Imagem corporal positiva e satisfação com a vida em pessoas idosas / Positive body image and satisfaction with life elderly people

O presente estudo pretende avaliar se as variáveis sociodemográficas, o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e os fatores relacionados com a aparência que influenciam a satisfação com a vida nas pessoas idosas. O estudo, com enfoque transversal e quantitativo, apresentou uma amostra de 53 pessoas idosas não institucionalizadas, com idades compreendidas entre 65 e 89 anos. A recolha de informações foi efetuada através de um questionário sociodemográfico, a Escala de Apreciação Corporal (BAS-2),CARSAL/CARVAL e a Satisfação com a Vida (SWLS). Todos os participantes praticam algum tipo de atividade e quase todos os participantes se preocupam com a aparência (90,2%). Apesar de a maioria apresentar uma imagem corporal positiva, a média do IMC é superior ao valor normal (M = 28,13; DP = 4,81). A variável valência (CARVAL) apresenta uma relação positiva com a "prática atual de exercício físico" e uma relação negativa com as variáveis "gostar do corpo", "satisfação com a vida" e "imagem corporal positiva". As variáveis saliência e valência (CARSAL e CARVAL) apresentam um efeito direto com a imagem corporal positiva, enquanto que a valência apresenta um efeito direto de satisfação com a vida. O IMC não influencia a perceção de uma imagem corporal positiva nas pessoas idosas e a prática de exercício físico parece influenciar a satisfação com a vida. A imagem corporal positiva e satisfação com a vida são influenciadas pela avaliação emocional que as pessoas idosas fazem da sua aparência.(AU)

This study aims to assess whether sociodemographic variables, BMI and appearance-related factors influence life satisfaction in older people. In this cross-sectional and quantitative study, 53 non-institutionalized elderly people between the ages of 65 to 89 years participated. They answered a set of instruments consisting of: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2), the CARSAL/CARVAL and the Satisfaction with Life (SWLS). All participants practice some type of activity and almost all participants are concerned with appearance (90.2%). Although most have a positive body image, the average BMI is higher than the normal value (M = 28.13; SD = 4.81). The CARVAL variable has a positive connection with current physical exercise practice and a negative connection with body liking, life satisfaction and positive body image. The CARSAL and CARVAL variables have a direct effect on positive body image while CARVAL has a direct effect on life satisfaction. BMI does not influence the perception of a positive body image in the elderly and the practice of physical exercise seems to influence satisfaction with life. Positive body image and life satisfaction is influenced by the emotional assessment that older people make of their appearance.(AU)

Characterizing the Potential of the Non-Conventional Yeast Saccharomycodes ludwigii UTAD17 in Winemaking.

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts have received increased attention by researchers and winemakers, due to their particular contributions to the characteristics of wine. In this group, Saccharomycodes ludwigii is one of the less studied species. In the present study, a native S. ludwigii strain, UTAD17 isolated from the Douro wine region was characterized for relevant oenological traits. The genome of UTAD17 was recently sequenced. Its potential use in winemaking was further evaluated by conducting grape-juice fermentations, either in single or in mixed-cultures, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following two inoculation strategies (simultaneous and sequential). In a pure culture, S. ludwigii UTAD17 was able to ferment all sugars in a reasonable time without impairing the wine quality, producing low levels of acetic acid and ethyl acetate. The overall effects of S. ludwigii UTAD17 in a mixed-culture fermentation were highly dependent on the inoculation strategy which dictated the dominance of each yeast strain. Wines whose fermentation was governed by S. ludwigii UTAD17 presented low levels of secondary aroma compounds and were chemically distinct from those fermented by S. cerevisiae. Based on these results, a future use of this non-Saccharomyces yeast either in monoculture fermentations or as a co-starter culture with S. cerevisiae for the production of wines with greater expression of the grape varietal character and with flavor diversity could be foreseen.

Reevaluation of production of paralytic shellfish toxin by bacteria associated with dinoflagellates of the Portuguese coast.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are potent neurotoxins produced by certain dinoflagellate and cyanobacterial species. The autonomous production of PSTs by bacteria remains controversial. In this study, PST production by two bacterial strains, isolated previously from toxic dinoflagellates, was evaluated using biological and analytical methods. Analyses were performed under conditions determined previously to be optimal for toxin production and detection. Our data are inconsistent with autonomous bacterial PST production under these conditions, thereby challenging previous findings for the same strains.