The strong inverse association between plasma concentrations of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors type 1 with adiponectin/leptin ratio in older women.

Complex inflammatory crosstalk between muscular and adipose organs during ageing is controlled by adipokines and myokines. The Adiponectin/Leptin ratio (A/L ratio) has proven to be a promising biomarker for identifying insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular risk and adipose tissue inflammation. Although the A/L ratio has been related to inflammatory conditions, its ability to associate with or indicate the behavior of other inflammatory mediators remains unknown. The present study aimed to verify the association between the A/L ratio and a panel of inflammatory biomarkers in community-dwelling older women. The plasmatic concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukins 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and its soluble receptors (sTNF-r) 1 and 2 were evaluated in 71 community-dwelling older women with 75 (±7) years. The A/L ratio was negative and inverse correlated with BNDF (r = -0.29; p = 0.01), IL-8 (r = -0.37; p = 0.001) and sTNFr- 1 (r = -0.98; p < 0.001) levels. A strong and inverse association, with proportional effect, between A/L ratio and sTNFr-1 concentrations was found (Adjusted R2 = 0.22; ß = -0.48; p > 0.001). It suggests that the presence of sTNFr-1 causes an inflammatory effect that affect cross-talk between muscle and adipose tissue, contributing to pro-inflammatory imbalance, which may have molecular and functional consequences. In addition, we provide insights into diagnostic biomarkers for inflammation, especially related to muscle wasting and intrinsic capacity in older people.

Rotating shift work time is directly associated with excess body adiposity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between changes in body adiposity and length of service on a schedule of rotating shifts. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional investigation conducted during the years 2012, 2015, and 2018, involving individuals engaged in rotating shifts at a company involved in iron ore extraction situated within the Iron Quadrangle region of Minas Gerais and the southeastern region of Pará, Brazil. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected along with anthropometric parameters in order to calculate body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). For data analysis, a multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore potential associations between indicators of body adiposity and the duration of shift work, employing a hierarchical determination model. RESULTS: The findings showed that in the multivariate model, controlling for confounding factors, workers with 5 to 10, 10 to 15, and more than 15 years of shift work had 41 to 96% greater odds of being overweight (BMI > 25.0 kg/m2), 71 to 82% of having altered neck circumference (> 40 cm), 33 to 120% of altered WC (>102 cm), and 57 to 214% of having altered WHtR (> 0.5 cm). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that time spent in work has a significant effect on anthropometric indicators of body adiposity, especially if the worker has a previously established comorbidity such as dyslipidemia or hypertension and is frequently exposed to night work.

Role of Membrane Features on the Permeability Behavior of Polymersomes and the Potential Impacts on Drug Encapsulation and Release.

Self-assembled bilayer structures such as those produced from amphiphilic block copolymers (polymersomes) are potentially useful in a wide array of applications including the production of artificial cells and organelles, nanoreactors, and delivery systems. These constructs are of important fundamental interest, and they are also frequently considered toward advances in bionanotechnology and nanomedicine. In this framework, membrane permeability is perhaps the most important property of such functional materials. Having in mind these considerations, we herein report the manufacturing of intrinsically permeable polymersomes produced using block copolymers comprising poly[2-(diisopropylamino)-ethyl methacrylate] (PDPA) as the hydrophobic segment. Although being water insoluble at pH 7.4, its pKa(PDPA) ∼ 6.8 leads to the presence of a fraction of protonated amino groups close to the physiological pH, thus conducting the formation of relatively swollen hydrophobic segments. Rhodamine B-loaded vesicles demonstrated that this feature confers inherent permeability to the polymeric membrane, which can still be modulated to some extent by the solution pH. Indeed, even at higher pH values where the PDPA chains are fully deprotonated, the experiments demonstrate that the membranes remain permeable. While membrane permeability can be, for instance, regulated by introducing membrane proteins and DNA nanopores, examples of membrane-forming polymers with intrinsic permeability have been seldom reported so far, and the possibility to regulate the flow of chemicals in these compartments by tuning block copolymer features and ambient conditions is of due relevance. The permeable nature of PDPA membranes possibly applies to a wide array of small molecules, and these findings can in principle be translocated to a variety of disparate bio-related applications.

Evaluation of Dengue, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus transmission by blood components in recipients of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Brazil has a high prevalence of arboviruses, especially Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZKV), and Chikungunya (CHKV). OBJECTIVES: To study the risk of DENV, ZKV, and CHKV transmission by blood components in the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) population. METHODS: Prospective cohort of HSCT recipients and donors performed at the Hospital das Clinicas da FMUSP, São Paulo-Brazil. Patients were evaluated by serology and RT-PCR for DENV, ZKV, and CHKV pre-transplantation and once a week until neutrophil grafting. In positive cases (positive RT-PCR and/or serology conversion), an investigation was carried out on the blood components that the patient received to evaluate the possibility of it being transfusion transmitted. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included during the study period. The mean age was 52 years with a predominance of males (56.9%). We considered five (5.3%) DENV cases positive by seroconversion in our study. One patient had IgM seroconversion and the other four presented IgG seroconversion to DENV. In the investigation of the blood components, 145 individual samples were analysed. None of the investigated blood components showed a positive RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: We observed a low prevalence of DENV, ZKV, and CHKV in HSCT donors and recipients by serology and RT-PCR, and no case of blood transfusion transmission by RT-PCR.

Rotating shift workers with vitamin D deficiency have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in shift workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male rotating shift workers in an iron ore extraction company. Participants were classified as VDD when 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL for a healthy population and 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL for groups at risk for VDD. Risk of developing OSA was classified by Berlin questionnaire (BQ) and NoSAS score. Data were compared using chi-square analysis with Cramer's V as effect size, and Bonferroni correction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether or not VDD was associated with OSA risk assessment. RESULTS: Among 1423 male workers, mostly younger, aged 30 to 39 years (53%), worked shifts for more than 5 years (76%). The prevalence of high risk of OSA by BQ was 16%, and 33% by NoSAS score. Additionally, 29% had VDD. In multivariate analysis, controlled for confounding factors, workers with VDD had a 52% increased chance of OSA by BQ (OR 1.52; CI95% 1.06-2.18) and a 64% increased chance of OSA by NoSAS score (OR 1.64; CI95% 1.09-2.48). After subgroup analyses, similar results were not observed in workers aged 20-29 and 30-39 years. CONCLUSION: Rotating shift workers with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, assessed by the Berlin questionnaire and NoSAS score.

High prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among medical and other health specialties residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic put healthcare professionals, including residents (postgraduate trainees of health professions), under intense physical and psychological stress, hence at risk for mental disorders. We evaluated the prevalence of mental disorders among healthcare residents during the pandemic. METHODS: From July to September 2020, residents in medicine and other healthcare specialties in Brazil were recruited. The participants completed electronic forms with validated questionnaires (DASS-21, PHQ-9, BRCS) to screen for depression, anxiety, and stress, and to evaluate resilience. Data on potential predisposing factors for mental disorders were also collected. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared, students t, correlation and logistic regression models were applied. The study received ethical approval, and all participants provided informed consent. RESULTS: We included 1313 participants (51.3% medical; 48.7% nonmedical) from 135 Brazilian hospitals; mean (SD) age: 27.8 (4.4) years; 78.2% females; 59.3% white race. Of all participants, 51.3%, 53.4% and 52.6% presented symptoms consistent with depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively; 61.9% showed low resilience. Nonmedical residents exhibited higher anxiety compared to medical residents (DASS-21 anxiety score, mean difference: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.15-3.37; p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, having any pre-existent, nonpsychiatric chronic disease was associated with higher prevalence of symptoms indicative of depression (odds ratio, OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.47-2.85, on DASS-21 | OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.59-3.20, on PHQ-9), anxiety (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.51-2.83, on DASS-21), and stress (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09, on DASS-21); other predisposing factors were identified; by contrast, high resilience (BRCS score) was protective against symptoms of depression (OR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.79-0.85, on DASS-21 | OR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.82-0.88, on PHQ-9), anxiety (OR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.87-0.93, on DASS-21), and stress (OR 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85-0.91, on DASS-21); p < 0.05 for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among healthcare residents during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Nonmedical residents exhibited higher levels of anxiety than medical ones. Some predisposing factors for depression, anxiety and stress among residents were identified.

[Mortality and disability-adjusted life years in motorcyclists in Latin America and the Caribbean during the first decade of action for road safetyMortalidad y años de vida ajustados por discapacidad de los motociclistas en América Latina y el Caribe en la primera década de seguridad vial]. / Mortalidade e anos de vida ajustados por incapacidade de motociclistas na América Latina e Caribe na primeira década de segurança viária.

Objective: To identify the temporal trend in mortality and years of life lost to death or disability (DALY) due to motorcycle accidents in males from Latin America and the Caribbean from 2010 to 2019, using estimates produced by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Method: In this ecological study, the time series was analyzed using a piecewise linear regression model (joinpoint) to estimate and test the annual percent change and the average annual percent change with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The super-region defined by GBD 2019 as Latin America and the Caribbean ranked first globally in mortality and DALY for male motorcyclists aged 15-49 in 2019. Rates increased significantly from 2010 to 2013, with a significant reduction in both after this period. During the analyzed decade, the Tropical Latin America sub-region (Brazil and Paraguay) had the highest mortality and DALY rates in the population of interest; nevertheless, this was the only sub-region achieving a significant reduction in these rates. The Caribbean sub-region (Bermuda, Dominica, Suriname, Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, U.S. Virgin Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba e Jamaica) showed a significant increase in both rates over the same period, while Andean Latin America (Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru) and Central Latin America (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Venezuela) remained stable. Conclusions: The data underscore the importance of developing surveillance actions aimed at preventing motorcycle accidents, since the observed declining rates are still insufficient to address the morbidity and mortality associated with road accidents as a public health problem.

Objetivo: Determinar la tendencia temporal de la mortalidad y los años de vida perdidos por muerte o ajustados por discapacidad (AVAD) de hombres por accidentes de motocicleta en América Latina y el Caribe en el período 2010-2019, a partir de las estimaciones del estudio de la carga mundial de enfermedades (CME). Métodos: En este estudio ecológico se analizaron las series temporales mediante el modelo de regresión lineal segmentada (joinpoint), con cálculo y comprobación del cambio porcentual anual y del cambio porcentual anual promedio, con un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: La región de América Latina y el Caribe definida por el estudio de la CME ocupó el primer lugar a nivel mundial en mortalidad y AVAD de motociclistas varones de 15 a 49 años en el 2019. Las tasas tuvieron un notable aumento del 2010 al 2013, y ambas registraron una reducción importante después de ese período. En la década analizada, la subregión de América Latina Tropical (Brasil y Paraguay) presentó las mayores tasas de mortalidad y de AVAD en la población de estudio, pero fue la única con una reducción importante de las mismas. La subregión del Caribe (Antigua y Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belice, Bermudas, Cuba, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Haití, Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, República Dominicana, Saint Kits y Nevis, San Vicente y las Granadinas, Santa Lucía, Suriname, y Trinidad y Tabago) mostró un aumento importante de ambas tasas, mientras que América Latina Andina (Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú) y América Latina Central (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Nicaragua, Panamá y Venezuela) se mantuvieron estables. Conclusiones: Los datos refuerzan la importancia de las actividades de vigilancia destinadas a prevenir los accidentes de motocicleta, puesto que la reducción observada de las tasas aún es insuficiente para abordar la morbimortalidad por accidentes de tráfico como problema de salud pública.

Ultra-processed food consumption and dietary, lifestyle and social determinants: a path analysis in Brazilian graduates (CUME project).

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption and dietary, lifestyle and social determinants using pathway analysis in the baseline of the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, in which path analysis was used to estimate direct and indirect effects of dietary practices, sleep, time on the computer and professional status on UPF consumption. SETTING: Data were collected in 2016, through an online questionnaire composed of sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and dietary practices questions, and a FFQ. PARTICIPANTS: Baseline participants from the CUME Project (n 2826), adults who graduated from Universidade Federal de Viçosa or Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. RESULTS: Being employed (P = 0·024), the time spent on the computer (P = 0·031) and the frequency of fried food intake (P < 0·001) were positively and directly associated with UPF consumption, whereas the sleep duration (P = 0·007) and the number of meals per d (P < 0·001) were negatively and directly associated with UPF consumption. Indirect effects were observed between being employed, mediated by the sleep duration (P = 0·032) and fried food intake (P = 0·005), whereas being a student is mediated by the time on the computer (P = 0·048). CONCLUSION: The time spent on the computer, sleep duration and fried food consumption showed direct effects on UPF consumption. They also acted as mediators on the relationship between professional status and UPF consumption. Besides, the number of meals eaten each day also was directly associated with UPF consumption.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Berlin questionnaire and the NoSAS score in detecting risk for obstructive sleep apnea in rotating shift workers.

BACKGROUND: Data on the validity of tools for sleep apnea risk detection in rotating shift workers are limited. The aim was to evaluate the Berlin questionnaire (BQ) and the Neck, Obesity, Snoring, Age, Sex (NoSAS) score for the detection of obstructive sleep apnea risk in shift workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male rotating shift workers, drivers of heavy off-road machinery in an iron ore extraction company. Polysomnography was the gold standard for evaluation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥ 5 events/h. The Shapiro-Wilk test verified the data distribution and comparative analysis was conducted using the chi-square analyses and U Mann-Whitney with Bonferroni correction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and accuracy were used for evaluate BQ and NoSAS with OSA diagnosis by polysomnograph. RESULTS: Among 119 male shift workers, ages 24 to 57 years, polysomnography showed that 84% had obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 5), and 46% had moderate to severe sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 15). For AHI ≥ 5, the NoSAS score had higher sensitivity and specificity than the BQ. For AHI ≥ 15 and AHI ≥ 30, the NoSAS score had a sensitivity higher than 70% while BQ was 60% and 58%, respectively. The accuracy of the NoSAS score was higher for all OSA criteria than that of BQ. CONCLUSION: In rotating shift workers, drivers of heavy off-road machinery, the NoSAS score showed higher accuracy in identifying patients at risk for sleep apnea than the BQ.

Caffeine alters the breathing pattern during high-intensity whole-body exercise in healthy men.

PURPOSE: The current study investigated the effect of caffeine on the breathing pattern during a high-intensity whole-body exercise. METHODS: Using a randomized, crossover, counterbalanced, and double-blind design, twelve healthy men ingested either 5 mg.kg-1 of caffeine or cellulose (placebo) one hour before performing a high-intensity whole-body exercise (i.e., work rate corresponding to 80% of the difference between the gas exchange threshold and maximal oxygen uptake) until the limit of tolerance. Ventilatory and metabolic responses were recorded throughout the trial and at task failure. RESULTS: Caffeine ingestion increased time to task failure in relation to the placebo (368.1 ± 49.6 s vs. 328.5 ± 56.6 s, p = 0.005). Caffeine also increased tidal volume and inspiratory time throughout the exercise (p < 0.05). Compared to task failure with placebo, task failure with caffeine intake was marked by higher (p < 0.05) minute ventilation (134.8 ± 16.4 vs. 147.6 ± 18.2 L.min-1), the ventilatory equivalent of oxygen consumption (37.8 ± 4.2 vs. 41.7 ± 5.5 units), and respiratory exchange ratio (1.12 ± 0.10 vs. 1.19 ± 0.11 units). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ingestion of caffeine alters the breathing pattern by increasing tidal volume and lengthening the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle. These findings suggest that caffeine affects the ventilatory system, which may account, in part, for its ergogenic effects during high-intensity whole-body exercises.

Panax ginseng Supplementation Increases Muscle Recruitment, Attenuates Perceived Effort, and Accelerates Muscle Force Recovery After an Eccentric-Based Exercise in Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Cristina-Souza, G, Santos-Mariano, AC, Lima-Silva, AE, Costa, PL, Domingos, PR, Silva, SF, Abreu, WC, De-Oliveira, FR, and Osiecki, R. Panax Ginseng supplementation increases muscle recruitment, attenuates perceived effort, and accelerates muscle force recovery after an eccentric-based exercise in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 991-997, 2022-The effect of Panax ginseng during and after an eccentric-based exercise is underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on muscle force and muscle excitation during an eccentric-based exercise and on subsequent muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 10 male track and field athletes consumed Panax ginseng or placebo for 8 days. At the fifth day, they performed 4 sets until concentric failure of a half-squat exercise, with eccentric action increased by using an eccentric-inductor device attached to their knees. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and vastus lateralis electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured during the half-squat. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, DOMS, and maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVCs) with EMG recording were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the half-squat. Panax ginseng attenuated RPE and increased EMG during the sets. The MIVC remained reduced 48 hours after exercise in the placebo but returned to baseline 24 hours after exercise in the Panax ginseng, with values at 24 and 48 hours after exercise significantly higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo. The EMG during MIVC was higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo over the time points. No significant effect of Panax ginseng on LDH, CK, and DOMS was observed. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng increases muscle excitation and attenuates perceived effort during an eccentric-based exercise as well as accelerates the recovery of muscle force in well-trained athletes.

Maytenus ilicifolia Extract Increases Oxygen Uptake without Changes in Neuromuscular Fatigue Development during a High-Intensity Interval Exercise.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of acute ingestion of Maytenus ilicifolia extract on metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses during a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and its consequence on neuromuscular fatigue. METHODS: Ten healthy men underwent a HIIE (4 x 4 min, 3 min recovery) one hour after ingesting 400 mg of Maytenus ilicifolia extract (MIE) or placebo. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2), dioxide carbon production (V̇CO2), ventilation (V̇E) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the HIIE. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), and evoked 1, 10 and 100 Hz force twitch were measured before supplementation (baseline), and before (pre-HIIE) and after the HIIE (post-HIIE). RESULTS: The V̇O2, V̇E, V̇E/V̇O2 ratio and HR increased progressively throughout the HIIE under both conditions (p < 0.05). MIE increased HR, however, at bouts 1 and 2 and mean V̇O2 during HIIE. The mean respiratory exchange ratio during recovery was also reduced with MIE (p < 0.05). MVC and evoked force at 1, 10 and 100 Hz declined similarly after HIIE, regardless of the condition (MIE: -18 ± 17%, -50 ± 15%, -61 ± 13% and -34 ± 10% vs. placebo: -19 ± 15%, -48 ± 16%, -58 ± 12 and -29 ± 11%, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no effect of exercise or MIE on VA (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: MIE increases heart rate in the first bouts and mean oxygen uptake during HIIE without changes in neuromuscular fatigue development.

Sediment contamination and toxic effects on Violet Goby fish (Gobioides broussonnetii - Gobiidae) from a marine protected area in South Atlantic.

The Estuarine-Lagoon Complex of Iguape-Cananéia (ELCIC), a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Brazil, was the focus of this study that aimed to relate external levels of exposure to contaminants to toxic effects on Gobioides broussonnetii fish. Different anthropogenic contaminants such as metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were analyzed in the sediments; and biochemical, histopathological and genotoxicity biomarkers evaluated in fish; in two different seasons at three sites of the estuarine region. Higher contamination of the sediments was observed near the main urban center (Iguape city - IG). Metal concentrations were considered low to moderate, while PAHs concentrations were considered low. The concentrations of PPCPs increased due to the anthropogenic presence and were higher near IG and the Cananéia Island (CI). Contributions from historical mining, agriculture, nautical activities, oil, sewage and waste disposal, biomass and fossil fuels combustion were identified. Higher concentrations of metals and PPCPs were observed during the cold-dry season, suggesting influences of the lower hydrodynamics during the season of lower precipitation. Higher PAHs concentrations occurred in the hot-rainy season, indicating influences of greater human presence in summer. In fish, biological responses followed the same spatial and seasonal pattern. More pronounced changes in antioxidant, biotransformation, histopathological and genotoxic biomarkers were observed in IG and CI. The multivariate analysis and the integrated biomarkers response index (IBR) also evidenced worse environmental conditions in these sites. This result can indicate a negative influence of anthropogenic activities on the contamination of sediments and on the biological responses of fish. This study presented the first ecotoxicological data for the species and suggested that these chronic exposures can cause adverse effects on this fish population. The data contribute to the understanding of local environmental quality and can be applied in the future to the environmental and social management of marine protected areas.

Polyglycidol-Stabilized Nanoparticles as a Promising Alternative to Nanoparticle PEGylation: Polymer Synthesis and Protein Fouling Considerations.

We herein demonstrate the outstanding protein-repelling characteristic of star-like micelles and polymersomes manufactured from amphiphilic block copolymers made by poly(butylene oxide) (PBO) hydrophobic segments and polyglycidol (PGL) hydrophilic outer shells. Although positively charged proteins (herein modeled by lysozyme) may adsorb onto the surface of micelles and polymersomes where the assemblies are stabilized by short PGL chains (degree of polymerization smaller than 15), the protein adsorption vanishes when the degree of polymerization of the hydrophilic segment (PGL) is higher than ∼20, regardless the morphology. This has been probed by using three different model proteins which are remarkably different concerning molecular weight, size, and zeta potential (bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme, and immunoglobulin G (IgG)). Indeed, the adsorption of the most abundant plasma protein (herein modeled as BSA) is circumvented even by using very short PGL shells due to the highly negative zeta potential of the produced assemblies which presumably promote protein-nanoparticle electrostatic repulsion. The negative zeta potential, on the other hand, enables lysozyme adsorption, and the phenomenon is governed by electrostatic forces as evidenced by isothermal titration calorimetry. Nevertheless, the protein coating can be circumvented by slightly increasing the degree of polymerization of the hydrophilic segment. Notably, the PGL length required to circumvent protein fouling is significantly smaller than the one required for PEO. This feature and the safety concerns regarding the synthetic procedures on the preparation of poly(ethylene oxide)-based amphiphilic copolymers might make polyglycidol a promising alternative toward the production of nonfouling spherical particles.

Direct access endoscopy in a Brazilian public healthcare facility: comparable results with specialist referred endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Direct access endoscopy (DAE) is the procedure performed without the pre-evaluation of the patient by a specialist. It is widely available in many medical services around the world, but there is lack of data about this strategy in the setting of the public health system in Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the main endoscopic findings of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy requested through DAE and by specialists. METHODS: Longitudinal, retrospective single center study in patients who underwent upper digestive endoscopy in a public healthcare facility at the southern region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from August 2011 to December 2018. Age, gender, modality of endoscopy request (DAE or endoscopy requested by specialists), and endoscopic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2810 patients were included. Most of them were female 65.23% (1833), mean age was 47.36 years, and 50.71% of the exams (1425) were DAE. Only 4.62% of the exams had normal reports. The most frequent endoscopic findings were gastritis (91.99%), bulboduodenitis (43.59%) and reflux esophagitis (14.76%). Patients who underwent endoscopy requested by specialists were older (50.25 ± 16.57 vs. 44.55 ± 16.31 years, p < .0001) and more frequently men (36.61 vs. 32.98%, p = .0437) in comparison to DAE. However, endoscopic findings were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that direct access upper endoscopy had comparable results to specialist requested endoscopy in a public healthcare facility in the southern region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Antiangiogenic Targets for Glioblastoma Therapy from a Pre-Clinical Approach, Using Nanoformulations.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive tumor type whose resistance to conventional treatment is mediated, in part, by the angiogenic process. New treatments involving the application of nanoformulations composed of encapsulated drugs coupled to peptide motifs that direct drugs to specific targets triggered in angiogenesis have been developed to reach and modulate different phases of this process. We performed a systematic review with the search criterion (Glioblastoma OR Glioma) AND (Therapy OR Therapeutic) AND (Nanoparticle) AND (Antiangiogenic OR Angiogenesis OR Anti-angiogenic) in Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, in which 312 articles were identified; of these, only 27 articles were included after selection and analysis of eligibility according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of the articles were analyzed in five contexts: the characteristics of the tumor cells; the animal models used to induce GBM for antiangiogenic treatment; the composition of nanoformulations and their physical and chemical characteristics; the therapeutic anti-angiogenic process; and methods for assessing the effects on antiangiogenic markers caused by therapies. The articles included in the review were heterogeneous and varied in practically all aspects related to nanoformulations and models. However, there was slight variance in the antiangiogenic effect analysis. CD31 was extensively used as a marker, which does not provide a view of the effects on the most diverse aspects involved in angiogenesis. Therefore, the present review highlighted the need for standardization between the different approaches of antiangiogenic therapy for the GBM model that allows a more effective meta-analysis and that helps in future translational studies.

Allometric Scale Corrects Performance Outcomes in Special Judo Fitness Test.

We compared results of Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) performance of young athletes of two different age categories after correcting body mass (BM) variations by allometric scales. Thirty young judokas (14.2±3.6 years) belonging to two age categories underwent an SJFT: under 15 (U15) years old (12.1±2.4 years; 46.5±15.6 kg; 152.4±11.2 cm) and under 21 years old (U21) (18.2±0.8 years; 77.1±23.5 kg; 174.2±8.9 cm). Allometric exponents of -0.33 and 0.67 were used to correct the influence of BM variations on SJFT performance results. After correction using the -0.33 exponent, U21 showed a higher number of throws (TNT) than U15 (85.5±9.9 and 68.8±12.0, p<0.05, respectively), although the SJFT index had been similar between these groups (67.3±10.1 and 61.7±8.1, p>0.05, respectively). In contrast, TNT normalized by the 0.67 exponent was higher in U15 than U21 (1.55±0.29 and 1.17 ± 0.25, p<0.05, respectively). Likewise, the SJFT index was higher in U15 than in U21 when using the same exponent (1.55±0.29 and 1.17±0.25, p<0.05, respectively). In conclusion, the -0.33 exponent may be useful to remove the influence of BM variations, thus discriminating SJFT performance results in U15 and U21 judokas. Moreover, the 0.67 exponent may overestimate SJFT indices in low-age judokas.

Menstrual cycle alters training strain, monotony, and technical training length in young.

The menstrual cycle (MC) phases carry to several psychophysiological alterations; however, no study has investigated the impact of MC phases on training load or technical training. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the follicular phase (FP), ovulatory phase (OP), and luteal phase (LP) on training load and technical training in young athletes. Twelve female athletes performed regular daily training sessions with the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and duration being registered every session. Training impulse (TRIMP), monotony and strain were calculated. MC symptoms, RPE, and duration were also measured during technical training, which was carried out on a specific day during each phase. The TRIMP was not affected by MC phases during regular training (p > .05), but training monotony and strain were higher in FP compared to OP (p < .05). During the technical training, MC phases did not affect RPE (p > .05), but the session was longer in both FP and LP, compared to OP (p < .05). MC symptoms were exacerbated in FP compared to both OP and LP (p < .05). These findings suggest that MC disorders were elevated during FP, which indicate that monitoring MC phases might provide important feedbacks for programming training and expected results during competitions.

The overweight increases circulating inflammatory mediators commonly associated with obesity in young individuals.

Obesity is a serious and growing world healthy problem affecting developed and developing countries. The new conception of obesity as a basal inflammatory condition has opened a new window of possibilities to identify inflammatory biomarkers to be used in the diagnosis or prognosis of obesity-associated comorbidities. This present work aims the identification of the adipokines (leptin and resistin), chemokines (CCL2, CCL5, CXCL16) and the BMP-2 and their association with the clinical, biochemical (fasting glucose, hemogram, cholesterol, T3, T4 and TSH) and anthropometric (weight, height, body circumferences, skinfold thickness and percentage of body fat) parameters in young adults (18-30 years old) presenting obesity and overweight. Our data showed increasing in anthropometric parameters and in the plasma inflammatory levels in those individuals presenting overweight and obesity. We observed a higher plasma levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL16, leptin and resistin in those overweigh and obese individuals. In addition, the CCL2, CCL5 presented a positive correlation with the body mass index and the body fat percentage. Assuming the obesity as a systemic inflammatory process, in this current study, the overweight individuals possess a close similar pattern of circulating inflammatory mediators which might be a potential risk of the development of obesity comorbidities. Further studies are still needed to precise the role of the biomarkers CCL2, CCL5, CXCL16 and BMP-2 in the clinical prognosis related to the overweight or obese individuals.

Photoacoustic spectroscopy applied to the direct detection of bioactive compounds in Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium.

This paper describes the application of the photoacoustic spectroscopic (PAS) for detection of bioactive compounds in Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium. The mycelium was cultivated by solid-state fermentation and by submerged fermentation. Vegetal residues from food industry were used as substrates for fermentation: apple pomace (Malus domestica), wheat (Triticum aestivum), peel and pomace of pineapple (Ananas comosus), malt (Hordeum vulgare) and grape pomace (Vitis vinifera). Dry and ground samples of biomass were directly put into the PA cell. The optical absorption spectra indicated the existence of three main absorption bands: one around 280 nm related to phytosterols (ergosterol), phenolic acids, flavonoids and aromatic amino acids, another at 340 nm, due to phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and the third one at around 550 nm associated with anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. A correlation between the PA signal and the total phenolic content was satisfactory, as well as for the analyzed spectrum region (270 nm up to 1000 nm), using multivariate methods. Our results indicated that PA technique may be considered as an analytical tool to quickly detect bioactive compounds in mushrooms without the need of sample pretreatment.