A study on the relationship between muscle function, functional mobility and level of physical activity in community-dwelling elderly

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a relação da função muscular de membros inferiores (MMII), circunferência de panturrilha (CP), força de preensão palmar (FPP), mobilidade funcional e nível de atividade física (NAF) em idosos comunitários ativos com idades entre 65-69, 70-79 e 80 ou mais anos e identificar a melhor medida clínica para rastreamento de redução de função muscular de MMII em idosos. MÉTODOS: Oitenta e um idosos (42 mulheres e 39 homens) submeteram-se à avaliação da velocidade de marcha (Kit Multisprint), FPP (dinamômetro Jamar), força e potência muscular de MMII (dinamômetro isocinético Biodex), NAF (Perfil de Atividade Humana) e CP (fita métrica). Procedeu-se à análise estatística com ANOVA, correlação de Pearson e curva ROC. RESULTADOS: Os idosos de 80 ou mais anos apresentaram valores menores que os de 65-69 para CP dominante (34,9±3 vs 37,7±3,6), velocidade de marcha habitual (VMH) (1,1±0,2 vs 1,2±0,2) e velocidade de marcha máxima (VMM) (1,4±0,3 vs 1,7±0,3), FPP (23,8±7,5 vs 31,8±10,3), média de pico de torque (MPT) e potência média (PM) de quadril, joelho e tornozelo (p<0,05). O NAF não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos. A força e potência muscular apresentaram correlações moderadas com VMH, VMM e FPP e correlações baixas com a CP e com o NAF (p<0,05). A curva ROC sugeriu o ponto de corte de FPP de 14,51 Kgf para rastreamento de redução de função muscular nas mulheres idosas (p=0,03). CONCLUSÕES: Existe associação entre a função muscular de MMII, FPP e VMM: esses parâmetros diminuem com o envelhecimento, e a FPP pode prever redução de função muscular de MMII em idosas.Objectives: to evaluate the relationship between lower extremity muscle function, calf circumference (CC), handgrip strength (HG), functional mobility and level of physical activity among age groups (65-69, 70-79, 80+) of older adults (men and women) and to identify the best parameter for screening muscle function loss in the elderly. Methods: 81 community-dwelling elderly (42 women and 39 men) participated. Walking speed (Multisprint Kit), HG (Jamar dynamometer), hip, knee and ankle muscle function (Biodex isokinetic dynamometer), level of physical activity (Human Activity Profle) and CC (tape measure) were evaluated. ANOVA, Pearson correlation and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. Results: Dominant CC (34.9±3 vs 37.7±3.6), habitual (1.1±0.2 vs 1.2±0.2) and fast (1.4±0.3 vs 1.7±0.3) walking speed, HG (23.8±7.5 vs 31.8±10.3), average peak torque and average hip, knee and ankle power (p<0.05) were lower for the 80+ group than for the 65-69 year-olds. There were no differences in physical activity level among age groups. Moderate signifcant correlations were found between muscle function parameters, walking speed and HG; a fair degree of relationship was found between muscle function parameters, CC and level of physical activity (p<0.05). The ROC curve analysis suggested a cutoff point of 14.51 Kgf for screening muscle function loss in elderly women (p=0.03). Conclusions: This study demonstrated an association between muscle function, HG and fast walking speed, a decrease in these parameters with age and the possibility of using HG to screen for muscle function of the lower extremities

Intersetorialidade e potenciais conflitos de interesse entre governos e setor privado comercial no âmbito das ações de alimentação e nutrição para o enfrentamento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis

This article analyzed the potential conflicts of interest between government and private commercial sectors in the area of food and nutrition (FN) activities within the context of intersectoral proposals for dealing with chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) in Brazil. To this end, academic articles and institutional documents published after 2000 were identified that addressed FN actions in CNCD policies guided by intersectoriality. Elements that contributed to understanding the potential conflicts of interest between governments and the private, commercial sector within the context of intersectoral strategies to deal with CNCD were prioritized. It was concluded that the principle of intersectoriality disassociated from a political process that complicates the eligibility criteria and institutional practices of the sectors responsible for the set of actions that comprise government policies may serve as facilitators for favoring commercial interests. Participation in the decision-making process of the sectors of commercial interest whose practices, driven by increased demand for their products and the progressive concentration of power, contradict the purposes and principles of public policy, may delay, reduce, or prevent effective actions to reduce CNCD. This possibility is particularly relevant in the context of attributions that are specific to government entities, especially regulatory strategies.Neste artigo foram analisados os potenciais conflitos entre interesses governamentais e privados de caráter comercial em torno das ações de alimentação e nutrição (AN) no âmbito de propostas intersetoriais de enfrentamento das DCNT no Brasil. Para tal, foram identificados artigos acadêmicos e documentos institucionais publicados a partir de 2000 que abordassem as ações de AN em políticas de DCNT pautadas pela intersetorialidade. Foram priorizados elementos que contribuíssem para a compreensão dos potenciais conflitos de interesse entre governos e o setor privado comercial no âmbito de estratégias intersetoriais de enfrentamento de DCNT. Concluiu-se que o princípio da intersetorialidade, desassociado de um processo político que problematize os critérios de eleição e as práticas institucionais dos setores que respondem pelo conjunto de ações que compõe as políticas governamentais, pode servir como facilitador do favorecimento de interesses comerciais. A participação no processo decisório de setores de interesse comercial cujas práticas ferem objetivos e princípios das políticas públicas, movidos pela expansão da demanda por seus produtos e pela concentração progressiva de poder, pode retardar, atenuar ou impedir ações efetivas na redução de DCNT. Esta possibilidade é particularmente relevante no âmbito de atribuições que são próprias aos entes Estatais, especialmente as estratégias regulatórias

Stability and biological activity of Merlot (Vitis vinifera) grape pomace phytochemicals after simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation

Grape pomace is an abundant/accessible food industry by-product that contains a wide range of phenolic compounds, which have been related to several health benefits and bioactivities. The aim of this study was to mimic the gastrointestinal digestion and the colonic fermentation of Merlot grape pomace, in order to unravel possible phytochemical contents reductions and the processes associated with them, as a tentative to relate the phenolic compound profiles of the extracts with their biological properties. LC-DAD-ESI/MS suggested that the in vitro digestion process promoted drastic qualitative and quantitative reductions in the phenolic compounds profile of the Merlot grape pomace crude extract. Such alterations could be related to the decreases of some bioactivities of the extract, which seems to be the case of antioxidant and antibacterial properties, although not in a directly proportional manner. However, the simulated colonic fermentation seems to have a positive effect over the extract's antiproliferative potential.R.C.G. Correa thank Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento do Pessoal do Ensino Superior (CAPES) and Fundação Araucária for the financial support provided for her post-graduate studies in Federal University of Technology - Paraná (contract 100/2014). Authors C.G. Kato and V.G. Correa thank CAPES for the financial support provided for their post-graduate studies in the State University of Maringá. R.M. Peralta (Project number 307944/2015-8) and C.W.I. Haminiuk (project number 303238/2013-5 and 304978/2016-7) are research grant recipients of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnologia (CNPq). The authors are also thankful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Program PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013), L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015) and M.I. Dias (SFRH/BD/84485/2012) grants. To POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by ERDF, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antifungal nanofibers made by controlled release of sea animal derived peptide

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015Candida albicans is a common human-pathogenic fungal species with the ability to cause several diseases including surface infections. Despite the clear difficulties of Candida control, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as an alternative strategy for fungal control. In this report, different concentrations of antifungal Cm-p1 (Cencritchis muricatus peptide 1) were electrospun into nanofibers for drug delivery. The nanofibers were characterized by mass spectrometry confirming the presence of the peptide on the scaffold. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy were used to measure the diameters, showing that Cm-p1 affects fiber morphology as well as the diameter and scaffold thickness. The Cm-p1 release behavior from the nanofibers demonstrated peptide release from 30 min to three days, leading to effective yeast control in the first 24 hours. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the fibers were evaluated through a MTS assay as well as ROS production by using a HUVEC model, showing that the fibers do not affect cell viability and only nanofibers containing 10% Cm-p1–PVA improved ROS generation. In addition, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α by the HUVECs was also slightly modified by the 10% Cm-p1–PVA nanofibers. In conclusion, the electrospinning technique applied here allowed for the manufacture of biodegradable biomimetic nanofibrous extracellular membranes with the ability to control fungal infectionThis work was supported by CAPES, FUNDECT, CNPq, FAPDF, UCB, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – Ministério da Educação e Ciência (FCT-MEC, Portugal) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal

The who-when-why triangle of complementary and alternative medicine use among Portuguese IBD patients

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing among chronic patients, particularly those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. Aim: This study aimed to address the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use among Portuguese inflammatory bowel diseases' patients. Methods: Patients were invited to fill an anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicines. Results: Thirty-one per cent of the patients reported having used complementary and alternative medicines in the past, whereas 12% were using them by the time the questionnaire was administered. Fifty-nine per cent of the users did not share this information with their physician, whereas 14% and 8% discontinued their medication and periodical examination, respectively. Steroids prescription (OR = 2.880) and a higher instruction level (OR = 3.669) were predictors of complementary and alternative medicines use in this cohort. Conclusions: Roughly a third of Portuguese IBD patients had used CAM. Steroid treatment and an academic degree are associated with CAM use. Given the potential side effects and interactions, patient information about the benefits and limitations of conventional and complementary treatments should be reinforced. (C) 2017 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.GEDII (Portuguese IBD Study Group)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Educação em soberania e segurança alimentar e nutricional no atual contexto brasileiro

El propósito de este artículo es ofrecer un análisis de Soberanía y Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (SSAN) en la sociedad brasileña actual. Por lo tanto, a partir de la hipótesis de que a pesar de los avances en torno a este concepto en el ámbito político en Brasil, es necesario avanzar en la inclusión de este tema en la educación, así como la superación de los determinantes estructurales que impiden su realización bajo el tipo de capitalismo que tenemos en el país. El artículo hace una breve descripción de los factores sociales e históricos de SSAN en Brasil y defiende el lugar de la SSAN en los procesos educativos de los sistemas de ensenãnza y de la educación popular. Se considera que la agroecología como un modo de producción,movimiento social y ciencia es capaz de cumplir con las condiciones para lograr la SSAN.The aim of this article is to offer an analysis of Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty in the current Brazilian society. Therefore, starts from the hypothesis that despite advances around this concept in the political sphere in Brazil, it is necessary to advance the inclusion of this topic in education, as well as overcoming the structural determinants that impede its realization under the type of capitalism we have in the country. The article is a brief description of the social and historical determinants of Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty in Brazil and defends the place of Food and Nutritional Security Sovereignty in educational processes of education systems and popular education. Be considered to agroecology as a mode of production, social movement and science is able to meet the conditions for achieving Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty.Eje A6: Desarrollo Rural, Movimientos Sociales, Estado y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Educação em soberania e segurança alimentar e nutricional no atual contexto brasileiro

El propósito de este artículo es ofrecer un análisis de Soberanía y Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (SSAN) en la sociedad brasileña actual. Por lo tanto, a partir de la hipótesis de que a pesar de los avances en torno a este concepto en el ámbito político en Brasil, es necesario avanzar en la inclusión de este tema en la educación, así como la superación de los determinantes estructurales que impiden su realización bajo el tipo de capitalismo que tenemos en el país. El artículo hace una breve descripción de los factores sociales e históricos de SSAN en Brasil y defiende el lugar de la SSAN en los procesos educativos de los sistemas de ensenãnza y de la educación popular. Se considera que la agroecología como un modo de producción,movimiento social y ciencia es capaz de cumplir con las condiciones para lograr la SSAN.The aim of this article is to offer an analysis of Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty in the current Brazilian society. Therefore, starts from the hypothesis that despite advances around this concept in the political sphere in Brazil, it is necessary to advance the inclusion of this topic in education, as well as overcoming the structural determinants that impede its realization under the type of capitalism we have in the country. The article is a brief description of the social and historical determinants of Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty in Brazil and defends the place of Food and Nutritional Security Sovereignty in educational processes of education systems and popular education. Be considered to agroecology as a mode of production, social movement and science is able to meet the conditions for achieving Food and Nutritional Security and Sovereignty.Eje A6: Desarrollo Rural, Movimientos Sociales, Estado y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale