Impact of resveratrol-loaded liposomal nanocarriers on heat-stressed broiler chickens: Effects on performance, sirtuin expression, oxidative stress regulators, and muscle building factors.

Climate change is considered to be the primary cause of heat stress (HS) in broiler chickens. Owing to the unique properties of extracted polyphenols, resveratrol-loaded liposomal nanoparticles (Resv-Lipo NPs) were first explored to mitigate the harmful effects of HS. The dietary role of Resv-Lipo NPs in heat-stressed birds was investigated based on their growth performance, antioxidative potential, and the expression of heat shock proteins, sirtuins, antioxidant, immune, and muscle-building related genes. A total of 250 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into five experimental groups (5 replicates/group, 10 birds/replicate) for 42 days as follows: the control group was fed a basal diet and reared in thermoneutral conditions, and the other four HS groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPsI, II, and III at the levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively. The results indicated that supplementation with Resv-Lipo NP improved the growth rate of the HS group. The Resv-Lipo NP group showed the most significant improvement in body weight gain (p < 0.05) and FCR. Additionally, post-HS exposure, the groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs showed restored functions of the kidney and the liver as well as improvements in the lipid profile. The restoration occurred especially at higher levels in the Resv-Lipo NP group compared to the HS group. The elevated corticosterone and T3 and T4 hormone levels in the HS group returned to the normal range in the Resv-Lipo NPsIII group. Additionally, the HS groups supplemented with Resv-Lipo NPs showed an improvement in serum and muscle antioxidant biomarkers. The upregulation of the muscle and intestinal antioxidant-related genes (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, NR-f2, and HO-1) and the muscle-building genes (myostatin, MyoD, and mTOR) was observed with increasing the level of Resv-Lipo NPs. Heat stress upregulated heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90 gene expression, which was restored to normal levels in HS+Resv-Lipo NPsIII. Moreover, the expression of sirtuin 1, 3, and 7 (SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT7) genes was increased (p < 0.05) in the liver of the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the HS group was restored in the HS groups that received Resv-Lipo NPs. Supplementation with Resv-Lipo NPs can mitigate the harmful impact of HS and consequently improve the performance of broiler chickens.

Prevalence and determinants of second-hand tobacco smoking in Pakistan.

Background: Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is a public health problem in countries with high prevalence of active smoking such as Pakistan. However, few studies have assessed the prevalence and risk factors for exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Aims: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in Pakistan. Methods: This study used data from the 2017-2018 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey to calculate the prevalence and determinants of second-hand tobacco smoke exposure. Sociodemographic characteristics, family size and exposure to media by the respondents were the independent variables. The chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and the independent variables.hy9. Results: The survey included 61 940 adults, of which 30 027 (48.5%) were males and 31 913 (51.5%) females. The overall prevalence of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke was 34.3%: 35.6% among males and 33.2% among females. Higher education level and rural residence were significantly positively associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke among both sexes. Having a radio was inversely associated with exposure while having a television was positively associated with exposure among both sexes. Large family size was inversely associated with exposure. Currently and previously married females had significantly greater risk of exposure than never-married females. Conclusion: Tailored health interventions and policies are needed that target populations at high-risk of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Strict smoking bans in public places should be implemented to limit exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in Pakistan.

Effect of physical activity and sedentary sitting time on psychological quality of life of people with and without disabilities; A survey from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Mental and psychological health issues are on the rise globally. People with disabilities are at greater risk of poor psychological quality of life especially after covid-19 pandemic. Along with other factors physical activity (PA) may have a significant effect on mental health. This study aims to analyze the difference of PA participation and sitting time among people with and without disabilities and their association with psychological quality of life. Methods: A standard questionnaire was used to collect the data from disabled and non-disabled participants above 15 years of age. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed to yield statistical results. Results: Total study sample consisted of 359 participants (67.7% without disability and 32.3% with disability). Participants without disabilities reported a significantly better psychological quality of life (QOL) (Mean score = 68) as compared to the ones with disabilities (Mean score = 61), (p < 0.01). There was significant difference between the sitting time of two groups with longer sitting time among people with disabilities (6.1 h/day) as compared to non-disabled (5.3 h). Optimum level of PA was strongly associated with better psychological quality of life among individuals without disabilities (p = 0.00). Younger age (p = 0.00) and being single (p = 0.01) were significant predictors of poor psychological health among non-disables. Increase in sedentary sitting time was significantly associated with poor psychological quality of life among both groups. Conclusions: Tailored health policies to encourage PA and reduce sitting hours should be formulated to improve psychological health with special focus on individuals with disabilities. Future studies with large sample size are recommended to validate the current results and further explore the difference in association of PA and psychological wellbeing in people with and without disabilities.

Postoperative physical therapy program for latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons transfer to rotator cuff in children with obstetrical brachial plexus injury.

BACKGROUND: The transfer of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons to rotator cuff have been developed to rebalance the muscular dysfunction and improve shoulder range of motion in children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). No previous study reported the ideal postoperative physical therapy program for these cases. AIM: The aim of the present study was to design appropriate postoperative physical therapy (PT) program after latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons transfer to rotator cuff in OBPP to improve upper limb function. DESIGN: Time series design. SETTING: The patients were recruited from outpatient clinic of Kasr EL Aini Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. POPULATION: Forty seven OBPP infants (4.64±1.21 years with a range of 2.5 to 7 years, 21male and26 female) were allocated to one group. All patients had functional limitation in the involved arm due to muscle paralysis and contracture. Twenty-five patients had C5-C6 nerve root lesions while 22 had C5-C6-C7 nerve root lesions. METHODS: The children underwent the surgical procedures of the transfer of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons to rotator cuff. After the surgery the children participated in a designed physical therapy program for 6 months. Active shoulder abduction, flexion and external rotation range of motion (ROM) were assessed by electrogoniometer, and functional assessments were measured using the modified Mallet scale. All measurements were taken preoperative, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively after the application of the designed PT program. RESULTS: Repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test were used to show the improvement in all measured variables. Analysis revealed that shoulder abduction, flexion and external rotation ROM and shoulder function measured by modified Mallet scale were significantly improved (P<0.0001) after the designed postoperative PT program. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the combination treatment of surgical procedure and the postoperative physical therapy program seem to be effective in improving shoulder and arm functions in children with OBPP. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study describes a detailed physical therapy program after latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons transfer to rotator cuff in OBPP.

Tension band wiring for treatment of extra articular fracture of the base of first metacarpal.

Eleven patients with unstable extra-articular fractures of the base of the first metacarpal with angulations more than 30° uncorrected by closed reduction were treated by open reduction and tension band fixation. Ten men and one woman with a mean age of 36.18 years. Fall on a stretched hand was the cause in eight while a punch in two and trauma from a basket ball in one. The mean follow up period was 12.45 months. All fractures united within a mean of 4.36 weeks. Patients were evaluated by subjective and objective criteria: the mean of pain was 0.5, quick-DASH was 10.48 and Kapandji score was 9.8. While the mean of the grip strength was 94 % and the pinch strength was 99 % of the contra lateral hand. There were no complications except local irritation of the k-wires in two patients that had to be removed at 4 months. Tension band technique proved to be a valuable technique which is easy to apply and gives rigid fixation with early mobilization.

Treatment of post-infection nonunion of the supracondylar humerus with Ilizarov external fixator.

BACKGROUND: Nonunion of the supracondylar area of the humerus is a very difficult area to treat. The Ilizarov method has been shown to be effective in the treatment of nonunion of the humeral diaphysis. However, there is little in the literature regarding the treatment of nonunion of the supracondylar area especially in post-infection cases. METHODS: Eight patients with a mean age of 45.73 ± 11.42 years were treated for post-infection nonunion of the supracondylar area of the humerus with the Ilizarov method and followed up for 3 years. All had undergone at least 2 previous failed operations. The patients were evaluated radiologically and clinically with an outcome survey using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. RESULTS: Solid union was achieved in all patients in a mean time of 6.87 ± 0.99 months. All patients had improvement in shoulder and elbow motion after treatment. The mean DASH score before surgery was 90.66 ± 5.66, whereas that after surgery was 24.62 ± 3.85. There was a significant improvement in the DASH score after surgery; the mean difference was 66.04 ± 1.81, with a t value of 35.88 (P < .001). All patients were satisfied with the treatment and returned to a more normal lifestyle with no pain, as well as complete soft-tissue recovery. None had recurrence of infection. CONCLUSION: Ilizarov treatment for post-infection nonunion of the supracondylar humerus was shown to be effective, reliable, and tolerated by the patients.