Adaptation of Anaerobic Field-Based Tests for Wheelchair Basketball Athletes.

: The aim of this study was to propose field-based tests to estimate the anaerobic power of wheelchair basketball athletes. : Eleven lower class wheelchair basketball players performed the Wingate test (WT) and two field-based tests (repeated sprints) of 15 (S-15) and 20 (S-20) meters. The WT provides data in Watts (W).

Performance, reliability and fatigue in prone bridge test and supine unilateral bridge test.

Introduction: The core muscles can be evaluated through functional tests, such as the prone bridge test (PBT) and supine unilateral bridge test (SUBT). However, there are differences in reliability and muscle fatigue related to these tests.

Methods: The study evaluated 30 sedentary individuals and 30 individuals who practiced resistance exercises.

Handgrip Strength as a Reflection of General Muscle Strength in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Muscle dysfunction is one of the main features in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Handgrip strength (HS) has been used as a representation of general muscle strength in various populations, and a few studies found correlation between HS and other measures of upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in the general population, although this was not yet studied in depth in COPD. The aims of this study were to verify if HS is cross-sectionally well correlated with upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in individuals with COPD, and to identify a new cutoff for handgrip weakness in this population.

Socioeconomic factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in children.

The intense contact of children with domestic animals or environments contaminated with faeces of these animals, together with habits related to lack of hygiene, can facilitate infection by zoonoses. The study evaluated the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in schoolchildren in the city of Jataizinho, Paraná. Of the 412 children aged 4-15 years, 56.

Instruments to assess function or functionality in adults after a burn injury: A systematic review.

Introduction: Assessment of functionality or function, through valid and reliable instruments, is essential during rehabilitation of adults after a burn injury. Currently, there is no consensus in the literature regarding the most appropriate tool that should be used to assess function or functionality; there is also no synthesis of the current studies published in this area.

Objectives: To investigate and report the instruments used to assess function or functionality in adults after a burn injury; to identify the characteristics and evidence on their measurement properties; and to evaluate their clinical utility.

Selective anticancer effects of Serjania marginata Casar. extract in gastric cells are mediated by antioxidant response.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide. Serjania marginata Casar. (SM) displays anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

The Spread of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Brazil: An Overview by Kohonen Self-Organizing Map Networks.

: In the current pandemic scenario, data mining tools are fundamental to evaluate the measures adopted to contain the spread of COVID-19. In this study, unsupervised neural networks of the Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) type were used to assess the spatial and temporal spread of COVID-19 in Brazil, according to the number of cases and deaths in regions, states, and cities. : The SOM applied in this context does not evaluate which measures applied have helped contain the spread of the disease, but these datasets represent the repercussions of the country's measures, which were implemented to contain the virus' spread.

Nighttime features derived from topic models for classification of patients with COPD.

Nighttime symptoms are important indicators of impairment for many diseases and particularly for respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The use of wearable sensors to assess sleep in COPD has mainly been limited to the monitoring of limb motions or the duration and continuity of sleep. In this paper we present an approach to concisely describe sleep patterns in subjects with and without COPD.

E-sensing and nanoscale-sensing devices associated with data processing algorithms applied to food quality control: a systematic review.

Devices of human-based senses such as e-noses, e-tongues and e-eyes can be used to analyze different compounds in several food matrices. These sensors allow the detection of one or more compounds present in complex food samples, and the responses obtained can be used for several goals when different chemometric tools are applied. In this systematic review, we used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, to address issues such as e-sensing with chemometric methods for food quality control (FQC).

Solidagenone acts on promastigotes of L. amazonensis by inducing apoptosis-like processes on intracellular amastigotes by IL-12p70/ROS/NO pathway activation.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Currently, the treatment has limited effectiveness and high toxicity, is expensive, requires long-term treatment, induces significant side effects, and promotes drug resistance. Thus, new therapeutic strategies must be developed to find alternative compounds with high efficiency and low cost.

Chalcones and their B-aryl analogues as myeloperoxidase inhibitors: In silico, in vitro and ex vivo investigations.

In the present study, a series of chalcones and their B-aryl analogues were prepared and evaluate as inhibitors of myeloperoxidase (MPO) chlorinating activity, using in vitro and ex vivo assays. Among these, B-thiophenyl chalcone (analogue 9) demonstrated inhibition of in vitro and ex vivo MPO chlorinating activity, exhibiting IC value of 0.53 and 19.

Effect of myofascial release on lower limb range of motion, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of Myofascial release (MR) on lower limb ROM, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Background: MR is a technique that aims to stretch fascia to increase range of motion (ROM), relieve pressure points and improve performance.

Multixenobiotic resistance mechanism: Organ-specific characteristics in the fish Prochilodus lineatus and its role as a protection against genotoxic agents.

The multixenobiotic resistance mechanism (MXR) can decrease intracellular genotoxic pressure through the efflux of compounds out of the cell. Thus, this work presents a temporal approach to evaluate the MXR activity and the occurrence of genotoxic damage in different organs of the fish Prochilodus lineatus after an intraperitoneal injection of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Although the liver and brain demonstrated rapid MXR induction (6 h), the occurrence of DNA damage was not prevented.

Construct validity of the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale in adult subjects with COVID-19.

Background: An increasing number of subjects are recovering from COVID-19, raising the need for tools to adequately assess the course of the disease and its impact on functional status. We aimed to assess the construct validity of the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) Scale among adult subjects with confirmed and presumed COVID-19.

Methods: Adult subjects with confirmed and presumed COVID-19, who were members of an online panel and two Facebook groups for subjects with COVID-19 with persistent symptoms, completed an online survey after the onset of infection-related symptoms.

Regression models to stratify the copper toxicity responses and tolerance mechanisms of Glycine max (L.) Merr. plants.

Root antioxidant defense, restricted root-to-shoot Cu translocation, altered nutrient partition, and leaf gas exchange adjustments occurred as tolerance mechanisms of soybean plants to increasing soil Cu levels. The intensive application of copper (Cu) fungicides has been related to the accumulation of this metal in agricultural soils. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing soil Cu levels on soybean (Glycine max) plants.

Tossing and turning: association of sleep quantity-quality with physical activity in COPD.

The association between characteristics of sleep and physical activity in daily life (PADL) has not yet been investigated in depth in subjects with COPD. This study evaluated whether time spent per day in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour are associated with sleep quantity and quality in this population. Sleep and PADL were objectively assessed by an activity monitor for 7 days and analysed on a minute-by-minute basis.

Can Socioeconomic, Health, and Safety Data Explain the Spread of COVID-19 Outbreak on Brazilian Federative Units?

Infinite factors can influence the spread of COVID-19. Evaluating factors related to the spread of the disease is essential to point out measures that take effect. In this study, the influence of 14 variables was assessed together by Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) of the type Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), to verify the relationship between numbers of cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Brazilian states for 110 days.

Virulence, resistance and clonality of Proteus mirabilis isolated from patients with community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) in Brazil.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common human infections, both in hospitals and in communities. Proteus mirabilis is known to cause community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) and is an important causative agent of nosocomial UTIs. The pathogenesis of this species is related to its ability to manifest virulence factors, such as biofilms, adhesion molecules, urease, proteases, siderophores, and toxins.

The Gini Coefficient: A New Approach to Assess Physical Activity Inequality in COPD.

Increasing physical activity (PA) is a complex and challenging task in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, some questions are raised regarding the evaluation of PA in these patients: Have all aspects of PA evaluation in patients with COPD already been explored in the scientific literature and clinical practice? What is the clinical importance of assessing PA inequality? PA inequality is defined as the Gini coefficient (Gini) of the PA distribution of a population and is already shown to have implications for public health in the general population. It is a simple tool that might allow a better understanding of PA disparities among different COPD populations, although to our knowledge there is no previous investigation of PA inequality in patients with COPD using the Gini.

Associations between strength, flexibility, and painful symptomology in university staff.

Background: In the adult population, the work environment and physical fitness levels are directly related to the onset of musculoskeletal pain, repetitive strain injuries, and decreased blood circulation. Although low levels of muscle strength and flexibility may lead to a higher prevalence of pain, specific anatomic regions are poorly addressed.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and the association between strength or flexibility and pain in university staff.

Ovarian follicular dynamics, progesterone concentrations, pregnancy rates and transcriptional patterns in Bos indicus females with a high or low antral follicle count.

We evaluated the effect of the antral follicle count (AFC) on ovarian follicular dynamics, pregnancy rates, progesterone concentrations, and transcriptional patterns of genes in Nelore cattle (Bos taurus indicus) after a timed artificial insemination (TAI) programme. Cows were separated based on the AFC, and those with a high AFC showed a larger (P < 0.0001) ovarian diameter and area than those with a very low AFC.

Extended light period in the maternal circadian cycle impairs the reproductive system of the rat male offspring.

Alterations in the circadian cycle are known to cause physiological disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes in adult individuals. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate whether exposure of pregnant rats to constant light can alter the reproductive system development of male offspring. The dams were divided into two groups: a light-dark group (LD), in which pregnant rats were exposed to an LD photoperiod (12 h/12 h) and a light-light (LL) group, in which pregnant rats were exposed to a photoperiod of constant light during the gestation period.

Effects of photobiomodulation and swimming on gene expression in rats with the tibialis anterior muscle injury.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (low-level laser therapy (LLLT)) and aquatic exercise on the expression of genes related to muscle regeneration in rats. Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control group (n = 15), non-treated injury group (n = 15), injury+LLLT group (n = 15), injury+aquatic exercise group (n = 15), and injury+LLLT+aquatic exercise group (n = 15). Cryoinjury was performed on the belly of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle.

Ultrastructural analysis of Rhynchospora ovules: The first record of Cyperaceae megagametophyte on transmission electron microscope.

Microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis are unusual in sedges (Cyperaceae), the third largest monocotyledonous family, as three microspores are aborted in favor of a single functional microspore. However, studies using light microscopy show that megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis occur normally. Nevertheless, the lack of ultrastructural details limits our knowledge of female gametophyte development in this family.

Trans-chalcone induces death by autophagy mediated by p53 up-regulation and β-catenin down-regulation on human hepatocellular carcinoma HuH7.5 cell line.

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is extremely aggressive and presents low rates of response to the available chemotherapeutic agents. Many studies have focused on the search for alternative low-cost natural compounds with antiproliferative potential that selectively respond to liver cancer cells.

Purpose: This study assessed the in vitro direct action of trans-chalcone (TC) on cells of the human HCC HuH7.