The coexistence of childhood obesity (or its risk) and COVID-19 pandemic put children and adolescents in greater risk to develop respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, the restrictions ...introduced to limit the spread of the virus had detrimental effects on various lifestyle components, especially in young population. This resulted in augmented levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors and a reduced time spent in play outdoors or sport practices. Contrariwise, the increased use of technology led clinicians, teachers, and trainers to maintain relations with obese children/adolescents so as to reduce sedentary behaviors and the associated health risks. This narrative review aims to describe the role of Telehealth and Tele-exercise as useful tools in the management of pediatric obesity during COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth and Tele-exercise were effective in promoting self-monitoring and behavioral changes, including adherence to exercise training programs in children and adolescents. Moreover, tele-exercise platforms such as applications or exergames allowed flexible scheduling, limiting the infection risks.
The reconstruction of large segmental defects still represents a critical issue in the orthopedic field. The use of functionalized scaffolds able to create a magnetic environment is a fascinating ...option to guide the onset of regenerative processes. In the present study, a porous hydroxyapatite scaffold, incorporating superparamagnetic Fe
O
nanoparticles (MNPs), was implanted in a critical bone defect realized in sheep metatarsus. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles functionalized with hyperbranched poly(epsilon-Lysine) peptides and physically complexed with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) where injected in situ to penetrate the magnetic scaffold. The scaffold was fixed with cylindrical permanent NdFeB magnets implanted proximally, and the magnetic forces generated by the magnets enabled the capture of the injected nanoparticles forming a VEGF gradient in its porosity. After 16 weeks, histomorphometric measurements were performed to quantify bone growth and bone-to-implant contact, while the mechanical properties of regenerated bone via an atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis were investigated. The results showed increased bone regeneration at the magnetized interface; this regeneration was higher in the VEGF-MNP-treated group, while the nanomechanical behavior of the tissue was similar to the pattern of the magnetic field distribution. This new approach provides insights into the ability of magnetic technologies to stimulate bone formation, improving bone/scaffold interaction.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although the important contribution of nutrition and physical activity to people's health is known, it is equally well known that there are many barriers to adherence to healthy habits (i.e., of an ...organizational, economic, and/or psychological nature) experienced by the general population, as well as by people with non-communicable diseases. Knowledge of these barriers seems essential to the implementation of the activities and strategies needed to overcome them. Here, we aim to highlight the most frequent barriers to nutrition and exercise improvement that patients with chronic-degenerative diseases experience. Drawing from the Pubmed database, our analysis includes quantitative or mixed descriptive studies published within the last 10 years, involving adult participants with non-communicable diseases. Barriers of an organizational nature, as well as those of an environmental, economic, or psychological nature, are reported. The study of patients' barriers enables healthcare and non-health professionals, stakeholders, and policymakers to propose truly effective solutions that can help both the general population and those with chronic pathologies to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are adult, multipotent cells of mesodermal origin representing the progenitors of all stromal tissues. MSCs possess significant and broad immunomodulatory functions ...affecting both adaptive and innate immune responses once MSCs are primed by the inflammatory microenvironment. Recently, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mediating the therapeutic effects of MSCs has been recognized. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the immunomodulatory properties of MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) are still poorly characterized. Therefore, we carried out a molecular characterization of MSC-EV content by high-throughput approaches. We analyzed miRNA and protein expression profile in cellular and vesicular compartments both in normal and inflammatory conditions. We found several proteins and miRNAs involved in immunological processes, such as MOES, LG3BP, PTX3, and S10A6 proteins, miR-155-5p, and miR-497-5p. Different
approaches were also performed to correlate miRNA and protein expression profile and then to evaluate the putative molecules or pathways involved in immunoregulatory properties mediated by MSC-EVs. PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton were identified and functionally validated
as key mediators of MSC/B cell communication mediated by MSC-EVs. In conclusion, we identified different molecules and pathways responsible for immunoregulatory properties mediated by MSC-EVs, thus identifying novel therapeutic targets as safer and more useful alternatives to cell or EV-based therapeutic approaches.
Childhood obesity is characterized by an increased risk of several metabolic derangements including insulin resistance (IR). The strongest recommendations to prevent obesity and related complications ...are a balanced and adequate diet and practicing physical activity from early childhood. In this review, we propose to present the effects of healthy lifestyle strategies, including physical exercise and dietary approaches, on the management of IR and related metabolic derangements. All types of exercise (aerobic, resistance and combined training) effectively reduce IR in pediatric patients with obesity; it seems that aerobic and combined training stimulate greater improvements in IR compared to resistance training. Balanced normocaloric or hypocaloric dietary approaches are also valid strategies to address IR; it is not possible to assess the long-term impact of varying macronutrients on cardiometabolic risk. The glycemic index/load evaluation is a useful dietary approach to glucose metabolism control. Similarly, they should adopt the principle of the Mediterranean diet. Randomized studies with longer monitoring are needed to define the benefits of nutritional supplementation on IR. Considering that healthy style acquisition could track to later ages, programs of healthy lifestyle starting with children offer a better preventive strategy to preserve metabolic control and children’s health.
Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the thinning and atrophy of the skin and mucosa surrounding the vulva and anus. This study evaluates the efficacy of a ...treatment protocol utilizing blue-diode laser photobiomodulation in managing vulval lichen sclerosus symptoms in a cohort of 12 female patients. The treatment protocol consisted of laser sessions for 3 times a week for 2 weeks, and follow-up sessions over a 16-week period. Objective and subjective parameters were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment, and at 4-month follow-up visits. Results demonstrated significant reductions in subjective symptoms such as itching and pain, as well as improvements in objective signs including erythema and fissures. No side effects were observed, indicating the safety and tolerability of laser treatment. These findings suggest that photobiomodulation can be an effective therapeutic option for patients with vulval lichen sclerosus, with future research aimed at refining treatment protocols and evaluating its long-term benefits.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health; and compared with their normal-weight peers, these individuals tend to have a lower level ...of self-confidence, and consequently lower physical activity adherence. Due to these self-perceived barriers, the aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of an online training program on self-reported physical fitness (SRPF) in children with obesity (OB).
A total of 32 children with OB carried out physical fitness (PF) tests and were asked to complete the International Fitness Enjoyment Scale (IFIS) questionnaire. The physical fitness tests were the Standing Broad Jump (SBJ), the 6-Min Walking Test (6MWT) and the 4 × 10 m sprint test. Children participated in a 3-weekly 60-min training session through Zoom platform. Before the beginning of the training protocol, OB children were compared with normal weight (NW) ones for PF batteries and the IFIS questionnaire. Changes in performances after the training were assessed by paired Student t and Wilcoxon tests.
After the online training program children increased their performance in 6MWT (mean difference (MD) = 54.93;
< 0.0001) in SBJ (MD = 10.00;
= 0.0001) and in 4 × 10 m sprint test (MD = -0.78;
< 0.0001). No differences were found in children's physical fitness perception.
Our study highlighted how a structured online training program can lead to improvements in PF of children with OB. Instead, the lack of differences in SRPF after the training suggests interesting questions to be explored on the aspects linked to self-perception. Therefore, even if our training protocol could not directly improve SRPF in children with obesity, the enhancement of their PF could be a starting point for achieving this result with a longer training period and consequently improve PA participation for children with OB.
Exergames are defined as digital games that require bodily movements to play, stimulating an active gaming experience to function as a form of physical activity (PA). The players interact with the ...game through whole-body movements improving energy expenditure. Exergames may be effective in improving physical and psychological aspects of children and adolescents with obesity. In this narrative review, we synthesized the current evidence regarding the role of exergames in modifying body composition and weight and in promoting changes in sedentary behavior to define the benefits of active video games as useful tools for fighting sedentarism and to outline the future directions of exergaming as a supplementation exercise rather than a replacement in educational programs for pediatric obesity. Data from the literature indicate that exergames may offer an interesting impact on childhood obesity and may be considered a potential strategy for controlling weight gain and body composition, promote PA, and decrease time spent on sedentary behavior in children and adolescents with obesity. However, exergame use also has some limits, such as children's poor self-regulation and poor structuring of exergame use. Therefore, a prudent approach should be maintained, and additional high-quality research is needed to determine if exergames can be effectively used in the treatment of childhood obesity and if new digital media, as a supplementation of exercise rather than a replacement, could be considered to combat sedentary behavior in educational programs for pediatric obesity prevention.
Only 20% of children worldwide reach the suggested physical activity (PA) levels, and the COVID-19 restrictions seemed to have worsened this situation. In addition, physical fitness (PF) is a crucial ...marker of health and combined with PA could predict future health status. The aim of this study was to compare reported PA and PF levels in a sample of Italian adolescents. We administered the International PA Questionnaire and International Fitness Enjoyment Scale to 208 adolescents aged 16.0 ± 1.5 (N = 166 females, 16 ± 2.0 years) recruited from a high school in the province of Milan (Italy). The majority of the subjects were “Minimally active” but reported adequate PF levels. In particular, subjects who reported a “Very good” PF perception, had a lower PA level. The misperception of reported PA and PF from our sample could reduce the future PA level in adolescents and lead to a negative spiral of disengagement in PA. These findings should lead to more attention on and improvements to PA promotion in the adolescent population after the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PDF
