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The advancement of telecommunication technology is vital for our wireless connectivity and networking across the world, but not at the expense of the lives of other organisms because their extinction follows us. This review article highlighted the various communication systems and technologies implemented and their implications. The relevant keywords used for this review, including fifth generation (5G), electromagnetic radiation (EMR), telephone tower, 5G impacts on lives, 5G impacts on human health, animals, and birds, were used for inclusive search on trustworthy citation databases listed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1993 to 2022. The findings revealed that the radiations range between radio frequency and electromagnetic frequency is causing detrimental effects on different species including their fertility and fetus development. Experts reported that birds use the earth's EMR to navigate in their flight, but when they are exposed to weak or microwave radiation from the telecommunication towers, they deviate from their path, confused, and even die from telephone tower collisions. The new movement in protecting the bird population from EMR is creating an awareness of "air as a habitat" for birds, and research reports show that it is experimentally proven, that such radiations affect the birds' lives in many ways. Authors believe that these critical surveillance data would create awareness among the readers and researchers about the consequences to human health due to the extensive use of new generation telecommunication and networking technologies. The World Health Organization mentioned the harmful effects of EMR in their report. It shows that a diffuse collection of symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue, and loss of libido may be caused due to low levels of exposure to EMR at home.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain condition resulting in disability, reduced quality of life, and high societal costs. Pain associated with knee OA is linked to increased sensitivity in sensory, cognitive, and emotional areas of the brain. Self-regulation training targeting brain functioning related to pain experience could reduce pain and its associated disability. Self-regulatory treatments such as mindfulness meditation (MM) and electroencephalography neurofeedback (EEG-NF) training improve clinical outcomes in people with knee OA. A feasibility clinical trial can address factors that could inform the design of the full trial investigating the effectiveness of self-regulation training programmes in people with knee OA. This clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility, safety, acceptability, experience and perceptions of the self-regulatory training programmes. Methods: The proposed feasibility trial is based on a double-blind (outcome assessor and investigators), three-arm (MM usual care, EEG-NF + usual care and usual care control group) randomised controlled parallel clinical trial. Participants with knee OA will be recruited from the community and healthcare practices. A research assistant (RA) will administer both interventions (20-min sessions, four sessions each week, and 12 sessions over three successive weeks). Feasibility measures (participant recruitment rate, adherence to interventions, retention rate), safety, and acceptability of interventions will be recorded. An RA blinded to the group allocation will record secondary outcomes at baseline, immediately post-intervention (4th week), and 3 months post-intervention. The quantitative outcome measures will be descriptively summarised. The qualitative interviews will evaluate the participants' experiences and perceptions regarding various aspects of the trial, which includes identifying the barriers and facilitators in participating in the trial, evaluating their opinions on the research procedures, such as their preferences for the study site, and determining the level of acceptability of the interventions as potential clinical treatments for managing knee OA. Māori participant perceptions of how assessment and training practices could be acceptable to a Māori worldview will be explored. The interviews will be audio-recorded and analysed thematically. Discussion: This trial will provide evidence on the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of the MM and EEG-NF training in people with knee OA, thus informing the design of a full randomised clinical control trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Midlife adults are experiencing a crisis of deaths of despair (i.e. deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease). We tested the hypothesis that a syndrome of despair-related maladies at midlife is preceded by psychopathology during adolescence. Methods: Participants are members of a representative cohort of 1037 individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1972–73 and followed to age 45 years, with 94% retention. Adolescent mental disorders were assessed in three diagnostic assessments at ages 11, 13, and 15 years. Indicators of despair-related maladies across four domains – suicidality, substance misuse, sleep problems, and pain – were assessed at age 45 using multi-modal measures including self-report, informant-report, and national register data. Results: We identified and validated a syndrome of despair-related maladies at midlife involving suicidality, substance misuse, sleep problems, and pain. Adults who exhibited a more severe syndrome of despair-related maladies at midlife tended to have had early-onset emotional and behavioral disorders [ β = 0.23, 95% CI (0.16–0.30), p < 0.001], even after adjusting for sex, childhood SES, and childhood IQ. A more pronounced midlife despair syndrome was observed among adults who, as adolescents, were diagnosed with a greater number of mental disorders [ β = 0.26, 95% CI (0.19–0.33), p < 0.001]. Tests of diagnostic specificity revealed that associations generalized across different adolescent mental disorders. Conclusions: Midlife adults who exhibited a more severe syndrome of despair-related maladies tended to have had psychopathology as adolescents. Prevention and treatment of adolescent psychopathology may mitigate despair-related maladies at midlife and ultimately reduce deaths of despair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether sensitivity to movement‐evoked pain (SMEP), central sensitivity symptom burden, and quantitative sensory testing (QST) outcomes differ between healthy controls and people with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: People with chronic shoulder pain (n = 39) and healthy controls (n = 26) completed validated questionnaires measuring demographic, pain characteristics, psychological factors, social support, sleep quality, central sensitivity inventory (CSI), and physical activity levels. A blinded assessor administered QST measuring pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, and cold hyperalgesia. All participants performed repeated lifting of weighted canisters and reported severity of pain over successive lifts of the weighted canisters. Between‐group differences in the QST, SMEP and CSI scores were investigated. Demographic and psychosocial variables were adjusted in the analyses. Results: Dynamic mechanical allodynia, mechanical temporal summation, movement‐evoked pain scores, SMEP index, and CSI scores were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the chronic shoulder pain group than in healthy controls. A significant proportion of people with chronic shoulder pain presented with pro‐nociceptive profiles and experienced higher pain severity, interference, and disability. Conclusions: People with chronic shoulder pain displayed symptoms and signs of central sensitization. Future research should investigate the predictive role of central sensitization on clinical outcomes in shoulder pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological diversity of three Camellia (Theaceae) taxa conserved in an ex situ gene bank was studied and the importance of different descriptors in categorising accessions into distinct groups was also determined. Twelve accessions were characterised using 15 morphological descriptors of IPGRI guidelines. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) on morphological characters showed that the first two principal components accounted for 44.77 % of the total variance. In the evaluated quantitative characters, all three taxa had a coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 24.85%, and within the taxon the CV was greater than 9.59%. The qualitative characters showed a wide range of variations and yielded significant differences (p

Persistent pain is a key symptom in people living with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Infra-slow Neurofeedback (ISF-NF) training is a recent development focusing on modulating cortical slow-wave activity to improve pain outcomes. A parallel, two-armed double-blinded, randomized shamcontrolled, feasibility clinical trial aimed to determine the feasibility and safety of a novel electroencephalography-based infraslow fluctuation neurofeedback (EEG ISF-NF) training in people with KOA and determine the variability of clinical outcomes and EEG changes following NF training. Eligible participants attended nine 30-min ISF-NF training sessions involving three cortical regions linked to pain. Feasibility measures were monitored during the trial period. Pain and functional outcomes were measured at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up after 2 weeks. Resting-state EEG was recorded at baseline and immediate post-intervention. Participants were middle-aged (61.7 ± 7.6 years), New Zealand European (90.5%), and mostly females (62%) with an average knee pain duration of 4 ± 3.4 years. The study achieved a retention rate of 91%, with 20/22 participants completing all the sessions. Participants rated high levels of acceptance and “moderate to high levels of perceived effectiveness of the training.” No serious adverse events were reported during the trial. Mean difference (95% CI) for clinical pain and function measures are as follows for pain severity [active: 0.89 ± 1.7 (−0.27 to 2.0); sham: 0.98 ± 1.1 (0.22–1.7)], pain interference [active: 0.75 ± 2.3 (−0.82 to 2.3); Sham: 0.89 ± 2.1 (−0.60 to 2.4)], pain unpleasantness [active: 2.6 ± 3.7 (0.17–5.1); sham: 2.8 ± 3 (0.62–5.0)] and physical function [active: 6.2 ± 13 (−2.6 to 15); sham: 1.6 ± 12 (−6.8 to 10)]. EEG sources demonstrated frequency-specific neuronal activity, functional connectivity, and ISF ratio changes following NF training. The findings of the study indicated that the ISF-NF training is a feasible, safe, and acceptable intervention for pain management in people with KOA, with high levels of perceived effectiveness. The study also reports the variability in clinical, brain activity, and connectivity changes following training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke can cause lifelong disability and participatory limitations. Stroke survivors thus manage their recovery long term. Health professionals can support self-management, tailoring this support to be culturally appropriate. This study explored the unique culture and ethnicity specific experiences of Indian people living in New Zealand with stroke, focussing on self-management and facilitators and challenges to recovery. Eight individuals with stroke took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the General Inductive Approach. Four themes were identified: (1) helping myself, in any way that I can, (2) family and support, (3) social connections, and (4) ethnicity was not a barrier. All participants felt well looked after within the New Zealand healthcare context but highlighted the need for long term support. Self-management strategies participants considered important included changes to their diet, acceptance by oneself and society, returning to work, the role of family, and the use of technology and social media. Health professionals should consider these factors when providing self-management support to individuals of Indian ethnicity. Advice and help around diet, lifestyle, and return to work were important priorities identified by our Indian stroke survivor participants. Our Indian stroke survivor participants requested more long-term specialist support and stroke information. Although the family willingly take increased responsibility for the wellbeing of the individual with stroke, it is not a substitute for professional input which needs to be tailored and offered proactively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brisk walking is the most popular activity for obesity management for adults. We aimed to identify whether participant age, sex and body mass index (BMI) influenced the effectiveness of brisk walking. Methods: A search of 9 databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two investigators selected RCTs reporting on change in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, fat-free mass, and body fat percentage following a brisk walking intervention in obese adults. Results: Of the 5072 studies screened, 22 met the eligibility criteria. The pooled mean differences were: weight loss, -2.13 kg; BMI, -0.96 kg/m²; waist circumference, -2.83 cm; fat mass, -2.59 kg; fat-free mass, 0.29 kg; and body fat percentage, -1.38%. Meta-regression of baseline BMI showed no effect on changes. Conclusions: Brisk walking can create a clinically significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass for obese men and women aged under 50 years. Obese women aged over 50 years can achieve modest losses, but gains in fat-free mass reduce overall change in body weight. Further research is required for men aged over 50 years and on the influence of BMI for all ages and sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint associated with a significant impact on health and socioeconomic outcomes. Current evidence indicates a poor understanding of the mechanisms driving shoulder pain experience. The heightened nociceptive processing (pro-nociceptive pain modulation profile) within the central nervous system could explain variability in the shoulder pain experience. This topical review and hypothesis-generating paper discuss the current evidence and gaps regarding abnormal nociceptive processing in patients with shoulder pain. This paper also proposes hypotheses to test the presence of a pro-nociceptive pain modulation profile by measuring the pain responses to conditioned pain modulation, mechanical temporal summation and movement-evoked pain procedures. Moreover, this paper proposes whether a pro-nociceptive pain modulation profile can explain the variability in the pain experience in people with shoulder pain. Gaining insights into the abnormal nociceptive processing in people with acute and chronic shoulder pain will guide future research and clinical practice to improve shoulder pain outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased symptoms related to central sensitization have previously been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, identified by the original central sensitization inventory (CSI-25). However, the recently developed CSI short form (CSI-9) may be more clinically useful. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of CSI-9 compared to the original CSI-25 in individuals with IBD. Study objectives were to investigate the criterion validity of the CSI-9 to the CSI-25, assess individual association of the CSI measures with clinical features of IBD and pain presentations, and to establish disease-specific CSI-9 and CSI-25 cut-off scores for discriminating the presence of self-reported pain in individuals with IBD. Cross-sectional online survey was performed on adults with IBD exploring self-reported demographics, comorbidity, and clinical IBD and pain features. Criterion validity of the CSI-9 was investigated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)3,1. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) analysis was conducted to investigate the discriminative ability of both versions of CSI. Of the 320 participants, 260 reported the presence of abdominal and/or musculoskeletal pain. CSI-9 and CSI-25 demonstrated substantial agreement (ICC3,1=0.64, 95% CI [0.58, 0.69]). AUC (95% CI) indicated that CSI-9 (0.788 (0.725, 0.851), p<0.001) and CSI-25 (0.808 (0.750, 0.867), p<0.001) were able to adequately discriminate the presence of pain using cut-offs scores of ≥17 (CSI-9) and ≥40 (CSI-25). Abdominal pain severity was the only feature to differ in significant association to CSI-25 (p=0.002) compared to CSI-9 (p=0.236). All other features demonstrated significant associations to both CSI versions, except age (p=0.291 and 0.643) and IBD subtype (p=0.115 and 0.675). This is the first study to explore and validate the use of CSI-9 in IBD patients. Results demonstrated concurrent validity of the CSI-9 to CSI-25, with similar significant association to multiple patient features, and a suggested cut-off value of 17 on CSI-9 to screen for individuals with pain experiences. Study findings suggest that CSI-9 is suitable to use as a brief tool in IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common complaint in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). MSK pain in IBD has previously demonstrated association with symptoms of central sensitization; however it is uncertain whether these symptoms are influenced simply by the presence of MSK pain and/or IBD. Primary aim of this study was to investigate whether symptoms of central sensitization differed across three groups: IBD patients with and without MSK pain and healthy controls. Secondary aim was to investigate between-group differences for measures of somatosensory functioning. Cross-sectional study was performed on adults with IBD. Assessments included: central sensitization inventory (CSI), pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, perceived stress, affect style, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. One-way analyses of variance and covariance were used to investigate between-group differences for measures of central sensitization and potential confounding by psychological factors. Study participants (n=66) were age/gender matched across three study groups. Between-group differences were solely demonstrated for CSI scores [F(2,63)=19.835, p<0.001, r=0.62], with IBD patients with MSK pain demonstrating the highest CSI scores and healthy controls the lowest. After controlling for individual psychological features, post hoc comparisons indicated that CSI scores were significantly different between-groups (p≤0.025) after controlling for most psychological variables, with the exception of perceived stress (p=0.063) and pain catastrophizing (p=0.593). IBD patients as a whole demonstrated significantly greater symptoms of central sensitization compared to healthy controls. However, IBD patients with persistent MSK pain demonstrated the greatest symptoms of central sensitization compared to patients without MSK pain and healthy controls. Between-group differences for CSI in IBD patients with MSK were not confounded by psychological features. Study results indicate that persistent MSK pain in IBD represents patients with greater central sensitization symptomology. This increased symptomology is suggestive of underlying mechanisms related to central sensitization, highlighting patient potentially at risk for worse pain experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alteration in somatosensory function has been linked to pain experience in individuals with joint pain. In this systematic review we aimed to establish the level of evidence of associations between psychological, social, physical activity, and sleep measures and somatosensory function that were assessed via quantitative sensory testing (QST) among individuals with joint pain. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 6 electronic databases from their inception to July 2019. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality using a modified Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool and supplemented with recommendations from the Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Review of Prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) checklist and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) tool. The level of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system. Data were pooled to evaluate the strength of the relationships of interest. Results: Seventeen studies related to joint pain were included. Pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and physical activity level have been shown to have a significant (small to fair) association with several QST measures. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is the only measure that was found to be consistently correlated with all the domains. The overall quality of evidence for all factors ranged from very low to moderate. Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger association for depression and pain catastrophizing and PPT and temporal pain summation in individuals with shoulder pain. Conclusion: Psychological factors and physical activity levels are associated with somatosensory function in people with joint pain. These factors need to be adjusted when establishing predictive relationships between somatosensory function and pain outcomes in individuals with joint pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading contributor to years lived with disability, and imposes an enormous burden on individuals and on health-care systems. General practitioners and physiotherapists are generally the front-line health professionals dealing with patients with LBP, and have a key role in minimising its effect. Here we review six key issues associated with LBP including its effects, diagnosis and management in primary care, and highlight the importance of the biopsychosocial model and matched care for patients with LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), an invisible disease, is due to complex biological and psychological processing. A CMP epidemic occurs concurrently during historically high global population movement. Nationalistic geopolitical rhetoric arises, in part, in response to perceptions of increased immigration rates and healthcare policies. Limited evidence exists about the impact of the current geopolitical climate on the CMP experience amongst migrant populations. Strategies to improve inequitable CMP management in marginalized populations may include improving the clinical conversation. Effective communication is a critical part of pain management and successful interactions between patients and their healthcare providers. Aims: The primary aims are to 1) develop subgroups of self-reported pain experiences in people who have CMP and experience marginalization and 2) interpret the pain experience of marginalized populations with CMP in the context of geopolitical, historical, and societal influences. Methods: A mixed methods sequential explanatory design study will be used. The first quantitative phase will be a survey, to be completed in three languages, with questions related to pain status, patient beliefs, and perspectives on healthcare. Latent class analysis will be used to generate experience-based subgroups. Focus groups will provide nuanced descriptions of the patient experience. Discussion: Results from this study will inform the understanding of the influence of geopolitical, historical, and societal influences on CMP in people who experience marginalization. This understanding will be used to develop a framework to educate clinicians on the broader factors in the CMP experience and to consider steps that can mitigate inequitable CMP outcomes in marginalized populations. Marginalized patient populations may have different experiences in CMP. Societal and historical policies may influence clinical conversations and outcomes. CMP management may be impacted by the contemporary geopolitical environment. A mixed-method protocol is established to interpret patients' CMP experiences in people who may experience marginalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) epidemic occurs concurrently during historical mass population movements and significant income inequities. Epidemiological studies indicate CMP may occur disproportionately in marginalized populations. Nationalistic rhetoric has arisen, in part, due to perceived concerns over access to healthcare. Political policies directly and indirectly impact healthcare. Objectives: To explore 1) how potential historical, societal, and political factors may contribute to the clinical conversation of pain; 2) the impact ineffective clinical conversations may have on the CMP experience. Methods: Literature Review. Major Findings: CMP is an invisible disease decoupled from normal tissue healing. The clinical conversation is increasingly recognized to impact treatment outcomes. The clinician and the patient bring differing histories, values, and interpretations to clinic visits. Systemic healthcare racism, implicit biases, incongruent provider/patient assessment of pain, and provider stigmatization contribute to olgioanalgesia. As healthcare professional groups become more politically active, providers bring that political experience into the clinic. Marginalized populations, at risk for greater stress, discrimination, and fear bring their own intensified political perceptions into the clinic. We suggest that poor management and discordant clinical conversation may be adversely influenced by the current political climate. Conclusion: Identifying contributing factors to ineffective clinical conversations is important to improve CMP outcomes and to minimize inequities in CMP management. We hope to identify populations that may be more vulnerable to political biases, understand factors in the clinical conversation that are important to patients, and to build opportunities to educate providers and patients on these forces impacting the clinical conversation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are well documented in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, whether IBD activity influences musculoskeletal pain experiences is uncertain. Central sensitization has been proposed in patients with IBD who are suffering from persistent pain. Identification of central sensitization symptomology using the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) has been reported in many pain‐related disorders. Aims of this study were to explore predictive relationships between IBD activity and musculoskeletal pain experiences (severity/interference), and the mediating effects of the CSI. Methods: A cross‐sectional online survey was performed exploring self‐reported musculoskeletal pain in adults with IBD. Survey questionnaires included IBD activity indices, numeric rating scales, PROMIS Pain Interference, and the CSI. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between active IBD and pain experiences. Simple and serial mediation analyses were used to explore mediation models: independent variable (IBD activity), dependent variables (severity/interference), and mediators (CSI/severity). Results: 208 adults with IBD, 18 to 88 years of age, reported musculoskeletal pain. Regression analysis identified IBD activity as a significant predictor of worse pain severity (R2 = 0.039, P < 0.005) and interference (R2 = 0.067, P < 0.001). Simple mediation showed a significant indirect effect from CSI scores between IBD activity and pain severity. Serial mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect from CSI scores and pain severity, between IBD activity and pain interference. Conclusion: Active IBD demonstrated a positive association with worse musculoskeletal pain experiences. The CSI demonstrated significant mediation between active IBD and pain severity. Additionally, the CSI and pain severity demonstrated significant mediation between active IBD and pain interference. This suggests that symptoms of central sensitization significantly influence musculoskeletal pain experiences in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]