Randomized Control Experiment Research Articles

The Golden Spice for Life: Turmeric with the Pharmacological Benefits of Curcuminoids Components, Including Curcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, and Demethoxycurcumins.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, is a perennial rhizomatous plant of tropical and subtropical regions. The three major chemical components responsible for the biological activities of turmeric are curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. The literature search included review articles, analytical studies, randomized control experiments, and observations, which have been gathered from various sources, such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. A review of the literature was carried out using the keywords: turmeric, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Iranian medicine, traditional Indian medicine, curcumin, curcuminoids, pharmaceutical benefits, turmerone, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. The main components of the rhizome of the leaf are α-turmerone, β-turmerone, and arturmerone. The notable health benefits of turmeric are antioxidant activity, gastrointestinal effects, anticancer effects, cardiovascular and antidiabetic effects, antimicrobial activity, photoprotector activity, hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects, and appropriate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory and edematic disorders. Curcuminoids are phenolic compounds usually used as pigment spices with many health benefits, such as antiviral, antitumour, anti-HIV, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, anticancer, and antifungal effects. Curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and demethoxycurcumin are the major active and stable bioactive constituents of curcuminoids. Curcumin, which is a hydroponic polyphenol, and the main coloring agent in the rhizomes of turmeric, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anticarcinogenic activities, as well as beneficial effects for infectious diseases and Alzheimer's disease. Bisdemethoxycurcumin possesses antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-metastasis activities. Demethoxycurcumin, which is another major component, has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-cancer activities and is the appropriate candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this review is to highlight the health benefits of turmeric in both traditional and modern pharmaceutical sciences by considering the important roles of curcuminoids and other major chemical constituents of turmeric.

Characterizing the Effects of Adding Virtual and Augmented Reality in Robot-Assisted Training.

Extended reality (XR) technology combines physical reality with computer synthetic virtuality to deliver immersive experience to users. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two subdomains within XR with different immersion levels. Both of these have the potential to be combined with robot-assisted training protocols to maximize postural control improvement. In this study, we conducted a randomized control experiment with sixty-three healthy subjects to compare the effectiveness of robot-assisted posture training combined with VR or AR against robotic training alone. A robotic Trunk Support Trainer (TruST) was employed to deliver assistive force at the trunk as subjects moved beyond the stability limits during training. Our results showed that both VR and AR significantly enhanced the training outcomes of the TruST intervention. However, the VR group experienced higher simulator sickness compared to the AR group, suggesting that AR is better suited for sitting posture training in conjunction with TruST intervention. Our findings highlight the added value of XR to robot-assisted training and provide novel insights into the differences between AR and VR when integrated into a robotic training protocol. In addition, we developed a custom XR application that suited well for TruST intervention requirements. Our approach can be extended to other studies to develop novel XR-enhanced robotic training platforms.

How am I going? Behavioral engagement mediates the effect of individual feedback on writing performance

BackgroundSuccessful feedback should provide learning goals, evaluate current performance and indicate improvement strategies. Furthermore, feedback can only positively affect student performance if students actively engage with it. Thus, it is necessary to consider the feedback reception process in addition to the feedback information itself. AimsThis study compares the effects of different types of feedback information on the writing performance of lower secondary students of English as a foreign language (EFL) in a digital learning environment. Behavioral engagement was considered as a mediator of the feedback effect. SampleParticipants were N = 338 eighth- and ninth-grade EFL students (54.7% female) enrolled in lower-secondary education within the Swiss school system. MethodsWe conducted a web-based randomized-controlled experiment, in which students were randomly assigned to four conditions receiving varying amounts of rubric-based feedback information. We used log data (time on feedback page) as a proxy for their behavioral engagement with the feedback. ResultsEven though writing performance improved substantially across conditions, there were no differential effects of the type of feedback information on performance. However, EFL learners who received individual performance information spent more time with the feedback, especially those with low prior achievement. Mediation analysis showed that the effectiveness of the feedback was mediated by the time spent on the feedback as an indicator of students' behavioral engagement. ConclusionsAdvantages for individual performance feedback over more general information were observed as a function of time spent with the feedback. This finding implies that engagement should be considered in feedback research.

Implementation of a Cloud Computing Based Learning Management System in Education Management

Modern education increasingly demands innovation in developing exciting and effective teaching materials. Augmented Reality Technology has attracted attention as a potential tool for increasing student interactivity and engagement in learning. With its ability to present additional information in a natural environment, Augmented Reality offers the opportunity to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. This research explores the use of Augmented Reality in developing interactive teaching materials, focusing on its effectiveness in increasing student understanding and facilitating more profound learning. The research method used in this study was a randomized control experiment in a secondary school. The randomized control experimental research method is used to evaluate the effects of an intervention or treatment on a group compared to a control group that did not receive the intervention or treatment. Data was collected through pre- and post-teaching comprehension tests and surveys of student satisfaction with the learning experience. The results of this research show that using interactive teaching materials based on Augmented Reality increases students’ understanding compared to using conventional teaching materials. Additionally, students in the experimental group reported higher satisfaction levels with their learning experience than the control group. This research concludes that using Augmented Reality to develop interactive teaching materials has great potential to increase learning effectiveness. By presenting additional information visually and interactively, Augmented Reality can improve students’ understanding and increase their involvement in learning. Therefore, integrating Augmented Reality in developing teaching materials can be a valuable step in improving the quality of education.

The revolution and future frontiers of reproductive management of dairy cattle

The 21-d pregnancy rate is determined by an interaction be­tween the AI service rate and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) and is a key performance indicator for the reproductive efficiency of dairy farms. Over the past 2 decades, the reproductive per­formance of lactating dairy cows increased. A greater under­standing of endocrinology and the physiology of lactating dairy cows generated fertility programs (the Presynch-Ovsynch and Double Ovsynch protocols for TAI) that increase the service rate and P/AI compared with detection of estrus. Previously, synchronization of ovulation in heifers was associated with poor reproductive performance compared with detection of estrus. Several modifications determined through randomized-controlled studies gave rise to the 5-d CIDR-Synch protocol that has similar and more P/AI when heifers are inseminated with conventional and sexed semen, respectively, compared with detection of estrus. A hierarchy of reproductive needs exists for dairy farms that require fulfillment before a new need can emerge. Dairy farms must have a high 21-d pregnancy rate and good heifer management before adopting other advanced re­productive technologies such as genomic selection, sexed and beef semen, and in vitro-produced embryos. Adopting these ad­vanced reproductive technologies benefits dairy farms, howev­er, challenges still exist that need further investigation through randomized-controlled experiments to maximize the benefits

In search of an appropriate front-of-package nutritional labelling scheme for the CARICOM region

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the impact of the proposed CARICOM Octagon “High In” Warning Label (OWL), against four alternative Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs): US “Facts Up Front” (FUF), UK Multi-Traffic Light (MTL), Mexican OWL and the Brazilian Magnifying Glass “High In” Warning Label, on respondents’ purchase intentions, perception of healthiness and understanding of nutritional information across and within food products.Design/methodology/approachIn an online randomized control experiment, adults from eight CARICOM countries (n = 948) were randomly assigned to a control and four treatment FOPNL groups. Respondents were tasked to choose between four categories of mock products with three variations in healthfulness across and within products.FindingsNo statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was found across FOPNL groups compared to the OWL on outcomes of purchase intentions and perception of healthfulness. Regarding the understanding of nutritional information, FUF performed the best, as participants were 1.76 times (p = 0.03) and 3.23 times (p = 0.00) more likely to correctly identify the products with the highest and lowest amount of sugar, respectively. Results were similar for products with the lowest sodium (odds ratio [OR] = 2.25, p = 0.00) and highest saturated fats (OR = 2.11, p = 0.00).Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations of this study include the use of an online platform to conduct the experiment. Though this was the most cost-effective method of execution and presented many benefits, there were limitations to using this approach. Firstly, this approach may not entirely replicate the real world in store purchasing settings. Although online grocery shopping is becoming increasingly popular, in the Caribbean, most grocery purchases are made in stores. Furthermore, online surveys are more likely to lead to samples with higher educational and income levels than the average population (Bethlehem, 2010). The skewedness observed was not unique to this study and was common with similar published studies (Franco-Arellano et al., 2020; Packer et al., 2021; Talati et al., 2018). Nevertheless, all respondents were randomly assigned to groups, and it was confirmed that there were no systematic differences in the education and income levels of participants across the FOPNL groups.Practical implicationsSome CARICOM policy makers advocate for the use of “High In” warning labels to limit the intake of nutrients of concern (NOCs) and to encourage healthier eating habits among consumers. However, regional private sector stakeholders have expressed concern about the lack of sufficient research undertaken at a regional level, to inform the effectiveness of this model within CARICOM, and some have also expressed a preference for the use of other interpretative and reductive FOPNLs, already in use in the Region. The results of this study reveal that while interpretative FOPNLs like the Draft CARICOM Regional Standard, DCRS5 (OWL) can assist consumers in making healthier purchase decisions, it was outperformed by the MTL on perception of healthiness and by the FUF on the understanding of nutrient information. It was also noted that the DCRS5 (OWL) was more effective when choosing across products with distinct nutritional differences but performed poorly in assisting respondents with making healthy purchasing decisions when all the products contained NOCs above the relevant thresholds. This study’s findings highlight that the existing FOPNL schemes can be further enhanced for improved outcomes. This can be achieved by using a hybrid approach which includes both reductive and interpretative elements to allow for comparison across and within food products. The literature also suggests the use of colour and combining positive as well as negative elements to encourage ease of interpretation, improved understanding and healthier food choices.Social implicationsA properly designed FOPNL can support consumers in making healthier food choices; however, it must be accompanied by measures to raise consumer awareness and increase the health literacy of the population to cause shifts in preferences and behavioural patterns over time. This must also be coupled with policies to make healthy food choices more affordable to the general population.Originality/valueThe results of this study revealed that FUF and MTL performed the best in assisting participants to correctly identify between products with the highest or lowest NOCs at the 5% significant level, and that the OWL performed poorly in assisting participants with making healthy purchasing decisions when all the products contained NOCs above the relevant thresholds.

Does it Pay to Send Multiple Pre-Paid Incentives? Evidence from a Randomized Experiment

To encourage survey participation and improve sample representativeness, the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) offers an unconditional pre-paid monetary incentive and separate post-paid incentive upon survey completion. We conducted a pre-registered between-subject randomized control experiment within the 2022 SCF, with at least 1,200 households per experimental group, to examine whether changing the pre-paid incentive structure affects survey outcomes. We assess the effects of: (1) altering the total dollar value of the pre-paid incentive (“incentive effect”), (2) giving two identical pre-paid incentives holding the total dollar value fixed (“reminder effect”), and (3) offering multiple pre-paid incentives of different amounts holding the total dollar value fixed (“slope effect”) on survey response rates, interviewer burden, and data quality. Our evidence indicates that a single $15 pre-paid incentive increases response rates and maintains similar levels of interviewer burden and data quality, relative to a single $5 pre-paid incentive. Splitting the $15 into two pre-paid incentives of different amounts increases interviewer burden though lengthening time in the field without improving response rates, reducing the number of contact attempts needed for a response, or improving data quality, regardless of whether the first pre-paid is larger or smaller than the second.

Different components of cognitive-behavioral therapy affect specific cognitive mechanisms.

Psychological therapies are among the most effective treatments for common mental health problems-however, we still know relatively little about how exactly they improve symptoms. Here, we demonstrate the power of combining theory with computational methods to parse effects of different components of cognitive-behavioral therapies onto underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we present data from a series of randomized-controlled experiments testing the effects of brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on different cognitive processes, using well-validated behavioral measures and associated computational models. A goal setting intervention, based on behavioral activation therapy activities, reliably and selectively reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding how to act to gain reward. By contrast, a cognitive restructuring intervention, based on cognitive therapy materials, reliably and selectively reduced the tendency to attribute negative everyday events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. Our approach provides a basis for beginning to understand how different elements of common psychotherapy programs may work.

Examining the impact of a restorative breath-based intervention "Sudarshan Kriya Yoga" at work: a field experiment.

Human capital plays a crucial role in the success of an organization and further contributes to the broader goals of growth and development of society. In this regard, it is essential to ensure the well-being of employees at the workplace. Given the positive impact of yoga on psycho-physiological aspects of health, this study aims to examine the impact of a breath-based yogic intervention, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), on stress, anxiety, thriving, general health, emotional well-being, social well-being, and psychological well-being among employees of a leading manufacturing firm in India. Undertaking a randomized-control experiment design (n = 64), we examined the impact of SKY on stress, anxiety, thriving, general health, and emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Two certified instructors conducted the SKY intervention in a retreat format over 3 days. The analysis demonstrated positive outcomes across various aspects of participants' well-being, i.e., it significantly reduced their stress and anxiety and increased the levels of thriving, general health, and emotional, social, and psychological well-being. These findings are valuable for understanding the potential benefits of the SKY intervention. The findings provide support for considering SKY as a potential well-being intervention for employers at the workplace and society at large. Further exploration, implementation, and research in diverse contexts will be crucial to fully understand the long-term impact and scalability of the SKY intervention in promoting holistic well-being.

A Candidate for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Common Rue (Ruta graveolens L.), an Important Medicinal plant in Traditional Medicine.

Ruta graveolens L. belongs to Rutaceae; it is a semi-wood perennial or a small evergreen sub-shrub, which is native to Southern Europe, West of Asia and Northern Africa. The goal of this manuscript was to outline the most notable traditional and modern advantages and pharmaceutical benefits of common rue. The manuscript covers review articles, randomized control experiments, analytical studies and observations, which have been gathered from different sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed. A review of the literature was carried out using the keywords rutin, Ruta graveolens L., rue, common rune, coumarin, natural products and pharmaceutical benefits. Rue contains quinoline alkaloids, such as graveoline and graveolinine, acridone alkaloids, such as furacridone and gravacridone, the furanoquinoline dictamnine, coumaris, such as gravelliferone, isorutarin, rutacultin, rutaretin, and suberenone, and the furanocoumarins 5-methoxypsoralen (bergapten) and 8-methoxypsoralen (xanthotoxine). Most of its aromatic and medicinal properties are from its rutin, and essential oil. It has been used in folk medicines as a stimulant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, anti-androgenic activity, anti-hyperglycemic effects, anti-hyperlipidemic effects, xanthine oxidase inhibition activity, anticancer properties. According to pharmacological and phytochemical advantages, pennyroyal shows its importance as a medicinal plant in both modern medicinal science and traditional medicine.

Community-Based Crime Prevention Programs and Central American Migration: A Difference in Differences Analysis

Community-based crime prevention programs are emerging as a crucial alternative for addressing violence in Central America, a significant driver of migration from the region to the United States. Comprehensive analyses of the impact of the adoption of programs on migration intentions, especially among individuals who have been victims of crime, are lacking. Using a distinctive survey dataset derived from randomized-controlled experiments conducted in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, this study shows that community-based crime prevention programs are associated with an increase in migration intentions in Guatemala but are not linked to migration intentions in El Salvador and Honduras. This finding holds even when considering whether these programs address neighborhood factors and perceived risk of future victimization. Further examination of these programs is warranted.

A Friendly Strategy for an Organic Life by Considering Syrian Bean Caper (Zygophyllum fabago L.), and Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.)

Background: Medicinal plants have become the focus of intense researches through the identification and determination of their pharmacological benefits with their different chemical constituents. Objective: The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the most important health benefits of Syrian bean caper and parsnip. Methods: The manuscript consists of review articles, randomized control experiments, and analytical studies, which have been gathered from different sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and PubMed. A review of the literature was carried out using keywords such as health benefits, pharmaceutical properties, Syrian bean caper (Zygophyllum fabago L.), and Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.). Results: Syrian bean caper is good for diabetes, lower cholesterol, is appropriate for people aiming for weight loss, is a good source of vitamin K for healthy bones, protects skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, prevents cancer and skin ailments, protects from allergies, helps in digestion, increases immunity, treats anemia, moistens skin, helps in relieving congestion. Syrian bean caper is also anexcellent source of minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, and sodium which gives stronger teeth, is a source of anti-ageing, good for the eyes, and reduces skin disorders, it consists of a good amount of iron and vitamin B which makes it a good candidate to have healthy hair, and relieves constipation. Parsnips are a type of root vegetable, closely related to parsley roots and carrots. Parsnips are an excellent source of various nutrients, minerals, and vitamins such as folate, vitamins C and K, they are rich in antioxidants, a great source of soluble and insoluble fiber, a great source of a healthy weight loss diet, and support immune function. Conclusion: According to phytochemical advantages and pharmacological benefits, Syrian bean caper (Zygophyllum fabago L.) and Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) show their importance as medicinal plants in both traditional and modern medicine.

Potential Roles of Longan as a Natural Remedy with Tremendous Nutraceutical Values

Background: Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is a characteristic Sapindaceae fruit native to China and is a seasonal non-climacteric fruit with unique flavor, rich nutrients, and high economic value. Longan was used as a traditional Chinese medicine for various purposes, such as soothing nerves, relieving insomnia and increasing blood metabolism. Longan fruits are alternately eaten fresh, and they have elegant and sweet-tasting flesh. This fruit can also be processed to make dried pulp, jam, drinks, wine and canned fruit. Objective: The aim of this manuscript is to survey the chemical and natural constituents of longan and show the importance of longan in both modern and traditional pharmaceutical sciences. Methods: The goal of this article was to emphasize the most important benefits and pharmaceutical advantages of longan. The manuscript consists of randomized control experiments, review articles, observations and analytical studies, which have been gathered from various sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. A review of the literature was done by using the keywords such as longan Dimocarpus, longan natural products, traditional Chinese medicine, and pharmaceutical benefits. Results: The most important chemical constituents of the pericarp of longan are friedelin, friedelanol, (24R)-stigmast-4-en-3-one, β-sitosterol, β-(2-furly) acrylic acid, 6-hydroxy-7- methoxycoumarin, β-daucosterol, corilagin, gallic acid, heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl gallate, 4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-ellagic acid, and ellagic acid. The most notable antioxidant compounds extracted from longan shells are scopoletin, isovanillin, astragalin, quercetin, β- phenylethyl alcohol and hyperin. The most important biological properties of longan pericarp are tyrosinase inhibitory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-glycated, anticancer, memory-increasing impact, and other parameters that have a significant contribution to human health. Conclusion: This review article finds that longan is an excellent source of constituents with beneficial nutritional and bioactive characteristics. More clinical research may be needed to reveal the countless substances and their impacts in longan that may affect public health.

Great Health Benefits of Essential Oils of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.): A Natural and Organic Medicine

Background: Natural herbal medicines may contribute to prevent and treat various diseases, and they have substantial medicinal properties. Objective: The goal of this manuscript is to survey natural benefits, chemical components, and medicinal values of pennyroyal. Methods: The goal of this manuscript was to outline the most notable advantages and pharmaceutical benefits of pennyroyal. The manuscript includes review articles, randomized control experiments, analytical studies and observations, which have been gathered from different sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed. A review of the literature was carried out using the keywords such as pennyroyal, Mentha pulegium L., natural products and pharmaceutical benefits. Results: The major pennyroyal essential oils are pulegone, menthone, isomenthone, piperitone, mentol, neo-menthol and 3-Octanol. The major health benefits of pennyroyal are antiseptic, depurative, digestive, anti-rheumatic, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, stomachic, astringent, emmenagogue, decongestant and insecticide. Conclusion: Nutrition therapy on the basis of traditional medicinal science is definitely useful for treating common diseases. Pennyroyal has notable promising health benefits, and its phytochemical and pharmacological benefits indicate its importance in modern medicinal studies.

Intestinal Coccidian Infections in Cancer Patients: A Case Series.

Introduction Coccidian protozoa and microsporidian fungi are opportunistic pathogens increasingly implicated in infections in immunosuppressed individuals. These parasites typically infect the intestinal epithelium, resulting in secretory diarrhea and malabsorption. The disease burden and timeline are both greater and longer among immunosuppressed patients. Therapeutic options for immunocompromised individuals are limited. As a result, we wanted to better characterize the disease course and treatment efficacy of these parasitic gastrointestinal infections. Methods We performed a single-center, retrospective MedMined (BD Healthsight Analytics, Birmingham, AL, USA)chart review of patients between January 2012 and June 2022 diagnosed with coccidian or microsporidian infections. Relevant data were collected from Cerner's PowerChart (Oracle Cerner, Austin, TX, USA). Descriptive analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA),and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA)was used to generate graphs and tables. Results In these10 years, there were 17 patients withCryptosporidiuminfections, four withCyclosporainfections, and no positive cultures forCystoisospora bellior microsporidian infections. In both infections, the majority of patients experienced diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea, with vomiting, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss, and fever occurring to a lesser degree. Nitazoxanide was the most common treatment forCryptosporidium, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin were the treatments of choice forCyclospora. Of theCryptosporidiuminfections, three received combination therapy with azithromycin, immunoreconstitution, or IV immunoglobulins. Among the fourCyclospora-infected patients, one received combination therapy of ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Treatment lasted around two weeks, and 88% ofCryptosporidiumpatients and 75% ofCyclosporapatients had a resolution of symptoms. Conclusion The most detected coccidian infection wasCryptosporidium,followed byCyclospora, with the lack ofCystoisosporaor microsporidian infections likely due to diagnostic limitations and prevalence.CryptosporidiumandCyclosporalikely caused their associated symptoms in most cases, with other possible etiologies, including graft-versus-host disease, medications, and feeding tubes. The small number of patients receiving combination therapy prohibited a comparison with monotherapy. In our patient population, though, there was a clinical response to treatment despite immunosuppression. While promising, additional randomized control experiments are required to fully understand the efficacy of parasitic treatments.

Comparison of the Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Aerobic Exercise as an Adjunct Therapy in Depressed Patients on Activity of Daily Living and Quality of Life

Background: Depression is one of the most common causes of disabilities and poor quality of life worldwide. One-fifth of patients fail to respond to antidepressant therapy. Hence, adjunct therapy is urgently needed. Aim: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and aerobic exercise as adjunct therapy on activity of daily living and quality of life in depressed patients. Material and Methods: A randomized-controlled experiment was conducted between May 2019 and January 2020. Twenty-seven depressed patients were divided into three groups for two weeks: antidepressant-only, antidepressant-and-aerobic exercise, and antidepressant-and-rTMS. The Barthel Index and SF-36 were used to assess the activity of daily living and quality of life. Results: After the intervention, there were no appreciable changes in the Barthel Index scores in any of the three groups (p>0.05). Following therapy, SF-36 results for physical function, bodily discomfort, public health, vitality, social function, emotional role functioning, and mental health all showed substantial improvements across groups (p 0.05). Patients in the antidepressant and rTMS groups improved more than those in the other two groups in the areas of overall health (15.71±6.075, p=0.009), emotional role functioning (20.29±11.940, p=0.049), and mental health (14.29±6.075, p=0.041). However, the Barthel Index score changes did not differ between groups (p=0.664). Conclusion: Better quality of life improvement in the rTMS group compared to the other two groups supports the use of rTMS as an additional therapy. It aims to enhance quality of life in patients with moderate and severe first-episode depression.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum on chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulceration of rabbits’ eyes

Background: Corneal ulcerations pose risks to blindness, and their treatment presents huge challenges, in part due to increased resistance to anti-bacterial drugs, accessibility and cost issues, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated the pharmacological effect of Ganoderma Lucidum, on chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulceration of rabbits’ eyes. Methods: This was a randomized-controlled experiment of 16 healthy New Zealand rabbits, randomly assigned into four groups (A–D). The right eye cornea was injured using a drop of 1 Molar sodium hydroxide and followed by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 12 hours, in all groups except group A. Treatment with freshly prepared crude aqueous extract of G. lucidum (40 μg/mL) for groups A and B, the standard treatment protocol for group C, and atropine alone for group D commenced after 24 hours and continued every four hours for seven days. All data collected, pre-and post-tests, were analysed at α=0.05 using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for correlated variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for independent variables. Results: G. lucidum has significant clinical effects (74%) on corneal injury and ulcers (92%). The healing effects observed at the 168th hour were significantly better than those observed at the 24th hour (p<0.05). Although the difference between the healing effect of the standard treatment and the crude extract was not significant (p>0.05), the mean effect size was clinically significant (31%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential antimicrobial potential of G. lucidum. G. lucidum may provide an alternative treatment option for chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulcers, particularly in resource-constrained countries.

Vitamin C and D Supplements to Prevent the Risk of COVID-19

Background: Virus is a tiny agent, around one-hundredth the size of a bacterium which can infect cells of plants and animals. Seven coronaviruses are known to infect humans, three of them are serious, namely, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) (2019-2020).SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV belong to betacoronaviruses (betaCoVs). Objective: In this mini review, we want to consider the important vitamin D and C, especially plants containing these two vitamins in fight against COVID-19. Methods: The manuscript includes review articles, randomized control experiments, analytical studies and observations, which have been gathered from different sources such as Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed. A review of the literature was carried out using the keywords such as vitamin D, vitamin C, COVID-19, influenza, Plant, and Coronaviruses. Results: Various sources of vitamin D for humans are food, dietary supplements and the skin by exposure to 7-dehydrocholesterol to ultraviolet light. There are some new findings on influence vitamin D in prevent and control of influenza and COVID-19. Vitamin D may play roles in preventing influenza and covid-19 by production of large quantities of IL-1 and IL-6, or modulating the production of the interleukins. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a potential link between respiratory infection and immune evasion, and vitamin D is a pleiotropic factor known to modulate immune response against pathogen.

To Like or Not to Like? An Experimental Study on Relational Closeness, Social Grooming, Reciprocity, and Emotions in Social Media Liking

Abstract We conducted a randomized-controlled experiment with 201 participants to investigate the effects of relationship closeness, emotions, and the receipt of Likes on reciprocal Liking behaviors. We found that individuals engaged in interchange-oriented social grooming by giving Likes to close friends regardless of whether they had received Likes from them before. However, when relationship closeness was low, participants mirrored their acquaintances’ behavior by reciprocating Likes for Likes. Additionally, high-arousal positive emotions mediated the effects of receiving Likes on the intention to Like other users’ content, but this result only held true when relational closeness was not accounted for in the model. Our study explains why people give Likes on social media and what factors shape their Liking intentions. The results of our study contribute to the existing knowledge of the social norm of reciprocity, social grooming, emotion regulation, relational closeness, and social media Liking.

Is the effect of menu energy labelling on consumer behaviour equitable? A pooled analysis of twelve randomized control experiments

Menu energy labelling has been implemented as a public health policy to promote healthier dietary choices and reduce obesity. However, it is unclear whether the influence energy labelling has on consumer behaviour differs based on individuals’ demographics or characteristics and may therefore produce inequalities in diet. Data were analysed from 12 randomized control trials (N = 8508) evaluating the effect of food and drink energy labelling (vs. labelling absent) on total energy content of food and drink selections (predominantly hypothetical) in European and US adults. Analyses examined the moderating effects of participant age, sex, ethnicity/race, education, household income, body mass index, dieting status, food choice motives and current hunger on total energy content of selections.Energy labelling was associated with a small reduction (f2 = 0.004, −50 kcal, p < 0.001) in total energy selected compared to the absence of energy labelling. Participants who were female, younger, white, university educated, of a higher income status, dieting, motivated by health and weight control when making food choices, and less hungry, tended to select menu items of lower energy content. However, there was no evidence that the effect of energy labelling on the amount of energy selected was moderated by any of the participants' demographics or characteristics. Energy labelling was associated with a small reduction in energy content of food selections and this effect was similar across a range of participants’ demographics and characteristics. These preliminary findings suggest that energy labelling policies may not widen existing inequalities in diet.