#Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic #Sciatica From Herniated Disk

Importance  Sciatica is commonly caused by herniated lumbar disc and contributes to severe pain and prolonged disability. Although acupuncture is widely used by patients with chronic sciatica, the evidence of its efficacy is scarce.Objective  To investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture in patients with chronic sciatica from herniated disk.Design, Settings,… Continue reading #Acupuncture vs Sham Acupuncture for Chronic #Sciatica From Herniated Disk

Device-measured #stationary behaviour and #cardiovascular and orthostatic circulatory disease incidence

BackgroundPrevious studies have indicated that standing may be beneficially associated with surrogate metabolic markers, whereas more time spent sitting has an adverse association. Studies assessing the dose-response associations of standing, sitting and composite stationary behaviour time with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and orthostatic circulatory disease are scarce and show an unclear picture.ObjectiveTo examine associations of daily… Continue reading Device-measured #stationary behaviour and #cardiovascular and orthostatic circulatory disease incidence

#Caffeine improves systemic #lupus erythematosus endothelial dysfunction by promoting endothelial progenitor cells survival

We studied the role of caffeine intake on endothelial function in SLE by assessing its effect on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) both ex vivo in SLE patients and in vitro in healthy donors (HD) treated with SLE sera.MethodsWe enrolled SLE patients without traditional cardiovascular risks factors. Caffeine intake was evaluated with a 7-day food… Continue reading #Caffeine improves systemic #lupus erythematosus endothelial dysfunction by promoting endothelial progenitor cells survival

#Cardiac Contributions to #Brain Health:   A Scientific Statement From the American   Heart Association

The burden of neurologic diseases, including stroke and dementia, is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades. Thus, achieving optimal brain health has been identified as a public health priority and a major challenge. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and around the world. Emerging evidence… Continue reading #Cardiac Contributions to #Brain Health:   A Scientific Statement From the American   Heart Association

Modeling sex-specific whole-body metabolic responses to #feeding and #fasting

Highlights•Sex-specific model reveals mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in glucose production.•Female model shows higher gluconeogenesis from glycerol during fasting.•TG-FFA cycle facilitates liver fat removal in females through TG secretion. AbstractMen generally favor carbohydrate metabolism, while women lean towards lipid metabolism, resulting in significant sex-based differences in energy oxidation across various metabolic states such as fasting and… Continue reading Modeling sex-specific whole-body metabolic responses to #feeding and #fasting

#Arm Position and Blood #Pressure ReadingsThe ARMS Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

Key PointsQuestion  What is the effect of commonly used arm positions on blood pressure (BP) measurements compared to the standard, recommended position?Findings  This crossover randomized clinical trial of 133 adults showed that supporting the arm on the lap overestimated systolic BP by 3.9 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 4.0 mm Hg. An unsupported arm… Continue reading #Arm Position and Blood #Pressure ReadingsThe ARMS Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial

Effects of reducing #sedentary behaviour on back pain, paraspinal muscle insulin sensitivity and muscle fat fraction and their associations: a secondary analysis of a 6-month randomised controlled trial

Objectives Sedentary behaviour (SB) is a plausible intervention target for back pain mitigation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a 6-month SB reduction intervention on back pain and related disability outcomes, and paraspinal muscle (ie, erector spinae and transversospinales separately) insulin sensitivity (glucose uptake, GU) and muscle fat fraction (FF).Methods Sixty-four adults… Continue reading Effects of reducing #sedentary behaviour on back pain, paraspinal muscle insulin sensitivity and muscle fat fraction and their associations: a secondary analysis of a 6-month randomised controlled trial

OpenSAFELY: Effectiveness of #COVID-19 #vaccination in #children and sadolescents

Background Children and adolescents in England were offered BNT162b2 as part of the national COVID-19 vaccine roll out from September 2021. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of first and second dose BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents in England.Methods With the approval of NHS England, we conducted an observational study in the OpenSAFELY-TPP… Continue reading OpenSAFELY: Effectiveness of #COVID-19 #vaccination in #children and sadolescents

High #sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index is associated with an increased risk of #preeclampsia following assisted reproduction treatment

ObjectiveTo study the association between sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index (DFI) and the odds of preeclampsia and other adverse perinatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. DesignA prospective cohort study including infertile couples undergoing conventional IVF or ICSI treatment and their children. Data regarding preeclampsia and perinatal outcomes were… Continue reading High #sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index is associated with an increased risk of #preeclampsia following assisted reproduction treatment