Functional lateralization in the medial prefrontal cortex control of contextual conditioned emotional responses in rats.

A functional lateralization has been reported in control of emotional responses by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). However, a hemisphere asymmetry in involvement of the mPFC in expression of fear conditioning responses has never been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether control by mPFC of freezing and cardiovascular responses during re-exposure to an aversively conditioned context is lateralized. For this, rats had guide cannulas directed to the mPFC implanted bilaterally or unilaterally in the right or left hemispheres. Vehicle or the non-selective synaptic inhibitor CoCl2 was microinjected into the mPFC 10 min before re-exposure to a chamber where the animals had previously received footshocks. A catheter was implanted into the femoral artery before the fear retrieval test for cardiovascular recordings. We observed that bilateral microinjection of CoCl2 into the mPFC reduced both the freezing behavior (enhancing locomotion and rearing) and arterial pressure and heart rate increases during re-exposure to the aversively conditioned context. Unilateral microinjection of CoCl2 into the right hemisphere of the mPFC also decreased the freezing behavior (enhancing locomotion and rearing), but without affecting the cardiovascular changes. Conversely, unilateral synaptic inhibition in the left mPFC did not affect either behavioral or cardiovascular responses during fear retrieval test. Taken together, these results suggest that the right hemisphere of the mPFC is necessary and sufficient for expression of freezing behavior to contextual fear conditioning. However, the control of cardiovascular responses and freezing behavior during fear retrieval test is somehow dissociated in the mPFC, being the former bilaterally processed.

Exercise motives among university students - A Brazil-Portugal transnational study.

Background: Identifying the motives why people exercise is interesting for the planning of effective health promoting strategies. Objectives: To estimate the psychometric properties of the exercise motivations inventory (EMI-2) in Brazilian and Portuguese university students, and to compare motive-related factors for exercise among students. Methods: One thousand Brazilian (randomly splitted into "Test sample" [n = 498] and "Validation sample" [n = 502]) and 319 Portuguese students participated in this cross-sectional study. Motives for exercise were evaluated using EMI-2. Exploratory factor analysis was performed in the test sample. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was performed in the validation and Portuguese samples. The EMI-2 scores were compared according to sex, exercise, and weight status (ANOVA, α = 5%). Results: EMI-2 factor model was explained by 5 factors and presented adequate fit (χ 2/df ≤ 3.2; CFI ≥ 0.9; TLI ≥ 0.9; RMSEA ≤ 0.07; and α ≥ 0.83). The motives for exercising were mainly related to psychological and interpersonal factors for men, health-related factors for women, and body-related factors for overweight and obese individuals. People who practice exercise had higher EMI-2 scores. Conclusion: The 5-factor model is suggested for a comprehensive assessment of motives for exercise. Individual characteristics should be considered for development of tailored protocols.

Distortion and dissatisfaction with body size per the demographic and academic characteristics and the nutritional status of university students

To identify the prevalence of distortion and dissatisfaction with the body size of Brazilian university students, and establish their relationship with the demographic and academic characteristics and the anthropometric nutritional status. The sample consisted of students from a public university in the state of São Paulo. The Figure Rating Scale (FRS) for Brazilian adults was used as an instrument. The participants selected the figure that corresponded to the current body and another one for the desired body. The prevalence of distortion and dissatisfaction with body sizewas calculated with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The association between the variables was evaluated by the Chi-Square Test (χ2). The significance level of 5% was adopted. A total of 356 students (women=71.63%) with a mean age of 20.95 (SD=2.55) years participated. The prevalence of distortion and dissatisfaction with body size was 73.03% (95% CI=68.23­77.83) and 79.49% (95% CI=75.3­83.68), respectively. There was a high prevalence of distortion with body size among individuals with low weight (χ2=9.523, p=0.009). Students who distorted the body size (52.31% [95% CI=47.12­57.50]) underestimated their body size. The type of distortion was related to sex (χ2=26.35, p<0.001), physical activity (χ2=4.51, p=0.034), use of supplements (χ2=4.62, p=0.032), andthe anthropometric nutritional status (χ2=9.05, p=0.011). Students dissatisfied with the body (58.66% [95% CI=52.92­64.40]) wished to reduce the body size. The type of dissatisfaction was related to sex (χ2=5.79, p=0.016) and anthropometric nutritional status (χ2=89.83, p<0.001). The prevalence of body size underestimation was higher among men, students who practice physical activity, subjects using dietary supplements and underweight individuals. The wish to decrease body size was higher among women and overweight/obese individuals.(AU)

Impacto do estilo de vida sobre o estresse percebido de professores hipertensos e normotensos / Lifestyle´s impact on the realized effort stress of hypertensive and normotensive teachers

Introdução: o estilo de vida pode ser compreendido como uma forma cultural e social de viver, corresponde às ações cotidianas dos indivíduos, quando ativo e saudável pode prevenir doenças e suas complicações. É de suma importância que as condições de trabalho proporcionem bem-estar e realização profissional, no entanto, o que acontece na escola é o desgaste do docente devido às exaustivas jornadas de trabalho e a outros fatores. Objetivo: esse trabalho analisou impacto do estilo de vida sobre o estresse percebido de professores hipertensos e normotensos de escolas públicas de Altamira-PA. Método: foi aplicado em 28 escolas públicas do município de Altamira e contou com 164 participantes. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio dos questionários sobre saúde auto referida, o IPAQ e a escala de estresse percebido (PSS-10) e analisados através da estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados e discussão: a idade foi identificada como fator de risco para hipertensão arterial sistêmica (p = 0,000); professores fisicamente ativos apresentaram menor nível de estresse (p = 0,041); quanto ao nível de estresse em professores hipertensos fisicamente ativos e sedentários, mostrou o menor nível de estresse também para os fisicamente ativos (p=0,025). Conclusão: os dados apresentados evidenciaram que o estilo de vida ativo é capaz de promover impacto positivo sobre o estresse percebido tanto em professores hipertensos como normotensos.

Introduction: lifestyle can be understood as a cultural and social way of living, it corresponds to the daily actions of individuals, when active and healthy can prevent diseases and their complications. It is of the utmost importance that working conditions provide well-being and professional achievement; however, what happens at school is the teacher's wear and tear due to the exhaustive working hours among other factors. Objective: this study analyzed the impact of the lifestyle on the perceived stress of hypertensive and normotensive teachers of public schools in Altamira-PA. Method: it was applied in 28 public schools in the city of Altamira with 164 participants. Data collection was made through self-reported health questionnaires, IPAQ and perceived stress scale (PSS-10) and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results and discussion: age was identified as a risk factor for systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.000); physically active teachers presented a lower level of stress (p = 0.041); the level of stress in physically active and sedentary hypertensive teachers showed the lowest level of stress also for the physically active (p = 0.025). Conclusion: the data presented evidenced that the active lifestyle can promote positive impact on perceived stress in both hypertensive and normotensive teachers.

Influência do estilo de vida e IMC sobre variáveis hemodinâmicas de escolares / Influence of lifestyle and BMI on hemodynamic variables of schools

Introdução: O estilo de vida tem sofrido mudanças significativas por influência sociocultural, implicando em alterações das atividades habituais, como no nível de atividade física. Objetivo: O presente trabalho buscou analisar a influência do estilo de vida e Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC) sobre variáveis hemodinâmicas de escolares. Materiais e métodos: Participaram 101 estudantes do ensino fundamental. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado por meio do Physical Activity Questionaire for Older Adolescents (PAQ-A) e foi realizada uma avaliação física (peso, altura, frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial). Resultados: Quanto ao estilo de vida, 63,4% foram considerados insuficientemente ativos (IA) e 36,6% suficientemente ativos (SA). Quanto ao IMC, 6,9% foram classificados como baixo-peso, 71,3% adequado e 21,8% sobrepeso. Os IA apresentaram aumento significativo (p=0,0088) na frequência cardíaca quando comparados aos SA. Os alunos baixo-peso e sobrepeso apresentaram aumento da FC (p=0,0012) quando comparados aos alunos com peso adequado. Conclusão: Nossos achados apontam que o estilo de vida saudável aliado ao peso adequado é capaz de contribuir na prevenção de alterações hemodinâmicas.

Introduction: The lifestyle has undergone significant changes due to sociocultural influence, implying changes in usual activities, such as in the level of physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of lifestyle and Body Mass Index (BMI) on hemodynamic variables of schoolchildren. Materials and methods: A total of 101 elementary school students participated. The physical activity level was assessed through the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adolescents (PAQ-A) and a physical assessment (weight, height, heart rate and blood pressure) was performed. Results: Regarding lifestyle, 63.4% were considered insufficiently active (AI) and 36.6% sufficiently active (SA). Regarding BMI, 6.9% were classified as lowweight, 71.3% adequate and 21.8% overweight. AI had a significant increase (p = 0.0088) in heart rate when compared to SA. Lowweight and overweight students had an increase in HR (p = 0.0012) when compared to students with adequate weight. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a healthy lifestyle combined with adequate weight may contribute to the prevention of hemodynamic changes.