Effects of High Amylose-Resistant Starch on Gut Microbiota and Uremic Toxin Levels in Patients With Stage-G3a-G4 Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the effect of 16 weeks of supplementation with Hi-maize 260 resistant starch (RS) on the gut microbiota, uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate [PCS]), markers of inflammation, and oxidative stress along with vascular function in patients with stage G3a-G4 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design And Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Sixty-eight patients with stage-G3a-G4 CKD were randomized to either RS with usual care or placebo and usual care.

Greater usage and positive mood change for users of a dynamic VR app before and after the COVID-19 pandemic onset.

Americans reported an increase in stress during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Virtual reality (VR) apps have been shown to distract users from stressors in the environment, but little is known about the efficacy of specific content features to reduce stress or improve mood for consumer users during a pandemic. The present study investigated secondary archival data to explore how mood and usage behavior changed before and after the onset of COVID-19 for consumer users of a VR app with dynamic, interactive content.

Development and evaluation of a webinar to reduce stigma toward people with serious mental illness.

Objective: This study involved the development, dissemination, and pre- and postassessment of a mental illness awareness webinar. The goal of the webinar is to educate the general public about serious mental illness (SMI) and reduce stigmatizing attitudes.

Method: The study included 203 participants ( = 101 treatment group; = 102 control group).

An Interactive Cognitive-Behavioural Multimedia Program Favourably Affects Pain and Kinesiophobia During Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery: An Effectiveness Trial.

Psychological interventions have been found effective in helping athletes cope with the challenges associated with knee surgery. In this investigation, an interactive cognitive-behavioural multimedia program was evaluated as a means of delivering psychological interventions to individuals experiencing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery in a field trial with 69 ACL surgery patients (30 women and 39 men; 24 competitive athletes, 41 recreational athletes, and 4 nonathletes; = 35.01, = 11.

Sleep Disturbance and Its Association With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Attention in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors.

Background: Pediatric brain tumor (PBT) survivors are at risk for developing sleep disturbances. While in other pediatric populations sleep disturbance has been associated with worse cognitive functioning, it is unclear to what extent this relationship generalizes to PBT survivors. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between sleep disturbance and aspects of cognition, including sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) as well as attention and working memory.

The effects of 16-weeks of prebiotic supplementation and aerobic exercise training on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, uremic toxins, and the microbiota in pre-dialysis kidney patients: a randomized controlled trial-protocol paper.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by dysbiosis, elevated levels of uremic toxins, systemic inflammation, and increased markers of oxidative stress. These factors lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is common among CKD patients. Supplementation with high amylose maize resistant starch type 2 (RS-2) can change the composition of the gut microbiota, and reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Effects of a Mental Warmup on the Workout Readiness and Stress of College Student Exercisers.

The importance of warming up prior to sport competition has been highlighted in the scientific literature, with increasing attention paid to the benefits of mental warmups. The purpose of this research was to explore the possibility that a mental warmup may also benefit exercisers. Two studies were conducted in which the effects of a mental warmup on the psychological readiness and psychological stress of exercisers were examined.

It's about Time: Effects of Physical Exertion on Duration Estimates.

Background: Task duration is a fundamental aspect of exercise, but little is known about how completed bouts of physical activity are perceived. Consequently, the purpose of the five experiments conducted for this investigation was to examine the effects of engaging in physical tasks on retrospective duration estimates with college student participants.

Methods: Across the five experiments, participants were 113 college students (82 women, 31 men).

High-density lipoprotein particle pattern and overall lipid responses to a short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training intervention in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with abnormal lipid profiles and altered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle size patterns. Lower levels of the larger, cardioprotective HDL particles found in CKD may play a role in the increased risk for cardiovascular disease in these patients. The current study was designed to assess the effects of short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training on the HDL particle pattern and overall lipid profiles in stage 3 CKD patients.

Adversarial Growth After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Although psychological research on sport injury has long focused on negative responses to injury, investigators have begun to explore positive consequences as well. This study examined adversarial growth longitudinally after anterior cruciate ligament surgery and rehabilitation. Participants (N = 108) completed questionnaires measuring (a) aspects of adversarial growth before anterior cruciate ligament surgery and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery and (b) daily pain and negative mood for 42 days postoperatively.

Blood pressure response to acute and chronic exercise in chronic kidney disease.

Aim: The current study was designed to determine if a relationship exists between acute and chronic blood pressure responses to aerobic exercise in pre-dialysis patients.

Methods: Pre-dialysis kidney patients attended four sessions before being randomized to the treatment (n = 25) or control group (n = 21). In session 1, resting blood pressure was recorded, and these measurements were repeated during the second visit when peak oxygen uptake (VO ) was assessed.

Big Five Personality Characteristics and Adherence to Clinic-Based Rehabilitation Activities after ACL Surgery: A Prospective Analysis.

Purpose: A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted to examine Big Five personality characteristics as predictors of adherence to clinic-based rehabilitation activities following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.

Method: Participants (72 men, 36 women) completed a questionnaire assessing Big Five personality dimensions prior to surgery. For the first 7 weeks after surgery, participants' rehabilitation session attendance was recorded and rehabilitation professionals rated participants' adherence during rehabilitation sessions.

Predictors of adherence to home rehabilitation exercises following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective: Although home exercises are commonly prescribed following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and are considered important in obtaining successful rehabilitation outcomes, little is known about factors associated with the completion of such exercises. Consequently, this study was designed to identify predictors of adherence to home rehabilitation exercises after ACL surgery.

Method: Participants (33 women, 58 men) completed indices of athletic identity, neuroticism, optimism, and pessimism before ACL surgery and measures of daily pain, negative mood, stress, and home exercise completion for 42 days postoperatively.

Exercise training improves HR responses and V˙O2peak in predialysis kidney patients.

Purpose: The current pilot and feasibility study was designed to examine the effect of 48 wk of moderate-intensity exercise training and dietary modification on kidney function and vascular parameters in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods: Twenty-one stage 2-4 CKD patients (age, 18-70 yr) were randomly assigned to either the training group (TG, n = 10) or the usual care group (n = 11) for 48 wk. The TG received 48 wk of personal training (3 d·wk for up to 55 min per session at 50%-60% V˙O2peak) and dietary counseling, whereas individuals in the usual care group received standard of care and were instructed not to start a structured exercise program while in the study.

Self-Protective Changes in Athletic Identity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the possibility of self-protective changes in athletic identity (AI) being initiated after the occurrence of a severe injury. METHOD: People (72 men and 36 women) undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and rehabilitation were asked to complete a measure of AI prior to surgery and measures of AI and rehabilitation progress at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: A repeated-measures ANCOVA controlling for age and gender indicated that AI decreased significantly across the 24-month period following surgery, with the most substantial decline occurring between 6 and 12 months postsurgery.

Electronic CommunKNEEcations: A Descriptive Analysis of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Message Board Postings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify topics of potential concern to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery patients. DESIGN: An archival design was used. SETTING: Qualitative data were collected from two Internet message boards.

Age-Related Differences in Predictors of Adherence to Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the relationships between psychological factors and rehabilitation adherence after knee surgery differ as a function of age. DESIGN AND SETTING: Participants completed inventories of self-motivation, social support, athletic identity, and psychological distress before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. After surgery, participants recorded their completion of home rehabilitation exercises and cryotherapy, and the sport rehabilitation professionals providing their treatment reported on the patients' attendance at, and adherence during, rehabilitation sessions.

Muscle dysmorphia in elite-level power lifters and bodybuilders: a test of differences within a conceptual model.

The purpose of this study was to determine if associated characteristics of muscle dysmorphia (MD) were different between elite-level competitive bodybuilders and power lifters. Elite-level competitive bodybuilders (n = 100) and power lifters (n = 68) completed the muscle dysmorphia inventory (MDI) at the time of or immediately before competition. A 2 x 6 (group x MDI subscales) multivariate analysis of variance indicated that bodybuilders were significantly more likely to report body size-symmetry concerns (F(1, 167) = 10.