was the only biochemical marker correlated positively with total SF score and two subscales (PF and EF) [r = 0.408;P = 0.025]. Conclusion & Recommendation: Our study showed a decrease in the QOL of Egyptian post hepatitis C virus CLD and HCC patients compared with Egyptian population norms. The results showed that CLD were more affected than HCC patients. This had a particularly serious negative impact on their life. The findings indicate a need for updated counseling and educational materials designed to provide adequate information and consistent healthcare service to this patient setting.
文摘Banana (Musa spp.) is a highly perishable fruit that requires special handling. In Eritrea, post-harvest handling practices are characterized to be poor and as a result, poor fruit quality and high post-harvest loss are common. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-harvest handling and ripening methods on quality and shelf-life of banana. A Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used for evaluating a combination of two levels of post-harvest handling and four ripening methods in a factorial combination conducted in the laboratory of Horticulture at Hamelmalo Agricultural College. Peel colour change, physiological weight loss, pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids (TSS), pulp pH, ripening period and shelf life were parameters studied. The results showed fruits treated with ripened tomato showed improved characteristics in all parameters compared to those treated with smoke from kerosene burning or mixed with moringa leaf. Similarly, fruits brought directly from the farm were better than those collected from the ripening room after passing the conventional post-harvest handling. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that ripening of banana with the help of tomato improves fruit quality and shelf life. Thus, it can be a safe and better alternative to smoking from kerosene burning. While moringa leaf has no potential as an alternative.
文摘Background: Stroke has been considered the major cause of chronic disability in the world and ranks among the leading causes of death. Despite the fact that new vascular events often happen and risk factors are the same that Cardiovascular Diseases, secondary prevention through non-pharmacological measures, are not part of the routine physical rehabilitation after stroke. Objective: The aim is to answer the following clinical question: Should aerobic fitness be part of the physical rehabilitation of individuals post-stroke? Methodological Design: The methodology used in the study was an integrative literature review. Inclusion Criteria: Articles in English are published in secondary databases: systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, which address the question PICO: patient (post-stroke), intervention (aerobic exercise), comparison (with or without aerobic conditioning) the outcome (volume of oxygen consumed peak (VO<sub>2peak</sub>), quality of life (QoL), morbidity and mortality). Outcomes: VO<sub>2peak</sub>, QoL, complications and mortality. Analysis of Studies: The methodological quality of included studies is assessed using the tools: PRISMA and R-AMSTAR. Results: There was “good” evidence for the inclusion of aerobic exercise on physical rehabilitation of post-stroke individuals to improve their physical capacity (VO<sub>2peak</sub>), facilitating the completion of activities of daily living and gait. There was weak evidence on the association of aerobic fitness with positive results on QoL in stroke victims and insufficient results to evaluate the effect of aerobic fitness on the risk of stroke recurrence and mortality. Conclusion: The aerobic conditioning should be included in the rehabilitation of stroke victims.
文摘With the introduction of new drugs, the treatment of acne vulgaris has improved dramatically;however, there remains a considerable gap between treatment outcomes and patients’ treatment goals. This study aimed to determine whether dermatologists’ guidance on appropriate skincare for skin symptoms such as post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which are not covered by acne treatment, leads to an improvement in patients’ skin condition and patient satisfaction. Japanese women who had completed standard treatment for acne vulgaris and those with mild symptoms not requiring treatment were included in the study. The participants received instructions about skin care at the beginning of the study, which they continued to apply for 6 weeks. At the start and end of the study, participants were examined by a dermatologist;afterward, skin measurements, including skin color, skin surface lipid content, and image analysis by VISIA<sup>®</sup> Evolution, analysis of stratum corneum obtained from the skin surface, and Skindex-16 questionnaire for assessing quality of life (QOL), were performed. The following showed significant improvements: PIH score, number of inflammatory acne lesions, and number of non-inflammatory acne lesions observed via skin examination;skin surface lipid content and values of L* and a* obtained via instrumental measurement;n number of pore, texture, red spot, and pigmented spot obtained via by image analysis;and degree of multilayer exfoliation and interleukin-1α determined by analysis of epidermal stratum corneum. QOL measurement using Skindex-16 also improved significantly. Appropriate skin care guidance following standard acne vulgaris treatment is helpful in achieving patients’ treatment goals. .
文摘目的探讨头针联合吞咽功能康复训练治疗中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者的临床疗效。方法选取2023年1月—2023年12月期间保定市第一中心医院收治的中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者80例,按照随机对照试验设计方法分为对照组和观察组,每组各40例。对照组接受康复训练等常规西医治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联合头针治疗。治疗4周后,观察比较两组患者治疗前后中医证候积分、洼田氏饮水试验评分、Barthel指数评分、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National institute of health stroke scale,NIHSS)评分、吞咽功能评估表(Standardized swallowing assessment,SSA)评分、吞咽障碍特异性生活质量量表(Swallowing quality of life,SWAL-QOL)评分改善状况,并比较两组患者临床总有效率和不良反应发生率。结果治疗后两组患者中医证候积分和洼田氏饮水试验评分均较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组中医证候积分和洼田氏饮水试验评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者Barthel指数评分较治疗前升高,NIHSS评分较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组Barthel指数评分高于对照组,NIHSS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者SSA评分较治疗前降低,SWAL-QOL评分较治疗前升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且观察组SSA评分低于对照组,SWAL-QOL评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后观察组临床总有效率92.50%(37/40)高于对照组75.00%(30/40),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗期间,两组患者均未出现晕针、血肿等不良反应发生情况。结论头针联合吞咽功能康复训练能改善中风后假性球麻痹吞咽障碍患者的神经损伤程度和吞咽功能,缓解患者临床症状表现,提高吞咽障碍患者生活质量,具有显著的临床疗效。
