Search Results (1,756)

Dementia is a growing problem of global relevance, currently affecting over 55 million people worldwide. The number of new dementia cases is still increasing, primarily due to the aging of society. Dementia is defined as a substantial decline in cognitive function, and it is inherently associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. Of note, most patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions, in addition to cognitive impairment, often experience various types of sleep disorders, including insomnia, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, sleep-disordered breathing, and circadian rhythm disturbances. There is increasing evidence of a bidirectional interaction between sleep disturbances and mental health. Disrupted sleep may directly aggravate neuropsychiatric symptoms, like depression, anxiety, agitation, and hallucinations, and conversely, such symptoms can make sleeping more difficult. This creates a feedback loop that inevitably leads to disease progression and deterioration in quality of life. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the nature and mechanisms behind sleep disorders in major neurodegenerative diseases, summarize treatment strategies for handling sleep disturbances, and discuss the clinical relevance of sleep–mental health interactions in the context of neurodegeneration-associated dementia. Neurodegeneration is a complex problem on the border between neurology and psychiatry, and it poses a challenge to the healthcare system, as it requires multidisciplinary approaches for optimal management. Understanding the connection between sleep and neuropsychiatric symptoms offers further opportunities for better symptom control, improved quality of life, and slower cognitive decline. Full article

Background: Allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, eczema, and asthma, are prevalent among adolescents and are associated with various health concerns, including poor sleep quality and mental health problems. Although previous research has investigated the general association between allergic conditions and sleep disturbances, few studies have examined how allergic diseases relate to sleep duration. Methods: We performed secondary analysis of the data obtained from the 19th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023), which included 52,880 middle and high school students. Data was analyzed using complex sample design techniques, descriptive statistics, t-tests, and analyses of variance and covariance conducted to explore associations between allergic diseases and sleep duration on weekdays. Covariates included sex, school type, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and residential type. Results: The average weekday sleep duration among adolescents was 6.2 h, which was significantly shorter than that recommended by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (8–10 h). Among allergic conditions, allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with reduced sleep duration (p = 0.001), unlike asthma (p = 0.119) and eczema (p = 0.586). Additional differences in sleep duration were observed by sex, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and living arrangements. Conclusions: Managing allergic rhinitis may be crucial to promoting adequate sleep during adolescence. Furthermore, future research should incorporate physiological indicators to assess sleep quality, as self-reported measures may not capture sleep disturbances such as night-time awakenings. These findings can inform the development of integrated health strategies to enhance physical and psychological well-being of adolescents. Full article

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, non-restorative sleep, and cognitive impairment. Its pathogenesis reflects a complex interplay between central and peripheral mechanisms, including altered pain modulation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, and genetic and epigenetic factors. Evidence from neuroimaging, omics studies, and neurophysiology supports this multifactorial model. Epidemiological updates confirm a global prevalence of 2–8%, with a strong female predominance and a significant impact on quality of life and healthcare costs. Diagnostic criteria have evolved from the 1990 American College of Rheumatology tender points to the 2010/2011 revisions and the 2016 update, improving case ascertainment but still lacking objective biomarkers. Recent omics and systems biology approaches have revealed transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolic signatures that may enable molecularly informed stratification. Therapeutic management remains multidisciplinary, combining pharmacological interventions (e.g., duloxetine, pregabalin, milnacipran) with non-pharmacological strategies such as graded aerobic exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Emerging approaches include drug repurposing to target neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and nociceptive pathways. Despite promising advances, progress is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous cohorts, and lack of standardization across studies. Future priorities include large-scale validation of biomarkers, integration of multi-omics with clinical phenotyping, and the design of precision-guided trials. By synthesizing mechanistic insights with clinical evidence, this review provides an updated framework for the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia, highlighting pathways toward biomarker-guided, personalized medicine. Full article

Health represents a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, with lifestyle factors accounting for approximately 60% of health determinants. Suboptimal health describes an intermediate condition between wellness and disease. According to 2023 WHO data, infertility affects approximately 17.5% of global adults, with male factors implicated in 30–50% of cases, establishing infertility as a critical public health challenge. Substantial preclinical and clinical evidence links suboptimal lifestyles to male reproductive dysfunction, positioning these behaviors as modifiable infertility risk factors encompassing environmental contaminants and lifestyle patterns. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on five key lifestyle determinants—tobacco, alcohol, microplastics, sedentariness, and sleep disruption—affecting male genitourinary health. Adopting an evidence-based medicine framework, we integrate epidemiological and experimental research to establish foundational knowledge for developing novel preventive strategies targeting male suboptimal health. Full article

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate central nervous system, known for its role in promoting sleep, reducing anxiety, regulating blood pressure, and modulating stress, cognition, and behavior. Microbial fermentation offers an effective method for GABA production, with certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains recognized as efficient producers. This study assessed the GABA-producing potential of 31 LAB strains, including isolates from traditional Bulgarian foods and plants. The strains were cultivated in an MRS medium supplemented with 1% monosodium glutamate (MSG), and GABA production was quantified using HPLC after derivatization with dansyl chloride. Most strains produced between 200 and 300 mg/L of GABA. However, Levilactobacillus brevis NCTC 13768 showed much higher productivity, reaching 3830.7 mg/L. To further evaluate its capacity, L. brevis NCTC 13768 was cultivated for 168 h in MRS medium with and without MSG. Without MSG, GABA production peaked at 371.0 mg/L during the late exponential phase. In contrast with MSG, GABA levels steadily increased, reaching 3333.6 mg/L after 168 h. RT-qPCR analyses of the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) system showed that the genes of glutamate decarboxylase (gadB), glutamate-GABA antiporter (gadC), and transcriptional regulator (gadR) are significantly overexpressed when the culture reaches the late stationary phase of growth (96 h after the beginning of cultivation). These results identify L. brevis NCTC 13768 as a high-yield GABA producer, with potential applications in the production of fermented functional foods and beverages. Full article

A personalized framework for smart home automation is introduced, utilizing machine learning to predict user activities and allow for the context-aware control of living spaces. Predicting user activities, such as ‘Watch_TV’, ‘Sleep’, ‘Work_On_Computer’, and ‘Cook_Dinner’, is essential for improving occupant comfort, optimizing energy consumption, and offering proactive support in smart home settings. The Edge Light Human Activity Recognition Predictor, or EL-HARP, is the main prediction model used in this framework to predict user behavior. The system combines open-source software for real-time sensing, facial recognition, and appliance control with affordable hardware, including the Raspberry Pi 5, ESP32-CAM, Tuya smart switches, NFC (Near Field Communication), and ultrasonic sensors. In order to predict daily user activities, three gradient-boosting models—XGBoost, CatBoost, and LightGBM (Gradient Boosting Models)—are trained for each household using engineered features and past behaviour patterns. Using extended temporal features, LightGBM in particular achieves strong predictive performance within EL-HARP. The framework is optimized for edge deployment with efficient training, regularization, and class imbalance handling. A fully functional prototype demonstrates real-time performance and adaptability to individual behavior patterns. This work contributes a scalable, privacy-preserving, and user-centric approach to intelligent home automation. Full article

Smartphone addiction has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This narrative review, conducted in line with the ANDJ checklist, synthesizes evidence from 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, complemented by randomized controlled trials and clinical studies, to provide a structured overview of the field. The study selection flow and publication trends reveal a rapidly expanding research landscape, with most evidence produced in the last decade, reflecting both the ubiquity of smartphones and increasing awareness of their health impacts. The synthesis highlights converging findings across reviews: excessive smartphone use is consistently associated with psychosocial, behavioral, and academic challenges, alongside sleep disturbances and mental health symptoms. Common messages include the recognition of smartphone addiction as a multidimensional phenomenon, while emerging themes point to heterogeneity in definitions, tools, and methodological approaches. Comparative analysis of reviews underscores both shared risk factors—such as emotional dysregulation and social isolation—and differences in study designs and target populations. Importantly, this review identifies critical gaps, including the lack of standardized definitions, limited longitudinal evidence, and scarce cross-cultural validation. At the same time, promising opportunities are noted, from lifestyle-based interventions (e.g., physical activity) to educational and policy-level strategies fostering digital literacy and self-regulation. The post-pandemic context further emphasizes the need for sustained monitoring and adaptive responses. Overall, this review calls for youth-centered, multi-sector interventions aligned with WHO recommendations, supporting coordinated, evidence-based action across health, education, and policy domains. Full article

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine—5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter that exerts a remarkably large array of biological roles in the central nervous system and at the body level. It is involved in generating emotions, being a natural mood stabilizer; it reduces depression, anxiety, modulates sleep, and has many other effects. It is also involved in fetal and postnatal brain development. This variety of biological effects, particularly in the central nervous system, with influence on behavior and cognitive functions, relies on a large number of pre- and postsynaptic serotonin receptor (5-HTR) isoforms spread throughout the brain. They can be grouped in seven large families and include over 18 subtypes, identified based on gene sequences, expression patterns, and pharmacological responses. While in vertebrates these receptors have been properly characterized and described, their correspondents in invertebrates have been far less explored, despite the assumption that they may have similar properties to those described in vertebrates. This paper summarizes the current knowledge in several important areas that together define the entire scope of serotonin receptor research, with a particular emphasis on the role of serotonergic central pathways and circuitry in thermoregulation and correlations with neurologic and psychiatric pathology. Full article

Background/Objectives: The 24 h activity cycle highlights the need to consider sedentary behavior (SED), non-exercise physical activity (NEPA), and sleep when introducing aerobic exercise. This study assessed changes in these components among breast cancer survivors (BCS) and non-oncologic menopausal women after a 3-month walking (W) or Nordic walking (NW) program. Methods: A total of 324 menopausal women participated: 156 non-oncologic (Meno), 102 BCS with natural menopause (BCS_Meno), and 66 BCS with medically induced menopause (BCS_Ind_Meno). Linear Mixed Effects (LME) modeling was applied. Age, BMI, hormonal therapy, cancer treatments, hypertension, sleep, and METs were included as covariates. Results: BCS_Meno and BCS_Ind_Meno had longer sleep durations at baseline (adj. diff.: +26.5 min/day, 95% CI 10.1 to 43.0; p = 0.002 and +25.7, 95% CI 6.7 to 44.6; p = 0.008). Sleep improved across all groups post-intervention (overall adj. effect = +17.4 min/day, 95% CI 4.8 to 30.0; p = 0.007). Higher sleep and METs were associated with reduced SED (sleep: β = −43.7 min/day per unit increase, −52.6 to −34.8; METs: β = −115.4, −126.4 to −104.4; both p < 0.001). A significant group × time interaction showed a decrease in SED in the BCS_Ind_Meno group (adj. diff. = −65.1 min/day, −102.8 to −27.4; p = 0.001). NEPA was negatively influenced by sleep (β = −8.7 min/day, −16.2 to −1.1, p = 0.024) and positively by METs (β = +121.1, 111.8 to 130.3; p < 0.001). NEPA increased only in BCS_Ind_Meno (adj. diff.: +70.6 min/day, 38.4 to 102.7; p < 0.001), not in BCS_Meno (+9.87, −18.7 to 38.4; p = 0.497). Conclusions: BCS_Ind_Meno showed the greatest benefits, with reduced SED, increased NEPA, and improved sleep. Sleep improved across all groups following aerobic interventions. Full article

Background: The use of technological devices by children has increased in recent years, as several Italian studies have shown, even if limited studies assessed the possible effects on sleep and psychological wellbeing in preschool and schoolchildren. Objectives: This cross-sectional study seeks to examine the prevalence and typology of usage, as well as the potential socio-demographic factors associated with it. Additionally, it aims to assess emotional behavior and sleeping difficulties, and their possible correlations with children’s attitudes towards technological devices. Methods: The study included 314 children (52.2% males), with an average age of 7.86 years (SD = 2.02) and mainly their mothers (80.2%). Participants were given a series of self- and proxy-report questionnaires about the digital age, type of activities, hours of sleep, and their behavioral/emotional difficulties (CBCL and SDQ questionnaires). The analyses were descriptive and correlational because of the explorative nature of this study. Results: Parents declared tablets as the device most used by children (49.8%), with an average daily use time of 22.86 min (SD = 33.62). Their digital starting age was on average 5.91 years (SD = 2.25) with mostly recreational activities (Mean = 3.15; SD = 0.72). Parents and children agreed on the time spent with the technological devices reports, while they discorded on the means of creative activities use (t₁₀₉ = −8.86; p < 0.001), with children reporting a higher frequency (M = 2.45; SD = 0.69) than their parents (M = 1.89; SD = 0.76). The tablet time was significantly different by gender (t₃₀₉ = −2.34; p = 0.02), with boys using tablets for a longer mean time than girls (27.8 versus 18.22) and having more ADHD problems (t₃₁₂ = −3.11; p = 0.002; 2.68 versus 1.74). Parents declared an average of 9.55 (SD = 0.55) hours of sleep per night for their children. A significant correlation was found between PC usage time and sleep hours duration (r = −0.13; p = 0.019). The frequency of tablet use was correlated with both the Behavioral Problems Scale (r = 0.15; p = 0.010) and the ADHD Scale (r = 0.11; p = 0.049). Conclusions: Based on these empirical results, preventive programmes and educational activities should be established. Full article

Background/Objective: Video games offer an innovative tool for delivering active aging interventions. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of an enhanced version of a cognitive–behavioral intervention to promote active aging, administered through a video game, on perceived health and healthy lifestyle habits. Methods: A total of 556 participants aged 45 or older (74.3% women, mean age of 60.8 [SD = 8.0]) were randomly assigned to a cognitive–behavioral intervention to promote active aging administered via an interactive, multimedia, online, and serious video game with a complementary smartphone app (CBI-V; n = 279) or to a control group receiving non-specific online information (CG; n = 277). Perceived health (General Health, Body Pain, Physical Functioning, Physical Role, Vitality, Social Functioning, Emotional Role, Mental Health, Physical and Mental Summary Indices); healthy habits, including sleep hygiene behaviors, physical activity, and eating habits; dropouts; adherence to the intervention (completed modules; total playtime; time devoted to cognitive training; number of cognitive task attempts and tasks completed between modules); and satisfaction with the intervention were assessed by independent, blind evaluators via an online platform before and after the intervention. Results: At the post-intervention, the CBI-V group obtained significantly better scores in General Health (p < 0.001), Mental Health (p = 0.015), sleep hygiene (p < 0.001), physical activity (p = 0.024), and eating habits (p = 0.001) than the CG. The effect sizes were small (d = −0.188 to 0.334). Clinically significant changes were higher in the CBI-V group than in the CG in General Health (p = 0.029), Physical Function (p = 0.028), Social Function (p = 0.011), Emotional Role (p = 0.008), Mental Health (p = 0.026), Physical Summary Index (p = 0.010), sleep hygiene (p = 0.020), and eating habits (p = 0.019). Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention, with a mean score of 25.4 (SD = 4.0) out of a maximum of 32 on the intervention satisfaction measure. Conclusions: These findings support the efficacy of a cognitive–behavioral video game intervention in enhancing perceived health and promoting healthy lifestyle habits among people aged 45 and above. Full article

Background/Objectives: Optimal well-being is critical for athletic performance, yet nutritional intake among athletes is frequently inadequate. Although subjective tools such as the Hooper Index are widely used to monitor athlete condition, their relationship with routine eating behaviors remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional intake of Japanese male collegiate handball players and to identify eating behaviors associated with their subjective well-being, as measured by the Hooper Score. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 64 male collegiate handball players completed a 3-day dietary record and a web-based questionnaire assessing eating habits, training load, and the Hooper Index (sleep, muscle soreness, stress, fatigue). Associations between dietary factors and the Hooper Score were examined using partial correlation and multiple regression analyses, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Mean energy intake (30.1 ± 10.7 kcal/kg/day) and several micronutrient intakes were below recommended levels. Partial correlation analysis revealed that lower intakes of energy and multiple nutrients were significantly associated with poorer well-being (higher Hooper Scores) and more Subjective Health Complaints (SHC). Multiple regression analysis identified consistent dinner timing, greater protein intake (g/kg), more frequent consumption of nutrient-dense snacks, and less frequent consumption of unhealthy snacks as significant independent predictors of better Hooper Scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Suboptimal energy and nutrient intakes were common and associated with poorer subjective well-being. Specific eating behaviors, particularly meal regularity, snack quality, and adequate protein intake, emerged as independent predictors of the Hooper Score, offering practical indicators for nutritional assessment and athlete condition monitoring. Full article

Introduction: Hospitalization of a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) is one of the most stressful events, affecting not only the patient but also their close family members. This situation may lead to the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and, in some cases, even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this context, increasing attention is being paid to the importance of psychological resilience—understood as an individual’s ability to effectively adapt to crisis situations and return to a state of relative emotional balance despite adversity. Methods: A scoping review method was used to map terms relevant to the resilience of family members of ICU patients. The aim of this study was to analyze current research on resilience among family members of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including measurement tools, facilitating factors, and psychological outcomes. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and the PCC framework were used to identify relevant studies. Results: The CD-RISC is the most used tool for assessing resilience in the families of ICU patients. Research suggests that resilience is associated with fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and acute stress. The studies indicate that spirituality, social/medical staff support, and involvement in care may be crucial factors for maintaining and increasing resilience. Some socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, and previous mental disorders, may also influence the level of resilience. Conclusions: This scoping review highlights the need to implement measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of families of intensive care unit patients by promoting behaviors such as social/staff support and spirituality. Research suggests that levels of resilience may be associated with fewer psychological symptoms in family members of intensive care unit patients. Full article

Background: It is important to investigate the combination of 24 h movement behaviors (24 h MB)—such as physical activity, screen time, and sleep—as children’s daily habitual behaviors significantly influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, such studies remain extremely limited in East Asia. This study aimed to examine whether adherence to the 24 h MB is associated with HRQoL among children from three East Asian countries. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from primary school children aged 7–12 years in Japan (n = 786), China (n = 1246), and South Korea (n = 1011). HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire, while physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration were measured through a self-reported questionnaire survey. Results: Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for relevant covariates, confirmed significant associations with HRQoL subfactors including physical well-being, psychological well-being, social support, and peer relationships. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the critical relationship between adherence to 24 h MB and HRQoL in East Asian children, contributing valuable evidence to support integrated health promotion strategies in this region. Full article

Background: Although higher sedentary behavior (SB) and lower physical activity (PA) have been associated with poor prenatal sleep quality, the influence of specific exchanges of SB and types of PA on sleep quality during pregnancy remains unexplored. Objectives: This secondary, cross-sectional analysis examined associations between the statistical replacement of patterns (weekdays, weekends) and domains (leisure, occupational, commuting) of SB with moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA), or moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) PA and sleep quality among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Participants (n = 935; age = 30 ± 5.6 years; first trimester = 24.1%, second trimester = 33.9%, third trimester = 42.0%) self-reported their patterns and domains of SB, PA, and sleep quality using validated instruments. Adjusted isotemporal substitution models evaluated the associations of exchanging 30 min of different SB and PA with sleep quality. Results: Replacing 30 min of total or leisure SB on weekdays with 30 min of MPA was associated with improved sleep quality (β = −0.519 and −0.590, respectively; p < 0.05) only among those in their first trimester. Paradoxically, replacing 30 min of total, leisure, occupational, or commuting SB across the week, on weekdays, and weekends with 30 min of VPA was associated with poor prenatal sleep quality (β ranged between 1.258 and 7.217; p < 0.05 for all). Exchanging SB with MPVA or different domain-specific SB did not influence sleep quality (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: These novel findings suggest that although replacing SB with PA may help enhance sleep quality in pregnant women, particularly during the first trimester, the underlying associations are likely multifaceted. The variable relationships observed emphasize the importance of considering patterns and domains of SB and intensity of PA used as a replacement, rather than total duration solely, to improve prenatal sleep quality, especially during early pregnancy, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Full article