Prevention Of Stress-related Diseases Research Articles

Recent Advances in Multiplexed Wearable Sensor Platforms for Real-Time Monitoring Lifetime Stress: A Review

Researchers are interested in measuring mental stress because it is linked to a variety of diseases. Real-time stress monitoring via wearable sensor systems can aid in the prevention of stress-related diseases by allowing stressors to be controlled immediately. Physical tests, such as heart rate or skin conductance, have recently been used to assess stress; however, these methods are easily influenced by daily life activities. As a result, for more accurate stress monitoring, validations requiring two or more stress-related biomarkers are demanded. In this review, the combinations of various types of sensors (hereafter referred to as multiplexed sensor systems) that can be applied to monitor stress are discussed, referring to physical and chemical biomarkers. Multiplexed sensor systems are classified as multiplexed physical sensors, multiplexed physical-chemical sensors, and multiplexed chemical sensors, with the effect of measuring multiple biomarkers and the ability to measure stress being the most important. The working principles of multiplexed sensor systems are subdivided, with advantages in measuring multiple biomarkers. Furthermore, stress-related chemical biomarkers are still limited to cortisol; however, we believe that by developing multiplexed sensor systems, it will be possible to explore new stress-related chemical biomarkers by confirming their correlations to cortisol. As a result, the potential for further development of multiplexed sensor systems, such as the development of wearable electronics for mental health management, is highlighted in this review.

Self-rated health status and lifestyle factors: A cross-sectional study of human and natural science educators

Background: Self-rated health status is a subjective indicator that is based on the body’s perception of health status, covering personal components such as, physical aspects, aspects of general well-being and satisfaction with life. Objective: To analyze the self-rated health status and factors associated with the lifestyle of higher education educators. Material and methods: This is an observational study, consisting of 85 faculty members in the area of Human and Natural Sciences of a university. For the analysis of the sample, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used. Results: 24.7% (n = 21) self-rated their health as regular/poor. (P = 0.022), the Waist/Stature ratio (p = 0.014), the level of physical activity (p = 0.050), the time in administrative positions (p = 0.026) and stress-related symptoms (p = 0.043). Conclusion: The time in administrative position and the large number of symptoms related to stress, high PW, inadequate W/S ratio and low level of physical activity were associated with negative self-rated health, recommending strategies for promotional health and prevention of stress-related diseases.

Free Radical Scavenging Principles of Salvia reuterana Boiss. Aerial Parts.

Salvia reuterana Boiss. is an aromatic perennial plant traditionally used for its anxiolytic and sedative properties. In the present study, various fractions and essential oil of S. reuterana aerial parts were investigated to find its free radical scavenging principles. Hydroalcoholic fraction with IC50 value of 112.6 ±3.2 μg mL-1 in DPPH assay demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity and was selected to further phytochemical investigation. RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography of the hydroalcoholic fraction resulted in the isolation and structural elucidation of four phenolic derivatives, including apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), rosmarinic acid (3), and luteolin (4). Isolated compounds showed potent free radical scavenging activities (5.1-34.2 μg mL-1), compared with BHT (21.30 ± 1.9 μg mL-1). Twenty four compounds were also identified in GC-MS analysis of the plant essential oil, of which benzyl benzoate (26.64%), n-hexyl benzoate (22.99%) and n-hexyl isovalerate (6.04%) were the main compounds. The results of the present study introduced S. reuterana as a valuable source of natural phenolic antioxidants which can be utilized in prevention of oxidative stress related diseases. Moreover, interesting composition of S. reuterana essential oil, dominated by non-terpenes compounds (76.17%) especially aromatic derivatives, make it an appropriate candidate for more detailed studies.

Efeito da acupuntura nas respostas de estresse em equinos atletas submetidos a reprise de adestramento

Horses have a natural predisposition for sport, however, their use in competitions can result in stress-related problems that impair their sporting performance and especially their health. Thus, the use of strategies that can prevent or minimize the deleterious effects of stress is essential. In this sense, acupuncture is an ancient technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used in the treatment and prevention of stress-related diseases. Therefore, we evaluated whether acupuncture can alter stress responses in horses submitted to a dressage test. Six Brasileiro de Hipismo horses, aged between 6-8 years old, used for dressage training, from Army Riding School, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were used. The effect of acupuncture at points GV1, HT7, GV20, and B52 immediately before to the dressage was evaluated through analysis of test performance, serum cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV). Polar Equine ™ heart rate monitor was used for HRV analysis and blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes after the end of the dressage. The performance was judged by official judges and by the riders. Acupuncture significantly reduced the LF / HF ratio (p < 0,0001), an index that indicates the sympathovagal balance suggesting that acupuncture can reduce the cardiac autonomic response in stressful situations. However, acupuncture had no effect on heart rate, cortisol levels and performance assessed by judges and riders. Our results suggest that acupuncture may reduce some stress responses in horse athletes submitted to dressage and that this effect can be related to its potentiating action of vagal activity

The dose response effect of duty loading stress, caused by increased sympathetic tone, on blood pressure of physicians of internal medicine

Background: The relationship between working stress and cardiovascular disease is more and more emphasized. Interest in dose response effect between stressor and stress response is growing, and more effective strategies for prevention of stress related diseases are needed. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress burden of physicians of internal medicine with duty loading and how duty loading stress inference heart rate variability, blood pressure and other stress indicators. Methods: This was an unallocated prospective observational trial at departments of internal medicine of Taipei city hospital, Zhong-Xing branch from 2011 to 2012.The heart rate variability, blood pressure and other stress indicators of 12 attending physicians of internal medicine during with different duty loading (non-duty day, one duty area with 3 wards, and 2 duty areas with 6 wards) were compared. Results:Blood pressure was affected by different duty loading as well as sympathetic tone. Physicians on 1 or 2 duty areas day compared with non-duty area day had a greater 24 h SBP (125.3mmHg or 126.3 mmHg VS 120.3mmHg, P=0.0042 &amp; 0.0222).As the duty loading increased, the SBP and DBP increased gradually during night-time compared with the control day (110.0/66.4mmHg, 116.0/71.3 mmHg 120.5/74.3 mmHg P=0.0130/0.0053). The physicians also had higher rate of abnormal SBP (20.3%, 36.3% and 47% P= 0.0196) and DBP (6.2%, 19.7%, and 28.3%P =0.0091) as the duty loading increased. Physicianson 2 duty areas day compared with non-duty area day had higher low-frequency normalized units (LFnu) (P =0.0043), LF/HF ratio (P=0.0216), Lfnu 5PM-8AM (P=0.0360), and Hfnu 5PM-8AM (P=0.0329) and a lower high-frequency normalized units (HFnu) (P =0.0035). Physicians on 2 duty areas day compared with with 1 duty area day had a higher LFnu (P=0.0453). Conclusions: The findings of this observational analysis revealed that there might be a dose response effect of duty loading, caused by increased sympathetic tone, on blood pressure of physicians of internal medicine.