The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has upset the normality of Italian daily life, forcing population to social distancing and self-isolation. Since the containment precautions also concern ...sport-related activities, home workout remained the only possibility to play sports and stay active during the pandemic.
The present study aimed to examine changes in the physical activity levels during self-quarantine in Italy, and the impact of exercise on psychological health.
A total of 2974 Italian subjects has completed an online survey, but only 2524 subjects resulted eligible for this study. The questionnaire measured the total weekly physical activity energy expenditure before and during quarantine (i.e. the sum of walking, moderate-intensity physical activities, and vigorous-intensity physical activities) in Metabolic Equivalent Task minutes per week (MET–min/wk) using an adapted version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire and their psychological well-being using the Psychological General Well Being Index. Of the 2524 Italian subjects included in the study, 1426 were females (56.4%) and 1098 males (43.6%). Total physical activity significantly decreased between before and during COVID-19 pandemic (Mean: 2429 vs. 1577 MET–min/wk, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001), in all age groups and especially in men (Female, mean: 1994 vs. 1443 MET–min/wk, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; Male, mean: 2998 vs. 1754 MET–min/wk, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between the variation of physical activity and mental well-being (r = 0.07541, ∗∗∗p = 0.0002), suggesting that the reduction of total physical activity had a profoundly negative impact on psychological health and well-being of population.
Based on this scientific evidence, maintaining a regular exercise routine is a key strategy for physical and mental health during a forced rest period like the current coronavirus emergency.
Exercise; Epidemiology; Public health; Psychology; COVID-19; Pandemic; Quarantine; Physical activity; Home based exercise; IPAQ-SF; Psychological well-being; PGWBI.
Clinical features of surgical soft tissue wound healing in dentistry have been rarely discussed in the international literature. The aim of the present paper is to highlight both the main clinical ...findings of surgical wound healing, especially in periodontal and implant dentistry, and the wound healing monitoring procedures which should be followed. Wound inspection after careful food and plaque debridement is the essential part of wound healing monitoring. Periodontal and peri-implant probing should be performed only after tissue healing has been completed and not on a weekly basis in peri-implant tissue monitoring. Telephone follow-up and patient self-assessment scales can also be used the days following surgery to monitor the most common surgical complications such as pain, swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Wound healing monitoring is an important concern in all surgical procedures since it allows to identify signs or/and symptoms possibly related to surgical complications.
Regular physical activity (PA) and healthy nutrition are effective strategies to improve crucial modifiable lifestyle factors that affect health status, both in healthy people and in special ...populations suffering from metabolic disorders ...
Abstract Purpose To identify any factors which may aid the surgeon in preventing or minimizing the risk of lingual nerve injury during third molar surgery. Methods Electronic research was carried out ...on the correlation between lingual nerve damage and lower third molar surgery (topographic anatomy, surgical technique, and regional anesthesia) using PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane central databases. The research only included articles published in English up to February 2016. Results Lingual nerve anatomy varied greatly: direct contact between the lingual nerve and the third molar alveolar wall was reported in a wide range of cases (0-62%) and the nerve was located at the same level or above the top of the ridge in 0-17.6% of cases. No detailed data was found on the actual incidence of lingual nerve injury resulting from local anesthesia by injection. Permanent lingual nerve damage did not show statistically significant differences between the simple buccal approach and the buccal approach + lingual flap retraction, although the latter was significantly associated with an increased risk of temporary damage. As far as permanent damage was concerned, no statistically significant differences were found between the lingual split technique and the buccal approach with or without lingual flap retraction. As opposed to tooth sectioning, ostectomy was strongly statistically associated with permanent lingual nerve damage. Conclusions Results should be interpreted with extreme caution due to the considerable heterogeneity of the data as well as the considerable influence of several anatomical and surgical variables, all closely related, but which are difficult to analyze independently. It seems preferable to avoid lingual flap elevation, except in selected cases in which the presence of more than one unfavourable surgical variable predict a high risk of nerve injury. Tooth sectioning may reduce the extent of ostectomy or even, in some cases, prevent it, potentially acting as a protective factor in lingual nerve injury.
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.
Aim: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the risk of malignant transformation of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Materials and Methods: the search was carried out ...using a combination of terms (leukoplakia OR leucoplakia) AND (multifocal OR proliferative) on the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS Core Collection), Cochrane Library, selecting only articles published since 1985 and in the English language. Demographic, disease-related, and follow-up data extracted from the studies included in the qualitative synthesis were combined. Weighted means ± standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables, while categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Odd ratios for individual studies were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis, conducted using Review Manager 5.4 Software (Cochrane Community, Oxford, England). Results: twenty-two articles were included, with a total of 699 PVL patients, undergoing a mean follow-up of 7.2 years. Sixty-six percent of patients were females, with a mean age of 70.2 years, and 33.3% were males, with a mean age of 59.6 years. Most patients were non-smokers and non-alcohol users, and the gingiva/alveolar ridge mucosa was the most involved anatomical site by both PVL appearance and malignant transformation. A total of 320 PVL patients developed oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) or conventional oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) because of malignant transformation of PVL lesions (45.8%). A statistically significant 3.8-fold higher risk of progression to conventional OSCC was found compared to OVC in PVL patients, with women being 1.7 times more likely to develop oral cancer than men, as a consequence of PVL progression. Moreover, a statistically significant higher likelihood of developing conventional OSCC in female PVL patients than in males was found. In 46.5% of patients with PVL malignant transformation, multiple carcinomas, in different oral sites, occurred during follow-up. Conclusions: PVL is an aggressive lesion, which, in a high percentage of cases (almost 50%), undergoes malignant transformation, mainly toward OSCC. The female gender is most affected, especially in the elderly, with a negative history for alcohol and tobacco consumption.
The study of the effects of a water-based exercise program in overweight/obese people with or without type 2 diabetes is a topic of relatively recent interest. This type of exercise presents some ...advantages in reducing the risk of injury or trauma, and it can be a valuable therapeutic card to play for sedentary or physically inactive patients who have chronic metabolic diseases. This work aims to make a contribution showing the effects of a water-based exercise intervention, supervised by graduates in sports sciences, in a group of overweight/obese people with or without type 2 diabetes. In total, 93 adults (age 60.59 ± 10.44 years), including 72 women (age 60.19 ± 10.97 years) and 21 men (age 61.95 ± 8.48 years), were recruited to follow a water-based exercise program (2 sessions/week, for 12 weeks) at the C.U.R.I.A.Mo. Healthy Lifestyle Institute of Perugia University. Results showed an improvement in body mass index (−0.90 ± 1.56, p = 0.001), waist circumference (−4.32 ± 6.03, p < 0.001), and systolic (−7.78 ± 13.37, p = 0.001) and diastolic (−6.30 ± 10.91, p = 0.001) blood pressure. The supervised water-based intervention was useful in managing patients with metabolic diseases who often present with other health impairments, such as musculoskeletal problems or cardiovascular or rheumatic disease that could contraindicate gym-based exercise.
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.
Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new adhesive agent, HemCon Dental Dressing (HDD), in patients receiving oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT), who were undergoing ...nonsurgical tooth extractions without interruption or reduction of OAT, compared with that of a common local hemostatic agent. Study Design Twenty patients on OAT with an international normalized ratio (INR) ranging between 1.6 and 3.5 were recruited. In the same session, each patient was subjected to the extraction of two teeth: In the test site the HDD was applied, and in the control site, a common hemostatic sponge (CollaPlug, Zimmer Dental) was used. Results The mean application time was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group, and this difference is statistically significant. The mean postoperative pain was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group the morning after surgery and at the time of suture removal. Post-extraction socket healing was significantly better in the test group than in the control group. Conclusions Tooth extraction in patients receiving OAT and have an INR lower than 3.5 is a safe procedure without discontinuation of the OA regimen. The HDD seems to reduce postoperative side effects and obtain rapid soft tissue healing.
From December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus rapidly spreads in more than 200 countries in the world and WHO declared an epidemic public health emergency. In Italy, the Coronavirus disease caused 239.410 ...total infected cases and 34.644 people have died. Specific recommendations, as reducing social contacts and scrupulous hand hygiene, were adopted to limit the spread of the disease, affecting the daily habits of tens of millions of people. This gave rise to two different currents of thought: on the one hand those who always believed that the practice of physical activity represented an important preventive factor, on the other that it was necessary to stop physical activity because is a dangerous activity. The aim of this short paper is to discuss a correct approach to physical activity and exercise and to underline the beneficial effects, precautions, and limitations, providing a contribution that clarifies these different points of view in debate. Regular practice of physical activity and moderate exercise is useful for asymptomatic healthy people and therefore recommended by the major scientific societies, according to established scientific evidence available to date.
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