The Mediating Role of Lean Soft Tissue in the Relationship between Somatic Maturation and Bone Density in Adolescent Practitioners and Non-Practitioners of Sports

This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of lean soft tissue (LST) in the association between somatic maturation and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in adolescents by sex and sport participation. The sample included 558 adolescents (401 males, mean age of 14.0 years) that were practitioners of sports (11 sport modalities, n = 402) and a non-sport group (n = 157). Somatic maturation was assessed by using a validated peak height velocity prediction equation. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess aBMD (upper and lower limbs, spine and total body less head—TBLH) and LST. For both sexes, LST mediated the association between somatic maturation and aBMD at all skeletal sites (mediation percentage ranging from 36.3% to 75.4%). For sport and non-sport groups, the LST also mediated the association between somatic maturation and aBMD at all skeletal sites (mediation percentage ranging from 51.6% to 85.6%). The direct effect was observed in all groups, except for lower limbs and TBLH in the non-sport group. The association between somatic maturation and aBMD was mediated by LST in adolescents of both sexes and regardless of involvement in organized sports. Our findings highlighted the role of improving LST to mitigate the association of somatic maturation with aBMD.São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (FAPESP Process 2013/06963-5, 2015/13543-8, 2016/06920-2, 2017/09182-5, 2018/24164-6 and 2015/19710-3)FAPESP (2017/27234-2)FAPESP (2016/20354-0)“La Caixa” Foundation within the Junior Leader fellowship programme (ID 100010434; code LCF/BQ/PR19/11700007

Inhibition of Spore Germination and Appressorium Formation of Rust Species by Plant and Fungal Metabolites.

Eight fungal and plant metabolites belonging to different classes of naturally occurring compounds, a 24-oxa[14]-cytochalasan as cytochalasin B (1), a trisubstituted isocoumarin as 6-hydroxymellein (2), a tetracyclic pimarane diterpene as sphaeropsidin A (3), a chalcone as cavoxin (4), a pentasubstituted benzofuranone as cyclopaldic acid (5), a bicyclic-sesquiterpene as inuloxin A (6), a epipolythiopiperazine as gliotoxin (7) and a cyclohexene epoxide as epi-epoformin (8), were tested for their effectiveness in reducing early stages of development of several major rust fungi from the genera Puccinia and Uromyces. Spore germination and appressoria formation were assessed on pre-treated detached leaves, under controlled conditions. Among the various metabolites evaluated, compounds 5 and 8 were the most effective in inhibiting fungal germination and penetration of all rust species studied at values comparable with those obtained by fungicide application, while compound 4 was phytotoxic to plant leaves at any concentration tested

Categorizing ten sports according to bone and soft tissue profiles in adolescents

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins via the DOI in this recordPurpose: Considering the different loading and training characteristics of the sports practiced during growth, it is important to specify and categorize the bone and soft tissue adaptations in adolescent athletes. This study aimed to categorize ten different loading sports and a non-sport group and identify the differences in bone density and soft tissues. Methods: The sample included 625 adolescents (10 to 17 years of age) of ten sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, track & field, judo, karate, kung-fu, gymnastics, baseball and swimming) and a non-sport group. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry assessed areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) and soft tissues (lean soft tissue and fat mass). The results were adjusted for sex, peak height velocity (PHV) status, lean soft tissue, fat mass and weekly training volume. Results: The comparisons among groups showed that soccer had the highest whole body aBMD (mean SEM: 1.082 g/cm2 0.007) and lower limbs aBMD (1.302g/cm2 0.010). Gymnastics presented the highest upper limbs (0.868 g/cm2 0.012) and whole body BMAD (0.094 g/cm2 0.001). Swimming presented the lowest aBMD values in all skeletal sites (except at the upper limbs) and whole body BMAD. The soft tissue comparisons showed that soccer had the highest lean soft tissue (43.8 kg 0.7). The lowest fat mass was found in gymnastics (8.04 kg 1.0). Conclusion: The present study investigated and categorised for the first time ten different sports according to bone density and soft tissue profiles. Soccer and gymnastics sport groups found to have the highest bone density in most body segments and both sports were among the groups with the lowest fat mass

Prevalence of coronary thrombosis after primary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction and COVID-19: a literature review

Introduction: COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and individuals most likely to have more severe symptoms are older adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a history of smoking. This disease progresses with the release of inflammatory and atherosclerotic mediators, generating the installation of a hypercoagulable state, which raises the possi-bility of increased risk for acute coronary syndromes and coronary thrombosis after pri-mary angioplasty. Objective: To assess the prevalence of coronary thrombosis after pri-mary angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction infected with COVID-19. Material and methods: This is a bibliographic research of the literature review type, based on scientific productions published in the following databases: PubMed, Medline, SciELO, NCBI and Lilacs. Results: Regarding the revascularization technique to be chosen, primary angioplasty is used as the main strategy for harm reduction, better out-come and preservation of ventricular function in acute ischemic heart disease. However, the incidence of thromboembolic events is extremely high in patients with SARS-CoV-2-infected STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty, according to some studies. Conclu-sion: There is a higher prevalence of coronary thrombosis in patients with acute ST ele-vation myocardial infarction infected with SARS-CoV-2 after undergoing primary angi-oplasty.Introdução: A COVID-19 é causada pelo coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SARS-CoV-2) e os indivíduos com maior probabilidade de apresentarem sintomas mais graves são idosos com comorbidades como: diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares, câncer e histórico de tabagismo. Esta doença cursa com liberação de mediadores inflamatórios e ateroscleróticos, gerando a instalação do estado hipercoagulável, o que levanta a possibilidade de risco aumentado para síndromes coronárias agudas e trombose coronariana pós angioplastia primária. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de trombose coronariana após angioplastia primária em pacientes com infarto agudo de miocárdio infectados pela COVID-19. Material e métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica do tipo revisão de literatura tendo como base produções científi-cas publicadas nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Medline, SciELO, NCBI e Lilacs. Resultados: Quanto a técnica de revascularização a ser escolhida temos que, a angioplastia primária é utilizada como principal estratégia para redução de danos, melhor desfecho e preservação da função ventricular, na doença cardíaca isquêmica aguda. Entretanto, a incidência de eventos tromboembólicos é extremamente alta em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supra de ST infectados com o SARS-Cov-2 submetidos à angioplastia primária, de acordo com alguns estudos. Conclusão: Há maior prevalência de trombose coronariana em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supra de ST infectados com o SARS-Cov-2 após serem submetidos à angioplastia primária

Associação entre fatores de risco cardiovascular e capacidade funcional de idosos longevos

Modelo do estudo: Estudo transversal. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a presença de fatores de risco cardiovascular (FRC) e a capacidade funcional de idosos longevos. Materiais e Método: A amostra foi composta por 91 idosos com idade entre 80 e 90 anos (83,0±2,3 anos), sendo 60 mulheres (82,9±2,1 anos) e 31 homens (83,2±2,6 anos) residentes na cidade de Presidente Prudente/SP. Os FRC analisados foram: Hipertensão Arterial (HA) e excesso de gordura corporal (total e tronco). A presença de Hipertensão foi verificada por meio do questionário auto-referido baseado no Standard Health Questionnaire(SHQ). A avaliação da gordura corporal foi feita pela absorpiometria de dupla energia de raios-X (DEXA) e a capacidade funcional foi avaliada por meio dos testes funcionais (equilíbrio estático, velocidade usual de caminhada e força de membros inferiores). Para tratamento estatístico realizou-se o teste qui-quadrado, o software utilizado foi SPSS (13.0) e o nível de significância estabelecido foi de 5%. Resultados: Os idosos com a presença de HA e excesso de %GC apresentaram menor desempenho no teste de membros inferiores (83,3% menor e 16,7% maior), p=0,011 comparados aqueles com apenas um FCR. As idosas com a presença de HA e excesso de %GTron também apresentaram menor desempenho no mesmo teste (80,6% menor e 19,4% maior), p=0,018 e no teste de velocidade de caminhada (80,6% menor e 19,4% maior), p=0,034. Conclusão: A HA e o excesso de gordura corporal (total e tronco) agregados são FRC, que estão associados à redução da capacidade funcional de idosos longevos.Study design: cross-sectional study. Objective: To assess the association between the presence of cardiovascular risk factor (CRP) and functional capacity of the oldest old. Methods: The sample 9onsisted of 91 elderly aged 80 and 90 years (83.0 ± 2.5 years) with 60 women (82.2 ± 2.1 years) and 31 men (83.2± 2,6 years) residing in the city of Presidente Prudente - SP. The FRC were analyzed: arterial hypertension(AH) and excess body fat (total and trunk). The presence of hypertension was verified by means of selfreported questionnaire based on the Standard Health Questionnaire (SHQ). Assessment of body was made by absorpiometria dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and functional capacity was assessed by the functional tests (static balance, normal walking speed and force of the lower limbs). For statistical analysis we carried out the chi-square test, the software used was SPSS (13.0) and the significance level was set at 5%. Results. In males, with hypertension and the presence of excess %BF had lower performance in the lower limbs (83.3% lower and 16.7% higher), p = 0.011 compared to those with only a VCF.The elderly women with hypertension and the presence of excess GTron% also had lower performance on the same test (80.6% lower and 19.4% higher), p = 0.018 and the test of walking speed (80.6% lower and 19.4% higher), p = 0.034. Conclusion: Arterial hypertension and excess body fat (total and trunk)aggregated are FRC, which are associated with reduced functional capacity of the oldest old

The Positive Relationship between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Content Is Not Mediated by Free Leptin Index in Prepubertal Children: The PANIC Study.

PURPOSE: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) positively influences bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children, but it is unknown whether this relationship is partially mediated by free leptin index. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between MVPA and total body less head (TBLH) BMC is mediated or moderated by free leptin index in prepubertal children. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis on 401 children (194 girls) from baseline examinations of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Childhood Study. We applied the four-way decomposition mediation analysis method to assess whether free leptin index, measured from fasted blood samples, mediated the relationship between accelerometer-measured MVPA and TBLH BMC measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: MVPA had a positive controlled direct effect on TBLH BMC in girls and boys (β = 0.010 to 0.011, p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that MVPA positively influences TBLH BMC through pathways not related to free leptin index in predominantly normal-weight prepubertal children, likely primarily through mechanical loading. The relationships between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC may be influenced by other factors such as pubertal status and adiposity, so it is unknown whether these observations extend to overweight and obese children at different stages of puberty

The Positive Relationship between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Content Is Not Mediated by Free Leptin Index in Prepubertal Children: The PANIC Study.

PurposeModerate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) positively influences bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children, but it is unknown whether this relationship is partially mediated by free leptin index. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between MVPA and total body less head (TBLH) BMC is mediated or moderated by free leptin index in prepubertal children.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis on 401 children (194 girls) from baseline examinations of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Childhood Study. We applied the four-way decomposition mediation analysis method to assess whether free leptin index, measured from fasted blood samples, mediated the relationship between accelerometer-measured MVPA and TBLH BMC measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.ResultsMVPA had a positive controlled direct effect on TBLH BMC in girls and boys (β = 0.010 to 0.011, p p > 0.05).ConclusionOur study indicates that MVPA positively influences TBLH BMC through pathways not related to free leptin index in predominantly normal-weight prepubertal children, likely primarily through mechanical loading. The relationships between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC may be influenced by other factors such as pubertal status and adiposity, so it is unknown whether these observations extend to overweight and obese children at different stages of puberty

Impact of sports participation on incidence of bone traumatic fractures and health care costs among adolescents: ABCD – Growth Study

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis.Objective: To analyze the risk of bone traumatic fractures according to the engagement in sports, as well as to identify the potential impact of sports participation and traumatic fractures on health care costs among adolescents. Methods: This is a longitudinal 12-months follow-up study of 285 adolescents of both sexes in Brazil. We assessed the occurrence of traumatic fractures and health care services (hospitalizations, medicine use, medical consultations and exams) by phone contact every single month for 12 months. Adolescents were divided into four groups according to sport characteristics: non-sport (n= 104), non-impact sport (swimming [n= 34]), martial arts (n= 49 [judo, karate, kung-Fu]) and impact sports (n= 98 [track-and-field, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, and baseball]). Results: The incidence of new fractures was 2.1%. The overall costs accounted during the 12-month follow-up were U$3,259.66. Swimmers (US$ 13.86) had higher health care costs than non-sport (US$1.82), martial arts (US$ 2.23) and impact sports (US$ 2.32). Conclusion: swimming seems to be related to higher health care costs among adolescents

Influência do treinamento concorrente na composição corporal e óssea de adolescentes obesos

Modelo de estudo: Estudo prospectivo Objetivo: Analisar a diferença da densidade, conteúdo mineral ósseo e composição corporal de adolescentes obesos pré e pós treinamento concorrente de 16 semanas. Métodos: Amostra composta por 19 adolescentes obesos. Mensurou-se a densidade mineral óssea(BMD), conteúdo mineral ósseo(BMC), massa corporal magra(MCM) em kg, massa de gordura(MG) em kg e em percentual(%GC) e percentual de gordura do tronco(%GT) por meio da técnica absortiometria de raios-X de dupla energia(DEXA). A Intervenção consistiu de treinamento concorrente (treino resistido [30 minutos] e aeróbio [30 minutos]) com três sessões semanais. Para análise estatística utilizou-se teste t de Student, qui-quadrado, ANOVA e correlação de Pearson por meio do software SPSS(17.0) e significância estatística fixada em p<5%. Resultados: Houve diferença estatística entre os gêneros para %GT(p<0,007). No grupo feminino houve correlação entre BMD, %GC e %GT, já a BMC correlacionou-se com peso e MCM. No grupo masculinohouve correlação da BMC e BMD com a estatura e MCM. Após a intervenção, no grupo feminino, houve significância apenas para estatura(p<0,014), já no grupo masculino houve aumento significativo daestatura(p<0,000), MCM(p<0,011) e BMC(p<0,002) bem como a diminuição das variáveis IMC(p<0,004), %GC(p<0,000) e %GT(p<0,016). Após o treinamento 78,9% dos adolescentes aumentaram e 21,1%diminuíram o BMD. Dos que aumentaram o BMD 63,2% diminuíram o %GC, 57,9% a MG e 57,9% a MCM. Conclusão: Após a intervenção houve diminuição da gordura corporal, aumento da massa magra e conteúdo mineral ósseo de adolescentes do sexo masculino. No grupo feminino não houve diferença entre os momentos

Out-of-focus Blur: Image De-blurring

Image de-blurring is important in many cases of imaging a real scene or object by a camera. This project focuses on de-blurring an image distorted by an out-of-focus blur through a simulation study. A pseudo-inverse filter is first explored but it fails because of severe noise amplification. Then Tikhonov regularization methods are employed, which produce greatly improved results compared to the pseudo-inverse filter. In Tikhonov regularization, the choice of the regularization parameter plays a critical rule in obtaining a high-quality image, and the regularized solutions possess a semi-convergence property. The best result, with the relative restoration error of 8.49%, is achieved when the prescribed discrepancy principle is used to decide an optimal value. Furthermore, an iterative method, Conjugated Gradient, is employed for image de-blurring, which is fast in computation and leads to an even better result with the relative restoration error of 8.22%. The number of iteration in CG acts as a regularization parameter, and the iterates have a semi-convergence property as well.Comment: 11 page