Cardiovascular mortality in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison between underlying and multiple causes of death.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has differentially impacted cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality worldwide. Causes of death misclassification may be one of the reasons. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on CVD mortality in Brazil, comparing underlying causes (UCs) and multiple causes (MCs) of death. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological time-series study. METHODS: An ecological, time-series study was conducted analysing age-standardised death rates for CVD, from epidemiological week (EW) 10/2020 to 39/2021, using data from the Mortality Information System, Brazil. CVD was defined using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) coding, if reported as UC or MC of death. Observed and expected data (mean for the same EW, 2017-2019) were compared. Risk ratios (RiRs) were analysed, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Age-standardised mortality rate for CVD as UC of death was 165.8 (95%CI: 165.4-166.3) per 100,000 inhabitants, similar to what was expected (165.6/100,000, 95%CI: 165.2-166.1, RiR = 1.00). There was increased out-of-hospital mortality (RiR = 1.18; 95%CI: 1.17-1.19) and deaths of ill-defined causes (RiR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.42-1.44). The increase in out-of-hospital deaths was more pronounced in the North (RiR = 1.33; 95%CI 1.30-1.36) region, with a less resilient health system. Conversely, as MCs of death, there was a 10% increase in CVD mortality (observed: 243.2 [95%CI: 242.7-243.7], expected: 221.6 [95%CI: 221.1-222.1] per 100,000). An increase also occurred in the North and Central West regions (RiR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.15-1.18), among men (RiR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.11-1.12) and individuals aged ≥60 years (RiR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.10-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic, mortality rates for CVD as MCs of death increased in Brazil, whereas as UC mortality rates did not change. Higher out-of-hospital mortality, misclassification, and competing causes of death may explain this pattern.

[Primary Prevention of Mental Disorders in Children of Mentally Ill Parents. The Kanu Programme "Canoe--Moving Jointly Forward"]. / Kanu--Gemeinsam weiterkommen. Ein Projekt zur primären Prävention psychischer Erkrankungen bei Kindern psychisch kranker Eltern.

Children of parents who suffer from mental health disorders are more likely to develop mental disorders than children of parents not suffering from mental disorders. For children at risk, preventive strategies are hardly available and, if available, rarely supported by a scientific evaluation. "Kanu - Gemeinsam weiterkommen (canoe - moving jointly forward)" is a preventive strategy that was developed within a research project focusing on primary prevention in children who live in families with parents affected by mental disorders. The intervention is characterised by a multi-modular concept and was tested in the adult psychiatric setting. Preliminary results indicate a preventive impact of the intervention programme.

[Health literacy in childhood and adolescence: An overview and current state of research]. / Health Literacy bei Kindern und Jugendlichen : Ein Überblick über den aktuellen Forschungsstand.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is multidisciplinary and brings together many concepts, and is of increasing importance for disease protection, health promotion, and prevention, and for health policy within Europe. Although its importance is increasingly recognised, adults are mostly the target audience, whereas children and adolescents, in addition to education and schools, have so far been neglected. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to give an overview of the state of the art in childhood and adolescence health literacy research, and to identify any existing gaps. MATERIALS: A literature review has been performed to identify the relevant research data. RESULTS: Limitations in developmental and age-adjusted conceptual frameworks and a lack of prevalence data, however, significantly impede our understanding of the meaning of health literacy in children and adolescents. School health promotion programmes could serve as a platform for effective health literacy education, beginning in early childhood. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to compatibility with a broader literacy perspective, the proximity to several theories of health promotion and defined concepts, and the importance of school health promotion and education, it is vital to focus research on current gaps in the understanding of health literacy determinants, health literacy as a determinant of health, and in terms of the design and systematic implementation of intervention programmes.

The disease burden of hepatitis B, influenza, measles and salmonellosis in Germany: first results of the burden of communicable diseases in Europe study.

Setting priorities in the field of infectious diseases requires evidence-based and robust baseline estimates of disease burden. Therefore, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control initiated the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE) project. The project uses an incidence- and pathogen-based approach to measure the impact of both acute illness and sequelae of infectious diseases expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). This study presents first estimates of disease burden for four pathogens in Germany. The number of reported incident cases adjusted for underestimation served as model input. For the study period 2005-2007, the average disease burden was estimated at 33 116 DALYs/year for influenza virus, 19 115 DALYs/year for Salmonella spp., 8708 DALYs/year for hepatitis B virus and 740 DALYs/year for measles virus. This methodology highlights the importance of sequelae, particularly for hepatitis B and salmonellosis, because if omitted, the burden would have been underestimated by 98% and 56%, respectively.

To be or not to be fragrant: floral scent of some bat-pollinated cacti.

Floral scent is a key olfactory cue in both diurnal and nocturnal pollination systems. In the case of nocturnal systems, such as bat-pollinated flowers, odour seems to play a more important role than visual cues. Cactaceae include many bat-pollinated species; however, few studies have investigated the olfactory cues in this family. We analysed and compared the chemical composition of the floral bouquet of three chiropterophilous cactus species, among which are a pair of congeners that differ considerably in scent intensity. Our research presents novel findings regarding the floral scent chemistry of chiropterophilous cactus species. We documented the first case of a bat-pollinated cactus whose flowers lack perceptible floral scent and in which no volatile compounds were detected in our chemical analyses. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the floral bouquet of the other two bat-pollinated species, revealing a resemblance among closely related species within the same genus. We highlight the need for further studies using biotests to investigate the mechanisms through which bats find flowers lacking scent.

MicroRNA profile: a promising ancillary tool for accurate renal cell tumour diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell tumours (RCTs) are clinically, morphologically and genetically heterogeneous. Accurate identification of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and its discrimination from normal tissue and benign tumours is mandatory. We, thus, aimed to define a panel of microRNAs that might aid in the diagnostic workup of RCTs. METHODS: Fresh-frozen tissues from 120 RCTs (clear-cell RCC, papillary RCC, chromophobe RCC (chRCC) and oncocytomas: 30 cases each), 10 normal renal tissues and 60 cases of ex-vivo fine-needle aspiration biopsies from RCTs (15 of each subtype validation set) were collected. Expression levels of miR-21, miR-141, miR-155, miR-183 and miR-200b were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Receiver operator characteristic curves were constructed and the areas under the curve were calculated to assess diagnostic performance. Disease-specific survival curves and a Cox regression model comprising all significant variables were computed. RESULTS: Renal cell tumours displayed significantly lower expression levels of miR-21, miR-141 and miR-200b compared with that of normal tissues, and expression levels of all miRs differed significantly between malignant and benign RCTs. Expression analysis of miR-141 or miR-200b accurately distinguished RCTs from normal renal tissues, oncocytoma from RCC and chRCC from oncocytoma. The diagnostic performance was confirmed in the validation set. Interestingly, miR-21, miR-141 and miR-155 expression levels showed prognostic significance in a univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The miR-141 or miR-200b panel accurately distinguishes RCC from normal kidney and oncocytoma in tissue samples, discriminating from normal kidney and oncocytoma, whereas miR-21, miR-141 and miR-155 convey prognostic information. This approach is feasible in fine-needle aspiration biopsies and might provide an ancillary tool for routine diagnosis.

Physical exercise on the rat ventral prostate: steroid hormone receptors, apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Studies have investigated the effect of exercise on prostate cancer risk. However, there are still doubts regarding the correlation between physical activity and the steroid hormones with respect to the reduction of the risk for prostatic lesions. We evaluated the levels of corticosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone, estradiol, and steroid hormone receptors, and investigated the relationship between apoptosis and cell proliferation in the rat ventral prostate after training. Two groups were included in this study: control and trained. The trained group was submitted to training for 13 weeks (1 week of adaptation). Two days after the last training session, all animals were euthanized, and the intermediate and distal regions of the ventral prostate were collected and processed for immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and hormonal analyses. Physical exercise increased the corticosterone plasma, DHT and testosterone. In addition, androgen receptor expression was lower and estrogen receptor (ER) α and ER ß expression were higher in the trained group. However, the trained group showed disruption of the ratio of apoptotic to proliferating cells, indicating a predominance of apoptosis. We conclude that physical exercise alters the sex hormones and their receptors and is associated with the disruption of the balance between apoptosis and cell proliferation in the rat ventral prostate.

Occupational hepatitis C seroconversions in a Brazilian hospital.

BACKGROUND: There are six known cases of occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion in Brazil. However, there are neither published cases of occupational hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroconversion nor systematic studies of blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE) that could estimate the risk of HCV or HIV occupational seroconversion in Brazil. AIMS: To describe the outcomes of BBFEs in a Brazilian hospital over 12 years and 2 months. METHODS: Statistical analysis of a computerized database of exposure events recorded on printed forms. Incidence rates (IR) were calculated as the number of BBFE per 100 full-time equivalent worker-years. RESULTS: There were 1457 BBFE, 87% being percutaneous and 561 (38%) recurring in health care workers (HCWs) who reported having previous exposures. The highest IRs occurred in laboratory technicians (9.7), medical students (9.5), cleaning staff (9.5) and nursing aids (9.2). The IR in temporary employees was 13.0. Two HCWs, a nursing aid and a surgeon, seroconverted to hepatitis C after HCV exposures involving 13 G catheter needles. The risk of acquiring a HCV infection was 2 in 38 percutaneous HCV exposures, i.e. 5% (95% CI: 0.89-16.3). There were no seroconversions to HIV despite 80 percutaneous HIV exposures. CONCLUSIONS: HCV has a higher potential for occupational transmission than HIV. Measures to reduce the risks of BBFE and occupational transmission of blood-borne viral infections should be improved in Brazil.

Fatty acids reveal aquaculture and drought effects on a large tropical reservoir.

Fatty acids (FAs) and their metrics have been used to detect and assess the impacts of urbanization and agriculture on aquatic ecosystems. Here, we investigated whether seston FAs are also useful to characterize and understand early-stage aquaculture impacts in a large tropical reservoir (Furnas Reservoir, SE Brazil). We tested the hypothesis that single FAs, as well as selected FA metrics in the seston fraction, are efficient markers of net-cage fish farming effects. In general, fish farming had only minor effects on standard water chemical variables, mainly small increases in ammonium, nitrate, and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations. By increasing concentrations of several polyunsaturated FAs, early-stage fish farming improved sestonic food quality in the more oligotrophic branch of the reservoir under drought conditions. However, in general, increases in concentrations of bacterial FAs, due to fish farming, suggested organic matter (OM) subsidies from non-ingested and non-assimilated fish feed. In the more eutrophic reservoir branch, seston FA profiles suggested that fish farming caused an increase of low-quality food resources, such as cyanobacteria. Thus, background impact levels may determine the biochemical responses of tropical reservoirs to fish farming. Higher contributions of potentially sewage-derived and bacterial FAs during drought conditions, especially at reference sites of the more oligotrophic branch, suggested that drought shifted OM inputs towards anthropogenic sources, thereby overwriting land-use related differences between reservoir branches and homogenizing their environmental conditions. In conclusion, FA variables were useful to evaluate and understand environmental conditions, as well as the effects of early-stage fish farming and drought, and should be considered in impact assessments in tropical lentic ecosystems.

Pollination of the strongly scented Sarcoglottis acaulis (Orchidaceae) by male orchid bees: nectar as resource instead of perfume.

The Neotropical orchid genus Sarcoglottis comprises ~40 species, which emit strong floral scents, presumably involved in pollinator attraction. Information on basic aspects of its natural history is scant, with the few studies available so far pointing to nectar-seeking orchid bees as pollinators. Here, we investigated the reproductive biology of Sarcoglottis acaulis, addressing the ecological meaning of its floral scent. In Atlantic Forest fragments of NE Brazil, we described the floral biology, determined the breeding system and recorded the pollinators of S. acaulis. Additionally, we chemically characterized its floral scent and assessed its role on pollinator attraction. Although self-compatible, S. acaulis depends on pollinators to boost fruit set. Male orchid bees of Eulaema atleticana and E. niveofasciata were the only recorded pollinators. They foraged for nectar only, in spite of the strong scent emitted by S. acaulis flowers. The floral scent is composed of six compounds, of which geraniol and nerol elicited electroantennographic responses in Eulaema bees. A synthetic mixture of these compounds attracted Eulaema bees in field assays but did not trigger the stereotyped scent-gathering behaviour. The floral scent of S. acaulis acts in signalling and nectar is the sole reward for pollinators. Despite the low pollinator frequency, S. acaulis shows a high fruit set (77%), particularly when compared to other orchids. Attributes such as pollinia that release small pollen loads, allowing a single pollinia-carrying bee to pollinate several flowers, low amount of nectar, steady-state flowering and traplining behaviour of pollinators, might act together to assure this outstanding fruit set.

Reproductive biology of Syagrus coronata (Arecaceae): sex-biased insect visitation and the unusual case of scent emission by peduncular bracts.

Several monoecious species of palms have developed complex strategies to promote cross-pollination, including the production of large quantities of floral resources and the emission of scents that are attractive to pollinators. Syagrus coronata constitutes an interesting model with which to understand the evolution of plant reproductive strategies in a monoecious species adapted to seasonally dry forests. We monitored blooming phenology over 1 year, during which we also collected and identified floral visitors and putative pollinators. We identified potential floral visitor attractants by characterizing the scent composition of inflorescences as well as of peduncular bracts, during both male and female phases, and the potential for floral thermogenesis. Syagrus coronata produces floral resources throughout the year. Its inflorescences are predominantly visited by a diverse assortment of small-sized beetles, whose richness and abundance vary throughout the different phases of anthesis. We did not find evidence of floral thermogenesis. A total of 23 volatile compounds were identified in the scent emitted by the inflorescences, which did not differ between male and female phases; whereas the scent of the peduncular bracts was composed of only 4-methyl guaiacol, which was absent in inflorescences. The composition of floral scent chemistry indicates that this palm has evolved strategies to be predominantly pollinated by small-sized weevils. Our study provides rare evidence of a non-floral scent emitting structure involved in pollinator attraction, only the second such case specifically in palms. The peculiarities of the reproductive strategy of S. coronata might play an important role in the maintenance of pollination services and pollen dispersion.

Nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise affect prostate morphology and hormone receptor interface in adult rats with implications for the aging process.

BACKGROUND: Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic-androgenic steroid, and its indiscriminate use leads to subclinical alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and androgen-dependent organs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of ND, either alone or in combination with resistance exercise (RE), on the levels of sex hormones, converting enzymes, and steroid receptors and the morphology of the ventral prostate (VP) in adult and aged rats. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley adult and aged rats were divided into four groups each, sedentary and trained with and without ND. The groups received treatments over 8 weeks. Adult animals were sacrificed immediately following treatment completion, while the aged groups were left untreated until 300 days of age. RESULTS: Adult and aged animals showed reductions in testosterone levels following the different treatments, and 17ß-estradiol levels were decreased in the ND-treated groups. The level of 5α-reductase type 2 (5αR2) and aromatase was increased significantly in the prostates of adult animals that performed RE. However, aromatase levels were decreased in the prostates of aged animals that performed RE and were treated with ND, while 5αR2 levels were reduced in aged animals that performed RE without ND treatment. When sex receptors levels were examined, the aged and trained animals presented low androgen receptor (AR) levels. Estrogen receptors (ERs) levels were increased in the prostates of adult animals that received ND. ERß levels were reduced after treatments in aged animals. The heights of the prostatic epithelium were reduced in all adult treated animals, coinciding with increases in PCNA and PAR4 levels. DISCUSSION: ND and RE alter the levels of hormone, converting enzymes, and sex steroid receptors and the morphology of the VP. These effects were observed in both adult and aged rats. CONCLUSION: ND, either with or without RE, during post-puberty stage is able to interfere with the morphophysiology of the prostate.

Pollination in Jacaranda rugosa (Bignoniaceae): euglossine pollinators, nectar robbers and low fruit set.

Nectar robbers access floral nectar in illegitimate flower visits without, in general, performing a pollination service. Nevertheless, their effect on fruit set can be indirectly positive if the nectar removal causes an incremental increase in the frequency of legitimate flower visits of effective pollinators, especially in obligate outcrossers. We studied pollination and the effect of nectar robbers on the reproductive fitness of Jacaranda rugosa, an endemic shrub of the National Park of Catimbau, in the Caatinga of Pernambuco, Brazil. Xenogamous J. rugosa flowers continuously produced nectar during the day at a rate of 1 mul.h(-1). Female and male Euglossa melanotricha were the main pollinators. Early morning flower visits substantially contributed to fruit set because stigmas with open lobes were almost absent in the afternoon. Ninety-nine per cent of the flowers showed damage caused by nectar robbers. Artificial addition of sugar water prolonged the duration of flower visits of legitimate flower visitors. Removal of nectar, simulating the impact of nectar robbers, resulted in shorter flower visits of euglossine bees. While flower visits of nectar-robbing carpenter bees (Xylocopa frontalis, X. grisescens, X. ordinaria) produced only a longitudinal slit in the corolla tube in the region of the nectar chamber, worker bees of Trigona spinipes damaged the gynoecium in 92% of the flowers. This explains the outstandingly low fruit set (1.5%) of J. rugosa in the National Park of Catimbau.

Pollination ecology of the Neotropical gesneriad Gloxinia perennis: chemical composition and temporal fluctuation of floral perfume.

Although common among orchids, pollination by perfume-gathering male euglossine bees is quite rare in other Neotropical families. In Gesneriaceae, for example, it is reported in two genera only, Drymonia and Gloxinia. Flowers of G. perennis are known to emit perfume, thereby attracting male euglossine bees as pollinators. However, detailed reports on the pollination ecology, as well as on chemistry of floral perfume of individuals in natural populations, are still missing. In this study, we report on the pollination ecology of G. perennis, focusing on the ecological significance of its floral perfume. In natural populations in Peru, we documented the floral biology and breeding system of G. perennis, as well as its interaction with flower visitors. We also characterised the chemical composition of floral perfume, as well as its timing of emission. Gloxinia perennis is self-compatible and natural pollination success is high. Spontaneous self-pollination occurs as a 'just in case strategy' when pollinators are scarce. Perfume-collecting males of Eulaema cingulata and El. meriana were identified as pollinators. The perfume bouquet of G. perennis consists of 16 compounds. (E)-Carvone epoxide (41%) and limonene (23%) are the major constituents. Perfume emission is higher at 09:00 h, matching the activity peak of Eulaema pollinators. Flowers of G. perennis have evolved a mixed strategy to ensure pollination (i.e. self- and cross-pollination), but cross-pollination is favoured. The size and behaviour of Eulaema males enables only these bees to successfully cross-pollinate G. perennis. Furthermore, G. perennis floral perfume traits (i.e. chemistry and timing of emission) have evolved to optimise the attraction of these bees.

Mortality of women with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a population-based study from the Girona province, Spain (1994-2013).

PURPOSE: We aim to comprehensively describe the incidence and mortality trends of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the Girona province, Spain (1994-2013) and to estimate the all-cause mortality excess risk of diagnosed women. METHODS: Age-standardized rates of DCIS were estimated between 1994 and 2013. Standard mortality ratios (SMR) and absolute excess mortality were calculated overall and by tumor and patient characteristics. A sensitivity analysis was conducted excluding cases with a subsequent invasive breast cancer (sIBC). RESULTS: Of the 641 women included, 56 died (follow-up time: 8.4 person-years). Between 1994 and 2013, a significant increase in incidence and decrease in mortality was identified among women aged between 50 and 69 years old. Neoplasms and circulatory system disease were the most common causes of death. No excess risk of death was found overall, except for women aged < 50 years (SMR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.85; 6.40) and those with a sIBC (SMR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.26; 5.02), risk that lessened when cases with sIBC were excluded. Patients with sIBC also showed an excess risk (SMR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.03; 5.10). CONCLUSIONS: Among women aged 50-69 years old, incidence of DCIS has significantly increased yet mortality has decreased. Overall, the all-cause mortality risk of women diagnosed with DCIS remains similar to that of the general population except for women diagnosed before age 50 and those with sIBC, who showed a significant increased risk. Differential management of these patients should be considered.

Evaluation of the ethanol intake on the Calomys callosus seminal vesicle structure.

The effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the structure of the glandular epithelium of the seminal vesicle of the rodent Calomys callosus were analyzed in 24 adult animals aged 3 months divided into three experimental groups. The control group received a solid diet and tap water, the alcoholic group received the same solid diet and ethanol P.A. diluted 20% in water (v/v) for 4 months. The abstinent group received the same liquid diet of the alcoholic one for the same period and after that the alcoholic diet was changed by water for a period of 3 months. After treatment, all animals were anesthetized, weighed and sacrificed. At the end of treatment, mean body weight did not differ between animal groups. The glandular epithelial cells of the alcoholic and abstinent groups showed atrophy and ultrastructural alterations such as the presence of altered nuclei, intense dilatation of the cisterns of the granular endoplasmic reticulum, intense digestive vacuoles and lipid droplets. Ethanol ingestion provokes marked lesions on the epithelium of the seminal vesicle probably interfering on the glandular secretion.

Morphologic changes in the urethral epithelium in an ethanol-drinking rat strain (UChA and UChB).

The extreme use of ethanol causes metabolic and pathologic changes in testes and urogenital system in different animal species. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyses the conversion of ethanol into carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde which is partly excreted into the urine. However, papers relating the chronic ethanol consumption to the urethral morphology are unknown. This work evaluates the toxic effect of the chronic ethanol ingestion on the urethral epithelium of UChA and UChB rats. Conventional techniques of histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis were used. The analysis showed the presence of lipid drops and intercellular spaces in the epithelial cells in the urethra of UChA and UChB rats compared to control rats. Urethral neuroendocrine cell were observed and characterized for presenting vesicles containing electron-dense granules associated with nervous fibers. We conclude that the chronic consumption of ethanol induces the presence lipid drops in the epithelial cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats. The NE cells of the urethra of UChA and UChB rats did not show alterations under chronic effect of the ethanol.

Morphological alterations on the prostate of Calomys callosus submitted to chronic ethanol ingestion.

The objective of the present study was to assess the possible toxic effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the ultrastructure of the glandular epithelium of the prostate of the rodent Calomys callosus, in order to contribute to the understanding of the consequences of alcohol abuse for the morphology of the male reproductive apparatus. Sixteen adult animals aged three months were divided into two experimental groups. The control group received a solid diet and tap water, and the alcoholic group received the same solid diet and ethanol P.A. diluted 20% in water (v/v). After 120 days of treatment, all animals were anesthetized, weighed and sacrificed. At the end of treatment, mean body weight did not differ between control and alcoholic animals. The prostate epithelial cells of the alcoholic group showed intense atrophy and ultrastructural alterations such as the presence of lipid droplets, altered nuclei, ruptured mitochondrial cristae, and intense dilatation of the cisterns of the granular endoplasmic reticulum. It was concluded that 20% ethanol provokes marked lesions on the epithelium of the prostate probably interfering on the glandular secretion.

"Chair Stand Test" as Simple Tool for Sarcopenia Screening in Elderly Women.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between sarcopenia and "chair stand test" performance, and evaluate this test as a screening tool for sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional Survey. PARTICIPANTS: 173 female individuals, aged ≥ 60 years and living in the urban area of the municipality of Lafaiete Coutinho, Bahia's inland, Brazil. MEASUREMENTS: The association between sarcopenia (defined by muscle mass, strength and/or performance loss) and performance in the "chair stand test" was tested by binary logistic regression technique. The ROC curve parameters were used to evaluate the diagnostic power of the test in sarcopenia screening. The significance level was set at 5 %. RESULTS: The model showed that the time spent for the "chair stand test" was positively associated (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.16, p = 0.024) to sarcopenia, indicating that, for each 1 second increment in the test performance, the sarcopenia's probability increased by 8% in elderly women. The cut-off point that showed the best balance between sensitivity and specificity was 13 seconds. CONCLUSION: The performance of "chair stand test" showed predictive ability for sarcopenia, being an effective and simple screening tool for sarcopenia in elderly women. This test could be used for screening sarcopenic elderly women, allowing early interventions.

Nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise training favor the occurrence of lesions and activate the inflammatory response in the ventral prostate.

Age is a key factor in the development of prostatic lesions. An increase in reactive oxygen species levels occurs during aging. Furthermore, the indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids and physical exercise alter the availability of hormones and may promote the appearance of lesions. This study examined whether the use of nandrolone decanoate (ND), associated or not with resistance exercise training, affects the pathways related to the inflammatory response in the ventral prostate of adult and aged rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into eight experimental groups: sedentary with ND, sedentary without ND, exercise with ND, and exercise without ND. The animals performed resistance exercise training and received ND two times/week (5 mg/kg, i.m.) for 8 weeks. Adult rats were killed immediately following treatment completion, and aged rats remained untreated until reaching 300 days of age. The adult animals that received ND and performed resistance exercise training showed a higher occurrence of lesions with TLR4 activation. Marked IL-6 expression occurred in the group that performed resistance exercise training. The group exposed to ND showed overexpression of TLR2, TLR4, NOX1, Nrf2, TNF-α, and P38MAPK. The animals that received ND and performed training showed increase levels of NFκB, IRF3, IL-6, TNF-α, and NOX1. TLR2 and TLR4 showed no upregulation in the aged animals. The groups exercise + ND showed lesions in the adult stage and after aging, followed by molecular alterations. We concluded that nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise training can promote the onset of prostatic tumors in the adult stage, and during aging, activating pathways involved in the inflammatory response.