Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Stress Hormones With Cognitive Performance in Mexican Adolescents

Association of GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 (Ile105Val) mRNA Expression with Cardiometabolic Risk Parameters in Women with Breast Cancer and Comorbidities

Breast cancer (BC) and cardiometabolic diseases share a multifactorial and modifiable etiology, modulated by complex molecular pathways. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays a critical role, providing protection against xenobiotics and regulating levels of enzymes and proteins in the cell. GST variants have a significant impact on susceptibility to diseases whose pathogenesis involves oxidative stress, as is the case in many inflammatory diseases such as BC and cardiometabolic pathologies. However, the expression of these polymorphic variants has not been studied in BC. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of GST mRNA isoforms and their association with clinical and cardiometabolic parameters in women with BC. This was a case-control study, and a total of 57 participants were recruited. Concentrations of glucose and lipids in blood were measured in all the participants. GST variants (GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism) were evaluated in all the participants by real-time PCR analysis. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between the frequency of GSTP1 and LDL-c in the BC group. However, the control group showed significant associations between blood pressure with GSTT1 and GSTP1 variants with total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, VLDL-c and triacylglycerols (TG). Therefore, GSTT1 and GSTP1 variants could be emerging biomarkers to discriminate between BC cases related or not to cardiometabolic disease factors.

Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren

There is a close relationship between the development of complex motor skills and executive functions during childhood. This study aimed to analyze the differences in different dimensions of executive functions in children practicing an open-skill sport (handball) and a closed-skill sport (athletics) and controls who did not participate in sports activities after a 12-week intervention period. School-aged male and female subjects (n = 90; mean ± standard deviation = 11.45 ± 0.68 years) participated in a non-randomized controlled study. Data analysis was performed using the STATA V.15 statistical software. The athletics intervention promoted semantic fluency (p = 0.007), whereas handball increased inhibition (p = 0.034). Additionally, physical activity improved in both intervention groups (p = < 0.001), whereas sprint performance improved in the handball group following intervention (p = 0.008), lower body muscular power improved in athletics (p = 0.04), and evidence of improvement in upper body muscular strength was noted in handball (p = 0.037). In turn, an increase in the Physical Activity Questionnaire for older Children score showed an association with the Standard Ten scores of executive functions. In conclusion, compared to controls, both athletics and handball induced meaningful improvements in physical activity and executive functions. However, sport-specific adaptations were noted after athletics (i.e., semantic fluency and lower body muscular power) and handball (i.e., inhibition, sprint, and upper-body muscular strength).

Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children

Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning, particularly the executive functions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness, and executive functions among elementary school children returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. School-age male and female participants (n = 90; age, 10−12 years) participated in the study. To determine the association between variables, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Higher fat-related anthropometric indexes were associated with lower working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and attention (r = −0.55 to −0.22; p = 0.031 to <0.001). In contrast, higher physical activity levels, better sprint performance, higher lower-body muscular power, and greater upper-body muscular strength were associated with better working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and/or attention (r = 0.19 to −0.54; p = 0.04 to <0.001). Current results consistently suggest the need for adequate levels of physical activity, physical fitness, and anthropometric parameters among the school-age population to promote healthy and adequate executive functions.

Visceral Adiposity Index in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the first cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in women. This disease has been linked to obesity; however, it is not clear how fat accumulation affects women who survive breast cancer. Although the visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a marker of cardiometabolic risk and adipose tissue dysfunction, it is not clear how it changes in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this investigation was to compare VAI in women with and without breast cancer.

METHODS

A case-control cross-sectional study was conducted on women who were BC survivors and women without the history of BC (control group). Body composition was assessed using electrical bioimpedance while VAI by means of waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), triacylglycerols (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

RESULTS

49 women in the BC survivor group and 50 in the control group. WC was wider in the survivor group as regards control (93.65 ± 10.48 vs. 88.52 ± 9.61 cm) (p=0.025); at once, TG and VAI were significantly higher for the survivor group (243.55 ± 199.84 vs. 159.84 ± 75.77) (p=0.007) and (11.03 ± 11.15 vs. 6.41 ± 3.66) (p < 0.005), respectively. Body composition parameters were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

VAI is higher in women who are BC survivors in comparison with controls matched by age and bodyweight.