Development of an indirect ELISA for the serodiagnosis of canine infection by Onchocerca lupi.

Onchocerca lupi is a zoonotic filarioid parasite of dogs and cats with widespread distribution. A specific non-invasive diagnostic assay for the detection of O. lupi infections remains unavailable. This study aimed to assess the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of an ELISA test designed using nine peptides from two O. lupi proteins. Sera (n = 54) collected from O. lupi infected dogs from endemic areas (Portugal and USA), alongside sera from dogs positive for Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Cercopithifilaria bainae, and Acanthocheilonema reconditum (n = 53) from a non-endemic area for O. lupi, as well as from helminth-free dogs (n = 60), were tested. The checkerboard titration method was applied for the optimization of peptide concentrations and conjugate anti-dog dilutions. Sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-off values were calculated using ROC curve analysis. All peptides reacted against sera of O. lupi, with no correlation between optic density (OD) values and microfilariae (mfs) loads. Sensitivity and specificity values ranging from 85.45 to 100%, and 88.89% to 100%, respectively, were recorded for all peptides examined, with 100% specificity and sensitivity observed for peptides 40_3, 40_5, 130_3, 120_3 and 40_1, 130_5, respectively. The maximum cut-off value was observed for peptides 40_5 (0.765) and 40_3 (0.708). Testing of sera from dogs positive for other filarioids resulted in lower OD values (up to 1.565) for peptides 40_3 and 40_5 when compared with O. lupi (up to 2.929). The availability of this assay will be of value in epidemiological studies of canine O. lupi infection in both endemic and non-endemic areas, and in assessing the risk for zoonotic transmission.

Plasma signatures of Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy patients identified by untargeted lipidomic profiling are not changed after a fat-containing breakfast meal.

BACKGROUND: The incapacity to store lipids in adipose tissue in Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy (CGL) causes hypoleptinemia, increased appetite, ectopic fat deposition and lipotoxicity. CGL patients experience shortened life expectancy. The plasma lipidomic profile has not been characterized fully in CGL, nor has the extent of dietary intake in its modulation. The present work investigated the plasma lipidomic profile of CGL patients in comparison to eutrophic individuals at the fasted state and after a breakfast meal. METHOD: Blood samples from 11 CGL patients and 10 eutrophic controls were collected after 12 h fasting (T0) and 90 min after an ad libitum fat-containing breakfast (T90). The lipidomic profile of extracted plasma lipids was characterized by non-target liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Important differences between groups were observed at T0 and at T90. Several molecular species of fatty acyls, glycerolipids, sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids were altered in CGL. All the detected fatty acyl molecular species, several diacylglycerols and one triacylglycerol species were upregulated in CGL. Among sphingolipids, one sphingomyelin and one glycosphingolipid species showed downregulation in CGL. Alterations in the glycerophospholipids glycerophosphoethanolamines, glycerophosphoserines and cardiolipins were more complex. Interestingly, when comparing T90 versus T0, the lipidomic profile in CGL did not change as intensely as it did for control participants. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found profound alterations in the plasma lipidomic profile of complex lipids in CGL patients as compared to control subjects. A fat-containing breakfast meal did not appear to significantly influence the CGL profile observed in the fasted state. Our study may have implications for clinical practice, also aiding to a deeper comprehension of the role of complex lipids in CGL in view of novel therapeutic strategies.

Evaluation of the relationship between nutritional status, levels of physical activity and physical strength in adolescents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The study aimed at evaluating the relationship among anthropometric measurements, levels of physical activity and physical fitness in schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in public schools, with 173 adolescents from 10 to 17 years of age. Socioeconomic data were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were assessed and classified according to Body Mass Index (BMI)/age and Waist Circumference (WC). The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity, while the physical fitness level was assessed using the Projeto Esporte Brasil (PROESP) test protocol. RESULTS: 72,3% of the adolescents were eutrophic and 24.3% were overweight and 22.6% were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, with no statistical difference between the sexes (p > 0.05). 53.8% were physically inactive, regardless of sex and nutritional status. 86.1% of the adolescents showed low physical fitness, more significantly for sit-and-reach andsquare tests of females. BMI was directly correlated with physical fitness in the assessment ofupper limb power and agility (medicine ball throw and square test) and indirectly with aerobic capacity and lower limb power (abdominal resistance, horizontal jump and general resistance). The opposite was observed in the correlation of endurance (abdominal and general) and medicine ball throw with WC. Also, there was a likely visceral obesity and consequent cardiovascular risk in females more than in males. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the connection between physical activity and the presence of overweight and obesity in adolescents and also the need to effectively intervene in this groupin order to ensure the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in adulthood.

The contribution of prenatal care in the dietary patterns of high-risk pregnant women / A contribuição do acompanhamento pré-natal nos padrões alimentares de gestantes de alto risco

Abstract Objectives: investigate whether prenatal characteristics were associated with dietary pattern of pregnant women. Methods: we studied 200 high-risk pregnant women in Fortaleza, Ceará. The identification of dietary patterns was performed through principal component analysis with the orthogonal Varimax rotation. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and respective confidence intervals (CI95%). Results: three major dietary patterns were identified: 'common Brazilian', 'healthy' and 'energy-dense'. After adjustments conducted with multivariate analysis, pregnant women who had not received dietary guidance in prenatal consultations (34%) were less likely to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern (PR = 0,81; CI95%= 0,67-0,95). Pregnant women who attended an appropriate number of consultations (≥ 6 consultations) (41%) showed greater adherence to the 'healthy' pattern (PR = 1,15; CI95%= 1,01-1,32) and lower adherence to the 'energy-dense' pattern (PR = 0,85; CI95%= 0,74-0,99). Conclusion: it was observed that the high-risk pregnant women who attended an adequate number of consultations during the prenatal care had a higher chance to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern and a lower chance to adhere to the 'energy-dense' pattern. Not receiving guidelines on prenatal nutrition was inversely associated with the healthy pattern. Thus, the importance of high-risk pregnant women undergoing an appropriate prenatal care is reinforced.

Resumo Objetivos: investigar o efeito potencial das características de acompanhamento do pré-natal em padrões alimentares identificados em gestantes de alto risco. Métodos: foram estudadas 200 gestantes de alto-risco de Fortaleza, Ceará. Os padrões alimentares foram identificados pela análise de componentes principais seguida de rotação ortogonal Varimax. Utilizou-se Regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência (RP) e os intervalos de confança (IC95%). Resultados: três padrões alimentares foram identificados: 'comum brasileiro', 'saudável' e 'denso em energia'. Após a realização de ajuste com análise multivariada, as gestantes que não receberam orientação sobre alimentação nas consultas do pré-natal (34%) apresentaram menores chances de adesão ao padrão 'saudável' (RP = 0.81, IC95%= 0.67-0.95). Aquelas que realizaram um número de consultas adequado (≥ 6 consultas) (41%) apresentaram maior adesão ao padrão 'saudável' (RP = 1.15, IC95%= 1.01-1.32) e menor adesão ao padrão 'denso em energia' (RP = 0.85, IC95%= 0.74-0.99). Conclusão: observou-se que as gestantes de alto risco que compareceram a um número adequado de consultas no pré-natal tiveram maior chance de aderir ao padrão 'saudável' e menor chance de aderir ao padrão 'denso em energia'. Não receber orientações sobre nutrição durante o pré-natal foi inversamente associado ao padrão 'saudável'. Reforçando a importância das gestantes de alto risco realizarem um pré-natal adequado.

Faecal calprotectin and rectal histological inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis: a single-centre study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association of faecal calprotectin with the genetic and clinical characteristics of paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). In a subset of these patients, we aimed to associate histological inflammatory features of rectal mucosa to faecal calprotectin levels. METHODS: In a prospective study, faecal calprotectin levels were collected in all 23 PwCF attending our paediatric centre, together with demographic and clinical data. Associations between faecal calprotectin and clinical features were determined. In 11 of these patients, endoscopic rectal biopsies were obtained and the association between faecal calprotectin and histological inflammatory markers was analysed. Statistical analyses included Spearman's correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test. Sensitivity and specificity was calculated. RESULTS: Median age of PwCF was 12 years, 19 had pancreatic insufficiency (PI) (19/23). Seventeen (17/23) had elevated faecal calprotectin, and the median value was 88 µg/g (IQR=178 µg/g). Higher faecal calprotectin levels were observed in the PI group (101 vs 30 µg/g, p=0.027). No significant correlation between elevated faecal calprotectin level and body mass index z-score was found. Five patients (22%) reported abdominal pain, three (13%) complained of diarrhoea and three (13%) had constipation, but these symptoms were not associated with elevated faecal calprotectin.Unspecific focal rectal inflammation was found in four patients (4/11). An association between rectal mucosa inflammation and elevated faecal calprotectin was found (p=0.015). Sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: In our PwCF, elevated faecal calprotectin was frequent, particularly if PI, and it was not related to gastrointestinal symptoms or malnutrition. Elevated faecal calprotectin was present in patients with histological evidence of rectal inflammation. Faecal calprotectin may be an indicator of asymptomatic rectal inflammation in PwCF.

New drugs in cystic fibrosis: what has changed in the last decade?

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-limiting chronic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, affects more than 90,000 people worldwide. Until recently, the only available treatments were directed to symptom control, but they failed to change the course of the disease. New drugs developed in the last decade have the potential to change the expression, function, and stability of CFTR protein, targeting the basic molecular defect. The authors seek to provide an update on the new drugs, with a special focus on the most promising clinical trials that have been carried out to date. These newly approved drugs that target specific CFTR mutations are mainly divided into two main groups of CFTR modulators: potentiators and correctors. New therapies have opened the door for potentially disease-modifying, personalized treatments for patients with CF.

Improvement of 2,2'-Azobis(2-Methylpropionamidine) Dihydrochloride-Induced Hepatic Redox Imbalance in Swiss Mice and HepG2 Cells by Rutin.

Redox imbalance can lead to irreversible damages to biological functions. In this context, rutin stands out for its antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effect of rutin on the hepatic redox imbalance. The study was performed according to three different protocols. First, healthy male Swiss mice were divided into two groups: control and rutin, the second of which received chronic oral supplementation of rutin (10 mg/kg). The second involved evaluation of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by HepG2 cells, incubated or not with rutin (20 and 40 µg/mL) for 3 h. The final protocol involved assessment of the acute effect of rutin (10 mg/kg) in mice with oxidative stress induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (ABAP). After the in vivo treatments, the livers were collected to analyze the oxidative damage by thiol, and the antioxidant defense by catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. In the HepG2 cells, the following probes were employed to assess the ROS production: dichlorofluorescein, MitoSOX, dihydroethidium, and Amplex Red. Rutin administered chronically improved the antioxidant defense in healthy animals, and when administered acutely both inhibited the increased production of ROS in HepG2 cells and improved the redox imbalance parameters in mice with induced oxidative stress. This study suggests rutin as a protective agent for restoration of hepatic redox homeostasis in redox injury induced by ABAP in Swiss mice and HelpG2 cells.

Food Intake of Patients with Thyroid Nodules: a Brazilian Food Guides-Based Analysis / Consumo Alimentar de Pacientes com Nódulos Tireoidianos: uma Análise Baseada em Guias Alimentares Brasileiros / Consumo de Alimentos de Pacientes con Nódulos Tiroideos: un Análisis Basado en las Guías Alimentarias Brasileña

Introduction: The thyroid gland has the function of secreting hormones that play an important role in metabolism. Alterations in this function may bring complications to individuals, among them thyroid nodules. The prevalence of thyroid nodules is higher in white people, older adults, women, smokers, with accumulated body fat and larger waist circumference. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake of patients with benign (BN) and malignant (MN) thyroid nodules. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 62 patients. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall, according to the 2006 and 2014 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Mean consumption of each food group was compared between patients with BN and MN by Student's t-test. Results: The sample consisted mostly of females with mean age of 43 years old. Based in the 2006 Guide, patients with BN and MN presented low consumption of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and high consumption of meat. Total caloric intake (p=0.03) and of the group of sugars and sweets (p=0.03) were higher among individuals with MN compared with BN. Considering the 2014 Guide, the highest caloric contribution for the diet was from minimally processed foods group. Conclusion: Patients with MN had higher energy intake of sugars and sweets. For all other food groups investigated, no significant difference between individuals with MN and BN was encountered

Introdução: A glândula tireoide tem a função de secretar hormônios que desempenham importante papel no metabolismo. Alterações nessa função podem trazer complicações aos indivíduos, entre elas, os nódulos tireoidianos. A prevalência desses nódulos é maior em pessoas brancas, idosas, mulheres, fumantes, com gordura corporal acumulada e maior circunferência da cintura. Objetivo: Comparar o consumo alimentar de pacientes com nódulos benignos (NB) ou malignos (NM) da tireoide. Método: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 62 pacientes. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado utilizando recordatório alimentar de 24 horas, segundo as diretrizes das versões de 2006 e 2014 do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. As médias de consumo de cada grupo alimentar foram comparadas entre os pacientes com NB e NM pelo teste t de Student. Resultados: A amostra foi composta predominantemente por mulheres com idade média de 43 anos. Considerando a versão de 2006 do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira, tanto os pacientes com NB quanto com NM apresentaram baixo consumo dos grupos das frutas, verduras e hortaliças, leite e derivados, e elevado consumo do grupo das carnes. O consumo calórico total (p=0,03) e do grupo de açúcares e doces (p=0,03) foi maior entre indivíduos com NM comparados com indivíduos com NB. Considerando a versão de 2014 do Guia, a maior contribuição calórica da dieta foi proveniente do grupo de alimentos minimamente processados. Conclusão: Pacientes com NM apresentam maior consumo calórico e de açúcares e doces. Para todos os outros grupos alimentares estudados, não houve diferença significativa entre os indivíduos com NM e NB

Introducción: La glándula tiroidea se encarga de segregar hormonas que desempeñan un papel importante en el metabolismo. Los cambios en esta función pueden traer complicaciones a los individuos, entre ellas los nódulos tiroideos. La prevalencia de los nódulos tiroideos es mayor en personas de raza blanca, de edad avanzada, mujeres, fumadores, con grasa corporal acumulada y mayor perímetro de cintura. Objetivo: Comparar la ingesta dietética de pacientes con nódulos tiroideos benignos (NB) y malignos (NM). Método: Estudio transversal con 62 pacientes. La ingesta dietética se evaluó mediante el recuerdo dietético de 24 horas, de acuerdo con las directrices de las versiones de 2006 y 2014 de la Guía Alimentaria para la Población Brasileña. Se comparó el consumo medio de cada grupo de alimentos entre los pacientes con NB y NM mediante la prueba t de Student. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta predominantemente por mujeres, y la edad media fue de 43 años. Teniendo en cuenta la Guía 2006, tanto los pacientes con NB como los que tenían NM tenían un bajo consumo de frutas, verduras, leche y productos lácteos, y un alto consumo de carne. La ingesta calórica total (p=0,03) y del grupo de azúcares y dulces (p=0,03) fue mayor entre los individuos con NM en comparación con los de NB. Teniendo en cuenta la Guía 2014, el mayor aporte calórico de la dieta procedía de los alimentos mínimamente procesados en los grupos. Conclusión: Los pacientes con NM tuvieron una mayor ingesta energética y consumo de azúcares y dulces. Para el resto de grupos de alimentos estudiados, no hubo diferencias significativas entre los individuos con NM y NB

Cardiovascular risk estimated in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) had a 1.5-fold increase in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mortality, compared with those without MS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the CVD risk in MS patients by multiple cardiometabolic indexes and to investigate associated factors. METHODS: The MS group included 57 patients matched for age and sex to 57 healthy controls. They were evaluated for physical activity, smoking, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and plasma biomarkers. Framingham risk score (FRS) and multiple cardiovascular risk indexes were calculated. Clinical course of disease, age at onset, disease duration, disease-modifying therapy, relapse rate, EDSS, physical and functional impairment were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.6 years old. The majority (89.5%) in the MS group had a RRMS clinical course and a mild level of disability (EDSS=1.0). WC (p = 0.022) and FM% (p = 0.007) were different between the MS and control groups. The FRS was higher in the MS group (10% versus 0%) and this was related with high prevalence of dyslipidemia (43.8% versus 36.8%). The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) (0.013) and Castelli risk indexes I (CRI-I) (p = 0.017) and II (CRI-II) (p = 0.008) and non-HDL-C (p = 0.044) were higher in the MS group. CONCLUSION: MS patients, with controlled disease course, have a higher cardiovascular risk than comparable healthy individuals. We emphasize that the use of FRS, and the monitoring of CRI-I and II, as well as AIP, are important lipid markers to manage CVD risk in individuals with MS.

Giardia duodenalis infection in dogs from the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal: prevalence, genotyping and associated risk factors.

ABSTRACT: Giardia duodenalis is a cosmopolitan enteric protozoan that affects a wide range of vertebrates, including humans and dogs. Genetic characterisation reveals eight different assemblages, with A and B having been found mainly in humans and several other animals, and thus considered potentially zoonotic, while C and D are adapted to infect dogs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of G. duodenalis, their distribution into assemblages, and risk factors associated with their infection of dogs from the metropolitan area of Lisbon. Giardia duodenalis cysts were microscopically identified in 33.8% (27/80) of the faecal samples analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that dogs under 6 months of age and from both breeders and shelters, had a significantly higher risk of being infected with G. duodenalis. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the partial coding sequences for ß-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase, and triosephosphate isomerase, the parasites found in three dog isolates were typed as G. duodenalis assemblage C, 11 were typed as D, and four were typed as C or D, depending on the targeted genes. The risk to public health seems to be reduced, as no genotypes with zoonotic potential have been detected. Nevertheless, better health management towards a minimisation of the environmental faecal pollution, as well as an increase in the awareness of health professionals, dog owners, dog breeders and caregivers regarding the risks posed by this protozoan to the health of animals and humans, are recommended.

Leishmania infantum strains from cats are similar in biological properties to canine and human strains.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis is a worldwide severe disease caused by Leishmania infantum, a protozoan that has phlebotomine sand flies as vectors and dogs as primary reservoir hosts. Over the last few decades, cats have been regarded as an indisputable piece within the ecological system in which L. infantum is maintained indefinitely. However, little is known about feline strains, including their phenotypic plasticity and infectivity. In this study, the phenotypic behaviour of seven L. infantum feline strains was compared to those of well-characterised counterparts isolated from two dogs and two humans in terms of growth profile, adaptive capacity under several stress conditions, susceptibility to antileishmanial drugs, and infectivity to host cells. Feline strains displayed a similar growth profile, survival capacity, and ability to infect feline, canine, and human monocyte-derived primary macrophages. Furthermore, multivariate cluster analysis suggested that most strains studied did not display distinctive phenotypic features. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the phenotypic behaviour of feline L. infantum strains. This study brings new insights into the hypothetical role of cats as reservoir hosts of L. infantum since the parasites found in them are phenotypically identical to those of dogs and humans. However, further studies on the transmission dynamics should be encouraged to fully establish the status of cats in the maintenance of L. infantum foci.

Qualidade da dieta e risco cardiometabólico em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso / Diet quality and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with excess weight / Calidad de la dieta y el riesgo cardiometabolico de niños y adolescentes con exceso de peso

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da dieta de crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso e determinar a relação com fatores de risco cardiometabólico. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, transversal e analítico, realizado entre dezembro de 2016 e agosto de 2018, com crianças e adolescentes. Coletaram-se variáveis comportamentais (prática de atividade física e tempo de tela), antropométricas (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal, circunferência abdominal e do pescoço) e dietéticas (recordatório de 24 horas) e os dados bioquímicos foram consultados nos prontuários. Avaliou-se a resistência à insulina (RI), usando Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), e a qualidade da dieta, por meio do Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado (IQD-R). Análises realizadas pelos testes de Spearman e Mann-Whitney U, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 100 crianças e adolescentes, sendo 71 (71%) do sexo feminino, média de idade de 9,42 ± 2,89 anos. IQD-R apresentou valor médio de 61,16 (IC 95%: 59,14 ­ 63,19) e nenhum participante apresentou dieta de boa qualidade. Não foram encontradas associações entre o escore do IQD-R e marcadores cardiometabólicos. Observaram-se associações negativas entre os componentes "vegetais totais e leguminosas" e HOMA-IR (r= -0,290), "vegetais verde-escuros, alaranjados e leguminosas" e HOMA-IR (r= -0,333) e "vegetais verde-escuros, alaranjados e leguminosas" com insulina de jejum (r= -0,291). Participantes com mais de três fatores de risco cardiometabólico tiveram pontuação significativamente maior do componente "gordura sólida e açúcar de adição". Conclusão: Nenhum participante investigado apresentou dieta qualitativamente adequada. A baixa ingestão de vegetais e leguminosas foi associada com marcadores de RI. Descritores: Promoção da Saúde, Obesidade Pediátrica; Consumo de Alimentos; Resistência à Insulina; Doenças Cardiovasculares.

Objective: To assess the quality of the diet of children and adolescents with excess weight and determine its relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2016 to August 2018 with children and adolescents. Behavioral (regular physical activity, screen time), anthropometric (weight, height, Body Mass Index, abdominal circumference, neck circumferences) and dietary (24-hour recalls) data were collected, and biochemical data were retrieved from medical records. Insulin resistance (IR) was measured using the Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and diet quality was assessed using the Revised Diet Quality Index (Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado ­ IQD-R). Analyses using Spearman's and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed with a significance threshold set at 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, 71 (71%) of whom were girls, and the mean age was 9.42±2.89 years. The mean IQD-R was 61.16 (95%CI: 59.14 ­ 63.19) and none of the participants presented a good quality diet. No associations were found between the IQD-R score and cardiometabolic markers. However, negative associations were observed between "total vegetables and legumes" and HOMA-IR (r=-0.290), "dark green and orange vegetables and legumes" and HOMA-IR (r=-0.333) and "dark green and orange vegetables and legumes" and fasting insulin (r=-0.291). The participants who presented more than three cardiometabolic risk factors had a significantly higher score on the "solid fat and added sugar" component. Conclusion: None of the participants had a qualitatively adequate diet. The low intake of vegetables and legumes was associated with IR markers. Descriptors: Health Promotion, Pediatric Obesity; Food Intake; Insulin Resistance; Cardiovascular Diseases.

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la dieta de niños y adolescentes con exceso de peso y determinar la relación con los factores de riesgo cardiometabolico. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal y analítico realizado entre diciembre de 2016 y agosto de 2018 con niños y adolescentes. Se recogieron las variables de conducta (práctica de actividad física y tiempo de pantalla), antropométricas (peso, altura, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia abdominal y del cuello) y dietéticas (recordatorio de 24 horas) y los datos bioquímicos han sido consultados de los historiales clínicos. Se evaluó la resistencia a la insulina (RI) usando el Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) y la calidad de la dieta a través del Índice de Calidad de la Dieta Revisado (ICD-R). Los análisis han sido realizados por las pruebas de Spearman y Mann-Whitney U con el nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: La muestra ha sido de 100 niños y adolescentes de los cuales 71 (71%) era del sexo femenino con la media de edad de 9,42 ± 2,89 años. El ICD-R presentó el valor medio de 61,16 (IC 95%: 59,14 - 63,19) y ningún participante presentó dieta de buena calidad. No se ha encontrado asociaciones entre la puntuación del ICD-R y los marcadores cardiometabolicos. Se ha observado asociaciones negativas entre los componentes "vegetales totales y leguminosas" y el HOMA-IR (r= -0,290), "vegetales verde-oscuros, anaranjados y leguminosas" y el HOMA-IR (r= -0,333) y "vegetales verde-oscuros, anaranjados y leguminosas" y la insulina de ayuno (r= - 0,291). Los participantes con más de tres factores de riesgo cardiometabolico tuvieron la puntuación significativamente mayor en el componente "grasa sólida y azúcar de adición". Conclusión: Ningún participante investigado presentó la dieta cualitativamente adecuada. La baja ingesta de vegetales y leguminosas se ha asociado con los marcadores de RI Descriptores: Promoción de la Salud, Obesidad Pediátrica; Consumo de Alimentos; Resistencia a la Insulina; Enfermedades Cardiovasculares.

Altered acylated ghrelin response to food intake in congenital generalized lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) have very low levels of leptin and are described as having a voracious appetite. However, a direct comparison between CGL and eutrophic individuals is lacking, regarding both appetite parameters and acylated ghrelin, the hormone form that is active in acute food intake stimulation. The objective of the present study was to address whether and in what extent the subjective appetite parameters and acylated ghrelin response to a meal are affected in CGL individuals, in comparison to eutrophic individuals. Additionally, an obese group was included in the study, to allow the comparison between a leptin-resistant and a leptin-deficient condition on these aspects. METHODS: Eutrophic controls (EUT, n = 10), obese subjects (OB, n = 10) and CGL (n = 11) were fasted overnight and then received an ad libitum meal. Blood was collected and the visual analogue scale was applied before and 90 minutes after the meal. An additional blood sample was collected at 60 minutes for ghrelin determination. RESULTS: The CGL patients showed low fasting levels of leptin and adiponectin, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. The caloric intake was similar among the 3 groups. However, both CGL (p = 0.02) and OB (p = 0.04) had shorter satiation times than EUT. The CGL patients also had lower satiety time (p = 0.01) and their sensation of hunger was less attenuated by the meal (p = 0.03). Fasting acylated ghrelin levels were lower in CGL than in EUT (p = 0.003). After the meal, the levels tended to decrease in EUT but not in CGL and OB individuals. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that, although not hyperphagic, the CGL patients present appetite disturbances in relation to eutrophic individuals. Their low fasting levels of acylated ghrelin and the absence of the physiological drop after meal intake suggest a role of these disturbances in hunger attenuation and satiety but not in acute satiation.

Selenium Nutritional Status and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Its Relationship with Hemodialysis Time in Individuals Living in a Brazilian Region with Selenium-Rich Soil.

Suboptimal selenium status may impair the antioxidant defense system in patients undergoing hemodialysis, compromising the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase activity. To evaluate the association between the duration of hemodialysis, nutritional selenium status, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis in a region of selenium-rich soils (Ceará, Northeast Brazil). The case-control study of 75 individuals aged 18 to 88 years was allocated between two groups: hemodialysis (n = 41) and control (n = 34). Plasma and erythrocytes selenium levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The GPx activity and TBARS levels were also evaluated. In addition, the hemodialysis group was stratified according to the duration of treatment (≤ 59 months and ≥ 60 months). The Mann-Whitney test, Student's t test, and Pearson's or Spearman's correlation were applied according to the data distribution. Moreover, a quantile regression was performed. The significance level (p) was < 0.05. The hemodialysis group had lower selenium levels in their plasma and erythrocytes than the control group (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the GPx activity between the groups. Furthermore, an association between the hemodialysis group and selenium levels in plasma (coefficient - 16,343, p < 0.001) and erythrocytes (coefficient - 7839, p = 0.003) was observed by quantile regression, independent of age, sex, and body-mass index. In individuals who had undergone treatment for 60 months or more, GPx activity was lower (p = 0.026) and TBARS levels higher (p = 0.011) than in those who had undergone treatment for less than 60 months. The status of selenium was reduced in the hemodialysis group compared to the control group. The lower GPx activity and higher levels of TBARS in individuals who had undergone treatment for 60 months or more correlated with greater oxidative stress.

As repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher / The Repercussions of Pregnancy in a Woman's Everyday

Objetivo: Descrever as repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher. Métodos: Estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas 25 gestantes entre 20 e 24 semanas de gestação, atendidas em uma instituição na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). A coleta de dados foi por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, submetidas à técnica de análise de conteúdo. Foram criadas nuvens de palavras para as categorias, utilizando-se o software NVivo 11. Resultados: A análise comparativa constante permitiu a construção de duas categorias: "impacto da gravidez nas atividades diárias" e "peso corporal da gestação na moda feminina". A primeira categoria demonstrou o impacto do aumento do tamanho corporal da gestante diante das atividades comuns do dia a dia, a dificuldade para realizar certas atividades, a sobrecarga das articulações e o cansaço relacionado ao aumento do volume corporal na gestação. Os resultados da segunda categoria mostraram que as mudanças gestacionais impactam nas escolhas de vestimenta das mulheres, sendo relatadas as dificuldades para aquisição de um novo vestuário durante esta fase, a procura por lojas especializadas em moda gestante e o reaproveitamento de peças existentes com necessidade de possíveis ajustes. Conclusão: Neste estudo, possibilitou-se a análise dos sentidos atribuídos às mudanças corporais pelas gestantes e observou-se que as transformações gestacionais repercutem diretamente na realização de atividades cotidianas e nas escolhas de vestimenta de mulheres grávidas, demonstrando inúmeras dificuldades a serem compreendidas e enfrentadas durante este período.

Objective: To describe the repercussions of pregnancy on a woman's daily life. Methods: Exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Twenty-five pregnant women were interviewed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, attended at an institution in the city of Fortaleza (CE). Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews that were submitted to the content analysis technique. Word clouds were created for the categories, using the software NVivo 11. Results: The constant comparative analysis allowed the construction of two categories: "impact of pregnancy on daily activities" and "body weight of pregnancy on women's fashion". The first category demonstrated the impact of the increase in body size of the pregnant woman facing common daily activities, the difficulty to perform certain activities, the overload of the joints and the tiredness related to the increase in body volume in pregnancy. The results of the second category showed that gestational changes impact women's clothing choices, with difficulties reported for the acquisition of new clothing during this phase, the search for stores specializing in pregnant fashion and the reuse of existing pieces in need of possible adjustments. Conclusion: The study made it possible to analyze the meanings attributed to the body changes by pregnant women and it was observed that gestational changes have a direct impact on the performance of daily activities and on the clothing choices of pregnant women, demonstrating numerous difficulties to be understood and faced during this period.

The omission of meals is associated with excess weight in adolescents

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the association between skipping meals and excess weight in adolescents. This study used a secondary database based on cross-sectional research. Weight and height were measured for the classification of nutritional status and the omission of meals was determined from the 24-hour food record. Statistical analyses were performed on a sample stratified by age from 10 to 13 years and 14 to 19 years. There was a high prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) in the sample and a high frequency of meal omission among adolescents. The omission of lunch and dinner among adolescents between 14 and 19 years and those between 10 to 13 years, respectively, was directly associated with excess weight.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la asociación entre omisión de comidas y condición de exceso de peso en adolescentes. Este es un estudio con datos secundarios de una investigación transversal. El peso y la altura se midieron para clasificar el estado nutricional y la omisión de las comidas se determinó a partir del registro de alimentos de 24 horas. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron en una muestra estratificada por edad de 10 a 13 años y de 14 a 19 años. Hubo una alta prevalencia de exceso de peso en la muestra y una alta frecuencia de omisión de comidas entre los adolescentes. La omisión del almuerzo y la cena, en los rangos de 14 a 19 años y de 10 a 13 años, respectivamente, se asoció directamente con el exceso de peso.

Relationship between selenium status and biomarkers of oxidative stress in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Crohn disease (CD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and various factors involved in its pathogenesis including oxidative stress. The oxidative stress in CD may compromise antioxidant nutrients, such as selenium. The aim of this study was to assess the status of selenium and its relationship with markers of oxidative stress in patients with CD in comparison to controls. METHODS: The study included 47 patients with CD (20 with active disease and 27 in remission) and 25 healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma and erythrocyte selenium concentrations using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Selenoprotein P (SepP) was evaluated by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) activity was assessed by using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was measured. Comparative analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. For correlations, Pearson's coefficient test was used. The determinants for CD and lipid peroxidation were indicated by odds ratio. RESULTS: Plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels and SepP concentrations were lower in the CD patient groups than in the healthy group. GPx1 activity and the concentration of TBARS were significantly higher in the CD groups. In the univariate analysis, plasma and erythrocyte selenium and TBARS were associated with CD. CONCLUSION: Patients with CD have impaired selenium status, which is related to the increased oxidative stress observed in these patients.

Selenium and thyroid cancer: a systematic review.

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between blood and tissue levels of selenium and thyroid cancer through a systematic review. We searched for observational studies written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese indexed in PubMed, LILACS, and Scielo without date restriction, that evaluated the association between selenium levels in whole-blood, serum, or plasma and/or thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer, both in individuals with cancer of thyroid as in healthy individuals. Then data were extracted and analyzed. Of the 570 articles identified, five cross-sectional studies were included in the review. In one study, lower concentrations of selenium were found in whole-blood (0.543 µg/ml) and in the thyroid (0.88 µg/g) of thyroid cancer patients compared to controls. Another study showed a decrease in serum selenium concentrations in patients with follicular carcinoma and papillary types (0.077 ± 0.021 µg/ml and 0.080 ± 0.020 µg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, other studies showed no difference in plasma selenium content or glutathione peroxidase activity among patients and healthy volunteers. The available evidence on this issue is inconclusive. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the association between serum and/or tissue levels of selenium and the development of thyroid cancer.

An Unusual Case of Feline Leishmaniosis With Involvement of the Mammary Glands.

We report an unusual case of leishmaniosis with the involvement of mammary glands in an old cat with what seems to be a concurrent regressive feline leukemia virus infection. Leishmania donovani complex parasites were identified for the first time in inflammatory breast fluid during a clinical recurrence manifested about 4 years after the first diagnosis of feline leishmaniosis. Combined treatment with allopurinol and meglumine antimoniate resulted in clinical cure of mammary lesion and a concurrent uveitis.

Zinco e risco cardiovascular de pacientes nefropatas em tratamento de hemodiálise / Zinc and cardiovascular risk in nephropathic patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment / Zinc y riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes con enfermedad del riñón en tratamiento de hemodiálisis

Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre concentração de zinco e risco cardiovascular em pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo analítico, retrospectivo e transversal, realizado em Fortaleza, Ceará, em 2012, do qual participaram 43 adultos com insuficiência renal crônica em hemodiálise (grupo HD) e 35 saudáveis (CO - controle). Coletaram-se dados socioeconômicos e bioquímicos (colesterol total - CT, lipoproteína de baixa densidade - LDL, lipoproteína de muito baixa densidade - VLDL, lipoproteína de alta densidade - HDL e triglicerídeos - TG); determinou-se zinco plasmático por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma acoplado; coletou-se perfil lipídico do grupo HD do prontuário e do grupo CO por meio de kit Bioclin®. Obteve-se colesterol não-HDL pela fórmula: não-HDL = CT ­ HDL-c. Calculou-se risco cardiovascular pela razão TG/HDL, considerando risco quando >3,8. Análises por meio de testes t de Student, Pearson ou Spearman. Resultados: O zinco do grupo HD encontrou-se abaixo da referência e menor (p<0,001) em relação ao controle (68,40µg/dL e 85,53µg/dL, respectivamente). HDL no grupo HD mostrou-se abaixo da recomendação (39,64±11,58). VLDL (29,02±14,03mg/dL) do grupo HD foi maior (p<0,001) que no CO (15,47±10,65mg/dL). LDL do grupo HD maior que no CO (p=0,05) e o TG no grupo HD (145,14±70,15mg/dL) maior (p<0,001) que no CO (77,35±53,25mg/dL). Encontrou-se razão TG/HDL no grupo HD de 4,02±2,60 (p=0,04), indicando maior risco cardiovascular. Pacientes com maior relação TG/HDL apresentaram menores níveis de zinco (p=0,011). Conclusão: Os pacientes em hemodiálise apresentaram deficiência de zinco e possuíam elevado risco cardiovascular, porém sem correlação entre zinco e perfil lipídico.

Objective: To assess the relationship between zinc concentration and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Methods: Analytical retrospective cross-sectional study carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, in 2012 with 43 adult patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD group) and 35 healthy individuals (control group). Socioeconomic and biochemical (total cholesterol - TC, low density lipoprotein - LDL, very low density lipoprotein - VLDL, high density lipoprotein - HDL and triglycerides - TG) were collected. Plasma zinc was determined using coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. HD group' lipid profile was collected from medical records, and the controls' lipid profile was analyzed using the Bioclin® kit. Non-HDL cholesterol was = CT ­ HDL-C. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the TG/HDL ratio, with risk when >3.8. Student's t test, Pearson's test or Spearman's test were used. Results: Zinc was below the recommended and lower (p<0.001) in the HD group (68.40µg/dL and 85.53µg/dL, respectively). HDL-c in the HD group was below the recommended (39.64±11.58). VLDL (29.02±14.03 mg/dL) in HD patients was higher (p<0.001) than in controls (15.47±10.65 mg/dL). LDL was higher in the HD group than in controls (p=0.05) and TG in the HD group (145.14±70.15 mg/dL) was higher (p<0.001) than in controls (77.35±53.25 mg/dL). The TG/HDL ratio in the HD group was 4.02±2.60 (p=0.04), indicating a higher cardiovascular risk. Individuals with higher TG/HDL had lower zinc (p=0.011). Conclusion: Patients on hemodialysis presented with zinc deficiency and high cardiovascular risk, but there was no correlation between zinc levels and lipid profile.

Objetivo: Investigar la relación entre la concentración de zinc y el riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Métodos: Estudio analítico, retrospectivo y transversal realizado en Fortaleza, Ceará, en 2012, en el cual participaron 43 pacientes adultos con insuficiencia renal crónica en hemodiálisis (grupo HD) y 35 saludables (grupo CO - control). Se recogieron los datos socioeconómicos y bioquímicos (colesterol total - CT, lipoproteína de baja densidad - LDL, lipoproteína de muy baja densidad - VLDL, lipoproteína de alta densidad - HDL y triglicéridos - TG); se determinó el zinc plasmático por la espectrometría de emisión óptica por el plasma de acoplamiento inductivo; se recogió el perfil lipídico del grupo HD del historial clínico y el del grupo control a través del kit Bioclin®. Se obtuvo el colesterol no-HDL por la fórmula: no-HDL = CT ­ HDL-c. Se calculó el riesgo cardiovascular por la razón TG/HDL considerando riesgo cuando ≥3,8. Los análisis fueron a través de la prueba t de Student, Pearson o Spearman. Resultados: El zinc del grupo HD fue menor y abajo de la referencia (p<0,001) en comparación con el control (68,40µg/dL y 85,53µg/dL, respectivamente). La HDL del grupo HD se mostró abajo de la recomendación (39,64±11,58). El VLDL (29,02±14,03mg/dL) del grupo HD ha sido mayor (p<0,001) que en el CO (15,47±10,65mg/dL). La LDL del grupo HD ha sido mayor que en el CO (p=0,05) y el TG en el grupo HD (145,14±70,15mg/dL) mayor (p<0,001) que en el CO (77,35±53,25mg/dL). Se encontró la razón TG/HDL en el grupo HD de 4,02±2,60 (p=0,04) con menores niveles de zinc (p=0,011). Conclusión: Los pacientes en hemodiálisis presentaron deficiencia de zinc y tenían elevado riesgo cardiovascular, sin embargo, sin relación entre el zinc y el perfil lipídico.