A. Bastos, B. Carrapatoso, M. Orsini, M. Leite, J. G. Silva, Gabriela Souza
{"title":"Functional Recovery of Upper Limb Post-Stroke: Mental Practice with Motor and Non-Motor Imagery","authors":"A. Bastos, B. Carrapatoso, M. Orsini, M. Leite, J. G. Silva, Gabriela Souza","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.50.55","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.50.55","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: Mental Practice (MP) with motor imagery consists of a method of training in which motor imagery is used to improve performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of MP with motor imagery on motor recovery of the paretic upper limb of post-stroke patients in comparison with MP with non-motor imagery. Approach: Four post-stroke patients were divided into two groups: experimental (the physical practice of motor tasks and MP of the same tasks: n = 2) and control (the physical practice of motor tasks and MP of non-motor tasks: n = 2). We evaluated: Heart Rate (HR) and systolic (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), immediately before and after execution and imagination of the tasks; time of execution and imagination of each task; and motor function of the paretic upper limb through the questionnaires “Fugl-Meyer for Upper Extremity” and “quality of movement section of arm motor ability test” before and after the 10 weeks of treatment. Results: The qualitative analysis showed that regardless of training, patients spent less time on imagery motor tasks than to execute them; and have increased in HR, SBP and DBP after execution as well as after imagery of motor tasks. The training caused a reduction in the time of execution of motor tasks in both groups and increment on the motor function of the paretic upper limb only in the experimental group. Conclusion: These results suggest that an MP with motor imagery may be an effective method for the functional recovery of the paretic upper limb of post-stroke patients.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"50-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.50.55","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70192188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Can Soy Change Serum Estradiol Concentration in Neonate Ovariectomized Rat","authors":"M. Taherianfard, M. Tadjali, M. E. Astaneh","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.47.49","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.47.49","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: Phytoestrogens are plant derived compound found in a wide variety of foods, most notably soy. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of soy isoflavones on circulating 17-β estradiol in neonate ovariectomized rat. Approach: Thirty, one day olds rats were used. Blood sample were collected after two months. 17-β estradiol was assayed by radioimmuno assay method. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and Duncan as post-hoc test. The level of significance was considered p<0.05. Results: Our data showed that ovariectomy significantly (p<0.05) reduced serum 17-β estradiol. Application of soy in doses 0.75 and 1.5 mL kg-1 day-1 following ovariectomy had not significant effect relative to ovariectomy without application of soy, but application of soy in dose 3 mL kg-1 day-1 significantly (p<0.05) increased 17-β estradiol relative to ovariectomy without application of soy. There was no significant difference between dose 3 mL kg-1 day-1 and control and sham group. Conclusion/Recommendation: Our results indicated that soy milk isoflavone can compensate the 17-β estradiol decrease in ovariectomized rat.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"112 1","pages":"47-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.47.49","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Childhood Mental Disorders and Risk of Schizophrenia","authors":"W. Liang, T. Chikritzhs","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.43.46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.43.46","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: Schizophrenia is one of the most serious forms of mental diseases, but the etiology of schizophrenia is still not well understood. Investigations are required to gain better understanding of the pre-onset course of schizophrenia. Approach: This study was a population-based birth-cohort study of males born between 1980 and 1984 in Western Australia (WA). Males were identified using birth registry records and followed-up until December 31st, 2009 or death using linked health data available through the Western Australian Data Linkage System (WADLS). Results: Children who developed a mental disorder before the age of 12 yrs had about at twice the risk of developing schizophrenia compared to those without a diagnosis. Increased risks appeared to be greatest for specific delays in development and hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood. Conclusion: Children with childhood mental disorders are at higher risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life. These findings provide further evidence to support the hypothesis that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"43-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.43.46","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of Unaided Vision Data using New Decomposition of Symmetry","authors":"K. Yamamoto, S. Tomizawa","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.37.42","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.37.42","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: First, this study considers how the structure of symmetry for probabilities is decomposed into two structures. Secondly, this study infers the structure of unknown probabilities which indicates how the right eye is better (or worse) than the left eye for three kinds of data on unaided distance vision of (1) women in Britain, (2) students in an university of Japan and (3) pupils in elementary schools in Tokyo, Japan. This study proposes a new decomposition of symmetry model for probabilities and analyzes these vision data using the decomposition. Approach: This study considers a new decomposition theorem that for the probabilities the symmetry model (indicates that the right eye vision is symmetric to the left eye vision) holds. Also this study analyzes the vision data using this decomposition. Results: From the statistical approach, we can see that (1) for the vision data of women, the right eye is better than the left eye and the mean of right eye is not equal to the mean of left eye, (2) for the vision data of students, the right eye is worse than the left eye and the mean of right eye is not equal to the mean of left eye and (3) for the vision data of pupils, the right eye is symmetric to the left eye and the mean of right eye is equal to the mean of left eye. Conclusion: When the symmetry model fits the data poorly, this new decomposition is useful for seeing which of decomposed two models influences stronger. We can see the structure of asymmetry for vision data in more details.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"37-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.37.42","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Rajagopal, R. M. Rosli, Pederlia Rintai, Nurani Rustim, Rita Benadus, W. Usai
{"title":"The Prevalence of Computer-Related Musculoskeletal Pain Among College Students-a Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"V. Rajagopal, R. M. Rosli, Pederlia Rintai, Nurani Rustim, Rita Benadus, W. Usai","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.33.36","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.33.36","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: In the recent years, there has been an increase in incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among college students. Potential risk factors for this might be increased use of computers. The purpose of this study was to examine among college students (a) the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and (b) the association of musculoskeletal pain with computer use and physical activity performed during last one week. Approach: A cross-sectional study was performed among college students aged 19-27 years in the first through third years of their college study. Using random sampling, two surveys, the Boston University Computer and Health Survey and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire with informed consent were distributed to 200 college students. Out of 178 surveys returned, 170 surveys were found to be acceptable. Results: About 88% (149/170) of the respondents reported musculoskeletal complaints in the two weeks prior to completing the survey. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher in female 90% than in male students 76%. Although there was no statistically significant association between the type of computer and musculoskeletal pain, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was higher for students using laptop ( 90% ) when compared to those using both desktop and laptop and desktop only (87 and 86%) respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation for musculoskeletal pain with hours of computer use per day, type of computer used and level of physical activity. Conclusion: This study strengthens the findings that musculoskeletal pain is common among college students but it is not influenced by computer use and level of physical activity. Future research should continue on larger students’ sample to better understand the musculoskeletal complaints, physical activity and computer use and to find whether these factors are related.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"42 1","pages":"33-36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.33.36","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extraction and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity from Selected Flowering Plants","authors":"Erlina Abdullah, R. Raus, P. Jamal","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.27.32","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.27.32","url":null,"abstract":"The huge diversity of Malaysian flora has various chemical constituents that make them as outstanding natural product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases. The screening practice for phytochemical compound in them is essential to explore more natural sources to replace synthetic antibiotics, which generally have side effects such as hypersensitivity, immune-suppression and allergic reactions. Antibacterial activities have been detected in some of the Malaysian plants and most of the Malaysian medicinal plants have been screened for this property. However, so far no study has focus on Malaysian flowering plants yet. In this study, the extraction and determination of antibacterial property from 19 Malaysian flowering plants were conducted. The plants were extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and distilled water, individually at concentration of 0.1g mL-1. The extraction process condition was set to 300 rpm agitation for 10 h at room temperature. The crude extracts of each plant (5 mg/disc) were tested against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli using agar disc diffusion assay method. The screening results showed that ethyl acetate extract of Spathiphyllum cannifolium (‘peace lily’) leaves possesses the highest antibacterial activity against B. subtilis with zone of inhibition of 25 mm. Most of the plant samples extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate have indicated positive activity toward B. subtilis growth. However, the hexane and distilled water extracts was ineffective to combat the B. subtilis growth. Unfortunately, all of the extracts were not active against E. coli. This study suggested that S. cannifolium is highly potential in antibacterial activity which can be further analyzed for the development of new antibiotic exclusively for gram positive bacteria.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"27-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.27.32","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toru Takahashi, E. Toda, Ram B. Singh, Amrat K. Singh, F. Meester, A. Wilczynska, Douglas W. Wilson
{"title":"Nutrient and the Mind-Body Axis, in Relation to Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Amino Acids","authors":"Toru Takahashi, E. Toda, Ram B. Singh, Amrat K. Singh, F. Meester, A. Wilczynska, Douglas W. Wilson","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.14.26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.14.26","url":null,"abstract":"Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs); obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and cancer have become major health problems in both developing and developed countries. Physical inactivity and increased intake of energy rich proinflammatory foods in association with genetic predisposition are common primary risk factors for these problems. Mind-body interactions and mechanisms in relation to hypothalamus neurotransmitters and vagus nerve have been discovered in causing NCDs. Apart from above risk factors. The role of salivary glands, liver and beta cells of pancreas and their interactions with hypothalamus and vagus nerve are important mechanisms to explain the neural and behavioural factors in the pathogenesis of NCDs. In this connection, the role of w-6/w-3 fatty acids ratio as well as essential and nonessential amino acids like glutamate, arginine and cysteine (the latter two being conditionally essential in some situations) and the sulphonic acid taurine have on brain function appears to be of great interest. This broad hypothesis focusses on the role of environment on mind-body connection in the pathogenesis of NCDs. Omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids possibly glutamate, can also improve neuronal efficiency causing improvement in taste, appetite, attention, cognitive performance and mood state. Omega-3 fatty acids can improve the electroencephalographic alpha and theta oscillations which are indicators of memory function. Treatment of NCDs; coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes with an w-3 fatty acid rich Mediterranean diet may be protective, as it is also rich in amino acids. There is a need to study the role of amino acids, especially, glutamate in the pathogenesis of NCDs, because other amino acids like arginine, taurine and cystiene have been found to be protective against cardiovascular diseases.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"14-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.14.26","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characteristics and Determinants of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Young Adults","authors":"S. Omidvar, K. Begum","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.8.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.8.13","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: Dysmenorrhea is believed to be on rise affecting ac tivities of women adversely. It was considered worthwhile to identify risk factors for dysmenorrhea, since such information is useful in designing management process. Approach: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 healthy females aged 18-28 years. Standardized Self-reporting questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. The categorical data was analyzed using Chi-sq, correlation and regression analyses by SPSS version 16. Results: Majority (72.9%) of the participants experienced menstrual pain. More than 50% dysmenorrheic subjects experienced pain every menstrual cycle. Among the factors studied menstrual flow, length of flow and family history exhibited positive association while family size had an inverse associ ation to a significant extent (p = 0.01 ). BMI, SFT did not exhibit significant effect, where as time s pent in standing was significantly correlated to pa in. Dysmenorrheic women scored significantly higher for all the subscales on menstrual attitude questionnaire, wherein certain components describin g menstruation as debilitating event or predictability had high score significant at 1% lev el. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is becoming a highly debilitating event among young adult females with a n increasing prevalence rate. The notorious determining factor may be the family history baring significant association to dysmenorrhea. Attitude towards menstruation and the posture is important c ontributory factors.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"15 1","pages":"8-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.8.13","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70192329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Satyavathi, R. Anuradha, K. K. Reddy, R. B. Singh
{"title":"Cultural and Nutritional Perspective of Indian Hunter-Gatherers (Kurichia Tribe)","authors":"R. Satyavathi, R. Anuradha, K. K. Reddy, R. B. Singh","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2012.1.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.1.7","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: To study the cultural and nutritional perspective of Indian hunter-gatherers (Kurichia tribe), Kerala, India. Approach: Descriptive and case study analysis. Results: Though Indian scriptures provided a full zodiacal life cycle of one hundred and twenty years for an individual, this goal is rarely reached. However, it is significant to note that in Indian hunter-gatherers (Kurichia tribe) of Kerala State, all the nearest kith and kin of the centenarians successfully lead their life beyond 100 years. They have not suffered from any specific disease in their life time. Though they seem to be weak and fragile, they are sound in health. They led an active life, sometimes walking long distance in their earlier years. However, a major drawback noticed among them was that their vision was affected and some were unable to walk. They were suffering not because of their mental or physical ailments, but worried about the younger generation which is losing faith in their culture under the impact of acculturation process causing intra-generation gap in all walks of life. They felt that this transition would negatively affect the overall community. With regard to lineage of the family, it was noticed that atleast one parent or grandparent or siblings had lived over 90 years. Longevity appeared to be hereditary. There were more women than men. Most of the centenarians were without their spouses. None of them belonged to poor economic status. Most of them had good domestic relationships. Further, the results of the present study revealed that the determining factors of longevity across cultures were almost same, though the nature of some of the variables was culture-specific. Conclusion: Though continued biological and psychological health was a sin quo non for longevity, all variables played a relatively interactive, determining and dynamic role in the process of longevity.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"3 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2012.1.7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Jalili, Seyed-Rafi Aref-Hosseini, S. Kolahi, Mehrangiz Ebrahimi-mamegani, S. Sabour
{"title":"The Effect of Antioxidants Supplement on Lipid Peroxidation and Serum Aryl Esterase Enzyme in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients","authors":"M. Jalili, Seyed-Rafi Aref-Hosseini, S. Kolahi, Mehrangiz Ebrahimi-mamegani, S. Sabour","doi":"10.3844/AMJSP.2011.119.124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3844/AMJSP.2011.119.124","url":null,"abstract":"Problem statement: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the common autoimmune diseases with unknown etiology that its prevalence ratio in females to males is 3:1. It has been suggested that serum antioxidant levels is reduced and lipid peroxidation is increased due to oxidative stress. According to a recent research, antioxidant supplements may play an important role in controlling oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of antioxidants supplement on serum Aryl Esterase Enzyme (ARE) and serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) in RA patients. Approach: A pre-post study was conducted in a 3 month period on 40 female RA patients which receiving daily one SelenPlus capsule (selenium 50 mcg, zinc 8 mg, vitamin A 400 mcg, vitamin C 125 mg and vitamin E 40 mg). About 5 mL venous blood sample was taken from all participants and serum levels of ARE and MDA were measured spectrophotometerically. Distribution of the variables were assessed using histogram with normal curve as well as Kolmogrov-Smirnov test and Data were analyzed with paired t test for differences between pre-post data using SPSS software version 13.5. Results: Out of 40 patients, 39 completed the study. In comparison with the baseline, we found significant differences between serum aryl esterase and malondialdehyde values before and after intervention. The 3-month supplementation resulted in increasing ARE activity (p<0.001) and reduction of MDA levels (p<0.001). Conclusion: The antioxidantssupplement for 3 months resulted in significant improvement in ARE activity and reduction of lipid peroxidation marker and may be helpful in RA treatment.","PeriodicalId":89887,"journal":{"name":"American medical journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"119-124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3844/AMJSP.2011.119.124","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70191567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}