Reduce stress and the risk of burnout by using yoga techniques. Pilot study.

Introduction: This article examines the effectiveness of yoga in managing stress, with a particular focus on work-related stress. Yoga combines physical postures, breath control, and meditation, and has gained recognition for its potential to relieve stress. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the motivating factors behind individuals adopting yoga exercises and to assess the effects of regular yoga practice, with a particular focus on age-related differences. Additionally, we aimed to compare participants' expectations with the actual results of their yoga practice. Methods: To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive survey using an online form, which was completed by 520 yoga practitioners. Participants were surveyed about their motivation, the effects they experienced, and the type of yoga they practiced. Results: The results showed that the most common motivation for individuals practicing yoga was stress reduction. Additionally, the analysis of the effects of regular yoga practice demonstrated a significant reduction in stress levels, with experienced practitioners reporting lower stress levels compared to beginners. In conclusion, the study suggests that regular yoga practice can be an effective way to reduce stress levels. Conclusion: Dynamic forms of yoga, which incorporate fluid movements and synchronized breathing techniques, are highly effective approaches to stress management and relief. These findings highlight the value of yoga as a tool for individuals of all ages seeking stress relief and overall well-being. Another advantage of yoga practice is its affordability and lack of negative side effects.

The Effect of Vinyasa Yoga Practice on the Well-Being of Breast-Cancer Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Vinyasa yoga practice improves body fitness and potentially positively affects practitioners' well-being and health. Due to the diverse intensity of practice and positions customized to the practitioner's needs, it can also support cancer patients. Undertaking physical activity that has a potentially positive effect on well-being and health was particularly important during the self-isolation that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of three-month mild and moderate intensity vinyasa yoga practice on breast-cancer patients' stress perception, self-confidence, and sleep quality during COVID-19 induced self-isolation. METHODS: Female breast-cancer patients participated in twelve-weeks of online vinyasa practice during the COVID-19 induced self-isolation period. Meetings were held once a week, where 60-min vinyasa yoga sequences were followed by 15 min of relaxation. Patients completed pre- and post-intervention surveys to evaluate changes in the following outcomes: stress perception, self-confidence, and sleep quality. Forty-one female patients enrolled in the Vinyasa course completed the pre-intervention survey, while 13 attended all the meetings and completed the post-intervention survey. RESULTS: The effect of the twelve-week yoga and relaxation practice significantly reduced sleep problems and stress of oncological patients. The participants also declared an improvement in their general well-being and self-acceptance. CONCLUSION: Dynamic forms of yoga combined with mindfulness techniques can be applied to patients treated for oncological diseases. It contributes to improving their well-being. However, in-depth studies are needed to analyze the complexity of this effect.

The needs of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic-psychosocial, ethical and spiritual aspects-systematic review.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented changes in the functioning of the health care system, which were connected with the occurrence of new challenges for both the health care system's employees and for the patients. The purpose of the present article is to analyze the needs of persons with oncological diseases. Taking into account the multiple aspects of the term health, psychological, social, and existential needs of the patients were analyzed. This article is directed mainly at persons who remain in a direct therapeutic relation with a patient. It is to facilitate recognizing the needs of ill people and to increase sensitivity to the issue of maintaining or improving the well-being of patients which requires paying special attention to their psychological, social, and existential needs during the period of hindered access to the health care system. This systematic review takes advantage of quantitative and qualitative methods of text analysis with phenomenological analysis factored in. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the appearance of new problems in the population of oncological patients or it made the existing problems more severe. As a consequence, it made it significantly more difficult to meet their needs on various levels and sometimes it even made it impossible. It seems necessary to determine and introduce strategies to ensure that patients with oncological diseases have access to psychological and spiritual support in the period of the pandemic.

Impact of umbilical cord arterial pH, gestational age, and birth weight on neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm neonates.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of umbilical cord arterial pH, gestational age, and birth weight on neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm neonates. METHODS: We examined 112 neonates. Inclusion criteria were: Saturations greater than 88%, and heart rates between 100-205 beats per minute. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed several neurodevelopmental factors as part of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), 4th edition, such as asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), motor maturity, response to sensory stimuli, habituation, and state regulation. Initial assessment parameters such as APGAR score and umbilical cord arterial pH were used to assess neonates. RESULTS: We found a strong correlation between the presence of the sucking reflex and umbilical cord arterial pH (r = 0.32; p = 0.018981). Umbilical cord arterial pH was also correlated with the presence of asymmetric tonic neck reflex (r = 0.27; p = 0.047124), cost of attention (r = 0.31; p = 0.025381) and general motor maturity (r = 0.34; p = 0.011741). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the sucking reflex may be affected in infants with low umbilical cord arterial pH values. Practitioners and parents can use the NBAS to help determine neurodevelopmental factors and outcomes in preterm infants, possibly leading to safer and more effective feeding practices and interventions.

Subjective Evaluation of the Results of Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for the Face.

BACKGROUND: Skin ageing is a physiological process, progressive and irreversible. Hyaluronic acid injection treatments are used to correct the signs of skin ageing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hyaluronic acid was implanted in the area of the cheek and the forehead aesthetic units in 57 women, aged 35-55 years. Apart from the clinical observation, self-assessment of the therapeutic results was conducted. The "My skin" questionnaire was used for subjective evaluation of the treatment results. RESULTS: Mean wrinkle score in the pre-menopausal group changed after the treatment, from 3.2±0.6 to 1.1±0.3 and from 3.2±0.6 to 0.8±0.6 for the forehead and the cheek esthetic units, respectively. In the post-menopausal group, the score decreased from 3.8±0.4 to 1.7± 0.7 and from 3.2±0.617 to 0.8± 0.6 for the forehead and the cheek esthetic units, respectively. The changes were age-dependent. Improved appearance of the facial skin - higher satisfaction with skin tone and scent - was reported after hyaluronic acid injections. Higher subjective perception of improvement corresponded to older age, irrespectively of the menopausal status. Correlations between age and the effect of the treatment on maintaining proper skin hydration as well as between improved appearance of the forehead area and feelings of autonomy and well-being were found. CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid injections significantly improved the subjective perception and overall assessment of the scent and appearance of the facial skin.

What do women know about breast cancer prophylaxis and a healthy style of life?

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing women's knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis and find out the sources of the knowledge. BACKGROUND: In the Greater Poland region, breast cancer has been the most frequently detected tumour for years. The percentage of breast cancer cases has increased by 31% in the last decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study encompassed 337 women aged 40-59 who participated in the mammographic examinations. An original research tool was used which assessed the level of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis, the knowledge of health-oriented behaviour in this regard and the influence of the medical personnel on women's education. RESULTS: Age is a factor diversifying the knowledge of the breast self-examination method. Doctors and nurses were rarely indicated as a source of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis. The subjects presented a high level of knowledge of the factors increasing the risk of developing cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between the level of education and the knowledge of one's own breast to a degree which enables a woman to detect even a slight change was observed. Vital findings also concern the sources of knowledge concerning breast cancer prophylaxis. The results of the studies indicated little informative support on the part of the medical personnel; therefore, one should call for supplementing training courses for doctors and nurses focusing on the issues of prophylaxis, including the method of breast self-examination.

Levels of hepatocyte growth factor in serum correlate with quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Patients with end stage renal failure (ESRD) report low quality of life and inflammation may be one of the contributing factors. We studied if the hemodialysis induced inflammation correlates with the patients quality of life. METHODS: Study was performed in 76 (35 males and 41 females) ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis. Effect of one dialysis session on blood concentration of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) was studied. Results were correlated with answers given by patients to a short questionnaire composed of questions from Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQoL-SF) questionnaire. RESULTS: Hemodialysis induced increase of serum level of HGF (+117%) and IL-6 (+17%). Declared by patients health status correlated with their age, GFR, kt/V and hemodialysis induced change in serum IL6 and HGF level (R(2) = 0469, P < 0.001). Physical activity correlated with age, serum IL-6 and hemodialysis induced change in serum HGF and VEGF (R(2) = 0.362, P < 0.001). Presence of social/mental problems during previous 4 weeks correlated with age, serum HGF and hemodialysis induced changes in serum HGF and VEGF levels (R(2) = 0.333, P < 0.001). Interference of the kidney disease with daily life activities correlated with age, serum VEGF and hemodialysis induced change in serum HGF and IL6 levels (R(2) = 0.422, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Inflammation correlates with reduced quality of life in ESRD. Low hemodialysis-induced release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine HGF correlates with impaired quality of life in that group of patients.

Hemodialysis-induced changes in the blood composition affect function of the endothelium.

Hemodialysis induces oxidative stress causing intravascular inflammation, which may cause endothelial dysfunction. We evaluated how hemodialysis-induced changes in blood affect the function of endothelial cells in in vitro culture. Serum samples were collected from 42 uremic patients treated with hemodialysis, one before the start of dialysis and the other one at the end of session. All patients were dialysed with polysulfone dialyzer. Concentrations of the inflammatory molecules carbonyl protein and metabolites of NO synthesis were measured in blood. Additionally, the effect of the serum obtained before and after dialysis on the function of endothelial cells in in vitro culture was studied. Hemodialysis caused increase of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (+17%), hepatocyte growth factor (+91%), and pentraxin-3 (+30%) concentration in serum. Concentration of carbonyl protein was decreased by 30%. Decrease of blood level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (-25%) and nitrate/nitrites (-62%) was observed. Serum obtained after hemodialysis stimulated proliferation of endothelial cells (+10%) and synthesis of MCP-1(+11%) in these cells. Hemodialysis-induced intravascular inflammation changes the function of endothelial cells, which may lead to acceleration of atherosclerosis.