Comparison of multisensory and strength training for postural control in the elderly

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of multisensory versus muscle strengthening to improve postural control in healthy community-dwelling elderly. Participants: We performed a single-blinded study with 46 community-dwelling elderly allocated to strength (GS, n = 23; 70.18 +/- 4.8 years 22 women and 1 man) and multisensory exercises groups (GM, n = 23; 68.8 +/- 5.9 years; 22 women and 1 man) for 12 weeks. Methods: We performed isokinetic evaluations of muscle groups in the ankle and foot including dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, inversion, and eversion. The oscillation of the center of pressure was assessed with a force platform. Results: The GM group presented a reduction in the oscillation (66.8 +/- 273.4 cm(2) to 11.1 +/- 11.6 cm(2); P = 0.02), which was not observed in the GS group. The GM group showed better results for the peak torque and work than the GS group, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: Although the GM group presented better results, it is not possible to state that one exercise regimen proved more efficacious than the other in improving balance control

Uso de testes clínicos para verificação do controle postural em idosos saudáveis submetidos a programas de exercícios físicos

With aging, postural control diminishes, but the practice of physical exercises can improve this important function. Various tests can be used to measure these possible improvements. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of clinical tests of indirect measurements to verify the alterations in the postural control of healthy elderly submitted to physical exercise programs. The study's design is a randomized, simple-blind clinical test with the subjects' arms parallel. In the research there were 46 elderly divided randomly into two groups of exercises: multi-sensorial (MSG, n=23, 68.8±5.9 years) and strengthening (resistance training) (RTG, n=23, 70.18±4.8). Both groups performed 12 weeks (2 days/week, 50minutes/day) of exercises. To evaluate their postural control the following tests were utilized: Timed up and go (TUG), unipodal support test, battery of Guralnik tests, and the Berg functional balance scale. The MSG individuals showed significant improvement in the TUG tests and Guralnik battery of tests, and the RTG individuals did not show improvement in any of the tests. The improvement in the time of execution of the TUG test of the MSG group was 9.1±8.04 to 8.0±1.0 seconds after intervention, and it was statistically higher than the RTG group result. We believe the TUG test and the Guralnik battery of tests are good options to evaluate the postural control of the elderly submitted to the intervention programs. Although the TUG cannot have its time diminished indefinitely, it allows the verification, even within a normalcy time, of alterations brought on by physical exercises.O controle postural no envelhecimento diminui e a prática de exercícios físicos pode melhorar esta importante função. A fim de medir estas possíveis melhoras, podem ser usados diversos testes. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de analisar o uso de testes clínicos de medidas indiretas para verificar as alterações sobre o controle postural de idosos saudáveis submetidos a programas de exercícios físicos. O desenho do estudo foi um ensaio clínico simples-cego e aleatorizado com braços paralelos. Participaram da pesquisa 46 idosos divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de exercícios: multissensoriais (GMS, n=23, 68,8±5,9 anos) e de fortalecimento (treino resistido) (GR, n=23, 70,18±4,8). Ambos os grupos realizaram 12 semanas (2dias/semana, 50m/dia) de exercícios. Para avaliação do controle postural foram utilizados os testes: Timed up and go (TUG), teste de apoio unipodal, bateria de testes de Guralnik e escala de equilíbrio funcional de Berg. Os indivíduos do GMS apresentaram melhora significativa nos testes TUG e bateria de testes de Guralnik e o GR não apresentou melhora em nenhum dos testes. A melhora no tempo de execução do teste TUG do GMS que foi de 9,1±8,04 para 8,0±1,0 segundos após a intervenção, foi estatisticamente superior ao resultado do GR. Acreditamos que o teste TUG e a bateria de testes de Guralnik são boas opções para avaliar o controle postural de idosos submetidos a programas de intervenção. Embora o TUG não possa ter seu tempo diminuído indefinidamente, permite verificar até mesmo dentro de um tempo de normalidade, alterações promovidas por exercícios físicos

Controle postural no envelhecimento: um estudo comparativo entre Brasil e Espanha

O envelhecimento traz consigo alterações nos sistemas sensoriais e músculo-esquelético, que juntos alteram o controle postural dos idosos. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de verificar e comparar o controle postural de idosos da cidade de São Paulo - Brasil, com idosos que vivem em Terrassa (Barcelona)- Espanha. Participaram da pesquisa, 36 idosos brasileiros (69,61±5,3 anos) e 33 idosos espanhóis (69,72±4,6 anos) considerados saudáveis, recrutados a partir de dois serviços de reabilitação. Os voluntários realizaram avaliações pertinentes ao controle postural por meio do teste Timed up and go e bateria de testes de Guralnik. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste t e os resultados mostram que os grupos são semelhantes quanto a idade e a composição corporal, porém o grupo do Brasil apresentou melhores resultados nas duas avaliações realizadas quando comparado com o grupo da Espanha. Concluise que os indivíduos brasileiros deste estudo apresentaram melhor desempenho na realização dos testes sobre controle postural.Aging cause changes in the sensory and musculoskeletal systems, which together affect the postural control of the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the postural control of elderly individuals in São Paulo, Brazil, with elderly individuals who live in Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain. A total of 36 elderly Brazilian individu-als (mean age: 69.61 ± 5.3 years) and 33 elderly individuals from Spain (69.72 ± 4.6 years) participated in the study; they were consid-ered to be healthy and were recruited from two rehabilitation services. The volunteers underwent postural control assessment through the Timed Up and Go and the Guralnik Test Battery tests. Data were analyzed using the t test. The results showed that the groups were similar regarding age and body composition, but the group in Brazil showed better results at both evaluations, when compared with the group in Spain. We concluded that Brazilian individuals in this series showed a better performance on the postural control tests

Usos y funciones de la realidad virtual en la práctica clínica: reflexiones a la luz del trabajo telemático

Este artículo abre una reflexión teórica y clínica sobre la inclusión de la realidad virtual en la consulta analítica con pacientes que se encuentran en la edad evolutiva: ¿cómo utilizarla? ¿Qué función adquiere en ese momento? Incluir la realidad virtual en la psicoterapia significa transformarla en material interpretable, pero teniendo en cuenta el funcionamiento psíquico del paciente, su historia personal y la calidad de la relación de transferencia. Con el confinamiento impuesto por la emergencia COVID-19 se han antojado necesarias nuevas reflexiones acerca de estas temáticas: el setting de la psicoterapia también se ha virtualizado, lo cual ha dado vida a nuevos escenarios que ponen límites, pero que también abren puertas.A matéria propõe uma reflexão teórico-clínica sobre os usos e funções do virtual na idade evolutiva. O trabalho de psicoterapia com crianças e adolescentes levou os Autores a confrontarem-se sobre o conteúdo virtual que os pacientes trazem para a sala de análise. A fim de dar sentido a este tipo de material, se dá relevo à importância  de se referir  à especificidade do funcionamento psíquico de cada paciente, sua história, a qualidade de relação transferal. A emergência sanitária do COVID-19,  que levou terapeutas e pacientes a se reunirem online, trouxe também novos cenários interpretativos e novas formas de conduzirem as sessões.This paper proposes a theoretical-clinical reflection of the virtual worlds uses and functions in childhood and adolescence. The work of psychotherapy with children and adolescents has allowed the authors to deal with the virtual contents that patients brings  in the analysis room. In order to give meaning to this type of content, it is underlined the importance of referring to the specificities of the psychic functioning of each patient, its history, the quality of the transferal relationship.  The health emergency from Covid-19, has brought therapists and patients to meet online, and has also opened up new interpretative scenarios and new ways to stay in therapy session

Effectiveness of a phone-based nurse monitoring assessment and intervention for chemotherapy-related toxicity: A randomized multicenter trial

PurposeAnticancer treatment-related toxicities can impact morbidity and mortality, hamper the administration of treatment, worsen the quality of life and increase the burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, their prompt identification is crucial. NICSO (Italian Network for Supportive Care in Cancer) conducted a nationwide randomized trial to evaluate the role of a planned, weekly phone-based nurse monitoring intervention to prevent and treat chemotherapy, targeted therapy- and immunotherapy-related toxicities. Here, we report the results from the chemotherapy arm. MethodsThis was a nationwide, randomized, open-label trial conducted among 29 Italian centers (NCT04726020) involving adult patients with breast, colon, or lung cancer and a life expectancy >= 6 months receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients received either a weekly nurse monitoring phone call and an educational leaflet reporting practical advice about prevention and treatment of toxicities (experimental group) or the educational leaflet only (control group). ResultsThe addition of a nurse monitoring intervention may help reduce time spent with severe toxicities (grade >= 3), particularly those less frequently reported in clinical practice, such as fatigue. When considering grade 1-2 AEs, times with mild/moderate diarrhea, mucositis, fatigue and pain were shorter in the experimental arm. Time spent without AEs was significantly longer in the experimental arms for all the toxicities. The requirement for special medical attention was comparable between groups. ConclusionThis study suggests the need for implementing a better system of toxicity assessment and management for patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy to promote effective preventive and/or therapeutic intervention against these events

Activation of mGlu3 Receptors Stimulates the Production of GDNF in Striatal Neurons

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors have been considered potential targets for the therapy of experimental parkinsonism. One hypothetical advantage associated with the use of mGlu receptor ligands is the lack of the adverse effects typically induced by ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, such as sedation, ataxia, and severe learning impairment. Low doses of the mGlu2/3 metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, LY379268 (0.25–3 mg/kg, i.p.) increased glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA and protein levels in the mouse brain, as assessed by in situ hybridization, real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. This increase was prominent in the striatum, but was also observed in the cerebral cortex. GDNF mRNA levels peaked at 3 h and declined afterwards, whereas GDNF protein levels progressively increased from 24 to 72 h following LY379268 injection. The action of LY379268 was abrogated by the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist, LY341495 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and was lost in mGlu3 receptor knockout mice, but not in mGlu2 receptor knockout mice. In pure cultures of striatal neurons, the increase in GDNF induced by LY379268 required the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathways, as shown by the use of specific inhibitors of the two pathways. Both in vivo and in vitro studies led to the conclusion that neurons were the only source of GDNF in response to mGlu3 receptor activation. Remarkably, acute or repeated injections of LY379268 at doses that enhanced striatal GDNF levels (0.25 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) were highly protective against nigro-striatal damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in mice, as assessed by stereological counting of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra. We speculate that selective mGlu3 receptor agonists or enhancers are potential candidates as neuroprotective agents in Parkinson's disease, and their use might circumvent the limitations associated with the administration of exogenous GDNF

Guidelines for Genome-Scale Analysis of Biological Rhythms

Genome biology approaches have made enormous contributions to our understanding of biological rhythms, particularly in identifying outputs of the clock, including RNAs, proteins, and metabolites, whose abundance oscillates throughout the day. These methods hold significant promise for future discovery, particularly when combined with computational modeling. However, genome-scale experiments are costly and laborious, yielding “big data” that are conceptually and statistically difficult to analyze. There is no obvious consensus regarding design or analysis. Here we discuss the relevant technical considerations to generate reproducible, statistically sound, and broadly useful genome-scale data. Rather than suggest a set of rigid rules, we aim to codify principles by which investigators, reviewers, and readers of the primary literature can evaluate the suitability of different experimental designs for measuring different aspects of biological rhythms. We introduce CircaInSilico, a web-based application for generating synthetic genome biology data to benchmark statistical methods for studying biological rhythms. Finally, we discuss several unmet analytical needs, including applications to clinical medicine, and suggest productive avenues to address them

Beta-Blocker Use in Older Hospitalized Patients Affected by Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Italian Survey From the REPOSI Register

Beta (β)-blockers (BB) are useful in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the use of BBs could induce bronchoconstriction due to β2-blockade. For this reason, both the ESC and GOLD guidelines strongly suggest the use of selective β1-BB in patients with HF and COPD. However, low adherence to guidelines was observed in multiple clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the BBs use in older patients affected by HF and COPD, recorded in the REPOSI register. Of 942 patients affected by HF, 47.1% were treated with BBs. The use of BBs was significantly lower in patients with HF and COPD than in patients affected by HF alone, both at admission and at discharge (admission, 36.9% vs. 51.3%; discharge, 38.0% vs. 51.7%). In addition, no further BB users were found at discharge. The probability to being treated with a BB was significantly lower in patients with HF also affected by COPD (adj. OR, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.37-0.67), while the diagnosis of COPD was not associated with the choice of selective β1-BB (adj. OR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.76-2.34). Despite clear recommendations by clinical guidelines, a significant underuse of BBs was also observed after hospital discharge. In COPD affected patients, physicians unreasonably reject BBs use, rather than choosing a β1-BB. The expected improvement of the BB prescriptions after hospitalization was not observed. A multidisciplinary approach among hospital physicians, general practitioners, and pharmacologists should be carried out for better drug management and adherence to guideline recommendations

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms