Considering the complex relationship between asthma symptoms and exercise, asthmatics are usually believed to be less active in daily life than healthy subjects. However, few studies have objectively assessed daily-life physical activity (DLPA) of asthmatic adults. OBJECTIVE: To objectively assess DLPA of a sample of Brazilian asthmatic women in comparison to healthy controls, and to investigate the associations between DLPA and asthma control, health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression levels, and the Six-minute walk test (6MWT) in this population. METHODS: Sixty-six women were included, 36 in the asthma group (AG) and 30 in the control group (CG). The AG was composed by clinically stable moderate-to-severe asthmatics. The CG was composed by apparently healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent DLPA assessment (considered as the average of steps taken during six consecutive days measured by a pedometer) and performed the 6MWT. Additionally, participants in the AG were assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire, the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: There was no difference between the AG and the CG regarding DLPA (7490.3 ± 3330.2 vs 6876.4 ± 3242.1 steps respectively, p = 0.45), even after adjustment for covariates. DLPA was significantly correlated to the activity limitation domain of the AQLQ among asthmatics (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite the association between self-perceived activity limitation and DLPA among asthmatics, there were no differences regarding DLPA between a sample of moderate-to-severe Brazilian asthmatic women and apparently healthy controls.
Asthma/physiopathology , Exercise/physiology , Quality of Life , Severity of Illness Index , Actigraphy , Adult , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/physiopathology , Anxiety/psychology , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/psychology , Brazil , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/physiopathology , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Health Questionnaire , Self Concept , Walk Test
Supervised exercise has shown benefits for subjects with asthma, but little is known about the effectiveness of unsupervised physical activity on this population. We investigated the effects of a 12-week unsupervised pedometer-based physical activity program on daily steps and on clinical and psychological parameters of adults with asthma. Clinically stable adults with moderate to severe asthma were encouraged to take daily 30-minute walks and were randomized to pedometer and control groups. The pedometer group received pedometers and individualized daily step targets. Changes in daily steps (average of steps taken during six consecutive days), six-minute walk test (6MWT), health-related quality of life, asthma control and anxiety and depression levels were assessed 12 weeks after intervention and 24-28 weeks after randomization. Thirty-seven participants were recruited and 30 completed the intervention. At 12 weeks, the groups differed significantly in daily steps (adjusted average difference, 2488 steps; 95% confidence interval [CI], 803 to 4172; p = 0.005) and in the 6MWT (adjusted average difference, 21.9 m; 95% CI, 6.6 to 37.3; p = 0.006). These differences were not significant 24-28 weeks after randomization. The program was effective in increasing daily steps of adults with moderate to severe asthma 12 weeks after intervention.
Actigraphy/instrumentation , Anxiety , Asthma/psychology , Depression , Quality of Life , Walking/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
Despite the advances in the hematology field, blood transfusion-related iatrogenesis is still a major issue to be considered during such procedures due to blood antigenic incompatibility. This places pluripotent stem cells as a possible ally in the production of more suitable blood products. The present review article aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art concerning the differentiation of both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells to hematopoietic cell lines. Here, we review the most recently published protocols to achieve the production of blood cells for future application in hemotherapy, cancer therapy and basic research.
