Soil microbial community, enzyme activity, C and N stocks and soil aggregation as affected by land use and soil depth in a tropical climate region of Brazil.

The impact of agricultural land-use on soil microbial community composition and enzyme activity has not been extensively investigated in Ultisols. We investigated soil health parameters by analyzing phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), extracellular enzyme activity, C and N stocks, and soil structure. Four land uses were established in a tropical climate region of Brazil: native Cerrado (savanna), monoculture pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. Webster 'Marandu'], an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), and maize (Zea mays)-fallow in a no-tillage system. Soil microbial biomass was 40% higher in the native Cerrado than in the monoculture pasture, ICLS, and no-tillage maize. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with microbial community composition (MB; gram-; AC; AMF; Fungi; F: B ratio) and enzyme activity (bG, AP, NAG). Large macroaggregates were positively correlated with bG, AP, and AMF. In summary, the native Cerrado had a higher level of carbon at the soil surface and greater soil structure with increased microbial biomass, gram+ bacteria, AMF, fungi, and F:B ratio in a tropical region of Brazil. However, bG and AP enzyme activities were lower in the ICLS and no-till maize at the soil surface (0-5 cm) compared to the native Cerrado. The conversion of native Cerrado to agricultural systems shifted the soil microbial community composition, enzyme activity, C and N, and soil structure of this sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Is the perceived neighborhood built environment associated with domain-specific physical activity in Latin American adults? An eight-country observational study.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of the neighborhood built environment are associated with physical activity (PA). However, few studies with representative samples have examined environmental correlates of domain-specific PA in Latin America. We examined the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with domain-specific PA in a large sample of adults from eight Latin American countries. METHODS: This study examined data from 8185 adults (aged 18-65 years) from eight Latin American countries. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey - Abbreviated (NEWS-A) scale was used to assess perceptions of land use mix-diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic, and safety from crime. Perceived proximity from home to public open spaces (metropolitan parks, playgrounds, public squares) and to shopping centers was also measured. Transport-related and leisure-time PA were assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Both logistic and linear regression models were estimated on pooled data. RESULTS: Perceptions of higher land use mix-access (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22,1.61), the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.12; 1.04,1.20), slow speed of traffic (1.19; 1.03,1.35) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.09; 1.03,1.15) were associated with greater odds of reporting at least 10 min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher levels of land use mix-diversity, better aesthetics and greater safety from crime, the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and greater proximity of shopping centers were associated with more min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity (1.12; 1.05,1.20), higher land use mix-access (1.27; 1.13,1.43), more walking/cycling facilities (1.18; 1.09,1.28), and better aesthetics (1.10; 1.02,1.18) were associated with greater odds of engaging in at least 10 min/week of leisure-time PA versus none. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity were associated with more min/week of leisure PA. CONCLUSIONS: Different perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with domain-specific PA among adults from Latin America countries. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of the neighbourhood built environment might influence initiation or maintenance of domain-specific PA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials. Gov NCT02226627 . Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with neck circumference in eight Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of obesity. There are relatively few studies that explore the effect of accelerometer-determined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on neck circumference (NC), most of them confined to single high-income countries. The present study investigated the association of accelerometer-determined MVPA with NC in adolescents and adults from eight Latin American countries, which are mostly upper-middle income countries. METHODS: The sample consisted of 2370 participants (47.8% male) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, a multicenter cross-sectional nutrition and health surveillance study of a nationally representative sample from eight Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela). Times (min/day) in MVPA (defined as time accumulated at ≥1952 activity counts/min) was assessed by ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer over 7 days. NC for adolescent was categorized as abnormal if circumference was > 34.5 cm for boys and > 31.25 for girls, whereas for adults the cut-off points for abnormal were > 39 cm for men and > 35 cm women. Multilevel logistic models, including country and region as random effects and adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic level, and educational level, were used to study the association between MVPA and NC. RESULTS: The average time of MVPA was 34.88 min/day, ranging from 31.16 in Venezuela to 40.27 in Chile. Concerning NC, 37.0% of the sample was classified as having elevated NC. Chile was the country with the highest percentage of people with elevated NC (56.9%), and Colombia had the lowest percentage (24.8%). Overall, the MVPA (min/day) was associated with elevated NC (OR = 0.994, CI95% = 0.990-0.998). In Costa Rica and Peru, there were significant associations between MVPA and NC when analyzed by country. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided evidence of significant associations between MVPA and NC in adolescents and adults from Latin America, independent of sex, age, socioeconomic level, and educational level. This analysis of accelerometry data and NC represents the first examination of these associations in eight Latin America countries. Further research is required to understand the differences between countries in the observed associations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02226627 . Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Exploring public sector physicians' resilience, reactions and coping strategies in times of economic crisis; findings from a survey in Portugal's capital city area.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is accumulating on the impact of the recent economic crisis on health and health systems across Europe. However, little is known about the effect this is having on physicians - a crucial resource for the delivery of healthcare services. This paper explores the adaptation to the crisis of public sector physicians and their ability to keep performing their functions, with the objective of gaining a better understanding of health workers' resilience under deteriorating conditions. METHODS: We conducted a survey among 484 public primary care and hospital physicians in Portugal's capital city area and explored their perceptions of the crisis, adaptation and coping strategies. We used ordinal and logistic regression models to link changes in hours worked and intentions to migrate with physicians' characteristics and specific answers. RESULTS: We found little evidence of physicians changing their overall allocation of working time before and after the crisis, with their age, types of specialisation, valuation of job flexibility and independence significantly associated with changes in public sector hours between 2010 and 2015. Being divorced, not Portuguese, of younger age, and working a high number of hours per week, were found to increase the probability of physicians considering migration, the same as having a poor opinion of recent government health policies. On the other hand, enjoying their current working environment, not wanting to disrupt provision of service, and leisure time were found to protect against scaling down public sector hours or considering migration. CONCLUSIONS: Our work on Portuguese physicians contributes to the debate on health workers' resilience, showing the value of understanding the influence of personal characteristics and opinions on their adaptation to changing circumstances, before designing policies to improve their working conditions and retention.

Assessment of rhizospheric culturable bacteria of Phragmites australis and Juncus effusus from polluted sites.

This study aimed at the isolation and characterization of metal(loid)-tolerant bacteria from the rhizosphere of Phragmites australis and Juncus effusus plants growing in two long-term contaminated sites in Northern Portugal. Site 1 had higher contamination than Site 3. Bacteria were isolated using metal(loid)-supplemented (Cd, Zn, and As) media. Isolates were grouped by random amplified polymorphic DNA and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Strains were also examined for their metal(loid) tolerance. The counts of metal(loid)-tolerant bacteria were higher in Site 1 and ranged between log 7.17 CFU g(-1) soil in As-containing medium and log 7.57 CFU g(-1) soil in Zn-containing medium, while counts at Site 3 varied between log 5.33 CFU g(-1) soil in Cd-containing medium and log 6.97 CFU g(-1) soil in As-containing medium. The composition of bacterial populations varied between locations. In Site 1, the classes Actinobacteria (36%) and Bacilli (24%) were well represented, while in Site 3 strains were mainly affiliated to classes Actinobacteria (35%), γ-Proteobacteria (35%), and ß-Proteobacteria (12%). The order of metal(loid) toxicity for the isolated strains was Cd > As > Zn. Overall, 10 strains grew at 500 mg Cd L(-1) , 1000 mg Zn L(-1) , and 500 mg As L(-1) , being considered the most metal(loid)-tolerant bacteria. These strains belonged to genera Cupriavidus, Burkholderia, Novosphingobium, Sphingobacterium, Castellaniella, Mesorhizobium, Chryseobacterium, and Rhodococcus and were mainly retrieved from Site 1. The multiple metal(loid)-tolerant strains isolated in this study have potential to be used in bioremediation/phytoremediation.

D313Y variant in two related end-stage renal disease patients - Pathogenic or not yet?

Fabry disease is a multisystem lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene that result in a deficient or absent activity of alpha-galactosidase A. There is a wide spectrum of GLA gene variants, some of which are described as non-pathogenic. The clinical importance of the D313Y variant is still under debate, although in recent years it has been considered as a variant of unknown significance or a benign variant. Despite this prevailing notion, there are multiple case reports of patients with D313Y variant that presented signs and symptoms consistent with FD without any other etiological explanation. In this article, we present two family members with an important renal phenotype and other typical manifestations of FD (white matter lesions and left ventricular hypertrophy) that only had the D313Y variant. These cases suggest that this variant of unknown significance may contribute to the development of common features of FD and should not be undervalued.

Integrating Acupuncture into a Dialysis Center.

A growing interest in integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional medicine (CM) to create a more comprehensive approach to healthcare has been verified. Scientific evidence supports acupuncture as an integrative treatment for specific health conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance and feasibility by patients and healthcare professionals of integrating acupuncture in a dialysis center. Individuals undergoing hemodialysis (HD) who participated in a patient-assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effect of acupuncture on functional capacity and quality of life were included. Acceptance was measured by adherence (percentage of patients who completed treatments and dropouts) and patients' and healthcare professionals' opinions toward acupuncture (pre- and pro-intervention questionnaires). Feasibility was measured by safety (number of reported adverse events) and effectiveness (changes in functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and health-related quality of life scores after treatment). Forty-eight patients were included, and forty-five (93.8%) were analyzed. No adverse events were reported. All patients completed the treatment, and only three patients (6.2%) were lost to the 12-week post-treatment follow-up. The attitudes of patients and health professionals were favorable to acupuncture, namely in relation to its use, degree of discomfort, recommendation to others, and interference with routine care and clinical setting. Integrating acupuncture into a dialysis center seems viable and well-accepted by patients with kidney failure on maintenance HD, doctors and nurses.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Patients with kidney failure (KF) receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD) experience numerous symptoms that impair their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and contribute to high mortality rates. Acupuncture is often used for symptom enhancement and HRQOL. This blinded, randomized, controlled patient-assessor trial evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture on patients' HRQOL receiving maintenance HD as a secondary analysis. Seventy-two participants were randomly assigned to verum acupuncture (VA), sham acupuncture (SA), or waiting-list (WL) groups. The outcome was an improvement in HRQOL, assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form, version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF™ v1.3) at baseline, after treatment, and at 12-week follow-up. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Of the 72 randomized patients, 67 were included in the complete analysis set. As for the changes between baseline and after treatment, the VA group showed significantly increased scores on most of the KDQOL-SF™ v1.3 scales compared to SA or WL groups (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences between groups were observed in the changes from baseline to follow-up (p > 0.05). Compared to the sham treatment, acupuncture improved the HRQOL in patients receiving maintenance HD after treatment but not at follow-up.

Multimodal user interfaces to improve social integration of elderly and mobility impaired.

Technologies for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Communication have evolved tremendously over the past decades. However, citizens such as mobility impaired or elderly or others, still face many difficulties interacting with communication services, either due to HCI issues or intrinsic design problems with the services. In this paper we start by presenting the results of two user studies, the first one conducted with a group of mobility impaired users, comprising paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals; and the second one with elderly. The study participants carried out a set of tasks with a multimodal (speech, touch, gesture, keyboard and mouse) and multi-platform (mobile, desktop) system, offering an integrated access to communication and entertainment services, such as email, agenda, conferencing, instant messaging and social media, referred to as LHC - Living Home Center. The system was designed to take into account the requirements captured from these users, with the objective of evaluating if the adoption of multimodal interfaces for audio-visual communication and social media services, could improve the interaction with such services. Our study revealed that a multimodal prototype system, offering natural interaction modalities, especially supporting speech and touch, can in fact improve access to the presented services, contributing to the reduction of social isolation of mobility impaired, as well as elderly, and improving their digital inclusion.

Lupus-like nephritis with positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and negative antinuclear antibodies.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are associated with small vessel vasculitis but their prevalence is not rare in other immune diseases. In lupus nephritis (LN), their pathological role and clinical relevance have been the target of controversial views. We present a case of acute kidney injury and nephrotic syndrome in a young woman with diffuse global proliferative and membranous nephritis on her kidney biopsy, showing a full-house immunofluorescence pattern, very allusive of class IV + V LN, but lacking associated clinical criteria and laboratory findings to support the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Furthermore, the patient presented with high titers of ANCA, steadily decreasing alongside the renal function and proteinuria improvements, with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroid treatment. The authors believe this is a case of lupus-like nephritis, in which ANCAs are immunological markers, although they are not directly involved in the pathogenesis.

Effect of Acupuncture on Functional Capacity in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Patient-Assessor Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Decreased functional capacity (FC) in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is associated with adverse health events and poor survival. Acupuncture is recognized as a safe and effective integrative treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on the FC in chronic kidney disease with GFR category 5 (CKG G5) patients undergoing HD. In this patient-assessor blinded randomized controlled trial, seventy-two KF patients were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 24), placebo (n = 24) and control groups (n = 24). The primary outcome was the improvement in FC assessed by the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT). Secondary outcomes included assessment of peripheral muscle strength by the Handgrip Strength Test (HGS) and the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS-30) at baseline, after treatment and at 12-week follow up. A mixed ANOVA with interaction time*group was used. The experimental group increased walk distance (p < 0.001), lower limbs strength (p < 0.001) and handgrip strength (p = 0.012) after nine acupuncture sessions and stabilized in the follow-up (p > 0.05). In the placebo and control groups the 6-MWT and 30STS results decreased (p < 0.001) and the HGS scores did not change through time (p > 0.05). Acupuncture treatment improved FC and muscle strength in patients undergoing HD.

Ketamine and Norketamine: Enantioresolution and Enantioselective Aquatic Ecotoxicity Studies.

Ketamine is a chiral drug used for various clinical purposes but often misused. It is metabolized to norketamine, an active chiral metabolite. Both substances have been detected in environmental matrices, but studies about their enantioselective toxic effects are scarce. In the present study, the enantiomers of ketamine and norketamine were separated by a semipreparative enantioselective liquid chromatography method, and their toxicity was investigated in different aquatic organisms. The enantioseparation was achieved using a homemade semipreparative chiral column. Optimized conditions allowed the recovery of compounds with enantiomeric purity higher than 99%, except for (R)-ketamine (97%). The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was achieved by experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The ecotoxicity assays were performed with the microcrustacean Daphnia magna and the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila using Toxkit MicroBioTests. Different concentrations were tested (0.1-10 000 µg/L) to include environmental levels (~0.5-~100 µg/L), for racemates (R,S) and the isolated enantiomers (R or S) of ketamine and norketamine. No toxicity was observed in either organism at environmental levels. However, at greater concentrations, (R,S)-ketamine presented higher mortality for D. magna compared with its metabolite (R,S)-norketamine (85 and 20%, respectively), and the (S)-ketamine enantiomer showed higher toxicity than the (R)-ketamine enantiomer. In addition, (S)-ketamine also presented higher growth inhibition than (R)-ketamine for T. thermophila at the highest concentrations (5000 and 10 000 µg/L). Contrary to D. magna, growth inhibition was observed for both enantiomers of norketamine and in the same magnitude order of the (S)-ketamine enantiomer. The results showed that the 2 organisms had different susceptibilities to norketamine and that the toxicity of ketamine at high concentrations is enantioselective for both organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:569-579. © 2020 SETAC.

Predicting the distribution of canine leishmaniasis in western Europe based on environmental variables.

The domestic dog is the reservoir host of Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis endemic in Mediterranean Europe. Targeted control requires predictive risk maps of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), which are now explored. We databased 2187 published and unpublished surveys of CanL in southern Europe. A total of 947 western surveys met inclusion criteria for analysis, including serological identification of infection (504, 369 dogs tested 1971-2006). Seroprevalence was 23 2% overall (median 10%). Logistic regression models within a GIS framework identified the main environmental predictors of CanL seroprevalence in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy, or in France alone. A 10-fold cross-validation approach determined model capacity to predict point-values of seroprevalence and the correct seroprevalence class (<5%, 5-20%, >20%). Both the four-country and France-only models performed reasonably well for predicting correctly the <5% and >20% seroprevalence classes (AUC >0 70). However, the France-only model performed much better for France than the four-country model. The four-country model adequately predicted regions of CanL emergence in northern Italy (<5% seroprevalence). Both models poorly predicted intermediate point seroprevalences (5-20%) within regional foci, because surveys were biased towards known rural foci and Mediterranean bioclimates. Our recommendations for standardizing surveys would permit higher-resolution risk mapping.

COVID-19 in patients starting hemodialysis in the Alentejo region: case reports.

COVID-19 has a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to severe multiorgan failure. In Portugal, the first cases affecting patients on a chronic hemodialysis program arose in the city of Oporto. The authors report here two cases of COVID-19 infection in patients incident in renal replacement therapy in the Alentejo region and hypothesise that the high serum concentration of urea may decapitate the appearance of typical symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The fact that the hemodialysis population can present active infection without fever may lead to a delayed diagnosis and consequently an increased risk of mortality.

[Association between the consumption of breakfast and the recommendation of physical activity and the nutritional status in children]. / Associação entre o consumo de café da manhã com a recomendação de atividade física e o estado nutricional em crianças.

The scope of this article is to associate breakfast consumption (BC) with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensity and the nutritional status of children aged 9-11. The sample consisted of 432 children from São Caetano do Sul participating in the International Study of Childhood Obesity Lifestyle and the Environment. Data were collected between 2012 and 2013. The weekly BC was obtained using the self-reported method. To measure MVPA, children used accelerometers and were classified into two groups (<60 versus ≥60 min/day). The nutritional status was presented by body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression models were used, adjusted for gender, age, race, parental educational level and eating score. The mean BC was 5.25 (CI95%: 5.1-5.4) days/week and the MVPA was 59.29 (CI95%: 57.3-61.7) min/day. In the total sample, 55.8% of the children did not perform ≥60 min/day of MVPA and 50.2% were overweight or obese. The daily BC was not associated with MVPA, however, it reduced the odds of children being overweight or obese (OR: 0.51; CI95%: 0.34-0.76; p=0.001). Daily BC reduced the odds of excess weight or obesity in children, though it did not increase the chances of children meeting the recommendations of MVPA. Public policies should encourage daily BC to prevent excess weight or obesity.

O objetivo deste artigo é associar o consumo do café da manhã (CM) com atividade física de moderada à vigorosa (AFMV) e estado nutricional de crianças entre 9 e 11 anos. A amostra foi composta por 432 crianças de São Caetano do Sul participantes do International Study of Childhood Obesity Lifestyle and the Environment. Os dados foram coletados entre 2012-2013. O consumo do CM semanal foi obtido pelo método autorreferido. Para mensuração da AFMV, as crianças utilizaram acelerômetro e foram classificadas em dois grupos (<60 versus ≥60 min/dia). O estado nutricional foi apresentado pelo Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística. A média do consumo de CM foi de 5,25 (IC95%: 5,1-5,4) dias/sem e da AFMV foi de 59,29 (IC95%: 57,3-61,7) min/dia. No total, 55,8% das crianças não realizavam ≥60 min/dia de AFMV e 50,2% apresentavam excesso de peso ou obesidade. O consumo diário do CM não se associou com a AFMV, porém, diminuiu o risco de terem excesso de peso ou obesidade (OR: 0,51; IC95%: 0,34-0,76; p=0,001). O consumo diário do CM reduziu as chances de excesso de peso ou obesidade em crianças, mas não aumentou a chance das crianças cumprirem as recomendações de AFMV. Politicas públicas devem incentivar o consumo diário do CM para assim prevenir o excesso de peso ou obesidade.

Rituximab use in adult glomerulopathies and its rationale.

Glomerulopathies are one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. In the last years, clinical research has made significant contributions to the understanding of such conditions. Recently, rituximab (RTX) has appeared as a reasonably safe treatment. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines (KDIGO) recommended RTX only as initial treatment in antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated vasculitis (AAV) and in non-responders patients with lupus nephritis (LN), but these guidelines have not been updated since 2012. Nowadays, RTX seems to be at least as effective as other immunosuppressive regimens in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). In minimal-change disease, (MCD) this drug might allow a long-lasting remission period in steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing patients. Preliminary results support the use of RTX in patients with pure membranous LN and immunoglobulin-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), but not in patients with class III/IV LN or complement-mediated MPGN. No conclusion can be drawn in idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) because studies are small, heterogeneous, and scarce. Lastly, immunosuppression including RTX is not particularly useful in IgA nephropathy. This review presents the general background, outcomes, and safety for RTX treatment in different glomerulopathies. In this regard, we describe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in adults, whenever possible. A literature search was performed using clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed.

LIFESTYLE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS HAVE GREATER ASSOCIATIONS WITH STEPS/DAY IN BOYS THAN IN GIRLS.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association of lifestyle, anthropometric, sociodemographic, family and school environment indicators with the number of steps/day in children. METHODS: The sample consisted of 334 children (171 boys) from nine to 11 years old. Participants used the Actigraph GT3X accelerometer to monitor the number of steps/day, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) for seven consecutive days. Height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and body fat were also measured. Lifestyle indicators such as diet, environment, neighborhood, and parental schooling level were obtained with questionnaires. For the identification of variables associated to the number of steps/day, multiple linear regression models were used. RESULTS: The mean steps/day of boys and girls were statistically different (10,471 versus 8,573; p<001). Among boys, the variables associated to the number of steps/day were: MVPA (ß=0.777), ST (ß=-0.131), BMI (ß=-0.135), WC (ß=-0.117), and BF (ß=-0.127). Among girls, the variables associated to the number of steps/day were: MVPA (ß=0.837), ST (ß=-0.112), and parents' educational level (ß=0.129). CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle indicators, body composition variables and parental educational level influence the number of steps/day of children, and MVPA and ST are common for both sexes.

NUTRITIONAL STATUS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR, DIET, AND LIFESTYLE IN CHILDHOOD: AN ANALYSIS OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN ADOLESCENCE.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between nutritional status, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet, and lifestyle in childhood with respiratory diseases during adolescence. METHODS: Prospective study conducted in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo - Brazil, as part of the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE). During childhood, indicators of lifestyle (body composition, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet) and family environment were measured in 2012 and 2013. After five years, participants answered the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases (asthma and/or rhinitis). Analyses were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 168 schoolchildren (56% boys) were evaluated, and the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis accounted for 15.5 and 25.6%, respectively. Whole milk consumption (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.24; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.03-1.49), having a television in the bedroom (OR=0.29; 95%CI 0.12-0.71), and attending physical education classes ≥2 times/week (OR=0.30; 95%CI 0.11-0.81) in childhood were associated with the presence of asthma in adolescence. Factors significantly associated with rhinitis were as follows: female participants (OR=2.45; 95%CI 1.20-4.98) and whole milk consumption (OR=1.21; 95%CI 1.04-1.40). CONCLUSIONS: Higher consumption of whole milk, not having a television in the bedroom, few physical education classes, and being a girl were factors associated with respiratory diseases. Public policies should be directed toward a healthier lifestyle and the prevention of respiratory diseases.

Association between Perceived Neighborhood Built Environment and Walking and Cycling for Transport among Inhabitants from Latin America: The ELANS Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with walking and cycling for transport in inhabitants from Latin American countries. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 9218 participants (15-65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, which included a nationally representative sample of eight countries. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form for measure walking and cycling for transport and the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Furthermore, perceived proximity from home to public open spaces and shopping centers was assessed. RESULTS: Perceived land use mix-access (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.16,1.50) and the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.09 1.01,1.17) were associated with higher odds of reporting any walking for transport (≥10 min/week). Perceived slow speed of traffic (1.88 1.82,1.93) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.92; 1.86,1.98) were also related to higher odds of reporting any walking for transport. The odds of reporting any cycling for transport (≥10 min/week) were higher in participants perceiving more walking/cycling facilities (1.87 1.76,1.99), and better aesthetics (1.22 1.09,1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Dissimilar perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America.