Effects of cinnamon supplementation on metabolic biomarkers in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) has been rising significantly over the years. Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of cinnamon on metabolic biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of cinnamon supplementation on metabolic biomarkers in patients with DM2. DATA SOURCES: The Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase databases were searched up to November 10, 2022. DATA EXTRACTION: A systematic search was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of cinnamon supplementation on metabolic biomarkers, in adults and the elderly with DM2, and comparing the data for a cinnamon intervention group with that for a placebo group or a control group. The main exclusion criteria were studies (1) with other types of diabetes (ie, gestational diabetes or type 1 diabetes), (2) without cinnamon consumption, (3) that did not evaluate metabolic biomarkers, or (4) in vitro and animal studies. Two researchers independently screened 924 records, evaluated full-text studies, extracted data, and appraised their quality. A third researcher was consulted to resolve any discrepancies. The data were pooled using random-effects models and expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% CI. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and quantified using I2 statistics. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) instrument. Sensitivity analysis and the GRADE system were used to assess the robustness and certainty of the findings. DATA ANALYSIS: In total, 28 RCTs with a duration ranging from 30 to 120 days and a total enrollment of 3054 patients with DM2 were included. Participants consuming cinnamon showed a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD: -15.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: -22.23 to -8.30; I2 = 88%), postprandial glucose (WMD: -39.22 mg/dL; 95% CI: -63.90 to -14.55; I2 = 100%), HbA1c (WMD: -0.56 mg/dL; 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.13; I2 = 94%), and HOMA-IR (WMD = -0.76, 95% CI: -1.13 to -0.39; I2 = 22%) compared with the control group. An intervention of cinnamon in capsule form reduced FBG (WMD:-18.43 mg/dL, 95% CI: -26.32 to -10.53; I2 = 89%), postprandial glucose (WMD: -44.83 mg/dL, 95% CI: -70.67 to -18.99; I2 = 100%), HbA1c (WMD: -0.56 mg/dL, 95% CI: -1.02 to -0.09; I2 = 94%), total cholesterol (WMD: -13.39 mg/dL; 95% CI: -24.71 to -2.07; I2 = 96%), LDL-C (WMD: -6.49 mg/dL, 95% CI: -12.69 to -0.29; I2 = 92%), and triglycerides (WND: -19.75 mg/dL; 95% CI, -33.71 to -5.80; I2 = 88%). Both doses (≤2 g/day and >2 g/day) reduced FBG and postprandial glucose. Only cinnamon doses of ≤2 g/day reduced HbA1c (WMD: -0.68 mg/dL, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.1; I2 = 92%), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.94 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.21 to -0.67; I2 = 0%), and BMI (WMD: -1.18 kg/m2; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.39; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that cinnamon improves the glycemic and lipid profile and reduces the BMI, particularly in DM2 patients who receive cinnamon supplementation in capsule form and at a dose of ≤2 g/day. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022370332.

Prediction of diagnosis and diastolic filling pressure by AI-enhanced cardiac MRI: a modelling study of hospital data.

BACKGROUND: With increasing numbers of patients and novel drugs for distinct causes of systolic and diastolic heart failure, automated assessment of cardiac function is important. We aimed to provide a non-invasive method to predict diagnosis of patients undergoing cardiac MRI (cMRI) and to obtain left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). METHODS: For this modelling study, patients who had undergone cardiac catheterisation at University Hospital Heidelberg (Heidelberg, Germany) between July 15, 2004 and March 16, 2023, were identified, as were individual left ventricular pressure measurements. We used existing patient data from routine cardiac diagnostics. From this initial group, we extracted patients who had been diagnosed with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or amyloidosis, as well as control individuals with no structural phenotype. Data were pseudonymised and only processed within the university hospital's AI infrastructure. We used the data to build different models to predict either demographic (ie, AI-age and AI-sex), diagnostic (ie, AI-coronary artery disease and AI-cardiomyopathy [AI-CMP]), or functional parameters (ie, AI-LVEDP). We randomly divided our datasets via computer into training, validation, and test datasets. AI-CMP was not compared with other models, but was validated in a prospective setting. Benchmarking was also done. FINDINGS: 66 936 patients who had undergone cardiac catheterisation at University Hospital Heidelberg were identified, with more than 183 772 individual left ventricular pressure measurements. We extracted 4390 patients from this initial group, of whom 1131 (25·8%) had been diagnosed with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, 1064 (24·2%) had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, 816 (18·6%) had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 202 (4·6%) had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, and 1177 (26·7%) were control individuals with no structural phenotype. The core cohort only included patients with cardiac catherisation and cMRI within 30 days, and emergency cases were excluded. AI-sex was able to predict patient sex with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of 0·78 (95% CI 0·77-0·78) and AI-age was able to predict patient age with a mean absolute error of 7·86 years (7·77-7·95), with a Pearson correlation of 0·57 (95% CI 0·56-0·57). The AUCs for the classification tasks ranged between 0·82 (95% CI 0·79-0·84) for ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 0·92 (0·91-0·94) for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. INTERPRETATION: Our AI models could be easily integrated into clinical practice and provide added value to the information content of cMRI, allowing for disease classification and prediction of diastolic function. FUNDING: Informatics for Life initiative of the Klaus-Tschira Foundation, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, eCardiology section of the German Cardiac Society, and AI Health Innovation Cluster Heidelberg.

A 12-Week Ballroom Dance Training Improves Physical Fitness Performance More Than Walking Training in Older Women, Regardless of Vitamin B12 or D Adequacy.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effects of Ballroom Dancing (BD) versus Walking Training (WT) on the physical fitness performance in physically independent older women with adequate or inadequate levels of vitamins B12 and D. METHODS: Forty-three sedentary women aged 68.5 ± 6.5 years, were allocated to the BD (n = 23) or WT (n = 20) groups. They took part in a 12-week intervention, performed 3 times a week, for about 50 minutes with moderate effort intensity. Data were collected through Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6 minutes Walk Test (6MWT), Hand Grip Test (HGT), Isokinetic tests for lower limbs and blood tests to detect serum levels of vitamins B12 and D. RESULTS: The BD group performed better after the intervention in relation to the WT in the Sit and Stand Test (SST) (BD pre = 3.1 score vs post = 3.8 score; WT pre = 2.8 score vs post = 3.4 score; P = .02) and in the Peak Torque 180° extension (PKTOQ 180° extension) (BD pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 61.2 Nm, WT pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 56.1; P < .01). CONCLUSION: A time effect was observed in all other variables, with the exception of HGT. Both interventions improved physical fitness performance, regardless of the adequacy of vitamins B12 and D, but the older women from BD obtained significant improvements in more variables than the WT.

Photobiomodulation effects on synovial morphology, iNOS gene, and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphological aspects and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation. METHODS: Thirty-six female Wistar rats were assigned into three groups: control (saline, n = 12), sham (arthritis, n = 12), and PBM (arthritis and photobiomodulation, n = 12). Arthritis induction was performed with 200 µg of intra-articular Zymosan in sham and PBM animals. PBM was performed 24 h after induction with a laser device (λ = 808 nm, 25 mW of nominal power, fluence of 20 J/cm2, beam area of 0.02 mm2, time of 33 s, total energy of 0.825 J) with punctual and single dose application. Morphological analysis of joint structure (HE) and immunohistochemistry (anti-iNOS antibody) were performed on knee samples, and synovial tissue was submitted to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and gene expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05. RESULTS: It was observed an increase in the thickness of the synovial lining epithelium and inflammatory infiltrate in sham compared to PBM. Gene expression analysis showed higher iNOS expression in PBM, and iNOS protein expression decreased in PBM compared to sham. CONCLUSIONS: Photobiomodulation decreased inflammation in PBM animals, upregulated iNOS gene expression, however down egulated protein expression compared to sham.

Improving Reporting of Exercise Capacity Across Age Ranges Using Novel Workload Reference Equations.

Exercise capacity (EC) is an important predictor of survival in the general population and in subjects with cardiopulmonary disease. Despite its relevance, considering the percent-predicted workload (%pWL) given by current equations may overestimate EC in older adults. Therefore, to improve the reporting of EC in clinical practice, our main objective was to develop workload reference equations (pWL) that better reflect the relation between workload and age. Using the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database (FRIEND), we analyzed a reference group of 6,966 apparently healthy participants and 1,060 participants with heart failure who underwent graded treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing. For the first group, the mean age was 44 years (18 to 79); 56.5% of participants were males and 15.4% had obesity. Peak oxygen consumption was 11.6 ± 3.0 METs in males and 8.5 ± 2.4 METs in females. After partition analysis, we first developed sex-specific pWL equations to allow comparisons to a healthy weight reference. For males, pWL (METs) = 14.1-0.9×10-3×age2 and 11.5-0.87×10-3×age2 for females. We used those equations as denominators of %pWL, and based on their distribution, we determined thresholds for EC classification, with average EC defined by the range corresponding to 85% to 115%pWL. Compared with %pWL using current equations, the new equations yielded better-calibrated %pWL across different age ranges. We also derived body mass index-adjusted pWL equations that better assessed EC in subjects with heart failure. In conclusion, the novel pWL equations have the potential to impact the report of EC in practice.

Tecnologias educacionais sobre tuberculose para profissionais da saúde: protocolo de revisão de escopo / Educational technologies on tuberculosis for health professionals: a scoping review protocol

OBJETIVO: Mapear as tecnologias educacionais sobre tuberculose direcionadas a médicos, enfermeiros, técnicos em enfermagem e agentes comunitários de saúde. MÉTODO: Protocolo de revisão de escopo elaborado conforme a abordagem do Instituto Joanna Briggs (JBI). A questão de pesquisa elencada foi: quais são as tecnologias educacionais sobre tuberculose para profissionais da saúde? Dois revisores independentes participarão da seleção dos estudos, cuja avaliação ocorrerá com a leitura dos títulos e resumos, seguindo os critérios de elegibilidade estabelecidos. Os resultados da busca e do processo de seleção de estudos serão exibidos no fluxograma Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Será utilizada uma ferramenta de extração de dados desenvolvida pelos revisores, em forma de planilha no Microsoft Excel. Os dados serão analisados e apresentados em tabelas, quadros e fluxogramas, facilitando a visualização dos resultados. Protocolo registrado na plataforma Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/va8pz/.

OBJECTIVE: To map educational technologies on tuberculosis targeted at physicians, nurses, nursing technicians, and community health agents. METHOD: A scoping review protocol was developed following the approach of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The research question posed was: what are the educational technologies on tuberculosis for health professionals? Two independent reviewers will participate in the study selection process, which will involve assessing titles and abstracts based on established eligibility criteria. The search results and study selection process will be displayed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) flowchart. The reviewers will utilize a data extraction tool in the form of a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Data will be analyzed and presented in tables, charts, and flowcharts to facilitate result visualization. The protocol has been registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/va8pz/.

Genetic architecture of cardiac dynamic flow volumes.

Cardiac blood flow is a critical determinant of human health. However, the definition of its genetic architecture is limited by the technical challenge of capturing dynamic flow volumes from cardiac imaging at scale. We present DeepFlow, a deep-learning system to extract cardiac flow and volumes from phase-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. A mixed-linear model applied to 37,653 individuals from the UK Biobank reveals genome-wide significant associations across cardiac dynamic flow volumes spanning from aortic forward velocity to aortic regurgitation fraction. Mendelian randomization reveals a causal role for aortic root size in aortic valve regurgitation. Among the most significant contributing variants, localizing genes (near ELN, PRDM6 and ADAMTS7) are implicated in connective tissue and blood pressure pathways. Here we show that DeepFlow cardiac flow phenotyping at scale, combined with genotyping data, reinforces the contribution of connective tissue genes, blood pressure and root size to aortic valve function.

Facile and Green Synthesis of Well-Defined Nanocrystal Oxygen Evolution Catalysts by Rational Crystallization Regulation.

The development of catalysts for an economical and efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical for clean and sustainable energy storage and conversion. Nickel-iron-based (NiFe) nanostructures are widely investigated as active OER catalysts and especially shape-controlled nanocrystals exhibit optimized surface structure and electronic properties. However, the structural control from amorphous to well-defined crystals is usually time-consuming and requires multiple stages. Here, a universal two-step precipitation-hydrothermal approach is reported to prepare a series of NiFe-based nanocrystals (e.g., hydroxides, sulfides, and molybdates) from amorphous precipitates. Their morphology and evolution of atomic and electronic structure during this process are studied using conclusive microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The short-term, additive-free, and low-cost method allows for the control of the crystallinity of the materials and facilitates the generation of nanosheets, nanorods, or nano-octahedra with excellent water oxidation activity. The NiFe-based crystalline catalysts exhibit slightly compromised initial activity but more robust long-term stability than their amorphous counterparts during electrochemical operation. This facile, reliable, and universal synthesis method is promising in strategies for fabricating NiFe-based nanostructures as efficient and economically valuable OER electrocatalysts.

Photobiomodulation effects on synovial morphology, iNOS gene, and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate morphological aspects and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation. Methods: Thirty-six female Wistar rats were assigned into three groups: control (saline, n = 12), sham (arthritis, n = 12), and PBM (arthritis and photobiomodulation, n = 12). Arthritis induction was performed with 200 μg of intra-articular Zymosan in sham and PBM animals. PBM was performed 24 h after induction with a laser device (λ = 808 nm, 25 mW of nominal power, fluence of 20 J/cm2, beam area of 0.02 mm2, time of 33 s, total energy of 0.825 J) with punctual and single dose application. Morphological analysis of joint structure (HE) and immunohistochemistry (anti-iNOS antibody) were performed on knee samples, and synovial tissue was submitted to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and gene expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05. Results: It was observed an increase in the thickness of the synovial lining epithelium and inflammatory infiltrate in sham compared to PBM. Gene expression analysis showed higher iNOS expression in PBM, and iNOS protein expression decreased in PBM compared to sham. Conclusions: Photobiomodulation decreased inflammation in PBM animals, upregulated iNOS gene expression, however down egulated protein expression compared to sham.

Congenital Zika Virus Infection Impairs Corpus Callosum Development.

Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is a set of birth defects caused by Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy. Microcephaly is its main feature, but other brain abnormalities are found in CZS patients, such as ventriculomegaly, brain calcifications, and dysgenesis of the corpus callosum. Many studies have focused on microcephaly, but it remains unknown how ZIKV infection leads to callosal malformation. To tackle this issue, we infected mouse embryos in utero with a Brazilian ZIKV isolate and found that they were born with a reduction in callosal area and density of callosal neurons. ZIKV infection also causes a density reduction in PH3+ cells, intermediate progenitor cells, and SATB2+ neurons. Moreover, axonal tracing revealed that callosal axons are reduced and misrouted. Also, ZIKV-infected cultures show a reduction in callosal axon length. GFAP labeling showed that an in utero infection compromises glial cells responsible for midline axon guidance. In sum, we showed that ZIKV infection impairs critical steps of corpus callosum formation by disrupting not only neurogenesis, but also axon guidance and growth across the midline.

Social isolation leads to mild social recognition impairment and losses in brain cellularity.

Chronic social stress is a significant risk factor for several neuropsychiatric disorders, mainly major depressive disorder (MDD). In this way, patients with clinical depression may display many symptoms, including disrupted social behavior and anxiety. However, like many other psychiatric diseases, MDD has a very complex etiology and pathophysiology. Because social isolation is one of the multiple depression-inducing factors in humans, this study aims to understand better the link between social stress and MDD using an animal model based on social isolation after weaning, which is known to produce social stress in mice. We focused on cellular composition and white matter integrity to establish possible links with the abnormal social behavior that rodents isolated after weaning displayed in the three-chamber social approach and recognition tests. We used the isotropic fractionator method to assess brain cellularity, which allows us to robustly estimate the number of oligodendrocytes and neurons in dissected brain regions. In addition, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was employed to analyze white matter microstructure. Results have shown that post-weaning social isolation impairs social recognition and reduces the number of neurons and oligodendrocytes in important brain regions involved in social behavior, such as the anterior neocortex and the olfactory bulb. Despite the limitations of animal models of psychological traits, evidence suggests that behavioral impairments observed in patients might have similar biological underpinnings.

Discriminant validity of the current gingivitis classification in adolescents: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of gingivitis estimated by the 2018 European Federation of Periodontology/American Academy of Periodontology (EFP/AAP) classification with the other case definitions and assess the ability of this classification system in discriminating sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the presence of gingivitis in a cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multistage random sample of 1134 12-year-old adolescents was submitted to a full-mouth examination according to the Community Periodontal Index. Socioeconomic and clinical variables were collected at baseline. Gingivitis was considered according to the following criteria: (a) ≥ 10% of bleeding sites (the 2018 EFP/AAP criteria); (b) ≥ 15% of bleeding sites; and (c) the mean full-mouth bleeding sites. Adjusted multilevel Poisson regression assessed the association between independent variables at baseline and each definition of gingivitis at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Seven hundred forty-two 14-year-old adolescents were re-revaluated at follow-up. The prevalence of gingivitis was 28.7% according to 10% of bleeding threshold. The 2018 EFP/AAP criteria and other definitions showed higher prevalence and mean of gingivitis for low-household income adolescents and for those with higher levels of dental plaque and untreated dental caries. Nonetheless, the highest strengths of association were observed for the threshold of ≥ 15% of bleeding sites. CONCLUSION: The 2018 EFP/AAP case definition of gingivitis showed a similar discriminant validity compared to the 15% threshold and the mean full-mouth bleeding sites. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The 2018 EFP/AAP classification allows the discrimination of important risk factors and should be used for the establishment of priorities for large-scale therapeutic programs.

A speech therapy for transgender women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of speech therapy and phonosurgery, for transgender women, in relation to the fundamental frequency gain of the voice, regarding the type of vocal sample collected, and we compared the effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, the study design, year, country, types of techniques used, total therapy time, and vocal assessment protocols were analyzed. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Lilacs, and SciELO databases for observational studies and clinical trials, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, between January 2010 and January 2023. The selection of studies was carried out according to Prisma 2020. The quality of selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Of 493 studies, 31 were deemed potentially eligible and retrieved for full-text review and 16 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Six studies performed speech therapy and ten studies phonosurgery. The speech therapy time did not influence the post-treatment gain in voice fundamental frequency (p = 0.6254). The type of sample collected significantly influenced the post-treatment voice frequency gain (p < 0.01). When the vocal sample was collected through vowel (p < 0.01) and reading (p < 0.01), the gain was significantly more heterogeneous between the different types of treatment. Phonosurgery is significantly more effective in terms of fundamental frequency gain compared to speech therapy alone, regardless of the type of sample collected (p < 0.01). The average gain of fundamental frequency after speech therapy, in the /a/ vowel sample, was 27 Hz, 39.05 Hz in reading, and 25.42 Hz in spontaneous speech. In phonosurgery, there was a gain of 71.68 Hz for the vowel /a/, 41.07 Hz in reading, and 39.09 Hz in spontaneous speech. The study with the highest gain (110 Hz) collected vowels, and the study with the lowest gain (15 Hz), spontaneous speech. The major of the included studies received a score between 4 and 8 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. CONCLUSION: The type of vocal sample collected influences the gain result of the fundamental frequency after treatment. Speech therapy and phonosurgery increased the fundamental frequency and improved female voice perception and vocal satisfaction. However, phonosurgery yielded a greater fundamental frequency gain in the different samples collected. The study protocol was registered at Prospero (CRD42017078446).

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of strongyloidiasis in indigenous communities and healthcare professionals from Brazil.

Strongyloides stercoralis, a pathogenic roundworm, is considered endemic in several tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Indigenous populations have the highest soil-transmitted helminthiases-related mortality rates, but the prevalence and risk factors associated with S. stercoralis in Brazilian indigenous populations have not been established. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for S. stercoralis in indigenous communities and the healthcare professionals serving them in Brazil. Indigenous populations living in nine communities and healthcare professionals were tested for anti- S. stercoralis antibodies by ELISA. A questionnaire was used to assess socio-epidemiological information. Associated risk factors for seropositivity were tested by chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, using univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Overall, 174/463 (37.6%; CI 95%: 33.3-42.1) indigenous persons and 77/147 (52.4%; 95% CI: 44.3-60.3) healthcare professionals were seropositive for anti- S. stercoralis antibodies. Seropositivity among the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.0016; OR = 0.547; 95% CI: 0.376-0.796) and revealed that healthcare professionals were 1.83 times more likely to be seropositive. The multivariate analysis showed that being male or being adult were also risk factors, while having a septic tank as a sanitary facility represented a protective factor for S. stercoralis exposure in indigenous persons. None of the variables evaluated were associated with S. stercoralis exposure in the professional group. The study herein has reported a high seroprevalence to Strongyloides stercoralis in indigenous communities of Brazil and healthcare professionals, warning for potential public health concerns of strongyloidiasis in such populations.

Defining left ventricular remodeling using lean body mass allometry: a UK Biobank study.

PURPOSE: The geometric patterns of ventricular remodeling are determined using indexed left ventricular mass (LVM), end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and concentricity, most often measured using the mass-to-volume ratio (MVR). The aims of this study were to validate lean body mass (LBM)-based allometric coefficients for scaling and to determine an index of concentricity that is independent of both volume and LBM. METHODS: Participants from the UK Biobank who underwent both CMR and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) during 2014-2015 were considered (n = 5064). We excluded participants aged ≥ 70 years or those with cardiometabolic risk factors. We determined allometric coefficients for scaling using linear regression of the logarithmically transformed ventricular remodeling parameters. We further defined a multiplicative allometric relationship for LV concentricity (LVC) adjusting for both LVEDV and LBM. RESULTS: A total of 1638 individuals (1057 female) were included. In subjects with lower body fat percentage (< 25% in males, < 35% in females, n = 644), the LBM allometric coefficients for scaling LVM and LVEDV were 0.85 ± 0.06 and 0.85 ± 0.03 respectively (R2 = 0.61 and 0.57, P < 0.001), with no evidence of sex-allometry interaction. While the MVR was independent of LBM, it demonstrated a negative association with LVEDV in (females: r = - 0.44, P < 0.001; males: - 0.38, P < 0.001). In contrast, LVC was independent of both LVEDV and LBM [LVC = LVM/(LVEDV0.40 × LBM0.50)] leading to increased overlap between LV hypertrophy and higher concentricity. CONCLUSIONS: We validated allometric coefficients for LBM-based scaling for CMR indexed parameters relevant for classifying geometric patterns of ventricular remodeling.

Evaluation of larval surface antigens from infective larvae of Strongyloides venezuelensis for the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.

Serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis is usually performed by ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies due to its high sensitivity and practicality, but its main limitation is a constant source of S. stercoralis antigens. The use of S. venezuelensis as a heterologous source of antigens has facilitated several published studies on the serodiagnosis and epidemiology of human strongyloidiasis. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of surface cuticle antigens of infective larvae of S. venezuelensis extracted with CTAB detergent (L3-CTAB) in comparison with soluble somatic extracts (L3-SSE) using a panel of sera from immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, at three different cut-offs. ROC curve analysis showed that L3-CTAB had an AUC of 0.9926. At the first cut-off value (OD 450 nm = 0.214), sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 90.11%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.93. At a second cut-off value (OD 450 nm = 0.286), sensitivity and specificity were 70% and 100%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.91. However, at an alternative third cut-off value (OD 450 nm = 0.589), sensitivity and specificity were 95% and 97.8%, respectively, with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.97. Using L3-CTAB as an antigenic source, the seropositivity rate in immunocompromised patients was 28.13% (9/32) whereas a seropositivity rate of 34.38% (11/32) was found when L3-SSE was used in ELISA. Therefore, the L3-CTAB is simple and practical to obtain and was found to be highly sensitive and specific.

Practical anatomy classes: An alternative to improve the learning of middle school students.

Anatomy is the branch discipline focused on studying organisms' physical structures and parts. Although technological advances are broadening the anatomy study, the practices of prosection and dissection of human cadavers and animals remain a primary teaching method. Despite the large body of research supporting its benefits, in some countries, cadaveric prosection and dissection of vertebrate animals in secondary education have been banned. In the current study, to prevent a lack of access to anatomical sciences education, the use of plastinated biological specimens was proposed for teaching practical biology in middle and high schools. The study was conducted in the 2014 academic year. Eighty-seven middle school students participated in the experiment. Groups consisted of: (i) theoretical classes only; (ii) theoretical class plus prosection with fresh specimens class; (iii) theoretical class plus expository with plastinated specimens classes. A post-test grade method was used to assess the impact of such tasks on the learning experience of each group. An ANOVA test and multiple regression model were used to analyze the effects of the variables of interest. Our study highlighted that students who underwent the plastination practical class had higher overall performance and a higher mean post-test grade than those in the pure theoretical group. A favorable effect of a positive self-knowledge assessment on the students' performance was found, supporting the self-efficacy model of human behavior. Thus, the current study provides further evidence to support the use of plastinated specimens as an effective teaching method in countries where dissection is not feasible.