Acute effect of physical activity on academic outcomes in school-aged youth: A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in the number of studies examining the effect of acute and chronic physical activity on academic outcomes in children and adolescents in the last two decades. We aimed to systematically determine the acute effects of physical activity on academic outcomes in school-aged youth and to examine possible moderators. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO databases (from inception to 11th January 2023) for studies assessing the acute effects of physical activity on academic performance-related outcomes in school-aged youth. A univariate and multivariate meta-analysis was conducted based on a random-effects model with restricted maximum likelihood used to pool the academic outcomes results (Hedge's g). RESULTS: We included 11 articles (803 children and adolescents [range: 6-16 years]) in the systematic review. Overall, acute physical activity increased academic outcomes (Hedge's g = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.20-0.50). Multivariate meta-analyses revealed that physical activity increased academic performance in mathematics (Hedge's g = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.16-0.42) and language (Hedge's g = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09-0.47). Only behavior change techniques (Hedge's g = 0.54, 95% CI, 0.18-0.90, p < 0.001) played a significant role in this relationship. CONCLUSIONS: A single bout of physical activity can improve academic outcomes in school-aged youth, which may serve as a complementary tool for the educational field. However, the observed heterogeneity in the results indicates that we should interpret the findings obtained with caution.

Physical activity, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular risk: A study in half a million adults.

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.

Could driving help us to "see better"? A comparative assessment of saccadic efficiency, visual speed, and attention.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at comparing drivers' and non-drivers' results in the Adult Developmental Eye Movement with Distractors test (ADEMd) and the Useful Field of View test (UFOV). METHODS: One hundred and twenty Spaniards (mean age 50.90 ± 17.32 years) without eye disease voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants in a single experimental session completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic, health, eyesight, and driving information. They also performed the ADEMd and UFOV tests randomly following standardized protocols. The ADEMd is a visual-verbal test that measures saccadic efficiency and visual attention. Brown-Forsythe (B-F) tests with Games-Howell post-hoc adjustments were conducted to assess differences between groups. Groups were formed according to sex, age (young adults, adults, and older adults), and driver/non-driver for further analysis. Additionally, associations between dependent variables were assessed through Spearman's correlations. RESULTS: Drivers obtained significantly better results in the ADEMd compared with non-drivers. Non-significant differences between drivers and non-drivers were encountered in the UFOV. Additionally, significant differences were observed between sexes and age groups. It is worth highlighting that non-driver's age significantly correlated with worse ADEMd performance (rho = .637 to .716). This correlation was non-significant in drivers. Similarly, reading hours significantly correlated with better ADEMd performance in non-drivers (rho = - .291 to - .363), but not in drivers. The only significant correlations between ADEMd and UFOV tests were found in drivers (rho = .307 to .410). CONCLUSION: Considering all the discussed results, it could be hypothesized that the driving task promotes abilities, such as oculomotor and cognitive function, which are relevant for the performance in the ADEMd. However, this hypothesis is based on correlational outcomes and further studies should causally assess this possible relation.

Information Delay of Significant Bloodstream Isolates and Patient Mortality: A Retrospective Analysis of 6225 Adult Patients With Bloodstream Infections.

BACKGROUND: Our aim in this study was to evaluate the clinical and prognostic impact of communicating microbiological information in real time for adult patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 6225 clinical episodes of bacteremia in a teaching hospital from January 2013 to December 2019. Bacteremia-associated mortality was compared when blood culture results were relayed to the infectious diseases specialist (IDS) in real time and periods when results were relayed the following morning. The impact of information availability using mortality at 30 days was used as the main outcome of the study. RESULTS: The initial analysis (all microorganisms included) did not show an association of mortality and information delay to the IDS (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], .99-1.42). However, information delay of BSIs caused by fast-growing microorganisms such as Enterobacterales was associated with a significant increase in the odds of death at 30 days both in the univariate (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.30-2.38) and multivariate analysis (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.50-3.30). Similar results were found with mortality at 14 days and 7 days in the univariate (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.08-2.20 and OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.37, respectively) and the multivariate analysis (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.27-3.32 and OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.09-3.40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Information delivered in real time has prognostic relevance and is likely to improve survival of patients with documented BSIs. Future studies should address the prognostic impact of adequate resource allocation (microbiologist/IDS with 24/7 coverage) in BSIs.

Photocatalytic Thiol-Yne Reactions of Alkynyl Sulfides.

Thiol-yne reactions typically employ thiols and terminal alkynes as the reaction partners. The thiol-yne reaction of alkynyl sulfides and thiols is possible when employing a nonmetal photocatalyst eosin Y, green LED irradiation, under an air atmosphere. Alkynyl sulfides were transformed in good overall yields (58-90% total yields, 11 examples) favoring the cis isomer. No addition to the α-position of the alkynyl sulfide is observed, and regioselectivity is believed to be controlled through the stabilization of radical intermediates by the adjacent sulfur atom. Furthermore, control experiments with "all-carbon" internal alkynes demonstrate that alkynyl sulfides possess improved reactivity and regioselectivity profiles during thiol-yne processes.

Effects of a Novel Infant Formula on the Fecal Microbiota in the First Six Months of Life: The INNOVA 2020 Study.

Exclusive breastfeeding is highly recommended for infants for at least the first six months of life. However, for some mothers, it may be difficult or even impossible to do so. This can lead to disturbances in the gut microbiota, which in turn may be related to a higher incidence of acute infectious diseases. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether a novel starting formula versus a standard formula provides a gut microbiota composition more similar to that of breastfed infants in the first 6 months of life. Two hundred and ten infants (70/group) were enrolled in the study and completed the intervention until 12 months of age. For the intervention period, infants were divided into three groups: Group 1 received formula 1 (INN) with a lower amount of protein, a proportion of casein to whey protein ratio of about 70/30 by increasing the content of α-lactalbumin, and with double the amount of docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid than the standard formula; INN also contained a thermally inactivated postbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis). Group 2 received the standard formula (STD) and the third group was exclusively breastfed (BF) for exploratory analysis. During the study, visits were made at 21 days, 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with ±3 days for the visit at 21 days of age, ±1 week for the visit at 2 months, and ±2 weeks for the others. Here, we reveal how consuming the INN formula promotes a similar gut microbiota composition to those infants that were breastfed in terms of richness and diversity, genera, such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, and Lactobacillus, and calprotectin and short-chain fatty acid levels at 21 days, 2 and 6 months. Furthermore, we observed that the major bacteria metabolic pathways were more alike between the INN formula and BF groups compared to the STD formula group. Therefore, we assume that consumption of the novel INN formula might improve gut microbiota composition, promoting a healthier intestinal microbiota more similar to that of an infant who receives exclusively human milk.

Innova 2020: A Follow-Up Study of the Fecal Microbiota of Infants Using a Novel Infant Formula between 6 Months and 12 Months of Age.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding on demand until at least the sixth month of life. Breast milk or infant formula is the infant's primary food source until the age of one year, followed by the gradual introduction of other foods. During weaning, the intestinal microbiota evolves to a profile close to that of the adult, and its disruption can result in an increased incidence of acute infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether a novel starting formula (INN) provides gut microbiota compositions more similar to those of breastfed (BF) infants from 6 to 12 months of age compared to a standard formula (STD). This study included 210 infants (70 per group) who completed the intervention until they reached the age of 12 months. In the intervention period, infants were divided into three groups. Group 1 received an INN formula with a lower protein content, a casein to whey protein ratio of approximately 70/30, twice as much docosahexaenoic acid as the STD formula, a thermally inactivated postbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BPL1TM HT), and twice as much arachidonic acid as the STD formula contained. The second group received the STD formula, while the third group was exclusively BF for exploratory purposes. In the course of the study, visits were conducted at 6 months and 12 months of age. Compared to the BF and STD groups, the Bacillota phylum levels in the INN group were significantly reduced after 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the alpha diversity indices of the BF and INN groups differed significantly from those of the STD group. At 12 months, the Verrucomicrobiota phylum levels in the STD group were significantly lower than those in the BF and INN groups. Based on the comparison between 6 and 12 months, the Bacteroidota phylum levels in the BF group were significantly higher than those in the INN and STD groups. When comparing the INN group with the BF and STD groups, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was significantly higher in the INN group. The STD group had higher levels of calprotectin than the INN and BF groups at 6 months. The immunoglobulin A levels in the STD group were significantly lower than those in the INN and BF groups after 6 months. Both formulas had significantly higher levels of propionic acid than the BF group at 6 months. At 6 months, the STD group showed a higher quantification of all metabolic pathways than the BF group. The INN formula group exhibited similar behavior to the BF group, except for the superpathway of phospholipid biosynthesis (E. coli). We hypothesize that the novel INN formula may promote an intestinal microbiota that is more similar to the microbiota of an infant who consumes only human milk before the weaning period.

Usefulness of open data to determine the incidence of COVID-19 and its relationship with atmospheric variables in Spain during the 2020 lockdown.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the spread of the COVID-19 disease led to a lockdown being imposed in Spain to minimise contagion from 16 March 2020 to 1 May 2020. Over this period, measures were taken to reduce population mobility (a key factor in disease transmission). The scenario thus created enabled us to examine the impact of factors other than mobility (in this case, meteorological conditions) on the incidence of the disease, and thus to identify which environmental variables played the biggest role in the pandemic's evolution. Worthy of note, the data required to perform the study was entirely extracted from governmental open data sources. The present work therefore demonstrates the utility of such data to conduct scientific research of interest to society, leading to studies that are also fully reproducible. The results revealed a relationship between temperatures and the spread of COVID-19. The trend was that of a slightly lower disease incidence as the minimum temperature rises, i.e. the lower the minimum temperature, the greater the number of cases. Furthermore, a link was found between the incidence of the disease and other variables, such as altitude and proximity to the sea. There were no indications, however, in the study's data, of a relationship between incidence and precipitation or wind.

Effects of caloric restriction and aerobic exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) may induce systemic inflammation, a common condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD), by acting as a damage-associated molecular pattern. We hypothesized that in patients with moderate to severe CKD, aerobic exercise would reduce ccf-mtDNA levels. We performed a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized trial (NCT01150851) measuring plasma concentrations of ccf-mtDNA at baseline and 2 and 4 mo after aerobic exercise and caloric restriction. A total of 99 participants had baseline ccf-mtDNA, and 92 participants completed the study. The median age of the participants was 57 yr, 44% were female and 55% were male, 23% had diabetes, and 92% had hypertension. After adjusting for demographics, blood pressure, body mass index, diabetes, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, median ccf-mtDNA concentrations at baseline, 2 mo, and 4 mo were 3.62, 3.08, and 2.78 pM for the usual activity group and 2.01, 2.20, and 2.67 pM for the aerobic exercise group, respectively. A 16.1% greater increase per month in ccf-mtDNA was seen in aerobic exercise versus usual activity (P = 0.024), which was more pronounced with the combination of aerobic exercise and caloric restriction (29.5% greater increase per month). After 4 mo of intervention, ccf-mtDNA increased in the aerobic exercise group by 81.6% (95% confidence interval: 8.2-204.8, P = 0.024) compared with the usual activity group and was more marked in the aerobic exercise and caloric restriction group (181.7% increase, 95% confidence interval: 41.1-462.2, P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant correlation between markers of oxidative stress and inflammation with ccf-mtDNA. Our data indicate that aerobic exercise increased ccf-mtDNA levels in patients with moderate to severe CKD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effects of prolonged exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) have not been explored in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We showed that 4-mo aerobic exercise is associated with an increase in plasma ccf-mtDNA levels in patients with stages 3 or 4 CKD. These changes were not associated with markers of systemic inflammation. Future studies should determine the mechanisms by which healthy lifestyle interventions influence biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with CKD.

A new synthetic protegrin as a promising peptide with antibacterial activity against MDR Gram-negative pathogens.

OBJECTIVES: Protegrins are a family of natural peptides from the innate immune system of vertebrates, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, the toxicity and haemolysis of protegrin-1 (PG-1) at low concentrations renders it useless for therapeutic application. We rationally designed PLP-3, a novel synthetic PG-1-like peptide, comprising key activity features of protegrins in a constrained bicyclic structure. Our main objective was to investigate PLP-3's activity against MDR strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae and to analyse its haemolysis and cytotoxicity. METHODS: Peptide synthesis was performed via solid phase and intramolecular ligation in solution, and the correct folding of the peptide was verified by circular dichroism. Antimicrobial activity was performed through broth microdilution. The test panel contained 45 bacterial strains belonging to A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae (15 strains per species) comprising colistin-resistant and MDR strains. Cytotoxicity was assessed by XTT cell viability assays using HeLa and A549 cells and haemolysis of human erythrocytes. RESULTS: PLP-3 was successfully synthesized, and its antiparallel ß-sheet conformation was confirmed. Antimicrobial activity screening showed MIC90 values of 2 mg/L for A. baumannii, 16 mg/L for K. pneumoniae and 8 mg/L for P. aeruginosa. The haemolysis IC50 value was 48.53 mg/L. Cytotoxicity against human HeLa and A549 cells showed values of ca. 200 mg/L in both cell lines resulting in a 100-fold selectivity window for bacterial over human cells. CONCLUSIONS: PLP-3 has potent antimicrobial activity, especially against A. baumannii, while maintaining low haemolysis and toxicity against human cell lines at antimicrobial concentrations. These characteristics make PLP-3 a promising peptide with an interesting therapeutic window.

Decreased Long-Term Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Specific Humoral Immunity in Liver Transplantation Recipients 12 Months After Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Long-term humoral immunity and its protective role in liver transplantation (LT) patients have not been elucidated. We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in LT recipients 12 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 65 LT recipients were matched with 65 nontransplanted patients by a propensity score including variables with recognized impact on COVID-19. LT recipients showed a lower prevalence of anti-nucleocapsid (27.7% versus 49.2%; P = 0.02) and anti-spike IgG antibodies (88.2% versus 100.0%; P = 0.02) at 12 months. Lower index values of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies were also observed in transplantation patients 1 year after COVID-19 (median, 0.49 [interquartile range, 0.15-1.40] versus 1.36 [interquartile range, 0.53-2.91]; P < 0.001). Vaccinated LT recipients showed higher antibody levels compared with unvaccinated patients (P < 0.001); antibody levels reached after vaccination were comparable to those observed in nontransplanted individuals (P = 0.70). In LT patients, a longer interval since transplantation (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.20) was independently associated with persistence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies 1 year after infection. In conclusion, compared with nontransplanted patients, LT recipients show a lower long-term persistence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after COVID-19 in LT patients achieves a significant increase in antibody levels, comparable to that of nontransplanted patients.

Poor self-reported sleep is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional analysis in half a million adults.

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.

Effects of an online home-based exercise intervention on breast cancer survivors during COVID-19 lockdown: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: The strict lockdown implemented due the COVID-19 pandemic is generating a great impact on wellbeing and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with cancer. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of an online home-based exercise intervention performed during a lockdown period analysing its effects on body composition, physical fitness, and HRQoL in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Fifteen women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy (55.5 ± 6.7 years) were included in the study. The exercise intervention consisted of two weekly sessions of remotely supervised functional training (60 min per day) and two weekly sessions of unsupervised aerobic training (20-30 min/session; 60-85% of maximum heart rate) for a total of 16 weeks. DXA absorptiometry was used for the assessment of body composition. Functional assessment included cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by Rockport walking test, upper and lower body strength (grip strength, arm curl test, and chair stand test), walking speed (brisk walking test), and agility (8-foot up-and-go test). The HRQoL was evaluated with the QLQ-BR23 questionnaire. The adherence to the intervention was measured as the percentage of online classes attended. RESULTS: Rate of adherence for the online exercise intervention was 90 ± 17%. The exercise intervention induced significant (p < 0.05) improvements in physical fitness: CRF (+ 9%), right arm and lower limb strength (+ 10% and + 18%, respectively) and lower limbs lean mass (+ 2% and + 3.5% for left and right leg, respectively). CONCLUSION: This feasibility study suggests that an online home-based exercise intervention during COVID-19 lockdown could improve physical fitness and body composition in breast cancer survivors even in a context of heightened concern for future health.

Expert Roundtable on Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to define an expert opinion on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including its advantages, barriers, and best clinical practices for initiation, patient-clinician communication, and data management. METHODS: A series of virtual discussions was held to recommend improvements to clinical practice and design clinical tools for primary care clinicians. Participants included endocrinologists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and diabetes care and education specialists. RESULTS: The expert panels recommended CGM as a supplement to blood glucose monitoring and hemoglobin A1c for managing diabetes in persons with diabetes (PWDs). CGM can help predict potential pitfalls in glycemic management, including hypo and hyperglycemic excursions, which directly influence lifestyle changes, medication initiation, and dosing decisions. A toolkit was designed with practical guidance on the integration of CGM into clinical practice, interpretation of results, clinical guidelines, a patient action plan, and other useful management tools. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes the findings from a roundtable discussion with endocrinology and primary care clinicians, a discussion of the advantages and challenges of CGM, and clinical approaches to improving the care of PWDs. CGM offers more detailed tracking of glucose levels than blood glucose monitoring or hemoglobin A1c, and it can detect asymptomatic hypoglycemia. Specialized education of providers, the cost to patients and providers, and data management are barriers to the widespread adoption of CGM for PWDs.

Speed Improves With Eccentric Hamstring Training in Athletes of Different Maturity Status.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of an eccentric hamstring strength training program (EHT) on sprint performance (10-, 20-, and 30-m sprint times) and change of direction speed (4 × 5-m shuttle run and T-Half test) in male European handball athletes at 2 maturity statuses (prepeak and postpeak height velocity [PHV]). METHODS: Forty-five participants (12.68 [1.58] y) were divided into pre-PHV and post-PHV and randomly allocated to a control or intervention group, which performed a guided 2 day per week 6-week EHT of 5 exercises. A mixed-model (within- and between-factor) analysis of variance was conducted. RESULTS: A significant effect (P < .05) of the interaction time × maturity × training was observed in the T-Half, 10, and 30 m tests. Both intervention groups significantly improved in all the tests, except in the 20 m sprint and the post-PHV in the 10 m sprint. Improvements ranged between 0.93% and 5.74% (effect size: 0.07-0.79). Both control groups yielded no improvements in almost all the tests. The improvements of both groups undergoing the intervention (pre-PHV and post-PHV) were not significantly different (only a tendency in the 10 m sprint). CONCLUSION: An EHT program combined with European-handball training improve change of direction and sprint performance in pre-PHV and post-PHV male players. Professionals training European handball and similar team-sport athletes should consider including EHT regardless of athlete's maturity.

Utilization of Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture.

Agriculture is the economy's backbone for most developing countries. Most of these countries suffer from insufficient agricultural production. The availability of real-time, reliable and farm-specific information may significantly contribute to more sufficient and sustained production. Typically, such information is usually fragmented and often does fit one-on-one with the farm or farm plot. Automated, precise and affordable data collection and dissemination tools are vital to bring such information to these levels. The tools must address details of spatial and temporal variability. The Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are useful technology in this respect. This paper investigates the usability of IoT and WSN for smallholder agriculture applications. An in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of relevant work over the past decade was conducted. We explore the type and purpose of agricultural parameters, study and describe available resources, needed skills and technological requirements that allow sustained deployment of IoT and WSN technology. Our findings reveal significant gaps in utilization of the technology in the context of smallholder farm practices caused by social, economic, infrastructural and technological barriers. We also identify a significant future opportunity to design and implement affordable and reliable data acquisition tools and frameworks, with a possible integration of citizen science.

Characteristics and outcome of incidental hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: despite advances in imaging diagnostic modalities, hepatocellular carcinoma is sometimes incidentally diagnosed on histological examination of the liver explant. The objectives of the study were: a) to compare the characteristics between incidental and known hepatocellular carcinoma; and b) to estimate survival and tumor recurrence after liver transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a retrospective, single-center study was performed. The inclusion criteria were: a) cirrhotic patients, age ≥ 18 years; b) liver transplantation between 1998 and 2018; and c) hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed via histopathologic examination of the explanted liver. Cholangiocarcinoma and patients with early retransplantation were excluded. Multivariate analysis was performed using binomial logistic regression to assess the factors associated with incidental hepatocellular carcinoma. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to explore the impact on overall survival and recurrence free survival. RESULTS: two hundred and sixty-nine patients were enrolled. The prevalence of incidental hepatocellular carcinoma was 4.18 % (95 % CI: 2.89-6.01 %) of all liver transplants performed in cirrhotic patients. The median diameter of the main nodule was smaller in incidental hepatocellular carcinoma (20 vs 27 mm, p = 0.004), although they were more likely to be beyond the Up-to-Seven criteria on explant examination (22.2 % vs 7.5 %, p = 0.001), with no differences in any other histological features. No differences were found in overall survival rates (incidental 70.2 % vs 70.4 %, p = 0.87) or recurrence-free survival (incidental 100 % vs 83.8 %, p = 0.07) at five years. CONCLUSION: incidental hepatocellular carcinoma are smaller in size and are more frequently found to be beyond the Up-to-Seven criteria. However, no differences were found in overall survival rates or recurrence-free survival, although there was no tumor recurrence in the incidental hepatocellular carcinoma group.

Effects of squatting with elastic bands or conventional resistance-training equipment at different effort levels in post-exercise intraocular pressure of healthy men.

This study aimed to compare intraocular pressure (IOP), mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) acute adaptations to squat exercise using elastic bands (EB) or weight plates (WP) together with the weight of the bar and applying maximal or submaximal efforts. Cardiovascular parameters (pulse pressure, mean blood pressure, heart rate), rate of perceived exertion, kilograms, and number of repetitions served to monitor psychophysiological acute variations. Twenty physically active males (25.55 ± 4.75 y.o.) underwent two sessions (one for familiarization and one for the experimental trial). In the experimental session, ocular and cardiovascular pre-exercise measurements were taken. Then, two sets using WP and two using EB attached to the bar with the same load were performed by each subject in random order. Immediately after finishing each set, the subjects rated perceived exertion, and cardiovascular and ocular measurements were taken, in this order. An ANOVA with post-hoc LSD evaluated differences between sets. IOP significantly decreased (p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.513), and MOPP (p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.413) and cardiovascular variables significantly increased due to the exercise effect; CCT changes were non-significant. No significant effect of the material, level of effort, or their interaction was observed in the IOP and MOPP (p > 0.05). EB permitted more repetitions to be performed and led to non-significantly lower post-exercise IOP values (effect size [d] compared to resting 0.79 and 1.00) in comparison to WP (d = 0.73-0.74). IOP and ocular and systemic hemodynamic responses are similar when using EB instead of WP to load the bar, with EB allowing a larger number of repetitions. Data presented in this paper may help with the prescription of resistance training for people with glaucoma risk factors.

An eight-weeks resistance training programme with elastic band increases some performance-related parameters in pubertal male volleyball players.

The main aim was to evaluate the changes in dynamic, reactive, and power strength, and balance (as volleyball performance-related parameters) in pubertal volleyball players when a part of their normal inseason training regimen was replaced by an elastic band training (EBT). 27 male elite volleyball players were randomly allocated to intervention (N = 14; 14.86 ± 0.52 years) or control group (N = 13; 14.74 ± 0.36 years). The intervention consisted of an 8-week EBT program focused on the training of the lower limb, with different volumes and intensities. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) were used to assess the power strength, squat one repetition-maximum, and reactive strength index to assess dynamic and reactive strength, respectively. Also, the balance was assessed through different parameters of the foot centre of pressure (CoP) displacements obtained with a force platform. An ANOVA of repeated measurements and post-hoc tests evaluated differences between groups and between baseline and post-intervention. Dynamic and power (CMJ and SLJ) strength, and anteroposterior displacement of the CoP were improved after the intervention. The control group only improved the dynamic strength. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) were found in the rest of the variables. EBT improves jump performance and other volleyball performance-related parameters in adolescent male athletes and should be considered to complement regular volleyball in-season training.

Physical exercise effects on metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis in animal cancer models.

Physical exercise is considered a well-tolerated adjuvant therapy to mitigate cancer-related side effects, but its impact on metastasis is unclear. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence on the effects of exercise on metastasis in animal cancer models. A systematic search was conducted to identify controlled studies in animals analyzing the impact of exercise interventions on any marker of metastasis incidence or severity. The pooled mean differences (PMD) were calculated for those endpoints for which a minimum of three studies used the same assessment method. We also calculated the pooled odds ratio (OR) of metastases. Twenty-six articles were included in the systematic review, of which 12 could be meta-analyzed. Exercise training in murine cancer models did not significantly modify the number of metastatic foci (PMD = - 3.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 8.32, 1.97; p = 0.23), the weight of metastatic tumors (PMD = - 0.03; 95% CI - 0.10, 0.04; p = 0.41), or the risk of developing metastasis (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.10, 4.12; p = 0.64). These findings suggest that exercise has no overall influence on any marker of cancer metastasis incidence or severity in animal models. However, the wide methodological heterogeneity observed between studies might be taken into account and the potential exercise effects on metastasis development remain to be determined in pediatric tumors.