Glittre-ADL tests in three laps as an alternative to the five laps test.

Background: The Glittre-ADL test is a comprehensive test to evaluate functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: The primary aim was to validate the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack performed in three laps as an alternative to five laps in people with COPD.

Methods: Forty-eight participants with mild to severe COPD (mean ± SD age: 71 ± 7 years; FEV: 46 ± 17 %predicted) were recruited and performed two 6-min walk tests (visit 1); two Glittre-ADL tests with backpack (visit 2), and the Glittre-ADL test with and without the backpack, in random order (visit 3).

Aquatic insects in subtropical streams: the role of different grassland ecosystems and local environmental descriptors.

Organisms can respond to environmental gradients from local to landscape features. Aquatic insects are particularly affected by watershed peculiarities due to their dependence on microhabitat conditions. However, these relationships are poorly understood in lotic ecosystems of subtropical grasslands, limiting water resources management and bioassessment proposals.

Subclinical vascular, hemodynamic and arterial stiffness changes in adults with cystic fibrosis: cross-sectional observational study.

Cardiovascular diseases can be an emerging complication in cystic fibrosis (CF), as the median life expectancy has improved considerably. The objective of this study was to compare vascular, hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness in adult CF patients with healthy participants pared by sex and age, and to assess the factors associated with arterial stiffness in the CF group. This is a cross-sectional observational study.

Glittre-ADL test without backpack: A qualitative study of perceptions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The Glittre Activities of Daily Living (Glittre-ADL) test without backpack was recently validated to assess the functional capacity of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) OBJECTIVE: To understand the perceptions of people with COPD about the Glittre-ADL test with and without backpack and the possible similarities with their activities of daily living (ADLs).

Methods: Participants performed 2 Glittre-ADL tests with a backpack (visit 1). On visit 2, participants randomly performed the Glittre-ADL test with and without backpack and completed a semi-structured interview with questions about the tests.

Muscle strength and mobility of individuals with COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 in intensive care.

Background: Critical illness may affect muscle strength and mobility.

Objectives: To compare muscle strength, mobility, and in intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) prevalence among individuals with COVID-19 and other critical illnesses; to identify factors associated with muscle strength, mobility, and length of stay in COVID-19; and to determine the Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score (PICUMS) cut-off point for ICUAW.

Methods: We included individuals aged ≥18 in ICU who require mechanical ventilation.

Maximal respiratory pressures: Measurements at functional residual capacity in individuals with different health conditions using a digital manometer.

Background: Measuring maximal respiratory pressure is a widely used method of investigating the strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscles.

Objectives: To compare inspiratory pressures obtained at functional residual capacity (FRC) with measures at residual volume (RV), and expiratory pressures obtained at FRC with measures at total lung capacity (TLC) in individuals with different health conditions: post-COVID-19, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), heart failure (CHF), and stroke; and to compare the mean differences between measurements at FRC and RV/TLC among the groups.

Methods: Inspiratory and expiratory pressures were obtained randomly at different lung volumes.

Cardiopulmonary responses during unsupported upper limb exercise tests and limitations in activities of daily living in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary responses during unsupported upper limb function assessment may vary in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To compare the cardiopulmonary responses during the function assessment with the Six-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) and the incremental Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise (UULEX) test in COPD and to investigate the correlations with muscle strength and the limitations on activity of daily living (ADLs).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study.

Embedding Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Home and Community Setting: A Rapid Review.

This paper presents a rapid review of the literature for the components, benefits, barriers, and facilitators of pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) people in-home and community-based settings. seventy-six studies were included: 57 home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) studies and 19 community-based pulmonary rehabilitation (CBPR) studies. The benefits of HBPR on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life were observed in one-group studies, studies comparing HBPR to usual care, and studies comparing to hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation, although the benefits were less pronounced in the latter.

Glittre endurance test: A new test to assess the functional capacity of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) the ability to perform functional activities for a prolonged duration is important for completion of daily tasks. While the Glittre-ADL test measures time taken to complete a series of functional activities, there is no test of endurance capacity for common daily activities.

Research Question: Is the Glittre Endurance test a valid and responsive test to measure endurance capacity for functional daily tasks in people with COPD?

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study.

Validation of the adjusted global antiphospholipid syndrome score in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Argentina.

Introduction: Assessment of risk both for pregnancy morbidity and thrombosis in the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) is still a challenge in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. The Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (GAPSS) takes into account the aPL profile (criteria and non-criteria aPL), the conventional cardiovascular risk factors and the autoimmune antibody profile. An adjusted model of the score (aGAPSS) excluding anti-phosphatidylserine/Prothrombin (aPS/PT), suggests that the score is able to stratify patients for their rate of events making it widely applicable in daily clinical practice.

Reference values for the Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise test in healthy adults in Brazil.

Objective: To establish reference values for the Unsupported Upper Limb EXercise (UULEX) test, which measures peak arm exercise capacity, in healthy adults in Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, involving presumably healthy individuals ≥ 30 years of age who completed questionnaires and underwent spirometry. All of the individuals underwent two UULEX tests 30-min apart.

Inhibitory effect of probiotic Lactobacillus supernatants from the oral cavity on Streptococcus mutans biofilms.

Probiotics can release bioactive substances that can inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of pathogenic microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans. In this context, we evaluated whether the supernatants of Lactobacillus strains isolated from caries-free subjects can inhibit S. mutans, one of the most important bacteria for dental caries.

Reference values for the six-minute pegboard and ring test in healthy adults in Brazil.

Objective: To determine reference values for the six-minute pegboard and ring test (6PBRT) in healthy adults in Brazil, correlating the results with arm length, circumference of the upper arm/forearm of the dominant arm, and the level of physical activity.

Methods: The participants (all volunteers) performed two 6PBRTs, 30 min apart. They were instructed to move as many rings as possible in six minutes.

Replacement of the 6-Min Walk Test With Glittre ADL Test and Scores From the PFSDQ-M and HAP Questionnaires in the BODE Index.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduces functional capacity, which is strongly correlated with the morbidity and mortality of patients. The BODE index considers the multifactorial nature of the disease, including the functional capacity measured by the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and this index predicts the mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Our aim was to assess whether association exists between the original BODE index and the modified BODE index by replacing the 6MWT with the scores from the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire-Modified version (PFSDQ-M), Human Activity Profile (HAP) questionnaire, and the results of the Glittre ADL Test (TGlittre).

Antifungal activity of clinical Lactobacillus strains against Candida albicans biofilms: identification of potential probiotic candidates to prevent oral candidiasis.

This study isolated Lactobacillus strains from caries-free subjects and evaluated the inhibitory effects directly on three strains of C. albicans, two clinical strains and one reference strain. Thirty Lactobacillus strains were isolated and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against in vitro C.

Test-retest reliability of the unsupported upper-limb exercise test (UULEX) and 6-min peg board ring test (6PBRT) in healthy adult individuals.

Background: The unsupported upper-limb exercise (UULEX) and 6-min peg board ring tests (6PBRTs) have been developed to measure peak unsupported arm exercise capacity and arm endurance, respectively, in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These tests are valid and reproducible in this population; however, the reproducibility of healthy adults is currently unknown.

Objective: To determine the within-day test-retest reliability of the UULEX and 6PBRT in healthy adults.

Reference Values for the 6-min Walk Distance in Healthy Children Age 7 to 12 Years in Brazil: Main Results of the TC6minBrasil Multi-Center Study.

Introduction: Brazil is a country with great climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural differences that does not yet have a reference value for the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in healthy children. To avoid misinterpretation, the use of equations to predict the maximum walk distance should be established in each country.

Objectives: We sought to establish reference values and to develop an equation to predict the 6-min walk distance for healthy children in Brazil.

Evaluation of the Glittre-ADL test as an instrument for classifying functional capacity of individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

Background: The assessment of functional capacity in individuals with cardiovascular disease is closely related to lower limb function. The Glittre-ADL test is a global test to evaluate this patients.

Objective: We aimed to verify whether the Glittre-ADL test discriminates functional status while evaluating individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Study of association between interleukin-17 and interferon-gamma and recombinant human erythropoietin dose in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Background: A common complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a chronic inflammatory state and anemia that can be treating by recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). Higher required dose of rHuEPO could be expected in patients with higher cytokine levels. Additionally, it is known that peritoneal inflammation can be correlated with systemic inflammation and this could contribute to the compromised rHuEPO required dose in anemic patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Lactobacillus paracasei modulates the immune system of Galleria mellonella and protects against Candida albicans infection.

Probiotics have been described as a potential strategy to control opportunistic infections due to their ability to stimulate the immune system. Using the non-vertebrate model host Galleria mellonella, we evaluated whether clinical isolates of Lactobacillus spp. are able to provide protection against Candida albicans infection.

Upper limb exercise training for COPD.

Background: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience difficulty with performing upper limb exercise due to dyspnoea and arm fatigue. Consequently, upper limb exercise training is typically incorporated in pulmonary rehabilitation programmes to improve upper limb exercise capacity; however, the effects of this training on dyspnoea and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain unclear.

Objectives: To determine the effects of upper limb training (endurance or resistance training, or both) on symptoms of dyspnoea and HRQoL in people with COPD.

Physiological Responses to Arm Activity in Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Compared With Healthy Controls: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Purpose: The mechanisms underlying physiological limitations during arm activity in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are unknown. The objective of this systematic review was to describe cardiorespiratory responses, symptoms, chest wall kinematics, muscle activity, and lung volumes during arm activity in individuals with COPD relative to the responses of healthy controls.

Methods: Original research articles that compared cardiorespiratory responses, symptoms, muscle activity, chest wall kinematics, and lung function during arm activity between individuals with COPD and healthy controls were identified after searches of 5 electronic databases and reference lists of pertinent articles.

Streptococcus mutans Can Modulate Biofilm Formation and Attenuate the Virulence of Candida albicans.

Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are found together in the oral biofilms on dental surfaces, but little is known about the ecological interactions between these species. Here, we studied the effects of S. mutans UA159 on the growth and pathogencity of C.

Breathing exercises: influence on breathing patterns and thoracoabdominal motion in healthy subjects.

Background: The mechanisms underlying breathing exercises have not been fully elucidated.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of four on breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing, inspiratory sighs, sustained maximal inspiration and intercostal exercise) the on breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion in healthy subjects.

Method: Fifteen subjects of both sexes, aged 23 ± 1.