The effect of balance training and pilates on static and functional balance of elderly men

Background: Physiological changes related to aging and muscular disorders can increase the risk of falling, as a major problem of elderly group which in cases may even cause death. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 6-week pilates and balance training program on static and functional balance among the elderly. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 elderly people selected from Kashmar (Khorasan province, Iran) were randomly divided into three groups: the balance training, pilates and control groups. The body-mass index and the static balance stork test were used in all three groups. The static and functional balance assessments were performed using the stork and timed up and go tests, respectively. All tests were repeated for the groups after six weeks of training (three sessions per week) in the same condition.Results: The mean values for the static and functional balance time were 5.51±0.55 and 10.71±6.72 before 4.42±0.90 and 28.42±8.88 after the balance training, respectively which showed a significant improvement (P=0.001vs P=0.023). However, the pilates training significantly improved only the static balance (P=0.027). Conclusion: It can be concluded that six weeks of balance training can improve both static and functional balance in the elderly men, while the pilates exercise can only improve the static balance of the elderly

Design and synthesis of imidazo[1,2-\u3b1]pyridine-chalcone conjugates as antikinetoplastid agents

Abstract: A library of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-appended chalcones were synthesized and characterized using H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and HRMS. The synthesized analogues were screened for their antikinetoplastid activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania infantum. The analogues were also tested for their cytotoxicity activity against human lung fibroblasts and primary mouse macrophages. Among all screened derivatives, 7f was found to be the most active against T. cruzi and T. b. brucei exhibiting IC50 values of 8.5 and 1.35 mu M, respectively. Against T. b. rhodesiense, 7e was found to be the most active with an IC50 value of 1.13 mu M. All synthesized active analogues were found to be non-cytotoxic against MRC-5 and PMM with selectivity indices of up to more than 50

Hesperetin is a potent bioactivator that activates SIRT1-AMPK signaling pathway in HepG2 cells

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a deacetylase enzyme that plays crucial roles in controlling many cellular processes and its downregulation has been implicated in different metabolic disorders. Recently, several polyphenols have been considered as the effective therapeutic approaches that appear to influence SIRT1. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of hesperetin, a citrus polyphenolic flavonoid, on SIRT1 and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). HepG2 cells were treated with hesperetin in the presence or absence of EX-527, a SIRT1 specific inhibitor, for 24 h. Resveratrol was used as a positive control. SIRT1 gene expression, protein level, and activity were measured by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and fluorometric assay, respectively. AMPK phosphorylation was also determined by Western blotting. Our results indicated a significant increase in SIRT1 protein level and activity as well as an induction of AMPK phosphorylation by hesperetin. These effects of hesperetin were abolished by EX-527. Furthermore, hesperetin reversed the EX-527 inhibitory effects on SIRT1 protein expression and AMPK phosphorylation. These findings suggest that hesperetin can be a novel SIRT1 activator, even stronger than resveratrol. Therefore, the current study may introduce hesperetin as a new strategy aimed at upregulation SIRT1-AMPK pathway resulting in various cellular processes regulation. © 2019, University of Navarra

Assessing Environmental Risks during the Drug Development Process for Parasitic Vector-Borne Diseases: A Critical Reflection

Parasitic vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent nearly 20% of the global burden of infectious diseases. Moreover, the spread of VBDs is enhanced by global travel, urbanization, and climate change. Treatment of VBDs faces challenges due to limitations of existing drugs, as the potential for side effects in nontarget species raises significant environmental concerns. Consequently, considering environmental risks early in drug development processes is critically important. Here, we examine the environmental risk assessment process for veterinary medicinal products in the European Union and identify major gaps in the ecotoxicity data of these drugs. By highlighting the scarcity of ecotoxicological data for commonly used antiparasitic drugs, we stress the urgent need for considering the One Health concept. We advocate for employing predictive tools and nonanimal methodologies such as New Approach Methodologies at early stages of antiparasitic drug research and development. Furthermore, adopting progressive approaches to mitigate ecological risks requires the integration of nonstandard tests that account for real-world complexities and use environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. Such a strategy is vital for a sustainable drug development process as it adheres to the principles of One Health, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.This document is the output of an online workshop organized as part of the COST Action CA21111: One Health Drugs against Parasitic Vector-Borne Diseases in Europe and Beyond (OneHealthDrugs). Images were created with BioRender.com.Peer reviewe

Exercise interventions to improve balance for young people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Aim: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise interventions designed to improve balance in young people with intellectual disabilities. Method: A systematic literature search was performed on 10 databases. Studies in press or published in English in a peer-reviewed journal were included if: (1) participants were young people with intellectual disabilities; (2) exercise interventions were designed to improve balance; and (3) they used quasi-experimental or experimental designs. Studies focusing only on a specific subpopulation of young people with intellectual disabilities or having a specific physical characteristic were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed for randomization, allocation sequence concealment, blinding, incomplete outcome data, selective outcome reporting, and other biases. Results: The search strategy identified 937 articles and 15 studies, published between 1991 and 2017, that met the inclusion criteria. Exercise intervention groups showed a significant and larger improvement in static (pooled effect size, Hedges’ g=0.98) and dynamic (g=1.34) balance compared with the control groups. However, although the pooled improvement of static–dynamic balance was large (g=2.80), the result was non-significant. None of the subgroup analyses were significant, except for the improvement in: (1) static balance (higher in quasi-experimental than in experimental studies); and (2) dynamic balance (higher in young people with a mild vs a mild–moderate intellectual disability). Interpretation: The reviewed exercise interventions seem to represent an effective means for improving the static and dynamic balance of young people with intellectual disabilities. However, the present findings should be considered as preliminary given the small number of studies and their limitations. What this paper adds: Exercise intervention results in large and significant improvements in static and dynamic balance in young people with intellectual disabilities. Exercise intervention results in a large but non-significant improvement in static–dynamic balance. Static balance improvement was significantly higher in quasi-experimental versus experimental studies. Dynamic balance improvement was significantly higher in young people with mild versus mild–moderate intellectual disability. No significant differences related to age group, balance measures, and components of exercise intervention were found