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Background: Human aging is a natural, biological, progressive, dynamic and complex process that involves morphological, physiological and social changes. Alterations such as decreased postural balance increase the risk of falls and exercise has shown benefits. One of the possible exercise modalities for this population is Pilates., Objectives: To investigate the effects of Pilates on parameters of static and dynamic postural balance in older women., Methods: Women aged 60 years or over were evaluated at three time points (pre-training, mid-training, and post-training). Postural balance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and a force platform. The Pilates exercise protocol consisted of 16 sessions, twice a week, lasting 50 min each. Normality of the data was determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test was used for comparison between assessments. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05., Results: Fourteen older women were included. Assessment on the force platform revealed no significant differences for most of the variables evaluated. There was a significant difference in SPPB scores and TUG times pre- and post-treatment (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Pilates training significantly improved dynamic postural balance evaluated by the TUG and SPPB but did not significantly improve static balance evaluated by the force platform, although the values have decreased in most assessments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the article., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Nerol ( cis -3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol) is a monoterpene widely used in cosmetic products, household detergents and cleaners, as well as a flavoring in several food products. Despite the high level of human exposure to nerol, an absence of studies regarding potential genetic toxicity in human cells exists. The aim of this investigation was to examine the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of this monoterpene on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as hepatic metabolizing HepG2/C3A human cell line. Cytotoxicity was assessed using trypan blue staining and MTT assay while genotoxicity was determined utilizing the comet and micronucleus test. Cytotoxicity tests showed cell viability greater than 70% for concentrations between 2.5 and 500 µg/ml. Both cell types exhibited significant DNA damage and chromosomal mutations after medium and high concentration incubation with nerol indicating that the safety of use of this monoterpene in various formulations to which humans are exposed needs to be monitored and requires more comprehensive investigations.

Beta-myrcene [or myrcene (1,6-Octadiene, 7-methyl-3-methylene-)] and the essential oils containing this monoterpene have been widely used in cosmetics, detergents, and soaps, and as flavoring additives for food and beverages. Due to the potentially high level of human exposure to beta-myrcene, and absence of studies involving its genotoxicity in human cells, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of this terpenoid in non-metabolizing cells (leukocytes) and liver metabolizing cells (HepG2/C3A cells). Prior to the genotoxic assessment by the comet and micronucleus (MN) assays, a range of beta-myrcene concentrations was tested in a preliminary MTT assay. Regarding the MTT assay, the results showed cytotoxic effects for leukocytes at 250 µg/ml and higher concentrations, while for HepG2/C3A cells, absence of cytotoxicity was noted relative to all tested concentrations (after 24 hr exposure). Thus, the concentrations of 2.5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml for leukocytes, and 2.5, 100, and 1000 µg/ml for HepG2/C3A cells were selected for subsequent assays. Genotoxicity evaluation demonstrated significant DNA damage in the comet assay and significant chromosomal abnormalities including nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds in HepG2/C3A cells at beta-myrcene concentrations of 100 and 1000 µg/ml. Under our experimental conditions, caution is recommended in the use of beta-myrcene, since this compound produced genotoxic effects especially after metabolic activation using human HepG2/C3A cells, which may be associated with carcinogenic and teratogenic effects previously reported in the literature.

Pharmacists are becoming more involved in patient counseling and dosage regimen design in an attempt to improve patient compliance. A study was designed and implemented by an undergraduate pharmacy student in an attempt to gain experience in research methodology and to enhance individual clinical involvement. Forty patients, randomly selected at a community pharmacy and a family practice clinic, were administered a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator exam to assess the patient's degree of systematic preference. Refill dates for each patient's hypertensive medications were examined for six months in order to infer compliance. Results of the psychological exam did not accurately predict patient compliance or noncompliance. The student working with only minimal faculty guidance was able to design, implement, analyze, and describe the study. Colleges of pharmacy are encouraged to implement similar clinical research training projects for undergraduate students.

The distribution of the PPI by pharmacists is at best controversial. Although most health professionals agree that the patient has a right to receive information about drugs, they disagree on the best way to provide that information. Since the oral contraceptive PPI has been in routine use for approximately 10 years, a large data base exists that can be used to determine not only patient acceptance of the PPI, but also knowledge, feelings, and behavior secondary to the PPI. In this study, 50 women of childbearing age completed a questionnaire, and it was learned that 84 percent had taken or were currently taking oral contraceptives, and 90 percent of those received a PPI; however, only 61 percent of these women read all of it. The women performed poorly on the knowledge exam (mean +/- SD, 44.5 +/- 21.2, range, 0-83 percent); those who read all of the PPI or who were white had higher scores (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Thirty-eight percent of the women thought that the PPI information was inadequate, suggesting that it needs to be rewritten and/or supplemented with information from pharmacists. After reading the PPI, 12 percent contacted their pharmacist for additional information. Pharmacists are in a unique position to provide oral contraceptive information that enables women to make informed judgments regarding benefit:risk ratios on a personal basis.