Perceção do envolvimento face à atividade física e consumo de frutas e hortícolas, aptidão aeróbia e a sua relação com a obesidade: um estudo em alunos do 7º ano da RAA e da RAM

A alteração do nosso quotidiano levou a uma mudança nos hábitos alimentares, padrões e níveis de actividade física, o que pode explicar o aumento das taxas de prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade. No entanto, para podermos intervir, é necessário compreender a influência dos factores explicativos. Com o presente estudo, pretendemos comparar duas escolas, uma de cada Região Autónoma, da Madeira (RAM) e dos Açores (RAA), nos seguintes aspectos: a) caracterizar o nível de obesidade, aptidão aeróbia, participação desportiva, hábitos alimentares e a sua percepção do envolvimento físico, e b) identificar quais das variáveis em estudo são predictores de uma percentagem de massa gorda (%MG) alta e muito alta. Participaram no estudo 326 sujeitos de ambos os sexos, da RAA (n=123) e da RAM (n=203). Os níveis de obesidade foram determinados segundo os valores referenciados por Cole et al. (2000, 2007), a %MG foi calculada através da fórmula de Slaughter et al. (1988) e categorizados segundo Lohman (1987). A aptidão aeróbia foi avaliada através do teste vaivém da bateria de testes Fitnessgram (The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, 2007). Foram utilizados questionários para avaliação da participação desportiva, comportamentos alimentares (Wilson et al., 2008) e percepção do envolvimento físico (Evenson et al., 2006). Verificamos que 29% dos sujeitos avaliados apresentam excesso de peso ou obesidade, 30,4% apresentam %MG alta ou muito alta, 61% apresentam uma aptidão aeróbia abaixo da zona saudável, e 64,7% indicam a Educação Física como única actividade física organizada e regular em que participam. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as duas escolas (RAA e RAM) na participação desportiva e na percepção do envolvimento físico. Foi possível constatar que a percepção de disponibilidade de frutos e hortícolas (OR: 0,854; 95%CI 0,746 – 0,977) e a percepção de envolvimento físico com barreiras geográficas (OR: 1,127; 95%CI 1,023-1,240) são predictores de uma %MG alta ou muito alta.

Postoperative analgesic effects of epidural administration of neostigmine alone or in combination with morphine in ovariohysterectomized dogs

Objective-To evaluate analgesic effects of epidurally administered neostigmine alone or in combination with morphine in dogs after ovariohysterectomy.Animals-40 healthy bitches.Procedures-After acepromazine premedication, anesthesia was induced. Dogs randomly received 1 of the following 4 epidural treatments 30 minutes before ovariohysterectomy (n = 10/group): saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control), morphine (0.1 mg/kg), neostigmine (10 pg/kg), or morphine-neostigmine (0.1 mg/kg and 10 pg/kg, respectively). Analgesia was assessed for 24 hours after surgery by use of a visual analogue.scale (VAS; scale of 0 to 10) or numeric descriptive scale (NDS; scale of 0 to 24) and by the need for supplemental analgesia (morphine [0.5 mg/kg, IM] administered when VAS was >= 4 or NDS was >= 8).Results-Significantly more control dogs (n = 8) received supplemental analgesia, compared with the number of neostigmine-treated dogs (1); no dogs in the remaining groups received supplemental analgesia. Compared with values for the control dogs, the NDS scores were lower for morphine-neostigmine-treated dogs (from 2 to 6 hours and at 12 hours) and for morphine-treated dogs (all time points). The NDS scores were lower for morphine-treated dogs at 3, 12, and 24 hours, compared with values for neostigmine-treated dogs. The VAS was less sensitive than the NDS for detecting differences among groups.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Epidurally administered neostigmine reduced the use of supplemental analgesia after ovariohysterectorny in dogs. However, analgesic effects were less pronounced than for epidurally administered morphine or morphine-neostigmine. Adding neostigmine to epidurally administered morphine did not potentiate opioid-induced analgesia.

Resposta de plântulas de arroz cv. brs-soberana à aplicação de zinco via semente

A cultura do arroz constitui um dos principais cereais que apresenta alta resposta à aplicação de zinco, constituindo um dos principais cereais em que isso ocorre. Objetivou-se, no presente trabalho, avaliar a aplicação de zinco em sementes, a partir de duas fontes, sobre a nutrição e o crescimento inicial da cultura do arroz cultivar BRS-Soberana. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em três repetições. Os tratamentos foram cinco doses 1,0; 2,0; 4,0 e 8,0g de Zn por kg de semente, das fontes sulfato e óxido, além da testemunha. Após 30 dias da semeadura, avaliou-se a matéria seca (parte aérea e raiz) e o teor e acúmulo de zinco nas plantas. O sulfato de zinco não diferenciou ao óxido para produção de matéria seca total nas plântulas de arroz, entretanto, proporcionou maior absorção de Zn. A aplicação de zinco na forma de sulfato e óxido, na dose de 8g Zn.kg-1 de semente proporcionou maior produção de matéria seca atingindo teor do nutriente, na parte aérea de 281 e 163 mg.kg-1, respectivamente.

Dinâmica de nutrientes na solução do solo em pomar fertirrigado de citros

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica de nutrientes na solução do solo após a aplicação, via fertirrigação, de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio a laranjeiras. O experimento foi realizado entre setembro de 2007 e outubro de 2009, em pomares de laranjeiras 'Valência' e 'Hamlin', enxertadas sobre citrumeleiro 'Swingle'. Foram avaliadas cinco doses de N, P2O5 e K2O (0, 25, 50, 100 e 200% da dose recomendada). A solução do solo foi extraída a 30 e 60 cm de profundidade, com o auxílio de extratores com cápsulas porosas. Foram realizadas 11 avaliações durante o período experimental, com as extrações iniciadas após 12 horas das fertirrigações. O aumento das doses reduziu o pH (pH~3,5, na maior dose), e aumentou a condutividade elétrica (CE~1,5 dS m-1, na maior dose) e os teores de NH4, NO3, P, K, Mn e Zn na solução do solo, nas duas profundidades amostradas. Nos meses com maior precipitação pluvial, houve perda potencial de nutrientes por lixiviação, pois maiores concentrações de NO3, K e B foram observadas à profundidade de 60 cm. A análise da solução do solo, obtida por extratores com cápsula de cerâmica porosa, pode ser considerada ferramenta auxiliar para monitorar e avaliar a disponibilidade de nutrientes às plantas.

Comparison of the Polar S810i monitor and the ECG for the analysis of heart rate variability in the time and frequency domains

The aim of the present study was to compare heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during exercise using a temporal series obtained with the Polar S810i monitor and a signal from a LYNX® signal conditioner (BIO EMG 1000 model) with a channel configured for the acquisition of ECG signals. Fifteen healthy subjects aged 20.9 ± 1.4 years were analyzed. The subjects remained at rest for 20 min and performed exercise for another 20 min with the workload selected to achieve 60% of submaximal heart rate. RR series were obtained for each individual with a Polar S810i instrument and with an ECG analyzed with a biological signal conditioner. The HRV indices (rMSSD, pNN50, LFnu, HFnu, and LF/HF) were calculated after signal processing and analysis. The unpaired Student t-test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the values analyzed by means of the two devices for HRV at rest and during exercise. The intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated satisfactory correlation between the values obtained by the devices at rest (pNN50 = 0.994; rMSSD = 0.995; LFnu = 0.978; HFnu = 0.978; LF/HF = 0.982) and during exercise (pNN50 = 0.869; rMSSD = 0.929; LFnu = 0.973; HFnu = 0.973; LF/HF = 0.942). The calculation of HRV values by means of temporal series obtained from the Polar S810i instrument appears to be as reliable as those obtained by processing the ECG signal captured with a signal conditioner.

Caminhos e descaminhos da adesão ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo :um estudo com usuários do Pacha (Programa de Assistência e Cuidado da Hipertensão Arterial) do Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes

The high blood pressure is a multifactorial chronic disease which possesses emotional and social features in the illness appearance and evolution and in the adherence to the treatment which involves a decision-making through patient so that he or she process the necessary changes on harmful living habits. Adhesion, traditionally, it is referred to the patient to answer to the doctor orientations or of other health professional, about the appearance to the appointment with a doctor, about the use of medicine or lifestyle changes and maintaining this adhesion is the main problem to be overcame. It is expected the adhesion will ever be a continual, stable and satisfactory action, disregarding the complexity of subjectivity processes which permeate the sicken. This research aimed to investigate the difficulties which the person with high blood pressure has to adhere to the treatment, from the signification processes which give sense to the actions dealing with the adhesion. The study was carried out with 48 users of assistance program to the high blood pressure patient from Hospital Universitário from Natal RN, between 40-65 age. The answers were submitted to a double analysis process: 1) answer systematization in categories and codes and admission in statistical program SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science), for generation of descriptive statistics; 2) Sense and signification analysis which permeated the deepener statement and interpretatively. The greater difficulties found are present on low-salt and law-calorie diets, in the dealing with everyday feeling and stress, being these factors cited as direct motive to the high blood pressure, regardless of interviewee s sex. It is observed there is not adhesion, but adhering, as an experienced everyday process. This work contributes with its results, assessing the used strategies by program with the aim of increasing the adhesion rates

Infant formula and enamel fluorosis A systematic review

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

LaRbp38: A Leishmania amazonensis protein that binds nuclear and kinetoplast DNAs

Leishmania amazonensis causes a wide spectrum of leishmaniasis. There are no vaccines or adequate treatment for leishmaniasis, therefore there is considerable interest in the identification of new targets for anti-leishmania drugs. The central role of telomere-binding proteins in cell maintenance makes these proteins potential targets for new drugs. In this work, we used a combination of purification chromatographies to screen L. amazonensis proteins for molecules capable of binding double-stranded telomeric DNA. This approach resulted in the purification of a 38 kDa polypeptide that was identified by mass spectrometry as Rbp38, a trypanosomatid protein previously shown to stabilize mitochondrial RNA and to associate with nuclear and kinetoplast DNAs. Western blotting and supershift assays confirmed the identity of the protein as LaRbp38. Competition and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that LaRbp38 interacted with kinetoplast and nuclear DNAs in vivo and suggested that LaRbp38 may have dual cellular localization and more than one function. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reproductive phenology of coastal plain Atlantic forest vegetation: comparisons from seashore to foothills

The diversity of tropical forest plant phenology has called the attention of researchers for a long time. We continue investigating the factors that drive phenological diversity on a wide scale, but we are unaware of the variation of plant reproductive phenology at a fine spatial scale despite the high spatial variation in species composition and abundance in tropical rainforests. We addressed fine scale variability by investigating the reproductive phenology of three contiguous vegetations across the Atlantic rainforest coastal plain in Southeastern Brazil. We asked whether the vegetations differed in composition and abundance of species, the microenvironmental conditions and the reproductive phenology, and how their phenology is related to regional and local microenvironmental factors. The study was conducted from September 2007 to August 2009 at three contiguous sites: (1) seashore dominated by scrub vegetation, (2) intermediary covered by restinga forest and (3) foothills covered by restinga pre-montane transitional forest. We conducted the microenvironmental, plant and phenological survey within 30 transects of 25 mx4 m (10 per site). We detected significant differences in floristic, microenvironment and reproductive phenology among the three vegetations. The microenvironment determines the spatial diversity observed in the structure and composition of the flora, which in turn determines the distinctive flowering and fruiting peaks of each vegetation (phenological diversity). There was an exchange of species providing flowers and fruits across the vegetation complex. We conclude that plant reproductive patterns as described in most phenological studies (without concern about the microenvironmental variation) may conceal the fine scale temporal phenological diversity of highly diverse tropical vegetation. This phenological diversity should be taken into account when generating sensor-derived phenologies and when trying to understand tropical vegetation responses to environmental changes.

POSITIONING DURING RESISTANCE ELBOW FLEXOR EXERCISE AFFECTS ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY, HEART RATE, and PERCEIVED EXERTION

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

ACUTE EFFECT of STATIC STRETCHING on RATE of FORCE DEVELOPMENT and MAXIMAL VOLUNTARY CONTRACTION IN OLDER WOMEN

Gurjao, ALD, Goncalves, R, de Moura, RF, and Gobbi, S. Acute effect of static stretching on rate of force development and maximal voluntary contraction in older women. J Strength Cond Res 23(7): 2149-2154, 2009-The purpose of this study was to investigate, in older women, the acute effect of static stretching (SS) on both muscle activation and force output. Twenty-three older women (64.6 +/- 7.1 yr) participated in the study. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), rate of force development (RFD) (50, 100, 150, and 200 ms relative to onset of muscular contraction), and peak RFD (PRFD) (the steepest slope of the curve during the first 200 ms) were tested under 2 randomly separate conditions: SS and control (C). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles also was assessed. The MVC was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the 3 trials of SS when compared with the C condition (control: 925.0 +/- 50.9 N; trial 1 : 854.3 +/- 55.3 N; trial 2 : 863.1 +/- 52.2 N; and trial 3 : 877.5 +/- 49.9 N). PRFD showed a significant decrease only for the first 2 trials of SS when compared with the C condition (control: 2672.3 +/- 259.1 N/s; trial 1 : 2296.6 +/- 300.7 N/s; and trial 2 : 2197.9 +/- 246.3 N/s). However, no difference was found for RFD (50, 100, 150, and 200 ms relative to onset of muscular contraction). The EMG activity for VM, VL, and BF was not significantly different between the C and SS conditions. In conclusion, the older women's capacity to produce muscular force decreased after their performance of SS exercises. The mechanisms responsible for this effect do not appear to be related to muscle activation. Thus, if flexibility is to be trained, it is recommended that SS does not occur just before the performance of activities that require high levels of muscular force.