Leaf ecological stoichiometry and anatomical structural adaptation mechanisms of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

BACKGROUND: With the dramatic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and the increase in altitude in the Pliocene, the environment became dry and cold, thermophilous plants that originally inhabited ancient subtropical forest essentially disappeared. However, Quercus sect. Heterobalanus (QSH) have gradually become dominant or constructive species distributed on harsh sites in the Hengduan Mountains range in southeastern QTP, Southwest China. Ecological stoichiometry reveals the survival strategies plants adopt to adapt to changing environment by quantifying the proportions and relationships of elements in plants. Simultaneously, as the most sensitive organs of plants to their environment, the structure of leaves reflects of the long-term adaptability of plants to their surrounding environments. Therefore, ecological adaptation mechanisms related to ecological stoichiometry and leaf anatomical structure of QSH were explored. In this study, stoichiometric characteristics were determined by measuring leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents, and morphological adaptations were determined by examining leaf anatomical traits with microscopy. RESULTS: Different QSH life forms and species had different nutrient allocation strategies. Leaves of QSH plants had higher C and P and lower N contents and higher N and lower P utilization efficiencies. According to an N: P ratio threshold, the growth of QSH species was limited by N, except that of Q. aquifolioides and Q. longispica, which was limited by both N and P. Although stoichiometric homeostasis of C, N, and P and C: N, C: P, and N: P ratios differed slightly across life forms and species, the overall degree of homeostasis was strong, with strictly homeostatic, homeostatic, and weakly homeostatic regulation. In addition, QSH leaves had compound epidermis, thick cuticle, developed palisade tissue and spongy tissue. However, leaves were relatively thin overall, possibly due to leaf leathering and lignification, which is strategy to resist stress from UV radiation, drought, and frost. Furthermore, contents of C, N, and P and stoichiometric ratios were significantly correlated with leaf anatomical traits. CONCLUSIONS: QSH adapt to the plateau environment by adjusting the content and utilization efficiencies of C, N, and P elements. Strong stoichiometric homeostasis of QSH was likely a strategy to mitigate nutrient limitation. The unique leaf structure of the compound epidermis, thick cuticle, well-developed palisade tissue and spongy tissue is another adaptive mechanism for QSH to survive in the plateau environment. The anatomical adaptations and nutrient utilization strategies of QSH may have coevolved during long-term succession over millions of years.

Oral post-exercise garlic extract supplementation enhances glycogen replenishment but does not up-regulate mitochondria biogenesis mRNA expression in human-exercised skeletal muscle.

PURPOSE: Garlic extract (GA) is purported to enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and glucose regulation in humans. The present study investigated the effects of post-exercise GA supplementation on GLUT4 expression, glycogen replenishment, and the transcript factors involved with mitochondrial biosynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle. METHODS: The single-blinded crossover counterbalanced study was completed by 12 participants. Participants were randomly divided into either GA (2000 mg of GA) or placebo trials immediately after completing a single bout of cycling exercise at 75% Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) for 60 minutes. Participants consumed either GA (2000 mg) or placebo capsules with a high glycemic index carbohydrate meal (2 g carb/body weight) immediately after exercise. Muscle samples were collected at 0-h and 3-h post-exercise. Muscle samples were used to measure glycogen levels, GLUT4 protein expression, as well as transcription factors for glucose uptake, and mitochondria biogenesis. Plasma glucose, insulin, glycerol, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were also analyzed during the post-exercise recovery periods. RESULTS: Skeletal muscle glycogen replenishment was significantly elevated during the 3-h recovery period for GA concurrent with no difference in GLUT4 protein expression between the garlic and placebo trials. PGC1-α gene expression was up-regulated for both GA and placebo after exercise (p < 0.05). Transcript factors corresponding to muscle mitochondrial biosynthesis were significantly enhanced under acute garlic supplementation as demonstrated by TFAM and FIS1. However, the gene expression of SIRT1, ERRα, NFR1, NFR2, MFN1, MFN2, OPA1, Beclin-1, DRP1 were not enhanced, nor were there any improvements in GLUT4 expression, following post-exercise garlic supplementation. CONCLUSION: Acute post-exercise garlic supplementation may improve the replenishment of muscle glycogen, but this appears to be unrelated to the gene expression for glucose uptake and mitochondrial biosynthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle.

Effect of Prenatal Yoga versus Moderate-Intensity Walking on Cardiorespiratory Adaptation to Acute Psychological Stress: Insights from Non-Invasive Beat-to-Beat Monitoring.

We recently reported enhanced parasympathetic activation at rest throughout pregnancy associated with regular yoga practice. The present study presents a secondary analysis of data collected within a prospective cohort study of 33 pregnant women practicing yoga once weekly throughout pregnancy and 36 controls not involved in formal pregnancy exercise programs. The objective was to assess the impact of prenatal yoga on the autonomic nervous system stress response. Healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were recruited in the first trimester. There was no significant difference in the maternal body mass index (BMI) between the yoga group and the controls (24.06 ± 3.55 vs. 23.74 ± 3.43 kg/m2, p = 0.693). Women practicing yoga were older (28.6 ± 3.9 vs. 31.3 ± 3.5 years, p = 0.005) and more often nulliparous (26 (79%) vs. 18 (50%), p = 0.001). We studied heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in the time domain (SDNN, standard deviation of regular R-R intervals, and RMSSD, square root of mean squared differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domain (ln(LF/HF), natural logarithm of low-frequency to high-frequency power), as well as synchronization indices of heart rate, blood pressure and respiration during and immediately following acute psychological stress of a standardized mental challenge test. Measurements were performed once per trimester before and after yoga or a 30 min moderate-intensity walk. Statistical comparison was performed using three-way analyses of variance (p < 0.05 significant). Time domain HRV parameters during and following mental challenge in the yoga group were significantly higher compared to the controls regardless of the trimester (F = 7.22, p = 0.009 for SDNN and F = 9.57, p = 0.003 for RMSSD, respectively). We observed no significant differences in the yoga group vs. the controls in terms of ln(LF/HF) and synchronization indices. Regular prenatal yoga practice was associated with a significantly reduced sympathetic response to mental challenge and quicker recovery after acute psychological stress. These effects persisted throughout pregnancy with regular practice.

Ancient Loss of Catalytic Selenocysteine Spurred Convergent Adaptation in a Mammalian Oxidoreductase.

Selenocysteine, the 21st amino acid specified by the genetic code, is a rare selenium-containing residue found in the catalytic site of selenoprotein oxidoreductases. Selenocysteine is analogous to the common cysteine amino acid, but its selenium atom offers physical-chemical properties not provided by the corresponding sulfur atom in cysteine. Catalytic sites with selenocysteine in selenoproteins of vertebrates are under strong purifying selection, but one enzyme, glutathione peroxidase 6 (GPX6), independently exchanged selenocysteine for cysteine <100 million years ago in several mammalian lineages. We reconstructed and assayed these ancient enzymes before and after selenocysteine was lost and up to today and found them to have lost their classic ability to reduce hydroperoxides using glutathione. This loss of function, however, was accompanied by additional amino acid changes in the catalytic domain, with protein sites concertedly changing under positive selection across distant lineages abandoning selenocysteine in glutathione peroxidase 6. This demonstrates a narrow evolutionary range in maintaining fitness when sulfur in cysteine impairs the catalytic activity of this protein, with pleiotropy and epistasis likely driving the observed convergent evolution. We propose that the mutations shared across distinct lineages may trigger enzymatic properties beyond those in classic glutathione peroxidases, rather than simply recovering catalytic rate. These findings are an unusual example of adaptive convergence across mammalian selenoproteins, with the evolutionary signatures possibly representing the evolution of novel oxidoreductase functions.

"I think they should give primary health care a little more priority". The primary health care in Caribbean SIDS: what can be said about adaptation to the changing climate? The case of Dominica- a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Adaptation to climate change (CC) is a priority for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean, as these countries and territories are particularly vulnerable to climate-related events. Primary health care (PHC) is an important contributor to CC adaptation. However, knowledge on how PHC is prepared for CC in Caribbean SIDS is very limited. The aim of this paper is to discuss health system adaptation to climate change, with a focus on PHC. METHODS: We explored the perspectives of PHC professionals in Dominica on PHC adaptation to climate change. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in each of the seven health districts in Dominica, a Caribbean SIDS, between November 2021 and January 2022. The semi-structured interview guide was based on the Essential Public Health Functions: assessment, access to health care services, policy development and resource allocation. Data coding was organized accordingly. RESULTS: Findings suggest that health care providers perceive climate change as contributing to an increase in NCDs and mental health problems. Climate-related events create barriers to care and exacerbate the chronic deficiencies within the health system, especially in the absence of high-level policy support. Healthcare providers need to take a holistic view of health and act accordingly in terms of disease prevention and health promotion, epidemiological surveillance, and ensuring the widest possible access to healthcare, with a particular focus on the environmental and social determinants of vulnerability. CONCLUSION: The primary health care system is a key stakeholder in the design and operationalization of adaptation and transformative resilience. The Essential Public Health Functions should integrate social and climate and other environmental determinants of health to guide primary care activities to protect the health of communities. This study highlights the need for improved research on the linkages between climate events and health outcomes, surveillance, and development of plans informed by contextual knowledge in the SIDS.

Practitioner perspectives on the use of acceptance and commitment therapy for bereavement support: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a high demand for bereavement support coupled with inconclusive findings as to the efficacy of existing approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to improve human functioning and has shown efficacy across a wide range of conditions. ACT may be a promising means of supporting bereaved people, yet evidence on the use of ACT for bereavement support is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore how ACT is currently used for bereavement support and practitioner perspectives of how it helps following bereavement. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted online via MS Teams with practitioners experienced in using ACT for bereavement support. Data were analysed thematically guided by a framework approach. RESULTS: Nine participants were recruited. Three themes were identified: (i) creating psychological space around grief; (ii) using psychological space for value-directed action in the midst of grieving, and (iii) adapting ACT for bereavement support. Practitioners indicated that ACT improves clients' relationship with distressing internal experiences. Metaphors and mindfulness techniques were used to encourage acceptance of grief responses, taking perspective on distressing thoughts and images, and contact with the present moment. Better relationships with distressing experiences were regarded as less psychologically taxing, improving coping and well-being, while providing the psychological space to engage in value-directed action. Values exploration, sometimes using metaphors and exercises, was seen as supporting the bereaved person to rediscover a sense of purpose and engage in meaningful activities alongside their grief. Practitioners used ACT flexibly, integrating other interventions, and adapted ACT to the perceived sensitivities of bereaved people, and age-related and developmental factors. CONCLUSION: ACT is used to support people who have been bereaved to live effectively with the difficult thoughts and feelings associated with grieving and to enable them to gradually identify, reconnect with, and act in line with their values after loss.

Environmental implications of three Pleurotus strain growths for water remediation in the perspective of climate change in New Egyptian Delta.

Recently, the integrated different interdisciplinary studies derived the environmental solutions of the climate change impacts (e.g., cultivation, wastewater treatment, and managing groundwater resources) (Mesalhy et al. 2020, and Gobashy et al. 2021). Thus, this paper focused on the application of bioremediation to maximize the use of wastewater for new reclamation areas in the Northwest Egyptian desert (New Egyptian Delta (NED). In the NED project, the drainage water samples collected from Nile Delta drains will provide the main unconventional water resources for irrigation through the new Hammam canal. Therefore, three Pleurotus strains were grown moderately on two natural media, the first containing Salvia L. (sage) extract (MDA) and the second containing Thymus vulgaris L. (origanum thymus Kuntze, Thymus collinus Salisb) (TDA) extract replacing potato infusions in standard PDA. Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacquin; Kummer) strain records the highest growth among the three tested fungi on modified media. PO records 4.49 and 4.41 cm on (MDA) and (TDA), respectively. There is a marked decrease in the majority of heavy metal concentrations on sterile drainage water amended with PD broth and inoculated with three tested Pleurotus strains individually. At the end of the incubation period, Pleurotus ostereatus which expressed in abbreviation (PO) are more efficient in the removal of Al, Co, Cr, and Ni by 53.15, 95.87, 58.47, and 85.07%; respectively. Pleurorotus pulmonarius (Fr.) which symbolized (PP) is more potent in the removal of Cd, Si, Sn, Sr, and V by 70.37, 56.59, 41.19, 52.78, and 96.24%; respectively. Pleurotus floridanus (NZOR) which indicated as (PF) is actively over the former species in the removal of Ba, Fe, and Mo by 87.84, 46.67, and 97.34%; respectively. Cu, Mn, Pb, As, and Se could not be detected as the control sample recorded measurements below 0.009 mg L-1. An unexpected increase in Zn among the different treatments was detected from 05.04 to 07.01%.

Human health and the health of Planet Earth go together.

The emergence of the planetary health approach was highlighted by the report of The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health in 2015 and changed how we comprehend human well-being. The report advocates integrating the health of other living beings and Earth's natural systems as intrinsic components of human health. Drawing on over three decades of experience in respiratory epidemiology and environmental health, this article outlines how my perspective on human health underwent a transformative shift upon reading the abovementioned report. The planetary health approach offers a lens through which human health issues and potential solutions can be understood within the context of the Anthropocene. It addresses the pressing existential challenges arising from humanity's transgression of planetary limits. Embracing the planetary health paradigm within the field of health sciences can catalyze transformative changes essential for cultivating a sustainable and equitable future.

Chiropractic faculty experiences of burnout and the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is frequently used to assess occupational burnout and the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) is a new tool for assessing pandemic impacts. This study's objective is to describe chiropractic faculty members' experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, their burnout as professional educators, and their strategies for coping with stress. METHODS: A Qualtrics survey link was emailed to 73 current faculty and 10 previously employed faculty from 1 chiropractic school. The survey included 22 MBI, 31 EPII, and 2 questions about coping strategies. Faculty were given several weeks to complete the survey, were reminded via emails and meeting announcements, and were given paper surveys to increase participation. Responses were analyzed in STATA17. RESULTS: Forty-three faculty completed the survey (response rate = 52%). Of these, 25.8% reported testing positive for COVID-19, 30.23% reported difficulties transitioning to working from home, and 25.5% scored high on the MBI subscale for emotional exhaustion (EE) (mean 15.79, SD 13.68). Higher EE was associated with pandemic-related increases in mental health and sleep problems. Common coping strategies included self-care and social support. CONCLUSION: The majority of faculty reported neither contracting COVID-19 nor having difficulty transitioning to work from home. Average EE for participating faculty was lower than previous reports although a quarter scored high in EE, which may be associated with pandemic-related mental health and sleep problems. These results suggest chiropractic faculty might need support coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and indicate the need for future research on burnout among faculty from other chiropractic institutions.

Resilient responses to stressful events among chiropractic students: A cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: Resilient students may better navigate the challenges of chiropractic training. This study explored the relationships between response to stressful experiences, perceived stress, and quality of life among students at 1 US chiropractic college campus. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 873 students. The anonymous online questionnaire included demographics, quality of life, perceived stress, and the Response to Stressful Events Scale (RSES). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses assessed for significant relationships among variables. RESULTS: A sample of 221 students (60% female) completed the survey (25% response rate). Male respondents reported greater psychological health. Participants reporting high quality of life exhibited higher resiliency on the RSES flat score and many RSES domains. Respondents who rated greater psychological health and social relationships exhibited greater spiritual resiliency. Respondents reporting higher psychological health and lower levels of perceived stress exhibited higher self-efficacy resilience. Psychological health was the most important predictor for RSES flat score and domains, except for spiritual resilience, for which social relationships were most important. Male gender was predictive of 3 RSES domains: meaning making, active coping, and cognitive flexibility. CONCLUSION: More resilient responses to stressful events were reported by male chiropractic students and those who reported greater psychological health, higher quality of life, or lower perceived stress. Female students and those experiencing psychological challenges or lower quality of life might consider resilience training to increase the use of protective coping strategies. These findings may permit academic institutions to identify students at highest risk and employ interventions to prevent program withdrawal.

The legacy of terrestrial plant evolution on cell wall fine structure.

The evolution of land flora was an epochal event in the history of planet Earth. The success of plants, and especially flowering plants, in colonizing all but the most hostile environments required multiple mechanisms of adaptation. The mainly polysaccharide-based cell walls of flowering plants, which are indispensable for water transport and structural support, are one of the most important adaptations to life on land. Thus, development of vasculature is regarded as a seminal event in cell wall evolution, but the impact of further refinements and diversification of cell wall compositions and architectures on radiation of flowering plant families is less well understood. We approached this from a glyco-profiling perspective and, using carbohydrate microarrays and monoclonal antibodies, studied the cell walls of 287 plant species selected to represent important evolutionary dichotomies and adaptation to a variety of habitats. The results support the conclusion that radiation of flowering plant families was indeed accompanied by changes in cell wall fine structure and that these changes can obscure earlier evolutionary events. Convergent cell wall adaptations identified by our analyses do not appear to be associated with plants with similar lifestyles but that are taxonomically distantly related. We conclude that cell wall structure is linked to phylogeny more strongly than to habitat or lifestyle and propose that there are many approaches of adaptation to any given ecological niche.

Unique case study: Impact of single-session neuromuscular biofeedback on motor unit properties following 12 days of Achilles tendon surgical repair.

We explored the first evidence of a single-session neuromuscular biofeedback effect on motor unit properties, neuromuscular activation, and the Achilles tendon (AT) length 12 days after undergoing AT surgical repair. We hypothesized that immediate neuromuscular biofeedback enhances motor unit properties and activation without causing AT lengthening. After 12 days AT surgical repair, Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) motor unit decomposition was performed on a 58-year-old male before and after a neuromuscular biofeedback intervention (surface electromyography (sEMG) and ultrasonography), involving unressited plantar flexion. The analysis included motor unit population properties, sEMG amplitude, force paradigm, and AT length. There were increased MG motor unit recruitment, peak and average firing rate, coefficient of variation, and sEMG amplitude, and decreased recruitment and derecruitment threshold in the repaired AT limb. The non-injured limb increased the motor unit recruitment, and decreased the coefficient of variation, peak and average firing rate, inter-pulse interval, derecruitment threshold and sEMG amplitude. The AT length experienced -0.4 and 0.3 cm changes in the repaired AT and non-injured limb, respectively. This single-session neuromuscular biofeedback 12 days after AT surgery shows evidence of enhanced motor unit properties and activation without signs of AT lengthening when unresisted plantar flexion is performed in the repaired AT limb.

Exogenous glycine betaine alleviates water-deficit stress in Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica) under greenhouse conditions.

Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort) is a green leafy vegetable containing centelloside' (triterpenoid), a key phytochemical component in traditional medicine. Being a glycophytic species, they exhibit decline in growth performance and yield traits when subjected to water-deficit (WD) conditions. Glycine betaine (GB) is a low molecular-weight organic metabolite that plays a crucial role in abiotic stress conditions in higher plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of GB in alleviating water-deficit stress (in terms of morphological and physiological responses) in two different genotypes of Indian pennywort, "Nakhon Pathom" (NP; high centelloside-yielding genotype) and "Pathum Thani" (PT; low centelloside-yielding genotype). The genotypes of Indian pennywort were propagated by stolon cutting and transplanted into plastic bags containing 2 kg of garden soil. At the flower-initiation stage (30 days after transplantation), uniform plant material was treated exogenously with 0 (control), 25, and 50 mM GB at 100 mL per plant (one-time foliar spray) and then divided into two groups, 1) well watered (WW; irrigated daily with 400 mL fresh water; 98% field capacity) and 2) water deficit (WD; withheld water for 14 days; 72% field capacity). Foliar application of GB (25 mM) significantly improved leaf osmotic potential in NP under WD conditions via osmotic adjustment by free proline and fructose. Differences in leaf temperature (Tleaf) between WD and WW in NP were maximized (+ 1.93 °C) and the gap of Tleaf was reduced in the case of 25-50 mM GB application. Similarly, crop water stress index (CWSI) in NP and PT plants under WD condition was significantly increased by 1.95- and 1.86-fold over the control, respectively; however, it was significantly decreased by exogenous GB application. Increasing Tleaf and CWSI in drought-stressed plants was closely related to stomatal closure, leading to reduced gas exchange parameters, i.e., stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and consequently decreased plant biomass and total centelloside yield. Overall physiological, morphological, and secondary metabolite traits were enhanced in NP under WD conditions using 25 mM GB exogenous application compared with the control. The study highlights the significance of GB in Indian pennywort production under limited water irrigation (water deficit) with higher vegetable yield and phytochemical stabilization.

[Tracking transfers of resistance-carrying bacteria between animals, humans and the environment]. / Tracking des transferts des bactéries porteuses de résistances entre animal, homme et environnement.

The fight against antibiotic resistance must incorporate the "One Health" concept to be effective. This means having a holistic approach embracing the different ecosystems, human, animal, and environment. Transfers of resistance genes may exist between these three domains and different stresses related to the exposome may influence these transfers. Various targeted or pan-genomic molecular biology techniques can be used to better characterise the dissemination of bacterial clones and to identify exchanges of genes and mobile genetic elements between ecosystems.

La lutte contre la résistance aux antibiotiques doit intégrer le concept «  Une seule santé  ¼ pour être efficace. Ceci consiste à avoir une approche holistique embrassant les différents écosystèmes, homme, animal et environnement. Des transferts de gènes de résistance peuvent exister entre ces trois domaines et différents stress liés à l'exposome peuvent influencer ces transferts. Différentes techniques de biologie moléculaire ciblées ou pan-génomiques peuvent être mises en œuvre pour mieux caractériser les circulations de clones bactériens mais aussi pour identifier les échanges de gènes et d'éléments génétiques mobiles entre écosystèmes.

Spanish Adaptation of the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ) in Community Adolescents and Adults / Adaptación Española del Cuestionario de Mentalización (MentalizationQuestionnaire; MZQ) para Adolescentes y Adultos de Población General

Background: Despite the role of mentalization in mental health outcomes and prevention, psychometrically-evaluated screening measures for mentalization remain sparse. One widely-used mentalization questionnaire is the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ; Hausberg et al., 2012), which we aimed to adapt and validate for use in Spanish. Method: We adapted the MZQ to European Spanish and evaluated its psychometric properties in both adolescent (n = 389, ages 12-19, M = 14.5) and adult community samples (n = 382, M = 48). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a unidimensional structure including all items. This model had better goodness of fit than the original and other adaptations. Invariance analysis showed the same structure in adolescents compared by sex and age, and additionally in the adult versus adolescent samples. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity was found. Internal consistency values in both adolescents and parents were fair and in the adolescent sample the MZQ scores remained moderately stable after re-test. Conclusions: The Spanish adaptation of the MZQ presents similar evidence of reliability and validity in the adolescent and adult samples. The results support this being a suitable version for evaluating mentalization in the general population.(AU)

Antecedentes: A pesar del creciente reconocimiento de la mentalización como factor en el desarrollo de la salud mental y la prevención, las medidas de cribado validadas psicométricamente siguen siendo escasas. El Cuestionario de Mentalización (MZQ; Hausberg et al., 2012) es uno de los más utilizados. El objetivo es adaptar y validar su uso al español. Método: Adaptamos el MZQ al español europeo en muestras comunitarias de adolescentes (n = 389, edades 12-19, M = 14,5) y de adultos (n = 382, M = 48). Resultados: Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio que expuso una estructura unifactorial para ambas muestras. Este modelo presentó mejores índices de ajuste que los modelos presentados en la versión original y en las adaptaciones. El estudio de invariancia mostró la misma estructura en la muestra de adolescentes cuando se compararon por sexo y edad, y también en la muestra de adultos comparada con la muestra de adolescentes. Se encontraron evidencias de validez convergente y discriminante. Conclusiones: La adaptación del MZQ al español presenta evidencias de validez y fiabilidad similares en la muestra de adolescentes y en la de adultos. Los resultados apoyan que se trata de una versión apta para evaluar la mentalización en población general.(AU)

Transdiagnostic therapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation on the emotional health of mothers with premature infants: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of transdiagnostic therapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on emotion regulation strategies, self-compassion, maternal role adaptation, and social and work adjustment in mothers of premature infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial with two groups and pre-test, post-test, and a two-month follow-up assessment. Included were 27 mothers randomly assigned to either the transdiagnostic therapy group or the PMR group (13 in the transdiagnostic group and 14 in the PMR group). The experimental group received eight sessions of transdiagnostic therapy while the control group received eight sessions of PMR. The participants completed the following scales: Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Self-Compassion Scale, Maternal Role Adaptation Scale, and Work and Social Adjustment Scale. RESULTS: Transdiagnostic therapy was significantly more effective than PMR in improving emotion regulation strategies, self-compassion, maternal role adaptation, and social and work adjustment based on the between-group comparison conducted at post-test and follow-up (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Transdiagnostic therapy was shown to be effective in improving the emotional health of mothers with premature infants and was more effective than PMR techniques.

Changes in gut microbiota and lactose intolerance symptoms before and after daily lactose supplementation in individuals with the lactase nonpersistent genotype.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 70%-100% of the Asian adult population is lactase nonpersistent (LNP). The literature shows that many individuals with the LNP-genotype can consume ≤12 g of lactose without experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort. Repetitive consumption of lactose may reduce intolerance symptoms via adaptation of the gut microbiota. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of daily consumption of incremental lactose doses on microbiota composition and function, and intolerance symptoms. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy adults of Asian origin, carrying the LNP-genotype were included in this 12-wk before and after intervention trial. Participants consumed gradually increasing lactose doses from 3 to 6 g to 12 g twice daily, each daily dose of 6 g, 12 g, or 24 g being provided for 4 consecutive weeks. Participants handed-in repeated stool samples and underwent a 25 g lactose challenge hydrogen breath test (HBT) before and after the 12-wk intervention. Daily gastrointestinal symptoms and total symptom scores (TSSs) during the lactose challenge were recorded. RESULTS: A significant increase from 5.5% ± 7.6% to 10.4% ± 9.6% was observed in Bifidobacterium relative abundance after the intervention (P = 0.009), accompanied by a 2-fold increase (570 ± 269 U/g; P < 0.001) in fecal ß-galactosidase activity compared with baseline (272 ± 158 U/g). A 1.5-fold decrease (incremental area under the curve; P = 0.01) in expired hydrogen was observed during the second HBT (38 ± 35 ppm·min), compared with the baseline HBT (57 ± 38 ppm·min). There was a nonsignificant decrease in TSS (10.6 ± 8.3 before compared with 8.1 ± 7.2 after intervention; P = 0.09). Daily consumption of lactose was well tolerated, with mild to no gastrointestinal complaints reported during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of Bifidobacterium indicate an adaptation of the gut microbiota upon repetitive consumption of incremental doses of lactose, which was well tolerated as demonstrated by reduced expired hydrogen concentrations during the second 25-g lactose HBT. Bifidobacteria metabolize lactose without gas production thereby potentially reducing intestinal gas formation in the gut of individuals with the LNP-genotype. This increased lactose tolerance possibly lifts the necessity to remove nutrient-rich dairy foods completely from the diet. The trial is registered at the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: NL9516. The effect of dietary lactose in lactase nonpersistent individuals on gut microbiota.

Audiovisual biofeedback amplifies plantarflexor adaptation during walking among children with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Biofeedback is a promising noninvasive strategy to enhance gait training among individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). Commonly, biofeedback systems are designed to guide movement correction using audio, visual, or sensorimotor (i.e., tactile or proprioceptive) cues, each of which has demonstrated measurable success in CP. However, it is currently unclear how the modality of biofeedback may influence user response which has significant implications if systems are to be consistently adopted into clinical care. METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the extent to which adolescents with CP (7M/1F; 14 [12.5,15.5] years) adapted their gait patterns during treadmill walking (6 min/modality) with audiovisual (AV), sensorimotor (SM), and combined AV + SM biofeedback before and after four acclimation sessions (20 min/session) and at a two-week follow-up. Both biofeedback systems were designed to target plantarflexor activity on the more-affected limb, as these muscles are commonly impaired in CP and impact walking function. SM biofeedback was administered using a resistive ankle exoskeleton and AV biofeedback displayed soleus activity from electromyography recordings during gait. At every visit, we measured the time-course response to each biofeedback modality to understand how the rate and magnitude of gait adaptation differed between modalities and following acclimation. RESULTS: Participants significantly increased soleus activity from baseline using AV + SM (42.8% [15.1, 59.6]), AV (28.5% [19.2, 58.5]), and SM (10.3% [3.2, 15.2]) biofeedback, but the rate of soleus adaptation was faster using AV + SM biofeedback than either modality alone. Further, SM-only biofeedback produced small initial increases in plantarflexor activity, but these responses were transient within and across sessions (p > 0.11). Following multi-session acclimation and at the two-week follow-up, responses to AV and AV + SM biofeedback were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that AV biofeedback was critical to increase plantarflexor engagement during walking, but that combining AV and SM modalities further amplified the rate of gait adaptation. Beyond improving our understanding of how individuals may differentially prioritize distinct forms of afferent information, outcomes from this study may inform the design and selection of biofeedback systems for use in clinical care.

Lived Experiences of Patients on Hemodialysis Treatment at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital: A Phenomenological Study.

Background: There is increasing number of patients undergoing hemodialysis globally. Patients on hemodialysis experience physical and emotional stress due to the changes brought by chronic kidney disease. Aim: The study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of patients on hemodialysis treatment in Kiruddu National Referral Hospital. Methods: The study employed a phenomenological design. Data was collected using audio tape recording of the interview from 9 participants selected through purposive sampling at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital. The thematic aspects of the lived experience were uncovered using Van Manen data analysis which included three approaches: the detailed or line-by-line approach, selective or highlighting approach and holistic approach. Results: Six themes emerged during the analysis as hemodialysis prolongs survival; hemodialysis is indispensable, family financial support, physical limitations, emotional distress and adaptation. Conclusion: It was concluded from the findings that the patients undergoing haemodialysis are facing a wide range of problems such as physical and emotional problems during the course of their treatment and think that haemodialysis is the only way of survival, and these problems need to be addressed. Understanding gained in this study can help nurses to utilize this information in improving the quality of nursing care and guide patients to provide positive reinforcement for their future living.

China's public health initiatives for climate change adaptation.

China's health gains over the past decades face potential reversals if climate change adaptation is not prioritized. China's temperature rise surpasses the global average due to urban heat islands and ecological changes, and demands urgent actions to safeguard public health. Effective adaptation need to consider China's urbanization trends, underlying non-communicable diseases, an aging population, and future pandemic threats. Climate change adaptation initiatives and strategies include urban green space, healthy indoor environments, spatial planning for cities, advance location-specific early warning systems for extreme weather events, and a holistic approach for linking carbon neutrality to health co-benefits. Innovation and technology uptake is a crucial opportunity. China's successful climate adaptation can foster international collaboration regionally and beyond.