Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences Collected Works - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableRole of vitamin D supplementation in aging patients with COVID-19.(Elsevier BV, 2021-10)
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ItemThe effect of low-level red and near-infrared photobiomodulation on pain and function in tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials(BMC, 2021-08-14)BACKGROUND: Tendinopathy is a common clinical condition that can significantly affect a person's physical function and quality of life. Despite exercise therapy being the mainstay of tendinopathy management, there are many potential adjunct therapies that remain under investigated, one of which is photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM uses varied wavelengths of light to create a biological effect. While PBM is used frequently in the management of tendinopathy, high quality evidence supporting its utility is lacking. METHODS: A systematic search of the Pubmed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Database, Web of Science and SPORTSDICUS databases was performed for eligible articles in August 2020. Randomized Control Trials that used red or near-infrared PBM to treat tendinopathy disorders that made comparisons with a sham or 'other' intervention were included. Pain and function data were extracted from the included studies. The data were synthesized using a random effects model. The meta-analysis was performed using the mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) statistics. RESULTS: A total of 17 trials were included (n = 835). When compared solely to other interventions PBM resulted in similar decreases in pain (MD -0.09; 95% CI - 0.79 to 0.61) and a smaller improvement in function (SMD -0.52; 95% CI - 0.81 to - 0.23). When PBM plus exercise was compared to sham treatment plus exercise, PBM demonstrated greater decreases in pain (MD 1.06; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.55) and improved function (MD 5.65; 95% CI 0.25 to 11.04). When PBM plus exercise was compared to other interventions plus exercise, no differences were noted in pain levels (MD 0.31; 95% CI - 0.07 to 0.70). Most studies were judged as low-risk of bias. The outcome measures were classified as very low to moderate evidence quality according to the Grading of Recommendation, Development and Evaluation tool. CONCLUSION: There is very-low-to-moderate quality evidence demonstrating that PBM has utility as a standalone and/or adjunctive therapy for tendinopathy disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROPERO registration number: CRD42020202508 .
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ItemA Veterinary Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2: The First COVID-19 Vaccine for Animals(MDPI, 2021-06)As coronaviruses have a wide range of host species, many animals harbor these pathogens, however only a handful of them become severely infected [...].
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ItemCOVID-19 Vaccines in the Pipeline, Are Antibodies Adequate?(MDPI, 2021-03)The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2 has already led to catastrophic consequences in global physical and psychological health, as well as economic recession [...].
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ItemThe prevalence of diabetes amongst young Emirati female adults in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2021-06-17)AIMS: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes using FPG and HbA1c and to examine their relationships with obesity and other risk factors in young female Emirati college students. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study we recruited 555 female college students aged 17-25, enrolled at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, UAE. Anthropometric analysis, blood pressure, and various biochemical markers were measured using standard methods. Type 2 Diabetes, impaired fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and elevated HbA1c levels were examined in the study population as per the standards of medical care in diabetes, set out by the American Diabetes Association in 2020. RESULTS: Based on the HbA1c test, the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 24% and 8.6%, respectively. Based on the FPG test, the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 9.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The kappa statistic of concordance between HbA1c and FPG was 0.287, P < 0.001. Abnormal glycemic status was significantly associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (< 50 mg/dl) (p = 0.002) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level (≥ 2.0 mg/L) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using FPG to evaluate glycemic control seems to underestimate the burden of undiagnosed diabetes which could have a significant impact on clinical practice. Our data indicates an association between abnormal glycemic status with HDL and Hs-CRP. Further evaluation is needed to assess the impact of using HbA1c as a diagnostic test for diabetes in the UAE.
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ItemPolyphenol Rich Sugar Cane Extract Inhibits Bacterial Growth.(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2020-12-08)Plants that are primarily used as a food source commonly have undervalued biological properties beyond the basic supply of nutrients. One important example of this are the antimicrobial properties of plants. Inclusion of natural and food grade antimicrobial ingredients in recipes to prevent food spoilage and disease transmission, or in cosmetic products to prevent transient and pathogenic bacteria would have world-wide public health implications. A patented natural polyphenol rich sugar cane extract (PRSE), is marketed as a high anti-oxidant and polyphenol ingredient, but its anti-microbial activity has not been reported previously. We determined the anti-bacterial properties of PRSE on common human pathogens relating to a range of diseases including food poisoning, tooth decay, acne and severe skin infections using disc/well diffusion experiments. Our findings indicate that PRSE is an efficient antimicrobial, which could be included at differing dosages to target a range of food borne and environmental pathogens.
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ItemGood, better, best? The effects of polarization on photobiomodulation therapy(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2020-05)Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a widely adopted form of phototherapy used to treat many chronic conditions that effect the population at large. The exact physiological mechanisms of PBMT remain unsolved; however, the prevailing theory centres on changes in mitochondrial function. There are many irradiation parameters to consider when investigating PBMT, one of which is the state of polarization. There is some evidence to show that polarization of red and near-infrared light may promote different and/or increased biological activity when compared to otherwise identical non-polarized light. These enhanced cellular effects may also be present when the polarized light is applied linear to the tissue direction. Herein, we synthesize the current experimental and clinical evidence pertaining to polarized photobiomodulation therapy; ultimately, to better inform future research into this area of phototherapy.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableImmune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids: Could they help against COVID-19?(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD, 2021-01)The world is currently in the grips of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has mutated to allow human-to-human spread. Infection can cause fever, dry cough, fatigue, severe pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and in some instances death. COVID-19 affects the immune system by producing a systemic inflammatory response, or cytokine release syndrome. Patients with COVID-19 have shown a high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. There are currently no effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 viral drugs or vaccines. COVID-19 disproportionately affects the elderly, both directly, and through a number of significant age-related comorbidities. Undoubtedly, nutrition is a key determinant of maintaining good health. Key dietary components such as vitamins C, D, E, zinc, selenium and the omega 3 fatty acids have well-established immunomodulatory effects, with benefits in infectious disease. Some of these nutrients have also been shown to have a potential role in the management of COVID-19. In this paper, evidence surrounding the role of these dietary components in immunity as well as their specific effect in COVID-19 patients are discussed. In addition, how supplementation of these nutrients may be used as therapeutic modalities potentially to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 is discussed.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableThe role of D-dimer in relation to the clinical course of patients with COVID-19(SCIENCE PRESS, 2021-01)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableBe well: A potential role for vitamin B in COVID-19(ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD, 2021-02)