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IScience Jun 2024Precocious puberty, a pediatric endocrine disorder classified as central precocious puberty (CPP) or peripheral precocious puberty (PPP), is influenced by diet, gut...
Precocious puberty, a pediatric endocrine disorder classified as central precocious puberty (CPP) or peripheral precocious puberty (PPP), is influenced by diet, gut microbiota, and metabolites, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Our study found that increased alpha-diversity and abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria led to elevated levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, contributing to precocious puberty. The integration of specific microbiota and metabolites has potential diagnostic value for precocious puberty. The genus-controlled interaction factor, influenced by complex carbohydrate consumption, mediated a reduction in estradiol levels. Interactions between obesity-related bacteria and metabolites mediated the beneficial effect of seafood in reducing luteinizing hormone levels, reducing the risk of obesity-induced precocious puberty, and preventing progression from PPP to CPP. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota and metabolites in the onset, development and clinical classification of precocious puberty and warrants further investigation.
PubMed: 38784002
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109887 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Achieving successful pregnancy outcomes is a delicate interplay between the maternal and the fetal counterparts. Paternal factors play a critical role in health and...
Achieving successful pregnancy outcomes is a delicate interplay between the maternal and the fetal counterparts. Paternal factors play a critical role in health and disease of offspring. Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is a psychologically devastating condition affecting the quality of life (QOL). Thus, it needs to be managed by a mind body integrated approach like yoga.The prospective single arm exploratory studyincluded male partners of couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL, n = 30), and recurrent implantation failure (RIF, n = 30) and semen samples wereassessed at the beginning and completion of yoga (6 weeks) (WHO 2010).A significant increase in the sperm concentration, motility, decrease in seminal ROS, DFI and increase in relative sperm telomere length was found at the end of yoga. The relative expression of genes critical for early embryonic developmentnormalized towards the levels of controls. WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire scores to assess QOL also showed improvement.Integration of regular practice yoga into our lifestyle may help in improving seminal redox status, genomic integrity, telomere length, normalizing gene expression and QOL, highlighting the need to use an integrated, holistic approach in management of such cases. This is pertinent for decreasing the transmission of mutation and epimutation load to the developing embryo, improving pregnancy outcomes and decreasing genetic and epigenetic disease burden in the next generation.
Topics: Yoga; Humans; Quality of Life; Male; Female; Pregnancy; Spermatozoa; Adult; Abortion, Habitual; Telomere; Prospective Studies; Telomere Homeostasis; Sperm Motility
PubMed: 38777848
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62380-w -
Explore (New York, N.Y.) May 2024Stage IV colorectal cancer is a highly challenging condition to treat, with 5-year survival rates of 13% in Australia, improving to 40% for those patients with locally...
INTRODUCTION
Stage IV colorectal cancer is a highly challenging condition to treat, with 5-year survival rates of 13% in Australia, improving to 40% for those patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer who are suitable for total neoadjuvant therapy and pelvic exenterative surgery. This study reports a unique case of a patient with Stage IV locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC), who designed and implemented a holistic integrative oncology intervention.
CASE PRESENTATION
The patient was 59-years-old when diagnosed with Stage IV locally recurrent rectal cancer, and referred to a highly specialised centre for colorectal cancer care at a tertiary teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Treatment included chemo/radiotherapy, liver resection and posterior pelvic exenteration surgery. The patient's background as a health researcher and clinician optimised her ability to design and implement an integrative oncology model of care, including yoga, mindfulness, Buddhist meditation and study, social connection, exercise, psychotherapeutic and nutritional support. This paper describes these mind-body practices and lifestyle modifications and outlines her experiences and outcomes at each stage of her extensive and radical treatment.
CONCLUSION
This case provides a unique perspective into how the integration of mind-body practices and lifestyle modifications with conventional treatment can support those living with colorectal cancer.
PubMed: 38777724
DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.05.002 -
Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine... Dec 2023The study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga-based exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality following...
Effect of yoga-based exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep of infected healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective clinical trial.
OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to investigate the effect of yoga-based exercises on functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Forty-one COVID-19-infected healthcare professionals (35 females, 6 males; mean age: 39.7±6.5 years; range, 28 to 55 years) who were actively working during the subacute period were included in the prospective controlled study between March 2021 and September 2021. The participants were divided into two groups: the yoga-based exercise group (YBEG; n=26) and the nonintervention group (n=15). Besides routine recommendations, the YBEG performed stretching, relaxation, isometric strengthening, breathing, and meditation exercises of 60 min twice a week for eight weeks. Clinical outcome was measured with flexibility tests (shoulder flexibility and sit and reach tests), hand grip strength, 6-min walk test, dyspnea score, Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory, Short Form 36 (SF-36) quality of life, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) before and after eight weeks in both groups.
RESULTS
Beck anxiety scores, IPAQ scores, PSQI, SF-36 pain, and social functioning subparameters were positively statistically significant in the YBEG (p<0.05). The only parameter found to be insignificant in time and between groups was the SF-36 mental health subparameter (p>0.05). In addition, the YBEG had significant improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, functional capacity, physical activity level, quality of life, anxiety, depression levels, and sleep scores between before and after the eight-week intervention period (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Yoga programs have led to an increase in functional capacity and physical performance, a decrease in anxiety and depression complaints, and an increase in the quality of life in healthcare professionals who were in the process of returning to work during the post-COVID-19.
PubMed: 38766577
DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2023.11605 -
Cureus Apr 2024Elevated blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence on mind-body medicine (MBM) techniques on blood pressure is... (Review)
Review
Effect of Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Relaxation Techniques as Mind-Body Medicine Practices to Reduce Blood Pressure in Cardiac Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Elevated blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Available evidence on mind-body medicine (MBM) techniques on blood pressure is inconclusive and provides conflicting results. The objective of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of MBM techniques on blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease. Randomized control trials (RCTs) done between the years 2000 and 2020 on cardiovascular disease, using MBM techniques such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation techniques were searched through electronic databases such as PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Three authors independently performed article selection, data extraction and validation. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effect model and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated for the effect size. Fifteen RCTs with 927 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among the studies was very high for all analyses (I>94%). For studies comparing systolic blood pressure, MBM interventions show a significant (p=0.01) effect when compared to conventional treatment, an overall estimated effect size of SMD - 0.78 (95% CI: -1.36, -0.20). For studies comparing the diastolic blood pressure, MBM intervention did not show any significant effect when compared to the conventional treatment, an overall effect size of SMD -0.26 (95% CI: -0.91, 0.39). The findings of the meta-analysis suggest that MBM interventions may improve systolic blood pressure alone in patients with cardiac diseases. With high heterogeneity and low quality of the included studies, more robust evidence is required before suggesting MBM as an effective treatment modality for reducing blood pressure in cardiovascular diseases.
PubMed: 38765359
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58434 -
Sleep Medicine Jul 2024To clarify whether mobile sleep applications alleviate insomnia symptoms among adults from multi-community. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND
To clarify whether mobile sleep applications alleviate insomnia symptoms among adults from multi-community.
PATIENTS/METHODS
A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for articles related to mobile technology and sleep interventions published between database inceptions and March 27, 2023. We pooled relevant data using a random-effects model, and a meta-analysis was performed using a web version of the Cochrane Review Manager. The effect size was estimated and reported as the combined overall effect (weighted average). Forest plots were created, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate studies.
RESULTS
After an initial screening and full-text reviews, seven studies were identified with a total of 10,139 participants (females n = 8844, 87.2 %) recruited from multi-community and not diagnosed with sleep disorders or taking medications. These studies included one cross-sectional study investigating mindfulness meditation apps and six randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), including one with sleep-feedback messaging, one comparing sleep applications with or without a wearable device, and four with multicomponent interventions based on cognitive theory and subsequent behavioral change techniques. In a meta-analysis of three cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-based RCTs, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in insomnia symptoms according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index but with high heterogeneity, while two CBT-based RCTs showed no significant improvements in the Insomnia Severity Index with low heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
A small body of evidence supports the use of CBT-based sleep applications to improve insomnia symptoms among adults from multi-community.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Mobile Applications; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
PubMed: 38761604
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.05.020 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies May 2024To study the effect of mindfulness meditation combined with progressive muscle relaxation training on the clinical efficacy and quality of life in patients with... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The influence of mindfulness meditation combined with progressive muscle relaxation training on the clinical efficacy and quality of life of patients with sarcopenia receiving haemodialysis: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of mindfulness meditation combined with progressive muscle relaxation training on the clinical efficacy and quality of life in patients with sarcopenia receiving maintenance haemodialysis (MHD).
METHODS
Eligible patients with sarcopenia in our hospital were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 24) and an intervention group (n = 25). The control group received conventional dialysis treatment, while the intervention group underwent mindfulness meditation combined with progressive muscle relaxation training during the interdialysis period in addition to conventional dialysis treatment. The effect of the intervention was evaluated after 12 weeks.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the baseline values of various parameters between the two groups. Exercise capacity (sit-to-stand test,handgrip,time to 10 sit-ups) significantly improved in the intervention group after 12 weeks (32.68 ± 8.32 vs 26.50 ± 6.83; 37.42 ± 10.12 vs 28.12 ± 8.51; 19.8 ± 5.40 vs 25.29 ± 7.18) (p < 0.05). In terms of the kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL) score, all other dimensions except sexual function, social functioning, burden of kidney disease and work status dimensions showed significant improvement compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). In the control group, only the dialysis staff encouragement (DSE) and patient satisfaction (PS) dimensions showed slight improvements compared to the baseline (p > 0.05). When compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in 10 dimensions of exercise capacity and KDQOL scores for physical function, role-physical, general health, energy, symptom/problem list, sleep, DSE, pain, cognitive function, emotional well-being and patient PS after 12 weeks (61.30 ± 5.38 vs 42.98 ± 5.73; 57.50 ± 3.55 vs 50.70 ± 3.62) (p < 0.05). Some inflammatory markers, such as the levels of interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (30.29 ± 2.96 vs 17.65 ± 3.22; 8.93 ± 0.99 vs 3.02 ± 0.34), showed a decrease during the intervention, while albumin and prealbumin levels were significantly increased compared with the baseline (30.62 ± 1.65 vs 35.60 ± 1.68; 0.32 ± 0.05 vs 0.44 ± 0.07) (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Combined intervention training can improve the motor ability and quality of life of patients with sarcopenia within a short period of time.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Male; Female; Renal Dialysis; Meditation; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Aged; Sarcopenia; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38760722
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04485-3 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024The positive effects of meditation on human wellbeing are indisputable, ranging from emotion regulation improvement to stress reduction and present-moment awareness...
The positive effects of meditation on human wellbeing are indisputable, ranging from emotion regulation improvement to stress reduction and present-moment awareness enhancement. Changes in brain activity regulate and support these phenomena. However, the heterogeneity of meditation practices and their cultural background, as well as their poor categorization limit the generalization of results to all types of meditation. Here, we took advantage of a collaboration with the very singular and precious community of the Monks and Geshes of the Tibetan University of Sera-Jey in India to study the neural correlates of the two main types of meditation recognized in Tibetan Buddhism, namely concentrative and analytical meditation. Twenty-three meditators with different levels of expertise underwent to an ecological (i.e., within the monastery) EEG acquisition consisting of an analytical and/or concentrative meditation session at "their best," and with the only constraint of performing a 5-min-long baseline at the beginning of the session. Time-varying power-spectral-density estimates of each session were compared against the baseline (i.e., within session) and between conditions (i.e., analytical vs. concentrative). Our results showed that concentrative meditation elicited more numerous and marked changes in the EEG power compared to analytical meditation, and mainly in the form of an increase in the theta, alpha and beta frequency ranges. Moreover, the full immersion in the Monastery life allowed to share the results and discuss their interpretation with the best scholars of the Monastic University, ensuring the identification of the most expert meditators, as well as to highlight better the differences between the different types of meditation practiced by each of them.
PubMed: 38756494
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1348317 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Although more people are engaging in meditation practices that require specialized training, few studies address the issues associated with nervous activity pattern...
Although more people are engaging in meditation practices that require specialized training, few studies address the issues associated with nervous activity pattern changes brought about by such training. For beginners, it remains unclear how much practice is needed before objective physiological changes can be detected, whether or not they are similar across the novices and what are the optimal strategies to track these changes. To clarify these questions we recruited individuals with no prior meditation experience. The experimental group underwent an eight-week Taoist meditation course administered by a professional, while the control group listened to audiobooks. Both groups participated in audio-guided, 34-min long meditation sessions before and after the 8-week long intervention. Their EEG, photoplethysmogram, respiration, and skin conductance were recorded during the mediation and resting state periods. Compared to the control group, the experimental group exhibited band-specific topically organized changes of the resting state brain activity and heart rate variability associated with sympathetic system activation. Importantly, no significant changes were found during the meditation process prior and post the 8-week training in either of the groups. The absence of notable changes in CNS and ANS activity indicators during meditation sessions, for both the experimental and control groups, casts doubt on the effectiveness of wearable biofeedback devices in meditation practice. This finding redirects focus to the importance of monitoring resting state activity to evaluate progress in beginner meditators. Also, 16 h of training is not enough for forming individual objectively different strategies manifested during the meditation sessions. Our results contributed to the development of tools to objectively monitor the progress in novice meditators and the choice of the relevant monitoring strategies. According to our findings, in order to track early changes brought about by the meditation practice it is preferable to monitor brain activity outside the actual meditation sessions.
Topics: Humans; Meditation; Male; Female; Brain; Adult; Sympathetic Nervous System; Rest; Electroencephalography; Heart Rate; Middle Aged; Galvanic Skin Response; Young Adult
PubMed: 38750127
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60932-8 -
International Journal of Nursing... Jun 2024The nursing workforce faces significant stressors every day that can lead to exhaustion and burnout. The unprecedented challenges that were faced during the Covid-19... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The nursing workforce faces significant stressors every day that can lead to exhaustion and burnout. The unprecedented challenges that were faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, placed an added burden on nurses who were already under pressure. Nurses were at the frontline of care provision, and nursing leaders had to rapidly implement strategies to support and maintain staff safety, short and long-term well-being.
OBJECTIVE
A scoping review of strategies nurse leaders and organisations initiated to enhance the well-being of their colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic was undertaken. Experiences from around the globe have been collated to provide an insight into well-being initiatives that can inform future practice to sustain and retain the nursing workforce.
DESIGN
A scoping review of strategies nurse leaders and organisations initiated to enhance the well-being of their colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic was undertaken.
METHOD
A search of key electronic databases identified articles published between January 2020 and February 2023. 21 pieces of original research that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed.
RESULTS
Well-being interventions evaluated in the literature included: dedicated well-being spaces, peer debriefing, psychological support, online resources and education, introduction of well-being strategies and resources, and meditations. There were six broad themes identified that enhanced the success of well-being strategies including: Education and Communication, Tailored or Adaptable Strategies, Support from Leadership, Sharing Experiences and Peer Support, and Feeling appreciated and heard. There were also barriers to accessing well-being interventions that have been identified.
CONCLUSION
The Covid 19 pandemic highlighted how imperative strong nursing leadership is for supporting nurses at every level. Practical strategies provided psychological support essential for maintaining the health and well-being of the nursing workforce. The strategies identified demonstrate the creativity and adaptability of nursing leadership to look after colleagues to maintain and sustain our nursing workforce.
TWEETABLE
Strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to guide ongoing initiatives to enhance wellbeing for the nursing workforce.
PubMed: 38746802
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100177