Search Results (111)

It is noteworthy that disturbances in circadian rhythms and irregular sleep patterns can exert influence over the onset of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Similarly, they can impact the development of Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM). In recent decades, there has been a notable trend towards both reduced and extended sleep durations, with a concurrent rise in occurrences of compromised sleep quality attributable to sleep fragmentation. These sleep disturbances, along with clinically recognized sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia, have been increasingly associated with a range of detrimental health outcomes. Of particular concern is the growing evidence linking sleep dysregulation to an augmented risk of metabolic diseases, including diabetes. In addition to sleep duration and quality, emerging research suggests that an individual’s chronotype, reflecting their preferred time for going to sleep, may also exert an influence on disease development, particularly T2DM. The habit of going to bed late when compared to the tendency of going to bed early tends to cause significant disruptions to daily social engagements. Eventually, this misalignment may lead to discrepancies in sleep schedules between weekdays and weekends, commonly referred to as social jetlag. The current review aims to discuss the complex relationship between circadian rhythm misalignment, triggered by improper sleep habits such as short or long sleep duration, disrupted chronotype, social jetlag, and sleep disorders, on the subsequent impact on the development of diabetes. Overall, current evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disruption and sleep disorders contribute significantly to metabolic dysregulation and diabetes risk, highlighting the importance of sleep health in prevention and management of diabetes. Full article

Background: Evening meal-timing chronotypes often exhibit lower calcium intake; however, whether this relationship remains significant after accounting for overall diet quality remains unclear. This study examined the association between meal-timing chronotypes and calcium intake and evaluated whether this association is maintained after adjusting for overall diet quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 3465 adults aged 30–49 years from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Meal-timing chronotypes were identified using dynamic time warping-based K-means clustering of 24-h energy intake distributions. Survey-weighted linear regression assessed the association between meal-timing chronotype and calcium intake and tested their interaction with the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI; excluding dairy) to evaluate the moderating effect of diet quality. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for low calcium intake according to meal-timing chronotypes. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, occupation, household income, and physical activity. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, the evening meal-timing chronotype was significantly associated with higher odds of low calcium intake (OR = 2.2, p < 0.001). A significant interaction between chronotype and KHEI tertiles on calcium intake was observed (p < 0.001). Specifically, while calcium intake generally decreased as diet quality declined, individuals with an evening preference consistently showed significantly lower calcium intake across all KHEI tertiles compared to the morning preference group (β = −7.9, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The evening meal-timing chronotype showed a significant association with lower calcium intake, which remained significant even after accounting for overall diet quality. These findings suggest that circadian-related eating patterns, rather than just overall diet quality, play a structural role in determining calcium intake. Full article

Background and Objectives: This scoping review aims to assess the correlation between periodontitis, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep quality. Materials and Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to identify eligible studies from the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The research question was formulated as follows: “What is the evidence about the correlation between periodontitis, circadian rhythm disorders and sleep?”. Results: Through database searching, 1673 records were identified, and ultimately, 20 studies were included. Among these, seven articles were about the correlation between circadian rhythm and periodontitis; thirteen articles discussed the association between sleep and periodontitis. Conclusions: Circadian rhythm alterations and poor sleep are related to periodontitis. A causal relationship between circadian rhythm disturbances, poor sleep, and periodontitis remains unclear, especially because of the cross-sectional design of most studies. No study has conducted an analysis of the reverse causality. To clarify this correlation, longitudinal studies should be conducted. A few experiments suggested that circadian rhythm disturbances and sleep deprivation induce periodontitis. Assessing direct causality and understanding the precise role of circadian rhythm alterations and sleep quality on periodontitis can lead to personalizing the management of the condition. Full article

Individual differences in circadian preference have been shown to influence cognitive functioning, yet their relationship with subjective memory complaints remains unclear. The present study examined the association between chronotype and everyday memory complaints in a sample of Portuguese adults, exploring the sequential mediating roles of sleep quality and psychological distress. A total of 382 participants completed self-report measures of chronotype, sleep quality, psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and stress), and subjective memory complaints. In a cross-sectional self-report design, a path analysis approach was used to test a theoretically driven serial mediation model. Results indicated that greater morningness predicted better perceived sleep quality, which in turn was associated with lower levels of psychological distress. No significant direct effects of chronotype or sleep quality on subjective memory complaints were observed; however, a significant indirect effect was identified through the sequential pathway linking chronotype, sleep quality, and psychological distress. These findings suggest that circadian preferences are associated with self-perceived memory functioning primarily through sleep-related and emotional mechanisms; however, the sequential mediation identified reflects associational rather than causal relationships. The model highlights the central role of sleep quality and emotional state in shaping subjective memory complaints and supports integrative approaches that consider both circadian and emotional factors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric consequence of trauma, and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable after large-scale disasters. Sleep disturbances and circadian preference may play a role in PTSD symptomatology. This study aimed to investigate the associations between PTSD, sleep quality, sleep problems, and chronotype in adolescents exposed to an earthquake. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 201 adolescents aged 12–18 years: 92 diagnosed with PTSD and 109 earthquake-exposed controls without a DSM-5 psychiatric disorder. Participants completed the Children’s Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and Children’s Chronotype Questionnaire (CCTQ). Group differences, correlation analyses, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Adolescents with PTSD had significantly higher CPTS-RI, PSQI, CSHQ, and CCTQ scores compared with controls (all p < 0.001), indicating poorer sleep quality, more sleep problems, and a greater tendency toward eveningness. PTSD severity was positively correlated with sleep problems, impaired sleep quality, and eveningness. In logistic regression analysis, poor sleep quality (p < 0.001) and clinically significant sleep problems (p = 0.011) were independently associated with PTSD, whereas chronotype was not. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are more strongly associated with PTSD than chronotype in earthquake-exposed adolescents. Assessment and treatment of sleep problems may represent an important therapeutic target following large-scale trauma. Full article

Mowing is a widely used agricultural management practice, yet its role in shaping plant–insect interactions remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated how mowing influences resistance of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) to the whitefly Bemisia tabaci by integrating behavioral assays with volatile analysis, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Feeding preference assays showed that adult whiteflies strongly preferred new plants over mowed plants. Developmental assays further revealed that whiteflies exhibited a prolonged egg stage and extended egg-to-adult developmental duration on mowed plants, while adult longevity was not significantly affected. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified 31 volatile compounds in licorice, with alcohols dominating the volatile profile of new plants and terpenoids dominating that of mowed plants. Whitefly infestation significantly increased ester compounds in both plant types. Differential volatile analysis highlighted cis-3-hexen-1-ol and trans-3-hexen-1-ol as dominant compounds in new plants, whereas 3-carene and β-pinene were predominant in mowed plants. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that mowing primarily affected genes associated with primary metabolism and ribosome-related pathways, whereas whitefly infestation induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming, including activation of flavonoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, MAPK signaling, and plant circadian rhythm pathways. Metabolomic profiling identified substantial accumulation of flavonoids, flavonols, and isoflavonoids following whitefly feeding. Integrated multi-omics analysis identified flavonol biosynthesis as a core pathway underlying licorice defense against B. tabaci. Overall, this study demonstrates that mowing primes G. uralensis for enhanced resistance to whitefly infestation by reshaping volatile emissions, activating secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and inducing coordinated defense signaling networks. These findings provide new insights into plant–insect interactions and highlight mowing as a potential component of sustainable pest management strategies. Full article

This study investigates how two widely used language-modelled generative AI tools, ChatGPT-5.1 (with DALL·E 3) and Gemini 3 (with Imagen), perform as early-stage co-design partners for biophilic interior design. Focusing on real-world use rather than theoretical capability, the research asks to what extent these systems can generate conceptually robust, visually coherent and practically feasible proposals when designers explicitly request biophilic strategies. A multiple-case design was employed across three scenarios: (1) an empty “tabula rasa” room, (2) a damaged rustic room requiring contextual renovation, and (3) a hospital staff break room to be transformed into a “cognitive restoration sanctuary.” For each case, both tools were prompted to produce a step-by-step biophilic design plan and a corresponding photorealistic image. Textual outputs were coded against the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and related restorative concepts, while images were evaluated by an expert panel of 15 architects with formal training in biophilic design using a structured Likert-scale instrument. Exterior and building-scale applications were not assessed. Results show that both systems can articulate broadly plausible biophilic strategies but differ in emphasis: ChatGPT tends to produce more spatially coherent, pattern-rich and functionally grounded plans, whereas Gemini excels more in visual realism and atmospheric rendering. Expert ratings indicate a consistent, though not overwhelming, preference for ChatGPT in spatial composition, human-spatial responses, contextual fit, and strategic support for cognitive restoration, with a slight advantage for Gemini in visual realism. Across all cases, however, plan-to-image fidelity is limited, particularly for non-visual and operational patterns (e.g., sound, scent, thermal variability, circadian systems, infrastructure access). The findings suggest that current generative AI tools are best positioned as fast, co-creative aides for early exploration of biophilic ideas, rather than as reliable autonomous consultants for evidence-based, cognitively targeted biophilic design. Full article

Chronotype, an individual’s preferred timing of sleep and activity within a 24 h cycle, significantly influences metabolic health, muscle function, and body composition. This review explores the interplay between circadian rhythms, hormonal fluctuations, and behavioral patterns—such as nutrition timing, physical activity and sleep quality—and their impact on muscle mass, strength, and quality. Evening chronotypes (ETs) are consistently associated with poorer sleep, irregular eating habits, reduced physical activity, and increased risk of obesity, sarcopenia and metabolic disorders compared to morning types (MTs). At the molecular level, disruptions in circadian clock gene expression (e.g., BMAL1, PER2, CRY1) affect protein synthesis, insulin sensitivity, and energy metabolism, contributing to muscle degradation and impaired recovery. The review highlights critical components—targeting chrono-nutrition, sleep quality, and exercise timing—to align lifestyle behaviors with circadian biology, thereby preserving muscle health and improving overall metabolic outcomes. Full article

Background: Management of patients in closed-door intensive care units (ICUs) is often associated with limited family visits and a highly technological environment, which can lead to patient deconditioning through altered circadian rhythms and depersonalization, contributing to psychological distress in addition to physiological distress. In recent years, there has been a shift in trends in the management of ICU patients with an emphasis on more social and psychological support, with the option of an open-door ICU. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of humanized care through social and psychological support in improving patients’ outcomes through the concept of open-door ICUs. Methods: This systematic review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Six databases were searched (LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Dialnet) using a strategy based on MeSH and DeCS terms. Studies published between 2018 and 2025, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, were included. Fifty studies were selected and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251080952). Results: Three main categories emerged: (1) Patient and Family Perceptions of ICU Care; (2) flexible visitation and technological mediation; and (3) humanization-centered care. These factors were linked to improved emotional well-being, reduced anxiety, enhanced communication, and stronger trust between families and healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Based on the results of our systematic review, we emphasize the importance of adopting humanized care practices in open-door ICUs. In particular, strategies like flexible visitation, emotional and spiritual support, respectful communication, and family involvement contribute to compassionate, patient-centered care. We recommend institutional policies that need to be designed that support humanization for patients and families. Full article

Background: Chronotype refers to an individual’s preferred timing of activity and rest within a 24-h period, reflecting behavioral manifestations of the endogenous circadian rhythm. Variations in circadian timing may contribute to the temporal characteristics and pathophysiology of tension-type headache (TTH). TTH is the most common primary headache disorder and can have a significant impact on quality of life. While chronotype has been shown to influence pain perception, mood, and sleep quality in various chronic pain conditions, its relationship to TTH remains insufficiently explored. Aim: We aimed to determine the distribution of chronotypes among patients with TTH and to assess their associations with pain characteristics, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 77 adult patients diagnosed with TTH according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-III criteria. Patients were recruited from the neurology outpatient clinic at SANKO University Hospital between June 2021 and June 2022. Data were collected using the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Chronotypes were categorized as morning, intermediate, or evening. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and linear regression models. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 29.0 [24.0–35.0] years. Fifty-five participants (71.4%) had an intermediate chronotype, 14 (18.2%) had a morning chronotype, and 8 (10.4%) had an evening chronotype. Those with an evening chronotype had a significantly lower BMI than those with an intermediate chronotype (p = 0.035) and lower scores on the SF-36 Role Limitations due to Physical Problems domain than those with a morning chronotype (p = 0.039). Chronotype (as assessed by the MEQ) was negatively correlated with sleep quality, with evening chronotypes showing poorer PSQI scores. No significant differences were found in VAS (pain intensity) and HADS (depression) scores among chronotypes. Linear regression analyses indicated that chronotype significantly predicted SF-36 Bodily Pain scores, whereas sex significantly predicted VAS pain intensity (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Evening chronotype is associated with poorer sleep quality and greater role limitations due to physical problemsin patients with TTH, which can potentially exacerbate the disabilities associated with headaches. Tailored interventions targeting chronotype and sleep may improve quality of life in this population. Full article

Circadian rhythm disruptions from shiftwork impact sleep quality and work performance, yet validated tools to assess circadian preferences in Arabic-speaking populations are scarce. This study aimed to translate and validate the 11-item Circadian Type Inventory (CTI-11) into Arabic (CTI-11A), evaluate its psychometric properties, and explore latent circadian profiles in relation to sleep quality. A cross-sectional survey in Bahrain involved 468 Arabic-speaking adults recruited via social media. The CTI-11A, assessing Languid/Vigorous (LV) and Flexible/Rigid (FR) subscales, and the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability tests, and latent class analysis (LCA) were conducted. Participants (mean age: 36.18 ± 10.35) showed CTI-11A total scores of 35.40 ± 6.61 and JSS scores of 5.76 ± 3.48. CFA confirmed the two-factor structure (RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.05, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91), with Cronbach’s α of 0.72 (total CTI-11A). Test–retest reliability was high (ICC = 0.91). CTI-11A correlated moderately with JSS (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), with stronger FR-JSS (r = 0.36) than LV-JSS (r = 0.25) associations. LCA identified two classes (Class 1: 52%, vigorous/flexible; Class 2: 48%, languid/rigid), with Class 2 showing poorer sleep quality. The CTI-11A is a reliable and valid tool for assessing circadian preferences in Arabic-speaking populations, with distinct circadian profiles linked to sleep quality. While flexible/vigorous profiles associated with better sleep, languid/rigid profiles indicate higher sleep disturbance risk, informing targeted shiftwork interventions. Further refinement of the factor structure and broader regional validation are needed. Full article

The time spent indoors under artificial (electric) lighting has continued to increase and currently amounts to up to 90% of the day. Light is the most important stimulus for the circadian rhythm and has, besides long-term effects, also a direct impact on emotional and physiological aspects such as sleepiness, alertness, or performance. This article presents the results of two studies investigating the acute effects of light during morning and early afternoon on people in a controlled office environment. Melanopically optimized lighting conditions, and a dose–response dependency are investigated, measuring cognitive performance, subjective sleepiness, and user preferences of the lighting scenarios as well as cardiac effort. The results show a dependency in subjective sleepiness ratings depending on light conditions and time of day. Further parameters did not show any statistical differences. The presented studies extend the findings of acute light effects during the day but are limited due to relatively small sample sizes. Full article

We have recently described a murine model of vaginal secretion that allows the measurement of minute changes in vaginal secretion. Using this model, we determined that female mice experience a vaginal secretory response to the scent of males, a response regulated by circadian and estrous factors since females did not respond during their sleep phase, nor when in metestrus. Female mice can distinguish the social status of a male by scent cues and show a preference for the scent of dominant males. We therefore tested whether or not vaginal responses to male scent differ by the social status of that male. Vaginal secretory responses were measured using a recently described method employing a colorimetric thread. In addition, while we have shown that the proposed female attractant α/β farnesenes evoked a strong vaginal response in female mice, a second volatile preputial gland-derived messenger, 1-hexadecanol, has also been proposed to serve as a female attractant. Here we test whether or not 1-hexadecanol similarly stimulates a vaginal secretory response. We now report that the female vaginal secretory response differs according to the social status of the male: the urine-borne scent of dominant males elicited a vaginal response, while samples from non-dominant males did not. In related odor-preference tests we confirmed that female mice spend more time investigating the urine scent of dominant males. We additionally tested whether or not a second putative female attractant 1-hexadecanol would elicit a vaginal secretory response. Like the α/β farnesenes, 1-hexadecanol is volatile, derived from preputial glands, and induces an investigatory response in females. However female mice did not experience a vaginal secretory response to the scent of 1-hexadecanol. We did confirm that females spent more time investigating hexadecanol over vehicle, indicating that there can be a disconnect between behavioral measures of interest and a vaginal preparatory response. In summary, we find that subordinate male mice do not elicit a vaginal secretory response, indicating that male social status impacts the physiological responses of females to the prospect of coitus. We additionally find that in contrast to farnesenes, the putative female attractant 1-hexadecanol does not elicit a vaginal response. These findings underscore the potential value of this murine model and indicate that even in mice, vaginal responses are under complex regulation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Given the heterogeneous nature of long COVID, its treatment and management remain challenging. This study aimed to investigate whether poor pre-pandemic sleep quality, its deterioration during the peak of the pandemic, and circadian preference increase the risk of long COVID symptoms. Methods: An online survey was conducted between 9 October and 12 December 2022, with 384 participants who had recovered from COVID-19 at least three months prior to data collection. Participants were categorized based on the presence of at least one long COVID symptom. Logistic regression models assessed associations between sleep-related variables and long COVID symptoms. Results: Participants with long COVID symptoms reported significantly poorer sleep quality, higher perceived stress, greater somatic and cognitive pre-sleep arousal, and elevated levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Fatigue (39.8%) and memory problems (37.0%) were the most common long COVID symptoms. Sleep deterioration during the pandemic peak was reported by 34.6% of respondents. Pre-pandemic poor sleep quality, its deterioration during the pandemic, and poor sleep at the time of the survey were all significantly associated with long COVID. An extreme morning chronotype consistently predicted long COVID symptoms across all models, while an extreme evening chronotype was predictive only when accounting for sleep quality changes during the pandemic. COVID-19 frequency, severity, financial impact, and somatic pre-sleep arousal were significant predictors in all models. Conclusions: Poor sleep quality before the pandemic and its worsening during the pandemic peak are associated with a higher likelihood of long COVID symptoms. These findings underscore the need to monitor sleep health during pandemics and similar global events to help identify at-risk individuals and mitigate long-term health consequences, with important clinical and societal implications. Full article

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has been used to induce schizophrenia-like behaviors in animal models. Here, we employed IntelliCage, an automated system used for tracking behavior, to assess schizophrenia-like behaviors in MK-801-treated mice under semi-naturalistic conditions. Mice that had been treated with MK-801 for 2 weeks were analyzed for locomotion, emotional, and cognitive functions. Repeated MK-801-treated mice exhibited transient hyperactivity in a novel environment, without significant changes in overall circadian activity. Sucrose preference remained intact, suggesting preserved reward sensitivity. However, less time spent in the corner during the early phase of the competition test indicated reduced competitive behavior for limited water rewards. In the behavioral flexibility test, repeated MK-801-treated mice showed impaired reversal learning, suggesting reduced cognitive flexibility, although the acquisition of initial place discrimination was comparable to that observed in control mice. These behavioral impairments parallel core symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in the social and cognitive domains. Our findings demonstrate the utility of IntelliCage in detecting behavioral phenotypes over prolonged periods in group-housed settings. This study provides an ecologically valid platform for assessing schizophrenia-like behaviors and may facilitate the development of translationally relevant therapeutic interventions. Full article