This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of simulated resistance training (SRT) without weight bearing in attenuating bone and muscle loss during 28 day hindlimb unloading (HU) in mature male rats. An ambulatory control group (CC) and four groups of HU rats were used: HU, HU + anesthesia (ANHU), HU + eccentric muscle contractions (HU + ECC), and HU + isometric and eccentric muscle contractions (HU + ISO/ECC). Animals in the two SRT groups were trained once every other day at 100% daily peak isometric torque (P(0)). HU resulted in significantly lower plantarflexor muscle mass (-33% versus CC) and reduced isometric strength (-10%), which reductions were partially attenuated in both training groups. Significantly reduced total and cancellous volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and total bone mineral content (BMC) at the proximal tibia metaphysis (PTM) also was evidenced in HU and ANHU groups compared with both SRT groups (p < .05). Training resulted in greater increases in cortical bone mass and area compared with all other groups (p < .05). Fourfold higher material properties of PTM cancellous bone were demonstrated in SRT animals versus HU or CC animals. A significant reduction in midshaft periosteal bone formation rate (BFR) in the HU group (-99% versus CC) was completely abolished in HU + ECC (+656% versus CC). These results demonstrate that high-intensity muscle contractions, independent of weight-bearing forces, can effectively mitigate losses in muscle strength and provide a potent stimulus to bone during prolonged disuse.

The study empirically investigated the idea that Quranic verses (Surah Al-Rehman) can help manage depression. Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Everything has an adornment, and the adornment of the Qur'an is Surah Al-Rehman." Surah Al-Rehman is the most rhythmic surah of the Quran, so it was used for our experimental study. The idea of the study was drawn from the premise that music therapy helps reduce depression. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Surah Al-Rehman for managing depression in Muslim women admitted for treatment of major depressive disorder in a psychiatry ward of a government hospital. It was hypothesized that women diagnosed with severe depression in the treatment group will have reduced level of depression as compared to control group at post-assessment level. It was further hypothesized that the amount of decrease in depression in treatment group at the post-assessment level will be greater as compared to the control group. A purposive sample of 12 female patients diagnosed with depression was randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). Assessment was done at pre- and post-level by using Beck Depression Inventory-II. Both groups did not significantly differ on pre-assessment depression scores. Twelve structured group sessions of 22 min, two times a day, were conducted for a period of 4 weeks with the groups. Treatment group was made to listen to Surah Al-Rehman recited by Qari Abdul Basit, and control group was exposed to music used for relaxation and treatment of depression. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to find the within-group differences between pre- and post-assessment scores. Both groups had decreased level of depression at post-assessment level, so it was important to assess if there was any difference in level of decrease. Mann-Whitney U test for comparison of groups on level of decrease at the post-assessment level endorsed that treatment group had significantly greater decrease than control group on depression. Our study highlights the efficacy of Surah Al-Rehman as a remedy to reduce depression. The Holy Quran intones, "This sacred book is 'shifa' for its followers." Hence, we recommend that researchers should focus on finding remedies for other psychological and physical diseases from Quranic verses. An exploration of possible mechanism (such as activated cognitions or associated emotions while listening to Quran) through which effects of recitation are reached, can also be subject of investigation for forthcoming studies.

OBJECTIVE

To replicate and extend previous research by examining women's responses to two current models of high-risk antenatal care that replaced the traditional bed rest model.

METHODS

A sample of 61 women assigned to high-risk antenatal care: 29 in the Antenatal Hospital Unit (ANHU) and 32 in the Pregnancy Day Stay Unit (PDSU).

METHODS

A longitudinal study with data collected by a range of validated tools were used to assess mood, family functioning, stress and physical symptoms every 2 weeks from admission into antenatal high-risk care to birthing and at 3- and 6-weeks postpartum. Data were analysed for similarities and differences and change over time between the two groups of women.

RESULTS

Stress from emotions was the highest antenatal stressor for both groups and highest for those in hospital. Stress about health increased over time for those in the PDSU and varied for those in ANHU. Anxiety was significantly different between the groups over time (p<0.01), being highest for the ANHU group and decreasing from admission to 6-weeks postnatal for both groups. Sensation Seeking (sensory deprivation) showed significant differences (p<0.05) with the highest scores in the ANHU group and increasing over time for both groups. Family relationships were most disrupted for those in ANHU. Both groups were satisfied with support from spouse, family and friends and those in ANHU acknowledged the support received from midwifery staff.

CONCLUSIONS

The responses of both the woman and her family differ between the two models of care and vary with time. Midwives can use the patterns of response identified of these findings to address needs for assistance with family relationships, sensory stimulation, information and support and management of anxiety when care is required for complications of pregnancy.

The dynamics of predatory natural enemy community in cotton field along the Yangtze River in Anhu province was studied. The results showed that there were totally 19 species of predatory natural enemies, and the dominant species were Propylaea japonica, Erigonidium graminicola, Theridium octomaculatum, Misumenops tricuspidatus, Orius minutes and Geocoris ochropterus. The predatory natural enemies in the cotton fields were rather abundant in the whole growing period of cotton, except the rainy season. Among the dominant species, P. japonica, M. tricuspidatus, O. minutes and G. ochropterus were distributed mainly in the upper and middle parts of cotton plants, while E. graminicola and T. octomaculatum mainly in the middle and lower parts of cotton plants. The diversities of the community were relatively high in the early developmental period of cotton, and reached the top level in the bud and flowering period of cotton in the first 10 days of July, then declined successively hereafter. The principal factor affecting the diversity was species richness in the early developmental period of cotton (from shoot period to bud and flowering period), and species evenness in the late developmental period of cotton (from flowering and boll period to boll opening period). The characteristics of the community were relatively analogous before the second 10 days of August (from shoot period to flowering and boll period of cotton), but after this period, the characteristics changed obviously with the features of the dominant species getting more and more conspicuous.