Elderly men with moderate and intense training lifestyle present sustained higher antibody responses to influenza vaccine

We aimed to verify whether different levels of training performed regularly and voluntarily for many years could have an impact on one of the main issues of immunosenescence: the poor response to vaccines. We recruited 61 healthy elderly men (65–85 years old), 23 with a moderate training (MT) lifestyle (for 17.0 ± 3.2 years), 22 with an intense training (IT) lifestyle (for 25.9 ± 3.4 years), and 16 without a training lifestyle (NT). Fitness was evaluated through the IPAQ and VO₂max consumption. The participants were evaluated regarding cognitive aspects, nutritional status, depression, and quality of life. Antibody titers were determined by hemagglutination inhibition assay prior to influenza vaccination and at 6 weeks and 6 months post-vaccination. Strains used were B, H3N2, and H1N1. Our groups were matched for most characteristics, except for those directly influenced by their lifestyles, such as BMI, VO₂max, and MET. In general, MT and IT elderly men showed significantly higher antibody titers to the three vaccine strains post-vaccination than NT elderly men. There were also higher titers against B and H1N1 strains in the trained groups before vaccination. Additionally, there were higher proportions of seroprotected (titers ≥1:40) individuals in the pooled trained groups both at 6 weeks (B and H3N2, p < 0.05) and 6 months (H1N1, p < 0.05; B, p = 0.07). There were no significant differences between the MT and IT groups. Either a moderate or an intense training is associated with stronger and longstanding antibody responses to the influenza vaccine, resulting in higher percentages of seroprotected individuals.     

Safety of allopurinol compared with other urate-lowering drugs in patients with gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Allopurinol is the most widely used urate-lowering drug (ULD). Together with efficacy and cost, safety is an aspect that helps taking clinical decisions. This systematic review analyzes allopurinol safety. The literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (January 2014). Selection criteria: (a) patients >18, (b) gout by the ACR criteria or evidence of urate crystal in synovial fluid, (c) comparator (placebo or other ULD), and (d) RCTs, cohorts, or meta-analysis. Primary outcomes: rate of adverse events and death. The quality was assessed with the Jadad’s scale. A meta-analysis with fixed effects was performed. From 544 studies, seven met the eligibility criteria and were included. All RCT presented a low power for safety. All RCTs included a mixed population of patients with gout and hyperuricemia. Allopurinol (300 mg) was compared to febuxostat (40–240 mg) in five RCTs, to benzbromarone and probenecid in two RCTs, and to placebo in one. In the RCTs comparing allopurinol with benzbromarone and probenecid, the highest discontinuation rate was with probenecid (26 %), followed by allopurinol (11 %) and benzbromarone (4 %). The incidence of adverse events was similar between allopurinol (range 38.6–85) and febuxostat (range 41.8–80). Six patients on febuxostat and three on allopurinol died during the studies; no deaths were judged related to drug. The combined risk of adverse events was RR = 1.04 (95 % CI 0.98, 1.11). Allopurinol is a safe option, slightly better than other ULDs. The grade of evidence is high, but further research is needed to evaluate higher doses and long-term safety.     

Physical activity reduces the risk for hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes

The purpose of this study is to examine factors and variables associated with hospitalizations in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is a 2-year follow-up study of 145 patients (87 women/58 men), mean age 55.0 ± 3.3 (40 to 60). At baseline, comorbidity severity was evaluated by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), depressive symptoms by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II), sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and levels of physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Arterial hypertension (74 %), cardiovascular pathology (30 %), and stroke (10 %) were found at baseline. After 2 years, eight cases (6 %) developed a new stroke. At baseline, 70 % (N = 102) of patients had a sedentary life, and 30 % (N = 43) were irregularly active. Two years later, the number of patients with a sedentary life decreased to 52 % (N = 76), and an increase of irregularly active (35 %, N = 51) and active patients (13 %, N = 18; p < 0.005) was observed. Twenty-four individuals (16 %) reported at least one hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of hypertension and lower physical activity status (IPAQ levels) were predictors of hospitalizations (OR = 0.34, CI 0.14–0.85, p = 0.02); lower physical activity status remained significant in the presence of hypertension (OR = 0.33, CI 0.13–0.84, p = 0.02). In conclusion, higher physical activity status is an independent predictor of lower hospitalizations in T2DM proving that exercising is an important strategy not only to reduce health care costs but also to improve the human burden of hospitalizations for the patients.

     

Do TMJ symptoms improve and last across time after treatment with red (660 nm) and infrared (790 nm) low level laser treatment (LLLT)? A survival analysis

Objective: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a variety of clinical problems that originate from the area of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and surrounding tissues. There are different treatment options; however, there is no evidence that low level laser treatment (LLLT) will last about six months. The aim of this study was to determine the survival rate of treatment with red (660 nm) and infrared (790 nm) laser in cases of TMDs.

Methods: In 19 subjects, one side of the face (half face) was randomly selected to receive intervention, in a total of 116 sensitive points. Pain was measured at baseline and time intervals of 24 h, 30, 90, and 180 days after treatment. Laser irradiation with 4 j/cm² in the TMJs and 8 j/cm² in the muscles was used in three sessions. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and logistic regression were performed.

Results: Both treatments showed statistically significant results (p < 0.001). The survival rate for red and infrared laser was 0.24 and 0.30, respectively, at 180 days. Grinding teeth and headache were associated with recurrent pain.

Discussion: Both lasers were effective in the treatment of TMD symptoms and had a low survival rate at 180 days.     

Effect of indomethacin-loaded nanocapsules incorporation in a dentin adhesive resin

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of this study was to produce indomethacin-loaded nanocapsules (IndOH-NCs) and evaluate the influence of their incorporation into an adhesive resin....