COVID-19 in the Community: Changes to Women's Mental Health, Financial Security, and Physical Activity.

Introduction: This study describes changes in the mental health, financial security, and physical activity levels of women in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected from women aged 20-40 years receiving primary care at 2 health centers in North Carolina during 2020-2022. Surveys (N=127) evaluated changes in mental health, financial security, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes were analyzed both descriptively and for association with sociodemographic factors using logistic regression. A subset of participants (n=46) participated in semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed and evaluated for recurring themes by primary and secondary coders using a rapid-coding technique. Analysis was conducted in 2022. Results: Women surveyed were 28.4% non-Hispanic White, 38.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 33.1% Hispanic/Latina. Compared with reports before the pandemic, participants reported increased frustration or boredom (69.1%), loneliness (51.6%), anxiety (64.3%), depression (52.4%), and changed sleep patterns (68.3%). Increased alcohol and other recreational substance use were associated with race and ethnicity (p<0.05) after adjustment for other sociodemographic factors. Participants reported difficulty in paying for basic expenses (44.0%). Financial difficulties during COVID-19 were associated with non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, less education, and lower prepandemic household income. Data showed pandemic-associated reductions in mild (32.8%), moderate (39.5%), and strenuous (43.3%) exercise, with a correlation between increased depression and reduced mild exercise. Interviews identified themes including reduced activity while working remotely, lack of gym access, and reduced motivation for exercise. Conclusions: This mixed-methods study is one of the first to evaluate the mental health, financial security, and physical activity challenges women aged between 20 and 40 years in the southern U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Factors associated with adherence to physical activity in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases]. / Factores asociados con la adherencia a la actividad física en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with adherence to physical activity in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (CND) in the Ladera health network of the municipality of Santiago de Cali. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 268 adults diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, 134 cases and 134 controls, treated at the Empresa Social del Estado (E.S.E) Ladera healthcare network. Univariate analysis included frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Chi-square and t Student tests were applied for bivariate analysis, both with a 95% CI; binary logistic regression was performed for the multivariate analysis and probability was estimated using the Odds Ratio (OR). RESULTS: Factors with OR<1 -self-perception of physical condition, appropriate spaces for physical activity, self-care, and frequency of activity- promote adherence to physical activity. Factors with OR>1 -being alone during the day, having stopped doing physical exercise, considering physical exercise as unimportant, unsafe spaces, and lack of indication of exercise- were barriers to adherence to physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Perceiving oneself with good quality of life and having a physical activity prescription by the healthcare system, as well as adequate and safe environments, promote adherence. On the other hand, not belonging to a family group, considering physical activity prescription as unimportant and being in unsafe areas, hinder adherence.

OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados a la adherencia a la actividad física en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles ECNT en la red de salud Ladera del municipio de Santiago de Cali. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles con 268 adultos con diagnóstico de Diabetes o Hipertensión u obesidad, 134 casos y 134 controles de la red de salud E.S.E Ladera. Para el análisis univariado se realiza análisis de frecuencias y estadística descriptiva. En el análisis bivariado se aplican pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y t de Student, ambas con un IC del 95%, para el análisis Multivariado se realizó regresión logística binaria y se estimó la razón de probabilidad a través del Odds Ratio (OR). RESULTADOS: Factores con OR<1: la autopercepción del estado de salud, espacios adecuados para la actividad física, autocuidado de la salud, periodicidad de actividad, demostraron ser facilitadores para la adherencia a la actividad física. Los factores con OR>1: estar solo durante el día, haber dejado de realizar ejercicio físico, considerar el ejercicio físico poco importante, espacios inseguros, falta de prescripción del ejercicio, fueron barreras para la adherencia a la actividad física. CONCLUSIONES: Percibirse con buena calidad de vida, tener la actividad física programada por el sistema de salud y ambientes adecuados y seguros, facilitan la adherencia, mientras no pertenecer a un grupo familiar, no considerar la prescripción a la actividad física importante y estar en zonas inseguras, limitan la adherencia.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of heterotopic ossification.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating condition in which cartilage and bone forms in soft tissues such as muscle, tendon, and ligament causing immobility. This process is induced by inflammation associated with traumatic injury. In an extremely rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progessiva (FOP), a combination of inflammation associated with minor soft tissue injuries and a hereditary genetic mutation causes massive HO that progressively worsens throughout the patients' lifetime leading to the formation of an ectopic skeleton. An activating mutation in the BMP type I receptor ALK2 has been shown to contribute to the heterotopic lesions in FOP patients, yet recent studies have shown that other events are required to stimulate HO including activation of sensory neurons, mast cell degranulation, lymphocyte infiltration, skeletal myocyte cell death, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). In this review, we discuss the recent evidence and mechanistic data that describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms that give rise to heterotopic bone.

Factores asociados con la adherencia a la actividad física en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles / Factors associated with adherence to physical activity in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar los factores asociados a la adherencia a la actividad física en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles ECNT en la red de salud Ladera del municipio de Santiago de Cali. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles con 268 adultos con diagnóstico de Diabetes o Hipertensión u obesidad, 134 casos y 134 controles de la red de salud E.S.E Ladera. Para el análisis univariado se realiza análisis de frecuencias y estadística descriptiva. En el análisis bivariado se aplican pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y t de Student, ambas con un IC del 95%, para el análisis Multivariado se realizó regresión logística binaria y se estimó la razón de probabilidad a través del Odds Ratio (OR). Resultados Factores con OR<1: la autopercepción del estado de salud, espacios adecuados para la actividad física, autocuidado de la salud, periodicidad de actividad, demostraron ser facilitadores para la adherencia a la actividad física. Los factores con OR>1: estar solo durante el día, haber dejado de realizar ejercicio físico, considerar el ejercicio físico poco importante, espacios inseguros, falta de prescripción del ejercicio, fueron barreras para la adherencia a la actividad física. Conclusiones Percibirse con buena calidad de vida, tener la actividad física programada por el sistema de salud y ambientes adecuados y seguros, facilitan la adherencia, mientras no pertenecer a un grupo familiar, no considerar la prescripción a la actividad física importante y estar en zonas inseguras, limitan la adherencia.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the factors associated with adherence to physical activity in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (CND) in the Ladera health network of the municipality of Santiago de Cali. Methods A case-control study was conducted with 268 adults diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity, 134 cases and 134 controls, treated at the Empresa Social del Estado (E.S.E) Ladera healthcare network. Univariate analysis included frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Chi-square and t Student tests were applied for bivariate analysis, both with a 95% CI; binary logistic regression was performed for the multivariate analysis and probability was estimated using the Odds Ratio (OR). Results Factors with OR<1 -self-perception of physical condition, appropriate spaces for physical activity, self-care, and frequency of activity- promote adherence to physical activity. Factors with OR>1 -being alone during the day, having stopped doing physical exercise, considering physical exercise as unimportant, unsafe spaces, and lack of indication of exercise- were barriers to adherence to physical activity. Conclusions Perceiving oneself with good quality of life and having a physical activity prescription by the healthcare system, as well as adequate and safe environments, promote adherence. On the other hand, not belonging to a family group, considering physical activity prescription as unimportant and being in unsafe areas, hinder adherence.(AU)