Effect of topical local anaesthesia on injection pain associated with administration of sterile water injections - a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sterile water injections can provide effective pain relief during childbirth, particularly for low back pain related to childbirth. However, the pain associated administering the injections can negatively impact women's impressions of the procedure. It may discourage women from considering repeat doses despite the quality of analgesia experienced. Determining strategies to reduce the pain related to the administration of sterile water injections would improve the acceptability of the technique. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical local anesthesia on the pain associated with administration of sterile water injections. METHODS: The study was designed as a multi-arm single-blind, randomized, controlled trial and 120 female healthy students were randomly divided according to one of four groups. The Intervention group received sterile water injections with topical local anesthesia. Control group 1 received sterile water injections without topical local anesthesia, control group 2 received injections of isotonic saline 0.9% with topical local anesthesia and control group 3 received injections of isotonic saline 0.9% without topical local anesthesia. Pain Immediately after the injections and subsidence in pain were recorded using a visual analogue scale. Sensations in the injection area were reported 15 min and the day after the injections. RESULTS: The main finding of this study was that local anesthesia with EMLA® reduces the pain associated with the administration of intracutaneous sterile water injections. There was a significant difference in the self-assessed pain score immediately following the injections between the control (73.3 mm) and intervention groups (50.0 mm), p = 0.001. No adverse side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Local anesthesia with EMLA® reduces the pain associated with intracutaneous administration of sterile water injections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered 08/07/2014 at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02213185 .

Hydrogen-Rich Water Ameliorates Murine Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease through Antioxidation.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an important treatment option for various hematopoietic diseases and certain hereditary diseases. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has become the main life-threatening complication and cause of death in later stage postallo-HSCT. Current treatment options for cGVHD are limited. Hydrogen gas (H2) has been demonstrated that has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrosis effects. The aim of this study was to confirm whether oral administration hydrogen-rich water exerted therapeutic effects on a scleroderma cGVHD mouse model and tried to explain the mechanism underly it. METHODS: A mouse cGVHD model was established by haploidentical bone marrow transplantation. To evaluate therapeutic effects of H2 on cGVHD, survival rate, changes in clinical scores, and skin pathologic characteristics of cGVHD mice were observed. To evaluate its therapeutic mechanism, we detected the expression levels of antioxidative enzymes heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and NAD (P)H: quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) in skin homogenates. We also detected the expression level of the apoptotic protein caspase-3 in skin homogenates. RESULTS: 1-month survival rate of cGVHD mice in the hydrogen group reached 93.3%, significantly higher than 66.7% in the nonhydrogen group (p < 0.05). Clinical score of cGVHD mice was improved by hydrogen-rich water at 96 days posttransplantation (2.2 versus 4.5, p < 0.05). The skin pathological condition of cGVHD mice was significantly improved by hydrogen-rich water. At 96 days posttransplantation, average skin pathological hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining score in the hydrogen group was 1.05, which was significantly lower than 3.2 in the nonhydrogen group (p < 0.01). Average Masson staining score was 0.6 point in the hydrogen group, lower than 0.9 point in the nonhydrogen group (p < 0.05). Both the relative expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 proteins in skin specimens of cGVHD mice in the hydrogen group were lower than that in the nonhydrogen group (2.47 versus 6.21 and 1.83 versus 3.59, p < 0.05). The relative expression level of caspase-3 protein in skin specimens of cGVHD mice increased to 7.17 on the 96th day after transplantation, significantly higher than 4.36 in the hydrogen group. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that oral hydrogen-rich water improved the survival rate and clinical symptoms of cGVHD mice by antioxidant and antiapoptosis. This study would pave the way for further clinical study, which may provide a new treatment option for cGVHD.

Inhalations with thermal waters in respiratory diseases.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Inhalations with thermal waters are an old therapeutic method used in the therapy of respiratory diseases as a treatment of choice showing a long-lasting outcome with no side effects. Paradoxically, there is little well-established research on their mechanisms of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this paper is therefore to summarize the influence of inhalatory treatment with thermal waters on the main symptoms and features of respiratory disorders including allergy-like symptoms, inflammation, oxidant-anti-oxidant balance, cellular influx, disturbed mucus secretions, recurrent infections, pulmonary and nasal function and quality of life. A short history of inhalations is also presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present paper is a sum-up of research articles on the use of inhalations with thermal waters in respiratory disorders. RESULTS: According to the herein presented literature, the use of thermal water inhalations is beneficial for almost all manifestations of respiratory diseases. The mode of their action remains still unclear; however, it seems that the most important one relies on the restoration of proper defense mechanisms of the organism. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalations with thermal waters alleviate symptoms of respiratory diseases. They also improve the quality of life of the patients and seem to be a good add-on therapy in the treatment of disorders of the respiratory system.

Effectiveness of oolong tea and simethicone solution for lens cleansing during colonoscopy: A double-blinded randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: water is an imperfect agent for lens cleansing during endoscopy due to its incompetence to clean hydrophobic dirt, whereas amphiphilic surfactants have the potential to overcome the limitation of water. The trial was aimed to evaluate the cleansing effectiveness of 2 typical surfactants (simethicone solution and oolong tea) for colonoscopic lens. METHODS: Oolong tea (O-), low concentration simethicone solution (S1-), high concentration simethicone solution (S2-) and distilled water (D-) were used as washing solutions for colonoscopic lens. Study I: The tip of the colonoscope was immersed in lard oil in order to simulate the blur, and photographs were taken toward a standard colonoscopy image in-vitro pre- and post- each cleansing procedure. The blurred areas of each image were quantified and compared. Study II: 395 consecutive patients who were due to colonoscopy examination were enrolled and randomized into O-, S2-, D-group. The volume of washing solution used and cleansing level during the examination procedure, adenoma and polyp detected per colonoscopy, insertion time and withdraw time were analyzed. RESULTS: Study I: There were no differences in 4 groups for the blurred areas on images before lens cleansing. The blurred areas after lens cleansing were significantly smaller in 3 groups (O- 8.47 ±â€Š20.91 vs S1- 13.06 ±â€Š10.71 vs S2- 6.76 ±â€Š8.49 vs D- 38.24 ±â€Š29.69, P < .05) than water. The decline range of blurred areas after lens cleansing in oolong tea, low concentration simethicone solution, high concentration simethicone solution groups were significantly higher than that in distilled water group (O- 87.35 ±â€Š20.81 vs S1- 78.12 ±â€Š19.24 vs S2- 89.57 ±â€Š8.50 vs D- 53.39 ±â€Š28.45, P < .05). Study II: The volume of washing solution used in S2-group was significantly smaller than that in O-group and D-group. The cleansing level of the colonoscopic lens of O-group was significantly superior than that of S2-group and D-group. CONCLUSIONS: The in-vitro test showed oolong tea and simethicone solution can effectively cleans the colonoscopic lens. The clinical trial demonstrated that oolong tea instead of water is effective to provide better visualization during colonoscopy.Registration: Chictr.org.cn No: ChiCTR1900025606.

The impact of fluid resuscitation via colon on patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening disease. Fluid Resuscitation Via Colon (FRVC) may be a complementary therapy for early controlled fluid resuscitation. But its clinical application has not been reported. This study aims to explore the impact of FRVC on SAP. All SAP patients with the first onset within 72 h admitted to the hospital were included from January 2014 to December 2018 through electronic databases of Ruijin hospital and were divided into FRVC group (n = 103) and non-FRVC group (n = 78). The clinical differences before and after the therapy between the two groups were analyzed. Of the 181 patients included in the analysis, the FRVC group received more fluid volume and reached the endpoint of blood volume expansion ahead of the non-FRVC group. After the early fluid resuscitation, the inflammation indicators in the FRVC group were lower. The rate of mechanical ventilation and the incidence of hypernatremia also decreased significantly. Using pure water for FRVC was more helpful to reduce hypernatremia. However, Kaplan-Meier 90-day survival between the two groups showed no difference. These results suggest that the combination of FRVC might benefit SAP patients in the early stage of fluid resuscitation, but there is no difference between the prognosis of SAP patients and that of conventional fluid resuscitation. Further prospective study is needed to evaluate the effect of FRVC on SAP patients.

Effects of concomitant use of hydrogen water and photobiomodulation on Parkinson disease: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease, has no cure or applicable disease-modifying approach, only symptomatic therapy. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play key roles in PD pathophysiology. Animal studies have demonstrated that photobiomodulation (PBM) may enhance mitochondrial function and boost adenosine triphosphate production, thus alleviating PD symptoms; however, this process can cause increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a potent and possibly therapeutic antioxidant that can mitigate the effect of ROS. PBM targeting the brainstem may facilitate neuronal activity, and the concomitant H2 may clear additional ROS produced by PBM. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of PBM + H2 in patients with PD. METHODS: We included 18 patients with PD (age 30-80 years) who were at Hoehn and Yahr stages II-III. All the participants received daily PBM + H2 therapy for 2 weeks. The adverse event and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores were recorded. RESULTS: We noted that the UPDRS scores began significantly decreasing from the first week, and this improvement persisted until the end of therapy. Moreover, no adverse event was recorded. After 1 week of therapy cessation, UPDRS scores slightly increased but the improvement remained significant compared with the baseline. CONCLUSION: This novel, proof-of-concept study demonstrated that PBM+H2 therapy is safe and reduces disease severity. A larger-scaled clinical trial is warranted to completely investigate the effects of PBM + H2 therapy on PD.

The effectiveness of intradermal sterile water injection for low back pain in the emergency department: A prospective, randomized controlled study.

AIM: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint among emergency department (ED) admissions. In this study, it was aimed to compare the effectiveness of systemic treatment with intradermal sterile water injection (ISWI) treatment protocol combined with systemic therapy in patients with LBP of unclear chronicity. METHODS: A prospective randomized, unblinded, controlled clinical study was conducted on patients admitted to the ED for LBP of unclear chronicity. One hundred twelve patients were randomly assigned to two groups; Group ISWI (n = 56) administered ISWI in the LBP region of patients along with systemic intravenous dexketoprofen therapy, while the other group (n = 56) received only systemic intravenous dexketoprofen therapy. The treatment methods' effectiveness was compared by measuring the pain intensity with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at admission, 10th minutes, 20th minutes, 30th minutes, and 24 h later. Also, opioid and analgesic consumptions in 24 h after treatment and patient satisfactions were compared. RESULTS: In the treatment of LBP, ISWI treatment was found to be more effective in relieving pain than systemic therapy alone (p < 0.001). Also, it was observed that opioid consumption in the ED and analgesic consumption within 24 h after treatments were decreased in the ISWI group (p < 0.001). The patient satisfaction in the ED was statistically increased (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: In this unblinded study, ISWI with systemic therapy improved pain outcomes more than systemic therapy alone. Further research is needed to determine whether this was due entirely to placebo effect.

Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC: Evaluation of chemical constituents, oral safety, gastroprotective activity, and mechanism of action of its hydroethanolic extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC is a seasonal herb with a spicy smell that grows wild in wet grounds of tropical Africa and Asia. The plant is used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases; that includes its use to treat gastric ulcers. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents of the hydroethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus senegalensis DC and evaluate its oral safety, gastroprotective activity, and mechanisms of action using laboratory models in rats and mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydroethanolic extract (70%) of the powdered whole dried material was prepared, and chemical constituents of the resultant extract (denoted HESs) standardized using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The safety profile of HESs was assessed using 2000 mg/kg, oral (p.o.) for Hippocratic screening in mice, and 800 mg/kg, p.o. for 28 days subchronic toxicity assay in rats. The gastroprotective effect of HESs (25, 100, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was investigated using acidified ethanol, piroxicam, water immobilization stress, and acetic acid-induced ulcer models. The gastroprotective mechanisms of HESs were evaluated using its effect on gastric mucus protection, nitric oxide modulation, gastric juice secretory parameters, catalase and myeloperoxidase activities. Histological analysis of the stomach tissues was also carried out. RESULTS: The HPLC analysis indicated the presence of 25.94% phenolics (gallic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid) and 14.53% flavonoids (rutin, morin, luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin). Hippocratic screening and the 28 days subchronic study indicated that HESs is generally safe. Result shows that oral administration of HESs (25, 100 and 400 mg/kg) alleviated the severity of the gastric ulcers induced by acidified ethanol by 35.65% (p < 0.05), 48.70% (p < 0.05) and 78.02% (p < 0.001) respectively; exhibited gastroprotective effect against the gastric lesions induced by piroxicam by 37.97% (p < 0.05), 53.27% (p < 0.05) and 76.23% (p < 0.001) respectively; and decreased the severity of the water immobilization stress-induced gastric ulcers by 32.43% (p < 0.05), 55.26% (p < 0.01) and 74.05% (p < 0.001) respectively, when compared to the vehicle control group. The mechanisms of action assays indicated that the gastroprotective activity was mediated mainly through gastroprotection, antisecretory, and antioxidant activities. Histological analysis showed it inhibited epithelial cell loss, vascular damage, and leucocyte infiltration. CONCLUSION: HESs contains useful phytochemicals, is safe, and exhibited significant gastroprotective action. The results provided justification for its claim in the treatment of gastric ulcers and its evaluation for potential application as a gastroprotective agent.

De curandis hominum morbis: An 18th century medical prescription for measles and smallpox in the Nuevo Reino de Granada / De curandis hominum morbis: una receta médica del siglo XVIII para el sarampión y las viruelas en el Nuevo Reino de Granada

A collection of more than one hundred medical recipes from the late 18th century was donated by Presbyter Cipriano Rodríguez Santa María, institutional eponym of the collection at the Historical Archive "Octavio Arizmendi Posada" of the library of the Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia. These texts represent an important historical and medical legacy and they constitute an important basis for understanding the colonial and traditional therapeutics related to various diseases. In this article, we describe one of these recipes for the treatment of smallpox and measles as a contribution to the history of medicine in Colombia.

En el Archivo Histórico de la Biblioteca "Octavio Arizmendi Posada" de la Universidad de La Sabana, se encuentra una colección de más de un centenar de recetas médicas de finales del siglo XVIII donadas por el presbítero Cipriano Rodríguez Santa María, epónimo institucional del archivo. Estos textos son un legado histórico médico y un fundamento para comprender la terapéutica colonial y tradicional de diversas enfermedades. En este artículo, se describen algunas recetas para el tratamiento de la viruela y el sarampión, como aporte a la historia de la medicina en Colombia.

Effects of hot­water extracts from 26 herbs on α­glucosidase activity.

α­glucosidase is a key enzyme that plays a role in glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and the inhibition of its activity induces the prevention of postprandial hyperglycemia. Several α­glucosidase inhibitors have been used as medicines for type 2 diabetes, but a similar effect is observed in natural resources, including traditional herbs and their phytochemicals. To identify the presence of the α­glucosidase inhibitory activity in herbs, in which various functional effects have been known to occur, the present study investigated the effects of hot­water extracts of 26 types of herbs on α­glucosidase activity in an in vitro assay. The results indicated significant increases in the inhibition of α­glucosidase activity in 1,000 µg/ml olive (P<0.01), white willow (P<0.01) and red rooibos hot­water extracts. Furthermore, ≥50% inhibition of α­glucosidase activity was determined to be significant in 1,000 µg/ml coltsfoot, green tea and bearberry hot­water extracts. In addition, the effects of bearberry, green tea and coltsfoot hot­water extracts on α­glucosidase activity in vivo were evaluated according to the blood glucose levels (BGLs) in maltose and glucose load model rats. It was indicated that the administration of these three herb extracts significantly reduced the increasing BGLs after maltose loading until 0.5 h compared with the control group. However, only coltsfoot extract significantly reduced the increasing BGLs after glucose loading until 0.5 h compared with the control group. Thus, the present results may facilitate the understanding of a novel functionality in traditional herbs, which could be useful for the prevention of disease onset and progression, such as in hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

MR enterocolonography in patients with Crohn's disease and healthy volunteers - Do we achieve diagnostic bowel distension?

PURPOSE: The aim of our prospective randomized study was to assess diagnostic quality and stability of bowel distension in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and healthy volunteers subjected to synchronous magnetic resonance enterography and colonography (MREC), as well as to test the role of water enema and intravenous spasmolytics. The influence of gastric content, age, gender, and body mass on bowel distension was also evaluated. METHOD: Study groups included 164 CD patients and 53 healthy volunteers. After bowel preparation, randomized subgroups started ingestion ≥1000 mL of hyperosmolar solution within 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min before admission to MRI, respectively. Patients were examined in prone position and water enema was applied. Spasmolytics were administered prior to I.V. gadolinium. Distension of five bowel segments was independently assessed by two experienced radiologists. RESULTS: MREC yields diagnostic distension of the jejunum in 81.1 % and 79.2 % patients in the CD group and controls, respectively. For the terminal ileum it was >94 % in both groups. Good and excellent distension was achieved in other bowel segments. Distension was maintained up to 75 min from the start of oral ingestion. Water enema and spasmolytics significantly and independently improved distension of the small bowel. Distension of the cecum after spasmolytics was decreased. Gastric content, age, gender and body mass had no significant influence of bowel distension. CONCLUSIONS: MREC enables diagnostic distension of the colon and ileum (including terminal segment) in CD patients and healthy volunteers and diagnostically acceptable distension of the jejunum.

Effects of post exercise protein supplementation on markers of bone turnover in adolescent swimmers.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of whey protein supplementation, compared with an isocaloric carbohydrate beverage and water, consumed immediately following an intense swimming trial on bone turnover in adolescent swimmers. METHODS: Fifty-eight (31 female, 27 male) swimmers (14.1 ± 0.4 years) were stratified into three groups matched for age, sex and body mass. The protein and carbohydrate groups consumed two isocaloric post-exercise beverages each containing 0.3 g.kg- 1 of whey protein (with ~ 6 mg of calcium) or maltodextrin while the control group consumed water. Participants provided a morning, fasted, resting blood sample, then performed an intense swimming trial consisting of a maximal 200 m swim followed by a high intensity interval swimming protocol (5x100m, 5x50m and 5x25m; 1:1 work-to-rest ratio). Following swimming, they consumed their first respective post-exercise beverage, and 2 h later, they performed a second maximal swim immediately followed by the second beverage. Approximately 3 h after the second beverage, two post-consumption blood samples were collected at 8 h and 24 h from baseline. Procollagen type 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTXI) were measured in serum. The multiples of medians of PINP and CTXI were also used to calculate bone turnover rate and balance. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in PINP. CTXI increased (+ 11%) at 8 h in all groups, but then significantly decreased (- 22%) at 24 h in the protein group only. The protein group also had a significantly higher calculated rate of bone turnover at 8 h and 24 h compared to baseline, which was not observed in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results shed light on the potential importance of protein consumed shortly after intense swimming in promoting positive bone turnover responses up to 24 h following exercise in adolescent athletes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov PRS; NCT04114045. Registered 1 October 2019 - Retrospectively registered.

Behavioral Evaluation of the Effects of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Suaeda vermiculata Forssk on Rats.

BACKGROUND: Suaeda vermiculata is one of the widely distributed halophytes in central Saudi Arabia. The plant is used as a remedy for liver diseases, jaundice, and inflammation. S. vermiculata is also used as camels' food by local shepherds. PURPOSE: The study aims to evaluate the behavioral antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of S. vermiculata aqueous and ethanol extracts. METHODS: Aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. vermiculata were prepared by the maceration technique. Standard forced swim test cylinder and light/dark chamber device were used to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of the extracts (200 mg/kg) in rats model, respectively. RESULTS: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. vermiculata showed remarkable antidepressant activity with significant increase in the swimming time and reduced immobility in the rats compared to imipramine treated animals (P<0.05). Ethanol extract increased the swimming time by 20% and decreased the immobility time by more than 60% compared to the control group of animals. In contrast, the extracts induced the anxiety behavior in experimental rats compared to vehicle- treated animals. The extracts significantly (P<0.001) reduced the time spent by rats in the light chamber by more than 50% and increased the time spent in dark chamber as compared with the control group and the group receiving diazepam. CONCLUSION: The medicinally important plant S. vermiculata induced anxiety behavior with antidepressant activity in rats. These effects from our point of view are similar to the effects of some common beverages containing caffeine such as coffee and tea.

Phytogenic feed- and water-additives improve feed efficiency in broilers via modulation of (an)orexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptide expression.

Fueled by consumer preference for natural and antibiotic-free products, phytogenics have become the fastest growing segment of the animal feed additives. Yet, their modes of action are not fully understood. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of 5 phytogenics (3 feed- and 2 water-supplements) on the growth performance of commercial broilers, and their potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Day-old male Cobb 500 chicks (n = 576) were randomly assigned into 48 pens consisting of 6 treatments (Control; AVHGP; SCP; BHGP; AVSSL; SG) in a complete randomized design (12 birds/pen, 8 pens/treatment, 96 birds/treatment). Chicks had ad libitum access to feed and water. Individual body weight (BW) was recorded weekly and feed intake was measured daily. Core body temperatures were continuously recorded using thermo-loggers. At d 35, hypothalamic tissues were excised from the thermo-logger-equipped chickens (n = 8 birds/treatment) to determine the expression of feeding-related neuropeptides. Both feed (AVHGP, SCP, BHGP) and water-supplemented (AVSSL, SG) phytogenics significantly improved feed efficiency (FE) compared to the control birds. This higher FE was achieved via a reduction in core body temperature and improvement of market BW, without changes in feed intake in broilers supplemented with phytogenic water additives as compared to the control group. Broilers fed dietary phytogenics, however, attained higher feed efficiency via a reduction in feed intake while maintaining similar BW as the control group. At the molecular levels, the effects of the phytogenic water additives seemed to be mediated by the activation of the hypothalamic AgRP-ORX-mTOR-S6k1 and inhibition of CRH pathways. The effect of the phytogenic feed additives appeared to be exerted through the activation of AdipoQ, STAT3, AMPK, and MC1R pathways. This is the first report describing the likely central mechanisms through which phytogenic additives improve the growth performance and feed efficiency in broilers.

Food, water, energy, and macronutrient intake of non-breastfed infants and young children (0-3 years).

PURPOSE: The French Nutri-Bébé 2013 study aimed to assess the nutritional intake of infants and young children in comparison with the recommendations of the 2013 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled a random sample of families selected according to the Quota sampling method. A 3-day dietary record was conducted and supervised by two face-to-face interviews. All foods and beverages consumed were qualitatively and quantitatively reported in a diary, and their composition calculated using a food composition database. RESULTS: A total of 1035 non-breastfed children were included. Formula was abandoned early, amounting to approximately 50% of the total food intake at 7 months in 50% of infants and 22% at 1 year. A similar trend was observed for specific complementary foods. After 1 year, 50% of children consumed cow's milk, which was semi-skimmed in 88% of cases. Drinking water intake was low. Protein intake reached 1.4 times the average requirements before 3 months, 2 times at 8-9 months, and > 4 times at 30-35 months. Fat intake was below the EFSA adequate intake (AI) in > 90% of children. Alpha-linolenic acid intake was equal to or greater than the AI in all infants < 3 months, 85% of children at 6 months, 34% at 12-17 months, and 8% >24 months. Regardless of age, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake was less than the AI. CONCLUSION: Strong discrepancies are observed between the actual and recommended intake in young, non-breastfed children namely, a high-protein intake, and a low fat intake, especially DHA.

Virgin olive oil (unfiltered) extract contains peptides and possesses ACE inhibitory and antihypertensive activity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The peptide and protein composition of olive oil is mostly unknown and the few studies available have not focused on the study of its low molecular weight peptides. We hypothesised that olive oil could naturally contain low molecular weight peptides with antihypertensive effect. METHODS: We produced virgin olive oil (unfiltered, var. Picual) and obtained a water-soluble peptide extract. We fractionated the peptide extract by FPLC and studied its angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. We studied the antihypertensive effect of olive oil peptides on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using an animal model of hypertension (spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR). The animals were randomly distributed into 3 study groups (n = 8 per group) and received an oral dose of olive oil peptides (0.425 mg/kg of BW), or a dose of Captopril (50 mg/kg of BW) or water. SBP and DBP were registered in the rats before administration and a at 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 and 48 h post-administration of the corresponding dose. RESULTS: The peptide extract and FPLC purified fractions possessed angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Acute oral administration of olive oil water-soluble extract produced an average blood pressure reduction of 10 mmHg at 4 h (P < 0.01) and reached a maximum antihypertensive effect of 20 mmHg at 6 h, compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Unfiltered virgin olive oil contains peptides and a water-soluble extract obtained from this oil possesses ACE inhibitory activity and in vivo antihypertensive effect.

Modulation of Hematological Indices of Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits by Aqueous Extract of Pleurotus tuberregium Sclerotia.

OBJECTIVE: The ability of an aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium to modulate hematological parameters was investigated in normal and alloxan treated rabbits. METHODS: The extract was subjected to atomic absorption spectrophotometric and flame ionization detector-coupled-gas chromatographic (GC-FID) analysis. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a 120 mg/kg body weight intravenous injection of alloxan. Metformin was orally administered at 50 mg/kg, while the extract was administered (both to normal and diabetic rabbits) at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. RESULTS: Analysis of the extract showed that it had high contents of calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. Eleven known glycosides were detected, comprising mainly of amygdalin (37.7%), digoxin (14.4%), dhurrin (14.0%), linamarin (13.6%), prunasin (10.8%) and digitoxin (8.4%). Also detected were twelve known saponins, consisting mainly of sapogenin (40.3%) and neochlorogenin (21.8%); and twelve known lignans, consisting mainly of matairesinol (59.7%), secoisolariciresinol (20.9%) and lariciresinol (14.9%). Compared to the Diabetic control, the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width; and red cell, total white cell, lymphocytes, granulocytes and platelet counts of the treated groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher. CONCLUSION: The above result showed that the extract had a positive effect on the hemopoietic system of the treated animals, at least at the doses at which it was administered in this study.

Intra-articular steroid for adhesive capsulitis: does hydrodilatation give any additional benefit? A randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefit offered by capsular hydrodilatation in addition to intra-articular steroid injections in cases of adhesive capsulitis, assess outcomes in diabetic patients with capsular hydrodilatation as compared to non-diabetics and correlate duration of symptoms with outcome based on the type of intervention given. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective double-blinded randomized control trial included patients presenting with clinical features of adhesive capsulitis with no evidence of rotator cuff pathology and randomized them into two groups-intra-articular steroid with hydrodilatation (distension group) and only intra-articular steroid (non-distension group) with intervention being performed as per the group allotted. Primary outcome measure was Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores which were taken pre-intervention, at 1.5, 3 and 6 months post-intervention, which were assessed by generalized linear model statistics and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Although there was statistically significant drop in SPADI in both groups over time [F(1.9, 137.6) = 112.2; p < 0.001], mean difference in SPADI between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (1.53; CI:-3.7 to 6.8; p = 0.56). There was no significant difference between both groups among diabetics [F(1,38) = 0.04; p = 0.95] and no significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients who received hydrodilatation [F(1.8, 60) = 2.26; p = 0.12]. There was no significant correlation between the reduction in SPADI scores and duration of symptoms in any subset of the study population. CONCLUSION: Shoulder joint hydrodilatation offered no additional benefit compared to intra-articular steroid injections for shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Outcome for diabetics and non-diabetics were similar and there was no correlation between duration of symptoms and outcome.

Broncalt®, class II medical device, in patients with acute upper airways disease: a survey in clinical practice.

Inflammation is a common pathogenic mechanism involved in many otorhinolaryngological (ORL) disorders. Broncalt® is a class II Medical Device containing: thermal water (Medesano, PR, Italy), hyaluronic acid, and grapefruit seed extract. It has been reported that it exerted a safe and effective anti-inflammatory, washing, and antimicrobial activity by virtue of these components. Therefore, the aim of the current survey, conducted in clinical practice of 84 Italian ORL centers, was to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with acute upper airways disease. The 3,533 (1,797 males, mean age 43.5 years) patients were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after a 2-week treatment (T1) with or without Broncalt®. Signs and symptoms severity were measured by visual analogue scale. Broncalt® significantly and safely diminished the clinical features in all sub-groups (p<0.001 for all). Interestingly, Broncalt® significantly induced a faster symptom relief already within 3 days after the start of the treatment. In conclusion, Broncalt® is a class II Medical Device able to exert a safe and effective activity in patients with acute ORL disorders.

Broncalt®, class II medical device, in patients with chronic upper airways disease: a survey in clinical practice.

Inflammation and infection are common pathogenic mechanisms involved in many otorhinolaryngological (ORL) chronic diseases. Broncalt® is a class II Medical Device containing: thermal water (Medesano, PR, Italy), hyaluronic acid, and grapefruit seed extract. It could exert a safe and effective anti-inflammatory, washing, and antimicrobial activity by virtue of these components. Therefore, the aim of the current survey, conducted in clinical practice of 84 Italian ORL centers, was to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with chronic upper airways disease. The 1,817 (958 males, mean age 49 years) patients were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after one (T1) and two (T2) weeks of treatment, they were treated or not treated with Broncalt®. Signs and symptoms severity were measured by visual analogue scale. Broncalt® significantly, quickly, and safely diminished the clinical features in all sub-groups (p<0.001 for all). In conclusion, Broncalt® is a class II Medical Device able to exert a safe, quick, and effective activity in patients with chronic ORL disorders.