Exercise Dependence and Anxiety in Cross-Trainers, Bodybuilders and Gym Exercisers During COVID19.

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic an international public health emergency in January 2020, and, soon thereafter, a worldwide adoption of quarantine and physical isolation measures restricted regular practitioners of indoor group physical exercise from many of their usual practices. Some, with exercise dependence (ED), may have experienced exercise withdrawal symptoms that triggered unhealthy anxiety levels. In February 2021, during Portugal's second COVID-19 lockdown, we characterized and compared ED and anxiety levels among different groups of indoor exercise practitioners (cross trainers [CG], bodybuilders [BG] and gym practitioners [GG]). In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 234 adult participants through the internet. To assess participants' ED and anxiety levels, we used Portuguese versions of the ED Scale-21 (EDS-21) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State; STAI-Trait). ED symptoms were evident in all participant subgroups, and we found no gender differences in ED. Anxiety was higher among women than men in CG and GG groups, and there were significant differences in ED between groups such that BG practitioners showed higher ED than GG and CG practitioners (small effect size). Bodybuilders reported most ED behavior, followed by CG and regular gym exercisers, but on some criteria BG and CG groups had similar ED levels. Our results are in line with prior ED prevalence reports conducted before COVID-19 restrictions among regular GG, but these are the first data to report a higher ED prevalence among BG and CG, relative to GG.

The Contribution of Exercise in Telemedicine Monitoring in Reducing the Modifiable Factors of Hypertension-A Multidisciplinary Approach.

The aim of this review was to explore the contribution of physical activity and exercise in the control and reduction of modifiable factors of arterial hypertension in telemedicine programs, assuming a multidisciplinary perspective. Searches were carried out following the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), and the research question defined using the PICOS approach (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study design). The search strategy applied the following terms: blood pressure OR hypertension AND exercise OR physical activity AND telemedicine. The initial search identified 2190 records, but only 19 studies were considered eligible after checking for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The following training variables were generally included: heart rate and heart rate reserve, respiratory rate, rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption, but no resistance training variables were found. The significant improvements on blood pressure parameters of participants diagnosed with hypertension tended to be transient. The exercise prescription was commonly based on general instructions and recommendations for exercise and hypertension. On the other hand, most of the studies including patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs used a personalized training program based on a baseline assessment, particularly following a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The inclusion of exercise professionals in multidisciplinary teams could provide a more person-oriented approach and the long-term maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

Immunogenicity in Oreochromis niloticus vaccinated with sonicated antigens against streptococcosis.

Streptococcosis causes great economic losses in intensive culture of tilapia. Vaccination is the most effective and safest way to tackle infectious diseases. Thus, this study sought the more effective and safer antigenic fraction after sonication of Streptococcus agalactiae to elaborate a vaccine against streptococcosis in Nile tilapia. For this, twenty-one days after vaccination with different fractions (soluble and insoluble) of S. agalactiae, the fish were challenged with the homologous strain (LD50). Then, samples were taken at zero, 14, 28, 60 and 90 days post-vaccination (DPV, n = 7). Blood and organs (cranial kidney, spleen and liver) were collected from vaccinated and unvaccinated fish. Finally, insoluble fraction vaccine presented the best effect, resulting in a 100% relative percent of survival (RPS) and without clinical manifestations. In view of the results, it was to evaluate the role of the insoluble fraction of the antigen in the protective immunity against streptococcosis. The results indicate that the spleen might be the main organ in the vaccine response in Nile tilapia due to the great morphological and immunological differences in vaccinated fish, evidenced by the greater of melanomacrophage centers (MMC) and IgM + lymphocytes in relation to the non-vaccinated fish. At 60 DPV, it was observed the peak of the protective immunity related to the maximum concentration of proteins, circulating leukocytes, antibody titers in the serum and tissue changes with greater expression of IgM + and MMC number in the spleen and kidney of Oreochromis niloticus. Vaccination with insoluble fraction of S. agalactiae was safe and provided effective protection against streptococcosis with maximum protective response at 60 DPV.

Higher Physical Activity Levels May Help Buffer the Negative Psychological Consequences of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

This study explored the associations between physical activity (PA) anxiety levels, and the perception of satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN), during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Thus, 1,404 participants (977 women, 426 men, and one respondent preferred not to answer) ranging from 18 to 89 years old (36.4 ± 11.7 year-old) completed a questionnaire in the period between 1st and 15th April 2021. The survey included sociodemographic data and the following validated instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Basic Need General Satisfaction Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to examine variation in anxiety levels and BPN satisfaction according to PA category (low, moderate, and high). Spearman's Rho correlations coefficients were used to determine the association between anxiety levels and psychological needs. Individuals presenting a higher level of PA revealed lower levels of anxiety-state (H = 20.14; p < 0.01). Differences between elements from different levels of PA were found for the autonomy (H = 23.52; p < 0.001), competence (H = 18.89; p < 0.001), and relatedness (H = 24.42; p < 0.001) psychological needs, suggesting that those who feel their BPN as more satisfied have higher levels of PA. The study found statistically significant correlations between anxiety-state and the satisfaction of the needs for autonomy (p = 0.01; r = -0.46), competence (p = 0.01; r = -0.40), and relatedness (p = 0.01; r = -0.21). These findings support the importance that PA has in the anxiety levels during social isolation, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in an individual-based approach.

The Relationship Between Anxiety Levels, Sleep, and Physical Activity During COVID-19 Lockdown: An Exploratory Study.

Nowadays and worldwide, the attention is focused on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and its consequences on mental health are yet to be fully understood. It is important to capture differences in anxiety levels among populations, groups, and the gender-related variation. Therefore, the present study had two main purposes: (1) to characterize the levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety by examining gender-related, sleep-related, and physical activity-related variations in a nonrepresentative sample of the Portuguese population during the first weeks of lockdown; and (2) to explore the possible relationship between trait anxiety and state anxiety and the possible role of gender as a moderator. This cross-sectional study comprised 1,332 Portuguese adults (aged 18-55 years old) recruited online during COVID-19 outbreak measures. Participants answered to sociodemographic data and the Portuguese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Gender differences were found in both state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.385) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.467) with females presenting higher values. People reporting doing more physical activity than usual during COVID-19 lockdown presented lower levels of state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.200). People reporting more satisfaction with the quality of sleep presented lower levels of both state anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.701) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001; d = 0.899). Variation associated with the physical activity level (low, moderate, and high) was significantly different among groups in both state anxiety (p = < 0.001) and trait anxiety (p = < 0.001). When analyzing in more detail separating the levels of physical activity, participants performing moderate and high physical activity showed lower values of state and trait anxiety compared to participants with low physical activity. Participants performing high physical activity also showed lower values of state anxiety compared to participants performing moderate physical activity. Higher levels of trait anxiety were related to higher levels of state anxiety, but this association was not moderated by gender. Interventions aiming to support people psychologically during this outbreak should consider anxiety as well as gender and possible behavioral changes in sleep and physical activity, for example. Health professionals should not only consider the anxiety related to the situation we are living but also address trait anxiety to help overcome COVID-19 psychological consequences.

Exploring Lifestyle Habits, Physical Activity, Anxiety and Basic Psychological Needs in a Sample of Portuguese Adults during COVID-19.

This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the lifestyle habits, anxiety levels and basic psychological needs (BPN), in Portuguese adults during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including a comparison between genders and age groups. In total, 1404 adults (36.4 ± 11.7 years; 69.6% female) answered sociodemographic data and three instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Basic Need General Satisfaction Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Males revealed higher values for the total energy expenditure (z = -2.26; p = 0.024; η 2 = 0.004) and for the level of satisfaction of competence (z = -2.62; p = 0.009; η 2 = 0.005). Females showed higher scores for the anxiety state (z = -7.87; p ≤ 0.001; η 2 = 0.044) and anxiety trait (z = -6.49; p ≤ 0.001; η 2 = 0.030). Regarding age, higher values for the anxiety trait (p ≤ 0.001; η H 2 = 0.030) were found in the 18-34 years-old group compared to all the other age groups, also presenting significantly higher values of total energy expenditure (χ² = 13.93; p = 0.008; η H 2 = 0.007) when compared to the 35-44 years-old group. Significant differences were observed between the 18-34 years-old group and the other age groups for the satisfaction of competence (χ² = 40.97; p ≤ 0.001; η H 2 = 0.026), except for the >65 years-old group. Strategies for promoting well-being during periods of social isolation should consider the role of psychological dimensions and lifestyle habits according to the gender or age group.

Influence of temperature on streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia / Influência da temperatura na infecção de tilápias do Nilo por Streptococcus agalactiae

Environmental changes affect fish homeostasis, turning them more susceptible to diseases. In Brazil, outbreaks of Streptococcus agalactiae infection have been reported in Nile tilapia when they are outside of their thermal comfort zone. This investigation evaluated mortality rate and which were the most infected organs at temperatures that naturally occurred in southern of Brazil. Forty Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were infected with S. agalactiae and distributed in four groups (n=10) and each group was exposed to a different temperature: G1: 24°C, G2: 26°C, G3: 28°C, and G4: 32°C. Fish were monitored for 10 days. In this period, fish that presented irreversible clinical signs were sacrificed and samples of brain, liver, and kidney were collected for bacteriological and molecular analysis. Signs compatible with a streptococcal infection were observed in all groups. Highest mortality rates occurred at 24°C and 32°C. The brain was the most affected organ with the highest percentage of isolation of S. agalactiae by both methods of diagnosis. The results suggest that, as in mammals, temperatures that are further away from the comfort zone influence fish homeostasis, increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Mudanças ambientais afetam a homeostase dos peixes, tornando-os mais suscetíveis a doenças. No Brasil, têm sido relatados surtos de infecção por Streptococcus agalactiae em tilápia do Nilo, principalmente quando se encontram fora da zona de conforto térmico. No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a taxa de mortalidade e determinado quais foram os órgãos mais afetados por essa bactéria em temperaturas que ocorrem naturalmente no Sul do Brasil. Quarenta tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) foram infectadas por Streptococcus agalactiae e distribuídas em quatro grupos (n = 10), cada um deles submetidos a diferentes temperaturas: G1: 24°C, G2: 26°C, G3: 28°C e G4: 32°C. Os peixes foram monitorados durante 10 dias. Os peixes com sinais clínicos irreversíveis foram sacrificados e coletadas amostras de cérebro, fígado e rins para análise bacteriológica e molecular. Foram observados sinais compatíveis com infecção estreptocócica em todos os grupos. A taxa de mortalidade mais elevada ocorreu nos grupos mantidos nas temperaturas de 24°C e 32°C. O cérebro foi o órgão mais afetado, com a maior percentagem de isolamento de S. agalactiae pelos dois métodos de diagnóstico. Os resultados sugerem que, tal como nos mamíferos, temperaturas que estão mais afastadas da zona de conforto afetam significativamente a homeostase dos peixes, aumentando a sua susceptibilidade para infecções bacterianas.

Isolamento de Streptococcus agalactiae em diferentes órgãos de tilápias do nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) criadas em tanques-rede / Isolation of Streptococcus agalactiae in different organs of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in net cages

A estreptococose é uma das principais causas de mortalidade na criação de tilápias no Brasil, causando grandes perdas econômicas. Assim, o estudo objetivou determinar a frequência de isolamento e identificação por PCR de Streptococcus agalactiae em diferentes órgãos de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) naturalmente infectadas, oriundas de oito pisciculturas da região norte do estado do Paraná que apresentavam sinais clínicos característicos de infecção estreptocócica. Para tanto, coletaram-se amostras de sangue e fragmentos de rim, fígado, baço, coração e encéfalo. Essas foram semeadas em meio ágar infusão de cérebro e coração (BHI) adicionado 5% de sangue de ovino e incubados à 29ºC, durante 7 dias em aerofília. Após o crescimento bacteriano e a partir das características macro e microscópicas, foram selecionadas colônias compatíveis com as do gênero Streptococcus sp.. As espécies foram identificadas através de PCR e confirmadas por meio do sequenciamento do gene 16S rDNA. Os resultados demonstraram que em tilápias do Nilo infectadas com S. agalactiae, o isolamento é mais frequente em encéfalo, rim e fígado em ordem decrescente.

Streptococcosis is one of the major causes of mortality in tilapia's creation in Brazil, inducing great economic losses. As soon, the study objectived to determinate the frequency of isolation and identification the Streptococcus agalactiae in organs different of Oreochromis niloticus naturally infected, derived from eight fish farms in the northern region of the state of Paraná, that presented clinical signs characteristics of streptococcal disease. However, blood samples and fragments (kidney, liver, spleen, heart and brain) were collected. These all samples were plated on solid medium of brain and heart infusion (BHI) added 5% ovine blood and incubated at 29ºC for 7 days in aerophilic conditions. Behind, the bacterial growth and from the macro and microscopic features, colonies compatibles with Streptococcus sp. gender, were selected. The species were identified by PCR reaction and confirmed by sequencing of 16S rDNA gene. The results exhibited that in tilapia of Nile infected with S. agalactiae the isolation is more common in brain, kidney and liver in descending order.

Influence of glyceryl guaiacolate ether on anesthetics in tilapia compared to benzocaine and eugenol / Influencia del eter gliceril guayacolato sobre la anestesia en tilapias comparado con benzocaina y eugenol

Objective. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of glyceryl guaiacolate ether (GGE) and compare the times of induction, recovery, hematological changes, total protein and glycaemia among anesthetics in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Materials and methods. A total of 60 tilapia distributed in 3 aquariums (N=20) were used, which formed the group benzocaine (100 mg/L), eugenol (50 mg/L) and guaiacol glyceryl ether (9.000 mg/L). After the induction of anesthesia fish blood samples were collected to determine the complete hemogram and glycemia. Then the animals were placed in aquariums with running water for assessing the anesthesia recovery. Results. It was verified that GGE showed longer induction and recovery times as well a significant increase (p<0.05) of glycemia, when compared with the other groups (p<0.05). The concentration of total protein did not differ between groups (p>0.05). An increase in the number of monocytes in the group treated with benzocaine (p <0.05) was observed in the analysis of the hematological parameters with no difference between groups for other variables. Conclusions. Eugenol and benzocaine allow rapid induction and recovery in Nile tilapia, without evidence of stress during handling and GGE showed high induction and recovery times, being inadequate for anesthetic use in Nile tilapia.

Objetivo. El trabajo tuvo como objetivo investigar la eficacia del eter gliceril guayacolato (EGG) y comparar los tiempos de inducción, recuperación, alteraciones hematológicas, de proteínas totales y glicemia entre los anestésicos en tilapias del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Materiales y métodos. Fueron utilizadas 60 tilapias distribuidas en 3 acuarios (n=20), que formaron los grupos benzocaína (100 mg/L), eugenol (50 mg/L) y éter gliceril guayacolato (9.000 mg/L). Después de la inducción anestésica se procedió a colectar la sangre para determinar el hemograma y glicemia. A seguir, los animales fueron colocados en acuarios con agua corriente para la evaluación de la recuperación anestésica. Resultados. Se verificó que el EGG presentó mayor tiempo de inducción y recuperación, así como aumento significativo (p<0.05) de la glicemia, cuando fue comparado con los otros grupos (p<0.05). La concentración de las proteínas totales no fueron diferentes entre los grupos (p>0.05). En el análisis de los parámetros hematológicos fue observado aumento del número de monocitos en el grupo tratado con benzocaína (p<0.05) sin diferencia ente los grupos para las otras variables. Conclusiones. El eugenol y la benzocaína permiten rápidas inducciones y recuperación en tilapias del Nilo, sin evidencias de estrés durante la manipulación y el EGG presenta tiempos elevados de inducción y recuperación, no siendo este adecuado para el uso en tilapias del Nilo.

Inflammatory responses of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus to Streptococcus agalactiae: effects of vaccination and yeast diet supplement.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with 0.3% Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell wall and of vaccination against Streptococcus agalactiae on the cellular component of acute inflammation induced in the coelomic cavity of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and on survival of the fish after challenge. A total of 84 tilapia of mean (±SD) weight 125.0 ± 1.5 g were distributed among twelve 310 l fiberglass tanks according to a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design in the following manner: with and without supplementation; 2 stimulations (oily solution without S. agalactiae vaccine and vaccination); 15 d later all fish were intracoelomically challenged with 108 CFU ml-1 of a homologous strain of S. agalactiae, and evaluated after 6, 24 and 48 h, with 7 replicates. The fish received the non-supplemented or supplemented diet for a total of 77 d. The vaccination was performed on the 60th day, intracoelomically, as a single injection of 0.5 ml of the vaccine containing 108 CFU ml-1. Fifteen days later, all the fish were challenged with S. agalactiae by means of an intracoelomic inoculation of 108 CFU ml-1. No mortality was observed among the supplemented fish. The fish that were fed the non-supplemented diet and immunized with the bacterium presented a mortality rate of 28.5%. Among the non-supplemented and non-immunized fish, the mortality rate was 38.09%. Supplementation, in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated fish, induced larger accumulations of thrombocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages at the inflammatory focus. The results suggest that supplementation with 0.3% yeast cell wall, in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated fish, improved the inflammatory response of the fish and protected against the challenge. Vaccination increased the defense response, but the effect was stronger when associated with supplementation with S. cerevisiae.

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus spp. group B in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in hapas nets and earth nurseries in the northern region of Parana State, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar e caracterizar o Streptococcus spp. em tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivadas em sistema de tanque rede e em viveiros de terra. Oito propriedades de criação intensiva foram estudadas de 1 de abril de 2001 a 30 de abril de 2002. Em quatro propriedades, os peixes eram cultivados em sistema de tanque rede e em quatro em sistema de tanque terra. Ao todo foram analisadas 370 amostras de material colhido de 120 peixes (encéfalo, fígado, rim, raspado de pele, líquido ascítico e olho) que foram semeadas em ágar BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) contendo sangue ovino e extrato de levedura. Streptococcus spp. foi isolado de 36 amostras (18 amostras de encéfalo, oito de fígado, oito de rim e duas de líquido ascítico), provenientes de 25 peixes. Estreptococos foram isolados, quase na mesma proporção, nos dois sistemas de cultivo. Inicialmente os estreptococos foram caracterizados pela prova da catalase e esculina, crescimento em azul de metileno e NaCl a 6.5%. A classificação em grupos foi efetuada pelo Slidex Strepto-Kit (BioMerieux, França). As características fenotípicas foram determinadas pelo sistema de microtestes API 20 Strep (BioMerieux, França). As 36 amostras de estreptococos não apresentaram hemólise e foram classificadas no grupo B de Lancefield. Dessas, 16 amostras foram identificadas como Streptococcus agalactiae e 20 não foram caracterizadas pelo API 20 Strep, mas apresentaram o mesmo perfil bioquímico descrito para a cepa de referência de Streptococcus difficile (ND-2-22). A ausência de hemólise, classificação no grupo B e o perfil bioquímico sugerem que estes estreptococos podem pertencer à espécie Styreptococcus difficile.

Mastite bovina por Mycoplasma bovis em rebanhos leiteiros / Mastitis caused by Mycoplasma bovis in dairy cattle

Foram examinadas 713 vacas de três rebanhos leiteiros localizados na regiäo norte do Estado do Paraná e sudoeste do Estado de Säo Paulo, das quais 137 apresentaram mastite. Nas três propriedades foram detectados oito animais (1,12 por cento) com mastite clínica por Mycoplasma bovis. Destes animais, quatro tratados com oxitetraciclina e tilosina e três com enrofloxacina, näo responderam ao tratamento e foram descartados no decorrer da lactaçäo. Uma vaca medicada com enrofloxacina recuperou quase que totalmente a secreçäo láctea mas a eliminaçäo de M. bovis persistiu por toda lactaçäo. Esta vaca apresentou cura bacteriológica na lactaçäo seguinte. O descarte dos animais positivos, monitoramento bacteriológico e a aplicaçäo correta das medidas de prevençäo para as mastites contagiosas controlaram a disseminaçäo de M. bovis nos rebanhos

Etiologia das infecçöes intramamárias em vacas primíparas ao longo dos primeiros quatro meses de lactaçäo / Aetiology of mammary infections in primiparous cows during the first four months of lactation

De 88 vacas primíparas, oriundas de quatro rebanhos leiteiros, foram colhidas 1985 amostras de leite, ao longo dos 120 dias pós-parto, das quais 457 (23,02 por cento) apresentaram resultados microbiológicos positivos. Os estafilococos coagulase negativos (ECN) foram isolados em 316 (69,14 por cento) amostras. Corynebacterium bovis em 56 (12,25 por cento), estreptococos em 41 (8,97 por cento) e estafilococos coagulase positivos (ECP) em 38 (8,31 por cento). Mastite clínica foi detectada em nove (10,23 por cento) vacas. No primeiro dia pós-parto, 57 (64,77 por cento) animais e 114 (32,66 por cento) quartos apresentaram exames bacteriológicos positivos. Até o décimo quarto dia, ocorreu um decréscimo acentuado no número de vacas e quartos infectados, que posteriormente tendeu a estabilizar. Os ECN foram as bactérias mais isoladas ao longo de todo experimento, enquanto o número de estreptococos decresceu acentuadamente nas duas primeiras semanas pós-parto. As infecçöes por C. Bovis aumentaram progressivamente a partir do parto. Entre os ECN, predominaram o S. hyicus e o S. intermedius e, nos estreptocos, os do grupo C e D. A contagem média de células somáticas (CCS), nos quartos infectados, foi de 508,914/ml, enquanto que, nos quartos negativos, foi de 73,942/ml.