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Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe parent perceptions of the home exercise program (HEP) for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), and...
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe parent perceptions of the home exercise program (HEP) for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), and how these perceptions evolved over a physical therapy (PT) plan of care. Twelve participants were recruited from a pediatric PT clinic, and nine completed interviews at three time points. Qualitative description and an iterative approach for thematic analysis of 27 interviews yielded three themes that corresponded to the research questions. The participants' responses were categorized into three main themes: (1) parents' perceptions of three key exercises within the HEP, (2) internal and external sources of stress, and (3) sources of empowerment and disempowerment. Regarding the HEP, parents articulated common sentiments for three frequently prescribed exercises for the management of CMT: (1) tummy time was the fast favorite, (2) ipsilateral cervical rotation was perceived as stressful, and (3) contralateral cervical lateral flexion felt uncomfortable. Additionally, participants disclosed internal and external sources of stress (guilt, uncertainty, and the demands of returning to work) and sources of disempowerment (inconsistent messaging frompractitioners, feeling overwhelmed) and empowerment (being able to see the bigger picture and clear communication and education about the diagnosis) with respect to managing their infant's CMT. These themes provide insight into the evolution of parent perceptions over a PT plan of care for CMT. Participants' insights suggest a need for consistent messaging regarding the diagnosis and evidence-based management of CMT, addressing parent stress, and modifying how exercises are taught. This study contributes updated research on parents' experiences with physical therapy and the HEP for their infant's CMT.
PubMed: 38929268
DOI: 10.3390/children11060689 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition in children in Saudi Arabia. ADHD significantly impacts children and their...
INTRODUCTION
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition in children in Saudi Arabia. ADHD significantly impacts children and their families, particularly by increasing parental stress and diminishing quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, there is a research gap regarding the quality of life and coping mechanisms of parents managing children with ADHD. This study assesses levels of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and coping strategies among parents of children diagnosed with ADHD.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 151 parents of ADHD-diagnosed children, utilizing the WHOQOL-Brief for life quality, the Brief-COPE for coping strategies, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression (PHQ9-9 items) and generalized anxiety (GAD7-7 items) modules.
RESULTS
Among the parents surveyed, 36% reported moderate to severe depression, while 39.1% experienced moderate to high anxiety levels. Quality of life was significantly positively correlated with higher household monthly income (HHI), employment status, sibling count, and effective coping strategies. Conversely, a parent's age, educational level, and, in particular, maternal status were inversely related to anxiety levels, with fathers displaying higher maladaptive coping scores.
CONCLUSION
This study sheds light on the considerable anxiety and depression experienced by parents of children with ADHD, significantly affecting their quality of life. Lower quality of life among parents is associated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and ineffective coping strategies. These insights highlight the critical need for interventions to aid parental mental health, thereby improving their overall quality of life amidst ADHD challenges.
PubMed: 38929257
DOI: 10.3390/children11060678 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Pain is common in paediatric populations and is best treated with a multi-disciplinary approach. Art therapy interventions are gaining popularity in paediatrics;... (Review)
Review
Pain is common in paediatric populations and is best treated with a multi-disciplinary approach. Art therapy interventions are gaining popularity in paediatrics; however, there is limited evidence on its impact on pain outcomes in children and adolescents. The objective of this scoping review is to map current research on art therapy's impact as an intervention in paediatric populations experiencing any type of pain (i.e., acute, recurrent, and chronic). Electronic searches were conducted by a medical librarian to identify studies that used art therapy interventions in paediatric populations with pain as an outcome measure. Four reviewers independently screened and selected articles for extraction using Covidence and data were extracted from articles using study objectives. There were five studies that met the inclusion criteria. Four of the five studies reported on pain intensity and all studies reported on emotional functioning. Findings suggest art therapy interventions can be helpful for reducing pain, anxiety, stress, and fear associated with treatment. Further, there is emerging evidence that art therapy can support the management of acute and procedural pain in children. Future research should examine the impacts of integrating art therapy interventions into the multidisciplinary management of paediatric pain.
PubMed: 38929199
DOI: 10.3390/children11060619 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a substantial global public health challenge, with high morbidity and mortality. CKD patients often experience dyslipidaemia and... (Review)
Review
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a substantial global public health challenge, with high morbidity and mortality. CKD patients often experience dyslipidaemia and poor glycaemic control, further exacerbating inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidney. If left untreated, these metabolic symptoms can progress to end-stage renal disease, necessitating long-term dialysis or kidney transplantation. Alleviating inflammation responses has become the standard approach in CKD management. Medications such as statins, metformin, and GLP-1 agonists, initially developed for treating metabolic dysregulation, demonstrate promising renal therapeutic benefits. The rising popularity of herbal remedies and supplements, perceived as natural antioxidants, has spurred investigations into their potential efficacy. Notably, lactoferrin, , , and are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may support kidney function preservation. However, the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of Western medications and herbal remedies in alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress occurring in renal dysfunction are not completely known. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of CKD treatment strategies and renal function preservation and critically discusses the existing literature's limitations whilst offering insight into the potential antioxidant effects of these interventions. This could provide a useful guide for future clinical trials and facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies for kidney functions.
PubMed: 38929190
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060751 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Repetitive motion or exercise is associated with oxidative stress and muscle inflammation, which can lead to declining grip strength and muscle damage. Oleanolic acid...
Repetitive motion or exercise is associated with oxidative stress and muscle inflammation, which can lead to declining grip strength and muscle damage. Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be extracted from through ultrasonic sonication. We investigated the association between grip strength declines and muscle damage induced by lambda carrageenan (LC) injection and exercise exposure in rats. We also assessed the reparative effects of transdermal pretreatment and post-treatment with extracts (CSEs) by using a supersonic atomizer. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of CSEs for cells was 10.5 mg/mL. CSEs significantly reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-1β) in in vitro cell tests. Rats subjected to LC injection and 6 weeks of exercise exhibited significantly increased inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed inflammatory cell infiltration and evident muscle damage in the gastrocnemius muscle, which exhibited splitting and the appearance of the endomysium and perimysium. The treated rats' grip strength significantly declined. Following treatment with CSEs, the damaged muscles exhibited decreased IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and normal morphologies. Moreover, grip strength significantly recovered. Pretreatment with CSEs yielded an immediate and significant increase in grip strength, with an increase of 180% and 165% occurring in the rats exposed to LC injection and exercise within the initial 12 h period, respectively, compared with the control group. Pretreatment with CSEs delivered transdermally using a supersonic atomizer may have applications in sports medicine and training or competitions.
PubMed: 38929141
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060702 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, posing a substantial threat to men's well-being. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the...
Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, posing a substantial threat to men's well-being. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the progression of prostate cancer still presents challenges, warranting further exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, osthole, a natural coumarin derivative, inhibited cell viability in cancer cells but not in the normal prostate cell line. Moreover, osthole disrupted cell cycle progression. Furthermore, osthole reduces mitochondrial respiration with mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) depolarization and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. In particular, osthole-induced ROS generation was reduced by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in prostate cancer. In addition, using calcium inhibitors (2-APB and ruthenium red) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor (4-PBA), we confirmed that ER stress-induced calcium overload by osthole causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we verified that the osthole-induced upregulation of tiRNA expression is related to mechanisms that induce permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane and calcium accumulation. Regarding intracellular signaling, osthole inactivated the PI3K and ERK pathways while activating the expression of the P38, JNK, ER stress, and autophagy-related proteins. In conclusion, the results suggest that osthole can be used as a therapeutic or adjuvant treatment for the management of prostate cancer.
PubMed: 38929108
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060669 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants, plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants, plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's. The human brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress because of the high rate of oxygen that it needs and the high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are substrates of lipid peroxidation. Natural antioxidants inhibit oxidation and reduce oxidative stress, preventing cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, in the literature, it is reported that antioxidants, due to their possible neuroprotective activity, may offer an interesting option for better symptom management, even Parkinson's disease (PD). Natural antioxidants are usually found in several foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and oil, and in food wastes, such as seeds, peels, leaves, and skin. They can help the system of endogenous antioxidants, protect or repair cellular components from oxidative stress, and even halt lipid, protein, and DNA damage to neurons. This review will examine the extent of knowledge from the last ten years, about the neuroprotective potential effect of natural antioxidants present in food and food by-products, in in vivo and in vitro PD models. Additionally, this study will demonstrate that the pool of dietary antioxidants may be an important tool in the prevention of PD and an opportunity for cost savings in the public health area.
PubMed: 38929084
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060645 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study is a comprehensive analysis of the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) and its environmental and health impacts. The researchers conducted a...
This study is a comprehensive analysis of the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) and its environmental and health impacts. The researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis and scoping review, screening 569 articles and selecting 368 for further analysis. The study found that OP is an emerging field of study, with a notable increase in the number of publications in the 2010s compared to the early 2000s. The research is primarily published in eight journals and is concentrated in a few academic and university-based institutions. The study identified key research hotspots for OP-PM, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, interdisciplinary collaboration, understanding emission sources and atmospheric processes, and the impacts of PM and its OP. The study highlighted the need to consider the effects of climate change on OP-PM and the regulatory framework for PM research. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of PM and its consequences, including human exposure and its effects. It will also inform strategies for managing air quality and protecting public health. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the field of OP-PM research and highlights the need for continued research and collaboration to address the environmental and health impacts of PM.
PubMed: 38929079
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060640 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024To increase the value of the by-products of the canned tuna industry, the memory enhancement effect and the possible mechanisms of omega-3-rich tuna oil in bilateral...
To increase the value of the by-products of the canned tuna industry, the memory enhancement effect and the possible mechanisms of omega-3-rich tuna oil in bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rats were assessed. Female rats were orally given tuna oil at doses of 140, 200, and 250 mg/kg of body weight (BW) for 28 days before OVX and for 21 days continually after OVX. Memory performance was assessed every week, whereas the parameters regarding mechanisms of action were assessed at the end of the study. All doses of tuna oil enhanced memory, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities but decreased cortisol, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Medium and high doses of tuna oil suppressed monoamine oxidase (MAO) but increased eNOS activity. A high dose of tuna oil suppressed gamma-aminotransferase (GABA-T) but increased glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and sirtuin-1. A medium dose of tuna oil decreased homocysteine (Hcys) and C-reactive protein. No change in telomere or estradiol was observed in this study. Our results suggest the memory-enhancing effect of tuna oil in an OVX rat model of menopause. The main mechanisms may involve a reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurotransmitter regulation.
PubMed: 38929077
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060637 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a...
BACKGROUND
Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a comprehensive WHP project on the back health of hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work and compared its effects on sedentary and physically active hospital workers.
METHODS
Study assessments were carried out before and six months after participation in the WHP intervention. The primary outcome parameter was back pain (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI). Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), work ability (Work Ability Index), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), and quality of life (Short Form-36) were assessed via questionnaires as secondary outcome parameters. Physical performance was measured via the 30 seconds Sit-to-Stand test (30secSTS).
RESULTS
Sixty-eight healthcare workers with non-specific back pain were included in the evaluation study of the WHP project "Back Health 24/7/365". After six months, back pain, physical performance, and self-perceived physical functioning (SF-36 Physical Functioning subscale) improved significantly in both groups. Not a single parameter showed an interaction effect with the group allocation.
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive WHP-intervention showed significant positive effects on hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work.
Topics: Humans; Health Promotion; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Back Pain; Occupational Health; Personnel, Hospital; Workplace; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38929018
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060772