Effects Of Short-term Treatment Research Articles

Short-Term Psychological Interventions on Economically Disadvantaged Families: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose:To examine the effects of short-term psychological interventions on reducing family stress of economically disadvantaged families.Method:Systematic review and meta-analytic procedures were used to synthesize the results of randomized controlled studies published between 1980 and 2018.Results:The search yielded 8 studies that included results for 1,538 families in total. The risk of bias varied across studies. The meta-analysis results suggest a small positive effect ( g = .38, p < .001) on child behavioral problems. Heterogeneity was relatively high and significant. We also found small to moderate effects on parenting stress, parental depression, and parenting quality ( g ranging from .30 to .51).Discussion:The findings of this review suggest that short-term psychological interventions may reduce the family stress of economically disadvantaged families, with effect sizes that are comparable to those of interventions delivered to ordinary families. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Abstract 781: Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Novel GATA4-Targeted Compounds

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anticancer drug which, unfortunately, induces dose-related cardiotoxicity. A deep understanding of DOX’s toxicity is still unclear, partly because most in vitro studies have evaluated the effects of short-term high-dose DOX treatments. Thus, a more precise model of DOX cardiotoxicity is needed to more accurately simulate clinical scenario. The first aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model of long-term low-dose administration of DOX utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The second aim was to investigate if novel GATA4-targeted compounds can protect CMs from DOX toxicity. Acute toxicity was studied in both primary neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVCs) and hiPSC-CMs. The cells were exposed to 0.1-3 μM DOX for 48 h, after which the lactate dehydrogenase and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were carried out. To study long-term toxicity, hiPSC-CMs were exposed to 100 nM DOX for up to 14 days. MTT assay and high-content analysis were carried out after 4, 7 and 14-day exposures. The effect of the test compound was studied by exposing the cells simultaneously to DOX and the compound. A 48-hour exposure to DOX at 1 and 3 μM concentrations induced more than 62% reductions in both NRVC and hiPSC-CM viability, whereas a 14-day exposure to 100 nM DOX induced a 26% reduction in hiPSC-CM viability. A 4-day exposure to 100 nM DOX induced a 3.1-fold increase in the percentage of cells positive for pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) compared to control. When the cells were exposed simultaneously to 100 nM DOX and the test compound (10 μM), the percentage of proBNP+ cells increased only 1.4-fold compared to control. However, over 14-day exposure the compound at 10 μM concentration reduced hiPSC-CM viability 50% compared to control. A long-term exposure of hiPSC-CMs can be utilized as an in vitro model to investigate the mechanisms of delayed DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The GATA4-targeted test compound exhibited cardioprotective potential against subacute DOX toxicity. Over chronic exposure the compound was, however, toxic to CMs, indicating that further structural optimization is required to develop non-toxic derivatives.

Systemic inflammation and the effects of short-term antibiotic treatment for PPM positive patients with stable COPD.

ObjectiveTo evaluate patients with stable COPD for the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM), systemic inflammation and the effects of short-term antibiotic therapy in PPM positive patients.MethodsFrom January 2016 to June 2017, we enrolled 96 stable COPD patients. Bacterial cultures from sputum collections were quantitated, along with markers for systemic inflammation including serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and plasma fibrinogen (FIB) in all patients. All enrolled patients were followed for 12 months. Forty patients were identified as PPM positive and were randomly divided into an antibiotic group and a control group. The antibiotic group was treated with moxifloxacin orally for 6 days. Lung function and markers for systemic inflammation were repeatedly measured at 30 days and 6 months in PPM positive subjects.ResultsBinary logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for PPM positive are bronchiectasis (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.20–14.59; P=0.025), COPD assessment test (CAT) ≥20 (OR 17.55, 95% CI 2.82–109.18; P=0.002), spontaneous sputum (OR 15.09, 95% CI 1.36–168.02; P=0.027) and sputum purulence (OR 38.43, 95% CI 5.39–274.21; P=0.000). CRP and IL-8 were higher in PPM positive group than those in PPM negative group (P=0.001, P=0.007, respectively), but there were no differences of FIB between the two groups (P=0.086). Compared to the PPM negative group, the rate of acute exacerbation of COPD was higher (P=0.029) and time to next acute exacerbation was shorter (P=0.030) in PPM positive group. There were no differences in lung function and systemic inflammatory markers either in the control group or the antibiotic group at different time points of follow-up.ConclusionPPM exists in stable COPD patients and can cause systemic inflammation and is associated with acute exacerbation of COPD. Short-term antibiotic therapy had no effect on systemic inflammation nor on acute exacerbation of COPD.China Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR-IOR-15006769

Efficacy of short-term intensive treatment with insulin pump to improve islet β-cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes via inhibition of oxidative stress.

The present study (Chinese Trial Registry GTB7027) assessed the effects of short-term intensive treatment with insulin pump on islet cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and the possible mechanism. A total of 100 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hospitalized between January 2016 and December 2017 were divided into a control and an experimental group (n=50 in each group). The subjects of the control group were administered multiple insulin injections for intensive treatment, while the experimental group received short-term intensive treatment with an insulin pump. Analysis of blood parameters, including lipids and glucose, as well as islet β-cell function were performed. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the patients was also measured. Oxidative stress indicators, including serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were also examined to explore the possible mechanism. The mRNA expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in PBMCs were analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results indicated that the blood lipid levels were significantly improved in the two groups at two weeks, while the experimental group had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, as well as low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The function of islet β-cells was significantly improved in the two groups. The insulin secretion index [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of β-cell function] in the experimental group was higher, while the insulin resistance (IR) index (HOMA of IR) was significantly lower than that in the control group. The serum MDA level in the experimental group was significantly lower and the SOD level was significantly higher compared with that in the control group. Following treatment, the level of ROS in diabetic PBMCs was significantly reduced, and the transcription level of HO-1 and Nrf2 were also significantly reduced (P<0.05). These results demonstrated that short-term intensive treatment with an insulin pump significantly improved lipid and blood glucose metabolism to protect islet function as well as significantly reducing the level of oxidative stress in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Mixed-effects models for slope-based endpoints in clinical trials of chronic kidney disease.

In March of 2018, the National Kidney Foundation, in collaboration with the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, sponsored a workshop in which surrogate endpoints other than currently established event-time endpoints for clinical trials in chronic kidney disease (CKD) were presented and discussed. One such endpoint is a slope-based parameter describing the rate of decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time. There are a number of challenges that can complicate such slope-based analyses in CKD trials. These include the possibility of an early but short-term acute treatment effect on the slope, both within-subject and between-subject heteroscedasticity, and informative censoring resulting from patient dropout due to death or onset of end-stage kidney disease. To address these issues, we first consider a class of mixed-effects models for eGFR that are linear in the parameters describing the mean eGFR trajectory but which are intrinsically nonlinear when a power-of-mean variance structure is used to model within-subject heteroscedasticity. We then combine the model for eGFR with a model for time to dropout to form a class of shared parameter models which, under the right specification of shared random effects, can minimize bias due to informative censoring. The models and methods of analysis are described and illustrated using data from two CKD studies one of which was one of 56 studies made available to the workshop analytical team. Lastly, methodology and accompanying software for prospectively determining sample size/power estimates are presented.

L-Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine can be cytoprotective or cytotoxic in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes: a double-edged sword phenomenon

l-Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) is a widely used food supplement. GPC has been shown to exert beneficial effects in several organs; however, the cardiac effects of GPC have yet to be investigated. The aim of the present study was therefore to map out the effects of GPC on cardiac myocytes, with or without ischemia–reperfusion insult. Neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were treated with GPC at 1, 10, 80, and 100 µM concentrations for 15 min, 3 h, or 24 h, respectively. Cell viability by calcein assay and the degree of oxidative stress by DHE (superoxide level) and H2DCF (total ROS accumulation) staining were measured. In separate experiments, cardiomyocytes were pre-treated with the optimal concentration of GPC for 3 h and then cells were exposed to 4 h of simulated ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion (SI/R). Cell viability was measured at the end of the SI/R protocol. In normoxic conditions, the 15-min and the 3-h GPC treatment did not affect cell viability, total ROS, and superoxide levels. Under SI/R conditions, the 3-h GPC treatment protected the cardiac myocytes from SI/R-induced cell death and did not alter the level of oxidative stress. The 24-h GPC treatment in normoxic conditions resulted in significant cell death and increased oxidative stress at each concentration. Here we provide the first evidence for the cytoprotective effect of short-term GPC treatment. However, long-term administration of GPC may exert cytotoxicity in a wide concentration range in cardiac myocytes. These results may draw attention to a comprehensive cardiac safety protocol for the testing of GPC.

Abstract 4769: Gene expression profiling of response to short- and long-term treatment of LSZ102 in MCF7 cells

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and the second most common cause of cancer death in woman in the US. Close to 80% of breast cancer are estrogen receptor (ER) positive and can benefit from antiestrogen treatment. LSZ102 is a novel oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) in clinical development, which exhibits potent activity in inducing ER degradation, modulating ER-target genes transcription and inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells both in-vitro and in-vivo. In this study, we have investigated the effects of short term and prolonged LSZ102 treatment on global gene expression in ER positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were treated with LSZ102 for 24 hours, 8 weeks and 14 weeks, followed by transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing. Our findings show LSZ102 effectively inhibited ER transcriptional activity and lead to a sustained suppression of estrogen responsive genes expression in LSZ102-treated cells of all time points. We also observed a cumulative up-regulation of EPAS1, a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor. In addition, we found up-regulation of EGFR and ERBB2 genes and regulated genes in cells with prolonged treatment of LSZ102. In summary, our results suggest a possible role of EPAS1 in eliciting a compensatory growth promoting signals in breast cancer cells adapted to ER inhibition. Citation Format: Choi Lai Tiong Yip, Joshua Korn, David Ruddy, Daniel Rakiec, Darrin Stuart, Alex Gaither. Gene expression profiling of response to short- and long-term treatment of LSZ102 in MCF7 cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4769.

Research priorities for young people with cancer: a UK priority setting partnership with the James Lind Alliance

ObjectivesTo conduct a UK-wide survey of young people who have experienced cancer, carers and professionals, to identify and prioritise research questions to inform decisions of research funders and support the...

Effects of short-term prednisolone treatment on indices of lipolysis and lipase signaling in abdominal adipose tissue in healthy humans

BackgroundGlucocorticoid (GC) excess increases lipolysis, circulating free fatty acid concentrations and lipid oxidation rates in humans. In vitro and animal studies have shown that GCs increase adipocyte ATGL and HSL mRNA contents and HSL phosphorylations, but the effects of GC on in vivo lipase signaling in humans are uncertain. Our study was designed to test how GC administration affects ATGL and HSL related signals in human adipose tissue. Material and methodsNine healthy young men underwent 5 days administration of 37.5 mg prednisolone/d in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover design. At the end of each 5 d period the subjects were studied after an overnight fast for 6.5 h including a basal period and a 2½ h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Adipose tissue biopsies were sampled from the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue at the end of the basal period and the clamp. ResultsGC treatment increased serum FFA concentrations and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) mRNA - an ATGL activator - and decreased G0/G1 switch 2 gene (G0S2) mRNA - an ATGL inhibitor - in adipose tissue biopsies. In addition, pro-lipolytic ser563 HSL phosphorylations and protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation of PLIN1 (Perilipin-1) increased. The transcripts of ANGPTL4 (Angiopoietin-like 4) mRNA - a regulator of circulating triglycerides - were elevated by GC; as were CIDE (Cell-death Inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like Effector)-A and CIDE-C mRNA transcripts indicative of concurrent stimulation of lipolysis and lipogenesis. Finally GCs reduced insulin receptor phosphorylation, and Akt protein levels. ConclusionsHigh dose GC administration to humans leads to pro-lipolytic alterations of CGI-58, G0S2 and ANGPTL4 mRNA transcripts, increases PKA signaling to lipolysis and inhibits the insulin signal in adipose tissue. The increased CIDE-A and CIDE-C mRNA levels suggest concomitant stimulation of lipolysis and lipid storage.

Explorative Prospective Evaluation of Short-Term Subjective Effects of Hormonal Treatment in Trans People—Results from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence

IntroductionAlthough many studies on the short- and long-term effects of hormonal treatment (HT) in trans people focus on objective changes such as body composition or bone density, few studies have evaluated self-reported effects of HT. AimTo evaluate self-reported symptoms during the first year of HT in trans people. MethodsThis study is part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence, a multicenter prospective cohort study. For this study, 205 trans women and 193 trans men from the gender clinics of Amsterdam, Ghent, and Florence, who were >18 years of age and started hormonal treatment were included. Questionnaires, self-developed based on the Menopause Rating scale and clinical experiences, were completed, and changes in symptom scores were analyzed using linear mixed models. Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported psycho vegetative symptoms, as well as physical, cognitive, emotional, sexual and genital complaints, and pain were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months of HT using a 4-point Likert scale (no, mild, moderate, or severe complaints). ResultsIn trans men, with a median age of 23, transient increases were reported in night sweats, weight gain, and clitoral pain. Persistent increases were reported for hot flashes, balding, voice instability, acne, and increase in sexual desire, whereas emotional instability, fear, and menses decreased. For trans women, with a median age of 29, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, weight gain, changes in olfactory sense, brittle nails, emotional instability, mood swings, and breast tenderness increased persistently during 12 months of HT, whereas a decrease was observed for balding and sexual desire. Sleeping difficulties decreased temporarily. No changes were observed in palpitations, dizziness, abdominal complaints, anxiety, panic attacks, cognition, and pain, except for clitoral and breast pain. Clinical ImplicationsKnowledge on the occurrence of these self-reported, subjective effects and their course over time may help physicians informing trans people starting with and during HT. Strengths & LimitationsThis study was performed in a large cohort of trans people. The follow-up period was limited to 12 months. ConclusionChanges in self-reported symptoms were mentioned in all investigated areas, except cognition. Most symptoms were as expected and even desired, whereas others may be considered unpleasant by some trans people.van Dijk D, Dekker MJHJ, Conemans EB, et al. Explorative Prospective Evaluation of Short-Term Subjective Effects of Hormonal Treatment in Trans People—Results from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence. J Sex Med 2019;16:1297–1309.

Effect of fenofibrate on serum nitric oxide levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonist, is used to treat patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in order to reduce the risk of development of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, it exerts pleiotropic effects beyond correcting atherogenic dyslipidemia to treat hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of fenofibrate on endothelial function by analyzing the serum nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Lipid profiles and serum NO levels were assessed in 56 healthy adults aged 29 to 84 years, before and after 12 weeks of fenofibrate (250 mg/d; n = 30) or placebo (n = 26). Appropriate dietary suggestions for hypertriglyceridemia were made for all patients. This study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled in design. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride levels significantly decreased; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and NO levels significantly increased after 12 weeks of fenofibrate therapy. We observed a statistically significant correlation between the increase in serum NO levels and decrease in serum triglyceride levels (r = -0.42, p = 0.02) in the fenofibrate group. The positive effect of short-term fenofibrate treatments on vascular endothelial functions in patients with hypertriglyceridemia has been demonstrated by increasing the serum NO levels. Agents such as fenofibrate targeting PPARα-associated signaling pathways show promise as an alternative treatment of vascular dysfunction related to advanced age and hyperlipidemia.

Assessment of the effects of Kinesiotaping on musical motor performance in musicians suffering from focal hand dystonia: a pilot study

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the immediate and short-term effects of a Correction Kinesiotaping intervention on fine motor control in musicians with focal hand dystonia. Design: A single-blinded, single-arm repeated measures, pilot study. Setting: Medical outpatient clinic. Subjects: Seven musicians diagnosed with focal hand dystonia. Interventions: Musicians performed musical exercises under the following conditions: without Kinesiotape (baseline), during a Correction Kinesiotaping intervention and immediately after tape removal (block 1) and during a Sham Kinesiotaping intervention and immediately after tape removal (block 2). Blocks were randomly presented across participants. A tailored Correction Kinesiotaping intervention on affected fingers was provided based on the dystonic pattern that each patient manifested while playing. Main measures: Motor performance was video-documented and independent experts blindly assessed the general performance and fingers’ posture on visual analogue scales. Also, musicians’ self-reports of the musical abilities were evaluated. Finally, electromyographic activity and coactivation index of wrist antagonist muscles were analyzed. Results: No significant differences in effects between Correction Kinesiotaping and Sham Kinesiotaping were reported by the experts, either for general performance (P > 0.05) or for fingers’ posture (P > 0.05); any subtle benefits observed during Correction Kinesiotaping were lost after the tape was removed. Musicians estimated that Correction Kinesiotaping was ineffective in improving their musical abilities. Also, no significant changes with respect to the coactivation index (P > 0.05) were found among the conditions. Conclusion: Correction Kinesiotaping intervention may not be useful to reduce dystonic patterns, nor to improve playing ability, in musicians with focal hand dystonia.

Effectiveness Of Short-term Yoga Interventions For Stress Of College Students: A Meta-analysis

Effectiveness of Short-Term Yoga Interventions for Stress of College Students: A Meta-analysis Liwen Ju, Weimo Zhu (FACSM), Hai Yan, Zhenglun Wang PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of yoga interventions for the stress management of college students using a meta-analysis. METHODS: Key words, such as “yoga,” “stress,” “college students”, etc. were searched in a number of databases such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Webscience and Google through Dec., 2018. Only randomized controlled trials of yoga based stress interventions for college student were included for the meta-analysis. Risk of bias the studies were independently assessed by two of the authors using the Risk of Bias Tool by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Effectiveness of Yoga intervention was determined by computing standardized mean differences (SMD), in which the difference in the means of pre- and post-test difference between groups was divided by the pooled standard deviations. RESULTS: 12 studies (Total college students = 763, Male% =16.64, Intervention length = 8.79±3.96 wk.) were included in the final analysis. Main outcomes included self-reported anxiety, depression, stress, as well as objective measures of heart rate and blood pressure. The yoga interventions were found effective in reducing anxiety, depression, stress and heart rate:Due to the paucity and heterogeneity of the researches, the long-term effects could not be examined. CONCLUSION: Short-term yoga intervention has been found effective in helping the stress management of college students. Studies with longer intervention, with a comparison with other exercise mode, are needed Key Words: stress, yoga, college students, meta-analysis, review

1777-P: Acute Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Treatment Increases Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity and Muscle Reactive Oxygen Species in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance of liver and skeletal muscle, which is at least partly due to impaired muscle mitochondrial function. Long-term HBO therapy, as applied for treating the diabetic foot syndrome, has been shown to improve blood glucose concentrations. To study the underlying mechanisms, we examined the short-term effect of HBO treatment on insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial oxidative capacity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Volunteers with type 2 diabetes (n=4; age 61±4 years; body mass index 30.2±2.2 kg/m2; HbA1c 7.0±0.7%) underwent two 2-hours sessions in a hyperbaric chamber of once with application of 100% oxygen (1.4 bar over atmospheric pressure [barO] for 20 min; HBO) and once with ambient air as placebo (21% oxygen; 1.4 barO; PLC). Tissue-specific insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with stable isotope dilution, while muscle oxygen fluxes were measured with high resolution respirometry. After HBO treatment, hepatic insulin sensitivity was higher (insulin-mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production: 69.7±0.1% vs. PLC 55.3±3.2%, p&amp;lt;0.05), whereas peripheral insulin sensitivity was comparable (2.0±0.3 vs. 2.2±0.3 mg*kg-1*min-1, p=0.24). Muscle ROS production markedly increased after HBO (increase in ROS: 73±3% vs. PLC -14±5%; p&amp;lt;0.005), while mitochondrial oxidative capacity only tended to be lower after HBO. In conclusion, a single session of HBO treatment already improves hepatic insulin resistance and stimulates muscle ROS release, which may activate antioxidative defense, both of which could contribute to improved glycaemia upon chronic treatment. Disclosure T. Sarabhai: None. E. Anadol-Schmitz: None. H. Katsuyama: None. D.F. Markgraf: Research Support; Self; Sanofi. L. Busch: None. R. Guthoff: None. J. Schneppendahl: None. M. Roden: Advisory Panel; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Poxel SA, Servier. Board Member; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc.

Therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus fire needle versus acupuncture alone in lateral epicondylitis

Background:The aim of this study was to compare the short-term and intermediate-term efficacy of acupuncture plus fire needle therapy with that of acupuncture alone in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE).Methods:Thirty-eight patients with LE who had persisted for at least 2 months were enrolled in this prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial. Twenty-one patients were randomized to the acupuncture plus fire needle group and 17 to the acupuncture-only group. The primary outcome was the visual analog scale pain score for the previous 24 hours and the secondary outcomes were the maximum grip strength, Patient-rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire score, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-form Health Survey score. The values at baseline (pretreatment), at the end of treatment, and at 3 months after treatment were used to assess the short-term and intermediate-term effects of treatment. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and t test.Results:Within-group analyses showed better results for acupuncture plus fire needle therapy in the short term and intermediate term. Differences in the severity of pain and secondary outcomes were significant in the intermediate term in the acupuncture group. At the end of treatment, none of the differences in outcome scores were significant, except for maximum grip strength in the affected hand in the acupuncture group. No significant between-group differences in short-term or intermediate-term outcomes were observed.Conclusion:Acupuncture plus fire needle therapy was effective in the short term in patients seeking improvement of LE. Twelve treatments were effective for relieving pain and improving disability in the intermediate term in patients with chronic LE in both study groups. The findings of the pilot study confirm the feasibility of proceeding to a larger randomized controlled study of the longer-term effects of acupuncture plus fire needle therapy in patients with LE.

Short-Term Treatment Effects of a Substance Use Disorder Therapy Involving Traditional Amazonian Medicine

ABSTRACTChronic illness management today commonly involves alternative medicines. Substance use disorder (SUD), as a chronic psychosomatic illness, might benefit from a similar approach. The accredited Takiwasi Center offers such an SUD treatment program involving Amazonian medicine combined with psychotherapy. The current study assessed this integrative program‘s short-term therapeutic effects. We measured baseline data from 53 dependence-diagnosed males admitted to treatment (T1) and repeated clinical outcome variables at treatment completion (T2). Paired samples t-tests were used to assess changes between T1 and T2 (n = 36). Nearly all participants (age M= 30.86, SD= 8.17) were dependent on multiple substances, most prominently cannabis, alcohol, and cocaine-related drugs. A significant decrease (T1 to T2) was found for addiction severity outcomes drug use (p < .001), alcohol use (p < .001), psychiatric status (p < .001), and social/familial relationships (p < .001). Emotional distress also diminished significantly (p < .001), as did substance craving (p < .001). Quality of life increased significantly from T1 to T2 (p < .001). Our results provide first indications for significantly improved SUD symptoms after the Amazonian medicine-based treatment. These findings are preliminary given the design, but strongly encourage further investigation of this therapy, which in the long term may open new therapeutic avenues for SUDs.

Melatonin improves the efficiency of super-ovulation and timed artificial insemination in sheep.

It has been well proved that melatonin participates in the regulation of the seasonal reproduction of ewes. However, the effects of short term treatment of melatonin on ewe’s ovulation are still to be clarified. In this study, the effects of melatonin on the number of embryos harvested from superovulation, and the pregnant rate in recipients after embryo transferred have been investigated. Hu sheep with synchronous estrus treatment were given melatonin subcutaneously injection (0, 5, and 10 mg/ewe, respectively). It was found that the estrogen level in the group of 5 mg melatonin was significantly higher than that of other two groups at the time of sperm insemination (p < 0.05). The pregnant rate and number of lambs in the group of 5 mg melatonin treatment was also significantly higher than that of the rests of the groups (P < 0.05). In another study, 31 Suffolk ewes as donors and 103 small-tailed han sheep ewes as recipients were used to produce pronuclear embryo and embryo transfer. Melatonin (5 mg) was given to the donors during estrus. The results showed that, the number of pronuclear embryos and the pregnancy rate were also significantly higher in melatonin group than that in the control group. In addition, 28 donors and 44 recipient ewes were used to produce morula/blastocyst and embryo transferring. Melatonin (5 mg) was given during estrus. The total number of embryos harvested (7.40 ± 1.25/ewe vs. 3.96 ± 0.73/ewe, P < 0.05) and the pregnant rate (72.3 ± 4.6% vs. 54.7 ± 4.0%, P < 0.05) and number of lambs were also increased in melatonin group compared to the control group. Collectively, the results have suggested that melatonin treatment 36 hours after CIDR withdrawal could promote the number and quality of embryos in vivo condition and increased the pregnant rate and number of lambs.

Effects of early postnatal MK-801 treatment on behavioral properties in rats: Differences according to treatment schedule

It has been proposed that animals administered early postnatal NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate receptor antagonists represent a model of schizophrenia; however, drug treatment schedules remain quite different among these animal studies. In this study, we compared the behavioral effects of long-term (14-day) and short-term (5-day) early postnatal treatment of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine; 5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine). In addition, different drug treatment periods were applied to the short-term treatment study in order to determine the critical developmental period of drug effects. For experiment 1, rats were treated with MK-801 (0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg, twice daily) during postnatal days (PNDs) 7–20. For experiment 2, MK-801 (0.2 mg/kg, twice daily) was administered during the periods of PNDs 7–11, 12–16, and 17–21. In adulthood, several behavioral tests, including prepulse inhibition, open-field, and spontaneous alternation tests, were performed in experiments 1 and 2. The delayed nonmatching-to-position task was also conducted in experiment 2 on separate rats treated for 5 days in the same manner. Our results indicated that the 14-day MK-801 treatment inhibited the prepulse inhibition and decreased immobility in the forced-swim test, whereas the 5-day MK-801 treatment induced only slight behavioral effects. Collectively, our findings suggest that long-term early postnatal treatment with an NMDA receptor antagonist may be detrimental to some behavioral functions, such as sensorimotor gating and stress coping; however, treatment for longer periods is needed to elicit detrimental effects.

Early short-term ivabradine treatment in new-onset acute systolic heart failure and sinus tachycardia patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a common complication of inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) and usually coexists with tachycardia. Ivabradine, a direct sinus node inhibitor, which was proven to have favorable effects in patients with chronic HF (CHF), has not been sufficiently evaluated in AHF patients regarding its efficacy and safety. The present study sought to explore the effectiveness of early short-term ivabradine treatment in new-onset AHF and concurrent sinus tachycardia in patients with IRD. A total of 12 consecutive patients with IRD, who had new-onset AHF and concurrent sinus tachycardia, were prescribed ivabradine and were retrospectively recruited. Standard medication therapy for AHF was also administered. The heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), biomarkers of HF and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification score were compared prior to and after ivabradine treatment. After 48 h of treatment with ivabradine, the mean resting HR decreased from 118.0±13.8 to 83.3±7.3 bpm (P<0.001). Transthoracic echocardiography indicated a significant improvement in the LVEF on an average of 2 weeks after ivabradine prescription when compared with the baseline evaluation (51.2±8.4 vs. 38.0±9.0%; P<0.001). In addition, ivabradine treatment resulted in significantly decreased N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (4,900±3,672 vs. 16,806±16,130 pg/ml; P=0.045) and improvement of the NYHA classification score (2.3±0.6 vs. 3.5±0.5; P<0.001) at 2 weeks when compared with the baseline. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that early use of ivabradine is safe in IRD patients with new-onset AHF and enhances the sinus rate reduction, which may improve heart function.

Measuring Emotional Response to a Planting Activity for Staff at an Urban Office Setting: A Pilot Study

Background: Interaction with occupation-centered activities, such as gardening, is associated with improved mental health. With limited evidence supporting the effects of short-term nature-based interventions on employees’ emotional states, the purpose of this research was to understand the impact of a one-time, short-term nature-based intervention on the emotional state of employees at an urban office building.