Search Results (204)

Background/Objectives: Nutraceuticals containing milk fat globule membranes (MFGMs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are purported to abate age-related metabolic dysfunction due to their richness in milk sphingolipids. As such, nutraceuticals offer a compelling strategy to improve metabolic health through dietary means, especially for elderly persons who are unable to adhere to common therapeutic interventions. To address this, we examined the effects of supplementing aged sedentary rats with an MFGM/EV-rich concentrate. Methods/Results: In a 25-week study, 89-week-old male rats received either a milk sphingolipid-rich MFGM/EV concentrate or a control supplement. Analysis of metabolic health using a battery of tests, including MS^ALL lipidomics of plasma, liver, and other peripheral tissues, revealed that MFGM/EV supplementation promotes accretion of unique sphingolipid signatures, ameliorates ceramide biomarkers predictive of cardiovascular death, and has a general lipid-lowering effect. At the functional level, we find that these health-promoting effects are linked to increased lipoprotein particle turnover, showcased by reduced levels of triglyceride-rich particles, as well as a metabolically healthier liver, assessed using whole-body lipidomic flux analysis. Conclusions: Altogether, our work unveils that MFGM/EV-containing food holds a potential for ameliorating age-related metabolic dysfunction in elderly individuals. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigated variations in DNA methylation patterns associated with chronic pain and propensity for recurrent pressure injuries (PrI) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Whole blood was collected from 81 individuals with SCI. DNA methylation was quantified using Illumina genome-wide arrays (EPIC and EPICv2). Comprehensive clinical profiles collected included secondary health complications, in particular current PrI and chronic pain. Relationships between recurrent PrI and chronic pain and whether the co-occurrence of both traits was mediated by changes in DNA methylation were investigated using R packages limma, DMRcate and mCSEA. Results: Three differentially methylated positions (DMPs) (cg09867095, cg26559694, cg24890286) and one region in the micro-imprinted locus for BLCAP/NNAT are associated with chronic pain in persons with SCI. The study cohort was stratified by PrI status to identify any sites associated with chronic pain and while the same three sites and region were replicated in the group with no recurrent PrI, two novel, hypermethylated (cg21756558, cg26217441) sites and one region in the protein-coding gene FDFT1 were identified in the group with recurrent PrI. Gene enrichment and genes associated with specific promoters using MetaScape identified several shared disorders and ontology terms between independent phenotypes of pain and recurrent PrI and interactive sub-groups. Conclusions: DMR analysis using mCSEA identified several shared genes, promoter-associated regions and CGI associated with overall pain and PrI history, as well as sub-groups based on recurrent PrI history. These findings suggest that a much larger gene regulatory network is associated with each phenotype. These findings require further validation. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals commit states to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all; yet displaced populations—including asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and undocumented migrants—remain systematically excluded from national health systems across southern and eastern Africa. This paper applies a whole-of-route, rights-based framework to examine how legal status, policy implementation, and structural governance shape healthcare access for displaced populations across South Africa, Kenya, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Drawing on 70 key informant interviews and policy analysis conducted between 2020 and 2025, the study finds that despite formal commitments to health equity, access remains constrained by restrictive legal regimes, administrative discretion, and fragmented service delivery models. Critical gaps persist in migration-sensitive planning, gender-responsive care, and mental health integration. The findings highlight the limitations of rights-based rhetoric in the absence of legal coherence, intersectoral coordination, and political will. To realise UHC in displacement contexts, health systems must move beyond citizen-centric models and embed migration-aware, inclusive, and sustainable approaches across all stages of displacement. Without such structural reforms, displaced populations will remain at the margins of national health agendas—and the promise of health for all will remain unmet. Full article

Compositional Data Analysis (CoDA) is a powerful statistical approach for analyzing 24 h time-use data, effectively addressing the interdependence of sleep, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. Unlike traditional methods that struggle with perfect multicollinearity, CoDA handles time use as proportions of a whole, providing biologically meaningful insights into how daily activity patterns relate to health. Applications in epidemiology have linked variations in time allocation between behaviors to key health outcomes, including adiposity, cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, fitness, quality of life, glycomics, clinical psychometrics, and mental well-being. Research consistently shows that reallocating time from sedentary behavior to sleep or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) improves health outcomes. Importantly, CoDA reveals that optimal activity patterns vary across populations, supporting the need for personalized, context-specific recommendations rather than one-size-fits-all guidelines. By overcoming challenges in implementation and interpretation, CoDA has the potential to transform healthcare analytics and deepen our understanding of lifestyle behaviors’ impact on health. Full article

Background/Objective: The priority task of each country is to ensure the protection of and improvement in its people’s health. One of the key aspects of health is related to food culture, consuming foods that ensure growth and normal development in a person and also prevent diseases. The consumption of foods that contain essential nutrients and functional foods, which include those containing probiotics, is the basis of a healthy diet. Methods: A structured anonymous interview was conducted with 90 parents from the Roma minority group to assess the nutritional culture of children from these families. The knowledge of Roma parents about probiotics, as well as their attitudes to apply them to their children, was examined. The survey was based on a questionnaire that was distributed among the respondents, Roma students, under the guidance of a mentor. Roma students study health specialties and are also participants in a Scholarship Programme. Results: We have established that the daily diet of children from this minority group consists of foods containing hydrogenated fats and sugar, which was indicated by 53.3% of respondents, and only 28.9% of respondents noted that their children consume fresh fruit every day. We have established that less than half of the children (35.6%) consume yoghurt daily as a source of valuable probiotics. We applied a nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test and found statistically significant differences in the respondents’ knowledge of probiotics (χ² = 16.186, p = 0.001): those receiving secondary specialized education were better informed, but education has not affected their knowledge of the health benefits of probiotics (χ² = 5.462, p = 0.141). Children from minority groups tend to eat unhealthy foods. Conclusions: The role of Roma students studying health specialties as participants in the Scholarship Programme is to assist parents in forming a nutritional culture in their children. Roma students, due to their ethnic and cultural proximity and potential to be health professionals, contribute to sustainable health improvements among the Roma community as a whole. Full article

Pea and lentil flours are added to baked foods, pastas, and snacks to improve nutritional quality and functionality compared to products made solely with refined wheat flour. However, the effect of whole pulses versus their serving size equivalent of flour on blood glucose has not been investigated in persons with altered glycemic response. Health claims for whole pulses are based on a ½ cup amount whereas commercial pulse flour servings are typically a smaller size. The glycemic responses of four treatment meals containing 50 g available carbohydrate as ½ cup whole pulse or the dry weight equivalent of pulse flour were compared with a control beverage (Glucola^®). Eleven adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and eight adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) completed the study. Venous blood samples were collected at fasting and at 30 min intervals postprandial for three hours. Changes in net difference in plasma glucose over time from baseline and incremental area under the curve (iAUC) segments were analyzed. All four pulse meals attenuated the iAUC compared to the control from 0 to 120 min for T2DM participants and 0–180 min for MetS participants. Whole pulses produced a lower glycemic response than pulse flours in the early postprandial period for persons with T2DM and during the overall test period for those with MetS. Full article

Poultry is U.S. consumers’ protein of choice with an annual consumption of nearly 45 kg per person. This increasing demand has required poultry producers to minimize pathogen contamination to protect public health. This study assessed Salmonella and Campylobacter incidence and loads in retail chicken from conventional (CON) and raised without antibiotics (RWA) sources, while profiling antibiotic resistance of selected isolates. A total of 170 chicken samples from two brands (A and B), including whole carcass WOG (60), parts (80), and giblets (30) were evaluated. Both pathogens were examined by culture and BAX^® system methods and confirmed isolates were identified. Aerobic bacteria count (AC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were also tested using Petrifilms™. Selected isolates of Salmonella (22) and Campylobacter (24) were tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the Sensititre™ system. The overall respective incidence of Salmonella and Campylobacter was 36% and 35% with no difference between CON (33% and 25%) and RWA (23% and 29%), but product types differed (p < 0.05). Salmonella incidence was not different between the brands, but Campylobacter differed. Giblets had a higher incidence of both pathogens at 80% and 70%, respectively. The most and least abundant Salmonella serotypes were Infantis (60%) and Ouakam (2%), while Campylobacter jejuni was the abundant species. All the indicators differed (p < 0.05) between CON and RWA. Many isolated pathogens possessed resistance to at least one antibiotic, Salmonella (91%) and Campylobacter (38%), with multidrug resistance in 45% of CON and 36% of RWA Salmonella isolates. The highest resistance was to tetracycline and nalidixic acid for both pathogens and the lowest was to antibiotics in the macrolides class. These results highlight the need for robust microbial control at all levels, as both production practices showed notable contamination and antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance at the retail level and encouraging consumers to properly cook poultry to 165 °F. Full article

Background: Stress affects 45% of NHS staff. More research is needed to explore how to develop resilient mental health nurses who face multiple workplace stressors, including interacting with distressed clients. Higher Education Institutions are uniquely placed to introduce coping skills that help reduce anxiety and increase confidence for pre-registration nurses entering placements for the first time. Methods: A convenience sample of first year mental health student nurses (whole cohort), recruited before their first clinical placement, were invited to participate. Following a mixed methods design, we developed a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) video, depicting a distressed service user across three scenes, filmed in a real-life decommissioned in-patient ward. Participants followed the service user through the scenes, as though in real life. We used the video alongside a cognitive reappraisal/solution-focused/VERA worksheet and supportive clinical supervision technique to explore students’ experiences of VR as an educative tool and to help build emotional coping skills. Results: N = 21 mental health student nurses were recruited to the study. Behavioural responses to the distressed patient scenario were varied. Students that had prior experience in health work were more likely to feel detached from the distress of the service user. Although for some students VR provided a meaningful learning experience in developing emotional awareness, other students felt more like a ‘fly on the wall’ than an active participant. Empathetic and compassionate responses were strongest in those who perceived a strong immersive effect. Overall, the supportive supervision appeared to decrease the anxiety of the small sample involved, but confidence was not affected. Conclusion: The use of 360-degree VR technology as an educative, classroom-based tool to moderate anxiety and build confidence in pre-placement mental health nursing students was partially supported by this study. The effectiveness of such technology appeared to be dependent on the degree to which ‘immersion’ and a sense of presence were experienced by students. Our cognitive reappraisal intervention proved useful in reducing anxiety caused by ‘the patient in distress scenario’ but only for students who achieved a deep immersive effect. Students with prior exposure to distressing events (in their personal lives and in clinical settings) might have developed other coping mechanisms (e.g., detachment). These findings support the idea that ‘presence’ is a subjective VR experience and can vary among users. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent interest has emerged in novel initiatives that focus on the “whole child” to improve the health and well-being in youth. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a translational health in nutrition and kinesiology (THINK) program addressing physical, psychological, and educational well-being could improve personal health and lifestyle behaviors in youth. Methods: A total of 81 adolescents (44 males, 37 females, 12.50 + 0.62 years) were evaluated at the beginning and end of the spring semester across three different years: 2019, 2021, and 2023. The physical literacy measures included the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PAES) and the Physical Activity Perception Scale (PAPS), along with knowledge-based tests in nutrition and exercise science. Social emotional learning (SEL), STEM education, and nutrition habits were evaluated using standard surveys and questionnaires. The physical evaluations included measures of body composition and physical fitness. Results: At the completion of the spring semester of each year, evaluations were compiled for all three years, with decreases found for % body fat (p < 0.001) and increases found for lean body mass (p < 0.001). The physical fitness components, including muscular strength (p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001), power (p < 0.001), and flexibility (p < 0.01), all improved. The physical literacy components, including the PACES (p < 0.001), PAPS (p < 0.001), exercise (p < 0.05), and nutrition science knowledge (p < 0.05) results, also improved. There were no significant changes in any other variables. Conclusions: A novel in-school academic curriculum integrating the physical, psychological, and educational well-being of the whole child could lead to improved body composition, physical fitness, and physical literacy. Full article

Despite numerous advances in treatment, cancer still remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Given the significant health and economic burden this disease imposes, it is important to explore more effective treatment strategies. A major drawback of conventional cancer therapies is the persistence of drug resistance, adverse reactions to chemotherapy, digestive damage, reduced quality of life, and high treatment costs. To address these challenges, researchers have been investigating the utility of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside conventional cancer treatments. Some of these CAM approaches have been reported to enhance patients’ quality of life and reduce the severity of adverse effects from conventional therapies. This review explores the utility of traditional Chinese, Korean, Indian, Japanese, and South African medicines as supportive therapies for conventional cancer treatments. We also discuss the concept of integrative oncology and its global relevance, as CAM approaches typically emphasize whole-person care, including diet, lifestyle, and mental/emotional well-being. In addition, we identify key active phytochemicals and herbal medicines used in these traditional systems for cancer treatment. Our discussion aims to provide a foundation for future research into integrative oncology, fostering an interdisciplinary and complementary approach to cancer management. Full article

On behalf of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, we are pleased to present the Abstracts from the 2025 Annual Conference, titled “Responding to the Human Experience of Cancer and Caring for the Soul: Building on 40 years of global leadership in psychosocial oncology”. The 40th Annual CAPO Conference was held in Toronto from 23 April 2025 to 25 April 2025. In an era marked by the rapid advancement of biologically focused precision medicine, it is imperative to redirect our attention towards the human experience of illness and the soul of medicine. Biomedicine has conceptualized illness in ways that have proved profoundly productive from a curative and biological point of view. But it cannot—and it does not pretend to—illuminate the experience of living with it. (Hurwitz 2009). This conference aims to delve into the intricate interplay between cutting-edge biomedical technologies inclusive of artificial intelligence and big data and the deeply personal narratives of individuals navigating illness. By shifting the focus from mere disease pathology to encompassing the holistic human experience, we aspire to foster a more compassionate and patient-centered approach to healthcare with psychosocial support at the core of humanistic care that can improve survival and well-being in all aspects of a whole-person approach to illness. Through interdisciplinary dialogue and introspection, we endeavor to illuminate the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit in the practice of medicine, reaffirming the timeless significance of empathy, understanding, and human connection in healing and psychosocial aspects of care as fundamental to living well with cancer. This conference brought together key stakeholders including multidisciplinary professionals from nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work, spiritual care, nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation medicine, occupational health and radiation therapy for both adult and pediatric populations. Participants included clinicians, researchers, educators in cancer care, community-based organizations and patient representatives. Patients, caregivers and family members presented abstracts that speak to their role in managing cancer experiences and care. Over two hundred (200) abstracts were submitted for presentation as symposia, 20-minute oral presentations, 10-minute oral presentations, 90-minute workshops and poster presentations. We congratulate all the presenters on their research work and contribution. Full article

Background/Objective: Postprandial vascular responses impact vascular health. This study investigated whether eating pulses or whole grains can acutely relax blood vessels in people with arterial stiffness. Methods: A single-blinded, controlled randomized cross-over clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of pulses (¾ cup black beans) versus whole grains (¾ cup whole wheat kernels, also known as wheat berries) versus white rice (¾ cup) on postprandial vascular responses in males and females with established arterial stiffness (n = 9, 3M/6F, 50–64 years old). Peripheral and central hemodynamic measurements were obtained non-invasively prior to and 2 h after food consumption and were compared by t-test within a food type. Results: Peripheral and central systolic blood pressure was increased (4%) after eating white rice but not after the consumption of wheat or beans. A marked decline in augmentation index at 75 bpm (arterial stiffness) from 26.1 ± 3.6% to 16.2 ± 2.0% was observed 2 h after eating whole wheat but not beans or white rice. All foods slightly decreased heart rate at 2 h but had limited effects on other parameters of circulatory or heart health. Conclusions: Eating whole wheat or beans acutely improved overall vascular and heart health when compared to white rice. The effects of wheat and beans were distinct, with whole wheat having a major positive effect on blood vessel stiffness. The findings suggest that regular inclusion of both whole wheat and beans in the diet would be beneficial for improving cardiovascular health in persons exhibiting signs of arterial dysfunction, thus providing a potential therapeutic benefit for individuals who are at risk of heart attack and stroke. The study was registered (NCT05818358) on ClinicalTrials.gov. Full article

Background: Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has significantly increased worldwide, particularly among children. This trend represents a global health challenge. Considering the pivotal role of obesity in the development of metabolic disorders, the identification and characterization of pathogenic gene variants in children with severe forms of obesity are key priorities in fundamental endocrinology. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 163 Russian children with morbid obesity and identified 96 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 61 genes. These variants were clinically significant in 64 children (38.79% of the cohort). Results: Notably, 42 of the identified variants have not been previously described in the literature or reported in existing databases. Conclusions: The findings of this study will enable a more personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with syndromic and polygenic forms of obesity. Moreover, these results advance our understanding of the genetic architecture of obesity in the Russian population. Full article

Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic, creating an increased burden of weight-related diseases and straining healthcare systems worldwide. While the fundamental principle of energy balance—caloric intake versus expenditure—remains central to weight regulation, real-world outcomes often deviate from simplistic predictions due to a multitude of physiological and environmental factors. Genetic predispositions, variations in basal metabolic rates, adaptive thermogenesis, physical activity, and nutrient losses via fecal and urinary excretion contribute to interindividual differences in energy homeostasis. Additionally, factors such as meal timing, macronutrient composition, gut microbiota dynamics, and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) further modulate energy utilization and metabolic efficiency. This Perspective explores key physiological determinants of the energy balance, while also highlighting the clinical significance of thrifty versus spendthrifty metabolic phenotypes. Key strategies for individualized weight management include precision calorimetry, circadian-aligned meal timing, the use of protein- and whole food diets to enhance DIT, and increases in non-exercise activity, as well as mild cold exposure and the use of thermogenic agents (e.g., capsaicin-like compounds) to stimulate brown adipose tissue activity. A comprehensive, personalized approach to obesity management that moves beyond restrictive caloric models is essential to achieving sustainable weight control and improving long-term metabolic health. Integrating these multifactorial insights into clinical practice will enhance obesity treatment strategies, fostering more effective and enduring interventions. Full article

Obesity has become the most consequential threat to the health of Mississippians, as it is known to be associated with major chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. Obesity prevalence among Mississippi adolescents has been among the highest in the nation. In this study, data from Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2001–2021 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). YRBSS is a survey using a self-administered questionnaire to track the risk behaviors of students in grades 9 to 12. The survey packages in R were utilized for summary statistics to account for the YRBSS complex sampling design that includes stratification, clustering, and unequal probabilities of selection. Logistic regression models and Joinpoint software 5.3.0 were used for trend analysis. Obesity prevalence in Mississippi high-school students demonstrated a significant increasing trend from 2001 to 2021, as a whole or stratified by gender or race. Furthermore, Mississippi obesity prevalence among high-school students has been increasing at a greater pace compared to that of the United States. The increasing trend in obesity prevalence among Mississippi high-school students warrants urgent attention at the government, community, school, family, and personal levels. Concerted efforts must be made to fight and eventually reverse this epidemic. Full article