Discovery of a Potent, Selective, and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable Non-nitrocatechol Inhibitor of Catechol--methyltransferase.

A new library of non-nitrocatechol compounds (HetCAMs) was developed and their efficacy was compared to tolcapone, a standard COMT inhibitor for PD. Compound emerged as the most potent inhibitor, showing selective inhibition of brain (IC = 24 nM) and liver (IC = 81 nM) MB-COMT over liver S-COMT (IC = 620 nM) isoforms. Although compound presented higher IC values than tolcapone, it was more selective for brain MB-COMT than liver S-COMT.

Effect of physical therapy interventions in individuals with primary thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of physiotherapeutic interventions in individuals with thumb primary CMC OA on the outcomes of pain, hand function, grip or pinch strength.

Methods: RCTs that used some type of physiotherapeutic intervention compared to a passive or active control group were included. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach and, for the calculation of the meta-analysis, the standardized difference of means (SMD) was used.

Glucose may Contribute to Retrieval and Reconsolidation of Contextual Fear Memory Through Hippocampal Nr4a3 and Bdnf mRNA Expression and May Act Synergically with Adrenaline.

Adrenaline (Ad) and glucose released into the bloodstream during stress may strengthen contextual fear memory. However, no previous studies have detached the effects of glucose from Ad in this paradigm. Using Ad-deficient mice, we aimed to evaluate the effect of glucose on contextual fear memory when endogenous Ad is absent.

Effect of lower limb resistance training on ICF components in chronic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

Background: Resistance training (RT) effectively promotes functional independence after stroke.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of lower limb RT on body structure and function (muscle strength, postural balance), activity (mobility, gait) and participation (quality of life, impact of stroke on self-perceived health) outcomes in individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods: Six databases were searched from inception until September 2022 for randomized controlled trials comparing lower limb RT to a control intervention.

Photobiomodulation does not provide incremental benefits to patients with knee osteoarthritis who receive a strengthening exercises program: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is lack of agreement in the literature about the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) for reducing pain-related symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: To evaluate whether PBM, when combined to exercises, provides incremental therapeutic benefits for pain, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with knee OA.

Methods: A six-month double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted.

Insulin enhances contextual fear memory independently of its effect in increasing plasma adrenaline.

Aims: Adrenaline enhances contextual fear memory consolidation possibly by activating liver β-adrenoceptors causing transient hyperglycaemia. Contrastingly, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia may culminate in blood adrenaline increment, hidering the separation of each hormone's action in contextual fear memory. Therefore, an adrenaline-deficient mouse model was used aiming to investigate if contextual fear memory consolidation following insulin administration requires or not subsequent increases in plasma adrenaline, which occurs in response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in chronic joint inflammatory Pain: Study of the descending serotonergic modulation mediated through 5HT3 receptors.

The loss of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) is recognized as a predictor of chronic pain. Mechanistically, DNIC produces analgesia by a heterotopically applied conditioning-noxious stimulus (CS) and yet underexplored descending modulatory inputs. Here, we aimed at studying DNIC in monoarthritis (MA) by exploring the spinal component of the descending serotonergic system, specifically 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptors (5-HT3R).

Isokinetic arm and shoulder muscle torque-velocity characteristics in mobility limited children and adolescents with spina bifida.

Introduction: Propulsive wheelchair capacity may be influenced by arm muscle performance. To determine whether children and adolescent wheelchair-users with spina bifida show reduced arm muscle strength compared to their typically developing peers and to compare muscle strength data obtained by isokinetic and handheld dynamometry (HHD).

Methods: Participants (mean age 12.

Fatigue, sleep quality and mental health symptoms in Brazilian women during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal study.

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the variables of sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in healthy Brazilian women. Longitudinal observational study conducted through an online questionnaire with women in 2020 and 2021. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used.

Effect of compression by elastic bandages on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: protocol of a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Although compression is used to control pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), its clinical application is poorly supported, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its clinical use. As a low-cost and accessible protocol, compression using elastic bands could be a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with KOA. This study aims to evaluate the effects of compression on pain and function in individuals with KOA.

Urinary Cysteinyl Leukotrienes as Biomarkers of Endothelial Activation, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Their Relationship with Organ Dysfunction in Human Septic Shock.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) are potent vascular leakage-promoting agents but have been scarcely explored in human septic shock (SS). We evaluated CysLT at admission and during hospitalization and their correlation with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and cardiac, renal, respiratory, and hepatic parameters in SS patients. Blood and spot-urine samples were collected at days 1-2 (admission), 3-4, and 5-8 in SS patients (n = 13) and at a single time point in controls (n = 22).

Boosting caffeic acid performance as antioxidant and monoamine oxidase B/catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor.

Increased oxidative stress (OS) and depletion of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) are closely linked to the neurodegeneration observed in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Caffeic acid (CA)-based antioxidants were developed, and their inhibitory activities towards monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and catechol O-methyltransferases (COMT) were screened. The results showed that the incorporation of an extra double bond maintained or even boosted the antioxidant properties of CA.

Immediate effects of hip strap and foot orthoses on self-reported measures and lower limb kinematics during functional tasks in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomised crossover clinical trial.

Background: Elevated patellofemoral joint stress has been associated with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). Changes in lower limb kinematics, such as excessive femoral adduction and internal rotation and excessive rearfoot eversion during the stance phase of functional activities, may increase patellofemoral stress. There is a lack of studies that assess the effects of interventions for controlling femur and subtalar joint movements during functional activities on self-reported measures in individuals with PFOA.

Endothelitis profile in acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock patients: Endocan as a potential novel biomarker and putative therapeutic target.

Inflammation-driven endothelitis seems to be a hallmark of acute heart failure (AHF) and cardiogenic shock (CS). Endocan, a soluble proteoglycan secreted by the activated endothelium, contributes to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, but has been scarcely explored in human AHF. We aimed to evaluate serum (S-Endocan) and urinary endocan (U-Endocan) profiles in AHF and CS patients and to correlate them with biomarkers/parameters of inflammation, endothelial activation, cardiovascular dysfunction and prognosis.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: As a result of the impairment of the musculoskeletal system, the pelvic floor muscles are likely compromised in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We hypothesized that women with SLE would report more symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and there will be an association between SLE and PFD.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Biomechanical characteristics and muscle function in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: A systematic review of cross-sectional studies.

Background: Our objective was to investigate kinematic and kinetic characteristics and changes in muscle function in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to healthy individuals.

Methods: Searches were performed of the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, LILACS, and SciELO databases until May of 2022 for observational studies comparing individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis to a control group. The PRISMA guidelines and recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration were followed.

Unexpected short- and long-term effects of chronic adolescent HU-210 exposure on emotional behavior.

Chronic adolescent cannabinoid receptor agonist exposure has been shown to lead to persistent increases in depressive-like behaviors. This has been a key obstacle to the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics. However, most of the published work has been performed with only three compounds, namely Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CP55,940 and WIN55,212-2.

Frontal plane biomechanics during single-leg squat and hip strength in patients with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to matched controls: A cross-sectional study.

The patellofemoral compartment of the knee is the most frequently affected by osteoarthritis. However, there is a lack of biomechanics studies on patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). This study's purpose was to compare the frontal plane biomechanics of the trunk and lower limb during the single-leg squat and isometric hip abductor torque in individuals with isolated PFOA and controls.

Mobile health technologies for the management of spine disorders: A systematic review of mHealth applications in Brazil.

Background: Spine disorders are conditions that affect a growing number of individuals, and mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) offer potential to assist the self-management of these conditions.

Objectives: To perform a systematic review of the availability of mHealth apps for patients with spine disorders at Brazilian online stores and evaluate the apps in terms of engagement, user interface, experience, and quality of the information.

Design: Systematic review.

Interventions used by Brazilian physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain: A web-based survey.

Background: No studies have evaluated whether interventions used by Brazilian physiotherapists for the treatment of patellofemoral pain (PFP) are in line with the best existing scientific evidence.

Objectives: Identify the interventions most commonly used by Brazilian physiotherapists for the rehabilitation of PFP and determine whether characteristics of physiotherapists and knowledge regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) influence the choice of interventions.

Design: Cross-sectional web-based survey.

Sotalol Treatment may Interfere With Retrieval, Expression, and/or Reconsolidation Processes Thus Disrupting Traumatic Memories in a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Mice Model.

The processes by which fear memory is encoded, consolidated, and re-consolidated are extremely complex and appear to require the release of stress hormones, especially adrenaline (AD). AD improves contextual fear memory, acting specifically on peripheral β2-adrenoceptors. Propranolol (peripheral and central β-adrenoceptor antagonist) treatment was shown to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and reduce its symptoms.

Effectiveness of physical exercise at improving functional capacity in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of physical exercise at improving functional capacity in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Lilacs, and PEDro were searched from inception until January 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported functional capacity outcomes were included.

Test-retest reliability of isometric and isokinetic wrist strength.

Background: The isokinetic dynamometer has been considered the gold-standard measurement of muscle performance. However, the reliability for the isometric and isokinetic wrist flexor and extensor strength using the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer has not been reported to date. This study evaluated test-retest reliability of isometric and isokinetic wrist strength using the Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer.

Treatment With Nepicastat Decreases Contextual Traumatic Memories Persistence in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common anxiety mental disorder and can be manifested after exposure to a real or perceived life-threatening event. Increased noradrenaline and adrenaline in plasma and urine have been documented in PTSD. Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline and consequently, DBH inhibition reduces catecholamines.