Early hospital rehabilitation in patients with a performed intestinal stoma

An intestinal stoma is an intentional connection between the light of the small intestine (ileostomy) or the large intestine (colostomy) and the skin surface. The aim of the study was to present the topic of early hospital rehabilitation in patients who had to have a selected stoma as a result of the procedure. Rehabilitation is a supplement to surgical treatment and conditions good functioning of the patient after surgery. The main components of the therapy are: respiratory exercises, exercises of expectoration and effective coughing, wound stabilization, learning to change position from lying to sitting, anticoagulation exercises, general development exercises, verticalisation. More and more often, the rehabilitation is complemented by the use of kinesiology taping. Properly conducted physiotherapy may bring measurable benefits to the patient in the form of functional improvement and return to efficiency before surgery, or reduction of the degree of disability. The patient improvement plan is subject to constant modification by the therapist and is adapted to the physical and mental abilities of the patient on a given day. An important element in the healing process of patients with a performed stoma is the interdisciplinary care provided by all members of the therapeutic team: a doctor, a nurse, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a nutritionist

Bariatric patient from the point of view of a nutritionist

Nowadays obesity is one of the biggest worldwide problem. The predominant factor that may result in obesity is an excesive amount of energy and low physical activity. At the present time there are two overwhelming methods to fight obesity- conservative treatment and bariatric surgery. The second one is regarded as the most effective way to reduce body weight of the people suffering from the morbid obesity. Surgical treatment can only be efficient when it is followed by introducing dietary indications, both before and after the surgery. The bariatric patients have to be monitored by medical staff including the dietician to help them change eating habits. The dietician’s support is also crucial to avoid nutrient deficiency and digestive system ailments

A new approach to b-coloring of regular graphs

Let $G$ be a graph and c a proper k-coloring of G, i.e. any two adjacent vertices u and v have different colors c(u) and c(v). A proper k-coloring is a b-coloring if there exists a vertex in every color class that contains all the colors in its closed neighborhood. The maximum number of colors k admitting b-coloring of G is the b-chromatic number. We present two separate approaches to the conjecture posed by Blidia et. al that the b-chromatic number equals to d+1 for every d-regular graph of girth at least five except the Petersen graph.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures, 13 reference

New Colorimetric Methods for the Determination of Indapamide and its Formulations

Abstract. Two simple and sensitive methods for the determination of indapamide in pure and in dosage forms are developed. These methods are based on the oxidation of indapamide with iron(III) in acidic medium. The liberated iron(II) reacts with 1,10-phenanthroline (Method A) and the ferroin complex is colorimetrically measured at ! max 509 nm against reagent blank. Method B is based on the reduction of Fe(III) by the drug. Iron(II) forms a colored complex (! max 522 nm) with 2,2 H -bipyridyl. Optimization of the experimental conditions is described. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 1X0±12 mg ml À1 and 4X0± 18 mg ml À1 for A and B, respectively. The apparent molar absorptivity and Sandell sensitivity for method A is 3 Â 10 4 L mol À1 cm À1 and 0X0188 mg cm À2 , while for method B is 2X3 Â 10 4 L mol À1 cm À1 and 0X0159 mg cm À2 . The detection and quanti®cation limits are calculated. The developed methods are applied successfully for the determination of indapamide in pure and in tablet form without interference from common excepients

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Pinus uliginosa (Neumann) from the Pinus mugo complex

Taxonomic status of endangered peat-bog pine, Pinus uliginosa (Neumann) classified within the Pinus mugo complex, still remains to be elucidated. Here we present a complete chloroplast genome of P. uliginosa, to aid resolve its complex systematical position. The total genome size was 119,877 bp in length and contained a total of 112 genes, including 73 protein-coding genes, 35 tRNAs, and four rRNAs. The most of genes occur as a single copy. Five tRNA genes were duplicated from two to four times. Eighteen genes contain one intron, with a single gene containing two introns. No large inverted repeats were identified. The overall G + C content of P. uliginosa chloroplast genome is 38.5%

Serum Level of the Adipokine “Vaspin†in Relation to Metabolic Parameters: Short – Term Effect of Specific Dietary Therapy

AIM: To investigate the association between the circulating vaspin concentration and both of glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients, and also to evaluate the metabolic impact of two different dietary therapies on such conditions.MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Fifty eight obese female volunteers suffering from MetS, followed a specially designed dietary therapy consists of a low caloric balanced diet, accompanied by either 30% doum biscuits (group A), or whole wheat biscuits (group B) for four weeks (phase 1). During the next four weeks, they were continued on the hypocaloric diet alone (phase 2).RESULTS: The health effects of two dietary therapies were more prominent in improving the biochemical markers of the MetS than in the body weight reduction. The lower levels of serum vaspin were significantly increased at the end of the 1st phase in both groups especially group (A). Sustained negative correlations were detected between vaspin level and both of C-peptide and insulin resistance expressed as modified homeostatic model assessment (M.HOMA).CONCLUSION: The effect of the dietary supplements may play a role in alleviating the impact of the components of the MetS and may also sustain the level of the vaspin in the sensitization of the C-peptide in order to attain glucose homeostasis

Serum Ceramide Kinase as a Biomarker of Cognitive Functions, and the Effect of Using Two Slimming Dietary Therapies in Obese Middle Aged Females

AIM: Highlighting the impact of obesity on mental and cognitive functions using serum ceramide kinase enzyme concentration as a biomarker for cognitive evaluation in the middle aged females, and also targeting to control the obesity and simultaneously postponing the deterioration of the cognitive functions, by implementing two slimming dietary therapies each incorporating different functional ingredients known to boost cognition.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety six obese middle aged females, divided into two groups volunteered to follow a low caloric balanced diet combined with two bread supplements composed essentially of barley flour and wheat germ mixed with either 5% turmeric, group (A); or with 5% ginger, group (B) for 4 weeks, phase (1); to be followed by the hypocaloric diet alone for another 4 weeks, phase (2).RESULTS: By the end of phase (1), the biochemical analysis showed a positive response of the levels of C-peptide and modified homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; also increased levels of the serum ceramide kinase enzyme, coupled with improved cognitive functions tests. Improvement of the relevant metabolic profile, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and the anthropometric measurements was detected.CONCLUSION: Using dietary therapy supported by special formulas which contain active ingredients succeeded in reducing weight and improving both the metabolic profile and the cognitive functions

Impact of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations on sustained virologic response in HCV-infected patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced 651 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with 651 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not 655. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin

Nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β-diversity in global grasslands

Intra-annual (i.e. seasonal) temporal niche partitioning is essential to the maintenance of biodiversity in many plant communities. However, understanding of how climate and global change drivers such as eutrophication influence seasonal niche partitioning in plant assemblages remains limited. We used early-season and late-season compositional data collected from 10 grassland sites around the world to explore relationships between climate variability and intra-annual species segregation (i.e. seasonal β-diversity) and to assess how nutrient enrichment alters seasonal β-diversity in plant communities. We then assessed whether changes in seasonal β-diversity in response to nutrient enrichment are underpinned by species turnover or nestedness and determined how specific functional groups (i.e. annual forbs, perennial forbs, C3 and C4 graminoids and legumes) respond to eutrophication within and across early and late sampling dates. We found a positive relationship between intra-annual temperature variability and seasonal β-diversity but observed no relationship between intra-annual precipitation variability and seasonal β-diversity. Nutrient enrichment increased seasonal β-diversity and increased turnover of species between early- and late-season communities. Nutrient enrichment reduced the abundance of C4 graminoids and legumes within and across sampling timepoints and eliminated intra-annual differences in these groups. In contrast, nutrient enrichment resulted in seasonal differences in C3 graminoids, which were not observed in control conditions and increased abundance of C3 graminoids and annual forbs within and across early and late sampling dates. Synthesis: Our understanding of how grasslands respond to various components of global change is primarily based on studies that document community changes at inter-annual scales. Using early-season and late-season compositional data from 10 grassland sites around the world, we show that nutrient enrichment increases seasonal β-diversity and alters intra-annual dynamics of specific functional groups in unique ways

Community-based interventions targeting multiple forms of malnutrition among adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries:protocol for a scoping review

Background:Adolescent malnutrition is a significant public health challenge in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), with long-term consequences for health and development. Community-based interventions have the potential to address multiple forms of malnutrition and improve the health outcomes of adolescents. However, there is a limited understanding of the content, implementation and effectiveness of these interventions. This scoping review aims to synthesise evidence on community-based interventions targeting multiple forms of malnutrition among adolescents in LMICs and describe their effects on nutrition and health. Methods and analysis:A comprehensive search strategy will be implemented in multiple databases including MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, CENTRAL (through Cochrane Library) and grey literature, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 14 July 2023. We will follow the Participants, Concept and Context model to design the search strategy. The inclusion criteria encompass randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies focusing on adolescents aged 10–19 years. Various types of interventions, such as micronutrient supplementation, nutrition education, feeding interventions, physical activity and community environment interventions, will be considered. Two reviewers will perform data extraction independently, and, where relevant, risk of bias assessment will be conducted using standard Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. We will follow the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist while reporting results. Ethics and dissemination:The scope of this scoping review is restricted to publicly accessible databases that do not require prior ethical approval for access. The findings of this review will be shared through publications in peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at international and regional conferences and stakeholder meetings in LMICs.</p