Search

To systematically review the effects of pilates on physical-functional aspects and quality of life of older adults. Methods : We included randomized clinical trials whose participants were older adults, whose intervention was pilates exercises and that used a control group for comparison. The primary outcomes were balance, muscle strength, quality of life. Secondary outcomes were mood, autonomy, and flexibility. The searches were performed in the electronic databases Pubmed, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, using terms from MeSH: Aged, elderly, Pilates-Based Exercises, Pilates Training, Pilates, Mat Pilates, Equipment-based Pilates, and synonyms, in May 2020. The meta-analysis, when possible, was performed using the mean and standard deviation values of the groups after the intervention period using the random effects model. Results: The search rendered 1639 studies, of which 28 articles corresponding to 24 ECRs (897 individuals) were included, most of the studies involved a female population. A meta-analysis was performed only in the balance variable, through the Berg Scale (three RCTs), where there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups (2.06–95% CI: 1.31, 5.44, I2: 91%), and it was evaluated by the TUG (six RCTs), which showed a reduction of 0.92 seconds in the protocol execution (95% CI: 1.67, −0.17, I2: 62%). Conclusion: This review demonstrate that the practice of pilates by older adults may have positive effects on some of the outcomes evaluated, these results should be interpreted with caution (methodological heterogeneity and a part present high risk of bias). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the results of conventional serological tests and molecular technology (NAT, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test), identify donors in the diagnostic window period, and determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among the samples of blood donors blocked by serological screening. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing blood donor information contained in the database of 20 blood centers in Paraná, from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of 1,496 blood bags were reactive for HBV, HCV, or HIV in serological and/or NAT tests. The 20th Regional Health (RH) Unit had the greatest number of unfit individuals with altered screening for the three infections, with a prevalence of 0.70%. The lowest number of blocked blood donors occurred in the 15th RH, with a prevalence of 0.08%. The highest prevalence of HBV occurred in the 8th RH, with a reagent serology of 0.34% and a positive NAT of 0.17%. For HCV, the prevalence for reagent serology was 0.28%, while that for NAT was 0.02%, which occurred in the 20th RH. For HIV and for NAT, the prevalence of blood donors with positive serology occurred in the 20th RH, at 0.25% and 0.04%, retrospectively. The 13th RH had the highest prevalence of HIV in relation to NAT, that is, conventional serology in concomitance with NAT technology, at 0.07%. During the 2-year period, only 1 reactive donor in the 9th was found for NAT (HBV), in a diagnostic window. In Paraná's blood centers, the inability to donate due to HBV, HCV, and HIV, occurred mainly in initial donors, men, those with >8 years of education, aged 16–45 years, married, and O positive. The most affected regions were located in the west and northwest of Paraná. Most of the results showed a discrepancy between the methodologies used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtain aerodynamic vocal measurements of dysphonic female teachers from two groups, before and after a brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique, compare to the respective control groups, and compare between the two study groups. A randomized blind controlled clinical trial. A randomized blind controlled clinical trial. Measurements of maximum phonation time and sound pressure level (dB SPL) were measured before and after intensive short-term vocal therapy in 24 teachers with and without structural laryngeal disorders and 17 controls with and without structural laryngeal disorder. There was significant reduction in the maximum phonation time of /e/ for the group with no structural laryngeal disorder, and a significant reduction of the maximum sound pressure level for the group with structural laryngeal disorder. Based on the observed results, a significant reduction in the maximum phonation time of /e/ for the group with no structural laryngeal disorder, and a significant reduction of the maximum sound pressure level for the group with structural laryngeal disorder, it is possible that finger kazoo reduced the glottal hyperfunction by improving the balance between the respiratory and the glottal vocal production levels during speech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To verify the acoustic measurements of glottic source of dysphonic teachers of a medium-sized municipality of interior of the state. Retrospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative study, with a composite sample of 34 dysphonic teachers, of which 21 teachers without laryngeal affections and 13 with laryngeal affections, mean age 39.1 years old and 39.5 years old, respectively. Glottic source acoustic analysis was performed with the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced. The data were analyzed statistically to verify the significance of each acoustic measure between the groups (with laryngeal affection, without laryngeal affection, and total) and in relation to the normality proposed by the software. In the three conditions (groups with and without affection and total) the means were statistically below normality in the measurements of maximum and minimum fundamental frequency. In the group without affection, frequency, and noise measurements presented above normality. In both groups, measurements of frequency, noise, and subharmonic segments were above normal, and number of voice breaks below normal. Acoustic parameters outside the normal pattern showed an aperiodic vocal production, with presence of noise and instability in the vocal signal, in dysphonic teachers with or without alteration at the laryngeal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Questions Do aerobic, resistance and combined exercise training improve aerobic capacity, arterial blood pressure and haemodialysis efficiency in people requiring haemodialysis for end-stage renal disease? Is one exercise training modality better than the others for improving these outcomes? Design Systematic review with network meta-analysis of randomised trials. Participants Adults requiring haemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Intervention Aerobic training, resistance training, combined training and control (no exercise or placebo). Outcome measures Aerobic capacity, arterial blood pressure at rest, and haemodialysis efficiency. Results Thirty-three trials involving 1254 participants were included. Direct meta-analyses were conducted first. Aerobic capacity improved significantly more with aerobic training (3.35 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 1.79 to 4.91) and combined training (5.00 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 3.50 to 6.50) than with control. Only combined training significantly reduced systolic (−9 mmHg, 95% CI −13 to −4) and diastolic (−5 mmHg, 95% CI −6 to −3) blood pressure compared to control. Only aerobic training was superior to control for haemodialysis efficiency (Kt/V 0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20). However, when network meta-analysis was conducted, there were some important different findings. Both aerobic training and combined training again elicited greater improvements in aerobic capacity than control. For systolic blood pressure, combined training was superior to control. For diastolic blood pressure, combined training was superior to aerobic training and control. No modality was superior to control for haemodialysis efficiency. Combined training was ranked as the most effective treatment for aerobic capacity and arterial blood pressure. Conclusion Combined training was the most effective modality to increase aerobic capacity and blood pressure control in people who require haemodialysis. This finding helps to fill the gap created by the lack of head-to-head comparisons of different modalities of exercise in people with end-stage renal disease. Registration PROSPERO CRD42015020531. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several determinants of a population's health, including meteorological factors and air pollution. For example, it is well known that low temperatures and air pollution increase mortality rates in infant and elderly populations. With the emergence of SARS-COV-2, it is important to understand what factors contribute to its mitigation and control. There is some research in this area which shows scientific evidence on the virus's behavior in the face of these variables. This research aims to quantify the impact of climatic factors and environmental pollution on SARS-COV-2 specifically the effect on the number of new infections in different areas of Chile. At the local level, historical information available from the Department of Statistics and Health Information, the Chilean National Air Quality Information System, the Chilean Meteorological Directorate, and other databases will allow the generation of panel data suitable for the analysis. The results show the significant effect of pollution and climate variables measured in lags and will allow us to explain the behavior of the pandemic by identifying the relevant factors affecting health, using heteroskedastic models, which in turn will serve as a contribution to the generation of more effective and timely public policies for the control of the pandemic. • The contributions of this work are the following: • SARS-COV-2 is linked to temperature and particulate matter in southern Chile. • Heteroskedastic models estimates climate and particulate matter factors on SARS-COV-2. • The lagged climatic and particulate matter variables impact on SARS-COV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Type 1 Neurofibromatosis (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominantly inherited multisystem disorders. It is associated with an increased risk of developing neurologic and gastrointestinal (GI) malignant neoplasms. The incidence of GI involvement is reported in 10–25% of patients. Less than 5% of NF1 patients with GI neoplasms manifest symptoms. The presence of synchronic gastrointestinal stromal and neuroendocrine tumors is rare in these patients. Presentation of cases The first case is a 37 year-old male patient with a history of abdominal pain for a few months. Imaging study showed a periampullary mass and a solid lesion at the third duodenal portion. He was submitted to a pancreatoduodenectomy and histological anaylisis showed two low-grade neuroendocrine tumors and a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The second case is a 47 year-old female patient with a routine computed tomography scan showing a duodenal and a jejunal lesion. Duodenopancreatectomy was performed and histological analysis showed a neuroendocrine adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and two jejunal lesions compatible with GI tumors. Discussion GI symptoms such as jaundice, pain and bleeding in NF1 patients should prompt urgent admission Occasionally, associated gastrointestinal tumors may be incidentally found in asymptomatic NF1 patients. The presence of a periampullary or duodenal neoplasia such as neuroendocrine tumors should be evaluated. Conclusion Although rare, the synchronic presentation of gastrointestinal tumors in patients with NF1 should be ruled out since it can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Single-stage surgical management is feasable and yields satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among professional voice users, teachers are subject to higher risks of developing occupational dysphonia due to their abusive use of the voice, usually under unfavorable conditions. Quantify the vocal self-perception, the voice-related quality of life, and the anxiety, and depression symptoms, of dysphonic female teachers, after a brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique. Blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. Questionnaires applied to two study groups (15 subjects without structural laryngeal disorder in one group, and nine subjects with vocal nodules in the other), and to two control groups (9 subjects without structural laryngeal disorder in one group, and eight subjects with vocal nodules in the other). The Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale, the Voice Activity and Participation Profile, the Voice Symptom Scale, and the Voice-Related Quality of Life Protocol, showed significant improvement in both study groups. The Vocal Perception Protocol showed that negative vocal self-perception reduced significantly in subjects without structural alteration of the vocal folds in the study group. Anxiety symptoms improved significantly in subjects with vocal nodules in the study group; depression symptoms improved significantly in subjects with vocal nodules in the control group, and in subjects without structural alteration of the vocal folds in the study group. Brief and intensive short-term voice therapy using the finger kazoo technique provided improvement in the vocal self-perception, the voice-related quality of life, and in the symptoms of anxiety and depression in dysphonic teachers, more evidently in teachers with vocal nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ghar El Melh is a shallow lagoon (average depth of 0.8m) that has undergone a eutrophication process due to growing human pressures. To obtain a global frame of the ecosystem functioning, an optical and an ecological classification were used in parallel. Downwelling and upwelling spectral irradiances were measured in situ in 22 sampling stations across the water body; then Apparent Optical Properties (AOPs), namely reflectance R(λ) and vertical attenuation coefficient Kd (λ) were calculated for each wavelength of visible spectrum, furnishing typical spectra from turbid waters, rich in dissolved and suspended matter. From water samples of the same stations the concentrations of OASs (Optically Active Substances), i.e. Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Non-Algal Particulate (NAP) and Phytoplankton, were assessed. The use of an optical classification for water bodies rich in TSM and CDOM, integrating AOPs and OASs, highlighted a great spatial heterogeneity, well overlapping with hydrology and human impacts patterns. A modified version of the Ecological Evaluation Index (EEI), considering the macrophyte distribution (based on a visual assessment of macrophyte coverage, without quantitative sampling) was then used, highlighting an intermediate ecological condition, despite high water turbidities. The integrated use of both systems thus furnished a complete characterization, rapidly detecting the most impacted sectors and the possible primary causes. The method might be applied as a monitoring procedure in other Mediterranean coastal lagoons, with the aim to adopt a common conservation strategy for these important transitional water bodies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The work aimed to produce and characterize a biocompound based on Trichoderma koningiopsis ; to evaluate the phytotoxic and morphological effects on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) model, and to study the ecotoxicity of the bioproduct in earthworms. The biocompound was produced by submerged fermentation to obtain the crude extract (ECd), filtered solution with filter paper (FilP), and gauze (FilG). From the ECd, the activity of the enzyme's amylases, cellulases, lipases, and total peroxidases was determined, with three replicates. Among the evaluated enzymes, a high concentration of total peroxidases (44 U mL−1) was observed. The ECd, FilP, and FilG biocompound preparations were applied to cucumber plants, isolated, and combined with the commercial herbicide based on potassium glyphosate. The FilG treatment caused the control of up to 80% of the cucumber plants 15 days after application. However, when FilG was combined with the herbicide glyphosate potassium, there was total depigmentation of 95% of the leaves and mortality of more than 90% of the cucumber plants. In evaluating ecotoxicity with earthworms (Eisenia andrei), there was no mortality when the organisms were exposed to the biocompound preparations; however, 68% rejected the biocompound associated with commercial herbicide was observed. In this way, T. koningiopsis biocompound demonstrated the potential action as a bioherbicide, with relevant data for the agricultural sector, to search for alternative methods to reduce costs and promote food and environmental security. • The fungus T. koningiopsis is a potential bioherbicide •The production of phytotoxic enzymes is increased in the T. koningiopsis -based bioherbicide •The biocompound was highly toxic to a plant model in greenhouse conditions. •T. koningi opsis compound combined with underdose of commercial herbicide controlled up to 100% of the cucumber plants. •The biocompound was not toxic to earthworms, in the ecotoxicity test [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative sources for weed control are necessary to reduce the use of synthetic herbicides. Bioherbicides obtained from agro-industrial waste have the potential to integrate sustainable management of existing agricultural systems. Because of the need for new compounds with potential herbicide, this study's objective was to evaluate the bioherbicidal effect and the enzymatic activity of the extracts produced using agro-industrial waste as a substrate. A submerged fermentation was carried out with orange peel and shrimp shell; Trichoderma koningiopsis and Rhizopus stolonifer were used separately to produce enzymatic extracts. Through submerged fermentation with these agro-industrial residues, extracts were obtained, which were characterized concerning the activities of pectinase, cellulase, amylase, laccase, and peroxidase. The extracts were also evaluated for their bioherbicidal potential for weed control, and this is the first study conducted with these residues for this purpose. No significant difference was observed in the enzymatic activities of the extracts produced by the different microorganisms used. Accentuated leaf damage was observed in C. sativus seven days after applying both extracts, ranging from 66.67 to 77.08% for extracts of T. koningiopsis and R. stolonifer , respectively. Therefore, the extracts appear to be promising alternatives in weed control just seven days after application, demonstrating a rapid effect with low environmental risk. [Display omitted] • Orange peel and shrimp shell as a substrate to produce bioherbicide. • Fungus isolated from strawberry has the potential to produce bioproducts. • Extracts by T. koningiopsis and R. stolonifer stolonifera had a higher phytotoxic effect. • Biocontrol effects were observed after 7 days of treatment with fungal extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention on port waters is increasing since these economically important infrastructures are embedded in the coastal environment and their management needs to be considered in the monitoring programmes of coastal ecosystems. To implement the sustainable development (blue growth) of port areas, a general knowledge on the ongoing processes in their waters needs to be obtained, considering both abiotic and biotic variables. The present study aimed at inspecting the relationships among plankton components to provide insights into the ecology of ports. Seasonal samplings were carried out in three Mediterranean touristic ports where bacterio-, phyto- and zoo-plankton were simultaneously assessed at a large spatial scale and compared with respect to environmental variables and anthropogenic inputs. Factor analysis revealed the effects of load of inland waters, seasonality, water turbulence and hydrocarbon pollution on the planktonic components and zooplankton variability in port sectors characterized by different depths and uses. • Ports are impacted coastal areas and their waters need to be monitored. • Plankton communities are abundant and composite in port waters. • Bacterioplankton, phytoplankton and zooplankton constitute a complex network. • Plankton networks depend on nutrient load, water turbulence, seasonality and hydrocarbons. • Plankton networks usefully contribute to the monitoring of port areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]