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Introduction: The traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon possess significant knowledge regarding the huge therapeutic arsenal available from natural sources that can be used to care for their health problems. This study aimed to identify, map and synthesize the scientific evidence on the use of traditional medicine as a therapeutic resource when used by traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon. Methods: This is a scoping review, which is a method used to map the main concepts of a research area, the available evidence and its sources. It is developed in five steps: (1) identification of the research question; (2) identification of relevant studies; (3) selection of studies; (4) data analysis; and (5) grouping, synthesis and presentation of data. Results: Medicinal plants, vertebrates and invertebrates, among other medicinal products, are elements that are widely used by traditional populations. Plant stems, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and even the whole plant are prepared in various forms, such as teas, infusions, smoke for rituals, baths, macerations, oils, ointments, concoctions, dressings, incenses and exfoliants, among others. The main structures and forms used from animals are lards, fats, viscera, horns, cocoons, nests, feathers and beaks of birds, eggs and roes. These therapeutic practices are often carried out using endogenous, wild and domesticated natural resources present in the biodiverse environments of traditional populations. They involve magical-religious beliefs to treat all types of illnesses, including cultural syndromes that affect children, young people, adults and the elderly. Conclusion: This scoping review has an important role to disseminate and expand the discussion of traditional medicine practices, inviting readers -- whether they are health professionals, community members, managers or decision-makers -- to a continuing debate using an intercultural dialogue necessary to improve approaches. From this perspective, it is essential to consider the comprehensive legal and legal framework that guides the public policies of national health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tanzania Journal of Health Research is the property of Tanzania Health Research User's Trust Fund and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To evaluate upper limb performance, trunk extensor endurance, and serratus anterior strength in para swimmers over a sports season. A cohort study conducted over eleven months. Three assessments were performed at pre-season, mid-season, and post-season, evaluating the CKCUEST, Sorensen Test, and isometric strength of the serratus anterior. Twelve para swimmers from a sports center. Generalized Mixed Models were used to assess seasonal changes and the influence of sex, age, type of impairment, and season phase. Coefficients of variation for each variable were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with a 5% significance level. Sorensen Test values decreased during the season (C: 22.0; CI: 33.9 to −10.4; p < 0.01). A serratus anterior isometric strength difference was observed post-season between para athletes with motor impairments and those with visual/intellectual impairments on the dominant side (C: 3.3; CI: 6.2 to −0.5; p = 0.02). Sorensen Test values declined in mid-season, and para athletes with motor impairments showed lower serratus anterior strength in post-season. CKCUEST values remained stable throughout the season. • Seasonal Changes in upper limb and Trunk Performance in para-athlete Swimmers. • A significant reduction in trunk muscle performance was observed during the season. • Para swimmers with motor impairments showed lower values of isometric serratus anterior strength. • The CKCUEST test showed no significant changes throughout the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Uniform Data Set (UDS) neuropsychological battery, administered across Alzheimer's Disease Centers (ADC), includes memory tests but lacks a list‐learning paradigm. ADCs often supplement the UDS with their own preferred list‐learning task. Given the importance of list‐learning for characterizing memory, we aimed to develop a harmonized memory score that incorporates UDS memory tests while allowing centers to contribute differing list‐learning tasks. Method: We applied item‐banking confirmatory factor analysis to develop a composite memory score in 5,287 participants (mean age 67.1; SD = 12.2) recruited through 18 ADCs and four consortia (DiverseVCID, MarkVCID, ALLFTD, LEADS) who completed UDS memory tasks (used as linking‐items) and one of five list‐learning tasks. All analyses used linear regression. We tested whether memory scores were affected by which list‐learning task was administered. To assess construct validity, we tested associations of memory scores with demographics, disease severity (CDR Box Score), an independent memory task (TabCAT Favorites, n = 675), and hippocampal volume (n = 811). We compared performances between cognitively unimpaired (n = 279), AD‐biomarker+ MCI (n = 26), and AD‐biomarker+ dementia (n = 98). In a subsample with amyloid‐ and tau‐PET (n = 49), we compared memory scores from participants with positive vs negative scans determined using established quantitative cutoffs. Result: Model fit indices were excellent (e.g., CFI = 0.998) and factor loadings were strong (0.43‐0.93). Differences in list‐learning task had a negligible effect on scores (average Cohen's d = 0.11). Higher memory scores were significantly (p's<.001) correlated with younger age (β = ‐0.18), lower CDR Box Scores (β = ‐0.63), female sex (β = 0.12), higher education (β = 0.19), larger hippocampal volume (β = 0.42), and an independent memory task (β = 0.71, p<0.001). The memory composite declined in a stepwise fashion by diagnosis (cognitively unimpaired>MCI>AD dementia, p<0.001). On average, amyloid‐PET positivity was associated with lower composite scores, but was not statistically significant (β = ‐0.34; p = 0.25; d = 0.40). Tau‐PET positivity was associated with worse performance, demonstrating a large effect size (β = ‐0.75; p<0.002; d = 0.91). Conclusion: The harmonized memory score developed in a large national sample was stable regardless of contributing list‐learning task and its validity for cross‐cohort ADRD research is supported by expected associations with demographics, clinical measures, and Alzheimer's biomarkers. A processing script will be made available to enhance cross‐cohort ADRD research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild behavioral impairment (MBI) identify older persons that are more likely to be at preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) than those without SCD and MBI. However, vascular co‐pathologies may also contribute to new onset and persistent cognitive and behavioral symptoms. We investigated vascular risk factor associations with SCD and MBI in older persons without mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Method: Data for 1285 participants from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behaviour, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN‐PROTECT) study were analyzed [Figure 1]. Vascular risk factors were body mass index (normal, overweight, obese), hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking (never, past, active). Outcomes were measured using the Everyday Cognition (ECog‐II) scale and MBI Checklist (MBI‐C). SCD was operationalized based on a score of ≥2 (i.e., consistently a little or much worse) on any ECog‐II item. MBI+ status was defined by MBI‐C total scores ≥8. Propensity scores were used to balance age, sex, years of education, marital status, and ethnocultural origin across exposure groups using inverse probability of treatment weighting. Weighted negative binomial and logistic regressions were used to model vascular risk factor (exposure) associations with ECog‐II and MBI‐C total scores, and SCD and MBI+ statuses, respectively. Result: Participant characteristics are summarized in Table 1. As shown in Table 2, all vascular risk factors assessed in the study were associated with higher ECog‐II total score, with the exception of past (i.e., not active), smoking behavior. Diabetes and active smoking showed the largest magnitudes of effect in relation to ECog‐II total scores. Active smoking and obesity showed the largest magnitudes of effect in relation to MBI‐C total scores. When assessing outcomes as categorical variables (i.e., SCD+ and MBI+), the same associations were found. Conclusion: Vascular risk factors were associated with poorer everyday cognition, more severe MBI symptoms, and greater odds for classification as SCD+ and MBI+ in a sample of older persons without objective cognitive impairment. These findings suggest potential vascular contributions to cognitive and behavioral markers traditionally linked to AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Everyday Cognition questionnaire is a sensitive tool for measuring decline in activities of daily living and can differentiate dementia from normal cognition. There is limited data on comparing the ECog‐12 performance by raters (self vs. informant/study‐partner) and scoring systems (continuous average score vs. a categorical grouping) to differentiate cognitive statuses. Method: ECog‐12 data were extracted from the 39‐item version collected in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Participants (n = 1593) were divided into subgroups based on diagnosis. The average and categorized ECog‐12 scores were calculated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the ECog‐12 performance in five different diagnostic groups, including discriminating between cognitively unimpaired (CU; n = 666) vs. cognitive impairment (CI; MCI and AD), CU vs. MCI (n = 707), CU vs. AD (n = 220), AD vs. MCI, and CI with amyloid pathology (n = 532) vs others. Simple logistic regression models with the ECog‐12 score as the sole independent variable were used to evaluate the association with CI, and multiple logistic regression models with participant characteristics included as covariates. This procedure was repeated for self/participants (PT) and study‐partners (SP; n = 1571) reports. Result: ECog‐12 cut‐off scores of 1.36 (PT) and 1.45 (SP) distinguish CU from CI with AUC 0.7 (0.68‐0.73) and 0.78 (0.76‐0.8). Adding a memory‐concern question to the ECog‐12 of PT increased the AUC to 0.78. Any consistent SCD (categorized scores) of PT and SP provided AUC 0.69 (0.67‐0.71) and 0.78 (0.76‐0.8). Average ECog‐12 of PT and SP can differentiate between MCI and CU (AUC: 0.69, 0.75), AD and CU (AUC: 0.74, 0.93), AD and MCI (AUC: 0.57, 0.77), and amyloid‐positive CI and others (AUC: 0.65, 0.75). Average ECog‐12 of SP had a higher association with CI than PT (OR 35.45 vs. 8.79, 95%CI 22.41‐58.03 and 6.32‐12.43, respectively). Conclusion: The ECog‐12 of SP showed higher performance in differentiating between the different cognitive statuses and higher prognostic value than that of PT. A memory concern question enhanced the performance of ECog‐12 of PT. The ECog‐12 (PT and/or SP) could be a valuable tool for quickly (and potentially remotely) assessing a person's cognitive status for research studies and in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies suggest an association between Alzheimer's disease and carotid artery atherosclerosis. However, the association between atherosclerotic carotid plaque composition and Alzheimer's disease pathology (neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) has not been explored yet. Method: Carotid arteries were dissected and the segments with the largest obstruction in the carotid bifurcation, and the common and internal carotid arteries were obtained. Each segment was immersed in paraffin and stained using Hematoxylin‐Eosin (HE) and Masson's Trichrome. Each histological slide was photographed using a stereomicroscope (SMZ 1000; Nikon). We analyzed artery obstruction, fibrous cap, the number of vasa vasorum, and plaque components, using the software Atherosclerotic Plaque Analyzer. We characterized the neuritic plaque deposition in the brain using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) criteria and neurofibrillary tangle deposition using the Braak & Braak criteria. We performed ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, body mass index, and physical inactivity. Result: Cross‐sectional data from 237 subjects from the Biobank for Aging Studies of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School were analyzed (mean age = 79.0±9.9 yo, 51.5% women, 59.9% white, 35.9% black and 3.8% Asian). As the percentage of smooth muscle cell area increased, neurofibrillary tangles deposition decreased (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.94‐1.00, p = 0.03). Similarly, as the percentage of fibrous cap area increased, neurofibrillary tangles deposition increased (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.00‐1.25, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Given that the fibrous cap is typically present in advanced atherosclerosis, and considering that smooth muscle cell area was solely assessed in the absence of well‐established atherosclerotic plaque, our examination of atherosclerotic plaque composition in carotid artery segments suggests a connection between atherosclerosis development and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. We found an association with the fibrous cap proportion of the tunica intima area and an inverse association with the proportion of smooth muscle cells in the tunica intima area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise and its implications on pain, functional mobility (FM) and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with isolated hip osteoarthritis (HO). Intervention systematic review. Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL (Cochrane) and PEDro were searched for studies evaluating the effect of exercise on pain, FM and QoL in people with HO from the first publication until August 2022. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion and quality of evidence. We included randomized controlled trials on HO where the intervention was physical exercise compared with the control group (exercise different from the intervention or no intervention). Available data were analyzed using meta-analysis when comparison was possible. Otherwise, the data were synthesized qualitatively. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Seven trials were identified. Low-quality evidence indicated that there was no significant difference between the mixed exercise versus no intervention groups in the meta-analysis for pain and QoL in short term. Low-quality evidence indicated that low-intensity resistance exercise showed a statistically significant difference when compared to high-intensity resistance exercise in terms of pain, and very low-quality evidence indicated that there was no significant difference regarding functional mobility, both in short term. New clinical trials with methodological rigor should be carried out to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise in individuals with HO and which is the most effective modality in pain, FM and QoL for future clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the effect of different preemptive and preventive analgesia strategies involving oral coadministration of ibuprofen-arginine (770 mg)–Ib-Ar and dexamethasone (8 mg)-DX, and their respective placebos (P-Ib-Ar and P-DX), four evaluation groups on inflammatory and laboratory parameters, impact on quality of life, pain catastrophizing perception and sleep quality related after lower third molar surgery. A randomized split-mouth, triple-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 48 volunteers. They were allocated depending on the use of Ib-Ar or DX, 1 hour before surgery or immediately postoperatively, discriminating the groups: G1 (Ib-Ar + DX), G2 (Ib-Ar + P-DX), G3 (P-Ib-Ar + DX), and G4 (P-Ib-Ar + P-DX). Pain peaks occurred after 2 h (P-Ib-Ar groups) (P =.003), while the other groups showed peak pain after 4 h (P <.05). Regarding the edema: groups treated with placebos measurements significantly reduced without returning to baseline (P <.001). Regarding laboratory parameters: MPO and MDA levels, the G1 group (P <.001) was the only one showing significant reduction. The use of preemptive and preventive analgesia strategies of Ib-Ar and DX showed that the combined use delayed peak pain, with no difference in edema and trismus. The benefit of coadministration of both strategies was superior to isolated use of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Biota Neotropica (Edição em Iinglês) is the property of Biota Neotropica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Biota Neotropica (Edição em Iinglês) is the property of Biota Neotropica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To summarize the results of Chile's 2022 Report Card (RC) on physical activity (PA) for Children and Adolescents. Chile's 2022 RC included ten core PA indicators common to the Global Matrix 4.0. Evidence from scientific articles, reports, and databases published between 2018 and January 2022 was included for each indicator. The data were collected and analyzed by a national scientific committee, which assigned letter grades (A to F) using a consensus based on benchmarks defined and revised by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. The committee assigned the following grades: Overall PA, D−; Organized Sports and Physical Activity Participation, C−; Active Play, Incomplete; Active Transportation, D; Sedentary Behavior, D−; Physical Fitness, Incomplete; Family and Peers, D; School, C; Community and Environment, D+; Government, A−. Chile's 2022 RC, like its previous versions, shows persistently low grades for most indicators. Overall PA remained nearly unchanged, while Community and Environment scored lower. Slight improvements were seen in Organized Sports, Family and Peers, and School Environment. While Chile has endeavored to increase children's activity levels, policies require implementation through a systemic, coherent framework to promote sustainable changes and reach a larger portion of children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A warm-up is recommended prior to performing a resistance training workout. Understanding the dose-response effect of warm-up load intensities can contribute to subsequent workout performance. The aim of this study was t o compare different warm-up load intensities on subsequent resistance training volume in a workout. Fifteen men who had at least six months of resistance training experience were evaluated. Three resistance training sessions were performed with warm-up load intensities of 40%, 60%, and 80% of the ten-repetition maximum was applied for 15, 10 and 5 repetitions, respectively. Each session consisted of the bench press, inclined leg press, and wide grip lat pulldown exercises performed for three sets to failure with 2 min rest between sets and exercises. The 80% warm-up resulted in significantly greater total training volume (TTV) when compared to the 60% (p = 0.010) and 40% (p = 0.038) conditions. In addition, volume load and repetition performance were greater in the 80% condition versus the 60% condition for the bench press (p = 0.037 and p = 0.015, respectively). For the inclined leg press, the difference was close to significance with a probability value of p = 0.055 when comparing the 80% versus 40% protocols. Before starting a resistance training session, it is recommended that a warm-up for each exercise be performed at 80% of the initial workout load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated preliminary feasibility of a digital, culturally‐informed approach to recruit and screen participants for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI4). METHODS: Participants were recruited using digital advertising and completed digital surveys (e.g., demographics, medical exclusion criteria, 12‐item Everyday Cognition Scale [ECog‐12]), Novoic Storyteller speech‐based cognitive test). Completion rates and assessment performance were compared between underrepresented populations (URPs: individuals from ethnoculturally minoritized or low education backgrounds) and non‐URPs. RESULTS: Of 3099 participants who provided contact information, 654 enrolled in the cohort, and 595 completed at least one assessment. Two hundred forty‐seven participants were from URPs. Of those enrolled, 465 met ADNI4 inclusion criteria and 237 evidenced possible cognitive impairment from ECog‐12 or Storyteller performance. URPs had lower ECog and Storyteller completion rates. Scores varied by ethnocultural group and educational level. DISCUSSION: Preliminary results demonstrate digital recruitment and screening assessment of an older diverse cohort, including those with possible cognitive impairment, are feasible. Improving engagement and achieving educational diversity are key challenges. Highlights: A total of 654 participants enrolled in a digital cohort to facilitate ADNI4 recruitment.Culturally‐informed digital ads aided enrollment of underrepresented populations.From those enrolled, 42% were from underrepresented ethnocultural and educational groups.Digital screening tools indicate > 50% of participants likely cognitively impaired.Completion rates and assessment performance vary by ethnocultural group and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess levels of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in children with and without Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and dental caries lesions. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 159 children between 8 and 12 years of age were included. For the evaluation of DFA, children responded to the validated version of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale. MIH was assessed using the MIH Index. To evaluate the activity of dental caries lesions and dental caries experience, the Nyvad criterion and the dmft/DMFT index were used, respectively. Dental hypersensitivity was evaluated using air stimulation and a Visual Analogue Scale. The association between MIH and dental caries with DFA was assessed using the generalised linear model with Poisson family, identity link function and robust variance estimation. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The mean DFA score was 28.3 (SD = 13.4) with scores ranging from 15 to 64. Amongst children presenting both MIH and dental caries, the perception of DFA was notably higher compared to those with either MIH or dental caries alone. The activity of caries lesion in patients with MIH also influenced DFA levels (diff: 18.6; 95% CI: 12.0–25.2; p < 0.001). Dental caries experience in the primary dentition also demonstrated statistical significance concerning DFA (95% CI: 0.8–13.3; p value = 0.027). Conclusion: Children with MIH exhibit higher levels of DFA than children without MIH. The experience of dental caries and the activity of caries lesions significantly influence the perception of DFA in children with MIH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) is a rare lesion first described in 1974, but the aetiology remains unknown. Clinically, OFM presents as an asymptomatic nodular lesion and the similarity of clinical features to other soft tissue injuries makes the diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study was to integrate the demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics from previously published cases of OFM into a systematic review. Electronic searches without publication date restriction were performed in the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus. Case reports or case series of OFM published in English and presenting enough clinical and histopathological information were included. This systematic review identified 42 studies from 12 countries, comprising 113 cases of OFM. This lesion affected more females than males, usually in the fourth decade of life. The gingiva was the most common anatomical location, followed by the palate. Clinical presentation was most often an asymptomatic nodule. Imaging exams revealed that most cases did not have bone involvement. Surgical removal was the treatment of choice for most cases and only one recurrent case was reported. In conclusion, OFM is an uncommon pathology, and its diagnosis depends on histopathological analysis. The lesion could be included as a differential diagnosis of benign soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity, especially those affecting the gingiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]