RESUMEN
Self-treatment with vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements has become increasingly common among patients for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Magnesium, in particular, is popular on social media for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Meanwhile, preclinical studies support associations between magnesium status, sleep quality, and symptoms of anxiety. The extent to which these claims are evidence-based is unclear. Therefore, a systematic review was performed to provide an updated examination of the clinical evidence on the use of magnesium for the treatment of the above conditions given the popularity of such supplements among patients and the public at large. A thorough search of the PubMed database was performed and results were systematically reviewed using PRISMA guidelines. The search was limited to anxiety disorders and sleep disorders and included interventional trials only. Exclusion criteria included insufficient (<50 mg/12.5% of recommended daily allowance (RDA)) or unknown magnesium dose, >3 other potentially active compounds present in the formulation, and articles in languages other than English. This query returned 860 articles of which 15 met full inclusion criteria. Eight measured sleep-related outcomes, seven measured anxiety-related outcomes, and one examined both. Sleep quality was measured most frequently using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Anxiety measures included self-reported measures such as the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. The majority of included studies demonstrated improvement in at least one sleep- or anxiety-related parameter. Five out of eight sleep-related studies reported improvements in sleep parameters, while two studies reported no improvements, and one reported mixed results. Five out of seven studies measuring anxiety-related outcomes reported improvements in self-reported anxiety. Firm conclusions were limited by the heterogeneity of the data and the small number of participants involved in most of the studies. The dosages, formulations, and durations of the magnesium interventions used also differed across studies. Furthermore, some studies included additional, potentially active ingredients, further complicating interpretations. Given the generally positive results across studies, the preponderance of preclinical evidence, and minimal side effects, however, supplemental magnesium is likely useful in the treatment of mild anxiety and insomnia, particularly in those with low magnesium status at baseline. Notably, both negative anxiety trials featured populations with underlying endocrine factors likely contributing to their symptoms (patients with premenstrual symptoms and post-partum women). Nonetheless, larger, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and to establish the most effective forms and dosages of magnesium for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety disorders.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the biofilm-forming potential of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to assess antimicrobial activity of commonly used sanitizers in hospital and laboratory settings. METHODS: The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Karachi from August 2016 to January 2017. The biofilm-forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates were evaluated qualitatively using air-liquid interface tube method, and air-liquid interface cover slip assay. The antimicrobial activity of commonly-used hand-washes and sanitizers were assessed using agar well diffusion method, while the anti-biofilm activity of the hand-washes and sanitizers was qualitatively assessed using air-liquid interface covers lip as s ay. RESULTS: Of the eight hand-washes and sanitizers, 2(25%) showed antimicrobial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while 2(25%) exhibited antimicrobial activity against either S. aureus or P. aeruginosa. Also, 4 (50%) of them showed no inhibitory activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: The findings shall have important consequences with regards to infection control in hospital and laboratory settings.
