Association between school environment with sedentary behavior and physical activity intensity in children.

We examined the association between indicators of the school environment with sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity in children. The study that included 515 children (265 boys) aged 9-11 years old from public and private schools in the city of São Caetano do Sul. Sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity were evaluated with an accelerometer. Inside school environment (policies, supervision committee, extracurricular activities, breaks, and access to school facilities) was evaluated using a questionnaire. Policies and practice (ß: 8.49; 95% CI: 3.62-13.36), supervision committee (5.42; 0.64-10.19), inter-school competitions (2.40, 2.25-2.55), breaks of 15-29 min/day (6.87; 2.20-10.75), and outdoor sports field (5.40; 0.37-10.44), were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. Furthermore, crossing guards (7.65; 3.00-12.30) were positively associated with moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity. We concluded that an association was found between school environment indicators with higher levels of physical activity and greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines.

Association between breastfeeding, parents' body mass index and birth weight with obesity indicators in children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is potentially affected by breastfeeding, parents' body mass index and birth weight. Thus, this study aimed to verify the association between breastfeeding, parents' body mass index and birth weight with obesity indicators in children. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, including data from 402 schoolchildren between 9 and 11 of age in the city of São Caetano do Sul, Brazil. Parents or guardians answered a questionnaire about breastfeeding (month), birth weight (kg), and parental body weight and height (parents' body mass index [kg/m2] was calculated). Body mass index (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm) and body fat (%), determined via bio-impedance, were measured and used as obesity indicators. Multi-level linear regression models were used to assess the respective associations adjusted for the potential confounders. RESULTS: Considering body mass index of children, the overall prevalence of eutrophic, overweight and obese were 58.2%, 20.9% and 17.2%, respectively. Significant and positive correlations were observed between breastfeeding, maternal as well as paternal body mass index and the children's body mass index, body fat and waist circumference. Birth weight was weakly and positively associated with body mass index and body fat but was not associated with waist circumference. After adjusting for school, sex, age, race/ethnicity, annual household income, sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, maternal body mass index and birth weight were positively associated with children's body mass index (ß: 0.228; 95%CI: 0.142; 0.314 and ß: 0.001; 95%CI: 0.001; 0.002), body fat (ß: 0.484; 95%CI: 0.297; 0.671 and ß: 0.002; 95%CI: 0.001; 0.003) and waist circumference (ß: 0.509; 95%CI: 0.304; 0.715 and ß: 0.003; 95%CI: 0.001; 0.005). Breastfeeding was not associated with any obesity indicators. CONCLUSION: Maternal body mass index and birth weight were associated with children's obesity indicators. The perinatal environment, therefore, appears to be a critical contributor to childhood obesity and public policies need to address parental obesity in order to tackle childhood obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) is registered at (Identifier NCT01722500).

Gordura corporal, índice de massa corporal e intensidade da atividade física de acordo com transporte ativo e a prática esportiva em escolares. Um estudo transversal / Body fat, body mass index and physical activity intensity according to active transport and sports practice in schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study

Contexto: A obesidade infantil ocasiona diversas doenças e uma das formas para combatê-la é a atividade física, que exerce um papel fundamental. Objetivo: Comparar as diferentes intensidades da atividade física mensurada objetivamente de acordo com o transporte ativo, a prática de esportes e as atividades físicas estruturadas e seu impacto na gordura corporal e índice de massa corporal (IMC) em escolares. Desenho e local: Estudo transversal de amostra por critério de conveniência, realizado em São Caetano do Sul pelo Centro de Estudos do Laboratório de Aptidão Física de São Caetano do Sul (CELAFISCS). Métodos: Foram avaliadas um total de 584 crianças (277 meninos) que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. A amostra foi dividida em grupos segundo o transporte (ativo e passivo) e a prática esportiva (sim e não). Para análise estatística foi utilizado o teste t Student e o teste U de Mann-Whitney. Para o ajuste das variáveis foi utilizada a análise de covariância (ANCOVA). Resultados: Os meninos demonstraram que, independentemente do tempo de transporte, há efeito do tipo do transporte sobre a atividade física (AF) durante a semana, de intensidade moderada, moderada-vigorosa, AF durante o final de semana de intensidade moderada, moderada-vigorosa e vigorosa. As meninas demonstraram efeito do tipo de transporte sobre a AF durante a semana na AF de intensidade moderada e de intensidade moderada-vigorosa. A gordura corporal e o IMC não apresentaram diferenças entre os grupos. As práticas esportivas não tiveram diferenças significativas em nenhuma das variáveis. Conclusões: O transporte ativo atingiu os níveis de intensidade moderada, moderada-vigorosa durante a semana, tanto no masculino como no feminino. No final de semana, além dessas, a intensidade vigorosa foi encontrada nos meninos.

Fatores do estilo de vida estão associados à adiposidade em escolares de Ilhabela? Um estudo transversal / Are lifestyle factors associated with adiposity in schoolchildren from Ilhabela? A cross-sectional study

Excesso de peso e obesidade têm aumentado no Brasil e no mundo causando grande impacto na saúde pública. O objetivo foi medir a associação do nível de atividade física, o comportamento sedentário e o tempo de sono com a composição corporal de escolares. Uma amostra por conveniência foi composta por 97 escolares participantes do Projeto Misto-Longitudinal de Crescimento, Desenvolvimento de Ilhabela, aparentemente saudáveis, 50 meninos e 47 meninas entre 9 e 11 anos (x 9,8 ± 0,7), com avaliação completa no período analisado (2015 e 2019) em estágio pré-púbere de maturação sexual. Variáveis analisadas: peso (kg); índice de massa corporal (kg/m2); adiposidade pela média de três dobras cutâneas: tríceps, subescapular e suprailíaca (mm); relação cintura quadril (cm). Nível de atividade física, comportamento sedentário e tempo de sono mensurados por acelerômetro (ActiGraph GT3X, analisado com Freedson 1998) dados em counts por minuto. Dados descritos em média (x) e desvio padrão. Normalidade dos dados obtida com o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov e para as associações utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman Rho (SPSS-20.0). Nível de significância adotado P < 0,05. Houve associações significativas entre comportamento sedentário, atividades físicas leve, moderada/vigorosa e as variáveis da composição corporal. Nas meninas, as associações entre o comportamento sedentário e as variáveis da composição corporal foram de maior número e intensidade nas correlações encontradas. Verificamos que meninos realizaram atividade física leve apresentando menores valores na composição corporal. As meninas realizaram pouca atividade física de moderada a vigorosa necessitando aumento desta variável para diminuir adiposidade. O tempo de sono não apresentou associação significativa.

Valgismo associado à aptidão física, nível de atividade física e tempo sedentário em escolares. Um estudo transversal / Valgus associated with fitness physical, physical activity level and sedentary time in schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study

Introdução: Os desvios axiais dos membros inferiores estão associados ao aumento da adiposidade, desconforto na prática da atividade física, dificultando um estilo de vida fisicamente ativo. Objetivo: Associar os graus de geno valgo com a intensidade da atividade física e o tempo sedentário, assim como determinar a relação com a aptidão física em escolares de Ilhabela. Tipo de estudo e local: Estudo transversal em escolares de Ilhabela, SP. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com amostra por conveniência, de 96 escolares entre 9 e 11 anos, residentes em Ilhabela, São Paulo. O geno valgo foi avaliado por goniômetro, classificando a distância intermaleolar (DIM, cm) em leve, moderada e grave. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado por acelerômetro (ActiGraph GT3X-BT, Freedson P.S), sendo classificado em atividade física: leve, moderada, moderada a vigorosa, vigorosa e tempo sedentário. Análise estatística: Foi utilizado o Teste t de Student, análise de variância (ANOVA oneway) seguido da correlação de Pearson, por meio do software SPSS versão 20.0, adotando nível de significância de P < 0,05. Resultados: No grau leve DIM, as associações moderadas e significativas das intensidades do nivel de atividade física foram mais fortes no sexo feminino. Com o aumento do grau na classificação moderado e grave (DIM) as associações são de moderada a forte e significativas somente no sexo masculino. Conclusão: Concluímos que o aumento dos graus de geno valgo foi associado a um maior tempo sedentário e à intensidade da atividade física leve; e há um menor envolvimento com atividades de intensidades moderada e moderada/vigorosa.

Electrochemical Study of Carbon Nanotubes/Nanohybrids for Determination of Metal Species Cu2+ and Pb2+ in Water Samples.

The use of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles and nanotubes, for electrochemical detection of metal species has been investigated as a way of modifying electrodes by electrochemical stripping analysis. The present study develops a new methodology based on a comparative study of nanoparticles and nanotubes with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) and examines the simultaneous determination of copper and lead. The glassy carbon electrode modified by gold nanoparticles demonstrated increased sensitivity and decreased detection limits, among other improvements in analytical performance data. Under optimized conditions (deposition potential -0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl; deposition time, 300 s; resting time, 10 s; pulse amplitude, 50 mV; and voltage step height, 4 mV), the detection limits were 0.2279 and 0.3321 ppb, respectively, for determination of Pb2+ and Cu2+. The effects of cations and anions on the simultaneous determination of metal ions do not exhibit significant interference, thereby demonstrating the selectivity of the electrode for simultaneous determination of Pb2+ and Cu2+. The same method was also used to determine Cu2+ in water samples.

Association between integrin expression and prognosis in localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Integrins and other adhesion molecules are essential for maintaining the epithelial phenotype. Some studies have reported correlations between abnormalities in their expression and carcinogenesis, but their role in prostate cancer is unclear. Our aim was to study the expression profile of integrins in surgical specimens of prostate cancer and associate their expression patterns with patient outcomes. METHODS: We selected 111 patients with localized prostate cancer who had undergone radical prostatectomy. Of these patients, 60 had no tumor recurrence after a median follow-up of 123 months. Integrin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray containing two tumor samples per patient. A semiquantitative analysis was employed. We measured the association between the expression of eight integrins and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that expression of alpha3 and alpha3beta1 was related to worse outcome. When alpha3 expression was strong and alpha3beta1 expression was positive, the odds of recurrence were 3.0- and 2.5-fold higher, respectively. Only 19% and 28% of patients were recurrence-free in a mean period of 123 months of follow up when their tumors showed strong alpha3 or positive alpha3beta1 immuno-expression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the expression of integrin alpha3beta1 was independently associated with tumor recurrence after radical prostatectomy, suggesting that this integrin is a potential prognostic marker.

Evaluation of the expression of integrins and cell adhesion molecules through tissue microarray in lymph node metastases of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Integrins and adhesion molecules are responsible for the maintenance of the epithelial phenotype. Cell culture studies have reported the correlation between adhesion molecule expression and prostate carcinoma, but their role in the metastatic process is not yet known. Our aim is to study the expression profiles of these molecules and evaluate their association with the metastatic behavior of prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Tissue Microarray containing two samples from 19 primary tumors and one from their corresponding lymph node metastases was constructed and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of integrins, E-cadherin and beta and gamma-catenins. Within each case, paired analyses were also performed to evaluate gains or losses in metastasis compared to its primary tumor. RESULTS: The expression of av, alphavbeta 3, alpha2beta 1 and gamma-catenin were abnormal in almost every case. Marked loss of E-cadherin and beta 4 integrin was found in primary and metastatic lesions. beta -catenin was normal in all primary cases and in 94% of metastases. a6 was normal in all primary tumors and metastases. alpha3 and alpha3beta 1 were normal in 32% of primary cases and in 53% and 6% of metastases, respectively. In paired analyses, loss of E-cadherin, beta 4, alphav, alpha3beta 1 and alphavbeta 3 was found in 65%, 71%, 59%, 53% and 47% of patients, respectively. Catenins and alpha2beta 1 showed maintenance of expression in most of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study we have shown that the loss of cell adhesion molecules can be considered a characteristic of the metastatic phenotype in prostate cancer. Larger series should be evaluated in order to confirm our findings.

The Agita São Paulo Program as a model for using physical activity to promote health.

The "Agita São Paulo" Program applies a multilevel intervention approach to promoting physical activity among the 37 million inhabitants of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The verb "agita" means to move the body, but the term also suggests changing the way of thinking and becoming a more active citizen. Since being launched in 1996, the Program has been widely copied throughout Brazil and in other countries of Latin America, and the World Health Organization has characterized it as a model for other developing countries. The Program aims to disseminate a clear and simple message to the community as well as establish partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental organizations and other entities. The Agita São Paulo message encourages people to adopt an active lifestyle by accumulating at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, on most days of the week. The Program has three main target groups: students, workers, and the elderly. The Program organizes "mega-events" that simultaneously reach and involve large numbers of people, and it also conducts ongoing activities with institutions that become partners of the Program. Intervention studies that the Program has carried out on specific, small groups have found both changes in behavior and an increasing awareness of the Program's name and message. In addition, surveys have found that a growing number of persons in the state of São Paulo have become aware of the Program and its message and have changed their physical activity level. A number of the special features of and lessons learned from the Agita São Paulo Program may have contributed to its success, including: a multisectorial approach; broad use of partnerships; the inclusion principle (avoiding messages or attitudes that might exclude any social group); the scientific basis for all the Program activities; the extensive free media coverage that the Program has received; a "two-hats" approach, using either governmental or nongovernmental methodologies to promote physical activity, depending on the circumstances; cultural adaptation (using local culture to disseminate the message and make its assimilation easier); encouraging activities that are pleasurable; the clear, simple, feasible message of promoting physical activity; and evaluation of the various Program efforts. These distinctive characteristics help make the Agita São Paulo Program a model that could be used in other countries as an effective way to promote health through physical activity.

Promotion of physical activity in a developing country: the Agita São Paulo experience.

The purpose of this paper is to present key points of an intervention programme (Agita São Paulo Program) to promote physical activity in a developing country. Agita is a multi-level, community-wide intervention designed to increase knowledge about the benefits and the level of physical activity in a mega-population of 34 million inhabitants of São Paulo State, Brazil. The main message was taken from the Centers for Disease Control/American College of Sports Medicine (CDC/ACSM) recommendation that: 'everyone should accumulate at least 30 minutes of physical activity, on most days of the weeks, of moderate intensity, in one single or in multiple sessions'. Activities were encouraged in three settings: home, transport and leisure time. Focus groups were students from elementary schools through to college, white and blue collar workers, and elderly people. Innovative aspects included: (1) a research centre leading the process, (2) scientific and institutional partnerships (over 160 groups), (3) a feasible approach--the 'one-step-ahead' model, (4) empowerment, (5) inclusion, (6) non-paid media, (7) social marketing, and (8) culture-linked. Data were obtained from 645 random, home-based questionnaires over four years--stratified by sex, age, education and socio-economic level. These data show that the Agita message reached 55.7% of the population, and among these, 23.1% knew the main message. Recall of Agita and knowledge of its purpose were well distributed among different socioeconomic levels, being known by 67% of the most educated. The prevalence of people reaching the recommendation was 54.8% (men 48.7%, women 61%); and risk of being sedentary was quite smaller among those who knew the Agita message (7.1%) compared with those who did not know (13.1%). In conclusion, based upon the Agita São Paulo experience, it appears that a multi-level, community-wide intervention to promote physical activity may obtain good results if the model contains the items listed above.