Soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1) levels are positively associated with exercise intensity in athletes after strenuous off-road cycling.

AIM: Strenuous exercise can enhance plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Increases in plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are followed rapidly by a rise in its natural inhibitors, soluble TNF receptors (sTNFRs). These inhibitors likely prevent an over-response to the cytokine. Aims of the present study were: 1) analyze plasma sTNFR1 at different time-points in response to a strenuous off-road cycling competition; 2) evaluate whether plasma levels of sTNFR1 correlate to increased blood lactate levels on completion of the exercise. METHODS: Eight trained off-road cyclists took part in this study and the data collection occurred during an official off-road race. Blood samples were collected pre-race, immediately post-race, and 1 h, 2 h and 24 h during the recovery period, for plasma sTNFR1 and blood lactate determination. RESULTS: Increase in sTNFR1 plasma levels were observed immediately post-race, 1 h and 2 h post-race (P<0.01), returning to baseline levels at the end of the recovery period (24 h). Significant correlation between plasma levels of sTNFR1 and blood lactate concentration were observed at the end of the race (r=0.925; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: An off-road cycling race stimulated an increase in plasma sTNFR1 and this anti-inflammatory molecule was positively correlated to blood lactate concentration. This result reinforces the view that exercise intensity influences the increase in plasma anti-inflammatory molecules.

The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation is less accurate in patients with Type 2 diabetes when compared with healthy individuals.

AIMS: To analyse the performances of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with GFRs >60 ml/min and in healthy volunteers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 111 individuals (56 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 55 healthy volunteers), aged 58 ± 9 years; 54 individuals were men (49%) and ninety-eight (88%) were white. Glomerular filtration rate was measured by the (51) Cr-EDTA single-injection method ((51) Cr-GFR) and estimated according to the standardized MDRD and CKD-EPI equations. Serum creatinine was measured by a traceable Jaffe method. Bland-Altman analysis was used to examine the agreement between measured and estimated GFR. Bias, accuracy and precision were evaluated. RESULTS: In diabetic individuals, (51) Cr-GFR was 106 ± 27 ml/min/1.73 m(2) , CKD-EPI-estimated GFR 82 ± 18 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and MDRD-estimated GFR 80 ± 21 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001). In healthy volunteers, the corresponding values were 98 ± 20, 89 ± 13 and 84 ± 14 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (P < 0.001). The accuracy of CKD-EPI (P30) was higher in healthy volunteers than in diabetic patients (90 vs. 66%, respectively, P < 0.001). The MDRD equation performed as poorly as the CKD-EPI equation in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The CKD-EPI equation is less accurate in patients with Type 2 diabetes when compared with healthy individuals, with a 2.5-fold greater bias.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on lung injury and running performance in a hot, humid, and ozone-polluted environment.

In this study, the effect of vitamin C and E supplementation on lung injury and performance of runners were analyzed. Using a randomized, double-blinded, crossover design, nine runners participated in two experimental trials: a 2-week Vitamin trial (vitamin C = 500 mg/day + vitamin E = 100 IU/day) and a 2-week Placebo trial. At the end of each supplementation period the runners performed an 8-km time-trial run in a hot (31°C), humid (70% rh), and ozone-polluted (0.10 ppm O(3)) environmental chamber. Nasal lavage and blood samples were collected pre-, post-, and 6-h post-exercise to assess antioxidant status and CC16 as lung injury marker. Higher plasma (pre- and post-exercise) and nasal lavage (post-exercise) antioxidant concentration were found for the Vitamin trial. Nevertheless, this did not result in performance differences (Vitamin trial: 31:05 min; Placebo trial: 31:54 min; P = 0.075) even though significant positive correlations were found between antioxidant concentration and improvement in time to complete the run. CC16 was higher post-exercise in the Placebo trial (P < 0.01) in both plasma and nasal lavage. These findings suggest that antioxidant supplementation might help to decrease the lung injury response of runners when exercising in adverse conditions, but has little effect on performance.

Diurnal Variation in Physiological and Immune Responses to Endurance Sport in Highly Trained Runners in a Hot and Humid Environment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and immunological response of highly trained runners to an intense bout of exercise performed at two different times of day, in a hot, humid environment. METHODS: Using a crossover randomized design, 13 highly trained runners (range [Formula: see text] 64-79 ml·kg-1 min-1) performed a 10 km time trial run in hot (28°C) and humid conditions (70%), at 2 different times of day (09:00 hs and 18:00 hs). Venous blood samples were taken to determine WBCs (white blood cells), IL-6 (interleukin-6), CC16 (club cell protein 16), and HSP70 (heat shock protein-70) concentrations. Upper respiratory tract inflammation was additionally assessed using a nasal lavage procedure. RESULTS: A significant diurnal difference (p < 0.05) was found for core body temperature, total WBC, and neutrophil and lymphocyte concentrations with higher values at 18:00 hs. A phase response in IL-6, HSP70, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and CC16 was noted, being more pronounced at 18:00 hs, whilst core body temperature and HR phase responses were more pronounced at 09:00 hs. CONCLUSION: In hot and humid conditions, athletes may wish to consider, when possible, racing and particularly training in the morning where the least homeostatic perturbation occurs.

[Evaluation of iron contents in foods of the basic diet]. / Avaliação dos teores de ferro nos alimentos da cesta básica.

The components of the basic food diet available at the food markets in Curitiba were evaluated according to their contents of iron. The method used for this analysis was atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained for samples of wheat flour were (mg/kg): 9.40 to 17.60; bread 7.04 to 12.80; coffee 45.76 to 49.21; potato 3.56 to 5.65; tomato 6.94 to 15.10; banana 7.59 to 15.20; rice 5.49 to 11.06; bean 59.84 to 78.75; meat 9.48 to 34.29; pasteurized milk 0.33 to 1.20; soy-bean oil 0.47 to 0.76; refined sugar 1.02 to 1.53 and margarine 1.50 to 2.06. There is no specific legislation in Brazil defining an upper limit of tolerance of iron in the food, except for soy-bean oil and margarine with a maximum of 1.50 mg/kg. The levels of iron analysed here were within the scale of variation reported by several authors from other countries.

Análise da cadeia produtiva do capim limão: estudo de caso / Proposals and recommendations for qualification of the production chain of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus ) (DC. ) Stapf (Poaceae)

RESUMO: Apresentam-se 26 propostas e recomendações aos agentes econômicos da cadeia produtiva do capim-limão, considerando resultados de diferentes estudos sobre o cultivo e a comercialização desta espécie no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. As propostas e recomendações estão categorizadas de acordo aos distintos problemas identificados, com ênfase no cultivo e processamento, posto que estas atividades foram evidenciadas como as mais problemáticas e limitadoras da oferta de produto adequado ao comércio e ao consumo. Objetivou-se contribuir para a melhor qualificação desta cadeia produtiva gerando benefícios, tanto aos distintos atores nela envolvidos, como também promovendo as bases para garantir a segurança alimentar do consumidor.

Twenty-six proposals and recommendations for the economic agents of the production chain of lemon grass are presented, considering the results of different studies related to the cultivation and commercialization of this specbies in the Paraná State, Brazil. These proposals and recommendations were categorized according to the different problems identified, with an emphasis on the cultivation and processing, since these were evidenced as the most problematic and limiting factors in relation to the offer of an adequate product for both trade and consumption. We aim to contribute to the improvement of the production chain of lemon grass, generating benefits to the different players involved in this chain as well as promoting bases to ensure food safety to consumers.

Alimento ou medicamento?: Espécies vegetais frente à legislação brasileira / Food or medicine?: Plant species in relation to the Brazilian legislation

O uso de espécies vegetais como fonte terapêutica e alimentícia tem apresentado significativo crescimento nos últimos anos, em especial no território brasileiro que é dotado de grande biodiversidade. A regulamentação dessas categorias de produtos envolve uma vasta lista de legislações, o que gera dificuldades no entendimento regulatório. Este trabalho teve por objetivo diferenciar algumas das classes de alimentos e medicamentos baseados em espécies vegetais e expor as legislações pertinentes a cada caso. Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico e documental com base no acervo regulatório brasileiro atual e os principais dados foram compilados em forma de tabela. Este trabalho permitiu visualizar uma parte do universo legal referente aos produtos de origem vegetal, o que é essencial para o enquadramento correto dessas espécies frente a legislação, bem como seu comércio, propaganda e uso regular e seguro. Isto é fundamental frente à valorização emergente das espécies vegetais dentro do sistema público de saúde brasileiro de acordo com as exigências regulatórias de cada categoria.

The use of plant species as food and therapy source has shown significant growth in recent years, particularly in the Brazilian territory that is endowed with rich biodiversity. The regulation of these product categories, however, involves a wide range of legislation, which creates difficulties in regulatory understanding. This study aimed to differentiate some of the classes of food and medicines based on plant species and expose the laws pertaining to each case. We conducted a literature review and documentary based on the current Brazilian regulatory collection and the most important data were compiled in tabular form. This work allowed us to visualize a part of the legal universe for products of plant origin, which is essential for the adequate framing of these species in the legislation, as well their regular and safe trade, marketing and use. This is necessary because of the major regulations and requirements for food and medication categories and the emerging appreciation of plant species on the Brazilian public health system.

Biossegurança e resíduos de serviços de saúde no cotidiano acadêmico / Biosafety and health service waste in academic daily life

In this paper, the extent of the knowledge of the academic community on campus III of the Federal University of Paraná about biosafety and health service waste (HSW) is assessed. A survey was carried out between 2009 and 2011, among students of degree courses in Dentistry, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy and Nursing, in their second, fifth, sixth, fourth and sixth semester, respectively, the course coordinators, campus environmental managers and waste handlers of the company contracted by UFPR. The method employed was participatory, based on the application of an assessment tool specific to each group surveyed. The results were that between 75 and 100% of the students recognized HSW as a risk to health and the environment when it is managed in adequately, but only 50 to 60% identified different types of health servicewaste. According to the course coordinators, only in Dentistry was Biosafety a taught subject. In other courses, the topics Biosafety and HSW were covered in other subjects. The environmental management sector managers reported that every waste-generating unit must have its own management plan, conduct training and possess an informative website. Regarding waste handlers, 33% said that during the handling of HSW they used gloves and uniforms, while 22% did not know what the rules said. The research revealed a gap in both the knowledge and practice of biosafe and responsible measures...

O trabalho avaliou o conhecimento da comunidade acadêmica do campus III ? Jardim Botânico, da Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) sobre Biossegurança e Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde (RSS). A pesquisa ocorreu entre 2009 e 2011, com acadêmicos dos cursos de graduação em Odontologia, Nutrição e Farmácia, do segundo, quinto e sexto período, respectivamente, Terapia Ocupacional e Enfermagem, quarto e sexto período, coordenadores dos cursos, gestores ambientais do campus e manipuladores de resíduos da empresa contratada pela UFPR. A metodologia empregou pesquisa-ação, baseada na aplicação de um instrumento de avaliação específico para cada grupo pesquisado. Como resultados, 75 a 100% dos alunos reconheceram os RSS como risco à saúde e ao meio ambiente quando seu manejo é inadequado, porém apenas 50 a 60% identificaram os diferentes grupos de RSS. Segundo os coordenadores, apenas no curso de Odontologia era ministrada a disciplina de Biossegurança. Nos outros cursos, os temas: Biossegurança e Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde, integravam outras disciplinas. O setor de gestão ambiental informou que todo órgão gerador de resíduos deve ter seu próprio plano de gerenciamento, além de realizar treinamentos e possuir página web informativa. Em relação aos manipuladores, 33% afirmaram que durante a manipulação dos RSS utilizam luvas e uniformes, 22% destes não souberam dizer quais são as normas. A pesquisa evidenciou uma lacuna no conhecimento e na aplicação de medidas biosseguras e responsáveis...