Childhood obesity is associated with a high degree of metabolic disturbance in children from Brazilian semi-arid region.

Projected to impact 310 million children by the next decade, childhood obesity is linked to serious health issues like metabolic disturbance and cardiovascular diseases. This study introduces a novel approach for the integrated assessment of inflammatory, glycemic and lipid disorders in obese children in resources-limited settings and also identifies key factors contributing to these changes. Conducting a cross-sectional analysis of 231 children aged 5-12 years from public schools in Brazil's semi-arid region, the research involved collecting medical history, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples to analyze glycemic and lipid profiles, along with C-reactive protein levels.

Spirituality, Functional Gain, and Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation.

Background: Religiosity and spirituality have been associated with higher recovery rates, greater adherence to treatments, and better levels of quality of life in patients with heart disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between spirituality, functional gain, and improved quality of life in patients in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program.

Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated the association between functional and quality of life gains during a cardiovascular rehabilitation program and a religiosity/spirituality index based on a validated scale.

Urbanization and cardiovascular health among Indigenous groups in Brazil.

Background: We described the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in groups of Brazilian Indigenous people at different degrees of urbanization.

Methods: The Project of Atherosclerosis among Indigenous populations (Projeto de Aterosclerose em Indígenas; PAI) is a cross-sectional study conducted in Northeast Brazil between August 2016-June 2017. It included three populations: Fulni-ô Indigenous people (lowest degree of urbanization), Truká Indigenous people (greater urbanization), and a highly urbanized non-Indigenous local cohort (control group).

Lower Levels of Vitamin D Are Associated with an Increase in Insulin Resistance in Obese Brazilian Women.

Adult women are more likely to be obese than men. Moreover, there is evidence that obesity is a risk factor for increased insulin resistance (IR) and hypovitaminosis D (VITD), conditions related to metabolic and endocrinologic disturbance. We performed a cross-sectional study with 103 women diagnosed with obesity, recruited between 2009 and 2013, in an obesity referral outpatient clinic in Bahia, Brazil.

Effect of Healing Meditation on stress and eating behavior in overweight and obese women: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: A randomized, parallel-controlled, blinded clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Healing Meditation on stress and eating behavior of women undergoing standard weight-loss treatment.

Materials And Methods: An outpatient clinic in Brazil, 55 women with overweight and obesity were included and randomized: 27 for the Meditation Group, and 28 for the Control Group. Randomization was stratified by body mass index category and based on blocks of four.

Periodontitis and its higher levels of severity are associated with the triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

Background: Periodontitis and the Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have both been associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Additionally, the ratio is a possible substitute for predicting insulin resistance. This study investigated the association between periodontitis, its severity levels (exposures), and the TG/HDL-C ratio (outcome).

Hydroxyurea treatment is associated with reduced degree of oxidative perturbation in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common inherited hemolytic anemia worldwide. Here, we performed an exploratory study to investigate the systemic oxidative stress in children and adolescents with SCA. Additionally, we evaluated the potential impact of hydroxyurea therapy on the status of oxidative stress in a case-control study from Brazil.

Effect of Healing Meditation on Weight Loss and Waist Circumference of Overweight and Obese Women: Randomized Blinded Clinical Trial.

To evaluate the effect of healing meditation on weight loss and waist circumference for women undergoing a standard weight loss treatment. We conducted a randomized, parallel-controlled, blinded clinical trial. Randomization was stratified by body mass index category and based on blocks of four.

Comparison of the energy and metabolic nutritional profile of women with central obesity of socioeconomic classes A/B vs C/D/E.

Objective: to describe the characteristics of food consumption and energy intake of women with central obesity of socioeconomic classes A/B vs C/D/E. Methodology: a cross-sectional study in which a structured questionnaire was answered containing data on socioeconomics and physical activities. Weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured and the 24-hour recall was assessed (24hR) in relation to food consumption.

Influence of subacute physical exercise on medium- and long-chain fatty acid profile in serum of individuals with overweight.

Objective: to test the hypothesis that acute physical exercise would change the fatty acids in the serum of individuals with increased body weight.

Method: sixty-six sedentary women with excess weight were included in the sample (BMI = 29.6 ± 4.

Metabolic Reponses to a physical exercise session in women with excess body mass: randomized clinical trial.

Background: There are various factors that influence the effect of physical exercise on the lipid profile, among them the body mass index and calorie expenditure of the exercise are some of the main factors. To test the hypothesis that a physical exercise session based on caloric expenditure may acutely modify the glycemia and lipid values of women with excess body mass.

Methods: The study included 66 women, randomly divided into two groups, control and experimental, with BMI of 29 ± 4.

Associations between endothelial dysfunction and clinical and laboratory parameters in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

Background: Hematological changes can drive damage of endothelial cells, which potentially lead to an early endothelial dysfunction in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). An association may exist between endothelial dysfunction and several clinical manifestations of SCA. The present study aims to evaluate the links between changes in endothelial function and clinical and laboratory parameters in children and adolescents with SCA.

Association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms in children with sickle cell disease.

Objective: To evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms and vaso-occlusive phenomena in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 54 children, aged between 6 and19 years of age, of whom 28 had genotype SS and 26 apparently healthy (AA genotype) whose parents or guardians, or the children themselves, filled out a questionnaire designed to assess their otoneurological symptoms. All the individuals were submitted assessment of endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) percentage with reactive hyperemia of brachial artery Doppler.

Efficacy of Healing meditation in reducing anxiety of individuals at the phase of weight loss maintenance: A randomized blinded clinical trial.

Objective: To verify the efficacy of Healing Meditation in reducing anxiety levels in individuals on a weight loss maintenance program.

Design: A randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded clinical trial, conducted between January and October 2014, with a follow-up of 12 weeks.

Setting: A weight loss secondary care facility in Salvador, Brazil.

Endothelial Effect of Statin Therapy at a High Dose Versus Low Dose Associated with Ezetimibe.

Background: The effect of statins on the endothelial function in humans remains under discussion. Particularly, it is still unclear if the improvement in endothelial function is due to a reduction in LDL-cholesterol or to an arterial pleiotropic effect.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that modulation of the endothelial function promoted by statins is primarily mediated by the degree of reduction in LDL-cholesterol, independent of the dose of statin administered.

Meditation, Health and Scientific Investigations: Review of the Literature.

A growing number of people are seeking health recovery treatments with a holistic approach to the human being. Meditation is a mental training capable of producing connection between the mind, body and spirit. Its practice helps people to achieve balance, relaxation and self-control, in addition to the development of consciousness.

The c.63A>G polymorphism in the NKX2.5 gene is associated with thyroid hypoplasia in children with thyroid dysgenesis.

Objective: To search for genetic alteration in NKX2.5 gene in patients presenting both congenital heart disease (CHD) and TD.

Subjects And Methods: Individual phenotypes were carefully analyzed in 86 children with thyroid dysgenesis (TD) using thyroid function tests, scintigraphy, ultrasound and echocardiography.

Prognostic value of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at high risk of developing atherosclerosis, associated with higher rates of micro and macro vascular involvement such as coronary artery disease and renal disease. The role of hyperglycemia to induce synthesis of reactive oxygen species by the oxidation of glucose, leading to an increased production of advanced glycosylation end products, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress has been proposed as a possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction (ED). The interaction between C-peptide - the connecting segment of pro-insulin-and nitric oxide in vasodilation is also discussed.

Magnesium replacement does not improve insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: a 12-week randomized double-blind study.

Background: To evaluate the effect of magnesium (Mg) replacement on insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in women with metabolic syndrome (MS) without diabetes.

Methods: This 12-week clinical randomized double-blind study compared the effects of 400 mg/day of Mg with those of a placebo (n = 72) on fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile and CRP. Mg was measured in serum (SMg) and in mononuclear cells (MMg).

C-reactive protein is not correlated with endothelial dysfunction in overweight and obese women.

Background: Obesity is a complex and multifactorial disease, has an inflammatory pattern and is associated with higher cardiometabolic risk. There are recent reports associating an elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) with a microscopic endothelial dysfunction. The objective is to evaluate if there is an association between serum levels of CRP and endothelial function in women with overweight/obesity, as well as the correlation between CRP and anthropometric variables.

Determinants of C-reactive protein in individuals with very low socioeconomic status.

Background: Low socioeconomic (SE) status has been associated to inflammation and predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been investigated by studies performed in developed countries. This study aimed to identify predictors of CRP in individuals of very low SE level in a developing country and evaluate whether CRP is related to SE status in this scenario.

Objective: Eight-two individuals of very low SE level were recruited from a poor, semi-rural community in Brazil.

Comparison of inflammatory biomarkers between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with unstable angina.

Background: Studies comparing inflammatory activity between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals with acute coronary syndrome are scarce, and none including only patients with unstable angina (UA) has been published to date.

Objective: We compared serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6(IL-6) between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with unstable angina (UA) to determine if difference in inflammatory activity is responsible for a worse prognosis in diabetic patients. We also evaluated the correlation between inflammatory markers and the metabolic profile in diabetic patients and the correlation between inflammatory response and in-hospital outcomes: death, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and length of stay in hospital.