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The effect of the use of thyme honey in minimizing radiation - induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Charalambous, M, Raftopoulos, V, Paikousis, L, Katodritis, N, Lambrinou, E, Vomvas, D, Georgiou, M, Charalambous, A
European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society. 2018;:89-97
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation-induced oral mucositis is one of the main side effects during and after the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. The study was designed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of thyme honey on oral mucositis management. METHODS This was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 72 head and neck cancer patients who were divided either to the intervention group (thyme honey rinses) or to the control group (saline rinses). Oral mucositis was assessed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOC criteria), and assessments were performed weekly starting at the 4th week of the radiotherapy for seven weeks and repeated once 6 months later. Additionally, the Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire (OMWQ) was given at 4th week of radiotherapy, 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy and 6 months later. The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier for this study is NCT01465308. This paper reports on the findings regarding thyme honey's effectiveness on oral mucositis. RESULTS Generalized estimating equations revealed that patients in the intervention group were graded lower in the objective assessment of oral mucositis (p < 0,001), maintained their body weight (p < 0,001) and showed an improvement in their global health (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. Quality of life of the patients in the same group was also statistically significantly higher than that of the patients of the control group (p < 0,001). CONCLUSION The study provided evidence on the positive effect of thyme honey on the management of radiation-induced oral mucositis and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients.
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2.
Considerations for Initiating a Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Using Insulin.
Woo, VC, Berard, LD, Bajaj, HS, Ekoé, JM, Senior, PA
Canadian journal of diabetes. 2018;(1):88-93
Abstract
In order to meet and maintain glycemic control, pharmacological management of individuals with type 2 diabetes typically begins with metformin followed by the introduction of other oral antihyperglycemic agents as needed. In some patients, the aggressive and progressive degeneration of pancreatic β cell activity means insulin therapy will become a given. The need to routinely monitor blood glucose levels coupled with the undesirable effects associated with insulin-primarily hypoglycemia and weight gain-commonly contribute to physician and patient inertia. The new β-cell-independent sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are approved for combination use with all of the currently approved oral and injectable antihyperglycemic classes. The addition of SGLT2 inhibitors to background insulin therapy has the potential to afford many benefits and, in some cases, may reduce the incidence of insulin-associated side effects. This article reviews the available literature on SGLT2 inhibitor-insulin combination therapy and underscores the issues that should be considered prior to introducing SGLT2 inhibitors to individuals with type 2 diabetes who are already on insulin (with or without other antihyperglycemic agents) to ensure individualization of therapy.
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3.
Association between lipid profiles and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis.
Chen, YY, Wang, WW, Yang, L, Chen, WW, Zhang, HX
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences. 2018;(1):1-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between blood lipid profiles and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive search of the literature related to lipid profiles and postmenopausal osteoporosis was conducted in Wanfang Database, CNKI, PubMed (1950-2015) and EMBASE (1974-2015). Appropriate studies were selected according to pre-defined exclusion criteria, and the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were compared between osteoporosis and normal density groups. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan5.3. RESULTS Ten published articles were selected for meta-analysis. The results showed that the levels of HDL, LDL, TC were higher in the osteoporosis group than the normal density group, whereas the levels of TG were lower in the osteoporosis group (HDL: MD = 2.63, 95% CI: 0.43 to 4.84, p = 0.02; LDL: MD = 9.67, 95% CI: -0.10 to 19.44, p = 0.0532; TG: MD = -0.42, 95% CI: -17.52 to 16.67, p = 0.96; TC: MD = 14.82, 95% CI: 2.84 to 26.80, p = 0.02). There was no statistical difference in LDL and TG. CONCLUSIONS The serum levels of HDL and TC are higher in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients, and may thus be potentially useful indicators to reflect the process of osteoporosis in these women. More research is needed to determine the relationship between LDL, TG and postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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4.
Hypoparathyroidism and the Kidney.
Peacock, M
Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America. 2018;(4):839-853
Abstract
Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia are the pathognomonic biochemical features of hypoparathyroidism, and result directly from lack of parathyroid hormone (PTH) action on the kidney. In the absence of PTH action, the renal mechanisms transporting calcium and phosphate reabsorption deregulate, resulting in hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Circulating calcium negatively regulates PTH secretion. Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular disturbances ranging from epilepsy and tetany to mild paresthesia. Circulating phosphate concentration does not directly regulate PTH secretion. Hyperphosphatemia is subclinical, but chronically promotes ectopic mineralization disease. Vitamin D-thiazide treatment leads to ectopic mineralization and renal damage. PTH treatment has the potential for fewer side effects.
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5.
Critical analysis and mapping of research trends and impact assessment of polyaromatic hydrocarbon accumulation in leaves: let history tell the future.
Mandal, V, Chouhan, KBS, Tandey, R, Sen, KK, Kala, HK, Mehta, R
Environmental science and pollution research international. 2018;(23):22464-22474
Abstract
The article is basically an attempt to provide a consolidated report on impact assessment and trends in research pertaining to accumulation and curbing the menace of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in leaves. Emphasis is given to understand the consequences of the fact that edible/medicinal plants cultivated in PAH contaminated soil or close to such places which are potential liberators of PAHs can virtually act as transporters for direct PAH entry into biological systems. An attempt has been made to predict the future by digging out golden facts from history. Extensive Scopus-based data mining has been done to dig out research data since last 10 years (2006-2016) pertaining to the said area. Critical analysis of statistical data on research trends highlighting the different aspects of evaluation of PAH accumulation in leaves has been described. The concentrate of all researches for the said period have been presented as few golden principles which shall serve as important facts for researchers and policy makers for curbing the menace of PAH-induced oxidative stress in plants and shall also provide start-up ideas for researchers new to the area. Critical analysis of trends in phytoremediation aspect has also been duly highlighted to measure the intensity of restoration steps taken by researchers and government to safeguard the future generations.
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6.
Management Of Diabetes In Ramadan.
Badshah, A, Haider, I, Humayun, M
Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC. 2018;(4):596-602
Abstract
Ramadan, the ninth month of Islamic calendar brings alongwith it a sense of responsibility to fast among the Muslim adult population. Though patients with chronic illnesses like Diabetes mellitus are exempted from fasting during the month if their health does not allow, they still wish to fast. This creates a challenge for the health care professionals to enable the patients with Diabetes mellitus to fast safely, without developing complications like hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and thrombosis. This article has reviewed multiple articles published over last two decades to develop a consensus plan regarding management of Diabetes mellitus in Ramadan. Insulin sensitizers are a better option than drugs increasing secretion of insulin. Type 2 Diabetic patients can fast much safely as compare to Type 1 Diabetics.
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7.
Vitamin D exposure and Risk of Breast Cancer: a meta-analysis.
Estébanez, N, Gómez-Acebo, I, Palazuelos, C, Llorca, J, Dierssen-Sotos, T
Scientific reports. 2018;(1):9039
Abstract
UNLABELLED The relationship between vitamin D and breast cancer is still controversial. The present meta-analysis examines the effects of the 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D and vitamin D intake on breast cancer risk. For this purpose, a PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science-databases search was conducted including all papers published with the keywords "breast cancer" and "vitamin D" with at least one reported relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR). In total sixty eight studies published between 1998 and 2018 were analyzed. Information about type of study, hormonal receptors and menopausal status was retrieved. Pooled OR or RR were estimated by weighting individual OR/RR by the inverse of their variance Our study showed a protective effect between 25 (OH) D and breast cancer in both cohort studies (RR = 0.85, 95%CI:0.74-0.98) and case-control studies (OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.56-0.76). However, analyzing by menopausal status, the protective vitamin D - breast cancer association persisted only in the premenopausal group (OR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.49-0.92) when restricting the analysis to nested case-control studies. No significant association was found for vitamin D intake or 1,25(OH)2D. CONCLUSION This systematic review suggests a protective relationship between circulating vitamin D (measured as 25(OH) D) and breast cancer development in premenopausal women.
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8.
Decannulation of tracheotomized patients after long-term mechanical ventilation - results of a prospective multicentric study in German neurological early rehabilitation hospitals.
Heidler, MD, Salzwedel, A, Jöbges, M, Lück, O, Dohle, C, Seifert, M, von Helden, A, Hollweg, W, Völler, H
BMC anesthesiology. 2018;(1):65
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the course of neurological early rehabilitation, decannulation is attempted in tracheotomized patients after weaning due to its considerable prognostic significance. We aimed to identify predictors of a successful tracheostomy decannulation. METHODS From 09/2014 to 03/2016, 831 tracheotomized and weaned patients (65.4 ± 12.9 years, 68% male) were included consecutively in a prospective multicentric observation study. At admission, sociodemographic and clinical data (e.g. relevant neurological and internistic diseases, duration of mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy technique, and nutrition) as well as functional assessments (Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index, Bogenhausener Dysphagia Score) were collected. Complications and the success of the decannulation procedure were documented at discharge. RESULTS Four hundred seventy patients (57%) were decannulated. The probability of decannulation was significantly negatively associated with increasing age (OR 0.68 per SD = 12.9 years, p < 0.001), prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation (OR 0.57 per 33.2 days, p < 0.001) and complications. An oral diet (OR 3.80; p < 0.001) and a higher alertness at admission (OR 3.07 per 7.18 CRS-R points; p < 0.001) were positively associated. CONCLUSIONS This study identified practically measurable predictors of decannulation, which in the future can be used for a decannulation prognosis and supply optimization at admission in the neurological early rehabilitation clinic.
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9.
Rheological behavior of pH responsive composite hydrogels of chitosan and alginate: Characterization and its use in encapsulation of citral.
Afzal, S, Maswal, M, Dar, AA
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces. 2018;:99-106
Abstract
The pure and composite hydrogels of chitosan with sodium alginate were synthesized at various pH values and characterized by rheology and IR-spectroscopy. Chitosan shows gelation at neutral and basic pH while sodium alginate remains in solution form at all pH values. By careful adjustment of mixing weight fraction ratio and pH, an array of hydrogels with modulated structural dynamics and viscoelasticity, mechanical strength and encapsulation capacity were obtained. At acidic pH, a higher weight fraction of alginate increased the elasticity of the hydrogels while at basic pH more percentage of chitosan stabilized the hydrogel. Strongest composite hydrogels were obtained at acidic pH and gel strength decreased on increasing pH of the synthetic medium. The synthesized hydrogels were studied for their encapsulation capability towards Citral. The pure chitosan hydrogels showed maximum encapsulation capacity followed by the composite hydrogels prepared at neutral pH. This study highlights that a range of composite hydrogels with modified properties can be obtained by simple changes in experimental conditions exploiting physical interactions and can help in better understanding of niche of its applicability in research and industry.
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10.
Integration of multiple signaling pathways shapes the auxin response.
Han, S, Hwang, I
Journal of experimental botany. 2018;(2):189-200
Abstract
The phytohormone auxin is a pivotal signaling molecule that functions throughout the plant lifecycle. Proper regulation of the auxin response is critical for optimizing plant growth under ever-changing environmental conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated that the signaling components that modulate auxin sensitivity and responses are functionally and mechanically diverse. In addition to auxin itself, various environmental and hormonal signals are integrated to modulate the auxin response through directly controlling auxin signaling components. This review explores the non-canonical mechanisms that modulate auxin signaling components, including transcriptional, translational, and post-translational regulation. All of these contribute to the wide range in sensitivity and complexity in auxin responses to various signaling cues.