Exercise and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a systematic review

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by low muscle mass and high body fat; prevalence increases with age, particularly after age 65 years. For this systematic literature review we searched scientific databases for studies on exercise interventions for improving physical performance in adults with sarcopenic obesity; also, we identified potential gaps in clinical practice guidelines that need to be addressed

Temperature Assessment During Radio Frequency Ablation in Ex Vivo Long Bone by Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

Thermal ablation treatments (TATs) are promising alternatives to traditional surgery for bone cancer eradication. Among several TATs, radio frequency ablation (RFA) has gained considerable ground in treating bone cancer. Therefore, tracking temperature is paramount in ensuring complete tumor destruction without injuring adjacent structures. Despite the widespread use of RFA for bone tumors, investigations on temperature distribution during this procedure are so far lacking. To date, only thermocouples and thermistors have been proposed to measure temperature during RFA in bone. However, these sensors are intended to measure temperature at a single point without information about heat propagation into the tissue during ablation. Within this context, fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBGs) can play a crucial role since their multiplexing capability enables temperature measurement at several locations. This work seeks to fill this gap by providing new insights into RFA effects on bone tissue. Experiments are performed on ex vivo porcine femurs. During trials, two commercial stainless-steel needles equipped with an optical fiber housing six FBGs each were employed to record temperature over time. This solution allowed for monitoring temperature in 12 tissue points inside the bone at a fixed distance from the RF probe, thus gaining information about the thermal distribution in a large tissue area over time. This study paves the way for a more in-depth understanding of the efficacy of RFA in bone tissue, thus providing a powerful method for temperature monitoring, potentially enhancing the treatment outcomes.</p

Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level

Background: Gross motor coordination (GMC) development could be influenced by age, gender, weight status, geographical area, living setting, home environment, socio-economic status, sports practice. Purpose: To verify whether practicing sports and practicing different sports could influence children’s GMC level. Methods: A total of 295 children aged 8–11 years were involved in the study and divided into 5 groups in relation to the sport they practiced: gymnastics group (n = 67; 51F, 16M), cycling group (n = 64; 15F, 49M), athletics group (n = 47; 22F, 25M), swimming group (n = 35; 20F, 15M), control group (n = 82; 42F, 40M). The four subtests of the Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) assessed children’s GMC level. The scores from each of the four subtests were summed into the KTK total raw score (RS) and then converted into a gender and age-specific motor quotient (MQ). Results: Children practicing sports showed significantly higher RS and MQ score than children of control group (203.14 ± 38.55 vs. 163.63 ± 43.50 and 98.56 ± 15.79 vs. 83.01 ± 16.71, respectively; p &lt; 0.001). Children practicing gymnastics had a significantly higher RS and MQ than children of cycling, swimming, and control groups (p &lt; 0.05), children of control group had a significantly lower RS and MQ than children of all other groups (p &lt; 0.05). Children practicing gymnastics performed better walking backwards subtest than all other children’s groups (p &lt; 0.001). Children of control group performed worse jumping sideways subtest than children of gymnastics, athletics and swimming groups (p &lt; 0.01). Children practicing gymnastics performed better moving sideways subtest than children of athletics, cycling and control groups (p &lt; 0.01); children of control group performed worse than children of all other groups (p &lt; 0.01). Children of control group performed worse hopping for height subtest than children of gymnastics, athletics and cycling groups (p &lt; 0.05); children practicing gymnastics performed better than children of swimming and control groups (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The performance model and therefore the specialized training that each sport discipline required, could justified the differences in children’s GMC level among sports groups. Thus, coaches should plan individualized interventions and choose activity contents to support children’s GMC development

The IgA nephropathy Biobank. An important starting point for the genetic dissection of a complex trait

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) or Berger's disease, is the most common glomerulonephritis in the world diagnosed in renal biopsied patients. The involvement of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of the IgAN is evidenced by ethnic and geographic variations in prevalence, familial clustering in isolated populations, familial aggregation and by the identification of a genetic linkage to locus IGAN1 mapped on 6q22–23. This study seems to imply a single major locus, but the hypothesis of multiple interacting loci or genetic heterogeneity cannot be ruled out. The organization of a multi-centre Biobank for the collection of biological samples and clinical data from IgAN patients and relatives is an important starting point for the identification of the disease susceptibility genes. DESCRIPTION: The IgAN Consortium organized a Biobank, recruiting IgAN patients and relatives following a common protocol. A website was constructed to allow scientific information to be shared between partners and to divulge obtained data (URL: ). The electronic database, the core of the website includes data concerning the subjects enrolled. A search page gives open access to the database and allows groups of patients to be selected according to their clinical characteristics. DNA samples of IgAN patients and relatives belonging to 72 multiplex extended pedigrees were collected. Moreover, 159 trios (sons/daughters affected and healthy parents), 1068 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and 1040 healthy subjects were included in the IgAN Consortium Biobank. Some valuable and statistically productive genetic studies have been launched within the 5(th )Framework Programme 1998–2002 of the European project No. QLG1-2000-00464 and preliminary data have been published in "Technology Marketplace" website: . CONCLUSION: The first world IgAN Biobank with a readily accessible database has been constituted. The knowledge gained from the study of Mendelian diseases has shown that the genetic dissection of a complex trait is more powerful when combined linkage-based, association-based, and sequence-based approaches are performed. This Biobank continuously expanded contains a sample size of adequately matched IgAN patients and healthy subjects, extended multiplex pedigrees, parent-child trios, thus permitting the combined genetic approaches with collaborative studies

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy with cisplatin and doxorubicin or oxaliplatin for peritoneal metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Systemic chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) with peritoneal metastases (PM) is affected by several pharmacological shortcomings and low clinical efficacy. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is expected to maximize exposure of peritoneal nodules to antiblastic agents. This study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of PIPAC for PM of PDAC and CC origin. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive PDAC and CC cases with PM treated with PIPAC at two European referral centers for peritoneal disease. We prospectively recorded from August 2016 to May 2019 demographic, clinical, surgical, and oncological data. We performed a feasibility and safety assessment and an efficacy analysis based on clinical and pathological regression. Results: Twenty patients with PM from PDAC (14) and CC (six) underwent 45 PIPAC administrations. Cisplatin–doxorubicin or oxaliplatin were administered to eight and 12 patients, respectively. We experienced one intraoperative complication (small bowel perforation) and 18 grade 1–2 postoperative adverse events according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. A pathological regression was recorded in 50% of patients (62% in the cisplatin–doxorubicin cohort and 42% in the oxaliplatin one). Median survival from the first PIPAC was 9.7 and 10.9 months for PDAC and CC, respectively. Conclusion: PIPAC resulted feasible and safe without relevant toxicity issues, with both cisplatin–doxorubicin and oxaliplatin. The pathological response observed supports the evidence of antitumoral activity. Despite the study limitations, these outcomes are encouraging, recommending PIPAC in prospective, controlled trials in the palliative setting or the first line chemotherapy for PM from PDAC and CC

A qualitative study exploring the experiences and perspectives of patients with cancer attending a 12-week exercise program

Purpose: Physical activity is associated with a reduction in mortality and recurrence risks in patients with cancer. Despite the well-recognized benefits of exercise, patients’ adherence to an exercise program remains a challenge. The present study aimed to assess the experiences of patients with cancer participating in a 12-week exercise program. Methods: A total of 21 survivors participated in focus group discussions after the conclusion of the exercise intervention. Semi-structured interview questions were developed according to the theory of the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and categorized into perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Results: Patients described a series of benefits achieved during the exercise program, from physical to psychological domains. Treatment-related side effects and logistic factors, including distance from the gym facility, were the most commonly reported barriers to adherence. Concerning cues to action, expected benefits from exercise were the most important reason to participate, while a patient-center program, supervised by skilled experts, highly stimulated patients to complete the program. Conclusion: Overall, patients with cancer reported a positive experience participating in a supervised exercise program. A variety of factors influencing participation and adherence were individuated. This study may help design and develop effective and sustainable programs addressing individuals’ needs

Evaluation of a Pomegranate Peel Extract as an Alternative Means to Control Olive Anthracnose

Olive anthracnose is caused by different species of Colletotrichum spp. and may be regarded as the most damaging disease of olive fruit worldwide, greatly affecting quality and quantity of the productions. A pomegranate peel extract (PGE) proved very effective in controlling the disease. The extract had a strong in vitro fungicidal activity against Colletotrichum acutatum sensu stricto, was very effective in both preventive and curative trials with artificially inoculated fruit, and induced resistance in treated olive tissues. In field trials, PGE was significantly more effective than copper, which is traditionally used to control the disease. The highest level of protection was achieved by applying the extract in the early ascending phase of the disease outbreaks because natural rots were completely inhibited with PGE at 12 g/liter and were reduced by 98.6 and by 93.0% on plants treated with PGE at 6 and 3 g/liter, respectively. Two treatments carried out 30 and 15 days before the expected epidemic outbreak reduced the incidence of the disease by 77.6, 57.0, and 51.8%, depending on the PGE concentration. The analysis of epiphytic populations showed a strong antimicrobial activity of PGE, which sharply reduced both fungal and bacterial populations. Because PGE was obtained from a natural matrix using safe chemicals and did not have any apparent phytotoxic effect on treated olive fruit, it may be regarded as a safe and effective natural antifungal preparation to control olive anthracnose and improve olive productions

Exercise training improves vascular function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Purpose: Vascular dysfunction has been demonstrated in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Exercise is known to positively affect vascular function. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate exercise-induced effects on vascular function in AD. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with AD (79 ± 8&nbsp;years) were recruited and randomly assigned to exercise training (EX, n = 20) or control group (CTRL, n = 19). All subjects performed 72 treatment sessions (90&nbsp;min, 3 t/w). EX included moderate–high-intensity aerobic and strength training. CTRL included cognitive stimuli (visual, verbal, auditive). Before and after the 6-month treatment, the vascular function was measured by passive-leg movement&nbsp;test (PLM, calculating the variation in blood flow: ∆peak; and area under the curve: AUC) tests, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD, %). A blood sample was analyzed for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Arterial blood flow (BF) and shear rate (SR) were measured during EX and CTRL during a typical treatment session. Results: EX group has increased FMD% (+ 3.725%, p ' 0.001), PLM ∆peak (+ 99.056&nbsp;ml/min, p = 0.004), AUC (+ 37.359AU, p = 0.037) and VEGF (+ 8.825&nbsp;pg/ml, p = 0.004). In the CTRL group, no difference between pre- and post-treatment was found for any variable. Increase in BF and SR was demonstrated during EX (BF + 123%, p ' 0.05; SR + 134%, p ' 0.05), but not during CTRL treatment. Conclusion: Exercise training improves peripheral vascular function in AD. These ameliorations may be due to the repetitive increase in SR during exercise which triggers NO and VEGF upregulation. This approach might be included in standard AD clinical practice as an effective strategy to treat vascular dysfunction in this population

Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after incidental azygos vein cannulation in a neonate with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia interruption of the inferior vena cava and azygos continuation

Incidental azygos vein cannulation has been reported in a few cases of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This complication is described in the literature mainly in pathological conditions wherein increased central venous pressure dilates the superior vena cava (SVC), i.e., right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) or pulmonary hypertension. Azygos vein cannulation should always be suspected in cases of impaired venous return and circuit failure. Although rare, it hinders proper venous aspiration of the ECMO circuit and generally requires repositioning or replacement of the venous cannula or conversion to central cannulation. In this report, we describe a newborn with severe right CDH who required ECMO assistance, wherein incidental cannulation of the azygos vein resulted in successful functioning of the circuit because of the concomitant presence of isolated interruption of the inferior vena cava and azygos continuation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful neonatal ECMO despite azygos vein cannulation in a patient with such rare physiology