The preventive effects of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides and atorvastatin on ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney stones are a common complication of hyperoxaluria. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective and preventive effects of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides and atorvastatin on ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats between 110 and 145 g in weight were used in the study, Ulva lactuca aqueous extract and polysaccharides were prepared. The male albino rats were supplemented with 0.75 percent ethylene glycol (v/v) in their drinking water for six weeks to induce hyperoxaluria. Ulvan infusions (100 mg/kg body weight), ulvan polysaccharides (100 mg/kg body weight), and atorvastatin (two milligrams/kg body weight) to treat hyperoxaluric rats for four weeks (every other day) were used. Weight loss, serum creatinine, serum urea, serum uric acid, serum oxalate, kidney oxalate, kidney lipid peroxidation, and kidney DNA fragmentation and kidney histopathological studies were done. RESULTS: Weight loss, rise of serum creatinine, serum urea, serum uric acid, serum oxalate, kidney oxalate, kidney lipid peroxidation, and kidney DNA fragmentation were all shown to be prevented by the addition of atorvastatin, polysaccharides, or aqueous extract, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, and histopathological perturbations were all significantly reduced by the medicines that were studied. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxaluria caused by ethylene glycol may be prevented by a combination of Ulva lactuca aqueous extract, ulvan polysaccharides, and atorvastatin. A reduction in renal oxidative stress and an improvement of the antioxidant defense system may be responsible for these protective benefits. However, Ulva lactuca infusion and ulvan polysaccharides need to be studied further in humans, in order to determine their efficacy and safety.

Retraction Note: Combined effect of Schroth method and Gensingen brace on Cobb's angle and pulmonary functions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective, single blinded randomized controlled trial.

The article "Combined effect of Schroth method and Gensingen brace on Cobb's angle and pulmonary functions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective, single blinded randomized controlled trial", by S.A. Moawd, G. Nambi, A.E. El-Bagalaty, S.M. Hassan, S.E.B. Elsayed, F.M. Aboelmagd, N.A. Alhwoaimel, H.A. Abdeen, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (2): 601-610-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202301_31061-PMID: 36734703 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief for the following reasons: After publication, concerns were raised about the use of copyright and trademark protected terms "Gensingen Brace" and "the Schroth Method" by the authors of the paper without permission for referring to results of a study with treatment of patients with a "Gensingen Brace". The owner of the copyright expressly denies the use of his trademark for scientific statements that are neither authorized by him nor correspond to the product's characteristics and qualities of his well-known products sold under the trademark. After being informed about the copyright and trademark issue, the corresponding author has been acknowledged and affirmed that the authors were not aware of the possible copyright and trademark infringement at the time of submission. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/31061.

Combined effect of Schroth method and Gensingen brace on Cobb's angle and pulmonary functions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective, single blinded randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effect of the Schroth method added to the Gensingen brace for six months on Cobb's angle, axial rotation of the trunk, and pulmonary function in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study followed a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial design following the CONSORT guidelines. The study was conducted in Health and Rehabilitation Centre. 42 males aged 10-18 years old, diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with curves of 35-40°, were recruited and then were allocated into three groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C. RESULTS: Significant improvement (p < 0.001) in Cobb's angle and the axial rotation of the trunk (ART) were noted after the treatment in the three groups, while pulmonary function showed better results in Group A (p < 0.001) when compared to the two other groups p ≥ 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Six months of Schroth method added to Gensingen Brace demonstrate favorable results in Cobb's angle, thoracic trunk rotation angle, and pulmonary function in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Analyzing the influence of the combination of monochromatic infrared energy and tai chi exercise improve balance in community-dwelling older adults with lower-extremity disease: a double-blinded randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of MIRE exposure and Tai Chi exercise on balance and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults with lower-extremity disease (LED). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blinded randomized controlled study, 49 older adults were randomly allocated into the MIRE group (n=25), in which the participants were exposed to 30 min of MIRE and performed 40-45 min of Tai Chi exercise, three sessions/week; and the sham group (n=24), in which the participants only performed the Tai Chi exercise. We measured the ankle/brachial index (ABI), as well as scores of the Berg balance scale (BBS), Tinetti clinical scale (TCS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) before and after 3-months of intervention. RESULTS: A significant increase in ABI and scores of BBS, and TCS, was observed, along with a significant decrease in TUG scores in the MIRE group. The sham group showed a significant increase in the ABI, and TCS score, and a significant decrease in the TUG score, with a non-significant change in the BBS score. Comparison between both study groups illustrated that the patients in the MIRE group experienced improved balance and decreased fall risk. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of MIRE exposure and Tai Chi exercise improved balance and reduced the risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults with LEDs.