Advanced Biomedical Research
Volume:11 Issue: 6, Jul 2021

This study aimed at investigating the effect of home‑based physical activity schedule on the quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and mood of the elderly at risk of depression as compared to the control group.

The open‑label randomized controlled trial was performed on 61 elderly people at risk of depression who were divided into two groups. In addition to routine care provided by the health‑care center (relaxation techniques), the elderly in the intervention group were given a home‑based physical activity booklet. The control group only received the routine care of the health‑care center. Moreover, before and after the intervention, the results of the QOL questionnaire, petersburg sleep quality questionnaire index (PSQI), and depression questionnaire were assessed and recorded.

The depression scores in the 1st and 3rd months during the intervention and 1 month after the intervention were significantly lower in the intervention group with the means of 3.60 ± 3.91, 2.03 ± 2.43, and 2.66 ± 3.37 as compared with the control group with the means of 5.39 ± 2.88, 4.96 ± 2.77, and 5.13 ± 3.14, respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the QOL and total PSQI scores in the physical and mental dimensions in the 3rd months during and 1 month after the intervention were higher in the intervention group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

According to the findings of the study, the addition of home‑based physical activity schedule to the routine care of the elderly can play a significant role in reducing the severity of their depression and improving their physical–psychological quality and sleep quality

Boswellia species have been used for treatment of chronic inflammatory disease. Several studies have documented the anti‑inflammatory effect of Boswellic acids (BAs) after systemic administration. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of some skin penetration enhancers on topical anti‑inflammatory effect of BAs in rats.

Male Wistar rats weighting 180–220 were used. Anti‑inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan test. BAs dissolved in ethanol, propylene glycol 2%, 5%, olive oil and applied topically. Menthol, D‑limonene, or eucalyptus oil 0.5%, 1% were also tested as other skin penetration enhancers and applied topically 30 min prior to subplantar injection of carrageenan into the right hind paw of rats. The volume of the paw was measured at 0 and 4 h after carrageenan with a digital plethysmometer and the difference was used as an index of inflammation. Piroxicam gel was used as a standard drug.

A 4% ethanolic solution of BAs showed significant anti‑inflammatory effect. Propylene glycol (2% and 5%) in alcohol did not change the effect. Olive oil also enhanced penetration of BAs. Menthol 0.5%, 1% and D‑limonene 0.5%, 1% did not show any significant change compared to olive oil alone. In the present study, eucalyptus oil 1% in olive oil was known as the best carrier for transdermal delivery of BAs.

BAs have considerable topical anti‑inflammatory effects and olive oil alone or especially in combination with eucalyptus oil can be promising vehicles for skin penetration of topical BAs.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by impaired steroidogenesis. Glucocorticoid treatment with increased androgens may lead to cardiovascular and metabolic effects in these patients. In this study, we investigated the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and androgen levels in children and adolescents with CAH due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency.

A cross‑sectional study of 78 patients (37 boys and 41 girls) with CAH aged 3–17 years. Anthropometric, body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP), and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood glucose with plasma insulin and lipids were measured, and insulin resistance (HOMA‑IR) calculated using the homeostasis assessment model. Furthermore, testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and 17‑Hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) were investigated.

The mean SBP and DBP were 112.01 ± 19.13 and 69.77 ± 7.56, respectively. The mean of HOMA‑IR in patients was 2.25 ± 1.46. The frequency of patients with overweight and High HOMA index were, respectively, 33.3% and 29.3%. The correlation analysis between clinical characteristics and androgen serum levels showed that DBP and BMI had a significant positive correlation with 17OHP. The median regression analysis showed, only DBP in the adjusted model had a significant positive effect with 17OHP level (P < 0.05), and no significant relationship was observed for other characteristics.

A significant association was found between BMI and DBP with serum concentrations of 17‑OHP, suggesting that elevated 17‑OHP can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders in children and adolescents with CAH.

Fentanyl is a short‑acting drug used to induce anesthesia. Here, we aimed to compare the two doses of ketamine to prevent fentanyl‑induced cough in children under general anesthesia.

This is a randomized, clinical trial which was performed in 2019 in Imam Hossein Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The study population consisted of children between 6 months and 2 years who were candidates for general anesthesia. Patients were randomized into three groups, each containing 31 patients. Groups 1 and 2 received 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg intravenous ketamine, respectively, 1 min before fentanyl injections. Group 3 received the same volumes of normal saline 0.9%. Patients were observed and evaluated for the incidence and intensity of coughs 1 min and 3 min after fentanyl injections.

We showed that the frequency of coughs 1 min after fentanyl injection was significantly lower in Group 2 compared to other groups (P < 0.001). Three min after fentanyl injection, the frequencies of coughs were significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to Group 3 (P < 0.001). We also showed that the intensity of coughs was significantly lower in Group 2 compared to other Groups 1 and 3 min after fentanyl injection (P < 0.001).

The administration of 0.2 mg/kg ketamine is more effective than 0.1 mg/kg dosage in the prevention of fentanyl‑induced cough. We also showed that this method could bring more stable hemodynamics and oxygenation saturation inpatients. The comparison of the two dosages was a novel issue in the recent literature.