Relationship Between Body Adiposity and Arterial Stiffness in Young Indian Adults

ABSTRACT Background: Obesity is one of the major cardiovascular risk factors and is linked with arterial stiffness. This study was undertaken to establish the relationship between regional adiposity and arterial stiffness using simple noninvasive techniques. Methods: In total, 181 young Asian Indian adults aged 18–28 years (mean age 21.9 ± 2.2) were measured for adiposity and arterial stiffness. Total body fat percentage was derived from skinfold thickness of various body sites. Body mass index and waist‑hip‑ratio were also measured. Arterial stiffness was measured using a SphygmoCor with a carotid‑radial pulse wave analysis technique. Results: Significant gender differences were observed on anthropometric variables including skinfold thickness (P < 0.05) and all the arterial stiffness variables (P < 0.05) except pulse wave velocity. Systolic pressure, augmentation pressure, augmentation index (AIx), AIx at 75% heart rate, and aortic systolic pressure had statistically significant correlations with all three adiposity variables (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found in a higher number of variables in the females. Physical activity had negative correlations with arterial stiffness and adiposity variables (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Arterial stiffness measured by carotid‑radial pulse wave analysis is strongly related to adiposity measured from skinfold thickness in females. Females had higher arterial stiffness and adiposity compared with men. These findings could be helpful in future research using noninvasive arterial stiffness measurements

Frailty in community-dwelling older people: comparing screening instruments

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index-20 (CFVI-20) instruments regarding degree of agreement and correlation and compare descriptive models with frailty-associated variables in community-dwelling older people in Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, nested in a population-based and household cohort. Baseline sampling was calculated based on a probabilistic approach by conglomerate in two stages. In the first stage, census tract was used as sampling unit. In the second, the number of households was defined according to the population density of individuals aged ≥ 60 years. The Kappa statistic evaluated the agreement between instruments and Pearson’s coefficient their correlation. Factors associated with frailty and high risk of clinical-functional vulnerability were identified by multiple analysis of Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: Kappa statistics was 0.599 and Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.755 (p &lt; 0.001). The EFS found a 28.2% prevalence of frailty, and the CFVI-20 found a 19.5% prevalence of high risk of clinical-functional vulnerability. Age equal to or greater than 80 years, history of stroke, polypharmacy, negative self-perceived health, fall in the past 12 months, and hospitalization in the past 12 months were variables associated with frailty in both instruments after multiple analysis. Less than four years of education, osteoarticular disease, and weight loss were associated with frailty only by EFS, and having a caregiver was associated with a high risk of clinical-functional vulnerability only by CFVI-20. CONCLUSIONS: Although the analyses show moderate agreement and strong positive correlation between the instruments, the indicated prevalence of frailty is discrepant. Our results attest the need to standardize the instrument for assessing frailty in communitydwelling older people.OBJETIVO: Comparar os instrumentos Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) e Índice de Vulnerabilidade Clínico-Funcional-20 (IVCF-20) quanto ao grau de concordância e de correlação, bem como comparar modelos descritivos com variáveis associadas à fragilidade em idosos brasileiros comunitários. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, aninhado a uma coorte de base populacional e domiciliar. A amostragem na linha de base foi probabilística, por conglomerados, em dois estágios. No primeiro, utilizou-se como unidade amostral o setor censitário. No segundo, definiu-se o número de domicílios segundo a densidade populacional de indivíduos com idade ≥ a 60 anos. A estatística Kappa analisou a concordância, e o coeficiente de Pearson avaliou a correlação entre os instrumentos. Os fatores associados à fragilidade e ao alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínicofuncional foram identificados por análise múltipla de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS: A estatística Kappa foi 0,599, e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi de 0,755 (p &lt; 0,001). A prevalência da fragilidade foi de 28,2% pela EFS, e a prevalência do alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional foi de 19,5% pelo IVCF-20. As variáveis associadas à fragilidade, após análise múltipla, em ambos os instrumentos, foram: idade igual ou superior a 80 anos, histórico de acidente vascular encefálico, polifarmácia, autopercepção negativa de saúde, queda nos últimos 12 meses e internação nos últimos 12 meses. Escolaridade inferior a quatro anos, doença osteoarticular e perda de peso foram associadas a fragilidade apenas pela EFS, enquanto possuir cuidador esteve associado a alto risco de vulnerabilidade clínicofuncional somente pelo IVCF-20. CONCLUSÕES: Embora as análises revelem concordância moderada e forte correlação positiva entre os instrumentos, a prevalência de fragilidade apontada é discrepante. O resultado destaca a necessidade de padronizar o instrumento para aferir a fragilidade em idosos comunitários

EFFECTS OF CULTIVATION CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING FUNGAL PELLETS

Os fungos filamentosos são amplamente utilizados na biotecnologia para a produção de diversos produtos. Os pellets são aglomerados esféricos de micélios densamente entrelaçados, que facilitam a separação da biomassa do meio de cultivo. O estudo realizado teve como objetivo avaliar a formação de pellets do fungo Aspergillus niger em dois diferentes meios de cultivo, enriquecidos com diferentes fontes de nitrogênio e variação do pH. Os esporos fúngicos foram incubados nos dois meios de cultivo avaliados, nas faixas de pH 6, 7, 8 e 9 a 28ºC por 48 h em agitador orbital. A análise de sólidos suspensos totais (SST) foi realizada para avaliar o crescimento dos pellets e as médias foram comparadas através de Two-way ANOVA e teste de Tukey (&lt;0,05). O meio Sabouraud apresentou diferença significativa no rendimento entre o pH 7 e o pH 9. O meio composto também apresentou diferenças de rendimento e morfologia dos pellets de acordo com o pH utilizado. O estudo concluiu que o tipo de meio de cultivo e o pH influenciam diretamente no crescimento dos pellets fúngicos. O meio Sabouraud obteve melhor desempenho, com resultados diferentes dependendo do pH utilizado. O pH próximo ao valor ótimo de 7 foi mais favorável para a produção de biomassa.Filamentous fungi are widely used un biotechnology for the production various products. The pellets are densely intertwined spherical clusters of mycelia, which facilitate the separations of biomass from the culture medium. The objective of this study was to evaluate the formation of pellets of the fungus Aspergillus niger in two different culture media, enriched with different sources of nitrogen and pH variation. Fungal spores were incubated in the two culture media evaluated, at pH 6, 7, 8 and 9 at 28ºC for 48 h in an orbital shaker. Total supend solids (TSS) analysis was performed to assess pellet growth and means were compared using Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (&lt;0,05). The Sabouraud medium showed a significant difference in yield between pH 7 and pH 9. The composite medium also showed differences in yield and pellet morphology according to the pH used. The study concluded that the type of culture medium and pH directly influence the growth of fungal pellets. The Sabouraud medium performed better, with different results depending on the pH used. The pH close to the optimal value of 7 was more favorable for biomass production.&nbsp

Prevalence of cognitive impairment before prostate cancer treatment

Cognitive impairment is common among patients with different types of cancer, even before cancer treatment, but no data were reported among patients with prostate cancer (PCa), who may be at high risk due to advanced age. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment before PCa treatment. Between February 2018 and April 2021, the NEON-PC cohort recruited 605 patients with PCa proposed for treatment at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess cognitive performance. Participants with a MoCA n = 351 men aged ≥40 years, evaluated in 2013–2015) were used for comparison. The prevalence of PCI was 17.4% in EPIPorto and 14.7% in NEON-PC (age- and education-adjusted odds ratio: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.58,1.18). Neuropsychological assessment was performed in 63 patients with PCa: 54.0% had cognitive impairment. These results suggest that the impact of PCa on cognitive performance could be negligible in the short term, contrary to what other studies have reported regarding other types of cancer.This study was funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Program Competitiveness and Internationalization, national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology-FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) under the project ‘NEON-PC-Neuro-oncological complications of prostate cancer: longitudinal study of cognitive decline’ (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032358; Ref. PTDC/SAU-EPI/32358/2017), and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia-Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit; UIDB/04750/2020) and ITR (LA/P/0064/2020), financed by national funds from FCT. A.C., C.L., and S.M. were funded under the scope of the project ‘NEON-PC—Neuro-oncological complications of prostate cancer: longitudinal study of cognitive decline’ (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032358; Ref. PTDC/SAU-EPI/32358/2017). S.M. also received funding under EPIunit-Junior Research-Prog Financing (UIDP/04750/2020). An individual PhD grant attributed to N.A. (SFRH/BD/119390/2016) was funded by FCT and the ‘Programa Operacional Capital Humano’ (POCH/FSE)

Anxiety and depression in patients with prostate cancer, at cancer diagnosis and after a one-year follow-up

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent among men, and psychological symptoms may affect many patients. This study aims to describe the prevalence of probable anxiety and depression before PCa treatments and after one year and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with these outcomes. Between February 2018 and March 2020, 292 patients recently diagnosed with PCa were recruited at the Instituto Português de Oncologia—Porto. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to define probable anxiety and depression (cutoff = 11). The prevalence of probable anxiety remained stable from baseline to one year (7.8% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.866) while there was an increase in probable depression (3.1% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.012). After one year, probable depression persisted in 55.6% of patients with probable depression at baseline and 47.8% of those with probable anxiety at the first assessment had normal anxiety scores. At baseline, anxiety was more frequent among dwellers in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio—aOR, 95%CI: 2.80, 0.91–8.58) and less frequent in patients with body mass index 25–29.9 kg/m2 (aOR, 95%CI: 0.33, 0.12–0.91) compared to 18.5–24.9 Kg/m2, while those living alone had higher odds of depression (aOR, 95%CI: 6.35, 1.43–28.30). The frequency of anxiety and depression fluctuated during the course of treatment. Monitoring these symptoms would identify the most affected patients, contributing for a better use of mental health services.This study was funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Program Competitiveness and Internationalization, and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) under the project “NEON-PC—Neuro-oncological complications of prostate cancer: longitudinal study of cognitive decline” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032358; Ref. PTDC/SAU-EPI/32358/2017), and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia—Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit, UIDB/04750/2020; ITR, LA/P/0064/2020) financed by national funds from FCT. AC, CL, and SM were funded under the scope of the project “NEON-PC—Neuro-oncological complications of prostate cancer: longitudinal study of cognitive decline” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032358; Ref. PTDC/SAU-EPI/32358/2017). SM also received funding under EPIUnit—Junior Research—Prog Financing (UIDP/04750/2020). An individual PhD grant attributed to NA (SFRH/BD/119390/2016) was funded by FCT and the “Programa Operacional Capital Humano” (POCH/FSE)

PECTIN METHYLESTERASE ACTIVITY DETERMINED BY DIFFERENT METHODS AND THERMAL INACTIVATION OF EXOGENOUS PME IN MANGO JUICE Determinação da atividade da pectina metilesterase por diferentes métodos e inativação térmica da PME exógena no suco de manga

ABSTRACT Pectin methylesterase (PME) hydrolyzes methyl ester groups in pectin chains to form carboxylic groups, releasing methanol and H 3 O + . The aim of this study was to determine PME activity in samples of pectinases by UV-VIS spectroscopy, to measure the acid and methanol produced in the reaction of pectin with pectinase and to verify the thermal inactivation of exogenous PME in mango juice. The activity of PME in samples of pectinase was determined by potentiometry, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and by the action of alcohol oxidase. The reaction showed greater activity at pH 4.0 to 4.5 and at a temperature of 45° C. PME activity determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy with bromophenol blue indicator showed a good correlation with the activity determined by potentiometry and with alcohol oxidase. The results showed that bromophenol blue indicators can be used to determine PME activity in samples of pectinases where the optimum pH is located in the acidic range. The thermal inactivation of exogenous PME in mango juice occurred at 75° C for 20 min of exposure. Index terms: Pectin metilesterase, activity, thermal inactivation, mango juice. RESUMO A PME hidrolisa os grupos metil éster na cadeia da pectina, formando grupos carboxílicos, liberando metanol e H 3 O + . Objetivou-se, com o presente estudo, determinar a atividade da PME em amostras de pectinases por espectroscopia Uv-vis para quantificar o ácido e o metanol produzido na reação da pectina com as pectinases e verificar a inativação térmica da PME exógena no suco de manga. A atividade da PME nas três amostras de pectinases foi determinada por potenciometria, espectroscopia Uv-Vis, e pela ação da álcool oxidase. A reação mostrou uma maior atividade em H de 4,0 a 4,5 e a temperatura de 45º C. A atividade da PME, determinada por UV-Vis com o indicador azul de bromofenol apresentou uma boa correlação com a atividade determinada por potenciometria e com a álcool oxidase. Os resultados mostraram que o indicador azul de bromofenol pode ser utilizado para determinar a atividade da PME em amostras de pectinases em que o pH ótimo situa-se na faixa ácida. A inativação térmica da PME no suco de manga ocorreu na temperatura de 75º C, por 20 min de exposição. Termos para indexação: Pectina metilesterase, atividade, inativação térmica, suco de manga

CÂNCER ”“ UMA DOENÇA PSICOSSOCIAL:: CÂNCER NO HOMEM E A HERANÇA DA CULTURA MACHISTA

O presente trabalho objetivou compreender o câncer do homem abrangendo seu lado psicossocial,trazendo à tona a cultura machista impregnada na sociedade e seus efeitos sobreo diagnóstico e recuperação desses pacientes. O estudo foi baseado principalmenteem coleta de dados de 7 artigos publicados entre os anos de 2006 a 2012, sobreos quais foi relatado o câncer no pênis, o câncer de próstata e o câncer detestículo. No contexto estudado, o câncer em homens mostrou-se especialmentenegligenciado por afetar o símbolo da virilidade, dentro da cultura machista.Por este motivo, foi-se identificado a dificuldade do homem em procurarassistência de saúde, acompanhada de diagnósticos tardios e prejudiciais aoprognóstico. Vergonha de se submeter a práticas invasivas e medo dasconsequências da doença demonstraram ser as maiores causas para omissãomasculina mediante ajuda médica. Dessa forma, viu-se necessária investimento emcapacitação da equipe de saúde para orientação, atendimento e recuperação dessepaciente

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe

The Seventeenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: Complete Release of MaNGA, MaStar and APOGEE-2 Data

This paper documents the seventeenth data release (DR17) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys; the fifth and final release from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). DR17 contains the complete release of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey, which reached its goal of surveying over 10,000 nearby galaxies. The complete release of the MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar) accompanies this data, providing observations of almost 30,000 stars through the MaNGA instrument during bright time. DR17 also contains the complete release of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) survey which publicly releases infra-red spectra of over 650,000 stars. The main sample from the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), as well as the sub-survey Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS) data were fully released in DR16. New single-fiber optical spectroscopy released in DR17 is from the SPectroscipic IDentification of ERosita Survey (SPIDERS) sub-survey and the eBOSS-RM program. Along with the primary data sets, DR17 includes 25 new or updated Value Added Catalogs (VACs). This paper concludes the release of SDSS-IV survey data. SDSS continues into its fifth phase with observations already underway for the Milky Way Mapper (MWM), Local Volume Mapper (LVM) and Black Hole Mapper (BHM) surveys