Nevin Manimala

Sports Med. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s40279-022-01640-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the effect of creatine monohydrate (CrM) on indirect muscle damage markers and muscle performance, although pooled data from several studies indicate that the benefits of CrM on recovery dynamics are limited.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis determined whether the ergogenic effects of CrM ameliorated markers of muscle damage and performance following muscle-damaging exercises.

METHODS: In total, 23 studies were included, consisting of 240 participants in the CrM group (age 23.9 ± 10.4 years, height 178 ± 5 cm, body mass 76.9 ± 7.6 kg, females 10.4%) and 229 participants in the placebo group (age 23.7 ± 8.5 years, height 177 ± 5 cm, body mass 77.0 ± 6.6 kg, females 10.0%). These studies were rated as fair to excellent following the PEDro scale. The outcome measures were compared between the CrM and placebo groups at 24-36 h and 48-90 h following muscle-damaging exercises, using standardised mean differences (SMDs) and associated p-values via forest plots. Furthermore, sub-group analyses were conducted by separating studies into those that examined the effects of CrM as an acute training response (i.e., after one muscle-damaging exercise bout) and those that examined the chronic training response (i.e., examining the acute response after the last training session following several weeks of training).

RESULTS: According to the meta-analysis, the CrM group exhibited significantly lower indirect muscle damage markers (i.e., creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and/or myoglobin) at 48-90 h post-exercise for the acute training response (SMD – 1.09; p = 0.03). However, indirect muscle damage markers were significantly greater in the CrM group at 24 h post-exercise (SMD 0.95; p = 0.04) for the chronic training response. Although not significant, a large difference in indirect muscle damage markers was also found at 48 h post-exercise (SMD 1.24) for the chronic training response. The CrM group also showed lower inflammation for the acute training response at 24-36 h post-exercise and 48-90 h post-exercise with a large effect size (SMD – 1.38 ≤ d ≤ – 1.79). Similarly, the oxidative stress markers were lower for the acute training response in the CrM group at 24-36 h post-exercise and 90 h post-exercise, with a large effect size (SMD – 1.37 and – 1.36, respectively). For delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the measures were lower for the CrM group at 24 h post-exercise with a moderate effect size (SMD – 0.66) as an acute training response. However, the inter-group differences for inflammation, oxidative stress, and DOMS were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Overall, our meta-analysis demonstrated a paradoxical effect of CrM supplementation post-exercise, where CrM appears to minimise exercise-induced muscle damage as an acute training response, although this trend is reversed as a chronic training response. Thus, CrM may be effective in reducing the level of exercise-induced muscle damage following a single bout of strenuous exercises, although training-induced stress could be exacerbated following long-term supplementation of CrM. Although long-term usage of CrM is known to enhance training adaptations, whether the increased level of exercise-induced muscle damage as a chronic training response may provide potential mechanisms to enhance chronic training adaptations with CrM supplementation remains to be confirmed.

PMID:35218552 | DOI:10.1007/s40279-022-01640-z

Brain Imaging Behav. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s11682-022-00642-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Obstructive sleep apnea (apnea) is thought to cause small vessel ischemic episodes in the brain from hypoxic events, postulated as white matter hyperintensities (hyperintensities) identified on MRI which are implicated in cognitive decline. This study sought to evaluate these correlations. A retrospective evaluation of adults who underwent polysomnography (4/1/2016 to 4/30/2017) and a brain MRI prior to apnea diagnosis or within a year post-diagnosis was completed. MRI visual evaluation of hyperintensities using Fazekas scores were collected blind to clinical data. Collated clinical/MRI data were stratified and analyzed using chi-square, fishers t-tests, ANOVA/ANCOVA and linear regression. Stratification by apnea category revealed no significant differences in any variables including hyperintensity measures (Fazekas p=0.1584; periventricular p=0.3238; deep p=0.4618; deep total p=0.1770). Stratification by Fazekas category, periventricular and deep hyperintensities revealed increasing prevalence with age (p=0.0001); however, apnea categories were not significantly associated (Fazekas p=0.1479; periventricular p=0.3188; deep p=0.4503), nor were any individual apnea indicators. Continuous apnea measurements werre not associated with any hyperintensity factor; total deep hyperintensities were not associated with any apnea factors. Continuous BMI was not found to be associated with any apnea or hyperintensity factors. Only hypertension was noted to be associated with Fazekas (p=0.0045), deep (p=0.0010) and total deep (p=0.0021) hyperintensities; however, hypertension was not associated with apnea category (p=0.3038) or any associated factors. These data suggest apneas alone from OSA are insufficient to cause WMH, but other factors appear to contribute to the complex development of small vessel ischemic injury associated with age and cognitive decline.

PMID:35218506 | DOI:10.1007/s11682-022-00642-9

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19169-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Removal of Cr(VI) from the aqueous phase using numerous activated carbons (AC) has been broadly studied in the last decades. Nevertheless, the diversity of activation methods, AC properties, and adsorption conditions precludes the standardization of specific characteristics required to achieve better adsorption results. This work reviewed the pertinent literature on Cr(VI) adsorption onto AC published over the past four decades. Pearson’s correlation matrix and principal component analysis (PCA) assisted in identifying the parameters and AC characteristics that have the greatest influence on the maximum adsorption capacity (q_m). Two hundred thirty-six adsorption assays were found reporting data on 110 ACs and different parameters. Of these, 39.8% of the studies contemplated the variables q_m, pH, temperature (T), surface area (S_BET), micropore volume (V_micro), and mesopore volume (V_meso), and only 19.5% reported the point of zero charge (pH_PZC). Statistical analysis disclosed that S_BET and V_micro have a strong positive correlation with q_m, while V_meso, T, and pH show little or no correlation. The difference between pH and pH_PZC (PZC_diff) indicated a significant anticorrelation with q_m, thus evidencing that lower PZC_diff values enhance adsorption. The findings are useful for all researchers that work with Cr(VI) adsorption on AC since they provide a start point concerning the required adsorbent characteristics and process conditions to be employed.

PMID:35218491 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-19169-z

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19287-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Existing literatures on energy carbon emissions mainly focus on high-energy industries such as electricity, transportation, and construction, while there are few researches on energy carbon emissions of relatively low-carbon industries such as the service industry. But with the service sector accounting for more than one-half of China’s national economy, its carbon emissions are increasingly not negligible. Based on this, we use the structural decomposition model, input-output analysis method, and energy consumption method to study the structural factors influencing energy carbon emissions in China’s service industry from 2007 to 2017. The results show that (1) the pressure and space of energy carbon emission reduction of the service industry are still huge in the future. Specifically, in the sample range, although the excessive growth of the energy carbon emissions of the service industry has been alleviated, the proportion of high-carbon energy in the energy carbon emissions of the service industry is still high, and the optimization of the energy consumption structure has not been significantly improved. (2) During the sample period, the energy utilization efficiency of the service industry has been significantly optimized and improved, which leads to the inhibition of the energy intensity effect on the growth of carbon emissions of the service industry. However, it should be noted that the emission reduction effect exerted by the energy intensity effect over time shows a tired trend. Therefore, in the future, the control of energy carbon emissions in the service industry needs to take multiple approaches to work together. (3) Input structure effect, energy structure effect, and final demand effect promote the growth of service industry energy carbon emissions. This also indicates that in the sample range, the service industry as the final demand product has the characteristics of high carbonization, the generalized technological progress of the input structure effect has not been improved, and the energy consumption structure on the supply side of the service industry has not been optimized. Therefore, China’s service industry still has great potential for emission reduction from the above three aspects in the future. The research results provide a theoretical analysis basis and practical guidance for more accurate and efficient emission reduction in the service industry from the input-output perspective.

PMID:35218481 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-19287-8

Drug Metab Pers Ther. 2022 Feb 24. doi: 10.1515/dmpt-2021-0149. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the stability of furosemide under space-flight conditions on board the International Space Station, as well as its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics under conditions simulating exposure to some space-flight factors.

METHODS: Quantitative analysis of furosemide tablets by HPLC was performed before spaceflight (background), then after six months storage under normal ground conditions (control) and under spaceflight conditions (SF). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide were studied in six healthy volunteers after a single oral dose of 40 mg under normal conditions (background) and under anti-orthostatic hypokinesia (ANOH).

RESULTS: Quantitative content of furosemide in tablets before SF was 40.19 ± 0.28 mg (100.47 ± 0.71%), after 6 months storage: under normal conditions (control) – 39.9 ± 0.39 mg (99.73 ± 0.98%), under SF – 39.24 ± 0.72 mg (98.11 ± 1.80%), which was within the prescribed limits. Studying basic hemodynamic parameters showed that in ANOH conditions 6 h after furosemide administration there was a statistically significant increase of the stroke volume (SV) (+36.5 Δ%), a tendency for increasing of the stroke index (SI) (+36.5 Δ%) and decreasing of the total peripheral resistance (TPR) (-21.9 Δ%) compared to baseline study.

CONCLUSIONS: It has been established that various factors of space flight (overloading, excessive vibration, microgravity, etc.) do not negatively influence the stability of furosemide in tablet form during storage for 6 months on board the International Space Station.

PMID:35218179 | DOI:10.1515/dmpt-2021-0149

Drug Metab Pers Ther. 2022 Feb 25. doi: 10.1515/dmpt-2021-0195. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition marked by intense pruritus, dry skin, and severe impact on the life quality of the patients. Conventionally, it is managed by using emollients, calcineurin inhibitors, and topical corticosteroids. In Unani medicine, eminent scholars advocated many drug formulations including topical Marham-e-Akbar for effective healing of AD but scientific evidence is scarce. Hence, this study was designed.

METHODS: This was a single-arm clinical trial conducted on 30 participants aged 18-65 years suffering from chronic AD after obtaining written informed consent. The trial intervention was Marham-e-Akbar consisting of Murdār Sang (Plumbi oxidum); Sindūr (red lead); olive oil (Olea europaea oil); Kath (Acacia catechu extract); Safeda Kāshgari (Zinc oxide); Sirka (vinegar); and Phitkirī (alum) to be applied twice daily for 42 days. The objective parameters were SCORAD and DLQI, while the subjective parameters included itching, scaling, and erythema assessed on a customized VAS scale and 4-point Likert scale.

RESULTS: The pre-post analysis inferred statistically significant attenuation in subjective parameters (itching, scaling, and erythema) and objective scales (SCORAD) and (DLQI) with p<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS: The study findings deduced that Marham-e-Akbar is effective in the amelioration of chronic atopic dermatitis and quality of life of the patients as well.

PMID:35218174 | DOI:10.1515/dmpt-2021-0195

Clin Obes. 2022 Feb 25:e12513. doi: 10.1111/cob.12513. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To compare the effectiveness of family-based behavioural social facilitation treatment (FBSFT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in children with severe obesity. Parallel-design, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial conducted at a Norwegian obesity outpatient clinic. Children aged 6-18 years referred to the clinic between 2014 and 2018 were invited to participate. Participants were randomly allocated using sequentially numbered, opaqued, sealed envelopes. FBSFT (n = 59) entailed 17 sessions of structured cognitive behavioural treatment, TAU (n = 55) entailed standard lifestyle counselling sessions every third month for 1 year. Primary outcomes included changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) and percentage above the International Obesity Task Force cut-off for overweight (%IOTF-25). Secondary outcomes included changes in sleep, physical activity, and eating behaviour. From pre- to posttreatment there was a statistically significant difference in change in both BMI SDS (0.19 units, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.28, p < .001) and %IOTF-25 (5.48%, 95%CI: 2.74-8.22, p < .001) between FBSFT and TAU groups. FBSFT participants achieved significant reductions in mean BMI SDS (0.16 units, (95%CI: -0.22 to -0.10, p < .001) and %IOTF-25 (6.53%, 95% CI: -8.45 to -4.60, p < .001), whereas in TAU nonsignificant changes were observed in BMI SDS (0.03 units, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.09, p = .30) and %IOTF-25 (-1.04%, 95% CI: -2.99 to -0.90, p = .29). More FBSFT participants (31.5%) had clinically meaningful BMI SDS reductions of ≥0.25 from pre- to posttreatment than in TAU (13.0%, p = .021). Regarding secondary outcomes, only changes in sleep timing differed significantly between groups. FBSFT improved weight-related outcomes compared to TAU.

PMID:35218145 | DOI:10.1111/cob.12513

Chem Biodivers. 2022 Feb 25. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202100962. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

One new phenylpropanoid schineolignin D ( 1 ), one new sesquiterpene (-)-(7 S ,10 S )-3,11,12, 13-tetrahydroxycalamenene ( 2 ), one new quinic acid 4-( E )-O-coumaroylquinic acid ethyl ester ( 3 ), and seven known compounds ( 4-10 ) were isolated from the roots of Schisandra chinensis . Their chemical structures were characterized by NMR spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were assessed for their neuroprotective effects on PC12 cell lines induced by H 2 O 2 . The results suggested that compounds 1, 3-4 and 7 exhibited statistically significant neuroprotective activities with the negative control group at 12.5μM.

PMID:35218144 | DOI:10.1002/cbdv.202100962

ANZ J Surg. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1111/ans.17543. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The significance of evidence-based surgery has resulted in a shift towards producing high-quality surgical research. The aim of this bibliometric analysis was to evaluate trends in publication of general surgery research in Australia from 2000 to 2020.

METHODS: General surgery publications including clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses by Australian-affiliated authors between 2000 and 2020 were extracted from PubMed. Titles, abstracts, journals and authors were independently screened by two investigators and arbitrated by a third. Publication type and area of focus were manually entered. Quality of articles was measured by trends in impact factor (IF) and SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data and identify trends.

RESULTS: Three hundered and ninety-eight articles met inclusion criteria for this study, with a progressive increase in publications over the study period. RCTs and systematic reviews accounted for 109 and 234 publications, respectively. The median number of authors remained constant (p = 0.060). There was a significant increase in publication of clinical trials and RCTs (p < 0.001) as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses (p < 0.001). The median IF increased from 1.93 to 3.08, whilst median SJR increased from 1.11 to 1.16, equivalent to organic growth of journal IF and SJR over this period. Female authorship significantly increased over time (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: There is a trend towards increased quantity, quality and diversity in Australian general surgery publications, which is indicative of the progression and importance of robust modern surgical research.

PMID:35218136 | DOI:10.1111/ans.17543

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2022 Feb 26. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28133. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Characterization of blood supply changes in older individuals is important in understanding brain aging and diseases. However, prior studies largely focused on cross-sectional design, thus change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) could not be assessed on an individual level.

PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal short-term changes in global CBF in cognitively normal older adults.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective, longitudinal, and cohort.

POPULATION: One-hundred twenty-seven cognitive-normal participants (mean age 69 ± 7 years, 47 males) underwent serial MRI with an average follow-up time of 2.1 years.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T phase-contrast (PC), three-dimensional magnetization-prepared-rapid-acquisition-of-gradient-echo (MPRAGE) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI.

ASSESSMENT: Total CBF was measured with PC MRI allowing assessment of quantitative flow in four major feeding arteries by a trained radiologist with >3 years’ experience (O.K.). Brain volume was obtained from MPRAGE MRI and measured by T1-MultiAtlas MRICloud tool. The ratio between total CBF and brain volume yielded global CBF in mL/100 g/min. White matter hyperintensity (WMH) was measured automatically using a Bayesian probability approach on FLAIR.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Linear mixed effect model was used to simultaneously assess cross-sectional age-differences and longitudinal age-changes in CBF. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between CBF change and WMH progression. A P-value of <0.05 (two-tailed) was considered significant.

RESULTS: Global CBF decreased with age at a longitudinal rate of -0.56 mL/100 g/min/year (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.09, -0.03), compared to a cross-sectional rate of -0.26 mL/100 g/min/year (95% CI: -0.41, -0.11). Changes in CBF were significantly associated with progression of WMH (Spearman rank correlation r = -0.25), as those participants who had a more rapid CBF reduction had greater increases in WMH volumes and the relationship remained significant when adjusting for baseline vascular risk scores. Additionally, age-related changes in whole-brain volume were found to be -0.151%/year (95% CI: -0.186, -0.116).

DATA CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that brain aging in older adults is accompanied by a rapid longitudinal reduction in CBF, the rate of which is associated with white matter damage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

PMID:35218111 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28133