Coping as a mediator of the relationship between kinesiophobia and illness perception in atrial fibrillation patients: A cross-sectional mediation analysis.

AIM(S): To explore the mediating role of coping styles in the association between illness perception and kinesiophobia in atrial fibrillation patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Between June 2021 and November 2022, data were collected using a self-designed demographic questionnaire, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-SV Heart) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). The sample comprised 474 atrial fibrillation patients recruited from three hospitals in China. To analyse the data, multiple linear regression models with forced entry were employed, and the mediation Mode 4 of the PROCESS macro in SPSS was implemented. RESULTS: In total, 57.8% of patients exhibited a high level of kinesiophobia. Regression analyses uncovered associations between kinesiophobia and various demographic and disease characteristics, as well as assessments of both illness perception and coping styles. Path analysis results indicated that illness perception reduced kinesiophobia through the mediating effect of confrontation, while avoidance and resignation intensified kinesiophobia. The mediating factor of coping styles explained a significant 53% of the overall effect. CONCLUSIONS: Coping styles mediate the relationship between illness perception and kinesiophobia, resulting in a shift in coping styles as illness perception decreases and ultimately leading to reduced kinesiophobia. IMPACT: Coping styles play a mediating role in the relationship between kinesiophobia and illness perception. The results suggest healthcare providers in identifying high-risk individuals and tailoring interventions to effectively break the vicious cycle of kinesiophobia. Therefore, screening and intervening with patients showcasing heightened illness perception aims to promote a transformation in coping styles, subsequently reducing atrial fibrillation kinesiophobia. REPORTING METHOD: The results of the observations were reported in adherence to the STROBE criteria. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient and public involvement.

Can the integration of sports and health industries drive the upgrade of the sports industry?-An empirical study based on Chinese-style modernization.

BACKGROUND: In the course of China's modernization, the sports industry's advancement plays a dual role in enhancing national health and driving economic transformation. The integration and coalescence of the sports and health sectors have emerged as pivotal avenues for the structural elevation of China's sports industry. Hence, empirically scrutinizing the influential mechanisms and outcomes of sports and health industry integration on the sports industry's structural enhancement holds substantial practical significance. METHOD: This study formulates theoretical hypotheses regarding the impact mechanism of sports and health industry integration on the sports industry's sophisticated industrial structure. Drawing insights from literature review and categorization, three dimensions-industrial integration, government role, and market mechanism-are delineated. Employing panel data spanning 2015 to 2020 from four primary Chinese cities, an econometric model is devised to empirically dissect the influence of sports and health industry integration on the sports industry's structural advancement. FINDINGS: The three pivotal explanatory variables-integration of sports and health industries, government role, and market mechanism-exert a positive influence on the sports industry's sophisticated industrial structure. Notably, the impact of market mechanisms outweighs that of government roles, with government roles exhibiting comparatively weaker individual impact effects. CONCLUSION: The dynamic development process characterizing the structural advancement of China's sports industry in first-tier cities exhibits positive and sustained developmental traits, with discernible convergence in trends. While market mechanisms demonstrate a more immediate and pronounced direct promotional effect than government roles, the enduring influence of government roles over an extended timeframe is evident from a dynamic long-term development perspective. Building upon these findings, the study suggests relevant stakeholders foster advanced sports industry structures by: refining the integration system of sports and health industries; fortifying the fundamental role of market mechanisms; and fully leveraging the government's impact in promoting sports and health industry integration.

Novel roles of bovine milk-derived exosomes in skin antiaging.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are small vesicles released from cells and are found in various mammalian biological fluids, such as bovine milk, which has been employed in skincare for many years, apart from its dairy applications. In addition, exosomes have been recognized as vehicles for intercellular communication. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to investigate the novel effects of bovine milk-derived exosomes (MK-Exo) on antiaging in human skin. METHODS: Initially, MK-Exo were co-cultured with keratinocytes and fibroblasts; subsequent analysis involved qPCR and western blotting to assess induced gene expression. Subsequently, MK-Exo were topically applied to the facial skin of 31 female volunteers twice daily for 28 days. The functions were evaluated after conducting safety assessments in vivo. RESULTS: Purified MK-Exo demonstrated the ability to be taken up directly by keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro, resulting in the upregulation of natural factors associated with skin moisturization, including filaggrin (FLG), aquaporin 3 (AQP3), and CD44 in keratinocytes, as well as hyaluronidase (HAS2) in fibroblasts. Concurrently, MK-Exo promoted fibroblast cell migration and restored the expression of type I and III collagen (Col I and Col III) following exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Furthermore, phototoxicity, photoallergy, repeated skin irritation, skin allergy, and patch tests confirmed the safety of MK-Exo for skin application. Finally, we elucidated the roles of MK-Exo in preserving moisture and reducing wrinkles in humans. CONCLUSION: Our findings unveil the novel contributions of MK-Exo to human skin aging, presenting a new avenue in the field of skincare.

Prospective assessing metabolic abnormalities, lifestyle and dietary pattern in a Chinese population with heart failure: the MALD-HF study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence on predictive value of lifestyle behaviours and dietary pattern on the prognosis of heart failure (HF) is limited. Our aim is to identify these factors in the setting of secondary prevention of HF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Metabolic Abnormalities, Lifestyle and Dietary Pattern in Heart Failure study is an ongoing, prospective cohort, single-centre study that aims to recruit 1500 patients with HF from June 2016 to June 2021. At baseline, each participant completes a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle behaviours, sleep duration and quality, bowel movements and regular diet. Biochemical measurements, blood pressure, carotid ultrasound, echocardiography, electrocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance are obtained and analysed. Muscle strength is assessed using the handgrip dynamometer and the MicroFet2 hand-held dynamometer. Each patient is followed for 5 years or until the occurrence of death. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalisation due to worsening heart failure. The secondary end points are cardiovascular deaths and the hospitalisations due to worsening HF. The incidence of mortality and cardiovascular events is documented biennially. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and follows the norms of the World's Association Declaration of Helsinki. The results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03951311.