Experimental Study on the Antibacterial Effect of Origanum Volatile Oil on Dysentery Bacilli In Vivo and In Vitro

To observe the germistatic and germicidal effects of origanum volatile oil (OVI) on the dysentery bacteria, the abdominal cavity of mice was infected with Shigella sonne (Sh. sonnei) and Shigella flexneri (Sh. flexneri) F2a. After OVI was given to the mice via gastric lavage, the effects of OVI on the infected mice were observed. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for dysentery bacteria were determined in vitro. The resuits showed that origanum volatile oil showed obvious protective effect on mice infected with Sh. sonnei and Sh. flexneri F2a. and it had germistatic and germicidal effects on dysentry bacteria. We are led to conclude that origanum volatile oil is an effective medicine against the infection of dysentery bacteria.     

The effect of learning to drum on behavior and brain function in autistic adolescents

This current study aimed to investigate the impact of drum training on behavior and brain function in autistic adolescents with no prior drumming experience. Thirty-six autistic adolescents were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The drum group received individual drum tuition (two lessons per week over an 8-wk period), while the control group did not. All participants attended a testing session before and after the 8-wk period. Each session included a drumming assessment, an MRI scan, and a parent completing questionnaires relating to the participants’ behavioral difficulties. Results showed that improvements in drumming performance were associated with a significant reduction in hyperactivity and inattention difficulties in drummers compared to controls. The fMRI results demonstrated increased functional connectivity in brain areas responsible for inhibitory control, action outcomes monitoring, and self-regulation. In particular, seed-to-voxel analyses revealed an increased functional connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. A multivariate pattern analysis demonstrated significant changes in the medial frontal cortex, the left and right paracingulate cortex, the subcallosal cortex, the left frontal pole, the caudate, and the left nucleus accumbens. In conclusion, this study investigates the impact of a drum-based intervention on neural and behavioral outcomes in autistic adolescents. We hope that these findings will inform further research and trials into the potential use of drum-based interventions in benefitting clinical populations with inhibition-related disorders and emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interactions as well as a range of restricted, repetitive interests, activities, and behaviors (1). Over recent decades, incidence estimates for ASD have increased (2), with a prevalence of 1 in 59 children in the United States (3) and over 600,000 people in the United Kingdom, which is equivalent to a population prevalence of ∼1% (4, 5). In this context of increased autism prevalence, there is an existing need to develop interventions that offer new insights and perspectives and help address the specifically high demand for services for autistic adolescents and young adults (6). [The term “autistic” is used throughout this paper because of a large percentage of the UK autism community’s preference for the identity-first construction (e.g., “autistic person”) over the person-first phrase (e.g., “person with autism”) (7).] Indeed, autistic young people often face discontinuity in care provision in the transitionary period from child and adolescent services to adult services, just when their care needs are most pressing, making their transition into adulthood particularly difficult (8). In particular, mismatches across services, such as differences in eligibility criteria or age cutoffs, mean that many autistic young adults fall through the care gap after exiting high school (8). Autistic individuals are particularly vulnerable during this period because they often face high unemployment rates, increased levels of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses such as anxiety and depression, and, more broadly, greater reliance on assistance from others when it comes to carrying out adulthood-related daily activities (9–11).A growing body of research suggests that key social domains of the ASD symptomatology may be related to atypical executive functioning (12, 13). Inhibitory control, one of the core executive functions (EFs), corresponds to the ability to delay the onset of behavioral responses, or withhold behaviors that are prepotent but contextually inappropriate (14, 15). It works in concert with other EFs, such as cognitive flexibility and working memory, to exert top-down control on behavioral responses, enable self-regulation, and help navigate social relationships, therefore supporting transition into adulthood and independent living (16, 17). More specifically, it is thought that atypical inhibitory control in autism may underlie significant strengths but may also exacerbate key features of the ASD symptomatology, such as struggling with change and uncertainty, or having difficulty interpreting social cues (18–21). Impaired performance on inhibitory control tasks is frequent in autistic individuals (12, 13, 22, 23). In particular, it has been associated with severe restricted and repetitive behaviors (19, 24, 25), as well as a deficit in proactive response slowing [the ability to slow the initiation of a behavioral response in preparation for stopping during conditions of uncertainty (19)]. At the neuroimaging level, prior studies have revealed atypical recruitment of frontal regions in autistic adolescents (20), and impaired functional connectivity (FC) of the inferior frontal junction, key regions for inhibitory control, in autistic children (26).Autistic individuals often report being preoccupied with certain topics (27) and struggling with anxiety and anger management (28, 29). In a study by Van Hees et al. (30), higher-education autistic students described feeling overwhelmed by the demands placed on them while facing significant difficulties with planning, information processing, time management, organizational skills, and sensory overload. These difficulties may reflect impaired attention and inhibition abilities, complementary processes that allow individuals to pursue the achievement of a particular goal while remaining flexibly responsive to environmental demands (21, 31). A research study on a population-based twin sample of 17,000 children (9 y to 12 y old) concluded that the vast majority of children with ASD traits also exhibit cooccurring attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits (32). More specifically, the authors demonstrated that 82% of the boys and 95% of the girls with high ASD traits on all three ASD domains (social impairments, communication impairments, and restricted repetitive behaviors and interests) exhibited difficulties on at least one of the three ADHD domains (attentional difficulties, hyperactivity, and impulsivity). Additionally, they reported that repetitive and restricted behaviors in ASD correlated with ADHD domains, particularly with impulsivity and attentional difficulties. This is in line with a previous twin study in adults, which reported the highest phenotypic and genetic overlap between ADHD traits and “nonsocial” autistic-like traits such as attention switching difficulties (33).Music has long been known to promote cognitive and emotional wellbeing in both clinical and healthy populations (34, 35). Rhythm-based musical training, in particular, has been shown to enhance higher-order cognition and motor control (31). There is growing evidence that activities designed to improve beat synchronization skills may provide an effective approach to developing neurological processes that underpin self-regulation and EF skills (36). Indeed, EF deficits have been linked with poor rhythm perception in children (37) and poor sensorimotor synchronization in young adults (38). Using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Plus Continuous Performance Test (39), Slater et al. (31) highlighted that drumming practice is associated with better scores in inhibitory control and selective attention in adult percussionists compared to nonmusicians.More specifically, learning to drum requires error monitoring and temporal accuracy and therefore both attentional and inhibitory control (31, 40). In a recent study, Lowry et al. (40) used a mixed-methods analysis to investigate behavioral changes in children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, after learning to drum. Following drum training, the participants displayed enhanced attentional focus and reduced hyperactivity and peer problems (40). These results concur with Draper et al.’s (41) recent findings showing that drumming improves motor control and attentional focus and reduces emotional and peer problems in autistic children. It is important to note that motor control is particularly relevant in the context of ASD. Indeed, recent studies have consistently demonstrated motor impairments across the autism spectrum (42, 43), including gross and fine motor difficulties (44, 45) and delays with motor planning (46). Sokhadze et al. (47) showed that ∼80% of autistic individuals also present with clumsiness or motor dyspraxia, which can manifest as having difficulty with motor coordination as well as concentration, planning, and organization. These difficulties may impact the individual’s ability to carry out daily activities, which, in turn, can lead to rejection from peers and social isolation (48). Similarly, motor impairments in balance, motor accuracy, and object manipulation scores have been reported to be predictive of social dysfunction in young autistic boys (49). In this context, learning to drum could be regarded as particularly beneficial because it involves not only musicality but also the development of multimodal skills such as body coordination, sensorimotor integration, and cardiovascular exercise processes (50). Additionally, it is appealing and accessible to everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or musical background (51, 52).In our proof-of-concept study, Amad et al. (53) showed that the brain is capable of neuroplastic modifications through drum-based practice in neurotypical adolescents. In particular, changes in FC were observed post drum training in brain regions known to exhibit atypical functioning in autism, such as areas associated with motor skills and the mirror neuron system.In the present study, we investigated the impact of drum training on brain function in 36 autistic adolescents who were split into two age- and gender-matched groups: a drum group (n = 19), who were evaluated before and after learning to drum, and a control group (n = 17), who were also evaluated longitudinally but with no intervention. We explored behavioral outcomes related to drum practice in this clinical population and examined their association with changes in FC between the two groups (i.e., drum group vs. control group) over time (i.e., before vs. after drum training).We hypothesized that drumming performance would improve in the drum group over time, while no improvement would be observed in the control group. Furthermore, we hypothesized that changes in hyperactivity, attentional difficulties, problem behaviors, and repetitive and restricted behaviors would be observed in the drum group. We also hypothesized that cooccurring changes in FC in brain areas responsible for attentional focus and inhibitory control would be identified following drum training.     

Evaluation of seasonal variations in abundance of BTXE hydrocarbons and their ozone forming potential in ambient urban atmosphere of Dehradun (India)

In Dehradun, ambient volatile organic compounds (VOC) samples were collected for three seasons viz. summer, winter and monsoon (during period 2012–2013) to investigate seasonal variations at five different sampling sites. The samples were quantified for aromatic VOCs by gas chromatography (GC-FID) to monitor benzene, toluene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene and ethylbenzene. BTXE comprise an important group of VOCs mostly prevalent in a typical urban environment. They were monitored because they are known to cause impacts on climate, health and on vegetation. Toluene was found to be the most abundant VOC among the measured ones in the atmosphere of Dehradun. The maximum mean concentration of VOCs was observed in winters and lowest during summers for BE species. Toluene ambient concentration was rather found to register highest during winters and lowest in monsoons. Kruskal–Wallis test showed statistically significant differences seasonally (p?<?0.05). High toluene to benzene T/B (>1) observed ratio indicates vehicular emission as their major source. BTEX were also evaluated for their ozone-forming potential (OFP). Toluene and xylenes were found as the highest contributing hydrocarbons towards ozone forming potential among BTXE.     

Trends in dietary fiber intake in Japan over the last century

Summary. Background: Insufficient intake of dietary fiber (DF) is currently a major problem in the overall promotion of health in the general population in Japan. Aim of the study: To analyze the time trends in DF intake, including DF density (total DF intake/1,000 kcal), and the ratio of water-insoluble fiber to water-soluble fiber (IS ratio) in Japan. Methods: The time trend in DF intake in Japan was calculated from data compiled in the Japanese National Nutrition Survey. Results: The mean daily DF intake (total DF intake) in 1952 was 20.5 g/day, which rapidly declined to about 70 % of the 1952 level in 1970, after which there was little change to 1998. DF density in 1952 was 9.7 g/1000 kcal, which declined by about 30 % in 1970, and remained at about the same level to 1998. The IS ratio has remained stable over this period. Whereas total DF intake and DF density in Japan are similar to those in Western countries, the IS ratios are higher in Japan. Therefore, the higher incidence of, and mortality from, colon diverticulosis, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, etc., which are all thought to be related to fiber deficiency, in Western countries compared to Japan might be due to the differences in the IS ratio. Conclusions: A decline in total DF intake and DF density is predicted for Japan in the future, because these parameters were lower among the younger generation. This may be due to the marked changes in the dietary habits of the younger generation, and is a problematic trend for Japanese health. Received: 26 April 2002, Accepted: 22 August 2002 Correspondence to: Shigeyuki Nakaji, MD, PhD     

Concentration�CResponse Function for Ozone and Daily Mortality: Results from Five Urban and Five Rural U.K. Populations

Background: Short-term exposure to ozone has been associated with increased daily mortality. The shape of the concentration–response relationship—and, in particular, if there is a threshold—is critical for estimating public health impacts.Objective: We investigated the concentration–response relationship between daily ozone and mortality in five urban and five rural areas in the United Kingdom from 1993 to 2006.Methods: We used Poisson regression, controlling for seasonality, temperature, and influenza, to investigate associations between daily maximum 8-hr ozone and daily all-cause mortality, assuming linear, linear-threshold, and spline models for all-year and season-specific periods. We examined sensitivity to adjustment for particles (urban areas only) and alternative temperature metrics.Results: In all-year analyses, we found clear evidence for a threshold in the concentration–response relationship between ozone and all-cause mortality in London at 65 µg/m³ [95% confidence interval (CI): 58, 83] but little evidence of a threshold in other urban or rural areas. Combined linear effect estimates for all-cause mortality were comparable for urban and rural areas: 0.48% (95% CI: 0.35, 0.60) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.36, 0.81) per 10-µg/m³ increase in ozone concentrations, respectively. Seasonal analyses suggested thresholds in both urban and rural areas for effects of ozone during summer months.Conclusions: Our results suggest that health impacts should be estimated across the whole ambient range of ozone using both threshold and nonthreshold models, and models stratified by season. Evidence of a threshold effect in London but not in other study areas requires further investigation. The public health impacts of exposure to ozone in rural areas should not be overlooked.     

Dietary intake of total polyphenol and polyphenol classes and the risk of colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Polyphenols may play a chemopreventive role in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, epidemiological evidence supporting a role for intake of individual polyphenol classes, other than flavonoids is insufficient. We evaluated the association between dietary intakes of total and individual classes and subclasses of polyphenols and CRC risk and its main subsites, colon and rectum, within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. The cohort included 476,160 men and women from 10 European countries. During a mean follow-up of 14 years, there were 5991 incident CRC cases, of which 3897 were in the colon and 2094 were in the rectum. Polyphenol intake was estimated using validated centre/country specific dietary questionnaires and the Phenol-Explorer database. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, a doubling in total dietary polyphenol intake was not associated with CRC risk in women (HR_log2?=?1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.14) or in men (HR_log2?=?0.97, 95% CI 0.90–1.05), respectively. Phenolic acid intake, highly correlated with coffee consumption, was inversely associated with colon cancer in men (HR_log2?=?0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97) and positively associated with rectal cancer in women (HR_log2?=?1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.19); although associations did not exceed the Bonferroni threshold for significance. Intake of other polyphenol classes was not related to colorectal, colon or rectal cancer risks. Our study suggests a possible inverse association between phenolic acid intake and colon cancer risk in men and positive with rectal cancer risk in women.     

How Many Imputations are Really Needed? Some Practical Clarifications of Multiple Imputation Theory

Multiple imputation (MI) and full information maximum likelihood (FIML) are the two most common approaches to missing data analysis. In theory, MI and FIML are equivalent when identical models are tested using the same variables, and when m, the number of imputations performed with MI, approaches infinity. However, it is important to know how many imputations are necessary before MI and FIML are sufficiently equivalent in ways that are important to prevention scientists. MI theory suggests that small values of m, even on the order of three to five imputations, yield excellent results. Previous guidelines for sufficient m are based on relative efficiency, which involves the fraction of missing information (γ) for the parameter being estimated, and m. In the present study, we used a Monte Carlo simulation to test MI models across several scenarios in which γ and m were varied. Standard errors and p-values for the regression coefficient of interest varied as a function of m, but not at the same rate as relative efficiency. Most importantly, statistical power for small effect sizes diminished as m became smaller, and the rate of this power falloff was much greater than predicted by changes in relative efficiency. Based our findings, we recommend that researchers using MI should perform many more imputations than previously considered sufficient. These recommendations are based on γ, and take into consideration one’s tolerance for a preventable power falloff (compared to FIML) due to using too few imputations.     

Determinants of Birthweight; Gender Based Analysis

The objective of this cross sectional study is to look at determinants of birth weight and their association with the gender of the baby in 2,795 full term children living in the occupied Palestinian territory, derived from a stratified random sample of 2,994 households in the West Bank and 2,234 households in the Gaza Strip. The response rate was 85%. Multivariable analysis using analysis of variance for mixed models showed that sex and birth order, maternal age and education and to a lesser extent region were determinants of birth weight for all children. The effect of maternal education on birth weight differed for female and male infants, tending to be relatively unchanged for male infants and with mean birth weights increasing with maternal education in female infants. The effect of birth order differed by maternal age, with mean birth weight increasing with maternal age for first and second births; but being unaffected by maternal age for infants of birth order greater than two. We conclude that birth weight is influenced by common biological determinants across cultures, but is also influenced by social, ethnic, and environmental factors that are culture specific, of which some might be gender related.

Mit Kiffen aufhören. Die Bereitschaft zur Verhaltensänderung bei Cannabisgebrauchenden in der Schweiz

Summary Quitting hash. The readiness for behaviour change among cannabis users in Switzerland. Objectives: The study aims to identify factors that are associated with the willingness of adolescents and young adults to modify their cannabis use. It is hypothesized that frequency of use, cannabis-related problems and age of onset are associated with their willingness to change. Methods: In 2004, a survey on cannabis use was conducted among 13 to 29 year-olds living in Switzerland. Of the 5025 participants 593 had taken cannabis during the past six months. They were then asked about their willingness to change. Three groups of users were compared: those not willing to change, those considering change, and those determined to change. Pearson Chi-square-tests and logistic regressions were performed to test the hypotheses. Results: Experience of problems motivates users to start thinking about changing their behavior. Frequent use and early onset are associated with young people not making the transition from considering changing behavior to resolving to do so. Conclusions: The need to perceive problematic use as a first step towards change and the inhibiting effect of dependencerelated factors on the transition from consideration to determination calls for tailored intervention approaches that are matched to the willingness to change. Eingereicht: 10. Dezember 2005; überarbeitet: 13. September 2006; Angenommen: 6. M?rz 2007