The self-efficacy for regular meditation practice scale (SERMS): Development and psychometric validation.

The health benefits of meditation are well-documented, yet people struggle to practice regularly. Domain-specific self-efficacy is an important modifiable driver of health behavior change that is poorly understood in the meditation context. As such, the present study developed the Self-Efficacy for Regular Meditation Practice Scale (SERMS) assessing confidence in one's capacity to meditate frequently and in a way that favorably impacts well-being, including securing the psychological, social, and structural supports needed for ongoing practice.

Nitric oxide contributes to rapid sclerostin protein loss following mechanical load.

In response to mechanical loading of bone, osteocytes produce nitric oxide (NO•) and decrease sclerostin protein expression, leading to an increase in bone mass. However, it is unclear whether NO• production and sclerostin protein loss are mechanistically linked, and, if so, the nature of their hierarchical relationship within an established mechano-transduction pathway. Prior work showed that following fluid-shear stress (FSS), osteocytes produce NOX2-derived reactive oxygen species, inducing calcium (Ca) influx.

Joint Hypermobility, Autonomic Dysfunction, Gastrointestinal Dysfunction, and Autoimmune Markers: Clinical Associations and Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy.

Introduction: We examined autoimmunity markers (AIM) and autonomic dysfunction in patients with chronic neurogastroenterological symptoms and their relationship to joint hypermobility/hypermobility spectrum disorder (JH/HSD).

Methods: AIM positivity was defined as a diagnosis of known autoimmune/autoinflammatory disorder with at least 1 positive seromarker of autoimmunity or at least 2 positive seromarkers by themselves. Three cohorts were studied: (i) retrospective (n = 300), (ii) prospective validation cohort (n = 133), and (iii) treatment cohort (n = 40), administered open-label intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Bloom Syndrome Complicated by Low-Grade Lymphoma and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report.

Bloom syndrome (BS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by photosensitivity, rashes on the nose and cheeks, short stature, and a predisposition to develop cancers. In this report, we discuss the diagnosis and management of a 34-year-old Canadian male BS patient, originally from Honduras, who developed B-cell lymphoma and a subsequent non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Given the radiosensitivity of the patient due to his BS diagnosis and the early stage of the low-grade B-cell lymphoma, we relied on surveillance as the clinical approach to his management.