Potential therapeutic effect of Allium cepa L. and quercetin in a murine model of Blomia tropicalis induced asthma

Background

Asthma is an inflammatory condition characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and chronic inflammation. The resolution of inflammation is an essential process to treat this condition. In this study we investigated the effect of Allium cepa L. extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on cytokine and on smooth muscle contraction in vitro and its therapeutic potential in a murine model of asthma.

Methods

AcE was obtained by maceration of Allium cepa L. and it was standardized in terms of quercetin concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, using AcE 10, 100 or 1000 μg/ml or Qt 3.5, 7.5, 15 μg/ml, we measured the concentration of cytokines in spleen cell culture supernatants, and the ability to relax tracheal smooth muscle from A/J mice. In vivo, Blomia tropicalis (BT)-sensitized A/J mice were treated with AcE 100, 1000 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg Qt. We measured cell influx in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lungs, serum levels of Bt-specific IgE, cytokines levels in BAL, and lung histology.

Results

We observed a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines, a relaxation of tracheal rings, and a reduction in total number of cells in BAL and EPO in lungs by treatment with AcE or Qt.

Conclusion

AcE and Qt have potential as antiasthmatic drugs, as they possess both immunomodulatory and bronchodilatory properties.     

Addressing Stigma and Promoting Help-Seeking Among African Nova Scotian Youth Experiencing Psychosis and Other Mental Health Problems

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of perceptions of mental illnesses (especially psychosis), help-seeking, barriers to help-seeking, and opportunities to facilitate help-seeking in the African Nova Scotian Community.MethodsA qualitative interpretive narrative approach, using the focus group method, was employed to engage African Nova Scotians in discussions on their perceptions and beliefs about mental illnesses and help-seeking in their communities. Youth in Early Intervention services, their caregivers, youth in the community, their caregivers, community leaders, and health service providers, were recruited from four locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality. A total of 75 individuals (37 female, 38 male) participated in the study. Narrative emplotment was used to analyse data from focus groups.ResultsFindings from focus groups were categorized based on four areas of discussion: (a) perceptions about psychosis and other mental illnesses among youth, caregivers, service providers and community leaders (b) beliefs about help-seeking among youth, caregivers, services providers and community leaders; (c) barriers and facilitators to seeking help for mental illnesses; and (d) the content and format of educational resources to educate and support youth, families and communities.ConclusionsStigma surrounding mental illnesses in the community, lack of knowledge of illness and available services, concerns regarding negative involvement with police, or dismissal of difficulties by health care providers represent significant barriers to help-seeking in this community. Additionally, barriers include a lack of trust in health care services and a dearth of African Nova Scotian service providers. Bolstering capacity of community organizations to support and educate individuals around illness as well as fostering collaboration between health services and community organizations could reduce barriers to care. Future research should focus on examining ways to engage African Nova Scotians in collaboration with existing community organizations.     

Preventing and treating childhood overweight and obesity in children up to 5 years old: A systematic review by intervention setting

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide with long‐term health consequences. Effective strategies to stem the rising childhood obesity rates are needed but systematic reviews of interventions have reported inconsistent effects. Evaluation of interventions could provide more practically relevant information when considered in the context of the setting in which the intervention was delivered. This systematic review has evaluated diet and physical activity interventions aimed at reducing obesity in children, from birth to 5 years old, by intervention setting. A systematic review of the literature, consistent with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was performed. Three electronic databases were searched from 2010 up to December 2020 for randomised controlled trials aiming to prevent or treat childhood obesity in children up to 5 years old. The studies were stratified according to the setting in which the intervention was conducted. Twenty‐eight studies were identified and included interventions in childcare/school (n = 11), home (n = 5), community (n = 5), hospital (n = 4), e‐health (n = 2) and mixed (n = 1) settings. Thirteen (46%) interventions led to improvements in childhood obesity measures, including body mass index z‐score and body fat percentage, 12 of which included both parental/family‐based interventions in conjunction with modifying the child''s diet and physical activity behaviours. Home‐based interventions were identified as the most effective setting as four out of five studies reported significant changes in the child''s weight outcomes. Interventions conducted in the home setting and those which included parents/families were effective in preventing childhood obesity. These findings should be considered when developing optimal strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity.     

Eine Wirkung des Progesterons auf die Atmung

Zusammenfassung An vier männlichen Versuchspersonen und einer Frau in der Menopause wurde eine steigernde Wirkung des Corpus-luteum-Hormons auf die Atmung beschrieben. Die aus anderen Gründen von Döring und Loeschcke ²⁰ vorgelegte Anschauung, daß das Progesteron der führende Faktor bei den Atmungsveränderungen der Frau während Schwangerschaft und lutealer Phase des normalen Zyklus ist, wird dadurch bestätigt.Mit 7 Textabbildungen. Hermann Rein zum 50. Geburtstag gewidmet.Herrn Prof. Dr. H. Martius, Göttingen und Herrn Prof. Dr. C. Kaufmann, Marburg, danken wir für die liebenswürdige Unterstützung unserer Arbeit.     

When people with dementia are perceived as witches. Consequences for patients and nurse education in South Africa

Aims and Objectives

To explore and describe the link between culture and dementia care with the focus on the influence of the belief in dementia as witchcraft and people with dementia as witches.

Background

In South Africa, especially in townships and rural areas, dementia is often perceived as connected to witchcraft rather than to disease. Persons labelled as witches—mostly older women—may be bullied, ostracised, beaten, stoned, burned, even killed.

Method

One strand of findings from a larger international study is presented with in‐depth qualitative interviews of one close family member and seven nurses caring for patients with severe dementia in nursing homes in Tshwane in South Africa. A hermeneutic analytic approach was used.

Results

Two main themes are found, namely “Belief in witchcraft causing fear of persons with dementia” and “Need of knowledge and education.” Fear of and violence towards people with dementia are based on the belief that they are witches. Some of the nurses had also held this belief until they started working with patients with dementia. There is a great need for education both among healthcare workers and the populace.

Discussion

The “witch” belief prevents seeking professional help. As nursing homes tend to be private and expensive, professional dementia care is virtually unattainable for the poor. Dementia needs a more prominent place in nursing curricula. Nurses as educators need to know the local culture and language to be accepted in the various communities. They need to visit families affected by dementia, give awareness talks in churches, schools and clinics and facilitate support groups for carers of people with dementia in the local language.

Conclusion

Improved nurses’ education in gerontology and geriatric care is needed. Trained specialist nurses may work as mediators and help eradicate the witchcraft beliefs connected to severe dementia.