Effects of Minimalist vs. Traditional Running Shoes on Abdominal Lumbopelvic Muscle Activity in Women Running at Different Speeds: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to investigate if the characteristics of different running shoes could influence intra-abdominal pressure during running. A single-centre, randomized, prospective cross-over clinical trial was performed measuring activity patterns of internal oblique (IO), lumbar erector (LE), and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles in healthy women when running with minimalist shoes (MS). Participants were randomly allocated into two-sequence (MS/TS or TS/MS) treadmill running at six, nine, and eleven km/h. The surface electromyographic activity of IO, LE, and GM muscles were recorded while running. A repeated measures ANOVA explored the interaction effects of three-muscle x three speeds x two shoes. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Fifty-one healthy nulliparous women (mean age: 26.55 ± 5.11 years; body mass index: 21.29 ± 2.07 Kg/m2) were included. Our findings revealed lower activations of the LE compared to the internal oblique IO and GM, irrespective of running speed and footwear used. Electromyographic activation significantly increased with higher running speeds (p < 0.001) for all muscles, regardless of the type of footwear. Although electromyographic records with MS consistently showed higher values than those with TS, the differences were not statistically significant for all muscles at all speeds. Our results indicate that electromyographic activation patterns vary according to the muscle group, exhibiting higher values with increased running speed. No significant differences were observed between MS and TS.

Enhancing upper tract urothelial carcinoma diagnosis: Utility of cytokeratin 17 and CK20/CD44/p53 immunohistochemical panel.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) presents diagnostic challenges due to small biopsy specimen size, poor orientation, and technical obstacles that can yield equivocal diagnoses. This uncertainty often mandates repeated biopsies to evaluate the necessity of nephroureterectomy. Prior studies have suggested cytokeratin 17 (CK17) immunostain as an adjunctive tool for diagnosing bladder urothelial neoplasia in both urine cytology and tissue biopsy specimens. We evaluated the utility of CK17 in differentiating UTUC from benign urothelium and its ability to stratify low-grade from high-grade neoplasia. Our study involved a cohort of previously diagnosed cytology (n = 29) and tissue specimens from biopsies and resections (n = 85). We evaluated CK17 staining percentage in cytology and tissue samples and localization patterns in biopsy/resection samples. Our findings showed a statistically significant distinction (p < 0.05) between UTUC and benign tissue specimens based on full thickness localization pattern (odds ratio 8.8 [95% CI 1.53-67.4]). The percentage of CK17 staining failed to significantly differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic cases in cytology or tissue samples. Additionally, based on prior research showing the efficacy of CK20/CD44/p53 triple panel in bladder urothelial neoplasia, we utilized tissue microarrays to evaluate if these markers could distinguish UTUC from benign urothelium. We found that CK20/CD44/p53, individually or in combination, could not distinguish urothelial neoplasia from non-neoplasia. Full thickness CK17 urothelial localization by immunohistochemistry was highly reproducible with excellent interobserver agreement and may play a supplementary role in distinguishing upper tract urothelial neoplasia from benign urothelium.

Evaluation of Abdominal Musculature Thickness, Pelvic Tilt, and Trunk Mobility in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background: This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate differences in abdominal musculature thickness, pelvic tilt, and trunk mobility between women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and a control group (CG). Methods: Participants included 44 women (22 with PD and 22 controls) aged over 18, nulliparous, and of reproductive age. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles at rest and during contraction. Additionally, anterior pelvic tilt was assessed using the Palpation Meter (PALM), and trunk flexion and extension were measured using an accelerometer (activForce2). Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in RA and EO muscle thickness, with lower values in the PD group compared to CG. However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in TrA and IO muscle thickness, anterior pelvic tilt, or trunk mobility between groups. Conclusions: These findings contribute to understanding the musculoskeletal factors potentially involved in dysmenorrhea. Further research is needed to explore associations between PD and structural and alignment parameters.

Blood gene expression biomarkers of response to anti-TNF drugs in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases before initiation of treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Changes in gene expression profiles among individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) could potentially influence the responsiveness to anti-TNF treatment. The aim of this study was to identify genes that could serve as predictors of early response to anti-TNF therapies in pediatric IBD patients prior to the initiation of treatment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, and multicenter study, enrolling 24 pediatric IBD patients aged less than 18 years who were initiating treatment with either infliximab or adalimumab. RNA-seq from blood samples was analyzed using the DESeq2 library by comparing responders and non-responders to anti-TNF drugs. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analyses unveiled 102 differentially expressed genes, with 99 genes exhibiting higher expression in responders compared to non-responders prior to the initiation of anti-TNF therapy. Functional enrichment analyses highlighted defense response to Gram-negative bacteria (FDR = 2.3 ×10-7) as the most significant biological processes, and hemoglobin binding (FDR = 0.002), as the most significant molecular function. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed notable enrichment in transcriptional misregulation in cancer (FDR = 0.016). Notably, 13 genes (CEACAM8, CEACAM6, CILP2, COL17A1, OLFM4, INHBA, LCN2, LTF, MMP8, DEFA4, PRTN3, AZU1, and ELANE) were selected for validation, and a consistent trend of increased expression in responders prior to drug administration was observed for most of these genes, with findings for 4 of them being statistically significant (CEACAM8, LCN2, LTF2, and PRTN3). CONCLUSIONS: We identified 102 differentially expressed genes involved in the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs and validated CEACAM8, LCN2, LTF2, and PRTN3. Genes participating in defense response to Gram-negative bacterium, serine-type endopeptidase activity, and transcriptional misregulation in cancer are good candidates for anticipating the response to anti-TNF drugs in children with IBDs.

Reducción de sodio en salsa de tomate y mayonesa mediante la aplicación de un enfoque de umbral sensorial / Sodium reduction in tomato sauce and mayonnaise through the application of a sensory threshold approach

El consumo excesivo de sodio es causa importante de enfermedades no transmisibles incluyendo hipertensión. En esta investigación se evaluó una metodología sensorial para reducir el contenido de sodio en salsas de tomate y mayonesas, productos altamente consumidos en Costa Rica. Se caracterizaron, por triplicado, 16 salsas y 7 mayonesas comerciales para determinar los ingredientes más comunes y sus características físicoquímicas. Se comparó el contenido de sodio reportado en la etiqueta contra el valor determinado experimentalmente. Se formularon prototipos de ambos productos y se determinó el umbral de diferencia apenas perceptible (DAP) para el gusto salado utilizando el método de estímulo constante con 40 panelistas no entrenados (d'= 1, significancia de 0,05 y potencia de prueba de 0,95). Se contruyeron las curvas psicofísicas con concentraciones de sal entre 0,67% y 2,5% para salsa de tomate y 0,13% y 4,16% para mayonesa; obteniéndose DAPs de 0,51% y 0,26% respectivamente; equivalentes a 28,3% y 14,4% menos de sal en cada producto. Para la validación del umbral, se aplicó una prueba de discriminación 2-AFC con 40 panelistas comparando la formulación regular con la reducida en sodio. Los panelistas no detectaron diferencias significativas entre mayonesas (P>0,05) pero sí entre salsas (P<0,05), por lo que se aplicó una prueba de agrado con 112 consumidores y se determinó que la salsa reducida en sodio resultó de mayor o igual agrado que la contraparte. Estos resultados guiarían a la industria alimentaria regional hacia el mejoramiento del perfil nutricional de estos productos(AU)

The excessive consumption of sodium is an important cause of noncommunicable diseases including hypertension. This research aimed, using a sensorial methodology, to reduce sodium content in tomato sauces and mayonnaise, highly consumed products in Costa Rica. A total of 16 commercial sauces and 7 mayonnaises were characterized to determine their most common ingredients and physicochemical properties. The sodium content reported in the labed was compared against values obtained experimentally. Prototypes for both products were developed and the threshold for the just noticiable difference (JND) for salty flavor was determined using the constant stimulus method with 40 panelists (d'= 1, 0.05 significance and a test power of 0,95). Psychophysical curves were built with salt concentrations between 0.67% and 2.5% for tomato sauce and 0.13% and 4.16% for mayonnaise; obtaining JNDs of 0.51% and 0.26% respectively; equivalent to 28.3% and 14.4% less salt in tomato and mayonnaise. To validate the threshold, a discriminatory 2-AFC test with 40 panelists was performed to compare the regular formulations against those reduced in sodium. Panelists did not detect significant differences among mayonnaises (P>0.05) but they did found differences between sauces (P<0.05). Thus, for tomato sauce a consumer liking test with 112 consumers was performed and it was found that sodium reduced tomato sauce was equally or more liked than its counterpart. These results guide the regional food industry towards the improval of the nutritional profile of both products(AU)

Macroabsceso placentario secundario a infección por Listeria monocytogenes / Placental macroabscess due to Listeria monocytogenes infection

La listeriosis es una infección poco frecuente causada por el bacilo Listeria monocytogenes. Cuando la infección se produce durante el embarazo suele afectar a la placenta y provoca villitis aguda y microabscesos, y, con menos frecuencia, macroabscesos. Generalmente se debe al consumo de alimentos contaminados. La sintomatología suele ser inespecífica o estar ausente, lo cual dificulta su diagnóstico. En la mujer embarazada puede producir aborto, parto prematuro e incluso muerte neoanatal. Presentamos un caso de infección por L. monocytogenes en una mujer embarazada que afecta a la placenta y provoca macroabscesos, y con resultado perinatal favorable (AU)

Listeriosis is an uncommon infection caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacillus. Infection during pregnancy usually affects the placenta and causes acute villositis and microabscesses and, less frequently, macroabscesses. Listeriosis is usually due to consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms and signs are usually non-specific, or absent, making the infection difficult to diagnose. In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, and neonatal death. We present a case of L. monocytogenes infection in a pregnant woman that affected the placenta, provoking macroabscesses. The perinatal outcome was favourable (AU)

Differential leucocyte RNA expression in the coronary arteries compared to systemic circulation discriminates between patients with and those without coronary artery disease / La expresión diferencial de ARN en leucocitos en las arterias coronarias comparada con la de leucocitos de circulación sistémica discrimina a pacientes con y sin enfermedad arterial coronaria

Aims: To test the hypothesis that the pattern of gene expression in circulating leukocytes may differ between vascular compartments, depending on the presence or absence of atherosclerosis, we evaluated the regional vascular differences in patterns of inflammatory cell activation. Methods: Patients (n = 8) with angiographically-established coronary artery disease (CAD+) and 8 without (CAD-) had blood samples taken from a peripheral vein as well as from left and right coronary arteries. Samples were pooled resulting in 4 CAD+ samples versus 4 CAD- samples and hybridised to a Whole Human Genome Microarray 4×44K. Results: CAD- patients had a similar gene expression profile across the different sites. CAD+ patients had statistically significant different gene expression patterns in venous vs. right and left coronary artery compartments. The expression pattern observed in the right coronary was where the most differences in gene expression were observed in CAD+ vs. CAD- patients. Overall, 1964 genes were differentially expressed between CAD+ and CAD−. Of these, 1052 were less expressed in CAD+ and 912 were more expressed in CAD+. Up to 12 of the 20 most differentially expressed genes appeared to reflect different phases of the atherosclerosis process: endothelial dysfunction, lipid accumulation, and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Conclusions: Gene expression of circulating leukocytes differentiates CAD+ from CAD- patients. Gene expression is significantly different between coronary arteries and the systemic circulation in CAD+ patients, but not in CAD- patients. Gene expression is significantly different between CAD+ and CAD- subjects, and appears to reflect the atherosclerosis process. These intra-individual differences may be an additional feature of established coronary artery disease

Objetivo: Para comprobar la hipótesis de que los patrones de expresión génica de leucocitos en circulación pueden ser diferentes entre los compartimentos vasculares dependiendo de la presencia o ausencia de arteriosclerosis, hemos evaluado en distintas regiones vasculares las diferencias entre los patrones de expresión y la activación de células inflamatorias. Métodos: Se extrajeron muestras de sangre de venas periféricas y de las arterias coronarias (derecha e izquierda) de pacientes con (n=8; CAD+) y sin (n=8; CAD−) enfermedad arterial coronaria establecida angiográficamente. Las muestras fueron hibridadas en dos pooles de 4 muestras (CAD+ vs CAD−) mediante el kit Whole Human Genome Microarray 4×44K. Resultados: Los pacientes CAD- tenían un perfil de expresión génica similar entre los distintos compartimentos vasculares. Los pacientes CAD+ tenían patrones de expresión génica significativamente diferentes entre los compartimentos venosos y las arterias coronarias derecha e izquierda. El patrón de expresión observado en la arteria coronaria derecha fue el que presentó más diferencias entre los pacientes CAD+ vs. CAD-. En conjunto, 1.964 genes estaban expresados diferencialmente entre CAD+ y CAD-. De estos, 1.052 estaban menos expresados en CAD+ i 912 estaban más expresados en CAD+. Hasta 12 de los 20 genes más diferencialmente expresados estaban relacionados con las diferentes fases del proceso arteriosclerótico: disfunción endotelial, acumulación lipídica y proliferación de células musculares lisas. Conclusiones: La expresión génica de leucocitos circulantes diferencia pacientes CAD+ de CAD-. La expresión genética es significativamente diferente entre arterias coronarias y circulación sistémica en pacientes CAD+, pero no en pacientes CAD-. Estas diferencias intraindividuales podrían ser una característica adicional en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad arterial coronaria

Grado de dolor al pinchar la fistula arteriovenosa con agujas congeladas comparando con agujas a temperatura ambiente / Level of pain in the arteriovenous fistula comparing frozen needles with room temperature needles

El dolor es una sensación subjetiva de malestar o sufrimiento que se origina como resultado de estimulaciones nocivas que indican daño tisular o enfermedad de cualquier tipo. Ocupa un lugar preeminente entre todas las experiencias sensoriales por medio de las cuales el hombre es consciente de que padece una enfermedad o está sufriendo una agresión externa, provocada por otra persona, sobre alguna parte de su cuerpo al realizar un tratamiento médico, produciendo dolor agudo. El objetivo principal del trabajo es comparar el grado de dolor al que es sometido el paciente cuando se punciona su fístula arteriovenosa (FA-VI) con agujas a distinta temperatura. El número de pacientes fueron 25. Las variables estudiadas: edad, sexo y tipo de acceso vascular no han sido estadísticamente significativas, por el contrario, en la comparación entre agujas a - 8°C y agujas a temperatura ambiente, si existe diferencia significativa en la intensidad del dolor que siente el paciente (AU)

Estenosis esofágica en una esofagitis eosinofílica / Esophageal stenosis in eosinophilic esophagitis

La esofagitis eosinofílica es una enfermedad rara, descubiertarecientemente, que se caracteriza por síntomas esofágicos,como disfagia e impactación de alimentos. Se asocia con unadensa eosinofilia en la biopsia endoscópica del esófago, perono con otras afecciones, como la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico.No responde al tratamiento con inhibidores dela bomba de protones. Es una enfermedad fundamentalmentepediátrica, pero su prevalencia en adultos está aumentando.Hay varias teorías sobre su etiopatogenia que larelacionan con las alergias y la atopia. En su curso evolucionadopueden aparecer complicaciones, como estenosis esofágicas.El tratamiento se basa en dietas de exclusión, corticoidesy dilataciones endoscópicas. Se presenta un caso clínicode esofagitis eosinofílica con estenosis esofágica

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare, recently discovered disease,characterized by esophageal symptoms, such as dysphagiaand food impaction, associated with dense eosinophiliaon endoscopic biopsy of the esophagus. Other entities suchas gastroesophageal reflux disease are absent and there is alack of response to proton pump inhibitor therapy. This diseasemainly affects the pediatric population but is becomingmore prevalent in adults. There are several theories onthe etiopathogenesis of this entity, which may involve allergiesand atopy. In advanced disease, complications such asesophageal stenosis can appear. Treatment is based on dietaryelimination, corticosteroids and endoscopic dilatation.We report a case of eosinophilic esophagitis with esophageal stenosis