Enalapril induces muscle epigenetic changes and contributes to prevent a decline in running capacity in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can improve muscle function and exercise capacity, as well as preventing, attenuating or reversing age-related losses in muscle mass, however, the exact mechanisms by which these drugs affect muscle cells, are not yet fully elucidated. Moreover, the potential epigenetic alterations induced in skeletal muscle tissue are also largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate if enalapril or losartan can change the physical performance and epigenetic profile of skeletal muscle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

Dataset on bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: Crossover study of two combined physiotherapeutic treatment methods on chirurgical and clinical patients.

This study presents a randomized controlled crossover experiment involving 73 patients with idiopathic bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Patients received two combined physiotherapeutic treatments: myofascial mobilization (IASTM) and stretching. Participants were divided into two groups: one started with stretching followed by IASTM, and the other with IASTM followed by stretching.

Bilateral Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical-Functional Characterization and Efficacy of Two Combined Postoperative Physiotherapeutic Treatments.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of combined association instrument myofascial mobilization (IASTM) and stretching in patients with idiopathic bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) operated on one hand and to analyze the response of the operated (OH) and non-operated (NH) hand according to the sequence of therapies. Research on these parameters has not yet been found in the literature.

Methods: Randomized controlled crossover study with 43 participants using the objective and subjective outcome variables.

USE OF MOUTHWASH AND DENTIFRICE CONTAINING AN ANTIMICROBIAL PHTHALOCYANINE DERIVATIVE FOR THE REDUCTION OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19: A RANDOMIZED TRIPLE-BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL.

Purpose: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the use of mouthwash and dentifrice containing an antimicrobial phthalocyanine derivative (APD) to reduce the clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial enrolled 134 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent COVID-19 testing through the use of nasopharyngeal swab RT-qPCR in a reference center for the diagnosis of COVID-19, had no clinical contraindications to mouthwash and gargle, and had access to cell phones with communication applications. According to the use of a mouthwash and dentifrice containing antimicrobial phthalocyanine derivatives (APD), patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to the APD or non-APD (control) group.

Impact of plantar fasciitis on postural control and walking in young middle-aged adults.

Purpose: To assess if plantar fasciitis has an impact on postural control and walking pattern from gait analysis across different experimental conditions.

Methods: Thirty participants (n = 15 with plantar fasciitis) performed 5 different balance tasks on a force platform, and the center of pressure (COP) was computed for postural control analysis. Participants were also asked to walk at 3 different speeds on a gait analysis system to compute the spatial-temporal parameters.

Towards the Objective Identification of the Presence of Pain Based on Electroencephalography Signals' Analysis: A Proof-of-Concept.

This proof-of-concept study explores the potential of developing objective pain identification based on the analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Data were collected from participants living with chronic fibromyalgia pain ( = 4) and from healthy volunteers ( = 7) submitted to experimental pain by the application of capsaicin cream (1%) on the right upper trapezius. This data collection was conducted in two parts: (1) baseline measures including pain intensity and EEG signals, with the participant at rest; (2) active measures collected under the execution of a visuo-motor task, including EEG signals and the task performance index.

tDCS Task-Oriented Approach Improves Function in Individuals With Fibromyalgia Pain. A Pilot Study.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex pain syndrome accompanied by physical disability and loss of daily life activities. Evidences suggest that modulation of the primary motor cortex (M1) by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improves functional physical capacity in chronic pain conditions. However, the gain on physical function in people living with FM receiving tDCS is still unclear.

Vitamin D deficiency, functional status, and balance in older adults with osteoarthritis.

Background: Low vitamin D levels are associated with a more severe case of knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, there are few published reports concerning an association between vitamin D deficiency and functional status of individuals with OA and no reports about postural balance in this population.

Aim: To analyze the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severity, functional status, and balance in elderly patients with OA.

Impact of physical and functional fitness on mortality from all causes of physically independent older adults.

Objective: To provide reference values for functional fitness tests (PFFT) and verify the capability of these tests alone and grouped into a general index (GFFI-6), to predict mortality from all causes, during seven years of follow-up of physically independent older adults.

Methods: The sample consisted of 422 older adults, evaluated at baseline using six PFFTs, as well as sociodemographic, behavioral, anthropometric, and comorbidity variables. Mortality from all causes was followed for seven subsequent years.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome in women: Analysis of magnetic resonance, sagittal alignment, muscular strength and endurance of the hip and trunk.

Introduction: There are many studies on the Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), however its relationship with radiographic and biomechanics parameters is not established.

Objective: To compare the magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the hip, radiographic parameters of sagittal alignment (pelvic incidence, sacral slope and lumbar lordosis), muscular strength and endurance in women with and without GTPS.

Methods: Forty women, age over 45, IMC <30 Kg/m and sedentary, were recruited and distributed in two groups: GTPS group (GTPSG, n = 20) and Control group (CG, n = 20).

Reliability of pressure pain threshold to discriminate individuals with neck and low back pain.

Background: Pressure pain threshold (PPT) is decreased in several musculoskeletal disorders, giving indirect evidence regarding pain status. Despite the fact that PPT has been already proven to be reliable in patients with acute conditions, there is great variability of methods and results observed within studies, and only a few evidences confirming its reliability in chronic conditions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of PPT in the neck and low back regions to discriminate individuals with neck or low back pain from healthy individuals.

Hospitalization costs and their determining factors among patients undergoing kidney transplantation: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Background: Cost evaluation is a key tool in monitoring expenditure for budget management. It increases the efficiency of possible changes through identifying potential savings and estimating the resources required to make such changes. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the total cost of hospitalization up to the clinical outcome, regarding patients admitted for kidney transplantation.

Kinesio taping use to reduce pain and edema after third molar extraction surgery: A randomized controlled split-mouth study.

Objective: Evaluating Kinesio Taping (KT) use to reduce pain and edema in individuals subjected to surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen individuals (5 men and 8 women, mean age: 23.25 years) were subjected to mutual extraction of two mandibular third molars based on the same surgical protocol and pharmacological approach.

Lower limb muscle strength and serotonin receptor gene polymorphism as factors associated in women with fibromyalgia.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by generalized skeletal muscle chronic pain. Its etiology is not well defined, because there are several factors that may trigger it such as physical and/or emotional stresses, or a genetic susceptibility, involving serotonergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic paths. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the strength of the lower limb, genetic polymorphism of the serotonin receptor gene HTR in women with fibromyalgia.

Functional status and severity of osteoarthritis in elderly is associated to the polymorphism of TNFA gene.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major musculoskeletal disease with high prevalence in the elderly. The study of genetic polymorphisms of inflammatory mediators involved in OA may contribute to the elucidation of the complex pathophysiology of this disease and identification of susceptibility individuals.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between polymorphism at tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (SNP - 308 G/A TNFA) with presence, severity and functional status of osteoarthritis in elderly.

One-legged stance sway of older adults with and without falls.

Postural instability is a common problem among older people, and it is associated with mobility impairments, activity limitation and fear of falling. The evaluation of postural control can contribute to the early detection of balance deficits and help health professionals to manage this problem to prevent falls in older adults. The aim of this study was to identify center of pressure cut-offs to differentiate between older adults with and without falls in the past 12 months.

POLYMORPHISM OF THE COX-2 GENE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO COLON AND RECTAL CANCER.

Background: The colorectal neoplasm is the fourth most common malignancy among males and the third among females. In the Western world is estimated that 5% of the population will develop it, making this disease a major public health problem.

Aim: To analyze the prevalence of the polymorphism -765G / C region of the COX-2 gene in colorectal cancer patients compared to a control group, analyzing the possible association between this polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.

ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the functional status of adult and older adult individuals with lower back pain .

Methods: Eighty-three individuals were recruited, 42 older adults (20 with lower back pain and 22 control group) and 41 younger adults (21 with lower back pain and 20 control group). Functional capacity was assessed using the following tests: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSTS), six-minute walking test (SMWT), and sitting-rising test (SRT) .

People with chronic low back pain have poorer balance than controls in challenging tasks.

Purpose: To compare the balance of individuals with and without chronic low back pain during five tasks.

Method: The participants were 20 volunteers, 10 with and 10 without nonspecific chronic low back pain, mean age 34 years, 50% females. The participants completed the following balance tasks on a force platform in random order: (1) two-legged stance with eyes open, (2) two-legged stance with eyes closed, (3) semi-tandem with eyes open, (4) semi-tandem with eyes closed and (5) one-legged stance with eyes open.

LLLT actives MMP-2 and increases muscle mechanical resistance after nerve sciatic rat regeneration.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on metalloproteinase expression and the mechanical strength of skeletal muscle regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Rats were subjected to crush injury of the right sciatic nerve, followed by LLLT (830 nm, 35, 70, 140, and 280 J/cm) for 21 consecutive days. Functional gait analysis was performed at weekly intervals and the animals were sacrificed after the last evaluation at day 21 for collection of the gastrocnemius muscles, which were submitted to analysis of resistance, and the tibialis anterior, for evaluation of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2).

Influence of the presence of Temporomandibular Disorders on postural balance in the elderly.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of the presence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) on postural balance in elderly individuals.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 150 elderly: 103 women (67.7±5.

Histologic Abnormalities in Non-neoplastic Renal Parenchyma and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease Following Radical Nephrectomy.

Objective: To assess the association of histopathological parameters in non-neoplastic renal parenchyma with the development of new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) after radical nephrectomy.

Patients And Methods: Data were extracted from 222 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula was used.

Angiotensin-II blockage, muscle strength, and exercise capacity in physically independent older adults.

[Purpose] This study aimed to assess the exercise capacity and muscle strength in elderly people using drugs for angiotensin-II blockage. [Subjects and Methods] Four hundred and seven older adults were recruited for this study. Data about comorbidities and medication use were recorded and the individuals were divided into three groups: control group- elderly people with normal exercise capacity (n=235); angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group - individuals using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n=140); and angiotensin-II receptor blocker group- patients using angiotensin-II receptor blockers (n= 32).