Innovative health tracker that provides advanced functionalities to support and guide users in modifying their lifestyle: a Straussian ground theory approach.

Objective: Health can be described as the state of homeostasis and optimal functioning across various bio-psycho-social dimensions and processes, allowing an individual to adapt and respond effectively to extrinsic and intrinsic challenges. Our thoughts, choices, behaviors, experiences, and feelings shape our existence. By transitioning from unconscious reactions to conscious responses, we can establish novel habits and behaviors, actively embracing positive shifts in our lifestyle. Subjects and methods: The presented examination focuses on the smartwatch (SW), analyzing the incorporation of potentially progressive attributes that could enrich our lifestyle pursuits. The objective is not the health disorders themselves but the employment of wearable devices to create a strong sense of coherence in the Straussian grounded theory approach. The study had no subjects. Results: The potential of the SW has been partially explored in lifestyle intervention, modification, research, and practice. Conclusion: Based on our examination, creating an innovative SW capable of aiding individuals in better comprehending their behaviors and motivating them toward comprehensive changes in their lifestyle is a challenging yet attainable endeavor. Our ambition is to bring into existence SW capable of comprehensively measuring and evaluating interoception, circadian rhythm (CR), selected lifestyle pillars, and their associated components, and seamlessly integrating them into current SW features. It focuses on boosting motivation, maintenance, and amelioration regarding one's lifestyle. The novel approach strives to boost both immediate and underlying factors that actively contribute to improving one's metacognition.

The association between muscle mass quantity and its quality in physically active older women.

In this study, the authors aim to determine whether lower limb strength is related to lower limb lean mass and whether this relationship is affected by lower limb functionality in physically active older women. Twenty-six women underwent measures of knee muscles strength and lean mass of lower limbs. Bilateral strength of the knee flexors and extensors was measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. The concentric peak torque was measured at an angular velocity of 60°/s. Lean mass of the lower limbs was measured by bio-impedance analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant association between the strength of the knee flexors and lean mass on non-dominant limb only (r = .427, p = .03). Researchers revealed that strategies aiming to prevent lean mass and muscle strength losses should be specifically targeted to individual muscles or muscle groups, even in physically active older women. To improve overall mobility, the strengthening of larger muscle such as hamstring is crucial.

Allopathic and Naturopathic Medicine and Their Objective Consideration of Congruent Pursuit.

In recent years, allopathy (ALP) and naturopathy (NAP) have become a favorite topic, source of argument, and the subject discussed when it comes to choosing treatment modality. Various attempts have been made to elucidate this issue, yet limited advancement has been achieved. To this day, the dispute remains active, and the debate over what to do about it continues to damnify us. The presented qualitative analysis aims to identify existing views or else expand on or uncover already known differences. Ourexamination or position is not about the conflict, finding a superior method (ALP vs. NAP), but aims at inductive reasoning, making broader generalizations from scientific observations. Subjects and Methods. We explore the philosophical and psychological foundation of the prevailing ideologies and perspectives in the contemporary society using the Straussian grounded theory approach. The study had no subjects. Results. We outline the path for the future direction. Conclusion. Our examination concludes that it is essential to acknowledge not only the difference between ALP and NAP but also how they both act on our health. We emphasize that, by identifying our perspective, our inner reflection, and our view on this topic, we can undertake a new paradigm, new road to improve our health, and perhaps the well-being throughout our culture and society.

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Contamination of soil by mercury poses several risks to human health through consumption of fruits and vegetables. In Slovakia, a high concentration of mercury is found in the soil of the Central Spis region. The objective of the study is to measure the mercury concentrations in the parts of selected plant species and trees growing within 100 meters of a former ore processing facility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 samples of plants, 20 samples of parts of needle-leaved trees and 9 samples of parts of broad-leaved trees were collected from soils with a high concentration of mercury. The concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in different parts of the plants: leaves - 18 species, roots - 15 species, stems - 11 species, flowers - 7 species), and different parts of trees (crust - 8 species, branches - 8 species, needles - 5 species, cones - 5 species, leaves - 3 species). RESULTS: The concentrations of mercury in the soils taken at a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum allowed levels more than 50-times. Potatoes, parsley and carrots from these soils exceeded the maximum allowed mercury levels 6-times, 5-times and twice, respectively. The average concentrations of mercury in the roots of 2-year onions exceeded the limit more than 50-times. The flowers of cornflower contain 18.20 mg*kg -1 , leaves of dandelion 10.61 mg*kg -1 and roots of plantain 6.80 mg*kg -1 of mercury. Regarding trees, the highest concentrations were found in the branches of juniper and leaves of aspen - more than 1 mg*kg -1. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since it was found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the Central Spis region. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables from the areas of former ore processing facilities is not recommended.

Lifetime exposure to low doses of lead in rats: effect on selected parameters of carbohydrate metabolism.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of exposure to low doses of lead dissolved in drinking water (average daily dose of 2.2 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) on selected carbohydrate metabolism parameters in 20 wistar rats. Animals were divided into two groups - control (C) (group drinking clear water) and experimental group (Pb; group exposed to low doses of lead acetate in a concentration of 100 µmol l(-1) of drinking water). In this study, we studied the biochemical parameters (glucose, haemoglobin (Hb), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and amylase (AMS)) in rat blood. Glucose and Hb concentration and AMS activity decreased, LDH activity increased but HbA1c concentration levels did not change in rats exposed to lead. Our results well documented that lifetime exposure to lead affected carbohydrate metabolism of rats. Some parameters like concentration of Hb as well as activities of AMS and LDH are useful markers of intoxication of rats with lead. For the evaluation of results (e.g. AMS), not only the data at the end of the experiment should be taken into account but also the entire duration of trials (i.e. more time steps) that makes results more objective should be considered.

Effects of chronic low-dose cadmium exposure on selected biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats.

The effects of long-term (1 yr) exposure to low doses of cadmium (Cd) dissolved in drinking water on selected biochemical and antioxidant parameters were studied in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups: male control group (C-m), female control group (C-f), male Cd-exposed group (Cd-m), and female Cd-exposed group (Cd-f). Cd groups were exposed to Cd dissolved in drinking water (cadmium dichloride 4.8 mg CdCl2/L, i.e., 2.5 mg Cd/L, 500-fold of maximal allowable concentration for potable water). The experiment was terminated on d 370. In all groups, biochemical parameters (total protein [TP], albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, urea, and creatinine) and antioxidant parameters (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity) were measured in the blood. Total protein and albumin concentrations were decreased significantly in the Cd-m group. Other biochemical parameters did not change in Cd groups compared to control groups. Superoxide dismutase fell significantly in both male and female Cd-exposed groups. Activity of glutathione peroxidase was markedly lower in Cd-exposed groups. Total antioxidant capacity increased significantly in Cd-f group. These results suggest that chronic low-dose oral Cd exposure induces oxidative stress.