Search Results (1,918)

Obesity is associated with profound metabolic, inflammatory, and neurobehavioral dysfunctions. Dietary interventions leading to weight loss are commonly employed, yet it remains unclear whether all obesity-related alterations are fully reversed upon reaching normal body weight. Poor adherence to dietary regimens often results in weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting, characterized by repeated episodes of weight gain and loss, a phenomenon linked to adverse health outcomes. Here, we investigated the consequences of weight cycling in C57BL/6J mice. The Control Group was maintained on a standard chow diet throughout the protocol, whereas the experimental group underwent two alternating cycles of high-fat diet feeding (weight gain) and standard diet reversion (weight loss), until the end of the protocol where both groups reached 80 weeks of age. Despite achieving a final body weight and glucose and lipid metabolic profile comparable to lean controls, weight-cycled mice exhibited impaired sensorimotor function, increased anxiety-like behavior (evaluated through behavioral tests), and persistent inflammation, including a peritoneal macrophage pro-inflammatory profile and adipose tissue infiltration. We define this phenomenon as “obesogenic inflammatory memory”, highlighting that obesity leaves an immunological imprint that sustains inflammation even after normalization of weight and metabolic parameters. These findings demonstrate that weight cycling is associated with chronic macrophage-mediated inflammatory states, linked to long-term behavioral and neurological manifestations, and opening new avenues for future investigation and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Background and Objectives: Abortion on request, contraceptive access barriers, and mental health may jointly shape women’s quality of life (QoL). We examined how abortion history, structural barriers, and psychosocial factors relate to modern contraceptive use, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and QoL among women attending a Romanian tertiary center. Methods: We conducted a single-center observational study combining retrospective chart review with an online survey of 200 women aged 18–45 years. Validated instruments (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7], World Health Organization Five-Item Well-Being Index [WHO-5], and World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF [WHOQOL-BREF]) and indices of access barriers, perceived stigma, and social support were used. Analyses included multivariable regression, structural equation modelling, latent class analysis, and moderation analysis. Results: Overall, 55.0% of women reported ≥1 abortion on request. Compared with those without abortion history, they were older (31.2 ± 4.9 vs. 26.8 ± 4.8 years, p < 0.001), more often had lower levels of education (51.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.013), and were less likely to use modern contraception at last intercourse (52.7% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.012). PHQ-9 (8.8 ± 4.0 vs. 7.3 ± 4.3) and GAD-7 (7.0 ± 3.2 vs. 5.7 ± 3.4) scores were higher (both p = 0.010), while QoL was lower (55.4 ± 8.1 vs. 59.5 ± 7.8, p < 0.001). In adjusted models, access barriers (OR per point = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6), but not abortion history, predicted non-use of modern contraception. QoL correlated strongly with PHQ-9 (r = −0.6) and WHO-5 (r = 0.5; both p < 0.001). Latent class analysis identified a “high-barrier, distressed, abortion-experienced” profile with the poorest mental health and QoL. Conclusions: Structural access barriers and current depressive and anxiety symptoms, rather than abortion history alone, were key correlates of contraceptive gaps and reduced QoL, underscoring the need for integrated reproductive and mental health care. Full article

Cervical dystonia (CD), blepharospasm (BSP), and idiopathic hemifacial spasm (HFS) are focal hyperkinetic movement disorders with distinct underlying mechanisms. While CD and BSP involve central network dysfunctions within the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical and cerebellar circuits, HFS primarily results from peripheral facial nerve hyperexcitability. Still, people living with all three conditions often struggle with mood issues like depression and anxiety, which can originate from both the burden of illness and changes in brain biology. We studied 61 patients (CD, n = 30; BSP, n = 9; HFS, n = 22) and assessed depression and anxiety before and three weeks after botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) therapy, considering injection site and dose. BoNT-A significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms across all groups, regardless of disease type, dose, or glabellar injection. These psychiatric improvements were not associated with the degree of motor symptom reduction, suggesting a partially independent mechanism of mood modulation. Our findings indicate that BoNT-A’s mood benefits may extend beyond local motor effects, possibly involving broader sensorimotor-limbic interactions. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of BoNT-A for addressing non-motor symptoms in both dystonic and non-dystonic hyperkinetic disorders. Future studies employing imaging and neurophysiological methods are necessary to explain the neural pathways underlying these effects. Full article

Nail clipping can cause fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats and possibly long-term aversion to veterinary care. We conducted an anonymous, online, mixed-methods survey to characterise the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Australian veterinary nurses, technicians, and other veterinary staff regarding nail clipping in dogs and cats. Among 242 valid responses, 71.9% (n = 174/242) performed nail clipping multiple times per week. Dogs (72.4%, n = 165/228) and cats (59%, n = 134/227) frequently displayed FAS (score > 2/5) during nail clipping. Most respondents (79.8%, n = 193/242) reported being injured while performing nail clipping. Respondents reporting a negative attitude towards nail clipping were 5.5 times (95% CI = 1.7–17.8) more likely to report being injured during a nail clip compared to those with a positive attitude. Respondents reported feeling pressure to persevere with nail clipping when it was unnecessary or when animals exhibited severe FAS. Where used, pre-visit pharmaceuticals and sedation were reported to effectively reduce FAS (dog: p = 0.015; cat: p = 0.152), along with non-pharmaceutical interventions such as gentle handling and counter-conditioning. Respondents perceived nail-clipping to be a difficult, undervalued task. Increased training of veterinary team members regarding nail clipping could improve animal welfare and the safety of veterinary team members. Full article

Identifying probiotics that modulate the gut–brain axis is vital for non-pharmacological Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapy. Through a staged screening from transgenic Drosophila to a D-galactose/AlCl₃-induced murine model, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA4 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei F5 were prioritized for their ability to improve climbing indices and reduce Aβ deposition and AChE activity. In AD mice, LA4 and F5 significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behaviors. Mechanistically, both strains reduced hippocampal Aβ_1–42 and p-Tau levels, inhibited AChE, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and enhanced antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px). 16S rRNA analysis revealed restored Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios and enrichment of SCFA-producers (Muribaculaceae, Dubosiella). Metabolomics highlighted remodeled purine and arginine pathways, with strain-specific effects on primary bile acid biosynthesis/sphingolipid metabolism (LA4) and butanoate metabolism/nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism (F5). Consequently, LA4 and F5 alleviate AD pathology by restructuring microbial and metabolic profiles, thereby mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. These findings confirm the potential of specific probiotics as functional food ingredients for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

With the increasing competition in elite sports, pre-competition anxiety has become increasingly prevalent among high-level competitive athletes, and high levels of such anxiety may impair sports performance and threaten athletes’ psychological health. Traditional psychological interventions (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) are often poorly accepted and costly; however, pre-competition anxiety in these athletes may be alleviated through multiple pathways of traditional mind–body exercises like Tai Chi. Yet, the psychological mechanism by which mind–body exercises such as Tai Chi training influence pre-competition anxiety remains insufficiently explored, particularly the chain-mediating effect of the “flow experience → mental toughness” pathway. This study thus aimed to investigate the impact of Tai Chi training on pre-competition anxiety in high-level competitive athletes and verify the chain-mediating role of the “flow experience → mental toughness” pathway, thereby providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for sports psychology interventions. Using a randomized controlled experimental design, 86 high-level competitive athletes were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 43) and a control group (n = 43). The experimental group received standardized Tai Chi training for 8 weeks, while the control group maintained their regular training regimen. Data were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of the intervention using the Competition State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), Flow State Scale-2 (FSS-2), and Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and chain-mediating effects were tested via hierarchical regression analysis and the bootstrap method with 5000 resamples. The results indicated that Tai Chi training could reduce pre-competition anxiety levels (β = −0.30, p < 0.5), and both flow experience (β = 0.38, p < 0.5) and mental toughness (β = 0.21, p < 0.5) exerted significant mediating effects. The chain mediation model further revealed that Tai Chi training alleviated pre-competition anxiety by enhancing flow experience and improving mental toughness sequentially (β = 0.01, 95% CI [0.00, 0.03]), accounting for 78.9% of the total mediated effect. In conclusion, Tai Chi training is associated with reduced pre-competition anxiety in high-level competitive athletes, and this relationship is statistically mediated by the sequential pathway of flow experience and mental toughness. These findings offer a new theoretical basis and practical direction for mind–body interventions in sports psychology. It should be noted that future research could further optimize and refine the intervention protocol, and explore the underlying mechanism of mind–body interventions at the neurobiological level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue, particularly in Mediterranean countries such as Greece. Although parental influences on children’s weight have been extensively studied, fewer studies have jointly examined parental mental health, feeding practices, sociodemographic factors, and biological stress markers. This study aimed to investigate associations between psychological status, educational level, feeding behaviors, and children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Greek sample. A pilot assessment of salivary cortisol was included in evaluating its feasibility as an objective biomarker of parental stress. Subjects and Methods: A total of 103 parent–child dyads participated in this cross-sectional study. Children’s BMI was classified using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. Parental stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaires. Feeding practices were evaluated with the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A subsample provided saliva samples for cortisol analysis to assess feasibility and explore the potential associations with parental stress indicators. Results: Parental BMI showed a strong positive association with child BMI (p = 0.002). Higher parental anxiety (p = 0.002) and depression (p = 0.009) were also associated with increased child BMI. Restrictive (p < 0.001) and emotion-driven (p < 0.001) feeding practices were associated with higher child BMI, whereas monitoring (p = 0.013) and health-promoting feeding practices (p = 0.001) appeared protective. Lower parental education was related to a higher BMI in both parents (p = 0.001) and children (p = 0.002) and to more frequent use of restrictive feeding strategies (p = 0.001). WHO charts identified a greater proportion of children as overweight or obese compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. The analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two classification systems (χ² (4) = 159.704, p < 0.001), indicating that BMI categorization varies considerably depending on the reference system used. No significant associations were observed with residential environment or salivary cortisol, likely due to the limited size of the pilot biomarker subsample. Conclusions: The findings highlight the combined effect of parental mental health status, educational level, and feeding practices on child BMI within the Greek context. The preliminary inclusion of a biological stress marker provides added value to the existing research in this area. These results underscore the importance of prevention strategies that promote parental psychological wellbeing and responsive feeding practices while addressing socioeconomic disparities to reduce the childhood obesity risk. Full article

The treatment of depression is an uphill battle due to the low efficiency and delayed clinical response of antidepressants and the fact that most of them cause numerous side effects. Psychobiotics, probiotics that affect brain function and confer mental health benefits, emerged as a promising ally showing protective effects against depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in various animal models of depression. There is rapidly accumulating evidence that psychobiotics show protective effects at the molecular level as well, affecting several pathophysiological processes implicated in depression. This narrative review summarizes preclinical insights into molecular changes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission and tryptophan metabolism underlying psychobiotic-driven mitigation of depressive and anxiety symptoms in stress-based, corticosterone-induced and inflammation-induced animal models of depression. Research evidence indicates that psychobiotics normalize the activity of the HPA axis, decrease levels of inflammatory mediators in the intestine, circulation, and brain, normalize the levels of neurotransmitters and their receptors, and regulate tryptophan metabolism in various animal models of depression. The main setbacks in this field are the extensive diversity of studied probiotic strains, which are often insufficiently characterized, and the lack of mechanistic studies in animal models. However, despite these challenges, further study of psychobiotics in the pursuit of supportive therapies for depressive disorders is firmly grounded. Full article

Background and Objectives: E-cigarette use among middle and high school students steadily increased in the last decade, raising significant public health concerns. It is argued that e-cigarettes contain a lower level of toxicants than combustible tobacco cigarettes. This perception has contributed to the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among youth. However, lower level of toxicants does not mean addiction is less likely. In this study, we examine trends in the usage of electronic cigarettes among middle and high school students in the U.S. from 2018 to 2023, compare these patterns with traditional cigarette use over the same period and population, and explore the underlying reasons driving e-cigarette use within this demographic. Understanding patterns and motivations are essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Materials and Methods: Data were derived from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Population-level estimates and standard errors were calculated to facilitate comparisons across subgroups and time points. Results: A declining trend in e-cigarette use was observed over the study period. The proportion of students who reported exclusive e-cigarette use was significantly higher than that of those who used combustible cigarettes exclusively. Among reported motivations, anxiety consistently ranked among the top three reasons for vaping for current users. Conclusions: The downward trend in youth e-cigarette experimentation is encouraging. However, the period from 2020 to 2023, which includes the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021) era, may have impacted usage patterns. Alarmingly, the number of students who vape exclusively is approximately five times greater than that of those who smoke only cigarettes. This finding contradicts claims by e-cigarette manufacturers that their products facilitate smoking cessation. Further rising e-cigarette smoking exclusively is of public health concern, which warrants targeted intervention. Full article

Background: Population aging increases susceptibility to cognitive decline, anxiety, and metabolic dysregulation, yet safe and effective interventions remain limited. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been traditionally used to enhance mood and cognition, and its main metabolites, crocins and safranal, exert neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and metabolic effects. However, variability in extract composition and frequent adulteration hinder reproducibility. Objectives: To clarify the efficacy of genuine saffron preparations in aging, we investigated a saffron extract standardized for safranal and crocin content (SSE). Methods: Safranal bioavailability was first characterized in rats, followed by an evaluation of behavioral, neuroendocrine, and metabolic outcomes after 35 days of oral SSE administration (25 or 200 mg/kg/day) in 25-month-old male C57BL/6 mice. Behavioral performance was assessed using open field and novel object recognition tests, while molecular analyses targeted neuropeptides in the hypothalamus and amygdala, hippocampal plasticity markers, cortical inflammatory proteins, and hepatic lipid metabolism genes. Results: SSE administration induced a rapid but transient increase in the plasma’s safranal, confirming its bioavailability. In aged mice, the low dose prevented age-related weight loss and modulated hepatic lipid metabolism, whereas the high dose reduced anxiety-like behavior and improved recognition memory. The anxiolytic effects are consistent with elevated hypothalamic Npy, an anxiolytic peptide, reduced amygdalar Crh, a key mediator of stress and anxiety, and decreased hypothalamic Hcrt, an arousal modulator. The improvement in memory is associated with modulation of the cortical and hippocampal inflammatory and endocannabinoid proteins involved in neural plasticity. Conclusions: These findings highlight content-standardized saffron extracts as a promising multi-target nutraceuticals for healthy aging. Full article

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had significant effects on mental health and lifestyle behaviours, especially among university students who experienced academic disruptions, social isolation, and fewer social interactions. Alcohol consumption has long been part of student culture. Still, the influence of post-pandemic academic reintegration on drinking patterns and psychological distress remains relatively unexplored, particularly in countries like Portugal, where student traditions heavily shape consumption habits. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of Portuguese university students during the post-pandemic academic period, and to explore associations with sociodemographic variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2021 with 90 students from a private higher education institution in northern Portugal. Data were collected via an online questionnaire including sociodemographic information, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Result: The majority of the participants were not at risk of alcohol addiction (95.3%). In total, 15.1% of students reported anxiety symptoms ranging from severe to extremely severe. A binomial logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of being away from home and psychological distress (DASS-42 score), on the likelihood that participants were at risk of alcohol addiction (Level 3 and 4 in the AUDIT scale). The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ²(2) = 9.20, p = 0.010. Living away from home was associated with a substantially lower likelihood of high-risk status (B = −2.79, p = 0.034), corresponding to an odds ratio of 0.06, indicating a strong protective effect. DASS-42 total score was positively associated with high-risk status (B = 0.04, p = 0.039), such that higher psychological distress increased the odds of being classified as high risk. Conclusions: The findings reveal a low prevalence of alcohol risk but heightened symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Psychological distress notably increases the likelihood of hazardous alcohol use, emphasising the importance of targeted mental health and alcohol-use interventions among university students. Full article

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and insomnia, are increasingly prevalent worldwide, prompting interest in herbal-based complementary therapies. This study surveyed 168 Hungarian healthcare professionals to evaluate their knowledge and recommendations regarding herbal sedatives and analyzed seven commonly suggested OTC products available in Hungary, using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry according to the European Pharmacopoeia. The survey revealed that 86.9% of respondents recommend herbal products for nervous system complaints, with Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis being the preferred ingredients. Herbal teas and traditional herbal medicines were the most frequently suggested product categories. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of marker compounds in all tested products; however, significant variability in active ingredient concentrations was observed. One homeopathic product contained an unidentified alkaloid-like compound, raising safety concerns. Essential oil yields from tea mixtures also varied markedly, and some products did not meet pharmacopoeial standards for hypericin content. These findings highlight the popularity of phytotherapy among healthcare professionals and the need for stricter quality control of OTC herbal sedatives. Future research should include multi-batch analyses and clinical trials to establish robust evidence for efficacy and safety. Full article

Fucoidan, a complex sulfated polysaccharide derived from marine brown seaweeds, exhibits broad biological activities, including anticoagulant, antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects. Fucoidan confers neuroprotection in animal models of a broad spectrum of brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and depression. However, the effect of fucoidan on gut-derived neuroinflammation and associated behavioral changes has been scarcely investigated. In comparison to fucoidan from other brown seaweeds, that from Fucus vesiculosus exhibited a better neuroprotective effect in vivo and more potent radical scavenging activity in vitro. Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica ameliorates behavioral disorders related to acute ulcerative colitis (UC) in aged mice. It is of interest to assess the effects of fucoidan administration on intestinal and brain inflammation in the acute colitis mouse model. Fucoidan treatment ameliorated DSS-induced intestinal pathology, reduced the inflammatory mediator expression in the gut and brain, and activated intestinal macrophages and cortical microglia in the UC mice. It also protected the intestinal mucosal barrier and blood–brain barrier as well as prevented neuronal damage, while alleviating anxiety-like behavior in UC mice. These results suggest fucoidan supplementation may help prevent brain disorders, such as depression and PD, potentially involving gut–brain axis-related mechanisms, as fucoidan suppresses gut-derived neuroinflammation. Full article

The ideals of community and collective action are key tenets of the environmental justice (EJ) movement. Yet the pervasive grind culture that underpins capitalist societies makes it challenging to embrace these core values. EJ convenings are organized by a variety of entities, including grassroots organizations, government agencies, environmental non-governmental agencies, and academic institutions, and often reflect the tone of the organizing entity. This work explores the impact of a community and academic partnered EJ summit in addressing ecological grief (eco-grief) and ecological anxiety (eco-anxiety), supporting collective action, and attending to healing justice. We interviewed thirteen participants who attended the 2024 Pittsburgh Environmental Justice Summit using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Drawing on insights from lived experiences with the environment and environmental harms, we sought to understand how participants perceived EJ, health, and healing, as well as the role of summits and community efforts in shaping these perspectives. Emotional impacts like eco-grief, eco-anxiety, and intergenerational trauma were other common themes established through the interviews. Despite negative emotions being more commonly expressed than positive emotions, hope emerged as the most widely expressed theme. The summit was viewed as a space for reflection, support, establishing new contacts, and promoting growth and resilience. The results underscore the importance of integrating emotional and psychological aspects into EJ frameworks as well as the value of community-based approaches that combine EJ and healing practices to foster resilience, promote equitable health outcomes, and cultivate hope through collective action and support. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthy ageing, focused on maintaining daily autonomy and cognitive function despite chronic comorbidities, poses a challenge for public health systems, especially for those aged ≥80, given the expected increase in this population. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in this group is essential to achieving this goal, with primary care services playing a key role in this effort. Therefore, our objective was to profile the participants based on these characteristics. Methods: The study included 222 non-institutionalized, dementia-free individuals (mean age 84.58 ± 3.72 years, 56.3% women) recruited from a primary healthcare service. Data were collected from medical records and interviews, including the cognitive Pfeiffer test, the functional Barthel index (BI), and ad hoc questionnaires (for lifestyle variables). Latent profiling analysis (LPA) was used to classify the participants. Results: The participants reported social support (97.7%), low-risk alcohol consumption (94.6%), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (85.1%), physical activity (74.8%), and never smoking (72.5%). Hypertension (86.5%), cataracts (74.3%), and osteoarticular diseases (68.5%) were the most frequent chronic conditions. Women showed a significantly different distribution of certain variables and a higher number of comorbidities (6.34 ± 2.38) than men (5.58 ± 2.44) (p = 0.019). After LPA, we found that 38.29% of individuals met characteristics compatible with healthy ageing, predominantly male (60%); the association of a high probability of cognitive impairment with a high degree (severe or total), exhibited by the profiles likely >85% women (18.5% of individuals); physical activity, smoking, osteoporosis, anxiety, COPD, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and creatinine blood levels exhibited statistical differences between profiles; and the probability of dependence severity was associated with an increase in age, although cognitive status conservation was associated being male. Conclusions: The studied +80 group seems to follow a healthy lifestyle, as self-reported. Women fare worse than men in resilient ageing. While common factors related to dysfunctionality did not differentiate between profiles, CKD, an increasingly common age-related condition, did. Full article