Hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing kidney transplant: the importance of sunlight exposure

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level less than 30 ng/ml, in both healthy populations and patients with chronic kidney disease. Patients undergoing kidney transplant are at an increased risk of skin cancer and are advised to avoid sunlight exposure. Therefore, these patients might share two major risk factors for hypovitaminosis D: chronic kidney disease and low sunlight exposure. This paper describes the prevalence and clinical characteristics of hypovitaminosis D among patients undergoing kidney transplant. METHODS: We evaluated 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels in a representative sample of patients undergoing kidney transplant. We sought to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, compare these patients with a control group, and identify factors associated with hypovitaminosis D (e.g., sunlight exposure and dietary habits). RESULTS: Hypovitaminosis D was found in 79% of patients undergoing kidney transplant, and the major associated factor was low sunlight exposure. These patients had higher creatinine and intact parathyroid hormone serum levels, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D being inversely correlated with intact parathyroid hormone serum levels. Compared with the control group, patients undergoing kidney transplant presented a higher prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and lower serum calcium, phosphate and albumin but higher creatinine and intact parathyroid hormone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing kidney transplant. Therapeutic strategies such as moderate sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation should be seriously considered for this population

More resistant tendons obtained from the association of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca and endurance training

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Popular Brazilian medicine uses <it>Heteropterys aphrodisiaca </it>infusion as a tonic or stimulant, for the treatment of nervous debility and breakdown and for muscle and bone weakness. This study investigated the effects of <it>Heteropterys aphrodisiaca </it>infusion on the tendon properties and extracellular matrix of rats under endurance training.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Wistar rats were grouped as follows: CS- control sedentary, HS- <it>H. aphrodisiaca </it>sedentary, CT-control trained, HT- <it>H. aphrodisiaca </it>trained. The training protocol consisted in running on a motorized treadmill, five times a week, with weekly increase in treadmill speed and duration. Control groups received water while the HS and HT groups received <it>H. aphrodisiaca </it>infusion, daily, by gavage for the 8 weeks of training. Achilles tendons were frozen for biochemical and biomechanical analysis or preserved in Karnovsky's fixative, then processed for histomorphological analysis with light microscopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Biomechanical analysis showed significant increase in maximum load, maximum stress, modulus of elasticity and stiffness of the HT animals' tendons. The metalloproteinase-2 activity was reduced in the HT group. The compression region of HT animals' tendons had a stronger and more intense metachromasy, which suggests an increase in glycosaminoglycan concentration in this region of the tendon. The most intense birefringence was observed in both compression and tension regions of HT animals' tendons, which may indicate a higher organizational level of collagen bundles. The hydroxyproline content increased in the HT group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The association of endurance training with <it>H. aphrodisiaca </it>resulted in more organized collagen bundles and more resistant tendons to support higher loads from intense muscle contraction. Despite the clear anabolic effects of <it>Heteropterys aphrodisiaca </it>and the endurance exercise association, no side effects were observed, such as those found for synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids.</p

ANISOTROPIC AND BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TENDONS MODIFIED BY EXERCISE AND DENERVATION - AGGREGATION AND MACROMOLECULAR ORDER IN COLLAGEN BUNDLES

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Articular Cartilage: Collagen Ii-proteoglycans Interactions. Availability Of Reactive Groups. Variation In Birefringence And Differences As Compared To Collagen I.

Intrinsic (IB) and form or textural birefringence curves (FBC) were obtained measuring optical path differences in non stained sections of articular cartilages. Differences were not detected when comparing IB and FBC of the articular surface with those of the intermediate zone (Collagen II), but were found when these curves were compared with those of tendons (Collagen I). A detailed description of arrangements of collagen fibers are reported with no confirmation of Gothic arches. Hyaluronidase and papain digestion caused a decrease in birefringence of the cartilage supporting the conclusion that acid proteoglycans (APG) present molecular orientation in those structures. Histochemical data and histophotometric measurements confirmed that in articular cartilage there are variations in APG concentration and complexation with Collagen II from the articular surface (AS) down to the bone zone, AS displaying much more available -NH3+ groups. Molecular order in the articular cartilage optimizes the state of aggregation in its structures, and is the basis for its piezoelectric and mechanical properties.83189-20

Effects of physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW) on the perception and intensity of musculoskeletal pain experienced by garment workers

OBJECTIVE: The physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW) are applied to minimize the prevalence, incidence and intensity of pain. This study evaluated the perception of pain and quantifies its intensity among garment workers before and after performing a PAPW. PARTICIPANTS: We included 61 workers of a clothing company, who were classified randomly into experimental group (n = 44) 28.7 +/- 8.8 years old and a control group (n = 17) 27.8 +/- 7.4 years (20-43 years). METHODS: The Trigger Points test questionnaire was used to assess pain perception and quantify its intensity. The PAPW was conducted in 15-minute sessions per day, consisting of stretching exercises (40%), muscular endurance (40%), self-massage relaxation and massage techniques (10%), and group dynamics (10%). RESULTS: The garment workers who participated in the PAPW showed a significant reduction of pain felt in the neck and wrists, and also a reduction in pain intensity in shoulders, arms, fingers and wrists that are most often strained during sewing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PAPW that target muscle groups that are more tense in sewing tasks, may be considered by companies for supporting adaptation to the work environment and improving health by reducing muscle and joint pain.44441542

Effects Of Physical Activity Programmes In The Workplace (papw) On The Perception And Intensity Of Musculoskeletal Pain Experienced By Garment Workers.

The physical activity programmes in the workplace (PAPW) are applied to minimize the prevalence, incidence and intensity of pain. This study evaluated the perception of pain and quantifies its intensity among garment workers before and after performing a PAPW. We included 61 workers of a clothing company, who were classified randomly into experimental group (n = 44) 28.7 ± 8.8 years old and a control group (n = 17) 27.8 ± 7.4 years (20-43 years). The Trigger Points test questionnaire was used to assess pain perception and quantify its intensity. The PAPW was conducted in 15-minute sessions per day, consisting of stretching exercises (40%), muscular endurance (40%), self-massage relaxation and massage techniques (10%), and group dynamics (10%). The garment workers who participated in the PAPW showed a significant reduction of pain felt in the neck and wrists, and also a reduction in pain intensity in shoulders, arms, fingers and wrists that are most often strained during sewing. Our findings suggest that PAPW that target muscle groups that are more tense in sewing tasks, may be considered by companies for supporting adaptation to the work environment and improving health by reducing muscle and joint pain.44441542