Prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em nipo-brasileiros: comparação entre sexos e geração

OBJETIVO: Descrever a prevalência de sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade abdominal em nipo-brasileiros residentes na cidade de Bauru (SP), Brasil. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um estudo transversal com 1 330 nipo-brasileiros de 1ª e 2ª geração, de ambos os sexos, com idade >30 anos. Os critérios para sobrepeso e obesidade foram índice de massa corporal entre 25-29,9kg/m² e >30kg/m², respectivamente. A obesidade abdominal foi classificada com valores de circunferência da cintura >90cm, para homens, e >80cm para mulheres. Foram calculadas as prevalências de sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade abdominal por ponto e por intervalo, com 95% de confiança. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a prevalência de sobrepeso em nipo-brasileiros foi de 26,1% e 27,9% na primeira geração e de 44,8% e 32,5% na segunda geração, respectivamente, para homens e mulheres. Em relação à obesidade, a prevalência entre homens foi de 3,7% e 12%, e nas mulheres de 6,6% e 9,9% respectivamente na primeira e na segunda geração. Observou-se aumento na prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade nos homens entre as gerações, apesar de as diferenças não serem estatisticamente significantes. A obesidade abdominal nos homens de primeira e segunda geração foi de 32,1% e 45,3%, e nas mulheres estes valores foram de 49,2% e 48,5%, respectivamente. No período de estudo não foram observados aumentos nas prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O aumento percentual na prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade abdominal em nipo-brasileiros pode ser, em parte, explicado pelo processo da ocidentalização, reforçando a necessidade de medidas preventivas, visando a minimizar as conseqüências metabólicas da obesidade nos nipo-brasileiros.

Trends in morbid obesity and in bariatric surgeries covered by the Brazilian public health system

Background Obesity is an increasingly serious public health problem on a global level. Morbid obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2, is associated with increased mortality and a high burden of obesity-related morbidities. Methods To study the prevalence of morbid obesity in Brazil, three national anthropometric surveys were reanalyzed. Data about bariatric surgeries were obtained from the Ministry of Health Hospital Information System, which is available online. Results A 255% rise in the prevalence of morbid obesity was observed, starting at 0.18% in 1975-1976 and growing to 0.33% in 1989 and 0.64% in 2002-2003. There was a higher rate in the South in the first two surveys, but the prevalence in the Southeast rose steadily, reaching 0.77% in 2002-2003 and overtaking the South. Since 1999, the Brazilian Unified Health System has covered surgical treatment for morbid obesity. From 2000 to 2006, there was a sixfold increase in the number of surgeries, which topped the 2,500 mark in 2006. The geographic distribution of these surgeries is heavily concentrated in the Southeast, the most developed region of Brazil, where there is also the highest prevalence of morbid obesity. This was followed by the Southern region. Conclusions The figures for the rise in morbid obesity in Brazil are startling, especially the increase among men. This is a situation that calls for further study, alongside measures to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Preventive measures aimed at slowing down or reversing the obesity epidemic are urgently required

Evaluation of Indigenous Grains from the Peruvian Andean Region for Antidiabetes and Antihypertension Potential Using In Vitro Methods

The health-relevant functionality of 10 thermally processed Peruvian Andean grains (five cereals, three pseudocereals, and two legumes) was evaluated for potential type 2 diabetes-relevant antihyperglycemia and antihypertension activity using in vitro enzyme assays. Inhibition of enzymes relevant for managing early stages of type 2 diabetes such as hyperglycemia-relevant alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase and hypertension-relevant angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) were assayed along with the total phenolic content, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant activity based on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay. Purple corn (Zea mays L.) (cereal) exhibited high free radical scavenging-linked antioxidant activity (77%) and had the highest total phenolic content (8 +/- 1 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of sample weight) and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity (51% at 5 mg of sample weight). The major phenolic compound in this cereal was protocatechuic acid (287 +/- 15 mu g/g of sample weight). Pseudocereals such as Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) and Kaniwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) were rich in quercetin derivatives (1,131 +/- 56 and 943 +/- 35 mu g [expressed as quercetin aglycone]/g of sample weight, respectively) and had the highest antioxidant activity (86% and 75%, respectively). Andean legumes (Lupinus mutabilis cultivars SLP-1 and H-6) inhibited significantly the hypertension-relevant ACE (52% at 5 mg of sample weight). No alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was found in any of the evaluated Andean grains. This in vitro study indicates the potential of combination of Andean whole grain cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes to develop effective dietary strategies for managing type 2 diabetes and associated hypertension and provides the rationale for animal and clinical studies.

EXISTENCE RESULTS FOR NEUTRAL INTEGRO-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH UNBOUNDED DELAY

In this paper we discuss the existence of mild, strict and classical solutions for a class of abstract integro-differential equations in Banach spaces. Some applications to ordinary and partial integro-differential equations are considered.

First stars XII. Abundances in extremely metal-poor turnoff stars, and comparison with the giants

Context. The detailed chemical abundances of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars are key guides to understanding the early chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Most existing data, however, treat giant stars that may have experienced internal mixing later. Aims. We aim to compare the results for giants with new, accurate abundances for all observable elements in 18 EMP turno. stars. Methods. VLT/UVES spectra at R similar to 45 000 and S/N similar to 130 per pixel (lambda lambda 330-1000 nm) are analysed with OSMARCS model atmospheres and the TURBOSPECTRUM code to derive abundances for C, Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Sr, and Ba. Results. For Ca, Ni, Sr, and Ba, we find excellent consistency with our earlier sample of EMP giants, at all metallicities. However, our abundances of C, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn and Co are similar to 0.2 dex larger than in giants of similar metallicity. Mg and Si abundances are similar to 0.2 dex lower (the giant [Mg/Fe] values are slightly revised), while Zn is again similar to 0.4 dex higher than in giants of similar [Fe/H] (6 stars only). Conclusions. For C, the dwarf/giant discrepancy could possibly have an astrophysical cause, but for the other elements it must arise from shortcomings in the analysis. Approximate computations of granulation (3D) effects yield smaller corrections for giants than for dwarfs, but suggest that this is an unlikely explanation, except perhaps for C, Cr, and Mn. NLTE computations for Na and Al provide consistent abundances between dwarfs and giants, unlike the LTE results, and would be highly desirable for the other discrepant elements as well. Meanwhile, we recommend using the giant abundances as reference data for Galactic chemical evolution models.

Genome-wide SNP genotyping highlights the role of natural selection in Plasmodium falciparum population divergence

Background: The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exhibits abundant genetic diversity, and this diversity is key to its success as a pathogen. Previous efforts to study genetic diversity in P. falciparum have begun to elucidate the demographic history of the species, as well as patterns of population structure and patterns of linkage disequilibrium within its genome. Such studies will be greatly enhanced by new genomic tools and recent large-scale efforts to map genomic variation. To that end, we have developed a high throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping platform for P. falciparum. Results: Using an Affymetrix 3,000 SNP assay array, we found roughly half the assays (1,638) yielded high quality, 100% accurate genotyping calls for both major and minor SNP alleles. Genotype data from 76 global isolates confirm significant genetic differentiation among continental populations and varying levels of SNP diversity and linkage disequilibrium according to geographic location and local epidemiological factors. We further discovered that nonsynonymous and silent (synonymous or noncoding) SNPs differ with respect to within-population diversity, interpopulation differentiation, and the degree to which allele frequencies are correlated between populations. Conclusions: The distinct population profile of nonsynonymous variants indicates that natural selection has a significant influence on genomic diversity in P. falciparum, and that many of these changes may reflect functional variants deserving of follow-up study. Our analysis demonstrates the potential for new high-throughput genotyping technologies to enhance studies of population structure, natural selection, and ultimately enable genome-wide association studies in P. falciparum to find genes underlying key phenotypic traits.

Fatigue in Brazilian cancer patients, caregivers, and nursing students: a psychometric validation study of the Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised

The objective of this study was to validate the Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised (PFS-R) for use in Brazilian culture. Translation of the PFS-R into Portuguese and validity and reliability tests were performed. Convenience samples in Brazil we as follows: 584 cancer patients (mean age 57 +/- 13 years; 51.3% female); 184 caregivers (mean age 50 +/- 12.7 years; 65.8% female); and 189 undergraduate nursing students (mean age 21.6 +/- 2.8 years; 96.2% female); Instruments used were as follows: Brazilian PFS, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). The 22 items of the Brazilian PFS loaded well (factor loading > 0.35) on three dimensions identified by factor analysis (behavioral, affective, and sensorial-psychological). These dimensions explained 65% of the variance. Internal consistency reliability was very good (Cronbach`s alpha ranged from 0.841 to 0.943 for the total scale and its dimensions). Cancer patients and their caregivers completed the Brazilian PFS twice for test-retest reliability and results showed good stability (Pearson`s r a parts per thousand yenaEuro parts per thousand 0,60, p < 0,001). Correlations among the Brazilian PFS and other scales were significant, in hypothesized directions, and mostly moderate contributing to divergent (Brazilian PFS x KPS) and convergent validity (Brazilian PFS x BDI). Mild, moderate, and severe fatigue in patients were reported by 73 (12.5%), 167 (28.6%), and 83 (14.2%), respectively. Surprisingly, students had the highest mean total fatigue scores; no significant differences were observed between patients and caregivers showing poor discriminant validity. While the Brazilian PFS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure fatigue in Brazilian cancer patients, further work is needed to evaluate the discriminant validity of the scale in Brazil.

Acute and chronic effects of exercise on inflammatory markers and B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with coronary artery disease

Few studies have prospectively addressed the effects of exercise in the inflammatory activity of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate the consequences of an acute bout of exercise on inflammatory markers and BNP in untrained CAD patients before and after randomization to a training program. 34 CAD patients underwent a 50-min acute exercise session on a cycle-ergometer at 65% peak oxygen uptake before and after blood sampling. They were then randomized to a 4-month chronic exercise program (15 patients) or general lifestyle recommendations (19 patients), undergoing a new acute session of exercise after that. In the overall population, acute exercise caused a significant increase in C-reactive protein [CRP; 1.79 (4.49) vs. 1.94 (4.89) mg/L, P < 0.001], monokine induced by interferon-gamma [Mig; 351 (324) vs. 373 (330) pg/mL, P = 0.027] and vascular adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1; 226 (82) vs. 252 (110) pg/mL, P = 0.02]. After 4-months, in exercise-trained patients, there was a significant decrease in the inflammatory response provoked by the acute exercise compared to patients in the control group reflected by a significant decrease in the differences between rest and post-exercise levels of CRP [-0.29 (0.84) mg/L vs. -0.11 (0.21) mg/L, P = 0.05]. Resting BNP was also significantly lower in exercise-trained patients when compared to untrained controls [15.6 (16.2) vs. 9.7 (11.4) pg/mL, P = 0.04 and 19.2 (27.8) vs. 23.2 (27.5) pg/mL, P = 0.76; respectively]. Chronic exercise training might partially reverse the inflammatory response caused by acute exercise in CAD patients. These results suggest that regular exercise is an important nonpharmacological strategy to the improvement in inflammation in CAD patients.

Manipulation of rest period length induces different causes of fatigue in vertical jumping

The aim of this study was to directly compare the causes of fatigue after a short- and a long-rest interval between consecutive stretch-shortening cycle exercises. Eleven healthy males jumped with different resting period lengths (short = 6.1 +/- 1 s, long = 8.6 +/- 0.9 s), performing countermovement jumps at 95% of their maximal jump height until they were unable to sustain the target height. After short- and long-rest, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction knee extension torque decreased (-7%; p = 0.04), comparing to values obtained before exercise protocols. No change was seen from pre- to post-exercise, for either short- or long-rest, in biceps femoris coactivation (-1%; p = 0.95), peak-to-peak amplitude (1%; p = 0.95) and duration (-8%; p = 0.92) of the compound muscle action potential of the vastus lateralis. Evoked peak twitch torque reduced after both exercise protocols (short = -26%, long = -32%; p = 0.003) indicating peripheral fatigue. However, central fatigue occurred only after short-rest evidenced by a reduction in voluntary activation of the quadriceps muscle (-14%; p = 0.013) measured using the interpolated twitch technique. In conclusion, after Stretch-shortening cycle exercise using short rest period length, the cause of fatigue was central and peripheral, while after using long rest period length, the cause of fatigue was peripheral.

Profiles of xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase and xylitol production under different oxygen transfer volumetric coefficient values

BACKGROUND: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol (polyalcohol) with many interesting properties for pharmaceutical and food products. It is currently produced by a chemical process, which has some disadvantages such as high energy requirement. Therefore microbiological production of xylitol has been studied as an alternative, but its viability is dependent on optimisation of the fermentation variables. Among these, aeration is fundamental, because xylitol is produced only under adequate oxygen availability. In most experiments with xylitol-producing yeasts, low oxygen transfer volumetric coefficient (K(L)a) values are used to maintain microaerobic conditions. However, in the present study the use of relatively high K(L)a values resulted in high xylitol production. The effect of aeration was also evaluated via the profiles of xylose reductase (XR) and xylitol clehydrogenase (XD) activities during the experiments. RESULTS: The highest XR specific activity (1.45 +/- 0.21 U mg(protein)(-1)) was achieved during the experiment with the lowest K(L)a value (12 h(-1)), while the highest XD specific activity (0.19 +/- 0.03 U mg(protein)(-1)) was observed with a K(L)a value of 25 h(-1). Xylitol production was enhanced when K(L)a was increased from 12 to 50 h(-1), which resulted in the best condition observed, corresponding to a xylitol volumetric productivity of 1.50 +/- 0.08 g(xylitol) L(-1) h(-1) and an efficiency of 71 +/- 6.0%. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the enzyme activities during xylitol bioproduction depend greatly on the initial KLa value (oxygen availability). This finding supplies important information for further studies in molecular biology and genetic engineering aimed at improving xylitol bioproduction. (C) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

A novel electrocatalyst support with proton conductive properties for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications

The objective of this study is to graft the Surface of carbon black, by chemically introducing polymeric chains (Nafion (R) like) with proton-conducting properties. This procedure aims for a better interaction of the proton-conducting phase with the metallic catalyst particles, as well as hinders posterior support particle agglomeration. Also loss of active surface call be prevented. The proton conduction between the active electrocatalyst site and the Nafion (R) ionomer membrane should be enhanced, thus diminishing the ohmic drop ill the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). PtRu nanoparticles were supported on different carbon materials by the impregnation method and direct reduction with ethylene glycol and characterized using amongst others FTIR, XRD and TEM. The screen printing technique was used to produce membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for single cell tests in H(2)/air(PEMFC) and methanol operation (DMFC). In the PEMFC experiments, PtRu supported on grafted carbon shows 550 mW cm(-2) gmetal(-1) power density, which represents at least 78% improvement in performance, compared to the power density of commercial PtRu/C ETEK. The DMFC results of the grafted electrocatalyst achieve around 100% improvement. The polarization Curves results clearly show that the main Cause of the observed effect is the reduction in ohmic drop, caused by the grafted polymer. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The four-element Chua`s circuit

A new circuit configuration, linearly conjugate to the standard Chua`s circuit, is presented. Its distinctive feature is that the equations now admit an additional parameter, which controls the dissipation in the network connected to the Chua diode. In the limiting case we obtain the simplest chaotic circuit, consisting of a piecewise-linear resistor and three lossless elements.

Modeling and analysis of laminate composite plates with embedded active-passive piezoelectric networks

The objective of this work is to present the finite element modeling of laminate composite plates with embedded piezoelectric patches or layers that are then connected to active-passive resonant shunt circuits, composed of resistance, inductance and voltage source. Applications to passive vibration control and active control authority enhancement are also presented and discussed. The finite element model is based on an equivalent single layer theory combined with a third-order shear deformation theory. A stress-voltage electromechanical model is considered for the piezoelectric materials fully coupled to the electrical circuits. To this end, the electrical circuit equations are also included in the variational formulation. Hence, conservation of charge and full electromechanical coupling are guaranteed. The formulation results in a coupled finite element model with mechanical (displacements) and electrical (charges at electrodes) degrees of freedom. For a Graphite-Epoxy (Carbon-Fibre Reinforced) laminate composite plate, a parametric analysis is performed to evaluate optimal locations along the plate plane (xy) and thickness (z) that maximize the effective modal electromechanical coupling coefficient. Then, the passive vibration control performance is evaluated for a network of optimally located shunted piezoelectric patches embedded in the plate, through the design of resistance and inductance values of each circuit, to reduce the vibration amplitude of the first four vibration modes. A vibration amplitude reduction of at least 10 dB for all vibration modes was observed. Then, an analysis of the control authority enhancement due to the resonant shunt circuit, when the piezoelectric patches are used as actuators, is performed. It is shown that the control authority can indeed be improved near a selected resonance even with multiple pairs of piezoelectric patches and active-passive circuits acting simultaneously. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discoloration and fungal growth on three fiber cement formulations exposed in urban, rural and coastal zones

Three formulations of fiber cement were evaluated for fungal colonization and color change after five years of exposure in aging stations located in urban (Sao Paulo), rural (Pirassununga) and coastal (Rio Grande) zones in Brazil. The lowest color change and fungal colonization were registered in Rio Grande, which has a temperate climate, as opposed to Sao Paulo and Pirassununga, which are tropical. The highest fungal colonization was recorded in Sao Paulo, one of the most air polluted cities in Brazil. Pirassununga samples had an intermediate fungal colonization, in spite of showing the highest color change with visible dark spots on the surfaces. These spots were identified as cyanobacteria, which significantly contributed to the darkening of the specimens. The fiber cement formulation, varying in proportion of organic fibers such as poly (vinyl alcohol) and cellulose, was less significant for fungal bioreceptivity than the characteristics of the exposure site. The most frequent fungal genus found in the tropical climate, in both urban and rural zones, and the main one responsible for the higher records in Sao Paulo, was Scytalidiurn sp. which was registered for the first time on this building material in Brazil. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improvement of the cavitation erosion resistance of UNS S31803 stainless steel by duplex treatment

A duplex surface treatment consisting of High Temperature Gas Nitriding (HTGN) followed by Low Temperature Plasma Nitriding (LTPN) was carried out in an UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel. The HTGN treatment was intended to produce a relatively thick and hard fully austenitic layer giving mechanical support to the thinner and much harder expanded austenite layer. HTGN was performed at 1200 degrees C for 3 h, in a 0.1 MPa N(2) atmosphere while LTPN, was carried out in a 75% N(2) + 25% H(2) atmosphere, at 400 degrees C for 12 h, under a 250 Pa pressure, and 450 V. An expanded austenite gamma(N) layer, 2.3 mu m thick, 1500 HVO.025 hard, was formed on top of a 100 mu m thick, 330 HV 0.1 hard, fully austenitic layer, containing 0.9 wt% N. For comparison purposes LTPN was carried out with UNS S30403 stainless steel specimens obtaining a 4.0 mu m thick, 1500 HV 0.025 hard, expanded austenite layer formed on top of a fully austenitic matrix having 190 HV 0.1. The nitrided specimens were tested in a 20 kHz vibratory cavitation-erosion testing equipment. Comparison between the duplex treated UNS S31803 steel and the low temperature plasma nitrided UNS S30403 steel, resulted in incubation times almost 9 times greater. The maximum cavitation wear rate of the LTPN UNS S30403 was 5.5 g/m(2)h, 180 times greater than the one measured for the duplex treated UNS S31803 steel. The greater cavitation wear resistance of the duplex treated UNS S31803 steel, compared to the LTPN treated UNS S30403 steel was explained by the greater mechanical support the fully austenitic, 330 HV 0.1 hard, 100 mu m layer gives to the expanded austenite layer formed on top of the specimen after LTPN. A strong crystallographic textured surface, inherited from the fully austenitic layer formed during HTGN, with the expanded austenite layer showing {101} crystallographic planes//surface contributed also to improve the cavitation resistance of the duplex treated steel. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.