Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of exercise interventions on amyloid beta levels in humans.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common type of dementia. A crucial mechanism attributed to its development is amyloid beta (Aß) dynamics dysregulation. The extent to which exercise can modulate this phenomenon is uncertain. The aim of this study was to summarize the existing literature evaluating this issue. A comprehensive systematic search was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and SciELO databases and completed in August 2023, aiming to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of exercise upon Aß-related pathology. The keywords "exercise" and "amyloid beta", as well as all their equivalents and similar terms, were used. For the analysis, the negative or positive dementia status of the subjects was initially considered and then the soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) components and Aß fragments separately. A meta-analysis was performed and involved eight studies (moderate-to-high quality) and 644 assessments, which were 297 for control and 347 for exercise. No overall effect favoring exercise interventions was observed for both negative (SMD95%=0,286 [-0,131; 0,704]; p = 0,179) or positive AD dementia status (SMD95%=0,110 [-0,155; 0,375]; p = 0,416). The absence of an overall effect favoring exercise interventions was also found for Aß peptides (SMD95%=0,226 [-0,028; 0,480]; p = 0,081) and for sAPP components (SMD95%=-0,038 50 [-0,472; 0,396]; p = 0,863) levels. Our findings suggest that exercise interventions do not improve Aß-related pathology in both healthy individuals and individuals with dementia (SMD95%=0,157 [-0,059; 0,373]; p = 0,155), indicating that the beneficial effects of exercise for AD reported in previous studies are related to other mechanistic effects rather than direct amyloid effects (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023426912).

Antioxidant Compounds and Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits.

Recent evidence emanating from epidemiological prospective studies shows that increased intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with a lower risk of developing chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as well as with a lower risk of cardiovascular, cancer, and all-cause mortality rates [...].

Neck pain and associated factors in a sample of high school students in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of neck pain among high school students and to analyze associations with sociodemographic variables, use of electronic devices, habitual physical activity practices and mental health problems. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional epidemiological study on a sample of high school students in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: Participants were selected through cluster sampling in two stages and data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Data collection comprised the following steps: 1. sociodemographic characteristics; 2. use of electronic devices; 3. habitual physical activity levels; 3. mental health; and 4. neck pain. RESULTS: A total of 1,628 participants were interviewed. The prevalence of neck pain was 49.1% (95% confidence interval, CI 46.7 to 51.5), with 40.4% (95% CI 37.0 to 43.7) in men and 57.5% (95% CI 54.2 to 60.9) in women. The variables associated with in neck pain were: female (prevalence ratio, PR = 2.04), use of cell phone in standing posture (PR = 1.47), use of tablet in sitting posture (PR = 1.72), length of computer use greater than 3 hours/day (PR = 1.54), length of cell phone use greater than 3 hours/day (PR = 1.54), length of tablet use greater than 3 hours/ day (PR = 1.34) and mental health problems (PR = 1.56). CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of neck pain among students and striking associations with female sex, use of electronic devices and mental health problems.

Neck pain and associated factors in a sample of high school students in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of neck pain among high school students and to analyze associations with sociodemographic variables, use of electronic devices, habitual physical activity practices and mental health problems. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional epidemiological study on a sample of high school students in the city of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: Participants were selected through cluster sampling in two stages and data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Data collection comprised the following steps: 1. sociodemographic characteristics; 2. use of electronic devices; 3. habitual physical activity levels; 3. mental health; and 4. neck pain. RESULTS: A total of 1,628 participants were interviewed. The prevalence of neck pain was 49.1% (95% confidence interval, CI 46.7 to 51.5), with 40.4% (95% CI 37.0 to 43.7) in men and 57.5% (95% CI 54.2 to 60.9) in women. The variables associated with in neck pain were: female (prevalence ratio, PR = 2.04), use of cell phone in standing posture (PR = 1.47), use of tablet in sitting posture (PR = 1.72), length of computer use greater than 3 hours/day (PR = 1.54), length of cell phone use greater than 3 hours/day (PR = 1.54), length of tablet use greater than 3 hours/ day (PR = 1.34) and mental health problems (PR = 1.56). CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of neck pain among students and striking associations with female sex, use of electronic devices and mental health problems.

Dendritic cells in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis: insights for a possible role in determining disease outcome.

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. This novel coronavirus emerged in China, quickly spreading to more than 200 countries worldwide. Although most patients are only mildly ill or even asymptomatic, some develop severe pneumonia and become critically ill. One of the biggest unanswered questions is why some develop severe disease, whilst others do not. Insight on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system and the contribution of dysfunctional immune responses to disease progression will be instrumental to the understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis, risk factors for worst outcome, and rational design of effective therapies and vaccines. In this review we have gathered the knowledge available thus far on the epidemiology of SARS-COV-2 infection, focusing on the susceptibility of older individuals, SARS-CoV-2-host cell interaction during infection and the immune response directed at SARS-CoV-2. Dendritic cells act as crucial messengers linking innate and adaptative immunity against viral infections. Thus, this review also brings a focused discussion on the role of dendritic cells and their immune functions during SARS-CoV-2 infection and how immune evasion strategies of SARS-CoV-2 and advancing age mediate dendritic cell dysfunctions that contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis and increased susceptibility to worst outcomes. This review brings to light the hypothesis that concomitant occurrence of dendritic cell dysfunction/cytopathic effects induced by SARS-CoV-2 and/or aging may influence disease outcome in the elderly. Lastly, a detailed discussion on the effects and mechanisms of action of drugs currently being tested for COVID-19 on the function of dendritic cells is also provided.

Diethyldithiocarbamate encapsulation reduces toxicity and promotes leishmanicidal effect through apoptosis-like mechanism in promastigote and ROS production by macrophage.

The use of compounds from natural or synthetic sources and nanotechnology may represent an alternative to develop new drugs for the leishmaniasis treatment. DETC is an inhibitor of the SOD1 enzyme, which leads to increased ROS production, important for the elimination of Leishmania. Thus, our objective was to assess the leishmanicidal in vitro effect of free Diethydithiocarbamate (DETC) and DETC loaded in beeswax-copaiba oil nanoparticles (DETC-Beeswax-CO Nps) on L. amazonensis forms and elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in the parasite death. DETC-Beeswax-CO Nps presented size below 200 nm, spherical morphology, negative zeta potential, and high encapsulation efficiency. Free DETC reduced the viability of promastigotes and increase ROS production, lower the mitochondrial membrane potential, cause phosphatidylserine exposure, and enhance plasma membrane permeability, in addition to promoting morphological changes in the parasite. Free DETC proved toxic in the assessment of toxicity to murine macrophages, however, the encapsulation of this compound was able to reduce these toxic effects on macrophages. DETC-Beeswax-CO Nps exerted anti-amastigote effect by enhancing the production of ROS, superoxide anion, TNF-α, IL-6, and reduced IL-10 in macrophages. Therefore, free DETC induces antipromastigote effect by apoptosis-like; and DETC-Beeswax-CO Nps exerted anti-leishmanial effect due to pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory response.

Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus participates in the sympathetic modulation and spontaneous fluctuation of baroreflex during head up tilt in unanesthetized rats.

The autonomic nervous system is importantly involved in the maintenance of arterial pressure during orthostatic challenges. However, little is known about the specific central areas involved in these cardiovascular compensations. It has been proposed that the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) is involved in cardiovascular reflex responses related to blood volume. Our hypothesis is that PVN is involved in autonomic modulation during an orthostatic challenge (head up tilt, HUT). Adult male Wistar rats, instrumented with guide cannulas to the PVN and femoral artery and vein catheters were submitted to mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) recordings in conscious state. After baseline parameters the rats were submitted to HUT. The spectral analysis during HUT showed an increase in low-frequency oscillation of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) (LF: 14.21±2.73-32.44±8.43 mmHg(2)) and pulse interval (PI) (LF: 14.05±4.25-51.79±10.64 n.u.) and a decrease in high-frequency oscillation (HF; 84.52±4.82-47.49±10.30 n.u.). Previous bilaterally microinjection of cobalt chloride (1 mM/100 nl), a calcium channel blocking agent, into the PVN decreased LF oscillations of SAP (LF: 32.44±8.43-13.23±1.87 mmHg(2)) as well as in PI (LF: 12.38±3.76-5.03±1.20 ms(2)). Muscimol microinjection (40 mM), a GABAA agonist, decreased LF component of PI oscillations (LF: 51.79±10.64-25.76±5.34 n.u.). The baroreflex gain was not altered by HUT, but during tilt, with PVN previously inhibited by muscimol or cobalt chloride, the gain was reduced. Our data suggest that the PVN participates in the brain circuitry involved in autonomic adjustment during orthostatic challenges.