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Dietary and Ergogenic Supplementation to Improve Elite Soccer Players' Performance.
Fernandes, H
Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2021;(4):197-203
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Soccer is an extremely competitive sport, where the most match important moments can be defined in detail. Use of ergogenic supplements can be crucial to improve the performance of a high-performance athlete. Therefore, knowing which ergogenic supplements are important for soccer players can be an interesting strategy to maintain high level in this sport until final and decisive moments of the match. In addition, other supplements, such as dietary supplements, have been studied and increasingly referenced in the scientific literature. But, what if ergogenic supplements were combined with dietary supplements? This review brings some recommendations to improve performance of soccer athletes on the field through dietary and/or ergogenic supplements that can be used simultaneously. SUMMARY Soccer is a competitive sport, where the match important moments can be defined in detail. Thus, use of ergogenic supplements covered in this review can improve performance of elite soccer players maintaining high level in the match until final moments, such as creatine 3-5 g day-1, caffeine 3-6 mg kg-1 BW around 60 min before the match, sodium bicarbonate 0.1-0.4 g kg-1 BW starting from 30 to 180 min before the match, β-alanine 3.2 and 6.4 g day-1 provided in the sustained-release tablets divided into 4 times a day, and nitrate-rich beetroot juice 60 g in 200 mL of water (6 mmol of NO3- L) around 120 min before match or training, including a combination possible with taurine 50 mg kg-1 BW day-1, citrulline 1.2-3.4 g day-1, and arginine 1.2-6 g day-1. Key Messages: Soccer athletes can combine ergogenic and dietary supplements to improve their performance on the field. The ergogenic and dietary supplements used in a scientifically recommended dose did not demonstrate relevant side effects. The use of various evidence-based supplements can add up to further improvement in the performance of the elite soccer players.
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A Review of the Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, Toxicology, and Pharmacological Potentials of Crescentia cujete L. (Bignoniaceae).
Balogun, FO, Sabiu, S
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2021;:6683708
Abstract
Crescentia cujete is an economical and medicinal plant of wide indigenous uses including hypertension, diarrhea, respiratory ailments, stomach troubles, infertility problems, cancer, and snakebite. Despite these attributes, C. cujete is largely underutilized, notwithstanding the few progresses made to date. Here, we reviewed the available findings on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicology, and pharmacology, as well as other economic benefits of the plant. The information on the review was gathered from major scientific databases (Google scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, and BioMed Central) using journals, books, and/or chapters, dissertations, and conference proceedings. The review established the antidiabetic, antioxidant, acaricidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antivenom, wound healing, neuroprotection, antiangiogenic, and cytotoxic properties from aqueous and organic (particularly ethanol) aerial parts attributed to several secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, phytosterols, reducing sugar, and volatile oils. Economically, the fruit hard outer shell found applications as musical tools, tobacco pipes, bowls, food containers, and bioethanol production. While most of the current studies on C. cujete are mainly from Asia and South America (Philippines, Bangladesh, India, etc.), part of the persistence challenge is lack of comprehensive data on the plant from in vivo pharmacological studies of its already characterized compounds for probable clinical trials toward drug discovery. Consequently, upon this, modern and novel translational studies including the concept of '-omics' are suggested for studies aiming to outfit more comprehensive data on its therapeutic profiles against pathological markers of diseases and to fully explore its economic benefits.
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A randomized controlled trial on the coloprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 on immune-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative status, antimicrobial peptides, and microRNA-146a expression in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
Farsi, F, Ebrahimi-Daryani, N, Golab, F, Akbari, A, Janani, L, Karimi, MY, Irandoost, P, Alamdari, NM, Agah, S, Vafa, M
European journal of nutrition. 2021;(6):3397-3410
Abstract
PURPOSE Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), having potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties, has recently been shown to be a safe and promising agent in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis (UC). This trial was, therefore, designed to determine CoQ10 efficacy on inflammation and antioxidant status, antimicrobial peptides, and microRNA-146a expression in UC patients. METHODS In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 88 mild-to-moderate UC patients were randomly allocated to receive CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or placebo (rice flour) for 2 months. At the baseline and at an 8-week follow-up, serum levels of Nrf2, cathelicidin LL-37, β-defensin 2, IL-10, IL-17, NF-κB p65 activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), simple clinical colitis activity index questionnaire (SCCAIQ), and quality of life (IBDQ-32 score), as well as an expression rate of microRNA-146a were measured. RESULTS A significant reduction was detected in the serum IL-17 level, activity of NF-κB p65 in PBMCs, and also SCCAI score in the CoQ10 group compared to the placebo group, whereas IL-10 serum concentrations and IBDQ-32 score of the CoQ10 group considerably increased versus the control group; the changes of these variables were also significantly different within and between groups at the end of the study. Furthermore, CoQ10 remarkably increased serum levels of cathelicidin LL-37. A significant change in serum cathelicidin LL-37 levels was also observed between the two groups. No statistical difference, however, was seen between the two groups in terms of the serum levels of Nrf2 and β-defensin 2 and the relative expression of microRNA-146a. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that CoQ10 supplementation, along with drug therapy, appears to be an efficient reducer of inflammation in patients with mild-to-moderate UC at a remission phase. TRIAL REGISTRATION The research has also been registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20090822002365N17.
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Effects of Folic Acid Combined with DHA Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Amyloid-β-Related Biomarkers in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment by a Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Bai, D, Fan, J, Li, M, Dong, C, Gao, Y, Fu, M, Huang, G, Liu, H
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. 2021;(1):155-167
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuroprotective benefits of combined folic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients are suggested but unconfirmed. OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of 6-month folic acid + DHA on cognitive function in patients with MCI. METHODS Our randomized controlled trial (trial number ChiCTR-IOR-16008351) was conducted in Tianjin, China. We divided 160 MCI patients aged > 60 years into four regimen groups randomly: folic acid (0.8 mg/day) + DHA (800 mg/day), folic acid (0.8 mg/day), DHA (800 mg/day), and placebo, for 6 months. Cognitive function and blood amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) biomarker levels were measured at baseline and 6 months. Cognitive function was also measured at 12 months. RESULTS A total of 138 patients completed this trial. Folic acid improved the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), arithmetic, and picture complement scores; DHA improved the FSIQ, information, arithmetic, and digit span scores; folic acid + DHA improved the arithmetic (difference 1.67, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.31) and digital span (1.33, 0.24 to 2.43) scores compared to placebo. At 12 months, all scores declined in the intervention groups. Folic acid and folic acid + DHA increased blood folate (folic acid + DHA: 7.70, 3.81 to 11.59) and S-adenosylmethionine (23.93, 1.86 to 46.00) levels and reduced homocysteine levels (-6.51, -10.57 to -2.45) compared to placebo. DHA lower the Aβ40 levels (-40.57, -79.79 to -1.35) compared to placebo (p < 0.05), and folic acid + DHA reduced the Aβ42 (-95.59, -150.76 to -40.43) and Aβ40 levels (-45.75, -84.67 to -6.84) more than DHA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Folic acid and DHA improve cognitive function and reduce blood Aβ production in MCI patients. Combination therapy may be more beneficial in reducing blood Aβ-related biomarkers.
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Short-Term Efficacy and Quality of Life of Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Gastrectomy Assisted by External Vision.
Zheng, J, Xue, Y, Li, C
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine. 2021;:4256347
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effects and survival prognosis of radical gastrectomy assisted by external vision in gastric cancer. METHODS A total of 60 hospitalized gastric cancer patients from June 2016 to December 2018 were selected and divided into the observation group and control group according to different surgical procedures. The control group was treated with traditional open radical gastrectomy, while the observation group was treated with radical gastrectomy assisted by an external vision microscope. Relevant surgical indicators, visual analogue scale (VAS), postoperative complications, and life quality assessment were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS The incision length and intraoperative blood loss in the observation group were smaller than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05); compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly shorter hospital stay, earlier postoperative first exhaust time, and lower gastric fluid volume at the 3rd day after surgery (P < 0.05). The pain scores of the observation group at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and the difference was significant. The quality of life scores at the 1st week and 12th week after surgery showed that the dysphagia symptom scores of the observation group and the control group were significantly reduced but the two groups had significant differences in fatigue, physical function, pain score, postoperative pain, and overall quality of life. The observation group was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). Follow-up studies showed no significant difference between mortality and cancer recurrence (P > 0.05); the patients recovered well at postoperation, and the diet of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05); gastric reflux and knife pain were less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Radical gastrectomy assisted by external vision for gastric cancer yields clinical benefits for gastric cancer patients, which not only dramatically shortened the length of hospital stay but also effectively ameliorated the quality of life of patients, all indicating that external vision-assisted surgery was significantly better than traditional gastrectomy in improving the postoperative quality of life of gastric cancer patients in the absence of increasing the risk of adverse events.
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The Therapeutic Potential of Wogonin Observed in Preclinical Studies.
Sharifi-Rad, J, Herrera-Bravo, J, Salazar, LA, Shaheen, S, Abdulmajid Ayatollahi, S, Kobarfard, F, Imran, M, Imran, A, Custódio, L, Dolores López, M, et al
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2021;:9935451
Abstract
Wogonin is a flavonoid found in different plants such as roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi distributed mainly in Asia and Europe. Dried root extracts of S. baicalensis with high content of wogonin, popularly known as "Huang-Qin" or Chinese or baical skullcap, have been used for long time in traditional Chinese medicine. Several health benefits are attributed to wogonin and derivatives showing anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and antioxidant effects and more recently antineurodegenerative properties. Preclinical pharmacological activities of wogonin against diverse types of cancer such as breast, colorectal, and human gastric cancer will be presented in this review. In addition, studies on oxidative stress and bioavailability of wogonin will be discussed together with antineurodegenerative potential with special focus on Alzheimer's disease. Outcomes extracted from the last preclinical studies related to therapeutic applications of wogonin will be commented and updated in this review. The scientific evidence collected in this review aims to encourage transfer of the preclinical evidence of wogonin to new clinical studies.
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Urinary Angiogenin as a Marker for Bladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Aalami, AH, Abdeahad, H, Mesgari, M, Sathyapalan, T, Sahebkar, A
BioMed research international. 2021;:5557309
Abstract
AIMS: Bladder cancer (BCa) is a common cancer in North America and Europe that carries considerable morbidity and mortality. A reliable biomarker for early detection of the bladder is crucial for improving the prognosis of BCA. In this meta-analysis, we examine the diagnostic role of the angiogenin (ANG) protein in patients' urine with bladder neoplasm. METHODS We performed a systematic literature search using ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase, up to 10th October 2020 databases. Meta-Disc V.1.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.2.2 software calculated the pooled specificity, sensitivity, area under the curve (AUC), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), Q ∗ index, and summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) for the role of ANG as a urinary biomarker for BCa patients. RESULTS Four case-control studies were included with 656 participants (417 cases and 239 controls) in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.75), specificity of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.81), LR+ of 3.34 (95% CI: 2.02-5.53), LR- of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.32-0.44), DOR of 9.99 (95% CI: 4.69-21.28), and AUC of 0.789 and Q ∗ index of 0.726 demonstrate acceptable diagnostic precision of ANG in identifying BCa. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis showed that ANG could be a fair biomarker for the diagnosis of BCa patients.
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Early Physical Linear Growth of Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants Based on Computer Analysis Method.
Ruixiang, L, Mingrong, Y, Li, C, Rongxiu, Z
Journal of healthcare engineering. 2021;:7227928
Abstract
This article proposes that machine learning can break through the technical limitations of the linear growth test for the early physique of infants smaller than gestational age and can accurately calculate and predict the consequences of the disease. For testing the linear growth of the early physique of infants smaller than gestational age, the data collection and judgment are carried out according to the computer analysis method. Experimental results show that 47.3% of infants younger than gestational age may have suffocation. The experimental subjects designed in this study are small-for-gestational-age infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit from January 2020 to January 2021. According to the relationship between gestational age and birth weight, the survey subjects were divided into two groups: early group and late group. Male and female small-for-gestational-age infants accounted for 68% and 32%, respectively. Among them, the proportion of early gestational age was the most, with more boys than girls, and sick singleton was more than twins. In the early group, the incidence was 52.1% for neonatal asphyxia, 22.5% for feeding intolerance, 14.8% for intracranial hemorrhage, 6.3% for scleredema, 24.7% for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, 24.6% for hypoglycemia, 1.1% for apnea, and 3.2% for respiratory distress syndrome. Infants develop differently at different stages of corrected gestational age. The incidence of low body weight (6%) after correction for 3 months was significantly reduced compared with correction for gestational age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The nutrient absorption of infants younger than gestational age can promote physical catch-up growth, physical development, and neurodevelopment. Therefore, the physical growth of infants younger than gestational age requires supplementation that focuses on nutrition.
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A Psychosocial Exploration of Body Dissatisfaction: A Narrative Review With a Focus on India During COVID-19.
Ahuja, KK, Banerjee, D
Frontiers in global women's health. 2021;:669013
Abstract
COVID-19 has been an unprecedented global crisis. Besides the public health impact, the pandemic necessitated measures, such as quarantine, travel restrictions, and lockdown, that have had a huge effect on digital screen time, dietary habits, lifestyle measures, and exposure to food-related advertising. At the same time, a reduction in physical activity, an increase of social media consumption, and an increase in fitness tutorials during the lockdown have contributed to body image issues. Emerging evidence from India suggests that peer conversations about appearance as negative body talk (fat talk) is particularly salient in contributing to body dissatisfaction and body perception ideals, which are more prevalent in women. Even though there has been an increase in research on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19, its influence on body image perceptions and consequent distress have been stigmatized and classified as under-spoken areas. With this background, this article reviews research on the biopsychosocial factors that influence body dissatisfaction among women, particularly the role of media. It also highlights the development of body image concerns in India, one of the worst-hit countries in the pandemic, through liberalization, importing Western notions of body instrumentality, demographic shift, and resultant social changes. Finally, the psychosocial strategies for positive body image ideas to prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of body dissatisfaction are discussed, particularly those that focus on cognitive behavioral techniques (CBTs) from the perspectives of positive psychology, media literacy programs, and involvement of the media. Interventions and further research to address body dissatisfaction among women, especially in the post-COVID aftermath, need to be a recognized as a public health goal.
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Analysis of the Mechanism and Safety of Bisphosphonates in Patients with Lung Cancer and Bone Metastases.
Zhang, G, Gong, H, Xu, H
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine. 2021;:5343104
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism and safety of bisphosphonates in patients with lung cancer and bone metastases. METHOD A total of 104 patients with lung cancer and bone metastases in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 54) and research group (n = 50). Chemotherapy was given to the control group, and the research group was treated with bisphosphonate drugs. The quality of life, HAMA, HAMD score, VAS score, treatment effect, serum calcium and KPS score, inflammatory factor levels, and immune function were compared between the two groups. RESULT The quality of life in both groups was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The HAMA and HAMD scores of the research group decreased significantly than those of the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The VAS scores of the two groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The effective rates of treatment in the control group and the research group were 81.5% and 96.0%, respectively. Serum calcium was significantly decreased, and KPS score was significantly increased at weeks 1 and 6 after treatment, and the change was more obvious in the research group (P < 0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors in the two groups were significantly reduced, and the immune indicators were significantly increased. CONCLUSION Bisphosphonates have good effect on patients with lung cancer and bone metastases, which can improve anxiety and depression, reduce pain score, improve serum calcium level and immune function, and reduce inflammatory response. Therefore, bisphosphonate drug therapy is worth widely used.