Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time reference intervals in dogs, by gender and age group using the Start®4 (Stago) / Intervalos de referência para o tempo de protrombina e tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada no cão de acordo com a idade e o gênero utilizando o Start ® 4 (Stago)

Prothrombin time (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are useful tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of coagulation disorders in Veterinary Medicine. Our objectives were: to establish reference intervals (RI) for PT and a PTT for the dog using the Start®4 (Stago), to compare the obtained RI with literature; to evaluate the effects of gender and age on the coagulation profile. Plasma samples of 122 healthy dogs (57 males; 65 females) aged between 4 months and 18 years, divided into three age groups (0-2 years old; 3-10 years old; > 10 years old) and grouped in to males and females were analysed. The RI were estimated following the ASVCP guidelines with the Reference Value Advisor software. The RI were: PT 6.7'' to 10.8''; aPTT 9.0'' to 14.8''. PT was significantly higher in females than in males. Dogs aged 10 years or older have significantly higher mean aPTT times than younger dogs. RI comparison showed a considerable percentage of cases outside the reference RI of the literature (PT - 79.3%; aPTT - 77.1%), demonstrating the need of each laboratory to calculate its own RI. The RI established in this study are applicable for the coagulation profile assessment in dogs.

O tempo de protrombina (TP) e o tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (TTPa) são ferramentas úteis para o diagnóstico e monitorização das alterações da coagulação em Medicina Veterinária. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: estabelecer intervalos de referência (IR) para TP e TTPa para o cão utilizando o Start®4 (Stago), de modo a comparar os IR obtidos com a literatura; avaliar os efeitos do sexo e da idade no perfil da coagulação. Foram usadas amostras de plasma de 122 cães saudáveis (57 machos; 65 fêmeas) com idades entre quatro meses e 18 anos, divididos em três grupos (0-2 anos; 3-10 anos; > 10 anos) e agrupados em machos e fêmeas. Os IR foram calculados seguindo as diretrizes da ASVCP com o software Reference Value Advisor. Os IR obtidos foram: PT 6,7 '' a 10,8 ''; TTPa 9,0 '' a 14,8 ''. O TP foi significativamente maior nas fêmeas do que nos machos. Os cães com 10 anos ou mais apresentaram tempos médios de TTPa significativamente maiores do que cães mais jovens. A comparação de IR mostrou uma percentagem considerável de casos fora do IR de referência da literatura (TP - 79,3%; TTPa - 77,1%), confirmando a necessidade de cada laboratório calcular seu próprio IR. Os IR estabelecidos neste estudo são aplicáveis na avaliação do perfil hemostático em cães.

[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.

Nutritional status, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet, and lifestyle in childhood: an analysis of respiratory diseases in adolescence / Estado nutricional, atividade física, comportamento sedentário, dieta e estilo de vida na infância: uma análise de doenças respiratórias na adolescência

ABSTRACT 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.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre estado nutricional, atividade física, comportamento sedentário, dieta e estilo de vida na infância e doenças respiratórias durante a adolescência. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo realizado em São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, como parte do International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. Indicadores do estilo de vida (composição corporal, atividade física, comportamento sedentário, dieta) e do ambiente familiar foram mensurados durante a infância, em 2012 e 2013. Após cinco anos, os escolares responderam o questionário do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) para o diagnóstico de doenças respiratórias (asma e/ou rinite). Análises foram determinadas por meio da regressão logística. Resultados: Foram avaliados 168 escolares (56% meninos), e as prevalências de asma e rinite observadas foram 15,5 e 25,6%, respectivamente. Consumir leite integral (Odds Ratio [OR]=1,24; intervalo de confiança 95% [IC95%] 1,03-1,49), ter televisão no quarto (OR=0,29; IC95% 0,12-0,71) e praticar aulas de educação física ≥2 vezes/semana (OR=0,30; IC95% 0,11-0,81) na infância foram associados com a presença de asma na adolescência. Os fatores significativamente associados à rinite foram: ser do sexo feminino (OR=2,45; IC95% 1,20-4,98) e consumir leite integral (OR=1,21; IC95% 1,04-1,40). Conclusões: Consumir mais leite integral, não ter televisão no quarto, ter tido poucas aulas de educação física e ser do sexo feminino foram fatores associados às doenças respiratórias. Políticas públicas devem ser dirigidas para um estilo de vida mais saudável e a prevenção de doenças respiratórias.

Lifestyle and anthropometric indicators have greater associations with steps/day in boys than in girls / Indicadores de estilo de vida e antropométricos possuem maiores associações com passos/dia nos meninos do que nas meninas: iscole brasil

ABSTRACT 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 (β=0.777), ST (β=-0.131), BMI (β=-0.135), WC (β=-0.117), and BF (β=-0.127). Among girls, the variables associated to the number of steps/day were: MVPA (β=0.837), ST (β=-0.112), and parents' educational level (β=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.

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar a associação dos indicadores de estilo de vida, antropométricos, sociodemográficos, ambiente familiar e escolar com a quantidade de passos/dia em crianças. Métodos: A amostra constituiu-se de 334 crianças (171 meninos) de 9 a 11 anos. Os participantes utilizaram o acelerômetro Actigraph GT3X para monitorar a quantidade de passos/dia, a atividade física moderada a vigorosa (AFMV) e o tempo sedentário (TS) durante sete dias consecutivos. Estatura, massa corporal, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), circunferência de cintura (CC) e gordura corporal também foram mensurados. Indicadores de estilo de vida, como dieta, ambiente, vizinhança e nível de escolaridade dos pais, foram obtidos por questionários. Para identificar as variáveis associadas à quantidade de passos/dia, utilizaram-se modelos de regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: As médias de passos/dia dos meninos e das meninas foram estatisticamente diferentes (10.471 versus 8.573; p<0,001). Nos meninos, as variáveis associadas à quantidade de passos/dia foram: AFMV (β=0,777), TS (β=-0,131), IMC (β=-0,135), CC (β=-0,117) e gordura corporal (β=-0,127). Já entre as meninas, as variáveis associadas à quantidade de passos/dia foram: AFMV (β=0,837), TS (β=-0,112) e nível educacional dos pais (β=0,129). Conclusões: Indicadores de estilo de vida, variáveis de composição corporal e nível educacional dos pais influenciaram a quantidade de passos/dia das crianças. A AFMV e o TS foram comuns para ambos os sexos.

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.

Comparison of self-report versus accelerometer - measured physical activity and sedentary behaviors and their association with body composition in Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Most population-based studies from Latin America have used questionnaires to measure physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB). Low reliability and validity of the questionnaires has limited the capacity to examine associations between PA and health. The purpose of this study was to compare self-reported and accelerometer-measured PA and SB and their associations with body composition in Latin American countries. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (aged 15-65 years), collected from September 2014 to February 2015. PA and SB were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long version) and the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer. Outcomes of interest included: body mass index (BMI), waist (WC) and neck circumference (NC). We used the Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots, and multilevel linear regression models. RESULTS: Mean moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by accelerometer and IPAQ were 34.4 min/day (95% CI: 33.4 to 35.4) and 45.6 min/day (95% CI: 43.2 to 48.1), respectively. For SB (accelerometer and IPAQ) the means were 573.1 (95% CI: 568.2 to 577.9) and 231.9 min/day (95% CI: 225.5 to 238.3). MVPA, measured by the accelerometer was negatively associated with BMI (ß = -1.95; 95% CI: -2.83 to -1.08), WC (ß = -5.04; 95% CI: -7.18 to -2.89) and NC (ß = -1.21; 95% CI: -1.79 to -0.63). The MVPA estimated through IPAQ was not significantly associated with any of the three outcome variables. SB, measured by the accelerometer, was positively associated with BMI (ß = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.44) and WC (ß = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.91). SB estimated through IPAQ was positively associated with NC only. CONCLUSIONS: Low correlation coefficients were observed for accelerometer-derived and IPAQ-reported estimates of PA and SB. Caution is advised when making comparisons between accelerometer-measured and self-reported PA and SB. Further, studies examining associations between movement and health should discuss the impact of PA and SB measurement methodology on the results obtained.

Long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A reduces glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.

The high prevalence of end-stage renal disease emphasizes the failure to provide therapies to effectively prevent and/or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A (CAA), which selectively blocks Ha-Ras farnesylation, on renal mass reduction-induced renal fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were sham-operated (SO) or subjected to 5/6 renal mass reduction (RMR). One week after surgery, rats were placed in four experimental groups: SO:SO rats without treatment (n=13); SO+CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n=13); RMR:RMR rats without treatment (n=14); and RMR+CAA:RMR rats treated with CAA (n=13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23µg/kg three times a week for six months. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and histopathological analysis. The kidneys of the RMR animals treated with CAA showed a significantly decrease in the medullary echogenicity (p<0.05) compared with the RMR rats that received no treatment. Glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis scores were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the RMR+CAA group when compared with the RMR group. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular dilatation scores between the RMR+CAA and RMR groups. These data suggest that CAA can be a potential future drug to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease.

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.

The Effects of Long-Term Chaetomellic Acid A Administration on Renal Function and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Renal Mass Reduction.

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with chaetomellic acid A (CAA) on oxidative stress and renal function in a model of renal mass reduction. Methods. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy (RMR) or sham-operated (SO). One week after surgery, rats have been divided into four experimental groups: RMR: RMR rats without treatment (n = 14); RMR + CAA: RMR rats treated with CAA (n = 13); SO: SO rats without treatment (n = 13); and SO + CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n = 13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23 µg/Kg three times a week for six months. Results. RMR was accompanied by a significant reduction in catalase and glutathione reductase (GR) activity (p < 0.05) and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio. CAA administration significantly increased catalase and GR activity (p < 0.05) and increased GSH/GSSG ratio, but no significant difference between the treated and nontreated groups was found in this ratio. No significant differences were found between the RMR groups in any of the parameters of renal function. However, CAA administration slightly improves some parameters of renal function. Conclusions. These data suggest that CAA could attenuate 5/6 RMR-induced oxidative stress.

Effects of nebivolol on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in Wistar rats.

AIM: To study the effect of nebivolol on liver fibrosis induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After BDL, Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=24): SO, sham-operated animals; BDL, BDL rats without treatment; BDL+N, BDL rats treated with nebivolol for five weeks. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, total bilirubin and albumin levels were assessed. Liver samples collected were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrom and reticulin. RESULTS: Mortality reached 37.5% in the BDL group, whereas no deaths were observed in the SO and BDL+N groups. The BDL group showed hepatic damage as evidenced by elevation in serum biochemical parameters and fibrosis scores. These pathophysiological changes were attenuated in the BDL+N group. However, there was no significant difference between these two groups. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol improved the survival rate of animals with BDL, but was unable to significantly improve liver function or reduce liver fibrosis.