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The management of heart failure (HF) in patients with type 2 diabetes has significantly evolved with the introduction of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. This article aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the efficacy of these inhibitors in managing HF in this patient population. Major medical databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were reviewed, prioritizing research from the last decade. The results of this review highlight the mechanisms of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, their clinical benefits, challenges in patient management, and outcomes associated with their use. These medications were found to not only improve glycemic control but also offer significant cardiovascular and renal benefits, reducing cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. However, challenges and knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding long-term effects and safety in diverse populations. The conclusions of this review underscore the importance of updating clinical guidelines to incorporate these findings and propose the need for future research to address existing gaps and optimize the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in clinical practice.

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This study addresses the challenge of low blood donation rates in developing countries by examining the effectiveness of a barrier-removal incentive-a one-day transportation voucher-to promote blood donation. Utilizing a longitudinal dataset of 23,750 donors from a Brazilian blood collection agency (BCA) collected between March 2018 and May 2020, we examine the short and long-term effects of this campaign on donation rates. Our results show that the incentive had a large positive influence on both donation attempts and successful donations on the day of the campaign. However, the short-term success of the intervention had an unintended consequence: the significant increase in prospective donors' waiting time at the BCA during the intervention day, which may help explain the negative impact on return rates in the 24-month follow-up. Despite these opposing outcomes, the net effect of the one-day blood donation incentive was still positive, offering valuable insights for BCAs aiming to enhance donor recruitment and retention strategies and emphasizing the need to balance immediate benefits with potential long-term impacts.

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Resumen: El dolor es el principal síntoma reportado a nivel mundial, es la principal causa de sufrimiento humano. Se considera que para que un individuo sienta dolor deben estar presentes: nociceptores, neurotransmisores del dolor, vías que llevan el estímulo al cerebro, el tálamo y conexión con la corteza. Por un tiempo se consideró que en esta etapa no se contaba con la madurez suficiente del sistema nervioso para sentir dolor; sin embargo, en la actualidad hay evidencia de que el feto presenta dolor; y su presencia altera el desarrollo del sistema nervioso. La presente revisión proporciona una visión actualizada de la ontogenia del dolor fetal y neonatal.

Abstract: Pain is the main symptom reported worldwide, it is the main cause of human suffering. It is considered that for an individual to feel pain, the following must be present: nociceptors, pain neurotransmitters, pathways that carry the stimulus to the brain, the thalamus and connection with the cortex. For a time it was considered that at this stage the nervous system was not mature enough to feel pain, however, there is currently evidence that the fetus has pain; and its presence alters the development of the nervous system. This review provides an updated view of the ontogeny of fetal and neonatal pain.

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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of marijuana use and its derivatives has surged over the past century, largely due to increasing legalization globally. Despite arguments advocating its benefits, marijuana smoking exposes the lungs to harmful combustion byproducts, leading to various respiratory issues such as asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We embarked on an extensive literature search, utilizing PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, identifying 200 studies. After the elimination of duplicates, and meticulous review of abstracts and full texts, 55 studies were included in our analysis. RESULTS: Current literature demonstrates that marijuana use negatively impacts lung function, triggering symptoms like chronic cough, sputum production, and wheezing, and diminishing FEV1/FVC ratio in spirometry tests. Moreover, prolonged or chronic marijuana use augments the risk of respiratory function impairment. While the carcinogenic effects of marijuana are still contested, a weak correlation between marijuana use and lung cancer has been observed in some studies. Additionally, instances of other pathologies linked to marijuana use have been reported, including the development of COPD, pulmonary bullae, spontaneous pneumothorax, pleuritic pain, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, hemoptysis, and pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence underscores that marijuana use is detrimental to respiratory health. In light of the escalating trend of marijuana use, particularly among the youth, it is imperative to advocate public health messages discouraging its consumption.

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BACKGROUND: High intensity training (HIT) improves disability and physical fitness in persons with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). However, it remains unclear if HIT affects pain processing and psychosocial factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 1) the effects of HIT on symptoms of central sensitization and perceived stress and 2) the relationship of symptoms of central sensitization and perceived stress with therapy success, at six-month follow-up, in persons with CNSLBP. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a previously published randomized controlled trial. Persons with CNSLBP (n = 51, age=43.6y) completed the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at baseline (PRE) and six months after 12-week of HIT consisting of concurrent exercise therapy (FU). Two groups were formed based on CSI scores (low-CSI/high-CSI). First, linear mixed models were fitted for each outcome, with time and groups as covariates. Multiple comparisons were executed to evaluate group (baseline), time (within-group), and interaction (between-group) effects. Second, correlation and regression analyses were performed to evaluate if baseline and changes in CSI/PSS scores were related to therapy success, operationalized as improvements on disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Index), and pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale). RESULTS: Total sample analyses showed a decrease in both CSI and PSS. Within-group analyses showed a decrease of CSI only in the high-CSI group and a decrease of PSS only in the low-CSI group. Between-group analyses showed a pronounced decrease favouring high-CSI (mean difference: 7.9; 95%CI: 2.1, 12.7) and no differences in PSS (mean difference: 0.1; 95%CI: -3.0, 3.2). CSI, but not PSS, was weakly related to therapy success. CONCLUSION: HIT improves symptoms of central sensitization in persons with CNSLBP. This effect is the largest in persons with clinically relevant baseline CSI scores. HIT also decreases perceived stress.

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Grade C periodontitis in young individuals is characterized by severe/rapid periodontal destruction, usually early onset, in systemically healthy individuals. An individual's host response, triggered by a dysbiotic subgingival biofilm, has been reported as a contributor to the tissue destruction, although mechanisms of this response and contributions to such disease remain poorly understood. Nonsurgical treatment has resulted in positive clinical responses for both localized (now molar-incisor pattern) and generalized forms of grade C periodontitis, especially when adjunctive systemic antibiotics are used. Nonsurgical treatment may also affect host responses, although mechanisms leading to significant changes in this response remain unclear. Significant effects on inflammatory response to antigens/bacteria have been described posttreatment, but evidence for long-term effects remains limited. Nonsurgical treatment in these individuals may also modulate a variety of host markers in serum/plasma and gingival crevicular fluid along with clinical parameter improvements. The impact of other adjuncts to nonsurgical treatment focusing on controlling exacerbated immunoinflammatory responses needs to be further explored in grade C periodontitis in young individuals. Recent evidence suggests that nonsurgical treatment with adjunctive laser therapy may modulate host and microbial responses in those subjects, at least in the short term. Available evidence, while very heterogeneous (including variations in disease definition and study designs), does not provide clear conclusions on this topic yet provides important insights for future studies. In this review, studies within the past decade evaluating the impact of nonsurgical treatment on systemic/local host responses in young individuals with grade C periodontitis, as well as long-term clinical responses posttreatment, will be critically appraised and discussed.

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ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and a major public health problem. Although, through the rational use of drugs, the blood pressure of hypertensive patients can be better controlled, a series of side effects of drugs and expensive medical expenses limit the ability of patients to comply with the demands of hypertension. Objective: To explore the effect of long-term exercise training on the rehabilitation of hypertensive patients. Methods: The patients were divided into a control group and an exercise group, and we used multiple measurements of blood pressure, a questionnaire, and registered the situation of each patient, after what results were compared and analyzed. Results: After 12 weeks of training, the subject's blood pressure has dropped significantly. The systolic blood pressure dropped by an average of 15.5mmHg compared to before the exercise prescription was implemented, diastolic blood pressure dropped by an average of 10.6mmHg. Conclusions: Continuous physical exercise in hypertensive patients has medium- and long-term effect on blood pressure control. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: A hipertensão é uma das doenças cardiovasculares e cerebrovasculares mais comuns e um importante problema de saúde. Embora a pressão de pacientes hipertensos possa ser melhor controlada através do uso racional de medicamentos, seus efeitos colaterais e os elevados custos médicos limitam a habilidade dos pacientes de atender às demandas da hipertensão. Objetivo: Explorar o efeito a longo prazo de exercícios na reabilitação de pacientes hipertensos. Métodos: Dividiram-se os pacientes em um grupo controle e um grupo de exercícios e realizaram-se múltiplas avaliações de sua pressão sanguínea. Além disso, foi aplicado um questionário e a situação de cada paciente foi registrada. Em seguida, os resultados foram comparados e analisados. Resultados: Depois de 12 dias de treino, a pressão sanguínea dos pacientes caiu significativamente. A pressão sanguínea sistólica após a implementação dos exercícios caiu em média 15.5mmHg, e a pressão diastólica caiu em média 10.6mmHg. Conclusões: Atividade física continua em pacientes hipertensos tem efeitos de médio e longo prazo no controle da pressão sanguínea. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação de resultados de tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La hipertensión es una de las enfermedades cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares más comunes y un importante problema de salud. Aunque la presión de pacientes hipertensos pueda ser mejor controlada a través del uso racional de medicamentos, sus efectos colaterales y los elevados costos médicos limitan la habilidad de los pacientes de atender a las demandas de la hipertensión. Objetivo: Explorar el efecto a largo plazo de ejercicios en la rehabilitación de pacientes hipertensos. Métodos: Los pacientes fueron divididos en un grupo control y un grupo de ejercicios y realizaron múltiples evaluaciones de su presión sanguínea. Además, fue aplicado un cuestionario y la situación de cada paciente fue registrada. Luego, los resultados fueron comparados y analizados. Resultados: Después de 12 días de entrenamiento, la presión sanguínea de los pacientes disminuyó significativamente. La presión sanguínea sistólica, después de la implementación de los ejercicios, descendió en promedio 15.5mmHg, y la presión diastólica descendió en promedio 10.6mmHg. Conclusiones: La actividad física continua en pacientes hipertensos tiene efectos de medio y largo plazo en el control de la presión sanguínea. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de resultados de tratamiento.

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BACKGROUND: The consequences of mild to severe exposure to alcohol during brain development is still a matter of debate and scientific investigation. The long-term behavioural effects of ethanol exposure have been related to impaired social skills and cognition. Zebrafish have become a suitable animal model to investigate the effects of early ethanol exposure because it is very feasible to promote drug delivery during early development. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the current report is to review existing behavioural studies addressing the impact of early alcohol exposure using zebrafish to determine whether these models resemble the behavioural effects of early alcohol exposure in humans. METHODS: A comprehensive search of biomedical databases was performed using the operation order: "ZEBRAFISH AND BEHAV* AND (ETHANOL OR ALCOHOL)". The eligibility of studies was determined using the PICOS strategy, contemplating the population as zebrafish, intervention as exposure to ethanol, comparison with a non-exposed control animal, and outcomes as behavioural parameters. RESULTS: The systematic search revealed 29 scientific articles as eligible. The zebrafish is presented as a versatile animal model that is useful to study FASD short and long-term behaviour impairments, such as anxiety, impaired sociability, aggressiveness, learning problems, memory impairment, seizure susceptibility, sleep disorders, motivational problems, and addiction. CONCLUSION: This systematic review further promotes the use of zebrafish as a model system to study the pathophysiological and behavioural consequences of early alcohol exposure (PROSPERO CRD42020215072).

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The long-term effects of diving on human lung function are controversially discussed. We investigated the lung function of traditional shellfish divers in southern Chile and identified risk factors for reduced lung volumes in divers. In a cross-sectional study, we assessed lung function in traditional shellfish divers and fishermen from two fishing communities. Male divers and fishermen aged 18-60 years were recruited. Participants' health and diving habits were assessed via standardized questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests and multiple linear regression models were applied. Through door-to-door sampling, we recruited 112 divers and 63 fishermen (response 67%). Valid spirometries were obtained from 98 divers and 52 fishermen. Divers had higher values of forced vital capacity (FVC, Beta = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09; 0.47) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, Beta = 0.23, 95%-CI: 0.07; 0.39) compared to fishermen. Among divers, lower values of FVC (Beta = -0.35, 95%-CI: -0.65; -0.05) were found in those with a high diving frequency, while diving depth was associated with higher values of FVC (Beta = 0.28, 95%-CI = 0.04; 0.52). Professional divers had better lung function compared to fishermen. However, among divers, lung function decreased with cumulative diving exposure, warranting approval in future studies to ensure the safety and health of divers.

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PURPOSE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) induces cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances in offspring. However, the effects of GDM in pain processing in offspring and whether male and female offspring are equally affected is not well known. Thus, we determined: i) whether GDM in mice affects offspring hindpaw mechanical sensitivity, capsaicin-induced spontaneous pain-like behaviors, and epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD); and ii) whether there is sexual dimorphism in these parameters in offspring from GDM dams. METHODS: GDM was induced in pregnant ICR mice via i.p. streptozotocin (STZ). Then, glucose levels from dams and offspring were determined. Male and female offspring 2-3 months of age were evaluated for: a) baseline mechanical sensitivity of the hind paw by using von Frey filaments; b) number of flinches and time spent guarding induced by intraplantar capsaicin (0.1%); and c) density of PGP-9.5 and CGRP axons in the epidermis from the hind paw glabrous skin. RESULTS: Prepartum levels of glucose in STZ-treated dams were significantly increased compared to vehicle-treated dams; however, GDM or vehicle offspring displayed normal and similar blood glucose levels. Male and female GDM offspring showed significantly greater mechanical sensitivity and capsaicin-induced pain behaviors compared to vehicle offspring. Male GDM offspring displayed a slightly more intense nociceptive phenotype in the capsaicin test. PGP-9.5 and CGRP ENFD in hind paw glabrous skin were greater in male and female GDM offspring versus their controls. Sexual dimorphism was generally not observed in GDM offspring in most of the studied parameters. CONCLUSION: These results suggest GDM induced greater pain-like behaviors in adult offspring regardless of sex along with an increased ENFD of PGP-9.5 and CGRP in the hind paw glabrous skin. We show that GDM peripheral neuropathy differs from diabetic peripheral neuropathy acquired in adulthood and set the foundation to further study this in human babies exposed to GDM.

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OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and perform meta-analyses on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of adults born moderate and late preterm (MLPT) in relation to cognitive functioning and psychiatric disorders. STUDY DESIGN: A search was conducted to identify any studies that involved prematurity in adulthood. From these studies, reports that included a group of MLPT adults and included description of cognitive and/or mental health domains (including specific long-term outcomes) were selected. RESULTS: In total, 155 publications were identified, but only 16 papers met the inclusion criteria. A small effect size (g = 0.38) was found in MLPT to demonstrate poorer intellectual performance compared with those born at term. Moreover, MLPT adults exhibited greater odds for any psychiatric (OR 1.14), substance use (OR 1.16), mood (OR 1.06), and psychotic disorders (OR 1.40). CONCLUSIONS: Despite inconsistency due to the methodologic differences between the selected studies, MLPT showed minor long-term effects into adulthood. However, more studies are needed, because prematurity seems to confer some vulnerability to biological and environmental factors that enhance susceptibility to adverse neurodevelopment outcomes.

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BACKGROUND: Snakebite envenoming can be a life-threatening condition, for which emergency care is essential. The Bothrops (lancehead) genus is responsible for most snakebite-related deaths and permanent loss of function in human victims in Latin America. Bothrops spp. venom is a complex mixture of different proteins that are known to cause local necrosis, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. However, the long-term effects of these viper envenomings have remained largely understudied. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case report of a 46-years old female patient from Las Claritas, Venezuela, who was envenomed by a snake from the Bothrops genus. The patient was followed for a 10-year period, during which she presented oliguric renal failure, culminating in kidney failure 60 months after the envenoming. CONCLUSION: In Latin America, especially in Brazil, where there is a high prevalence of Bothrops envenoming, it may be relevant to establish long-term outpatient programs. This would reduce late adverse events, such as chronic kidney disease, and optimize public financial resources by avoiding hemodialysis and consequently kidney transplantation.

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Snakebite envenoming can be a life-threatening condition, for which emergency care is essential. The Bothrops (lancehead) genus is responsible for most snakebite-related deaths and permanent loss of function in human victims in Latin America. Bothrops spp. venom is a complex mixture of different proteins that are known to cause local necrosis, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. However, the long-term effects of these viper envenomings have remained largely understudied. Case presentation: Here, we present a case report of a 46-years old female patient from Las Claritas, Venezuela, who was envenomed by a snake from the Bothrops genus. The patient was followed for a 10-year period, during which she presented oliguric renal failure, culminating in kidney failure 60 months after the envenoming. Conclusion: In Latin America, especially in Brazil, where there is a high prevalence of Bothrops envenoming, it may be relevant to establish long-term outpatient programs. This would reduce late adverse events, such as chronic kidney disease, and optimize public financial resources by avoiding hemodialysis and consequently kidney transplantation.(AU)

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Objetivo: analizar la evolución de las comorbilidades mayores e índice de masa corporal a largo plazo en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía bariátrica. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo transversal sobre una muestra de 38 pacientes intervenidos de cirugía bariátrica entre los años 2008 y 2011. La muestra se compone de 32 mujeres y 6 varones, con una media de edad de 43,52 años. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas fueron 8 bandas gástricas, 8 gastrectomías verticales y 22 by-pass. Resultados: la DM mejora en un 71,43% de los casos, la HTA en 47,05%, la DL en un 75% y el SAOS en un 70%. Por encima de los 5 años de seguimiento, el 28,9% de los pacientes presenta obesidad tipo I, el 23,7% presenta sobrepeso, el 23,7% obesidad tipo II y el 23,7% obesidad tipo III. Conclusión: la cirugía bariátrica consigue la resolución de comorbilidades asociadas a la obesidad en un porcentaje muy elevado de casos, siendo la más efectiva la dislipemia. La reganancia de peso a largo plazo sigue siendo un problema en estos pacientes así como su seguimiento por encima de los 5 años.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to analyze the outcome of major comorbidities and body mass index during long-term follow-up in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 28 patients (32 women and 6 men; mean age: 43.52 years) undergoing bariatric surgery between 2008 and 2011. The surgical procedures performed were adjustable gastric banding (n =8), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 8) and gastric bypass (n = 22). Results: Diabetes mellitus was resolved in 73.43% of cases, hypertension in 47.05%, dyslipidemia in 75% and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 70%. Five years after surgery, 28.9% of the patients had obesity class I, 23.7% had overweight, 23.7% had obesity class II and 23.7% had obesity class III. Conclusion: bariatric surgery achieves resolution of comorbidities associated with obesity in a high percentage of cases. This effect is more effective in dyslipidemia. Weight regain in the long-term and follow-up beyond five years after surgery are still pending issues.

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Snakebite envenoming can be a life-threatening condition, for which emergency care is essential. The Bothrops (lancehead) genus is responsible for most snakebite-related deaths and permanent loss of function in human victims in Latin America. Bothrops spp. venom is a complex mixture of different proteins that are known to cause local necrosis, coagulopathy, and acute kidney injury. However, the long-term effects of these viper envenomings have remained largely understudied. Case presentation: Here, we present a case report of a 46-years old female patient from Las Claritas, Venezuela, who was envenomed by a snake from the Bothrops genus. The patient was followed for a 10-year period, during which she presented oliguric renal failure, culminating in kidney failure 60 months after the envenoming. Conclusion: In Latin America, especially in Brazil, where there is a high prevalence of Bothrops envenoming, it may be relevant to establish long-term outpatient programs. This would reduce late adverse events, such as chronic kidney disease, and optimize public financial resources by avoiding hemodialysis and consequently kidney transplantation.(AU)

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RATIONALE: Ayahuasca is a psychotropic plant tea from South America used for religious purposes by indigenous people of the Amazon. Increasing evidence indicates that ayahuasca may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of mental health disorders and can enhance mindfulness-related capacities. Most research so far has focused on acute and sub-acute effects of ayahuasca on mental health-related parameters and less on long-term effects. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on well-being and cognitive thinking style. The second objective was to assess whether sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca depend on the degree of ego dissolution that was experienced after consumption of ayahuasca. RESULTS: Ayahuasca ceremony attendants (N = 57) in the Netherlands and Colombia were assessed before, the day after, and 4 weeks following the ritual. Relative to baseline, ratings of depression and stress significantly decreased after the ayahuasca ceremony and these changes persisted for 4 weeks. Likewise, convergent thinking improved post-ayahuasca ceremony up until the 4 weeks follow-up. Satisfaction with life and several aspects of mindfulness increased the day after the ceremony, but these changes failed to reach significance 4 weeks after. Changes in affect, satisfaction with life, and mindfulness were significantly correlated to the level of ego dissolution experienced during the ayahuasca ceremony and were unrelated to previous experience with ayahuasca. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that ayahuasca produces sub-acute and long-term improvements in affect and cognitive thinking style in non-pathological users. These data highlight the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression.

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PURPOSE: To explore information available in the literature about the possible benefits resulting from physical activity (PA) in non-risky pregnant women, repercussion on maternal organism, fetal development, and on long-term offspring health. METHODS: Critical narrative review using online databases. RESULTS: Through critical discussion of studies focused on PA practiced during pregnancy, it was observed that some of the outcomes investigated on both mother and offspring showed conflicting findings. Considering the impact of maternal PA in certain offspring characteristics, due to the fact that their findings come from studies with small samples, they do not allow the stablishment of scientific evidence. However, a feature that shows broad consensus among studies is the view of PA during pregnancy as a safe intervention for mother and fetus. In situations where studies employing PA of moderate-intensity have not enough power to ensure a positive influence on certain clinical outcomes, what is observed is the lack of their influence, not negative impacts. Regarding epigenetic modulations measured late in the offspring, it has been attributed to PA a positive modulatory role on metabolic, hemodynamic and even on behavioral characteristics. However, possible mechanisms involved in these epigenetic changes have not been sufficiently explored. CONCLUSION: Maternal PA appears to be safe for both mother and fetus, and additional studies are needed to confirm the real influence of this practice in the offspring, as well as the perpetuation and transfer of these features between generations.

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PURPOSE: Short stature has been reported in pediatric cancer survivors. Data on retinoblastoma survivors are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the height in retinoblastoma survivors. METHOD: The recorded height was compared with median height for age and sex as per the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Z-score less than -2 was considered short statured. RESULT: Thirty percent of the survivors were short statured. The mean height was shorter than the mean 50th percentile height (119.7 ± 14.8 vs 128.7 ± 15 cm, p < 0.001). Previous chemotherapy showed a trend toward association (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Short stature affects a significant number of retinoblastoma survivors.

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The strength of species interactions influences strongly the structure and dynamics of ecological systems. Thus, quantifying such strength is crucial to understand how species interactions shape communities and ecosystems. Although the concepts and measurement of interaction strength in food webs have received much attention, there has been comparatively little progress in the context of mutualism. We propose a conceptual scheme for studying the strength of plant-animal mutualistic interactions. We first review the interaction strength concepts developed for food webs, and explore how these concepts have been applied to mutualistic interactions. We then outline and explain a conceptual framework for defining ecological effects in plant-animal mutualisms. We give recommendations for measuring interaction strength from data collected in field studies based on a proposed approach for the assessment of interaction strength in plant-animal mutualisms. This approach is conceptually integrative and methodologically feasible, as it focuses on two key variables usually measured in field studies: the frequency of interactions and the fitness components influenced by the interactions.

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OBJECTIVE: This study reports long-term effects of chronic Achilles tendon rupture treatment, using reconstruction with peroneus brevis transfer (PBT), on sports activities based on an approximate 10-year follow-up study. METHODS: Twenty patients (6 women and 14 men; mean age, 43 ± 12.85 years at the time of operation) underwent chronic Achilles tendon repair with an average follow-up of 164.05 ± 5.07 months. Seven were involved in competitive sports, 10 participated in recreational activities and three were not involved in any sporting activities. All patients were Asians. Results were assessed using Cybex strength testing and the American Othopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score, the muscle manual test (MMT), sports activities and comprehensive satisfaction assessment. RESULTS: Cybex strength testing resulted in an average gain of 87.05 ± 14.83% in dorsiflexion strength (range 65-110%) and 98.05 ± 9.02% in plantar flexion strength (range 85%-120%). The AOFAS score average was 86.9 ± 7.27. There were no postoperative re-ruptures, no recurrences and no wound complications. Plantar flexion strength and the AOFAS score were negatively correlated with the age at the time of operation (r = "0.566, r = -0.669, respectively). Seventeen patients (85%) were level five of MMT in eversion strength. Following treatment, six patients (30%) returned to competitive sports, while 10 (50%) who, prior to the injury and surgery, were involved in recreational activities, returned to similar activities. The relatively younger group tended to continue sport activities as competitive athletes (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in age at the operation between non-satisfaction group and excellent group (p < 0.05). The under 40-year age group tended to show a poor value. CONCLUSION: Recreational athletes and non-athletes could return to their sports activities satisfactorily, while young competitive athletes found difficulties in certain actions, especially related to eversion.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio reporta efectos a largo plazo del tratamiento de la ruptura crónica del tendón de Aquiles mediante reconstrucción con transferencia del peroneo corto (TPC) en actividades deportivas, sobre la base de un estudio de seguimiento de aproximadamente 10 años. MÉTODOS: Veinte pacientes (6 mujeres y 14 hombres; edad promedio, 43 ± 12.85 años en el momento de la operación) fueron sometidos a una reparación de ruptura crónica del tendón de Aquiles con un seguimiento promedio de 164.05 ± 5.07 meses. Siete estaban en medio de competencias deportivas, 10 participaban en actividades recreativas, y tres estaban fuera de toda actividad deportiva. Todos los pacientes eran los asiáticos. Los resultados se evaluaron usando la prueba de Cybex para medir la fuerza, la puntuación de la escala de la Sociedad Ortopédica Americana de Pie y Tobillo (AOFAS) para la valoración quirúrgica, la prueba muscular manual (PMM), y la evaluación integral de la satisfacción y las actividades deportivas. RESULTADOS: La prueba de Cybex indicó una ganancia promedio de 87.05 ± 14.83% en fuerza de dorsiflexión (rango 65-110%) y 98.05 ± 9.02% en fuerza de flexión plantar (rango 85%-120%). El promedio de la puntuación de la escala de AOFAS fue 86.9 ± 7.27. No se produjeron re-rupturas post-operatorias, ni recurrencias, ni complicaciones de heridas. La fuerza de flexión plantar y la puntuación de la escala AOFAS fueron puestas en correlación negativa con la edad al momento de la operación (r = "0.566, r = -0.669, respectivamente). Diecisiete pacientes (85%) alcanzaron el nivel cinco de la PMM en fuerza de eversión. Tras el tratamiento, seis pacientes (30%) se reintegraron a las competencias deportivas, mientras que 10 (50%) que antes de la lesión y la cirugía participaban en actividades recreativas, se reincorporaron a actividades similares. El grupo relativamente más joven tiende a continuar las actividades deportivas como atletas de competencia (p < 0.05). Se observaron diferencias significativas en edad en la operación entre el grupo sin satisfacción y el grupo excelente (p < 0.05). El grupo por debajo de los 40 años de edad mostró valores más pobres como tendencia. CONCLUSIÓN: Tanto los atletas de actividades recreativas como los no atletas, pudieron regresar a sus actividades deportivas satisfactoriamente, mientras que los competidores jóvenes encontraron dificultades en ciertas acciones, en particular las relacionadas con la eversión.

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