The effects of reduced physical activity on the lipid profile in patients with high cardiovascular risk during covid-19 lockdown

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global health problem. In Italy, to limit the infections, the government ordered lockdown from March 2020. This measure, designed to contain the virus, led to serious limitations on the daily life of the individuals it affected, and in particular in the limitation of physical exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of reduced physical activity on the lipid profile in patients with high cardiovascular risk. Methods: We enrolled 38 dyslipidemic patients, 56% male, with an age range of 44–62 years, considered to be at high cardiovascular risk. All patients were prescribed statin drug therapy (atorvastatin 40 mg) and a vigorous physical activity program four times a week, 1 h per session. In addition, a personalized Mediterranean diet was prescribed to all the patients. Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides were measured in patients at T0 before lockdown and at T1 during lockdown. Results: Data showed a significant increase (p < 0.01) in total cholesterol (+6,8%) and LDL (+15,8%). Furthermore, the analysis of the data revealed a reduction in HDL (−3%) and an increase in triglycerides (+3,2%), although both were not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed that the reduction in physical activity during lockdown led to an increase in LDL levels, and therefore, in the risk of ischemic heart disease in dyslipidemic patients with high cardiovascular risk

Emotional “Patient-Oriented” Support in Young Patients With I–II Stage Breast Cancer: Pilot Study

Objective: The recent increased survival rate after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and treatment is mostly related to early screening in younger age. Evidence gained from newly detected assessed psychological needs as well as certain emotional regulatory patterns in younger survivors has been related in the literature to an extremely low rate of adherence to the psychological therapies offered. Tailored psychological support is necessary. The aim of the present study was to verify the preliminary efficacy of supportive psychological intervention with an innovative orientation: the Early BC Psychological Intervention (EBC-Psy).Methods: A controlled study design was used to investigate the efficacy of EBC-Psy intervention. Preliminary data involved twenty-four patients in the age range of 35–50 years, diagnosed with cancer at the early stage (I–II), who were exposed to the EBC-Psy intervention. To address the effect of intervention, emotional variables were tested before the treatment (Time 1) and then again after 6 months of the treatment (Time 2); evaluated emotional dimensions were anxiety, anger, depression, and psychological distress.Results: EBC-Psy intervention appears to be effective on both depression (p = 0.02) and psychological distress (p = 0.01), even in a short time, highlighting the strength of a reinforced positive psychological conceptual approach to deal with the “disease condition” in younger patients; on the contrary, the control group evidenced an increase in the same emotional variables in timing.Conclusion: Our findings, even if limited by this small-scale protocol, seemed to confirm the role of positive psychotherapy after BC diagnosis and treatment through the impact of cognitive processes, coping strategies, and psychological resilience. Future theoretical framework could boost the intervention to design an innovative survivorship model

Carpal tunnel syndrome in HIV-positive patients coinfected with HCV

A wide range of rheumatic and peripheral nervous system disorders may develop in patients with HIV infection, leading to pain, sensory symptoms, and muscle weakness. Over the past three decades, the progress in management of HIV disease with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in increased life expectancy for people living with HIV disease. With this new chronicity of the disease has a constellation of chronic musculoskeletal, orthopaedic and rheumatic manifestations has emerged, as potential complications of the disease itself and/or the results of ART treatment regimen and/or because of expected age-related symptoms/manifestations. The incidence of CTS in the general population is around 3.8% with clinical examination and, when electroneuromyography is used, it is 2.7%. In the HIV-positive population, the incidence is very close to that of the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of CTS and to identify factors influencing the development of CTS in HIV-infected patients attending our clinic. This syndrome has been associated with advanced HIV disease and the use of ART possibly due to an increased inflammatory state and the presence of concurrent HCV infection

A Pilot Study on Italian Eventing Prospective Olympic Horse Riders Physiological, Anthropometrical, Functional and Asymmetry Assessment

The purpose of the study was to measure anthropometry, isometric force, balance, functional movement quality and asymmetries and peak oxygen uptake of prospective Rio 2016 Olympic Games Eventing horse riders (five males and two females: age 26-41 years, height 173.0 ±8.9 cm, weight 66.4 ±11.1 kg, BMI 22.0 ±1.8 kg·m-2, FEI ranking 33-409). Mean and maximal isometric of the hands were approximately 45 kg, and 50 kg, respectively. Total maximal isometric force of the lower limb resulted 372.6 kg for the extensor muscles, and approximately 58 kg for the adductor muscles. Mean composite functional movement score was 14.1, mean Bunkie score 3.4, Y-balance score 93.1 ± for the left side and 90.9 for the right one. V?O2peak values ranged between 2.4 and 4.2 l·min-1and 46.8 and 59.7 ml·kg-1·min-1. The oldest and more experienced athletes had a greater postural control on the anterior direction. The athletes with a superior FEI ranking had a greater postural control. Subjects had high maximal isometric strength of the hands and lower limbs, good physical functions parameters, balance and maximal aerobic power and few muscular strength and balance asymmetries

Quali-quantitative evaluation of ileal peyer\u2019s patches innervation in scrapie-free or scrapie-affected sarda breed ovines.

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