CDK10, CDK11, FOXO1, and FOXO3 Gene Expression in Alzheimer's Disease Encephalic Samples.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects different regions of the brain. Its pathophysiology includes the accumulation of ß-amyloid protein, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and inflammatory processes. Genetic factors are involved in the onset of AD, but they are not fully elucidated. Identification of gene expression in encephalic tissues of patients with AD may help elucidate its development. Our objectives were to characterize and compare the gene expression of CDK10, CDK11, FOXO1, and FOXO3 in encephalic tissue samples from AD patients and elderly controls, from the auditory cortex and cerebellum. RT-qPCR was used on samples from 82 individuals (45 with AD and 37 controls). We observed a statistically significant increase in CDK10 (p = 0.029*) and CDK11 (p = 0.048*) gene expression in the AD group compared to the control, which was most evident in the cerebellum. Furthermore, the Spearman test demonstrated the presence of a positive correlation of gene expression both in the auditory cortex in the AD group (r = 0.046/p = 0.004) and control group (r = 0.454/p = 0.005); and in the cerebellum in the AD group (r = 0.654 /p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference and correlation in the gene expression of FOXO1 and FOXO3 in the AD group and the control. In conclusion, CDK10 and CDK11 have high expression in AD patients compared to control, and they present a positive correlation of gene expression in the analyzed groups and tissues, which suggests that they play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Organokines: What Is Now and What Will Be in the Future.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by steatosis, lobular inflammation, and enlargement of the diameter of hepatocytes (ballooning hepatocytes), with or without fibrosis. It affects 20% of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Due to liver dysfunction and the numerous metabolic changes that commonly accompany the condition (obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome), the secretion of organokines is modified, which may contribute to the pathogenesis or progression of the disease. In this sense, this study aimed to perform a review of the role of organokines in NASH. Thus, by combining descriptors such as NASH, organokines, oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, a search was carried out in the EMBASE, MEDLINE-PubMed, and Cochrane databases of articles published in the last ten years. Insulin resistance, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, fructose, and intestinal microbiota were factors identified as participating in the genesis and progression of NASH. Changes in the pattern of organokines secretion (adipokines, myokines, hepatokines, and osteokines) directly or indirectly contribute to aggravating the condition or compromise homeostasis. Thus, further studies involving skeletal muscle, adipose, bone, and liver tissue as endocrine organs are essential to better understand the modulation of organokines involved in the pathogenesis of NASH to advance in the treatment of this disease.

Exploring the benefits of astaxanthin as a functional food ingredient: Its effects on oxidative stress and reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS - A systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent gynecological-endocrinological disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities, and metabolic disturbances. Recent research has highlighted the role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in exacerbating PCOS symptoms and impeding reproductive outcomes. Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant found in marine organisms, has been suggested as a potential therapeutic intervention due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. This meta-analysis systematically reviews randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of astaxanthin supplementation on oxidative stress and reproductive outcomes in women with PCOS. Data from four trials were analyzed, focusing on markers of oxidative stress and reproductive health metrics. The meta-analysis utilized fixed and random-effects models to synthesize results, with heterogeneity assessed using Chi-square and I2 statistics. The findings indicate that while astaxanthin significantly improves markers of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in follicular fluid, it does not show a consistent effect on other oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), or superoxide dismutase (SOD). Reproductive outcomes, including oocyte quality and the number of high-quality embryos, showed moderate improvements, although effects on fertilization rates and pregnancy outcomes were insignificant. The analysis highlights variability in study designs and dosing, suggesting a need for further research with standardized protocols and larger sample sizes. Future studies should focus on determining optimal dosing, exploring mechanistic pathways, and investigating the combined effects of astaxanthin with other interventions. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess long-term benefits and safety, and personalized approaches could enhance treatment efficacy for individuals with PCOS.

Mechanisms and effects of AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, on ovarian granulosa cells-a systematic review.

Granulosa cells, crucial components of ovarian follicles, play a fundamental role in follicle development, hormone production, and overall reproductive health. These cells are integral to steroidogenesis, including the synthesis and secretion of key hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Dysregulation of granulosa cells can lead to reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility. This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of AdipoRon, a synthetic agonist of adiponectin receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, and its effects on ovarian function, with a particular focus on granulosa cells. Due to the absence of clinical trials, the review centers on preclinical studies to explore AdipoRon's potential therapeutic benefits and to suggest future research directions. A detailed literature search across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar was conducted using terms related to AdipoRon and ovarian function. The review encompasses four preclinical studies involving various models: primary granulosa cells from rats, laying hens' granulosa cells, human luteinized granulosa cells, and chicken ovary follicles. Findings indicate that AdipoRon enhances glucose absorption in rat granulosa cells by stimulating glucose transporter 1 expression, modulates steroid hormone secretion in laying hens' granulosa cells, and affects cell proliferation and steroidogenesis in human luteinized granulosa cells. Additionally, AdipoRon, in conjunction with recombinant chicken adiponectin, influences ovarian follicular cell proliferation and steroidogenesis in chicken ovary follicles. This review highlights the need for further investigation into AdipoRon's long-term effects and its potential applications in reproductive health and therapy.

Effect of perceptive-auditory training on the classification of speech hypernasality. / Efeito do treinamento perceptivo-auditivo na classificação da hipernasalidade de fala.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of auditory-perceptual training by inexperienced speech-language pathologists in the classification of hypernasality in individuals with cleft lip and palate and compare their classification of hypernasality individually, with the gold standard evaluation, before and after this training. METHODS: Three inexperienced speech-language pathologists used a four-point scale to assess 24 high-pressure speech samples from individuals with cleft lip and palate, before and after auditory-perceptual training. The speech samples corresponded to six samples of each degree of hypernasality. The speech-language pathologists received auditory-perceptual training during the assessments. They had access to anchor samples and immediate feedback of correct answers regarding the degree of hypernasality in training. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the overall percentage of correct answers when comparing before and after the auditory-perceptual training. There was a significant association and agreement of the three evaluators with a gold standard evaluation after training, with an increase in agreement for a single evaluator for absent and mild degrees of hypernasality. The dichotomous analysis of the data showed an increase in the Kappa Index of Agreement of this evaluator. Although there was an increase in the Index of Agreement between evaluators for absent, mild, and severe hypernasality, this increase did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The auditory-perceptual training provided did not result in a significant improvement in the hypernasality classification for the inexperienced speech-language pathologists, even though the individual data analysis showed that the training favored one of the evaluators. Further studies involving gradual and more extensive auditory-perceptual training may favor the classification of hypernasality by inexperienced SLPs.

OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito de um treinamento perceptivo-auditivo de fonoaudiólogas sem experiência na classificação da hipernasalidade de fala de indivíduos com fissura labiopalatina e comparar a classificação da presença e grau de hipernasalidade realizadas dessas fonoaudiólogas (com a avaliação padrão-ouro), antes e depois do treinamento perceptivo-auditivo. MÉTODO: Três fonoaudiólogas sem experiência analisaram 24 amostras de fala de alta pressão de indivíduos com fissura labiopalatina, antes e depois de treinamento perceptivo-auditivo, usando escala de quatro pontos. As amostras de fala correspondiam a seis amostras de cada grau de hipernasalidade. Entre as análises, as fonoaudiólogas receberam treinamento perceptivo-auditivo. Houve acesso às amostras de referência e feedback de respostas corretas quanto ao grau de hipernasalidade no treinamento. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa na porcentagem geral de acertos entre os momentos antes e depois do treinamento perceptivo-auditivo. Houve associação e concordância significativa das três avaliadoras com avaliação padrão ouro após treinamento, com aumento da concordância para uma avaliadora (aumento de respostas corretas para os graus ausente e leve). A análise dicotômica dos dados mostrou aumento do índice de concordância Kappa dessa avaliadora. Houve aumento do índice concordância inter-avaliadores para hipernasalidade ausente, leve, e grave, porém sem significância estatística. CONCLUSÃO: O treinamento perceptivo-auditivo não resultou em melhora significativa da classificação da hipernasalidade de fala pelas fonoaudiólogas sem experiência, embora a análise individual dos dados tenha mostrado que o treinamento favoreceu uma dessas avaliadoras. Novos estudos envolvendo treinamento perceptivo-auditivo gradual e mais extenso poderão favorecer a classificação da hipernasalidade de fala por fonoaudiólogos sem experiência.

Playful activity with robot for hand hygiene of elementary school students: quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the hand hygiene process after elementary school students participated in an educational activity using an automated digital technology called Tutor Robot. METHOD: Quasi-experimental study developed in 2019 with elementary school students (n=203). Hand hygiene was performed with a fluorescent solution before and after participating in an educational activity with a tutor robot. The images were recorded in a dark chamber and the data related to area of residence, grade, gender, hand position and laterality were analyzed by Anova and Holm-Sidak Post-Hoc (p≤0,05). RESULTS: All conditions studied improved the hand hygiene process after activity with the tutor robot. There was no association between grade, gender, and dominant hand and the performance in the hand hygiene process, however, students from urban areas performed better than those from rural areas. CONCLUSION: The activity with the tutor robot represented an important resource for conducting health education actions on hand hygiene and can also be tested in other settings and populations.

Oral Infection and Survival of Trypanosoma cruzi in Sugarcane Juice Conditioned at Different Temperatures.

PURPOSE: The current most important form of transmission for Trypanosoma cruzi is the oral route, being responsible for high mortality during the acute phase in infected individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the possibility of infection for this parasite using sugarcane juice in different temperatures employing metacyclic trypomastigotes obtained from xenodiagnosis performed in Swiss mice previously infected with T.cruzi Y strain, and then diluted in sugarcane juice. METHODS: For stomach histopathological analysis, 20 mice were infected with metacyclic trypomastigotes diluted in sugarcane juice and euthanized after the 2nd, 4th, 10th, and 15th days after infection. Concurrently, six batches of ten mice were fed using 1.5 mL of the mixture and kept for 12 h at the temperatures of - 80 ºC, - 20 ºC, + 2 ºC, + 28 ºC, + 60 ºC, and + 80 ºC, for later infection verification. RESULTS: Inflammatory infiltrate was found after the 2nd day of infection, and amastigotes nests were present after the 4th, 10th, and 15th day in the margo plicatus stomach region. Viable trypomastigotes were observed in the microtubes kept at - 80 ºC, - 20 ºC, and + 2 ºC, but the animal's infection was observed in the - 80 ºC and + 2 ºC groups. In vitro tests demonstrated the decrease of T. cruzi trypomastigote viability, which was negative after 120 h at -20 ºC and 144 h at + 2 ºC, in contrast to the maintenance of survival after 168 h at - 80 ºC. CONCLUSION: We observed the ability of survival and infection of T. cruzi packaged at - 80 ºC without the use of preservatives and, therefore, less suitable for storing food.

Study of aged central auditory function using the auditory middle latency response.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the auditory function of the elderly using the middle latency potentials. METHODOLOGY: Group 1 (G1): 20 healthy individuals of both genders, older than 60 years, without hearing loss. Group 2 (G2): 20 healthy individuals of both sexes, older than 60 years, with hearing loss in frequencies from 4 to 8 kHz. Potential recording was performed with unilateral and bilateral stimulation and the Binaural Interaction Component was calculated. RESULTS: Na latency in C3A1 was greater in the stimulation of the right ear in G2 and the amplitude of Na-Pa was greater in the stimulation of the right ear and recording in C3A1 in G1. The latency of the Pa component was higher in the stimulation of the right ear recorded in C4A2. The Pb component in G2 by bilateral stimulation and recorded in C4A2 had higher latency. The first and second negative and positive peaks presented greater amplitude in G1. In C3A1, the 1st negative peak was more negative in G1 and the 2nd positive peak showed greater amplitude in C4A2 in both groups. CONCLUSION: The transmission of auditory information to the primary auditory cortex is impaired with aging, especially in unilateral stimulation, reinforced by losses in elderly people with peripheral hearing loss, such as in the binaural interaction at the cortical and subcortical levels. Thus, the AMLR has shown to be a sensitive examination to investigate neuroauditory disorders in the elderly, especially related to high-frequency hearing loss and primary auditory cortex dysfunctions caused by the aging process.

The Relationship between Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, TNF-α, and IL-10 Gene Expression.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the major chronic diseases in children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in T1DM. A total of 107 patients were included, 15 were T1DM in ketoacidosis, 30 patients had T1DM and HbA1c ≥ 8%; 32 patients had T1DM and presented HbA1c < 8%; and 30 were controls. The expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in real time. The cytokines gene expression was higher in patients with T1DM. The IL-10 gene expression increased substantially in patients with ketoacidosis, and there was a positive correlation with HbA1c. A negative correlation was found for IL-10 expression and the age of patients with diabetes, and the time of diagnosis of the disease. There was a positive correlation between TNF-α expression with age. The expression of IL-10 and TNF-α genes showed a significant increase in DM1 patients. Once current T1DM treatment is based on exogenous insulin, there is a need for other therapies, and inflammatory biomarkers could bring new possibilities to the therapeutic approach of the patients.

The Influence of Body Fat and Lean Mass on HbA1c and Lipid Profile in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is used to assess glycemic control in Type 1 diabetes (DM1) patients. Apolipoproteins play an essential role in DM1 pathophysiology and may be associated with complications and HbA1c. This cross-sectional observational study of 81 children and adolescents of both sexes diagnosed with DM1 investigated the relationship between body fat distribution and lean mass with HbA1C and apolipoprotein values, analyzing biochemical and body composition measurements. A Shapiro-Wilk test with Lilliefors correction, a non-parametric Mann-Whitney test, and others were used with a significance level of 5%. The sample had a diagnosis time of 4.32 years and high blood glucose levels (mean 178.19 mg/dL) and HbA1c (mean 8.57%). Subjects also had a moderate level of adiposity, as indicated by arm and thigh fat areas. The study also found significant differences in the distribution of patients concerning levels of apolipoproteins A and B, with a smaller proportion of patients having undesirable levels. Finally, the study found a significant difference in the distribution of patients with estimated cardiovascular risk based on the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio. Conclusively, visceral fat in children and adolescents with DM1 may increase the risk of DM1 long-term complications owing to its association with elevated HbA1C and apolipoprotein values.

Incidence of Bacteriobilia and the Correlation with Antibioticoprophylaxis in Low-Risk Patients Submitted to Elective Videolaparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Cholelithiasis has a major impact on global health and affects an average of 20% of the Western population. The main risk factors are females, age over 40 years, obesity and pregnancy. Most of the time it is asymptomatic, but when there are symptoms, they are generally nonspecific. Bile was considered sterile, but today it is known that it contains a complex bacterial flora, which causes biofilm in the gallbladder and gallstones. Among the main bacteria associated with cholelithiasis are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, species of Enterococcus spp. and Acinetobacter spp. Antibiotic prophylaxis is used in an attempt to reduce postoperative infections, especially at the surgical site. However, some authors found no relationship between the use of antibiotic prophylaxis and a lower risk of surgical site infection. Thus, the aim of this double-blind randomized clinical trial was to compare the existence or not of bacteriobilia in patients at low anesthetic risk who underwent videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy, and its correlation with the use of prophylactic antibiotics. This study included 40 patients between 18 and 65 years old, diagnosed with cholelithiasis, symptomatic or not, with low anesthetic risk classified by the American Society of Anesthesiology in ASA I or ASA II, without complications or previous manipulation of the bile duct, who underwent elective video cholecystectomy, divided into two groups: Experimental Group A (n = 20), which received 2 g of Cephalotin (first-generation Cephalosporin, Keflin®, ABL antibiotics, Cosmópolis, Brazil) during anesthetic induction, and Control Group B (n = 20), where no antibiotics were administered until bile collection. After the procedure, a bile sample was collected and culture and antibiogram were performed. In the sample, 22 (55%) were classified as ASA I and 18 (45%) as ASA II. It was observed that 81.8% of the patients who had a positive culture did not use antibiotics, against 18.2% of those who used prophylaxis. When comparing patients regarding anesthetic risk, ASA I patients had a positive culture in 9.1% of cases, against 90.9% in patients classified as ASA II. It was concluded that patients with higher anesthetic risk (ASA II) have a higher chance of bacteriobilia and benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis when compared to patients with lower anesthetic risk (ASA I).

Biochemical and Microbiological Aspects of the Oral Cavity of Children and Young People with Neurological Impairment and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

The components and the salivary flow have a direct influence on the composition of the oral microbiota of children and young people with oropharyngeal dysphagia, and studies have already demonstrated the excessive accumulation of supragingival dental calculus in individuals with enteral nutrition. This study aimed to compare the oral hygiene, biochemical, and microbiological aspects of the oral cavity of children and young people with neurological impairment and oropharyngeal dysphagia. Forty children and young people with neurological impairment and oropharyngeal dysphagia were enrolled and divided into two groups: group I, encompassing 20 participants fed via gastrostomy; and group II, encompassing 20 participants fed via the oral route. Oral hygiene and salivary pH and flow were assessed, and a polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the messenger RNA expressions of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tanerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. In groups I and II, the mean Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified scores were 4 and 2, respectively, showing a significant difference; the mean Calculus Index scores were 2 and 0, respectively, showing a significant difference; and the mean pH was 7.5 and 6.0, respectively, showing a significant difference. Bacterial analysis indicated no association between the two groups. It can be concluded that children and young people who use gastrostomy had a poorer oral hygiene, greater dental calculus deposition, and higher salivary pH. The saliva of patients in both groups contained Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tanerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola.

Influence of functional health literacy on adherence to antidepressant treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of patients' level of functional health literacy on adherence to antidepressant treatment. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, carried out in pharmacies of the Municipal Health Department of Marília-SP, in 2020/2021. The functional literacy questionnaire verified the numerical and interpretative skills of patients, in the face of texts related to the health area. The adherence to the treatment was verified using the Morisky therapeutic adherence scale, and the data were analyzed by Anova-one-way and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients participated in the study, most of them showed failures in adherence and an inadequate level of functional health literacy. However, there was no correlation between functional health literacy and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: Although no correlation was found between the variables, there is a need for greater investments in terms of adherence to the treatment, with strategies that consider the level of functional health literacy in these patients.

Acoustic Characteristics of the Voice for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers Across the Life Span.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal changes occur across the life span and can be reflected in acoustic measurements. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of voice production of the Brazilian Portuguese speakers across the life span based on acoustic measures of Fundamental Frequency (fo) and noise-to-harmonic ratio (NHR) and to verify the differences in these measures between men and women. METHODS: A total of 526 recordings from Brazilian Portuguese speakers aged 5-93 years were included. Voices from these speakers were judged with normal vocal quality for their age using the G parameter of the GRBAS scale. The recordings were divided into 12 age groups (5-7 years; 8-9; 10-11; 12; 13-15; 16-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69 and, 70-93 years old). Acoustic analysis was conducted, extracting the parameters fo and NHR through Multi-Dimensional Voice Programsoftware. RESULTS: For women, there was a gradual decrease in fo from childhood to older age. Older women (60-93 years old) showed a lower fo than age groups up to 19-29 years (P< 0.00). For men, there was a decrease in fo up to the age group of 13-15 years (P< 0.00) and, then, it remained stable. Differences between sexes occurred from 12 years old, with higher fo values for women than men (P< 0.00). The NHR parameter remained stable across the life span for women while higher values for older subjects were found for men (P< 0.04). Regarding sex, men showed a higher NHR value than women (P< 0.002). CONCLUSION: Vocal changes occur across the life span and are reflected in the acoustic measure of fo for men and women. The beginning of vocal changes occurs from 12 years old with differences between sexes. The NHR measure was sensitive to indicate changes over a lifetime for men, with higher values for older subjects.

Changes in cortical auditory evoked potentials in response to auditory training in elderly hearing aid users: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cortical auditory evoked potential responses pre-and post-Auditory Musical Training associated with hearing aid adaptation in elderly people with presbycusis. DESIGN: This is a pilot, prospective, randomized, single-blind study. STUDY SAMPLE: Eight presbiacusis elderly people between 65 and 80 years, new hearing aid users, divided into two groups participated in the study: Hearing Aid Group: use of hearing aid; and Auditory Training Group: use of hearing aid in addition to musical auditory training for 16 sessions. All participants were submitted to cortical auditory evoked potential tests with verbal stimulation in two different moments: Initial assessment, carried out before hearing aid adaptation and auditory training, and after three months, final assessment at the end of the auditory training sessions. All participants were adapted bilaterally with digital mini hearing aids. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the P3a latency component for the Auditory Training Group when initial and final assessment were compared. CONCLUSION: There was a change in the cortical auditory evoked potential in elderly people with presbycusis in response to the Musical Auditory Training associated with the use of hearing aids in elderly people with presbycusis.

Level of physical activity and gene expression of IL-10 and TNF-α in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: The gene expressions of IL-10 and TNF-α have been identified as important factors of the clinical condition in type I diabetes mellitus (DM1). However, the effect of physical exercise on the expression of these markers is poorly understood. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between the level of physical activity (LPA) and the gene expressions of IL-10 and TNF-α, as the relationship with glycemic control and insulin reserve in children and adolescents with DM1. METHODS: 108 participants (1-23 years), were divided into 4 groups: DM1 with ketoacidosis (KETO) (n = 15); Decompensated DM1 (DM1d) (n = 32); Compensated DM1 (DM1c) (n = 30); and healthy control (C) (n = 30). The level of physical activity (LPA) was classified as low active, active, and very active. So evaluated Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide, and gene expressions of IL-10 and TNF-α. RESULTS: The increase in the level of physical activity significantly affected the expression of TNF-α in the DMd and C groups. The increase in LPA from low to active reduced the gene expression of IL-10; however, the increase in NAF from active to very active was associated with an increase in IL-10 gene expression. A very active LPA contributes to reducing HbA1c and an increase in C-peptide in the KETO group. CONCLUSION: The increase in LPA demonstrated a significant effect on the improvement of IL-10 and TNF-α gene expression in the KETO and DMd groups; however, in the KETO group, improvements were also observed in the percentage of HbA1C and C-peptide.

Relationship of Inflammatory Markers and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women.

The increased deposition of visceral fat in the postmenopause period increases the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decrease in IL-10. This study investigated the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic syndrome (MS) in postmenopausal women considering different diagnostic criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on STROBE. Data were collected regarding the diagnostic criteria for MS (International Diabetes Federation; NCEP (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III), and Harmonized criteria), body composition, comorbidities, time without menstruation, values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Levene tests, ROC, and odds ratio were performed to analyze the data. The results showed no significant difference between the methods and no interaction between the method and the presence of MS. However, for the values of WC, body fat percentage, TNF-α, and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, a significant effect of MS was observed. In subjects with MS, lower values of body fat percentage and TNF-α and higher values of the IL-10/TNF-α ratio were also observed. The higher IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the MS group is related to the greater anti-inflationary action of IL-10. The IL-10/TNF-α ratio showed significant accuracy to discriminate patients with MS according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria.

Health functional literacy and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the relationship between adherence to antiretroviral therapy and Functional Health Literacy. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, carried out in the Specialized Care Service in 2019, using questionnaires about adherence to treatment and Functional Health literacy people living with human immunodeficiency virus. The LFS questionnaire has questions about numerical and text interpretation skills and the adherence questionnaire addresses how to use antiretrovirals. Viral load was verified by analysis of medical records. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: 78 patients were interviewed and a significant association between the variables to treatment adherence and Functional Literacy in Health was observed. The association between adherence to therapy and viral load levels was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: The data found show a significant association between the variables, ie, the lower the functional health literacy, the greater the difficulty to adhere to treatment.

Dyslipidemia influences the effect of physical exercise on inflammatory markers on obese women in post-menopause: A randomized clinical trial.

The hormonal modifications observed in post-menopausal are related to increased adiposity and alteration in the lipid profile besides physical and psychological changes. Physical exercises may attenuate these conditions and have been associated with low-grade inflammatory status, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dyslipidemia on the effect of physical exercise on inflammatory markers IL6, IL10, and TNF-α in obese post-menopausal women. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in seventy women divided into four groups: exercise without dyslipidemia (EG/n = 11); exercise with dyslipidemia (EGD = 24); control with dyslipidemia (CGD/n = 22); and control without dyslipidemia (CG/n = 13). The serum values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were measured before and after the intervention period, and the exercise program lasted 20 weeks, in three weekly sessions of 75 min each, with aerobic and strength exercises. The comparison of means was performed using the ANOVA test, repeated measures to analyze the interaction between the group and intervention time. There were a significant reduction in IL-6 values and an increase in IL-10/IL-6 and IL-10/TNF-α ratios only in the EG group. For serum TNF-α values, the EG and EGD groups showed significant reductions. The groups that practiced exercises did not present significant variation in the levels of IL-10. However, the CGD and GC groups showed a significant reduction in IL-10 after the intervention period.

Study of Binaural Auditory Cortical Response in Children with History of Recurrent Otitis.

Introduction Any type of sensory deprivation in childhood resulting from conductive hearing loss may impair the development of peripheral and central auditory pathway structures with negative consequences for binaural processing. Objective To characterize and compare monoaural and binaural auditory responses in neonates and children without and with a history of recurrent otitis. Methods The study included participants from 0 to 8 years and 11 months old, in good general health conditions, of both genders, divided into a control group, with no history of otitis, and a study group, with history of recurrent otitis. Cortical potential with speech stimulus /ba/-/da/ was used as collection procedure. The arithmetic calculation of the 512 points of the wave was performed to obtain the grand average of the waves of the subjects in both groups. The Shapiro-Wilk and mixed repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistical tests were performed to analyze the group effect, the condition, and the interaction (group versus condition) controlling the effect of the age-sex covariable. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all latency values; and for the P1, N1, P2, and N2 latencies, the differences between the groups occurred in the three analyzed conditions (right and left ears and binaural), revealing the influence of sensory deprivation. There were no significant differences in relation to wave amplitudes. Conclusion There are differences in the cortical potential with speech stimuli and in the binaural interaction component of children with and without history of recurrent otitis.