Results from Portugal's 2022 report card on physical activity for children and youth.

Background: The purpose of this study is to update results of Portuguese's Report Card on Physical activity (PA) for Children and Adolescents. Methods: The grades were assigned by results derived from the PA and Fitness in Portugal 2021 Portuguese Report Card and corresponds to the third report for the Portuguese children and adolescents. It includes indicators of PA and sedentary behavior (SB) that are common to the GLOBAL matrix 4.0: Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviors, Family and Peers, School, Community and the Environment, Government and Physical Fitness. The search focused on published national evidence/data sources (academia, NGO, governmental) from end 2018 onwards excluding data obtained during the covid-19 pandemic. Results: The grades were assigned as follows: Overall PA (D-), Organized Sport Participation (C-), Active Play (D+), Active Transportation (D-), Sedentary behaviors (C+), Physical Fitness (C), Family and Peers (B), School (A), Community and Environment (B), and Government (B). Conclusion: In line with previous Portuguese Report Cards, a large proportion of Portuguese children and adolescents are not sufficiently active nor fit enough setting urgency for effective strategies. Particular attention should be given to Active play, Active transport and Organized Sports Participation has their grades have decreased. Some actions in selected indicators as Governmental and policy seems promising however results weren't seen yet. Despite the strong support of schools with mandatory curricula in PE no correspondent change is observed in fitness or PA, so more research is needed to find why.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in adolescents: A longitudinal analysis from the LabMed Physical Activity Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of adolescents, and to determine whether changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with HRQoL over a 2-year follow-up. METHODS: This is a longitudinal analysis with 571 Portuguese adolescents (274 boys and 297 girls) aged 12-18 years. HRQoL was measured with the Kidscreen-10 questionnaire; the 20 m shuttle-run was used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness; socioeconomic status was assessed with the Family Affluence Scale; and pubertal stage was assessed with Tanner stages. Linear regression and analysis of covariance (ancovas) were used to examine the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL. RESULTS: HRQoL decreased over a 2-year period both in boys and girls (P < .05). Moreover, girls at baseline and at follow-up reported significantly lower HRQoL values than boys (between subjects P < .001). After adjustments for potential confounders, regression analyses showed significant cross-sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL both at baseline (B = 0.095; P = .023) and at follow-up (B = 0.090; P = .012). ancova showed that adolescents whose cardiorespiratory fitness decreased over time exhibited lower scores of HRQoL at follow-up, compared to those with persistent high cardiorespiratory fitness; this held after adjustments for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and pubertal stage. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness during adolescence were associated with HRQoL over a 2-year period. This study suggests that improving cardiorespiratory fitness could be an important strategy in improving the HRQoL of adolescents.

Longitudinal associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities: LabMed physical activity study.

An appropriated level of motor competence is essential for children´s healthy growth and development and a key factor in the promotion of lifelong active lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities (light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity), as well as total physical activity, over a two-year period, in adolescents. The sample comprised of 103 adolescents (13.49 ± 0.87 years, 53 girls), from the north of Portugal. Motor competence was evaluated with the body coordination test, Körperkoordination-Test-für-Kinder. Physical activity was objectively assessed with GT1M accelerometers (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA). Physical activity variables were expressed as proportions of accelerometer wear time. Regression analyses showed positive longitudinal associations between motor competence at baseline and moderate physical activity (B = 0.0033, p = 0.018), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (B = 0.0052, p = 0.024) and total physical activity (B = 0.067, p = 0.040) at follow up, after adjustments for age, sex, the corresponding physical activity intensity at baseline, body mass index, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status. Our findings highlight the importance of motor competence development to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during adolescence.

Muscular fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with health-related quality of life: Results from labmed physical activity study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents' physical fitness levels are an important indicator of their lifestyle and seem to have positive consequences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyse the combined associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness with HRQoL and to assess the differences between HRQoL scores across groups of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness in Portuguese adolescents. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 567 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years-old. METHODS: HRQoL was measured using the Kidscreen-10 questionnaire. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated with the 20-m shuttle-run test. Muscular fitness was evaluated using the handgrip and the standing long jump tests and a muscular fitness index was computed by means of standardized measures of both tests. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Family Affluence Scale. Body composition (body mass and height) was measured according to standard protocols. Accelerometers were used to obtain objective physical activity time. Pubertal stage was assessed using Tanner stages. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED index. Participants were divided into four groups based on low or high values of both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Regression analysis, mediation analysis and ANCOVA were performed. RESULTS: HRQoL was positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (B = 0.112; p < 0.05) and muscular fitness score (B = 0.328 p < 0.05), after controlling for potential confounders. However, when both fitness variables were entered in the same model only cardiorespiratory fitness remained significantly associated with HRQoL (B = 0.093 p < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory fitness acted as a full mediator variable on the relationship between muscular fitness and HRQoL in adolescents (p < 0.05). ANCOVA showed that adolescents with high cardiorespiratory fitness/high muscular fitness exhibit better HRQoL scores when compared to those with low muscular fitness/low cardiorespiratory fitness and with those with low muscular fitness/high cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents, the combination of high cardiorespiratory fitness and high muscular fitness was positively associated with a better HRQoL.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Blood Pressure: A Longitudinal Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular indices 2 years later, and to determine whether changes in cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with cardiovascular indices at a 2-year follow-up in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: The sample comprised 734 adolescents (349 girls) aged 12-18 years followed for 3 years from the LabMed Physical Activity Study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Height, weight, waist circumference, and resting blood pressure (BP) were measured according to standard procedures. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed a significant inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline and systolic BP (B = -0.126; P = .047) and rate pressure product (B = -29.94; P = .016), at follow-up after adjustments for age, sex, height, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, and waist circumference. Significant differences were found between cardiorespiratory fitness groups (fit vs unfit) at baseline and systolic BP and rate pressure product at follow-up (P < .05 for all). Analysis of covariance showed a significant association between cardiorespiratory fitness changes and systolic BP (P = .024) and rate pressure product (P = .014), after adjustment for age, sex, height, pubertal status, socioeconomic status, and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness during adolescence were associated with cardiovascular indices over a 2-year period. Adolescents with persistently low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness exhibited the highest levels of systolic BP and rate pressure product.

Low-grade inflammation and muscular fitness on insulin resistance in adolescents: Results from LabMed Physical Activity Study.

BACKGROUND: Low muscular fitness (MF) and low-grade inflammation has been linked to insulin resistance (IR). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations between MF and a clustered score of inflammatory biomarkers on IR and to investigate the combined impact of MF and inflammation on IR in adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 adolescents (267 girls) aged 12 to 18 years. Pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cardiorespiratory fitness, and waist circumference were assessed. Standing long-jump and isometric handgrip dynamometry were used as indicators of MF. Continuous score of clustered inflammatory biomarkers (InflaScore) (sum of Z-scores of C-reactive protein, C3, C4, fibrinogen, and leptin) and IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] estimated from fasting serum insulin and glucose) were assessed. RESULTS: HOMA-IR and fasting insulin were positively associated with InflaScore and negatively associated with MF, independently of age, sex, pubertal stage, socioeconomic status, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cardiorespiratory fitness, and waist circumference. Adolescents classified as High InflaScore/Unfit showed significantly higher HOMA-IR when compared than those with High InflaScore/Fit and those with Low InflaScore/Fit (F(3,519) = 4.761, P < .003), after adjustments for potential confounders. Unfit adolescents with high InflaScore had the highest odds of expressing high HOMA-IR (odds ratio, OR = 2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-5.6) and insulin risk (2.53 95% CI, 1.5-5.9) when compared to those of the Low InflaScore/Fit group, after adjustments for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of MF seem to minimize the deleterious effect of inflammation on IR.

Associations between physical fitness and adherence to the Mediterranean diet with health-related quality of life in adolescents: results from the LabMed Physical Activity Study.

Background: Physical fitness (PF) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are important indicators of healthy lifestyles. The purpose of this study is to analyze the independent and combined associations between PF and adherence to Mediterranean diet with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 956 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. HRQoL was measured with the Kidscreen-10 questionnaire. PF was assessed with the ALPHA health-related fitness battery. The 20-m shuttle run test was used for the estimation of cardiorespiratory fitness; handgrip strength and standing long jump tests were applied for the assessment of muscular fitness and the 4 × 10 m shuttle run test for the assessment of motor fitness (speed and agility). The results of the PF tests (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and motor fitness) were transformed into standardized values (Z-scores) by age and sex. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed with the KIDMED index. Regression analysis and analysis of covariance were performed. Results: PF (B = 0.228; P < 0.05) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (B = 0.259; P < 0.05) were positively associated with HRQoL, after controlling for several variables. Participants classified as high PF and high adherence to Mediterranean diet had on average the highest HRQoL score compared with those with low PF and low adherence to Mediterranean diet (F(3, 939) = 4.270; P = 0.005), after adjustments for potential confounders. Conclusions: The combination of high PF levels and optimal adherence to Mediterranean diet is positively associated with HRQoL.

Association between Leptin, Adiponectin, and Leptin/Adiponectin Ratio with Clustered Metabolic Risk Factors in Portuguese Adolescents: The LabMed Physical Activity Study.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating leptin and adiponectin levels have been associated with impaired vascular function, insulin resistance, and acute cardiovascular evens. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of leptin, adiponectin, and the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio with a clustering of metabolic risk factors (MRF) in adolescents aged 12-18 years. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. Blood samples were taken to analyze total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. A continuous variable of clustered MRF score (sum of Z-scores of body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, ratio TC/HDL, triglycerides, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness*[-1]) was computed. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that adiponectin was a significant and negative predictor of MRF score (boys: ß = -0.199; p < 0.001; girls: ß = -0.200; p < 0.001); whereas leptin was a significant positive predictor of MRF score (boys: ß = 0.553; p < 0.001; girls: ß = 0.399; p < 0.001). The L/A ratio was also a significant positive predictor of MRF score in both sexes (boys: ß = 0.593; p < 0.001; girls: ß = 0.461; p < 0.001), after adjustments for age, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and socioeconomic status. In addition, adiponectin, leptin, and L/A ratio were accurate to predict MRF among adolescents, but L/A ratio showed the highest area under receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSION: Leptin, adiponectin, and L/A ratio are associated with the clustering of MRF in adolescents after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and socioeconomic status. L/A ratio was more strongly associated with MRF score than adiponectin or leptin.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammatory profile on cardiometabolic risk in adolescents from the LabMed Physical Activity Study.

PURPOSE: We investigated the combined effect of cardiorespiratory fitness and the clustered score of inflammatory biomarkers (InflaScore) on the cardiometabolic risk score in adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 adolescents (267 girls) aged 12-18 years. The shuttle run test was used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. Continuous scores of clustered inflammatory biomarkers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, complement factors C3 and C4, fibrinogen and leptin); cardiometabolic risk score (systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, ratio total cholesterol/HDL, HOMA-IR and waist circumference) were computed. RESULTS: Adolescents with a higher inflammatory profile had the highest cardiometabolic risk score; adolescents with high InflaScore and low fitness had the highest odds of having a high cardiometabolic risk (OR 16.5; 95% CI 7.8-34.5), followed by adolescents with a higher InflaScore but fit (OR 7.5; 95% CI 3.7-8.4), and then by adolescents with a low InflaScore and unfit (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.6-8.4) when compared to those with low InflaScore and fit, after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage, adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study suggest that the combination of high inflammatory state and low cardiorespiratory fitness is synergistically associated with a significantly higher cardiometabolic risk score and thus supports the relevance of early targeted interventions to promote physical activity and preservation as part of primordial prevention.

Serum Adiponectin Levels and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Nonoverweight and Overweight Portuguese Adolescents: The LabMed Physical Activity Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined the independent associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and circulating adiponectin concentration in adolescents, controlling for several potential covariates. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in Portuguese adolescents. A sample of 529 (267 girls) aged 12-18 years were included and categorized as overweight and nonoverweight. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by 20 meters shuttle run test. We measured serum adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, insulin and HDL-cholesterol. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, socioeconomic status, body fat percentage, insulin resistance, HDL-cholesterol and C-reactive protein, regression analysis showed a significant inverse association between adiponectin and cardiorespiratory fitness in nonoverweight participants (B=-0.359; p < .042). Analysis of covariance showed a significant difference between the highest cardiorespiratory fitness Healthy zone (above healthy zone) and the Under and the Healthy cardiorespiratory fitness zones in nonoverweight adolescents (p = .03) (F (2, 339) = 3.156, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Paradoxically, serum adiponectin levels are inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in nonoverweight, but not in overweight adolescents. In nonoverweight adolescents, those with highest levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (above healthy zone) presented lower levels of adiponectin compared with those in Under and Healthy cardiorespiratory fitness zones.

The Homophobia Course in the Life of Older Gay Men in Brazil: Their Social Representations.

This study aims at understanding the social representations of homophobia among older gay men. A number of 20 older gay men aged between 60 and 75 years old participated of the study; the average age was 63.25 years old (SD = 3.58). In the data collection, a semi-structured interview about homophobia was used; they were analyzed on IRAMUTEQ, which compiles the descendant hierarchical classification. The corpus was divided into three classes of social representations. The first representation comprises images of prejudice within society. The second one presents social representations involving reports of internalized homophobia and the experiencing of prejudice. The third one shows social representations about physical and identity violations. The social representations of homophobia show how the participants lead their actions in society, being based upon risk and protection issues to face the objective and subjective difficulties present in their social representations.

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Properties of Natural Bioactive Monoterpenes Nerol, Estragole, and 3,7-Dimethyl-1-Octanol.

The therapeutic potential of medicinal plants is noted because of the presence of varieties of biochemicals. The monoterpenes, like nerol, estragole, and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, have been reported for antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and antioxidant activities. This study evaluated the toxic, cytotoxic, and oxidant/antioxidant effects of these compounds by several in vitro (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, and ferric reducing potential), ex vivo (hemolysis), and in vivo (Artemia Salina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) assays. Results suggest that estragole and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol at 31.25-500 µg/mL did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects in the A. Salina and hemolysis tests. Nerol showed significant cytotoxic effects on these test systems at all test concentrations. The monoterpenes showed radical (ABTS•+ and DPPH•) scavenging capacities in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro tests. However, they did not oxidize the genetic material of S. cerevisiae (SODWT, Sod1Δ, Sod2Δ, Sod1/Sod2Δ, Cat1Δ, and Cat1Δ/Sod1Δ) lines. Among the three monoterpenes, nerol may be a good candidate for antioxidant and anti-tumor therapies.

Associations Between Anthropometric Indicators in Early Life and Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time in Adolescence.

BACKGROUND: To explore the associations between birth weight and body mass index (BMI) from 6 months to 6 years of age, with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity, and sedentary time in adolescence. METHODS: Retrospective school-based study with 539 adolescents (292 girls), mean age of 13.94 (1.62) years. Anthropometric data from birth up to 6 years were extracted from individual child health booklets. CRF was estimated by 20-m shuttle run test. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed with accelerometers. RESULTS: Birth weight was not associated with any outcome measured in adolescence. From the age of 6 months onwards in girls, and from 3 years in boys, BMI associated inversely with CRF in adolescence. In girls, BMI (at 12 mo and at 3 y of age) associated positively with sedentary time in adolescence, but not with physical activity. In boys, positive associations between BMI at the ages of 3, 5, and 6 years old and time spent in some intensities of physical activity in adolescence were found. CONCLUSIONS: BMI during the early years was negatively associated with CRF in adolescence, in a consistent way, for both genders, but with physical activity and sedentary time the associations were scarce and inconsistent, depending on the gender.

DNA methylation fingerprint of monozygotic twins and their singleton sibling with intellectual disability carrying a novel KDM5C mutation.

Mutations in KDM5C (lysine (K)-specific demethylase 5C) were causally associated with up to 3% of X-linked intellectual disability (ID) in males. By exome and Sanger sequencing, a novel frameshift KDM5C variant, predicted to eliminate the JmjC catalytic domain from the protein, was identified in two monozygotic twins and their older brother, which was inherited from their clinically normal mother, who had completely skewed X-inactivation. DNA methylation (DNAm) data were evaluated using the Illumina 450 K Methylation Beadchip arrays. Comparison of methylation levels between the three patients and male controls identified 399 differentially methylated CpG sites, which were enriched among those CpG sites modulated during brain development. Most of them were hypomethylated (72%), and located mainly in shores, whereas the hypermethylated CpGs were more represented in open sea regions. The DNAm changes did not differ between the monozygotic twins nor between them and their older sibling, all presenting a global hypomethylation, similar to other studies that associated DNA methylation changes to different KDM5C mutations. The 38 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were enriched for H3K4me3 marks identified in developing brains. The remarkable similarity between the methylation changes in the monozygotic twins and their older brother is indicative that these epigenetic changes were mostly driven by the KDM5C mutation.

Intra- and interindividual variation in the advertisement call of Dendropsophus banner (Cochran, 1948) (Anura: Hylidae).

Vocalization is one of the main behaviors of anurans (Köhler et al. 2017). Calls emitted by these animals display several social and ecological functions. For example, they can be used for attraction of conspecific females (Toledo et al. 2015) and territorial defense (Wells 2010). Advertisement calls are emitted predominantly by males (Kelley 2004) and constitute a key-factor for species identification (Köhler et al. 2017).

Antitumoral effects of [6]-gingerol [(S)-5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-decanone] in sarcoma 180 cells through cytogenetic mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: [6]-Gingerol [(S)-5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-decanone] is a phenolic substance reported for several ethnopharmacological usage by virtue of its antioxidant, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. This study assessed the antitumoral effects of [6]-Gingerol in primary cells of Sarcoma 180 as well as in peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice. METHODS: The effect of [6]-Gingerol was assessed by applying cytogenetic biomarkers as indicative of genotoxicity, mutagenicity and apoptosis. Ascitic liquid cells were treated with [6]-Gingerol at concentrations of 21.33, 42.66 and 85.33 µM and subjected to the cytotoxicity assays using Trypan blue test and the comet assay, as well as the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Doxorubicin (6 µM) and hydrogen peroxide (85.33 µM) were used as positive controls. RESULTS: [6]-Gingerol, especially at concentrations of 42.66 and 85.33 µM, showed notable cytotoxicity in Sarcoma 180 cells by reducing cell viability and cell division rates via induction of apoptosis. Genotoxicity at the concentrations used was punctuated by the increase in the index and frequency of DNA damage in tested groups. [6]-Gingerol, at all concentrations tested, did not induce significant aneugenic and/or clastogenic effects. It did, however, induced other nuclear abnormalities, such as nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds and apoptosis. The genotoxic effects observed in the cotreatment with H2O2 (challenge assay) employing neoplastic and healthy cells, indicated that [6]-Gingerol may induce oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Observations suggest that [6]-Gingerol may be a candidate for pharmaceutical antitumoral formulations due to its cytotoxicity and to mechanisms associated with genetic instability generated by nuclear alterations especially by apoptosis.

Ability of 2 estimation methods of body fat percentage in identifying unfavorable levels of cardiometabolic biomarkers in adolescents: Results from the LabMed study.

BACKGROUND: To assess and compare the ability of body fat percentage (BF%) estimated by 2 methods, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and by the Slaughter et al equations for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (SKF), in identifying unfavorable levels of several biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: Cross-sectional school-based study with 529 apparently healthy adolescents (267 girls), aged 14.3 ±â€Š1.7 years. RESULTS: BF% estimated by both methods always showed higher areas under the curve (AUC) for each biomarker in girls than in boys (with the exception of BIA for leptin). BF% estimated by BIA and by SKF presented a discriminatory ability in identifying unfavorable levels in all biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in girls; however, BF% estimated by BIA displayed the highest AUC (except for C-reactive protein). In boys, BF% estimated by SKF presented higher AUC for C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate; and BF% estimated by BIA for complement C3 and leptin. Positive and significant associations between BIA and SKF with all biomarkers (P < .05) were found (except for SKF and complement C4 in girls, and SKF and fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in boys), after adjustments for pubertal stage, cardiorespiratory fitness, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, diagnostic performance was more accurate in girls. BF% estimated by BIA presented a slightly better overall discriminatory ability for each biomarker than BF% estimated by SKF in girls, while in boys no method clearly prevailed over the other.

Association of Dairy Product Consumption with Metabolic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the LabMed Study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between dairy product consumption and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese adolescents, and whether the association differed by weight status. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the school year 2011/2012 with 412 Portuguese adolescents (52.4% girls) in 7th and 10th grade (aged 12 to 18 years old). The World Health Organization cutoffs were used to categorize adolescents as non-overweight (NW) or overweight (OW). Blood samples were collected to analyze C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, and adiponectin. Dairy product intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided by tertiles according to the amount of dairy product consumed. The associations between dairy product consumption with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated using generalized linear regression models with logarithmic link and gamma distribution and adjusted for potential confounders. The majority of adolescents were NW (67.2%). NW adolescents had lower IL-6, CRP, and leptin concentration than their counterparts (p < 0.05, for all comparisons). Higher levels of total dairy product and milk intake were inversely associated with IL-6 (P for trend <0.05, for all) in NW adolescents, but not in OW adolescents. NW adolescents in the second tertile of yogurt consumption had lower level of IL-6 compared to those in the first tertile (p = 0.004). Our results suggest an inverse association between total dairy product and milk intake and serum concentrations of IL-6 only among NW adolescents.

Attitudes towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Old Age Scale (EAFV- LGBT): Elaboration and Psychometric Evidence.

The aim of this study was to construct and validate an Attitude Scale relating to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) old age (EAFV-LGBT). The first study, consisting of 29 items in its preliminary version, counted on 266 individuals from the public in general with an average age of 28.6 years (DP = 9.70), exploratory factor analysis was undertaken and EAFV-LGBT consisted of twelve items, with eigenvalues of 5.08, accounting for 43.8% of total variance. The second study consisted of 261 individuals from the general public with an average age of 23.18 years (DP = 8.25), confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken and psychometric parameters by means of Item Response Theory and conformation of the EAFV-LGBT structure. After this analysis, two items were excluded due to lower psychometric values, in which the 10 item scale proved to be valid and precise in evaluating individuals with varying levels of the latent trait. An adequate fit of the model to the data was verified, CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.6; RMSEA, 90% CI = 0.05 [0.01, 0.07]. Lastly, the EAFV-LGBT has valid psychometric properties to evaluate attitudes towards LGBT old age.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic/antitumoral bioactives from the phylum Basidiomycota and their possible mechanisms of action.

Biologically active compounds from species of the phylum Basidiomycota have been shown a wide range of pharmacological activities and provide a vast reservoir of potential innovational drugs. The aim of this review is to discuss some mechanisms of action involved in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic/antitumoral activities attributed to the bioactive compounds from species of the phylum Basidiomycota. We show that isolated compounds from extracts, secondary metabolites and polysaccharides that presented antioxidant properties have mechanisms of action involved in the elimination/capture of free radicals and reduction of lipid peroxidation. Also, some bioactives with anti-inflammatory activity were reported to enhance innate and cell-mediated immune responses. Finally, compounds that presented cytotoxic/antitumoral activity induces increased free radical production, collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased expression of proteins responsible for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Investigating the mechanisms of action of biologically active compounds will facilitate further efforts to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies.