Summary In the first population-based study of vertebral fractures in Latin America, we found a 11.18 (95% CI 9.23-13.4) prevalence of radiographically ascertained vertebral fractures in a random ...sample of 1,922 women from cities within five different countries. These figures are similar to findings from studies in Beijing, China, some regions of Europe, and slightly lower than those found in the USA using the same standardized methodology. Introduction We report the first study of radiographic vertebral fractures in Latin America. Methods An age-stratified random sample of 1,922 women aged 50 years and older from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico were included. In all cases a standardized questionnaire and lateral X-rays of the lumbar and thoracic spine were obtained after informed consent. Results A standardized prevalence of 11.18 (95% CI 9.23-13.4) was found. The prevalence was similar in all five countries, increasing from 6.9% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) in women aged 50-59 years to 27.8% (95% CI 23.1-32.4) in those 80 years and older (p for trend < 0.001). Among different risk factors, self-reported height loss OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.18-2.25), and previous history of fracture OR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.14-2.03) were significantly (p < 0.003 and p < 0.04 respectably) associated with the presence of radiographic vertebral fractures in the multivariate analysis. In the bivariate analyses HRT was associated with a 35% lower risk OR = 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46-0.93) and physical activity with a 27% lower risk of having a vertebral fracture OR = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.55-0.98), but were not statistically significant in multivariate analyses Conclusion We conclude that radiographically ascertained vertebral fractures are common in Latin America. Health authorities in the region should be aware and consider implementing measures to prevent vertebral fractures.
Multiple-session home-based self-applied transcranial direct current stimulation (M-HB-self-applied-tDCS) has previously been found to effectively reduce chronic pain and enhance cognitive function. ...However, the effectiveness of this method for disordered eating behavior still needs to be studied.
This study aimed to assess whether 20 sessions of M-HB-self-applied-tDCS, administered over four weeks to either the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) or primary motor cortex (M1), could improve various aspects of eating behavior, anthropometric measures, and adherence.
We randomly assigned 102 fibromyalgia patients between the ages of 30 and 65 to one of four tDCS groups: L-DLPFC (anodal-(a)-tDCS, n = 34; sham-(s)-tDCS, n = 17) or M1 (a-tDCS, n = 34; s-tDCS, n = 17). Patients self-administered 20-min tDCS sessions daily with 2 mA under remote supervision following in-person training.
Generalized linear models revealed significant effects of M-HB-self-applied-tDCS compared to s-tDCS on uncontrolled eating (UE) (Wald χ2 = 5.62; df = 1; P = 0.018; effect size, ES = 0.55), and food craving (Wald χ2 = 5.62; df = 1; P = 0.018; ES = 0.57). Regarding fibromyalgia symptoms, we found a differentiated impact of a-tDCS on M1 compared to DLPFC in reducing food cravings. Additionally, M-HB-a-tDCS significantly reduced emotional eating and waist size. In contrast, M1 stimulation was more effective in improving fibromyalgia symptoms. The global adherence rate was high, at 88.94%.
These findings demonstrate that M-HB-self-applied-tDCS is a suitable approach for reducing uncontrolled and emotional eating, with greater efficacy in L-DLPFC. Furthermore, these results revealed the influence of fibromyalgia symptoms on M-HB-self-applied-tDCS's, with M1 being particularly effective in mitigating food cravings and reducing fibromyalgia symptoms.
•M-HB-tDCS effectively mitigates both uncontrolled and food cravings.•M-HB-tDCS on the L-DLPFC is more effective in reducing uncontrolled and emotional eating.•Fibromyalgia symptoms influence the effectiveness of M-HB-tDCS on M1 in mitigating food cravings.•M-HB-tDCS proves to be a viable approach for enhancing eating behavior.
In professional soccer, increasing amounts of data are collected that harness great potential when it comes to analysing tactical behaviour. Unlocking this potential is difficult as big data ...challenges the data management and analytics methods commonly employed in sports. By joining forces with computer science, solutions to these challenges could be achieved, helping sports science to find new insights, as is happening in other scientific domains. We aim to bring multiple domains together in the context of analysing tactical behaviour in soccer using position tracking data. A systematic literature search for studies employing position tracking data to study tactical behaviour in soccer was conducted in seven electronic databases, resulting in 2338 identified studies and finally the inclusion of 73 papers. Each domain clearly contributes to the analysis of tactical behaviour, albeit in - sometimes radically - different ways. Accordingly, we present a multidisciplinary framework where each domain's contributions to feature construction, modelling and interpretation can be situated. We discuss a set of key challenges concerning the data analytics process, specifically feature construction, spatial and temporal aggregation. Moreover, we discuss how these challenges could be resolved through multidisciplinary collaboration, which is pivotal in unlocking the potential of position tracking data in sports analytics.
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax infects red blood cells through a key pathway that requires interaction between Duffy binding protein II (DBPII) and its receptor on reticulocytes, the ...Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC). A high proportion of P. vivax-exposed individuals fail to develop antibodies that inhibit DBPII-DARC interaction, and genetic factors that modulate this humoral immune response are poorly characterized. Here, we investigate if DBPII responsiveness could be HLA class II-linked.
A community-based open cohort study was carried out in an agricultural settlement of the Brazilian Amazon, in which 336 unrelated volunteers were genotyped for HLA class II (DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 loci), and their DBPII immune responses were monitored over time (baseline, 6 and 12 months) by conventional serology (DBPII IgG ELISA-detected) and functional assays (inhibition of DBPII-erythrocyte binding). The results demonstrated an increased susceptibility of the DRB1*13:01 carriers to develop and sustain an anti-DBPII IgG response, while individuals with the haplotype DRB1*14:02-DQA1*05:03-DQB1*03:01 were persistent non-responders. HLA class II gene polymorphisms also influenced the functional properties of DBPII antibodies (BIAbs, binding inhibitory antibodies), with three alleles (DRB1*07:01, DQA1*02:01 and DQB1*02:02) comprising a single haplotype linked with the presence and persistence of the BIAbs response. Modelling the structural effects of the HLA-DRB1 variants revealed a number of differences in the peptide-binding groove, which is likely to lead to altered antigen binding and presentation profiles, and hence may explain the differences in subject responses.
The current study confirms the heritability of the DBPII antibody response, with genetic variation in HLA class II genes influencing both the development and persistence of IgG antibody responses. Cellular studies to increase knowledge of the binding affinities of DBPII peptides for class II molecules linked with good or poor antibody responses might lead to the development of strategies for controlling the type of helper T cells activated in response to DBPII.
Summary
This study investigated whether osteoporosis and its treatment may affect periodontal condition in elderly women. The findings highlighted that women with osteoporosis had a higher chance to ...present severe periodontitis than women with normal bone mineral density (BMD), particularly those who were not treated for osteoporosis.
Introduction
This study investigated whether osteoporosis increases the frequency and severity of chronic periodontitis in elderly women and evaluated the influence of vitamin D and osteoporosis treatment in the periodontal condition.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, elderly women were selected among 1266 subjects evaluated for lumbar spine and proximal femur bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and complete periodontal examination were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescence.
Results
Forty-eight elderly women with normal BMD and 86 with osteoporosis were selected. Women with osteoporosis presented higher frequency of sites with clinical attachment level ≥6 mm (
p
= 0.003) and gingival recession ≥3 mm (
p
= 0.002) than those with normal BMD and were more than twice as likely to present severe periodontitis (odds ratio (OR) = 2.49, 95 % CI 1.14 to 5.43). Osteoporotic women who were not treated for the condition had more chance to present severe periodontitis (OR = 3.16, 95 % CI 1.28 to 7.82) than those who did use bisphosphonates (OR = 2.04, 95 % CI 0.85 to 4.89). Among the participants who presented low levels of vitamin D, those with osteoporosis exhibited a higher chance to present severe periodontitis than those with normal BMD (
p
= 0.027), but the association between vitamin D levels and osteoporosis was not statistically significant after adjustment (
p
= 0.198).
Conclusions
Elderly women with osteoporosis have a greater chance to present periodontitis, with higher severity than those with normal BMD. Osteoporosis treatment provides protection for periodontitis.
Summary
Background
Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have serologic responses to various microbial antigens. Serologic markers are associated with aggressive forms of disease and can be detected ...before onset of symptoms. Their utility in pre‐clinical disease or prediction of complicated disease course before diagnosis is unclear.
Aim
To evaluate the pattern of serologic anti‐microbial antibodies long prior to diagnosis and the subsequent risk of complicated Crohn's disease at diagnosis.
Methods
Sera from 100 US military personnel with Crohn's disease were obtained from the Department of Defense Serum Repository. For each patient, four samples were obtained at different time points before and around diagnosis, and were tested for 6 microbiota‐directed antibodies (ASCA‐IgA, ASCA‐IgG, anti‐OmpC, anti‐CBir1, anti‐A4‐Fla2 and anti‐FlaX). Associations between the presence and accumulation of Crohn's disease anti‐microbial antibodies before diagnosis and with the later development of complications were evaluated.
Results
Overall, 65 patients were positive for at least one Crohn's disease associated anti‐microbial antibody in the earliest available sample, at a median of 6 years before Crohn's disease diagnosis (interquartile range, 5.6–8.2). The number of positive anti‐microbial antibodies increased up to the time of Crohn's disease diagnosis. Complicated disease developed around the time of diagnosis in 24 patients. The proportion of positive antimicrobial antibodies before diagnosis was higher in patients with complicated vs. noncomplicated Crohn's disease. There was an inverse relationship between the time to first complication and the magnitude of serologic response before diagnosis.
Conclusion
The presence and accumulation of circulating anti‐microbial antibodies years before Crohn's disease diagnosis was associated with complicated Crohn's disease at or shortly after diagnosis.
Estuaries are constantly subject to continuous environmental impacts of human activities, such as fisheries, port or industry, and domestic sewage, with fish being one of the most affected aquatic ...animals, reflecting the impacts directly on their bodies. Thus, the aim of this study was to carry out the biomonitoring of an estuary located on the Amazonian Equatorial Coast through analysis of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in the water, in addition to trace metals, histopathological alterations and analysis of erythrocyte micronuclei in Sciades herzbergii. S. herzbergii was used as a model species, due to its estuarine-resident behavior. Gonad and gill samples were subjected to histopathological evaluations. The quantification of trace metals was performed in samples of skeletal muscles of the animals collected, where concentrations of Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe) and Aluminum (Al) were found. Except for Cadmium (Cd), all the concentrations were above the recommended limits. The PAHs analysis revealed the presence of Naphthalene and Acenaphthene in the water samples Histopathological and genotoxic analyses revealed of lesions in 100% of the study specimens. Thus, the histological and genotoxic alterations found in 100% of S. herzbergii specimens captured in São José Bay-MA are potentially associated with PAH concentrations present in the water. These results are potentially associated with the presence of PAH and trace metals, both in water and in animal tissues, inferring a general scenario of environmental contamination which directly implies a risk to the health and survival of the local biota. This study shows the relevance of continuous biomonitoring of estuarine ecosystems, in order to guide authorities regarding sewage management and ensure the evolutionary development of estuarine species, especially fishes of importance in the local cuisine, therefore related to human food security.
Removal of hexavalent chromium was accomplished by using photocatalyst materials of TiO
doped with tungsten oxide, environmental air as oxygen supply and white light as irradiation source. Dichromate ...anions in concentration ranges of 50 to 1000 μg/L were removed by means of aqueous dispersions of TiO
doped with tungsten. The aqueous chromium analyses were performed by Differential Pulse Voltammetry technique. Additionally, mineralization of CO
gas was promoted by the photocatalysis process, as was clearly shown by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analyses obtained from the TiO
samples recovered after photocatalytic experiments. Results of sample analyses by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) are presented and discussed.
Introduction
Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and the risk of death from cancer
has decreased continuously since 1991, therefore, This translates into an increasing number
of cancer ...survivors (CS) worldwide.
During the survivorship seasons, CS face several short-term, long-term, persistent,
and late-emerging health and psychosocial problems, including cancer-related pain, fatigue,
menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression, distress associated with the risk of cancer
recurrence, chronic uncertainty, social disruption, alterations of sleep, sexual and
cognitive dysfunctions.
Since 2002 that some researchers and clinicians argued that it is important to
de-velop and implement rehabilitation programs for cancer patients that integrate both
psychosocial and physical rehabilitation.
Objectives
With the scarcity of studies on the effectiveness of combined interventions in this
population, despite the strong recommendation to perform and study it, and aiming to
contribute to a greater knowledge on the theme, the present work aims to build, implement,
and evaluate a combined intervention program, which integrates psychoeducational intervention
with physical exercise to cancer survivors and relatives, through the following indicators:
psychopathological symptoms (anxiety and depression), self-concept, coping strategies,
personal growth and QoL.
Methods
A non-probabilistic convenience sample of 70 cancer survivors was assigned to: control
(without intervention: n=32), combined intervention (n=21) and psychoedu-cation intervention
(n=17) groups. Both intervention groups were 9 consecutive weeks duration. The combined
intervention group benefited from 2 weekly exercise sessions additionally. It was
administered before and after intervention the following questionnaires: demographic;
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); Clinical Self-concept Inventory (ICAC); Cancer
Coping Questionnaire (CCQ); sub-scale of Personal Growth of the Psychological Well-being
Scale (EBEP) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref
).
Results
It was observed a statistically significant reduction of anxiety and depression
symptoms from the beginning to the end of the intervention, as well as a significative
improvement of overall and all do-mains of self-concept and personal growth. It was not
observed a significative difference on quality of life.
Conclusions
The findings of this study contribute to support of the beneficial effect of combined
intervention on psychological functioning of cancer survivors. Positive effects of the
psychological program were observed but not into the same extent as in the combined
intervention.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
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