ABSTRACT
Curcumin is the principal polylphenol of turmeric that has been used to treat various disorders. However, its anti-obesity effects in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on the effects of supplementation with turmeric/curcumin on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in these patients. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched until January 2019, without any restrictions. Clinical trials that reported body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Eight studies (449 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria of the present meta-analysis. Overall, meta-analysis could not show any beneficial effect of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on body weight (WMD, −0.54 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.40, 1.31; p = 0.56; I² = 0.0%), BMI (WMD, −0.21 kg/m²; 95% CI, −0.71, 0.28; p = 0.39; I² = 0.0%) and WC (WMD, −0.88 cm; 95% CI, −3.76, 2.00; p = 0.54; I² = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis based on participants' baseline BMI, type of intervention, and study duration did not show any significant association in all subgroups. The results showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, BMI and WC in patients with NAFLD. Further studies with large-scale are needed to find out possible anti-obesity effects of turmeric/curcumin.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anthropometry , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Curcuma , Curcumin , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
Background and study aims: Combination of prokinetic drugs with different mechanisms of action is frequently used when feeding intolerance is not improved with a single agent. In this study, we evaluated the effect of combined infusion of neostigmine and metoclopramide on gastric passage in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit [ICU]
Patients and methods: This study is a randomized double-blind controlled trial in 90 patients between 20 and 60 years of age who were under mechanical ventilation and had gastric residual volumes [GRVs] >120 mL 3 h after the last lavage. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: intravenous neostigmine 2.5 mg, intravenous metoclopramide 20 mg, and combination of both agents at the mentioned doses. Gastric volume aspiration was first performed before starting the study and then at 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after the infusion of study drugs was finished. Increase in gastric lavage was defined as an aspiration volume of >120 mL
Results: In total, 86 cases in the three groups completed the treatment [all 90 patients included in the study were analysed according to an intention-to-treat approach]. There was no significant difference detected at baseline in age, intubation duration, albumin, haemoglobin, haematocrit, total leucocytic count [WBC], Na, K, Mg, and sequential organ failure assessment score between the study groups. In the combination group, 96.7% of patients showed GRV improvement [GRV < 120 cc], whereas in the metoclopramide and neostigmine groups, 50% and 43.3% of the patients, respectively, showed improvement [p < 0.001]. The frequency of overall adverse effects in the metoclopramide, neostigmine, and combination groups were 3.3%, 16.7%, and 10%, respectively [p = 0.28]
Conclusions: The present results suggested that combination therapy with metoclopramide and neostigmine decreases GRV in critically ill patients with a higher efficacy than monotherapies
ABSTRACT
Objective: to determine the effects of chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit on transected sciatic nerve in animal model of rat
Methods: sixty male White Wistar rats were used in this study. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit [CZON] filled with phosphate buffered saline. In chitosan group [CHIT] the chitosan conduit was filled with phosphate buffered saline solution. In sham-operated group [SHAM], sciatic nerve was exposed and manipulated. In transected group [TC], left sciatic nerve was transected and nerve cut ends were fixed in the adjacent muscle. The regenerated fibers were studied within 12 weeks after surgery
Results: the behavioral and functional tests confirmed faster recovery of the regenerated axons in CZON group compared to Chitosan group [p<0.05]. The mean ratios of gastrocnemius muscles weight were measured. There was statistically significant difference between the muscle weight ratios of CZON and Chitosan groups [p<0.05]. Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in CZON than in Chitosan. In immuohistochemistry, the location of reactions to S-100 in CZON was clearly more positive than Chitosan group
Conclusion: chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite conduit resulted in acceleration of functional recovery and quantitative morphometric indices of sciatic nerve
ABSTRACT
Objective: Sulfur mustard [SM] is a potent mutagenic agent that targets several organs, particularly lung tissue. Changes in morphological structure of the airway system are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary deficiency following exposure to SM. Although numerous studies have demonstrated pathological effects of SM on respiratory organs, unfortunately there is no effective treatment to inhibit further respiratory injuries or induce repair in these patients. Due to the extensive progress and achievements in stem cell therapy, we have aimed to evaluate safety and potential efficacy of systemic mesenchymal stem cell [MSC] administration on a SM-exposed patient with chronic lung injuries
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, our patient received 100x106 cells every 20 days for 4 injections over a 2-month period. After each injection we evaluated the safety, pulmonary function tests [PFT], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] Assessment Test [CAT], St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ], Borg Scale Dyspnea Assessment [BSDA], and 6 Minute Walk Test [6MWT]. One-way ANOVA test was used in this study which was not significant [P>0.05]
Results: There were no infusion toxicities or serious adverse events caused by MSC administration. Although there was no significant difference in PFTs, we found a significant improvement for 6MWT, as well as BSDA, SGRQ, and CAT scores after each injection
Conclusion: Systemic MSC administration appears to be safe in SM-exposed patients with moderate to severe injuries and provides a basis for subsequent cell therapy investigations in other patients with this disorder
Subject(s)
Humans , Mustard Gas/adverse effects , Adipose Tissue/cytology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Long Term Adverse Effects , IranABSTRACT
Objective: Heracleum persicum is a common dietary spice with several traditional medicinal properties important for cardiovascular health including antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti?inflammatory effects. This study explored the effects of supplementation with H. persicum fruit on the angiographic findings of patients with minimal coronary artery disease [CAD]
Methods: Subjects who were diagnosed with <50% stenosis in any of their coronary arteries by angiography were selected for this trial and randomly assigned to H. persicum hydroalcoholic fruit extract [n = 15; 300 mg/day] or placebo [n = 12] for 6 months. At the end of the trial, participants underwent a second coronary angiography in order to evaluate the progression of their disease
Results: Posttrial angiography did not reveal any improvement in the number of stenosed vessels after consumption of H. persicum extract versus placebo [P > 0.05]. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of disease progression and chest pain score [P > 0.05]
Conclusion: The present results do not support any clinically significant benefit of supplementation with H. persicum extract on the angiographic findings of in patients with minimal CAD
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have reported the efficacy of baclofen in the treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases [GERD]. The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of co-administration of omeprazole 20 mg/d plus sustained Release baclofen [SR baclofen] vs. omeprazole 20 mg/d plus placebo on alleviation of symptoms in patients with a diagnosis of GERD. A prospective, double blind, placebo controlled trial included 60 patients with diagnosis of GERD have been done. Patients were randomly selected to receive either SR baclofen or a placebo in addition to omeprazole 20 mg/d for a period of 2 weeks. Patients were questioned regarding heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain and hoarseness at the base line and after 2 weeks. All patients tolerated the medications and no patients failed to complete the study due to adverse drug reactions. A total of 53 patients completed the study, 25 in SR baclofen and 28 in placebo group. After 2 weeks, 1 patient [4%] in SR baclofen group reported heartburn and regurgitation. However 13[46.4%] and 15 [53.6%] of patients in the placebo group had heartburn and regurgitation respectively. The analysis of the data shows that there is a significant difference between the two groups in heartburn and regurgitation [p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 respectively]. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in two groups regarding total GERD score [p <0.0001]. The results of the present study suggest that a combination of SR baclofen and omeprazole may be a more effective treatment for heartburn and regurgitation than omeprazole alone
ABSTRACT
Malpractice in preparation and administration of intravenous [IV] medications has been reported frequently. Inadequate knowledge of nurses has been reported as a cause of such errors. We aimed to evaluate the role of nurses' education via installation of wall posters and giving informative pamphlets in reducing the errors in preparation and administration of intravenous drugs in 2 wards [ICU and surgery] of a teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. A trained observer stationed in 2 wards in different work shifts. He recorded the nurses' practice regarding the preparation and administration of IV drugs and scored them before and after the education process. 400 observations were evaluated. Of them, 200 were related to before education and 200 were related to after education. On a 0-10 quality scale, mean +/- SD scores of before and after education were determined. Mean +/- SD scores of before and after education at the 2 wards were 4.51 [ +/- 1.24] and 6.15 [ +/- 1.23] respectively. There was a significant difference between the scores before and after intervention in ICU [P<0.001], surgery [P<0.001], and total two wards [P<0.001]. Nurses' education by using wall poster and informative pamphlets regarding the correct preparation and administration of IV drugs can reduce the number of errors
ABSTRACT
Right ventricular dysfunction is common in major pulmonary embolisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin I and also to identify patients with RV dysfunction in pulmonary embolism. This study was conducted on 42 patients with pulmonary embolism in Ekbatan Hospital, in Hamedan city. Data from history, echocardiogram, and lung perfusion scan was obtained from medical records. Blood samples were obtained immediately after pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. Cardiac troponin was measured using chromatographic assay. Two patients [4.8%] had positive troponin I [>/= 0.5 microg/l], and 40 patients [95.2%] had negative troponin I [< 0.5 microg/l]. RV dysfunction was detected in 16 patients [38%]. RV dysfunction was detected in 1 of positive troponin I patients and 15 with negative troponin I [37.5%]. No significant relationship was found between RV dysfunction and troponin I level [p>0.05]. Our data demonstrates that troponin I measurement is not able to distinguish specifically between coronary and non- coronary causes of chest pain
Subject(s)
Humans , Pulmonary Embolism/enzymology , Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/diagnosis , Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/enzymologyABSTRACT
Bronchiolitis has been known as one of the pathological features of lung injuries in mustard gas exposed patients The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of interferon gamma-1b on the lung function in mustard gas exposed patients with bronchiolitis. In multicenter research interferon gamma-1b was effective in pulmonary fibrosis with unknown reason, but assessment of effect of interferon gamma-1b in the chemical injured patients has not so far been reported. Thirty six patients with bronchiolitis whose lung lesion had been diagnosed through the chest high resolution computerized tomography [HRCT] and pathological study were divided into two eighteen member case and control groups. The case group was treated for 6 months with a combination of 200 µg of interferon gamma-1b [given three times per week subcutaneously] and 7.5mg of prednisolone [given once a day], while the control group received their previous medications [prednisolone 7.5mg/day + salbutamol and beclomethasone spray PRN]. In the two groups, FEV1 did not have statistical differences at base line [49.3 +/- 2.9 and 48.7 +/- 4.1, respectively, p = 0.6], whereas after treatment the data for FEV1 showed a significant increase in the case group [66.3 +/- 5.4] when compared with those in the control group [57.3 +/- 8.6, p=0.001]. The findings of this study indicate that a 6-month treatment with interferon gamma -1b plus a low-dose of prednisolone is associated with the improvement of the lung function in mustard gas exposed patients with bronchiolitis