WHOQOL-BREF in Measuring Quality of Life Among Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Leg Ulcers.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents complex clinical manifestations influenced by genetic, social, environmental, and healthcare access factors as well as socioeconomic status. In this context, sickle cell leg ulcers (SLUs) are a debilitating complication of SCD. We aimed to describe sociodemographic data and evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of SCD patients with and without SLUs.

Comparison Between Water Aerobics and Deep-Water Running on Middle-Aged Adults' Anthropometric, Hemodynamic and Functional Outcomes.

Background: Head-out aquatic training, using modalities such as water-aerobics/hydrogymnastics (HYD) and deep-water running (DWR), has been effective in improving the physical, metabolic and cognitive health of middle-aged adults. However, direct comparisons between these modalities are lacking.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of water aerobics and deep-water running on anthropometric, functional and hemodynamic outcomes in adults and older adults.

Effects of an Easily Implemented Physical Exercise Program on the Ventricular Ejection Fraction of Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women, with an incidence of 85-94 per 100,000 people annually in Europe. Despite the increasing incidence of BC, advancements in early detection and novel therapeutic approaches have improved survival rates. However, adjuvant treatments are associated with side effects, including a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which can result in severe cardiac damage and progress to heart failure.

The Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 3 (BREQ-3) Is Reliable and Valid for Assessing Motivational Regulations and Self-Determination in Exercise Among Adults Aged 50 Years or Older: A Methodological Study.

The study aimed to investigate the reliability, construct, and discriminant validity of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 3 (BREQ-3) for evaluating motivational regulations and self-determination for exercise in Brazilian adults aged 50 years or older. The study assessed motivation for exercise, peripheral muscle strength, physical performance, functional capacity, cardiovascular fitness, and frailty phenotype. Two raters independently applied the BREQ-3.

Comparative Electrocardiographic Analysis Between Physical Exercise Practitioners and Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The trained heart adapts through geometric changes influenced by concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, depending on the predominance of the isometric or dynamic components of the exercise performed. Additionally, alterations in heart rhythm may occur due to increased vagal system activity. Cardiological evaluation with an electrocardiogram (ECG) aims to identify cardiac conditions that could temporarily or permanently disqualify an athlete from competition.

Quality of Oral Anticoagulation Control with Warfarin According to Sex: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Evidence indicates a difference between men and women in oral anticoagulation control, but the results were discrepant. This study investigated the association of sex with oral anticoagulation control in patients on warfarin assisted by anticoagulation clinics (ACs) in Brazil. The cross-sectional study included patients on warfarin recruited at three public ACs in southeast Brazil (2014-2015).

The Influence of Mat Pilates Training on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women with Single or Multiple Cardiometabolic Diseases.

This study compared the effects of Mat Pilates training on cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with single or multiple cardiometabolic conditions. Forty-four women were divided into single-condition (SINGLE; = 20) and multiple-condition (MULTI; = 24) groups. Both groups completed Mat Pilates three times per week for 12 weeks.

Impact of Respiratory Support During Hospitalization on Functional Outcomes in Long COVID: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is characterized by the persistence of one or more symptoms after the acute phase, leading to physical disabilities. This study aims to investigate whether the functional capacity and respiratory function 120 days post-COVID-19 differed according to the level of respiratory support needed during hospitalization in acute COVID-19 in the pre-vaccine rollout period. We followed up with 118 COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the acute phase until 120 days post-acute disease, with patients split into a Non-Invasive Oxygen Therapy Group (OTG, n = 72), Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Group (IMV, n = 12), and Room Air Group (RAG, n = 34), assessing the body composition, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and muscle strength at the follow-up visit.

A Single Session of Beach Tennis with Recreational Athletes Improves Anxiety Symptoms in Women but Not in Men: A Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Beach tennis has become a popular sport, but research on its mental health benefits is scarce. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the effects of beach tennis on anxiety symptoms.

Objectives: To assess the effect of a single session of beach tennis, in both singles and doubles modes, on anxiety symptoms.

Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazilian Post-Peak Period: Differences Between Individuals with and Without Pre-Existing Psychiatric Conditions.

(1) Background: Validated instruments to measure mental health variables related to sanitary crises can provide data for prevention or intervention plans. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evidence the psychometric factorial internal structure of the Battery for Assessing Mental Health-Pandemic Version (BASM-P) in the sample; (2) to investigate the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian post-peak period among individuals with and without pre-existing psychiatric conditions using the BASM-P; and (3) to analyze relationships between the mental health variables measured by the BASM-P in both groups. (2) Methods: This is an internet-based quantitative, cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic convenience sample.

Relationship Among Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Blood Pressure in Portuguese Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study examined the associations between age, adiposity, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and elevated blood pressure (BP) in 2901 Portuguese children and adolescents aged 2-18. BP, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), physical activity, and sedentary behavior were measured. Elevated BP was defined as a BP above the 90th percentile for age, sex, and height.

Bioactive Compounds from Propolis on Bone Homeostasis: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review explores the potential effects of Propolis and its bioactive compounds on bone health. Propolis, a resinous product collected by bees, is renowned for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Recent research emphasizes its positive role in osteogenesis, primarily through the modulation of osteoclast and osteoblast activity via molecular pathways.

7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene as a Model for Ovarian Cancer Induction in Rats.

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynecological cancers. Animal models using 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) have been developed to investigate the mechanisms of ovarian carcinogenesis. The present study is a systematic review of efforts to establish DMBA as a model for ovarian cancer induction in rat models.

Morphology and Immunoexpression of Selenoproteins in Term Placenta of Alpaca () from the Peruvian Andes.

South American camelids inhabit high-altitude environments characterized by hypoxia, influencing embryonic, fetal, and placental development. This study examined the term placenta morphology of alpacas (, N = 12) and the immunoexpression of antioxidant selenoproteins (SP). We hypothesize that the placenta of alpacas, adapted to high altitudes, has characteristics with other species also adapted to altitude.

The History of the Brazilian Sardine () Between Two Fishery Collapses: An Ecosystem Modeling Approach to Study Its Life Cycle.

The inter-annual fluctuations of abundance of the Brazilian sardine () during the last decades have deeply modified the purse seine fishery dynamics. This study evaluates the trophic relationships of the main species exploited by this fishery and the importance of its biomass for the southeast-south Brazil marine ecosystem (22° S-34° S). Data were analyzed using a mass balance model (ECOPATH) between the two fishery collapses: 2000 and 2017.

Effect of Laser Auriculotherapy on Quality of Life, Fatigue, and Anxiety in Women with Advanced Breast Cancer: Randomized Clinical Trial.

: To evaluate the effect of laser auriculotherapy on health-related quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and anxiety in women with advanced breast cancer undergoing palliative chemotherapy. : A randomized, parallel, single-blind, single-center clinical trial was conducted in a Brazilian oncology referral hospital. A total of 123 women were randomly divided into groups: 41 in the experimental group (10 weekly laser auriculotherapy sessions), 40 in the sham group (10 weekly sham sessions), and 42 in the control group.

Ganciclovir Resistance-Linked Mutations in the HCMV Gene: Sanger Sequencing Analysis in Samples from Transplant Recipients at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNAemia remains a significant concern for transplant recipients, largely due to mutations in the viral genome that may lead to antiviral-resistant strains. Mutations in the gene are frequently associated with resistance to ganciclovir (GCV), highlighting the importance of early mutation detection to effectively manage viremia. This study aimed to optimize a Sanger sequencing protocol for analyzing GCV resistance-linked mutations in the HCMV gene from plasma samples of transplant patients treated at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Nephrotic and Non-Nephrotic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: Clinical Characteristics, Etiology, and Columbia Classification.

: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a pattern of kidney injury with diverse causes and pathogeneses, resulting in podocyte injury and depletion. It can be classified as primary, genetic, or secondary. Because FSGS classically has a worse prognosis in patients with nephrotic syndrome, most studies have focused on the treatment and evolution of these patients, resulting in a lack of data related to patients without nephrotic syndrome.

Risk Perception, Communication and Behaviour Towards Food Safety Issues.

(Christoper Griffith cited in Yiannas (2009) [...

Rainy and Dry Seasons Are Relevant Factors Affecting Chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Meliponini Honey.

Brazilian stingless bee species produce honey with distinct physicochemical and bioactive properties shaped by environmental factors. This study investigated the effects of the rainy and dry seasons on the physicochemical characteristics, chemical fingerprinting, mineral content, and antioxidant capacity of honey from and . The honey samples were analyzed for their phytochemical properties (official methods), total phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteu method), flavonoid content (aluminum complex formation method), antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ABTS assays), and antioxidant activity (erythrocyte model).

Effects of Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potato Lyophilized Powder on the Physicochemical Properties, Lactic Acid Bacteria Viability, Microstructure, and Textural Properties of Stirred Yogurt.

This study proposes the use of lyophilized powder of purple-fleshed sweet potato (LP) as a new multifunctional ingredient to improve the identity and quality parameters of stirred yogurts. The physical and chemical properties, color, monomeric anthocyanin content, lactic acid bacteria viability, water retention capacity, microstructure, and texture were evaluated for yogurts enriched with LP at the levels of 2% (YLP2), 4% (YLP4), and 6% (YPL6), stored for 30 days under refrigeration (4 °C). The results indicated that LP provided different intensities and shades of pink coloration to yogurt, in addition to increasing ( < 0.

Edible Alginate-Fungal Chitosan Coatings as Carriers for LC03 and Their Impact on Quality Parameters of Strawberries During Cold Storage.

This study investigated the efficacy of an innovative edible coating, composed of fungal chitosan and alginate, functionalized with LC03, in both free and microencapsulated forms, to extend the shelf life and enhance the nutritional value of strawberries. LC03 cells were successfully encapsulated in alginate microparticles (MAL) and further coated with chitosan (MALC), resulting in enhanced protection (cell reduction below 1.4 CFU/mL), viability (8.

Tamarind ( L.) Components as a Sustainable Replacement for Pork Meat in Frankfurter Sausages.

Five types of frankfurters were formulated: a control without tamarind (T0) and four samples using 5% tamarind pulp paste (PT5), seeds (ST5), peel (CT5), and a blend of all of them (PSCT5), replacing the same portion of meat. The inclusion of tamarind components led to a reduction in the moisture and protein content of the reformulated frankfurters. In terms of mineral composition, CT5 showed the highest ( < 0.

Quality Preservation and Shelf-Life Extension of Prickly Pear ( L. ) Using Edible Coatings.

Prickly pear consumption is increasing across the world due to its rich variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Yet, it is a seasonal and highly perishable fruit, and the application of edible coatings emerges as an alternative to extend its shelf life. In this work, the effects of alginate, starch, chitosan, and pectin as coatings on the physicochemical, bioactive, microbiological, and textural properties of two prickly pear varieties (orange and red), kept under refrigeration (5 ± 2 °C) were evaluated for 6 weeks.

The Probiotication of a Lychee Beverage with : An Alternative to Dairy-Based Probiotic Products.

Probiotic vegetable-based beverages, such as lychee, can be rich in nutrients, free of cholesterol and lactose, and also have few allergenic components. is an alternative to make lychee juice a probiotic beverage. This work aimed to develop probiotic lychee beverage (LB) using by evaluating the effect of refrigerated storage on cell viability, physicochemical characteristics, and acceptance.