scholarly journals Psycho-Electrophysiological Benefits of Forest Therapies Focused on Qigong and Walking with Elderly Individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3004
Author(s):  
Jiyune Yi ◽  
Seul Gee Kim ◽  
Taegyu Khil ◽  
Minja Shin ◽  
Jin-Hee You ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
The Other ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Elderly Individuals ◽  
Beneficial Effects

We developed two distinct forest therapy programs (FTPs) and compared their effects on dementia prevention and related health problems for older adults. One was focused on Qigong practice in the forest (QP) and the other involved active walking in the forest (WP). Both FTPs consisted of twelve 2-h sessions over six weeks and were conducted in an urban forest. We obtained data from 25, 18, and 26 participants aged 65 years or above for the QP, WP, and control groups, respectively. Neuropsychological scores via cognition (MoCA), geriatric depression (GDS) and quality of life (EQ-5D), and electrophysiological variables (electroencephalography, bioimpedance, and heart rate variability) were measured. We analyzed the intervention effects with a generalized linear model. Compared to the control group, the WP group showed benefits in terms of neurocognition (increases in the MoCA score, and alpha and beta band power values in the electroencephalogram), sympathetic nervous activity, and bioimpedance in the lower body. On the other hand, the QP group showed alleviated depression and an increased bioimpedance phase angle in the upper body. In conclusion, both active walking and Qigong in the forest were shown to have distinctive neuropsychological and electrophysiological benefits, and both had beneficial effects in terms of preventing dementia and relieving related health problems for elderly individuals.

scholarly journals Reduction of the oestrogenic effect of zearalenone in pigs by a feed additive

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endre Brydl ◽  
András Ványi ◽  
Róbert Glávits ◽  
László Könyves ◽  
Pál Rafai
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Large White ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Spleen And Lymph Nodes

Zearalenone is phenolic resorcyclic acid lactone produced by a number of Fusarium species grown on grains, predominantly on maize, in high moisture environment. Due to its oestrogenic effects, feeds contaminated with zearalenone can cause striking negative effects on reproduction primarily in pigs. The aim of the study was to test the efficiency of a feed additive developed for enzymatic decomposition of mycotoxins. A total of sixty 6-week-old conventional Dutch Landrace × Hungarian Large White F1 female pigs weaned at 30 ± 2 days of age were divided into 6 groups of 10 animals. Between 50 and 70 days of age, 4 groups of pigs (experimental) were treated with zearalenone (8 or 16 mg/pig dose) administered every other day via an oesophageal tube; pigs from the other two groups were not treated with zearalenone and served as controls. Throughout the experiment, the diet of two experimental groups and one control group was supplemented with a feed additive (named: Detoxa Plus) at a concentration of 1 kg/tonne; pigs from the other control group received neither zearalenone treatment, nor the feed additive. Pigs’ live weight, weight of ovaries and uterus, histological characteristics of the ovaries, uterus, vagina, spleen and lymph nodes, liver concentrations of zearalenone and its metabolites (α- and β-zearalenol) were studied. This study showed the preventive capacity of the feed additive against zearalenone. Positive effects included the prevention of uterine enlargement, beneficial effects on the histopathological scores of ovaries, uterus and vagina and reduced concentration of zearalenone and metabolites in the liver. This study demonstrates for the first time that due to its enzymatic activity Detoxa Plus renders zearalenone contaminated feeds less toxic.

EFFECTS OF DIETARY CEMENT KILN DUST SUPPLEMENTS ON GROWTH OF LAMBS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. JORDAN ◽  
M. IVAN ◽  
M. HIDIROGLOU ◽  
B. K. THOMPSON
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Cement Kiln Dust ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cement Kiln ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ram Lambs ◽  
Kiln Dust ◽  
Different Sources

Thirty-six growing ram lambs were divided into three equal groups, each of which was fed ad libitum a different diet for 104 days. A control group was fed a post-weaning diet whereas the other two groups were fed the same diet but supplemented with 3.5% of a cement kiln dust that originated from either of two different sources. The average daily weight gains were 0.24, 0.26 and 0.24 kg, and feed/gain ratios were 5.02, 4.75 and 4.84 for the control, and the two kiln dust treatments, respectively. The cement kiln dust supplements were found to produce no beneficial effects in growing lambs.

Comparison of norepinephrine and isoproterenol clearance in congestive heart failure

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. H56-H60 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Leuenberger ◽  
G. Kenney ◽  
D. Davis ◽  
B. Clemson ◽  
R. Zelis
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Neuronal Uptake ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plasma Norepinephrine ◽  
Low Cardiac Output ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is accompanied by increased sympathetic nervous activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that plasma norepinephrine (NE), a marker of sympathetic nervous activity, is elevated in CHF due to increased NE spillover into the circulation and decreased NE clearance. In this study we compared the clearance of NE and isoproterenol (ISO) in eight CHF subjects (plasma NE 601 +/- 133 pg/ml), and in nine controls (plasma NE 285 +/- 53 pg/ml) by using steady-state infusions of tritiated NE ([3H]NE) and tritiated ISO ([3H]ISO). Because ISO is not a substrate of neuronal reuptake but is removed from the circulation in a way that is similar to NE after neuronal reuptake blockade with desipramine, ISO clearance may permit a gross estimation of non-neuronal uptake of circulating NE. The NE clearance was lower in CHF than in the control group (CHF 1.25 +/- 0.13, controls 2.04 +/- 0.22 l.min-1.m-2; P = 0.009). The ISO clearance was reduced similarly in CHF (CHF 0.90 +/- 0.09, controls 1.59 +/- 0.12 l.min-1.m-2; P less than 0.001). Because the ratio of ISO to NE clearance was similar in both groups, our findings suggest that a low cardiac output in CHF decreases the availability of circulating catecholamines to tissue elimination sites.

Reduced baroreceptor sensitivity during hypotension in ANP-knockout mice

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Ackermann ◽  
Robin Donna Deliva
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Arterial Blood Pressure ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Heart Rate Change ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Baroreceptor Sensitivity ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Change In Mean ◽  
Atrial Natriuretic

We studied baroreflex gain in inactin-anesthetized mice that had been genetically modified to be depleted of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP -/-). Wild-type mice (ANP +/+) served as controls. ANP -/- mice had a significantly higher basal arterial blood pressure (ABP) than ANP +/+ mice [112 ± 7 vs. 80 ± 5 mmHg (mean ± SEM)]. Their basal heart rates were not different (491 ± 13 vs. 446 ± 19 bpm). A third group, composed of ANP +/+ mice only, was rendered acutely hypertensive by an intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin acetate (0.3 pg bolus followed by 0.3 pg/h) so as to serve as a control for the elevated ABP in the ANP -/- mice. Transient changes in ABP were caused by bolus injections of oxymetazoline hydrochloride (1.5-3 ng) or sodium nitroprusside (20-100 ng). Baroreflex gain was calculated as the ratio of the peak heart rate change that followed the peak change in mean ABP resulting from injection of oxymetazoline or nitroprusside. There were no significant differences among the groups in their responses to transient hypertension. On the other hand, the ANP -/- mice showed a significantly depressed tachycardic response to transient hypotension when compared with the other two groups. We conclude that the ANP -/- mice are unable to increase efferent sympathetic nervous activity adequately above the high basal activity that is a feature of this animal model.Key words: atrial natriuretic peptides, knockouts, arterial blood pressure.

scholarly journals Effects of Aroma Essential Oil Inhalation on Autonomic Nerve System Response, Electroencephalogram and Concentration

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-296
Author(s):  
Eun Sil Min ◽  
Myung-Haeng Hur
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Autonomic Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
System Response ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous ◽  
Experimental Group

Purpose: This study was an experimental research study to examine the effects of aroma essential oil inhalation on autonomic nerve system response, electroencephalogram and concentration.Methods: The participants were 92 healthy adults: 32 in the experimental group, 30 in the placebo group, and 30 in the control group. In the experimental group, lemon and rosemary oil were mixed in a ratio of 4: 1, and 0.1 ml was dropped on gauze and then naturally inhaled for a total of 30 minutes. The application for the placebo group was 0.9% saline solution, and for the control group, no treatment. To determine the effects, the autonomic nervous system response was measured by applying Canopy 9 Plus 4.0 before the experiment and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after the experimental application, and an electroencephalogram was taken using QEEG-8. The computerized neurocognitive function test for measuring concentration was given before the experiment and at 30 minutes after the treatment.Results: There were no significant differences in the homogeneity tests for general characteristics and for the dependent variables prior to the experiment. There was a significant difference in sympathetic nervous activity between the experimental group, placebo group, and control group (F=3.78, p=.027), and the experimental group had higher sympathetic nervous activity than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference on the electroencephalogram between the ⍺ and beta waves of the three groups. The Stroop Color-Word interference test (color) of the three groups for concentration measurement was significantly different between pre test and at 30 minutes after the treatment (F=7.40, p=.001), and the score for the experimental group increased compared to the control group.Conclusion: The findings showed that the inhalation of aroma essential oil activated the sympathetic nervous system and partially increased the level of concentration.

Mental Health Among Adolescents from Returned Portuguese Immigrant Families

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Immigrant Families ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Portuguese Adolescents

This study investigated mental health problems and their predictors among adolescents from returned immigrant families. The sample consisted of 360 returned adolescents (mean age = 16.8 years; SD = 1.9). The mean duration of a sojourn in Portugal for the sample was 8.2 years (SD = 4.5). A control group of 217 Portuguese youths were also included in the study. Adolescents from immigrant families reported mental health levels similar to those of Portuguese adolescents who have never migrated. Girls showed more mental health problems than boys. Younger adolescents showed fewer mental health problems than older adolescents. Adaptation variables contributed to mental health outcomes even after acculturation variables were accounted for. Implications of the study for counselors are discussed.

Sympathetic nervous activity in carriers of MC4R mutations

2006 ◽  
Vol 114 (S 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Heutling ◽  
F Sayk ◽  
C Dodt ◽  
HL Fehm ◽  
A Hinney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous Activity ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Activity ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous
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