Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0085631 (agitation)
 12,064 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In dementia short nocturnal sleep length, agitation and naps in the day-time suggest a chronobiological disturbance. Bright light therapy seems indicated because of its chronobiological activity. However, dementia is accompanied by a decrease in volume and number of active cells of the suprachiasmatical nuclei, the internal clock. Is the circadian system still functioning then or is it irrevocably damaged? The findings concerning the circadian rhythm of several physiological functions are not consistent but do not show a weakened rhythm. Rest/activity and sleep/wake rhythms, however, are weaker in demented elderly than in their peers. All things considered the internal clock is still functioning and the Zeitgeber maintain their chronobiological activity. Research shows that bright light therapy can restore the sleep/wake rhythm in dementia but research does not uncover the working mechanism. Further studies can give clues for alternative treatments. If the effect of light therapy is based on its Zeitgeber function, other Zeitgeber may be considered as treatments. There is some evidence that an increase in social contacts is effective. The efficiency of light therapy can also be caused by stimulation in a situation of sensory deprivation. There are only anecdotical indications that this stimulus role can also be fulfilled by music.
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PMID:[Light therapy can restore a disturbed sleep/wake rhythm in dementia: but what is the basis of its efficacy?]. 855 37

A study was conducted to optimize the biodegradation in soil slurries of phenanthrene initially dissolved in nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs). The slow rate of degradation of phenanthrene in dibutyl phthalate was increased by addition of phenanthrene-degrading microorganisms to soil slurries containing the NAPL. The rate was further increased and the acclimation phase was shortened if the inoculum was grown in a medium containing the hydrocarbon and the phthalate before addition to the slurries. Composition of the growth medium only shortened the acclimation but had no effect on the rate. Vigorous agitation increased the rate and extent of mineralization of phenanthrene in dibutyl phthalate. The effect of temperature was affected by the presence and identity of the inoculum. Rapid and extensive mineralization of phenanthrene initially present in hexadecane and diesel oil were attained by use of intense agitation of the NAPL/soil slurry and inoculation with microorganisms grown in the presence of the NAPLs, but the influence of these variables was less with other NAPLs. Vigorous agitation and addition of an inoculum 24 h after introduction of a nonionic surfactant enhanced biodegradation of phenanthrene initially in 150 Bright stock oil and dibutyl phthalate. The results suggest improved means for the bioremediation of sites contaminated with NAPLs.
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PMID:Optimizing biodegradation of phenanthrene dissolved in nonaqueous-phase liquids. 892 Feb

Agitation and sleep disturbance are problematic for people with dementia and their carers, and have been linked to disrupted circadian rhythms caused by a lack of exposure to light. Bright light therapy (BLT) offers a powerful and cost-effective alternative to pharmacological options, and can be easily incorporated into care routines. This article describes practical issues faced when implementing light therapy in a nursing home setting, and attempts to address existing perceptions about its effectiveness.
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PMID:The use of light therapy to lower agitation in people with dementia. 1557 39

A systematic evaluation disclosed the following conditions to be optimum for the isolation of viable protoplasts from cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum L. ;Bright Yellow' grown in liquid suspensions: (a) the cell culture in the early phase of cell number increase, (b) an enzyme mixture of 1% cellulase "Onozuka" and 0.2% Macerozyme, (c) an enzyme solution pH of 4.7 or 5.7, (d) a 2- to 3-hr incubation period, (e) 5 ml of enzyme solution per 500 mg cells and contained in a 50-ml Delong flask, (f) agitation on a gyrotory shaker at 50 rpm, and (g) 0.3 to 0.8 m mannitol as osmoticum in the cell enzyme mixture. The incubation temperature may be varied from 22 to 37 C. The procedure enabled 30% of the tobacco cells to form protoplasts, 80% of which regenerated cell walls in 4 days and 40% resumed cell division activity when returned to cell culture medium.
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PMID:Evaluation of parameters in the isolation of viable protoplasts from cultured tobacco cells. 1665 4

Many patients with Alzheimer's disease will develop agitation at later stages of the disease, which constitutes one of the most challenging and distressing aspects of dementia. Recently, nonpharmacological therapies have become increasingly popular and have been proven to be effective in managing the behavioral symptoms (including agitation) that are common in the middle or later stages of dementia. These therapies seem to be a good alternative to pharmacological treatment to avoid unpleasant side effects. We present a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the nonpharmacological management of agitation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients aged 65 years and above. Of the 754 studies found, eight met the inclusion criteria. This review suggests that music therapy is optimal for the management of agitation in institutionalized patients with moderately severe and severe AD, particularly when the intervention includes individualized and interactive music. Bright light therapy has little and possibly no clinically significant effects with respect to observational ratings of agitation but decreases caregiver ratings of physical and verbal agitation. Therapeutic touch is effective for reducing physical nonaggressive behaviors but is not superior to simulated therapeutic touch or usual care for reducing physically aggressive and verbally agitated behaviors. Melissa oil aromatherapy and behavioral management techniques are not superior to placebo or pharmacological therapies for managing agitation in AD. Further research in clinical trials is required to confirm the effectiveness and long-term effects of nonpharmacological interventions for managing agitation in AD. These types of studies may lead to the development of future intervention protocols to improve the well-being and daily functioning of these patients, thereby avoiding residential care placement.
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PMID:Optimal nonpharmacological management of agitation in Alzheimer's disease: challenges and solutions. 2695 65

This study examined the effects of bright light exposure on three measures of depression and four measures of agitation in persons with dementia residing in long-term care. Using a randomized controlled design, participants were randomly assigned to receive either bright light (n = 30) or low intensity light (n = 30) for eight weeks. Bright light exposure was associated with significant improvement in depression and agitation, while participants receiving low intensity light displayed higher levels of depression and agitation or no significant change. Findings support the use of bright light exposure to reduce depression and agitation in this population.
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PMID:Effect of Bright Light Exposure on Depression and Agitation in Older Adults with Dementia. 2725 31