Art, Meditation and Cognitive Science: A Framework for Museum-based Community Meditation Programme during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused mandatory lockdowns around the world, which exacerbated mental health issues created by social isolation. To improve museum visitors' mental health and maintain engagement despite the physical closure of museums, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) rapidly deployed an online programme called Unwind with SAM to engage the public with the museum's contemporary art collection through meditation and contemplation. The programme focused on the positive effect of arts on mental health and well-being, combined with cognitive benefits of meditation by “slow looking” at different artworks. The programme was completed in a steadfast manner; therefore, this practice-based report allows for consolidation of the processes to explore the intersectional potential between art, contemplation and cognitive sciences in a publicly accessible way. The first section provides a brief overview of the current landscape of art and wellness approaches in museums. The second section outlines a philosophical framework which explores the intersection of art, meditation and cognitive science to guide the programme, alongside a breakdown of components and their design rationale. The final part provides a critical reflection and concludes with recommendations for other museum practitioners, managers and scientists to utilise the framework for designing future programme with diverse organisations

The Heart Protection Effect of Alcalase Potato Protein Hydrolysate Is through IGF1R-PI3K-Akt Compensatory Reactivation in Aging Rats on High Fat Diets.

The prevalence of obesity is high in older adults. Alcalase potato protein hydrolysate (APPH), a nutraceutical food, might have greater benefits and be more economical than hypolipidemic drugs. In this study, serum lipid profiles and heart protective effects were evaluated in high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in aging rats treated with APPH (15, 45 and 75 mg/kg/day) and probucol (500 mg/kg/day). APPH treatments reduced serum triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels to the normal levels expressed in the control group. Additionally, the IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway was reactivated, and Fas-FADD (Fas-associated death domain) induced apoptosis was inhibited by APPH treatments (15 and 45 mg/kg/day) in HFD aging rat hearts. APPH (75 mg/kg/day) rather than probucol (500 mg/kg/day) treatment could reduce serum lipids without affecting HDL expression. The heart protective effect of APPH in aging rats with hyperlipidemia was through lowering serum lipids and enhancing the activation of the compensatory IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway