Handgrip strength and associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors: A systematic review of the adult population.

Objetives: The aim of this study was to identify studies on handgrip strength (HGS) and associations with sociodemographic variables and lifestyle in adults.

Methods: Searches were performed in Scielo, PubMed, EBSCO, Lilacs, Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Data Extraction: Two blinded reviewers independently screened the articles, scored their methodological quality and extracted data.

Radiographic evaluation of cardiac silhouette using vertebral heart size method in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

Background: The Saimiri sciureus represents a valuable resource for biomedical research, due to its large number on primate centers and similarity to human anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to apply the method proposed by Buchanan & Bücheler in healthy squirrel monkeys (S. sciureus) and determine by radiographic examination, the average value of the vertebral heart size (VHS) for the specie.

2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Criteria for Minimal, Moderate, and Major Clinical Response in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: An International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation Collaborative Initiative.

Objective: To develop response criteria for juvenile dermatomyositis (DM).

Methods: We analyzed the performance of 312 definitions that used core set measures from either the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) or the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) and were derived from natural history data and a conjoint analysis survey. They were further validated using data from the PRINTO trial of prednisone alone compared to prednisone with methotrexate or cyclosporine and the Rituximab in Myositis (RIM) trial.

Mu and kappa opioid receptors of the periaqueductal gray stimulate and inhibit thermogenesis, respectively, during psychological stress in rats.

The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is rich in mu and kappa opioid receptors, and this system is involved in thermoregulation, analgesia, and defensive behaviors. No study approached the involvement of the PAG opioids in body temperature (Tb) regulation during psychological stress such as restraint. Because activation of mu and kappa receptors increases and reduces Tb, respectively, we tested the hypothesis that they exert excitatory and inhibitory modulation, respectively, of the restraint-induced fever in rats.

The long and the short of it: a global analysis of hawkmoth pollination niches and interaction networks.

1. Proboscis length has been proposed as a key dimension of plant pollination niches, but this niche space has not previously been explored at regional and global scales for any pollination system. Hawkmoths are ideal organisms for exploring pollinator niches as they are important pollinators in most of the biodiverse regions of the earth and vary greatly in proboscis length, with some species having the longest proboscides of all insects.

Prevalence of active transportation among adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review of population-based studies.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of "active" (self-propelled, human-powered) transportation in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region over the past decade.

Methods: MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica (Embase), SportDiscus, Lilacs, MediCarib, Web of Science, OVID, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, National Transportation Library, and TRIS/TRID were searched for articles on active transportation published between January 2003 and December 2014 with (at least) a title and abstract in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Research was included in the study if the two reviewing authors agreed it 1) was conducted in an adult sample (≥ 18 years old), 2) was designed to be representative of any LAC area, and 3) reported at least one measure of active transportation.

Comparison of the Effects of Monastrol and Oxomonastrol on Human Hepatoma Cell Line HepG2/C3A.

Monastrol and its analog oxomonastrol differ by replacement of the sulfur atom present in monastrol to an oxygen atom in oxomonastrol. Monastrol inhibits the mitotic kinesin family member 11 (EG5), which has been studied for its potential use in cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of monastrol and oxomonastrol on HepG2/C3A cells.

Effects of air pollution caused by sugarcane burning in Western São Paulo on the cardiovascular system.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of acute exposure to air pollutants (NO2 and PM10) on hospitalization of adults and older people with cardiovascular diseases in Western São Paulo.

Methods: Daily cardiovascular-related hospitalization data (CID10 - I00 to I99) were acquired by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) from January 2009 to December 2012. Daily levels of NO2 and PM10 and weather data were obtained from Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB - São Paulo State Environmental Agency).

Genomic copy number variation associated with clinical outcome in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors.

Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant cutaneous tumors in dogs. Although there are several prognostic factors involved, the clinical and biological behavior of this type of tumor varies greatly, making the best choice of treatment challenging. Molecular techniques can be used to evaluate a large number of genes involved in the neoplastic process and aid in the selection of candidate genes related to prognostic and predicting factors.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with functional capacity but not with postural balance in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

Objectives:: In post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, insufficient vitamin D levels decrease calcium fixation in the bones and calcium transport in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which impairs muscle strength, possibly leading to detrimental consequences for the preservation of functional capacity and postural balance, fall prevention, and fracture risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and knee muscle strength, postural balance and functional mobility among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods:: This cross-sectional study included 63 osteoporotic older women (aged 60.

Mitochondrial genotype modulates mtDNA copy number and organismal phenotype in Drosophila.

We evaluated the role of natural mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation on mtDNA copy number, biochemical features and life history traits in Drosophila cybrid strains. We demonstrate the effects of both coding region and non-coding A+T region variation on mtDNA copy number, and demonstrate that copy number correlates with mitochondrial biochemistry and metabolically important traits such as development time. For example, high mtDNA copy number correlates with longer development times.

Detrimental effect of deltamethrin on the central nervous system (synganglion) of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks.

Ticks are ectoparasites of medical and veterinary importance, which transmit many infectious agents, causing significant damage to the hosts. The "dog tick" Rhipicephalus sanguineus is responsible for transmitting several pathogens to dogs, motivating researchers to investigate efficient and sustainable control methods. Currently, chemical acaricides currently in use target the central nervous system (synganglion), which is responsible for controlling all the systemic functions of the ticks.

Escherichia albertii, a novel human enteropathogen, colonizes rat enterocytes and translocates to extra-intestinal sites.

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death of children up to five years old in the developing countries. Among the etiological diarrheal agents are atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC), one of the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes that affects children and adults, even in developed countries.

Remediation efficiency of three treatments on water polluted with endocrine disruptors: Assessment by means of in vitro techniques.

Chemical substances with potential to disrupt endocrine systems have been detected in aquatic environments worldwide, making necessary the investigation about water treatments able to inhibit such potential. The present work aimed to assess the efficiency for removing endocrine disruptors (with estrogenic and androgenic activity) of three simple and inexpensive substrates that could be potentially used in sectors or regions with limited resources: powdered activated carbon (PAC), powdered natural zeolite (ZEO) (both at a concentration of 500 mg L) and natural aquatic humic substances (AHS) (at 30 mg L). MilliQ-water and mature water from fish facilities (aquarium water, AW), were artificially spiked with 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol and dihydrotestosterone.

Behavioral effects induced by antitumor cleronade diterpenes from Casearia sylvestris and in silico interactions with neuron receptors.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Casearia sylvestris is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat snakebites, wounds, inflammation and gastric ulcers and scientific supports for have demonstrated its antitumor, antihyperlipidemic and antiparasitic properties.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the effects of a fraction with casearins (FC) on adult mice using classical experimental models of animal behavior and theoretical calculations to verify the interaction of Casearin X (Cas X) with neuron receptors.

Materials And Methods: Animals divided in 6 groups (n=9/group) were intraperitoneally treated with vehicle (DMSO 4%), FC (2.

Construct validity of tests that measure kick performance for young soccer players based on cluster analysis: exploring the relationship between coaches rating and actual measures.

Background: The main aim of this study was to verify the relationship between the classification of coaches and actual performance in field tests that measure the kicking performance in young soccer players, using the K-means clustering technique.

Methods: Twenty-three U-14 players performed 8 tests to measure their kicking performance. Four experienced coaches provided a rating for each player as follows: 1: poor; 2: below average; 3: average; 4: very good; 5: excellent as related to three parameters (i.

An Observational Registry of Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stenting in Brazil: Study Protocol.

Background: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are alternative strategies for stroke prevention in patients with atherosclerotic carotid disease. CEA has been considered the first-line treatment for carotid stenosis worldwide, and the safety and efficacy of CAS compared to CEA remains in question.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the practice and outcomes of CAS and CEA in a real-world setting within public university hospitals in Brazil.

p16INK4a Expression and Immunologic Aging in Chronic HIV Infection.

Chronic HIV infection is characterized by increased immune activation and immunosenescence. p16 INK4a (p16) is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase antagonist family that inhibits cellular proliferation, and its protein expression increases during normal chronological aging. However, some infectious diseases can increase the expression of this anti-proliferative protein, potentially accelerating immunological aging and dysfunction.

Effects of novobiocin and methotrexate on the benthic amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis exposed to spiked sediments.

The marine amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis was used as model organism of benthic macrofauna to assess the possible adverse effects of pharmaceuticals bound to sediments. Organisms were exposed to sediment spiked with novobiocin (NOV) and methotrexate (MTX) for 10 days in order to estimate the acute toxicity (lethal effects) produced by the two compounds. The surviving organisms were pooled and analyzed to determine their sublethal responses associated with different phases of metabolism (enzyme activities in phases I and II), oxidative stress (antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation), and genotoxicity (DNA damage in the form of strand breaks).

Engineering increased thermostability in the GH-10 endo-1,4-β-xylanase from Thermoascus aurantiacus CBMAI 756.

The GH10 endo-xylanase from Thermoascus aurantiacus CBMAI 756 (XynA) is industrially attractive due to its considerable thermostability and high specific activity. Considering the possibility of a further improvement in thermostability, eleven mutants were created in the present study via site-directed mutagenesis using XynA as a template. XynA and its mutants were successfully overexpressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami DE3 and purified, exhibiting maximum xylanolytic activity at pH 5 and 65°C.

Trend Toward Individualization of the Endocrine and Exocrine Portions of the Giant Anteater Pancreas (Myrmecophaga Tridactyla, Xenarthra).

Considering the physiological importance of the pancreas as an endocrine and exocrine organ, this study described the characteristics of the gross and microscopic morphology of this organ using 16 Myrmecophaga tridactyla individuals. The pancreas was located in the left antimere of the body, was pale in colour and exhibited an elongated shape with a central body and lobulated surface. It was positioned in the abdomen, following the curvatura ventriculi major of the stomach, and was attached to the initial portion of the duodenum.