The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence, associated factors, and the relationship between the existence of school violence prevention policies and physical aggression victimization among Brazilian adolescents. Cross-sectional study based on data from the 2015 National School Health Survey (PeNSE). The sample included 15,954 adolescents aged 11-19 years, enrolled in public and private schools across all regions of Brazil. Victimization was measured through self-reported experiences of physical aggression in the past 12 months. Sociodemographic, behavioral, relational, and schoolrelated variables were analyzed. The association between these variables and victimization was estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance. The prevalence of physical aggression victimization was 17.1%. Factors associated with higher prevalence included male sex, Black or other non-White ethnicities, reports of bullying, alcohol and cigarette use, high screen time, and being physically active. In contrast, older age and having a larger number of friends were protective factors. The presence of integrated actions with primary health care was associated with a lower likelihood of victimization (PR 0.82; 95%CI 0.74-0.90; p<0.001), whereas formal school policies showed no significant association. Physical aggression victimization among adolescents is a relevant and multifactorial problem. Intersectoral actions between health and education have the potential to reduce school violence, whereas isolated policies are ineffective without community engagement and a contextualized approach.
To evaluate how individual and contextual socioeconomic variables influence the prevalence of denture use and need among Brazilian older adults, considering the National Oral Health Survey (SB Brasil 2023) and the expansion of primary and specialized care. This is a quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional study with 9,745 older adults (65-74 years) from SB Brasil 2023, whose outcomes are "need" and "use" of dentures. Associations are analyzed using multilevel logistic regression with random intercept by municipality, reporting odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals with a robust estimator. The model for denture need indicated higher odds among self-declared Black older adults, users of public services, and residents of municipalities with a higher proportion of Black people (p<0.05). For denture use, a higher probability was observed among women, people with per-capita income between the poverty line and two minimum wages, and schooling of 5-8 years (p<0.05). Access through the public service was associated with a lower probability of use (p<0.05). Denture use and need among older adults are marked by inequities by skin color, gender, income, and schooling. The availability of public dental services showed no significant effect, and strategies are needed that prioritize vulnerable groups and increase the efficiency of dental care in the Unified Health System.
This study aims to analyze excessive daytime sleepiness in relation to health risk behaviors among adolescents. Epidemiological and cross-sectional study carried out with 1st-year high school students from 20 state public schools in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected in 2022/2023. The dependent variable was analyzed using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, validated for Brazil. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple analyses were performed using Poisson Regression. 1,616 adolescents participated in the study, among them, 72% had excessive daytime sleepiness, with higher prevalence among girls (PR=1.22), those who studied in the morning (PR=1.35) and full-time (PR=1.35) shifts, those who were in the pre-contemplation stage of behavior change (PR=1.15), those who consumed ultra-processed foods daily (PR=1.09), with severe depressive symptoms (PR=1.16) and with smartphone addiction (PR=1.36). The high prevalence of daytime sleepiness was associated with health risk behaviors among adolescents. Thus, actions that encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles are necessary to minimize health damage in the short, medium and long term. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a sonolência diurna excessiva em relação a comportamentos de risco para a saúde de adolescentes. Estudo epidemiológico e transversal realizado com escolares do 1º ano do ensino médio de 20 escolas públicas estaduais do município de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Os dados foram coletados em 2022/2023. A variável dependente foi analisada por meio do instrumento Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, validado para o Brasil. Foram realizadas análises descritivas, bivariadas e múltiplas, utilizando a Regressão de Poisson. Participaram do estudo 1.616 adolescentes. Entre eles, 72% estavam com sonolência diurna excessiva, com maior prevalência entre meninas (RP=1,22), aqueles que estudavam nos turnos matutino (RP=1,35) e integral (RP=1,35), que estavam no estágio de mudança de comportamento da pré-contemplação (RP=1,15), que consumiam diariamente alimentos ultraprocessados (RP=1,09), com sintomas depressivos graves (RP=1,16) e dependência de smartphones (RP=1,36). A elevada prevalência de sonolência diurna revelou-se associada a comportamentos de risco à saúde entre adolescentes. Assim, ações que estimulem a adoção de estilos de vida saudáveis são necessárias para minimizar os prejuízos a saúde em curto, médio e longo prazo. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la somnolencia diurna excesiva en relación con las conductas de riesgo para la salud en adolescentes. Estudio epidemiológico y transversal realizado con alumnos de 1er año de enseñanza secundaria de 20 liceos públicos estaduales del municipio de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Los datos fueron recolectados en 2022/2023. La variable dependiente fue analizada utilizando la Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, validada para Brasil. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, bivariados y múltiples utilizando la Regresión de Poisson. Participaron en el estudio 1.616 adolescentes. Entre ellos, el 72% padecía somnolencia diurna excesiva, con mayor prevalencia entre las chicas (PR=1,22), los que estudiaban en turno matutino (PR=1,35) y período completo (PR=1,35), que se encontraban en la fase de precontemplación del cambio de conducta (PR=1,15), que consumían alimentos ultraprocesados a diario (PR=1,09), con síntomas depresivos graves (PR=1,16) y dependencia de los smartphones (PR=1,36). Se ha demostrado que la alta prevalencia de somnolencia diurna está asociada a comportamientos de riesgo para la salud entre los adolescentes. Por ello, son necesarias acciones que fomenten la adopción de estilos de vida saludables para minimizar los daños a la salud a corto, medio y largo plazo.
The aim was to verify the use of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (ICPH) and associated factors among Primary Health Care users in six small cities in the state of Paraná. A cross-sectional study was carried out based on interviews with 1,878 adults. Poisson regression was used to verify the associations between independent variables and the general use of ICPH, medicinal plants/phytotherapy, and ICPH except plants/phytotherapy. 51.2% of respondents reported using some ICPH, 45,7% medicinal plants/phytotherapy and 14,7% ICPH except medicinal plants/phytotherapy. The use of ICPH was higher among women, people aged 40 or over, white/yellow, with complete higher education, who did physical activity in their free time, consulted health professional (not a doctor), received home visit, reported neoplasms and chronic musculoskeletal pain. There were some differences in the factors associated with using medicinal plants/phytotherapy and ICPH except medicinal plants/phytotherapy, highlighting schooling, associated only with using ICPH except medicinal plants/phytotherapy. The conclusion is that the prevalence of the use of ICPH was high, especially medicinal plants/phytotherapy, with some important associated factors. O objetivo foi verificar o uso das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS) e fatores associados em usuários da Atenção Primária à Saúde de seis municípios de pequeno porte do Paraná. Realizou-se estudo transversal com entrevistas a 1.878 adultos. A Regressão de Poisson foi usada para verificar as associações entre variáveis independentes e uso geral das PICS, plantas medicinais/fitoterapia e PICS exceto plantas medicinais/fitoterapia. Referiram o uso de alguma PICS 51,2% dos entrevistados, plantas medicinais/fitoterapia 45,7% e PICS exceto plantas medicinais/fitoterapia 14,7%. Foi maior o uso de PICS entre mulheres, pessoas com 40 anos ou mais, brancos/amarelos, com ensino superior completo, que realizavam atividade física no tempo livre, consulta com profissionais da saúde (não médico), receberam visita domiciliar, referiram neoplasia e dor crônica musculoesquelética. Observaram-se diferenças nos fatores associados ao uso de plantas medicinais/fitoterapia e PICS exceto plantas medicinais/fitoterapia, destacando-se a escolaridade, associada apenas ao uso de PICS exceto plantas medicinais/fitoterapia. Conclui-se que foi alta a prevalência de uso das PICS, especialmente plantas medicinais/fitoterapia, com alguns fatores importantes associados. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo verificar el uso de Prácticas de Salud Complementarias e Integrativas (PICS) y los factores asociados entre usuarios de Atención Primaria de Salud en seis pequeños municipios de Paraná, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio transversal con entrevistas a 1.878 adultos. Se utilizó la regresión de Poisson para verificar las asociaciones entre las variables independientes y el uso general de PICS, plantas medicinales/fitoterapia y PICS excluyendo plantas medicinales/fitoterapia. El 51,2% de los encuestados reportó usar alguna forma de PICS, el 45,7% reportó usar plantas medicinales/fitoterapia y el 14,7% reportó usar PICS excluyendo plantas medicinales/fitoterapia. El uso de PICS fue mayor entre mujeres, personas de 40 años o más, individuos blancos/amarillos, aquellos con educación superior completa, aquellos que realizaban actividad física en su tiempo libre, aquellos que consultaron con profesionales de la salud (no médicos), aquellos que recibieron visitas domiciliarias y aquellos que reportaron tener neoplasia y dolor musculoesquelético crónico. Se observaron diferencias en los factores asociados al uso de plantas medicinales/fitoterapia y PICS, excluyendo plantas medicinales/fitoterapia. Se destaca la escolaridad, asociada únicamente al uso de PICS, excluyendo plantas medicinales/fitoterapia. Se concluye que la prevalencia del uso de PICS, especialmente plantas medicinales/fitoterapia, fue alta, con algunos factores asociados importantes.
To evaluate donor-stratified graft and patient survival following kidney transplantation (KT) for lithium-associated end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This retrospective analysis utilized the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Adult KT recipients (January 1, 2015-December 30, 2024) with lithium-associated nephrotoxicity as the primary listing diagnosis (n = 840) were compared with those transplanted for other etiologies. Deceased-donor (DDKT; n = 584) and living-donor (LDKT; n = 256) cohorts were propensity matched 1:1 within donor type. Gompertz parametric survival models were selected after proportional hazards violation. Median follow-up was 851 days (DDKT) and 1262 days (LDKT). Matched DDKT recipients with lithium-associated ESKD had a lower prevalence of body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2 (16.8% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.047), lower calculated panel reactive antibody (17.45 ± 30.58 vs. 27.85 ± 37.48, p < 0.001) and lower private insurance coverage (20.4% vs. 27.9%, p = 0.003). Lithium toxicity independently predicted reduced graft failure (HR, 0.668; 95% CI, 0.490-0.912; p = 0.011) and mortality (HR, 0.667; 95% CI, 0.483-0.921; p = 0.014). No other covariate retained independent significance in the adjusted model. Lithium-associated ESKD did not predict graft failure or mortality among LDKT recipients. KT for lithium-associated ESKD was not associated with inferior outcomes. The favorable survival signal was confined to DDKT. It was more likely attributable to recipient-level phenotypic differences and donor-risk context than to any protective property of the underlying diagnosis. Posttransplant lithium dosing, compliance and rechallenge data are not captured in registry data and remain unmeasured.
PurposeTo examine the association between knowledge of smoking-related diseases, exposure to anti-smoking advertising, sociodemographic factors with smoking cessation intention among current smokers.DesignA quantitative cross-sectional design using secondary data from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Indonesia.SettingA nationally representative dataset covering Indonesian adults.SampleA total of 2874 adult current smokers aged 15 years and above.MeasuresKey variables included respondents' knowledge of smoking-related diseases (lung cancer, heart attack, and stroke) and exposure to anti-smoking messages through five media channels: television, radio, newspapers, billboards, and the internet.AnalysisComplex sample logistic regression to identify predictors of cessation intention while adjusting for sociodemographic factors.Results42.7% of smokers expressed an intention to quit. Knowledge of smoking-related diseases-particularly lung cancer-and exposure to anti-smoking messages via the internet were significant predictors of quit intention. Traditional media exposure and general health knowledge showed comparatively weaker associations.ConclusionThese findings suggest that targeted tobacco control interventions should strengthen disease-specific health education and prioritize digital media strategies to enhance smoking cessation intention across diverse population groups.
This study reports, for the first time, the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) using Westerdykella dispersa (AmlDm3), a fungal species not previously associated with FeNP production. The isolate, recovered from wastewater-contaminated sites in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, was identified through morphological examination and ITS-based phylogenetic analysis. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation with a characteristic absorption peak at 240 nm. SEM analysis revealed predominantly spherical nanoparticles, while zeta potential measurements indicated moderate colloidal stability (-20.2 mV). FTIR spectra demonstrated the presence of Fe-O, COO-, C-O, and amide functional groups, suggesting stabilization by fungal biomolecules. EDX analysis further verified the elemental composition of iron-based nanoparticles. The synthesized FeNPs exhibited rapid catalytic performance, achieving 95.09 ± 0.08% decolorization of malachite green within 5 min at 0.2 mg/mL, with a maximum removal efficiency of 96.72 ± 0.03% after 24 h. Methyl violet and methylene blue showed decolorization efficiencies up to ~85%, whereas safranin reached ~69%. Effective dye removal was also maintained under mixed-dye conditions and at low nanoparticle dosages. No antimicrobial activity was observed. Overall, W. dispersa-mediated FeNPs represent a rapid, efficient, and sustainable nanobiotechnological platform for environmentally friendly wastewater remediation.
Hepatic arterial occlusion after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can be catastrophic, yet outcomes when revascularization fails are incompletely defined. We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study across 10 International Living Donor Liver Transplantation Group institutions (2008-2022), including LDLT recipients in whom durable hepatic arterial inflow could not be achieved-either intraoperatively or after postoperative occlusion despite surgical or endovascular attempts. Twenty-five patients met criteria. Median time to occlusion was 8 days (IQR 2-46). Etiologies were hepatic artery thrombosis (72%), occlusion after transarterial embolization (12%), intimal dissection (12%), and severe anastomotic stricture (4%). Diagnosis was imaging-based in 84%. Revascularization was attempted in 16 patients, restoring temporary flow in 6. Portal vein arterialization was used in 3 intraoperative failures. Biliary complications occurred in 56%, and infectious complications in 76%. Collateral-driven restoration of arterial flow occurred in 3 patients, and all three remain alive without graft failure. Using the date of failed revascularization as time zero, graft survival at 1/3/5 years was 48%/31%/23% (median 306 days, IQR 21-604), and overall survival 60%/50%/50% (median 574 days, IQR 65-1926); seven patients underwent retransplantation (median 430 days). Failure to revascularize within 30 days was associated with worse overall survival, while graft survival was similar. Unsuccessful revascularization after LDLT predicts poor graft outcomes with substantial biliary and infectious morbidity; collateral reperfusion, though uncommon, may enable long-term graft survival.
Immersive virtual reality (VR) distraction reduces procedural pain. The current study explores whether immersive VR also reduces how much people can remember about a painful experience: anterograde amnesia for pain. A within-subject, crossover design was used. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers participated. Each participant received 5 thermal stimuli (some hot, some cold) during no-VR and 5 stimuli during immersive VR distraction (treatment order randomized). They were instructed to memorize the order of hot and cold stimuli for a later memory test. After a brief delay after each stimulus set, participants completed a memory recall test for the order of stimuli (the primary measure) and also provided ratings of pain, distraction, anxiety, and nausea using standardized graphic rating scales (GRS; 0-10). Within-subject Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed that immersive VR significantly reduced how accurately participants could recall the hot/cold order of thermal stimuli, mean accuracy: 96% correct (standard deviation [SD] = 8.06) in no-VR, versus 59% (SD = 25.79) in VR, Z = 3.09, P = .002, r = 0.77. On a rating scale from 0 to 10, immersive VR was significantly more distracting (mean = 7.60, very distracting, SD =1.72) compared to the control condition (mean = 2.07, mildly distracting, SD = 2.16, Z = 3.42, P < .001, r = 0.86), and on GRS mean pain perception ratings, participants reported significantly lower pain intensity during VR, mean = 4.03 (SD = 1.61) during VR, versus no-VR = 6.30 (SD = 1.81), Z = 3.47, P < .001, r = 0.87. Results of this study provide preliminary evidence that immersive VR reduces memory for a painful experience. Conscious/episodic memory formation and storage of memories about specific experiences requires attentional resources. VR distraction pain intervention significantly disrupts memory for painful stimuli, leading to what we term "VR amnesia." Our study provides preliminary laboratory evidence that immersive VR during pain induces anterograde amnesia for pain, disrupting the formation of memory for painful events. Further studies exploring the mechanism of how VR reduces memory for painful events are needed. These results suggest the utility of future studies in clinical pain contexts. If VR can reduce the formation of adverse memories associated with painful clinical procedures, VR may serve as an effective nonpharmacological adjunct to reduce postoperative distress and medications and may reduce risk of developing chronic pain.
This cross-sectional study compares primary diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees treated in crisis stabilization units and emergency departments for behavioral health–related visits in 2022 across 4 states.
While eligibility for cancer screening tests varies by age, women aged 45 to 64 years should regularly screen for 3 cancers (breast, cervical, and colorectal). However, utilization of these screening tests varies. To evaluate patterns of screening across 3 cancers in age-eligible women and to identify screening gaps. This cross-sectional study used a retrospective analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey-a population-based survey of the US-collected January to December 2024. Participants were survey respondents who were women aged 45 to 64 years, reflecting the ages in which women are currently recommended to complete screening for all 3 cancers. Differences in screening patterns across sociodemographic characteristics, including age, insurance coverage, educational attainment, income, and past-year health care use, were evaluated. Survey-weighted means and univariable and multivariable regressions were used to evaluate up-to-date (UTD) use of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The proportion and total number of US women estimated to be due for each combination of screenings are reported. Factors associated with being UTD with any screening (vs no screening) and with all screenings (vs 1 or 2 screenings) are identified. The final sample was 68 111 women (mean [SD] age 54.8 [5.8] years), of whom 35 047 (weighted percentage, 50.3%) reported being UTD with all 3 cancer screening tests, 19 389 (weighted percentage, 28.8%) were UTD with 2 screenings, 8776 (weighted percentage, 13.2%) were UTD with only 1 screening, and 4899 (weighted percentage, 7.7%) were UTD with no screenings. Together, these reflect an estimated 17.9 million women aged 45 to 64 years who were due for 1 or more screening tests, with nearly half this group (42.2%; 7.6 million women) due for multiple tests. Socioeconomic factors were associated with all (vs 1 or 2) screenings, while access factors (eg, health insurance, having a regular health care practitioner) were associated with use of both any screening and all screenings. In this cross-sectional study of screening patterns, nearly 18 million middle-aged US women were estimated to be overdue for 1 or more cancer screening tests. Access-related policies or bundled clinical interventions that improve screening across multiple tests should be prioritized to most effectively reduce the burden of screen-detectable cancers.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the evidence on the association between sense of coherence (SOC) and the utilisation of dental services among children and adolescents. Children and adolescents aged 0-18 years and/or their parents were included. The outcome was utilisation of dental services (regular attendance and preventive-oriented use), in relation to individual or parental SOC (assessed using the SOC-13 instrument). This systematic review (PROSPERO No CRD42024626799) was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, Scopus, and APA PsycINFO), and grey literature was conducted on January 14, 2025, and updated on September 30, 2025. No language restrictions were applied. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Meta-analyses using random-effects were performed. Eleven studies (one cohort study and ten cross-sectional studies) were included. Of these, 10 were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled results showed a significant association between higher parents' SOC and more regular use and preventive-oriented utilisation of dental services among children and adolescents. No statistically significant association was observed between adolescents' SOC and dental service utilisation. Considerable heterogeneity was identified across studies. In conclusion, higher parental SOC was associated with more regular dental attendance and preventive dental care patterns during childhood and adolescence. These results underscore the relevance of psychosocial determinants within the family context and support public health strategies that incorporate family-centred and salutogenic approaches to promote preventive oral health behaviours.
This economic evaluation examines the 10-year US pricing and affordability for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for obesity treatment in Medicare.
Ferritin levels are commonly used to assess iron status. For interpretation, clinicians traditionally rely on age-partitioned reference intervals (RIs), which report 2.5th (lower) and 97.5th (upper) percentiles. To estimate sex-specific continuous ferritin reference curves (RCs) and optimal curves (OCs) for preadolescents; to create age- and sex-specific RIs and optimal intervals (OIs); to interpret estimates alongside ferritin thresholds for iron deficiency; and to develop an interactive web-based computational tool. This cross-sectional analysis used data from a longitudinal cohort study. Participants included 4935 children aged 2 weeks to 10 years attending scheduled primary care health supervision visits from June 3, 2008, to February 26, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from October 16, 2024, to December 17, 2025. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for levels of ferritin, hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein. Parents completed a questionnaire collecting optimality criteria for iron status. Sex-specific RCs were estimated using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape. OCs were derived from a subsample of participants meeting predefined optimality criteria, using multiple imputation to address missing data. RCs and OCs were interpreted in the context of the World Health Organization threshold (<12 ng/mL) and the proposed American Society of Hematology (ASH) threshold (≤20 ng/mL). RCs were estimated for 4935 children (2613 [52.9%] male) aged 2 weeks to 10 years (median age, 37 [IQR, 18-62] months). OCs were estimated from a subset of 3630 children (1909 [52.6%] male). Curves were highest in early infancy, declined sharply at 1.5 years of age (lower limit, 5-6 ng/mL), then gradually increased at 9 to 10 years of age (lower limit, 15-17 ng/mL). RCs and OCs showed similar trajectories, with slightly higher limits for OCs. The proportion of preadolescent children in the optimal population who would be classified as having iron deficiency in existing (World Health Organization) and proposed thresholds differed with age. Using the ASH threshold in this cohort, 54.7% of males and 37.0% of females would be considered to have iron deficiency at 18 months. In this cross-sectional study, ferritin RCs and OCs were estimated in a low-risk population of preadolescent children. The lower limits of curves and intervals were substantially lower than physiologically based thresholds to define iron deficiency. These findings further inform the current discussion regarding the distributional vs physiologic approaches to interpreting ferritin measurements and guiding clinical decision-making.
This Viewpoint explores how fear related to immigration enforcement has influenced access to health care and examines how this may impact health outcomes among immigrant communities in the US.
to validate a tool that assesses healthcare professionals' knowledge regarding immunization of people living with HIV/AIDS. a methodological validity study by experts in the field. the tool, titled "Vacina+HIV", consists of 35 questions about immunization of people living with HIV/AIDS. The tool was validated by 11 experts. Regarding the Confidence Validity Interval, the values achieved were 0.99 for content, 0.96 for objective, 1.00 for written language, and 0.98 for relevance, reaching an overall Confidence Validity Interval of 0.98, and being considered validated. this is believed to be the first validated tool on this topic for healthcare professionals in Brazil. The results demonstrate the validity of a tool that can help identify knowledge gaps that can be better addressed through different continuing education strategies.
to understand forensic nurses' perspectives and direct advances in forensic nursing in Brazil. a qualitative study conducted through semi-structured online interviews between April and May 2023 with 22 forensic nurse specialists. The interviews were subjected to content analysis using Qualitative Data Analysis Miner software. three thematic categories emerged: Dissemination and strengthening of forensic nursing education in undergraduate and graduate programs; Political involvement for the development of national regulations that enable forensic nursing practice in related services; Vacancies for forensic nursing and its inclusion in specialized services for identifying and combating violence. the findings demonstrate the convergence of goals for strengthening forensic nursing in Brazil, highlighting the expansion of education, political articulation for national regulations and the creation of specific vacancies in specialized services to combat violence.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) negatively affects metabolic and neurobiological processes, including increases in hepatic β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and reductions in hippocampal doublecortin (DCX). Both saffron extract and resistance training have shown independent benefits in improving glycemic and neuroplastic markers; however, their combined effects on DCX and BHB in diabetic conditions have not been fully examined. This study evaluated the independent and synergistic effects of saffron extract supplementation and resistance training on glucose, hippocampal DCX, and hepatic BHB levels in rats with T2DM. Thirty adult male rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6 each): control (C), diabetic (D), diabetic with resistance training (DT), diabetic with saffron extract (DS), and diabetic with resistance training plus saffron extract (DTS). Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Saffron extract (25 mg/kg/day) was administered orally in the DS and DTS groups, and resistance training was performed five sessions per week for 6 weeks. Blood glucose, hippocampal DCX, and hepatic BHB levels were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Both saffron extract and resistance training independently reduced glucose levels compared with the diabetic group, whereas the combined intervention produced the greatest reduction. DCX levels were significantly higher in the DTS group than in the D, DT, and DS groups (p < 0.05). BHB levels in the DT, DS, and DTS groups were significantly lower than in the D group, with the lowest levels observed in the DT and DTS groups (p < 0.05). Saffron extract combined with resistance training more effectively improves glucose regulation, increases hippocampal DCX expression, and reduces hepatic BHB levels in T2DM rats compared with either intervention alone.
To investigate the effect and mechanism of Portulaca oleracea L. (POL) extract on acetic acid and alloantigen-induced chronic ulcerative colitis in rats. Ulcerative colitis was induced in rats by sensitization with rabbit colon antigen and acetic acid. Rats received oral sulfasalazine, intestine-quieting tablet, or POL (high, medium, or low dose) for 14 days. Disease activity index (DAI), colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI), and histological score (HS) were assessed. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-17, C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ); colonic levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; serum hemolysin (by immunoturbidimetry); splenic T lymphocyte subsets (by flow cytometry); and serum IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and C4 were measured. Compared with the model group, POL significantly reduced DAI, CMDI, and HS scores in a dose-dependent manner-most markedly in the high-dose group (p < 0.01). POL also significantly decreased serum IL-8, IL-17, CRP, IFN-γ, and IgG, and colonic TNF-α and MPO (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), while increasing serum IL-4 and colonic EGF (p < 0.01). All POL dosage groups significantly increased hemolysin, IgM, and CD4+CD25+/CD4+ levels in rats (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01), while decreasing serum IgG, IgA, complement C3/C4, CD4+/CD8+, and IL-17+ CD4+ (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The POL extract exerts therapeutic effects in chronic ulcerative colitis rats, likely by downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators-including IL-8, IL-17, CRP, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and MPO-, as well as serum IgG, IgA, C3/C4, CD4+/CD8+, and IL-17+ CD4+; and by upregulating anti-inflammatory/repair factors-including IL-4, EGF, lysozyme, IgM, and CD4+CD25+/CD4+. These findings support the clinical potential of POL for ulcerative colitis treatment.