Purpose: The present study aimed at determining the expression of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) in tissue and serum of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its relationship with clinical-pathological parameters; assessing CAIX as a marker of progression and survival; and studying the relationship of CAIX concentration in serum before and after surgical intervention. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of CAIX in tumor and adjacent healthy renal tissues. The concentration of CAIX in serum was determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and 24 hours after radical nephrectomy in 60 patients diagnosed with ccRCC. SPSS ver. 28.0.1.0 was used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis and graphics. A significance level of 0.05 was considered for all statistical tests performed. Results: CAIX expression was positive in 59 of the 60 samples of tumor renal tissue, and negative in the 60 samples of healthy renal tissues. Median serum CAIX concentration was higher before nephrectomy (178.25 pg/mL) than after it (59.30 pg/mL), with a high correlation between pre-and postsurgical measurements (r=0.891). Significant differences were found in CAIX concentration according to the following variables: TNM, tumor stage, Fuhrman nuclear grade, progression, and death. Serum CAIX concentration before nephrectomy correlated with disease progression and overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 4.849 for CAIX values greater than 169.95 pg/mL. Conclusion CAIX expression in tumor renal tissue was specific, but not clinically useful as a prognostic marker. Measurements of CAIX in serum obtained pre- and postsurgical interventions showed good prognostic potential, correlating with clinical-pathological parameters and estimating the risk of progression. Presurgical intervention serum CAIX concentrations higher than 169.95 pg/mL indicated an almost 5-fold increased risk of death.

Purpose: Our objective was to synthesize and determine whether there are sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to July 8th, 2023 searching for prospective trials that conducted exercise interventions in older adults and results for physical function were reported by sex.Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a randomeffects method. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator was used to calculate the variance of heterogeneity (I2 ). Results: A total of 19 studies involving 20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) were included. After exercise interventions, males reported significantly greater pre-post changes compared to females for upper body strength (SMD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.09; I2 =75.6%; n=8), lower body strength (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10; I2 =52.0%; n=11), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=-0.29, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.10; I2 =89.1%; n=12). Conversely, the pooled SMDs showed a significant effect favoring females for motor fitness (SMD=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39; I2 =0%; n=7). Limited and inconsistent results were observed for flexibility. Conclusions Our study suggests the existence of sex-related differences on physical function after an exercise intervention in the older population.

Purpose: Our objective was to synthesize and determine whether there are sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to July 8th, 2023 searching for prospective trials that conducted exercise interventions in older adults and results for physical function were reported by sex.Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a randomeffects method. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator was used to calculate the variance of heterogeneity (I2 ). Results: A total of 19 studies involving 20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) were included. After exercise interventions, males reported significantly greater pre-post changes compared to females for upper body strength (SMD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.09; I2 =75.6%; n=8), lower body strength (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10; I2 =52.0%; n=11), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=-0.29, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.10; I2 =89.1%; n=12). Conversely, the pooled SMDs showed a significant effect favoring females for motor fitness (SMD=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39; I2 =0%; n=7). Limited and inconsistent results were observed for flexibility. Conclusions Our study suggests the existence of sex-related differences on physical function after an exercise intervention in the older population.

Purpose: Our objective was to synthesize and determine whether there are sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to July 8th, 2023 searching for prospective trials that conducted exercise interventions in older adults and results for physical function were reported by sex.Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a randomeffects method. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator was used to calculate the variance of heterogeneity (I2 ). Results: A total of 19 studies involving 20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) were included. After exercise interventions, males reported significantly greater pre-post changes compared to females for upper body strength (SMD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.09; I2 =75.6%; n=8), lower body strength (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10; I2 =52.0%; n=11), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=-0.29, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.10; I2 =89.1%; n=12). Conversely, the pooled SMDs showed a significant effect favoring females for motor fitness (SMD=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39; I2 =0%; n=7). Limited and inconsistent results were observed for flexibility. Conclusions Our study suggests the existence of sex-related differences on physical function after an exercise intervention in the older population.

Purpose: Our objective was to synthesize and determine whether there are sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to July 8th, 2023 searching for prospective trials that conducted exercise interventions in older adults and results for physical function were reported by sex.Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a randomeffects method. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator was used to calculate the variance of heterogeneity (I2 ). Results: A total of 19 studies involving 20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) were included. After exercise interventions, males reported significantly greater pre-post changes compared to females for upper body strength (SMD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.09; I2 =75.6%; n=8), lower body strength (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10; I2 =52.0%; n=11), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=-0.29, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.10; I2 =89.1%; n=12). Conversely, the pooled SMDs showed a significant effect favoring females for motor fitness (SMD=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39; I2 =0%; n=7). Limited and inconsistent results were observed for flexibility. Conclusions Our study suggests the existence of sex-related differences on physical function after an exercise intervention in the older population.

Purpose: Our objective was to synthesize and determine whether there are sex differences in physical function following exercise interventions in older adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to July 8th, 2023 searching for prospective trials that conducted exercise interventions in older adults and results for physical function were reported by sex.Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a randomeffects method. The Sidik-Jonkman estimator was used to calculate the variance of heterogeneity (I2 ). Results: A total of 19 studies involving 20,133 older adults (mean age ≥60 years, 33.7% female) were included. After exercise interventions, males reported significantly greater pre-post changes compared to females for upper body strength (SMD=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.09; I2 =75.6%; n=8), lower body strength (SMD=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.10; I2 =52.0%; n=11), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=-0.29, 95% CI: -0.48 to -0.10; I2 =89.1%; n=12). Conversely, the pooled SMDs showed a significant effect favoring females for motor fitness (SMD=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39; I2 =0%; n=7). Limited and inconsistent results were observed for flexibility. Conclusions Our study suggests the existence of sex-related differences on physical function after an exercise intervention in the older population.

Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and disabling joint disease in the world. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) exercise is a widely used treatment and could be a beneficial and long-term tool for treating TMJ OA. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of therapeutic exercise in the conservative treatment of TMJ OA. Materials and Methods: A single-group experimental pre-post test was performed. We included patients who met the diagnostic criteria for TMJ OA. Outcome variables were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), functionality (Helkimo index), and structural changes (ultrasound). Follow-up periods were at months 1, 3, and 6. The intervention included a home-based program with thermotherapy, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise during the entire follow-up period. Results: We included 15 patients and 26 joints, all women with a median age of 57 years (range, 49-62 years). Median change in pain intensity on joint palpation, mouth opening, and at rest at the first month was 47.5 mm, 51 mm, and 60 mm, respectively, and 48 mm, 49.5 mm, and 42.5 mm, at six months (P=0.001). The Helkimo index showed significant improvement in medians from baseline severe dysfunction (17 points) to minimal dysfunction at three and six months (2 points) (P=0.001). Ultrasound showed improved disc position. Conclusion This study demonstrated significant improvements in pain, function, and joint disc position and represents a valuable tool for the longterm treatment of patients with TMJ OA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the existence of a bimodal survival pattern in metastatic uveal melanoma. Secondary aims were to identify the characteristics and prognostic factors associated with long-term survival and to develop a clinical decision tree. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 99 metastatic uveal melanoma patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as either short (≤ 12 months) or long-term survivors (> 12 months) based on a graphical interpretation of the survival curve after diagnosis of the first metastatic lesion. Ophthalmic and oncological characteristicswere assessed in both groups. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients, 62 (62.6%) were classified as short-term survivors, and 37 (37.4%) as long-term survivors. The multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of long-term survival: age ≤ 65 years (p=0.012) and unaltered serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (p=0.018); additionally, the size (smaller vs. larger) of the largest liver metastasis showed a trend towards significance (p=0.063). Based on the variables significantly associated with long-term survival, we developed a decision tree to facilitate clinical decision-making. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate the existence of a bimodal survival pattern in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. The presence of certain clinical characteristics at diagnosis of distant disease is associated with long-term survival. A decision tree was developed to facilitate clinical decision-making and to counsel patients about the expected course of disease.
Clinical Decision-Making ; Decision Trees* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Liver ; Medical Records ; Melanoma* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors