stress

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which began in late 2019, initially manifested with acute respiratory symptoms, including bilateral pneumonia, and later emerged as a systemic disease. This brief report assesses changes in the clinical profiles of psychiatric outpatients before, during, and after the pandemic’s most severe periods, focusing on mood, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms. Data from a private psychiatric facility in Rome reveal that both pandemic-related stressors and SARS-CoV-2 infection itself may contribute to enduring affective and cognitive symptoms in both older and younger adult subgroups. Notably, during the pandemic, older patients showed elevated psychopathology scores (BPRS-24) compared to younger individuals. In the post-pandemic period, younger adults exhibited increased positive symptoms on the PANSS Positive subscale, suggesting a gradual worsening in symptoms post-pandemic ( = 0.47). Cognitive assessments (MMSE and PM38) further highlighted fluctuating performance over time, with older adults showing two distinct declines during the pandemic and in 2024. This work underscores the importance of sustained mental health interventions to address the pandemic’s psychosocial and neuroinflammatory legacy. This perspective also considers new data on the CNS effects of “toxin-like peptides” synthesized by microbiome bacteria.

This study evaluates the effects of two months of regular snoezelen therapy on anger-hostility (AH), assessing both psychological and physiological indicators before and after the intervention. Using the Profile of Mood States (POMS-2), the research measured changes in anger-hostility levels and stress responses, comparing pre- and post-intervention data. At baseline, participants exhibited relatively high levels of anger-hostility, with psychological scores averaging 40.14 (± 2.46) and physiological scores averaging 42.25 (± 2.71), indicating significant irritability, aggression, and elevated stress responses. After two months of multisensory stimulation in a snoezelen room, participants’ psychological scores decreased to 37.40 (± 2.26) and physiological scores to 39.50 (± 2.01), suggesting improvements in mood and physiological stress. The statistical analysis yielded a p - value of 0.047, indicating that the reductions were significant. These findings suggest that snoezelen therapy can be effective in reducing anger-hostility and associated physiological stress, offering a promising intervention for emotional regulation and stress management.

In the world, millions of hectares of cultivated land are affected by salt, making salinity a major constraint for plant production. The effects of different levels of banana peel on growth, yield, and chemical changes of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) under salt stress were examined herein. Response of jute to applications of different levels of banana peel (5, 10, and 15 t ha-1), as well as water irrigation salinity at 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The outcome uncovered that salinity caused significant reduction of plant growth and yield parameters, chlorophyll (at 21.6%), LRWC (at 18.9%), P (at 57.1%) and K (at 45.4%) content, while MDA content (at 351.8%), Na (at 266%), soluble proteins (70.2%), total phenolic (at 23.4%) accumulation showed an increase from 0 to 200 mM NaCl without BP application. The banana peel treatments (at 15 t ha-1 under 200 mM NaCl) diminished significantly damaging effects caused by salinity via a reduction in the Na (at 28.4%), total soluble sugars (at 17.8%), total flavonoids (at 20.1%), which enhanced number of leaves per plant (37.1%), plant height (at 19.8%), leave yield (at 41.4%), LRWC (at 12.8%), Mg (at 24.2%) and reduced the MDA content (at 20%), presenting a favorable effect in reducing the oxidative stress that emerged from salt stress. It could be concluded, that the application of 15 t ha-1 of BP was superior in promoting plant growth, yield, and nutritional quality than others under control and in the saline soils in this study. BP at 15 t ha-1 had a more reduced damage of salt stress effect on growth, yield, nutritional value, and use efficiency.

The psychophysical impact of a high-complexity environment such as the dental office is not a novelty. This article outlines the organizational and human factors that impact the overall health of dentists, assistants, hygienists, and administrative staff. A careless organizational and human factors approach cannot only function as a stress and error trigger but also affect the highly precise requirements of dentistry and task performance in the daily demands of the office. Ergonomics and human factors principles guidelines should be structured and taught from the basics in dental schools and supported by prevention programs and interventions in the dental professional field, as in other industries, to promote safety, health, and efficiency within the integration of humans, systems, and environments.Usually, the main focus of dentistry research is the physical aspect of the job; the high rates of musculoskeletal disorders are a real problem, but the cognitive-organizational element of the job is not a minimal issue, which highly contributes to physical-emotional exhaustion in the work environment.A fatigued mind impacts the physical aspect of the job, and physical fatigue impacts the mental aspect of the job. This dual effect in a job that requires dealing with anxiety and fear patients, administrative situations in the office, financial aspects, and technical and skill aspects from the dentist, among other requirements, makes dentistry a unique profession.This article addresses the components of the factors that promote cognitive depletion in our field and provides simple tips on controlling them to avoid burnout among dentists. It highlights the importance of awareness of how we manage the organization in the office and the effect on human behavior and performance. It wants to bring to light a common problem for dental practitioners and the workforce to prevent health and performance decrease.

Burnout among clinicians is a pressing concern worldwide, manifesting as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy. This article explores the intersection of burnout and allostatic load, the physiological burden resulting from chronic stress, to elucidate the consequences for healthcare providers. Burnout impacts clinicians’ mental and physical health, leading to compromised patient care, reduced job satisfaction, and increased attrition rates. A comparative analysis of recent scholarly works reveals converging evidence on systemic contributors such as excessive workloads, inadequate support systems, and organizational inefficiencies, further compounded by individual vulnerabilities like lack of resilience. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly increased stress levels among healthcare professionals globally. This article synthesizes insights from studies conducted between 2020 and 2024, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches to mitigate burnout. It highlights the physiological underpinnings of allostatic load, including chronic dysregulation of stress-response systems that predispose clinicians to adverse health outcomes like cardiovascular diseases, immune dysfunction, and mental health disorders. To address these issues, the article proposes a multidimensional strategy encompassing organizational reforms, evidence-based interventions, and policy advocacy. Recommendations include reducing administrative burdens, fostering supportive work environments, and integrating wellness programs targeting both systemic and individual stressors. Limitations and directions for future research emphasize the importance of inclusive, longitudinal studies focusing on diverse populations to develop tailored solutions. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance clinician well-being and improve healthcare outcomes globally.

Intussusception is a leading cause of intestinal obstruction in young children, typically presenting with colicky abdominal pain and altered stool characteristics, before progressing to abdominal distension and bilious vomiting. This case report describes an 8-month-old male who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory distress, and signs of intestinal obstruction. The patient was diagnosed with intussusception and found to be positive for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). After an attempted ultrasound-guided hydrostatic fluid enema, he underwent laparotomy to resolve the intussusception but developed post-operative complications, including delayed wound healing and wound dehiscence. The interplay of viral infections like RSV, and treatments such as steroids in pediatric surgical cases warrants further attention, especially concerning postoperative outcomes.

Stroke and acute myocardial infarction are primary global causes of mortality. Statistical studies have shown that acute myocardial infarction is responsible for around 9 million deaths each year. Ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction have a significant role in global adult physical disabilities. While reperfusion is vital for tissue recovery, it may paradoxically, inadvertently increase damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. Early reperfusion procedures are currently the sole therapy to reduce infarct size. There are many mysteries about heart biology. It is not known the source of energy for myocardial tissues. The heart-beating force (120 mm Hg) cannot explain how erythrocytes are impelled through almost 95,000 km of capillaries in less than 5 minutes. A better knowledge of how the heart is oxygenated should allow the development of new therapies.

Mitochondria are essential intracellular organelles that significantly influence various cellular processes, including metabolism, stress response, and cell fate. Their precise regulation is crucial for maintaining both organelle and cellular homeostasis. Wound healing is a complex, multifactorial process that relies on the coordinated actions of multiple cell types and numerous cellular mechanisms. Dysregulation in this process can lead to chronic wounds, which pose substantial challenges for healthcare systems and present limited treatment options due to their intricate pathogenesis. Recent research has increasingly focused on the role of mitochondria in wound healing, revealing their involvement in critical processes such as metabolism, apoptosis, and redox signaling. Mitochondrial dynamics play a vital role in wound healing by adapting to cellular demands and environmental cues. Moreover, mitophagy, the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria, is crucial for maintaining mitochondrial integrity and function during the healing process. Mitochondria are not only pivotal in energy production but also in calcium homeostasis and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which are essential for signaling during wound repair. As wound healing progresses through distinct yet overlapping stages mitochondria facilitate the energy demands of repair and contribute to cytoskeletal remodeling necessary for wound closure. Understanding the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in wound healing could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for chronic wounds. Future research should prioritize investigating mitochondrial dynamics and functions in human tissues to develop targeted strategies for enhancing wound healing outcomes.

The global menace of cancer requires supplementary treatments beyond standard medical approaches for effective medical intervention. The Ketogenic Diet (KD) composed of high fats combined with moderate proteins and low carbohydrates has become popular as a metabolic therapy for cancer. The anti-cancer mechanism of KD works through metabolic stress induction in cancer cells, reduced insulin and IGF-1 signaling pathways, improved mitochondrial function, inflammation, and immune regulation. Standard cancer treatments receive enhanced outcomes through KD synergistic action which simultaneously decreases treatment-related side effects. To achieve optimized treatment outcomes in cancer, ketogenic diet practitioners need to use personalized nutritional planning in combination with metabolic tracking and exogenous ketone supplements. It is essential to find solutions for diet adherence issues and nutrient deficiencies because they determine KD’s effectiveness as a cancer treatment. The fight against cancer needs sustained and multipronged clinical research and validation to establish the proper implementation of this method.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme of the folate cycle, which is required to convert 5,10-methyltetrahydrofolate into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHHF). 5-methyl THF is a methyl group donor for several cellular methylation processes. It also donates methyl group for the conversion of homocysteine into methionine, the higher concentration of which is toxic. MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism is clinically important polymorphism and the variant MTHFR (A222V) enzyme has reduced activity, hence increasing the requirement for folic acid. Less conversion of folate to 5-methyl-THF due to C677T polymorphism results in a higher plasma concentration of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia). Individuals having C677T polymorphism are susceptible to various diseases, including reproductive problems like male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), Preeclampsia (PE), placental abruption, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. MTHFR C677T polymorphism mimics folate deficiency, and folate is required for DNA synthesis, repair, methylation, and proper chromosome segregation, and all these processes are important for foetal growth and normal development. Methylation and demethylation processes control the gene expression of about 45% of human genes. Impaired methylation influences the expression of genes involved in the regulation of hormones, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis. In males, oxidative stress damages sperm DNA decreases sperm motility, and may impair fertilization capability. In pregnant women, hyperhomocysteinemia increases oxidative stress and inflammation within the placenta, which causes damage to placental tissue, impairs its function, and disrupts foetal development. Further, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is embryotoxic and neurotoxic and is responsible for congenital anomalies in the foetus. This review supports the idea that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for male infertility, PCOS, RPL, PE, and congenital anomalies. This review may provide a clue toward a better understanding of the correlation between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and its detrimental effects on human reproductive health.

Background: The amygdala is a core structure in the mammalian brain that processes emotion and memory. Its complex neuronal composition and intricate microcircuit mechanisms play key roles in behaviors such as fear, anxiety, and reward. The diversity of neuronal types and the dynamics of these microcircuits provide the neural foundation for the encoding and extinction of fear memories.Aim: This is a retrospective review article summarizing recent research on the amygdala and fear behavior in mice, which is of significant importance in helping people to comprehensively understand and recognize that the amygdala is the core regulator of fear behavior.Methodology: An extensive and systematic search of electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Web of Science) using keywords related to the amygdala and the technologies involved in the study such as “mouse amygdala,” “basolateral amygdala (BLA),” “central amygdala (CeA),” “fear extinction,” “fear learning,” and “microcircuits.” Articles meeting the selection criteria were included as candidate references.Results: By integrating recent findings from optogenetics, chemogenetics, and single-cell sequencing, this review reveals the interactions between glutamatergic projection neurons and GABAergic interneurons in the amygdala, the functional division between subnuclei, and the neural basis of cross-brain area coordination. Additionally, it discusses the technical challenges in amygdala research and future directions, providing theoretical support for understanding the pathophysiology of emotional disorders.Conclusion: The amygdala is intimately linked to emotional health, playing a critical role in understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite advances in methodologies such as in vivo calcium imaging, neural circuit tracing, and electrophysiological techniques, which are progressively uncovering the underlying mechanisms of amygdalar regulation of emotional behaviors, the intrinsic microcircuitry of the amygdala remains highly complex. Significant gaps persist, necessitating further exploration and refinement to elucidate unresolved aspects of its functional architecture and behavioral modulation.

VACTERL (V: Vertebral anomalies, A: Anal malformation, C: Cardiac defect, TE: Tracheoesophageal malformation, R: Renal anomalies, L: Limb anomalies) is a cluster of congenital malformations. It is a rare association with sporadic and non-random occurrence where multiple organs are affected due to developmental defect during blastogenesis (2-4 weeks of gestation), where abnormal structures are derived from the embryonic mesoderm. Multiple environmental and genetic factors have been implicated. We report the successful management of a patient  with VACTERL association born to a mother through an emergency cesarean section due to fetal distress.

Stress in acute stroke may increase mortality and complications, but there is a paucity of information on the efficacy of beta blockers  over other anti-hypertensive. To report efficacy of metoprolol over amlodipine in reducing mortality, disability and infections in acute stroke. CT/MRI confirmed stroke patients within 3 days of onset were included whose age was 18 to 75 years. Patients with secondary intracerebral hemorrhage, organ failure, pregnancy, malignancy, and immunosuppressant or on beta-blocker/amlodipine were excluded. Stroke risk factors, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and CT/MRI findings were noted. Patients with a blood pressure of > 160/90 mm of Hg were randomized using 1:1 randomization to metoprolol (25 mg on day 1, 50 mg if BP is not controlled) or amlodipine (2.5 mg on day 1, then 5 mg then 10 mg on, subsequent days if BP is not controlled). Other standard treatment was continued. The primary outcome was mortality at 1 month; secondary outcomes included  were in-hospital gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pneumonia, sepsis and 3 months functional outcome based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Side effects were noted. 18 (14.4%) patients died; 6 (9.7%) in metoprolol and 12 (19%) in amlodipine (p = 0.20) group. At 3-months, 66 patients had good outcome; 45 (80.4%) in metoprolol and 21 (43.3%) in amlodipine group (p < 0.001). The other secondary outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Metoprolol was withdrawn in 6 patients due to bradycardia, and amlodipine in 5 due to hypotension and in 1 due to allergic reaction. Metoprolol is associated with improved functional outcomes in acute stroke  compared to amlodipine.

Self-talk is a pivotal psychological technique within sports psychology that significantly influences an athlete’s performance and mental resilience. It involves the process of athletes engaging in internal dialogue to achieve specific psychological objectives such as enhancing motivation, improving focus, and managing stress. This technique encompasses various forms of self-directed communication including positive affirmations, instructional reminders, and motivational statements. Understanding the different types of self-talk and their effects is essential for athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists who aim to develop effective mental strategies for athletic success.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the properties, applications, and fabrication techniques of nanofibers, which are characterized by their ultrafine diameters and unique features such as high surface area and aspect ratio. These attributes render nanofibers particularly advantageous for a wide range of applications, especially in the biomedical sector, encompassing areas like tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing. The article highlights various studies that illustrate the potential of nanofibers in addressing healthcare challenges, particularly their utilization in scaffolds for regenerative medicine and as carriers for controlled drug delivery. Furthermore, it discusses different preparation methods for nanofibers, including electrospinning and alternative techniques, while stressing the importance of polymer selection in achieving optimal drug-release properties. The article also delves into the application of nanofibers in tissue engineering, specifically for bone, cartilage, and vascular applications, and examines their emerging roles in organ-on-a-chip technology and contraceptive development. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the versatility and significance of nanofibers in advancing medical technologies and their potential to address contemporary health challenges. Collaborative efforts between material scientists and biologists are essential to foster interdisciplinary research aimed at improving electrospinning methodologies.

The role of free radicals and antioxidants is often underestimated despite their involvement in key metabolic processes, although they participate in many important metabolic processes in the life of humans, animals and plants. Their quantity and quality differ from each other, which is not respected. Each cell is attacked approximately 10,000 times by free radicals. Oxidative stress is the cause of many problems, especially in viral diseases. Monitoring of redox potentials in body fluids is usually not carried out. Viral replication is influenced by oxidative energy, derived from either host metabolism or free radical activity, which is supplied by oxidation by free radicals or the host. Nucleic acid mutations due to the effect of free radicals can be the cause of carcinomas, and possible defense against mutations could help eradicate dangerous viruses. The importance of malondialdehyde and antibodies against it is discussed. Eliminating free radicals, reducing lipoperoxidation, and protecting against environmental oxidative stress are important factors for human health.Study objective: To highlight the importance of free radicals, antioxidants and redox potentials for patient diagnosis and therapy.Methods: This study synthesizes findings from multiple published sources, including our own research.Results: Findings highlight the role of free radicals in oxidative stress, DNA damage, and viral replication, with redox potential (ORP) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) identified as key diagnostic markers.Conclusion: Monitoring oxidative balance and targeting free radical activity are essential for preventing cellular damage and improving clinical outcomes in oxidative stress-related diseases.

I wish to draw attention to the rising influence of short video content on social media and its potential negative impacts on adult health, particularly its contribution to conditions such as hypertension.

Background: Monotherapy for liver dysfunction in diabetes is less effective. This study investigated the effect of combined linagliptin and metformin therapy on liver function in diabetic rats. Methods and materials: Sixty-four matured male (200-300 g) Wistar rats were used. Diabetes was induced with 35 mg/kb.wt streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally. The rats were grouped into eight groups (n = 8). Group I: control; Group II: control + 10 mg/kg body weight linagliptin; Group III: control + 200 mg/kg body weight metformin; Group IV; control + 10 mg/kg body weight linagliptin + 200 mg/kg body weight metformin; Group V: diabetic; Group VI: diabetic + 10 mg/kg body weight linagliptin; Group VII: diabetic + 200 mg/kg body weight metformin; Group VIII: diabetic + 10 mg/kg body weight linagliptin + 200 mg/kg body weight metformin. After the animal was sacrificed, blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical assay. Results: Insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde and inflammatory makers increased (p < 0.05) significantly. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), liver antioxidant, glycogen, and glycogen synthase were reduced significantly in diabetic rats. Linagliptin and metformin administration single and combined reduced the insulin, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, inflammatory makers and increased the HDL-cholesterol, liver antioxidant, glycogen and glycogen synthase in diabetic rats.Conclusion: Linagliptin monotherapy alone efficiently controls hyperglycemia and remarkably improves liver functions. Combining linagliptin and metformin could be used as safe and effective therapy for liver dysfunction progression in diabetes.

Cannabis sativum has long been used globally for hallucination. However, detrimental effects on female reproduction have never been studied. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate cannabinoid-induced oxidative stress and reproductive containment in female mice. Fifteen adult female Parkes strain mice were randomly chosen from institutional animal houses (n = 5/group) with ad libitum access to water and food. Animals were grouped into control (vehicle-treated), treated with 6mg of cannabis/100 g of body weight, and 12 mg of cannabis/100 g of body weight. After 15 days all animals were sacrificed and tissues were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry, and estimations of different parameters. Histology and immunohistochemistry (of Cannabinoid Receptor 1; CB1) were performed following standardized protocols. All parameters were estimated either by standard biochemical protocols or by kit following the manufacturer’s protocol. Stress parameters (Super Oxide Dismutase; SOD, Catalase, CAT; Malonaldehyde, MDA and Glutathione Peroxidase; GPx), apoptotic parameters of thecal cells (by Caspase-3 assay), serum level of Estrogen (E2), steroidogenic parameters (3β Hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase; 3β HSD and 17β Hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase; 17β HSD) and expression of CB1 were noted in ovary. Data were analyzed by One-way Analysis of Variance (One-way ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range post hoc Test. We found a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in steroidogenic parameters and a significant increase (p < 0.05)in free radical and apoptotic parameters and CB1 receptor expressions upon dose-dependent cannabis treatment. We may conclude that chronic treatment of cannabis causes reproductive containment in females which has never been addressed previously.