Gender-specific accuracy of lipid accumulation product index for the screening of metabolic syndrome in general adults: a meta-analysis and comparative analysis with other adiposity indicators.

BACKGROUND: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a novel predictor index of central lipid accumulation associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of LAP for the screening of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in general adult males and females and its comparison with other lipid-related indicators. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and ProQuest for eligible studies up to May 8, 2024. Outcomes were pooled mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR), and diagnostic accuracy parameters (sensitivity, specificity, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic [AUSROC] curve). Comparative analysis was conducted using Z-test. RESULTS: Forty-three studies involving 202,313 participants (98,164 males and 104,149 females) were included. Pooled MD analysis showed that LAP was 45.92 (P < 0.001) and 41.70 units (P < 0.001) higher in men and women with MetS, respectively. LAP was also significantly associated with MetS, with pooled ORs of 1.07 (P < 0.001) in men and 1.08 (P < 0.001) in women. In men, LAP could detect MetS with a pooled sensitivity of 85% (95% CI: 82%-87%), specificity of 81% (95% CI: 80%-83%), and AUSROC curve of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85-0.90), while in women, LAP had a sensitivity of 83% (95% CI: 80%-86%), specificity of 80% (95% CI: 78%-82%), and AUSROC curve of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.85-0.91). LAP had a significantly higher AUSROC curve (P < 0.05) for detecting MetS compared to body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body roundness index (BRI), a body shape index (ABSI), body adiposity index (BAI), conicity index (CI) in both genders, and waist circumference (WC) and abdominal volume index (AVI) in females. CONCLUSION: LAP may serve as a simple, cost-effective, and more accurate screening tool for MetS in general adult male and female populations.

Serum pepsinogen level as a biomarker for atrophy, reflux esophagitis, and gastric cancer screening in Indonesia.

Background: Chronic dyspepsia's symptoms are frequently seen in primary to tertiary healthcare in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the potential usability of pepsinogen (PG) values in determining gastric mucosal conditions, including superficial gastritis and atrophic gastritis. Materials and Methods: We recruited 646 adult dyspeptic patients and then analyzed PG values (including PGI, PGII, and PGI/II ratio) with endoscopic findings, gastric mucosal damages, and Helicobacter pylori infection. The gastric mucosal damage and H. pylori infection were evaluated using histological examination based on the updated Sydney system. Results: Among 646 enrolled patients, 308 (47.2%), 212 (32.8%), 91 (14.1%), 34 (5.2%), and 1 (0.2%) patient were diagnosed with normal mucosa, gastritis, reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, respectively. Significant differences in PGI, PGII, and PGI/II ratio values were observed among ethnic groups (all P < 0.01). The PGI and PGII levels were significantly higher and PGI/II was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients than in uninfected ones (all P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value for PGII and PGI/II was 12.45 ng/mL with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.755 (0.702-0.811), sensitivity 59.3%, and specificity 77.1%; and 4.75 with AUC value of 0.821 (0.763-0.855), sensitivity 81.5%, and specificity 78.7%, respectively, to determine moderate-severe atrophy. Conclusion: Serum PG levels, a useful biomarker, represent the endoscopic findings, especially for reflux esophagitis. In addition, the benefits of PG values detecting atrophic gastritis were limited to moderate-severe atrophic gastritis. This usefulness requires careful attention for several ethnic groups in Indonesia.

The effect of intermittent fasting on preventing obesity-related early aging from a molecular and cellular perspective.

Obesity is a global health concern owing to its association with numerous degenerative diseases and the fact that it may lead to early aging. Various markers of aging, including telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, altered protein homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell disorders, and intercellular communication, are influenced by obesity. Consequently, there is a critical need for safe and effective approaches to prevent obesity and mitigate the onset of premature aging. In recent years, intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary strategy that alternates between periods of fasting and feeding, has emerged as a promising dietary strategy that holds potential in counteracting the aging process associated with obesity. This article explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which IF affects obesity-related early aging. IF regulates various physiological processes and organ systems, including the liver, brain, muscles, intestines, blood, adipose tissues, endocrine system, and cardiovascular system. Moreover, IF modulates key signaling pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuins, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and fork head box O (FOXO). By targeting these pathways, IF has the potential to attenuate aging phenotypes associated with obesity-related early aging. Overall, IF offers promising avenues for promoting healthier lifestyles and mitigating the premature aging process in individuals affected by obesity.

The Impact of Ten Days of Periodic Fasting on the Modulation of the Longevity Gene in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Fasting potentially alters the aging process induced by obesity by regulating telomere integrity, which is related to longevity genes. However, the impact of periodic fasting (PF) on the expression of longevity genes, particularly Forkhead Box O Transcription Factors (FOXO3a) and the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT), is not fully understood. This study aimed to analyze the effects of PF, specifically on FOXO3a, hTERT expression, and other associated factors. METHODS: A quasi-experimental 10-day study was conducted in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. This study consisted of an intervention group (PFG), which carried out PF for ten days using a daily 12 h time-restricted eating protocol, and a control group (CG), which had daily meals as usual. FOXO3a and hTERT expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time qPCR. A paired t-test/Wilcoxon test, independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman's correlation test were used for statistical analysis. RESULT: Thirty-six young men participated in this study. During the post-test period, FOXO3a expression in the PFG increased 28.56 (±114.05) times compared to the pre-test, but the difference was not significant. hTERT expression was significantly higher in both the CG and PFG. The hTERT expression in the PFG was 10.26 (±8.46) times higher than in the CG, which was only 4.73 (±4.81) times higher. There was also a positive relationship between FOXO and hTERT in the CG. CONCLUSIONS: PF significantly increased hTERT expression in the PFG; however, no significant increase was found in FOXO3a expression. PF regimens using the 12 h time-restricted eating approach may become a potential strategy for preventing obesity-induced premature aging by regulating longevity gene expression.

High Potassium Diet Rich in Spices and Herbs-Salt Substitution (HPSH-SS) for Blood Pressure Reduction in Older Adults: Protocol for Diet Concept and Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension increases with age, often due to high sodium (Na) and low potassium (K) intake. Reducing salt and increasing K intake is challenging, especially for older adults due to taste preferences. Culinary herbs and spices, rich in K, offer a potential solution. The High Potassium Diet Rich in Spices and Herbs-Salt Substitution (HPSH-SS) diet has not yet been studied for its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to create an HPSH-SS diet, analyze its effects on blood pressure in older adults, and study the molecular mechanism occurring in the kidneys and blood vessels influenced by this diet. METHODS: This study consists of 2 phases. The first phase involved formulating and assessing the HPSH-SS diet tailored for older adults. The intervention group (IG) received a diet of 1800 kcal/day, with 3500 mg K and 1500 mg Na, while the control group (CG) received 1500 mg K and 2000 mg Na. The diet was administered for 14 days and standardized using the NutriSurvey program and biochemistry analysis by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry (AAS). The second phase was a 14-day parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the older adult participants divided into IG and CG. Primary outcomes included blood pressure; serum potassium; aldosterone; F2 isoprostane; nitric oxide plasma levels; and urine analysis of Na, K, and the Na/K ratio. Confounding variables were controlled through randomization and stratified analysis. RESULTS: The menu formulation and organoleptic assessment of the HPSH-SS diet began in mid-2022 and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Airlangga (78/EA/KEPK/2022) on May 11, 2022. The diet was standardized to achieve daily nutritional values of 1800 kcal energy, 3500 mg K, and 1500 mg Na. K and Na contents were analyzed using AAS from several participants' spice diet menus. Recruitment for the RCT started in March 2023, with approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee Universitas Airlangga School of Medicine, Surabaya (35/EC/KEPK/FKUA/2023). The study was registered from February 9, 2023, to February 9, 2024. Between March and June 2023, 64 participants were recruited, with 32 participants in the IG and CG. The intervention and data collection will take place over 1 year. Data management is in progress, and data analysis is yet to be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This RCT protocol hypothesizes that the diet will increase serum K, plasma aldosterone, and nitric oxide levels; decrease plasma F2 isoprostane; increase urinary Na and K levels; lower the urinary Na/K ratio; and reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If effective, it will offer valuable insights into dietary strategies for blood pressure regulation in older adults. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56869.

High-intensity combination exercise has the highest effect on increasing serum irisin and interleukin 6 levels in women with obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Lifestyle, overnutrition, socioeconomic status, environmental conditions, and genetics are factors that cause obesity. Lifestyle modification with a nonpharmacological approach based on physical exercise is the starting point in overcoming obesity. However, physical exercise with the appropriate and effective intensity for obese subjects is still debated. Therefore, this study aims to prove the effect of intensity differences with aerobic-resistance combination exercise on increasing irisin and IL-6 levels in obese women. METHODS: A total of 32 obese women were selected as subjects and administered the interventions of low-intensity combination exercise (Q2), moderate-intensity combination exercise (Q3), and high-intensity combination exercise (Q4). ELISA was used to measure irisin and IL-6 levels in all samples. Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA and Turkey's-Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test. RESULTS: The mean Δ IL-6 levels in the control groups (Q1), Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.27 ± 2.54, 2.07 ± 2.55, 5.99 ± 6.25, and 7.98 ± 2.82 pg/mL with (p=0.015). The mean Δ irisin levels were 0.06 ± 0.81 ng/mL in Q1, 0.59 ± 0.67 ng/mL in Q2, 1.99 ± 1.65 ng/mL in Q3, 4.63 ± 3.57 ng/mL in Q4 with (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study proved that all three types of combined exercise intensity increased myokine levels, such as irisin and IL-6. However, high-intensity combination exercise provided the most optimal improvement in myokine levels in obese women. Future studies are needed to design long-term exercise programs specifically for obese adolescent women using the findings from this study.

Combined Aerobic Exercise with Intermittent Fasting Is Effective for Reducing mTOR and Bcl-2 Levels in Obese Females.

The integration of combined aerobic exercise and intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a strategy for the prevention and management of obesity, including its associated health issues such as age-related metabolic diseases. This study aimed to examine the potential of combined aerobic exercise and IF as a preventative strategy against cellular senescence by targeting mTOR and Bcl-2 levels in obese females. A total of 30 obese women, aged 23.56 ± 1.83 years, body fat percentage (FAT) 45.21 ± 3.73% (very high category), BMI 30.09 ± 3.74 kg/m2 were recruited and participated in three different types of interventions: intermittent fasting (IF), exercise (EXG), and a combination of intermittent fasting and exercise (IFEXG). The intervention program was carried out 5x/week for 2 weeks. We examined mTOR and Bcl-2 levels using ELISA kits. Statistical analysis used the one-way ANOVA test and continued with Tukey's HSD post hoc test, with a significance level of 5%. The study results showed that a combination of aerobic exercise and IF significantly decreased mTOR levels (-1.26 ± 0.79 ng/mL) compared to the control group (-0.08 ± 1.33 ng/mL; p ≤ 0.05). However, combined aerobic exercise and IF did not affect Bcl-2 levels significantly (-0.07 ± 0.09 ng/mL) compared to the control group (0.01 ± 0.17 ng/mL, p ≥ 0.05). The IF-only group, exercise-only group, and combined group all showed a significant decrease in body weight and fat mass compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). However, the combined aerobic exercise and IF program had a significant effect in reducing the total percentage of body fat and fat mass compared to the IF-only group (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that the combined intermittent fasting and exercise group (IFEXG) undertook the most effective intervention of the three in terms of preventing cellular senescence, as demonstrated by decreases in the mTOR level, body weight, and fat mass. However, the IFEXG did not present reduced Bcl-2 levels.

Short-term multicomponent exercise training improves executive function in postmenopausal women.

Declined cognitive function is commonly complained during the menopausal transition and continues afterward. Combining different exercises potentially leads to greater improvements in cognitive function, however, evidence of the benefits that accrue with multicomponent exercise training, specifically for postmenopausal women is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term multicomponent exercise training programs on executive function in postmenopausal women. Thirty women (59.8 ± 5.2 years), who were at least 12 months post menopause were allocated into a control (CON) group and an exercise (EX) training group. The EX group underwent a 2-week (five times/week) multicomponent exercise program comprising aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises for 40-60 min. Executive function was assessed by using the Stroop test and global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline (pre) and after 2 weeks (post) of exercise. The EX group showed improved performance in the Stroop test, with faster inhibition reaction time (ES (g) = 0.76; p = 0.039) and fewer errors across all tasks (color naming: g = 0.8, p = 0.032; word reading: g = 0.88, p = 0.019; inhibition: g = 0.99, p = 0.009; switching: g = 0.93, p = 0.012) following exercise intervention. Additionally, statistical analysis of the MMSE score showed a significant improvement (g = 1.27; p = 0.001). In conclusion, our findings suggest that a short-term multicomponent exercise program improves selective tasks of executive function in postmenopausal women along with global cognitive function. Trial registration ISRCTN13086152.

Dynamic of irisin secretion change after moderate-intensity chronic physical exercise on obese female.

OBJECTIVES: Exercise is one of the beneficial mediators for the regulation and prevention of obesity through the role of irisin, so it potentially enhances metabolism health. This study aims to investigate the dynamic of irisin secrecy change after chronic exercise in obese females. METHODS: Thirty-one female adolescents aged 20-22 years enrolled in the study and were given interventions aerobic, resistance, and a combination of aerobic and resistance training. The exercises were performed at moderate-intensity, for 35-40 min per session, and three times a week for four weeks. The measurement of irisin level, IGF-1 level, and bio-anthropometry was carried out before and after the four weeks of exercise. The bio-anthropometry measurement was carried out using seca mBCA 514, while the measurement of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and irisin was completed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The obtained data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test with 5 % significance. RESULTS: Our results indicated higher dynamic of irisin and IGF-1 increases in the group with a combination of aerobic and resistance training exercises than the other two groups with a different exercise. Further, we also observed different dynamics of irisin and IGF-1 level increase (p<0.05). Besides, the irisin was also correlated with the IGF-1 and bio-anthropometric parameters (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of aerobic and resistance training exercises is considered as the alternative for enhancing the dynamic of irisin and IGF-1 increase. Thus, it can be used to prevent and regulate obesity.

The Positive Effect of Four-Week Combined Aerobic-Resistance Training on Body Composition and Adipokine Levels in Obese Females.

Obesity is a metabolic disease that is caused by a lack of physical activity and is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammation. A total of 40 obese adolescent females with an average age of 21.93 ± 1.35 years and average body mass index (BMI) of 30.81 ± 3.54 kg/m2 were enrolled in this study, randomized, and divided into four groups, i.e., control (CTL; n = 10), moderate intensity aerobic training (MAT; n = 10), moderate intensity resistance training (MRT; n = 10), and moderate intensity combined aerobic-resistance training (MCT; n = 10). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits method was used to analyze the adiponectin and leptin levels between pre-intervention and post-intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted using a paired sample t-test, while correlation analysis between variables used the Pearson product-moment correlation test. Research data showed that MAT, MRT, and MCT significantly increased adiponectin levels and decreased leptin levels compared to the CTL (p ≤ 0.05). The results of the correlation analysis of delta (∆) data showed that an increase in adiponectin levels was significantly negatively correlated with a decrease in body weight (BW) (r = -0.671, p ≤ 0.001), BMI (r = -0.665, p ≤ 0.001), and fat mass (FM) (r = -0.694, p ≤ 0.001) and positively correlated with an increase in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (r = 0.693, p ≤ 0.001). Whereas, a decrease in leptin levels was significantly positively correlated with a decrease in BW (r = 0.744, p ≤ 0.001), BMI (r = 0.744, p ≤ 0.001), and FM (r = 0.718, p ≤ 0.001) and negatively correlated with an increase in SMM (r = -0.743, p ≤ 0.001). In summary, it can be concluded that our data show that adiponectin levels increased and leptin levels decreased after the intervention of aerobic, resistance, and combined aerobic-resistance training.

Risk Factors Associated with Nasopharyngeal Cancer Incidences in Indonesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated the incidence of NPC, particularly in Indonesia. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA statement. Database including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and GARUDA were retrieved. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of published study and analyse the risk of bias of included study. Random-effect model and reported pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with 95%CI was carried out in our meta-analysis. RESULTS: A pooled of 7 studies were included in our study which included 764 participants. We found that female gender was not associated with the incidences of NPC (OR 1.45, 95% CI: 0.61-3.45, p=0.40), and smoking was highly increased the incidence of NPC (OR 4.39 95% CI (0.79-24.40), but not statistically significant (p=0.09). Furthermore, salted fish consumption and some HLA alleles were associated with increased risk. CONCLUSION: The incidence of NPC is not associated with female gender nor smoking habits. However, the risk of NPC is higher for those who consume salted fish and have some susceptible HLA alleles. Further investigations in larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Predominant aspects of knowledge and practical skills among medical students with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

BACKGROUND: Social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted most learning methods into online courses, especially for medical skills education. However, the effects of online courses on medical skill education amongst medical students are still arguable. The study aims to analyse medical students' knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction towards medical skills between online and offline courses. METHOD: We performed a case-control study conducted among 533 medical students with online (as a case group, n = 288) and offline courses (as a control group, n = 245). We evaluated three fundamental medical skills, including history taking [HT], lung physical examination [LPE], and heart physical examination [HPE]. We tested the knowledge and skills among students through theory and practical examinations. Students' attitudes and satisfaction were assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The scores for knowledge and practical skills among the online group were significantly higher (p = 0.016, p = 0.004, respectively). In comparison, the scores for the students' attitudes and satisfaction were substantially lower (p = 0.000, p = 0.003, respectively) compared to the control group. Most of the students in both groups passed the exam (case vs. control = 81.94%; 83.27%, respectively). Males were the only factor associated with a higher rate of passing the examination (OR 0.42, 95% CI [0.27-0.67], p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Online learning could be an alternative approach on improving student's knowledge and practice towards medical skill especially amidst COVID-19 pandemic, however further consideration on student's attitude and satisfaction are mandatory to achieve appropriate competence as future general practitioner.

Single 30 min treadmill exercise session suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in obese female adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Regular treadmill exercise may result in changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. However, the way acute treadmill exercise mechanisms affect the changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in obese has not been comprehensively exposed. This study aimed to analyze the pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress between 30 min before treadmill exercise and 24 h after treadmill exercise in obese adolescents. METHODS: A total of 20 obese females aged 19-24 years were recruited from female students and given one session of treadmill exercise with an intensity of 60-70% HRmax. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was used to analyze serum levels of MDA, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the independent samples t-test with a significance level of 5% was employed to have the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results on 24 h after treadmill exercise and delta (Δ) between CTRL and TREG showed a significant difference (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress 24 h after treadmill exercise in obese adolescents. Therefore, treadmill exercise can be a promising strategy for preventing adolescents from obesity as well as preventing disease risks associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

Hybrid learning as alternative approach to improve Indonesian medical students' attitude towards clinical skills during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Hybrid learning has been chosen as an alternative method in the conduction of clinical skill lectures during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic since students need to learn skills applied in emergency situations. This study aims to analyze students' attitudes between hybrid and online learning methods. METHODS: A non-randomized study was conducted between hybrid group (HG) and online group (OG) on three courses (intravenous [IV]-line insertion, nasogastric tube [NGT] insertion, and neonatal resuscitation). We developed a preformed validated questionnaire to assess students' attitudes in five domains (willingness, understanding, capacity, self-efficacy, and intended behavior). The questionnaire was applied at the pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 100 participants were included (n=49 in HG, n=51 in OG). Post-course attitudes were significantly higher in online (IV-line, p=0.000; NGT, p=0.000; resuscitation, p=0.000) and hybrid (IV-line, p=0.000; NGT, p=0.000; resuscitation, p=0.000) groups compared to their pre-course. There were no significant differences in post-course attitude between groups (IV-line, p=0.072; NGT, p=0.163; resuscitation, p=0.146). Normalized-gain scores of all subjects were higher in HG (IV-line, p=0.012; NGT, p=0.085; resuscitation, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, hybrid learning could be considered as a better alternative in clinical skill lectures to maximize students' attitudes, especially during COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-Term Resistance-Endurance Combined Training Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Young Adult Females with Obesity.

A sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet increase the risk of obesity. People with obesity experience adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, which increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines, thereby increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle modification using non-pharmacological approaches such as physical exercise prevents increased morbidity through its anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different types of exercise on decreased proinflammatory cytokines in young adult females with obesity. A total of 36 female students from Malang City aged 21.86 ± 1.39 years with body mass index (BMI) of 30.93 ± 3.51 kg/m2 were recruited and followed three different types of exercise interventions: moderate-intensity endurance training (MIET), moderate-intensity resistance training (MIRT), and moderate-intensity combined training (MICT). The exercise was performed at a frequency of 3x/week for 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0, using the paired sample t-test. The results revealed that serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased between pre-training and post-training in the three types of exercise (MIET, MIRT, and MICT) (p ≤ 0.001). The percentage change in IL-6 levels from pre-training in CTRL was (0.76 ± 13.58%), in MIET was (-82.79 ± 8.73%), in MIRT was (-58.30 ± 18.05%), in MICT was (-96.91 ± 2.39%), and (p ≤ 0.001). There was a percentage change in TNF-α levels from pre-training in CTRL (6.46 ± 12.13%), MIET (-53.11 ± 20.02%), MIRT (-42.59 ± 21.64%), and MICT (-73.41 ± 14.50%), and (p ≤ 0.001). All three types of exercise consistently reduced proinflammatory cytokines such as serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α.

Importance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has been shown to have a favorable effect on many diseases as a complementary therapy and is a critical component of healthy living. During the pandemic era, physical activity has been promoted for resistance against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is scarce evidence on whether MVPA could reduce the infectivity and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of MVPA on morbidity, mortality, and duration of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients. We performed a comprehensive search of five online databases for eligible studies up to September 9, 2021. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the association between MVPA and COVID-19-related morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality. The odds ratio (OR) was applied as the summary statistic for the primary outcomes. Secondary analyses were conducted to evaluate the difference in the metabolic equivalent of tasks (METs) between the outcome and non-outcome groups with the mean difference as the pooled effect. This meta-analysis included eight observational studies. We found that MVPA significantly reduced the odds of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR=0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85-0.92), hospitalization (OR=0.56; 95% CI=0.35-0.92), and mortality (OR=0.42; 95% CI=0.21-0.81) due to COVID-19 compared to no physical activity. METs≥500 min/week were linked to decreased morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 (OR=0.94 [95% CI=0.90-0.98]; OR=0.56 [95% CI=0.38-0.83]). COVID-19 patients with MVPA demonstrated a lower risk of COVID-19-related morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality compared to those who were less active, highlighting the importance of an active lifestyle despite the pandemic situation where such activities are limited.

Gastric microbiome changes in relation with Helicobacter pylori resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Inadequate antimicrobial treatment has led to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which one of the notable pathogens in the stomach. Antibiotic-induced changes in the microbiota can negatively affect the host. This study aimed to determine the influence of H. pylori resistance on the diversity and abundance of the stomach microbiome. METHODS: Bacterial DNA was extracted from biopsy samples of patients presenting dyspepsia symptoms with H. pylori positive from cultures and histology. DNA was amplified from the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. In-vitro E-test was used to detect antibiotic resistance. Microbiome community analysis was conducted through α-diversity, ß-diversity, and relative abundance. RESULTS: Sixty-nine H. pylori positive samples were eligible after quality filtering. Following resistance status to five antibiotics, samples were classified into 24 sensitive, 24 single resistance, 16 double resistance, 5 triple resistance. Samples were mostly resistant to metronidazole (73.33%; 33/45). Comparation of four groups displayed significantly elevated α-diversity parameters under the multidrug resistance condition (all P <0.05). A notable change was observed in triple-resistant compared to sensitive (P <0.05) and double-resistant (P <0.05) groups. Differences in ß-diversity by UniFrac and Jaccard were not significant in terms of the resistance (P = 0.113 and P = 0.275, respectively). In the triple-resistant group, the relative abundance of Helicobacter genera was lower, whereas that of Streptococcus increased. Moreover, the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was associated with the presence of Corynebacterium and Saccharimonadales in the single-resistant group and Pseudomonas and Cloacibacterium in the triple-resistant group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the resistant samples showed a higher trend of diversity and evenness than the sensitive samples. The abundance of H. pylori in the triple-resistant samples decreased with increasing cohabitation of pathogenic bacteria, which may support antimicrobial resistance. However, antibiotic susceptibility determined by the E-test may not completely represent the resistance status.

Moderate-intensity exercise decreases the circulating level of betatrophin and its correlation among markers of obesity in women.

OBJECTIVES: Positive energy homeostasis due to overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle triggers obesity. Obesity has a close relationship with elevated levels of betatrophin and may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Therefore, lifestyle modification through a nonpharmacological approach based on physical exercise is the right strategy in lowering betatrophin levels. This study aimed to analyze the effect of moderate-intensity interval and continuous exercises on decreased betatrophin levels and the association between betatrophin levels and obesity markers in women. METHODS: A total of 30 women aged 20-24 years old were randomly divided into three groups. Measurement of betatrophin levels using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Data analysis techniques used were one-way ANOVA and parametric linear correlation. RESULTS: The results showed that the average levels of betatrophin pre-exercise were 200.40 ± 11.03 pg/mL at CON, 203.07 ± 42.48 pg/mL at MIE, 196.62 ± 21.29 pg/mL at MCE, and p=0.978. Average levels of betatrophin post-exercise were 226.65 ± 18.96 pg/mL at CON, 109.31 ± 11.23 pg/mL at MIE, 52.38 ± 8.18 pg/mL at MCE, and p=0.000. Pre-exercise betatrophin levels were positively correlated with age, BMI, FM, WHR, FBG, and PBF (p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that betatrophin levels are decreased by 10 min post-MIE and post-MCE. However, moderate-intensity continuous exercise is more effective in lowering betatrophin levels than moderate-intensity interval exercise. In addition, pre-exercise betatrophin levels also have a positive correlation with obesity markers.

Analysis of gastric microbiota and Helicobacter pylori infection in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the microbiota in the stomach of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) patients. We compared Erosive Reflux Disease (ERD) to gastritis and Non-erosive Reflux Disease (NERD) subjects by 16S rRNA approach on gastric biopsy specimens. A total of 197 subjects were included consisting of gastritis (68; 34.52%), ERD (55; 27.92%), and NERD (74; 37.56%). After quality filtering, 187 samples were included for OTU analysis using Qiime2. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference in alpha diversity (Shannon and Simpson indexes were P = 0.0016 and P = 0.017, respectively). A significant decrease in alpha diversity index was observed in NERD with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive subjects than in gastritis (Simpson index P = 0.022; Shannon index P = 0.029), indicating a significant influence of H. pylori on the diversity in the stomach despite the diseases. In H. pylori-negative samples, alpha diversity measurement by the abundance coverage estimates (ACE) and Fisher Test revealed that ERD had significantly lower richness than gastritis and NERD groups (P = 0.00012 and P = 0.00043, respectively). Anaerobacillus sp. could only be found in ERD patients by LEFse analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ERD could alter microbiome diversity. A negative correlation between H. pylori and ERD is shown in this microbiome study but not in NERD.