Drumming Past and Present: Examination of Historical and Current Medicinal Effects

Drumming is an activity with a long and rich history, rooted in many different cultures around the world. Traditionally, the art of drumming has been used for a wide variety of purposes including as a part of religious ceremonies, to promote psychological well-being, and to foster a sense of community. It has been used in a variety of cultural healing practices throughout the world since the beginning of ancient history (Newman et al., 2015). Many cultures use drumming in healing ceremonies as a means for promoting an altered state of consciousness of the ill individual, the healer, and any others partaking in the ceremony, much like hypnosis does. These altered states of consciousness promote stress reduction which in turn helps boost immune function by promoting neuroimmunological activity. Additionally, the altered states encourage the individual to be more open to a new framework and new suggestions that could possibly help to resolve the illness or problem. Reframing the problem can provide the ill person with a sense of purpose and combat feelings of helplessness by giving them a new action they can take to fight the illness (Bloom, 2005). Some individuals have compared drumming to meditation due to the altered state of consciousness both activities can induce. Drumming has been found to affect the theta and alpha brainwave ranges by enacting a driving pattern which is very similar physiologically to the action produced by meditation (Newman et al., 2015). In this paper, I will explore the various uses of therapeutic drumming for as a means for promoting both physical and psychological well-being in a variety of populations

Exploring Patterns of Activities of Daily Living in the Home Environment

Background: Senior citizens tend to live longer and longer independently. Judging whether a senior person is still capable of living on his own is often based on the occurrence of incidents, with all consequences thereof. In the specific case of early dementia, the symptoms are not immediately apparent and the occurrence and severity of incidents progress gradually over time. In this case, the children or grandchildren are burdened by the question whether or not the elderly adult can still live safely and independently in his or her own home. This decision is only based on input obtained through incidental visits. We believe that the capability of independent living can only be objectively judged, by a health professional, if long term objective information on the elderly person's daily activities of living (ADL) is available

Optimal sensor placement for measuring physical activity with a 3D accelerometer

Accelerometer-based activity monitors are popular for monitoring physical activity. In this study, we investigated optimal sensor placement for increasing the quality of studies that utilize accelerometer data to assess physical activity. We performed a two-staged study, focused on sensor location and type of mounting. Ten subjects walked at various walking speeds on a treadmill, performed a deskwork protocol, and walked on level ground, while simultaneously wearing five ProMove2 sensors with a snug fit on an elastic waist belt. We found that sensor location, type of activity, and their interaction-effect affected sensor output. The most lateral positions on the waist belt were the least sensitive for interference. The effect of mounting was explored, by making two subjects repeat the experimental protocol with sensors more loosely fitted to the elastic belt. The loose fit resulted in lower sensor output, except for the deskwork protocol, where output was higher. In order to increase the reliability and to reduce the variability of sensor output, researchers should place activity sensors on the most lateral position of a participant's waist belt. If the sensor hampers free movement, it may be positioned slightly more forward on the belt. Finally, sensors should be fitted tightly to the body

A multi-scale modelling framework combining musculoskeletal rigid-body simulations with adaptive finite element analyses, to evaluate the impact of femoral geometry on hip joint contact forces and femoral bone growth

Multi-scale simulations, combining muscle and joint contact force (JCF) from musculoskeletal simulations with adaptive mechanobiological finite element analysis, allow to estimate musculoskeletal loading and predict femoral growth in children. Generic linearly scaled musculoskeletal models are commonly used. This approach, however, neglects subject- and age-specific musculoskeletal geometry, e.g. femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA) and anteversion angle (AVA). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of proximal femoral geometry, i.e. altered NSA and AVA, on hip JCF and femoral growth simulations. Musculoskeletal models with NSA ranging from 120° to 150° and AVA ranging from 20° to 50° were created and used to calculate muscle and hip JCF based on the gait analysis data of a typically developing child. A finite element model of a paediatric femur was created from magnetic resonance images. The finite element model was morphed to the geometries of the different musculoskeletal models and used for mechanobiological finite element analysis to predict femoral growth trends. Our findings showed that hip JCF increase with increasing NSA and AVA. Furthermore, the orientation of the hip JCF followed the orientation of the femoral neck axis. Consequently, the osteogenic index, which is a function of cartilage stresses and defines the growth rate, barely changed with altered NSA and AVA. Nevertheless, growth predictions were sensitive to the femoral geometry due to changes in the predicted growth directions. Altered NSA had a bigger impact on the growth results than altered AVA. Growth simulations based on mechanobiological principles were in agreement with reported changes in paediatric populations

The role of endogenous H2S formation in reversible remodeling of lung tissue during hibernation in the Syrian hamster

During hibernation, small mammals alternate between periods of metabolic suppression and low body temperature ('torpor') and periods of full metabolic recovery with euthermic temperatures ('arousal'). Previously, we demonstrated marked structural remodeling of the lung during torpor, which is rapidly reversed during arousal. We also found that cooling of hamster cells increased endogenous production of H2S through the enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). H2S suppresses the immune response and increases deposition of collagen. Therefore, we examined inflammatory markers and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in relation to CBS expression and H2S levels in lungs of euthermic and hibernating Syrian hamsters. Lung remodeling during torpor was confirmed by a strong increase in both collagenous and non-collagenous hydroxyproline content. The number of leukocytes in lung was unchanged in any phase of hibernation, while adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and the inflammatory marker NF-kappa B (P65) were modestly upregulated in torpor. Gelatinase activity was decreased in lungs from torpid animals, indicating inhibition of the Zn2+-dependent MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, expression of CBS and tissue levels of H2S were increased in torpor. All changes normalized during arousal. Inhibition of gelatinase activity in torpor is likely caused by quenching of Zn2+ by the sulphide ion of H2S. In accord, inhibition of CBS normalized gelatinase activity in torpid animals. Conversely, NaHS decreased the gelatinase activity of euthermic animals, which was attenuated by excess Zn2+. Similar results were obtained on the activity of the Zn2+-dependent angiotensin converting enzyme. Our data indicate that increased production of H2S through CBS in hamster lungs during torpor contributes to remodeling by inhibition of gelatinase activity and possibly by suppression of the inflammatory response. Although administration of H2S is known to induce metabolic suppression in nonhibernating mammals ('suspended animation'), this is the first report implying endogenous H2S production in natural hibernation

Nest site selection by sea turtles

The distribution of 38 nests of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) on beaches on Sanibel and Captiva islands, south-western Florida (26°26\u27N 82°16\u27W), and of 70 first digging attempts by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Ascension Island (7°57\u27S 14°22\u27W), was quantified. For loggerhead turtles on Sanibel and Captiva, nests were clumped close to the border between the open sand and the supra-littoral vegetation that backed the beaches. This spatial pattern of nests was closely reproduced by assuming simply that turtles crawled a random distance above the most recent high water line prior to digging. In contrast, green turtles on Ascension Island clumped their first digging attempts on the uneven beach above the springs high water line, crawling up to 80 m to reach this beach zone

Development and psychometric evaluation of a Positive Health measurement scale: a factor analysis study based on a Dutch population

ObjectivesThe My Positive Health (MPH) dialogue tool is increasingly adopted by healthcare professionals in the Netherlands as well as abroad to support people in their health. Given this trend, the need arises to measure effects of interventions on the Positive Health dimensions. However, the dialogue tool was not developed for this purpose. Therefore, this study aims to work towards a suitable measurement scale using the MPH dialogue tool as starting point.DesignA cross-sectional study design.Participants and settingsA total of 708 respondents, who were all members of the municipal health service panel in the eastern part of the Netherlands, completed the MPH dialogue tool.MethodsThe factor structure of the MPH dialogue tool was explored through exploratory factor analysis using maximum likelihood extraction. Next, the fit of the extracted factor structure was tested through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability and discriminant validity of both a new model and the MPH scales were assessed through Cronbach's alpha tests.ResultsSimilar to the MPH dialogue tool, the extracted 17-item model has a six-factor structure but named differently, comprising the factors physical fitness, mental functions, future perspectives, contentment, social relations and health management. The reliability tests suggest good to very good reliability of the aimed measurement tool and MPH model (Cronbach's alpha values ranging from, respectively, 0.820 to 0.920 and 0.882 to 0.933). The measurement model shows acceptable discriminant validity, whereas the MPH model suggests overlap between domains.ConclusionThe results suggest that the current MPH dialogue tool seems reliable as a dialogue, but it is not suitable as a measurement scale. We therefore propose a 17-item model with improved, acceptable psychometric properties which can serve as a basis for further development of a measurement scale.Analysis and support of clinical decision makin

Development and psychometric evaluation of a Positive Health measurement scale: a factor analysis study based on a Dutch population

ObjectivesThe My Positive Health (MPH) dialogue tool is increasingly adopted by healthcare professionals in the Netherlands as well as abroad to support people in their health. Given this trend, the need arises to measure effects of interventions on the Positive Health dimensions. However, the dialogue tool was not developed for this purpose. Therefore, this study aims to work towards a suitable measurement scale using the MPH dialogue tool as starting point.DesignA cross-sectional study design.Participants and settingsA total of 708 respondents, who were all members of the municipal health service panel in the eastern part of the Netherlands, completed the MPH dialogue tool.MethodsThe factor structure of the MPH dialogue tool was explored through exploratory factor analysis using maximum likelihood extraction. Next, the fit of the extracted factor structure was tested through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability and discriminant validity of both a new model and the MPH scales were assessed through Cronbach's alpha tests.ResultsSimilar to the MPH dialogue tool, the extracted 17-item model has a six-factor structure but named differently, comprising the factors physical fitness, mental functions, future perspectives, contentment, social relations and health management. The reliability tests suggest good to very good reliability of the aimed measurement tool and MPH model (Cronbach's alpha values ranging from, respectively, 0.820 to 0.920 and 0.882 to 0.933). The measurement model shows acceptable discriminant validity, whereas the MPH model suggests overlap between domains.ConclusionThe results suggest that the current MPH dialogue tool seems reliable as a dialogue, but it is not suitable as a measurement scale. We therefore propose a 17-item model with improved, acceptable psychometric properties which can serve as a basis for further development of a measurement scale.Analysis and support of clinical decision makin

The TNFR1 antagonist Atrosimab reduces neuronal loss, glial activation and memory deficits in an acute mouse model of neurodegeneration

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its key role in modulating immune responses has been widely recognized as a therapeutic target for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Even though inhibition of TNF-α is beneficial for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases, total neutralization of TNF-α largely failed in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. TNF-α exerts distinct functions depending on interaction with its two TNF receptors, whereby TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) is associated with neuroinflammation and apoptosis and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) with neuroprotection and immune regulation. Here, we investigated the effect of administering the TNFR1-specific antagonist Atrosimab, as strategy to block TNFR1 signaling while maintaining TNFR2 signaling unaltered, in an acute mouse model for neurodegeneration. In this model, a NMDA-induced lesion that mimics various hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as memory loss and cell death, was created in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and Atrosimab or control protein was administered centrally. We showed that Atrosimab attenuated cognitive impairments and reduced neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. Our results demonstrate that Atrosimab is effective in ameliorating disease symptoms in an acute neurodegenerative mouse model. Altogether, our study indicates that Atrosimab may be a promising candidate for the development of a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases