The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Lipid Levels in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary medical program. Most studies have emphasized the effect of exercise-based CR in lowering lipid levels; however, the effect of CR as a comprehensive program on lipid levels remains unclear. Methods: Electronic database were searched up to 2022. Randomized controlled trials with lipid profile indicators were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs were used to evaluate the effect size. Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test were used to assess publication bias. Results: CR remarkably reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (SMD = –0.23; 95%CI: [–0.38, –0.08]; P < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) levels (SMD = –0.17; 95%CI: [–0.28, –0.06]; P < 0.001), and total cholesterol (TC) levels (SMD = –0.30; 95%CI: [–0.43, –0.16]; P < 0.001) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (SMD = 0.19; 95%CI: [0.10, 0.29]; P < 0.001). Conclusions: CR reduce TC, TG, and LDL-C levels while improving HDL-C levels. CR should be promoted and more trials should be conducted for long-term CR

The Effect of Technology-Based Home Cardiac Rehabilitation on Risk Factor Modifications in Coronary Heart Disease Patients. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The delivery channels and approaches related to cardiac rehabilitation (CR), such as eHealth, mHealth, and telehealth, are evolving. Several studies have identified their effects on patients with coronary heart disease, although no studies have focused on all the approaches collectively. Methods: Randomized controlled trials have investigated lipid profiles, through systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and body mass index (BMI). Stata software was used for analysis, while Egger’s linear regression test and Begg’s funnel plot were also applied. Results: Technology-based home CR revealed significantly lower total cholesterol (TC) levels (standardized mean difference (SMD) = –0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [–0.27, –0.11]); triglyceride (TG) levels (SMD = –0.26; 95% CI: [–0.35, 0.17]); low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (SMD = –0.18; 95% CI: [ –0.25, –0.11]); SBP (SMD = –0.26; 95% CI: [–0.33, –0.19]); DBP (SMD = –0.24; 95% CI: [–0.32, –0.16]); BMI (SMD = –0.12; 95% CI: [–0.18, –0.05]), and improved high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (SMD = 0.22; 95% CI: [0.14, 0.31]). Conclusions: Technology-based home CR can be used to lower TC, TG, and LDL levels, alongside the BMI, SBP, and DBP indexes, while also raising HDL levels; thus, its use should be widely promoted

Formation Optimization, Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Auricularia&nbsp;auricula-judae Polysaccharide Nanoparticles Obtained via Antisolvent Precipitation

Auricularia auricula-judae polysaccharide (AAP)-based nanoparticles (NPs) prepared via an anti-solvent precipitation approach were studied. Response surface methodology (RSM) design was carried out on the basis of single factor experiments, using average size and polydispersity index (PDI) as indicators. The optimal preparation conditions were determined to include an AAP concentration of 1 mg/mL, a pH of 8, and an anti-solvent/solvent volume ratio of 6. The average particle sizes of the AAP-NPs, PDI and electrical characteristic (&zeta;-potential) were found to be 150.27 &plusmn; 3.21 nm, 0.135 &plusmn; 0.012 and &minus;31.10 &plusmn; 0.52 mV, respectively. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the chemical structure of the AAP-NPs. It was observed that the intensity of AAP-NPs in the wide spectral band of 3000&ndash;3750 cm&minus;1 was significantly stronger than that of the AAP, as was the characteristic peak of carboxyl anion, and the characteristic band moved to shorter wavelengths. Subsequent thermogravimetric analysis showed that the antisolvent precipitation method improved the thermal stability of the AAP, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the morphology of AAP-NPs was uniform and well-distributed, and that their single crystal structures had remained unaffected during the process. Moreover, the DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities of AAP-NPs were increased, and the IC50 values were 0.544 &plusmn; 0.241 mg/mL and 0.755 &plusmn; 0.226 mg/mL, respectively

Photodynamic therapy combined with antifungal drugs against chromoblastomycosis and the effect of ALA-PDT on Fonsecaea in vitro.

BACKGROUND:Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic skin and subcutaneous fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi and is associated with low cure and high relapse rates. In southern China, Fonsecaea monophora and Fonsecaea pedrosoi are the main causative agents. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We treated 5 refractory and complex cases of chromoblastomycosis with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with oral antifungal drugs. The lesions improved after 4 to 9 sessions of ALA-PDT treatment at an interval of one or two weeks, and in some cases, mycological testing results became negative. The isolates were assayed for susceptibility to antifungal drugs and ALA-PDT in vitro, revealing sensitivity to terbinafine, itraconazole and voriconazole, with ALA-PDT altering the cell wall and increasing reactive oxygen species production. CONCLUSIONS:These results provide the basis for the development of a new therapeutic approach, and ALA-PDT combined with oral antifungal drugs constitutes a promising alternative method for the treatment of refractory and complex cases of chromoblastomycosis

Human Chrysomya bezziana myiasis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND:Myiasis due to Old World screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, is an important obligate zoonotic disease in the OIE-list of diseases and is found throughout much of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, southeast and east Asia. C. bezziana myiasis causes not only morbidity and death to animals and humans, but also economic losses in the livestock industries. Because of the aggressive and destructive nature of this disease in hosts, we initiated this study to provide a comprehensive understanding of human myiasis caused by C. bezziana. METHODS:We searched the databases in English (PubMed, Embase and African Index Medicus) and Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, and Duxiu), and international government online reports to 6th February, 2019, to identify studies concerning C. bezziana. Another ten human cases in China and Papua New Guinea that our team had recorded were also included. RESULTS:We retrieved 1,048 reports from which 202 studies were ultimately eligible for inclusion in the present descriptive analyses. Since the first human case due to C. bezziana was reported in 1909, we have summarized 291 cases and found that these cases often occurred in patients with poor hygiene, low socio-economic conditions, old age, and underlying diseases including infections, age-related diseases, and noninfectious chronic diseases. But C. bezziana myiasis appears largely neglected as a serious medical or veterinary condition, with human and animal cases only reported in 16 and 24 countries respectively, despite this fly species being recorded in 44 countries worldwide. CONCLUSION:Our findings indicate that cryptic myiasis cases due to the obligate parasite, C. bezziana, are under-recognized. Through this study on C. bezziana etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, prevention and control, we call for more vigilance and awareness of the disease from governments, health authorities, clinicians, veterinary workers, nursing homes, and also the general public