Mind-Body Interventions for Individuals With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

Background

The effects of mind-body interventions (MBIs) (eg, Tai Chi, yoga, meditation) for individuals with heart failure (HF) have not been systematically evaluated.

Hemostatic changes in gestational diabetes mellitus

The purpose was to characterize the hemostatic changes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In this case–control study, 50 women with newly diagnosed GDM at 24–28 weeks of pregnancy and 41 normal pregnant women, matched for age, body mass index, and gestational age, were enrolled. Anthropometric, metabolic patterns, coagulation parameters, and plasminogen were measured in each subject. Plasma fibrinogen levels, plasminogen, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) activities were significantly higher in patients with GDM as compared to normal pregnant women (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.05, respectively). Although protein S was significantly elevated in diabetic group (p < 0.05), free protein S was similar in both groups. Coagulation factors VIII and IXa were significantly higher in patients with GDM (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). In the group with GDM, factor VIII was positively correlated with HbA1c (r = 0.192, p < 0.001). A weak but significant negative correlation was observed between protein S and fasting glucose (r =−0.006, p < 0.05). GDM potentiates the alteration in coagulation and fibrinolysis during normal pregnancy. The question of whether the hemostatic balance is unchanged or shifts toward a hypercoagulable status remains unanswered.

     

Left atrial myxoma with neovascularization presenting as a sick sinus syndrome

Myxoma is benign tumor of the heart. It is mostly located in the left atrium and revascularized by the left and right coronary artery in 30% to 40% of cases. Symptoms of these neovascularized cardiac myxomas are typically quite variable, from obstruction of mitral valve to coronary embolism resulting in acute myocardial infarction. In this case, left atrial myxoma that is revascularized by nodal branches of the right coronary artery presented as a sick sinus syndrome, which is rare in literature.     

Knowledge and Opinions of Turkish University Students About Contraceptive Methods and Emergency Contraception

This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and opinions of university students about contraceptive methods and emergency contraception (EC). The study comprised 1,689 students who volunteered to participate in the study and were selected from among students studying in two different universities in the 2007–2008 semester. Data were collected on a form that was developed by researchers. The chi-square test was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Oral contraceptive pills (93%), condoms (91.3%), IUDs (Intra Uterine Device) (76.6%) and the withdrawal method (56.8%) were in the lead amongst the contraceptive methods on which students had information. Twenty-nine percent of the students had heard of the concept of EC and 79.8% of those defined the concept accurately. Out of the total student sample, 38.7% stated that they had no information about the methods used for the purpose of EC. 89.6% of the students were of the opinion that every individual should have information about contraceptive methods. Turkish university students were found to be aware of many contraceptive methods; in addition, the opinions of the young university students relating to family planning were positive.     

Interactions between contaminated aquatic environments and element uptake by Echinodorus amazinocus and Cryptocoryne undulata

The objectives of this experimental study were to examine the interaction between metal contaminated aquatic environments and element uptake by Echinodorus amazinocus and Cryptocoryne undulata. Changes in element concentrations were investigated in three phases in aquatic environments: water, pore water and sediment. Additionally, the amounts of partial elements, relative uptakes, translocation factor and bio-concentration factor were evaluated for each plant. Growth analyses of both plants, as well as physical parameters of the water quality obtained from the reactors, were statistically evaluated by a two-sample t-test. Following the analyses, it was observed that the amount of all of the elements in each of the phases was different for each intermittent sample. Studies with C. undulata and E. amazinocus demonstrated that the concentration of all of the elements in the plants was changing relatively. It was also found that existing environmental conditions did not affect plant life negatively.     

The fruit extract of three strawberry cultivars prevents lipid peroxidation and protects the unsaturated fatty acids in the Fenton reagent environment

In this study, we detected the flavonoid ingredients of three different varieties of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch cultivar Camarosa, Selva and Dorit) grown in Elazig, and we researched on their effects on the radicals DPPH√ and OH√. It was detected that in the manipulation of 50-100 μl extract, it was efficient to turn the DPPH√ radical over 85% to DPPH√ OH√ form. In in vitro environment in which hydrogen peroxide and Fenton reagent were used, it was also detected that the capacity of interception of lipid peroxidation is high. When the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA)-2-thiobarbituric acid was compared with that of the Fenton R group, the level was shown to be decreased in the groups in which a quite distinct level of the extract of strawberry fruit was given (p < 0.001). Depending on the decrease in LPO formation, the amounts of oleic acid and linoleic acid that were added to the reaction environment were preserved in in vitro environment in which the extract of strawberry fruit was added (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01).Consequently, it has been confirmed that the strawberry fruit that has a scavenging effect against the radicals prevents that lipid peroxidation in in vitro environment.     

Dénutrition chez un patient atteint de spondylarthrite ankylosante de cause particulière : l’ankylose des articulations temporomandibulaires

IntroductionAnkylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that predominantly affects axial structures. Although temporomandibular joints are commonly affected, the ankylosis is rare. Herein, we report the case of a patient suffering from undernutrition secondary to ankylosis of temporomandibular joints during ankylosing spondylitis.ObservationThe patient, 21 years old, had been followed since six years for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, identified three years ago as an ankylosing spondylitis. Since a year, the evolution had been marked by the occurrence of a limitation of mouth opening, impeding oral feeding, which became exclusively based on liquids. The patient was hospitalized in emergency for severe malnutrition with a weight loss of 15 kg in six months. The clinical exam showed a limitation of mouth opening, less than 10 mm, with impossibility of propulsive and lateral mandibular movements. Pelvic radiography showed a grade II sacroiliitis bilaterally and TDM a bilateral temporomandibular ankylosis. The patient had been previously treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and methotrexate, but the occurrence of diffuse cutaneous mycosis had required discontinuation of the latter. Osteolysis of the temporomandibular ankylosis was scheduled in the maxillofacial surgery service and treatment with biotherapy type infliximab considered after the fungal infection healing.ConclusionThe early treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis should reduce the risk of progression to ankylosis of the temporomandibular joints and so the occurrence of such cases of malnutrition.