The Catholic University of Salvador (Portuguese: Universidade Católica do Salvador, UCSal) is a private and non-profit Catholic university, located in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil, and fourth largest city of Brazil. It is maintained by the Catholic Archdiocese of Salvador.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and alterations in lipid and protein metabolism. Daily step count, measured using accelerometers integrated into wearable devices with artificial intelligence support, represents an important indicator of physical activity for the prevention and management of DM when performed regularly at a minimum daily volume. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to investigate the association between daily step count and DM and to determine the daily step cutoff point necessary to provide a protective effect among participants in the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (LSAH). METHODS:We performed a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from Wave 3 (2016-2018), including 12,636 participants. DM was the dependent variable, assessed by laboratory tests, and daily step count was the independent variable, measured by accelerometry. Associations were assessed using logistic regression, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS:A significant association was observed between daily step count and DM (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70-0.83). A cutoff point of 6880 steps/day was identified, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.58 (95% CI: 0.57-0.59). CONCLUSION:Daily step count appears to be associated with a protective effect against DM.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of physical training interventions (resistance and aerobic) on muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods Systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO: CRD420261279439. The searches were carried out in the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, VHL and SciELO. Randomised controlled trials evaluating exercise programmes in adults with cirrhosis were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE system. Results 7 studies were included. After data extraction and synthesis, it was identified that supervised training promoted significant improvements in functional capacity (6-minute walk test) and muscle strength (dynamometry). Regarding muscle mass (assessed by CT or DXA in 4 studies), a trend toward modest preservation or gain was observed, especially in resistance protocols. The risk of bias was considered moderate, mainly due to the impossibility of blinding the evaluators to exertion-dependent outcomes. The certainty of the evidence (GRADE) ranged from moderate to low due to the imprecision and heterogeneity of the protocols. Conclusion Physical exercise, particularly when supervised, is a safe and effective intervention to improve functionality and strength in cirrhotic patients. The concept of rehabilitation becomes fundamental to reducing frailty and improve clinical outcomes in this population.
Introduction The Brain Functional Networks (BFN) approach integrates Electroencephalography, Graph Theory, and Motif Synchronization to identify brain regions that are functionally connected over time, even if spatially distant. This contrasts with previous studies on mediumship. Objective To analyze BFN topological indices during mediumistic trance. Method Secondary data collected in Campo Grande, Brazil, were analyzed. Twenty-eight women participated, divided into two groups: Mediums Group (MG, n=14) and Control Group (CG, n=14). Both groups performed a pre-trance task (resting condition). MG performed a mediumship trance task, while CG engaged in a prayer task (listening and praying). EEG data were processed to construct networks for Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and all-frequency bands. Results Significant differences in brain connectivity indices were observed: MG showed changes in delta (p=0.002), theta (p=0.006), and alpha (p=0.035) bands. CG showed changes in the beta band (p=0.008). Discussion These results suggest that the tasks influenced brain activity patterns. Mediumistic trance appears to be an altered state of consciousness distinct from sleep. Conclusion The results reinforce the notion of mediumship as an altered, non-pathological brain state, distinct from schizophrenia and non-dominant temporal lobe syndrome.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of physical exercise on muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity in adult patients with pre-transplant liver cirrhosis. This systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD420261279439) followed PRISMA guidelines. We searched six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, VHL, Scopus, SciELO) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating exercise in cirrhotic patients. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using RoB 2 and GRADE, respectively. Four RCTs were included (135 analyzed patients). Supervised exercise significantly improved functional capacity (6-minute walk test distance up to + 69 m; cardiopulmonary effort time + 2.0 min) and muscle strength (isokinetic knee torque + 11 N.m; handgrip + 2.6 kgf) compared to usual care. Localized imaging (MRI/DXA) showed modest muscle mass gains, whereas total lean mass via bioelectrical impedance remained unchanged. Unsupervised home-based training yielded non-significant improvements. Zero exercise-induced variceal bleeding, acute decompensations, or severe adverse events occurred. Overall risk of bias raised “Some concerns” due to unblinded performance tests. Certainty of evidence (GRADE) was Moderate for functional capacity and muscle mass, and Low for muscle strength. Structured, supervised physical exercise is a safe and effective intervention to improve functional capacity and muscle strength in stable liver cirrhosis. Supervision is crucial to achieve the stimulus threshold required to reverse sarcopenia. Further large-scale RCTs are needed to assess long-term pre-transplant outcomes.
