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Effect of Nitrate Rich Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Adults
No full textObjective: To evaluate whether consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice, compared to a non-nitrate enhanced diet, affects blood pressure (BP) in adults with hypertension.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, Cochrane, EBSCOhost/CINAHL, and PubMed. Search terms included beetroot juice, blood pressure, and hypertension. Inclusion criteria: studies published since 2019, in English, full-text, involving human adults (≥ 18 years) with hypertension, examining the effects of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (70-250 mL daily) compared to nitrate-depleted juice or no intervention, and reporting both pre- and post-intervention BP. Exclusion criteria: studies published before 2019, not in English, not in full text, involving animals/children/adolescents, involving normotensive healthy adults, participants with secondary hypertension, pregnant patients, those administered beetroot in other forms, using juice quantities outside the 70-250 mL range, and without systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) outcomes.
Results: Three of the five selected studies demonstrated statistically and clinically significant reductions in clinic-measured SBP following nitrate-rich beetroot juice consumption. One study showed a significant reduction in 24-hour ambulatory SBP, while two found little to no effect. Across all studies, DBP changes were inconsistent, regardless of measurement method.
Conclusion: Among adults with hypertension, daily intake of nitrate-rich beetroot juice is associated with reductions in clinic-measured SBP. However, effects on 24-hour ambulatory SBP and both clinic and ambulatory DBP are inconsistent. These findings suggest greater reliability in lowering clinic SBP, but warrant further investigation using standardized protocols and longer follow-up periods.
Keywords: hypertension, beetroot juice, nitrate, blood pressure, systolic
Monoclonal Antibodies or Cholinesterase Inhibitors? Cognitive Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease
No full textThis research evaluates and compares the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) in reducing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. A structured literature review was conducted using Google Scholar and Medline, yielding over 6,000 articles. Studies were included if they involved Alzheimer’s patients, evaluated either mAbs or ChEIs, measured cognitive outcomes, were published since 2019, and were available in English with full-text access. Studies were excluded if they focused on non-Alzheimer’s populations, alternative therapies, or were published before 2019. Monoclonal antibodies such as aducanumab, lecanemab, and donanemab showed statistically significant improvements in cognitive scores; however, these changes were clinically modest and often accompanied by amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and other adverse events. In contrast, ChEIs including donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine demonstrated more consistent, modest cognitive benefits with fewer safety concerns. ChEIs also have a longer history of use and are generally better tolerated and more cost-effective. The review revealed a lack of head-to-head comparative studies and limited data on long-term outcomes or diverse populations. Although mAbs offer a novel mechanism by targeting amyloid plaques, their clinical utility remains constrained by safety risks and high costs. ChEIs remain the more practical, accessible, and reliable first-line treatment for managing cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to directly compare these therapies, assess long-term effects, and improve representation across different patient groups
Fish Skin Versus Amniotic Allografts in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management
No full textObjective: This capstone project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acellular fish skin grafts and human amniotic membrane allografts as adjuncts to standard care in managing diabetic foot ulcers.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar. Keywords included “acellular fish skin,” “human amniotic allograft,” and “diabetic ulcer.” Articles published from 2019 onward were included if they focused on adult patients (18+) with diabetic foot ulcers and reported healing outcomes. Studies were excluded if they involved pediatric populations, lacked a diabetes or foot ulcer diagnosis, were published before 2019, or did not assess healing metrics.
Results: Both acellular fish skin and human amniotic membrane allografts significantly improved complete wound healing rates, reduced time to closure, and decreased wound surface area compared to standard of care alone. Adverse event rates were comparable to standard care, with no additional risks observed. While both treatments have higher initial costs, improved outcomes within one year make them more cost-effective long-term. Cost-effectiveness comparisons between the two were inconclusive due to mixed findings across studies.
Conclusion: Both advanced grafting options were effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers, enhancing healing without increasing complications. However, small sample sizes, variability in study design, and limited diversity limit generalizability. Neither treatment demonstrated clear superiority. Selection should be based on individual patient needs and preferences. Further large-scale, diverse clinical trials are recommended to validate and expand current evidence.
Key Words: diabetic foot ulcer, acellular fish skin, human amniotic allograft, wound healing, graft therapy, cost-effectiveness
Mortality Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury: Mannitol vs. Hypertonic Saline
No full textAbstract
Objective: To evaluate whether mannitol or hypertonic saline (HS) is associated with a lower mortality rate in the management of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and the Valparaiso University Library database to identify studies comparing mannitol and hypertonic saline in the treatment of elevated ICP due to TBI. Search terms included variations of “mannitol,” “hypertonic saline,” “intracranial pressure,” “traumatic brain injury,” and “mortality.” A total of 3,280 results were retrieved from an initial Google Scholar search, 2,350 from a more specific follow-up search, and 507 from the Valparaiso Library database. Inclusion criteria were: English-language studies published since 2019, full-text availability, patient population with TBI-induced increased ICP, comparison of mannitol versus hypertonic saline, and mortality as a measured outcome. Studies were excluded if they did not meet these criteria.
Results: The review found no significant difference in mortality between mannitol and hypertonic saline in the treatment of increased ICP in TBI patients across most studies. However, a post-hoc sensitivity analysis by Schwimmbeck et al. reported a statistically significant reduction in mortality with hypertonic saline, though this was not a consistent finding across the broader literature.
Conclusion: Current evidence does not demonstrate a clear mortality benefit of either mannitol or hypertonic saline in the management of elevated ICP due to TBI. Further research with larger sample sizes, standardized outcome measures, and rigorous subgroup analyses is needed to definitively guide clinical decision-making
Probiotics as Adjunct Therapy for Pediatric ADHD Symptom Reduction
No full textObjective: This study aims to investigate whether probiotic supplementation can improve symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents.
Methods: A literature review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Keywords included “ADHD in children,” “probiotics,” “gut microbiome,” and related combinations. Studies were included if they focused on children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, utilized probiotic supplementation, and compared outcomes to conventional first-line therapies (e.g., stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera)) or utilized probiotics as monotherapy. Studies focusing on adults or included participants with other psychiatric disorders were excluded. The primary outcome of interest was a change in ADHD symptom severity as measured by different standardized rating scales.
Results: Findings indicate that probiotic supplementation alone, as a monotherapy, does not produce statistically significant improvements in ADHD symptoms (Liang et al; Skott et al). However, when probiotics are used alongside standard pharmacological treatments, several studies report a reduction in symptom severity (Sepehrmanesh et al; Ghanaatgar et al; Elhossiny et al). This suggests a potential synergistic effect when probiotics are used as an adjunct to conventional therapies.
Conclusion: While probiotics alone may not significantly impact ADHD symptoms, they appear to enhance outcomes when combined with first-line medications. Given their low risk and ease of use, probiotic supplements may serve as a valuable adjunctive treatment for children and adolescents managing ADHD.
Keywords: ADHD, probiotics, children, gut-brain axis, adjunct therapy, symptom managemen
Synthetic Marijuana Effect on Psychosis
No full textThis study explores the relationship between synthetic marijuana (commonly known as K2 or Spice) use and the onset of psychotic symptoms in individuals without a prior history of mental illness. The research aims to assess whether synthetic cannabinoids contribute to schizophrenia-like symptoms, with particular focus on the short-term psychological effects. A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed studies examining psychosis induced by synthetic cannabinoids, specifically K2/Spice. Search terms included: “Spice/K2” (545 results), “Spice psychosis” (2,770), “Pure cannabis psychosis” (7,750), “Irreversible psychosis spice induced” (506), and “Schizophrenia K2/Spice” (87). Articles were manually screened for relevance based on titles and abstracts. Inclusion criteria required studies to involve participants who used only K2/Spice, had no prior mental health diagnosis, and were published in English. Studies were excluded if participants used other substances, were outside the target age range, or had pre-existing psychiatric conditions. The primary outcomes of interest included psychotic symptoms such as delusions, rapid or pressured speech, and increased aggression. Symptom severity was compared before and after K2/Spice use using clinical reports and behavioral assessments. Findings across multiple studies consistently indicated that use of synthetic marijuana can induce acute psychotic symptoms in previously healthy individuals. Reported effects included hallucinations, paranoia, aggression, and disorganized speech. Some users experienced symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. Although many symptoms were transient, there is insufficient evidence to determine long-term psychological outcomes, and the potential for irreversible effects remains unclear. The use of synthetic cannabinoids such as K2/Spice poses significant mental health risks, particularly in inducing psychosis in users without prior psychiatric conditions. Continued research is necessary to clarify the long-term effects and develop appropriate public health responses
Cleptes Speciosus In The Great Lakes Region (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae: Cleptinae)
No full textCleptes (Melanocleptes) speciosus Aaron is newly recorded from Michigan, with records from five counties in the Upper and Lower peninsulas. A New York record from near Lake Ontario suggests this western species also has a Great Lakes distribution
A Technique For Estimating The Number Of Shoots On Pole-sized Red Pine: The Relationship Of Selected Tree Parameters To Number Of Shoots In Central Wisconsin Sand Plains Plantations
No full textDiameter at breast height (dbh) , of ten tree parameters tested, was most highly correlated with the number of shoots per tree in six red pine plantations in the central Wisconsin sand plains. Tree height, frequently used as an estimator of shoot number in young conifers, was not highly correlated with shoot number. A strong, nonlinear correlation existed between branch diameter and number of shoots per branch. Multiple regressions using several tree parameters yielded the highest R2 values, however, dbh was judged the simplest and most practical estimator of shoot number for central Wisconsin red pine plantations
Parasites of Lepidopterous Larvae in Alfalfa and Soybeans in Central Illinois
No full textDuring the 1971-72 soaing season sweep-net samples were taken to determine the major species of parasites and lepidopterous host larvae present in central Illinois soybeans and alfalfa. A trod of 27 primary Hymenoptera and Diptera parasites was collected from nine Lepidopterous species. Parasites were associated with all nine species of Ian-ae m alfalfa and soybeans. Apanteles flaviconchae Riley was responsible for over 87% of &e parasitism of Colias spp. larvae in both alfalfa and soybeans in 1971. The hyperparasites Mesochorus discitergus (Say) and M. arnericanus Cresson were recovered from fou~of dep rim= parasites Pathogens were found in six species of larvae
Development and Survival of Saratoga Spittlebug Nymphs on Alternate Host Plants
No full text\!hen abundant, the adult Saratoga spittlebug, Aphrophora smatogensis (Fitch), injures or kills young red pine, Pinus rerinovr Ait., and jack pine, P. banksiana Lamb. Its abundance depends greatly on the quantit). and quality of woody plants and forbs of the forest floor that senre a5 alternate hosts during the nymphal stages (Anderson, 1947; Ewan, 1961: Kennedy and Wilson, 1971; Secrest, 1944). Sweet-fern, Comptonia peregrina Coult., is the principal and most important alternate host (Kennedy and Wilson, 1971), but little is know-n about the value of other woody plants and forbs for supporting nymphal development. Therefore, \ve sought to examine the more abundant understory plants as to nymphal host preference md to determine the hosts\u27 value in terms of nymphal development and survival. In this paper, we correlate our findings with those obtained in earlier studies, and propose an approach to spittlebug management through alternate host manipulation