7-day Period Research Articles

Recalling what we thought we knew about recall periods: a qualitative descriptive study of how adults diagnosed with cancer use recall periods for patient-reported outcome items about physical function.

In cancer studies, assessment of patients' physical function can provide insight into cancer-related symptoms and the side effects of treatment. Physical function can be assessed using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), which may or may not include a recall period-the amount of time the questionnaire asks the respondent to think back to answer the questions. More understanding is needed about how patients interpret and respond to items posed with different recall periods, and which recall period they actually use. We conducted a qualitative study with 72 adults diagnosed with cancer to describe response processes when answering PROM items about physical function. When describing their physical function during concept elicitation interviews, most participants recalled their functioning over 1month or more. When presented with PROM items with no recall period, the most used period was more than 4weeks. When presented with a 7-day recall, the most used period was 7days. However, almost 30% of responses used recall periods greater than 1week. Including a 7-day recall period improves recall consistency for patients when answering physical function PROM items, but there is still room for improvement. The inaccuracy of recall for PROMs in clinical trials influences the ability to calculate the change in treatment outcomes over time and may conceal or emphasize actual treatment effects.

Behavior of PGS/apatite foam scaffolds during incubation in SBF, PBS, Ringer's solution, artificial saliva, and distilled water.

Poly(glycerol sebacate) is a polymeric material with potential biomedical application in the field of tissue engineering. In order to act as a biodegradable scaffold, its incubation study is vital to simulate its behavior. This study explores the degradation of porous poly(glycerol sebacate)/hydroxyapatite scaffolds subjected to incubation in various physiological solutions. The research involved monitoring pH and conductivity values over a 14-day period, as well as analyzing the swelling capacity and mass alterations of the scaffolds. In simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), the pH levels remained relatively stable, whereas Ringer's solution caused a pH decrease. Conversely, artificial saliva demonstrated an increase in pH, and distilled water caused a slight decrease. The conductivity values remained stable in SBF and Ringer's solution, slightly decreased in PBS, increased in artificial saliva, and significantly increased in distilled water. The swelling capacity of the scaffolds varied depending on the solution used, with the lowest equilibrium swelling observed in SBF and PBS. The effect of the presence of ceramics on this parameter was also observed. The mass changes of the scaffolds indicated deposition of particles or salts from the incubation solutions, and subsequent rinsing in distilled water led to a decrease in mass. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and elemental analysis confirmed the presence of crystallized salts on the scaffold surfaces after incubation in SBF. Surface roughness measurements revealed changes in roughness depending on the solution, with deposition of additional layers in SBF and degradation in artificial saliva. In summary, the scaffolds exhibited biodegradation in physiological solutions, with variations in pH, conductivity, swelling capacity, mass changes, and surface morphology depending on the specific solution and scaffold composition.

Antibiotic Choice and Outcomes for Respiratory Infections in Children With Tracheostomies.

Respiratory infections are a major cause of hospitalization in children with tracheostomies, contributing significantly to hospital expenses. Limited data exist to describe optimal diagnostic strategies or management recommendations for these infections. This study aimed to explore factors associated with antibiotic therapy, including usage, administration route, duration, variables influencing the decision to prescribe antibiotics, and outcomes in children with tracheostomies experiencing episodes of respiratory infection other than pneumonia (tracheobronchitis and nonspecific respiratory episodes [NSRE]). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the medical records of 83 children who underwent tracheostomy and received treatment at a tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2021. A total of 164 episodes of tracheobronchitis and 98 episodes of NSRE were analyzed. Children with tracheobronchitis were more frequently treated with antibiotics: 75% in nonhospitalized cases and 76% in hospitalized cases. In NSRE, antibiotic prescription dropped to 40% and 29%, respectively. Out of 51 tracheobronchitis and 15 NSRE initially treated with oral antibiotics, a switch to intravenous administration was deemed necessary in only 7 tracheobronchitis cases (14%). Fever was significantly associated with antibiotic prescription in tracheobronchitis and NSRE, regardless of hospitalization status. Two children died within the 28-day period following the onset of tracheobronchitis symptoms. Many cases identified as tracheobronchitis, along with a greater number of NSRE cases, resolved without requiring antibiotics. Although fever was associated with increased antibiotic prescription, it does not necessarily indicate severity. Therefore, careful consideration should be given before prescribing antibiotics, especially in febrile cases, to avoid unnecessary treatments.

Nutraceutical Effects of Snot Apple Powder on Triiodothyronine, Oxidative Stress Markers, Haematology and Growth of Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the effects of incorporating snot apple powder with or without probiotics on performance, hematological indices, serum protein profile, oxidative markers, and triiodothyronine levels in chickens. The treatments included a control (0% snot apple powder) and varying levels of snot apple powder (1%, 2%, and 3%), all supplemented with probiotics at a rate of 0.5%. Over a 42-day trial period, parameters such as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, and blood samples for hematological and serum analyses were collected. Growth indices revealed significant variations (p

Gelatin-reduced graphene oxide-azithromycin biocomposite coating on baghdadite scaffolds

A critical bone tissue engineering (BTE) strategy is fabricating porous scaffolds using simple and straightforward techniques. However, all porous structures share a common drawback, reduced strength due to porosity. Furthermore, bone scaffolds are vulnerable to bacterial infections when implanted, especially in compromised bone conditions. In this study, baghdadite (BAGH) scaffolds were developed and coated with gelatin (Gel)-reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-azithromycin (AZM) with suitable porosity (75–80%) and pore size (600–800 μm) using the space holder method, combined with a dip coating process in a low vacuum condition. The outcomes revealed that incorporating the Gel-RGO layer increased the compressive strength from 0.8 to 2.9 MPa for the Gel-RGO-AZM scaffolds. The scaffolds coated with Gel-RGO-AZM demonstrated improved bioactivity compared to their uncoated counterparts, showcasing the ability to generate hydroxyapatite (HA)-like crystals after a 28-day soaking period in simulated body fluid (SBF). In vitro studies validated the antimicrobial effectiveness of co-released RGO and AZM from Gel-RGO-AZM coated scaffolds against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. Moreover, the coated scaffolds exhibited significantly improved cellular responses. In conclusion, the research results show that the developed BAGH scaffolds coated with Gel-RGO-AZM are promising materials for BTE, offering enhanced compressive strength, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance.

Fungal Phytase Increased Ileal and Total Tract Digestibility of Phosphorus of Cold-Pressed Canola Cake and Canola Meal Diets in Growing Pigs

The co-product canola meal contains little fat and has been used in swine production as a protein source for several decades. More recently, locally produced canola cake has also become available that contains important quantities of residual oil. Both canola co-products contain a considerable quantity of phosphorus (P) with low availability. Phytase supplementation can increase P digestibility in canola meal but its efficacy remains unclear for canola cake containing high residual oil. To explore whether phytase supplementation can increase digestibility of P and other nutrients in canola cake, four diets containing 500 g of locally produced cold-pressed canola cake or canola meal, with or without supplemental phytase (Ronozyme HiPhos; Aspergillus oryzae origin)/kg, were fed to seven pigs (initial body weight; 55.9 ± 3.8 kg) in four 9-day periods following a 4 × 4 Latin square plus a 4 × 3 Youden square. Phytase supplementation increased phytase activity from below the detection limit to reach a minimum of 1000 phytase units/kg in the canola meal and cake diets; respectively. Phytase supplementation increased (p < 0.05) coefficients of ileal and total tract digestibility of P by 60% and 46% for canola meal and 76% and 57% for canola cake, respectively, but did not affect the digestibility of crude protein or gross energy. Ileal or total tract digestibility of P did not differ between the canola cake and canola meal diets in growing-finishing pigs. In conclusion, fungal phytase is effective in increasing the P digestibility of canola cake similar to in canola meal fed to growing-finishing pigs. The similar ileal or total tract digestibility of P in canola meal and cake diets either with or without phytase supplementation indicated that the residual oil in canola cake did not affect P digestion and did not affect the efficacy of phytase in increasing P digestibility.

Shelf Life and Organoleptic Attributes of Multifruit Smoothies Treated by Combined Mild Preservation Technologies

The application of high hydrostatic pressure and mild heat treatment represents preservation processes for extending the shelf life of food products without compromising their quality. The combination of these physical methods at lower applied levels represents a promising approach to preserving the quality of treated products. This study aims to investigate the impact of combined treatments on the quality and storage stability of strawberry, banana, almond milk and avocado smoothies. The total colony count, electronic nose and tongue signals, colour, viscosity and sensory properties were examined over a 14-day storage period at 6 °C. The combined treatments were found to be effective in reducing the total colony count. During the sensory analysis, the impact of storage was the most prominent factor. Both the treatments and storage conditions significantly affected the colour characteristics of the samples. The smoothie samples exhibited pseudoplastic flow behaviour. Both applied treatments resulted in enhanced texture stability of the samples during the storage period. The electronic tongue and nose could differentiate between groups of fresh and stored samples, as well as between control and treated samples.

Real-Time Visualization of the Gastrointestinal Tract during Nasogastric Tube Placement: Pilot study of a New Video-Assisted System

Background and aims: Nasogastric tubes are commonly inserted blindly, leading to complications. Existing NG tube placement assisting systems faced safety and cost-effectiveness issues. This study aims to evaluate a new assisting system using a camera probe inserted into the nasogastric tube to provide real-time visualization. Patients and methods: Thirty patients requiring nasogastric tube placement were prospectively included. The primary objective was to determine the success rate of nasogastric tube placement, while the secondary objectives included the assessment of the usability and safety of this system. Results: Our findings revealed a high success rate of 96.7%. The median time to complete nasogastric tube placement was 3.8 min. No serious complications were observed during the 7-day follow-up period. Operator’s feedback indicated this system helps facilitate nasogastric tube placement, identify the gastric mucosa and safety landmark, and ease of camera wire removal. However, image visibility received a slightly lower score due to gastrointestinal secretions entering the nasogastric tube through the side hole. To address this, air insufflation was used to enhance visibility in 13 patients. Conclusions: This video-assisted system provides real-time visualization of the gastrointestinal tract during tube insertion and has been shown to enhance the safety and effectiveness of nasogastric tube placement.

Effects of benzoic acid in pig diets on nitrogen utilization, urinary pH, slurry pH, and odorous compounds.

The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary benzoic acid (BA) on nitrogen (N) balance, urinary pH, slurry pH, and odorous compounds in feces and slurry of pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 56.2±2.6 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates. The animals were allocated to a replicated 6×4 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 6 experimental diets, and 4 periods, resulting in 8 observations per treatment. The basal diet consisted mainly of corn, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal. Benzoic acid was supplemented to the basal diet at 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, or 2.5% at the expense of corn starch. Each period consisted of a 4-day adaptation period and a 24-h collection period for slurry, followed by a 4-day collection period for feces and urine. On day 5, feces and urine were collected for 24 h and mixed to obtain slurry samples. The daily digested N linearly increased (p<0.05) with increasing BA supplementation. Supplemental BA lowered urinary pH (p<0.001) and slurry pH (p<0.05) in a linear and quadratic manner. In the fecal samples, the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and skatole linearly decreased (p<0.05) with supplemental BA. In the slurry samples, the concentrations of butyrate, isovalerate, and skatole linearly decreased (p<0.05) by supplemental BA. In conclusion, supplemental benzoic acid has the potential to improve nitrogen digestion in a dose-dependent manner for pigs. Additionally, dietary benzoic acid lowers urinary pH, slurry pH, and concentrations of odorous compounds in pig feces and slurry.

Optimization of hydrogen production using a coculture of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and activated sludge bacteria

The production of biophotolytic hydrogen (H2) relies on the effective management of oxygen (O2) levels. Coculturing bacteria with microalgae helps mitigate the excess O2 produced by algal cells. After depleting O2, the bacteria activate the enzyme hydrogenase in microalgae, leading to H2 production. In this study, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was cocultured with indigenous bacteria from activated sludge at varying algae-to-bacteria ratios (1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5, and 1:3 v/v), with an illumination intensity of 2.8 mmol/m2/s (31 × 103 lux). The 1:1.5 v/v ratio yielded the highest H2 volume (1162 mL/L) and the highest O2 concentration (153.2 mL/L) over a 6-day period. Production of all gaseous components ceased for all ratios as the pH dropped below 4 due to acetate accumulation, and the concentration of acetate reached approximately 1 g/L by the end of each experiment. Gas composition analysis after the first day of coculture revealed that H2, CO2, N2, and O2 constituted 25%–46%, 20%–40%, 5%–30%, and 1%–10% of the total gas volume, respectively. Glucose (10 g/L) was introduced as an external carbon source for all cultures. After 6 days, the coculture maintained a high total organic carbon (TOC) level of 3.1 g/L, whereas the initial TOC ranged between 3.9 and 4.3 g/L. The findings illustrated a significant correlation between H2 production, acetate accumulation levels, and O2 consumption. The algae–activated sludge coculture method substantially enhanced H2 production compared with previously published methods employing only one or two types of bacterial cultures, underscoring its potential for more efficient biophotolytic H2 production.

Bacillus subtilis supplementation enhances the growth performance, immune indicators, and stability of the intestinal flora of Cherax quadricarinatus

The addition of Bacillus subtilis to the diet can enhance the natural defenses of aquatic creatures and improve their ability to combat diseases. We conducted a study to assess the effects of different concentrations (1.5×106 CFU/g, 1.5×107 CFU/g, and 1.5×108 CFU/g) of B. subtilis on the growth, development, immune response, and gut microbiota of Cherax quadricarinatus over a 45-day period. The highest final weight and growth rate were observed in the group that received 1.5×106 CFU/g of B. subtilis. Furthermore, enzyme activities—including α-amylase, trypsin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)—were higher in the groups supplemented with B. subtilis compared to those in the control group. Analysis of the gut microbiome through metagenomic sequencing showed consistent levels of α-Proteobacteria but varying levels of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Aeromonas was inhibited during the early stages of culture, leading to enhanced resistance to infection in crayfish that received B. subtilis supplementation. Subsequent infection tests with Aeromonas versonii revealed significantly higher enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and SOD) in the experimental groups. The expression of antilipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) and SOD was also notably higher in the experimental groups. Overall, supplementing with B. subtilis showed beneficial effects on the immune response and gut microbiota composition in red claw crayfish.

Detection of levamisole and its metabolites in horses after oral levamisole administration over seven days.

Levamisole is a regulated substance sometimes administered to racehorses to treat equine protozoal myelitis. Metabolites include compound II, aminorex, and pemoline. Aminorex and pemoline are Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority-banned substances. Previous studies have examined single doses of the drug. This study examined the disposition of levamisole after 7 days of dosing. 6 healthy Thoroughbred geldings. Horses were treated with 500 mg (approx 0.91 to 1 mg/kg) of compounded levamisole hydrochloride paste PO every 12 hours for a total of 13 doses over 7 days. Serum and urine samples were analyzed for levamisole and its metabolites over a 28-day period. The terminal half-life of levamisole in serum was variable between horses. Following the last dose of levamisole on day 7, serum levamisole levels took 3 to 14 days (days 10 to 21) to fall below the limit of detection (LOD) in 5 of 6 horses. Serum from 1 horse remained over LOD on the last testing day (day 28). In urine, following the final dose (day 7), levamisole was below LOD on day 13 (6 days after final dose) and aminorex was below LOD on day 10 (3 days after final dose). Compound II was above LOD in 4 of 5 horses sampled on the last sampling day (day 28). Levamisole and its metabolites can be detected for variable lengths of time in horses, with detection lasting for days to weeks following multiple doses. This study supports the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Advisory on levamisole, which suggests that clearance sample testing should be conducted on treated horses to verify elimination of levamisole and its metabolites.

Bioconversion of sulfamethazine-contaminated chicken manure by black soldier fly larvae: Effects on antibiotic resistance genes and microbial communities.

Sulfamethazine (SM2), a widely detected antibiotic in livestock manure, poses environmental and health risks due to its persistence and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, we investigated the degradation of SM2 and the elimination of sulfonamide ARGs (sul1 and sul2) in chicken manure contaminated with varying concentration of SM2 by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were employed to monitor changes in sulfa ARGs and microbial community composition within both the larvae gut and chicken manure. During the 12-day test period, BSFL exhibited strong tolerance to SM2, significantly reducing SM2 concentrations by 80.54%-92.22% across different treatment groups. Concurrently, the abundance of sul1 and sul2 decreased by 79.27% and 79.92% in chicken manure, respectively. Additionally, microbial genera such as Firmicutes (47.18-65%) and Bacillus (9.32-10.25%), which were enriched in both the BSFL gut and chicken manure, were identified as potential contributors to SM2 degradation. These findings provide a promising biotechnological strategy for mitigating antibiotic contamination in livestock manure.

Size-dependent dynamics and tissue-specific distribution of nano-plastics in Danio rerio: Accumulation and depuration

Nano-plastics (NPs), defined as particles smaller than 1µm, have emerged as a significant environmental contaminant due to their potential ecological impacts. This study explores the size-dependent dynamics and tissue-specific distribution of polystyrene nano-plastics (PS-NPs) in Danio rerio exposed to PS-NPs at an environmentally relevant concentration of 1μg/mL for 28 days, followed by a 17-day depuration period. PS-NPs of 20, 100, 200, and 500nm were assessed in the intestine, liver, gills, muscle, and brain using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Smaller PS-NPs (20nm) showed the highest accumulation in the intestine, followed by the liver, and gills, due to their greater surface area and cellular penetration. In contrast, larger PS-NPs (500nm) exhibited lower accumulation and clearance rates, especially in the brain, suggesting restricted passage through biological barriers. The intestine consistently had the highest concentrations in both accumulation and depuration, while the brain maintained the lowest across all nanoparticle sizes. During depuration, smaller particles cleared more quickly, whereas larger particles persisted. This study highlights the tissue-specific distribution and retention patterns of PS-NPs in D. rerio, providing insights into nanoparticle behavior in aquatic organisms and the need for long-term size-specific environmental risk assessments.

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles release combined with systemic DOX exhibits synergistic effects in 3D bioprinted triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, lacking targeted therapeutic options. Hydrogels, particularly gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), have emerged as promising materials for localized drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and tunable properties. This study investigates a dual-delivery system for enhancing the treatment efficacy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using a combination of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Citrus limon L. and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). We fabricated 3D bioprinted GelMA scaffolds to achieve localized and controlled release of EVs and evaluated their synergistic effects with systemic DOX delivery on both primary and metastatic 3D TNBC models.The GelMA scaffolds, especially those with 95 % methacrylation, exhibited higher stiffness, which enhanced their sustained release. Following 48-h incubation, the combination of EVs and DOX significantly increased cytotoxicity in the primary 3D TNBC model, reducing cell viability to approximately 30 % compared to controls. This was notably more effective than treatments with DOX or EVs alone. During the extended 7-day incubation period, the combination treatment continued to show superior efficacy, with persistently high levels of ROS generation and further reduction in cell viability. In a metastatic 3D TNBC model, a significant sensitivity to the combined treatment was observed, which notably inhibited aggregate formation and migration. Importantly, EVs-embedded scaffolds promoted the proliferation of human fibroblasts, highlighting their non-toxic nature, while concurrently inhibiting TNBC cell growth. This approach provides a promising strategy to improve the treatment outcomes of TNBC by exploiting the synergistic effects of local EVs release and systemic chemotherapy.

Optimizing λ-cyhalothrin for the effective control of Alphitobius diaperinus: Temperature and food effect revealed

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus, presents substantial challenges as a secondary pest in global stored-product management, especially within the poultry industry. This study examines the effectiveness of λ-cyhalothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, against A. diaperinus larvae and adults under various abiotic and biotic conditions. Bioassays were conducted at both half-label and label doses across different post-exposure temperatures ranging from 20 to 35 °C. The results demonstrate that λ-cyhalothrin exhibits temperature-dependent efficacy within a 7-day exposure period, with higher temperatures resulting in increased mortality rates for both tested life stages. For larvae, mortalities ranged 81.1 (20 °C)–94.4% (35 °C) (half-label dose in the absence of food), 90.0 (20 °C)–100.0% (35 °C) (label dose in the absence of food), 72.2 (20 °C)–85.6% (35 °C) (half-label in the presence of food), 88.9 (20 °C)–100.0% (35 °C) (label dose in the presence of food) 7 days post-exposure. For adults, mortalities ranged 35.6 (20 °C)–74.4% (35 °C) (half-label dose in the absence of food), 43.3 (20 °C)–97.8% (35 °C) (label dose in the absence of food), 24.4 (20 °C)–65.6% (35 °C) (half-label in the presence of food), 38.9 (20 °C)–94.4% (35 °C) (label dose in the presence of food) after 7 days of exposure. Additionally, the significance of food substrate presence in absorbing and providing a barrier against insecticidal toxicity is highlighted, as it negatively impacted mortality rates. Overall, these findings elucidate the complex interactions among temperature, dosage, and environmental factors that optimize λ-cyhalothrin administration efficiently managing A. diaperinus.

Effects of aging methods combined with enzyme treatments on the quality parameters of beef striploins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of different enzyme (papain, bromelain and fungal protease) treatments and aging methods (dry and wet aging) on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters, lipid oxidation, sarcomere length, colour, shear force and sensory attributes of beef striploins during 28-day aging period. For this purpose, Longissimus lumborum muscles (n=24, 12 carcasses) at 24h postmortem were subjected to dry (2±1°C, 75% relative humidity and 2 m/s air-flow) and wet (vacuum-packaged, 2±1°C) aging methods after enzyme treatments. The microbial growth (P < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (P < 0.001) in wet-aged beef were lower than dry-aged beef, and a decrease in those treated with fungal protease was observed (P < 0.05), while an increase in sarcomere length and water holding capacity, and a decrease in cooking losses were provided with dry aging (P < 0.001). Dry aging combined with papain enzyme enhanced and accelerated meat tenderization in a reduced aging time (P < 0.001), whereas an improvement in flavour and aroma was achieved with bromelain and fungal protease treatments. Surface colour of dry and wet-aged beef showed significant differences during aging period (P < 0.05), while lower b*, h* values and metmyoglobin content were recorded in enzyme-treated striploins. Consequently, combined usage of aging methods with enzyme treatments can be prefered as an effective application to improve the tenderness and palatability of beef with accelerated aging period, and provides an opportunity for meat industry to supply value adding beef in a shorter time.

Nutrition Care Process in Pediatric Patients with Burn Injury Post Debridement Day 7

The condition of burn injury can cause disturbances in the body's metabolism, which can ultimately affect the patient's nutritional status. Therefore, in its management, it requires standard nutritional care processes to improve the condition and meet the nutritional needs of the patient. Nurition Care Process was carried out through four stages: assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and regular monitoring and evaluation. This study aimed to implement nutrition care process (NCP) for burn injury patient during the 3-day intervention period. Case study carried on July 2020 to hospitalized patients of Saiful Anwar Hospital. Observations were implemented for 3 consecutive days. Observations included of 4 steps of NCP, Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring and Evaluation. After the NCP was carried out, the patient’s condition improves, accompanied by an incrase in food intake

The Effectiveness of the Low-Glycemic and Insulinemic (LOGI) Regimen in Maintaining the Benefits of the VLCKD in Fibromyalgia Patients

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder that causes damage to the neuro-muscular system and alterations in the intestinal microbiota and affects the psychological state of the patient. In our previous study, we showed that 22 women patients subjected to a specific very low-carbohydrate ketogenic therapy (VLCKD) showed an improvement in clinical scores as well as neurotransmission-related and psychological dysfunctions and intestinal dysbiosis. Furthermore, NMR metabolomic data showed that changes induced by VLCKD treatment were evident in all metabolic pathways related to fibromyalgia biomarkers. Methods: Based on this evidence, we extend our investigation into dietary interventions for fibromyalgia by evaluating the impact of transitioning from a VLCKD to a low-glycemic insulinemic (LOGI) diet over an additional 45-day period. Therefore, participants initially following a VLCKD were transitioned to the LOGI diet after 45 days to determine whether the improvements in FM symptoms and metabolic dysfunctions achieved through VLCKD could be sustained with LOGI. Results: Our findings suggested that while VLCKD serves as an effective initial intervention for correcting metabolic imbalances and alleviating FM symptoms, transitioning to a LOGI diet offers a practical and sustainable dietary strategy. This transition preserves clinical improvements and supports long-term adherence and quality of life, underscoring the importance of adaptable nutritional therapies in chronic disease management. Control patients who adhered only to the LOGI diet for 90 days showed only modest improvement in clinical and psychological conditions, but not elimination of fibromyalgia symptoms. Conclusions: In conclusion the LOGI diet is an excellent alternative to maintain the results obtained from the regime VLCKD.

Theta and gamma modulation in the nucleus accumbens as drivers of neurophysiological responses to acute methamphetamine sensitization in mice.

Methamphetamine (METH) has well-documented long-term effects on the brain, including increased psychomotor activity and behavioral sensitization. However, its immediate effects on the brain's reward system following acute exposure, which may contribute to the development of addiction, are less understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute METH on brain oscillations in the nucleus accumbens of C57BL/6 mice. Mice in the METH group received 5mg/kg of METH for 5 days during the conditioning phase, followed by an 8-day abstinence period. Afterward, they underwent a 6-minute tail suspension test and were given a 1mg/kg METH challenge. Local field potential (LFP) data were analyzed for percent total power, mean frequency indices, and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) to assess the neural effects of METH exposure across these phases. A reduction in theta power was observed across the conditioning, abstinence, and challenge phases of METH exposure. The subsequent METH challenge enhanced gamma oscillations, and PAC analysis revealed a consistent theta-gamma coupling index during both the METH administration and challenge phases. It highlights the sensitivity of the reward system to intense, short-term drug exposure, providing new insights into how acute neural stimulation may contribute to the development of addictive behaviors, reinforcing the brain's vulnerability to drug-induced changes in neural circuitry.