Non-invasive Body Contouring Technologies: An Updated Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, a lot of body contouring devices and methods are introduced all over the world. The object of the present narrative review was to update and classify existing evidence on these methods and devices. METHODS: We searched databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for 11 essential keywords, including cryolipolysis, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), shock wave, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), radiofrequency (RF), capacitive resistive electrical transfer (TECAR), high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM), electromyostimulation (EMS), carboxytherapy, mesotherapy, and acupuncture and their abbreviations, in addition to obesity, overweight, cellulite, subcutaneous fat, and body contouring. RESULTS: Totally 193 references were used in 11 main topics. CONCLUSION: In order to help physicians with finding the best evidence in different methods, the data were summarised in 11 topics. Furthermore, FDA-approved devices, side effects and common protocols were described in each section. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors 39 assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full 40 description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, 41 please refer to the Table of Contents or the online 42 Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Recent reports in the biggest herbal genus, Astragalus, in Iran; with a special viewpoint on tragacanth gum production.

This comprehensive review was carried out to integrate all the data published in the electronic databases (Scopus, etc.) over the past two decades about the distribution, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacology of Astragalus L. Although Astragalus is one of the largest genera of flowering plants in Iran, limited phytochemical screening of this genus has been reported. Cycloartane triterpene glycosides, labdane diterpenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides are the major identified compounds. Pharmacological studies revealed significant properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, etc. Moreover, ethnopharmacological studies of Astragalus sp. showed that this genus is used for gastrointestinal, fractures, joint pains, and skin problems in different localities of Iran. Tragacanth gum, as the main product of some Astragalus sp. with economic value, shows proper biological activities and uses as an emulsifier in food industries. This review might be helpful for researchers to find new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses and food supplements.

Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Prescription of Supplements in Pre- and Post-bariatric Surgery Patients: An Updated Comprehensive Practical Guideline.

Only in the USA, 315 billion dollars are spent annually on the medical cost of obesity in adult patients. Till now, bariatric surgery is the most effective method for treating obesity and can play an essential role in reducing the direct and indirect costs of obesity treatment. Nonetheless, there are few comprehensive guidelines which include nutrition, physical activity, and supplements, before and after surgery. The purpose of the present narrative review is to provide an updated and comprehensive practical guideline to help multidisciplinary teams. The core keywords include nutrition, diet, physical activity, exercise, supplements, macronutrients, micronutrients, weight reduction, bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrostomy, Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, and Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch which were searched in databases including PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and some other sources such as Google Scholar. We answered questions in five important areas: (a) nutritional strategies before bariatric surgery, (b) nutrition after bariatric surgery, (c) physical activity before and after bariatric surgery, (d) weight regain after bariatric surgery, and (e) micronutrient assessments and recommendations before and after bariatric surgery. Some new items were added in this updated guideline including "weight regain" and "pregnancy after bariatric surgery." Other fields were updated based on new evidence and guidelines.

A Pilot Study on Controlling Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Inflammation Using Melatonin Supplement.

No effective antiviral drugs and vaccines are available for the treatment of patients with severe coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, available, safe, and inexpensive drugs and supplements such as melatonin are among the proposed options for controlling inflammation. We did a randomized, single-blind study in Imam Khomeini Hospital between June 30, 2020, and August 5, 2020. Mild to moderate COVID-19 patients aged 25-65 years were eligible to enter the study based on chest CT scan, clinical symptoms, and physician diagnosis. The intervention group was prescribed 6 mg of oral melatonin for 2 weeks, which consumed half an hour before bedtime every night in low light conditions. Clinical symptoms and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after treatment in the melatonin received and control (regular medications) groups. Among screened patients with COVID-19, 14 patients were assigned to receive melatonin, and 17 patients were considered as controls. A significant difference (p=0.005) between CRP 1 and CRP 2 levels (before and after using melatonin) was found in the melatonin group while this difference (p=0.069) was not significant in the control group. Also, the percentage of recovery (based on symptoms) in patients who took melatonin was higher than that of patients in the control group (85.7% VS 47.1%). The result of this study confirmed the effectiveness of melatonin in mild to moderate outpatients with COVID-19. More clinical trials on elderly, diabetic, obese patients and severe cases are suggested in future studies.

The essential role of hippocampo-cortical connections in temporal coordination of spindles and ripples.

The predominant activity of slow wave sleep is cortical slow oscillations (SOs), thalamic spindles and hippocampal sharp wave ripples. While the precise temporal nesting of these rhythms was shown to be essential for memory consolidation, the coordination mechanism is poorly understood. Here we develop a minimal hippocampo-cortico-thalamic network that can explain the mechanism underlying the SO-spindle-ripple coupling indicating of the succession of regional neuronal interactions. Further we verify the model predictions experimentally in naturally sleeping rodents showing our simple model provides a quantitative match to several experimental observations including the nesting of ripples in the spindle troughs and larger duration but lower amplitude of the ripples co-occurring with spindles or SOs compared to the isolated ripples. The model also predicts that the coupling of ripples to SOs and spindles monotonically enhances by increasing the strength of hippocampo-cortical connections while it is stronger at intermediate values of the cortico-hippocampal projections.

Transitional Cancer Care Program from Hospital to Home in the Health Care System of Iran.

OBJECTIVES: Transitional care program refers to the health care continuity during transferring from one health care setting to another or to home. This is an essential program for cancer patients and reduces the risk of unnecessary hospital admissions as well as the complications of the disease. The aim of this study was to develop a transitional cancer care program from hospital to home in the health care system of Iran. METHODS: This study is a health policy and system research. It was conducted in four stages from October 2019 to January 2020. The first stage was a qualitative study. The qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 participants and a focus group with eight experts. In the second stage, a literature review of transitional care models was carried out. The initial version of the transitional cancer care program was developed based on the qualitative results and the literature review in the third stage. The validity and feasibility of the program were assessed using the Delphi study in the fourth stage. RESULTS: Six major categories were extracted from the qualitative results, consisting of "integrated services for the continuity of care", "holistic care", "care standardization", "the use of telemedicine", "the transparency of rules" and "the care process provision". Using these results and extracted the three common models of transitional care, the initial program was developed in three phases of pre-discharge, post-discharge, and transitional care with six protocols. The content validity of the program (98.7%) and its feasibility (95.8%) were approved by experts in the Delphi rounds. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to revise hospitals' discharge program, and home health care center's plan for admission and delivering health care services for cancer patients. Also, a pilot program is necessary to find the system advantages and disadvantages.
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Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Prescription of Supplements in Pre- and Post-bariatric Surgery Patients: a Practical Guideline.

According to ASMBS, the rate of bariatric surgery increased from 158,000 in 2011 to 196,000 in 2015. Nevertheless, this growth in invasive techniques does not eliminate unhealthy habits, so lifestyle modification such as healthy nutrition and correct physical activity programs may improve surgical results. The objective of the present narrative review was to categorize the guidelines related to nutrition, physical activity, and supplement prescription before and after bariatric surgery. The main key words including nutrition, diet, physical activity, exercise, supplements, macronutrients, micronutrients, weight reduction, bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrostomy, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch were searched in databases including PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and some other sources such as Google scholar. The recommendations are classified based on the type of surgery. The indications for surgery and the type of bariatric surgery are not included in this review. This review helps medical teams, including bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, and sports medicine specialists, with proper management before and after bariatric surgery.

Effect of Omega-3 PUFAs Supplementation with Lifestyle Modification on Anthropometric Indices and Vo2 max in Overweight Women.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that the recommendations of counteracting obesity advocate for changing lifestyle and physical activity habits, the prevalence of obesity continues to rise. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 PUFAs supplementation with lifestyle modification on anthropometric indices and Vo2max in overweight women. METHODS: Fifty overweight women aged between 20 to 45 years were recruited in this interventional study. Women randomly were divided into two experimental groups (n = 25). Group 1 received omega-3 supplement, aerobic exercise program, and a healthy diet education. Group 2 was similar to group 1, except in that patients received placebo instead of omega-3 capsules. Experimental and placebo group subjects were asked to take one supplementary capsule every day, for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices were measured in the fourth and eighth weeks of the trial. The maximum aerobic capacity (Vo2max) was determined using a gas analysis device. The level of significance for comparing the results before and after the trial was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: According to the data, body weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and abdominal skinfold thickness significantly reduced in the omega-3 treated group compared to the control group during 8 weeks after the initiation of the study (P < 0.05). In addition, supplementation of omega-3, significantly improved the VO2max outcome compared to that of the control group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: According to the results, it seems that omega-3 PUFAS supplementation with lifestyle modification has positive effects on anthropometric indices and Vo2max in overweight women.