Topic Review
Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method
With the continuous aging of society, the demand among elderly citizens for care facilities is increasing. The accessibility of elderly care facilities is a significant indicator for evaluating whether the layout of urban elderly care facilities is reasonable, and research on the spatial accessibility of related facilities has become an important academic issue.
  • 572
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Neurofibroma Development in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic tumor predisposition syndrome that affects about 1 in 3000 newborns, is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene and subsequent inactivation of its encoded neurofibromin. Neurofibromin is a tumor suppressor protein involved in the downregulation of Ras signaling. Despite a diverse clinical spectrum, one of several hallmarks of NF1 is a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST), which comprises mixed nervous and fibrous components. The distinct spatiotemporal characteristics of plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas have prompted hypotheses about the origin and developmental features of these tumors, involving various cellular transition processes. 
  • 383
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Benefits of Table Tennis for Brain Health Maintenance and Prevention of Dementia
Table tennis is an extremely popular sport throughout the world as it requires no expensive equipment, specialized amenities, or physical contact among players, and the pace of play can be adapted to allow participation by players of all skill levels, ages, and abilities. It is an aerobic-dominant sport driven primarily by the phosphagen system because rallies are relatively brief (several seconds) and separated by longer rest periods. Several studies have shown that physical interventions including table tennis can help prevent cognitive decline and dementia. Accordingly, the present paper provides an overview of the basic physical and cognitive demands of table tennis, reviews previous studies reporting improvements in physical and brain health across different non-clinical and clinical populations, and critically evaluates the usefulness of table tennis intervention for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. This review suggests that table tennis intervention could be a powerful strategy to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly. 
  • 2.9K
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders among Teachers
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is a major health problem, which can lead to an enormous burden to the institution as well as chronic disability to the individual. Teachers are at risk of developing MSD due to the exposure to various ergonomic risk factors. Teachers of special education, for example, are expected to perform extra duty such as lifting and moving students, feeding food, changing diapers, and helping them in ambulation. The prevalence of MSD among regular teachers ranges from 48.7% to 73.7%, while the prevalence ranges from 38.7% to 94% in special education teachers. The MSD most commonly affects the shoulder, lower back, neck, and wrist. A growing body of evidence shows that MSD is significantly associated with the teachers’ individual, physical, and psychosocial factors. Individual factors related to MSD include age, duration of teaching experience, working hours, nap time, teaching burden, and partner. Physical factors, such as awkward posture, frequent lifting, carrying, transferring, toileting, changing diapers, rehabilitation, and feeding, have been proven to increase the risk of MSD. Perceived stress, fatigue, psychological distress, and depression have been identified as psychosocial risk factors. It is recommended to implement ergonomically designed workplaces, comprehensive ergonomic training, psychological approaches, and functional training among teachers at risk.
  • 539
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Effect of Physical Activity on the Circadian System
Circadian rhythms are an inherent property of all living systems and an essential part of the external and internal temporal order. They enable organisms to be synchronized with their periodic environment and guarantee the optimal functioning of organisms. Any disturbances, so-called circadian disruptions, may have adverse consequences for health, physical and mental performance, and wellbeing. The environmental light–dark cycle is the main zeitgeber for circadian rhythms. Moreover, regular physical activity is most useful. Not only does it have general favorable effects on the cardiovascular system, the energy metabolism and mental health, for example, but it may also stabilize the circadian system via feedback effects on the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the main circadian pacemaker. Regular physical activity helps to maintain high-amplitude circadian rhythms, particularly of clock gene expression in the SCN. It promotes their entrainment to external periodicities and improves the internal synchronization of various circadian rhythms. This in turn promotes health and wellbeing.
  • 577
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Essential Oil-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents in Food
The use of essential oils (EO) loaded with nanoparticles is the most promising alternative to increase food quality and safety. Their association with different nanosystems allows novel developments in the micronutrition, health promotion, and pathogen control fields, preventing the aggravation of bacterial microevolution and combating antibiotic resistance. Benefits to the environment are also provided, as they are biodegradable and biocompatible. 
  • 544
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Effects of COVID-19 on Rehabilitation Programs Outcomes
Consequences due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus can have a direct impact on skeletal muscle, due to the fact that both cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue show robust ACE2(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) expression, suggesting a potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in both types of tissues. The musculoskeletal damage is firstly produced by the inflammatory effects, cytokine storm and muscle catabolism. However, myopathy, polyneuropathy and therapies such as corticoids were also considered important factors in muscle fatigue and functional incapacity. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs and early mobilization had a highly contribution during the acute phase and post-illness recovery process and helped patients to reduce dyspnea, increase the capacity of physical effort, overcome psychological disorders and improved the quality of their life. Muscular damage, as well as the decrease in the quality of life, are often a consequence of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection through: systemic inflammation, corticotherapy, prolonged bed rest and other unknown factors. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs and early mobilization had a highly contribution during the acute phase and post-illness recovery process and helped patients to reduce dyspnea, increase the capacity of physical effort, overcome psychological disorders and improve the quality of their life.
  • 467
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Work-Related Exhaustion in East and West Germany
Chronic exhaustion is a consequence of detrimental working conditions and demands, as well as inadequate coping techniques, potentially resulting in burnout. Previous research has studied occupational environment and individual factors as predictors of exhaustion. These differ between former East and West German states, the regional distinction regarding exhaustion has been neglected. 
  • 485
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Mitigation of Cadmium Toxicity
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant of public health significance worldwide. Diet is the main Cd exposure source in the non-occupationally exposed and non-smoking populations. Metal transporters for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) are involved in the assimilation and distribution of Cd to cells throughout the body. Due to an extremely slow elimination rate, most Cd is retained by cells, where it exerts toxicity through its interaction with sulfur-containing ligands, notably the thiol (-SH) functional group of cysteine, glutathione, and many Zn-dependent enzymes and transcription factors. The simultaneous induction of heme oxygenase-1 and the metal-binding protein metallothionein by Cd adversely affected the cellular redox state and caused the dysregulation of Fe, Zn, and copper. Experimental data indicate that Cd causes mitochondrial dysfunction via disrupting the metal homeostasis of this organelle. 
  • 295
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Mental Stress in Medical Students during the Pandemic
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to interrupt their regular studies, and universities changed their teaching formats. The lockdowns affected students in more ways than simply their teaching formats. Students require individual support to adjust to difficult situations, and particularly medical students in their preclinical phase compared to students in their clinical phases. These are challenges for the medical education system, which must find ways to be prepared for future times of crisis and insecurity.
  • 400
  • 23 Sep 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 182
Video Production Service