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Simple Summary: This study implemented a 12-week exercise program for 13 female breast cancer survivors, aged 35–53, focusing on quality of life, self-esteem, and depression. Participants engaged in twice-weekly sessions of aerobic and resistance training exercises. Results showed significant improvements in quality of life, particularly in future health prospects and arm symptoms, and in self-esteem. Although depressive symptoms decreased, the change was not statistically significant. The study underscores the importance of physical exercise as a supportive method for managing breast cancer therapy and its side effects. It highlights the need to demystify exercise post-cancer diagnosis, especially among less active groups, promoting healthier lifestyles. Community-based programs and educational initiatives are recommended to enhance the adoption of physical activity, optimizing recovery and improving overall well-being for breast cancer survivors. Controlled study designs usually report that physical exercise improves the health of women living with breast cancer. However, many of these women are not sufficiently active to experience the benefits of exercise. The main objective was to analyze the effect of a physical exercise program on quality of life, self-esteem, and depression in breast cancer survivors. Thirteen participants (46.54 ± 6.31 years old) completed the exercise intervention. Three patient-reported questionnaires were used: Supplementary Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (QLQ-BR23), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). All participants had significantly improved self-esteem (p = 0.004). Although there were no statistically significant changes in depression, there was a notable decrease in scores (6.39 ± 4.75 vs. 5.00 ± 4.75; p = 0.080). Regarding quality of life, significant improvements were observed in "future perspectives" (p = 0.047) and "arm symptoms" (p = 0.015). No significant changes were noted in the other variables. Our results suggest that physical exercise is an effective strategy that positively affects breast cancer survivors' quality of life and self-esteem. The results reinforce the need for community-based exercise programs for breast cancer survivors. Healthcare professionals should promote physical exercise to improve health outcomes before, during, and after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution control is challenging in catchments affected by 'informal' urban development. Lake Pampulha, an impoundment that is a major tourist focus within the municipality of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, provides an example of degradation of aquatic environments by disorganised urbanization. We evaluated the current recreational suitability of the lake using state government monitoring data (2012-2017) with reference to Brazilian legislation and a water quality index for contact recreation in Brazilian freshwaters, considering E. coli (indicating faecal pollution and microbial hazards), cyanobacterial density (health risks and aesthetic quality), turbidity (aesthetics and safety associated with visual clarity), and pH (safety and eye-comfort). Our results show that, despite investments in pollution control, the recreational water quality of Lake Pampulha remains very poor. Contact recreation was most limited by persistent cyanobacterial blooms, but also faecal contamination and low visual water clarity. The effects of high phosphorus loading and faecal contamination from unsewered domestic wastewater is exacerbated by a tropical climate, promoting stable thermal stratification (favouring cyanobacterial dominance) and turbid wet-season runoff. Water quality indexing is a powerful tool not just for interpreting and communicating multiple metrics affecting water resources, but also for guiding rehabilitation efforts and tracking progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract  Knowing that progesterone up-regulates PDGF-A, which plays a relevant role in angiogenesis, and that imatinib mesylate targets PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of imatinib on Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells (HAoSMC) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) after incubation with progesterone. Expression of phosphorylated (activated) PDGFR-α was detected in HAoSMC, but in a very low extent in HUVEC. In agreement with the lack of active PDGFR-α, imatinib was unable to prevent HUVEC growth, survival or migration ability. In contrast, HAoSMC viability and proliferation were effectively inhibited by imatinib, as evaluated by MTT and BrdU incorporation assay, respectively. Corroborating these findings, a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells was also observed after treatment with imatinib. Cell migration assays also showed a reduction in the migratory ability after incubation with imatinib. Altogether, these facts reveal that imatinib is able to affect HAoSMC survival, growth and migration. Furthermore, incubation with recombinant PDGF as well as, with progesterone seems to sustain PDGFR-α activity, prompting these cells to the inhibitory action of imatinib. These findings were restricted to smooth muscle cells, leading to the assumption that imatinib is probably preventing vessel stabilization, a crucial event for neovascular maturation. Our findings indicate that imatinib might be a good therapeutic agent against atherosclerosis and other vascular-associated disorders that carry in common smooth muscle cells abnormal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of mechanogated membrane ion channel blockers on brain catalase (CAT) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) production after traumatic brain injury (TBI). A weight drop trauma model was used. Controls were sham-operated and received no weight drop. Gadolinium (GAD) or amiloride (AMI) were administered to control and experimental rats (30 min after TBI). Brain CAT activity and TBARS production were measured. When blood vessels were washed out with saline perfusion brain CAT activity significantly increased up to 6 h after trauma, decreasing significantly by 24 h; GAD or AMI administration preserved CAT activity 24 h after TBI. TBARS production increased after trauma, this effect being significantly reversed by GAD or AMI administration. GAD significantly decreased TBARS production in control animals. Mechanogated membrane ion channels may be involved in the genesis of the ionic disruption leading to oxidative stress and other secondary injury processes in head trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]