Socioeconomic status as determinant of risk factors for overweight in adolescents

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Correlações entre os níveis de L-carnitina plasmática, o estado nutricional e a função ventilatória de portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis de L-carnitina livre no plasma, o estado nutricional, a função pulmonar e a tolerância ao exercício em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e verificar as correlações entre a composição corporal e as frações de L-carnitina no plasma. MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes entre 66,2±9 anos, com diagnóstico clínico de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, foram divididos em dois grupos: G1, com índice de massa corporal menor que 20kg/m², e G2, com índice de massa corporal maior que 20kg/m². Foram mensurados os parâmetros espirométricos, a tolerância ao exercício no teste de caminhada, a força muscular respiratória, a composição corporal por meio da impedância bioelétrica e as dosagens da L-carnitina plasmática, através de amostras de sangue. RESULTADOS: Foram observados menores valores das variáveis espirométricas (p<0,01), da força muscular respiratória e dos níveis de L-carnitina nos pacientes do G1; porém, não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à capacidade de realizar exercício físico dinâmico de baixa intensidade. Correlações significativas entre o percentual de gordura e os níveis de L-carnitina plasmática foram observadas nos pacientes (r=0,53 com p<0,002); sendo que, nos pacientes com índice de massa corporal menor que 18kg/m², essa relação aumentou (r<0,73 com p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Na doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, a desnutrição está associada tanto aos prejuízos da função pulmonar e da força muscular respiratória, quanto aos baixos níveis de L-Carnitina plasmática.

Seed size and genotype effects on maize (Zea mays L.) yield under different technology levels

Final plant population in maize crop was used as a basis to identify the technology level of a given farmer. Final population of 50,000 plants/hectare was considered as an indication of a high technology level farmer; 35,000 of a medium, and 20,000 of a low technology level farmer. These populations were artificially obtained for the hybrids HT-2X, BR-201, and BR-205 from small, medium and large seeds. The results showed the triple cross hybrid HT-2X to be the most indicated for low technology level regions, due to its lesser sensitivity to variations in seed size and also to its significant outyielding of the other two hybrids. The double cross hybrids BR-201 and BR-205 exhibited much higher sensitivity to variations in seed size so that if they have to be used in a low technology region, the most recommended procedure would be to make use of the largest possible seeds. In conclusion, genotype and seed size seem to be factors capable of compensating for plant population reductions in maize crops. The more prolific hybrids and the largess seeds are more indicated for low technology level regions.

Intense red upconversion emission in infrared excited holmium-doped PbGeO3-PbF2-CdF2 transparent glass ceramic

Intense red upconversion emission around 650 nm in PbGeO3-PbF2-CdF2 transparent glass ceramic containing beta-PbF2:Ho3+ nanocrystals, is presented. The holmium-doped vitroceramic samples were excited by a 980 nm diode laser source. The 650 nm upconversion signal was assigned to the F-5(5) --> I-5(8) transition of holmium ions. Very low intensity signals around 490 and 540 nm corresponding to the F-5(2,3) --> I-5(8) and S-4(2), F-5(4) --> I-5(8) transitions, respectively, were also detected. The upconversion excitation mechanism was achieved through a combination of stepwise phonon-assisted multiphoton absorption, cross-relaxation processes involving pairs of holmium ions, and excited-state absorption. Using a diode laser pump source around 850 nm green upconversion emission around 540 nm was the observed predominant signal. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of intra-PAG infusion of ovine CRF on defensive behaviors in Swiss-Webster mice

The midbrain dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) is part of the brain defensive system involved in active defense reactions to threatening stimuli. Corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is a peptidergic neurotransmitter that has been strongly implicated in the control of both behavioral and endocrine responses to threat and stress. We investigated the effect of the nonspecific CRF receptor agonist, ovine CRF (oCRF), injected into the DPAG of mice, in two predator-stress situations, the mouse defense test battery (MDTB), and the rat exposure test (RET). In the MDTB, oCRF weakly modified defensive behaviors in mice confronted by the predator (rat); e.g. it increased avoidance distance when the rat was approached and escape attempts (jump escapes) in forced contact. In the RET, drug infusion enhanced duration in the chamber while reduced tunnel and surface time, and reduced contact with the screen which divides the subject and the predator. oCRF also reduced both frequency and duration of risk assessment (stretch attend posture: SAP) in the tunnel and tended to increase freezing. These findings suggest that patterns of defensiveness in response to low intensity threat (RET) are more sensitive to intra-DPAG oCRF than those triggered by high intensity threats (MDTB). Our data indicate that CRF systems may be functionally involved in unconditioned defenses to a predator, consonant with a role for DPAG CRF systems in the regulation of emotionality. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of a single near-infrared laser treatment on cutaneous wound healing: Biometrical and histological study in rats

Background: Low intensity laser therapy has been recommended to support the cutaneous repair; however, so far studies do not have evaluated the tissue response following a single laser treatment. This study investigated the effect of a single laser irradiation on the healing of full-thickness skin lesions in rats.Methods: Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into three groups. One surgical lesion was created on the back of rats using a punch of 8 mm in diameter. One group was not submitted to any treatment after surgery and it was used as control. Two energy doses from an 830-nm near-infrared diode laser were used immediately post-wounding: 1.3 J cm(-2) and 3 J cm(-2). The laser intensity 53 mW cm(-2) was kept for both groups. Biometrical and histological analyses were accomplished at days 3, 7 and 14 post-wounding.Results: Irradiated lesions presented a more advanced healing process than control group. The dose of 1.3 J cm(-2) leaded to better results. Lesions of the group irradiated with 1.3 J cm(-2) presented faster lesion contraction showing quicker re-epithelization and reformed connective tissue with more organized collagen fibers.Conclusions: Low-intensity laser therapy may accelerate cutaneous wound healing in a rat model even if a single laser treatment is performed. This finding might broaden current treatment regimens. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of drilling frequencies in recent brachiopod-mollusk associations from the Southern Brazilian Shelf

Over 14,000 specimens-5,204 brachiopods, 9,137 bivalves, and 178 gastropods-acquired from 30 collecting stations (0 to 45 m depth) in the Ubatuba and Picinguaba bays, southern Brazil, were compared for drilling frequencies. Beveled (countersunk) circular-to-subcircular borings (Oichnus-like drill holes) were found in diverse bivalves but also in the rhynchonelliform brachiopod Bouchardia rosea-a small, semi-infaunal to epifaunal, free-lying species that dominates the brachiopod fauna of the southern Brazilian shelf. Drill holes in bivalve mollusks and brachiopods are comparable in their morphology, average diameter, and diameter range, indicating attacks by a single type of drilling organism. Drill holes in brachiopods were rare (0.4%) and found only at five sampling sites. Drillings in bivalves were over 10 times as frequent as in brachiopods, but the average drilling frequency was still low (5.6%) compared to typical boring frequencies of Cenozoic mollusks. Some common bivalve species, however, were drilled at frequencies up to 50 times higher than those observed for shells of B. rosea from the same samples. Due to scarcity of drilled brachiopods, it is not possible to evaluate if the driller displayed a nonrandom (stereotyped) site, size, or valve preference. Drilled brachiopods may record (1) naticid or muricid predation, (2) predation by other drillers, (3) parasitic drillings, and (4) mistaken or opportunistic attacks. Low drilling frequency in brachiopods is consistent with recent reports on ancient and modern examples. The scarcity of drilling in brachiopods, coupled with much higher drilling frequencies observed in sympatric bivalves, suggests that drilling in brachiopods may have been due to facultative or erroneous attacks. The drilling frequencies observed here for the brachiopod-bivalve assemblages are remarkably similar to those reported for Permian brachiopod-bivalves associations. This report adds to the growing evidence for an intriguing macroecological stasis: multiple meta-analytical surveys of present-day and fossil rhynchonelliform brachiopods conducted in recent years also point to persistent scarcity and low intensity of biotic interactions between brachiopods and drilling organisms throughout their evolutionary history.

A Semi-Continuous Analyzer for the Fluorimetric Determination of Atmospheric Formaldehyde

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cardiac benefits of exercise training in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of processing on physical characteristics of diets with distinct levels of carbohydrates and lipids: the outcomes on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Rapid, quantitative determination of polar compounds in fats and oils by solid-phase extraction and size-exclusion chromatography using monostearin as internal standard

A rapid and simple method was developed for quantitation of polar compounds in fats and oils using monostearin as internal standard. Starting from 50 mg of oil sample, polar compounds were obtained by solid-phase extraction (silica cartridges) and subsequently separated by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography into triglyceride polymers, triglyceride dimers, oxidized triglyceride monomers, diglycerides, internal standard and fatty acids. Quantitation of total polar compounds was achieved through the internal standard method and then amounts of each group of compounds could be calculated. A pool of polar compounds was used to check linearity, precision and accuracy of the method, as well as the solid-phase extraction recovery. The procedure was applied to samples with different content of polar compounds and good quantitative results were obtained, especially for samples of low alteration level.

Fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em idosos com diabetes mellitus tipo 2

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors related to the cardiovascular diseases (CVRF) in elderly type 2 diabetics. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 100 elderly patients attending the Rehabilitation Center of Araraquara (CRRA), São Paulo State, Brazil, from March to December, 2004. The majority were married, female, white, with a low income and low educational level. Regarding habits and style of life, the subjects had an adequate diet, were sedentary, non-smoking and non-drinking. In the population of 100, 42% were overweight, 42% obese, 71% had above-normal waist measurements and 84% high waist-to-hip ratios. Concerning the CVRF, it was observed that more than half had hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. 84% had high values of LDL-cholesterol and 59% HDL-cholesterol levels below the reference values, 78% high levels of fasting glycemia, 76% glycohemoglobin and 57% fibrinogen and thus subject to cardiovascular risk. The results showed a high frequency of cardiovascular risk factors, differing according to sex and the age.

Richness and similarity of the Cerrado vascular flora in the central west region of São Paulo state, Brazil

This study aims to characterize and compare three Cerrado areas (one cerradão and two cerrado sensu stricto areas) in Patrânia, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, concerning the floristic composition. In total, 250 taxa were found belonging to four species of pteridophytes, one species of an exotic gymnosperm and 243 species of angiosperms. Differences in species number and proportion of the woody and herbaceous components were observed among the three Cerrado areas. The similarity analysis revealed that the cerradão seems quite peculiar, showing low similarity level with the cerrado sensu stricto areas contiguous to it, being more similar to other cerradão areas located in nearby municipalities. © 2012 Check List and Authors.

Postharvest decay development on guava stored under several controlled atmosphere conditions

The control of post-harvest fungal decay on guava (Psidium guajava L. 'Pedro Sato') stored under low oxygen controlled atmosphere (5 kPa) was compared with increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmospheres. The combination of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kPa) with low oxygen (5 kPa) did not result in additional decay control. The low oxygen level (5 kPa) was the main factor for controlling post-harvest fungal development which resulted in a very low percentage of fruits with symptoms of anthracnose and stylar end rot throughout cold storage, regardless of the CO2 concentration. After transfer to ambient conditions, only the atmospheres with 5 kPa O2 (control), 5 kPa O2 + 1 kPa CO2 and 5 kPa O2 + 5 kPa CO2 resulted in reduced incidence of stylar end rot (P<0.05). There was not a significant interaction among CA combinations and storage duration on the percentage and number of typical anthracnose lesions.

Efeitos do treinamento com pesos nas funções cognitivas de idosos com doença de Alzheimer

Deterioration in cognitive functions is characteristic in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be associated with decline in daily living activities with consequent reduced quality of life. Objective: To analyze weight training effects on cognitive functions in elderly with AD. Subjects: 34 elderly with AD were allocated into two groups: Training Group (TG) and Social Gathering Group (SGG). Methods: Global cognitive status was determined using the Mini-Mental State Exam. Specific cognitive functions were measured using the Brief Cognitive Battery, Clock Drawing Test and Verbal Fluency Test. The protocols were performed three times a week, one hour per session. The weight training protocol consisted of three sets of 20 repetitions, with two minutes of rest between sets and exercises. The activities proposed for the SGG were not systematized and aimed at promoting social interaction among patients. The statistical analyses were performed with the U Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests for group comparisons. All analyses were considered statistically significant at a p-value of 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences associated to the effects of the practice of weight training on cognition in AD patients. Conclusion: In this study, no improvement in cognitive functions was evident in elderly with AD who followed a low intensity resistance exercise protocol. Thus, future studies could evaluate the effect of more intense exercise programs.