Physiological Well-being Research Articles

Pharmacologic interventions for primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis is a multifactorial condition with a complex cause that affects patients across different age groups, impairing physiologic and psychologic well-being, and substantially reducing patient quality of life and overall productivity. To effectively manage this condition, healthcare providers need to be well informed about treatment guidelines, as well as the available therapeutic options and the evidence supporting their use. Nonsurgical interventions should be regarded as the primary treatment option, particularly for patients in the initial phases of this condition. No conclusive guidelines exist for treating young and active patients, and the literature lacks high-quality data to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term consequences of several interventions, regardless of patient characteristics and expectations.

Size-specific variations in the length-weight relationship and relative condition factor of Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) across its habitats in Bangladesh

The length-weight relationship (LWR) and relative condition factor are widely used as the most important biological parameters to infer the growth pattern and well-being of fishes. The aim of our study was to investigate the growth parameters of the LWR in different growth phases of Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), a flagship species of Bangladesh, and compare its relative condition factors across its major habitats. Fish from various rivers in Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal were sampled, their length-weight growth parameters were measured and subjected to statistical analysis with pooled data from other studies. An isometric growth pattern in Hilsa was predominantly found in the size classes of 25 ≤ TL (total length) < 30, 30 ≤ TL < 35, and TL ≥ 40. However, the size class TL < 25 showed negative allometric growth with the value of the exponent (b, also known as growth coefficient) between 2.797 and 2.833. The highest weight-growth of Hilsa was within the size class of 35 ≤ TL < 40, with exponent values of 3.271–3.381 (positive allometric growth) across habitats. Our results revealed that the exponent value varied significantly (P < 0.05) between different size classes of Hilsa except between 30 ≤ TL < 35 and TL ≥ 40; however, no such significant differences in the exponent values were found across habitats. The Akaike Information Criterion value was lowest for the size-specific length-weight regression model of Hilsa, indicating it was the best-fit model compared to the habitat-specific and pooled sample models. The relative condition factor of Hilsa by habitat was found in the order of Meghna > Bay of Bengal > Andharmanik > Biskhali > Tetulia > Padma. Additionally, the relative physiological well-being of Hilsa from the river Padma and Tetulia was poor compared to that of other habitats. A more in-depth analysis is required to determine the factors that can influence Hilsa's growth and well-being in relation to habitat quality. The present findings have significant relevance for fisheries biologists and managers in understanding and interpreting Hilsa's ecology, relative well-being of populations of same or contrasting habitats, demographic assessment, and for better management of Hilsa in the future.

Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) shows physiological tolerance to polyester microfibers at environmental concentrations

Significant research has shown that microplastics are ubiquitous within the marine environment, organisms are interacting with microplastics regularly, and microplastics at high concentrations can have significant impacts on organismal physiology and health. However, the potential impacts of this pervasive pollutant on organismal physiology at environmentally relevant concentrations is less well studied. To this aim, we exposed eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica to daily doses (45 d total exposure) of polyester microfibers (mean ± 1 SE: length = 662 ± 2 μm; width 16 ± 1 μm, n = 300 fibers, 1.38 g cm−3 density) at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 2, and 95 fibers L−1) as well as a high exposure concentration (950 fibers L−1) to represent potential future microplastic increases. We quantified physiological responses in five key parameters: somatic growth, survival rate, clearance rate, plastic accumulation in somatic tissues, and cellular energy allocation (CEA). No significant responses were observed in any of these important physiological parameters, suggesting that polyester microfibers at current environmental concentrations appear to pose minimal threat to the physiological well-being of C. virginica within these study conditions. Substantial variation was observed in the number of fibers that accumulated per oyster ranging from 0 to 58 fibers per individual. This relatively broad range of fiber accumulation demonstrates individualistic interactions between oysters and microplastics, highlighting the need for sufficient sample sizes when investigating microplastic accumulation within somatic tissues in order to capture individual variance. Our study also highlights the importance of characterizing microplastic behavior (i.e., suspension time in water) in exposure studies to better understand actual exposure patterns and experimental outcomes. Results from our study demonstrate the critical importance of considering environmental relevance, in terms of exposure concentration, polymer type and particle sinking behavior, when conducting exposure studies and interpreting potential impacts of microplastics on organismal physiology. Our work provides novel information regarding the physiological responses of C. virginica when exposed to environmentally relevant microplastic pollution levels. Such information is beneficial for improving the design of future exposure studies to build upon and vital for understanding the current risk microplastics may pose to marine species and developing management strategies to deal with this emerging pollutant.

Coastal cultural ecosystem services and adolescents’ subjective well-being

Despite growing recognition of nature’s impact on mental health, its specific effects on adolescents remain unclear. This gap hinders effective strategies for youth well-being in a world facing increasing environmental pressures. This study directly investigates the connections between coastal environments and subjective well-being in adolescents. We explore how interactions with coastal landscapes and associated cultural ecosystem services contribute to both personal and social dimensions of well-being in a sample of 202 adolescents (16 and 17 years old) from Sardinia, Italy. Our findings reveal a beneficial impact of coastal experiences, promoting positive affect, social integration, and physiological well-being. However, human pressures on these environments can lead to negative affect, while fostering a sense of social contribution. This research highlights the complex interplay between coastal environments, human impacts, and teenagers’ well-being. Understanding these links empowers planners to craft coastal management strategies that balance adolescents’ well-being with the long-term sustainability of coastal regions.

Significant Differences in Intestinal Bacterial Communities of Sympatric Bean Goose, Hooded Crane, and Domestic Goose.

The host's physiological well-being is intricately associated with the gut microbiota. However, previous studies regarding the intestinal microbiota have focused on domesticated or captive birds. This study used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify the gut bacterial communities of sympatric bean geese, hooded cranes, and domestic geese. The results indicated that the gut bacterial diversity in domestic geese and hooded cranes showed considerably higher diversity than bean geese. The gut bacterial community compositions varied significantly among the three hosts (p < 0.05). Compared to the hooded crane, the bean goose and domestic goose were more similar in their genotype and evolutionary history, with less difference in the bacterial community composition and assembly processes between the two species. Thus, the results might support the crucial role of host genotypes on their gut microbiota. The gut bacteria of wild hooded cranes and bean geese had a greater capacity for energy metabolism compared to domestic geese, suggesting that wild birds may rely more on their gut microbiota to survive in cold conditions. Moreover, the intestines of the three hosts were identified as harboring potential pathogens. The relative abundance of pathogens was higher in the hooded crane compared to the other two species. The hooded crane gut bacterial community assemblage revealed the least deterministic process with the lowest filtering/selection on the gut microbiota, which might have been a reason for the highest number of pathogens result. Compared to the hooded crane, the sympatric bean goose showed the least diversity and relative abundance of pathogens. The intestinal bacterial co-occurrence network showed the highest stability in the bean goose, potentially enhancing host resistance to adverse environments and reducing the susceptibility to pathogen invasion. In this study, the pathogens were also discovered to overlap among the three hosts, reminding us to monitor the potential for pathogen transmission between poultry and wild birds. Overall, the current findings have the potential to enhance the understanding of gut bacterial and pathogenic community structures in poultry and wild birds.

Awareness of postpartum depression among midwives and pregnant women in Arkhangelsk, Arctic Russia

ABSTRACT Background Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 17% of the women worldwide with nearly half of all cases going undetected. More research on maternal mental health, particularly among healthcare professionals and pregnant mothers, could help identify PPD risks and reduce its prevalence. Objective Given that awareness of PPD is a crucial preventive factor, we studied PPD awareness among midwives and pregnant women in Arkhangelsk, Arctic Russia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Midwives and pregnant women were recruited from the women’s clinic of the Arkhangelsk municipal polyclinic. Seven midwives and 12 pregnant mothers were interviewed. Results Midwives described limited time for psychological counselling of pregnant women; they reported that their primary focus was on the physiological well-being of women. Pregnant women have expressed a desire for their families to share responsibilities. The participants considered PPD as a mix of psychological and physiological symptoms, and they also highlighted a discrepancy between the expectations of pregnant women and the reality of motherhood. The present study underscored the limited understanding of PPD identification. Conclusions The findings suggest that there is a need for increased awareness among midwives and pregnant women regarding PPD. Prevention programs targeting PPD with a specific emphasis on enhancing maternal mental health knowledge are warranted.

Research on the physiological and psychological impacts of extraordinary nature on emotions and restorative effects for young adults

Research indicates that exposure to natural environments positively impacts both physiological and psychological well-being. However, extraordinary, awesome landscapes, such as the mesmerizing Arctic and mysterious underwater scene, particularly contribute to enhancing emotional well-being. More exploration needs to be done exploration into the specific emotional and healing recovery effects of extraordinary natural landscapes. This study employs a combination of objective physiological measurements and subjective evaluations to investigate the therapeutic benefits of extraordinary natural landscapes. Sixty-two university volunteers experienced three ordinary natural landscapes and four extraordinary natural landscapes in a virtual reality setting. Participants wore wearable devices to collect physiological data, including EEG and HRV valves. Subjective questionnaires, semantic differential scales to assess the extraordinariness of landscapes, perceived restorativeness scale, and PAD emotional scale were utilized to evaluate recovery effects and emotional impacts. Results showed that: 1) Compared to ordinary nature, extraordinary nature demonstrates more significant recovery and emotional improvement effects. 2) The semantic differential scale evaluated the extraordinariness of natural landscapes across five dimensions: awe, remoteness, mystery, complexity, and uniqueness, with uniqueness being the predominant influencing factor. 3) As the extraordinariness of natural landscapes increases, the recovery effect also improves gradually. However, excessive exposure to extraordinary natural landscapes shows a diminishing therapeutic effect. These findings underscore the superior recovery effects of extraordinary nature, validated by physiological data and subjective ratings. The study highlights the potential of extraordinary nature as therapeutic material, offering a fresh perspective and quantitative data to study therapeutic landscapes.

Global Overview of Environmental Enrichment Studies: What Has Been Done and Future Directions.

(1) Background: Environmental enrichment (EE) is a management principle aimed at meeting the needs of animals under human care by identifying and providing essential environmental stimuli to contribute to the integrity of their psychological and physiological well-being. Studies on EE have been carried out worldwide, but consolidated information on how it has been used, who it has been used for, how it has been evaluated, and what gaps still exist in the subject is scarce in the scientific literature. This study assessed, employing a systematic review, the global scenario of research into EE in animals kept under human care over the last 17 years, answering the above-mentioned questions. (2) Methods: A search for EE papers was carried out in the Web of Science and Scopus databases from January 2005 to December 2021, resulting in 2002 articles from which information was extracted. (3) Results: Results showed an increase in the number of articles published on EE, especially in farms, but studies in laboratory environments continue to be more frequent. Mammals and birds are the most studied animal groups. Cognitive enrichment is the least utilised by researchers. The number of publications by researchers from countries in the southern hemisphere is low. (4) Conclusions: Although the technique of EE is being widely used, it is still focused on certain groups of animals in certain captive environments and carried out mainly in the northern hemisphere of the planet. Therefore, the gaps pointed out here need to be filled by future studies.

The Association Between Epidural Analgesia During Labor and Mother-Infant Bonding

(J Clin Anesth. 2022;80:110795 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinane.2022.110795 |) Labor involves significant pain for the mother, influenced by various factors. The ability to control this pain positively impacts the mother’s psychological and physiological well-being. Epidural analgesia is commonly chosen for pain relief during vaginal delivery. Mother-infant bonding, crucial for a child’s later attachment and self-perception, develops from pregnancy into early childhood. A strong bond correlates with positive parenting, cognitive development, and improved neurobehavioral outcomes. Impaired bonding, affecting 7% to 11.3% of mothers, can lead to long-term issues for both mother and child, including depression, anxiety, and socioemotional challenges. Several risk factors for impaired bonding include primiparity, negative feelings toward pregnancy, low birth weight, higher education, and postpartum depression. Pain during labor, a significant element, may impact the bonding process. Studies on epidural analgesia’s association with postpartum depression yield conflicting results, and no research examines its connection to mother-infant bonding. The primary study’s aim is to explore the link between epidural analgesia and mother-infant bonding, with a secondary focus on its association with postpartum depression immediately after childbirth.

Exploring the Potential of Lotus Leaf and Its Bioactive Compounds for Anti-obesity Interventions

The complex syndrome of obesity is a complex syndrome associated with various metabolic disorders, poses significant threats to human health. Many weight loss medications have the potential to rapidly treat obesity, however their toxicity and adverse effects may compromise patients' physiological and psychological well-being. In China, the concept of drug and food homology has been utilized for thousands of years, with lotus leaves serving as a representative example. The lotus leaves have been traditionally used for heat-clearing and lipid-lowering purposes, as well as for cooling the blood and promoting hemostasis, since ancient times. This review represents the first attempt to qualitatively investigate the anti-obesity properties of lotus leaves by integrating gene-disease association databases and drug-target databases for analysis. Additionally, it summarizes the identified monomers in lotus leaves that have been reported to possess functions associated with anti-obesity. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the research progress on anti-obesity drugs derived from lotus leaves, and to facilitate further research and development in the field of anti-obesity medication targeting adiposity.

The Relationship of Hot Work Climate on Physiological Response in Traditional Clover Leaf Oil Refining Workers

In the clove leaf oil refining process which uses steam, it produces a hot temperature residue which affects clove leaf oil refinery workers. Exposure to a hot working climate can have an impact on human physiological responses such as an increase in body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and weight loss. as a result of producing quite a lot of sweat fluid. This research aims to investigate the physiological responses of clove leaf oil refinery workers to exposure to a hot working climate. In the clove leaf oil refining process, which utilizes steam, the production of hot temperature residue affects the workers. Exposure to such conditions can lead to various physiological responses, including increased body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and weight loss due to significant sweating. Employing a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional analytical approach, data were collected from all 22 workers using a total sampling technique. The primary data collected were subjected to analysis using paired simple t-tests and the Pearson correlation test to explore relationships between variables. The findings reveal significant increases in physiological responses post-work, including elevated body temperature, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a reduction in body weight. The obtained p-values for all variables were &lt;0.05, indicating statistically significant differences between pre-work and post-work conditions. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation test analysis between heat stress data and post-work physiological responses, including body temperature, pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as body weight, revealed moderate to strong correlations (r). These results underscore the detrimental impact of hot working climates on the physiological well-being of clove leaf oil refinery workers. Such findings highlight the urgent need for implementing appropriate measures to mitigate heat-related health risks in occupational settings, safeguarding the health and safety of workers.

COLD INHIBITION OF BIOACTIVITY OF PROBIOTIC MYCOBACTERIA AND AEROCOCCI IN THE MICROBIOME

The organism of farm animals is constantly under the influence of various factors of the external environment, and one of the negative factors of violation of the technology of keeping and creation of unsatisfactory conditions of existence with deterioration of well-being is cold injury. Mostly it manifests itself as a permanent effect of positive temperatures well below the physiological norm or periodic fluctuations of an uncomfortable temperature. Such a stress factor of low intensity, but permanent over a long period of time, causes negative pathophysiological changes in the macroorganism with the development of immune-depression, metabolic syndrome, perversions of the qualitative composition of the microbiome and, as a result, disruption of native physiological processes of stimulation of cellular mechanisms of nonspecific innate immunity, induced by immune-biological mechanisms of the functioning of neutrophil granulocytes. The negative effect of low-intensity permanent cold stress was studied on a model object - murchakаs, which were kept for two weeks at a temperature of 4-6 °C under conditions of light and movement restriction. Before the start of the experiment, initial microbiological studies of the microbiome of the large intestine were conducted using generally accepted methods. Resident indigenous probiotic prokaryotes - M. vaccae &amp; A. viridans, which possessed typical species characteristics, were isolated. Pathogenic variants of enterobacteria were not isolated, isolated cultures of E. coli were apathogenic and belonged to the usual normal flora. A two-week cold injury resulted in the disappearance of the indigenous probiotic microbiota M. vaccae &amp; A. viridans, which are indicator prokaryotes of the physiological well-being of the macroorganism, from the microbiome. At the same time, the number of potentially pathogenic enteral microorganisms, coccal and rod-shaped, increased. This was correlated with a decrease in the phagocytic activity of native neutrophil granulocytes and their preformed filamentous spatial nucleoprotective mesh structures, which inhibit the de-fragmentary function in relation to genetically non-syngenic objects.

Association between psychological resilience and body mass index in a community-based population: A cross-sectional study.

While earlier studies have focused on the relationship between stress and obesity, there was a gap in understanding the potential impact of positive psychological factors, such as resilience, on obesity. By investigating the role of psychological resilience with obesity, this study aimed to address this gap and tackle obesity through a positive psychological framework. Participants consisted of 2445 community residents from Shenzhen, China, with a mean age of 41.09±13.72years, comprising 846 males and 1599 females. Psychological resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale; gender, age, marital status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of physical exercise, and perceived stress were considered potential confounding factors. The relationship between psychological resilience and body mass index (BMI) was examined through multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses. The participants had an average psychological resilience score of 3.46 (standard deviation [SD]=0.62) and an average BMI of 22.59 (SD=3.35), with 104 individuals (4.3%) identified with obesity. In the fully adjusted multiple linear regression model, a higher psychological resilience score was associated with a higher BMI (β=0.507, 95% CI:0.283, 0.731). In the logistic regression model, higher psychological resilience scores were linked to increased obesity risk, with a more significant association observed among males (odds ratio [OR]=2.169, 95% CI:1.155, 4.073), while psychological resilience acted as a protective factor against underweight among females (OR=0.528, 95% CI:0.376, 0.816). The study demonstrated a significant link between higher psychological resilience and elevated BMI, emphasizing the complex relationship between psychological fortitude and weight management. Interventions targeting socioeconomic status, education, lifestyle habits, and physiological well-being might offer a promising strategy for enhancing psychological resilience and promoting healthier weight. Emphasizing self-efficacy and coping skills at the individual level could contribute to balanced weight and comprehensive health outcomes, addressing the global challenge of obesity.

Understanding health education needs of pregnant women in China during public health emergencies: a qualitative study amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public health emergencies impose unique challenges on pregnant women, affecting their physiological, psychological, and social wellbeing. This study, focusing on the context of the corona virus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in China, aims to comprehensively explore the experiences of pregnant women amidst diverse public health crises. Herein, we investigate the health education needs of pregnant Chinese women in regard to public health emergencies to provide a scientific foundation for the development of targeted health education strategies. The study described in this article aims to explore the health education needs of pregnant Chinese women in the context of public health emergencies specifying the types of emergencies of pandemics and to provide a scientific basis for targeted health education interventions. Thirteen pregnant women were purposively selected, and the rationale for this sample size lies in the qualitative nature of the study, seeking in-depth insights rather than generalizability. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and the Colaizzi, which is a structured qualitative technique used to extract, interpret, and organize significant statements from participant descriptions into themes, providing a comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences. The analysis yielded six prominent themes encompassing the following areas: I. Personal protection and vaccine safety; II. Knowledge of maternal health; III. Knowledge of fetal health; IV. Knowledge of childbirth; V. Knowledge of postpartum recovery; and VI. Knowledge sources of health education for pregnant women and their expectations of healthcare providers. Theme I was analyzed with two sub-themes (needs for personal protection knowledge, vaccine safety knowledge needs); Theme II was analyzed with three sub-themes (nutrition and diet, exercise and rest, sexual life); Theme III was analyzed with three sub-themes (medications and hazardous substances, pregnancy check-ups, and fetal movement monitoring); Theme IV was analyzed with three sub-themes (family accompaniment, analgesia in childbirth, and choice of mode of delivery); Theme V was analyzed with one sub-theme (knowledge of postnatal recovery); Theme VI was analyzed with one sub-theme (expectations of Healthcare providers). Sub-themes within each main theme were identified, offering a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by pregnant women during public health emergencies. The interrelation between sub-themes and main themes contributes to a holistic portrayal of their experiences. The study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to tailor health education for pregnant women during emergencies, highlighting the role of the Internet in improving information dissemination. It recommends actionable strategies for effective health communication, ensuring these women receive comprehensive support through digital platforms for better health outcomes during public health crises.

Clinical assessment of the efficacy of Ayurvedic management in PCOS: Study protocol for a randomized open-label standard control trial

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder, typically characterized by anovulation, hormonal imbalances, obesity, infertility, and associated features, with a significant impact on the physiological and psychological wellbeing of females belonging to the reproductive age group. Due to the multifactorial etiology, treatment is often personalized with specific targets, and monotherapy is rarely used. In the present study, the efficacy of an Ayurveda regimen, comprising the Ayush-SSM tablet (a coded Ayurvedic formulation) administered after Virechana therapy (purgation), is being explored against conventional standard care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is an open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial consisting of 180 participants diagnosed with PCOS. The participants in the trial group will receive Ayurvedic treatment consisting of Virechana therapy followed by administration of Ayush-SSM (500 mg), two tablets twice a day for 6 months. The participants in the control group will receive metformin tablet 500 mg once a day in the first week, 500 mg twice a day in the second week, 500 mg thrice a day in the third week, and 850 mg twice a day from the fourth week till 6 months. The primary outcome is the proportion of study participants who attain normal menstrual cycle length (21–35 days) or ovulation and change in hirsutism as per the modified Ferriman–Gallwey (FG) Score. The secondary outcomes are change in acne score and acanthosis nigricans; change in abdominal girth, waist circumference, and BMI; and clinical safety of the trial interventions. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study could potentially demonstrate that the Ayurveda regimen, including Virechana therapy followed by administration of the Ayush-SSM tablet, may be as effective as conventional standard care. Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2022/09/045478, dated August 4, 2022).

Analysis of Disease Adaptation Ability in Patients with Hepatolenticular Degeneration: Current Status and Influencing Factors

Objective To investigate This study aims to examine the disease adaptation ability capabilities of hepatolenticular degeneration patients during their treatment treatment, and explore to identify the factors influencing these affecting their adaptation ability. abilities. Methods A total of 210 hepatolenticular degeneration patients in treatment were selected by convenience sampling method, method and was employed to select 210 patients undergoing treatment for hepatolenticular degeneration. The investigation utilized a general information questionnaire, the Disease Acceptance Scale AIS-CHI questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the Simple Roy Coping with Adaptation Scale Scale. were used for investigation. Results The results of multiple Multiple linear regression analysis showed revealed that factors such as place of residence, education level, occupation, medical payment mode, and average monthly income of family members significantly influenced were the main factors affecting the disease adaptation ability capabilities of these patients. In conclusion, patients withpatients. In conclusion, patients with hepatolenticular degeneration exhibit suboptimal patients. Conclusion Hepatolenticular degeneration patients show poor adaptation ability abilities during treatment. Therefore, Consequently, it is incumbent upon the responsibility of medical staff to guide assist patients and their families to in actively managing cope with the their disease status status, thereby facilitating so as to better adapt to the disease adaptation and ensuring thus ensure the physiological and psychological health well-being of patients post-discharge.

Optimizing Virtual Nature for Psychological and Physiological Well-Being: A Systematic Review of the Moderating Effects of Duration, Nature Type, Sample Characteristics, and Immersiveness and Potential Risks of Bias

Virtual nature research has emerged as a prominent and captivating study area, gaining much attention for its profound potential to enhance well-being. This literature review aimed to expand prior reviews of virtual nature experiences on psychological and physiological well-being in two ways: summarizing how four factors may moderate the beneficial effects of virtual nature and reporting the risk of bias in this body of literature. Searches for peer-reviewed research articles were conducted in Web of Science and Scopus and manually identified, returning 78 relevant empirical studies published between 2010 and 2023. The assessment of bias was conducted utilizing Cochrane’s RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. The four moderators examined were duration of exposure (i.e., ≤5 min, 5–10 min, ≥10 min), type of virtual nature (i.e., green space, blue space), sample characteristics (i.e., age, health status), and immersion level (i.e., virtual reality [VR], 2D screens). We found limited evidence for the impact of the first three moderators but stronger evidence for higher levels of immersion showing stronger benefits. All studies were found to have a moderate to high risk of bias, mostly related to the subjective measurement of outcomes. Future research should prioritize studying tailored virtual nature interventions and their long-term effects among diverse participants and different types of virtual environments, as well as investigating the influence of presence and immersion levels in virtual settings. These efforts will provide further insights into the underlying mechanisms of the benefits derived from virtual nature exposure.

Dietary Supplementation with Nervonic Acid Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Modulating of Gut Microbiota Composition-Fecal Metabolites Interaction.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury stands as a prominent global contributor to disability and mortality. Nervonic acid (NA), a bioactive elongated monounsaturated fatty acid, holds pivotal significance in human physiological well-being. This research aims to explore the prophylactic effects and fundamental mechanisms of NA in a rat model of cerebral IR injury. Through the induction of middle cerebral artery occlusion, this study establishes a rat model of cerebral IR injury and comprehensively assesses the pharmacodynamic impacts of NA pretreatment. This evaluation involves behavioral analyses, histopathological examinations, and quantification of serum markers. Detailed mechanisms of nervonic acid's prophylactic effects are revealed through fecal metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses. Our findings robustly support nervonic acid's capacity to ameliorate neurological impairments in rats afflicted with cerebral IR injury. Beyond its neurological benefits, NA demonstrates its potential by rectifying metabolic perturbations across diverse pathways, particularly those pertinent to unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, NA emerges as a modulator of gut microbiota composition, notably by selectively enhancing vital genera like Lactobacillus. These comprehensive findings highlight the potential of incorporating NA as a functional component in dietary interventions aimed at targeting cerebral IR injury.

Perceived Stress, Salivary Cortisol, and Temperament Traits among Students of Dental Medicine: A Prospective and Interventional Study.

Academic stress affects students' psychological and physiological well-being. Dental undergraduate programs are known for their demanding curriculum, leading to significant stress symptoms. The objective was to determine if salivary cortisol levels were higher in students exposed to academic stress, assess the relationship between stress severity/temperament and cortisol values, and explore relaxation technique effects. Salivary cortisol was measured at two time points for all participants: Before exams and during a relaxation period after summer break. A third measurement was conducted for students with high pre-test cortisol levels who received instructions on progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) before subsequent exams. Additionally, participants completed two questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Fisher's Temperament Questionnaire. The group analysis based on the PSS indicated that 39 participants reported high stress. Women demonstrated significantly higher stress than men (p = 0.042054). A significant difference in stress levels was observed between director and builder temperament types (p = 0.029276). Cortisol levels showed a significant decrease from the first measurement to the second measurement, and the third measurement after implementing PMR. The grade in the "Dermatovenereology" course correlated with stress level according to the PSS (k = 0.578467). Pre-test cortisol levels correlated with the frequency of using PMR guidelines during winter test periods (k = 0.416138). Stress negatively affects the immune system and poses health risks. Implementing stress reduction techniques in dental/medical education could benefit students and the healthcare system.

Dynamic Observation in Children and Adolescents Following Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is one of the most common malignancies within the endocrine system, with a progressively increasing incidence over recent decades. In the structure of DTC, occurrence in the pediatric age group is relatively rare and is associated with excellent prognoses in terms of disease-specific survival. However, the prevalence of advanced disease in children and the frequency of recurrences present interdisciplinary teams with questions regarding the optimal management approach for such patients, focusing not on achieving disease eradication but preserving and maintaining quality of life. Notably, the presence of oncological pathology, coupled with fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels due to therapeutic interventions, underscores the importance of maintaining psychological and physiological well-being that are affected by the increased frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms in children and their parents, as well as cognitive and physical functioning. These symptoms may exacerbate against the backdrop of hypothyroidism and directly correlate with TSH levels. To maintain quality of life during the period of dynamic observation and risk group re-stratification, we proposed a method of reduced thyroid hormone doses as an alternative to discontinuing thyroid hormones to assess stimulated thyroglobulin when reaching a threshold TSH level &gt;30 mIU/L. The method was implemented in 2 pediatric patients, showing positive outcomes in terms of absence of hypothyroidism-related complaints, preservation of free thyroid hormone fractions, achievement of adequate target TSH levels, and informative tumor marker indicators. The results of our study underscore the importance of an individualized approach to the management of children with DTC and demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the reduced dose method in maintaining the quality of life of these patients. Further research and clinical observations are necessary for a deeper understanding of the applicability of this method and its impact on longterm outcomes.