Effect of eight weeks of strength training on fatigue resistance in men and women

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of eight weeks of strength training on fatigue resistance in men and women. Thirty-three men and twenty-three women performed eight weeks of strength training in three weekly sessions. Subjects performed four sets using 80% of 1-RM tests on bench press, squat and arm curl. Fatigue index (FI) was used for analysis of decline in motor performance along the sets. The sum of the number of repetitions accomplished in the four sets in each exercise was used to indicate the fatigue resistance. Anova or Ancova two-way ( time x gender) was employed for statistical analysis ( P < 0.05). Eight weeks of strength training increased significantly 1-RM strength, fatigue resistance and total number of repetitions in both genders. FI decreased significantly in both genders after training ( men = 50% vs. women = Time x gender interaction was observed in the total number of repetitions in squat ( P = 0.04) and arm curl exercises, regarding gains to women ( P = 0.01). In conclusion, eight weeks of ST improved strength, FR, FI and total number of repetitions performed. However, women obtained greater adaptations than men.

Effect of creatine supplementation on measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women

We aimed to investigate whether creatine supplementation affects the measured glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women (age, 58 +/- 3 years). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either creatine (20 g(.)day(-1) for 1 week and 5 g(.)day(-1) thereafter) or a placebo. Kidney function was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. [(51)Cr] EDTA clearance remained unchanged (CR-PRE: 86.16 +/- 14.36 mL(.)min(-1) per 1.73 m(2), POST: 87.25 +/- 17.60 mL(.)min(-1) per 1.73 m(2); PL-PRE: 85.15 +/- 8.54 mL(.)min(-1) per 1.73 m(2), POST: 87.18 +/- 9.64 mL(.)min(-1) per 1.73 m(2); p = 0.81). Thus, we concluded that creatine supplementation does not affect glomerular filtration rate in postmenopausal women.

High serum follistatin levels in women with ovarian endometriosis

Follistatin is an activin-binding protein produced by several tissues, including endometrium and endometriotic implants. We aimed to quantify follistatin in patients with ovarian endometriosis and investigate its value as a diagnostic marker. Women undergoing laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma (n = 52) or other benign ovarian cysts (n = 52) were studied, plus women with non-ovarian endometriosis (n = 11) and healthy controls (n = 27). Serum was collected from all subjects, and peritoneal and cystic fluid from a subset with endometrioma. Follistatin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic accuracy of follistatin to detect endometrioma was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and compared with cancer antigen (CA)-125. Serum follistatin was increased in women with ovarian endometrioma (2080 +/- 94 pg/ml) compared with controls (545 +/- 49 pg/ml, P < 0.001), other benign ovarian cysts (795 +/- 60 pg/ml, P < 0.001) or non-ovarian endometriosis (1271 +/- 115 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Cystic fluid showed a higher concentration of follistatin (9850 +/- 4461 pg/ml) than peritoneal fluid (1885 +/- 261 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and serum (P < 0.001). Follistatin levels detected 48/52 cases of endometrioma (92% sensitivity) at 1433 pg/ml cut-off, corresponding to 92% specificity. CA-125 detected only 44% of endometriomas with 90% specificity. ROC curve comparison showed follistatin was more accurate than CA-125 to discriminate women with endometrioma either from controls or women with other benign ovarian cysts (P < 0.0001). Serum follistatin is increased in women with endometriosis and allows clear distinction between endometrioma and other benign ovarian cysts. Follistatin has the sensitivity and specificity to become a useful clinical marker of ovarian endometrioma.

AIDS in Latin America: assessing the current status of the epidemic and the ongoing response

Background This article provides a summary of the current status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Latin America, as well as an outline of the diverse responses to it. Methods A search of international databases (Pubmed and ISI-Web of Science), regional databases (Scielo and Lilacs), regional and national documents and UNAIDS reports. Data are presented according to subregion. Results In Mexico HIV remains concentrated among urban men who have sex with men (MSM), and has been growing among injecting drug users (IDU) and in rural areas in relation to migration. An increasing proportion of women among those affected is observed in all countries in Central America, the most affected region, as well as increasing the impact on other vulnerable groups, such as indigenous populations. The Andean Countries have urban epidemics concentrated among MSM. In Peru, non-traditional vulnerable populations were identified. In the Southern Cone heterosexual transmission became more relevant, probably in connection with IDU epidemics and is increasingly affecting lower income groups. Incidence rates have been declining since 2002 in Brazil, the first country to guarantee free, universal access to antiretrovirals, where one-third of drug-nave patients are still initiating treatment at an advanced stage. Generally, access to treatment has improved as a result of support from the Global Fund and other initiatives, but there are concerns regarding coverage, equity and sustainability. Conclusions HIV is still concentrated among MSM in Latin America. Non-traditional vulnerable groups such as migrants and lower income populations, usually considered part of the general population, deserve attention. Programmes confronting sexual exclusion are still needed. Access to treatment has improved over time, but inequalities persist.

Rubella Vaccination of Unknowingly Pregnant Women: The Sao Paulo Experience, 2001

Background. Rubella vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy. During mass immunization of women of childbearing age against rubella, women unknowingly pregnant may be vaccinated. To evaluate the effects of rubella vaccination during pregnancy, the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo conducted a follow-up study of pregnant women vaccinated during a rubella campaign in 2001. Methods. Women vaccinated during pregnancy were reported to a national surveillance system. In the state of Sao Paulo, follow-up of vaccinated women included household interviews. Serum samples from vaccinated women were tested for antirubella antibodies to classify susceptibility to rubella infection. Children born to susceptible mothers were tested for evidence of congenital rubella infection and evaluated for signs of congenital rubella syndrome. Results. The Sao Paulo State Health Department received 6473 notifications of women vaccinated during pregnancy. Serology performed for 5580 women identified 811 (15%) that were previously susceptible. Incidence of spontaneous abortion or stillbirth among previously susceptible vaccinated women was similar to women with prior immunity. Twenty-seven (4.7%) of 580 newborns tested had evidence of congenital rubella infection; none had congenital rubella syndrome. Conclusions. Mass rubella vaccination of women of childbearing age was not associated with adverse birth outcomes or congenital rubella syndrome among children born to women vaccinated during pregnancy.

High prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women born small for gestational age

There is evidence that intrauterine growth restriction, resulting in newborn girls that are small for gestational age (SGA), may be related to the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thus, we studied whether women born SGA have a higher prevalence of PCOS than women born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). This was a prospective birth cohort study of 384 women born at term between June 1, 1978, and May 31, 1979, in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. After exclusion, 165 women effectively participated in this study, of whom 43 were SGA and 122 were AGA. The prevalence of PCOS was analysed. At a mean age of 29 years, the women agreed to follow the study protocol, which included: anamnesis, physical examination, serum tests [follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate, 17-OH-progesterone, fasting insulin, sex steroid-binding globulin (SHBG) and fasting glucose] and pelvic ultrasound. Data regarding gestational age, birthweight, age at menarche and maternal data were obtained from the files of the cohort. The adjusted relative risk (RR) values of the SGA, insulin resistance, body mass index, maternal smoking and parity variables were analysed using Poisson regression with robust adjustment of variance for the prediction of PCOS. The prevalence of PCOS was higher in the SGA group than in the AGA group [adjusted RR = 2.44, 95% CI (1.39-4.28)]. Hyperandrogenism was more prevalent in the SGA women than in the AGA women (P = 0.011). Circulating SHBG was lower in the SGA women than in the AGA women (P = 0.041), but fasting insulinemia was similar in both groups. The prevalence of PCOS in SGA women was twice as high as in AGA women in our study population.

Dietary predictors of serum total carotene in low-income women living in Sao Paulo, south-east Brazil

Objective Dietary intake and nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins have been reported to protect against some cancers The objective of the present study was to assess the correlations between serum levels of carotenoids (including beta-, alpha- and gamma-carotene), lycopene, retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and dietary intakes estimated by an FFQ, among low-income women in the Brazilian Investigation into Nutrition and Cervical Cancer Prevention (BRINCA) study. Design Cross-sectional study of data for 918 women aged 21-65 years participating in the BRINCA study in Sao Paulo city. Multiple linear regression models were used with serum nutrient levels as the dependent variable and dietary intake levels as the independent variable, adjusted for confounding factors. Results In energy-adjusted analyses, the intakes of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits (partial R(2) = 4.8%), total fruits and juices (partial R(2) = 1.8%), vegetables and fruits (partial R(2) = 1.8%), carrots (partial R(2) = 1.4%) and citrus fruits and juices only (partial R(2) = 0.8%) were positively correlated only with serum total carotene levels, after adjusting for serum total cholesterol concentration, age, hospital attended, smoking status. BMI and presence of cervical lesions Multiple-adjusted serum levels of carotenoids were positively correlated with intake quartiles of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits and total fruits and juices independent of smoking status. Conclusions The intake of specific fruits and vegetables was an independent predictor of serum total carotene levels in low-income women living in Sao Paulo

Fault Coverage-Driven Incremental Test Generation

In this paper, we consider a classical problem of complete test generation for deterministic finite-state machines (FSMs) in a more general setting. The first generalization is that the number of states in implementation FSMs can even be smaller than that of the specification FSM. Previous work deals only with the case when the implementation FSMs are allowed to have the same number of states as the specification FSM. This generalization provides more options to the test designer: when traditional methods trigger a test explosion for large specification machines, tests with a lower, but yet guaranteed, fault coverage can still be generated. The second generalization is that tests can be generated starting with a user-defined test suite, by incrementally extending it until the desired fault coverage is achieved. Solving the generalized test derivation problem, we formulate sufficient conditions for test suite completeness weaker than the existing ones and use them to elaborate an algorithm that can be used both for extending user-defined test suites to achieve the desired fault coverage and for test generation. We present the experimental results that indicate that the proposed algorithm allows obtaining a trade-off between the length and fault coverage of test suites.

Influence of hepatitis G virus (GB virus C) on the prognosis of HIV-infected women

This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C) viraemia and anti-E2 antibody, and to assess the effect of co-infection with GBV-C and HIV during a 10-year follow-up of a cohort of 248 HIV-infected women. Laboratory variables (mean and median CD4 counts, and HIV and GBV-C viral loads) and clinical parameters were investigated. At baseline, 115 women had past exposure to GBV-C: 57 (23%) were GBV-C RNA positive and 58 (23%) were anti-E2 positive. There was no statistical difference between the groups (GBV-C RNA + /anti-E2 -, GBV-C RNA - /anti-E2 + and GBV-C RNA - /anti-E2 -) regarding baseline CD4 counts or HIV viral loads (P = 0.360 and 0.713, respectively). Relative risk of death for the GBV-C RNA + /anti-E2 - group was 63% lower than that for the GBV-C RNA - /anti-E2 - group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only HIV loads >= 100,000 copies/mL and AIDS-defining illness during follow-up were associated with shorter survival after AIDS development. It is likely that antiretroviral therapy (ART) use in our cohort blurred a putative protective effect related to the presence of GBV-C RNA.