A randomised controlled trial among cleaners-Effects on strength, balance and kinesiophobia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cleaners constitute a job group with poor health and low socioeconomic resources. Therefore, there is a great need for scientifically documented health promoting initiatives for cleaners. However, both workplace initiatives and high quality intervention studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-month workplace trial with interventions to improve physical or cognitive behavioural resources among cleaners.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted among 294 female cleaners from 9 workplaces. The participants were allocated to three groups: Physical coordination training (PCT, n = 95), Cognitive behavioural theory-based training (CBTr, n = 99) and Reference group (REF, n = 100). Interventions were conducted during work hours for an average of 1 hour/week. Muscle strength was measured by maximal voluntary contractions in trunk/extension, and shoulder abduction/elevation. Postural balance was measured on a force platform. Kinesiophobia was measured with Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Test and questionnaires were completed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up and analyses followed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle with last observation carried forward in case of missing data at follow-up. Reports and analyses are given on true observations as well.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ITT-analyses revealed that PCT improved strength of the trunk (p < .05) and postural balance (p < .05) compared to CBTr and REF. Based on true observations the strength and balance improvements corresponded to ~20% and ~16%, respectively. ITT-analyses showed that CBTr reduced kinesiophobia compared to PCT and REF (p < .05). Based on true observations, the improvement corresponded to a ~16% improvement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This workplace-based intervention study including PCT and CBTr among cleaners improved strength and postural balance from PCT, and kinesiophobia from CBTr. The improved strength, postural balance and kinesiophobia may improve the cleaners' tolerance for high physical work demands. Future studies should investigate the potential in the combination of PCT and CBTr in a workplace intervention.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current controlled trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN96241850">ISRCTN96241850</a></p

RNA delivery by extracellular vesicles in mammalian cells and its applications.

The term 'extracellular vesicles' refers to a heterogeneous population of vesicular bodies of cellular origin that derive either from the endosomal compartment (exosomes) or as a result of shedding from the plasma membrane (microvesicles, oncosomes and apoptotic bodies). Extracellular vesicles carry a variety of cargo, including RNAs, proteins, lipids and DNA, which can be taken up by other cells, both in the direct vicinity of the source cell and at distant sites in the body via biofluids, and elicit a variety of phenotypic responses. Owing to their unique biology and roles in cell-cell communication, extracellular vesicles have attracted strong interest, which is further enhanced by their potential clinical utility. Because extracellular vesicles derive their cargo from the contents of the cells that produce them, they are attractive sources of biomarkers for a variety of diseases. Furthermore, studies demonstrating phenotypic effects of specific extracellular vesicle-associated cargo on target cells have stoked interest in extracellular vesicles as therapeutic vehicles. There is particularly strong evidence that the RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles can alter recipient cell gene expression and function. During the past decade, extracellular vesicles and their RNA cargo have become better defined, but many aspects of extracellular vesicle biology remain to be elucidated. These include selective cargo loading resulting in substantial differences between the composition of extracellular vesicles and source cells; heterogeneity in extracellular vesicle size and composition; and undefined mechanisms for the uptake of extracellular vesicles into recipient cells and the fates of their cargo. Further progress in unravelling the basic mechanisms of extracellular vesicle biogenesis, transport, and cargo delivery and function is needed for successful clinical implementation. This Review focuses on the current state of knowledge pertaining to packaging, transport and function of RNAs in extracellular vesicles and outlines the progress made thus far towards their clinical applications

Propriocepção de joelho em jovens e idosas praticantes de exercícios físicos Knee proprioception in physically active young and elderly women

A propriocepção é um mecanismo neuromuscular que descreve informações neurais originadas nas articulações, músculos e tendões. Este estudo verificou a propriocepção de joelho em jovens e idosas praticantes de exercícios físicos. Participaram do estudo 44 mulheres - 22 idosas (média de idade 69,4 anos) e 22 jovens, idade média 22,5). A propriocepção foi avaliada pelo senso de posição articular, sendo a participante solicitada a reposicionar o membro inferior dominante previamente estendido ou flexionado pelo avaliador. Os ângulos de flexão e extensão do joelho foram sorteado, utilizando-se nos testes um goniômetro fixo à perna da participante. Considerou-se como variável o valor absoluto do erro, isto é, a diferença em graus entre o ângulo proposto e o ângulo reproduzido pela avaliada. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente, com nível de significância de p<0,05. A média de erro das idosas foi 6,75±3,01º e, das jovens, 5,73±4,24º, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,249) entre os grupos. Concluiu-se que, apesar da propriocepção sofrer um declínio com a idade, possivelmente devido à prática de exercícios físicos o grupo de idosas apresentou resultados similares ao das jovens, sugerindo que a prática de exercícios físicos constitui uma estratégia benéfica para atenuar o declínio provocado pelo envelhecimento.<br>Proprioception is a neuromuscular mechanism that describes neural information originating from the joints, muscles and tendons. This study aimed at verifying proprioception of the knee in young and elderly women with regular physical activity. Subjects were 44 women - 22 elderly, mean age 69.4 years old, and 22 young women, mean age 22.5 years old. Proprioception was assessed by the sense of joint position, the subject being asked to reposition the dominant leg previously flexed or extended by the examiner. Flexion and extension angles were randomized, and measured by means of a goniometer attached to the subject's leg. The variable considered was the absolute error value, that is, the difference between the angle proposed and the angle shown by the subject. Data were statistically analysed and significance level set at p<0.05. The elderly group mean error was 6.75±3.01º, and the young ladies', 5.73±4.24°; no significant difference (p=0.249) was found between the groups. Hence, although proprioception is known to decline with age, the elderly group showed results similar to the youths, possibly due to the practice of physical exercise, which suggests that the latter constitute a beneficial strategy to lessen the aging natural decline