Effectiveness and safety of digital rectal stimulation and abdominal massage for neurogenic bowel dysfunction in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) is a prevalent complication among stroke patients, significantly affecting their quality of life, duration of hospitalization, medical expenses, and even mortality. Although current guidelines suggest a conservative strategy for addressing bowel dysfunction, which includes techniques such as digital rectal stimulation (DRS) and abdominal massage, the availability of interventions remains limited in healthcare facilities. METHODS: This study follows a prospective randomized controlled parallel-group clinical trial design. The control group will receive standard care, while the intervention group will undergo a program that combines DRS and abdominal massage in addition to standard care. The duration of the intervention for both groups will be 6 weeks. The primary outcome measures will be the Wexner score. Furthermore, secondary outcomes measure will be assessed, including Bristol score, Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QoL), and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FI-QoL). DISCUSSION: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a bowel rehabilitation program for stroke patients with NBD. The findings will provide information that can contribute to the formulation of bowel management strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Registry under the number ChiCTR2300071709. This registration was completed on May 23, 2023. All items from the World Health Organization Trial Registration Data set are described in this manuscript.

Distribution characteristics and main influencing factors of selenium in surface soil of natural selenium-rich area: a case study in Langao County, China.

In order to study the distribution of selenium in surface soil and its main influencing factor, we collected 360 surface soil samples and four groups of soil profiles with 210 corresponding parent rock samples in Langao County, Shaanxi Province (a typical high-selenium area of Daba Mountain). Samples were analyzed for trace elements by using ICP-MS, ICP-OES and HG-AFS. The results show the following. (1) selenium content in surface soils of Langao County varies greatly (0.03-16.96 mg/kg). The mean selenium content in surface soils of Langao County is 0.99 mg/kg, higher than the global (0.4 mg/kg) and China (0.29 mg/kg) soil average, and 3.4 times the mean of soil selenium in China. (2) Selenium content of bedrock in Langao County also varies greatly (0.01-56.22 mg/kg), with an average selenium content of 2.02 mg/kg, which is 40 times higher than the upper crust (0.05 mg/kg). (3) Selenium content in the strata of the Late Precambrian-Early Paleozoic and its variation is an important factor affecting the spatial variation of soil selenium content. The black rock series (carbonaceous slate and silicon-bearing carbonaceous slate) of the Upper Ediacaran-Cambrian on the north side has the highest mean selenium content (> 7.92 mg/kg), and the selenium content of the surface soil in the distribution area can reach up to 16.96 mg/kg. The Middle Cambrian, Upper Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian (limestone and marl) in the south has the lowest mean selenium content (< 2 mg/kg), and the selenium content of surface soil in the distribution area is lower than 0.8 mg/kg mostly. (4) Soil samples at different depths in the same soil profile have similar composition of rare earth elements (REE), and bedrock and corresponding topsoil has similar composition of REE. This study indicates the selenium content in the topsoil varies greatly, even in high-selenium area. And the difference of selenium distribution is closely related to the original selenium content of the bedrock.

Effect of different irradiation dose treatment on the lipid oxidation, instrumental color and volatiles of fresh pork and their changes during storage.

This study mainly investigated the effect of different doses irradiation (0, 3, 5 or 7kGy) on the quality changes of pork during 4°C storage by determining the irradiation off-odor intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), fatty acid composition, volatiles and color of the samples during whole storage. The results showed that ≥7kGy irradiation could make the samples produce obvious irradiation off-odor. However, after 7days storage irradiation off-odor was reduced. Lipid oxidation was also promoted by irradiation. Benzyl methyl sulfide was produced newly and significantly increased (P<0.05) by irradiation. Fatty acids in pork samples decreased significantly with irradiation dose increase within the range of <7kGy, but significantly increased (P<0.05) in samples of 7kGy. Irradiation significantly increased the a* values regardless of storage time but had little effects on b* and L* values, and the increase of a* values was dose-dependent.