Vitamin D serum concentration is prospectively associated with depressive symptoms in the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study: a structural equation modeling approach.

Objective: To evaluate the direct, indirect, and total prospective effects of serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25[OH]D) on depressive symptoms in older adults.

Methods: Data from the second (2013-2015) and third (2017-2019) waves of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study (= 60 years) were analyzed. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale.

Association between adiposity and emergent depressive symptoms in a 10-years prospective cohort of older adults: The EpiFloripa Aging study.

Background: The association between obesity and depressive symptoms has been described in the literature, but there is a scarcity of longitudinal data. This study aimed to verify the association between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and the incidence of depressive symptoms over a 10-year follow-up in a cohort of older adults.

Methods: Data from the first (2009-2010), second (2013-2014), and third (2017-2019) waves of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study were used.

Adiposity and physical activity are among the main determinants of serum vitamin D concentrations in older adults: the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study.

The identification of factors associated with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration can help suggest more specific interventions for older adults. In this cross-sectional study of older adults from southern Brazil, we hypothesized that some sociodemographic, behavioral, and health factors positively or negatively influence the 25(OH)D concentration in this population. This analysis was performed using data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study (2013-2015).

The association between vitamin D and BDNF on cognition in older adults in Southern Brazil.

Objective: To estimate the association between vitamin D and the cognitive decline of older adults and evaluate whether this association is mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum concentration.

Methods: Cross-sectional study nested in a population-based cohort. Of the 604 participants in the complementary examination of the EpiFloripa Study, 576 older adults (60 years or older) were eligible for the study.

Association between the consumption of omega-3-rich fish and depressive symptoms in older adults living in a middle-income country: EpiFloripa Aging cohort study.

This study aimed to verify the association between the consumption of omega-3-rich (n-3) fish and depressive symptoms in older adults living in Southern Brazil. This is a cross-sectional analysis with data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Aging cohort study (2013/2014) including 1,130 individuals aged 60 years or older. The presence of depressive symptoms was measured by the 15-items Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the consumption of n-3-rich fish by a question of weekly frequency.

A Possible Antidepressive Effect of Dietary Interventions: Emergent Findings and Research Challenges.

Purpose: Despite recent advancements in the treatment of depression, the prevalence of affected individuals continues to grow. The development of new strategies has been required and emerging evidence has linked a possible antidepressant effect with dietary interventions. In this review, we discuss recent findings about the possible antidepressant effect of dietary interventions with an emphasis on the results of randomized controlled trials.

Association between physical activity and vitamin D is partially mediated by adiposity in older adults: EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study.

Studies have found that physical activity (PA) could be a protective factor and adiposity a risk factor for low serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) concentration. This cross-sectional study hypothesized that PA could have a direct effect on 25(OH)D, and adiposity could be a mediating factor. Data from the second wave of the EpiFloripa Aging longitudinal study, collected during 2013 and 2014 (n = 1197) in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, was used.

Vitamin A deficiency and associated risk factors in children aged 12-59 months living in poorest municipalities in the South Region of Brazil.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children and associated risk factors.

Design: Analysis of data from a cross-sectional multicentre study performed in the primary care units of the municipalities from January to June 2015. The children's legal guardians answered a socio-economic questionnaire, and the children's blood samples were obtained by venipuncture.

Vitamin D and depression in older adults: lessons learned from observational and clinical studies.

Depression is a mental disorder triggered by the interaction of social, psychological and biological factors that have an important impact on an individual's life. Despite being a well-studied disease with several established forms of treatment, its prevalence is increasing, especially among older adults. New forms of treatment and prevention are encouraged, and some researchers have been discussing the effects of vitamin D (VitD) on depression; however, the exact mechanism by which VitD exerts its effects is not yet conclusive.

Association between lower serum vitamin D (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol) concentrations and cognitive impairment in older adults: data from a populational-based cohort study in a middle-income country.

Objective: To investigate the association between serum vitamin D (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol) (25(OH)D) concentrations and cognitive impairment in older adults living in Southern Brazil.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the second follow-up wave of the populational-based EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study was collected in 2013-2014.

Setting: Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Challenges faced by people with epilepsy on ketogenic diet therapy and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Background: Although ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is a well-established, nonpharmacologic therapeutic option for patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, its availability is still not widespread. The COVID-19 pandemic may have further restricted the access of people with pharmacoresistant epilepsy (PWE) to KDT. Thus, we evaluated the experiences of Brazilian PWE and their caregivers during the first year of the pandemic.

Lower serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is associated with depressive symptoms in older adults in Southern Brazil.

Background: Older adults are one of the most susceptible populations to depression, especially those living in low- and middle-income countries. As well, they are also considering a risk group for vitamin D deficiency. Low serum vitamin D has been associated with an increased risk of brain neuropsychiatry disorders.

Cardiometabolic risk and effectiveness of the modified Atkins Ketogenic Diet for adult patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsies in a middle-income country.

A ketogenic diet may be a therapeutic option for approximately one third of patients with epilepsy. These patients continue to have seizures despite suitable pharmacological treatment. Regardless of the diet's therapeutic potential regarding seizure control, adverse events may coexist.

Effects of cholecalciferol on behavior and production of reactive oxygen species in female mice subjected to corticosterone-induced model of depression.

Major depressive disorder (or depression) is one of the most frequent psychiatric illnesses in the population, with chronic stress being one of the main etiological factors. Studies have shown that cholecalciferol supplementation can lead to attenuation of the depressive state; however, the biochemical mechanisms involved in the relationship between cholecalciferol and depression are not very well known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the administration of cholecalciferol on behavioral parameters (tail suspension test (TST), open field test (OFT), splash test (ST)) and redox state (dichlorofluorescein (DCF)) in adult female Swiss mice subjected to a model of depression induced by chronic corticosterone treatment.

Introduction of inappropriate complementary feeding in the first year of life and associated factors in children with low socioeconomic status.

The study aimed to identify factors associated with the introduction of inappropriate complementary feeding in the first year of life in children living in municipalities (counties) with low socioeconomic statusl. This was a cross-sectional multicenter study in 1,567 children 12 to 59 months of age in 48 municipalities participating in the Brazil Without Poverty plan in the South of Brazil. A structured questionnaire was applied to the children's parents to obtain socio-demographic information and the age at which inappropriate complementary foods were introduced for the first time in complementary feeding.

Risks of dietary acrylamide exposure: a systematic review.

Acrylamide (AA) is a probable human carcinogen found in carbohydrate-rich foods that have been heated to high temperatures. AA dietary exposure has been associated to development of health problems. We perform a systematic review to elucidate the association of dietary AA exposure and human health problems.

Effects of chronic guanosine treatment on hippocampal damage and cognitive impairment of rats submitted to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion contributes to a cognitive decline related to brain disorders. Its experimental model in rats is a permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). Overstimulation of the glutamatergic system excitotoxicity due to brain energetic disturbance in 2VO animals seems to play a pivotal role as a mechanism of cerebral damage.

Effects of 3 weeks GMP oral administration on glutamatergic parameters in mice neocortex.

Overstimulation of the glutamatergic system (excitotoxicity) is involved in various acute and chronic brain diseases. Several studies support the hypothesis that guanosine-5'-monophosphate (GMP) can modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronically administered GMP on brain cortical glutamatergic parameters in mice.

Effects of a highly palatable diet on lipid and glucose parameters, nitric oxide, and ectonucleotidases activity.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and is stimulated by the ready availability of food rich in fat and sugar (highly palatable diet). This type of diet increases the risks of obesity-associated pathologies, such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide, a potent endogenous vasodilator, is decreased in these pathologies, mostly as a result of insulin resistance.

Influence of environmental enrichment on an object recognition task in CF1 mice.

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental model for studying neuroplasticity. EE is used to investigate behavioral modifications associated with gene-environmental interaction. The object recognition task (ORT) evaluates animals' ability to learn about their environment, which depends on their innate instinct.