Caracterização dos hábitos de pequeno-almoço de crianças portuguesas em idade escolar – Programa Escola Missão Continente 2021/2022

Introdução: O pequeno-almoço (PA) desempenha um papel importante nos hábitos alimentares das crianças, constituindo parte de uma dieta saudável e equilibrada fundamental para o seu crescimento e desenvolvimento. Objetivos: Caracterizar os hábitos de PA de crianças em idade escolar participantes no Programa Escola Missão Continente (EMC), quanto à sua composição, frequência e local, associando estes fatores ao estado nutricional infantil. Metodologia: No âmbito do Programa EMC, decorrido no ano letivo 2021/2022, foi desenvolvida uma análise transversal, contando com uma amostra de 573 crianças (51.5% sexo masculino, idades 6-8 anos) de 35 escolas de todos os distritos de Portugal Continental e Regiões Autónomas dos Açores e da Madeira. Foram recolhidos dados antropométricos (peso e estatura) para avaliar o estado nutricional, utilizando a classificação no Índice de Massa Corporal e o referencial de curvas de crescimento da Organização Mundial de Saúde para crianças dos 5 aos 19 anos. A caracterização dos hábitos alimentares foi realizada através de um questionário aplicado aos Encarregados de Educação com questões relativas ao PA. Para o teste de hipóteses, aplicou-se o teste estatístico Qui-quadrado. Resultados: Verificou-se que a maioria das crianças consumia PA diariamente (94,5%) em casa (95,9%), sendo esta composto por produtos lácteos (24,6%), pão e equivalentes (20,7%) e cereais de pequeno-almoço (17,7%). O grupo de crianças que não consumia PA todos os dias da semana apresentava índices de pré-obesidade (25,8%) e obesidade (22,6%), significativamente superiores (p=0,01) comparativamente ao grupo de crianças que consumia pequeno-almoço diariamente (pré-obesidade = 17,0% e obesidade = 10.4%). Os resultados obtidos para os fatores local e composição não foram estatisticamente significativos. Conclusão: A frequência de PA parece estar associada com o estado nutricional infantil. Deste modo, torna-se fundamental implementar bons hábitos alimentares ao PA, desde a infância, em prol da promoção em saúde como parte de todo o desenvolvimento da criança.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Choroidal Indices as Predictors of Visual Outcomes to anti-VEGF Treatment in DME patients, using Swept Source OCT

[Purpose : To evaluate the associations between anti-VEGF therapy and central choroidal thickness (CCT), choroidal vascular density (CVD) and choroidal vascular volume (CVV), in patients with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) using Swept Source OCT (SS-OCT), and to correlate these findings with treatment visual outcomes.]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Picturing Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis Development to Unravel Molecular Players and Cellular Crosstalk

Simple Summary Breast cancer is a devastating disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. With improved therapeutics for the primary tumor, the appearance of metastasis has been increasing. Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the brain, constituting a major hurdle without cure and with a poor survival. It is imperative to better understand the mechanisms involved in malignant cell transposition of the brain microvasculature and parenchymal colonization by deciphering the alterations occurring in the tumor and microvascular cells, as well as the occurrence of intercellular communication during the process. We aimed to profile the process of the formation of breast cancer brain metastasis and the timeline of events governing it. We used a specific mouse model of the disease to perform extensive microscopic analyses. We identified phenotypic changes and the activation of relevant molecular players in tumorigenesis, together with vascular alterations, and the occurrence of crosstalk. Our findings unravel putative therapeutic targets to tackle breast cancer brain metastasis. With breast cancer (BC) therapy improvements, the appearance of brain metastases has been increasing, representing a life-threatening condition. Brain metastasis formation involves BC cell (BCC) extravasation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and brain colonization by unclear mechanisms. We aimed to disclose the actors involved in BC brain metastasis formation, focusing on BCCs' phenotype, growth factor expression, and signaling pathway activation, correlating with BBB alterations and intercellular communication. Hippocampi of female mice inoculated with 4T1 BCCs were examined over time by hematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Well-established metastases were observed at seven days, increasing thereafter. BCCs entering brain parenchyma presented mesenchymal, migratory, and proliferative features; however, with time, they increasingly expressed epithelial markers, reflecting a mesenchymal-epithelial transition. BCCs also expressed platelet-derived growth factor-B, beta(4) integrin, and focal adhesion kinase, suggesting autocrine and/or paracrine regulation with adhesion signaling activation, while balance between Rac1 and RhoA was associated with the motility status. Intercellular communication via gap junctions was clear among BCCs, and between BCCs and endothelial cells. Thrombin accumulation, junctional protein impairment, and vesicular proteins increase reflect BBB alterations related with extravasation. Expression of plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein was increased in BCCs, along with augmented vascularization, whereas pericyte contraction indicated mural cells' activation. Our results provide further understanding of BC brain metastasis formation, disclosing potential therapeutic targets

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Violence and post-traumatic stress disorder in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: the protocol for an epidemiological and genetic survey

Background: violence is a public health major concern, and it is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric outcomes. Brazil is one of the most violent countries in the world, and has an extreme social inequality. Research on the association between violence and mental health may support public health policy and thus reduce the burden of disease attributable to violence. the main objectives of this project were: to study the association between violence and mental disorders in the Brazilian population; to estimate the prevalence rates of exposure to violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, common metal disorder, and alcohol hazardous use and dependence: and to identify contextual and individual factors, including genetic factors, associated with the outcomes.Methods/design: one phase cross-sectional survey carried out in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A multistage probability to size sampling scheme was performed in order to select the participants (3000 and 1500 respectively). the cities were stratified according to homicide rates, and in São Paulo the three most violent strata were oversampled. the measurements included exposure to traumatic events, psychiatric diagnoses (CIDI 2.1), contextual (homicide rates and social indicators), and individual factors, such as demographics, social capital, resilience, help seeking behaviours. the interviews were carried between June/2007 February/2008, by a team of lay interviewers. the statistical analyses will be weight-adjusted in order to take account of the design effects. Standardization will be used in order to compare the results between the two centres. Whole genome association analysis will be performed on the 1 million SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) arrays, and additional association analysis will be performed on additional phenotypes. the Ethical Committee of the Federal University of São Paulo approved the study, and participants who matched diagnostic criteria have been offered a referral to outpatient clinics at the Federal University of São Paulo and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Anti-inflammatory activity of naringin and the biosynthesised naringenin by naringinase immobilized in microstructured materials in a model of DSS-induced colitis in mice

A great number of antioxidants are naturally present in citrus juice, being responsible for their potentially protective action against inflammation. Naringin, a bitter compound, in citrus, is hydrolysed by naringinase into tasteless naringenin and to rhamnose and glucose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of naringin and naringenin in an acute model of induced colitis in mice. Microstructured particles were used for naringinase immobilization. The influence of naringin and naringinase concentration on the bioconversion was evaluated through a central composite design. Colitis was induced by feeding mice 7% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) dissolved in drinking water for 5 days. Intestine dry/wet weight ratio (indicator of intestine edema), nitrates/nitrites (indicators of inflammatory process), and tissue malondialdehyde levels (indicator of lipid peroxidation) were evaluated. Our results indicate that treatment with both naringin and naringenin significantly reduced the formation of intestine edema, suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity in this model of colitis in mice. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.. - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal [SFRH/BD/30716/2006]. - Helder Vila Real was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal. Grant No. SFRH/BD/30716/2006

Retinopathy Phenotypes in Type 2 Diabetes with Different Risks for Macular Edema and Proliferative Retinopathy

Our group reported that three diabetic retinopathy (DR) phenotypes: A, characterized by low microaneurysm turnover (MAT < 6) and normal central retinal thickness (CRT); B, low MAT (<6) and increased CRT, and C, high MAT (≥6), present different risks for development of macular edema (DME) and proliferative retinopathy (PDR). To test these findings, 212 persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and mild nonproliferative retinopathy (NPDR), one eye per person, were followed for five years with annual visits. Of these, 172 completed the follow-up or developed an outcome: PDR or DME (considering both clinically significant macular edema (CSME) and center-involved macular edema (CIME)). Twenty-seven eyes (16%) developed either CSME (14), CIME (10), or PDR (4), with one eye developing both CSME and PDR. Phenotype A showed no association with development of vision-threatening complications. Seven eyes with phenotype B and three with phenotype C developed CIME. Phenotype C showed higher risk for CSME development, with 17.41 odds ratio (p = 0.010), compared with phenotypes A + B. All eyes that developed PDR were classified as phenotype C. Levels of HbA1c and triglycerides were increased in phenotype C (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). In conclusion, phenotype C identifies eyes at higher risk for development of CSME and PDR, whereas phenotype A identifies eyes at very low risk for vision-threatening complications