Multiple Health Research Articles

Enhancing the effectiveness of interprofessional education in health science education: a state-of-the-art review

BackgroundIn order to foster effective collaboration and improve healthcare outcomes, students from multiple health professions engage in interprofessional education (IPE), learning together and from each other. Existing literature explores the effectiveness of IPE within health sciences but presents varied findings.The purpose of this study is to The effectiveness of IPE is defined as the four levels of training evaluation delineated by Kirkpatrick: reaction, learning, behavior, and results. Affecting factors are defined as elements directly influencing IPE effectiveness, while intermediating factors are influenced by these affecting factors, subsequently impacting overall IPE effectiveness.MethodsA state-of-the-art review was conducted using medical databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Search terms included: (interprofessional learning) OR (interprofessional education) AND (higher education) within the time frame of 2017 to 2022. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists for quasi-experimental and qualitative studies. Study features were evaluated using a coding scheme, and qualitative analysis of the included studies was performed.ResultsFifty-four studies met the inclusion criteria after screening. Qualitative analysis revealed four affecting factors: 1) Community-based learning approach, 2) Problem-based learning approach, 3) Experiential learning approach, and 4) Technology-based learning approach. Intermediating factors included student and team characteristics, such as boundary crossing, team leadership, readiness, educational discipline and background, and interprofessional attitudes. Additionally, educational design characteristics, like intervention duration, facilitation, and authenticity of learning experiences, served as intermediating factors. Organizational characteristics, such as organizational culture and logistics, were identified as further intermediating factors.ConclusionThis study provides insight on factors affecting and intermediating IPE effectiveness, vital in the design of IPE programs. Based on the findings we formulated six practical tips to enhance IPE effectiveness.

An exploratory qualitative study of inter-agency health and social service partnerships focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients

BackgroundThe siloed nature of the health and social service system threatens access for clients engaging numerous organisations. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face adverse circumstances which contribute to multiple health and social needs. Effective relationships between health and social services are integral to coordinated service provision to meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Place-specific insights into inter-agency relationships are needed to inform targeted strategies that bolster service coordination to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.MethodsThis study sought to understand experiences of inter-agency partnerships among health and social service providers on Kaurna Country in northern Adelaide using semi-structured interviews and yarning circles to explore partnership actions, outcomes, enablers, challenges, and identify strategies to strengthen partnerships. Fifty-nine service providers (78% female, 62% Aboriginal) participated including six from non-government organisations, 17 from Aboriginal community-controlled services and 36 from government organisations.ResultsA content analysis identified partnership actions such as client advocacy, referrals, sharing information, case management meetings and collaborative tender submissions which were seen to improve client access, navigation and outcomes and strengthen worker connectedness and job satisfaction. Motivated workers, listening to Aboriginal people, shared goals and values, and partnership agreements (e.g., memorandum of understanding, service contracts) were identified enablers of partnerships. Racism and ignorance, lack of networking events, communication breakdown, red tape and administrative barriers, competition between services, short-term funding, high turnover of staff and a focus on key performance indicators rather than community needs were among the challenges. Effective partnerships to benefit Aboriginal communities in northern Adelaide was reported to require aligned intersectoral strategic intentions, reforms to service commissioning processes, sustainable funding, regular network events for management and frontline workforce, Aboriginal practitioner-led service coordination approaches and a network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers across organisations.ConclusionsThis study identified key leverage points for action on inter-agency partnerships to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on Kaurna Country. System drivers such as funded inter-agency networks and reforms to commissioning of services must support organisational- and practitioner-level enablers to strengthen partnerships between health and social services across northern Adelaide.

Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of the Daybreak Drink Tracker: Prospective Observational Study.

Excessive alcohol use is associated with significant harms, with wide-ranging social and economic impacts. Efforts to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol are a public health priority. Smartphone apps have the potential to provide accessible and cost-effective support to those seeking to reduce alcohol consumption; however, the evidence base regarding which components are effective is lacking. Self-monitoring is considered as one of the most effective components for behavior change across multiple health domains, yet there is mixed evidence for its role in the alcohol use space. An improved understanding of the use, acceptability, and outcomes of smartphone apps and their inherent components is required to determine their potential role in alcohol behavior change. We investigated the feasibility and acceptability of the Drink Tracker, a novel feature of the commercially available Daybreak (Hello Sunday Morning) app. The Daybreak app is accessible worldwide via major app stores and is offered free of charge to Australian residents. Individuals (aged over 18 years) registering for Daybreak were invited to access the Drink Tracker to monitor their alcohol consumption as part of an uncontrolled observational prospective study. Feasibility was assessed via uptake and frequency of use of the Drink Tracker. Acceptability was measured via participant feedback to determine overall satisfaction, perceived helpfulness, and likelihood of recommending the Drink Tracker to others. Self-reported changes in alcohol consumption (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score) and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score) at 3-month follow-up were also measured. Preliminary data collected for the first 4 months (October 2023 to February 2024) of the study were reported, including 3-month follow-up outcomes. Feasibility was demonstrated, with almost 70% (2847/4119) of those registering for Daybreak going on to access the Drink Tracker. Of those accessing the Drink Tracker, 71.1% (n=2024) consented to research, comprising the final participant sample. Frequency of use was high, with over half of participants (1112/2024, 54.9%) using the Drink Tracker more than once, and more than one-third (757/2024, 37.4%) using the Drink Tracker more than 5 times. Of the 30 participants completing a 3-month follow-up, acceptability was high, with 73% (n=22) reporting high satisfaction levels with the Drink Tracker overall, 87% (n=26) indicating it was easy to use and rating a mean score of 7.7 (SD 2.8) out of 10 in terms of likelihood of recommending to others. Significant reductions in alcohol consumption (P<.001) and psychological distress scores (P<.001) were observed at the 3-month follow-up. Our results suggest that the Daybreak Drink Tracker is highly feasible and acceptable in supporting individuals accessing commercially available smartphone apps to change their relationship with alcohol. While positive clinical outcomes were observed, the absence of a control group disallows any conclusions with regard to the efficacy of the Drink Tracker. Further testing via a randomized controlled trial is required.

Attainment of World Health Organization physical activity recommendations by Ecuadorian children: Analysis of social and anthropometrics factors in two distinct populations.

Daily adherence to WHO recommended physical activity guidelines has multiple health benefits in children and adolescents. Limited data from low and middle-income countries are available regarding adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations. This study aims to objectively measure physical activity intensities and explore associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors related to nonadherence to the WHO minimum physical activity recommendations. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted between 2014 and 2019 in two distinct populations of Ecuador in terms of poverty and residency (Cuenca: 66% live in urban areas, and 38.2% have unsatisfied basic needs; Quininde, 76.4% live in rural areas and 91% have unsatisfied basic needs). Waist-worn accelerometers were used to measure daily physical activity, standardized questionnaires were used to assess sociodemographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status), and anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference) measurements were taken. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric factors with physical activity in each study population. The study involved 650 participants in Cuenca, with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD 2.9), and 985 children and adolescents in Quinindé, with a mean age of 8.3 years (SD 0.4). In both settings, boys were more likely than girls (Cuenca: adj. OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.17-4.39; Quinindé adj. OR 5.63, 95% CI 4.03-7.85) to achieve the WHO physical activity guidelines. More affluent participants were much less likely to meet this recommendation than their poorer counterparts in both settings. In Cuenca, a higher waist circumference was inversely associated with meeting WHO daily physical activity recommendation (adj. OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), whereas in Quinindé, adherence to WHO guidelines was more likely in non-Mestizo than Mestizo children (adj. OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02-2.07). The findings suggest that anthropometric differences and sociodemographic disparities influence the attainment of WHO physical activity recommendations in Ecuadorian children.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Psychological Distress of Patients with Stroke Attending a Neurology Clinic — An Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Background: A vast range of factors lead to psychological distress among stroke patients, causing poor outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychological distress and identify the associated factors among stroke patients attending the Neurology Clinics of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted among 177 patients with stroke attending the Neurology Clinics of the NHSL, Colombo, who were sampled by multistage random sampling. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Data collected under 6 domains underwent initial bivariate analysis using Chi-square and Fisher's Exact Tests, followed by multivariate analysis via binary logistic regression. Results: The mean age of the participants with stroke was 59.7 (SD:12.3) years. The prevalence of psychological distress among stroke patients was found to be 23.3% (95% CI:16.1–31.9). During bivariate analysis, six factors (p&lt;0.05) were significant. The regression analysis identified five independent predictors: younger age (OR =0.87, 95% CI=0.79–0.97, p&lt;0.05), female gender (OR=70.94, 95% CI=3.73–1348.89, p=0.05), patient being the sole source of income (OR=24.71, 95% CI=1.67–362.01, p&lt;0.05), increased level of disability (OR=13.05, 95% CI=3.59–47.36, p&lt;0.001), and past personal history of psychiatric disorders (OR=172.59, 95% CI=3.64–8174.42, p&lt;0.05) with a R2 of 0.772. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological distress among patients with stroke attending the Neurology Clinics of the NHSL, Colombo, is considerably high and is associated with multiple health and non-health related factors.

Association Between Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences and Offspring's Risk of Suboptimal Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Previous reviews and meta-analysis have not adequately explored the impact of specific parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) subtypes on offspring's health. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between parental ACE subtypes and various offspring health outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, WANFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for studies published in English and Chinese from January 1, 1998, until July 18, 2023. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was applied to generate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). A total of 47 eligible studies were included in the final analysis. Overall, parental ACEs were significantly associated with several offspring's health outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), total developmental delay, social-emotional problems, and behavioral problems (total, externalizing and internalizing behaviors), with ORs ranging from 1.06 to 3.02. Specific subtypes of parental ACEs, such as household dysfunction, sexual abuse, and physical abuse (but not emotional abuse) were significantly associated with PTB. Household dysfunction was notably linked to delayed cognition ability in offspring. Parental sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect were significantly correlated with social-emotion problems, with the expception of household dysfunction. Regarding total behavioral problems, parental household dysfunction, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and peer bullying were all significantly associated with children's behavioral issues, except for emotional neglect. There is a positive correlation between parental household dysfunction, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, peer bullying, and neighborhood-related adversity and their children's externalizing behavior problems. These findings underscore the significant impacts of parental ACEs on multiple adverse health outcomes in children, with specific parental ACEs subtypes exerting unique effects. This highlight the significance of comprehending the intergenerational effects of different ACE subtypes, and emphasizes the urgency of interventions to address these issues.

Dual-Enhanced SERS Satellite Immuno-Nanocomplex for Multiple PSA-Mediated PHI Assay Toward Clinical Prostate Cancer Screening.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used in liquid biopsy of prostate cancer (PCa) but still faces challenges due to the poor specificity. Herein, this study reports a double-SERS satellite immunoassay, made of an Au-Ag dealloyed intra-nanogap nanoflower (Au-Ag DINF) with strong SERS signals and Au magnetic nanoparticles (AuMNPs) with magnetic capture and SERS amplification, for sensing multiple PSA (free PSA (fPSA), complexed PSA (cPSA) and [-2]proPSA (p2PSA)) toward potential PCa screening. Unlike the previous studies focus on the tPSA and fPSA/tPSA ratio (f/t PSA%), this work introduces a multiple PSA-mediated Prostate Health Index (PHI) assay with significantly increased the predictive accuracy and specificity of PCa, especially the patients with a tPSA level in the "diagnostic gray zone". Practical analysis of clinical samples demonstrated the SERS immunoassay is capable of identifying the PCa subjects from healthy candidates (N = 13), and monitoring PCa patients before and after surgery (N = 5), as well as screening suspicious ones who are in the "gray zone" (N = 10). Overall, benefiting from the PSA-responsive satellite immuno-nanoassemble strategy, dual-SERS magnification effect, and multiple PSA-based PHI assessment, this proposes bioassay held enormous potential for the early diagnosis, screening, monitoring, and prognosis of PCa.

A blueprint for pursuing therapeutic interventions and early phase clinical trials in clonal haematopoiesis.

The age-associated mutational state of clonal haematopoiesis (CH) is linked to multiple adverse health outcomes. As higher risk CH can lead to progressive neoplastic or vascular disease, there is interest in developing clinical trials to mitigate risk associated with CH. Given the high prevalence of CH, data from clinical trials could have broad public health implications for screening and therapy. Thoughtful consideration is needed to design trials that are both clinically relevant and avoid overmedicalization. Here, we summarize clinical studies of CH to date and provide suggestions and guidance on how to approach designing CH-focused therapeutic clinical trials. These recommendations are derived from discussions among clinical researchers and scientists emanating from the Inaugural Meeting on Somatic Mutations and Predisease in October 2021.

Deep Learning for Green Growth: Custom CNN Uncovers Cucumber Leaf Disease Secrets

There are many popular vegetables in the world, among them cucumber is one of the most famous and healthiest foods. It comes with multiple health benefits, especially in losing weight and in skincare. However, there can be multiple diseases that can attack the cucumber leaf and the cucumber itself. Cucumber leaf disease research plays a cardinal role in agricultural fields. Cucumber leaf disease is a special disease that harms its leaves and causes different types of diseases. In real fields, it is difficult to identify different diseases on the leaf due to the complex environment. It is also a very challenging and time-consuming process to identify leaf diseases. To overcome those barriers and detect the diseases we have used two learning methods namely DenseNet201 and VGG16 model. In this research, we have created a new dataset with four classes containing 2159 pictures with an accuracy rate of 98.97% from DenseNet201. The image recognition methods choose the image and find the disease's spot by breaking the image frame by frame. We have rescaled all the images while preprocessing where the image size is 224×224. The methods show great success in finding the disease spots.

Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being of Adolescents: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;The COVID-19 outbreak and svift policy response affected the everyday lives of youth in Serbia, challenging their mental well-being. Aiming to examine the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and mental well-being of adolescents during the strictest lockdown in Serbia, in April 2020, we analyzed data collected through the national online survey (N = 3089). According to the self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), participants were divided into three groups: 1) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes every day; 2) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes on 4-6 days per week; and 3) engaged in the same amount of MVPA on 0-3 days per week. Mental well-being measures included life satisfaction, self-rated health, and health complaints. An one-way ANOVA detected a significant effect of adolescents&amp;amp;rsquo; PAL on their life satisfaction, F(3,27) = 49.64, p = .000. The Tukey test showed that the mean life satisfaction was significantly higher in the most active group (M = 8.66, SD = 1.56) than in the moderately active group (M = 8.27, SD = 1.56), and the least active group (M = 7.93, SD = 1.76). The chi-square tests revealed significant associations between adolescents&amp;amp;rsquo; PAL and health complaints; less active adolescents were more likely to experience symptoms like headache, nervousness, feeling low, irritability, sleep difficulties, and dizziness (p &amp;amp;le;&amp;amp;nbsp; .00). They also experienced multiple health complaints more frequently and self-rated their health less favorably. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted as a protective factor for adolescents&amp;amp;rsquo; mental well-being, particularly in emergencies.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Expanding access to sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in the Ministry of Health Malaysia - a multiple HTA approach.

Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia stakeholders seek primary care access to sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). Addressing this required a complex decision, selecting among three SGLT2i for two different indications and two practice settings. The options include expanding the existing SGLT2i (empagliflozin) in the MOH Medicines Formulary to primary care and/or having dapagliflozin and/or luseogliflozin as alternatives. This study aimed to conduct a multiple health technology assessment (HTA) to determine the SGLT2i of choice for the MOH setting. The clinical benefits of SGLT2i were assessed through a systematic literature review and affordability was assessed through the development of three budget impact analysis models simulating seventy scenarios. Each model varied by prescribing indications, restrictions, and SGLT2i involved (M1: glycemic control, HbA1c between 6.5 percent and 10 percent, empagliflozin-dapagliflozin-luseogliflozin; M2: cardiovascular benefits, HbA1c less than 10 percent, empagliflozin-dapagliflozin; M3: a composite of M1 and M2). The outcome of the HTA was presented to the MOH decision-makers. Although there was no significant difference in glycemic control between the SGLT2i, differences exist in cardiovascular benefits conferred. Despite having scenarios with lower net budget impact (NBI) in the M1, M2, and M3 models, decision-makers decided to expand empagliflozin use to primary care setting and add dapagliflozin for hospital-only setting for both indications [NBI of $4.38 mil] due to empagliflozin's advantage in reducing risk for cardiovascular death and prior experience of its use in MOH. The multiple HTA approach guided the complex decision-making process by providing a holistic understanding of the decision's impact.

Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer: Integrating Genomics, AI, and Big Data for Personalized Treatment

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most prevalent cancers among men worldwide, exhibiting significant heterogeneity in its molecular profile and clinical course. Traditional approaches to treatment have often been generalized, leading to variable outcomes and, at times, unnecessary overtreatment. Precision medicine promises to transform PCa management by leveraging genomics, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data to tailor treatments to each patient’s molecular profile. This review examines how genomics has enhanced our understanding of PCa, identifying critical genetic mutations and molecular subtypes that influence disease progression. Additionally, the application of AI and machine learning in analyzing complex datasets has proven instrumental in discovering novel biomarkers, optimizing therapeutic choices, and predicting patient responses. The integration of big data from multiple platforms, including genomics, imaging, and electronic health records (EHRs), offers an unprecedented level of insight into the nuances of PCa. We discuss key genomic biomarkers, emerging AI-based predictive models, and the role of big data in advancing PCa precision medicine. Finally, we explore the challenges of clinical implementation, including data privacy, ethical concerns, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The insights from this review underscore the transformative potential of precision medicine in enhancing prostate cancer treatment outcomes and the necessity for further research to overcome existing limitations. Keywords: Prostate cancer, precision medicine, genomics, artificial intelligence, big data, personalized treatment, biomarkers, molecular subtypes, machine learning.

Validation of sibutramine and phenolphthalein determination by HPLC-PDA in natural dietary supplements for body-weight reduction

The worldwide demand for natural dietary supplements for body-weight reduction is increasing, because they are commonly believed to be safe. However, the abundance and diversity of available dietary supplements impede their quality control, potentially posing multiple health risks. A simple and cost-effective procedure involving high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) and homogeneous liquid– liquid extraction (LLE) of samples were applied to analyze simultaneously sibutramine and phenolphthalein in natural dietary supplements used for body-weight reduction. The recoveries obtained ranged from 91.87% to 96.46%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.33 μg/mL and 1 μg/mL, respectively. The phenolphthalein and sibutramine contents were in the range of 0.009-5.601 mg/tablet and 0.005-4.409 mg/ tablet, respectively. The results showed that the proposed HPLC-PDA method was precise and accurate. It was simple to apply to identify and quantify these and other adulterants in natural dietary supplements.

School-Based Health Care: An Overview.

The school building provides a unique opportunity to prevent, identify, and treat illness in children. School staff must be prepared to care for children with acute and chronic health care needs and pediatricians should be aware of the health resources available in local schools for their patients. This article provides an overview of multiple school-based health topics including the roles of various school health professionals, medication administration in the school setting, the legal protections around health information, school-based health centers, and the rise of telehealth. Most importantly, this article reminds providers that school-based health resources are all unique to each school and school district; all parents of children with health needs should meet with their school's administration to understand what resources are available. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(12):e435-e437.].

Mentalizing, epistemic trust and interpersonal problems in emotion regulation: A sequential path analysis across common mental health disorders and community control samples.

Emotion regulation is a crucial function implicated in multiple mental health disorders; understanding the mechanisms by which emotion regulation has such impact is essential. Mentalizing has been posited as a prerequisite for effective emotion regulation. The current study aims to examine the roles of epistemic trust and interpersonal problems in driving the association between mentalizing and emotion regulation, contrasting clinical and non-clinical populations. A total of 652 individuals (296 clinical and 356 community control) were employed. Sequential mediation analysis was used to examine the role of epistemic stances and interpersonal problems in the mentalizing-emotion regulation link, and moderated mediation analysis was conducted to identify group differences in these pathways. Ineffective mentalizing was associated with emotion dysregulation and interpersonal problems. Higher levels of epistemic credulity and mistrust were associated with ineffective mentalizing, interpersonal problems, and emotion dysregulation. Sequential mediation analysis indicated that disruptions in epistemic trust (epistemic mistrust and credulity) and interpersonal problems partially mediated the relationship between inadequate mentalizing and emotion dysregulation, with these pathways being consistent across both clinical and control groups. The pathways including epistemic trust were not significant. The study's limitations include a simplified theoretical model, a cross-sectional design preventing causal inference, and sample recruitment methods possibly limiting generalizability. These findings suggest a potential mechanism connecting mentalizing, disruptions in epistemic trust, interpersonal problems, and emotion regulation, to illuminate a crucial aspect of psychological functioning. These results emphasize the significance of social-communicative aspect in clinical outcomes.

The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Cardiometabolic Health in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions are typically prescribed according to several laboratory-based parameters and fixed reference intensities to accurately calibrate exercise intensity. Repeated all-out printing efforts, or sprint interval training, is another form of HIIT that is prescribed without individual reference intensity as it is performed in maximal intensities. No previous study has performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of HIIT and SIT on cardiometabolic health markers in children and adolescents. Moreover, previous studies have focused on single risk factors and exercise modalities, which may restrict their ability to capture a complete picture of the factors that could be affected by different interval interventions. The present study aimed to conduct a novel meta-analysis on the effects of HIIT and SIT on multiple cardiometabolic health markers in children and adolescents. An electronic search was conducted in three main online databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to July 2024 to identify randomized and non-randomized control trials comparing HIIT and SIT versus the non-exercise control group in children and adolescents with mean age ranges from 6 to 18 years old on cardiometabolic health markers including fasting glucose and insulin, insulin resistance, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), systolic blood (SBP) and diastolic blood (DBP) pressures. Standardized mean differences (SMD), weighted mean differences (WMD), and confidence were calculated using a random effect model. HIIT decreased insulin, insulin resistance, TG, TC, LDL, and SBP and increased HDL but did not decrease glucose and DBP. Furthermore, subgroup analyses show that insulin and insulin resistance were decreased by sprint interval training (SIT) and in those with obesity. Lipid profile mainly is improved by SIT and in those with obesity. Also, SBP was decreased by SIT and in those with obesity. Our results prove that HIIT is an effective intervention for improving cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents, mainly those with obesity. Specifically, SIT is an effective interval training mode in children and adolescents.

A Review on Yusha-an Ayurveda Soup with Remarkable Therapeutic Properties

Abstract: The recent view of health is not just an absence of illness but is defined as an overall wellness of the body and mind. This was much earlier conceptualised by the ancient Indian traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda. The state of body equilibrium can be achieved by proper diet and sadvritta which means good practices. In Ayurveda, the role of diet has been explained by Ahara kalpana and one of the important forms of it is Yusha. Yusha is a soup form of preparation made of cooked pulses and various herbs in different proportions. Various types of Yusha have been known for their multiple health benefits, both preventive and therapeutic. The components of Yusha have been known for their therapeutic benefits and has been proved by modern scientific research. Nowadays, as there is an increase in the incidence of lifestyle disorders, it is quite significant to understand and implement the use of Yusha as a component of diet therapy. This review attempts in introducing Yusha, its classification, methods of preparation and therapeutic benefits.

The COVID-19 experience among international migrant workers in the Republic of Korea: knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed various health risks and inequities experienced by international migrant workers. The number of migrant workers in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is rapidly growing and is expected to continue growing. Health related research on migrant workers in ROK is limited, especially among undocumented migrant workers who were more vulnerable to the pandemic. This study aims to examine the experiences of migrant workers and their knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies during the pandemic.MethodsWe used data from the International Migrant Workers’ COVID-19 Health Literacy and Access to Medical Care project, a cross-sectional survey conducted with international migrant workers residing in ROK in 2021 (n = 537). Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models were employed to understand different demographic, occupational, and immigration factors affecting migrant workers’ knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies.ResultsUndocumented migrant workers had a longer length of residence in ROK and earned less compared to workers with work visa status. None of the undocumented migrant workers had access to health insurance since they were ineligible to enroll in the national health insurance scheme. In the early days of the pandemic, most undocumented migrant workers experienced a decrease in their average income. After adjusting for demographic differences and language proficiency, undocumented migrant workers (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.78) were less likely to be aware of the policy allowing foreigners, including undocumented individuals, to access COVID-19 testing and treatment without the risk of deportation. Workers with a longer length of residence (AOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.53) were more likely to be aware of this policy.ConclusionUndocumented migrant workers were often less informed about COVID-19 policies. While most of the survey respondents were knowledgeable about governmental policies regarding COVID-19 treatment and immigration, our results reveal multiple occupational and health insurance vulnerabilities of undocumented migrant workers living in ROK. More attention is needed to understand healthcare service barriers and how to provide adequate resources for this vulnerable population.

Discriminating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and comorbid conditions using metabolomics in UK Biobank

BackgroundDiagnosing complex illnesses like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is complicated due to the diverse symptomology and presence of comorbid conditions. ME/CFS patients often present with multiple health issues, therefore, incorporating comorbidities into research can provide a more accurate understanding of the condition’s symptomatology and severity, to better reflect real-life patient experiences.MethodsWe performed association studies and machine learning on 1194 ME/CFS individuals with blood plasma nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics profiles, and seven exclusive comorbid cohorts: hypertension (n = 13,559), depression (n = 2522), asthma (n = 6406), irritable bowel syndrome (n = 859), hay fever (n = 3025), hypothyroidism (n = 1226), migraine (n = 1551) and a non-diseased control group (n = 53,009).ResultsWe present a lipoprotein perspective on ME/CFS pathophysiology, highlighting gender-specific differences and identifying overlapping associations with comorbid conditions, specifically surface lipids, and ketone bodies from 168 significant individual biomarker associations. Additionally, we searched for, trained, and optimised a machine learning algorithm, resulting in a predictive model using 19 baseline characteristics and nine NMR biomarkers which could identify ME/CFS with an AUC of 0.83 and recall of 0.70. A multi-variable score was subsequently derived from the same 28 features, which exhibited ~2.5 times greater association than the top individual biomarker.ConclusionsThis study provides an end-to-end analytical workflow that explores the potential clinical utility that association scores may have for ME/CFS and other difficult to diagnose conditions.

Genotypes and phenotypes of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients in Japan: A Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including an increased risk of tumor development and hypertension. Comprehensive data on genotype‒phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the detailed genetic and clinical characteristics of NF1 in a hereditary tumor cohort. We performed sequencing and copy number assays in a clinical laboratory and analyzed the clinical data of 44 patients with suspected NF1. Germline pathogenic variants were detected in 36 patients (81.8%), and 20.7% of the variants were novel. Notably, 40.0% of adult patients presented with malignancies; female breast cancer occurred in 20.0% of patients, which was a higher rate than that previously reported. Hypertension was observed in 30.6% of the adult patients, with one patient experiencing sudden death and another developing pheochromocytoma. Three patients with large deletions in NF1 exhibited prominent cutaneous, skeletal, and neurological manifestations. These results highlight the importance of regular surveillance, particularly for patients with malignancies and hypertension. Our findings provide valuable insights for genetic counseling and clinical management, highlighting the multiple health risks associated with NF1 and the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary care.