Health Nexus
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Winter 2023

In this paper, we are writing to delve into Avicenna's perspective on lifestyle recommendations for the elderly, with a specific focus on addressing age-related sarcopenia. Avicenna, also known as Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina (born August 22, 980; passed away June 22, 1037), was a notable figure in Persian medicine. Avicenna's insights into lifestyle recommendations for the elderly offer valuable guidance for preventing age-related sarcopenia. His emphasis on proper nutrition, physical activity, massage, and stress reduction resonates with current research in the field. Integrating Avicenna's recommendations into geriatric medicine may yield improved outcomes for elderly individuals at risk of sarcopenia.

This study sought to identify the factors that influence online health-related behaviors among Iranian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study utilized the Uses & Gratification and Self-Determination theories to explain the factors associated with workers' behaviors and their use of social media to share information about the pandemic. A decision tree technique known as the Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) was used to analyze the responses of 406 participants. The results revealed that healthcare workers' engagement in online health-related behaviors was primarily influenced by their attitude and motivation to use social media during the epidemic. Attitude was identified as the most important and first factor, while motivation was the second factor. The usefulness of information and interactions in the face of a health crisis can be linked to the development of self-efficacy and the promotion of social capital, as well as satisfaction with media. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of understanding the factors that drive healthcare workers' engagement in online health-related behaviors during a pandemic. The findings can be used to develop strategies to promote the use of social media for health-related purposes and improve healthcare workers' response to future pandemics.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), an edible fruit native to Persia that is cultivated and consumed worldwide, including in Iran, has been esteemed throughout history for its medicinal properties. Pomegranate leaves serve as a valuable source of potentially beneficial bioactive compounds. This study aimed to explore the in vitro antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract obtained from Pomegranate leaves (Punica granatum L.) using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The assessment of antioxidant activity in Punica granatum L. leaves demonstrated that the methanolic extract exhibited a promising IC50 value of 120.345 μg/ml, in comparison to the reference standard ASA, which had an IC50 of 90.545 μg/ml in the DPPH assay. These significant biological activities suggest that P. granatum leaves could potentially serve as a source of active compounds with applications in the pharmaceutical industry, contingent upon further in vivo experiments.

This study aimed to investigate thei of a single exhaustive training session with protein supplementation on muscle damage markers in young cyclists. Twenty professional cyclists with experience at local and national championship levels were recruited using a convenience sampling method. They were divided into an experimental group (n=10; mean age 21.4±4.7 years; body mass index (BMI) = 20.56±2.12 kg/m2) and a placebo group (n=10; mean age 19.1±4.1 years; BMI = 21.48±3.96 kg/m2). Blood samples were collected in a fasted state to measure phospho creatine kinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The experimental group consumed a solution containing 400 mg of protein powder (100 mg per kilogram of body weight) with 400 cc of water, while the placebo group consumed a solution containing maltodextrin powder (100 mg per kilogram of body weight). A second blood sample was taken one hour after supplementation. Participants did not engage in any physical activity during the supplementation period. After a 10-minute warm-up, the Wingate test was performed, and blood samples were collected 24 and 48 hours after the test. The findings indicated that one exhaustive training session with protein supplementation did not have a significant effect on CPK (p=0.126) and LDH (p=0.526) concentrations in professional cyclists. Post-CPK and LDH concentrations were highest at 24 and 48 hours after strenuous activity. Based on this study, a single exhaustive training session with protein supplementation did not significantly impact muscle injury markers in young cyclists. Therefore, alternative nutritional recommendations and strategies should be considered.

 This study aimed to investigate the impact of low-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in female volleyball players following partial sleep deprivation.

 A total of 21 elite female volleyball players (mean age: 23.6 ± 2.9 years; mean BMI: 19.1 ± 1.8) participated in a balanced, randomized design, undergoing two conditions: PSD and exercise in the morning following PSD (PSDE). Prior to the study, participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality. Cognitive performance was assessed using computerized neurocognitive tests from the Vienna system, including movement detection time (MDT), visual pursuit test (VPT), and cognitrone test (COG). Data analysis was performed using paired student's t-tests.

 The findings revealed a notable decline in reaction time (RT) (p=0.004), median cognitive reaction (MCR) (p=0.001), and median motor time (MMT) (p=0.01) in the PSD condition when compared to PSDE. However, there were no significant changes observed in processing speed (number of correct responses and rejections) and selective attention (mean time for correct responses and rejections) in the PSDE condition (p≥0.05). It is crucial to highlight that PSD had a detrimental impact on the cognitive performance of elite female players.

 Although partial sleep deprivation negatively affected the cognitive performance of volleyball players, engaging in low-intensity aerobic exercise following partial nocturnal sleep deprivation may attenuate these detrimental effects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) strength exercises on blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose (BG) in diabetic women. Ten women with type II diabetes (Age = 56.9 ± 7.4 years old; BMI = 27.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2; Diagnostic time = 10.6 ± 4.1 years) participated in this study. On three non-consecutive days, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training conditions: (i) Low-load exercise [LL; ~ 20% of 1 maximum repetition (1RM)]; (ii) LL-BFR exercise [~ 20% of 1RM/50% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP)]; (iii) High load exercise (HL; ~ 65% of 1RM). Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean (MBP) values ​​were assessed before, immediately, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after the interventions. BG concentrations were analyzed before, immediately and 60 min after the interventions. SBP significantly reduced 60 min after LL exercise (p = 0.002), but it was not significantly reduced at any point after LL-BFR or HL exercise. DBP decreased significantly 45 min after LL exercise (p = 0.028) and 60 min after LL and LL-BFR exercise (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). We verified a condition effect for the BG percentage variation, however post-hoc analyzes revealed only a difference tendency between LL and LL-BFR exercises (3.5% and -10%, respectively; p = 0.053). It is concluded that the LL and LL-BFR exercise protocols resulted in a post-exercise hypotensive effect, and the BFR protocol, apparently, presents superiority in BG reduction.

The purpose of this research was to examine the role of Whey protein in inducing changes in sensation-seeking, parent-child relationships, family relationships, anger, and sexual desire among regular male athletes, supplement-consuming athletes, and ordinary men in the city of Isfahan. The study population included regular athletes, supplement consumers, and ordinary men in Isfahan. The research method was causal-comparative. The sample size consisted of 30 individuals per group, with the Whey consuming group selected through convenience sampling, and the other two groups were matched and chosen accordingly. The instruments used included scales for family relationships; attachment to parents; sensation-seeking; anger expression, and sexual desire. The research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multivariate analysis of covariance) through SPSS software, version 23. The results indicated that the three groups did not significantly differ in the research variables. Thus, it can be stated that Whey protein does not play a significant role in creating changes in the psychological and family-related variables mentioned in the studied groups.

Gender dysphoria (GD) as a general descriptive term refers to the distress that may accompany the incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender, and one’s assigned gender. The aim of the study was to investigate relationship among depression, self- esteem, and body image in individuals with gender dysphoria, male to female type. 31 transsexual men referred to Tehran psychiatric Institution for receiving therapy or surgery certification were selected and completed questionnaires including Appearance Schema Inventory (Cash, 1992), Multidimensional Body- self Relations questionnaire (Cash, 2000), Coopersmith self- esteem scale (Coopersmith, 1981) and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II (Beck, et al., 1996). In the group significant correlations were found between self-esteem and depression, self-esteem and both aspects of body image and between depression and two sides of body image (p<0.05). In stepwise regressions and only MtF group, self- esteem was related to body images and partially could predict its changes. Depression associated with the scores of ASI but the MBSRQ's could be anticipated with self- esteem. Although in the mentioned group the significant correlations were displayed, the anticipatory role of self-esteem in body image only was displayed its role in MBSRQ's inventory and not in ASI and could predict some aspects of body images changes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy on mental pain, distress tolerance and psychological hardiness in breast cancer patients. The method of this study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design and a one-month follow-up with control group. The statistical population consisted of all female patients referred to the medical clinics of Babol in 2022 who received definite diagnosis of breast cancer. Among these, 30 patients with breast cancer were selected by non-random sampling method and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (mindfulness therapy) and control group (15 patients in each group). Mindfulness therapy was performed in 8 sessions of 90 minutes in the experimental group. Data were collected using Psychological Hardiness Questionnaire (2003), Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) and Mental Pain Inventory (2003). Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software and repeated measure analysis of variance. The results showed that mindfulness therapy is effective on mental pain, distress tolerance and psychological hardiness in patients with breast cancer. It can be concluded that mindfulness therapy is effective on subjective pain, distress tolerance and psychological hardiness in patients with breast cancer and can be used to reduce the adverse effects of the disease on patients' lives and to take supportive measures

This study aimed to investigates the effects of chatbot usage on working memory in students who do their assignments with chatbots. The research employed a Single-Subject AB design involving three participants, with each phase consisting of four measurements. Remarkably, the study revealed diverse outcomes: one participant exhibited no significant change in working memory, another showed a decrease, and the third experienced a gradual increase. These varied results suggest that chatbots can have differential impacts on working memory, potentially explained by cognitive load theory. This theory emphasizes the importance of optimizing technology use in learning environments to support working memory functions. The study's findings indicate that chatbots, as an educational tool, can have complex and varying effects on students' cognitive abilities, particularly in terms of working memory.

This article delves into the multifaceted impacts of chatbots and AI in educational settings. It explores how these technologies, increasingly integrated into learning environments, influence key psychological aspects and cognitive skills among students. The review highlights the potential of chatbots in enhancing academic processes, offering personalized learning experiences, and serving as bridges to educational resources. However, it also raises concerns about the ethical use of such technologies. Focusing on psychological aspects, the article reviews literature suggesting that frequent and satisfying interactions with chatbots can enhance students' self-efficacy and engagement. Studies indicate that chatbots might improve self-efficacy in experimental settings and have indirect effects on health-related self-efficacy. In terms of self-esteem and self-confidence, the research presents mixed findings. While chatbots can positively affect body image and self-esteem among certain demographics, over-reliance on these technologies for social interaction or validation might negatively impact real human connections and individual confidence. The article also examines the impact of chatbots on problem-solving skills. Some studies suggest that AI chatbots can enhance problem-solving abilities, especially when integrated into educational systems. However, there is a risk that reliance on chatbots could limit users' exploration of alternative problem-solving strategies. Critical thinking is another area reviewed, with studies presenting diverse results. While some research indicates a positive influence of chatbots on critical thinking, others suggest limitations or context-dependent effects. The article concludes that while AI and chatbots offer transformative potential for enhancing student learning and engagement, their impact is complex and multifaceted. Future advancements in chatbot technology should aim to enhance their positive impact on users' psychological well-being and cognitive development, balancing the need for independent thinking and adaptability to complex problems.

In the evolving realm of health and fitness, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), especially tools like ChatGPT in creating exercise programs, represents a significant technological leap. This paper addresses the critical need for thorough examination of the validity and reliability of such AI-generated exercise regimens. We explore the dual facets of opportunity and challenge presented by AI in fitness, emphasizing the importance of aligning AI recommendations with established exercise science principles and individual health requirements. The paper advocates for a systematic framework to assess these programs and discusses the potential risks and benefits. Ultimately, it seeks to bridge the gap between technological innovation and health safety, promoting responsible utilization of AI to enhance physical well-being. This discussion contributes to the ongoing dialogue about AI's role in health and fitness, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both innovation and safety.