scholarly journals Running on Empty: Of Hypopinealism and Human Seasonality

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Kunz ◽  
Amely Wahnschaffe ◽  
Nina Kaempfe ◽  
Richard Mahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Pathological Finding ◽  
The Body ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Individual Capacity ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Sleep Length

The pineal hormone melatonin is the natural transducer of the environmental light–dark signal to the body. Although the responsiveness to photoperiod is well-conserved in humans, only about 25 percent of the human population experiences seasonal changes in behavior. As a consequence, humans seem to have adapted—at least partly—to the seasonal changes in day length. The aim of the study was to demonstrate that the individual melatonin deficit marker DOC (degree of pineal calcification) is related to variation of seasonal phenomena in humans. Out of 3,011 patients in which cranial computer tomography (cCT) was performed for diagnostic reasons, 97 consecutive “healthy” subjects (43 female, 54 male; age 18–68 yrs, mean ± SD: 35.0 ± 13.1) were included. Exclusion criteria were pathological finding in cCT, acute/chronic illness including alcohol/drug abuse, shift work, and medication, which are known to influence melatonin excretion. The degree of pineal calcification (DOC) was semiquantitatively determined using the previously validated method. The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) was performed in a telephone interview. Twenty-six subjects fulfilled the criteria for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or subsyndromal (S) SAD. Seasonality was more pronounced in women than in men (SPAQ seasonality score: 7.8 ± 4.0 vs. 4.9 ± 4.5; p = 0.001) and negatively and significantly associated with age (r = −0.178; p = 0.04). The subjective sleep length significantly varied between seasons (one-way repeated measures ANOVA: F = 45.75; p < 0.0001), with sleep during winter being 53 min (±70 min) longer than during summer. Controlling for age, the total seasonality score was negatively and significantly associated with DOC (r94 = −0.214; p = 0.036). Data confirm earlier studies with respect to distribution of seasonality with sex and age. The survival of seasonality in the sleep length of people living in an urban environment underlines functionality of the circadian timing system in modern societies. Moreover, data confirm for the first time that diminished experience of seasonality in behavior is associated with a reduced individual capacity to produce melatonin.

scholarly journals Seasonal Changes in Sleep Duration in African American and African College Students Living In Washington, D.C.

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 880-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna Volkov ◽  
Kelly J. Rohan ◽  
Samina M. Yousufi ◽  
Minh-Chau Nguyen ◽  
Michael A. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
African American ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
African American Students ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Diagnosis Group ◽  
American Students ◽  
Sleep Length

Duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion, a marker of “biological night” that relates to sleep duration, is longer in winter than in summer in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but not in healthy controls. In this study of African and African American college students, we hypothesized that students who met criteria for winter SAD or subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD) would report sleeping longer in winter than in summer. In addition, based on our previous observation that Africans report more “problems” with change in seasons than African Americans, we expected that the seasonal changes in sleep duration would be greater in African students than in African American students. Based on Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) responses, African American and African college students in Washington, D.C. (N = 575) were grouped into a winter SAD/S-SAD group or a no winter diagnosis group, and winter and summer sleep length were determined. We conducted a 2 (season) × 2 (sex) × 2 (ethnicity) × 2 (winter diagnosis group) ANCOVA on reported sleep duration, controlling for age. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that African and African American students with winter SAD/S-SAD report sleeping longer in the summer than in the winter. No differences in seasonality of sleep were found between African and African American students. Students with winter SAD or S-SAD may need to sacrifice sleep duration in the winter, when their academic functioning/efficiency may be impaired by syndromal or subsyndromal depression, in order to meet seasonally increased academic demands.

scholarly journals Mood Sensitivity to Seasonal Changes in African College Students Living in the Greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 584-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Guzman ◽  
Kelly J. Rohan ◽  
Samina M. Yousufi ◽  
Minh-Chau Nguyen ◽  
Michael A. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
African American ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Seasonal Affective Disorder ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
African Students ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ethnicity And Gender

The purpose of this study was to estimate the degree of seasonality and prevalence of winter- and summer-type seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in African immigrant college students in comparison with African American peers. A convenience sample of 246 African immigrants and 599 African Americans studying in Washington, D.C. completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), which was used to calculate a global seasonality score (GSS) and to estimate the prevalence of winter- and summer-type SAD. Degree of seasonality was related to a complex interaction between having general awareness of SAD, ethnicity, and gender. A greater percentage of African students reported experiencing a problem with seasonal changes relative to African American students, and had summer SAD, but the groups did not differ on GSS and winter SAD. African students reported more difficulties with seasonal changes than their African American peers, which could represent a manifestation of incomplete acclimatization to a higher latitude and temperate climate. As Africans also had a greater rate of summer SAD, this argues against acclimatization to heat.

Seasonal body composition alterations of an elite male soccer team evaluated with skinfold thickness equations and BIMP analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 339-346
Author(s):  
M.P. Yargic ◽  
G.B. Kurklu ◽  
M.C. Celen ◽  
E. Goktepe
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Skinfold Thickness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Multifrequency Bioimpedance ◽  
Soccer Team

The purpose of this study was classified in two aspects: (1) evaluating seasonal changes in body composition of an elite male soccer team; (2) comparing body fat estimates of two different skinfold thickness equations (Jackson-Pollock (JP), Withers) to those of multifrequency bioimpedance (BIMP) among soccer players. Skinfold thickness (7-site) and BIMP measurements were done to 24 players from the same team at 5 different time points throughout the season of 2016-2017. Team displayed no seasonal changes in any of the body composition parameters (body weight, muscle mass, body fat, bone mass, body water, visceral fat rate) (P>0.05). According to Bland-Altman plot analysis for repeated measures, bias between BIMP and JP estimates was 2.88±2.94, whereas bias between BIMP and Withers estimates was 0.53±2.13 and limits of agreement ranged between -2.83 and 9.69 for JP and BIMP, and between -3.57 to 4.76 for Withers and BIMP. A poor correlation was observed between JP and BIMP (ρc=0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.18-0.39]). Assessment between BIMP analysis and Withers formula returned a fair correlation (ρc=0.49, 95% CI [0.34-0.61]). Finally, Withers and JP formulas’ estimates displayed only a moderate correlation (ρc=0.66, 95% CI [0.60-0.72]). Either of the methods cannot be used interchangeably, therefore longitudinal tracking of body fat must be done with a single method and equation. When 7-site skinfold measurements are conducted, we suggest implementing Withers equation among elite male soccer players.

Influence of stable iodine on the uptake of the thyroid – model vs. experiment

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Wellner ◽  
E. Voth ◽  
H. Schicha ◽  
K. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Iodine Uptake ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Iodine Supply ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stable Iodine

Summary Aim: The influence of physiological and pharmacological amounts of iodine on the uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid was examined in a 4-compartment model. This model allows equations to be derived describing the distribution of tracer iodine as a function of time. The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of the model with experimental data. Methods: Five euthyroid persons received stable iodine (200 μg, 10 mg). 1-123-uptake into the thyroid was measured with the Nal (Tl)-detector of a body counter under physiological conditions and after application of each dose of additional iodine. Actual measurements and predicted values were compared, taking into account the individual iodine supply as estimated from the thyroid uptake under physiological conditions and data from the literature. Results: Thyroid iodine uptake decreased from 80% under physiological conditions to 50% in individuals with very low iodine supply (15 μg/d) (n = 2). The uptake calculated from the model was 36%. Iodine uptake into the thyroid did not decrease in individuals with typical iodine supply, i.e. for Cologne 65-85 μg/d (n = 3). After application of 10 mg of stable iodine, uptake into the thyroid decreased in all individuals to about 5%, in accordance with the model calculations. Conclusion: Comparison of theoretical predictions with the measured values demonstrated that the model tested is well suited for describing the time course of iodine distribution and uptake within the body. It can now be used to study aspects of iodine metabolism relevant to the pharmacological administration of iodine which cannot be investigated experimentally in humans for ethical and technical reasons.

Ayurveda dietary guidelines during Covid-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1477-1481
Author(s):  
Ishwari Gaikwad ◽  
Priyanka Shelotkar
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
The Body ◽  
Daily Regimen ◽  
Web Page ◽  
Healthy State ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right

The current world situation is both frightening and alarming due to the massive disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The next few days are censorious as we need to be very precautious in our daily regimen as well as dietary habits. Ayurveda offers knowledge about food based on certain reasoning. Indecent food custom is the chief cause for the rising development of health disorders in the current era. In classical texts of Ayurveda, the concept of diet explained well, ranging from their natural sources, properties and specific utility in pathological as well as physiological manner. In this work, the review of the relevant literature of Ahara (Diet) was carried out from Charak Samhita and other texts, newspapers, articles, web page related to the same.  Every human being is unique with respect to his Prakriti (Physical and mental temperament), Agni (Digestive capacity), Koshtha  (Nature of bowel) etc. For that reason, the specificity of the individual should be kept in mind. Ahara, when consumed in the appropriate amount at the right moment following all Niyamas (Guidelines) given in Ayurveda texts, gives immunity and keeps the body in a healthy state during pandemics such as Covid-19. Ultimately, this will help the human body to maintain its strength for life. This article reviews the concept of diet viz. combination of foods, their quantity and quality, methods of preparation and processing, which are to be followed during pandemics and are essential in maintenance and endorsement of health and preclusion of diseases.

Physiological and Hereditary Hyperbilirubinemia in Athletes: Role in Reducing Efficiency and Correction Methodology

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 386-393
Author(s):  
L. M. Gunina ◽  
◽  
Kazys Mylashyus ◽  
Voitenko V. L. ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Functional State ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Drug Prevention ◽  
The Body ◽  
Erythrocyte Membranes ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Bilirubin Metabolism ◽  
The Individual

Under high-intensity loads, the athlete's bodies take place a number of biochemical reactions and physiological processes that can lead to hyperbilirubinemia. The factors that can initiate the onset of this phenomenon include the syndrome of micro-damage muscle, violation of the integrity of erythrocyte membranes, decreased blood pH, malnutrition and increase oxygen demand of the body. Degree of expression of manifestations of physiological bilirubinemia depends on the level of adaptation of the athlete to the physical activities offered. Hyperbilirubinemia in athletes can be one of the components of the deterioration of the functional state, forming the symptoms of endogenous intoxication. The relevance of this problem in sport lies in the relatively low detection rate of hyperbilirubinemia due to the lack of regular screening studies. However, in drawing up a plan of nutritional- metabolic support for training and competitive activity and recovery measures, must not only the individual reaction of the athlete body to physical activity, but also the severity of shifts in the indicators of bilirubin metabolism and their ratio. The article describes the reasons for the increase in bilirubin levels, which can be caused by both the effect of physical activity and by the presence of pathological processes in athletes. The factors influencing the blood serum’s bilirubin content are also highlighted, which include the state of erythrocyte cell membranes and the rate of hemoglobin destruction, the functional state of the liver, the specifics of physical loads and the use of ergogenic pharmacological agents by athletes. Particular accent has been placed on the illumination of hereditary hyperbilirubinemias, which may have been detected at the stage of selection of athletes. The most common phenomenon is Gilbert's syndrome, which occurs in 2-5% of cases in the general population, is characterized in the clinic by a benign flow and is manifested by episodes of jaundice and an increase in total bilirubin content to moderate values due to indirect. The frequency of detection of hyperbilirubinemias in the population of athletes is 4.68%, among which Gilbert's disease accounts for almost half (48.7%). Conclusion. The work highlighted the pathogenesis and diagnostic algorithm of Gilbert's disease, and also emphasized that its drug prevention and correction in athletes to maintain functional and physical fitness should be carried out taking into account anti-doping rules, which requires upon diagnosis timely receipt of a therapeutic exclusion

Study on Pramana Shareera in relation to Prakriti

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Pai N. ◽  
U. Govindaraju
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Characteristic Property ◽  
The Body ◽  
Artificial Limbs ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Unit Of Measurement ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Different Parts

Ayurveda in its principle has given importance to individualistic approach rather than generalize. Application of this examination can be clearly seem like even though two patients suffering from same disease, the treatment modality may change depending upon the results of Dashvidha Pariksha. Prakruti and Pramana both used in Dashvidha Pariksha. Both determine the health of the individual and Bala (strength) of Rogi (Patient). Ayurveda followed Swa-angula Pramana as the unit of measurement for measuring the different parts of the body which is prime step assessing patient before treatment. Sushruta and Charaka had stated different Angula Pramana of each Pratyanga (body parts). Specificity is the characteristic property of Swa-angula Pramana. This can be applicable in present era for example artificial limbs. A scientific research includes collection, compilation, analysis and lastly scrutiny of entire findings to arrive at a conclusion. Study of Pramana and its relation with Prakruti was conducted in 1000 volunteers using Prakruti Parkishan proforma with an objective of evaluation of Anguli Pramana in various Prakriti. It was observed co-relating Pramana in each Prakruti and Granthokta Pramana that there is no vast difference in measurement of head, upper limb and lower limb. The observational study shows closer relation of features with classical texts.

Epilogue

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua S. Walden
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The book’s epilogue explores the place of musical portraiture in the context of posthumous depictions of the deceased, and in relation to the so-called posthuman condition, which describes contemporary changes in the relationship of the individual with such aspects of life as technology and the body. It first examines Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo to view how Bernard Herrmann’s score relates to issues of portraiture and the depiction of the identity of the deceased. It then considers the work of cyborg composer-artist Neil Harbisson, who has aimed, through the use of new capabilities of hybridity between the body and technology, to convey something akin to visual likeness in his series of Sound Portraits. The epilogue shows how an examination of contemporary views of posthumous and posthuman identities helps to illuminate the ways music represents the self throughout the genre of musical portraiture.

scholarly journals Reduction of estimated fluid volumes following initiation of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a secondary analysis of the placebo-controlled, randomized EMBLEM trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Tanaka ◽  
Michio Shimabukuro ◽  
Hiroki Teragawa ◽  
Yosuke Okada ◽  
Toshinari Takamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Extracellular Volume ◽  
Cardiovascular Outcomes ◽  
Fluid Volume ◽  
The Body

Abstract Backgrounds/Aim Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors promote osmotic/natriuretic diuresis and reduce excess fluid volume, and this improves cardiovascular outcomes, including hospitalization for heart failure. We sought to assess the effect of empagliflozin on estimated fluid volumes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods The study was a post-hoc analysis of the EMBLEM trial (UMIN000024502), an investigator-initiated, multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized-controlled trial designed primarily to evaluate the effect of 24 weeks of empagliflozin treatment on vascular endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes and established CVD. The analysis compared serial changes between empagliflozin (10 mg once daily, n = 52) and placebo (n = 53) in estimated plasma volume (ePV), calculated by the Straus formula and estimated the extracellular volume (eEV), determined by the body surface area, measured at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 weeks after initiation of treatment. Correlations were examined between the changes from baseline to week 24 in each estimated fluid volume parameter and several clinical variables of interest, including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration. Results In an analysis using mixed-effects models for repeated measures, relative to placebo empagliflozin reduced ePV by − 2.23% (95% CI − 5.72 to 1.25) at week 4, − 8.07% (− 12.76 to − 3.37) at week 12, and − 5.60% (− 9.87 to − 1.32) at week 24; eEV by − 70.3 mL (95% CI − 136.8 to − 3.8) at week 4, − 135.9 mL (− 209.6 to − 62.3) at week 12, and − 144.4 mL (− 226.3 to − 62.4) at week 24. The effect of empagliflozin on these parameters was mostly consistent across various patient clinical characteristics. The change in log-transformed NT-proBNP was positively correlated with change in ePV (r = 0.351, p = 0.015), but not with change in eEV. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that initiation of empagliflozin treatment substantially reduced estimated fluid volume parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes and CVD, and that this effect was maintained for 24 weeks. Given the early beneficial effect of empagliflozin on cardiovascular outcomes seen in similar patient populations, our findings provide an important insight into the key mechanisms underlying the clinical benefit of the drug. Trial registration University Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, number 000024502

Embodying the culture of achievement: Culture between illness and perfection is a ‘thin line’ – obtaining the ideal female body as an act of achievement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1354067X2110040
Author(s):  
Josefine Dilling ◽  
Anders Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Female Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thin Line ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
The Ideal ◽  
Body Ideals

In this article, we argue that certain behaviour connected to the attempt to attain contemporary female body ideals in Denmark can be understood as an act of achievement and, thus, as an embodiment of the culture of achievement, as it is characterised in Præstationssamfundet, written by the Danish sociologist Anders Petersen (2016) Hans Reitzels Forlag . Arguing from cultural psychological and sociological standpoints, this article examines how the human body functions as a mediational tool in different ways from which the individual communicates both moral and aesthetic sociocultural ideals and values. Complex processes of embodiment, we argue, can be described with different levels of internalisation, externalisation and materialisation, where the body functions as a central mediator. Analysing the findings from a qualitative experimental study on contemporary body ideals carried out by the Danish psychologists Josefine Dilling and Maja Trillingsgaard, this article seeks to anchor such theoretical claims in central empirical findings. The main conclusions from the study are used to structure the article and build arguments on how expectations and ideals expressed in an achievement society become embodied.

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