Effects of physical exercise on adiponectin, leptin, and inflammatory markers in childhood obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: New findings on adipose tissue physiology and obesity-Associated inflammation status suggest that modification of the adipokine level can be relevant for the long-Term prevention of obesity-Associated chronic disease. Objectives: The scope of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise in reducing the systemic inflammation related to obesity in children. Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-Analysis of controlled randomized trials, identified through electronic database search, which investigated the effect of physical exercise, without concomitant dietary intervention, on adiponectin, leptin, and/or other inflammatory markers in children up to age 18 years with a body mass index greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex. Results: Seven trials were included in the meta-Analysis, with a total of 250 participants. Compared with the control group without any lifestyle modification, the physical exercise resulted in a reduction in leptin [standardized mean difference (SMD)-1.13; 95% confidence interval (95%CI):-1.89 to-0.37; I2 = 79.9%] and interleukin-6 (SMD-0.84; 95%CI:-1.45 to-0.23, I2 = 0.9%) and an increase in adiponectin plasma concentration (SMD 0.69; 95%CI: 0.02-1.35; I2 = 74.3%). Conclusions: These results indicate that physical exercise improved the inflammatory state in children with obesity. It is unclear whether this effect can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood. Clinical trials with a uniform intervention protocol and outcome measurements are required to put our knowledge on adipose tissue biology into a clinical perspective

Subsidiarity and a Free Society: The Subsidiary Role of the State in Catholic Social Teaching

One of the key principles of Catholic social thought is known as the principle of subsidiarity. This tenet holds that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organisation which can be done by a smaller and simpler organisation. Subsidiarity, understood in this sense, is opposed to forms of centralisation, bureaucratisation, and welfare assistance that deprive citizens of their own responsibility toward themselves, their families, and their societies. Rather, subsidiarity supports personal empowerment and responsibility as much as a proper balance between the public and private spheres, with the resulting recognition of the common good that is inherently achieved through the spontaneous interactions between free and responsible people. Hence, the subsidiarity principle is a bulwark of freedom and it conflicts with all forms of collectivism. It sets the limits for state action

Readability Studies: How Technocentrism Can Compromise Research and Legal Determinations

One way to determine whether consumers understand a document is to use a readability formula to assign it a score. These formulas calculate readability by counting such variables as the number of words and syllables in a passage or document. The idea of readability formulas has been defined as “an equation which combines those text features that best predict text difficulty. The equation is usually developed by studying the relationship between text features (e.g., words, sentences) and text difficulty (e.g., reading comprehension, reading rate, and expert judgment of difficulty).” Even though readability formulas are mechanical and imperfect, they are easy to apply and, therefore, popular. The Flesch-Kincaid test is one popular readability formula, perhaps because Microsoft Word allows users to apply it easily to documents that are typed or pasted into the program. If Microsoft’s readability program is flawed, however, it compromises the results of the many researchers who have relied on it

Biochar-based cement pastes and mortars with enhanced mechanical properties

Nowadays, the environmental impact of cementitious material industry and more generally of building activities is matter of concern, especially in terms of their effects on climate change and consumption of natural resources. Within this context, the aim of this paper is the investigation of the role of biochar, a solid carbonaceous by-product material resulting from biomass pyrolysis/gasification of residual biomass, as a sustainable ingredient for the production of cementitious materials, combining carbon sink properties with enhanced mechanical behavior. Although biochar is mainly investigated as agricultural amendment, there is also evidence that biochar may be an eco-friendly material to improve the sustainable performance of cementitious materials. As outlined in literature, biochar can be used as filler to modify the nanogranular nature of cement matrix, or as substitute of clinker to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases related to cement production. In this work, biochar is added as micro-nano particles in different cementitious composites, i.e. cement pastes and mortars, as a function of filler or partial substitute of cement. The main mechanical properties of biochar-based materials are then investigated to determine the optimal percentage of biochar addition

Readability Studies: How Technocentrism Can Compromise Research and Legal Determinations

One way to determine whether consumers understand a document is to use a readability formula to assign it a score. These formulas calculate readability by counting such variables as the number of words and syllables in a passage or document. The idea of readability formulas has been defined as “an equation which combines those text features that best predict text difficulty. The equation is usually developed by studying the relationship between text features (e.g., words, sentences) and text difficulty (e.g., reading comprehension, reading rate, and expert judgment of difficulty).” Even though readability formulas are mechanical and imperfect, they are easy to apply and, therefore, popular. The Flesch-Kincaid test is one popular readability formula, perhaps because Microsoft Word allows users to apply it easily to documents that are typed or pasted into the program. If Microsoft’s readability program is flawed, however, it compromises the results of the many researchers who have relied on it

Tendinopathies of the hip and pelvis in athletes: A narrative review

Tendon disorders represent some of the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints worldwide. In the athletic population, tendinopathy could affect different anatomical districts. Tendons surrounding hip and pelvis are frequently involved due to overuse and high functional demands in the athletes. These disorders negatively impact on sport performance, since they are a long-lasting clinical condition requiring a multimodal management. Great trochanter pain syndrome, proximal hamstring tendinopathy, insertional adductor tendinopathy and ileopsoas tendinopathy are the most common clinical conditions involving tendon structures of the hip and pelvis. Due to the anatomical complexity of the region, the relationship with pelvic organs, the demographic and anthropometric characteristics of the athletes, the differential diagnosis between these musculoskeletal disorders and other diseases is often difficult to conduct and some therapeutic options are challenging. Modification of risk factors, changes in training protocols, some specific therapeutic exercise programs and rehabilitation procedures have been proposed as an efficient conservative management strategy, guarantying a complete recovery of athletic function. Surgical approaches are required in a specific subset of patients. This narrative literature review aims to summarize current understanding and areas of ongoing research about the clinical features, diagnostic keys and therapeutic options of the main clinical tendinopathies surrounding hip and pelvis

Biochar-based cement pastes and mortars with enhanced mechanical properties

Nowadays, the environmental impact of cementitious material industry and more generally of building activities is matter of concern, especially in terms of their effects on climate change and consumption of natural resources. Within this context, the aim of this paper is the investigation of the role of biochar, a solid carbonaceous by-product material resulting from biomass pyrolysis/gasification of residual biomass, as a sustainable ingredient for the production of cementitious materials, combining carbon sink properties with enhanced mechanical properties. Although biochar is mainly investigated as agricultural amendment, there is also evidence that biochar may be a eco-friendly material to enhance the sustainable performance of cementitious materials. As outlined in literature, biochar can be used as filler to modify the nanogranular nature of cement matrix, or as substitute of clinker to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases related to cement production. In this work, biochar is added as micro-nano particles in different cementitious composites, i.e. cement pastes and mortars, as a function of filler or partial substitute of cement. The main mechanical properties of biochar-based materials are then investigated to determine the optimal percentage of biochar addition