Randomized Trial: A Pilot Study Investigating the Effects of Transcendental Meditation and Yoga Through Retinal Microcirculation in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death, and psychosocial stress is considered a contributing factor to these issues. With the rising number of heart surgeries, proper rehabilitation post-surgery is essential. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of yoga and transcendental meditation on the cardiovascular system.

Acute effects of exercise on macro- and microvasculature in individuals with type 1 diabetes - a secondary outcome analysis.

Background: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with insulin-producing beta cell destruction, declining insulin secretion, and elevated blood glucose. Physical activity improves glycaemic control and cardiovascular health. This study explores acute effects of maximal exhaustion induced by a cardiopulmonary exercise on macro- and microvascular parameters in type 1 diabetes.

Effects of menstrual cycle on hemodynamic and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia.

Background: Estrogen and progesterone levels undergo changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Existing literature regarding the effect of menstrual phases on cardiovascular and autonomic regulation during central hypovolemia is contradictory.

Aims And Study: This study aims to explore the influence of menstrual phases on cardiovascular and autonomic responses in both resting and during the central hypovolemia induced by lower body negative pressure (LBNP).

Retinal venular vessel diameters are smaller during ten days of bed rest.

Older individuals experience cardiovascular dysfunction during extended bedridden hospital or care home stays. Bed rest is also used as a model to simulate accelerated vascular deconditioning occurring during spaceflight. This study investigates changes in retinal microcirculation during a ten-day bed rest protocol.

Association of gender with cardiovascular and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia.

Introduction: Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) eliminates the impact of weight-bearing muscles on venous return, as well as the vestibular component of cardiovascular and autonomic responses. We evaluated the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to central hypovolemia, induced by LBNP in both males and females.

Methodology: A total of 44 participants recruited in the study.

A pilot study: Exploring the influence of COVID-19 on cardiovascular physiology and retinal microcirculation.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects the cardiovascular system. The current study investigated changes in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and microcirculation in patients recovering from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methodology: Out of 43 initially contacted COVID-19 patients, 35 (30 males, 5 females; age: 60 ± 10 years; and body mass index (BMI): 31.

Vascular Responses following Light Therapy: A Pilot Study with Healthy Volunteers.

(1) Background: Studies have reported the effectiveness of light therapy in various medical conditions. Our pilot study aimed to assess the effect of Maharishi light therapy (MLT) on physiological parameters, such as the heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), BP variability (BPV), and the retinal microvasculature of healthy participants; (2) Methodology: Thirty (14 males and 16 females) healthy, non-smoking participants between 23 and 71 years old (46 ± 18 years) were included in this randomized crossover study. Each participant was tested with a placebo (using LED light) and gem lights, 24 h apart.

Effects of Meditation on Cardiovascular and Muscular Responses in Patients during Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the world's number one cause of death, with exceeding psychosocial stress load being considered a major risk factor. A stress management technique that has repeatedly shown positive effects on the cardiovascular system is the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the potential effect of TM on the recovery of cardiac patients.

Health and Academic Performance With Happy Children: A Controlled Longitudinal Study Based on the HOPP Project.

Background: Overweight/obesity in children and adolescents, largely arising due to increased food intake and reduced physical activity, is a major health concern. Physical activity (PA) integrated into learning has been shown to not only lead to improved health outcomes and wellbeing but also positively affect academic performance. The Health and Academic Performance with Happy Children (HAPHC) project aims at enhancing health and academic performance in elementary school children implementation of a daily unit of Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (PAAC), which is carried out within the school setting.

Kinetic Gait Parameters in Unilateral Lower Limb Amputations and Normal Gait in Able-Bodied: Reference Values for Clinical Application.

Unilateral lower limb amputations usually present with asymmetric interlimb gait patterns, in the long term leading to secondary physical conditions and carrying the risk of low physical activity and impairment of general health. To assess prosthetic fittings and rehabilitation measures, reference values for asymmetries as well as the most significant gait parameters are required. Kinetic gait data of 865 patients with unilateral lower limb amputations (hip and knee disarticulations, transfemoral, transtibial and foot amputations) and 216 able-bodied participants were quantitatively assessed by instrumented gait analyses.

Children's hair cortisol and hair testosterone concentrations in response to environmental changes: from summer holidays to school.

Elevated hair cortisol concentrations in children have been linked to several stress-related conditions, including school-related demands. However, little is known about changes in hair testosterone in children. The present study investigated changes in hair cortisol and hair testosterone concentrations in the time course of four months - from summer holidays until mid of autumn of the following school year - in 60, 10-12-year-old (11.

Assessment of Anthropometric Indices for Optimal Cut-Offs for Obesity Screening in a South African Adolescent Population.

The assessment of obesity in sub-Saharan Africa relies on cut-offs established from western populations. This study assessed anthropometric indices to determine optimal cut-off values for obesity screening in the South African adolescent population. A cross-sectional study involving 1144 (796 females and 348 males) adolescents aged 11-17 years from the Eastern Cape Province of South African was conducted.

Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Measured by B-Mode Ultrasound to Assess and Monitor Obesity and Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents.

Monitoring of children at heightened risk of cardio-metabolic diseases raises the need for accurate assessment of obesity. A standardized approach for measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) by bright-mode ultrasound was evaluated in relation to body indices and anthropometry in a cross-sectional sample of 76 South African children (7-10 years) and 86 adolescents (13-17 years) to assess cardio-metabolic risk. SAT was higher in girls as compared to boys (children: 50.

Unaffected Memory and Inhibitory Functioning Several Weeks Postpartum in Women with Pregnancy Complicated by Preeclampsia.

Several studies reported impaired cognitive functioning after pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. The present study examined cognitive and executive functioning in women with preeclampsia at a time at which immediate effects of gestation have resolved, brain damage due to other risk factors have not yet manifested, and impairments may thus primarily occur as a result of the huge stress induced by the potentially life threatening condition. Verbal learning/memory (California Verbal Learning Test) and inhibitory functioning (Mittenecker Pointing Test) of 35 women with preeclampsia and 38 women with uncomplicated pregnancy were followed over five measurement time points during the period from 16 to 48 weeks postpartum.

Phasic heart rate variability and the association with cognitive performance: A cross-sectional study in a healthy population setting.

Introduction: Sympathovagal balance measured by heart rate variability is a core component of psychophysiological research. Through the close link of physiological and psychological aspects, often a reduced heart rate variability is associated with impaired cognitive function. A better understanding of the associations between cognitive and cardiovascular dysfunctions is necessary to prevent the manifestation of diseases.

Fluid Shifts Induced by Physical Therapy in Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients.

Complete decongestive therapy (CDT), a physical therapy including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and compression bandaging, is aimed at mobilizing fluid and reducing limb volume in lymphedema patients. Details of fluid shifts occurring in response to CDT are currently not well studied. Therefore, we investigated fluid shifts before, during and after CDT.