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Summary: Gibberellins (GA) have a profound influence on the formation of lateral root organs. However, the precise role this hormone plays in the cell‐specific events during lateral root formation, rhizobial infection and nodule organogenesis, including interactions with auxin and cytokinin (CK), is not clear.We performed epidermal‐ and endodermal‐specific complementation of the severely GA‐deficient na pea (Pisum sativum) mutant with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Gibberellin mutants were used to examine the spatial expression pattern of CK (TCSn)‐ and auxin (DR5)‐responsive promoters and hormone levels.We found that GA produced in the endodermis promote lateral root and nodule organogenesis and can induce a mobile signal(s) that suppresses rhizobial infection. By contrast, epidermal‐derived GA suppress infection but have little influence on root or nodule development. GA suppress the CK‐responsive TCSn promoter in the cortex and are required for normal auxin activation during nodule primordia formation.Our findings indicate that GA regulate the checkpoints between infection thread (IT) penetration of the cortex and invasion of nodule primordial cells and promote the subsequent progression of nodule development. It appears that GA limit the progression and branching of IT in the cortex by restricting CK response and activate auxin response to promote nodule primordia development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the association between self-reported sleep characteristics and the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors attending to the potential effect of physical activity (PA) and weight status. A large cohort of Spanish workers (n = 527,662; 32% female, 44 ± 9yrs) participated in this cross-sectional study. We assessed participants' self-reported indicators of sleep quantity (short [<6 h/d], normal [6–9 h/d] or long [>9 h/d]) and quality (unrestful or restful, and difficulties or not falling asleep) as well as the presence of major CVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia); and categorised participants based on PA ("inactive", "insufficiently active" or "regularly active") and weight status (normal weight, overweight or obesity). Impairments in any sleep quantity or quality indicator, respectively, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of at least one CVD risk factor. Yet, being physically active and having normal weight markedly attenuated these associations. Thus, individuals with poor sleep quantity or quality but who were physically active and had normal weight showed no different risk of hypertension or diabetes than those with normal sleep characteristics, albeit the former still presented a higher risk of hypercholesterolemia if they reported short sleep (+5% vs. normal duration, p = 0.047), unrestful sleep (+9% vs. restful, p < 0.001) or having difficulties to fall asleep (+48% vs. no difficulties, p < 0.001). The present findings support the need for maintaining optimal PA levels and weight status in order to minimise the CVD risk associated with poor sleep quantity or quality. Highlights Both sleep quantity and quality are associated with the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. Being physically active and having normal weight markedly reduces the cardiovascular risk associated with poor sleep quantity/quality. Having poor sleep quantity/quality while being also inactive and overweight/obese predisposes to a higher cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Whether diabetes is associated with hypertension risk remains controversial, potentially owing to the confounding effect of lifestyle. This study aims to analyze the association between diabetes and hypertension in adults and the mediating impacts of lifestyle.Methods: A cohort of Spanish workers (aged 18-64 years) insured by an occupational risk prevention company participated in this nationwide cross-sectional study between 2012 and 2016 (data analysis was performed in 2021). Participants' lifestyle‒related factors-BMI, sleeping hours, alcohol, smoking, and physical activity-were assessed, and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was registered.Results: A total of 451,157 participants (33.1% women, aged 44.5 [SD=9.2] years, 3.2% with diabetes, and 29.3% with hypertension) with complete data for all variables were assessed. Having diabetes was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension even after adjusting for all lifestyle-related factors (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.43, 1.48), and people with diabetes and hypertension had a higher prevalence of mild kidney function impairment than people with diabetes alone (OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.01, 1.13). However, people with diabetes and an optimal lifestyle-normal weight and sleeping hours, absent-to-little alcohol drinking, nonsmoking, and regular physical activity-presented a prevalence of hypertension comparable with that of those without diabetes (OR=1.00, 95% CI=0.71, 1.32). In separate analyses among people with diabetes, an optimal lifestyle was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension than the worse-opposite-lifestyle (OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.18, 0.53). The lifestyle-related factors showing the strongest inverse association with adjusted risk of hypertension were normal weight (OR=0.49, 95% CI=0.42, 0.53 versus overweight/obesity) and regular physical activity (OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.74, 0.82 versus inactivity).Conclusions: Diabetes is positively and largely independently associated with hypertension risk. Yet, a healthy lifestyle can attenuate this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep is known to affect cardiovascular health, but some controversy exists on the independent association between different sleep characteristics (duration, restfulness, difficulties falling asleep) and specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the association between self‐reported sleep characteristics and the likelihood of major CVD risk factors. Methods: Totally, 521,364 Spanish workers (32% female, 44 ± 9 years [18–64]) insured by an occupational risk prevention company participated in this nationwide cross‐sectional study. Participants' sleep was considered 'poor' if they reported having ≥1 of the following conditions: excessively short (<6 h/d) or long (>9 h/d) sleep, unrestful sleep, or difficulties to fall asleep. We assessed the independent association between aforementioned sleep characteristics and the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and physical inactivity. Results: Poor sleep (reported by 33% of participants) was associated with a higher likelihood of presenting all CVD risk factors individually, particularly physical inactivity (which prevalence was ~3‐fold higher in the poor sleep group compared with participants reporting no sleep abnormality). In separate analyses, all the different sleep characteristics were associated with the likelihood of ≥2 CVD risk factors. Participants with optimal sleep, normal sleep duration, no difficulties falling sleep and restful sleep showed a lower total CVD risk score than their peers with poor sleep, short sleep duration, difficulties falling sleep and unrestful sleep, respectively (all p <.001). Conclusions: Poor sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of presenting major CVD risk factors. These findings might support the importance of monitoring and improving sleep patterns for primary CVD prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can routine laboratory variables predict survival in COVID-19? Keywords: biochemistry; coronavirus; hematology; mortality EN biochemistry coronavirus hematology mortality e299 e302 4 11/12/20 20201201 NES 201201 To the Editor, As of August 23, 2020, a cumulative total of over 23 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections and 800,000 related deaths has been reported [[1]]. There is in fact preclinical evidence that albumin can potentially downregulate the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) [[12]] - the host receptor for COVID-19 - and albumin has been proposed as an outcome of future COVID-19 therapy trials [[13]]. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction. Pheochromocytomas (Pheo) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and from the extra-adrenal autonomic paraganglia, respectively. Only 1–3% of head and neck PGL (HNPGL) show elevated catecholamines, and at least 30% of Pheo and PGL (PCPG) are associated with genetic syndromes caused by germline mutations in tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes. Clinical Case. A 33-year-old man with a past medical history of resection of an abdominal PGL at the age of eleven underwent a CT scan after a mild traumatic brain injury revealing an incidental brain tumor. The diagnosis of a functioning PGL was made, and further testing was undertaken with a PET-CT with 68Ga-DOTATATE, SPECT-CT 131-MIBG, and genetic testing. Discussion and Conclusion. The usual clinical presentation of functioning PCPG includes paroxistic hypertension, headache, and diaphoresis, sometimes with a suggestive family history in 30–40% of cases. Only 20% of PGL are located in head and neck, of which only 1–3% will show elevated catecholamines. Metastatic disease is present in up to 50% of cases, usually associated with a hereditary germline mutation. However, different phenotypes can be observed depending on such germline mutations. Genetic testing is important in patients with PCPG since 31% will present a germline mutation. In this particular patient, an SDHB gene mutation was revealed, which can drastically influence the follow-up plan and the genetic counsel offered. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory for every patient presenting with PCPG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune regulator gene AIRE plays an essential role in the establishment of immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmunity. This transcription factor plays a critical role in promoting self-tolerance in the thymus by regulating the expression of a large number of self-antigens that share the common feature of being tissue-restricted in their expression pattern in the periphery. Dysfunction of AIRE in humans causes a rare disease, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1), characterized by an autoimmune response against peripheral tissues, particularly endocrine tissues. Although a few dominant mutations have been described, the inactivation of AIRE is usually caused by recessive mutations. Recent data suggests that alterations in AIRE function contribute not only to APS1 but also to more common forms of autoimmune disease. Here, we present a previously unreported missense mutation (NM_000383.2:c.260 T > C) in exon 2 of the AIRE gene, predicted to cause the substitution (p.(Leu87Pro)) in the CARD domain of the AIRE protein. When inherited in conjunction with another dysfunctional AIRE allele, this mutation was associated with immune dysregulation in a pediatric patient. The presence of hypergammaglobulinemia, malabsorption syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia, mucocutaneous candidiasis, vitiligo, and hypothyroidism as well as the presence of multiple autoantibodies allowed us to confirm an APS1 diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brackground: Bronchial inflammatory abnormalities have been observed in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), whereas fewer studies demonstrated lower airway inflammation in non-allergic rhinitis (NAR). Objective: To investigate airway inflammation by exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in patients with AR and NAR without asthma, by its association to lung function, the severity of rhinitis and biomarkers of atopy. Methods: Cross-sectional study of children and adolescents (6 to 18 years old) with a diagnosis of AR and NAR without asthma. A spirometry, serum IgE, blood eosinophil count and determination of FeNO were performed. Rhinitis was classified according to ARIA. Results: Forty patients were included, 28 with AR and 12 with NAR. Patients with AR exhibited higher levels of FeNO (medium 36.5 ppb; range 5-114) than NAR (medium 7 ppb; range 5-24) (p = 0.0011). Elevated FeNO was associated with spirometric abnormalities [OR 7.14 (95% CI 1.04-49.04)] (p = 0.049). In patients with RA, there was a positive correlation between FeNO and blood eosinophils (r = 0.41, p = 0.033). Conclusions: Children and adolescents with AR had significantly higher FeNO than NAR patients and correlated with blood eosinophils. High values of FeNO were associated with impaired lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife hunting is essential to livelihoods and food security in many parts of the world, yet present rates of extraction may threaten ecosystems and human communities. Thus, governing sustainable wildlife use is a major social dilemma and conservation challenge. Commons scholarship is well positioned to contribute theoretical insights and analytic tools to better understand the interface of social and ecological dimensions of wildlife governance, yet the intersection of wildlife studies and commons scholarship is not well studied. We reviewed existing wildlife‐hunting scholarship, drawing on a database of 1,410 references, to examine the current overlap with commons scholarship through multiple methods, including social network analysis and deductive coding. We found that a very small proportion of wildlife scholarship incorporated commons theories and frameworks. The social network of wildlife scholarship was densely interconnected with several major publication clusters, whereas the wildlife commons scholarship was sparse and isolated. Despite the overarching gap between wildlife and commons scholarship, a few scholars are studying wildlife commons. The small body of scholarship that bridges these disconnected literatures provides valuable insights into the understudied relational dimensions of wildlife and other overlapping common‐pool resources. We suggest increased engagement among wildlife and commons scholars and practitioners to improve the state of knowledge and practice of wildlife governance across regions, particularly for bushmeat hunting in the tropics, which is presently understudied through a common‐pool resource lens. Our case study of the Republic of Congo showed how the historical context and interrelationships between hunting and forest rights are essential to understanding the current state of wildlife governance and potential for future interventions. A better understanding of the interconnections between wildlife and overlapping common‐pool resource systems may be key to understanding present wildlife governance challenges and advancing the common‐pool resource research agenda. Article impact statement: Wildlife hunting and commons scholarship are largely disconnected yet their mutual utility can help solve wildlife‐governance dilemmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite strong scientific evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), physical inactivity is highly prevalent worldwide. In addition to merely changing well-known risk factors for systemic CVD, regular exercise can also improve cardiovascular health through non-traditional mechanisms. Understanding the pathways through which exercise influences different physiological systems is important and might yield new therapeutic strategies to target pathophysiological mechanisms in CVD. This Review includes a critical discussion of how regular exercise can have antiatherogenic effects in the vasculature, improve autonomic balance (thereby reducing the risk of malignant arrhythmias), and induce cardioprotection against ischaemia-reperfusion injury, independent of effects on traditional CVD risk factors. This Review also describes how exercise promotes a healthy anti-inflammatory milieu (largely through the release of muscle-derived myokines), stimulates myocardial regeneration, and ameliorates age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, a frequently overlooked non-traditional CVD risk factor. Finally, we discuss how the benefits of exercise might also occur via promotion of a healthy gut microbiota. We argue, therefore, that a holistic view of all body systems is necessary and useful when analysing the role of exercise in cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: IgG is the only antibody class, that is, actively transferred from the mother to the fetus across the placenta by an active, neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) mediated process during pregnancy, conferring passive immunity and protection against infections to the newborn during the first months of life. Preterm infants may not receive sufficient titers of protective antibodies, as most of them are transferred only after the 34th week of gestation. Because of the great importance of this process, we investigated in a clinical setting the placental transmission of IgG antibodies in term and preterm newborns. Method of study: This work was conducted in 85 woman and their newborns, divided into four groups according to their clinical gestational age (≤37 weeks were considered as preterm). Blood samples were collected from the mothers and their newborns’ umbilical cords to analyze total serum IgG concentrations, and a subgroup of 32 placentas was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to quantify the expression of the FcRn receptor. Results: Total IgG levels in both mothers and neonates increased significantly through the third trimester of gestation. Regarding the newborns, in all groups, IgG levels exceeded their mother's values by a ~2.4%. A higher expression of FcRn was detected in placentas from newborns at week 36 of gestation onwards. Conclusion: Our results obtained from clinical samples, were in line with previous descriptions in model systems and confirmed that the IgG transfer from maternal serum to the fetus is positively correlated with FcRn expression in placental tissue throughout gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Concerns on whether athletes--particularly older ones--are at an increased risk of pathological aortic dilation exist, and the prevalence of aortic calcifications in these individuals is unknown. We aimed to compare the dimensions, distensibility, and prevalence of calcifications in the thoracic aorta between former male professional cyclists (cases) and sex/age-matched controls. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design, where cases were former finishers of at least one Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d' Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals with no previous sports history and free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent magnetic resonance and computer tomography assessments for the measurement of aortic dimensions and calcifications, respectively. Results: Cases showed larger (P < 0.05) dimensions than controls for aortic annulus, sinus, and arch, as well as for ascending and descending aorta. However, none of the participants presented with pathological aortic dilation (all diameters <40 mm). A slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta was observed in cases (13% vs 0% in controls, P = 0.020). Subanalyses confirmed that cases who were still competing (masters category, n = 8) had larger aortic diameters (P < 0.05) and a greater presence of calcifications in the ascending/descending aorta (38% vs 0% for both segments, P = 0.032) than those who had become inactive (n = 15). No between-group differences were found for aortic distensibility. Conclusions: Former professional cyclists, particularly those who are still competing after retirement, show enlarged aortic diameters (albeit without exceeding upper limits of normality). Former professional cyclists also showed a slightly higher prevalence of calcifications in the ascending aorta than controls, although aortic distensibility was not compromised. The clinical relevance of these findings should be the subject of future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) survivors are becoming increasingly predisposed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Low cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity (PA) levels, as well as high values of adiposity indices, contribute to CVD risk. We evaluated adiposity, cardiorespiratory profile, and PA levels in two independent cohorts of BC survivors.Methods: Data were collected from two groups (99% women) from different areas of Madrid (Spain): group 1, n = 110, age 51.4 ± 9.7 years, median time from diagnosis 365 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 354-401), and group 2, n = 93, age 54.7 ± 8.9 years, 1714 days (95% CI, 1502-1938). We estimated peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip index, and accelerometry-determined PA.Results: Both groups had values of BMI in the overweight range (25.3 ± 4.3 and 27.1 ± 5.1 kg/m2, p = 0.003). Estimated VO2peak levels were lower in group 2 than in group 1 (28.1 ± 9.1 and 23.7 ± 8.8 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001), although levels in both groups were low. Yet, the majority of participants in both groups (81 and 88%, p = 0.234) met international PA recommendations (235 ± 196 and 351 ± 173 min/week of moderate-vigorous PA, p < 0.001). Both groups had very low levels of vigorous PA. These results were essentially independent of type of treatment (anthracycline/radiotherapy).Conclusions: We found a poor cardiorespiratory profile in two independent BC cohorts that differed in median time from diagnosis (as well in socioeconomic status), supporting the notion that implementation of PA (possibly focusing on vigorous PA) and dietary intervention is urgently needed in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Although they are unable to utilize muscle glycogen, McArdle mice adapt favourably to an individualized moderate‐intensity endurance exercise training regime. Yet, they fail to reach the performance capacity of healthy mice with normal glycogen availability. There is a remarkable difference in the protein networks involved in muscle tissue adaptations to endurance exercise training in mice with and without glycogen availability. Indeed, endurance exercise training promoted the expression of only three proteins common to both McArdle and wild‐type mice: LIMCH1, PARP1 and TIGD4. In turn, trained McArdle mice presented strong expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 12 (MAPK12). Abstract: McArdle's disease is an inborn disorder of skeletal muscle glycogen metabolism that results in blockade of glycogen breakdown due to mutations in the myophosphorylase gene. We recently developed a mouse model carrying the homozygous p.R50X common human mutation (McArdle mouse), facilitating the study of how glycogen availability affects muscle molecular adaptations to endurance exercise training. Using quantitative differential analysis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, we analysed the quadriceps muscle proteome of 16‐week‐old McArdle (n = 5) and wild‐type (WT) (n = 4) mice previously subjected to 8 weeks’ moderate‐intensity treadmill training or to an equivalent control (no training) period. Protein networks enriched within the differentially expressed proteins with training in WT and McArdle mice were assessed by hypergeometric enrichment analysis. Whereas endurance exercise training improved the estimated maximal aerobic capacity of both WT and McArdle mice as compared with controls, it was ∼50% lower than normal in McArdle mice before and after training. We found a remarkable difference in the protein networks involved in muscle tissue adaptations induced by endurance exercise training with and without glycogen availability, and training induced the expression of only three proteins common to McArdle and WT mice: LIM and calponin homology domains‐containing protein 1 (LIMCH1), poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1 – although the training effect was more marked in McArdle mice), and tigger transposable element derived 4 (TIGD4). Trained McArdle mice presented strong expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 12 (MAPK12). Through an in‐depth proteomic analysis, we provide mechanistic insight into how glycogen availability affects muscle protein signalling adaptations to endurance exercise training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training in elderly may improve muscle strength, muscle power and postural control. However, knowledge about the effect of WBV training in elderly on measures of health as a multidimensional construct (health-related quality of life, HRQoL) is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the effects of WBV training on HRQoL in elderly women. A total of 37 women (aged 82.4 ± 5.7 years) were recruited and were assigned to either the WBV group or to the control (CON) group. After 8 months of training, the WBV group showed non-significant changes on HRQoL and additional health-related outcomes (fall risk, life satisfaction or cognitive status). Our findings are in disagreement with previous studies of shorter duration (6 weeks), which reported positive significant changes in HRQoL in elderly people. Discrepancies among studies may be partly attributed to methodological differences, but the existence of publication bias in previous studies cannot be discarded. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ethnopharmacological relevance This study sought to understand the role of plants and animals in traditional medical systems and evaluate the capacity of these systems to absorb impacts and maintain their identity by determining the existence of functional substitutes. Material and methods Ethnobiological data were collected through semi-structured interviews and free lists at a rural community in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. The data were subjected to the utilitarian redundancy model and analyzed by tests of proportion and variance. Results We found that most of the therapeutic targets treated with animal-based remedies were also treatable by plant-based remedies; these targets were perceived as very usual, although they were not considered dangerous. Furthermore, people considered the plants and animals to be equally effective at curing overlapping therapeutic targets, but the plant remedies were used more frequently. The findings show that local knowledge about medicinal plants and animals follows similar patterns regarding the utilitarian redundancy, with high functional overlap among these features. However, the ease of access to the medicinal resource influences the choice of treatment, leading to an increased preference for plants over animals. In addition, we suggest that during the cultural evolution process, people concentrated their efforts on experimenting with different resources for the treatment of diseases that were very frequent locally, even if not very severe, which contributed to the resilience of the local medical system. Conclusion Furthermore, we infer that plants may effectively perform the function of healing, whereas animals act as reserves of resilience for the system, maintaining system function in the face of disturbances that may affect the availability of plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world population ages, so the prevalence increases of individuals aged 100 years or more, known as centenarians. Reaching this age has been described as exceptional longevity (EL) and is attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. Many genetic variations known to affect life expectancy exist in centenarians. This review of studies conducted on centenarians and supercentenarians (older than 110 years) updates knowledge of the impacts on longevity of the twenty most widely investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the design, construction, simulation, instrumentation, and implementation of a closed chain robotic active neck orthosis with four degrees of freedom satisfying a similar configuration to a four-legged Stewart platform. The dynamics of the device is regulated by a robust control strategy with state restrictions based on a first sliding mode controller with state dependent gains that operates as a divergent function as the states approach the state restrictions. The formal justification about the application of the controller on the proposed orthosis, the finite-time convergence to a sliding surface and the effect of the constraints is proven. The orthosis is also controlled with a traditional state feedback strategy to evaluate the tracking error concerning an external disturbance and compare its performances against the proposed control strategy. A graphical interface based on computer vision is developed to select the type of therapy and assess the patient's range of motion while wearing the orthosis. The system is tested in some selected volunteers subjects, managing to limit the range of motion within a pre-established area based on the range of motion reported by patients with cervicalgia and whiplash syndrome found in the literature. The developed system offers a novel method to deal with the treatment of neck illnesses based on a novel mechatronic device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of low-load resistance training [or more recently, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)] with a moderate local blood flow restriction (BFR) is becoming a widespread training and rehabilitation method. Scientific data indicate the overall safety of BFR, at least in healthy young people. However, it has been associated with side effects, usually minor, and further research is warranted regarding the safety and efficacy of this technique, especially in clinical populations. We found 3 syncope/presyncopal episodes among 21 healthy people (9 men), all occurring in men and during familiarization sessions (in which BFR was applied alone) but not thereafter (BFR sessions combined with NMES): 1 subject experienced a brief syncope and 2 other subjects exhibited presyncopal symptoms (sweating, lightheadedness, and pallor). Our cases are evidence that cardiovascular complications may emerge during BFR. Caution is thus needed in the application of BFR, and gentle familiarization with this training modality is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to compare the vertical counts registered by GT1M, GT3X and ActiTrainer.Methods: Treadmill activities, repeated sit-stands and rest were completed by 31 young, 31 adults and 35 older adults while wearing the accelerometers (GT1M, GT3X and ActiTrainer) on their right hips. Independent sample t-test analyses were performed to determine differences between counts in each age group and activities along with the Bland & Altman analysis to determine the degree of agreement. In order to determine the correction factor for the ActiTrainer counts, the linear regression forward analysis was used to minimize differences with the GT3X and the GT1M counts.Results: Differences among ActiTrainer, GT1M, and GT3X were revealed in all activities except in rest. The counts for ActiTrainer were significantly lower than those of GT3X and GT1M. The correction factor for ActiTrainer with GT1M (GT1M counts = 3185.564 + 649.647; *ActiTrainer counts - 36.163; *weight [kg] - 7.545 *age [years] r = 0.864; r2 = 0.746; r2 corrected = 0.745; SEE = 1451) and GT3X (GT3X counts = 3501.977 + 705.662 *ActiTrainer counts - 40.523 *weight [kg] - 11.864 *age [years] r = 0.901; r2 = 0.812; r2 corrected = 0.811; SEE = 310.160) reduced these differences.Conclusion: The GT1M and GT3X vertical counts may be compared. However, a correction factor to decrease differences to compare ActiTrainer counts with those of GT1M or GT3X counts must be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals who reach exceptional longevity (100+ years of age) free of common chronic age diseases (i.e. 'dodgers') arguably represent the paradigm of successful aging in humans. As such, identification of potential biomarkers associated with this phenomenon is of medical interest. Methods: We measured serum levels of galectin-3 and osteopontin, both of which have been shown to be linked with major chronic or aging-related disorders in younger populations, in centenarian 'dodgers' (n=81; 40 men; 100-104 years) and healthy controls (n=41; 24 men, 70-80 years). Results: Both biomarkers showed significantly lower values (p<0.001) in the former (galectin-3: 2.4±1.7 vs. 4.8±2.8 ng/mL; osteopontin: 38.1±27.7 vs. 72.6±33.1 μg/mL). Logistic regression analysis identified the combination of these two biomarkers as a significant predictor variable associated with successful aging regardless of sex (p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) classified the ability of galectin-3 and osteopontin to predict the likelihood of successful aging as 'fair' (AUC=0.75) and 'good' (AUC=0.80), respectively. Particularly, the combination of the two biomarkers showed good discriminatory power for successful aging (AUC=0.86), with sensitivity=83% and specificity=74%. Conclusions: Lower levels of both galectin-3 and osteopontin are associated with successful aging, representing potential biomarkers of this condition. Our cross-sectional data must be however approached with caution. Further research is necessary to replicate the present preliminary results in other cohorts and to identify the potential use of galectin-3 and osteopontin as potential targets (or at least predictors) in future personalized anti-aging therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Scarce evidence exists regarding the effects of regular pregnancy exercise on maternal cardiovascular health. We aimed to study, using a randomized controlled trial design, the effects of pregnancy exercise on echo- cardiographic indicators of hemodynamics, cardiac remodeling, left ventricular (LV) function, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Two hundred forty-one healthy pregnant women were assigned to a control (standard care) or intervention (exercise) group (initial n = 121/120). The intervention (weeks 9-11 to 38-39) included three supervised sessions per week (55-60 min, with light-moderate intensity aerobic and strength exercises). Results: The main findings were as follows: (i) the proportion of women with excessive weight gain at end pregnancy was lower in the exercise group compared with controls (18% vs 40%, P = 0.005), and (ii) there was a tendency toward lower prevalence of depression at end pregnancy in the former (P = 0.029, threshold P value set at 0.013). No significant exercise training effect was essentially found for echocardiographic variables, CVD risk factors, type/duration of labor, or newborn's outcomes (weight, height, head circumference, Apgar scores, and umbilical cord pH). Conclusions: Light-moderate intensity supervised exercise is safe for healthy pregnant women and does not impose an additional cardiac overload beyond gestation or affect the main pregnancy outcomes. Such intervention might help decrease, at least partly, the risk of two CVD-associated conditions, excessive weight gain and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand what evidence exists with regard to maternal and offspring benefits of aerobic and/or resistance training during pregnancy.Methods: Systematic review of RCTs (published until May 2015) with healthy pregnant women and focusing on the benefits of exercise interventions on maternal health or perinatal outcomes. Studies were ranked as high/low quality, and a level of evidence was established according to the number of high-quality studies and consistency of the results.Results: 61 RCTs were analyzed. The evidence for a benefit of combined exercise [aerobic+resistance (muscle strength)] interventions on maternal cardiorespiratory fitness and prevention of urinary incontinence was strong. A weak or insufficient level of evidence was found for the rest of interventions and outcomesConclusion: The exercise modality that seems to induce a more favorable effect on maternal health is the combination of aerobic and resistance exercises during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged strenuous endurance exercise (SEE) such as marathon running has recently been associated with potential deleterious cardiac effects, particularly increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This topic is medically important due to the increasing number of participants in SEE events lasting several hours, including older people. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a summary of the evidence available on SEE and related issues such as cardiovascular mortality, AF, potential cardiac remodeling, cardiovascular events during exertion, or the need for pre-participation screening (with a special focus on beginners). This type of information can help physicians giving advice to their patients and the general public regarding safe SEE practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of training and the consequences of detraining, comparing an aerobic training (AT) protocol with a resistance training (RT) in people with type-II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII).Methods: a total of 30 individuals participated in the study, with ages ranging from 45 to 50 years, all diagnosed with DMII and not currently receiving pharmacological treatment. Participants were divided at random into an AT group (65% of their maximum aerobic capacity) and a RT group (1 x 2 x 3 protocol at 65% of 1RM). Measurements were taken of weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, glycaemia in a fasted state and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) at the beginning and at the end of the 6-week training period, and after a further 6 weeks of detraining.Results: the results show that both physical training protocols are capable of inducing significant modifications in lipid profile, glycaemia in a fasted state and levels of HbA1C; however, after stopping the training programme only the RT group maintained the benefits of the reduction in LDL-C, HbA1C and the increase in HDL-C.Conclusions: resistance exercise in individuals with DMII has an important influence on health and their effects could be maintained even if the training program is interrupted short-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 8 months of whole-body vibration training on bone mass in octogenarian women. Method: Thirty-seven women (aged 82.4 [SD=5.7] years) voluntarily participated in this study. The vibration group (n=19) trained on a vibration platform twice a week (20 Hz and 2 mm) whereas controls (n=18) did not participate in any training program. Bone mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the hip region. General linear repeated measures ANOVA (group by time) was used to examine the effect of whole body vibration on bone mass changes. Results: After the intervention, in all the hip regions (total hip, femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, Ward's area), no statistically significant changes in bone mass were found. Conclusion: Eight months of whole body vibration training (twice a week) in elderly women do not produce osteogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the cause of more than two-thirds of all dementia cases. Although there is no effective treatment against this disorder, its association with neuroinflammation suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might represent a potential therapeutic option. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NSAIDs in the treatment of AD using a meta-analysis approach. Methods: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library were used to search all the randomized controlled trials that have evaluated the efficacy of NSAIDs as a treatment for AD (up to 1 October 2014). The overall effect of NSAIDs versus placebo was determined using a random effects model meta-analysis where we compared changes (i.e., mean differences pre- vs. post-treatment) between the two conditions in test scores indicative of cognition, disease severity, and related outcomes. Results: Seven studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. Diclofenac/misoprostol, nimesulide, naproxen, rofecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin, tarenflurbil, and celecoxib were the NSAIDs used in these reports. The results of the AD Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale sum-of-boxes (CDR-SOB), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) showed no statistical or clinical significance of NSAIDs treatment compared with placebo, i.e., mean differences of −0.24 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI) −1.04 to 0.57; P = 0.52), −0.07 (95 % CI −0.7 to 0.56; P = 0.82), and 0.35 (95 % CI −0.34 to 1.04; P = 0.32), respectively. Conclusion: Current preliminary evidence suggests no beneficial effect of NSAIDs on cognition or overall AD severity. Thus, although more research is needed in the field, the evidence available does not support the use of NSAIDs for AD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world population is continuously aging, and centenarians may be considered to be the most successfully aged individuals. Among people who reach extreme longevity (EL; i.e., >95 years), supercentenarians (SCs; aged ≥110 years) represent a subgroup of great scientific interest. Unfortunately, data on the worldwide distribution of SCs remain scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate this issue. Current available data indicate that Japan is the country with the highest number of currently alive SCs. Interestingly, Puerto Rico would show the highest prevalence of SCs among people who reach EL (approximately one SC per 10,000 inhabitants aged ≥95 years), although data on this country must be intrepreted with caution owing to potential methodological limitations, mainly related to its small population. Our findings highlight the need to investigate in greater detail the genetic and lifestyle background of SCs, with the ultimate goal of unraveling new potential mechanisms underlying human EL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcification in individuals who have performed very high levels of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE; former male professional cyclists) and sex/age-matched controls. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort study design, where cases were former finishers of ≥1 Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d' Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computer tomography in the same center during years 2020–2021 to detect myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement) and to quantify coronary calcium, respectively. Results: Twenty-three cases (age, 46 ± 6 yr) and 59 controls (47 ± 7 yr) were studied. Fibrotic patches were evidenced only in the left ventricle, with a higher prevalence in cases (23% vs 2% in controls, P = 0.006). However, fibrotic tissue was nonischemic and of low extension (0.6% ± 0.4% of left ventricle mass), and no significant differences were found between cases and controls for native T1 or T2 values. No between-group differences were found for coronary calcium indicators, including Agatston or density scores. Subanalyses revealed no differences attending to whether cases were still performing regular SEE (n = 8) or not (n = 15) after professional retirement. Conclusions: Although former professional cyclists seemed to show a greater prevalence of myocardial fibrosis, the extension of fibrotic tissue was minimal and no alterations were found in coronary calcification indicators. While keeping in mind the low sample size of the cases' group, our results do not support evidence for major cardiac maladaptations with long-term exposure to SEE, at least in middle-age adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Data from an ethnobotanical study were analyzed to see if they were in agreement with the biochemical basis of the apparency hypothesis based on an analysis of a pharmacopeia in a rural community adjacent to the Araripe National Forest (Floresta Nacional do Araripe - FLONA) in northeastern Brazil. The apparency hypothesis considers two groups of plants, apparent and non-apparent, that are characterized by conspicuity for herbivores (humans) and their chemical defenses. Methods This study involved 153 interviewees and used semi-structured interviews. The plants were grouped by habit and lignification to evaluate the behavior of these categories in terms of ethnospecies richness, use value and practical and commercial importance. Information about sites for collecting medicinal plants was also obtained. The salience of the ethnospecies was calculated. G-tests were used to test for differences in ethnospecies richness among collection sites and the Kruskal-Wallis test to identify differences in the use values of plants depending on habit and lignifications (e.g. plants were classes as woody or non-woody, the first group comprising trees, shrubs, and lignified climbers (vines) and the latter group comprising herbs and non-lignified climbers). Spearman's correlation test was performed to relate salience to use value and these two factors with the commercial value of the plants. Results A total of 222 medicinal plants were cited. Herbaceous and woody plants exhibited the highest ethnospecies richness, the non-woody and herbaceous plants had the most practical value (current use), and anthropogenic areas were the main sources of woody and non-woody medicinal plants; herbs and trees were equally versatile in treating diseases and did not differ with regard to use value. Trees were highlighted as the most commercially important growth habit. Conclusions From the perspective of its biochemical fundamentals, the apparency hypothesis does not have predictive potential to explain the use value and commercial value of medicinal plants. In other hand, the herbaceous habit showed the highest ethnospecies richness in the community pharmacopeia, which is an expected prediction, corroborating the apparency hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined reliability and concurrent validity of the newly developed OMNI-vibration exercise scale (OMNIVIBRO) to measure Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) during vibration exercise in twenty recreationally active students (12 males and 8 females). The criterion variables were muscle activity of the Vastus Medialis (VM), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Biceps Femoris (BF), and Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) muscles, as well as accelerations (12.5, 20.2, 30.9, 36.3, 60.1, and 88.4 m·s-2). RPE was registered during the final of each 30 s condition. Each participant attended two laboratory testing sessions. Positive linear regression coefficients (p < 0.001) were found between RPE (OMNI-VIBRO) and acceleration (r = 0.976) and muscle activity of lower-body muscles (r = 0.942). Between session (test-retest), reliability of RPE (OMNI-VIBRO) was good (ICC: 0.790. 95% CI: 0.699-0.854). Conclusions: findings provided concurrent validation of the OMNI-VIBRO to measure RPE for the active muscle and overall body in recreationally active students performing lower-body vibration exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current study examined the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on upper and lower body muscle activity during static muscle contractions (squat and bicep curls). The use of WBV accessories such as hand straps attached to the platform and a soft surface mat were also evaluated. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was measured for the medial gastrocnemius (MG), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps brachii (BB) muscles in fourteen healthy older adults (74.8±4.5years; mean±SD) with a WBV stimulus at an acceleration of 40ms−2 (30Hz High, 2.5mm or 46Hz Low, 1.1mm). WBV increased lower body (VL and MG) sEMG vs baseline (no WBV) though this was decreased with the use of the soft mat. The addition of the bicep curl with hand straps had no effect on lower body sEMG. WBV also increased BB sEMG vs baseline which was further increased when using the hand straps. There was no upper body effect of the soft mat. This study demonstrates WBV increases both lower and upper body muscle activity in healthy older adults. Moreover, WBV accessories such as hand straps attached to the platform or a soft surface mat may be used to alter exercise intensity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate surface electromyographic activity (sEMG) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during semi-squat exercise on vibration platform compared with semi-squat exercise performed on a Smith machine. Twenty-three recreationally active students (15 males and 8 females) were exposed to six different loads in one of both exercise modes: vibration or Smith machine. The subject performed a squat in six experimental conditions; the load differed per experimental condition. For each subject the exercise mode (n =2) and the different loads per mode (n =6) were assigned in a random order to check the influence of vibration magnitude (acceleration: ms−2) as well as weight (kg) on sEMG and RPE. Two-way ANOVA for RPE, lumbar and lower-body sEMG revealed a significant weight main effect (P <0.01) and a significant acceleration main effect (P <0.01). The results from this study demonstrate that the training stimulus resulting from an isometric semi-squat exercise on a vibration platform (acceleration: from 12 to 89ms−2) is similar to the training stimulus of an isometric semi-squat exercise on Smith machine (weight: from 20 to 70kg) according to lower-body sEMG and RPE. However, the impact of semi-squat on vibration platform exercise for lumbar muscle is relatively small compared with semi-squat on Smith machine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human-driven changes to aquatic environments threaten small-scale fisheries (SSFs). Ensuring a livable future for SSFs in the Anthropocene requires incorporating ecological knowledge of these diverse multi-species systems beyond the long-standing reliance on populations, a management paradigm adopted from industrial fisheries. Assessing the state of ecological knowledge on SSFs is timely as we enter the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development and with the upcoming International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. Synthesizing research effort can help identify existing knowledge gaps and relatively well-researched 'bright spots' that can inform strategies to achieve global sustainability commitments. Yet trends in ecological research of SSFs are not well understood compared to better-studied industrial fisheries. To address this void, we conducted a synthetic review of SSF publications in ecology journals (n = 302), synthesizing trends in research subjects and methodologies over time. Wide geographic and habitat disparities in the coverage of publications are identified, with marine fisheries in Latin American receiving the greatest coverage while inland and Asian fisheries are understudied relative to the global distribution of SSFs. Bony fish and invertebrates received substantial coverage compared to endangered cartilaginous fishes. Studies have increasingly focused on human dimensions and ecosystem ecology compared to earlier emphasis on population ecology. Methodologically, studies rarely incorporate experiments despite their efficacy in testing interventions. To achieve a 'wider view' of fisheries that is reflective of the needs of SSFs in the Anthropocene, future ecological studies should expand their geographic, taxonomic, and methodological breadth to better assess understudied SSF interactions. • We reviewed all peer-reviewed publications on small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in ecology journals (n =303) and found this literature is young and rapidly expanding, primarily in interdisciplinary journals rather than top-ranked ecology journals. • Well-researched bright spots include the ecology of marine SSFs in Latin America, in coral reef and riverine habitats, and those targeting bony fish and invertebrates. • Existing knowledge gaps represent future opportunities for ecologists to improve research coverage of inland fisheries, cartilaginous fishes, and studies of SSFs in Asia. • Very few studies have experimentally assessed how interventions affect desired ecological outcomes. Future experimental studies are a means for ecologists to aid in the assessment and design of effective, evidence-based interventions for sustainable SSFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the developments in the individualised screening, diagnosis and follow-up known as mobile health (mHealth) combined with initiatives from technology firms Apple Inc. and Google Inc. Topics include the data collection of epidemiological studies through big data repositories for research purposes, the legacy of John Snow as the father of epidemiology and the evolution of medical data collection and data protection regulations.

Objective: There is a growing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition associated with a higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We assessed the association between self‐reported physical activity (PA) and CKD and also studied whether PA attenuates CKD‐associated CVD risk. Methods: A cohort of Spanish adults (18–64 years) participated in this nationwide study. Participants were categorized at baseline as being either inactive (performing no PA), regularly, or insufficiently active (meeting or not, respectively, international PA recommendations) and were followed for up to 5 years. The presence of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and major CVD risk factors (diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity) was determined at baseline and at follow‐up. Results: 517 917 participants (44 ± 9 years, 67% male, CKD prevalence = 7%) were studied at baseline, with prospective analyses (median follow‐up = 2 years, range = 2–5) in a subcohort of 264 581 individuals. Compared to physical inactivity, cross‐sectional analyses at baseline showed that regular PA (odds ratio = 0.80; 95% confidence interval = 0.79–0.81), but not insufficient PA (1.02; 0.99–1.04) was associated with lower CKD prevalence. However, prospective analyses failed to confirm this association (p > 0.1). In turn, CKD was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension (+3%) and diabetes (+5%) at baseline and with a greater incidence of hypertension at follow‐up (+37%). Among those participants with CKD, regular PA was associated with a lower prevalence (−45% to −7%) and incidence (−38% to −4%) of all CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Although PA might not reduce incident CKD in the middle term (~2 years), it can attenuate the CVD risk linked to this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbioses with beneficial microbes are widespread in plants, but these relationships must balance the energy invested by the plants with the nutrients acquired. Symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi occurs throughout land plants, but our understanding of the genes and signals that regulate colonization levels is limited, especially in non-legumes. Here, we demonstrate that in tomato, two CLV3/EMBRYO-SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) peptides, Sl CLE10 and Sl CLE11, act to suppress AM colonization of roots. Mutant studies and overexpression via hairy transformation indicate that Sl CLE11 acts locally in the root to limit AM colonization. Indeed, SlCLE11 expression is strongly induced in AM-colonized roots, but Sl CLE11 is not required for phosphate suppression of AM colonization. Sl CLE11 requires the FIN gene that encodes an enzyme required for CLE peptide arabinosylation to suppress mycorrhizal colonization. However, Sl CLE11 suppression of AM does not require two CLE receptors with roles in regulating AM colonization, Sl FAB (CLAVATA1 ortholog) or Sl CLV2. Indeed, multiple parallel pathways appear to suppress mycorrhizal colonization in tomato, as double mutant studies indicate that SlCLV2 and FIN have an additive influence on mycorrhizal colonization. Sl CLE10 appears to play a more minor or redundant role, as cle10 mutants did not influence intraradical AM colonization. However, the fact that cle10 mutants had an elevated number of hyphopodia and that ectopic overexpression of SlCLE10 did suppress mycorrhizal colonization suggests that Sl CLE10 may also play a role in suppressing AM colonization. Our findings show that CLE peptides regulate AM colonization in tomato and at least Sl CLE11 likely requires arabinosylation for activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]