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Cureus Jul 2023Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lifestyle modifications have gained increasing recognition as key... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lifestyle modifications have gained increasing recognition as key interventions in preventing and managing CVDs. This narrative review aims to provide a thorough assessment of the impact of lifestyle modifications on cardiovascular health. The review encompasses various aspects, including diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, stress management, and weight management. Additionally, the review explores the underlying mechanisms by which lifestyle modifications influence cardiovascular health and highlights the evidence from clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications in reducing the risk factors associated with CVDs and improving cardiovascular outcomes.
PubMed: 37641769
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42616 -
Chest Sep 2023Right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension (PH) contributes to reduced exercise capacity, morbidity, and mortality. Exercise can unmask right ventricular... (Review)
Review
TOPIC IMPORTANCE
Right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension (PH) contributes to reduced exercise capacity, morbidity, and mortality. Exercise can unmask right ventricular dysfunction not apparent at rest, with negative implications for prognosis.
REVIEW FINDINGS
Among patients with pulmonary vascular disease, right ventricular afterload may increase during exercise out of proportion to increases observed among healthy individuals. Right ventricular contractility must increase to match the demands of increased afterload to maintain ventricular-arterial coupling (the relationship between contractility and afterload) and ultimately cardiac output. Impaired right ventricular contractile reserve leads to ventricular-arterial uncoupling, preventing cardiac output from increasing during exercise and limiting exercise capacity. Abnormal pulmonary vascular response to exercise can signify early pulmonary vascular disease and is associated with increased mortality. Impaired right ventricular contractile reserve similarly predicts poor outcomes, including reduced exercise capacity and death. Exercise provocation can be used to assess pulmonary vascular response to exercise and right ventricular contractile reserve. Noninvasive techniques (including cardiopulmonary exercise testing, transthoracic echocardiography, and cardiac MRI) as well as invasive techniques (including right heart catheterization and pressure-volume analysis) may be applied selectively to the screening, diagnosis, and risk stratification of patients with suspected or established PH. Further research is required to determine the role of exercise stress testing in the management of pulmonary vascular disease.
SUMMARY
This review describes the current understanding of clinical applications of exercise testing in the risk assessment of patients with suspected or established PH.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Exercise Test; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right; Pulmonary Circulation; Risk Assessment; Ventricular Function, Right
PubMed: 37061028
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.04.013 -
Psychoneuroendocrinology Aug 2023Challenging interactions are the main source of teacher' stress in the classroom. We investigated the association of chronic stress and characteristics of...
Challenging interactions are the main source of teacher' stress in the classroom. We investigated the association of chronic stress and characteristics of teacher-student interactions with teachers' Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC). Forty-one teachers (27 women; M = 39.65 ± 12.14 years; M = 23.15 ± 3.99 lessons per week; grade: elementary, secondary, high, and vocational school teachers) participated in the present study, with participation lasting over the length of one year. HCC was assessed from a 3 cm hair segment near the scalp. Self-reported chronic stress in the last three months was further assessed using the 'Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress' (TICS). Additionally, four consecutive, same-day lectures of each teacher were videotaped and coded offline in an event sampling procedure by trained external observers. The videos were analyzed for two stressors, i.e., classroom disruptions and total student aggression, as well as two resources, i.e., teacher-student relationship and classroom management. Overall, hair samples were collected M = 120.34 days (SD = 84.39) after the distribution of the questionnaires, and M = 67.63 days (SD = 18.40) prior to the observations. Lesson number, classroom disruptions, as well as total student aggression were all significantly positively correlated with HCC. In addition, both teacher-student relationship and classroom management were significantly negatively related to HCC. With regard to self-rated chronic stress, only the TICS subscale 'Pressure to perform' was positively related to HCC. Exploratory moderation analyses revealed that an increasingly good, observed teacher-student relationship buffered the positive association between lesson number and HCC. Our findings show significant associations between HCC and mainly objectively assessable stress, supporting HCC as a biological indicator of chronic stress. In this association, a good relationship between teachers and students acts as a buffer. While the findings underline the importance of examining objective and behavioral data for better understanding the psychobiology of stress, they also support the importance of boostering teachers' (social) resources to increase their overall resilience.
Topics: Stress, Psychological; Hydrocortisone; Hair; School Teachers; Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Working Conditions
PubMed: 37196382
DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106291 -
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Oct 2023This study aimed to assess the association of shift work with blood glucose and the mediating role of oxidative stress.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the association of shift work with blood glucose and the mediating role of oxidative stress.
METHODS
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and urinary concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid, and 8-iso-prostaglandin F [8-isoPGF ]) were measured among 831 participants.
RESULTS
Positive dose-response relationships among shift work duration, FPG (p < 0.001), and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR; p = 0.035) were found. Compared with participants without shift work, three-shift work was associated with a higher level of FPG (percentage change: 6.49%, 95% CI: 4.21%-8.83%) and a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (odds ratio: 1.886, 95% CI: 1.114-3.192) and AGR (odds ratio: 1.929, 95% CI: 1.197-3.111). A dose-response relationship was found between shift work duration and 8-OHdG (p = 0.002) and 8-isoPGF (p = 0.019). Urinary 8-OHdG and 8-isoPGF partially mediated the association between shift work duration and FPG levels and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and AGR, with mediating proportions ranging from 4.77% to 20.76%.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that shift work is positively associated with blood glucose, and the association is partially mediated by oxidative stress.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Blood Glucose; East Asian People; Shift Work Schedule; Fasting; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 37724057
DOI: 10.1002/oby.23845 -
Human Factors Sep 2023We describe a methodology that provides a nonobtrusive means of detecting stress and related deficits through the assessment of spontaneous verbal output in ongoing...
OBJECTIVE
We describe a methodology that provides a nonobtrusive means of detecting stress and related deficits through the assessment of spontaneous verbal output in ongoing communications.
BACKGROUND
In high-demand environments, operational personnel are exposed to an array of environmental, task, and interpersonal stressors that can negatively impact performance as well as jeopardize safety and well-being. In these settings, the requirement exists to assess cognitive and emotional state "at a distance" and without interfering with ongoing performance.
METHOD
We describe a lexical approach to assessing stress effects from ongoing or spontaneous verbal output. This approach is examined in a spaceflight analog setting.
RESULTS
We assess stress effects in terms of five core dimensions and develop lexical indicators of these core stress dimensions and relevant sub-facets. We establish the proof-of-concept of this approach by presenting representative data from a spaceflight analog.
CONCLUSION
This approach provides an unobtrusive means to evaluate ongoing task communications at the individual and team level in order to assess cognitive/emotional states such as workload, negative affect, attentional focus, anxiety, and team orientation.
APPLICATION
There are many high-demand settings in which it is valuable to monitor the potential negative effects of stress on operational personnel. These environments include spaceflight, the military, aviation, law enforcement, and medicine.
Topics: Humans; Workload; Aviation; Military Personnel; Emotions
PubMed: 34579590
DOI: 10.1177/00187208211045167 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Oct 2023Stress-related mental health disorders have steadily increased and contributed to a worldwide disease burden with up to 50% experiencing a stress-related mental health... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Stress-related mental health disorders have steadily increased and contributed to a worldwide disease burden with up to 50% experiencing a stress-related mental health disorder worldwide. Data suggest that only approximately 20%-65% of individuals receive treatment. This gap in receiving treatment may be attributed to barriers such as limited treatment access, negative stigma surrounding mental health treatment, approachability (ie, not having a usual treatment plan or provider), affordability (ie, lack of insurance coverage and high treatment cost), and availability (ie, long waits for appointments) leaving those who need treatment without necessary care. To mitigate the limited access mental health treatment, there has been a rise in the application and study of digital mental health interventions. As such, there is an urgent need and opportunity for effective digital mental health interventions to alleviate stress symptoms, potentially reducing adverse outcomes of stress-related disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined if app-based guided mindfulness could improve subjective levels of stress and influence physiological markers of stress reactivity in a population with elevated symptoms of stress.
METHODS
The study included 163 participants who had moderate to high perceived stress as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Participants were randomly allocated to 1 of 5 groups: a digital guided program designed to alleviate stress (Managing Stress), a digital mindfulness fundamentals course (Basics), digitally delivered breathing exercises, an active control intervention (Audiobook), and a Waitlist Control group. The 3 formats of mindfulness interventions (Managing Stress, Basics, and Breathing) all had a total duration of 300 minutes spanning 20-30 days. Primary outcome measures were perceived stress using the PSS-10, self-reported sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and trait mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. To probe the effects of physiological stress, an acute stress manipulation task was included, specifically the cold pressor task (CPT). Heart rate variability was collected before, during, and after exposure to the CPT and used as a measure of physiological stress.
RESULTS
The results showed that PSS-10 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores for the Managing Stress (all P<.001) and Basics (all P≤.002) groups were significantly reduced between preintervention and postintervention periods, while no significant differences were reported for the other groups. No significant differences among groups were reported for Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (P=.13). The physiological results revealed that the Managing Stress (P<.001) and Basics (P=.01) groups displayed reduced physiological stress reactivity between the preintervention and postintervention periods on the CPT. There were no significant differences reported for the other groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate efficacy of app-based mindfulness in a population with moderate to high stress on improving self-reported stress, sleep quality, and physiological measures of stress during an acute stress manipulation task.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05832632; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05832632.
Topics: Humans; Mindfulness; Mobile Applications; Mental Health; Stress, Physiological; Appointments and Schedules
PubMed: 37831493
DOI: 10.2196/47371 -
Functional Plant Biology : FPB Nov 2023Abiotic stress management remains under scrutiny because of the unpredictable nature of climate, which undergoes abrupt alterations. Population pressure, loss of... (Review)
Review
Abiotic stress management remains under scrutiny because of the unpredictable nature of climate, which undergoes abrupt alterations. Population pressure, loss of cultivable lands, environmental pollution and other anthropogenic disturbances add to the problem and grossly hinder ongoing management strategies. This has driven increasing effort to find better performing, eco-friendly and reliable alternatives that can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices to manage abiotic stress. Nanotechnology and its implementation in agriculture have emerged as a promising option to cater to the problem of abiotic stress. Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an inevitable phenomenon linked to stress. Nanoparticles (NPs) perform dual actions in regulating ROS biology. The bidirectional roles of NPs in modulating ROS generation and/or ROS detoxification is tightly coupled within the hormetic boundaries. Nonetheless, how these NPs control the ROS metabolism within hormetic limits demands extensive investigation. This review focuses on the details of ROS metabolism under normal versus stressed conditions. It shall elaborate on the types, modes and process of uptake and translocation of NPs. The molecular dissection of the role of NPs in controlling transcriptomic expressions and modulating molecular crosstalks with other growth regulators, ions, reactive nitrogen species and other signalling molecules shall also be detailed. Throughout, this review aims to summarise the potential roles and regulation of NPs and consider how they can be used for green synthesis within a sustainable agricultural industry.
Topics: Reactive Oxygen Species; Oxidation-Reduction; Plants; Stress, Physiological; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 37757867
DOI: 10.1071/FP23068 -
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders Oct 2023Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars... (Review)
Review
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Although the exact etiology of PD remains elusive, growing evidence suggests a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in its development. Despite advances in pharmacological interventions, current treatments primarily focus on managing symptoms rather than altering the disease's underlying course. In recent years, natural phytocompounds have emerged as a promising avenue for PD management. Phytochemicals derived from plants, such as phenolic acids, flavones, phenols, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, terpenes, alkaloids, and amino acids, have been extensively studied for their potential neuroprotective effects. These bioactive compounds possess a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-aggregation activities, which may counteract the neurodegenerative processes in PD. This comprehensive review delves into the pathophysiology of PD, with a specific focus on the roles of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein malfunction in disease pathogenesis. The review collates a wealth of evidence from preclinical studies and in vitro experiments, highlighting the potential of various phytochemicals in attenuating dopaminergic neuron degeneration, reducing α-synuclein aggregation, and modulating neuroinflammatory responses. Prominent among the natural compounds studied are curcumin, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, and omega-3 fatty acids, which have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in experimental models of PD. Additionally, flavonoids like baicalein, luteolin, quercetin, and nobiletin, and alkaloids such as berberine and physostigmine, show promise in mitigating PD-associated pathologies. This review emphasizes the need for further research through controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of these natural compounds in PD management. Although preclinical evidence is compelling, the translation of these findings into effective therapies for PD necessitates robust clinical investigation. Rigorous evaluation of pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and potential drug interactions is imperative to pave the way for evidence-based treatment strategies. With the rising interest in natural alternatives and the potential for synergistic effects with conventional therapies, this review serves as a comprehensive resource for pharmaceutical industries, researchers, and clinicians seeking novel therapeutic approaches to combat PD. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of these natural phytocompounds may hold the key to improving the quality of life for PD patients and moving towards disease-modifying therapies in the future.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Neuroprotective Agents; Quality of Life; Flavonoids; Dopaminergic Neurons; Alkaloids; Disease Management
PubMed: 37633805
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105799 -
International Journal of Biological... May 2024Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units. Chitin a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, can elicit a... (Review)
Review
Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units. Chitin a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, can elicit a potent defense response in plants. Through the activation of defense genes, stimulation of defensive compound production, and reinforcement of physical barriers, chitin enhances the plant's ability to defend against pathogens. Chitin-based treatments have shown efficacy against various plant diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral, and nematode pathogens, and have been integrated into sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, chitin treatments have demonstrated additional benefits, such as promoting plant growth and improving tolerance to abiotic stresses. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment parameters, explore chitin derivatives, and conduct long-term field studies. Continued efforts in these areas will contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for disease management in agriculture, ultimately leading to improved crop productivity and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides.
Topics: Chitin; Disease Resistance; Plant Diseases; Plants
PubMed: 38531527
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131105 -
PloS One 2023This paper explains the contradictory findings on the relationship between stress and work engagement by including appraisals as a driving mechanism through which job...
This paper explains the contradictory findings on the relationship between stress and work engagement by including appraisals as a driving mechanism through which job stressors influence engagement. In doing so, it explores whether stressors categorised as either challenging or hindering can be appraised simultaneously as both. Second, it investigates whether stress mindset explains not only how stressors are appraised, but also how appraisals influence engagement. Over five workdays, 487 Canadian and American full-time employees indicated their stress mindset and appraised numerous challenging and hindering stressors, after which they self-reported their engagement at work. Results showed that employees rarely appraised stress as uniquely challenging or hindering. Moreover, when employees harbored positive views about stress, stressors overall were evaluated as less hindering and hindrance stressors were particularly more challenging. Stress mindset appears to be critical in modulating the genesis of stress appraisals. In turn, appraisals explained the stressor-engagement relationship, with challenge and hindrance stressors boosting and hampering engagement, respectively. Finally, positive stress mindset buffered the negative effect of hindrance appraisals on engagement. Our findings clarify misconceptions about how workplace stressors impact engagement and offer novel evidence that stress mindset is a key factor in stress at work.
Topics: Humans; United States; Work Engagement; Canada; Employment; Self Report
PubMed: 37851607
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291676