Efeito do processamento na atividade antioxidante do grão de amaranto (Amaranthus cruentus L. BRS-Alegria)

As características nutricionais, funcionais e agrícolas do amaranto são responsáveis pelo aumento do interesse por este alimento nas últimas décadas. O grão pode ser cozido, estourado, torrado, extrusado ou moído para ser consumido. Foi avaliado o efeito destes processamentos na atividade antioxidante do grão de amaranto, através das determinações do teor de fenólicos totais e da atividade antioxidante in vitro por dois métodos: inibição da oxidação lipídica pelo sistema \03B2-caroteno/ácido linoléico e índice de atividade antioxidante pelo aparelho Rancimat®. Os processamentos reduziram em média o teor de fenólicos totais do grão de amaranto de 31,7 para 22,0 mg de equivalentes de ácido gálico/g de resíduo seco. Observou-se que o extrato obtido por etanol do grão torrado foi o único a apresentar menor índice de atividade antioxidante (IAA) em relação ao grão cru (1,3 v 1,7). Os processos de extrusão, torração e explosão não alteraram a capacidade de inibição da oxidação lipídica (IOL) do amaranto (55 por cento). Já o cozimento aumentou o IOL (79 por cento), o que pode ter ocorrido devido ao maior tempo de processamento sob alta temperatura (100ºC/10min). Os métodos mais comuns de processamento do grão de amaranto ocasionaram redução do teor de fenólicos totais, no entanto a atividade antioxidante do estourado e do extrusado, avaliada pelos dois métodos, foi semelhante ao do grão cru. O grão de amaranto tanto cru como processado apresenta potencial antioxidante. Polifenóis, antocianinas, flavonóides, tocoferóis, vitamina C e compostos gerados na reação de Maillard podem estar relacionados à atividade antioxidante deste grão

Mudanças no âmbito da testagem anti-HIV no Brasil entre 1998 e 2005

OBJETIVO: Analisar mudanças na realização de teste anti-HIV, as razões alegadas entre as pessoas que foram ou não testadas e o recebimento de aconselhamento. MÉTODOS: Estudos transversais conduzidos com homens e mulheres de 16 a 65 anos, com amostras representativas do Brasil urbano em 1998 (n=3.600) e 2005 (n=5.040). Características sociodemográficas, sexuais, reprodutivas e de experiências de vida e saúde foram consideradas na análise. A avaliação das possíveis diferenças nas distribuições das variáveis baseou-se nos testes qui-quadrado de Pearson e F design-based (±<5%). RESULTADOS: Em 1998, 20,2% dos entrevistados haviam realizado o teste e 33,6% em 2005. Foram testadas 60% das mulheres na faixa 25-34 anos, mas as que iniciaram a vida sexual antes dos 16 anos e reportaram quatro ou mais parceiros sexuais nos cinco anos anteriores à entrevista foram menos testadas. Não se observou aumento significativo da testagem entre homens, exceto para os de 55-65 anos, renda per capita entre 1-3 e 5-10 salários mínimos, aposentados, protestantes históricos e adeptos de cultos afro-brasileiros, moradores da região Norte/Nordeste e os que declararam parceria homo/bissexual ou não tiveram relações sexuais nos cinco anos anteriores à entrevista. Não aumentou a freqüência de testagem entre pessoas auto-avaliadas como sob alto risco para o HIV. Entre as mulheres, a freqüência de testagem pré-natal aumentou e a testagem por trabalho diminuiu entre os homens. Em 2005, metade dos testados não recebeu orientação antes ou após o teste. CONCLUSÕES: Houve expansão desigual na testagem, atingindo principalmente mulheres em idade reprodutiva, adultas e pessoas com melhores condições sociais. A testagem parece estar aumentando no País sem a devida atenção à decisão autônoma das pessoas e sem o provimento de maior e melhor oferta de aconselhamento

Atenção básica de saúde e a assistência em Hanseníase em serviços de saúde de um município do Estado de São Paulo

Este é um estudo descritivo desenvolvido em um município do Estado de São Paulo. Objetivo: identificar e caracterizar as ações do Programa de Controle da Hanseníase nos serviços de saúde municipais. Metodologia: entrevistas gravadas com gestor municipal de saúde e profissionais da assistência à hanseníase. Resultados: a política pública municipal em saúde prioriza o desenvolvimento da atenção básica com ênfase na saúde pública. As ações são realizadas por profissionais capacitados e experientes em hanseníase. Ve rificou-se a não realização da busca ativa dos casos, necessária para o real conhecimento da situação epidemiológica, e das ações de educação em saúde, importante para a redução do estigma e aproximação do sujeito à nova situação de vida e enfrentamento de limitações

Significado da intervenção médica e da fé religiosa para o paciente idoso com câncer

Neste estudo, procurou-se identificar o significado da intervenção médica e da fé religiosa para o paciente idoso com câncer. Pesquisa qualitativa e descritiva foi desenvolvida no período de 9/01 a 28/03/2001 no Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual - Francisco Morato de Oliveira/ IAMSPE. A amostra foi não aleatória, constituída de vinte idosos com câncer. A coleta de dados ocorreu mediante a técnica da entrevista semi-estruturada. Para a tabulação e análise dos dados, utilizou-se o método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, com aplicação de três figuras metodológicas: a Idéia Central, as Expressões-chave e o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC). As principais idéias centrais presentes nos discursos foram: 1. Nada a reclamar. Eu acho muito bom e penso que eles estão no caminho certo; 2. Não. Por enquanto estou acompanhando tudo o que os médicos falam; 3. Eu já participei, mas atualmente não; 4. Eu não participo de atividade religiosa; 5. Fortalecimento, esperança e equilíbrio. A fé religiosa é tudo!; 6. Continua a mesma, porém, mudou a maneira de ser. O DSC mostra que o procedimento médico adotado forneceu maior esperança ao paciente, elegendo a fé religiosa como instrumento-chave para o enfrentamento da doença

Mesenchymal progenitor cells from canine fetal tissues: yolk sac, liver, and bone marrow

During fetal development, mesenchymal progenitor (MP) cells are co-localized in major hematopoietic territories, such as yolk sac (YS), bone marrow (BM), liver (LV), and others. Studies using mouse and human MP cells isolated from fetus have shown that these cells are very similar but not identical to adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Their differentiation potential is usually restricted to production of highly committed osteogenic and chondrogenic precursors. Such properties of fetal MP cells can be very useful for tissue regeneration, when a great number of committed precursors are required. The objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize MP cells from canine YS, BM, and LV in early and late stages of fetal development. Gestational stage was identified, and cell culture conditions were evaluated for efficient isolation of canine MP cells. All canine fetal MP cells expressed vimentin, nestin, and CD44 proteins. Cytokeratin 18 expression was observed in BM-and LV-MP cells, and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin expression was observed only in YS-MP cells. A small number of MP cells (5%) from LV and YS expressed Oct3/4 protein. The differentiation potential of canine fetal MP cells varied significantly: YS- and BM-MP cells differentiated into bone and cartilage, whereas LV-MP cells differentiation was limited to osteogenic fate. None of the canine fetal MP cells were able to differentiate into adipose cells. Our data suggest that canine fetal MP cells are an appropriate in vitro model to study MP biology from hematopoietic territories and they are a source of committed osteogenic and chondrogenic precursors for regenerative medicine.

Weight loss associated with exercise training restores ventilatory efficiency in obese children

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that in obese children: 1) Ventilatory efficiency (VentE) is decreased during graded exercise; and 2) Weight loss through diet alone (D) improves VentE, and 3) diet associated with exercise training (DET) leads to greater improvement in VentE than by D. Thirty-eight obese children (10 +/- 0.2 years; BMI > 95(th) percentile) were randomly divided into two Study groups: D (n=17; BMI = 30 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) and DET (n = 21; 28 +/- 1 kg/m(2)). Ten lean children were included in a control group (10 +/- 0.3 years; 17 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2)). All children performed maximal treadmill testing with respiratory gas analysis (breath-by-breath) to determine the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and peak oxygen consumption (VO(2) peak). VentE was determined by the VE/VCO(2) method at VAT. Obese children showed lower VO(2) peak and lower VentE than controls (p < 0.05). After interventions, all obese children reduced body weight (p < 0.05). D group did not improve in terms of VO(2) peak or VentE (p > 0.05). In contrast, the DET group showed increased VO(2) peak (p = 0.01) and improved VentE(Delta VE/VCO(2) = -6.1 +/- 0.9; p = 0.01). VentE is decreased in obese children, where weight loss by means of DET, but not D alone, improves VentE and cardiorespiratory fitness during graded exercise.

The influence of peripheral afferent signals on the rating of perceived exertion and time to exhaustion during exercise at different intensities

This study determined which peripheral variables would better predict the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and time to exhaustion (TE) during exercise at different intensities. Ten men performed exercises at first lactate threshold (LT1), second lactate threshold (LT2), 50% of the distance from LT1 to LT2 (TT(50%)), and 25% of the distance from LT2 to maximal power output (TW(25%)). Lactate, catecholamines, potassium, pH, glucose, (V) over dotO(2), VE, HR, respiratory rate (RR) and RPE were measured and plotted against the exercise duration for the slope calculation. Glucose, dopamine, and noradrenaline predicted RPE in TT(50%) (88%), LT2 (64%), and TW(25%) (77%), but no variable predicted RPE in LT1. RPE (55%), RPE+HR (86%), and RPE+RR (92% and 55%) predicted TE in LT1, TT(50%), LT2, and TW(25%), respectively. At intensities from TT(50%) to TW(25%), variables associated with brain activity seem to explain most of the RPE slope, and RPE (+HR and+RR) seems to predict the TE.

Ventilation behavior during upper-body incremental exercise

Pires, FO, Hammond, J, Lima-Silva, AE, Bertuzzi, RCM, and Kiss, MAPDM. Ventilation behavior during upper-body incremental exercise. J Strength Cond Res 25(1): 225-230, 2011-This study tested the ventilation (V(E)) behavior during upper-body incremental exercise by mathematical models that calculate 1 or 2 thresholds and compared the thresholds identified by mathematical models with V-slope, ventilatory equivalent for oxygen uptake (V(E)/(V) over dotO(2)), and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide uptake (V(E)/(V) over dotCO(2)). Fourteen rock climbers underwent an upper-body incremental test on a cycle ergometer with increases of approximately 20 W.min(-1) until exhaustion at a cranking frequency of approximately 90 rpm. The V(E) data were smoothed to 10-second averages for V(E) time plotting. The bisegmental and the 3-segmental linear regression models were calculated from 1 or 2 intercepts that best shared the V(E) curve in 2 or 3 linear segments. The ventilatory threshold(s) was determined mathematically by the intercept(s) obtained by bisegmental and 3-segmental models, by V-slope model, or visually by V(E)/(V) over dotO(2) and V(E)/(V) over dotCO(2). There was no difference between bisegmental (mean square error [MSE] = 35.3 +/- 32.7 l.min(-1)) and 3-segmental (MSE = 44.9 +/- 47.8 l.min(-1)) models in fitted data. There was no difference between ventilatory threshold identified by the bisegmental (28.2 +/- 6.8 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) and second ventilatory threshold identified by the 3-segmental (30.0 +/- 5.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)), V(E)/(V) over dotO(2) (28.8 +/- 5.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)), or V-slope (28.5 +/- 5.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). However, the first ventilatory threshold identified by 3-segmental (23.1 +/- 4.9 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) or by VE/(V) over dotO(2) (24.9 +/- 4.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) was different from these 4. The V(E) behavior during upper-body exercise tends to show only 1 ventilatory threshold. These findings have practical implications because this point is frequently used for aerobic training prescription in healthy subjects, athletes, and in elderly or diseased populations. The ventilatory threshold identified by V(E) curve should be used for aerobic training prescription in healthy subjects and athletes.

Aerobic profile of climbers during maximal arm test

This study compared measurements of upper body aerobic fitness in elite (EC; n = 7) and intermediate rock climbers (IC; n = 7), and a control group (C; n = 7). Subjects underwent an upper limb incremental test on hand cycle ergometer, with increments of 23 W.min(-1), until exhaustion. Ventilation (VE) data were smoothed to 10 s averages and plotted against time for the visual determination of the first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds. Peak power output was not different among groups [EC = 130.9 (+/- 11.8) W; IC = 122.1 (+/- 28.4) W; C = 115.4 (+/- 15.1) W], but time to exhaustion was significantly higher in EC than IC and C. VO(2PEAK) was significantly higher in EC [36.8 (+/- 5.7) mL.kg(-1).min(-1)] and IC [35.5 (+/- 5.2) mL.kg(-1).min(-1)] than C [28.8 (+/- 5.0) mL.kg(-1).min(-1)], but there was no difference between EC and IC. VT1 was significantly higher in EC than C [EC = 69.0 (+/- 9.4) W; IC = 62.4 (+/- 13.0) W; C = 52.1 (+/- 11.8) W], but no significant difference was observed in VT2 [EC = 103.5 (+/- 18.8) W; IC = 92.0 (+/- 22.0) W; C = 85.6 (+/- 19.7) W]. These results show that elite indoor rock climbers elicit higher aerobic fitness profile than control subjects when measured with an upper body test.

The role of parental anxiety in the treatment of childhood anxiety

Sixty-seven children aged 7 to 14 who met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder were assigned to conditions according to parental anxiety level. Within these conditions, children were randomly assigned to I of 2 treatments: child-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or child-focused CBT plus parental anxiety management (CBT + PAM). At posttreatment, results indicated that within the child-anxiety-only condition, 82% of the children in the CBT condition no longer met criteria for an anxiety disorder compared with 80% in the CBT + PAM condition. Within the child + parental anxiety condition, 39% in the CBT condition no longer met criteria compared with 77% in the CBT + PAM condition. At follow-up, these differences were maintained, with some weakening over time. Results were not consistent across outcome measures. The interpretation and potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

The case for involving the family in the treatment of childhood anxiety

Anxiety disorders are among the most common forms of psychopathology reported by children and adolescents. Anxiety disorders in children have debilitating consequences, both for the child and his/her family. In addition, research indicates that, in many cases, these disorders follow a chronic and persistent course. The efficacy of child-focused cognitive-behavioural interventions in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders has been well demonstrated by recent, well-controlled research. This treatment outcome literature is briefly reviewed. Most recently, however, interventions used in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders have taken the form of combined interventions aimed both at the anxious child and his or her family. This paper reviews two related bodies of research in presenting a case for the involvement of families in the treatment of childhood anxiety. First, the etiological evidence implicating the families of anxious children in the development and/or maintenance of childhood anxiety is presented. Second, the treatment outcome studies that have empirically evaluated this type of combined intervention are reviewed.

Accuracy of predicting a child's response to potential threat: A comparison of children and their mothers

Considerable research has indicated that children and their parents often demonstrate marked discrepancies in their reporting of anxiety-related phenomena. In such cases, the question arises as to whether children are capable of accurately reporting on their anxiety. In the present study, 50 children (aged 5 to 14 years) were asked to approach a large, German Shepherd dog. Prior to the task, both the mother and child independently predicted the closest point likely to be reached by the child and the degree of anxiety likely to be experienced. These predictions were then compared with the actual phenomena displayed by the child during the task. On the behavioural measure (closest step reached), both the child and mother demonstrated equivalent predictive accuracy. On the subjective measure (fear ratings) children were considerably more accurate than their mothers. The data were not influenced by gender, age, or clinical status. The results indicate the ability of children to accurately predict their anxious responses, and support the value of incorporating children's self-reports in the assessment of emotional disorders.

Effect of combined supplementation with vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid on myocardial performance during in vivo ischaemia-reperfusion

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute significantly to myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Recently the combination of the antioxidants vitamin E (VE) and alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) has been reported to improve cardiac performance and reduce myocardial lipid peroxidation during in vitro I-R. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate the effects of VE and alpha-LA supplementation on cardiac performance, incidence of dysrhythmias and biochemical alterations during an in vivo myocardial I-R insult. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (4-months old) were assigned to one of the two dietary treatments: (1) control diet (CON) or (2) VE and alpha-LA supplementation (ANTIOXID). The CON diet was prepared to meet AIN-93M standards, which contains 75 IU VE kg(-1) diet. The ANTIOXID diet contained 10 000 IU VE kg(-1) diet and 1.65 g alpha-LA kg(-1) diet. After the 14-week feeding period, significant differences (P < 0.05) existed in mean myocardial VE levels between dietary groups. Animals in each experimental group were subjected to an in vivo I-R protocol which included 25 min of left anterior coronary artery occlusion followed by 10 min of reperfusion. No group differences (P > 0.05) existed in cardiac performance (e.g. peak arterial pressure or ventricular work) or the incidence of ventricular dysrhythmias during the I-R protocol. Following I-R, two markers of lipid peroxidation were lower (P < 0.05) in the ANTIOXID animals compared with CON. These data indicate that dietary supplementation of the antioxidants, VE and alpha-LA do not influence cardiac performance or the incidence of dysrhythmias but do decrease lipid peroxidation during in viva I-R in young adult rats.

Improved cardiac performance after ischemia in aged rats supplemented with vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid

The purpose of these experiments was to examine the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation with vitamin E (VE) and alpha -lipoic acid (alpha -LA) on biochemical and physiological responses to in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) in aged rats. Male Fischer-334 rats (18 mo old) were assigned to either 1) a control diet (CON) or 2) a VE and alpha -LA supplemented diet (ANTIOX). After a 14-wk feeding period, animals in each group underwent an in vivo I-R protocol (25 min of myocardial ischemia and 15 min of reperfusion). During reperfusion, peak arterial pressure was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ANTIOX animals compared with CON diet animals. I-R resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in myocardial lipid peroxidation in CON diet animals but not in ANTIOX animals. Compared with ANTIOX animals, heart homogenates from CON animals experienced significantly less (P < 0.05) oxidative damage when exposed to five different in vitro radical producing systems. These data indicate that dietary supplementation with VE and -LA protects the aged rat heart from I-R-induced lipid peroxidation by scavenging numerous reactive oxygen species. Importantly, this protection is associated with improved cardiac performance during reperfusion.

The co-segregation of psychosis and selected physical disorders within families of patients with psychosis versus well controls

While it has been reported that individuals with psychosis are at increased or decreased risk of various physical disorders such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, there has been less research on the co-segregation of physical disorders within the first-degree relatives of those with psychosis compared to relatives of well controls. The aim of this study was to examine these issues in an epidemiologically informed catchment-area based case-control study. Patients with psychosis were drawn from a prevalence study undertaken as part of the Australian National Mental Health Survey. In addition, we recruited well controls who resided in the same catchment area. For each subject, we drew pedigrees and used a structured checklist to assess the presence of selected psychiatric disorders, and selected disorders such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, spina bifida, thyroid disorders, diabetes, asthma and eczema. Data based on pedigrees from 293 individuals with psychosis and 292 well controls was available. As expected, the odds of havingschizophrenia and affective disorders were significantly increased in the families of cases versus controls. The odds of havingeczema were significantly reduced in the relatives of those with psychosis. All other disorders occurred with equal frequency in cases versus control pedigrees. Current theories of eczema suggest that an absence of early life exposure to antigens and infectious agents may fail to prime the na¨ıve immune system, and leave the person at increased risk of eczema. The results of this study suggest that genetic andror environmental factors that facilitate psychosis may protect against eczema. The Stanley Foundation supported this project.