Genistein Precipitated Hypothyroidism, Altered Leptin and C-Reactive Protein Synthesis in Pregnant Rats

Summary: Genistein is an isoflavone constituent of soya. This study examined the mechanism by which genistein produced adverse effects in pregnant laboratory rats. Pregnant rats were divided into control (Con) and genistein (Gen) force fed (2 mg/kg) groups. At terminal gestation day (GD) ranging from 0-20, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples and amniotic fluids were collected. Thyroid hormone, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leptin assay was carried using the blood samples. Leptin was also assayed in the placenta and amniotic fluid supernatant. Oral exposure of pregnant rats to genistein significantly altered maternal T3, (GD18; Con 1.65 ± 0.01, Gen 1.03 ± 0.04 nmol/L), T4 (GD6; Con 29.60 ± 0.00, Gen 36.04 ± 1.29 nmol/L), Leptin (Placenta GD20; Con 0.08 ± 0.01, Gen 0.31 ± 0.02 ng/ml, amniotic fluid ;GD 20; Con 0.02 ± 0.00, Gen 0.35 ± 0.05 ng/ml) in genistein group. These changes were accompanied with loss of embryonic implants and a decrease in fetal and placental weights. The CRP level was significantly decreased and increased at the onset and toward late pregnancy respectively. Oral exposure of pregnant rats to genistein precipitated hypothyroidism, altered some metabolic hormones with a reduction in fetal and placental growth and increased resorption of embryonic implants.Keywords: Genistein, embryonic implants, pregnancy, thyroid hormone, leptin, C - reactive protein

Human-Centered Design Components in Spiral Model to Improve Mobility of Older Adults

As humans grow older, their cognitive needs change more frequently due to distal and proximal life events. Designers and developers need to come up with better designs that integrate older users’ needs in a short period of time with more interaction with the users. Therefore, the positioning of human end users in the center of the design itself is not the key to the success of design artifacts while designing applications for older adults to use a smartphone as a promising tool for journey planner while using public transportation. This study analyzed the use of human-centered design (HCD) components, the spiral model, and the design for failure (DfF) approach to improve the interactions between older users and designers/developers in gathering usability needs in the concept stage and during the development of the app with short iterative cycles. To illustrate the importance of the applied approach, a case study with particular focus on older adults is presented.The results presented in this study are based on “Assistant” project funded by AAL JP, co-funded by the European Union. The authors would like to thank Dr. Stefan Carmien, my colleague in Assistant, for mentoring and for reading and making comments in the earlier versions of this chapter; participating research institutes; funding agencies; and companies from Finland, Spain, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom for their active support throughout the project

The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strength and balance Exergames to reduce falls risk for people aged 55 years and older in UK assisted living facilities: A multi-centre, cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal unintentional injuries in older people. The use of Exergames (active, gamified video-based exercises) is a possible innovative, community-based approach. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a tailored OTAGO/FaME based strength and balance Exergame programme for improving balance, maintaining function and reducing falls risk in older people. Methods: A two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial recruiting adults aged 55 years and older living in 18 assisted-living (sheltered housing) facilities (clusters) in the UK. Standard care (physiotherapy advice and leaflet) was compared to a tailored 12-week strength and balance Exergame programme, supported by physiotherapists or trained assistants. Complete-case analysis (intention to treat) was used to compare Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at baseline and at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included: fear of falling, mobility, falls risk, pain, mood, fatigue, cognition, healthcare utilisation and health-related quality of life; self-reported physical activity and falls. Results: Eighteen clusters were randomised (9 to each arm) with 56 participants allocated to the intervention and 50 to the control (78% female, mean age 78 years). Fourteen participants withdrew over the 12 weeks (both arms), mainly for ill health. There was an adjusted mean improvement in balance (BBS) of 6.2 (95% CI 2.4 to 10.0), reduced fear of falling (p=0.007) and pain (p=0.02) in Exergame group. Mean attendance at sessions was 69% (mean exercising time of 33 minutes/week). 24% of control group and 20% of Exergame group fell over trial period. The change in falls rates significantly favoured the intervention (incident rate ratio 0.31 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.62, p=0.001)). The point estimate of the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £15,209.80 per QALY. Using 10,000 bootstrap replications, at the lower bound of the NICE threshold of £20,000 per QALY, there was a 61% probability of Exergames being cost-effective, rising to 73% at the upper bound of £30,000 per QALY. Conclusions: Exergames, as delivered in this trial, improve balance, pain and fear of falling and are a cost-effective fall prevention strategy in assisted living facilities for people aged 55 years or older

Robot deployment in long-term care: a case study of a mobile robot in physical therapy

Background. Healthcare systems in industrialised countries are challenged to provide care for a growing number of older adults. Information technology holds the promise of facilitating this process by providing support for care staff, and improving wellbeing of older adults through a variety of support systems. Goal. Little is known about the challenges that arise from the deployment of technology in care settings; yet, the integration of technology into care is one of the core determinants of successful support. In this paper, we discuss challenges and opportunities associated with technology integration in care using the example of a mobile robot to support physical therapy among older adults with cognitive impairment in the European project STRANDS. Results and discussion. We report on technical challenges along with perspectives of physical therapists, and provide an overview of lessons learned which we hope will help inform the work of researchers and practitioners wishing to integrate robotic aids in the caregiving process

Bioactivity guided fractionation of Icacina trichantha Oliv. (Icacinaceae) tuber for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei infected mice and GC-MS profile of bioactive fraction

902-912Aqueous methanol extract of the tuber of Icacina trichantha was prepared using cold maceration and dried in vacuo at 40°C. The extract was purified using solvent-solvent partitioning with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol. n-Hexane fraction was purified using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography, eluting with a gradient of dichloromethane in methanol (9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 0:10, each 500 mL) to obtain four sub-fractions. Acute toxicity study was done using Lorke’s method while in vivo anti-malarial study was carried out using suppressive model. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard procedure and most active sub-fraction was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg caused a significant (p<0.001) increase in percentage suppression of Plasmodium: 91.54 %, 94.48 % and 94.58% respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids saponin, glycoside, terpenoids, phenols, steroids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars. The GC-MS analysis showed the presence of eighteen compounds, the most abundant compound includes 9- octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (oleic acid, 15.30%), 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z), methyl ester (linoleic acid, 14.34%). These findings suggest scientific evidence in support to the use of I. trichantha tuber for the management of malaria