Background and Objectives: Probiotic supplementation can prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in healthy individuals. Markers released from the site of inflammation are involved in the response to infection or tissue injury. Therefore, we measured the pre-exercise and postexercise levels of inflammation-related markers—tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP)—in probiotic versus placebo groups to investigate the effects of probiotics on these markers in athletes. Probiotics contained multiple species (e.g., Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, etc.). Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic search for studies published until May 2022 and included nine randomized clinical trials. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline. Fixed-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of the period of probiotic intervention and timing of postassessment blood sampling. Results: The levels of IFN-γ and salivary IgA exhibited a significant positive change, whereas those of TNF-α and IL-10 demonstrated a negative change in the probiotic group. The subgroup analysis revealed that the probiotic group exhibited significant negative changes in TNF-α and IL-10 levels in the shorter intervention period. For the subgroup based on the timing of postassessment blood sampling, the subgroup whose blood sample collection was delayed to at least the next day of exercise exhibited significant negative changes in their TNF-α and IL-10 levels. The subgroups whose blood samples were collected immediately after exercise demonstrated negative changes in their TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation resulted in significant positive changes in the IFN-γ and salivary IgA levels and negative changes in the IL-10 and TNF-α levels. No significant changes in the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, or CRP levels were observed after probiotic use in athletes.

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IntroductionSeveral studies have suggested that physical activity and sedentary behavior are strongly and independently associated with body composition and obesity. However, few studies have investigated whether substituting sedentary time with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with body composition in older adults, especially among those older than 75 years.MethodsThis study examined the associations between replacing sedentary time with physical activity and obesity indices in a sample of 199 community-dwelling older Taiwanese adults (52.3% women; 80.6 ± 7.0 years). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using the triaxial accelerometer (GT3X+, ActiGraph). Body composition indices were computed through a bioelectrical impedance analysis of body fat percentage and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index. Waist circumference and body mass index were measured by trained personnel. Isotemporal substitution analyses estimated these associations after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional status.ResultsThe study showed that substituting 30 min of sedentary behavior per day with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with lower body fat percentage (B = −1.408, 95% CI = −2.55, −0.264), body mass index (B = −0.681, 95% CI = −1.300, −0.061), and waist circumference (B = −2.301, 95% CI = −4.062, −0.539) after adjusting for covariates. Substituting 30 min of light physical activity per day with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with lower waist circumference (B = −2.230, 95% CI = −4.173, −0.287) after adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses indicated that associations were stronger in youngest-old older adults, and in older adults with a normal nutritional status (vs. underweight status).DiscussionThese findings confirm the importance of reducing sedentary behavior and increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among older adults to improve their physical health, as well as highlighting the importance of taking into account nutritional status and age group.

IntroductionManufacturing facilities and factories are stressful work environments. Interventions to improve factory workers’ stress is necessary to promote occupational health. This study aimed to examine the effects of virtual reality natural experiences on furniture factory employees’ psychological and physiological stress.MethodsA single-blinded, non-randomised quasi-experimental study was conducted between July and December 2021. Factory workers were recruited from two factories, and all participants at a given factory were assigned to either an experimental group or a comparison group. The intervention was conducted in a clean conference room once a week for 12 weeks during the worker’s break time. The experimental group received virtual reality natural experiences consisting of 30-minute nature-based 360° videos which were played in a headset. The generalised estimating equations were performed for the statistical analyses.ResultsIn total, 35 participants completed the intervention. As to psychological stress, the experimental group showed improvements in distress, depression, and anxiety, and a positive affect after the intervention compared to the comparison group. As to physiological stress, the experimental group showed improvements in indicators of heart rate variability compared to the comparison group, including standard deviations of all normal-to-normal intervals, low-frequency power, and high-frequency power.DiscussionVirtual reality is an innovative platform to bring the natural environment into an indoor environment to create similar health effects.

Background and purpose: Social engagement is an important active aging strategy to promote older adults' mental health. The purposes of this study were to compare social engagement in older populations around the world and explore associations with mental health outcomes. Materials and methods: An international cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2019. Data were retrieved from The International Social Survey Programme for a secondary data analysis across 30 countries. This study applied the Taxonomy of Social Activities and its six levels as operational definitions for a consistent concept of social engagement for international comparisons. Results: In total, 9403 older adults with a mean age of 72.85 ± 6.40 years responded. The highest levels of older adults' social engagement were found in Switzerland, Thailand, and New Zealand. Older adults of a higher age, with a lower educational level, who were permanently sick or disabled, who had no partner, who were widowed or whose civil partner had died, who lived alone, and who had lower self-placement in society had significantly lower social engagement than did their counterparts. In the regression model, older adults' social engagement positively predicted general health, selfaccomplishment, and life satisfaction, but negatively predicted loneliness and depression. Conclusions: In aging societies worldwide, encouraging older adults' social engagement would be beneficial to promote mental health. Implications for nursing practice and health policies: Community professional nurses can develop strategies of social engagement based on the needs and sociodemographic factors of older adults to improve their mental health. Developing efficient strategies and local policies by learning from successful experiences in other countries is important to promote social engagement in aging societies.