scholarly journals Lifestyle effects on telomeric shortening as a factor associated with biological aging: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Raul Enrique Espinosa-Otalora ◽  
Jairo Flórez-Villamizar ◽  
Clara Inés Esteban-Pérez ◽  
Maribel Forero-Castro ◽  
Johana Marín-Suarez
Keyword(s):  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Stress Markers ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Mitotic Clock ◽  
Telomeric Length ◽  
Areas Of Interest

BACKGROUND: Telomeres are structures located at the chromosome ends, whose function is protecting DNA from attrition caused during cell division. Telomeric length serves as a mitotic clock, activating senescence and cellular cycle arrest when it reaches a shortening limit, which causes aging. Lifestyle is a factor that can affect telomeric shortening. Unhealthy habits have been linked to accelerated telomeric shortening, while healthy lifestyles are known to reduce this process and slow down aging. Current community has expressed an interest in improving lifestyle choices; however, an increase in unhealthy habits and chronic stressors have been seen. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to show the influence that different lifestyles have on telomeric length. METHODS: The review was carried out following the PRISMA statement in three databases. Twenty-eight research articles and nine review articles were reviewed, identifying six main lifestyles habits. RESULTS: Regular moderate-vigorous physical activity, dietary patterns rich in vegetables and antioxidants, and the stress control techniques were related to greater telomeric lengths and improvements in the oxidative response by reducing the levels of oxidative stress markers. On the contrary, stress, obesity, smoking, and alcoholism showed a negative effect of shorter telomeres, which can be a factor of early aging. CONCLUSION: The previous demonstrates the influences of lifestyles on telomere shortening rates and aging, therefore they should be considered as areas of interest for future research, and personal and community health improvement.

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Digital Intervention to Promote Healthy Weight Management among Postpartum African American/Black Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2178
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Napolitano ◽  
Cherise B. Harrington ◽  
Loral Patchen ◽  
Lindsey P. Ellis ◽  
Tony Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
Postpartum Weight ◽  
American Black

The study aim was to implement and evaluate the feasibility of a culturally informed (“BeFAB”) app for African American/Black women to address postpartum weight. Women (n = 136; mean age = 27.8 ± 5.4; mean BMI = 32.5 ± 4.3) were recruited from postpartum units, and randomly assigned to receive BeFAB (n = 65) or usual care (n = 71) for 12 weeks. App content included didactic lessons delivered via a virtual coach, app-based messages, goal setting and tracking, and edutainment videos. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention and engagement, and self-reported acceptability. Behavioral (i.e., diet, physical activity), psychosocial (i.e., stress, coping, support, self-efficacy) and weight outcomes were also examined. Recruitment goals were met, but attrition was high, with 56% retention at 12 weeks. Approximately half of participants accessed the app and set a goal ≥one time, but <10% reported achieving a nutrition or activity goal. Among study completers, ≥60% found the app content at least somewhat helpful. Within-group changes for BeFAB among completers were found for increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and decreased fruit/vegetable intake and weight. Findings indicate initial feasibility of recruiting postpartum women to participate in a digital healthy body weight program but limited use, reflecting low acceptability and challenges in engagement and retention. Future research is needed on strategies to engage and retain participants in postpartum interventions.

scholarly journals Feelings of safety during daytime walking: associations with mental health, physical activity and cardiometabolic health in high vacancy, low-income neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber L. Pearson ◽  
Kimberly A. Clevenger ◽  
Teresa H. Horton ◽  
Joseph C. Gardiner ◽  
Ventra Asana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Critical Pathway ◽  
Perceived Safety

Abstract Introduction Individuals living in low-income neighborhoods have disproportionately high rates of obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic conditions. Perceived safety in one’s neighborhood may influence stress and physical activity, with cascading effects on cardiometabolic health. Methods In this study, we examined relationships among feelings of safety while walking during the day and mental health [perceived stress (PSS), depression score], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), Body Mass Index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1C (A1C) in low-income, high-vacancy neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan. We recruited 69 adults who wore accelerometers for one week and completed a survey on demographics, mental health, and neighborhood perceptions. Anthropometrics were collected and A1C was measured using A1CNow test strips. We compiled spatial data on vacant buildings and lots across the city. We fitted conventional and multilevel regression models to predict each outcome, using perceived safety during daytime walking as the independent variable of interest and individual or both individual and neighborhood-level covariates (e.g., number of vacant lots). Last, we examined trends in neighborhood features according to perceived safety. Results In this predominantly African American sample (91%), 47% felt unsafe during daytime walking. Feelings of perceived safety significantly predicted PSS (β = − 2.34, p = 0.017), depression scores (β = − 4.22, p = 0.006), and BMI (β = − 2.87, p = 0.01), after full adjustment. For PA, we detected a significant association for sex only. For A1C we detected significant associations with blighted lots near the home. Those feeling unsafe lived in neighborhoods with higher park area and number of blighted lots. Conclusion Future research is needed to assess a critical pathway through which neighborhood features, including vacant or poor-quality green spaces, may affect obesity—via stress reduction and concomitant effects on cardiometabolic health.

Do older workers really reduce firm productivity?

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bokwon Lee ◽  
Joowoong Park ◽  
Jae-Suk Yang
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Jel Codes ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Growing Conditions

In this article, we examine the effect of workforce ageing on company productivity, using an analysis based on Korean firms. We found that an increase in the ratio of workers aged over 50 years to total workers had a negative effect on value added per worker, which was consistent with the findings of most previous studies based on European data. However, the results of the analysis, including various classifications such as size, industry and several financial conditions, revealed that an increase in the ratio of older workers had positive effects on value added per worker in large manufacturing firms under risky or growing conditions. As the productivity of older workers may vary, future research may determine under what conditions – size, industry, region and financial conditions – older workers contribute positively to productivity. Firms with financial troubles or those planning to downsize should be cautious about laying off older workers as an approach to improving organisational performance because these workers contribute positively to productivity under certain conditions. JEL Codes: J24, J54, N3

scholarly journals Preemergence Herbicide Effects on Hybrid Bermudagrass Root Architecture and Establishment

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erick G. Begitschke ◽  
James D. McCurdy ◽  
Te-Ming Tseng ◽  
T. Casey Barickman ◽  
Barry R. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Root Architecture ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Herbicide Effects ◽  
Preemergence Herbicides

Preemergence herbicides generally have a negative effect on hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] establishment. However, little is known about the effect they have on root architecture and development. Research was conducted to determine the effects of commonly used preemergence herbicides on ‘Latitude 36’ hybrid bermudagrass root architecture and establishment. The experiment was conducted in a climate-controlled greenhouse maintained at 26 °C day/night temperature at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, from Apr. 2016 to June 2016 and repeated from July 2016 to Sept. 2016. Hybrid bermudagrass plugs (31.6 cm2) were planted in 126-cm2 pots (1120 cm3) and preemergence herbicide treatments were applied 1 d after planting at the recommended labeled rate for each herbicide. Preemergence herbicide treatments included atrazine, atrazine + S-metolachlor, dithiopyr, flumioxazin, indaziflam, liquid and granular applied oxadiazon, S-metolachlor, pendimethalin, prodiamine, and simazine. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Plugs treated with indaziflam and liquid applied oxadiazon failed to achieve 50% hybrid bermudagrass cover by the end of the experiment. Of the remaining herbicide treatments, all herbicides other than granular applied oxadiazon and atrazine increased the number of days required to reach 50% cover (Days50). In addition, all herbicide treatments reduced root mass when harvested 6 weeks after treatment (WAT) relative to the nontreated. By 10 WAT, all treatments reduced root mass in run 1, but during run 2, only prodiamine, pendimethalin, simazine, atrazine + S-metolachlor, liquid applied oxadiazon, and indaziflam reduced dry root mass compared with the nontreated. At 4 WAT, all treatments other than simazine and granular applied oxadiazon reduced root length when compared with the nontreated. By 10 WAT, only dithiopyr, S-metolachlor alone, and indaziflam reduced root length when compared with the nontreated. No differences were detected in the total amounts of nonstarch nonstructural carbohydrates (TNSC) within the roots in either run of the experiment. Results suggest that indaziflam, dithiopyr, and S-metolachlor are not safe on newly established hybrid bermudagrass and should be avoided during establishment. For all other treatments, hybrid bermudagrass roots were able to recover from initial herbicidal injury by 10 WAT; however, future research should evaluate tensile strength of treated sod.

The relationship between training satisfaction, organisational citizenship behaviour, and turnover intention

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mumtaz Ali Memon ◽  
Rohani Sallaeh ◽  
Mohamed Noor Rosli Baharom ◽  
Shahrina Md Nordin ◽  
Hiram Ting
Keyword(s):  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Training Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Unexpected Findings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of training satisfaction as a predictor of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and turnover intention. The study further examines the mediating role of OCB between training satisfaction and turnover intention. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 409 Malaysian oil and gas (O&G) sector employees. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses in the research model using SmartPLS 3.0. Findings This study highlights the significant positive impact of training satisfaction on OCB and the negative effect on turnover intention. Contrary to expectations, OCB proved to be neither a predictor of turnover intention nor a mediator in the model. Practical implications Although the main aim of this study was to test the theoretically driven hypotheses, the findings have a number of valuable implications for organisations. This study suggests that O&G organisations should focus on increasing employee satisfaction with training to maximise desired workplace attitudes and behaviours. Originality/value This is the first study to explore the causal links between training satisfaction, OCB and turnover intention. Although it has been observed in the past that training does not directly influence turnover intention, the present study indicates that training satisfaction significantly influences turnover intention. Further, this study unexpectedly found no direct relationship between OCB and turnover intention. Also, OCB was not a significant mediator in the present study. These unexpected findings open new avenues for future research, thus representing an important contribution of the present study.

Health Behaviors and Wellbeing among those  “LIVING” with Metastatic Cancer in the Deep South

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R Bail ◽  
Sumanth V Bail ◽  
Jessica Cagle ◽  
Koriann Tiesi ◽  
Jayla Caffey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Deep South ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

Abstract Background: Approximately 5 million Americans are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer survivors (MCS) are at risk for poor health behaviors, which may negatively influence wellbeing.Methods: Using a modified Dillman’s method, 542 MCS were mailed a survey querying physical and mental health (PROMIS® measures), health behaviors, and supportive care interest. Returned surveys were double-key entered into REDCap®. Data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven surveys were returned (51% response). Respondents (51% female; 88% Caucasian; 12% African-American; Mage=65 years; Msurvivorship=38 months; 23% female cancers, 23% melanoma, 21% gastrointestinal, 15% genitourinary, 12% pulmonary, and 6% other) reported low daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake (M=4.1) and weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) (M=41.9), with 66% of respondents having overweight or obesity. While mean scores for physical (M=43.6) and mental (M=47.7) health were considered “good,” scores in the “fair” to “poor” ranges were observed (40% physical; 23% mental). MCS meeting PA (≥150 min per week) and dietary (≥5 daily servings of F&V) guidelines reported better physical (p=.003; p=.056) and mental (p=.033, p=.549) health respectively, compared to MCS who were not. While current supportive care use was low (12%), future interest was high (57%), with greatest interest for nutrition (46%), MCS support group (38%), and gardening (31%).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in regular PA and consuming more F&Vs may enhance physical and mental health among MCS. Future research may explore supportive care approaches with high interest, such as gardening, to aid MCS in improving key health behaviors.

Virtual Worlds and Online Videogames for Children and Young People

2016 ◽  
pp. 291-316
Author(s):  
Guy Merchant
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Compulsory Schooling ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Important Direction ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Age Range

Online virtual worlds and games provide opportunities for new kinds of interaction, and new forms of play and learning, and they are becoming a common feature in the lives of many children and young people. This chapter explores the issues that this sort of virtual play raises for researchers and educators, and the main themes that have emerged through empirical investigation. I focus on children and young people within the age range covered by compulsory schooling, providing illustrative examples of virtual environments that promote play and learning as a way of underlining some key areas of interest. Drawing on work from a range of theoretical and disciplinary perspectives the chapter emphasises how these environments have much in common with other imagined worlds and suggests that looking at the ways in which the virtual is embedded in everyday contexts for meaning making provides an important direction for future research.

scholarly journals Age-related factors influence HIV testing within subpopulations: a cross-sectional survey of MSM within the Celtic nations

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 351-357
Author(s):  
Jenny Dalrymple ◽  
Kareena McAloney-Kocaman ◽  
Paul Flowers ◽  
Lisa M McDaid ◽  
Jamie Scott Frankis
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Age Related

ObjectivesDespite a recent fall in the incidence of HIV within the UK, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected. As biomedical prevention technologies including pre-exposure prophylaxis are increasingly taken up to reduce transmission, the role of HIV testing has become central to the management of risk. Against a background of lower testing rates among older MSM, this study aimed to identify age-related factors influencing recent (≤12 months) HIV testing.MethodsCross-sectional subpopulation data from an online survey of sexually active MSM in the Celtic nations—Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland (n=2436)—were analysed to compare demographic, behavioural and sociocultural factors influencing HIV testing between MSM aged 16–25 (n=447), 26–45 (n=1092) and ≥46 (n=897).ResultsMultivariate logistic regression demonstrated that for men aged ≥46, not identifying as gay (OR 0.62, CI 0.41 to 0.95), location (Wales) (OR 0.49, CI 0.32 to 0.76) and scoring higher on the personalised Stigma Scale (OR 0.97, CI 0.94 to 1.00) significantly reduced the odds for HIV testing in the preceding year. Men aged 26–45 who did not identify as gay (OR 0.61, CI 0.41 to 0.92) were also significantly less likely to have recently tested for HIV. For men aged 16–25, not having a degree (OR 0.48, CI 0.29 to 0.79), location (Republic of Ireland) (OR 0.55, CI 0.30 to 1.00) and scoring higher on emotional competence (OR 0.57, CI 0.42 to 0.77) were also significantly associated with not having recently tested for HIV.ConclusionKey differences in age-related factors influencing HIV testing suggest health improvement interventions should accommodate the wide diversities among MSM populations across the life course. Future research should seek to identify barriers and enablers to HIV testing among the oldest and youngest MSM, with specific focus on education and stigma.

Towards understanding the nurse/research interaction

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Shahtahmasebi ◽  
Nancy McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Health Care Policy ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Nursing Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
Nurse Research ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
And Training

Abstract There is a lack of clarity in the literature about what nursing research is or ought to be. There are ample guidelines and texts on how to do nursing research and on syllabus development and countless arguments on why nursing research is synonymous with qualitative approach. This suggests concerns within the profession that nursing research has been developing in a direction of its own that could have had very little influence on health care policy development. Some claim the opposite that nursing practice, in particular in North America, has been evidence-based for the past three decades. In this context, evidence-based is often interpreted as taking part in randomised clinical trials. In this paper, we use historical observations to identify areas of interest which include all issues related to education and training, expertise and working environment for future research.

scholarly journals Wine Authenticity and Traceability with the Use of FT-IR

Beverages ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Marianthi Basalekou ◽  
Christos Pappas ◽  
Petros A. Tarantilis ◽  
Stamatina Kallithraka
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Large Database ◽  
Wine Sector ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Statistical Issues ◽  
Areas Of Interest

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) has gained popularity in the wine sector due to its simplicity and ability to provide a wine’s fingerprint. For this reason, it is often used for authentication and traceability purposes with more than satisfactory results. In this review, an outline of the reasons why authenticity and traceability are important to the wine sector is given, along with a brief overview of the analytical methods used for their attainment; statistical issues and compounds, on which authentication usually is based, are discussed. Moreover, insight on the mode of action of FT-IR is given, along with successful examples from its use in different areas of interest for classification. Finally, prospects and challenges for suggested future research are given. For more accurate and effective analyses, the construction of a large database consisting of wines from different regions, varieties and winemaking protocols is suggested.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document