Accelerative effect of topical Zataria multiflora essential oil against infected wound model by modulating inflammation, angiogenesis, and collagen biosynthesis.

CONTEXT: Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae) essential oil (ZME) is believed to be a bactericide herbal medicine and might alleviate negative effects of infection. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effects of an ointment prepared from ZME (ZMEO) on infected wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A full-thickness excisional skin wound was surgically created in each mouse and inoculated with 5 × 107 suspension containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The BALB/c mice (n = 72) were divided into four groups: (1) negative control that received base ointment (NCG), (2) positive control that daily received Mupirocin® (MG), (3) therapeutic ointment containing 2% ZMEO and (4) therapeutic ointment containing 4% ZMEO, for 21 days. Wound contraction, total bacterial count, histopathological parameters, antioxidant activity, qRT-PCR analysis for expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, VEGF, IGF-1, TGF-ß, IL-10, and FGF-2 mRNA levels were assessed on days 3, 7, and 14 following the wounding. RESULTS: Topical administration of ZMEO significantly decreased the total bacterial count and wound area and also expression of IL-1ß and TNF-α compared to the control groups (p < 0.05) in all days. This could also increase significantly the expression of TGF-ß, IL-10 IGF-1, FGF-2, and VEGF, and also angiogenesis, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, epithelialization ratio, and collagen deposition and improve antioxidant status compared to the control group (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: ZMEO accelerated the healing process of infected wounds by shortening the inflammatory factors and increasing proliferative phase. Applying ZMEO only and/or in combination with chemical agents for the treatment of wound healing could be suggested.

Making leisure time meaningful for adolescents: an interview study from Sweden.

Adolescents' school performance is influenced by several factors and meaningful leisure time, especially organized activities, has great potential to impact academic results. Therefore, this study aimed to gain a greater understanding of how community actors perceive meaningful leisure time and how they work to create meaningful leisure time with the intention of increasing the chances for more adolescents completing upper secondary school. Semi-structured interviews with 14 informants, representing nine different community actors in a middle-sized city in Sweden, were conducted and analysed using content analysis. Results suggest that meaningful leisure time positively impacts adolescents' mental health through social relations, support, and guidance. Leisure is believed to have spillover effects on reducing stress, manage school demands and performance. Nevertheless, leisure time activities and school performance must be balanced with time and effort. Community actors work proactively with availability, individual approaches, and offering activities to create meaning. From a societal perspective, places to hang out with supportive adults, in particular structured activities, should be regarded as a social investment in adolescents' health and prospects, especially in deprived areas where fewer activities are available. Finally, ensuring meaningful leisure time is in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The effect of foot reflexology massage on pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a common skin manifestation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Pruritus has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on pruritus in hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 hemodialysis patients referred to Khatam-al-Anbiya and Ali-Ebne Abi-Taleb hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus scores obtained from the Pruritus Severity Scale (PSS) were included in the study. They were randomly divided into intervention and control groups using shuffling cards or envelopes. The intervention group received nine sessions of foot reflexology massage 3 days a week for 20 min (10 min on each foot) with an emphasis on the solar plexus point. The participants in both groups again completed the PSS 48 h after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24, independent t-test, Chi-square test, and paired t-test. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that foot reflexology massage significantly reduced itching or pruritus in hemodialysis patients (P < 0.001). Pruritus scores in the control group were statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was no significant statistically difference between the two groups in terms of the pruritus scores before the intervention (P = 0.59). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the foot reflexology massage could relieve itching or pruritus in hemodialysis patients. It is, therefore, recommended that it can be used as an effective intervention technique to alleviate itching in hemodialysis patients.