María José Guzmán-Pavón

Context: Moderate alcohol use has been shown in prior research to significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health problem. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of wine consumption on glucose, insulin, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and body mass index (BMI), some of the most important cardiovascular parameters associated with metabolic syndrome. Data Sources: To perform this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from their inception until March 14, 2025. Data Extraction: A total of 2145 articles were identified by the search, from which 18 studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Analysis: The DerSimonian and Laird methods were used to determine the mean differences (MDs) of the different parameters included. The risk of bias assessment was assessed via the Rob2 and ROBINS-I tools, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool (GRADE) certainty assessment was also performed. The pooled MD value of pre–post studies assessing the effects of wine consumption on the studied factors was −1.49 (95% CI: −3.40, 0.41) mg/dL for glucose, −1.45 (95% CI: −4.53, 1.64) μU/mL for insulin, −1.22 (95% CI: −2.08, −0.37) mmHg for SBP, −0.18 (95% CI: −2.62, 2.25) mmHg for DBP, and −0.40 (95% CI: −1.27, 0.46) kg/m2 for BMI. The pooled MD value of randomized controlled trial and crossover studies for the effect of wine on the studied factors was 1.98 (95% CI: −0.17, 4.13) mg/dL for glucose, −1.34 (95% CI: −2.27, 0.40) μU/mL for insulin, 0.10 (95% CI: −0.07, 0.26) mmHg for SBP, 0.34 (95% CI: −1.70, 2.37) mmHg for DBP, and 0.62 (95% CI: −0.31, 1.56) kg/m2 for BMI. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis did not reveal any effect of wine intake on glucose, insulin, DBP, or BMI; a significant effect of wine consumption on SBP was only found in pre–post studies and insulin in clinical trials. Future studies of possible effects of wine consumption on cardiovascular parameters associated with metabolic syndrome should take into account types of wine and quantities consumed. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023396666.

Objective: To examine the associations between gradients of average daily temperature and sunlight hours with daily steps over a 35-week period in school-aged children and to evaluate whether there were differences by sex. Methods: We conducted a follow-up study involving 655 children (50.8% girls, mean age 10.45 ± 0.95 years) from six public primary schools in Cuenca, Spain. We measured daily steps using Xiaomi Mi Band 3 Smart Bracelets (Xiaomi Corporation, Beijing, China) from October 2022 to June 2023 (over 35 weeks). We collected the average daily temperature from the local weather station in Cuenca and the sunlight hours during the same period. We used ANCOVA models and LOESS regression to examine the associations between gradients of average daily temperature and daily hours of sunlight with daily steps. Additionally, we performed a multiple linear regression model. Results: Our findings revealed significant variations in daily steps across the 35 weeks. The relationship between environmental factors and daily steps was non-linear in both girls and boys. The optimal values for higher activity levels were an average temperature of 14 °C and 13 h of sunlight. Furthermore, a 1 °C increase in temperature was associated with an increase of 74 ± 130 steps/day, while an increase of one hour of sunlight was associated with an increase of 315 ± 237 steps/day. However, the sunlight hours may act as a moderating factor. Conclusions: Our study showed a non-linear association between average daily temperature and the sunlight hours with daily steps over a 35-week period. Appropriate strategies may be needed to promote physical activity during periods of extreme temperatures or sunlight exposure.

(1) Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical challenge, with limited success from current therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to assess the impact of combined exercise (CE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on key biomechanical parameters during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in HFpEF patients. (2) Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 76 sedentary HFpEF patients, divided into three groups as follows: the CE, HIIT, and control groups. CE involves aerobic and strength training, whereas HIIT includes high-intensity intervals. Cadence (steps per minute), distance, maximum heart rate (HRmax), and exercise intensity were measured pre- and postintervention. (3) Results: The results revealed significant improvements in cadence in the CE group compared with the control group (p = 0.009) for intention-to-treat analysis, and in the control and HIIT groups (p = 0.002) for per-protocol analysis. CE also significantly improved HRmax and exercise intensity, suggesting an enhanced cardiovascular response. In contrast, HIIT did not significantly affect these parameters. The correlation between cadence and distance covered during the 6MWT was strong in the overall group (r = 0.762, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that CE is an effective intervention to improve gait efficiency, cardiovascular response, and functional capacity in HFpEF patients, whereas HIIT may require further investigation in this population.

Objective: To examine the dose-response relationship between average daily temperature and sunlight hours with daily steps across a 35-week period in school-aged children, and to evaluate whether there were differences by sex. Methods: We conducted a follow-up study involving 655 children (50.8% girls, mean age 10.45 ± 0.95) from six public primary schools in Cuenca, Spain. We measured daily steps using Xiaomi Mi Band 3 Smart Bracelets from October 2022 to June 2023 (over 35 weeks). We collected daily average temperature from the local weather station in Cuenca and sunlight hours during the same period. We used ANCOVA models and LOESS regression to examine the dose-response relationship between average daily temperature and daily hours of sunlight with daily steps. Additionally, we performed a multiple linear regression model. Results: Our findings revealed significant variations in daily steps across the 35 weeks. The relationship between environmental factors and daily steps was non-linear, in both girls and boys. The optimal values for higher activity levels were an average temperature of 14°C and 13 hours of sunlight. Furthermore, a 1 ºC increase in temperature was associated with an increase of 74 ± 130 steps/day, while an increase of one hour of sunlight was associated with an increase of 315 ± 237 steps/day. However, sunlight hours may act as a moderating factor. Conclusion: Our study showed a non-linear association between t average daily temperature and sunlight hours with daily steps over a 35-week period. Additional strategies may be necessary to encourage increased physical activity during periods of extreme temperatures or sunlight exposure.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has emerged as a dietary strategy that restricts food consumption to a specific time window and is commonly applied to facilitate weight loss. The benefits of TRE on adipose tissue have been evidenced in human trials and animal models; however, its impact on bone tissue remains unclear. To systematically synthesize and examine the evidence on the impact of TRE on bone health (bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone turnover factors), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases were systematically explored from inception to 1 October 2023 searching for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at determining the effects of TRE on bone health in adults (≥18 years). The Cochrane Handbook and the PRISMA recommendations were followed. A total of seven RCTs involving 313 participants (19 to 68 years) were included, with an average length of 10.5 weeks (range: 4 to 24 weeks). Despite the significant weight loss reported in five out of seven studies when compared to the control, our meta-analysis showed no significant difference in BMD (g/cm²) between groups (MD = −0.009, 95% CI: −0.026 to 0.009, p = 0.328; I² = 0%). BMC and bone turnover markers between TRE interventions and control conditions were not meta-analyzed because of scarcity of studies (less than five). Despite its short-term benefits on cardiometabolic health, TRE did not show detrimental effects on bone health outcomes compared to those in the control group. Nevertheless, caution should be taken when interpreting our results due to the scarcity of RCTs adequately powered to assess changes in bone outcomes.

Background: High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an alternative training method to increase brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a crucial molecule involved in plastic brain changes. Its effect compared to moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) is controversial. We aimed to estimate, and to comparatively evaluate, the acute and chronic effects on peripheral BDNF levels after a HIIT, MICT intervention or a control condition in adults.Methods: The CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 30, 2023. A network meta‐analysis was performed to assess the acute and chronic effects of HIIT versus control condition, HIIT versus MICT and MICT versus control condition on BDNF levels. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for RCTs using a random‐effects model.Results: A total of 22 RCTs were selected for the systematic review, with 656 participants (aged 20.4–79 years, 34.0% females) and 20 were selected for the network meta‐analysis. Network SMD estimates were significant for HIIT versus control condition (1.49, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.38) and MICT versus control condition (1.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 2.12) for acutely BDNF increase. However, pairwise comparisons only resulted in a significant effect for HIIT versus control condition.Conclusions: HIIT is the best training modality for acutely increasing peripheral BDNF levels in adults. HIIT may effectively increase BDNF levels in the long term.

Vitamin D supplementation has been considered a possible treatment to reduce the risk of disease activity and progression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its effect on disease symptoms remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to conduct a systematic review to assess the effect of vitamin D on fatigue in this population. The systematic review was conducted using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science databases from inception to May 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting pre–post changes in fatigue after vitamin D supplementation were included. Pooled effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by applying a random effects model with Stata/SE (Version 16.0; StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A total of five studies with 345 individuals (271 females; age range: 25.4–41.1 years) were included. A significant reduction in fatigue was perceived when vitamin D supplementation was compared with a control group: −0.18 (95% CI: −0.36 to −0.01; I² = 0%). Thus, our findings show that the therapeutic use of vitamin D on fatigue in people with MS could be considered. Nevertheless, due to the lack of agreement on the dose to be applied, it is recommended to use it under medical prescription.

Aim: A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to determine the effects on the exercise capacity, measured by the 6 MWT, of patients with COPD of (i) different physical activity interventions and (ii) supervised or unsupervised programs. Methods: A literature search was carried out from inception to April 2022. Randomized controlled trials of the effectiveness of physical activity on exercise capacity in patients with COPD were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) tool, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool (GRADE) was used to assess the quality of the evidence. A pairwise meta-analysis for direct and indirect effects was carried out. Results: A total of 41 studies were included in this NMA. The highest effects were for urban training pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs (ES, 1.50; 95% CI: 0.46 and 2.55) versus the control group. For supervised and unsupervised PR and home-based PR programs, the highest effects were found for supervised PR (ES, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.46 to 1.23) versus the control group. Conclusions: PR implemented with urban circuit training should be considered the most effective strategy to improve exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Supervision of the programs improves exercise capacity.