Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Waves on Induced Neocollagenesis of Integumentary Tissue.

Background: Obesity became a worldwide public health problem and its treatment presents a strict relationship with skin flaccidity, for which the development of non-invasive therapies is an emerging field. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the physiological response of the skin tissue of individuals with obesity with flaccidity to the physiological stimulus of shockwave therapy (ESWT). Methods: This is a comparative intervention study based on histological and immunohistochemical analyses of a set of samples of skin tissue of women with Grade II obesity who achieved a 10 percent preoperative weight loss before bariatric surgery and complaints of skin flaccidity, subjected to the ESWT treatment. A total of seven sessions were carried out in the abdominal region on the left side, and the collateral side was used as control; the biological material was collected at the moment of the bariatric surgery. Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's trichrome, Picrosirius Red and the markers for immunohistochemical were used for the morphological evaluation. Results: Fourteen women were included in the research. The results demonstrated that the tissue which underwent the ESWT intervention presented significant increases of fibroblast cells (p<0.0001) and collagen fibers Type I and II (p<0.0002). In the significant expressions of the markers FGF1, FGF2, FGFR1 were identified in the exposed side (p<0.0002, 0.0017, <0.0001, respectively) as well as a significantly higher expression of Ki67 marker of cell proliferation (p<0.0002). Conclusion: ESWT was associated with a significant increase of cell proliferation and collagen expression in flaccid skin of individuals who achieved weight loss before bariatric surgery.

Ozone Therapy for Dermatological Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Background: Known in the past for its toxic aspect as the main urban pollutant, in the last few decades, ozone has been gaining greater visibility for its possible antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects when used in human dermatological pathologies. Despite the reports of clinical benefits, the standard dosage for clinical efficacy and safety are yet not clear, nor are its means of application and its true acting mechanism. Objective: We conducted a review to determine the efficacy and safety of ozone therapy for a variety of dermatological conditions. Methods: We considered clinical trials (both randomized and non-randomized) published between December 2020 and March 2021 as long as they provided some PICO information, i.e., population (P), intervention (I), and study design. The skin dermatological conditions researched were: acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, herpes, aging, ulcers, and skin scarring. Results: A total of 326 articles were identified and 150 remained after duplicates were removed. After titles, abstracts and full articles were read, 17 articles were included in the systematic review (with 643 patients). Conclusion: Ozone therapy seems promising for some dermatological conditions; however, the articles included in this review had methodological limitations and did not sufficiently demonstrate sound evidence for safe therapy. Therefore, more studies with better methodological standards and longer-term assessments of side effects should be conducted to achieve better standards and safety in ozone therapy for dermatological conditions.

Analysis of quality of life among asthmatic individuals with obesity and its relationship with pulmonary function: cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: The combined effect of obesity and asthma may lead to significant impairment of quality of life (QOL). The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma among obese individuals, characterize the severity of impairment of quality of life and measure its relationship with pulmonary function. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Observational cross-sectional study in public university hospital. METHODS:: Morbidly obese individuals (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) seen in a bariatric surgery outpatient clinic and diagnosed with asthma, were included. Anthropometric data were collected, the Standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) was applied and spirometry was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the median of the score in the questionnaire (worse < 4 and better > 4) and were compared regarding anthropometric data and pulmonary function. RESULTS:: Among the 4791 individuals evaluated, 219 were asthmatic; the prevalence of asthma was 4.57%. Of these, 91 individuals were called to start multidisciplinary follow-up during the study period, of whom 82 answered the questionnaire. The median score in the AQLQ(S) was 3.96 points and, thus, the individuals were classified as having moderate impairment of their overall QOL. When divided according to better or worse QOL, there was a statistically difference in forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25-75%, with higher values in the better QOL group. CONCLUSION:: The prevalence of asthma was 4.57% and QOL was impaired among the asthmatic obese individuals. The worst QOL domain related to environmental stimuli and the best QOL domain to limitations of the activities. Worse QOL was correlated with poorer values for FEF 25-75%.

Analysis of quality of life among asthmatic individuals with obesity and its relationship with pulmonary function: cross-sectional study / Análise da qualidade de vida de indivíduos asmáticos obesos e sua relação com a função pulmonar: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The combined effect of obesity and asthma may lead to significant impairment of quality of life (QOL). The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma among obese individuals, characterize the severity of impairment of quality of life and measure its relationship with pulmonary function. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional study in public university hospital. METHODS: Morbidly obese individuals (body mass index > 40 kg/m2) seen in a bariatric surgery outpatient clinic and diagnosed with asthma, were included. Anthropometric data were collected, the Standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) was applied and spirometry was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the median of the score in the questionnaire (worse < 4 and better > 4) and were compared regarding anthropometric data and pulmonary function. RESULTS: Among the 4791 individuals evaluated, 219 were asthmatic; the prevalence of asthma was 4.57%. Of these, 91 individuals were called to start multidisciplinary follow-up during the study period, of whom 82 answered the questionnaire. The median score in the AQLQ(S) was 3.96 points and, thus, the individuals were classified as having moderate impairment of their overall QOL. When divided according to better or worse QOL, there was a statistically difference in forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25-75%, with higher values in the better QOL group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asthma was 4.57% and QOL was impaired among the asthmatic obese individuals. The worst QOL domain related to environmental stimuli and the best QOL domain to limitations of the activities. Worse QOL was correlated with poorer values for FEF 25-75%.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O efeito combinado de obesidade e asma pode levar a um comprometimento significativo da qualidade de vida (QV). O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência de asma entre obesos, caracterizar a gravidade do comprometimento da QV e verificar sua relação com a função pulmonar. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal observacional em hospital universitário público. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos indivíduos obesos mórbidos (indice de massa corporal > 40 kg/m2), acompanhados num ambulatório de cirurgia bariátrica e diagnosticados com asma. Foram coletados dados antropométricos e aplicado o Standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ (S)), bem como a espirometria. Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos com base na mediana obtida no escore do questionário (pior < 4 e melhor = 4) e os grupos foram comparados aos dados antropométricos e função pulmonar. RESULTADOS: Dos 4.791 indivíduos avaliados, 219 eram asmáticos; a prevalência de asma foi de 4,57%. Destes, 91 indivíduos foram chamados para iniciar o acompanhamento multidisciplinar no período do estudo, sendo que 82 responderam ao questionário. A pontuação mediana do AQLQ (S) foi de 3,96 pontos, portanto, classificados com prejuízo moderado na QV global. Quando divididos por melhor ou pior QV, houve diferença estatística no fluxo expiratório forçado (FEF) 25-75%, com maior valor no grupo com melhor QV. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência da asma na população estudada foi de 4,57% e há prejuízos na QV de obesos asmáticos, sendo o pior domínio de QV relacionado aos estímulos ambientais e o melhor domínio de QV relacionado às limitações das atividades. A pior QV se relacionou a piores valores de FEF 25-75%.