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Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that emerges from abnormalities in cartilaginous tissue and is related with lung metastases. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is an adipocytokine reported to enhance tumor metastasis. Our results from clinical samples and the Gene Expression Omnibus data set reveal that NAMPT levels are markedly higher in chondrosarcoma patients than in normal individuals. NAMPT stimulation significantly increased lysyl oxidase (LOX) production in chondrosarcoma cells. Additionally, NAMPT increased LOX‐dependent cell migration and invasion in chondrosarcoma by suppressing miR‐26b‐5p generation through the c‐Src and Akt signaling pathways. Overexpression of NAMPT promoted chondrosarcoma metastasis to the lung in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of LOX counteracted NAMPT‐facilitated metastasis. Thus, the NAMPT/LOX axis presents a novel target for treating the metastasis of chondrosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the efficacy of combining binaural beat music (BBM) with rhythmical photic stimulation at the α frequency in alleviating anxiety among daycare staff and explored its impacts on daycare staff with different anxiety levels. A quasi‐experimental research design was adopted, which included three interventions: BBM, BBM integrated with rhythmical photic stimulation, and relaxation music (control group). Participants completed a questionnaire prior to the first intervention, which included personal demographic information and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The effects of these interventions on anxiety relief among daycare staff were evaluated through heart rate variability (HRV), brain waves, and blood pressure before and after the interventions. Statistical analysis primarily employed the Friedman test to analyze the differences in changes in HRV, brain waves, and blood pressure before and after the interventions. A total of 40 individuals participated in this study (16 males and 24 females), with an average age of 31.73 ± 8.83 years. The results showed that, compared to BBM alone, BBM integrated with rhythmical photic stimulation significantly reduced the normalized low/high frequency (nLF/nHF) ratio in participants with moderate anxiety (p < 0.05). The results suggest that BBM integrated with rhythmical photic stimulation may serve as an intervention for the prevention and relief of anxiety by regulating an individual's autonomic nervous system. However, further research is required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective crossover study aimed to investigate the effect of binaural beat therapy music on soccer player performance. Between July 2023 and December 2023, 45 athletes (31 females/14 males, mean age = 20.47 ± 0.99) wore Bluetooth earphones through which one of the following was given during initial 20 min warm-up exercises before undergoing repeated sprint ability tests: no music/fast-tempo music/fast-tempo music with background binaural beat therapy music. Heart rate change after warm-up exercises/repeated sprint ability (RSA) tests and the time to finish RSA tests were recorded. Despite no significant difference in heart rate increase after warm-up between the two genders regardless of intervention, larger increases after RSA tests were found in males following any of the three interventions (all p < 0.01) with the most notable difference observed after fast-tempo music (p < 0.0001). A significant effect size (r = 0.2) correlated with fast-tempo music during warm-up in either gender. Binaural beat therapy music during warm-up reached a significant effect size only when all participants were considered, suggesting limited benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study examined variations in the degree of smartphone use behavior among male and female adolescents as well as the association between various degrees of smartphone use behavior and the vitality and mental health of each gender. Participants: A total of 218 adolescents were recruited from a junior college in September 2014. Methods: All the participants were asked to answer questionnaires on smartphone use. Results: The findings showed that adolescent females as compared with adolescent males exhibited significantly higher degrees of smartphone dependence and smartphone influence. Positive correlations were observed between the duration of smartphone use on weekends and the vitality/mental health of the male adolescents; negative correlations were found between smartphone dependence and the vitality/mental health of males. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that adolescent females are deeply affected by their smartphone use. Smartphone dependence may decrease the vitality and mental health of male adolescents.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of binaural beat music (BBM) on sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in a long‐term care institution. Methods: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial design was employed, and 64 older participants with poor sleep quality were recruited from a long‐term care institution in Taiwan. Participants were randomized into the BBM group or control group and received 14 days of intervention. During the intervention period, participants in the experimental group listened to 20 min of Taiwanese Hokkien oldies embedded with BBM once in the morning and afternoon three times a week. Participants in the control group only listened to Taiwanese Hokkien oldies. Questionnaires and heart rate variability analysis were used to assess participants' sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depressive symptoms. Results: Significant improvements were observed in sleep quality, along with an increase in heart rate variability means of heart rate and normal sinus beats, and a decrease in low‐frequency normalized units and depression severity in the BBM group after the intervention. In the control group, effects on sleep quality were inconsistent, heart rate variability showed significant improvements in some autonomic nervous function regulation, and depression severity was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the BBM group showed a significant improvement in sleep quality and a significant reduction in sympathetic nervous activity compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that 14 days of BBM intervention, a non‐invasive intervention, could improve sleep quality and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in long‐term care institutions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 297–304. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elderly homecare service users may reduce their level of social participation and interpersonal interactions due to physiological loss, which may lead to loneliness and depression over the years. However, there is a lack of research on loneliness among older people who use homecare services. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing loneliness among older people using homecare services. Methods: This is a longitudinal study conducted in communities in Central Taiwan, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was first administered as a pre‐test to obtain baseline information about the participants, and the same questionnaire was administered as a post‐test after 6 months to follow‐up. The pre‐ and post‐test questionnaires included five sections, that is, participant demographics, Brief Symptom Rating Scale, Interpersonal Interaction Scale (IIS), Frenchay Activities Index, and UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA). Results: A total of 178 participants were recruited in this study. Results indicated that gender, whether participants eat alone or with others at dinner, social media use, perceived economic status, and IIS score were significantly correlated with the loneliness score on the UCLA. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the loneliness score among male participants in the low loneliness group from baseline to 6 months follow‐up. Conclusions: Gender, presence of others at dinner, social media use, perceived economic status, and interpersonal interaction skills are significant factors that influence loneliness among older people using homecare services. Men tend to experience higher levels of loneliness over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early stage of the COVID‐19 pandemic was a critical time for increasing loneliness, especially for older people. However, there is insufficient existing research on associated interventions and their effectiveness. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an 8‐week online interactive course on the loneliness, depression, social support, and quality of life (QOL) of older adults in the community during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to collect data from a community in Taiwan. Eighty‐nine participants recruited from long‐term care institutions were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 44) and a control group (n = 45). Participants in the experimental group received an 8‐week (Monday to Friday) intensive online interactive course, whereas those in the control group watched 8 weeks (Monday to Friday) of unidirectional online video programs. Results: Significant differences were observed in the UCLA Loneliness Scale and in both the psychological health and social relationship domains of the WHO Quality of Life‐BREF Scale. In other words, compared with those in the control group, participants in the experimental group experienced more significant improvements in the state of their loneliness as well as QOL in the psychological health and social relationship domains (without the physical health/environment domains) after taking the online interactive course. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the 8‐week online interactive course could effectively improve the loneliness, the psychological health domain, and the social relationship domain of the QOL of the older adults of a particular community during the ongoing pandemic. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 91–97. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of malnutrition among inpatient older adults is as high as 20∼50%. Masticatory performance is known to affect the nutritional status of individuals. However, an objective measurement to reflect the real status of masticatory muscle performance is lacking at the bedside. Methods: This pilot study analyzed the masticatory performance using surface electromyography (sEMG) of masticatory muscles that measures both muscle strength and muscle tone at the bedside. The nutritional status was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool. The handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. The statistical data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. Results: The data revealed that female inpatient older adults more frequently had substandard handgrip strength (p = 0.028), an at-risk and poor nutritional status (p = 0.005), and a higher masseter muscle tone (p = 0.024). Inpatient older adults with an at-risk and poor nutritional status had an older age (p = 0.016), lower handgrip strength (p = 0.001), and higher average masseter muscle tone (p = 0.01). A high masseter muscle tone predicted the risk of having an at-risk and poor nutritional status. The at-risk or poor nutritional status predicted having a substandard handgrip strength by 5-fold. Conclusions: A high masticatory muscle tone predicts malnutrition and frailty. Medical professionals should combat masticatory dysfunction-induced malnutrition by detecting masticatory muscle performance using sEMG and referring patients to dental professionals. Additionally, encouraging inpatient older adults to perform oral motor exercise is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]