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Cancers Jun 2024Cancer is associated with increased muscle weakness, reduced physical functioning, increased fatigue, but also sleep disturbances, including insomnia, that affect... (Review)
Review
Cancer is associated with increased muscle weakness, reduced physical functioning, increased fatigue, but also sleep disturbances, including insomnia, that affect quality of life (QoL). Physical activity demonstrated benefits on functional capacity, resilience and cancer-related fatigue, but there is a paucity of available data regarding its effects on insomnia in patients with cancer. This systematic review aims to examine the efficacy of exercise levels with insomnia in cancer patients. A systematic search was performed for articles published in PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from December 2013 to February 2023. Included studies explored insomnia during or after cancer treatment, with various exercise interventions. The search identified nine studies included in this review. Due to substantial heterogeneity in the interventions across studies, meta-analysis was not performed. Three studies reported positive results for insomnia reduction by self-reported outcomes under a supervised aerobic exercise program alone or combined with strength training. The present systematic review establishes the role of exercise interventions for reducing cancer-related insomnia. Further studies are indeed warranted to improve the level of evidence for exercise interventions for implementation in the care of cancer-related insomnia.
PubMed: 38927946
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122241 -
Biomedicines Jun 2024Xylitol is considered a naturally occurring antibacterial agent. It is generally believed to enhance the body's own innate bactericidal mechanisms. It also provides...
Xylitol is considered a naturally occurring antibacterial agent. It is generally believed to enhance the body's own innate bactericidal mechanisms. It also provides anti-adhesive effects against both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of xylitol nasal irrigation in the postoperative care of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who received FESS were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups at one month post-surgery. Thirty-five patients in the xylitol group received 400 mL of 5% xylitol nasal irrigation daily for 2 months, while another 35 in the normal saline (NS) group received 400 mL of NS nasal irrigation daily for 2 months. Prior to FESS, as well as before and after nasal irrigation, sinonasal symptoms were assessed through the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test Questionnaire. The patients also underwent an endoscopic examination while undergoing nasal function tests, and a cytokine measurement of the nasal lavage and a bacterial culture from the middle meatus were performed. The safety of the nasal irrigation was assessed through any self-reported adverse events, the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Patient Questionnaire and the eustachian tube function test. The endoscopic scores and olfactory threshold significantly decreased after xylitol irrigation when compared with those before irrigation. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal secretions also decreased significantly after xylitol irrigation. The amounts of Interleukin-5 and Interleukin-17A were significantly increased in the nasal lavage after xylitol irrigation. No side effects, including those related to eustachian tube function, were seen after nasal irrigation in both groups. Our results showed that xylitol nasal irrigation was both beneficial and safe during the postoperative care of FESS.
PubMed: 38927584
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061377 -
Biomedicines Jun 2024Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold promises for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their self-renewal and differentiation abilities, along with... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic Efficacy of Interferon-Gamma and Hypoxia-Primed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles: Underlying Mechanisms and Potentials in Clinical Translation.
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold promises for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their self-renewal and differentiation abilities, along with immunomodulatory properties and trophic factor secretion. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from MSCs offer similar therapeutic effects. However, MSCs are heterogeneous and lead to variable outcomes. In vitro priming enhances MSC performance, improving immunomodulation, angiogenesis, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. Various stimuli, such as cytokines, growth factors, and oxygen tension, can prime MSCs. Two classical priming methods, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and hypoxia, enhance MSC immunomodulation, although standardized protocols are lacking. This review discusses priming protocols, highlighting the most commonly used concentrations and durations, along with mechanisms and in vivo therapeutics effects of primed MSCs and their EVs. The feasibility of up-scaling their production was also discussed. The review concluded that priming with IFN-γ or hypoxia (alone or in combination with other factors) boosted the immunomodulation capability of MSCs and their EVs, primarily via the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT and Leptin/JAK/STAT and TGF-β/Smad signalling pathways, respectively. Incorporating priming in MSC and EV production enables translation into cell-based or cell-free therapies for various disorders.
PubMed: 38927577
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061369 -
Biomedicines May 2024Chondral defects in the knee present a significant challenge due to their limited self-healing capacity, often leading to joint degeneration and functional disability....
BACKGROUND
Chondral defects in the knee present a significant challenge due to their limited self-healing capacity, often leading to joint degeneration and functional disability. Current treatments, including surgical approaches like mosaicplasty and regenerative therapies such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) augmentation, aim to address these defects and improve patient outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study conducted a single-center, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment approaches and rehabilitation protocols for chondral defects. Thirty-seven subjects presenting with symptomatic chondral or osteochondral defects (>3 cm) in the weight-bearing region of the femoral condyle were partitioned into three groups, and underwent mosaicplasty with or without BMAC augmentation, followed by either a 6-week or 12-week rehabilitation program. Group 1 ( = 10) received mosaicplasty combined with BMAC augmentation and engaged in a twelve-week two-phase rehabilitation protocol. Group 2 ( = 15) underwent mosaicplasty alone and participated in the same twelve-week two-phase rehabilitation regimen. Meanwhile, Group 3 ( = 12) underwent mosaicplasty and underwent a shorter six-week one-phase rehabilitation program. Clinical assessments were performed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, goniometry for the knee's range of motion (ROM), manual muscle testing (MMT) for quadricep strength, and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC) for functional evaluation in three test phases.
RESULTS
Significant differences in WOMAC scale scores were observed between the three groups at the intermediate (F(2, 34) = 5.24, < 0.010) and final (F(2, 34) = 111, < 0.000) stages, with post hoc Tukey tests revealing variations shared among all three groups. The between-group analysis of the VAS scale demonstrated no statistically significant difference initially (F(2, 34) = 0.18, < 0.982), but significant differences emerged following the intermediate (F(2, 34) = 11.40, < 0.000) and final assessments (F(2, 34) = 59.87, < 0.000), with post hoc Tukey tests revealing specific group variations, notably between Group 1 and both Group 2 and Group 3, and also between Group 3 and Group 2. The between-group analysis of quadricep muscle strength using MMT scores revealed no statistically significant differences initially (F(2, 34) = 0.376, < 0.689) or following the intermediate assessment (F(2, 34) = 2.090, < 0.139). The one-way ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference in the knee ROM initially (F(2, 34) = 1.037, < 0.366), but significant differences emerged following intermediate (F(2, 34) = 9.38, < 0.001) and final assessments (F(2, 34) = 11.60, < 0.000). Post hoc Tukey tests revealed significant differences between Groups 1 and 2, Groups 1 and 3, and Groups 2 and 3 at intermediate and final assessments.
CONCLUSIONS
The patients who received BMAC augmentation and completed a 12-week rehabilitation protocol had significantly better outcomes in pain relief, knee function, and ROM when compared to those who did not receive BMAC augmentation or those who completed a shorter rehabilitation period. Our findings suggest that combining mosaicplasty with BMAC augmentation and a comprehensive rehabilitation program can lead to superior clinical outcomes for patients with chondral defects in the knee.
PubMed: 38927371
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061164 -
BMC Surgery Jun 2024Lumbar degenerative conditions are a major cause of back pain and disability in individuals aged 45 and above. Gait analysis utilizes sensor technology to collect...
BACKGROUND
Lumbar degenerative conditions are a major cause of back pain and disability in individuals aged 45 and above. Gait analysis utilizes sensor technology to collect movement data, aiding in the evaluation of various gait aspects like spatiotemporal parameters, joint angles, neuromuscular activity, and joint forces. It is widely used in conditions such as cerebral palsy and knee osteoarthritis. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of 3D gait analysis in evaluating surgical outcomes and postoperative rehabilitation for lumbar degenerative disorders.
METHODS
A prospective self-controlled before-after study (n = 85) carried out at our Hospital (Sep 2018 - Dec 2021) utilized a 3D motion analysis system to analyze gait in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases. The study focused on the multifidus muscle, a crucial spinal muscle, during a minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion surgery conducted by Shandong Weigao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Pre- and postoperative assessments included time-distance parameters (gait speed, stride frequency, stride length, stance phase), hip flexion angle, and stride angle. Changes in 3D gait parameters post-surgery and during rehabilitation were examined. Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to assess relationships with the visual analog pain scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Patient sagittal alignment was evaluated using "Surgimap" software from two types of lateral radiographs to obtain parameters like pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), intervertebral space height (DH), posterior height of the intervertebral space (PDH) at the operative segment, and anterior height of the intervertebral space (ADH).
RESULTS
By the 6th week post-operation, significant improvements were observed in the VAS score, JOA score, and ODI score of the patients compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05), along with notable enhancements in 3D gait quantification parameters (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between improvements in 3D gait quantification parameters and VAS score, JOA score, and ODI value (all P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
3D gait analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating the efficacy of surgery and rehabilitation training in patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Gait Analysis; Female; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Lumbar Vertebrae; Spinal Fusion; Aged; Treatment Outcome; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Pain Measurement; Disability Evaluation
PubMed: 38926745
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02486-0 -
Journal of Health, Population, and... Jun 2024Measures such as education, improving knowledge, attitude and taking preventive action to protect against COVID-19 are vital strategies for prevention. The aim of this...
Measures such as education, improving knowledge, attitude and taking preventive action to protect against COVID-19 are vital strategies for prevention. The aim of this study was to determine the predictability of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs in performing preventive behaviors against COVID-19 among secondary school students in Chabahar, Iran. In this cross-sectional-analytical study, 400 secondary school students of Chabahar city were investigated by simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, knowledge, behavior, and Health Belief Model constructs' questions. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to evaluate the validity of HBM constructs, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the relationship between knowledge, HBM constructs, and preventive behavior against COVID-19 based on the conceptual model. Based on the results of the structural modeling, the direct effect of knowledge on the constructs of the health belief model was positive and significant (β = 0.34, P-value < 0.001), and on the preventive behavior of students was insignificant (β = 0.12, P-value = 0.07) while the indirect effect of knowledge through increasing the constructs of the HBM on student behavior was positive and significant (β = 0.30, P < 0.001). The relationship between the constructs of the HBM constructs and student behavior was also positive and significant (β = 0.89, P-value < 0.001).Due to the fact that knowledge and HBM structures played a role in predicting the adoption of preventive behavior from COVID-19, it is possible to design appropriate interventions to increase knowledge, sensitivity, perceived severity, and self-efficacy, in order to recover from COVID-19 by adopting preventive behaviors.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Female; Male; Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Iran; Health Belief Model; Students; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Behavior; SARS-CoV-2; Latent Class Analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pandemics; Schools; Coronavirus Infections; Betacoronavirus; Factor Analysis, Statistical
PubMed: 38926733
DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00589-1 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Jun 2024As an emerging cancer treatment strategy, reactive oxygen species-based tumor catalytic therapies face enormous challenges due to hypoxia and the overexpression of...
As an emerging cancer treatment strategy, reactive oxygen species-based tumor catalytic therapies face enormous challenges due to hypoxia and the overexpression of glutathione (GSH) in the tumor microenvironment. Herein, a self-assembled copper-based nanoplatform, TCCHA, was designed for enzyme-like catalysis-enhanced chemodynamic/photodynamic/antiangiogenic tritherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma. TCCHA was fabricated from Cu, 3,3'-dithiobis (propionohydrazide), and photosensitizer chlorine e6 via a facile one-pot self-assembly strategy, after which an aldehyde hyaluronic acid was coated, followed by loading of the antivascular drug AL3818. The obtained TCCHA nanoparticles exhibited pH/GSH dual-responsive drug release behaviors and multienzymatic activities, including Fenton, glutathione peroxidase-, and catalase-like activities. TCCHA, a redox homeostasis disruptor, promotes ⋅OH generation and GSH depletion, thus increasing the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy. TCCHA, which has catalase-like activity, can also reinforce the efficacy of photodynamic therapy by amplifying O production. In vivo, TCCHA efficiently inhibited tumor angiogenesis and suppressed tumor growth without apparent systemic toxicity. Overall, this study presents a facile strategy for the preparation of multienzyme-like nanoparticles, and TCCHA nanoparticles display great potential for enzyme catalysis-enhanced chemodynamic/photodynamic/antiangiogenic triple therapy against cancer.
Topics: Copper; Animals; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Photochemotherapy; Liver Neoplasms; Mice; Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Cell Line, Tumor; Reactive Oxygen Species; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Porphyrins; Chlorophyllides; Glutathione; Nanoparticles; Catalysis; Metal Nanoparticles; Drug Liberation; Mice, Nude; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38926721
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02626-x -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jun 2024Although male participation in maternal health has gained increasing recognition and support over the years, little is known about male involvement during pregnancy in...
Involving men in pregnancy: a cross-sectional analysis of the role of self-efficacy, gender-equitable attitudes, relationship dynamics and knowledge among men in Kinshasa.
BACKGROUND
Although male participation in maternal health has gained increasing recognition and support over the years, little is known about male involvement during pregnancy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This paper identified male involvement patterns during pregnancy and evaluated their associations with pregnancy and birth preparedness knowledge, gender-equitable attitudes, self-efficacy, and co-parental relationship factors. Lastly, it explored the moderating effect of gender-equitable attitudes and intimate partner violence on the association between relationship satisfaction and male involvement.
METHODS
Data from the 2018 Momentum baseline study were analyzed to determine the predictors of involvement. Factor analysis was used to create male involvement indices for antenatal carebirth preparedness and shared decision making. The sample consisted of 1,674 male partners of nulliparous pregnant women who were 6 months pregnant at baseline.
RESULTS
Male involvement in individual pregnancy-related activities was low, ranging from 11% (finding a blood donor) to 49% (saving money during emergencies). Knowledge of the number of antenatal care visits, birth preparedness steps, and newborn danger signs were positively associated with involvement in antenatal care/birth preparedness activities while knowledge of antenatal care benefits was positively associated with involvement in shared decisions. Increasing relationship satisfaction and self-efficacy were associated with antenatal care/birth preparedness involvement and for shared decisions, a positive association with gender-equitable attitude and a negative association with self-efficacy were observed. Moderation effects were also detected.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that male involvement is multifaceted and factors influencing involvement vary depending on the type of involvement. Addressing these factors can improve male participation in maternal health.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Pregnancy; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Self Efficacy; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Prenatal Care; Young Adult; Intimate Partner Violence; Decision Making; Interpersonal Relations
PubMed: 38926666
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06638-1 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Jun 2024To conduct a meta-analytic review of psychosocial predictors of doping intention, doping use and inadvertent doping in sport and exercise settings.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analytic review of psychosocial predictors of doping intention, doping use and inadvertent doping in sport and exercise settings.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL Plus, ProQuest Dissertations/Theses and Open Grey.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies (of any design) that measured the outcome variables of doping intention, doping use and/or inadvertent doping at least one psychosocial determinant of those three variables.
RESULTS
We included studies from 25 experiments (N=13 586) and 186 observational samples (N=3 09 130). Experimental groups reported lower doping intentions (=-0.21, 95% CI (-0.31 to -0.12)) and doping use (=-0.08, 95% CI (-0.14 to -0.03), but not inadvertent doping (=-0.70, 95% CI (-1.95 to 0.55)), relative to comparators. For observational studies, protective factors were inversely associated with doping intentions (=-0.28, 95% CI -0.31 to -0.24), doping use (=-0.09, 95% CI -0.13 to to -0.05) and inadvertent doping (=-0.19, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.06). Risk factors were positively associated with doping intentions (=0.29, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.32) and use (=0.17, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.19), but not inadvertent doping (=0.08, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.22). Risk factors for both doping intentions and use included prodoping norms and attitudes, supplement use, body dissatisfaction and ill-being. Protective factors for both doping intentions and use included self-efficacy and positive morality.
CONCLUSION
This study identified several protective and risk factors for doping intention and use that may be viable intervention targets for antidoping programmes. Protective factors were negatively associated with inadvertent doping; however, the empirical volume is limited to draw firm conclusions.
PubMed: 38925889
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107910 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Recovery from myocardial infarction is challenging as the causes of symptoms span multiple aspects of...
Person-centred care intervention to promote self-efficacy in patients following a myocardial infarction (P2MIR): a protocol of a qualitative study for cultural adaptation within a Portuguese healthcare context.
INTRODUCTION
Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Recovery from myocardial infarction is challenging as the causes of symptoms span multiple aspects of health not just physical conditions. Evidence has shown a gap between the waycare is provided in the clinical setting and the person's needs and preferences. The implementation of person-centred care (PCC) interventions can promote recovery from myocardial infarction by allowing a greater understanding of the person's perception and its role on the overall recovering process. This study aims to culturally adapt an evidence-based PCC intervention to enhance self-efficacy in patients after myocardial infarction within a Portuguese healthcare context.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
The Portuguese person-centred care for myocardial infarction recovery (P2MIR) intervention is set to be developed from an evidence-based intervention, rooted in the ethics of PCC. An intervention of PCC for patients with acute coronary syndrome, which has been successfully implemented and evaluated in the Swedish healthcare context will be validated, culturally adapted and harmonised to the Portuguese healthcare context by using qualitative methods. To evaluate its acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility, a sample of stakeholders, consisting of a sample of healthcare professionals and a sample of people who suffered a myocardial infarction, will be recruited from a hospital, including both inpatient and outpatient departments. The stakeholders will be invited to semistructured focus group discussions, aiming to gather their perceptions about the P2MIR intervention, which will be previously presented to them. Data analysis will be conducted using content analysis following a deductive-inductive approach to further inform the intervention adaptation process to its final intervention in a Portuguese healthcare context.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study has been reviewed and approved by the Health Ethics' Committees of the Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisbon, Portugal (registry number 20170700050). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
Topics: Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Portugal; Patient-Centered Care; Qualitative Research; Self Efficacy; Culturally Competent Care; Research Design
PubMed: 38925699
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079598