Feasibility of performing the 3-minute step test with remote supervision in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A comparative study.

Importance: The 3-min step test is a simple option to monitor submaximal exercise capacity, although its use via remote video monitoring has not been investigated in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of performing the 3-min step test with remote supervision.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including CF patients (6-18 years) from two CF services were performed.

Enhancing reporting through structure: a before and after study on the effectiveness of SPIRIT-based templates to improve the completeness of reporting of randomized controlled trial protocols.

Background: Despite the improvements in the completeness of reporting of randomized trial protocols after the publication of the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trial (SPIRIT) guidelines, many items remain poorly reported. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using SPIRIT-tailored templates for trial protocols to improve the completeness of reporting of the protocols that master's students write as part of their master's theses.

Methods: Before and after experimental study performed at the University Master's Degree in Orthopaedic Manual Physiotherapy of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain).

Effects of a remotely supervised resistance training program on muscle strength and body composition in adults with cystic fibrosis: Randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Among the limited studies on physical exercise interventions in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), few have specifically addressed the improvement of peripheral muscle strength and body fat-free mass. The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of a remotely supervised, individualized 8-week resistance training program of moderate to high intensity on strength and body composition in these subjects.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial performed in adults with CF.

Baccharis anomala DC. extract reduces inflammation and attenuates hepatic fibrosis in vivo by decreasing NF-kB and extracellular matrix compounds.

Baccharis anomala DC. (BA) is a plant species found in the tropical regions of South America and is widely used for its hepatoprotective effects, as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Studies have recently reported its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Changes in lung function in adolescents with substance use disorders: an exploratory study.

Objective: To compare lung function between adolescents with and without substance use disorder (SUD).

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional exploratory study. The sample consisted of 16 adolescents with SUD and 24 age-matched healthy controls.

Mechanisms of ventilatory limitation to maximum exercise in children and adolescents with chronic airway diseases.

Introduction: Exercise intolerance is common in chronic airway diseases (CAD), but its mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise capacity and its association with lung function, ventilatory limitation, and ventilatory efficiency in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma when compared to healthy controls.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, CF and healthy children and adolescents.

Impact of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations on pulmonary function, nutritional status, and morbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations on nutritional status, pulmonary function, and morbidity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study including patients older than six years with a diagnosis of CF was performed. Demographic and clinical data, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function, days of antibiotic use, and length of hospital stay were recorded.

Effects and safety of hypertonic saline combined with airway clearance in non-hospitalized children with recurrent wheezing.

Background: The International Study of Wheezing in Infants defines recurrent wheezing as the presence of three or more medically documented episodes of wheezing within one year. To date, there is no evidence on the use of hypertonic saline (HS) combined with airway clearance techniques (ACT) for children with recurrent wheezing treated in an outpatient setting. Therefore, this is the first study to explore the use of such interventions in infants with recurrent wheezing.

Bezafibrate reduces the damage, activation and mechanical properties of lung fibroblast cells induced by hydrogen peroxide.

In pulmonary fibrosis, the proliferation of fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts is often caused by tissue damage, such as oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species, which leads to progressive rupture and thus destruction of the alveolar architecture, resulting in cell proliferation and tissue remodeling. Bezafibrate (BZF) is an important member of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) family agonists, used in clinical practice as antihyperlipidemic. However, the antifibrotic effects of BZF are still poorly studied.

Ventilatory Threshold and Risk of Pulmonary Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Whereas pulmonary exacerbations and aerobic fitness play a key role in the prognosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), the use of ventilatory threshold data as markers of exacerbation risk has been scarcely addressed. This study sought to examine the association between aerobic fitness, assessed through ventilatory threshold variables recorded during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and the risk of exacerbations in individuals with CF.

Methods: Participants of this retrospective cohort study were subjects from 6 y of age.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia, atherogenic and cardiovascular risk in overweight and obese adolescents.

Objective: To analyze the lipid profile and cardiovascular risk of overweight and obese adolescents and correlate the findings with anthropometric measurements.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on overweight and obese adolescents of both sexes (aged 14 to 18 years old). The collected variables were sex, weight, height, age, total cholesterol, triglycerides, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Impact of asthma on heart rate variability in children and adolescents: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Asthma is associated with abnormal autonomic function, and heart rate variability is considered a simple, accurate, and noninvasive tool for monitoring the autonomic system. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of asthma on heart rate variability in children and adolescents.

Methods: This systematic review of observational studies and clinical trials evaluated heart rate variability in children and adolescents with asthma compared to healthy controls.

The Association of Field Test Outcomes with Peak Oxygen Uptake in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association of field test outcomes with peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to describe the main prediction equations available. Data searches were performed in five databases (Pubmed, Embase, LILACs, Scopus and Web of Science) and also in the reference lists of articles included. The following inclusion criteria were used: studies including individuals with CF, presenting both a field test and a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and describing a predictive equation or coefficient of correlation/determination.

Simvastatin attenuates inflammatory process on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a disease of high prevalence and is characterized by the excessive production of inflammatory mediators in the lungs of people sick. Inflammation is the major characteristic of ALI and studies report that inhibition of inflammatory cytokines could be an alternative treatment. Statins such as Simvastatin (SV) are known to their use for cholesterol reduction but also for inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes.

Coumaric acid from M. polymorphum extracts reverses the activated state of hepatic stellate cells (GRX) and inhibits their proliferation by decreasing the p53/p21 pathway.

Coumaric acid is a phenolic compound found in medicinal plants. Its use has been reported in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, prevention of alterations induced by oxidative stress, as well as acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, this study evaluated coumaric acid as a potential treatment for liver fibrosis.

Impact of maternal physical exercise on inflammatory and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis markers in the brain and lungs of prenatally stressed neonatal mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal exercise on alterations induced by prenatal stress in markers of the inflammatory process and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the brain and lungs of neonatal mice. Female Balb/c mice were divided into three groups: control, prenatal restraint stress, prenatal restraint stress and physical exercise before and during the gestational period. On day 0 (PND0) and 10 (PND10), mice were euthanized for brain and lung analyses.

The role of maternal exercise on placental, behavioral and genetic alterations induced by prenatal stress.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of treadmill maternal exercise on alterations induced by prenatal stress in neonatal mice. Female and male Balb/c mice were divided into five groups: control (CON), prenatal restraint stress (PNS), prenatal restraint stress and physical exercise before pregnancy (PNS + EX1), prenatal restraint stress and physical exercise during pregnancy (PNS + EX2), and prenatal restraint stress and physical exercise before and during pregnancy (PNS + EX3). Exercise was performed using a treadmill, at a speed of 10 m/min, for 60 min, 5 days a week.

Heart rate variability, exercise capacity and levels of daily physical activity in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate cystic fibrosis.

Background: Autonomic nervous system balance is altered in cystic fibrosis (CF), although its influence on physical fitness has been poorly explored.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of heart rate variability (HRV) with exercise capacity and levels of daily physical activity in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate CF.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including individuals with CF aged 6-18 years, not under CFTR modulator therapy, was performed.

Is exercise and electrostimulation effective in improving muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in children with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate pulmonary impairment?: Randomized controlled trial.

Background: Evidence on resistance-training programs for cystic fibrosis (CF) is limited and the possible benefits of the addition of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a supervised resistance-training program, associated or not with NMES, on muscle strength, aerobic fitness, lung function and quality of life in children with CF presenting mild-to-moderate pulmonary impairment.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial including CF patients aged between 6 and 17years.

Effects of Physical Training on Heart Rate Variability in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This study analyzed the effects of physical training programs on heart rate variability, as a measure of sympathovagal balance, in children and adolescents with chronic diseases. Relevant articles were systematically searched in Pubmed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and Embase scientific databases. We performed a meta-analysis using an inverse variance heterogeneity model.

Octyl gallate decrease lymphocyte activation and regulates neutrophil extracellular traps release.

Background: Inflammation is a complex mechanism with an objective to destroy and eliminate the invading microorganisms. During acute inflammation, the neutrophils are the major cells involved in this process and, although they defend the organism, must die to not generate damage. The two major mechanisms that drive neutrophils to death are: apoptosis and a novel mechanism recently discovered denominated NETosis.