Sleep-potentiating Effects of Passiflora incarnata and ‘Heukharang’, a Novel Korean Lactuca sativa, on Pentobarbital-induced Sleep in Mice

Sleep deprivation or insomnia is one of the most common but neglected health conditions, with serious long-term consequences. In addition, insomnia is linked to poor work performance, impaired memory, and lack of concentration. Improving sleep quality is a crucial aspect of health care. Hypnotic agents, such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antihistamines, are often used to enhance sleep quality; however, these medications often result in tolerance and dependence, resulting in withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation. In recent years, studies have focused on natural and herbal therapies as alternative sleep aids to overcome the adverse effects of available sleep medications. Plant extracts contain phytochemicals that exert anxiolytic and sedative properties. This includes Passiflora incarnata (FSD-PI) and Lactuca sativa L. (FSD-LS) which can induce sleep. Herein, we assessed the effects of natural products, FSD-PI and FSD-LS, as well as their synergistic effects on pentobarbital sleep-induced ICR mice. We observed that natural extracts did not cause any behavioral changes capable of negative effects in mice. Furthermore, sleep duration was prolonged in pentobarbital-treated mice administered with FSD-LS (100 mg/kg). Our data suggest that FSD-LS may be a safe and effective sleep promoter.

High-intensity interval training induced PGC-1α and AdipoR1 gene expressions and improved insulin sensitivity in obese individuals

@#Introduction: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been found to improve cardiometabolic health outcome as compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise. However, there is still limited data on the benefits of HIIT on the expression of regulatory proteins that are linked to skeletal muscle metabolism and insulin sensitivity in obese adults. This study investigated the effects of HIIT intervention on expressions of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and adiponectin receptor-1 (AdipoR1), insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR index), and body composition in overweight/obese individuals. Methods: Fifty overweight/obese individuals aged 22-29 years were assigned to either no-exercise control (n=25) or HIIT (n=25) group. The HIIT group underwent a 12-week intervention, three days/week, with intensity of 65-80% of age-based maximum heart rate. Anthropometric measurements, homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and gene expression analysis were conducted at baseline and post intervention. Results: Significant time-by-group interactions (p<0.001) were found for body weight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage. The HIIT group had lower body weight (2.3%, p<0.001), BMI (2.7%, p<0.001), waist circumference (2.4%, p<0.001) and body fat percentage (4.3%, p<0.001) post intervention. Compared to baseline, expressions of PGC-1α and AdipoR1 were increased by approximately three-fold (p=0.019) and two-fold (p=0.003) respectively, along with improved insulin sensitivity (33%, p=0.019) in the HIIT group. Conclusion: Findings suggest that HIIT possibly improved insulin sensitivity through modulation of PGC-1α and AdipoR1. This study also showed that improved metabolic responses can occur despite modest reduction in body weight in overweight/obese individuals undergoing HIIT intervention.

Effects of mother's literacy on child health assessed by personal hygiene, nutritional and vaccination status

Background: In Pakistan, literacy means 'the ability to read and write'. Mother's education is a stronger determinant of child survivorship. This study was carried out in order to determine the impact of mother's literacy on child health in terms of personal hygiene of child, nutritional status and vaccination status, and to compare the child health status of literate and non-literate mothers

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out in Paediatric Unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from Dec 2015 to Aug 2016. Data was collected using non probability sampling and analysed on SPSS-21. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables like gender, residence, education, immunization and hygiene status, and Mean+/-SD were calculated for quantitative variables like age

Results: Among total 160 children, mothers of 48 [30%] children were completely uneducated. Nutrition status showed that 89 [55.6%] were of normal height for age while rest of them were having stunting of mild to severe categories. Immunization of 135 [84.4%] of the children was done as per their age. Regarding hygiene, clothing of 129 [80.6%] was clean, nails of 95 [59.4%] children were properly clean and trimmed, while hair hygiene of 119 [74.4%] children and dental hygiene of 109 [68.12%] children was well maintained. Majority of those whose immunization, nutrition, and hygiene status was maintained had educated mothers

Conclusion: Maternal literacy has a direct effect on the overall child health with respect to personal hygiene, nutritional and vaccination status