bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ginkgolide B Alleviates Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats With Vascular Dementia by Reducing Neuroinflammation via Regulating NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Huang Lijuan , Shi Yijie , Zhao Liang 
Published: June 2021

Ginkgobalide B (GB) as the main active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine Ginkgo biloba extract is reported to reduce neuroinflammation, protect neurons and promote cognitive learning ability. To explore that GB can reduce neuroinflammation through regulating nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and overcome cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia (VD), we aim at investigating the potential effect of GB on enhancing cognitive function in rats with VD. It was found that GB improved survival of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) treated SH-SY5Y cells by attenuating inflammatory response via Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB pathway. When rats were treated with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 24 h, saline and GB were administered in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via a single intraperitoneal injection for consecutive 14 days. The behavioral changes of VD like rats treated with GB were observed through open field test, Morris water maze (MWM) and Y-maze electric maze. Nissl staining and immunofluorescence were used to observe changes of neurons in the hippocampus of rats. Western blot analysis was performed by detecting NF-κB pathway related inflammatory factors. The results found that GB can significantly improve the learning and memory ability of VD rats by reducing TLR4/NF-κB mediated neuroinflammation. In conclusion, GB seemed to be a potential drug for amelioration of learning and memory impairment in rats with VD.
Psychosocial Interventions for Amphetamine Type Stimulant Use Disorder: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Tran Mai Thi Ngoc , Luong Quang Hung , Le Minh Giang , Dunne Michael P. , Baker Philip 
Published: June 2021

Introduction:Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use is a global concern due to increased usage and the harm to physical, mental, and social well-being. The objective of this overview of systematic reviews is to summarise trial results of psychosocial interventions and describe their efficacy and safety.Methods:We searched seven bibliographic databases to November 2020 for systematic reviews examining ATS misuse treatment by psychosocial interventions. Given the apparent incompleteness of the included reviews, we undertook a supplemental meta-analysis of all eligible primary studies.Results:We included 11 systematic reviews of moderate to high quality and 39 primary studies which assessed the outcomes of psychosocial interventions on people who use ATS. The key findings include: (1) There were conflicting results about the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions among reviews, which may confuse decision-makers in selecting treatment. (2) In the supplemental meta-analysis, relative to usual care (only counselling or self-help materials), membership of a psychological intervention group was associated with an important reduction in drug usage [risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.85]. Patients in psychological interventions used injectables substantially less [odds ratio (OR) 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.49]. The risk of unsafe sex in the psychosocial intervention group was lower than in the control group (RR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.71). The combination of therapies reduced 1.51 day using drugs in the preceding 30 days (95% CI: −2.36 to −0.67) compared to cognitive behavioural therapy intervention alone. (3) Compared to usual care, cognitive behavioural therapy was less likely to be retained at follow-up (RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.97; high-quality evidence). However, the additional of contingency management strategy can make an important improvement upon retention (RR 1.42, 95%CI: 1.25 to 1.62).Authors' Conclusions:Integrated models are more effective than a single-treatment strategy. Comprehensive and sustained psychosocial interventions can help to reduce use of ATS and other drugs, risk behaviours and mental disorders, and significantly improve treatment adherence.
Relaxation Response in Stressed Volunteers: Psychometric Tests and Neurotrophin Changes in Biological Fluids
Authors: Zappella Miriam , Biamonte Filippo , Balzamino Bijorn Omar , Manieri Rocco , Cortes Magdalena , Santucci Daniela , Di Stasio Enrico , Rizzuto Maurizio , Micera Alessandra 
Published: June 2021

Background: To evaluate the beneficial effects of relaxation response (RR) training in adult stressed subjects by evaluating the psychometric response recorded at relaxation session. Cortisol as well as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediators were quantified in both saliva and tears, and their levels were related to each other and to the psychometric response.Methods: Stressed subjects (n = 23; 10M/13F; age range 21–53 years old) were voluntarily enrolled in the study. RR training sessions were carried out for 2 months, 1 day per week, at the same time (3–5 p.m.). Two different psychological questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and the Beck Depression Inventory - Short Form (BDI-SF) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) tests, were administered before each session. Saliva and tears were sampled for cortisol (EIA), NGF (ELISA), and BDNF (ELISA) quantifications. Questionnaires' data were analyzed and compared to biochemical ones.Results: All subjects reported beneficial effects from training. RR significantly reduced the psychological stress indexes (p = 0.039 for PSS-10 and p = 0.001 for BDI-SF). Specifically, RR training lowered the perception of Perceived Helplessness (items 1, 3, 10; p &lt; 0.05) in PSS-10 and increased the Perceived Self-Efficacy (p &lt; 0.05). OSDI score was in the normal range (0–25). Biochemically, a decrease in cortisol, a trend to a decrease in NGF, and an increase in BDNF levels were observed in saliva samples after RR treatment. Furthermore, a trend to a decrease in NGF and an increase in BDNF were quantified in tear samples. A correlation between PSS-10 total score and saliva NGF variation (%) as well as between BDI-SF total score and BDNF tear levels were also observed.Conclusion: RR training appeared useful to lowering psychological, mental, and physical stress, as supported by both psychological total and single scores. The finding on biochemical levels of BDNF in saliva and tears are sustained by previous studies while those of NGF require further investigation. Overall, these data on a small population highlight the potential use of RR training and potential neurotrophic changes in biological fluids, in stressed volunteers.
Investigating the Residual Effects of Chronic Cannabis Use and Abstinence on Verbal and Visuospatial Learning
Authors: Lorenzetti Valentina , Takagi Michael , van Dalen Yvonne , Yücel Murat , Solowij Nadia 
Published: June 2021

Rationale: Regular cannabis users have been shown to differ from non-using controls in learning performance. It is unclear if these differences are specific to distinct domains of learning (verbal, visuospatial), exacerbate with extent of cannabis exposure and dissipate with sustained abstinence.Objective: This study examines different domains of learning (verbal, visuospatial) in current and abstaining cannabis users, and the role of chronicity of use.Methods: In a cross-sectional design, we examined 127 psychiatrically healthy participants (65 female) with mean aged of 34 years. Of these, 69 individuals were current regular cannabis users (mean 15 years use), 12 were former cannabis users abstinent for ~2.5 yrs (after a mean of 16 years use), and 46 were non-cannabis using controls. Groups were compared on verbal learning performance assessed via the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II) and for visuospatial learning measured with the Brown Location Test (BLT). We explored the association between CVLT/BLT performance and cannabis use levels in current and former users.Results: Current cannabis use compared to non-use was associated with worse performance on select aspects of verbal learning (Long Delay Cued Recall) and of visuospatial learning (Retroactive Interference and LD Rotated Recall). Prolonged abstinence was associated with altered verbal learning but intact visuospatial learning. There were non-significant correlations between distinct cannabis use measures, age and learning in both current and former users.Conclusions: Our findings suggest cannabis use status (current use, former use) affects different domains of learning (verbal and visuospatial) in a distinct fashion. These findings might be accounted for in the design of cognitive interventions aimed to support abstinence in cannabis users.
Do Chronic Pain Patients Wish Spiritual Aspects to Be Integrated in Their Medical Treatment? A Cross-Sectional Study of Multiple Facilities
Authors: Hasenfratz Karin , Moergeli Hanspeter , Sprott Haiko , Ljutow André , Hefti René , Rittmayer Isabelle , Peng-Keller Simon , Rufer Michael 
Published: June 2021

Background: Chronic pain is a complex, multidimensional experience. Spirituality is hypothesized to impact pain experience in various ways. Nevertheless, the role that spirituality plays in multimodal pain therapy remains controversial and, to date, quantitative data on whether and for which patients spiritual aspects should be considered in the treatment of chronic pain is lacking. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the proportion and characteristics of patients with chronic pain who wish spiritual aspects to be integrated in their treatment.Methods: Two hundred nine patients with chronic pain were recruited from five inpatient departments and outpatient clinics in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Patients filled out validated questionnaires, such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Resilience Scale (RS-11), the Spiritual and Religious Attitudes in Dealing with Illness (SpREUK), and the 12-item Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12).Results: More than 60% (CI95%: 55.5–67.9%) of the patients wanted to address spiritual aspects in their treatment. These patients were significantly younger, had higher levels of education, and suffered from more frequent and more severe pain than patients who did not wish to address spiritual aspects. Furthermore, there were high correlations with existing spiritual resources and higher scores of spirituality.Conclusions: These results confirm that the majority of chronic pain patients wish spiritual aspects to be considered in their treatment. Additionally, the finding that these patients had more spiritual resources underlines the importance of integrating spiritual aspects in a resource-oriented, patient-centered care approach for this condition.
A Real-World, Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm Observational Study of Duloxetine in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Szekeres Gyorgy , Rozsa Sandor , Dome Peter , Barsony Gabor , Gonda Xenia 
Published: June 2021

Background: Suboptimal treatment response during anti-depressive treatment is fairly common with the first antidepressant (AD) choice, followed by switching to another agent in the majority of cases. However, the efficacy of this strategy over continuation of the original agent is less solidly documented in real-life studies. The aim of our present study was to ascertain the effects of switching to duloxetine following inadequate response to prior ADs on general illness severity, pain, and health-related quality of life in a large sample of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients in a prospective, real-world, multicenter, observational study.Methods: A total of 578 participants with MDD or GAD were enrolled in 58 outpatient sites in an 8-week, single-arm, open-label, flexible-dose trial with duloxetine. Severity of symptoms [with Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I)], severity of pain (with a Visual Analog Scale), satisfaction with current treatment, and health-related quality of life [with the three-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L)] measures were recorded at baseline and at follow-up visits 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and mixed linear models.Results: 565 patients completed the study and comprised the analyzed dataset. Results indicated that severity of illness significantly decreased over the 8 weeks of the study and already at 4 weeks in both patient groups. Overall quality of life and all of its subindicators also significantly improved in both patient groups and so did subjective experience of pain. Satisfaction with current treatment also significantly increased during the study period. Frequency of side effects was low. In both GAD and MDD groups, two patients dropped out of the study due to adverse effects, leading to treatment termination in four cases (0.7%).Conclusions: This 8-week, multicenter, flexible-dosing, single-arm, open-label, observational real-life study in MDD and GAD patients switched to duloxetine after inadequate response or low tolerability to other ADs showed a significant positive effect on all outcome measures, including a significant decrease in illness severity as well as significant overall symptomatic improvement, with good tolerability.
Willingness to Pay for a Contributory Social Health Insurance Scheme: A Survey of Rural Residents in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Akwaowo Christie Divine , Umoh Idongesit , Motilewa Olugbemi , Akpan Bassey , Umoh Edidiong , Frank Edidiong , Nna Emmanuel , Okeke Uchenna , Onwujekwe Obinna E. 
Published: June 2021

Background: Health insurance is seen as a pathway to achieving Universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. The Nigeria Government has mandated states to set up social health insurance as a mechanism to offer financial protection to her citizens. However, the design of these schemes has been left to individual states. In preparation for the set-up of a contributory social health insurance scheme in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This study assesses the willingness-to-pay for a social health insurance among rural residents in the state.Methods: The study was conducted in three local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, South south Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study with multi-stage data collection using a demand questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 286 household heads who were bread winners. Contingent valuation using iterative bidding with double bounded dichotomous technique was used to elicit the WTP for health insurance. Multiple regression using least square method was used to create a model for predicting WTP.Findings: About 82% of the household heads were willing to pay insurance premiums for their households. The median WTP for insurance premium was 11,142 Naira ($29), 95% CI: 9,599–12,684 Naira ($25–$33) per annum. The respondents were predominantly middle-aged (46.8%), Ibibio men (71.7%) with an average household size of five persons and bread winners who had secondary education (43.0%) and were mainly pentecostals (51.5%). The mean age of respondents was 46.4 ± 14.5 yrs. The two significant predictors of WTP for insurance premium amongst these rural residents were income of breadwinner (accounts for 79%) and size of household (2%). The regression coefficients for predicting WTP for insurance premium are intercept of 2,419, a slope of 0.1763 for Bread winner income and a slope of 741.5 household size, all values in Naira and kobo.Conclusion: Majority of rural residents in Akwa Ibom State were willing to pay for social health insurance. The amount they were willing to pay was significantly determined by the income of the breadwinner of the household and the size of the family. These findings are relevant to designing a contributory social health insurance scheme that is affordable and sustainable in order to ensure universal health coverage for the citizens.
Medyada Yer Alan Beslenme ile Ilgili Yayınların Diyabetli Bireylerin Beslenme Bilgi Düzeyleri ile Ilişkisi
Authors: ONGAN Dilek , AĞIL Berna , YURTDAŞ Gamze , YILMAZ Hüsnü , ONGAN Emre , DÖLEK ÇETİNKAYA Devrim 
Published: June 2021

Giriş ve Amaç: Bu çalışma diyabetli bireylerin medya araçlarını kullanım durumlarını belirlemek, medyada yer alan beslenme ile ilgili yayınların diyabetli bireylerin beslenme bilgi düzeyleri ile ilişkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Kesitsel tanımlayıcı tipte olan çalışma, İzmir-Çiğli Bölge Eğitim Hastanesi’nin Obezite ve Diyet Birimi’ne ve Endokrinoloji Polikliniği’ne başvuran 126 Tip 2 diyabetli hasta ile yürütülmüştür. Verilerin toplanmasında anket formu ve hastaların beslenme bilgi düzeyini ölçmek için “Diyabette Beslenme Tedavisi ile İlgili Bilgi Düzeyi Anketi” uygulanmıştır. Biyokimyasal bulgular hasta dosyalarından kaydedilmiştir.
Bulgular: Hastaların yaş ortalaması 56.59±10.90 yıl olup, %62.7’si kadındır. Hastaların %89.6’sının her gün televizyon izlediği, %45.2’sinin sosyal medyayı takip ettiği belirlenmiştir. Beslenmeyle ilgili en çok takip edilen konular; sağlıklı beslenme (%55.7), beslenmeyle ilgili yeni yaklaşımlar (%29.2), zayıflamadır (%10.4). Hastaların %21.4’ü medyada yer alan bilgilendirici içeriklerin besin seçimini etkilediğini belirtmiştir. İlkokul mezunu olan hastaların diyabette beslenme bilgi düzeyi en düşük iken, lise mezunu olanların en yüksektir (p0.05).
Sonuç: Bu çalışmada, diyabetli hastaların medyada yer alan beslenme içeriklerini takip etmelerinin hastaların beslenme bilgi düzeylerini etkilemediği bulunmuştur. Öte yandan, diyabette beslenme bilgi düzeyi eğitim seviyesi yüksek olan ve besin etiketi okuyan hastalarda daha yüksektir. Medya aracılığıyla edinilebilecek yanlış bilgilerden etkilenme olasılığı olan diyabet hastalarının beslenme bilgi düzeyinin besin etiketi okumayla artabileceği düşünülmüştür. Medyada, besin etiketi okumayı teşvik eden ve uzmanlar tarafından verilmiş doğru beslenme bilgileri içeren yayınların yer alması önerilmiştir.
Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein Measurements in the Early Diagnosis of Surgical Site Infections After Cesarean Section
Authors: KANZA GÜL Derya 
Published: June 2021

Objective: We aimed to determine whether serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels measured after cesarean section were superior to the levels of other infection markers in the early diagnosis of surgical site infection (SSI).
Material and Methods: The present study was conducted with consecutive 249 patients who underwent elective primary cesarean delivery in our obstetrics clinic of a Private Hospital between November 2018 and April 2019. Measurements of serum PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were performed at the postoperative 6th, 12thand 24th hours. The participating patients were examined for SSI on the postoperative 2nd,4h and 7th days.
Results: Of the participants, 15 (6%) developed surgical site infections, PCT was the most sensitive and specific marker of the SSI. Area under the curve (AUC) for PCT in predicting the SSI was 0.912 (95% CI: 0.79-1) and cutoff point was 0.099 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 93.3%, and specificity of 92.3% (p
UJI AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN EKSTRAK ETANOL SPONS (Leucetta chagosensis) YANG DIKOLEKSI DARI KEPULAUAN MANTEHAGE
Authors: Kinanti Agata Mega , Yudistira Adithya , Rumondor Erladys 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTSponges are not only rich in secondary metabolites, but also have the ability to synthesize various compounds, such as alkaloids, peptides, and terpenoids. These compounds are reported to have activity as antitumor, antifungal, antibacterial, and also as an antioxidant. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity of the marine animal sponge Leucetta chagosensis. This research is a laboratory experiment with testing of the ethanol extract of sponge Leucetta chagosensis with the DPPH [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method] to analyze antioxidant activity using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer with a wavelength of 517 nm. The results of this study indicate that the ethanol extract of the sponge Leucetta chagosensis from Mantehage Island has antioxidant activity in each concentration of the test. The greatest antioxidant levels were found in the sponge Leucetta chagosensis with a concentration of 0.6 mg / L, reaching a percentage of 57.23%..Keywords: Antioxidants, DPPH, Leucetta chagosensis, Mantehage Islands ABSTRAKSponge tidak hanya kaya akan metabolit sekunder, tapi juga memiliki kemampuan untuk menyintesis berbagai macam senyawa, seperti alkaloid, peptide, dan terpenoid. Senyawa-senyawa tersebut dilaporkan memiliki aktifitas sebagai antitumor, antijamur, antibakteri, dan juga sebagai antioksidan. Penelitian ini bertujuan Untuk mengetahui aktivitas antioksidan dari hewan laut sponge Leucetta chagosensis. Penelitian ini merupakan eksperimental laboratorium dengan pengujian terhadap ektrak etanol sponge Leucetta chagosensis dengan metode DPPH [1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil] untuk menganalisis aktivitas antioksidan dengan menggunakan spektrofotometer UV-Vis dengan panjang gelombang 517 nm. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etanol sponge Leucetta chagosensis dari Pulau Mantehage mempunyai aktivitas antioksidan disetiap konsentrasi pengujian. Kadar antioksidan yang paling besar terdapat pada sponge Leucetta chagosensis dengan konsentrasi 0,6 mg/L dengan mencapai persentase 57,23% . Kata kunci: Antioksidan, DPPH, Leucetta chagosensis, Pulau Mantehage