General Health Benefits Research Articles

Examination of a New Delivery Approach for Oral Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pharmacokinetics Study.

Therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in specialized populations continue to emerge. Despite supra-physiological dosing being shown to be tolerable in various pathologies, optimization of CBD absorption has obvious benefits for general health and recreational usage. Our objectives were to: (1) to investigate a joint pharmacokinetic-physiological time course of multiple recreational-equivalent (< 100mg) dosages of oral CBD in young healthy adults and (2) evaluate a newly developed technology (TurboCBD™) for the enhanced delivery of CBD. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 12 participants received placebo, generic 45 or 90mg of CBD, or TurboCBD™ delivery technology capsules on five separate occasions. Although there were no differences in the 45mg conditions, circulating CBD levels were higher with the TurboCBD™90mg group at both 90 (+ 86%) and 120 (+ 65%) min compared with the 90mg control (p < 0.05). Total area under the curve tended to be higher with TurboCBD™ 90mg compared with 90mg (10,865 ± 6322ngml-1 vs. 7114 ± 2978ngml-1; p = 0.088). Only the TurboCBD™ 90mg dose was elevated greater than placebo at 30min (p = 0.017) and remained elevated at 4h (p = 0.002). Consistent with higher bioavailability, TurboCBD™90mg at the peak CBD concentration was associated with an increase in cerebral perfusion and slight reduction in blood pressure compared with baseline and the 90mg control. Further studies are needed to establish the mechanisms of action of this technology and to explore the therapeutic potential of acute and chronic dosing on more at-risk populations. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03295903.

A qualitative analysis of cannabis vaporization among medical users.

Cannabis vaporization is a prevailing mode of administration among medical users for symptom relief. Limited research to date has considered factors that contribute to vaporization in medical users, although initial evidence suggests that vaporization may provide unique therapeutic advantages relative to other modes. This study aimed to provide an in-depth qualitative examination of vaping behavior and use preferences among medical cannabis users. Qualitative interviews were conducted with Rhode Island medical cannabis registration card holders (n = 25). Interviews followed a semistructured agenda and were audio-recorded and transcribed for applied thematic analysis. Key vaporization themes were summarized. Several themes emerged related to (a) medication dosing and administration (flexible timing of medication delivery; ease when traveling; type of device/cannabis formulation), (b) physical health advantages of vaping (general health benefits; better for medical condition; promoting tobacco cessation), (c) general advantages of vaping (portability, concealability, efficiency), and (d) disadvantages (weaker medication delivery; device cost; technology-use barriers). Various factors contribute to cannabis vaporization among medical users that are both general and medical-specific. Certain aspects of vaping may also interfere with effective delivery of cannabis, including technology aspects and device cost. These findings highlight the heterogeneity in vaporization behavior. Future work is needed to further identify factors that contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis and its modalities of use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

"Getting to Zero New HIV Infections in the Caribbean": Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Male Circumcision Among Adolescent Males in The Bahamas.

Male circumcision (MC) plays a significant role in reducing new HIV infections, particularly in high prevalence countries. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of MC and attitudes toward MC among youth aged 15–18 years in The Bahamas, a medium HIV prevalence country. The survey included 797 young men who completed a questionnaire on MC. Data analyses included chi-squared tests.The self-reported prevalence of MC among youth was 16.7% (121/759). Most of the circumcised youth were circumcised as infants, 84% (107/121) were pleased with their circumcision, and 71% would recommend it to others. For uncircumcised youth, 35% (189/533) would consider voluntary male circumcision (VMC) and 26% would recommend MC to others. In all scenarios, circumcised youth were more likely to be positive about MC. Among uncircumcised young men, being older (17–18 years compared to 15–16 years) was the only variable statistically associated with considering MC or recommending MC. After being presented with information on the benefits of MC for HIV prevention, the number of men who were positive about MC increased.Most of the young men in this cohort would consider VMC for reducing HIV incidence. Also, many stated that, if they had a male child, they would have him circumcised. The attitudes of these youth emphasize the need to provide information on HIV in addition to general health benefits of MC if there were to be a sustainable MC program within this population.

Healthy Lifestyle Through Home Gardening: The Art of Sharing.

This article offers a solution to promoting healthy lifestyle through home gardening and how gardening activities create social capital through social interactions among family members and people within communities, through sharing. This article begins by reviewing general social, psychological, and physical health benefits of home gardening followed by barriers associated with starting a garden that include lack of time, scarce resources, insufficient knowledge and skills, and inadequate space. This article argues that beyond the skills and knowledge, inspiration is the key in creating and sustaining a home garden. Through the idea of networking with families in a community and building these social relationships, it increases more opportunities to inspire and be inspired, fosters a greater sense of joy in gardening, encourages a chain reaction of sharing, and connects people together. As people share, it creates a pattern of social interactions and reciprocity among those who share and the recipients within the network that will then lead to increased social relationships, trust, and a social norm of sharing. Sharing itself also creates an opportunity for others to share back because in some situations, people do not know how to initiate the sharing process or have difficulty doing so. The article ends with a discussion on promoting a sustainable, active, and healthy lifestyle by engaging children in the process of gardening and sharing geminated plants/produce with their peers and other families, hence fostering a lifelong appreciation and consumption of plants they grow, learn, share, and heal together in the process.

The impact of exercise on asthma.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults in developed countries around the world. Despite international treatment guidelines, poor asthma control remains a frequent problem leading to missed school and work, and emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Many patients with asthma report exercise as a trigger for their asthma, which likely leads to exercise avoidance as a means to control symptoms. Evolving research has suggested that routine exercise may actually help improve some aspects of asthma control. This review discusses the recent research addressing how routine exercise affects important asthma-related outcomes including symptoms, lung function and quality of life. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted in recent years, which strongly support the safety of routine exercise in children and adults with asthma. Exercise appears to favor improvements in aerobic fitness, asthma symptoms and quality of life, but results so far are less consistent in demonstrating improvements to lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness. In addition to routine management guidelines, clinicians should recommend for their patients with asthma routine exercise for its general health benefits and likely improvement in asthma symptoms and quality of life.

Functional limitations, sedentary time and light physical activity on 24-month clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Purpose: Physical activity is well-established as a strong predictor for achieving general health benefits. Despite growing support for increased physical activity prescription in persons with knee osteoarthritis, informed recommendations for reducing sedentary time has received disproportionate attention. The objective of the present study was to quantify the relative contribution of reduced sedentary behaviour (SB) and increased light physical activity (LPA) on clinical knee osteoarthritis progression, in the presence or absence of functional limitations. Methods: Data were extracted from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Accelerometer sub-cohort dataset on 995 participants that had valid wear time data (greater than or equal to 4 days) at baseline (OAI 48-month visit), a Kellgren-Lawrence Grade (KLG) greater than or equal to 2 in one or both knees, and complete self-report measures of pain, joint stiffness and physical function at baseline and 24-month follow-up (OAI 72-month visit). The effect of functional limitation, reduced sedentary time, and increased light physical activity on 24-month clinical worsening was analyzed using multivariate linear models. Sedentary time and light physical activity were categorized into tertiles, and functional limitation was defined as walking <1.2m/sec during a 20-meter walk. The effect of functional limitation and physical activity were estimated in separate models for each tertile that defined clinical worsening using the pain, stiffness and physical function subdomains of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), disease severity and previous history of knee injury. Beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived for each tertile compared with the reference group (most time spent in sedentary time or least time spent in light activity). Positive and negative beta values correspond to increases (or worsening), and decreases (or improvements), in WOMAC pain, stiffness and physical function, respectively. Results: Approximately 1 in 4 participants (n=295) had functional limitations at baseline. For full description of participant demographics refer to Table 1.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Individuals in the highest tertile of sedentary behaviour had on average 90 minutes less per day of light activity and spent 190 more minutes per day being sedentary compared to the lowest tertile. In participants that did not demonstrate functional limitations at baseline, low time spent in sedentary behaviour and high time spent in light physical activity were associated with improvements in pain (SB adjusted β: -0.74; LPA adjusted β: -3.57) and physical function (SB adjusted β: -1.00; LPA adjusted β: -3.06). However, in participants that did demonstrate functional limitations at baseline, low time spent in sedentary behaviour (adjusted β: -3.82) and high time spent in light activity (adjusted β: -3.14) had the largest average improvements in joint stiffness. Only a moderate amount of time spent in light activity had the largest average improvements in pain (adjusted β: -1.69), yet worse physical function scores (adjusted β: 3.34). Contrary to expectations, the lowest tertile of time spent in sedentary behaviour had an average worsening physical function score of 1.81 (adjusted β), compared to the highest tertile. For changes in 24-month WOMAC subdomain scores between tertiles of sedentary behaviour and functional limitation, refer to Figure 1. Conclusions: Reduced sedentary time compared to increased light physical activity did not demonstrate proportionate effects on long-term clinical outcomes at 24-months. These data propose that the balance between reduced sedentary time, and increased light activity time be considered when prescribing physical activity, and that these recommendations may differ for individuals already demonstrating functional limitations.

Genetic investigations on causes of male infertility in Western Saudi Arabia.

In recent years, genetic studies have yielded great progress in elucidating causes of male infertility. This investigation aims to identify frequent genetic abnormalities, that is, sex chromosome aneuploidies and Y-chromosome microdeletions among infertile men in Western Saudi Arabia. From a population of infertile patients, 88 male patients with either azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentration <5million/ml) were selected. In addition to a thorough clinical workup, karyotypes and Y-chromosomal microdeletions were investigated. Among those 88 infertile patients, we detected six patients with Klinefelter syndrome, two with 47 XYY syndrome and two with Y-chromosome microdeletions AZFb,c. While the prevalence of sex chromosome aneuploidies was in the range of globally investigated populations, the microdeletions appeared to be less frequent in Western Saudi Arabia compared to other regions of the world. All genetically abnormal cases showed sperm concentration <1million/ml, and hence, this appears to be the threshold for warranting genetic investigations in Western Saudi Arabia. Since Klinefelter and 47 XYY syndromes were only discovered late in life, upon an infertility investigation, sex chromosome aneuploidies due to their many-fold comorbidities require earlier medical attention. A neonatal screening programme is suggested for detection of these aneuploidies in Saudi Arabia for the general health benefit of these patients.

EFFECTS OF WALKING ON THE MOOD OF PHYSICALLY ACTIVE OLDER PEOPLE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to the relationship between exercise and mood (MO), physical activity is being widely used as a nonpharmacological strategy in the treatment of depression. However, most studies have used sample groups of subjects who, besides suffering from ill health, are also older and sedentary, thus presenting wider “windows of adaptations” when compared to apparently healthy or physically active individuals. Thus, the effects of exercise on MO in physically active elderly individuals are yet to be clarified. Objective: To verify the acute effects of 30 minutes of walking of mild to moderate intensity on the MO of physically active elderly subjects. Methods: A total of 43 volunteers (86% women and 14% men), who participated regularly in an activity program offered by a health care institution in Alagoas, were selected in a non-probabilistic manner. MO was evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after 30 minutes of walking. The comparison between means was verified with Student's t-test. Results: Relative differences were observed in all dimensions of MO, ranging from 16.4% (Vigor) to 56.3% (Rage). However, statistically significant differences were only found in the Vigor (p = 0.00) and Confusion (p = 0.026) dimensions. Conclusion: It is concluded that a 30-minute walk, performed at mild to moderate intensity, as recommended by the main medical guidelines for obtaining general health benefits, may be an effective way of promoting MO improvements in physically active elderly people. The study confirms the fact that walking may potentially be an interesting nonpharmacological strategy for the treatment of depression. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies - Investigating treatment results.

Design of smart garments for sports and rehabilitation

Physical exercise has proved benefits for general health [1] and can reduce the number of sports injuries to one third [2]. However, an athlete that has been injured during sports practice may omit this out of fear of discrimination, and worsen the injury in the weight room, during strength training [5]. Monitoring physiological status of an athlete or rehabilitation patients during training may thus help the person to get an earlier intervention, preventing injuries from getting worse. With this in mind, we propose a set of compression garments - shirt and leggings - with textile sensors to continually monitor heart and muscle activity, breathing rate and temperature. This paper reports the design of the garments and production of the shirt, which comprised a 3-lead ECG system, sEMG (Surface Electromiography) electrodes and a breathing sensor. The ECG (Electrocardiography) system was tested and presented some good results, in particular for very even movements, but the system still needs to be improved, in order to get a better signal, when it comes to movements with a considerable amplitude.

Hypnotic drug risks of mortality, infection, depression, and cancer: but lack of benefit.

This is a review of hypnotic drug risks and benefits. Almost every month, new information appears about the risks of hypnotics (sleeping pills). The most important risks of hypnotics include excess mortality (especially overdose deaths, quiet deaths at night, and suicides), infections, cancer, depression, automobile crashes, falls, other accidents, and hypnotic-withdrawal insomnia. Short-term use of one-two prescriptions is associated with even greater risk per dose than long-term use. Hypnotics have usually been prescribed without approved indication, most often with specific contraindications, but even when indicated, there is little or no benefit. The recommended doses objectively increase sleep little if at all, daytime performance is often made worse (not better) and the lack of general health benefits is commonly misrepresented in advertising. Treatments such as the cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia and bright light treatment of circadian rhythm disorders offer safer and more effective alternative approaches to insomnia.

A wearable activity tracker intervention for promoting physical activity in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a pilot study

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are less physically active than their healthy peers and are at high risk of missing out on the general health benefits of physical activity. Wearable activity trackers are a promising option for intervening in this population with potential advantages over traditional exercise prescriptions. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the feasibility of a wearable activity tracker intervention in adolescents with JIA; and (2) estimate the variability in response to a wearable activity tracker intervention on the physical activity levels of adolescents with JIA.MethodsParticipants aged 12–18 years with JIA were recruited during their routine rheumatology clinic visits at a tertiary care hospital. Participants completed the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall self-reported questionnaire at baseline, 1 week and 5 week follow-up. At the 1 week follow up, participants were instructed to start wearing an activity tracker for 28 consecutive days. Participants completed a feasibility questionnaire at their end of study visit. Participant demographics, adherence rates and feasibility outcomes were summarized using descriptive statistics. The effect of wearing a tracker on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total metabolic equivalents (METs) per day were analyzed using a paired t-test.ResultsTwenty-eight participants (74% female; median age 15.1, range 12.8–18.6) were included in the analysis. All of the participants were able to synchronize the activity tracker to a supported device, use the activity tracker correctly and complete the study measurements. On average, participants had activity logged on their smartphone application for 72% of the intervention period. The standard deviation of the change in mean METs/day was 12.148 and for mean MVPA blocks/day was 3.143 over the study period.ConclusionWrist worn activity tracking is a feasible intervention for adolescent patients with JIA. More research is needed to examine the effect of activity tracking on physical activity levels.Trial RegistrationNot an applicable clinical device trial as per the criteria listed on ClinicalTrials.gov as the primary objective is feasibility.

39. Pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy calcium supplementation in women at high risk of pre-eclampsia: a randomized, placebo controlled trial

Reducing the death toll from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is a global priority. Low dietary calcium may account for the high prevalence of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in low-income countries. Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy reduces the severe consequences of pre-eclampsia but the effect of calcium supplementation before and in early pregnancy, when pre-eclampsia is thought to evolve, has not been assessed. We conducted a multi-country randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to determine the effect of calcium supplementation before and in early pregnancy in sites in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Argentina over a six-year period. Participants with previous pre-eclampsia or eclampsia received 500 mg elemental calcium or placebo daily from enrolment before pregnancy until 20 weeks’ gestation. All participants received unblinded calcium 1·5 g daily after 20 weeks’ gestation. Baseline data were well matched. Almost half the women became pregnant. Pre-eclampsia was reduced by 20% with calcium (not statistically significant). Pregnancy loss and/or pre-eclampsia was reduced by 18% (borderline significance). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced at both 20 and 32 weeks’ gestation. There were no other statistically significant differences. Reduced pregnancy loss and/or pre-eclampsia, and persistently lower diastolic blood pressure at 32 weeks despite high dose calcium supplementation to all participants from 20 weeks’ gestation suggests a persistent effect of calcium supplementation before and in early pregnancy on the genesis of pre-eclampsia. Public health strategies to promote adequate calcium intake may reduce pregnancy loss and/or pre-eclampsia, among many other general health benefits.

Decreasing residential fire death rates and the association with the prevalence of adult cigarette smoking — United States, 1999–2015

IntroductionEach year from 1999 through 2015, residential fires caused between 2,000 and 3,000 deaths in the U.S., totaling approximately 45,000 deaths during this period. A disproportionate number of such deaths are attributable to smoking in the home. This study examines national trends in residential fire death rates, overall and smoking-related, and their relationship to adult cigarette smoking prevalence, over this same period. MethodsSummary data characterizing annual U.S. residential fire deaths and annual prevalence of adult cigarette smoking for the years 1999–2015, drawn from the National Vital Statistics System, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Health Interview Survey were used to relate trends in overall and smoking-related rates of residential fire death to changes in adult cigarette smoking prevalence. ResultsStatistically significant downward trends were identified for both the rate of residential fire death (an average annual decrease of 2.2% – 2.6%) and the rate of residential fire death attributed to smoking (an average annual decrease of 3.5%). The decreasing rate of residential fire death was strongly correlated with a gradually declining year-to-year prevalence of adult cigarette smoking (r = 0.83), as was the decreasing rate of residential fire death attributed to smoking (r = 0.80). Conclusions and practical applicationsDecreasing U.S. residential fire death rates, both overall and smoking-related, coincided with a declining prevalence of adult cigarette smoking during 1999–2015. These findings further support tobacco control efforts and fire prevention strategies that include promotion of smoke-free homes. While the general health benefits of refraining from smoking are widely accepted, injury prevention represents a potential benefit that is less recognized.

Arctigenin Inhibits Liver Cancer Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting Gankyrin Expression via C/EBPα and PPARα.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a popular vegetable in China and Japan that is consumed for its general health benefits. The principal active component of burdock is arctigenin, which shows a range of bioactivities in vivo and in vitro. Here, we investigated the potential anti-tumor effects of arctigenin using two human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B, and sought to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action. Our results showed that arctigenin treatment inhibited cell growth in both HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines (IC50 of 4.74 nM for HepG2 cells, and of 59.27 nM for Hep3B cells). In addition, migration, invasion, and colony formation by HepG2 cells were significantly inhibited by arctigenin. By contrast, treatment of Hep3B cells with arctigenin did not alter these parameters. Arctigenin also significantly reduced the levels of gankyrin mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells, but not in Hep3B cells. A luciferase assay indicated that arctigenin targeted the -450 to -400 region of the gankyrin promoter. This region is also the potential binding site for both C/EBPα and PPARα, as predicted and confirmed by an online software analysis and ChIP assay. Additionally, a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay showed that binding between C/EBPα and PPARα was increased in the presence of arctigenin. However, arctigenin did not increase the expression of C/EBPα or PPARα protein. A binding screening assay and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) were performed to identify the mechanisms by which arctigenin regulates gankyrin expression. The results suggested that arctigenin could directly increase C/EBPα binding to the gankyrin promoter (-432 to -422 region), but did not affect PPARα binding. Expression of gankyrin, C/EBPα, and PPARα were analyzed in tumor tissues of patients using real-time PCR. Both C/EBPα and PPARα showed negative correlations with gankyrin. In tumor-bearing mice, arctigenin had a significant inhibitory effect on HCC growth. In conclusion, our results suggested that arctigenin could inhibit liver cancer growth by directly recruiting C/EBPα to the gankyrin promoter. PPARα subsequently bound to C/EBPα, and both had a negative regulatory effect on gankyrin expression. This study has identified a new mechanism of action of arctigenin against liver cancer growth.

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary intake is positively associated with bone mineral density in normal and osteopenic Spanish women.

The regular consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCO3-PUFAs) results in general health benefits. The intake of LCO3-PUFAs has been reported to contribute to bone metabolism. We aimed to investigate the relationships between dietary intakes of LCO3-PUFAs and bone mineral density (BMD) in Spanish women aged 20–79 years old. A total of 1865 female subjects (20–79 years old) were enrolled, and lumbar (L2, L3, L3 and total spine), hip (femoral neck (FN), femoral trochanter (FT) and Ward’s triangle (WT)) bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Dietary intakes of total energy, calcium, vitamin D, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and n-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA)) were assessed by a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Spearman’s rank correlations between LCO3-PUFAs and BMD were estimated. Partial correlations controlling for age, weight, height, dietary calcium, vitamin D, menopausal status and energy were calculated. A multiple regression analysis was computed to assess significant associations with BMD in this population. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, there were positive correlations between ALA, EPA and DHA intake and BMD. According to the WHO diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis, in this population of normal and osteopenic women, the dietary intake of ALA was also significantly associated with BMD at the hip. In normal women, the dietary intake of DHA was also significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine. No significant associations between LCO3-PUFAs and BMD were detected in the lumbar spine of osteopenic or osteoporotic women. The dietary intake of LCO3-PUFAs was positively associated with BMD in Spanish women at both the hips and the lumbar spine. We highlight that the intake of LCO3-PUFAs is not significantly associated with BMD in osteoporotic women; however, the intake of LCO3-PUFAs seems to be positively associated with BMD at both the hips and the lumbar spine in normal and osteopenic women.

Korean Sauna (Jjimjilbang) Wellness Tourism as Perceived by Westerners Living in South Korea

Korean Sauna (Jjimjilbang) Wellness Tourism as Perceived by Westerners Living in South Korea Ph.D. Candidate D. Kessler, Professor K.J. Chung, Professor B.J. Jang Abstract In this paper, we examined attitudes of westerners living in South Korea regarding Korean saunas (jjimjilbangs). We surveyed (n=225) westerners living in South Korea who have visited a Korean sauna at least once during their stay. The purpose of our research was to measure subjective attitudes, frequency, and motivation towards sauna usage along with their self-reported health evaluations and basic demographic variables. We hypothesized there would be a positive correlation between the respondent's self-reported health evaluations and the frequency of usage of the spa. Additionally, we hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between the length of time living in South Korea and the frequency of spa usage. Using the SF-36 to measure self-reported health characteristics, results of our statistical analysis indicate a Pearson Correlation of .428 between the frequency of spa usage and SF-36 respondents scores. Moreover, we found no correlation in the length of staying in Korea and frequency of spa usage. Findings from this research are consistent with the findings from our literature review of the general health benefits of saunas. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jthm.v6n2a8

Associations of Physical Activity and Screen Time with White Matter Microstructure in Children from the General Population

Background: Physical activity and sedentary behaviors have been linked to a variety of general health benefits and problems. However, few studies have examined how physical activity during childhood is related to brain development, with the majority of work to date focusing on cardio-metabolic health. This study examines the association between physical activity and screen time with white matter microstructure in the general pediatric population. Methods: In a sample of 2,532 children (10.12 ± 0.58 years; 50.04% boys) from the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, we assessed physical activity and screen time using parentreported questionnaires. Magnetic resonance imaging of white matter microstructure was conducted using diffusion tensor imaging. Findings: Total physical activity was positively associated with global factional anisotropy (β=0.057, 95% CI= 0.016, 0.098, p=0.007) and negatively associated with global mean diffusivity (β=-0.079, 95% CI= - 0.120, -0.038, p 0.05). Interpretation: This study provides new evidence that physical activity is modestly associated with white matter microstructure in children. In contrast, screen time was not associated with white matter microstructure. Causal inferences from these modest associations must be interpreted cautiously in the absence of longitudinal data. However, these data still offer a promising avenue for future work to explore to what extent physical activity may promote healthy white matter development. Funding Statement: The Sophia Foundation (S18-20 awarded to RM) and Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) (project 016.VICI.170.200, awarded to HT and TOP 91211021, awarded to TW). Declaration of Interests: The authors report no biomedical financial interests or potential conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Center approved the study procedures and participants provided written informed consent.

A Propensity-Score-Weighted Population-Based Study of the Health Benefits of Dogs and Cats for Children

ABSTRACTThere is a widely held belief that children’s general and psychological health benefits from owning and/or interacting with pets. In our study, we aimed to determine whether children who live with a dog or cat in their home have better mental and physical health outcomes compared with children without such a pet. Our study design consisted of a secondary analysis of household survey data from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey. Children in pet-owning households (n = 2,236 households with a dog or cat) were compared with children in non-pet owning households (n = 2,955 house-holds) using a weighted propensity score regression approach. Double robust regression analyses were used to examine the association between living with a dog or cat and health outcomes, while accounting for confounding factors. Our results demonstrated strong confounding effects. Unadjusted analyses found that children in pet-owning households were significantly healthier than children in non-owning households in terms of, for example, better general health, higher activity level, and less concern from parents regarding mood, behavior, and learning ability. However, when estimates were adjusted using the double robust approach, the effects were smaller and no longer statistically significant. The results indicate that the benefits of owning pets observed in this study were largely explained by confounding factors.

Perceived need for restrictions on activity for children with epilepsy.

Children and youth with epilepsy have long been subjected to excessive restrictions on extracurricular activities due to concerns over risk of injury. Over time physicians and medical regulatory associations have liberalized the advice given for people with epilepsy to promote independence, self-esteem and general health benefits of physical activity. Current evidence suggests that few restrictions are needed for children with epilepsy beyond water-related precautions and avoidance of very high-risk activities. However, more stringent restrictions on daily activities may be imposed by caregivers. This study was aimed at exploring current perceptions of parents regarding restrictions on activity for children with epilepsy and the child's perspective on restrictions related to the diagnosis. A self-administered questionnaire was offered to a sample of parent-child dyads of children/youth with epilepsy attending summer camp for children with epilepsy age 8-18years. A 10-item validated HARCES Parent Scale of Childhood Epilepsy was completed by the parent/guardian and a modified-HARCES completed by the child. The primary objective was to assess the degree of restrictions placed on children with epilepsy from the perspective of child and parent assessed independently. Agreement of perceived restrictions between parent-child dyads was also determined. 21 parent/guardian-child pairs were recruited with mean age of children/youth 12.7years (range 9-16years). Total HARCES scores for parents and guardians ranged from 11-26 (x=16.5; SD 4.9) while total scores for children with epilepsy similarly ranged from 10-25 (x=15.2; SD 4.9). There were no differences in total parent scores when analyzed by child's age (<13 or >13years), gender, age of seizure onset, seizure frequency or seizure type. Total HARCES scores showed no agreement between parent and child pairs with correlation of 0.2798 (95% CI -0.173-0.635). Children and youth with epilepsy often face activity restrictions based on fear of perceived risk of injury. This small sample shows evidence that even more permissive parents and his/her children still feel limited by such restrictions. Parents and children do not perceive these restrictions in the same way despite similar education by physicians highlighting an important secondary role of epilepsy camps in targeting misperceptions and educating families on appropriate precautions.

Introduction: Obesity and reproduction

Women bear the predominant burden of our obesogenic environment, with a higher incidence of obesity than men, more impact on their fertility and success with treatment, and significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In this series, the causes, consequences, and solutions regarding the obesity pandemic, the mechanisms of the effect of obesity on the female and male, the epigenetic consequences of male obesity, the marked effects on perinatal outcomes, and the effects of weight loss before conception and during pregnancy are explored. Lifestyle modifications, in particular a healthy diet and exercise during the 3-6months before conception and during treatment, should result in better outcomes than requiring weight loss before fertility treatments. Such fundamental changes toward a healthier lifestyle will achieve steady and sustainable weight loss and long-term benefits for general health. The role of bariatric surgery before pregnancy requires careful consideration.