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A simple framework to distinguish ‘individualistic’ from a ‘uniform rate’ of ageing within or between study populations /
No full textAgeing is accompanied by a progressive decline in physiological functions. It is often argued that the rate of ageing differs between people and is ‘highly individualistic’. This view is not unequivocally shared, and others have argued that the rate of ageing is rather ‘uniform’. Distinguishing conclusively between these views requires longitudinal data, but these are difficult to obtain as they require decades of data collection from individuals. Here, a simple framework is proposed to assess in cross-sectional data whether in a given population the rate is ‘highly individualistic’ or rather ‘uniform’. It is illustrated that an age-related decrease in the standard deviation (SD) of a certain parameter combined with a non-changing coefficient of variation (COVAR) reflects a ‘uniform’ rate of ageing, whilst an increase or decrease in COVAR with or without a concomitant increase in SD reflects a ‘highly individualistic’ rate of ageing. This framework is applied to some published data, focussing on muscle strength, power and physical function for the sake of illustration, and it is suggested that most studies do in fact show a ‘highly individualistic’ rate of ageing, perhaps apart from a ‘uniform’ rate of ageing in master athletes
Enhancing environmental sustainability in Asian textile supply chains: insights from agile practices and mediating variables /
No full textThe current energy crisis has shown all states that energy from renewable sources can be a determining factor in the states’ sustainable development. Several papers have studied the relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic development, finding various situations, but there is no consensus. Thus, this study aims to first investigate the causal relationship between economic growth and total and sectoral renewable energy consumption (European Union and each Member State, for 2004–2020) by testing various linear and non-linear regressions to choose the fit model. Second, the investigation extends to analysing the impact of renewable energy consumption by sector on economic development. A hybrid approach is used, namely structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks. The study findings indicate the effect and the meaning (directly or inversely) exerted by the three sectoral components on economic growth, with different intensities from one country to another. There is a significant influence on the consumption of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sectors and transport on gross domestic product at the European Union level and for most member states. Based on the obtained results, a series of theoretical, practical, and political implications are provided
Dažniausios juosmeninės nugaros dalies skausmo priežastys ir kineziterapijos metodai, kuriuos naudoja kineziterapeutai Lenkijoje - kokybinis tyrimas.
No full textResearch problem: How do physiotherapists decide about therapy for patients with lumbar back pain? What factors influence the selection of a particular treatment? Due to the vast array of available therapies and certain negative factors affecting physiotherapists, selecting the most appropriate treatment can be challenging. Previous research has demonstrated that the decision-making process for LBP therapy is intricate and influenced by many factors. Despite this, this issue has yet to be comprehensively examined using qualitative research methods in Poland. According to the available data in Poland, the number of individuals awaiting treatment and the associated costs are rising. Therefore, there is a compelling need for a thorough analysis of the treatment process for patients with lumbar back pain in Poland. Aim of the study: This study aims to identify the most frequently used physiotherapy techniques in treating the most common symptoms of low back pain in Poland. Furthermore, it aims to understand the factors influencing the choice of therapy by physiotherapists. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute to a fuller understanding of Poland's low back pain treatment practices. Research task: 1. Identify the forms of therapy that therapists use most often. 2. Identify factors that negatively affect the choice of therapy and the treatment. Hypothesis: It is assumed that the environment affecting physiotherapists in Poland may negatively influence the choice of therapy and the treatment process for patients with lumbar back pain. Materials and methods: The study used interpretive phenomenological analysis to focus on the personal experiences of the study participants and to analyse the course of treatment in patients with lumbar back pain in depth, purposive sampling (n=7). The interview was partially structured, recorded, and transcribed, and QDA Miner Lite supported data analysis. Results: Factors that influence the participants are: 1) knowledge resulting from the education system, 2) reimbursement system, 3) knowledge resulting from the wealth of the physiotherapist, and 4) knowledge resulting from the influence of friends. Respondents' most frequently used techniques in patients with lumbar back pain are 1) massage, 2) kinesitherapy, and 3) biophysical therapy
An in silico cardiomyocyte reveals the impact of changes in CaMKII signalling on cardiomyocyte contraction kinetics in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy /
No full textHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterised by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiomyocyte dysfunction that may cause sudden death. HCM is associated with mutations in sarcomeric proteins and is usually transmitted as an autosomal-dominant trait. The aim of this in silico study was to assess the mechanisms that underlie the altered electrophysiological activity, contractility, regulation of energy metabolism, and crossbridge cycling in HCM at the single-cell level. To investigate this, we developed a human ventricular cardiomyocyte model that incorporates electrophysiology, metabolism, and force generation. The model was validated by its ability to reproduce the experimentally observed kinetic properties of human HCM induced by (a) remodelling of several ion channels and Ca2+-handling proteins arising from altered Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II signalling pathways and (b) increased Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilament proteins. Our simulation showed a decreased phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio (-9%) suggesting a negative mismatch between energy expenditure and supply. Using a spatial myofilament half-sarcomere model, we also compared the fraction of detached, weakly bound, and strongly bound crossbridges in the control and HCM conditions. Our simulations showed that HCM has more crossbridges in force-producing states than in the control condition. In conclusion, our model reveals that impaired crossbridge kinetics is accompanied by a negative mismatch between the ATP supply and demand ratio. This suggests that improving this ratio may reduce the incidence of sudden death in HCM
Physical activity assessment of overweight and obese physicians.
No full textRelevance of the topic. Physical activity (FA) is a preventive measure to protect and enhance public health (World Health Organization, 2011), and its insufficiency is associated with several diseases. Meanwhile, a person’s low physical activity is often associated with the risk of being overweight or obese (Chatterjee et al., 2020). Despite this, there is not a lot of scientific data on the physical activity of health care professionals especially doctors who are overweight or obese, results, state the situation when doctors do not follow the recommended physical activity recommendations and are affected by overweight or obesity, are often determined by both the research methodology, the contingent of subjects, and the specifics of the country or region. The purpose of the study: is to reveal the physical activity habits of overweight and obese physicians. Research object: physical activity habits. The results. The conducted study revealed that slightly more than half of the examined doctors are overweight or obese. There are more men than women in these categories of body mass index, and higher readings of obesity are found in those subjects with more than 10 years of work experience. Slightly more than a quarter of the subjects demonstrate unhealthy physical activity habits. In terms of gender, men dominate compared to women. An analysis of overweight and obese physicians based on their physical activity skill category revealed that overweight and obesity among the studied physicians tended to be associated with their physical activity skill category
Smoking cessation only partially reverses cardiac metabolic and structural remodeling in mice /
No full textActive cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that remains elevated after cessation. Skeletal muscle dysfunction has been well documented after smoking, but little is known about cardiac adaptations to cigarette smoking. The underlying cellular and molecular cardiac adaptations, independent of confounding lifestyle factors, and time course of reversibility by smoking cessation remain unclear. We hypothesized that smoking negatively affects cardiac metabolism and induces local inflammation in mice, which do not readily reverse upon 2‐week smoking cessation
The effects of digital health interventions for pulmonary rehabilitation in people with copd: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials /
No full textBackground and Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death globally. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes are important to reduce COPD symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with COPD. Digital health interventions have recently been adopted in PR programmes, which allow people with COPD to participate in such programmes with low barriers. The aim of this study is to review and discuss the reported effects of digital health interventions on PR outcomes in people with COPD. Materials and Methods: To achieve the study goals, a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, AMED, SPORTDiscus and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) were included if they met specified criteria. Two reviewers independently checked titles, abstracts, and performed full-text screening and data extraction. The quality assessment and risk of bias were performed in accordance with the PEDRO scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2, respectively. Results: Thirteen RCTs were included in this systematic review with 1525 participants with COPD. This systematic review showed the potential positive effect of digital health PR on the exercise capacity—measured by 6- and 12-min walking tests, pulmonary function, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life. There was no evidence for advantages of digital health PR in the improvement of anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Digital health PR is more effective than traditional PR in improving the pulmonary and physical outcomes for people with COPD, but there was no difference between the two PR programmes in improving the psychosocial outcomes. The certainty of the findings of this review is affected by the small number of included studies
Effects of strength training on blood markers in elderly men.
No full textThe problem. With the increase in life expectancy and age-related diseases, cognitive impairment has become a common health problem for which it is important to develop effective strategies. The aim of the work: to evaluate the changes in blood biological indicators reflecting the integrity of the brain and neuromuscular systems after strength training in older men. Research methods: BDNF, IL-6, blood lactate tests, 12-week strength training Hypothesis: After 12 weeks of strength training, BDNF levels will increase, IL-6 levels will decrease, and lactate levels will increase in the blood of older men after a single strength training session. Results: After a single strength training, the mean of BDNF in the strength training group (JTG) was insignificantly decreased by 15.3% (p > 0.05), in the control group (KG) the mean was statistically insignificantly decreased by 41.6% (p > 0.05). After 12 weeks, KG BDNF mean decreased non-significantly by 51% (p > 0.05), mean JTG increased non-significantly by 36.4% (p > 0.05). Mean lactate in JTG increased significantly by 107.9% (p 0.05) after a single strength training session. After 12 weeks, KG lactate content decreased insignificantly by 8.8% (p > 0.05), JTG insignificantly changed by 8.7% (p > 0.05). During 12 weeks of strength training, the mean of JTG IL-6 decreased insignificantly by 21.1% (p > 0.05), the mean of KG insignificantly changed by 0.4% (p > 0.05) in the blood of older men. Conclusions: 1. A single bout and 12-week strength training had no effect on BDNF blood levels in older men. 2. A single bout of strength training increased blood lactate concentrations in older men, but 12 weeks of strength training had no effect on mean lactate. 3. After 12 weeks of strength training did not change the concentration of IL-6 in the blood of older men
Relationships of diet, physical activity, addictions and health status in the 9-12 grade schoolchildren from the municipality of Šilutė district.
No full textObject of the study: Relationships of dietary habits, physical activity and usage of addictions in the 9-12 grade schoolchildren from the municipality of Šilutė district. Problem of the study: How can insufficient physical activity, unbalanced diet, and promotion of various harmful habits affect the health deterioration of students? Methods of the study: Literature review, questionnaire survey, and statistical data analysis. Aim of the study - to determine relationships of dietary habits, physical activity, addictions on the health status of 9-12 grade students from the municipality of Šilutė district Objectives of the study: 1. To determine values of body condition index and physical activity of boys and girls; 2. To evaluate dietary habits of boys and girls; 3. To compare the pattern of addictions among the schoolchildren of different genders; 4. To determine evaluation of personal health condition and its relationships with body condition index, frequency and duration of physical activity and adidctions of boys and girls. Conclusions of the study: 1. Boys had signifiacntly higher values of the body condition index, however their intense physical activity after the school or during leisure was more frequent and longer compared to the girls; 2. On weekdays, boys ate breakfast more often than girls, while on weekends frequency of breakfast eating was similar for both genders. Boys mostly ate meat, meat products, fresh vegetables and chicken, whereas girls preferred fresh fruits and berries, fresh vegetables, meat products and chicken. Boys with higher BMI ate fermented cheese significantly more often, while girls consumed signifantly lower amont of boiled and fried potatoes as well as various confectionery products. 3. Girls used tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and various narcotic substances less often compared to the boys, however they smoked electronic cigarettes more frequently; 4. More than half of the girls (61,5 proc.) evaluated their health condition as good, while evaluation of majority boys was perfect (37,2 proc.) or good (48,3 proc.). Body condition index had no significant impact on personal health evaluation, while frequency and duration of physical activity had significant positive effect for both genders. Addictions negatively affected personal health evaluation of the boys