Holistic approach in the management of PCOS: a pilot study of an online PCOS-reversal program

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder that can be managed but not permanently cured. Each woman has her own PCOS symptoms and its own root causes. A number of medications are prescribed to women with PCOS. However, a holistic approach could be the best way forward in managing a disease as complex as PCOS. Authors conducted this pilot study called the Sepalika 5-petal PCOS reversal program which consisted of individualized diet plans, magnet acutherapy, fitness regimens, dietary supplements and herbal products to evaluate whether these interventions improve PCOS symptoms, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism.Methods: A total of 30 patients were recruited online from all parts of India using the PCOS symptom quiz. Various baseline investigations were performed at recruitment. They were suggested personalized diet plans, followed by exercise videos, magnetic acutherapy and herbal and micronutrient supplements. The program spanned over a period of 90 days and patients outlook and quality of life were also assessed at the end of the program.Results: The main goal of most participants was improvement in weight and energy issues, and regularization of periods. Each of these goals were achieved in all participants of the program. Patient-reported outcomes showed a definite improvement in the quality of life of the participants at the end of 90 days.Conclusions: PCOS is a physical - sexual, psychological and social syndrome; therefore, it is necessary to taking a more holistic approach to patient care beyond treating physical symptoms. Larger studies with more objective and subjective endpoints is the way forward

Sirtuin inhibition induces apoptosis-like changes in platelets and thrombocytopenia

Sirtuins are evolutionarily conserved NAD+-dependent acetyl-lysine deacetylases that belong to class III type of histone deacetylases. In humans, seven sirtuin isoforms (Sirt1 to Sirt7) have been identified. Sirtinol, a cell permeable lactone ring derived from naphthol, is a dual Sirt1/Sirt2 inhibitor of low potency whereas EX-527 is a potent and selective Sirt1 inhibitor. Here we have demonstrated that Sirt1, Sirt2 and Sirt3 are expressed in enucleate platelets. Both sirtinol or EX-527 induced apoptosis-like changes in platelets as revealed from enhanced annexin V binding, ROS production and drop in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Above changes were associated with increased phagocytic clearance of the platelets by macrophages. Expression of acetylated p53 and the conformationally active form of Bax were found to be significantly higher in both sirtinol- as well as EX-527-treated platelets, thus implicating p53-Bax axis in apoptosis induced by sirtuin inhibitors. Administration of either sirtinol or EX-527 in mice led to reduction in both platelet count and number of reticulated platelets. Our results, for the first time, implicate sirtuins as a central player in determination of platelet aging. Since sirtuin inhibitors are being evaluated for their anti-tumor activity, this study rekindles attention to potential side effect of sirtuin inhibition in delimiting platelet life span and management of thrombosis

Watershed development for rainfed areas: Concept, principles, and approaches

Land, water, and vegetation are the natural resources, which provide food, feed, fiber, and fuel needs for the survival of human beings. However, the growing biotic pressure and overexploitation of the natural resources are leading to their accelerated degradation, resulting in reduced productivity. The sustainable management of natural resources is the key for the sustenance and well-being of human beings. Water is a finite resource and an elixir of life; however, water is becoming scarce due its overexploitation to meet the demands of the ever increasing demographic pressure. Agriculture is a major consumer (75–80%) of water for food production globally......................

A new elastic potential function for rubbery materials

A new four-parameter elastic potential function is proposed which represents data on the elastic deformation of rubbery materials with the same parameters in various deformation fields up to break

Teratogenic Effect of Lamotrigine on Developing Liver of Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract: The aim of present study was to observe the noxious effect of Lamotrigine (LTG

Convenient tools and social norms: Measuring the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce household food waste

Halving food loss and waste is the target of the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal 12.3, and household food waste constitutes a substantial part of global food waste. Effective interventions that decrease household food waste are urgently needed, and these could target various underlying behaviours such as planning, storing, preparing and consuming. There is a lack of studies that develop interventions based on theory and that compare different intervention options. Moreover, in testing the effectiveness of such interventions, possible influences caused by the measurement method need to be assessed. The current study explores two interventions, based on the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework, to test if combining a tool package (containing various waste-reducing tools such as a measuring cup, stickers, leaflets, recipes) with a motivational message based on social norms is more effective than the tool package alone. Additionally, it examines the effects of using a self-reported survey measurement for household food waste, to ensure that results are not caused by increased consumer awareness of food waste due to measurement alone. Findings show that the tool package significantly improves waste-preventing behaviours, and decreases self-reported food waste by 39.2% (experiment 1) and 23.0% (experiment 2). Effects on waste-preventing behaviours are stronger when social norm elements are added in the intervention. Results of the second experiment indicate that effects of self-reported measurement are minimal, which provides initial support for the use of self-reported food waste measurement in intervention testing albeit that underreporting remains an issue and more research is needed

Epidemiology of Bovine Mastitis and Its Diagnosis, Prevention, and Control

Mastitis is an inflammation of mammary glands that is prevalent in dairy bovines. It causes a significant proportion of economic losses to the dairy farmers in India. Cattle and buffalo farming contribute significantly to the economy of the state. Various infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, and algae may cause mastitis. Hence, it is essential to understand the etiological agents and predisposing factors that lead to mastitis in susceptible bovine populations in Madhya Pradesh state so that appropriate prevention and control strategies can be implemented. In this chapter, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and control measures of mastitis in general and in India, the state of Madhya Pradesh, in particular, will be presented

The effectiveness of digital storytelling in the classrooms: a comprehensive study

In recent years the use of new technologies in educational systems has increased worldwide as digital cameras, personal computers, scanners, and easy-to-use software have become available to educators to harness the digital world. The impact of new technologies in educational contexts has been mostly positive as new technologies have given educators the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills, and therefore enhance the standard of education. Researchers have found that student engagement, achievement and motivation are enhanced through integration of such technologies. However, education systems still face many challenges: one of these challenges is how to enhance student engagement to provide better educational outcomes. It has become increasingly important to use innovative pedagogical models to engage learners. Digital storytelling is one of the innovative pedagogical approaches that can engage students in deep and meaningful learning. This research project aimed to create a constructivist learning environment with digital storytelling. The research investigated the pedagogical aspects of digital storytelling and the impact of digital storytelling on student learning when teachers and students use digital stories. A multi-site case study was conducted in one Australian school at primary and secondary levels. In selected classrooms, students and teachers had the opportunity to engage in innovative learning experiences based on digital storytelling. In order to enhance the reliability and validity of the research, multiple methods of data collection and analysis were used. Data was collected with qualitative and quantitative methods. An evaluation rubric was used to collect quantitative data, while interviews and observation were used to collect qualitative data. Data collection was guided by a mixed methods research design in order to evaluate if and how digital storytelling enhances teaching and learning outcomes. The findings from this study suggest that digital storytelling is a powerful tool to integrate instructional messages with learning activities to create more engaging and exciting learning environments. It is a meaningful approach for creating a constructivist learning environment based on novel principles of teaching and learning. Thus, this approach has the potential to enhance student engagement and provide better educational outcomes for learners

In search of an efficient strategy to monitor disease status of chronic heart failure outpatients

_Introduction_ Blood biomarkers have the potential to monitor the severity of chronic heart failure (CHF). Studies correlating repeated measurements of blood biomarkers with repeatedly assessed New York Heart Association (NYHA) class over a prolonged follow-up period, and concomitantly investigating their associations with clinical endpoints, have not yet been performed. _Methods_ Between 2011–2013, 263 CHF patients were included. At inclusion and subsequently every 3 months, we measured N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin T (Hs-TnT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and assessed NYHA class. The primary endpoint comprised heart failure hospitalisation, cardiovascular mortality, cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. Time-dependent Cox models were used. _Results_ Mean age was 67 ± 13 years, 72% were men and 27% were in NYHA class III–IV. We obtained 886 repeated measures (median 3 [IQR 2–5] per patient). The primary endpoint was reached in 41 patients during a median follow-up of 1.0 [0.6–1.4] year. Repeatedly measured NT-proBNP and Hs-TnT were significantly associated with repeatedly assessed NYHA class, whereas CRP was not (NT-proBNP: β [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.17–2.06]ln(ng/l) increase per point increase in NYHA class, p = 0.002; HsTNT: β [95% CI]: 1.58 [1.21–2.07]). Serially measured NT-proBNP (HR [95% CI]:2.86 [1.73–4.73]), CRP (1.69 [1.21–2.34]) and NYHA class (2.33 [1.51–3.62]) were positively and independently associated with the primary endpoint, whereas Hs-TnT lost statistical significance after multivariable adjustment. A model containing serially measured NYHA class and NT-proBNP displayed a C-index of 0.84, while serially measured NYHA class and CRP showed a C-index of 0.82. _Conclusion_ Temporal NT-proBNP, CRP and NYHA class patterns are independently associated with adverse clinical outcome. Serially measured NT-proBNP and NYHA class are best suited for monitoring CHF outpatients

Explaining context, mechanism and outcome in adult community mental health crisis care: a realist evidence synthesis

Mental health crises cause significant distress and disruption to the lives of individuals and their families. Community crisis care systems are complex, often hard to navigate and poorly understood. This realist evidence synthesis aimed to explain how, for whom and in what circumstances community mental health crisis services for adults work to resolve crises and is reported according to RAMESES guidelines. Using realist methodology, initial programme theories were identified and then tested through iterative evidence searching across 10 electronic databases, four expert stakeholder consultations and n = 20 individual interviews. 45 relevant records informed the three initial programme theories, and 77 documents, were included in programme theory testing. 39 context, mechanism, outcome configurations were meta-synthesized into three themes: (1) The gateway to urgent support; (2) Values based crisis interventions and (3) Leadership and organizational values. Fragmented cross-agency responses exacerbated staff stress and created barriers to access. Services should focus on evaluating interagency working to improve staff role clarity and ensure boundaries between services are planned for. Organizations experienced as compassionate contributed positively to perceived accessibility but relied on compassionate leadership. Attending to the support needs of staff and the proximity of leaders to the front line of crisis care are key. Designing interventions that are easy to navigate, prioritize shared decision-making and reduce the risk of re-traumatizing people is a priority