Search Results (11,556)

Introduction: Acute food insecurity (FI) significantly impacts cancer patients’ health, exacerbating physical and psychological burdens. While current interventions address chronic FI, acute cases remain undermanaged. Legacy of Hope, a Philadelphia-based non-profit, addresses this gap through its Emergency Patient Support Network (EPSN), offering free bi-weekly groceries to patients facing acute FI. Materials and Methods: The pilot study evaluated EPSN’s impact utilizing the Legacy of Hope Acute Food Insecurity (LOHAFI) survey, which was performed at baseline and two weeks post-intervention. The survey combines the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G7) and questions on food and financial security. Mean scores and frequencies were calculated. Results: Fifty patients (n = 50) completed the LOHAFI survey. The mean age was 55.1 years; 70% were female; 33 (66%) identified as Black. Two weeks after receiving groceries, patients reported a decrease in nausea (pre: 1.34; post: 1.18) and anxiety related to their cancer (pre: 2.49; post: 2.41) and an increase in the availability (pre: 1.70; post: 1.84) and consumption (pre: 2.26; post: 2.30) of healthy food. However, patient overall quality of life did not improve (pre: 13.14; post: 12.76). Conclusions: Legacy of Hope’s EPSN shows potential in alleviating acute FI among cancer patients, although larger studies are needed to fully assess its impact. Full article

The increasing integration of digital technologies into daily life, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised concerns about internet and social media addictions and their potential impact on mental health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of internet and social media addictions among adults in Cyprus in the post-pandemic period and explore their relationship with demographic characteristics, mental well-being (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), and self-esteem. Participants included 502 adults from Cyprus recruited using the convenience and snowball sampling methods. The data were collected via an internet-based questionnaire that examined participants’ levels of internet addiction, social media addiction, mental well-being, and self-esteem. The results suggest that (a) while the prevalence of severe addiction was low for both internet and social media addictions, approximately one-third of participants exhibited mild to moderate levels of addiction; (b) younger adults, particularly those between 18 and 28 years of age, were more prone to problematic online behaviors; (c) internet and social media addictions were positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress and negatively associated with self-esteem; and (d) stress was found to be a significant predictor of both internet and social media addictions, while self-esteem acted as a protective factor against problematic use. These findings highlight the enduring mental health implications of increased digital engagement and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy online behaviors, manage stress, and enhance self-esteem. Full article

The objective of this study was to examine the residue elimination patterns of seven antibiotics in the eggs of Taihang chickens under free-range conditions and develop suitable withdrawal times (WDTs). A total of 240 healthy Taihang chickens, aged 180 days, were randomly divided into eight groups of 30 birds each. The first seven groups were administered oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, erythromycin, tylosin, tylvalosin, lincomycin, and tiamulin, respectively, in accordance with the maximum dosages and longest durations of treatment recommended by the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Group 8 served as the control group, and the test period continued until no drug residue could be detected. The results demonstrate that the residues of oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tylosin, tylvalosin, and tiamulin throughout the test period were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) outlined in GB 31650-2019, “National food safety standard-Maximum residue limits for veterinary drugs in foods”. The egg yolk was identified as the target tissue for estimating the withdrawal time periods (WDTs) of these seven drugs. It was thus concluded that the recommended withdrawal time for tiamulin should be 0 days. However, the WDTs of oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tylosin, tylvalosin, were 2.8, 0.3, 2.4, and 7.4, respectively, when the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval was found to be lower than the MRLs. It was thus determined that the recommended WDTs for oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tylosin, and tylvalosin should be 3, 1, 3, and 8 days, respectively. In contrast, erythromycin and lincomycin exhibited concentrations below the permitted MRLs on days 7 and 8, respectively. However, the upper limits of the 95% confidence intervals for erythromycin and lincomycin were found to be below the MRLs when the WDTs were 11 and 8.9, respectively. This suggests that the recommended WDTs for these two antibiotics should be 11 days and 9 days. Full article

Introduction and Aim: Propranolol is an effective treatment option for infantile hemangiomas, but there is still insufficient information about neurodevelopmental side effects of propranolol. In our study, the neurodevelopmental levels of infantile hemangioma patients receiving propranolol treatment were examined using the Bayley-III test. Method: In our single-center, cross-sectional study, patients were recruited between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023. In total, 40 children (n1) diagnosed with hemangioma who received propranolol treatment and 31 children (n2) who were only under observation were included. A control group of 31 healthy children (n3) matched for age and gender was also included. The demographic, clinical, perinatal, and postnatal characteristics of the total 102 children were recorded from their medical records. Neurodevelopmental levels were assessed with the Bayley-III test. The significance level was set at (p < 0.05). Results: The Bayley-III test composite and percentile scores were used to evaluate the neurodevelopmental levels. Significant differences in motor functions were found between the treated and untreated groups compared to the healthy control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.006). However, no significant differences were found in cognitive, language, and social-emotional skills. Cognitive, language, and motor functions were associated with maternal education level, and additionally, cognitive functions were also associated with paternal education level. Conclusions: Propranolol has a relatively safer side effect profile, and therefore, it has been described as a safe agent. In our study, no significant effect of propranolol on neurodevelopment was observed. The difference in motor skills shown was mainly between the healthy control group (n3) and the treated and untreated group (n1 and n2), which led to the conclusion that the relevant difference could be due to factors other than propranolol itself. Full article

The objective of this study was to describe an outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a population of aged equids. The outbreak was linked to the introduction of five healthy non-resident horses 15 days prior to the first case of acute recumbency. This fulminant EHM outbreak was predisposed by the grouping of the 33 unvaccinated animals in two large pens with shared water and feed troughs. Fourteen horses (42.4%) developed neurological deficits within the first week of the outbreak. Four additional equids developed fever and respiratory signs (EHV-1 infection), while fifteen horses remained healthy. EHM was supported by the detection of EHV-1 N₇₅₂ in blood (n = 11) and/or nasal secretions (9). Three out of four equids with EHV-1 infection and two out of fifteen healthy horses tested qPCR-positive for EHV-1. All animals were managed in the field. EHM and EHV-1 equids were treated with a combination of antiherpetic, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic drugs. Six out of fourteen EHM horses (42.9%) were euthanized because of recumbence and the inability to stand with assistance or vestibular signs. Anti-EHV-1 total IgG and IgG 4/7 levels in acute serum samples showed no significant difference amongst the three disease groups (p > 0.05); however, antibody levels rose significantly between acute and convalescent serum samples for EHM (p = 0.0001) and EHV-1 equids (p = 0.02). This outbreak highlights a very high EHM attack and fatality rate in a population of aged equids and rapid spread of EHV-1, as the population shared common pens and feeding practices. The outbreak also showed that EHM cases can be managed in the field when referral to a hospital is not an option. Full article

Background: Systemic inflammation, attacks, deterioration of thoracic region mechanics, medications used, and decreased physical activity level (PAL) and fitness negatively may affect respiratory muscle strength. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate dynamic inspiratory muscle strength (S-index), PAL, and physical fitness in children with asthma compared to healthy peers. The secondary aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between S-index and peak inspiratory flow (PIF) values and functional parameters in childhood asthma. Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study consisted of participants of 6–11 years of age, specifically, 20 children with asthma and 20 healthy peers. The device (POWERbreathe K5) evaluated PIF and S-index variables. PAL was determined with the Physical Activity Questionnaire-Child (PAQ-C) and fitness was evaluated with the FITNESSGRAM test battery. Results: The PIF Average (Avg): 1.8 ± 0.6, Best: 2.6 ± 0.6 (asthmatic children) vs. Avg: 2.4 ± 0.7, Best: 3.1 ± 0.9 (healthy children); p = 0.017, p = 0.027, respectively) and S-index (Avg: 34.1 ± 10.3, Best: 45.6 ± 9.9 (asthmatic children) vs. Avg: 43.2 ± 12.1, Best: 56.6 ± 14.7 (healthy children); p = 0.015, p = 0.008 respectively) values of children with asthma were significantly lower compared to healthy peers. The PAL and physical fitness of asthmatic and healthy peers were similar (p > 0.05). There were significant relationships between S-indexavg and S-indexbest with the PAQ-C score (r = 0.498, p < 0.025 r = 0.547, p < 0.013, respectively) and PIFavg and PIFbest with the PAQ-C score (r = 0.490, p < 0.028 r = 0.602, p < 0.005) in children with asthma. Conclusions: Dynamic respiratory muscle strength is negatively affected in children with asthma whereas their physical activity and fitness levels are comparable to their peers. However, it was found that children with a higher S-index and PIF rate had higher PALs. These findings suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation interventions to improve respiratory muscle function should be considered an important strategy to maintain and increase physical activity levels in children with asthma. Full article

Background: Recent advancements in understanding plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in disease biology have provided additional unique insights into the study of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Methods: This study aimed to gain biological insights into disease progression from plasma-derived extracellular vesicle proteomic profiles of 80 patients (20 from each CRC stage I–IV) against 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls using a high-resolution SWATH-MS proteomics with a reproducible centrifugation method to isolate plasma EVs. Results: We applied the High-Stringency Human Proteome Project (HPP) guidelines for SWATH-MS analysis, which refined our initial EV protein identification from 1362 proteins (10,993 peptides) to a more reliable and confident subset of 853 proteins (6231 peptides). In early-stage CRC, we identified 11 plasma EV proteins with differential expression between patients and healthy controls (three up-regulated and eight down-regulated), many of which are involved in key cancer hallmarks. Additionally, within the same cohort, we analysed EV proteins associated with tumour recurrence to identify potential prognostic indicators for CRC. A subset of up-regulated proteins associated with extracellular vesicle formation (GDI1, NSF, and TMED9) and the down-regulation of TSG101 suggest that micro-metastasis may have occurred earlier than previously anticipated. Discussion: By employing stringent proteomic analysis and a robust SWATH-MS approach, we identified dysregulated EV proteins that potentially indicate early-stage CRC and predict recurrence risk, including proteins involved in metabolism, cytoskeletal remodelling, and immune response. While our findings underline discrepancies with other studies due to differing isolation and stringency parameters, they provide valuable insights into the complexity of the EV proteome, emphasising the need for standardised protocols and larger, well-controlled studies to validate potential biomarkers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that body positions substantially affected the mortality rate. We hypothesized that body position modulates the contribution of abdominal (AB) and thoracic breathing (TB) to the breathing cycle (BC), as well as respiratory rate (RR). In addition, we hypothesized that physical activity level can increase the contribution of abdominal breathing. Methods: Thus, we used plethysmography respiratory belts to measure changes in abdominal (AB) and thoracic (TB) circumferences, their ratio (AB/TB), and respiratory rate (RR) under resting conditions. Measurements were taken in four body positions—standing (St), sitting (Si), supine (Su), and prone (Pr)—for two groups of young adults (aged 21 ± 2 years) with different physical activity levels (low and high PA). Results: The AB/TB ratios significantly differed between the body positions (Si: 45.5/54.5%, St: 40.5/59.5%, Su: 56.8/43.2%, Pr: 52.2/47.8% (p < 0.001)). AB was significantly the highest in Su and lowest in Si and St (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in respiratory rate (RR) between the four body positions (p = 0.005). RR in the four body positions was the following: Si: 15.1, St: 15.0, Su: 13.7, and Pr: 14.4. RR was the lowest in Su (13.7), where AB was the highest (56.8%), and RR was the highest in Si (15.1) and St (15.0), where TB was higher compared to Su (p < 0.001). PA significantly affected the various body positions’ AB/TB ratio and RR. The high PA group showed a significant difference in the AB/TB ratio between the body positions (p < 0.001). The low PA group showed a significant difference in RR between the body positions (p = 0.025). Conclusions: In young, healthy adults, we found that body position significantly influenced the abdominal/thoracic breathing ratio during the breathing cycle. The supine position showed the highest contribution of abdominal breathing, which correlated with the lowest respiratory rate. Additionally, a higher level of physical activity increased the contribution of abdominal breathing in the Si, Su, and St positions, suggesting a more energy-efficient breathing pattern. These findings suggest the potentials for breathing pattern monitoring and position-based interventions to improve healthcare outcomes and enhance sports performance and recovery. Full article

Introduction: Abnormal body weight, including overweight and obesity, is a common health problem affecting children and adolescents. The present study aimed to analyse weight changes in children from preschool age to adolescence and to identify early predictors of excessive weight in adolescence, such as blood pressure and physical fitness observed in preschool children. Methodology: Data from 3075 children (1524 girls and 1594 boys), collected as part of the Gdańsk Centre for Health Promotion’s “Your Child’s Healthy Life” programme, were analysed, with each child assessed at ages 6, 10, and 14. Results: The results indicated that boys were more likely to be overweight, with a tendency for obesity to increase with age. Children who were overweight or obese at age 6 had a higher risk of remaining so for a longer period of time. In addition, low physical fitness (as measured by the KPRT test) and elevated blood pressure were significantly associated with excess body weight. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of early intervention and consistent monitoring of childhood overweight and obesity to reduce their long-term impact on health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Measuring the physical functioning of older hip fracture patients using wearables is desirable, with physical activity monitoring offering a promising approach. However, it is first important to assess physical activity in healthy older adults. This study quantifies physical functioning with physical activity parameters and assesses those parameters in community-dwelling older adults. The results are compared with the results from one case participant 2 months post-hip fracture surgery. Methods: Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥ 80) participated. The acts of moving around the house, toileting, getting in/out of bed, and preparing meals was quantified by total time, time spent sitting, standing, and walking, number of transfers, and intensity of physical activity. MOX and APDM sensors measured the intensity of physical activity, with the tasks performed in a living lab while video-recorded. The case participant’s total time and intensity of physical activity were measured for walking to a door and getting in/out of bed. Results: Preparing meals showed the longest total time and time spent standing/walking, while moving around the house and getting in/out of bed had the highest intensity of physical activity. Only getting in/out of bed required sitting. The physical activity parameters varied among participants, with very active participants completing tasks faster. The case participant had longer total times and lower intensities of physical activity two months post-surgery compared to before the fracture. Conclusions: This study provides initial insights into the physical activity levels of community-dwelling older adults. It represents the beginning of more efficient and continuous monitoring of physical functioning. Full article

Background/Objectives: This narrative review paper highlights the multifaceted influence of dysbiotic biofilm, genetic background, host response, and environmental factors on periodontitis. It explores the roles of type I and II diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, and metabolic syndrome in the progression of periodontitis, drawing insights from various empirical studies and theoretical perspectives. Methods: Relevant articles were sourced using keywords in databases like PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Additionally, this review examines the relationship between aMMP-8 levels and increased glycemic states, as well as varying degrees of periodontitis severity. Results: The biomarker active-matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), produced by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), is highlighted as a reliable indicator of ongoing connective tissue degradation. Dysfunctions in PMN activity, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE), and oxidative stress aggravate the periodontal inflammatory response and complications of diabetes. Traditional diagnostics of periodontitis do not provide sufficient information about the current or future disease initiation or activity of periodontitis. Conclusions: The implications of this review point to the need for monitoring periodontal health by utilizing innovative strategies like aMMP-8 point-of-care testing, using oral rinse for screening and treatment monitoring, and harnessing the potential of supportive treatments like low-dose doxycycline and light-activated mouth rinses for restoring periodontal health. Its expression in oral fluids is a promising diagnostic tool to differentiate periodontitis from gingivitis and healthy periodontium, especially when associated with systemic diseases, fostering greater collaboration among healthcare professionals. Full article

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common disease in older adults and immunocompromised patients, and is frequently associated with long-term complications that impact quality of life. Fortunately, more than one vaccine against HZ is now available in Mexico. Two expert consensus groups discussed adult vaccination strategies in Mexico, focusing on HZ in older adults and immunocompromised individuals; their insights are reported here. HZ is usually treated inappropriately in Mexico. Late diagnosis and suboptimal management are common, as is a lack of treatment options, particularly for pain, which is often unresponsive to standard painkillers. Improving vaccination rates against HZ in Mexico is therefore important, but several barriers to HZ vaccination exist. It is not included in the national vaccination schedule, where included vaccines usually have higher coverage. Actions to overcome barriers include improving awareness of HZ and vaccine availability, developing and promoting guidelines and recommendations for vaccination, and expanding access and infrastructure for vaccination. Full article

Background: In the last few years, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has attracted attention as a promising approach to interact with ongoing oscillatory cortical activity and, consequently, to enhance cognitive and motor processes. While tACS findings are limited by high variability in young adults’ responses, its effects on brain oscillations in older adults remain largely unexplored. In fact, the modulatory effects of tACS on cortical oscillations in healthy aging participants have not yet been investigated extensively, particularly during movement. This study aimed to examine the after-effects of 20 Hz and 70 Hz High-Definition tACS on beta oscillations both during rest and movement. Methods: We recorded resting state EEG signals and during a handgrip task in 15 healthy older participants. We applied 10 min of 20 Hz HD-tACS, 70 Hz HD-tACS or Sham stimulation for 10 minutes. We extracted resting-state beta power and movement-related beta desynchronization (MRBD) values to compare between stimulation frequencies and across time. Results: We found that 20 Hz HD-tACS induced a significant reduction in beta power for electrodes C3 and CP3, while 70 Hz did not have any significant effects. With regards to MRBD, 20 Hz HD-tACS led to more negative values, while 70 Hz HD-tACS resulted in more positive ones for electrodes C3 and FC3. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HD-tACS can modulate beta brain oscillations with frequency specificity. They also highlight the focal impact of HD-tACS, which elicits effects on the cortical region situated directly beneath the stimulation electrode. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin disease caused by Leishmania parasites. Presepsin, irisin, and apelin are biomarkers that are involved in the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum levels of specific biomarkers, such as presepsin, apelin, and irisin, and the clinical features, location, number, and size of lesions in patients with CL. Methods: This study is a single-centre, prospective cohort study involving a total of 30 patients with skin lesions compatible with CL and 30 healthy matched controls. Age, sex, type of skin lesion, location of skin lesion, number of skin lesions, and diameter of skin lesions were recorded. The levels of presepsin, irisin, and apelin measured in the blood samples of the patient group were analysed in comparison to those in the healthy control group. Results: The findings revealed that presepsin levels were significantly elevated in the patient group compared to the controls (p = 0.000). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for irisin and apelin levels (p-values 0.096 and 0.836, respectively). A negative correlation was identified between presepsin levels and the number of skin lesions, the diameter of the largest lesion, and the total diameter of the lesions (p = 0.000). Conclusions: It appears that measuring presepsin levels in patients with CL may be beneficial. Presepsin has the potential to serve as a prognostic marker in CL, offering significant benefits in guiding clinicians in assessing disease progression and response to treatment. Full article

Background: Ultra-wide-field optical coherence tomography (UWF-OCT) devices have recently been introduced to clinical practice. The goal of this study was to compare choroidal and retinal thickness (CT and RT) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with a healthy control group using UWF-OCT Xephilio S1. Additionally, we sought to determine the relationship between the RT and CT of patients with AMD, measured in different sectors, and their visual acuity. Methods: The study included 104 eyes from 74 participants with dry AMD, 119 eyes from 86 participants with wet AMD, and 85 eyes from 53 healthy controls. Of the participants with wet AMD, 87 eyes received anti-VEGF treatment, 13 were treatment naïve, and 19 had incomplete data. The analyzed measurements were taken in the central area of 3 mm in diameter and two peripheral rings located between 3–9 mm and 9–18 mm diameters. Results. There was no significant variation in the RT in any sector between the three study groups. CT in dry and wet AMD cohorts was significantly lower compared to controls in every sector. Patients with treatment-naïve wet AMD did not demonstrate significant CT loss but had a tendency for lower CT values. Visual impairment in patients with AMD correlated with older age in both subgroups and with smaller RT in the dry AMD subgroup. Conclusions: Values of RT and CT obtained at the mid- and far-periphery with UWF-OCT generally reflect the alterations observed in AMD in the central part of the posterior pole. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment might contribute to loss of choroidal tissue observed in AMD in every sector. Full article