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During pregnancy, biomechanical changes are observed due to hormonal and physical modifications, which can lead to alterations in the curvature of the spine, balance, gait patterns, and functionality of the pelvic floor muscles. This study aimed to investigate the progressive impact of biomechanical changes that occur during gestational weeks on the myoelectric activity of the pelvic floor muscles, plantar contact area, and functional mobility of high-risk pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study carried out from November 2022 to March 2023. A total of 62 pregnant women of different gestational ages with high-risk pregnancies were analyzed using surface electromyography to assess the functionality of the pelvic floor muscles, plantigraphy (Staheli index and plantar contact area), and an accelerometer and gyroscope using the timed up and go test via an inertial sensor on a smartphone. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression analyses were carried out to test the predictive value of the signature. Results: Increasing weeks of gestation resulted in a decrease in the RMS value (β = −0.306; t = −2.284; p = 0.026) according to the surface electromyography analyses. However, there was no association with plantar contact (F (4.50) = 0.697; p = 0.598; R2 = 0.53). With regard to functional mobility, increasing weeks of gestation resulted in a decrease in time to standing (β = −0.613; t = −2.495; p = 0.016), time to go (β = −0.513; t = −2.264; p = 0.028), and first gyrus peak (β = −0.290; t = −2.168; p = 0.035). However, there was an increase in the time to come back (β = 0.453; t = 2.321; p = 0.025) as the number of gestational weeks increased. Conclusions: Increased gestational age is associated with a reduction in pelvic floor myoelectric activity. The plantar contact area did not change over the weeks. Advancing gestation was accompanied by a decrease in time to standing, time to go, and first gyrus peak, as well as an increase in time to come back. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagas disease (CD) is one of extremely Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) that have been challenging the health of billions of people in the world. Despite being a threat worldwide many of these diseases have a scarce chemotherapeutic armamentarium and the drugs currently used are not effective because of several reason, such as drug resistance, serious side‐effects, among others. Only two drugs are currently available for CD therapeutics, and they are not active in the chronic phase of the diseases. Considering the huge necessity of drugs for this parasitosis, the search for either new or better drugs than those used, many research groups have been involved in this investigation. New scaffolds can be used with this purpose and piperazine is one of them. Since it has many chemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetics advantages, including multitarget activity, this group has been often used in CD. In this review, which the role of piperazine group in the structure‐activity of some important targets for T. cruzi, as cruzain, trypanothione reductase, Fe‐superoxide dismutase, and nitroreductase as well, is comprehended, several examples have been given to inspire researchers to optimize either hit or lead compounds against T. cruzi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is considered a major public health issue. Physical therapy is an important conservative treatment; however, it is primarily limited by poor long‐term compliance. Furthermore, surgical treatment entails significant risks. Therefore, new treatment techniques must be identified. Objective: To compare the use of laser therapy and pelvic floor (PF) physical therapy for treating postmenopausal women with SUI. Methods: This pilot study enrolled 40 women with a clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI who were randomized into two groups: those who received erbium‐doped yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser therapy implemented over three sessions with a 1‐month interval (n = 20) and those who received physical therapy with supervision twice a week for 3 months (n = 20). In total, 16 women completed the treatment in each group. The patients were assessed for PF function using the modified Oxford scale and for pelvic organ prolapse using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System. The 1‐h pad test and quality of life questionnaires, King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), and Incontinence Quality of Life (IQOL) were also administered. Patients were re‐evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Results: The mean patient age was 62.7 ± 9.1 and 57.9 ± 6.1 years, median Oxford score at baseline was 3 (2–4.5) and 4 (3–4), mean IQOL score was 79.8 ± 17 and 74.6 ± 18 for physical therapy group (PTG) and laser group (LG), respectively. For the amount of urine leak in the 1‐h pad test evaluation, we found significance for the interaction of group and time points only for the Laser intragroup. The cure rate, that is, the rate of reaching an insignificant score in the pad test, at 6 and 12 months was 43.75% and 50% in PTG and 62.5% and 56.25% in the LG, respectively (p > 0.05). IQOL scores demonstrated considerable improvement in both groups (p > 0.05). Upon comparing the initial and follow‐up results, the LG showed an improvement at all consultations, whereas the PTG showed improvements at 1, 3, and 6 months but not at 12 months after treatment. KHQ analysis revealed a considerable improvement in the quality of life (QOL) of patients over time, with no substantial difference between the groups. QOL comparison before and after treatment revealed that the vaginal LG improved more consistently in some domains. Only the PTG showed a significant increase in the mean Oxford score from pretreatment to 1 and 3 months after treatment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. Conclusion: Both treatments are safe and have a positive influence on the impact of UI on patients' QOL. The laser caused a greater reduction in the urinary loss, as measured using the weight of pad test, at 6‐month and 12‐month after treatment without difference with PTG at the end of the follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]