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Effects of a 12-week multicomponent exercise programme on physical function in older adults with cancer: Study protocol for the ONKO-FRAIL randomised controlled trial
Introduction Cancer in older adults is often associated with functional limitations, geriatric syndromes, poor self-rated health, vulnerability, and frailty, and these conditions might worsen treatment-related side effects. Recent guidelines for patients with cancer during and after treatment have documented the beneficial effects of exercise to counteract certain side effects; however, little is known about the role of exercise during cancer treatment in older adults. Materials and Methods This is a multicentre randomised controlled trial in which 200 participants will be allocated to a control group or an intervention group (the sample size has been calculated to detect a clinical difference of 1 point in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, assuming an α error of 0.05, a β error of 0.20, and a 10 % loss rate). Patients aged ≥70 years, diagnosed with any type of solid cancer and candidates for systemic treatment are eligible. Subjects in the intervention group are invited to participate in a 12-week supervised multicomponent exercise programme in addition to receiving usual care. Study assessments are conducted at baseline and three months. The primary outcome measure is physical function as assessed by the SPPB. Secondary outcome measures include comprehensive geriatric assessment scores (including social situation, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive function, depression, nutritional status, polypharmacy, geriatric syndromes, pain, and emotional distress), anthropometric characteristics, frailty status, physical fitness, physical activity, cognitive function, quality of life, fatigue, and nutritional status. Study assessments also include analysis of inflammatory, endocrine, and nutritional mediators in serum and plasma as potential frailty biomarkers at mRNA and protein levels and multiparametric flow cytometric analysis to measure immunosenescence markers on T and NK cells. Discussion This study seeks to extend our knowledge on exercise interventions during systemic anticancer treatment in patients over 70 years of age. Results from this research will guide the management of older adults during systemic treatment in hospitals seeking to enhance the standard of care.
A comprehensive review on purple corn kernels: phytochemical composition, bioactivity, bioaccessibility, health benefits, and industry applications
Background Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is a pigmented cereal crop distinguished by its high content of anthocyanins (ANCS) and other phenolic phytochemicals, which contribute to its characteristic color and biological functionality. In recent years, increasing consumer demand for natural and health-promoting food ingredients has stimulated growing scientific interest in purple corn due to its unique nutritional profile and functional properties. A comprehensive understanding of its phytochemical composition and associated bioactivities is therefore essential to support its high-value applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical products. Scope and approach This review critically summarizes recent advances in the phytochemical composition and bioactive properties of purple corn, with particular emphasis on gut microbiota modulation and its effects on metabolic health, including reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, emerging applications of purple corn–derived bioactive compounds in functional foods, delivery systems, and animal nutrition are highlighted, alongside current challenges and research gaps. Key findings and conclusions Purple corn is abundant in diverse bioactive compounds, with composition significantly influenced by cultivar, environmental conditions, maturity stage at harvest, and processing methods. Accumulating evidence from both in vitro and in vivo indicates its efficacy as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent, with additional antihypertensive, anti-obesogenic, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties. Innovative strategies, such as nanoencapsulation, show promise in improving stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds in purple corn, which is notably rich in anthocyanins (typically ranging from 55.8 to 1970 mg/100 g dry weight). However, toxicological evidence and clinical trials are key limiting factors for developing successful applications for purple corn as a nutritional dietary supplement or nutraceutical. Future studies should emphasize in vivo validation, safety assessment, and advanced delivery systems to support the development of purple corn as a functional food ingredient and potential therapeutic agent.
Development of the Semi-Implicit Self-Report to assess Attitudes Toward Immigration (SISRATI): Psychometric properties and convergence
Attitudes toward immigration in Spain represent a pressing social concern, particularly in the context of increasing reports of racism and public rejection and concern. However, assessing these attitudes is complicated by social desirability bias inherent in self-report measures. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-implicit instrument using news headlines—half pro-immigration and half anti-immigration—which participants (N = 616, divided into two sub-samples) judged as true or false. Psychometric properties were evaluated through Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, revealing a two-factor structure comprising 12 items: “Pro-Immigration Statements” and “Anti-Immigration Statements.” Based on these dimensions, participants were clustered into four groups: “Favorable to Immigration,” “Unfavorable to Immigration,” “Non-Discriminant Believers,” and “Non-Discriminant Unbelievers.” These groups were then compared on emotional responses (valence and intensity) to immigration-related content, Big Five personality traits, and reflective cognitive style. Significant differences in emotional responses across groups supported the tool’s convergent validity. The results highlight the utility of semi-implicit measures in capturing nuanced attitudes toward immigration and avoiding the biases of traditional self-report methods. Implications for future research and social intervention are discussed, along with study limitations and potential improvements for the proposed tool.
Valorization of Purple Prickly Pear Peel By‐Products: Antiproliferative and Pro‐Apoptotic Effects on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells HCT116
Opuntia ficus-indica peel is known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities and currently is discarded or used for animal feeding. Within this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of purple prickly pear peel extract (PPE) on the human colon adenocarcinoma cancer cell line (HTC116). The methanolic extract of PPE was characterized in terms of betalain and polyphenols as well as total antioxidant capacity. Cell viability, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assays were performed. Important proteins and genes related to proliferation and apoptosis were determined. PPE represents a good source of bioactive compounds with a high antioxidant capacity. Cell viability was reduced gradually by PPE treatments, with lower effects in nontumorigenic cells. Compared to the control group, a significant induction of apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1 phase and ROS production was observed in PPE-treated cells. Furthermore, the treatment induced the overexpression of p53 at protein levels and upregulated the mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic BAX, CASP9, BID, and CYCS, along with the significant decrease of anti-apoptotic BCL2 gene expression. Simultaneously, cyclin D1 and CDK4 gene expression were significantly decreased, while p21 increased considerably. The treatment also induced the downregulation of Her2 and PI3K at protein levels and caused the suppression of PI3KCA and mTOR expression at gene levels. Overall, these findings suggested that PPE has potential anticancer effects against human colon adenocarcinoma progression.
Infrared thermography to assess fatigue, injury risk factors and recovery in soccer: a systematic review of original studies
Background: Recovery after a training session or match is a key factor in injury prevention and sports performance. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze and consolidate the available scientific evidence from the main databases on the use of infrared thermography in the assessment of fatigue, injury risk factors, and recovery in soccer players.Methods: The literature search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS model until June 30, 2025, in the main scientific databases (ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), Cochrane Library, SciELO, MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus). The risk of bias and methodological quality were assessed using the Cochrane Handbook guidelines and the PEDro scale.”Results: The initial literature search yielded a total of 510 records. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample consisted of 20 studies, which were of high methodological quality. The results showed the effects of infrared thermography in assessing fatigue, identifying injury risk factors, and monitoring recovery processes in soccer players. The studies also systematically reported the characterization of the population, the assessment methods used, the variables analyzed, the methodological design, the main results, and the effects of the intervention.Conclusions: Infrared thermography shows promise as a valid, reliable, and non-invasive tool for assessing skin temperature, reflecting temperature changes in response to physiological processes. It allows for the analysis of structural or metabolic fatigue and thermal asymmetries. Therefore, thermography could be used to design individualized recovery protocols.