Is There a Role of Beetroot Consumption on the Recovery of Oxidative Status and Muscle Damage in Ultra-Endurance Runners?

(1) Background: Ultra-endurance exercise involves a high physical impact, resulting in muscle damage, inflammatory response and production of free radicals that alter the body's oxidative state. Supplementation with antioxidants, such as beetroot, may improve recovery in ultra-endurance runners. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between beetroot intake and recovery of serum oxidative status, inflammatory response and muscle damage parameters after an ultra-endurance race. (2) Methods: An observational and longitudinal study was conducted by means of surveys and blood samples collected from 32 runners during the IX Penyagolosa Trails CSP®® race and the two following days. The variables C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as the oxidative damage markers malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl groups (CG) and loss of muscle strength using the squat jump (SJ) test were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners. (3) Results: Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line. Therefore, the intake of supplements containing beetroot positively influences the recovery of serum oxidative status and muscle damage after ultra-endurance running.

Humanizing Birth in a Third-Level Hospital: Revealing the Benefits of Natural Cesarean Sections.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Efforts to humanize childbirth focus on promoting skin-to-skin contact, labor accompaniment, and breastfeeding. Despite these advancements, cesarean sections often lack a consideration of immediate mother-child contact, early breastfeeding initiation, and follow-up. This underscores the need for a 'natural' approach to cesarean sections, aiming to 'humanize' the procedure and emulate some aspects of vaginal birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational longitudinal cohort study was conducted, involving pregnant women scheduled for a cesarean section. Two comparison groups were established: one undergoing conventional cesarean sections and the other receiving a humanization intervention. While in "conventional cesarean sections," newborns are separated from mothers at birth, preventing actions such as early breastfeeding or skin-to-skin contact, and maternal companionship is lacking in the operating room, the intervention of cesarean section humanization was based on avoiding the separation of the mother and newborn, promoting skin-to-skin contact, early breastfeeding, and maternal accompaniment during surgery. Descriptive data on maternal and neonatal variables, including breastfeeding initiation, maintenance, and baby weight trends, were collected. Additionally, a validated survey assessed the pain, satisfaction, and anxiety among the 73 participating women. RESULTS: Women undergoing natural cesarean sections reported higher satisfaction, lower anxiety, and reduced postoperative pain, requiring less analgesia. Although their exclusive breastfeeding rates at 10 days postpartum showed no significant difference, statistically significant differences favored natural cesarean sections at 3 months (67.5% vs. 25%) and 6 months (50% vs. 4.5%). Neonates in the natural cesarean group exhibited greater weight gain at 10 days postpartum compared to those delivered conventionally (+49.90 g vs. -39.52 g). No significant differences in blood counts were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the manifold advantages offered by the natural cesarean procedure compared to the conventional cesarean approach. Notably, a NC demonstrates superior outcomes in terms of heightened maternal satisfaction with the obstetric process, the enhanced sustainability of exclusive breastfeeding, and augmented neonatal weight gain.

Exercise and Quality of Life (QoL) in Patients Undergoing Active Breast Cancer Treatment-Comparison of Three Modalities of a 24-Week Exercise Program-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is an accepted intervention to improve the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients. Exercise programs have been developed, and all have shown satisfactory results in improving the QoL. There is a lack of research comparing different prescription modalities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise (in-person and home-based, compared to the exercise recommendation) on the QoL in breast cancer patients actively undergoing treatment. METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial with three groups (in-person: guided and supervised in-person exercise program; home-based exercise: guided and supervised exercise program with streaming monitoring both as a intervention groups; and recommendation: exercise recommendation as a control group). The QoL was measured using the EORTIC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. A baseline and 24-week analysis were investigated. RESULTS: The total sample analyzed was n = 80. The QoL improved significantly at 24 weeks in the face-to-face and home-based exercise groups, but not in the control group. Exercise in all modalities improved fatigue, nausea, vomiting, appetite, and constipation. The QoL at 24 weeks depended on active chemotherapy, tumor type, and assigned exercise group (r2 = 0.503; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The QoL in breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment improved after a 24-week exercise program, especially in face-to-face and home-based exercise. Home-based exercise and streaming-based recommendation is a viable option for exercise recommendation.

Prehabilitation Consultation on Self-Care and Physical Exercise in Patients Diagnosed with Abdominopelvic Cancer: Protocol of the Study.

BACKGROUND: Introduction: Prehabilitation in the field of oncology has been defined as "the process in the continuum of care that occurs between diagnosis and the start of treatment involving physical and psychological measures that determine the patient's baseline functional status." AIM: To determine the effectiveness of a Prehabilitation consultation on self-care and targeted physical exercise for patients diagnosed with abdominopelvic cancer. DESIGN: An observational study that will evaluate the pre-post efficacy of an ad-hoc designed Prehabilitation intervention. The study population consists of patients diagnosed with colon or gynecological cancer with a surgical indication as part of their therapeutic plan from the General Surgery Services. It is configured around four key interventions: (a) health education and self-care, (b) specific nutritional counseling, (c) initial psychological assessment, and (d) directed physical exercise intervention. Health education, self-care interventions, and physical exercise will be carried out weekly from diagnosis to the scheduled surgery day. RESULTS: Aspects such as self-care capacity or agency, perioperative anxiety, aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility, postoperative complications, and recovery time to adjuvant treatment will be measured using tools such as Appraisal of self-care agency scale (ASA), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), walking test, sit and Reach, Hand Grip or Squad Jump. CONCLUSION: Utilizing validated tools for analyzing selected variables will contribute to refining and expanding care guidelines, ultimately enhancing support for both patients and their caregivers.

Effect of a Long-Term Online Home-Based Supervised Exercise Program on Physical Fitness and Adherence in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of a synchronous-supervised online home-based exercise program (HBG) during 24 weeks on body composition, physical fitness and adherence compared to an exercise recommendation group (ERG) without supervision with patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. Fifty-nine female breast cancer patients (31 in HBG and 28 in the ERG) undergoing cancer treatments participated in the present randomized clinical trial. The exercise program consisted of a 60 min combined resistance and aerobic supervised exercise session (6-8 points on Borg Scale CR-10, moderate intensity), twice a week during 24 weeks. The exercise recommendation group only received general recommendations to comply with the current ACSM guidelines. Body composition and physical fitness were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks of the program. Adherence to the intervention was measured according to the minutes of exercise completed per session during each week. A general linear model of two-way repeated measures showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in physical fitness that were observed in the home-based exercise group at the baseline, 12-week and 24-week assessments compared to the exercise recommendation group. Adherence was also higher in the home-based exercise group. However, no changes (p > 0.05) in body composition between groups and moments were observed. In this sense, supervised home-based exercise interventions can be an interesting strategy to improve physical fitness and adherence rates in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Efectividad de los productos empleados en la prevención de la radiodermatitis en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of the products used in the prevention of radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer. A systematic review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La radioterapia es uno de los tratamientos más utilizados en los pacientes paliativos, siendo la radiodermatitis el efecto secundario más frecuente de la radioterapia, afectando a un 85-95 % de los pacientes con cáncer sometidos a este tratamiento. OBJETIVO: el propósito de esta revisión es identificar aquellos productos con mayor eficacia en la prevención de la radiodermatitis en los pacientes con cáncer de mama. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados sobre la prevención de la radiodermatitis en pacientes con cáncer de mama en tratamiento radioterápico no concomitante, recopilados en las bases de datos PubMed, Lilacs, CINHAL, Trip Databases y Proquest Health & Medical Complete, publicados en los últimos seis años (2021 a 2018) en lengua inglesa y española. RESULTADOS: Los productos que fueron efectivos en la prevención de la radiodermatis son: la glutamina enteral, la curcumina oral, los apósitos de fi lm transparente, la sulfadiazina de plata, la película o la crema de barrera con polimeros, el furoato de mometasona, la crema con hidrocortisona al 1 %, la crema con melatonina y la crema con factor de crecimiento epidérmico (EGF). Se desaconseja el uso del ácido hialurónico y del aloe vera. No mejoró la radiodermatitis con el empleo de cremas hidratantes, caléndula, boswellia, alantoína y el aceite de emú. CONCLUSIONES: En la prevención de la dermatitis por radioterapia, es efectivo el empleo de productos cuya finalidad sea la protección de la piel, como los apósitos tipo fi lm y las cremas o películas con barrera de polímeros. Además de productos potenciadores del sistema inmunitario (glutamina enteral) y productos con propiedades antioxidantes (curcumila oral, la crema de melatonina o el factor de crecimiento epidérmico), otros productos, como los corticoides y los antibióticos tópicos, son efectivos pero su uso a largo plazo conlleva efectos secundarios

INTRODUCTION: Radiotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments in palliative patients, with radiodermatitis being the most frequent side effect of radiation therapy, affecting 85-95 % of cancer patients undergoing this treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review was to identify the products with greater efficacy in the prevention of radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials on the prevention of radiodermatitis in patients with breast cancer receiving non-concomitant radiotherapym was performed. The studies were collected from the PubMed, Lilacs, CINHAL, Trip, and Proquest Health & Medical Complete databases, and included those published in the last 6 years (2021 to 2018) either in English or Spanish. RESULTS: Products effective in preventing radiodermatis included: enteral glutamine, oral curcumin, clear film dressings, silver sulfadiazine, polymer barrier film or cream, mometasone furoate, cream with 1 % hydrocortisone, melatonin cream, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) cream. The use of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera is not recommended. Radiodermatitis did not improve with the use of moisturizers, calendula, boswellia, allantoin, or emu oil. CONCLUSIONS: In the prevention of dermatitis by radiotherapy, the use of products whose purpose is to protect the skin, such as film-type dressings and creams, or films with polymer barriers, is effective. In addition to immune system enhancing products (enteral glutamine), and to products with antioxidant properties (oral curcumilla, melatonin cream or epidermal growth factor), other products such as corticosteroids and topical antibiotics are effective, but their long-term use is associated with side effects

Afectación de la calidad de vida y del nivel de somnolencia en enfermeras / Impact on the quality of life and in the level of sleepiness in nurses

INTRODUCCIÓN: La turnicidad es un factor de riesgo para la salud, ya que interfiere en la calidad de vida, tanto desde el punto de vista personal como laboral. Las enfermeras representan un grupo de riesgo, puesto que gran parte de este colectivo trabaja a turnos. OBJETIVO: Describir la calidad de vida y nivel de somnolencia en enfermeras. MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, realizado en el Hospital General Universitario de Castellón a las enfermeras asistenciales. Se calculó una muestra de 157 enfermeras. Los instrumentos aplicados fueron el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida Profesional y el Cuestionario de Somnolencia Diurna de Epworth, ambos autoadministrados y de respuesta voluntaria. Se realizaron análisis univariados y bivariados. Las diferencias se exploraron con el estadístico T de Student y Anova; las correlaciones, con el estadístico de Pearson. Se aceptó un nivel de significación p≤0,05. RESULTADOS: La calidad de vida global percibida fue valorada con un 6,13 sobre 10. La mayoría de profesionales eran interinos, y estos mostraban ser los más afectados. Enfermeras con relación contractual fija mostraron una mayor calidad de vida. Las enfermeras con mayor experiencia fueron más autónomas y libres. El nivel de somnolencia diurna también resultó negativamente afectado. CONCLUSIONES. La calidad de vida de las enfermeras resultó influenciada de forma significativa por el sexo, la edad, la situación laboral, el servicio, el turno y los años trabajados, además del nivel de somnolencia diurna que resultó negativamente afectado

BACKGROUND: Turnicity is a risk factor for health as it interferes with quality of life both personally and at work. Nurses represent a risk group, since much of them works on shifts. AIM: To describe the quality of life and the drowsiness' level of the nurses. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study has been carried out. This study has been done at the General University Hospital of Castellón. An adjusted sample of 157 nurses has been calculated. The selected measuring instruments have been the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Epworth Drowsiness Questionnaire. Both went self-administered and voluntarily answered. Descriptive and bivariate analyzes were carried out. In addition, the Pearson correlation coefficient was also applied. A level of statistical significance p≤0.05 was accepted. RESULTS: It was obtained that the overall quality of life that the nurses perceived is scored with 6.13 out of 10. Most of the nurses were interim, and they showed that they were the most affected. Nurses with a fixed contractual relationship showed a higher quality of life. Nurses with more experience were more autonomous and freer. The level of daytime sleepiness is affected by different factors. CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained, it is concluded that the quality of life of nurses is significantly influenced by sex, age, work situation, service, shift and years worked, in addition to the level of daytime sleepiness present

Competencias adquiridas en investigación y Salud Pública en la especialidad de Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria en la Comunidad Valenciana / Skills acquired in research and public health in the specialty of family and community nursing in the Valencian Community

Objetivo: Valorar la adquisición de competencias en investigación y Salud Pública de los especialistas en Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria. Método: Estudio descriptivo y analítico sobre población de enfermeros especialistas asociados a la Sociedad Enfermera Valenciana de Atención Primaria. Medido con cuestionario anónimo y autoadministrado sobre actividades implementadas y tiempo de rotación en el periodo de formación. Cuestionario realizado y revisado en base al programa formativo de la especialidad. Resultados: Responden 16 de los 41 especialistas. Existe representación de las cuatro promociones que han acabado su formación y siete unidades docentes nacionales. Los resultados muestran alta heterogeneidad en las actividades desarrolladas en la formación. La estancia media en Salud Pública es de 7,07 semanas, con rango de 0 a 16 semanas. El número de sesiones educativas medio es de 2,69 en los dos años. La media de proyectos de investigación es de 1,19. Conclusión: El resultado muestra un proceso de especialización con carencias formativas en las competencias de investigación y Salud Pública que podrían subsanarse. Algunos profesionales afirman que acaban la especialización sin desarrollar actividades de investigación y con rotatorios que no alcanzan los mínimos propuestos. No se observa proceso de mejora en las cuatro promociones estudiadas (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the acquisition of skills in research and public health specialists in family and community nursing. Method: Descriptive and analytical study on a population of specialist nurse members of with the Valencian Primary Nurse Society. Measured with anonymous self-administered questionnaire on activities implemented and turnaround time in the training period. The questionnaire was conducted and reviewed based on the training programme of the specialty. Results: Sixteen of the 41 specialists responded. The four year groups of nurses who had finished their training were represented as well as seven national teaching units. The results show high heterogeneity in the activities developed in the training. The average rotation in public health is 7.07 weeks, with range of 0 to 16 weeks. The mean number of educational sessions is 2.69 in the two years. The average number of research projects is 1.19. Conclusion: The result shows a specialisation process with training gaps in the skills of research and public health that could be remedied. Some practitioners claim that they finish their specialisation without undertaking research activities or completing the minimum proposed shifts. There is no process of improvement in the four year groups studied (AU)