PMID: 

J Wound Care. 2019 Oct 1 ;28(Sup10):S26-S36. PMID: 31600102

Abstract Title: 

Wound healing activity ofmethanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To assess the wound healing potential ofon cutaneous wounds in diabetic rats.METHOD: Full-thickness excisional wounds were made on the back of male, Sprague-Dawley rats with diabetes. The rats were randomly allocated into four treatment groups: 1ml basal cream; tetracycline (3%);10% for 14 days; and a control group. At days seven, 14 and 21 post-injury, five animals of each group were euthanised, and wounds were assessed through gross, histopathological and oxidant/antioxidant evaluations. Additionally, the dry matter and hydroxyproline contents of the skin samples were measured.RESULTS: A total of 60 rats were used in the study. A significant decrease in the wound size was observed in treated animals withcompared with other groups during the experiment. Additionally, treatment withdecreased the number of lymphocytes and improved the number of fibroblasts at the earlier stages and increased a number of fibrocytes at the later stages of wound healing. Other parameters such as re-epithelialisation, tissue alignment, greater maturity of collagen fibres and large capillary-sized blood vessels revealed significant changes when compared with the control.significantly reverted oxidative changes of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase induced by diabetic wounds (p

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PMID: 

Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 May 15 ;7(9):1415-1417. Epub 2019 May 5. PMID: 31198445

Abstract Title: 

Glucose Lowering Effect of Basil Leaves in Diabetic Rats.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diabetes and its complications has risen since the last decades, and it has been predicted that the prevalence of diabetes will be double in the coming year. Chronic hyperglycemia marked as elevated advanced glycation end products plays an important role in complications of diabetes. Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) originating from India and commonly found in Southeast Asia, is widely used empirically to decrease the blood sugar in diabetic patients.AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of extract ethanol of Basil leaves in diabetic rats.METHODS: This is an experimental study; Streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into six groups (normal group, group treated with metformin 45 mg/kg body weight, group treated with Basil leaves 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight, 400 mg/kg body weight, control diabetic group). The blood glucose level was measured before induction and after treatment at week 1 and 4. Advanced glycation end products were measured in all groups at week 4.RESULTS: Extract ethanol of basil leaves 100, 200, 400 mg/body weight all showed significant lowering blood glucose level (p

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PMID: 

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2019 Oct 31. Epub 2019 Oct 31. PMID: 31667861

Abstract Title: 

Phytochemical profile and protective effect of Ocimum basilicum aqueous extract in doxorubicin/irradiation-induced testicular injury.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy usually associated with various comorbidities especially on rapidly proliferating cells as testis. This study aimed to characterize main constituents of Ocimum basilicum L. (OB) aqueous extract and examine its protective effect on doxorubicin/irradiation (DOXO/IR)-induced testicular injury in rats.METHODS: Spectrophotometric analysis showed considerable amount of polyphenolic (146.31 µg/mg) and flavonoid contents (28.63 µg/mg); UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed that the major flavonoid was apigenin-O-glucoside (7.53%) followed by luteolin (5.94%), while rosmarinic acid was the major polyphenolic (15.76%) followed by caftaric acid (9.39%); rutin and querctin were also presentand were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Administration of OB extract (200 mg/kg per day; p.o.) to DOXO/IR rats resulted in marked improvement of associated testicular damage.KEY FINDINGS: Ocimum basilicum L. significantly decreased testicular levels of nuclear factor-kappa B and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2)-associated protein X, along with caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining. In addition, OB elevated testicular total antioxidant capacity, nuclear erythroid-related factor-2, Bcl2 and testosterone contents and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining. Such changes were also accompanied by restoration of testicular architecture.CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the protective role of OB aqueous extract in hampering most of the harmful chemotherapy/radiotherapy-induced outcomes via its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and cell regeneration abilities. Such findings may offer an incentive in expanding its use during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

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PMID: 

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Oct 17:1-7. Epub 2019 Oct 17. PMID: 31629347

Abstract Title: 

Four Days of Blueberry Powder Supplementation Lowers the Blood Lactate Response to Running But Has No Effect on Time-Trial Performance.

Abstract: 

Blueberries are abundant with anthocyanins possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As these properties combat fatigue and promote recovery, blueberry supplementation may enhance performance and recovery. Thus, the objectives were to examine the effects of two blueberry supplementation protocols on running performance, physiological responses, and short-term recovery. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover design, 14 runners completed an 8-km time trial (TT) after supplementation with 4 days of blueberries (4DAY), 4 days of a PLA, or 2 days of placebo followed by 2 days of blueberries (2DAY). Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were monitored during the TT. Blood lactate, vertical jump, reactive strength index, and salivary markers were assessed before and after. No significant differences were observed for time to complete the TT (PLA: 3,010± 459 s; 2DAY: 3,014 ± 488 s; 4DAY: 3,011 ± 423 s), heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, or any of the salivary markers. An interaction effect (p = .027) was observed for blood lactate, with lower post-TT concentrations in 4DAY (5.4 ± 2.0 mmol/L) than PLA (6.6 ± 2.5 mmol/L; p = .038)and 2DAY (7.4 ± 3.4 mmol/L; p = .034). Post-TT decreases in vertical jump height were not different, whereas the decline in reactive strength index was less following 4DAY (-6.1% ± 13.5%) than the other conditions (PLA: -12.6% ± 10.1%; 2DAY: -11.6% ± 11.5%; p = .038). Two days of supplementation did not influence performance or physiological stress. Although 4 days of supplementation did not alter performance, it blunted the increase in blood lactate, perhaps reflecting altered lactate production and/or clearance, and offset the decrease in dynamic muscle function post-TT, as indicated by the reactive strength index differences.

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Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the No. 1 cause of death in high-income countries, highlighting the urgent need to change the way this disease is prevented and treated. Rather than being a random result of DNA mutations, it’s possible that cancer could have much deeper roots that would be better targeted with natural therapies than toxicity

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PMID: 

Food Res Int. 2019 Nov ;125:108618. Epub 2019 Aug 14. PMID: 31554107

Abstract Title: 

Digestion behavior and antidepressant-like effect promoted by acute administration of blueberry extract on mice.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of the acute administration of blueberry extract in mice. In addition, the digestion behavior of individual phenolic compounds using an in vitro digestion model was also investigated and the main bioaccessible compounds were determined. During digestion, important changes were observed in the polyphenols concentrations and antioxidant capacity upon the passage through the gastric and enteric phases. Bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic and ferulic acids, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and malvidin were highly bioaccessible from the blueberry. The in vivo experiment was carried out with males Swiss mices; for the evaluation of the minimum effective dose of the extract, mices were treated with different concentrations (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg) of the blueberry extract. The animals were submitted to behavior tests and the minimum effective dose of the blueberry extract was established as 300 mg/kg. The results indicated a decrease in the immobility time of mice in the tail suspension test without any effect on the locomotor activity in the open field test when treated with the minimum effective dose. This dose was then chosen to carried out the tests of hepatotoxicity and results showed no evidences of toxic effects of blueberry extract. The acute administration of the blueberry extract also led to a significant decreaseThiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) in mices hippocampus. The results observed suggest that the neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects might be related to the phytochemical composition of the blueberry, particularly due to the high flavonols and anthocyanins concentrations.

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PMID: 

Nurs Educ Perspect. 2019 Aug 29. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31469677

Abstract Title: 

The Use of Tai-Chi to Reduce Anxiety Among Nursing Students Undergoing Simulation.

Abstract: 

This study sought to examine tai-chi as an anxiety-reducing method to increase self-efficacy and improve performance among baccalaureate nursing students experiencing a patient care simulation. The sample included 63 nursing students enrolled in a traditional or second-degree nursing program. The study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. Students in the experimental group experienced significant reductions in cognitive and somatic anxiety, along with an increase in self-efficacy and improved performance. Tai-chi can be an effective technique to reduce anxiety and improve self-efficacy and performance among nursing students in simulations.

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PMID: 

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 13 ;9(1):13198. Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31519933

Abstract Title: 

Tai Chi Chuan exercise related change in brain function as assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: 

Early studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) contributes to the rehabilitation of cognitive disorders and increases blood oxygen concentration levels in the parietal and occipital brain areas; however, the mechanism of TCC training on brain function remains poorly understood. This study hypothesize that TCC has altered brain function and aims to explore the effects of TCC on functional connection and effective connection of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor cortex (MC), and occipital cortex (OC). The participants were 23 experienced Chen-style TCC practitioners (TCC group), and 32 demographically matched TCC-naive healthy controls (control group). Functional and effective connections were calculated using wavelet-based coherence analysis and dynamic Bayesian inference method, respectively. Results showed that beyond the intensity of activity in a particular cortical region induced by TCC, significant differences in brain activity and dynamic configuration of connectivity were observed between the TCC and control groups during resting and movement states. These findings suggested that TCC training improved the connection of PFC, MC and OC in myogenic activity, sympathetic nervous system, and endothelial cell metabolic activities; enhanced brain functional connections and relayed the ability of TCC to improve cognition and the anti-memory decline potential.

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PMID: 

Eur J Ageing. 2019 Sep ;16(3):273-282. Epub 2019 Mar 2. PMID: 31543722

Abstract Title: 

Tai Chi and whole-body vibrating therapy in sarcopenic men in advanced old age: a clinical randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

This study was to investigate the effects of Tai Chi (TC) and whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise in sarcopenic men in advanced old age. Ninety sarcopenic men (mean age 88.6 years; age range 85-101 years) were divided into three groups: TC group, WBV group, and control (CON) group. Patients in the two treatment groups received 8 weeks of training in either TC or WBV, while the control group received reminders not to change their level of physical exercise or lifestyle. Patients in all groups also received health information related to sarcopenia. Muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance [balance, gait speed, timed-up-and-go test (TUGT), and five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST)] were analyzed and compared among the three groups. Finally, seventy-nine subjects completed the study (TC = 24; WBV = 28; and CON 27). Muscle strength was significantly increased in the TC and WBV groups compared to the control group (

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PMID: 

Phys Sportsmed. 2019 Oct 30. Epub 2019 Oct 30. PMID: 31663410

Abstract Title: 

Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiometabolic biomarkers in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: A compositional data analysis.

Abstract: 

ObjectivesTo investigate the associations between objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cardiometabolic and endocrine biomarkers, and to estimate the associations of reallocating time from one behavior to another with cardiometabolic and endocrine biomarkers.MethodsBaseline data from participants diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, n=175, 58% men, mean (SD) age=64.4 (7.7), recruited to a physical activity intervention was used. Time spent in SB, LIPA and MVPA was measured by accelerometer and transformed into isometric log-ratio coordinates. The associations between time spent in SB, LIPA and MVPA and biomarkers were examined by linear regression models. The change in each outcome of reallocating time between the three behaviors was estimated.ResultsThe findings show strong positive associations of time spent in MVPA and negative associations of time spent in SB relative to time spent in the other behaviors with sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and negative associations of time spent in SB with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Theoretically, reallocation of 19 minutes MVPA to SB or to LIPA was associated with a 17% and 17% larger SAD, 39% and 36% larger HOMA-IR values and 3.3% and 2.3% lower levels of HDL, respectively.ConclusionIn conclusion, our analysis from a time-use perspective supports the current evidence that sedentary time is devastating for the cardiometabolic health. While LIPA probably requires more time, maintaining or increasing time in MVPA are the most important features of the time use behaviors when promoting a favorable cardiometabolic risk profile in adults with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

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