Microbiome reveals inflammatory-related bacteria and putative functional pathways involved in human papillomavirus-associated penile squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare disease that is more prevalent in developing countries, such as Brazil, and is linked to poor genital hygiene, which promotes the proliferation of microorganisms. Dysbiosis has an effect on the local immune response, increases the risk of viral infection, and can generate inflammatory processes. Current knowledge of the microbiota found in penile tissues is limited, and the bacterial diversity of the PSCC remains unknown. In this investigation, the microbiota associated with penile cancer and its potential role in tumor development and progression were identified. METHODS: The 16S rRNA gene was analyzed by next-generation sequencing in 19 tumors and their respective non-tumor adjacent tissues to perform taxonomic classification, analysis of core microbiome, abundance, and diversity of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) (QIIME2 v.2020.2), and in silico functional prediction (PICRUST2, p < 0.05). RESULTS: In both tissues, the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, and genera Alcaligenes and Fusobaterium, were the most prevalent. Tumors presented a greater relative abundance of Fusobacteriota, Campilobacteria, and Fusobacterium (p = 0.04, p = 0.04, and p = 0.039, respectively). In addition, the beta diversity analysis revealed a tendency for the formation of two distinct groups when only advanced tumors (pT2 and pT3) were considered. Further, the functional analysis identified the top 35 pathways, and 79.5% of PSCC samples contained pro-inflammatory microorganisms. CONCLUSION: We describe the first microbiome of penile carcinoma, which revealed an abundant and diverse microbiota as well as inflammatory-related taxa (the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, the genera Fusobacterium and Prevotella, and the species Finegoldia magma and Pseudomonas geniculata) and molecular pathways (chitin derivates degradation, the protocatechuic acid pathway, inositol metabolism, and the sucrose pathway), which have also been linked to inflammation and carcinogenesis. Moreover, we found specific and abundant ASVs in both tumor and non-tumor tissues. Our data encourage further study to better understand the role of these microorganisms in penile carcinogenesis, offering an opportunity for advances in diagnosis, prognosis, and early therapy.

Efficacy of Hip Strengthening on Pain Intensity, Disability, and Strength in Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Trunk and Lower Limbs: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Grade Recommendations.

To investigate the efficacy of hip strengthening on pain, disability, and hip abductor strength in musculoskeletal conditions of the trunk and lower limbs, we searched eight databases for randomized controlled trials up to 8 March 2022 with no date or language restrictions. Random-effect models estimated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Very low quality evidence suggested short-term effects (≤3 months) of hip strengthening on pain intensity (MD of 4.1, 95% CI: 2.1 to 6.2; two trials, n = 48 participants) and on hip strength (MD = 3.9 N, 95% CI: 2.8 to 5.1; two trials, n = 48 participants) in patellofemoral pain when compared with no intervention. Uncertain evidence suggested that hip strengthening enhances the short-term effect of the other active interventions on pain intensity and disability in low back pain (MD = -0.6 points, 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.2; five trials, n = 349 participants; MD = 6.2 points, 95% CI: 2.6 to 9.8; six trials, n = 389 participants, respectively). Scarce evidence does not provide reliable evidence of the efficacy of hip strengthening in musculoskeletal conditions of the trunk and lower limbs.

Determining factors of functioning in hemodialysis patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) treatment affects functioning, physical activity level, clinical biomarkers, and body composition. However, the association between these variables with functioning, considering International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between physical activity, biomarkers, and body composition with functioning in HD patients in reference to the ICF. METHODS: Eighty HD patients performed different tests grouped according to ICF domain: Body structure and function - handgrip strength (HS), 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, and 60-s sit-to-stand test (5-STS, 60-STS, respectively); Activity - short physical performance battery (SPPB); and Participation - participation scale questionnaire. Physical activity [Human Activity Profile questionnaire (HAP)], body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), Parathormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed as possible variables associated with ICF domains. Data analyses were performed using simple and multiple regression models adjusted for age, duration of HD, and diuresis volume. RESULTS: In the body structure and function domain, appendicular lean mass, PTH level, and age were associated with HS (R2 = 0.558); HAP and PTH were associated with 5-STS (R2 = 0.263); and HAP, PTH, duration of HD, and age were associated with 60-STS (R2 = 0.337). In the activity domain, HAP, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, duration of HD, age, and body fat were associated with SPPB (R2 = 0.689). Finally, only HAP was associated with the participation scale (R2 = 0.067). CONCLUSION: Physical activity and PTH levels are determinant protagonists of functioning in all ICF domains in hemodialysis patients.

Multisensory exercise programme improves cognition and functionality in institutionalized older adults: A randomized control trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a multisensory exercise programme on the cognition and functionality of institutionalized older adults. METHODS: Forty-five volunteers were randomly allocated to 2 groups, the multisensory exercise programme (n = 24) and the control group that received no treatment (n = 21). The programme consisted of 3 50-min sessions of progressive exercises per week for 16 weeks that challenged their strength, balance, coordination, multisensory stimulation, and flexibility in different tasks. Cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), balance (Berg Scale), mobility (Timed Up and Go), and functional performance (Physical Performance Test) were measured preintervention and postintervention. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test and 2-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The multisensory exercise programme showed statistically significant improvements (p < .05) on cognition (effect size [ES]: 0.92), balance (ES: 0.77), mobility (ES: 0.51), and functional performance (ES: 0.86) as compared with the control group, which showed no statistical significant differences at the postintervention time point. CONCLUSIONS: The multisensory exercise programme improved the cognition and functionality of institutionalized older adults. The introduction of a motor and multisensory-based approach in care routines may improve residents' health and engagement to the environment.

Fibromialgia e qualidade de vida: um estudo comparativo com portadores de artrite reumatóide / Fibromyalgia and quality of a life: a comparative study with arthritis patients with rheumatoid

Portadores de fibromialgia queixam-se de dor generalizada, fadiga e distúrbios do sono. Os exames laboratoriais são caracteristicamente negativos nesta patologia. Devido à natureza pouco específica dos sintomas e a falta de provas palpáveis de um processo inflamatório, estes pacientes nem sempre têm as suas queixas devidamente valorizadas. No presente estudo procurou-se demonstrar o grande impacto desta patologia na qualidade de vida de seus portadores comparando-a com a de portadores de artrite reumatóide. Além disso procurou-se verificar se este prejuízo estava associado com o grau de dor percebido pelo paciente ou com o número de pontos sensíveis encontrados ao exame físico.

Fibromyalgia patients complain of generalized pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance. Laboratory exams are typically negative in this pathology. Due to this lack of symptom's specificity and palpable proofs of inflammatory disease, these patients complaints are not taken seriously. In this study we try to demonstrate the high impact of fibromyalgia in the patient's life quality comparing them with rheumatoid arthritis patients. We also try to verify the relationship between poor life quality with generalized pain and number of tender points at physical examination.

Fibromialgia e qualidade de vida: um estudo comparativo com portadores de artrite reumatóide / Fibromyalgia and quality of life: a comparative study with arthritis patients with rheumatoid

Portadores de fibromialgia queixam-se de dor generalizada, fadiga e distúrbios do sono. Os exames laboratoriais são caracteristicamente negativos nesta patologia. Devido à natureza pouco específica dos sintomas e a falta de provas palpáveis de um processo inflamatório, estes pacientes nem sempre têm as suas queixas devidamente valorizadas. No presente estudo procurou-se demonstrar o grande impacto desta patologia na qualidade de vida de seus portadores comparando-a com a de portadores de artrite reumatóide. Além disso procurou-se verificar se este prejuízo estava associado com o grau de dor percebido pelo paciente ou com o número de pontos sensíveis encontrados ao exame físico

Fibromyalgia patients complain of generalized pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance. Laboratory exams are typically negative in this pathology. Due to this lack of symptom's specificity and palpable proofs of inflammatory disease, these patients complaints are not taken seriously. In this study we try to demonstrate the high impact of fibromyalgia in the patient's life quality comparing them with rheumatoid arthritis patients. We also try to verify the relationship between poor life quality with generalized pain and number of tender points at physical examination