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

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

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

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

Associação Entre Doenças Metabólicas e Parâmetros Hemodinâmicos de Filhos Obesos e Suas Mães

Modelo do estudo: Estudo originalObjetivo: Verificar possíveis associações entre o perfil hemodinâmico e metabólico de crianças e adolescentes obesos e suas mães. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 69 crianças e adolescentes obesos, de ambos os sexos, com faixa etária compreendida entre seis e 15 (10,6 ± 3,04) anos. Por meio de avaliações específicas foram analisadas as variáveis de composição corporal (massa corporal magra, massa de gordura em quilos e percentual), hemodinâmicas (pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica) e bioquímicas (glicemia, colesterol total e suas frações) dos filhos. Entre as mães foi realizado uma avaliação de composição corporal por meio de antropometria e impedância bioelétrica, aferição de pressão arterial e aplicação de questionário auto referido de doenças. Para o tratamento estatístico foram realizados análise descritiva, teste t de Student independente e análise de associação entre alterações maternas com seus respectivos filhos por meio de teste de Mc Nemar, adotando-se pd” 0,05. Todo o tratamento estatístico foi realizado por meio do software SPSS, 17.0. Resultados: Ser filho de mães diabéticas ou hipertensas associa-se com a presença de alterações nas variáveis de glicemia, pressão arterial sistólica ou diastólica. Quando a mãe apresenta mais de uma variável de risco cardiovascular a sua prole também possui alguma alteração metabólica ou em variáveis dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos (PA). Conclusão: No presente estudo observaram-se associações entre variáveis metabólicas e parâmetros hemodinâmicos entre crianças e adolescentes obesos com suas respectivas mães.Study Model: Original StudyObjective: To analyze possible associations between hemodynamic and metabolic profile of obese children and adolescents and their mothers. Methods: The study had longitudinal design with 69 children and adolescents, aged between six and 15 (10,6 ± 3,04) years old. Specific assessments to body composition (fat free mass, fat mass and percentage fat), blood pressure (blood pressure systolic and diastolic) and biochemical analysis of blood plasma (glucose, total cholesterol and its fractions) of children were analyzed. Among the mothers was carried out an assessment of body composition by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance, blood pressure and application of inquiry self-report diseases. To treatment statistic were applied descriptive analyze, independent Student‘s test and test for association between maternal disorders with their children by Mc Nemar test, adopting pd” 0,05. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 17.0 (Statistical Package for Social Science, SPSS Inc,Illinois, USA). Results: Diabetic or hypertensive mothers contribute to the presence or absence of disorders in glucose, blood pressure systolic or diastolic in their children, as well as, when mothers has more than one cardiovascular risk variable their children had some disorder metabolic or hemodynamic too. Conclusion: The present study notes association between metabolic and hemodynamic variables of children and adolescents with their mothers

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

Comparison of resting heart rate measured using a cardiac monitor and an oscilometric device in adolescents: analysis of sensitivity and specificity

Study design: Experimental study Objectives: To assess the consistency and efficiency of an oscillometric device for measuring resting heart rate in adolescents. Methods: Data from adolescents of both sexes aged between 10 and 15 years were analyzed. Weight was measured using a digital scale and height, a stadiometer. Body mass index was calculated by dividing body weight by the height squared. The resting heart rate was measured with a heart rate monitor and an oscillometric device for measuring blood pressure. The mean and standard deviation were used to describe the characteristics of the sample. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the relationship between the two devices. Reproducibility was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient and efficiency by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Moderate/high correlations were found (r=0.80) between the heart rate monitor and oscillometric device. The intraclass correlation coefficient showed values of 0.88 (0.66–0.96) for girls and 0.90 (0.82–0.95) for boys. The sensitivity was 70.0 (34.8–93.3) and 80.4 (28.4– 99.5) and the specificity 86.6 (69.3–96.2) and 90.0 (55.5–99.7) for boys and girls respectivelyDesenho do estudo: Estudo experimental Objetivos: avaliar a consistência e eficiência de um aparelho oscilométrico para medir frequência cardíaca em repouso em adolescentes. Métodos: Os dados de adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 10 e 15 anos foram analisados. O peso foi medido utilizando uma balança digital e altura, um estadiômetro. Índice de massa corporal foi calculado dividindo-se o peso corporal pela altura ao quadrado. A frequência cardíaca de repouso foi medida com um monitor de frequência cardíaca e um aparelho oscilométrico para medir a pressão arterial. A média e o desvio padrão foram utilizados para descrever as características da amostra. A correlação de Pearson foi usada para examinar a relação entre os dois dispositivos. A reprodutibilidade foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e eficiência pela curva ROC. Resultados: média / alta correlações foram encontrados (r = 0,80) entre o monitor de frequência cardíaca e aparelho oscilométrico. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse apresentaram valores de 0,88 (0,66-0,96) para as meninas e 0,90 (0,82-0,95) para os meninos. A sensibilidade foi de 70,0 (34,8- 93,3) e 80,4 (28.4- 99.5) e a especificidade de 86,6 (69,3-96,2) e 90,0 (55,5-99,7) para meninos e meninas, respectivament