Effects of Pilates exercises on health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of Pilates exercises on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS, SportDiscus, Scielo, and PEDro. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that intervened with Pilates and had HRQoL as an outcome were eligible. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the PEDro scale and the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE system. Meta-analyses were conducted by standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Initially, 760 records were located. After screening, 11 RCTs were included in the systematic review. Five studies presented low risk of bias (PEDro score ≥ 6). Evidence of very low to moderate certainty demonstrated significant effects in favor of Pilates exercises vs control groups for five of the nine HRQoL domains analyzed: bodily pain (SMD = 0.96), physical functioning (SMD = 0.85), social functioning (SMD = 0.45), role physical (SMD = 0.79), and role emotional (SMD = 0.61). Subgroup analyzes demonstrated that Pilates had a positive impact on more domains whens administered for ≥ 48 sessions (eight domains) vs < 48 sessions (three domains); and when administered on equipment (seven domains) vs mat (three domains). CONCLUSION: Pilates exercises, in general, allowed significant effects to improve HRQoL in postmenopausal women, especially when performed on equipment and when administered for at least 48 sessions. However, no analysis showed high certainty of evidence, and more RCTs of high methodological quality are needed to confirm these findings.

Comparative analysis of pelvic floor muscle training and Pilates in managing urinary incontinence among postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study is aimed at comparing the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and Pilates on the improvement of urinary incontinence (UI), strength, and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), and the impact of UI on the quality of life in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty postmenopausal women were randomly divided in to two groups: PFMT (n = 20) and Pilates (n = 20). The participants were followed for 12 weeks, three times a week on nonconsecutive days. UI was assessed using the pad test and the voiding diary, PFM strength and resistance using bidigital assessment and manometry, and the impact of UI on quality of life using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), before and after the 3-month treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant intra-group improvement in both groups for the pad test, mean daily urinary loss, and ICIQ-SF. The strength was significantly improved only in the PFMT group, and the endurance in both groups. Peak strength manometry was significantly improved only in the Pilates group, and the mean strength manometry in both groups. There was also an improvement in both groups for peak endurance manometry and mean endurance manometry. In the inter-group comparison, there was a significant improvement only in muscle strength, which was positive for group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between Pilates and PFMT for the management of women in post-menopause with stress urinary incontinence, provided that voluntary contraction of the PFMs is performed. However, further randomized clinical trials need to be carried out.

Effectiveness of whole-body vibration on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The present study observed significant effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, with high-quality evidence for high-frequency, low-magnitude, and high-cumulative-dose use. The aim was to update a previous systematic review with meta-analysis to observe the effects of WBV on BMD in postmenopausal women. For the meta-analysis, the weighted mean difference between WBV and control groups, or WBV and conventional exercise, was used for the area of bone mineral density (aBMD) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, total hip, trochanter, intertrochanter, and Ward's area, or volumetric trabecular bone mineral density (vBMDt) of the radius and tibia. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and the quality of evidence using the GRADE system. In total, 23 studies were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. Thirteen studies showed high methodological quality. WBV compared with control groups showed significant effects on aBMD in the primary analysis (lumbar spine and trochanter), sensitivity (lumbar spine), side-alternating vibration (lumbar spine and trochanter), synchronous vibration (lumbar spine), low frequency and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), high frequency and low magnitude (lumbar spine), high frequency and high magnitude (lumbar spine, trochanter, and Ward's area), high cumulative dose and low magnitude (lumbar spine), low cumulative dose and high magnitude (lumbar spine and trochanter), and positioning with semi-flexed knees (trochanter). Of these results, only high frequency associated with low magnitude and high cumulative dose with low magnitude showed high-quality evidence. At this time, considering the high quality of evidence, it is possible to recommend WBV using high frequency (≈ 30 Hz), low magnitude (≈ 0.3 g), and high cumulative dose (≈ 7000 min) to improve lumbar spine aBMD in postmenopausal women. Other parameters, although promising, need to be better investigated, considering, when applicable, the safety of the participants, especially in vibrations with higher magnitudes (≥ 1 g).

Mebendazole targets essential proteins in glucose metabolism leading gastric cancer cells to death.

Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most-diagnosed and deadly malignancies worldwide. Deregulation in cellular bioenergetics is a hallmark of cancer. Based on the importance of metabolic reprogramming for the development and cancer progression, inhibitors of cell metabolism have been studied as potential candidates for chemotherapy in oncology. Mebendazole (MBZ), an antihelminthic approved by FDA, has shown antitumoral activity against cancer cell lines. However, its potential in the modulation of tumoral metabolism remains unclear. Results evidenced that the antitumoral and cytotoxic mechanism of MBZ in GC cells is related to the modulation of the mRNA expression of glycolic targets SLC2A1, HK1, GAPDH, and LDHA. Moreover, in silico analysis has shown that these genes are overexpressed in GC samples, and this increase in expression is related to decreased overall survival rates. Molecular docking revealed that MBZ modifies the protein structure of these targets, which may lead to changes in their protein function. In vitro studies also showed that MBZ induces alterations in glucose uptake, LDH's enzymatic activity, and ATP production. Furthermore, MBZ induced morphologic and intracellular alterations typical of the apoptotic cell death pathway. Thus, this data indicated that the cytotoxic mechanism of MBZ is related to an initial modulation of the tumoral metabolism in the GC cell line. Altogether, our results provide more evidence about the antitumoral mechanism of action of MBZ towards GC cells and reveal metabolic reprogramming as a potential area in the discovery of new pharmacological targets for GC chemotherapy.

Movement disorders in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP): a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a rare genetic disorder associated with mutations in > 80 loci designated SPG (SPastic parapleGia). The phenotypic spectrum of HSP can extend to include other neurologic features, including movement disorders. Our aim was to investigate genotype-phenotype associations in HSP with a focus on movement disorders. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD)-level meta-analysis by retrieving publications from Medline/EMBASE/Web of Science on HSP with a SPG genotype. Studies were included only if individual-level information was accessible and at least one patient with a movement disorder was reported for that genotype. Out of 21,957 hits, 192 manuscripts with a total of 1413 HSP cases were eligible. Data were compared between two HSP groups: manifested with (HSP-MD, n = 767) or without (HSP-nMD, n = 646) a movement disorder. RESULTS: The HSP-MD group had an older age of onset (20.5 ± 16.0 vs. 17.1 ± 14.2 yr, p < 0.001) and less frequent autosomal dominant inheritance (7.6% vs. 30.1%, p < 0.001) compared to HSP-nMD. SPG7 (31.2%) and SPG11 (23.8%) were the most frequent genotypes in the HSP-MD group. HSP-MD with SPG7 had higher frequency of later onset during adulthood (82.9% vs. 8.5%), ataxia (OR = 12.6), extraocular movement disturbances (OR = 3.4) and seizure (OR = 3.7) compared to HSP-MD with SPG11. Conversely, SPG11 mutations were more frequently associated with consanguinity (OR = 4.1), parkinsonism (OR = 7.8), dystonia (OR = 5.4), peripheral neuropathy (OR = 26.9), and cognitive dysfunction (OR = 34.5). CONCLUSION: This systematic IPD-level meta-analysis provides the largest data on genotype-phenotype associations in HSP-MD. Several clinically relevant phenotypic differences were found between various genotypes, which can possibly facilitate diagnosis in resource-limited settings.

United we stand, divided we fall: in-depth proteomic evaluation of the synergistic effect of Mo-CBP3-PepI and Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Staphylococcus aureus forms biofilms, a structure that protects bacterial cells, conferring more resistance to difficult treatment. Synthetic peptides surge as an alternative to overcome the biofilm of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Mo-CBP3-PepI, when combined with Ciprofloxacin, reduced preformed S. aureus biofilm by 50% at low concentrations (0.2 and 6.2 µg. mL-1, respectively). The goal of this study was to evaluate the proteomic profile of biofilms after treatment with the Mo-CBP3-PepI combined with ciprofloxacin. Here, proteomic analysis confirmed with more depth previously described mechanisms and revealed changes in the accumulation of proteins related to DNA and protein metabolism, cell wall biosynthesis, redox metabolism, quorum sensing, and biofilm formation. Some proteins related to DNA and protein metabolism were reduced, while other proteins, like redox system proteins, disappeared in Ciprofloxacin+Mo-CBP3-PepI treatment. Our results indicated a synergistic effect of these two molecules with several mechanisms against S. aureus biofilm and opened new doors for combined treatments with other drugs.

Putaminal Recombinant Glucocerebrosidase Delivery with Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound in Parkinson's Disease: A Phase I Study.

BACKGROUND: GBA1 mutation is the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Replacement of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) slows neurodegeneration in PD models and may be a promising disease-modifying therapy in patients with PD. However, recombinant GCase has limited penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Microbubble-mediated magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) can reversibly disrupt the BBB for drug delivery. METHODS: This open-label phase I study investigated the safety and feasibility of MRgFUS putaminal delivery of intravenous GCase at escalating doses (15 to 30 to 60 IU/kg) every 2 weeks in four patients with PD with GBA1 mutations. RESULTS: BBB permeability was achieved and restored in all patients as quantified by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after treatment. There were no serious adverse events. Two patients developed transient dyskinesia after treatment. Blinded Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor scores off medication decreased by 12% at 6 months from baseline (from 26 ± 9 to 22 ± 6). Standardized uptake value ratio on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in the treated putamen reduced from 1.66 ± 0.14 to 1.27 ± 0.08. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study demonstrate the safety and feasibility of MRgFUS GCase delivery in PD and support further investigation of this approach. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Glycopyrrolate Improves Disability From Sialorrhea in Parkinson's Disease: A 12-Week Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the 12-week efficacy and safety of oral glycopyrrolate for moderate-to-severe sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease (PD). BACKGROUND: Chronic moderate-to-severe sialorrhea has a negative impact on quality of life in PD. There is no robust evidence for oral treatments for sialorrhea longer than 1 week. METHODS: This was a 12-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel phase II study in patients with PD and Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale item 2.2 > 2. The intervention was glycopyrrolate up to 4.5 mg/d; the primary outcome was sialorrhea related-disability (Radboud Oral Motor Inventory for Parkinson's Disease-Saliva). We used an intention-to-treat analysis. A P < 0.05 was deemed significant. RESULTS: We recruited 28 patients (age, 71.1 ± 6.9 years; PD duration, 11.4 ± 7.2 years; Radboud Oral Motor Inventory for Parkinson's Disease-Saliva, 22.4 ± 5.7). Glycopyrrolate was superior to placebo at 12 weeks in the Radboud Oral Motor Inventory for Parkinson's Disease-Saliva (between-group difference, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-9.6). Dry mouth was the most common adverse event (glycopyrrolate, n = 6; placebo, n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the efficacy of glycopyrrolate to treat sialorrhea-related disability up to 12 weeks and contribute to addressing unmet nonmotor care needs in PD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of red propolis embedded mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

This work brings the promise of MCM-41 mesoporous silica as a vehicle for red propolis for the development of controlled release drugs and delivery to a specific target site. The synthesis of MCM-41 by the sol-gel method with a pore size of approximately 3.6 nm and the incorporation of red propolis extract by the physical adsorption method in ethanolic medium were easily accomplished with around 15% encapsulation. MCM-41 and MCM-41 with red propolis (MCM-41/Pr) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy, and an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (UPLC-DAD). In vitro release of encapsulated red propolis was analyzed in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2, 7.4, and 7.6. An in vitro test for MCM-41/Pr antioxidant activity was performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl as well as analysis of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus by the well diffusion method. UPLC-DAD analysis showed that the integrity of the red propolis constituents was maintained after the embed process, and the antioxidant and antibacterial activities were preserved.

Update in therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent advances in therapeutics for motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuroprotection remains a large area of investigation with preliminary safety data on alpha synuclein immunotherapy and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. Novel Monoamine Oxidase B and Caetchol-O-methyltransferase-inhibitors for motor fluctuations have shown benefit and are recently approved for clinical use. Long-acting amantadine has also been approved to reduce dyskinesia. Alternative delivery strategies (sublingual, inhaled) dopaminergics may prove useful for rapid reversal of Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. Advanced therapies (surgery and infusional therapies) continue to be useful in subgroups of patients for motor complications with improved safety and also benefit on some nonmotor symptoms, including neuropsychiatric issues. Specific therapeutics for cognition, swallowing, sleep, and mood disorders had moderate to limited benefits. Exercise-based therapy appears beneficial at all stages of Parkinson's disease. SUMMARY: The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be reasonably treated and managed. However, therapies to slow or prevent disease progression remain a focus of research. Despite increased studies, treating nonmotor symptoms remains a challenge and an ongoing priority.

Clove oil induces anaesthesia and blunts muscle contraction power in three Amazon fish species.

Clove oil is used as an anaesthetic for many species of fish worldwide; however, relatively few studies have assessed its effectiveness on Amazon fish species and no compelling evidence has ever been reported on the relaxant properties of this oil for skeletal muscle of fish. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the latencies to deep anaesthesia and recovery, along with the myorelaxant effect of clove oil on three Amazon fish species: cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi, banded cichlid, Heros severus and angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, submitted to short-term anaesthetic baths. Fish were assayed in three groups of 60 fish each and individually anaesthetized in a completely randomized design with six clove oil concentrations using 10 fish/species/concentration. Electromyographic recordings from dorsal muscle were performed during stages of induction and recovery in which nine fish/species/stage were used. Deep anaesthesia was attained for all concentrations tested, and no mortalities were observed throughout the experiments and after a 48-h observation period. Concentration of 90 µL L-1 and above promoted fast deep anaesthesia (< 3 min) and calm recovery in angelfish and cardinal tetra, whereas the concentration of 60 µL L-1 sufficed to quickly anaesthetize banded cichlid. Times to full recovery were not significantly contrasting among species and occurred within appropriate time threshold (< 5 min). Clove oil exerted a conspicuous depression of muscle contraction power, and therefore can be effectively used as a muscle relaxant agent for P. scalare, P. axelrodi, H. severus and potentially, for other fish species.

Effects of Pilates on muscle strength, postural balance and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Pilates on lower leg strength, postural balance and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-two older adults were randomly allocated either to the experimental group (EG, n = 16; mean age, 63.62 ± 1.02 years), which performed two sessions of Pilates per week for 12 weeks, or to the control group (CG, n = 16; mean age, 64.21 ± 0.80), which performed two sessions of static stretching per week for 12 weeks. The following evaluations were performed before and after the interventions: isokinetic torque of knee extensors and flexors at 300°/s, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Health Survey assessment (SF-36). [Results] In the intra-group analysis, the EG demonstrated significant improvement in all variables. In the inter-group analysis, the EG demonstrated significant improvement in most variables. [Conclusion] Pilates exercises led to significant improvement in isokinetic torque of the knee extensors and flexors, postural balance and aspects of the health-related quality of life of older adults.

Effect of yogurt containing polydextrose, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study in chronic constipation.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit. The present study therefore aims to investigate the combination of polydextrose (Litesse), L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis HN019 in a yogurt on intestinal transit in subjects who suffer from constipation. METHODS: Patients with constipation were randomly divided into two groups, Control Group (CG) and Treatment Group (TG), and had to eat 180 ml of unflavored yogurt every morning for 14 days. Those in the CG received only yogurt, while the TG received yogurt containing polydextrose, L. acidophilus NCFM (ATCC 700396) and B. lactis HN019 (AGAL NM97/09513). RESULTS: Favourable clinical response was assessed since Agachan score had a significant reduction at the end of the study in both groups and tended to be better in the TG. The subjects in the treatment group also had a shorter transit time at the end of the intervention compared to the control group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The product containing yogurt with polydextrose, B. lactis HN019 and L. acidophilus NCFM® significantly shortened colonic transit time after two weeks in the TG compared to CG and may be an option for treatment of constipation.

Effects of stretching in a pilates program on musculoskeletal fitness: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The scientific literature questions the impact of stretching exercises performed immediately before muscle strengthening exercises on different components of musculoskeletal physical fitness. Pilates is a physical exercise modality that typically uses stretching exercises preceding muscle-strengthening exercises. However, no studies have investigated the effects of stretching in a Pilates program on components of musculoskeletal fitness. The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of stretching in a Pilates exercise program on flexibility, strength, vertical jump height and muscular endurance. METHODS: Thirty-two sedentary young women were randomized into two groups: traditional Pilates (TP), who performed flexibility and muscle strengthening exercises (n = 16), and nontraditional Pilates (NTP), who only performed muscle-strengthening exercises (n = 16). Sessions took place 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The following tests were performed pre- and postintervention: 10-RM knee extensors, vertical jump, handgrip, 1-min sit-ups, Sorensen and sit-and-reach. The occurrence of adverse events was recorded throughout the intervention and compared between groups using odds ratio (OR). To compare the results of motor tests between groups, ANCOVA or Mann‒Whitney U test was used for parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. The data were analyzed by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: After intervention, the TP was superior to NTP for the sit-and-reach test, with a large effect size (d = 0.87; p = 0.035), with no differences between groups for the other tests. Intragroup comparisons showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for TP and NTP for improvement in 10-RM knee extensors and vertical jump measurements, while only TP showed significant intragroup improvement (p < 0.05) for the sit-and-reach test. A greater chance of experiencing pain or other discomfort as a result of exercise was shown by NTP (OR = 4.20, CI95% 0.69 to 25.26). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that stretching exercises performed at the beginning of sessions in a Pilates program did not impair or enhance the development of strength, vertical jump height and muscular endurance in young women. However, only the Pilates program with stretching improved flexibility and reduced the chances of adverse events such as musculoskeletal pain and other discomfort resulting from the exercise protocol. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT05538520, prospectively registered on September 16, 2022.

Effects of pilates exercises on strength, endurance and muscle power in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pilates exercises have been used by the older adults and have shown potential to improve some components of physical fitness. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of Pilates on strength, endurance and muscle power in older adults. METHODS: The searches were performed in the databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, LILACS and PEDro until September 2022, without filters that limited the date of publications or language. The studies included were: randomized clinical trials (RCTs); interventions that used Pilates; interventions with outcomes involving strength, endurance and/or muscle power; participants over 60 years old. RESULTS: 24 RCTs (1190 participants) were selected. There is low quality evidence that Pilates did not significantly improve muscle strength compared to the control group (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = 1.18 [95%CI -0.71, 3.08] I2 = 93%), and moderate quality compared to other exercises (SMD = 0.01 [CI95% -0.46, 0.48] I2 = 0%). Very low quality evidence shows that Pilates can improve muscular endurance of upper limbs compared to control group (Mean Difference (MD) = 4.87 [95%CI 2.38, 7.36] I2 = 88%) and lower limbs compared to other exercises (MD = 2.68 [CI95% 0.26, 5.10] I2 = 87%). It was not possible to perform muscle power analysis due to the reduced number of studies. CONCLUSION: Currently, it is not feasible to recommend Pilates exercises as a means to improve strength, endurance and muscle power in the older adults. More RCTs covering this topic are needed given the low quality of evidence available at this time.

Acute effect of static stretching and pilates stretching on the concentric muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of stretching exercises on muscle strength have been widely researched in the literature, however, there are no studies investigating the effects of Pilates stretching. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of static stretching and Pilates stretching on the concentric muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors. METHOD: 102 trained young adults were randomized into three groups: static stretching (n = 33); Pilates stretching (n = 34); control (n = 35). Isokinetic evaluation of the knee extensor and flexor muscles was performed at 60°/s and 180°/s, pre and post acute intervention with stretching. Interventions in the static stretching and Pilates stretching groups occurred in 3 sets x 30 s for each body region considered (a-knee extensor muscles; b-knee flexor muscles). The control group did not perform any intervention. RESULTS: No difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the groups after the intervention. There was only a significant intragroup improvement for the control group on the isokinetic muscle strength of the knee flexors at 180°/s, with a moderate effect size, considering the entire sample (p = 0.040; d = 0.42) and when considering only male gender (p = 0.010; d = 0.60). CONCLUSION: Static stretching or Pilates stretching performed as a warm-up did not impair or enhance the concentric muscle strength performance of the knee extensors and flexors. In this way, both forms of stretching can be considered as preparatory exercises before muscle strength training.

Central auditory processing and self-perception questionnaire after acoustically controlled auditory training in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury. / Processamento auditivo central e questionário de autopercepção pós-treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado em indivíduos com traumatismo cranioencefálico leve.

PURPOSE: To correlate behavioral assessment results of central auditory processing and the self-perception questionnaire after acoustically controlled auditory training. METHODS: The study assessed 10 individuals with a mean age of 44.5 years who had suffered mild traumatic brain injury. They underwent behavioral assessment of central auditory processing and answered the Formal Auditory Training self-perception questionnaire after the therapeutic intervention - whose questions address auditory perception, understanding orders, request to repeat statements, occurrence of misunderstandings, attention span, auditory performance in noisy environments, telephone communication, and self-esteem. Patients were asked to indicate the frequency with which the listed behaviors occurred. RESULTS: Figure-ground, sequential memory for sounds, and temporal processing correlated with improvement in following instructions, fewer requests to repeat statements, increased attention span, improved communication, and understanding on the phone and when watching TV. CONCLUSION: Auditory closure, figure-ground, and temporal processing had improved in the assessment after the acoustically controlled auditory training, and there were fewer auditory behavior complaints.

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os resultados da avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo central e do questionário de autopercepção após o treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados dez indivíduos com média de idade de 44,5 anos, que sofreram traumatismo cranioencefálico de grau leve. Os indivíduos foram submetidos a avaliação comportamental do processamento auditivo central e também responderam ao questionário de autopercepção "Treinamento Auditivo Formal" após a intervenção terapêutica. O questionário foi composto por questões referentes a percepção auditiva, compreensão de ordens, solicitação de repetição de enunciados, ocorrência mal-entendidos, tempo de atenção, desempenho auditivo em ambiente ruidoso, comunicação ao telefone e autoestima e os pacientes foram solicitados a assinalar a frequência de ocorrência dos comportamentos listados. RESULTADOS: As habilidades auditivas de figura-fundo e memória para sons em sequência e processamento temporal correlacionaram-se com melhora para seguir instruções, diminuição das solicitações de repetições e aumento do tempo de atenção e melhora da comunicação e da compreensão ao telefone e para assistir TV. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se adequação das habilidades auditivas de fechamento auditivo, figura fundo, e processamento temporal na avaliação pós-treinamento auditivo acusticamente controlado, além de redução das queixas quanto ao comportamento auditivo.

Immune Response to an Inactivated Vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaVac) in an Indigenous Brazilian Population: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although the adaptive immune responses to the CoronaVac vaccine are known, their dynamics in indigenous communities remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the humoral and cellular immune responses to CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech Life Sciences, 2021 NCT05225285, Beijing, China), in immunized Brazilian indigenous individuals. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on indigenous Brazilian people between February 2021 and June 2021. Analyses of immune responses were carried out before (T1) and after a vaccination schedule was completed (T2). Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. RESULTS: We initially included 328 patients; among them, 120 (36.6%) had no SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 106 patients during follow-up visits, of which 91 samples were analyzed by immunophenotyping assay to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T-cell response. Post-vaccination, the levels of memory B-cells and Natural Killer T-lymphocytes increased. Bororó village residents, females, and Terena ethnic group members had higher levels of anti-spike IgG antibodies post-vaccination, whereas alcohol and tobacco users had lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: To our best knowledge, this was the first comprehensive assessment of antibody and T-cell responses against CoronaVac vaccination in indigenous patients. Our findings showed that antibody response and T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 were present in most patients following the vaccination schedule.

Three snake venoms from Bothrops genus induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in K562 human leukemic cell line.

Cancer is indisputably one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Snake venoms are a potential source of bioactive compounds, complex mixtures constituted mainly of proteins and peptides with several pharmacological possibilities, including the potential to inhibit tumoral cell growth. In the present study, it was evaluated the antitumor effect of crude venom of Bothrops erythromelas (BeV), Bothrops jararaca (from Southern and Southeastern- BjsV and BjsdV, respectively) and Bothrops alternatus (BaV) in in vitro Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cancer cell line model. After 24 h of cell exposure to 10 and 50 µg/mL, BjsV, BjsdV, and BaV exerted a decrease in cell viability in both concentrations. BeV was not cytotoxic and, therefore wasn't chosen for further mechanism of action investigation. Furthermore, morphological alterations show modification typical of apoptosis. Also, was observes a significant cell cycle arrest in the S phase by BjsdV and BaV treatment. Flow cytometry evidenced the involvement of changes in the cell membrane permeability and the mitochondrial function by BjsV and BjsdV, corroborating with the triggering of the apoptotic pathway by the venom administration. BjsV, BjsdV, and BaV also led to extensive DNA damage and were shown to modulate the gene expression of transcripts related to the cell cycle progression and suppress the expression of the BCR-ABL1 oncogene. Altogether, these findings suggest that the venoms trigger the apoptosis pathway due to mitochondrial damage and cell cycle arrest, with modulation of intracellular pathways important for CML progression. Thus, indicating the pharmacological potential of these venoms in the development of new antitumoral compounds.