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.

Higher Bifidobacterium spp. fecal abundance is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk markers among schoolchildren from Bahia, Brazil.

The gut microbiome has recently been the subject of considerable scientific interest due to its essential bodily functions. Several factors can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, and dietary habits are one of the most important contributors. Despite the recognition of the probiotic effects related to the genus Bifidobacterium spp.

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).

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Is Related to Higher Trans Fatty Acids, Sugar Intake, and Micronutrient-Impaired Status in Schoolchildren of Bahia, Brazil.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption impacts nutrient intake and plays an important role in non-communicable diseases (NCD), even among schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the food consumption of this population and its relationship with laboratory and anthropometric aspects. A sample of 190 subjects aged 5 to 19 y was randomly selected for dietary, laboratory, and anthropometric assessment.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Women Using Combined Oral Contraceptive: A Systematic Review.

Objective:  To describe the effects of combined oral contraceptives (COC) on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Data Sources:  This is a systematic review according to the criteria of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), registered in PROSPERO under the ID: CRD42020200019. Searches were performed between August 2020 and December 2021, in the following databases: Medline via Pubmed, Cochrane Central Library, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences via Virtual Health Library.

An Environmental and Nutritional Evaluation of School Food Menus in Bahia, Brazil That Contribute to Local Public Policy to Promote Sustainability.

Aimed at improving the quality of school meals, the Sustainable School Program (SSP) implemented low-carbon meals, twice a week, in 155 schools of 4 municipalities, reaching more than 32,000 students. This study evaluated the environmental impact and nutritional viability of this intervention for this population. The 15 most repeated meals from the conventional and sustainable menus were selected, and we considered the school age group and number of meals served per student/day.

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).

Blood plasma metabolomics of children and adolescents with sickle cell anaemia treated with hydroxycarbamide: a new tool for uncovering biochemical alterations.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a debilitating genetic haemoglobinopathy predominantly affecting the disenfranchised strata of society in Africa and the Americas. The most common pharmacological treatment for this disease is the administration of hydroxycarbamide (HC) for which questions remain regarding its mechanism of action, efficacy and long-term toxicity specifically in paediatric individuals. A multiplatform metabolomics approach was used to assess the metabolome of plasma samples from a population of children and adolescents with SCA with and without HC treatment along with non-SCA individuals.

Moderate and severe periodontitis are positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: This study investigated the association between periodontitis severity (exposure) and metabolic syndrome (MetS - outcome), using two criteria for diagnosis of the outcome, since this relationship remains unexplored.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 870 individuals: 408 with first MetS diagnosis (cases) and 462 without MetS (controls). Participants' general information was obtained using a questionnaire and laboratory data was collected from medical records.

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.

Physical exercise in sickle cell anemia: a systematic review.

Introduction And Objective: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic condition that alters the conformation of deoxygenated red blood cells, which results in their stiffening and the occurrence of vaso-occlusive crises, endothelium damage, organ dysfunction and systemic complications. Additionally, SCA limits the participation of individuals in physical and social activities. As we consider that physical exercise promotes the recovery of functional capacity and cardiorespiratory conditioning, we aim to verify the patterns of prescription, the effects and safety of exercise for individuals with SCA.

Higher values of triglycerides:HDL-cholesterol ratio hallmark disease severity in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

Dyslipidemia has been described in sickle cell anemia (SCA) but its association with increased disease severity is unknown. Here, we examined 55 children and adolescents with SCA as well as 41 healthy controls to test the association between the lipid profiles in peripheral blood and markers of hemolysis, inflammation, endothelial function, and SCA-related clinical outcomes. SCA patients exhibited lower levels of total cholesterol (P<0.

Predictors of Unfavourable Outcomes in Children and Adolescents Submitted to Surgical Mitral Valvuloplasty Secondary to Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Background: Mitral valve repair in paediatric patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease is superior to valve replacement and has been used with good results.

Objective: To identify predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents submitted to surgical mitral valvuloplasty secondary to rheumatic heart disease.

Methods: Retrospective study of 54 patients under the age of 16 operated at a tertiary paediatric hospital between March 2011 and January 2017.

Dysfunction of the auditory system in sickle cell anaemia: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: To describe the occurrence of both peripheral and central auditory system dysfunction in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients and discuss the different mechanisms hypothesised to be responsible for these alterations.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed Central (MEDLINE), LILACS and Scopus databases. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

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.

Effect of remote nursing monitoring on overweight in women: clinical trial.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of remote nursing monitoring on the improvement of anthropometric measurements of overweight women.

Method: controlled, randomized clinical trial, carried out in a reference outpatient clinic for treatment of obesity. The baseline sample was composed of 101 women randomly assigned to two groups, 51 in the intervention group (IG) and 50 in the control group (CG).