12 research outputs found

    Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Probiotics To Eliminate COVID-19 Transmission in Exposed Household Contacts (PROTECT-EHC): a clinical trial protocol

    No full text
    Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an unprecedented challenge to worldwide health, and strategies to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19 infection are urgently needed. Emerging evidence suggests that the composition of the gut microbiome and modification of microbial ecology via probiotics can affect susceptibility to a wide range of infections, including respiratory tract infections. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) versus placebo on COVID-19 infection status and the gut microbiome in subjects with a household contact who has tested positive for COVID-19.Methods and analysis In this double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we will randomise 1132 subjects having a household contact who has recently (≤7 days) tested positive for COVID-19 to daily oral LGG or placebo for 28 days. We hypothesise that taking LGG as a probiotic will protect against COVID-19 infection and reduce the severity of disease in those who become infected (primary endpoint: decreased symptoms), and will be associated with beneficial changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. Stool samples and nasal swabs will be collected to evaluate the microbiome by 16S rRNA sequencing and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by PCR, respectively. We will also conduct multivariate analysis of demographic, behavioural, temporal, and other variables that may predict development of symptoms and other outcomes.Ethics and dissemination This trial is conducted under a Food and Drug Administration Investigational New Drug for LGG, has received ethics approval by the institutional review board of Duke University and enrolment has begun. We plan to disseminate the results in peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences.Trial registration number NCT04399252

    Sexual Functioning among Women with and without Diabetes in the Boston Area Community Health Study

    Full text link
    Aim.  To examine sexual dysfunction among women with and without diabetes in a community-based sample of women aged 30–79 years. Methods.  We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey responses of female participants in the Boston Area Community Health Study, a community-based random sample, who answered questions regarding sexual functioning and diabetes status and also reported sexual activity (n = 1,291). Associations between diabetes and overall sexual function as well as domain of sexual function were examined in multivariable linear regression models. Results.  Women with type 2 diabetes (n = 75) were older, less often white, and more likely to have decreased physical activity levels, elevated body mass index, and cardiovascular disease than women without diabetes (n = 1,190). Women with type 1 diabetes (n = 26) were similar to women without diabetes except for higher depression scores and lower levels of activity. Age, marital status, and depressive symptoms were correlated with overall sexual function. After adjustment for age and race, women with and without diabetes had similar arousal, lubrication, orgasm, dyspareunia, satisfaction, and desire. After further adjustment for other factors, including age, depression, and marital status, women with type 1 diabetes had increased dyspareunia compared with women without diabetes, and women with type 2 diabetes had similar functioning to women without diabetes. Conclusion.  Women with type 2 diabetes may have similar sexual functioning to women without diabetes, although women with type 1 diabetes may more often have dyspareunia. Factors such as depression, which are common in women with diabetes, are more strongly related to sexual dysfunction than diabetes status. Wallner LP, Sarma AV, and Kim C. Sexual functioning among women with and without diabetes in the Boston Area Community Health Study. J Sex Med 2010;7:881–887.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74221/1/j.1743-6109.2009.01510.x.pd

    A pilot study to assess the feasibility of a remotely monitored high-intensity interval training program prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

    No full text
    IntroductionAlthough allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) can be a curative therapy for hematologic disorders, it is associated with treatment-related complications and losses in cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be a practical way to rapidly improve cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function in the weeks prior to HCT. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a pre-HCT home-based HIIT intervention. The secondary aim was to evaluate pre to post changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function following the intervention.MethodsThis was a single-arm pilot study with patients who were scheduled to undergo allogeneic HCT within six months. Patients were instructed to complete three 30-minute home-based HIIT sessions/week between the time of study enrollment and sign-off for HCT. Sessions consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 10 high and low intervals performed for one minute each, and a 5-minute cool-down. Prescribed target heart rates (HR) for the high- and low-intensity intervals were 80-90% and 50-60% of HR reserve, respectively. Heart rates during HIIT were captured via an Apple Watch and were remotely monitored. Feasibility was assessed via retention, session adherence, and adherence to prescribed interval number and intensities. Paired t-tests were used to compare changes in fitness (VO2peak) and physical function [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 30-second sit to stand, and six-minute walk test (6MWT)] between baseline and sign-off. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between intervention length and changes in cardiorespiratory fitness or functional measures.ResultsThirteen patients (58.8±11.6 years) participated in the study, and nine (69.2%) recorded their training sessions throughout the study. Median session adherence for those nine participants was 100% (IQR: 87-107). Adherence to intervals was 92% and participants met or exceeded prescribed high-intensity HR on 68.8±34.8% of intervals. VO2peak improved from baseline to sign-off (14.6±3.1 mL/kg/min to 17.9±3.3 mL/kg/min; pConclusionsFindings demonstrate that implementing a pre-HCT home-based remotely monitored HIIT program is feasible and may provide benefits to cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function

    The effectiveness of group exercise for improving activity and participation in adult stroke survivors: a systematic review

    Get PDF
    Following post stroke rehabilitation, group exercise interventions can be used to continue improving cardiovascular fitness, activity levels, balance, gait, movement efficiency, and strengthening. However, little is known of the effectiveness of group exercise for improving activity and participation in stroke survivors. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of group exercise for improving activity and participation in adult stroke survivors. Databases searched were MEDLINE, Web of Science (Core collection), CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of group exercise using validated outcome measures of activity and participation for post stroke rehabilitation. Two independent reviewers assessed all abstracts, extracted data, conducted a narrative synthesis and assessed the quality of all included articles. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool assessed methodological quality and included outcome measure quality was assessed. 14 RCTs were included (n = 624 chronic stroke survivors collectively). Studies ranged between 12 and 243 stroke participants with an average of left:right hemisphere lesions of 32:39 and average age was 66.7 years. Although intervention and control groups improved, no significant difference between group differences were evident and implications of key findings: The review found improvements are short-term and less evident at long-term follow up with little improvements in participation after 6 months. However, this review was limited to the standard of intervention reporting. Further research should consider consistency in measuring underpinning mechanisms of group exercise interventions, which may explain the lack of activity changes in long-term follow-up.National Institute for Health Research CLAHRC Y

    The microbe-derived short-chain fatty acids butyrate and propionate are associated with protection from chronic GVHD

    No full text
    Studies of the relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiota and outcomes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) have thus far largely focused on early complications, predominantly infection and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We examined the potential relationship of the microbiome with chronic GVHD (cGVHD) by analyzing stool and plasma samples collected late after allo-HCT using a case-control study design. We found lower circulating concentrations of the microbe-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) propionate and butyrate in day 100 plasma samples from patients who developed cGVHD, compared with those who remained free of this complication, in the initial case-control cohort of transplant pa-tients and in a further cross-sectional cohort from an independent transplant center. An additional cross-sectional patient cohort from a third transplant center was analyzed; however, serum (rather than plasma) was available, and the differences in SCFAs observed in the plasma samples were not recapitulated. In sum, our findings from the primary case-control cohort and 1 of 2 cross-sectional cohorts explored suggest that the gastrointestinal microbiome may exert immuno-modulatory effects in allo-HCT patients at least in part due to control of systemic concentrations of microbe-derived SCFAs
    corecore