Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : Apple leaves (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) are a traditional plant, contain numerous bioactive ingredients. The paper focused on polyphenol content and antibacterial activity of acetone, hexane, and ethyl acetate extracts from apple leave Ziziphus mauritiana Lam selecting in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam on four-strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococus aureus. Antibacterial activity of different fractions was evaluated by using minimum inhibitory concentration. The results showed that apple leaves (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) exhibited high antibacterial activity as the evaluation of antibacterial activity by using MIC method in liquid medium, and MIC of three fractions was in the range of 3.125 to 6.25 mg/ml. Polyphenol content of acetone fraction from apple leaves was 68.96 ± 0.53 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW. The purity of polyphenols in different fractions was arranged in ascending order, acetone, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate. Apple leaves Ziziphus mauritiana was potential in functional food and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract : This case series investigated the outcomes of children who received the maximum tolerated dose of hydroxyurea for sickle cell patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) at Maternity and Children Hospital, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) over one year. This retrospective case series report describes four pediatric patients under the age of 14 with sickle cell disease complicated by AVNFH. We excluded all patients who were non-compliant to medication, missed follow-up, started on another modality of treatment, or did not complete laboratory work-up or imaging. Patients were started on the maximum tolerated dose of hydroxyurea, and the assessment was conducted according to clinical manifestations and radiological findings. Our study found significant clinical and radiological improvement in sickle cell patients with AVNFH who took the maximum tolerated dose of hydroxyurea.

Abstract : Measuring chest expansion is considered to perform in COVID-19 patient to assess the pulmonary function impairment as its usage to other interstitial lung diseases. The decrease of pulmonary function will affect the cardiorespiratory functional capacity. These problems demand an appropriate pulmonary rehabilitation programme aimed to returning the decent quality of life. Among 43 subjects we prescribed two types of breathing exercise: incentive spirometry and diaphragm breathing exercise. The chest expansion at three levels (axillary, nipple, and xiphisternum) was measured before and after breathing exercise; then average of its improvement was recorded. The assessment of functional capacity using 4-meter gait time test (4MGT) was also performed after sequence of breathing exercises. This study showed improvement of chest expansion on majority of subjects. Based on bivariate analysis using Spearman correlation, the p value was 0,012 (p <0,05) and coefficient correlation was 0,381. We can conclude that there was correlation between chest expansion improvement and functional capacity measured by 4MGT after breathing exercise in COVID-19 patient.

Abstract : Hemorrhagic stroke is a highly debilitating condition with several rehabilitation problems.This study aimed to discern the effects of intensive TENS therapy for 2 weeks, on a motor-impaired haemorrhagic stroke patient’s recovery, with 6 weeks of conventional physiotherapy, to elucidate the effect of TENS and conventional physiotherapy on serum Creatine Kinase and serum Troponin T. Our outcome measures were serum Creatine Kinase, serum Troponin T, and modified Barthel Index scores. This was a pre-post convenient sampling controlled interventional study, conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, with 10 control subjects and 10 TENS-therapy subjects. The intervention group underwent intensive TENS therapy and conventional physiotherapy for 2 weeks, then 4 weeks of conventional physiotherapy. The control group underwent 6 weeks of conventional physiotherapy. All three outcome measures were measured before and after 2 weeks of intensive TENS therapy and 6 weeks of conventional therapy. Results indicated Creatine Kinase and Troponin T were unaffected by 2 weeks of intensive TENS therapy and 6 weeks of conventional physiotherapy (Creatine Kinase p=0.521) (Troponin T p=0.632). The same also applied to 6 weeks of conventional physiotherapy alone (Creatine Kinase p=0.572) (Troponin T p=0.921). Conversely, modified Barthel Index score comparisons show significant increases in intervention group (p=0.040) compared to control group. This study is a pilot study for future research.

Abstract : Intelligence is defined as a general mental ability for reasoning, problem solving, and learning. To assess the intelligence quotient (IQ) of a child, many factors play a role such as genetics, family, social, cultural and environmental. Blood lead levels (BLLs) in 5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more are associated with decreased intelligence, behavioral disorders and learning problems. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of low IQ and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in West Bangka. Data on 190 children aged 2-9 years and their mothers were collected. The subjects were divided into two categories on the results of intelligence assessment (IQ test) by Startford-Binet intelligence scale. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the prevalence and associated factors with low IQ. The total prevalence of BLL > 5µg/dL and low IQ in children were 57.9% and 62.3%, respectively. However, after adjustment for head circumference for age, height for age, maternal and paternal education level, BLL was not associated with low IQ in children. Children with microcephaly were more likely to be low IQ (adjusted OR : 4.304 95% CI : 1.602 – 11.563, p = 0.004) than children with normocephaly. Children whose mothers had low education level were at a higher risk for low IQ (adjusted OR : 3.785, 95% CI : 1.976 – 7.248, p = 0.000) compared to children whose mothers had high level education.