COM Group Research Articles

Evaluation of dietary oleoresins on the enhancement of skin coloration and growth in the marine ornamental clown fish, Amphiprion ocellaris (Cuvier, 1830)

A 60-day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary oleoresin inclusion on skin colour intensity, carotenoid content, growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of a high value marine ornamental clown fish, A. ocellaris. Experimental diets were formulated with natural oleoresin pigments namely, paprika, turmeric and chlorophyll, with dietary inclusion at the rate of 20 gkg−1 in the diets. Experimental units were set in triplicates with six numbers of fish in each tank and maintained in filtered sea water of 20‰ salinity in a recirculatory system. Clown fish with average initial weight of 150.6 ± 0.10 mg and initial length of 8 mm were fed five different diets viz., control/ basal diet (C), diets with inclusion at the rate of 20 gkg−1 each of paprika (PAP), turmeric (TUR) and chlorophyll (CHL) oleoresins and combination of oleoresins (COM) at the rate of 20 gkg−1. Skin colour intensity in terms of red and yellow hues and total carotenoid levels differed significantly (P < .05) and highest intensity was recorded in fishes fed the PAP, followed by the COM group. Fish fed with the diet containing COM showed significantly higher final body weight, specific growth rate, weight gain % and feed efficiency as compared to other treatments and was followed by the PAP group. The whole body carotenoid content was highest in COM and PAP groups. There were no significant differences (P > .05) with respect to feed efficiency, digestive enzyme activities, viscero somatic index, visceral length index, condition factor and whole body proximate composition among different treatments. These results suggested that the dietary pigments have a direct influence on the skin pigmentation in A. ocellaris without adverse effects on digestive functions and body condition. Colour imparted in fish skin due to paprika oleoresin was found to be superior.

Quantitative assessment of cochlear and vestibular ganglion neurons in temporal bones with chronic otitis media.

In this study, we aimed to determine whether or not COM leads to loss of spiral and Scarpa ganglion neurons. From the human temporal bone (HTB) collection at the University of Minnesota we selected human temporal bones with COM, defined as the presence of clinically intractable tissue abnormalities in the middle ear (cholesteatoma, perforation of the eardrum, granulation tissue, fibrosis, tympanosclerosis, and cholesterol granuloma). We also selected HTBs from donors with no ear diseases as controls. We quantitatively analyzed the number of spiral and Scarpa ganglion cells and compared the results obtained in the control and study groups. In both COM and control groups we observed a significant negative correlation between age and number of both spiral (R = -0.632; P < 0.001; 95% CI - 0.766 to - 0.434) and Scarpa ganglion (R = - 0.404; P = 0.008; 95% CI - 0.636 to - 0.051) cells. We did not find any significant differences in the number of spiral ganglion cells (in total or per segment) or in the density of Scarpa ganglion cells (in each vestibular nerve or both) in the COM group as compared with controls (P > 0.05). Our results did not demonstrate significant loss of cochlear or vestibular peripheral ganglion neuron loss in HTBs with COM as compared with controls.

Combination therapy of heparin-bonded covered stent and bare-nitinol stent assessed by intravascular ultrasound.

To examine clinical outcomes for combination therapy of heparin-bonded covered stent [VIABAHN™ stent (VIA)] and bare-nitinol stent (BNS), and to determine independent predictors of restenosis after VIA implantation assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). A retrospective analysis was conducted on VIA use in the femoropopliteal artery of 71 patients (81 lesions) treated between June 2012 and November 2018. We divided the treated lesions into two groups; that is, whether BNS was added at the proximal site of the VIA or not (combination of VIA and BNS group [COM; n = 21] vs. VIA group [n = 60]). The median follow-up duration was 21.6months (interquartile range, 13.2-28.8months). Restenosis at 2 years was observed in 5 lesions (33%) in COM group and 17 lesions (38%) in VIA group (log-rank, P = 0.74). In VIA group, 14 lesions developed restenosis within 12months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of VIA group revealed that the proximal plaque burden was an independent predictor of restenosis within 12months after VIA implantation (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.30, P = 0.01), with the optimal cutoff value of 43% (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve 0.79, sensitivity 91%, specificity 69%). A remaining plaque of > 43% at the proximal reference segment was an independent predictor of restenosis after VIA implantation. When residual stenosis is observed at the proximal site of SFA after VIA implantation, combination therapy of VIA and BNS would be an optimal management.

Regulatory effects of curcumin on spleen apoptosis in overtraining rats and its mechanism

To study the mechanisms of curcumin alleviating oxidative stress and spleen apoptosis induced by overtraining in rats by regulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway. Male Wistar rats of 7 weeks old were divided into control group (C group, 12), overtraining group (OM group, 11), curcumin + overtraining group (COM group, 14). The C Group did not undergo any exercise intervention. The OM and COM group underwent 8-week incremental load swimming training. During the training, rats in the COM group were treated with curcumin at the dose of 200 mg/(kg·d) in the volume of 5 ml/kg by gavage, and rats in the other groups were given an equal volume of solvent, 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Twenty-four hours after the last training, the spleen index was calculated by weighing, the pathological changes of the spleen were observed by light microscopy, and the biochemical indicators of blood and spleen were detected. The spleen structure of C group was normal under light microscope; the spleen index of OM group was significantly lower than that of C group (P＜0.01) and pathological changes were obvious; the spleen index of COM group was significantly higher than that of OM group (P＜0.05) and histomorphological changes were relieved. Compared with C group, in OM group, serum corticosterone (Cor) level, spleen apoptosis level, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in spleen were increased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the body weight, serum testosterone (T), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the expressions of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) in spleen were decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the expression of Nrf2 was not changed significantly (P＞ 0.05). Compared with OM group, in COM group, there were no significant changes in body weight (P＞0.05), serum T level, SOD activity, the expressions of Bcl-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 in spleen were increased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); serum Cor level, spleen apoptosis level, MDA concentration and the expression of Bax were decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The change trend of T/Cor ratio between groups was consistent with the change of testosterone, and the change trend of Bcl-2/Bax ratio was consistent with the change of Bcl-2. The 8-week incremental load excessive swimming training aggravated spleen apoptosis, led to pathological changes and dysfunction of spleen. Curcumin can up-regulate expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, alleviate oxidative stress induced by overtraining, enhance Bcl-2 expression and attenuate Bax expression, thereby inhibiting excessive spleen apoptosis of rats, protecting the structure and function of spleen.

Tenofovir and telbivudine combination therapy rapidly decreases viral loads in immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B patients awaiting assisted reproduction: an open-label, randomized, controlled study.

Immune-tolerant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients awaiting assisted reproduction (AR) are required to initiate antiviral therapy because of laboratory safety concerns. The antiviral therapy in this group has not been well assessed. We sought to explore the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy (COM) of tenofovir (TDF) and telbivudine (LdT). In this open-label, randomized, controlled study, we enrolled and randomized hepatitis B virus e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients awaiting AR into the study COM group and the control (TDF) group. The COM group received combination therapy of TDF and LdT, and the TDF group received a single treatment of TDF. The patients were followed up for at least 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with undetectable HBV DNA level at week 12. A total of 121 patients were recruited into the COM group (n=60) and the TDF group (n=61). The percentages of patients with undetectable HBV DNA levels were 90.0% (54/60) in the COM group and 67.2% (41/61) (P=0.002) in the TDF group at week 12; the percentages were 96.6% (58/60) in the COM group and 85.2% (52/61) in the TDF group at week 48 (P=0.028), respectively. HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 5/60 (8.3%) patients in the COM group and 2/61 (3.3%) patients in the TDF group at week 48 (P=0.233). TDF and LdT combination therapy shows a rapid antivirological response in immune-tolerant CHB patients awaiting AR, which provide an alternative for this group at AR centers. However, the HBeAg seroconversion rate is unsatisfactory in the short term.

Treatment effect of cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia combined with usual medication

While the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been established with well-controlled studies, its effectiveness in typical clinical practice remains to be determined. We examined the effect of CBT-I combined with usual medication on night-time sleep, daytime functioning, and the discontinuation of hypnotic drugs. The study recruited 103 patients with insomnia, who were divided into three groups: CBT-I only (CBT-I, N = 30), CBT-I combined with usual medication (COM, N = 48), and usual medication only (TAU, N = 25). A six-session CBT-I program was delivered in the CBT and COM groups, and patients in the COM and TAU groups continued to take the medication prescribed by their physicians. All groups showed significant improvements in the Insomnia Severity Inventory. The CBT-I and COM groups showed significant improvements on two subscales (vitality and physical role functioning) of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey. There was no significant improvement in the daytime functioning of the TAU group. Moreover, significantly more participants in the COM group discontinued their use of hypnotics. CBT-I in addition to regular medication is an effective treatment option in clinical settings. It can improve not only night-time sleep, but also daytime functioning. Furthermore, it can be helpful in facilitating the discontinuation of medication. Our results support the utility of CBT-I in clinical settings, and it can be integrated into the patients’ usual treatment protocol.

Momentary assessment of everyday physical pain in outpatients with borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with dysregulation in multiple domains of functioning. Physical health, and specifically pain, is one such domain that has gone understudied. Although evidence suggests that BPD is associated with chronic pain, few studies have examined nonchronic pain in the disorder. The current study used ambulatory assessment to examine momentary physical pain in everyday life in BPD outpatients (N = 26) and community comparisons (COM; N = 26) not in treatment for chronic pain (Nobservations = 5,458). We predicted and observed that BPD outpatients would report greater pain intensity and greater pain variability than COM comparisons. We also examined the relationship of pain and emotion dysregulation, a core feature of BPD, by testing the association between pain and negative affect concurrently and lagged over time. We predicted that momentary pain and negative affect would be associated in both groups, but that pain would predict negative affect more strongly in the BPD group. As predicted, concurrent pain and negative affect were associated in both groups, and groups differed significantly in terms of the association of lagged pain and next-assessment negative affect, with a negative association in the COM group. The current study represents a preliminary first step, finding that pain is relevant to the everyday experience of BPD individuals. This pain propensity may contribute to the elevated prevalence of BPD in chronic pain samples. Further, BPD individuals demonstrated emotional reactivity to pain, suggesting that pain may be a contributor to emotion dysregulation in this disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychophysiological and performance-related responses of a potentiation activity in swimmers of different competitive levels

Athletes' competitive level has an effect on several psychophysiological parameters during the execution of sports-related tasks. This study analyzed the acute effect of a potentiation activity (PAP), composed by 5 loaded box jumps, on specific psychological, physiological and performance-related parameters in 22 trained (COM) and untrained (UNT) adult male swimmers. A control condition was also evaluated. Measurements included the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory, rate of perceived exertion, lower limbs muscle oxygenation, exercise heart rate, vertical jumping ability, 3 different split times and total time-trial performance during an all-out 50-m swim test executed using the breaststroke technique. In addition, total swim strokes and the optimal individual response after the potentiation activity were measured. No significant differences among the two testing conditions were found for all psychological, physiological and performance-related parameters (p > .05) with the exception of total performance time in the UNT group after the PAP condition (41.5 ± 5.3 vs. 41.9 ± 5.5 s; p = .023; ES = 0.6). As expected, the COM group showed enhanced swimming performance during all split times and total time, compared to the UNT group. These results suggest that (i) independently of the training level, psychological responses during sports-related tasks are probably not evident under non-competitive situations and, (ii) competitive level athletes may need more challenging activation stimulus, compared to their less competitive counterparts, to induce the desirable adaptations on the subsequent main activity.

The clinical correlates of comorbid anxiety symptoms and syndromal anxiety in patients with major depressive disorder

This study explored the magnitude and clinical correlates of anxiety in three groups of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD): those with comorbid anxiety disorders (the COM group), those with subthreshold core anxiety disorder symptoms that are the screening items for anxiety disorders on the MINI (the SUB group), and those with neither anxiety disorders nor subthreshold core anxiety disorder symptoms (the NON group). Anxiety symptomatology of 1052 patients from 8 psychiatric settings in mainland China, who met DSM-IV TR criteria for MDD, was assessed using the MINI. The presence of core anxiety symptoms was determined by patient endorsement of any screening item of panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder. The prevalences of comorbid subthreshold core anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders were 13% and 28.7%, respectively. The SUB and COM cases showed similar patterns of clinical presentation. Both were more likely than the NON cases to be characterized by younger age, concurrent dysthymia and OCD, suicidal ideation and attempted suicides. These findings highlight the importance of assessing both anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in the presence of MDD, and suggest the need for novel assessments capable of addressing different levels of anxiety in depressed patients.

Regulatory effect of curcumin on renal apoptosis and its mechanism in overtraining rats

To study the effects and mechanisms of curcumin alleviating oxidative stress induced by overtraining and inhibiting renal apoptosis in rats. Male Wistar rats of 7 weeks old were divided into control group (C group, 12), overtraining group (OM group, 11), curcumin + overtraining group (COM group, 14). Group C did not undergo any exercise intervention. Rats in OM group and COM group underwent 8-week incremental load swimming training. During the training, the COM group was treated with curcumin at the dose of 200 mg/(kg·d) in the volume as 5 ml/kg by intragastric administration, and the other groups was treated with an equal volume of 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose. Twenty-four hours after the last training, renal histopathological changes were observed by light microscopy, related biochemical indicators in blood and renal tissue were detected. The results showed that after 8 weeks of incremental load swimming training, the renal tissue structure of group C was normal under light microscope; histopathological changes were observed in OM group; COM group was significantly relieved compared with OM group. Compared with group C, serum levels of corticosterone (Cor), creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in OM group were increased (P<0.01), serum level of testosterone (T) was lower (P<0.01); the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was not changed significantly (P>0.05), while the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was decreased (P<0.05), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were decreased (P<0.01), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was increased (P<0.01); the renal apoptosis was increased (P<0.01), the expression of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the OM group, Cor level was decreased (P<0.01) in the COM group, T level was increased (P<0.01), Cr and BUN levels were lower (P<0.05); the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased (P<0.05), T-AOC and SOD activity were increased (P<0.01), MDA concentration was decreased (P<0.05); the renal apoptosis was decreased (P<0.05), the expression of Bcl-2 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Bax was decreased (P<0.01). The trend of testosterone/corticosterone ratio between groups was consistent with testosterone change, and the change trend of Bcl-2/Bax ratio was consistent with the change of Bcl-2. The 8-week incremental load swimming training triggered excessive training in rats, aggravated oxidative stress and accelerated renal apoptosis, leading to pathological changes and dysfunction of kidney. Curcumin can up-regulate expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, effectively alleviates oxidative stress induced by overtraining, thereby increasing Bcl-2 expression, decreasing Bax expression, inhibiting renal apoptosis and protecting renal tissue structure and function properly.

Physically Active Lessons Improve Lesson Activity and On-Task Behavior: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of the "Virtual Traveller" Intervention.

Physically active lessons have not often been assessed with randomized controlled trials. Evaluate the effects of the "Virtual Traveller" (VT) intervention delivered using classroom interactive whiteboards on physical activity, on-task behavior, and student engagement. Participants were 219 children aged 8 to 9 years from 10 schools in Greater London, assessed in a cluster-randomized controlled trial between March 2015 and May 2016. For 6 weeks, intervention children received 10-minute VT sessions three times a week during math and English lessons (VT group: n = 113). Children in control schools received regular teaching (COM group: n = 106). Outcomes were school-day, weekend-day, and lesson-time sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and on-task behavior and student engagement, assessed at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1), and 4 weeks (T2) during the VT intervention and 1 week (T3) and 3 months (T4) postintervention using multilevel modeling. VT pupils engaged in significantly more school-day MVPA at T1 only, with no other significant differences between groups in overall school-day or weekend-day activity. VT pupils engaged in significantly less SB and more MVPA during lesson time than COM pupils. More on-task behavior was shown in VT pupils than COM pupils but there was no difference in student engagement. VT reduced sedentary behavior and increased physical activity during lesson time but not across overall school or weekend days. VT improved on-task behavior but had no effect on student engagement. Physical activity can be integrated into teaching using interactive whiteboards with no detriment to educational outcomes.

Growth performance, body composition, and digestive functionality of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858) juveniles fed diets including microalgae freeze-dried biomass.

Senegalese sole is one of the most promising fish species cultivated in the Southern European countries. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of microalgae biomass added to diets for Senegalese sole juveniles on fish growing and condition status. Three isoproteic (52%) and isolipidic (10%) were formulated containing 15% Tisochrysis lutea (TISO), Nannochloropsis gaditana (NAN), or Scenedesmus almeriensis (SCE) biomass, respectively. An experimental microalgae-free diet (CT) and a commercial diet (COM) were used as controls. Fish were fed at 3% of their body weight for 85days. Final body weight of fish fed microalgae-supplemented diets did not differ from group fed CT diet. Fish-fed CT, TISO, NAN, and SCE showed higher growth performance and nutrient utilization figures than specimen-fed COM diet. The highest carcass lipid content was found in COM group (141gkg-1), and no differences were observed in body protein content. Ash was significantly higher in TISO, NAN, and SCE groups compared to fish-fed CT. Muscle EPA and DHA contents were not modified owing to the different dietary treatments. The n3/n6 and EPA/DHA ratios in muscle were similar in all the experimental groups. The quantification of digestive proteolytic activities did not differ among experimental groups, although differences in the protease pattern in digestive extracts by zymography were revealed in those fish fed on COM diet. Both α-amylase activity in the intestinal lumen and leucine aminopeptidase in the intestinal tissue were significantly lower in COM fish. Specimens fed on SCE diet showed a higher leucine aminopeptidase activity associated to the intestinal tissue compared to NAN-fed fish (0.40 and 0.25Ugtissue-1, respectively). The ultrastructural study revealed that the dietary inclusion of algal biomass, especially T. lutea and N. gaditana, had a positive impact on the absorptive capacity of the intestinal mucosa. The highest values for the parameters microvilli length and microvilli absorption surface were observed in fish fed on NAN diet (1.99μm and 45.93μm2, respectively). Even though further studies aimed at optimizing commercial formulas for Senegalese sole are required prior to any large-scale practical utilization, the results obtained clearly suggest the potential of microalgae as dietary ingredients for this fish species.

The effect of a physical activity intervention on preschoolers’ fundamental motor skills — A cluster RCT

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of a physical activity intervention delivered in the childcare centres (CC), with or without a parent-driven home physical activity component, on children’s fundamental motor skills (FMS). DesignSix-month 3-arm cluster randomized controlled trial. MethodsPreschoolers were recruited from 18 licensed CC. CC were randomly assigned to a typical curriculum comparison group (COM), childcare intervention alone (CC), or childcare intervention with parental component (CC+HOME). FMS was measured with the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Linear mixed models were performed at the level of the individual while accounting for clustering. ResultsRaw locomotor skills score increased significantly in the CC group (mean difference=2.5 units, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI, 1.0–4.1, p<0.001) and the CC+HOME group (mean difference=2.4 units, 95% CI, 0.8–4.0, p<0.001) compared to the COM group. No significant (p>0.05) between group differences were observed in the raw object control skills, sum of raw scores, or gross motor quotient. No significant sex differences were found in any of the measured outcomes. ConclusionsA physical activity intervention delivered in childcare with or without parents’ involvement was effective in increasing locomotor skills in preschoolers.

The benefits of a low dose complex carbohydrate/citrulline electrolyte solution for preoperative carbohydrate loading: Focus on glycemic variability

BackgroundPerioperative insulin resistance is associated with significant hyperglycemia-related morbidity in patients undergoing major surgery. We sought to assess the effect of preoperative loading with a low-dose maltodextrin/citrulline solution compared to a commercially available sports drink on glycemic levels in an established colorectal enhanced recovery program. MethodsRetrospective analysis was undertaken of elective non-diabetic colectomies and enterectomies from January 2016–March 2017. Cohorts included simple (SIM) and complex carbohydrate (COM) groups. Statistical analysis was performed with linear and logarithmic regression. Results83 patients were included (42 SIM, 41 COM). SIM group was older (61.7 vs 52.7 p = 0.012) Glycemic variability was less in the COM group (7.6% vs 21.4% P = 0.034). The frequency of hyperglycemia, postoperative complications, and length of stay trended higher in the SIM group. ConclusionsThis retrospective analysis identifies significant improvement in the perioperative glycemic variability with preoperative low dose complex carbohydrate loading compared to simple carbohydrate loading in colorectal surgery patients.

Integrative versus Conventional Therapy of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion and Adenoid Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and adenoid hypertrophy (AH) are common entities in the pediatric population. The conventional treatment approach (conventional medicine; COM) involved mainly surgery after a period of close observation. In this study, we aimed to introduce an integrative, non-invasive approach (integrative medicine; IM) for COME, AH, and associated episodes of recurrent acute otitis media, and compared outcomes with conventional treatment. Methods: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized study in an integrative primary care pediatric practice and a conventional pediatric otolaryngological clinic, where treatment modality was determined by patient preference. Out of a total 101 patients aged 1-8 years, integrative therapy was chosen by 46, and conventional treatment by 55. All patients had COME and AH diagnosed by an otolaryngologist and had moderate to severe hearing impairment. COM treatment was based on close observation over time, nasal decongestants and surgical intervention. In contrast, the IM involved a complex personalized approach with non-invasive interventions, non-allopathic medications, diet and patient education. Results: The number of surgical interventions (adenoidectomy, pressure-equalization tube insertion, myringotomy) was significantly less in the IM cohort (1 of 28 vs. 15 of 35 in the COM group, p < 0.001). The frequency of antibiotic use was significantly less in the IM group (p < 0.001). The frequency of analgesic use was also significantly less in the IM group (p = 0.029). Improvement in tympanometric measures (normal A-type curve) was higher in IM patients compared to expected spontaneous remission during the observation period. Improvement in audiometric measures (intact hearing) of IM patients was also higher than expected compared to spontaneous remission during the observation period. Conclusion: Compared to conventional treatment, integrative treatment of patients with COME and AH showed significantly lower invasive surgical intervention rates and significantly decreased antibiotic and analgesic use. The integrative treatment was effective, safe and well tolerated.

Difference of Type 3 secretion system (T3SS) effector gene genotypes (exoU and exoS) and its implication to antibiotics resistances in isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from chronic otitis media.

Type 3 secretion system (T3SS) is the most important virulence factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Of the various T3SS effector genes, exoS and exoU showed mutually exclusive distributions, and these two genes showed varied virulence. In many pseudomonal infections, the distribution of these genes showed different pattern and it influenced severity of infection. This study was aimed to evaluate differences of virulence factors and antibiotics resistance between chronic otitis media and other body infection caused by P. aeruginosa. To estimate the prevalence of effector genes of T3SS, especially the distributions of exoS and exoU genes and their association with antibiotic resistance in COM, we compared the prevalence of T3SS genes in isolates from COM with those from lower respiratory infection and bacteremia. Other virulence genes, including groEL, pilA, ndvB, lasB, rhlI, and apr, were also studied to evaluate prevalence. These isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility, and we examined the association between antibiotic susceptibility and the prevalence of T3SS effector genes. The COM group showed a significantly higher exoU-positive rate than the control group (70.6% vs. 6.7%; P<0.01). Furthermore, COM patients with exoU showed significant antibiotic resistance to ciprofloxacin and tobramycin (P=0.035), whereas there was no significant difference in the control group. The high incidence of exoU-positive P. aeruginosa and ciprofloxacin resistance can explain the chronicity and intractability of infection in COM. Elucidation of this pathogenicity will facilitate the development of new treatment options for COM patients.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of the antidiabetic potentials of S-allyl-cysteine (Garlic) and mangiferin (Mango) in type 2 diabetic rat models

Background: Diabetes mellitus is now one of the largest emerging pandemics of our time. Of the different types of diabetes mellitus, type 2 accounts for 90% of diabetic cases in humans worldwide. Insulin resistance followed by abnormal secretion of insulin from the pancreatic β-cells underlies the symptomatology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Most investigations have assessed the hypoglycaemic potentials of s-allyl-cysteine and mangiferin by focusing on the biochemical and or pathophysiological changes. The histological and immunohistochemical changes have on the other hand received less attention. Aim: To evaluate the anti-diabetic potentials of s-allyl-cysteine (SAC), mangiferin (MAN) and a composite mixture of both (COM) in equal volume ratio (1:1) in type 2 diabetic Wistar rat models. Objective: This was achieved by evaluating the secretion of insulin in the pancreatic islets of diabetic and non-diabetic rats using immunohistochemistry techniques. Methodology: Eighteen (18) apparently healthy male albino Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were grouped into 6 groups designated as non-diabetic control (NDC), diabetic control (DC), SAC, MAN, COM and glibenclamide (GLC). Insulin resistance was induced by first feeding the rats with a high-fat diet for a period of 10 weeks followed by a low dose of streptozotocin injection to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therapeutic interventions was by the administration of 50 mg/kg body weight of SAC solution, 40 mg/kg body weight of MAN solution, equal volume ratio of both (SAC:MAN) and 5 mg/kg body weight of GLC. Results: Therapeutic interventions with the bioactive compounds significantly improved the glucose tolerance ability by ameliorating the hyperglycaemic condition in the diabetic rats which was significant at P < 0.05. Similarly, immunohistochemistry evaluation of the islet β-cells showed an increase in insulin secretion suggesting an improvement in glycaemic control and an eventual commitment of glucose to glycolysis. Conclusion: The amelioration of the type 2 diabetic mellitus by the bioactive compound therapies was due to the bioactive-mediated anti-hyperglycaemic and insulin release potentials. These potentials were observed to be more pronounced in the SAC group, followed by MAN group, then GLC group and lastly by COM group.

Investigating distinct and common abnormalities of resting-state functional connectivity in depression, anxiety, and their comorbid states

Depression and anxiety disorders are highly comorbid and share neurobiological characteristics. However, this is usually not explicitly addressed in studies on intrinsic brain functioning in these disorders. Contrary to previous resting-state reports on small, monodiagnostic subsets of the current sample, we investigated resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in medication-free patients with depression, anxiety, comorbid depression and anxiety, and a healthy control group. RSFC was investigated in 140 medication-free subjects: 37 major depressive disorder patients (MDD), 30 patients with one or more anxiety disorders (ANX), 25 patients with MDD and one or more anxiety disorders (COM), and 48 healthy controls (HC). RSFC networks were calculated using a probabilistic independent component analysis. Using a dual regression approach, individuals׳ timecourses were extracted and regressed to obtain subjects-specific spatial maps, which were used for group comparisons in four networks of interest (limbic, default mode, salience and sensory–motor networks). When compared to HC, the COM group showed increased RSFC of the limbic network with a cluster containing the bilateral precuneus, intracalcarine cortex, lingual gyrus, and posterior cingulate, and with a cluster including the right precentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus. This effect was specific for comorbid depression and anxiety. No abnormal RSFC of other networks or in the MDD and ANX groups was observed. No association was found between strength of RSFC and symptom severity. These results indicate that altered RSFC of cortical regions with a limbic network could be specific for comorbid depression and anxiety.

An energy-reduced dietary pattern, including moderate protein and increased nonfat dairy intake combined with walking promotes beneficial body composition and metabolic changes in women with excess adiposity: a randomized comparative trial.

Moderate protein and nonfat dairy intake within an energy-reduced diet (ERD) may contribute to health benefits achieved with body weight (BW) loss. The current study examined the effectiveness of a weight-loss/weight-loss maintenance intervention using an ERD with moderate dietary protein (30% of kcals) and increased nonfat dairy intake (4–5 svg/d), including yogurt (INT group) and daily walking compared to an ERD with standard protein (16–17% of kcals) and standard nonfat dairy intake (3 svg/d) (COM group) with daily walking. A randomized comparative trial with 104 healthy premenopausal women with overweight/obesity was conducted in a university setting. Women were randomized to INT group or COM group. Anthropometric measurements, as well as dietary intake, selected vital signs, resting energy expenditure, blood lipids, glucose, insulin, and selected adipose-derived hormones were measured at baseline, and weeks 2, 12, and 24. Targets for dietary protein and nonfat dairy intake, while initially achieved, were not sustained in the INT group. There were no significant effects of diet group on anthropometric measurements. Women in the INT group and COM group, respectively, reduced BW (−4.9 ± 3.2 and −4.3 ± 3.3 kg, P < 0.001) and fat mass (−3.0 ± 2.2 and −2.3 ± 2.3 kg, P < 0.001) during the 12-week weight-loss phase and maintained these losses at 24 weeks. Both groups experienced significant decreases in body mass index, fat-free soft tissue mass, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumferences and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and leptin (all P < 0.001). Healthy premenopausal women with excess adiposity effectively lost BW and fat mass and improved some metabolic risk factors following an ERD with approximately 20% protein and 3 svg/d of nonfat dairy intake.

Effect of intracoronary anisodamine and diltiazem administration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of intracoronary anisodamine and diltiazem administration performed before stenting on the immediate angiographic and clinical outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). STEMI patients during primary PCI were randomized to two bolus injections of intracoronary anisodamine (1 mg/5 ml) and diltiazem (2 mg/5 ml) (COM group, n=54) or saline (5 ml) and diltiazem (2 mg/5 ml) (diltiazem group, n=54) before stenting. The primary endpoint was the incidence of no/slow reflow [thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade≤2] immediately after stenting. TIMI myocardial perfusion grade and corrected TIMI frame count were assessed. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The percent of TIMI flow grade 3 was found to be higher in the COM group than in the diltiazem group (92.6 vs. 75.9%, P=0.032). The percent of TIMI myocardial perfusion grade 3 was 46.3% in the diltiazem group and improved in the COM group (68.5%, P=0.032). Corrected TIMI frame count was significantly lower in the COM group than in the diltiazem group (P<0.0001). The COM group showed low incidences of bradyarrhythmia and rapid arrhythmia (7.4 vs. 24.1% and 3.7 vs. 18.5%, respectively, P=0.032, P=0.029). In addition, there were no significant differences in the secondary outcome measures. Intracoronary anisodamine and diltiazem administration before stenting improved the angiographic results and prevented reperfusion arrhythmia in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI.