Methodological rigor and quality of reporting of clinical trials published with physical activity interventions: A report from the Strengthening the Evidence in Exercise Sciences Initiative (SEES Initiative).

Background: This study addresses the need for improved transparency and reproducibility in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) within the field of physical activity (PA) interventions. Despite efforts to promote these practices, there is limited evidence on the adherence to established reporting and methodological standards in published RCTs. The research, part of the Strengthening the Evidence in Exercise Sciences Initiative (SEES Initiative) in 2020, assessed the methodological standards and reporting quality of RCTs focusing on PA interventions.

Association of polymorphisms in the erythropoietin gene with diabetic retinopathy: a case-control study and systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by ischemia, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. Erythropoietin (EPO), an angiogenic hormone, is upregulated in DR, and the association of EPO genetic variants with DR is still uncertain, as conflicting results have been reported. Therefore, we performed a case-control study followed by a meta-analysis to investigate whether the rs1617640, rs507392, and rs551238 polymorphisms in EPO gene are associated with DR.

Study of anesthetics for euthanasia in rats and mice: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact upon biological outcomes (SAFE-RM).

Aim: To summarize the knowledge on the effect of anesthetics employed right before euthanasia on biological outcomes.

Data Source: A systematic review of the literature to find studies with isoflurane, ketamine, halothane, pentobarbital, or thiopental just before euthanasia of laboratory rats or mice.

Study Selection: Controlled studies with quantitative data available.

Exercise training modalities for heart transplant recipients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Heart transplantation is the gold standard treatment for selected patients with end-stage heart failure. Although this procedure can improve quality and prolong life expectancy, several of these patients persist with decreased exercise tolerance. Evidence suggests that exercise training can bring multifactorial benefits to heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Cardiac pathology in mucopolysaccharidosis I mice: Losartan modifies ERK1/2 activation during cardiac remodeling.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the IDUA gene, that codifies the alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme, which deficiency leads to storage of glycosaminoglycans, with multiple clinical manifestations. One of the leading causes of death in MPS I patients are cardiac complications such as cardiac valve thickening, conduction abnormalities, myocardial dysfunction, and cardiac hypertrophy. The mechanism leading to cardiac dysfunction in MPS I is not entirely understood.

Cardiac hypertrophy in mice submitted to a swimming protocol: influence of training volume and intensity on myocardial renin-angiotensin system.

Exercise promotes physiological cardiac hypertrophy and activates the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays an important role in cardiac physiology, both through the classical axis [angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) activated by angiotensin II (ANG II)] and the alternative axis [proto-oncogene Mas receptor (MASR) activated by angiotensin-(1-7)]. However, very intense exercise could have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. We aimed to analyze the cardiac hypertrophy phenotype and the classical and alternative RAS axes in the myocardium of mice submitted to swimming exercises of varying volume and intensity for the development of cardiac hypertrophy.