A Systematic Review

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.The recognition that the gut microbiota of obese children differs from lean children has grown, and some studies suggest that physical activity positively influences the gut microbiota. This systematic review explores the changes in the gut microbiota composition of obese and non-obese children and adolescents and provides an understanding of the effects of physical activity interventions in modulating their microbiota. The PRISMA protocol was used across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Overall, twenty-four research papers were included in accordance with the chosen inclusion and exclusion criteria, eighteen studies compared the gut microbiota of obese and normal-weight children and adolescents, and six studies explored the effect of physical activity interventions on the gut microbiota. The analysis indicated that obese gut microbiota is reduced in Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium and alpha diversity but enriched in Proteobacteria and Lactobacillus. Interventions with physical activity seem to improve the alpha diversity and beneficial bacteria linked to body weight loss in children and adolescents. The gut microbiota of obese children exhibited a remarkably individual variation. More interventions are needed to clearly and accurately explore the relationships between child obesity, gut microbiota, and physical activity and to develop approaches to decrease the incidence of paediatric obesity.publishersversionpublishe

Effects of “Football and Nutrition for Health” program on body composition, physical fitness, eating behaviours, nutritional knowledge, and psychological status among 7 to 10 years school children

Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the children and their legal guardians, teachers, coaches and researchers, the Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), the Portugal Football School, and the Municipality of Águeda. Publisher Copyright: 2023 Morgado, Sousa, Coelho, Vale, Costa and Seabra.Introduction: Noncommunicable diseases and obesity are between the major health threat due to consumption of unhealthy foods and limited time spent on physical activities, a situation of particular concern among children. Since children spend most of their time at school, this study intends to investigate the effect of a school intervention program, which combines recreational football and nutrition education, on body composition, physical fitness, physical activity, blood pressure and heart rate, eating behaviours, nutritional knowledge, and psychological status in elementary school children. Methods: A total of 67 children, between 7 and 10 years old, were allocated into three groups: the Football Group (FG) which held 2 weekly sessions of 60 min of recreational football, the Nutrition and Football Group (NFG) which held 2 sessions per week of 60 min of recreational football plus 60 min of nutritional education and the Control Group (CG) which maintained its usual curriculum. The intervention lasted 12 weeks. All measurements were collected before and after the intervention. Results: Intervention groups significantly (p < 0.05) improved BMI Z-score, rest heart rate, horizontal jump and shuttle test, physical activity level, and psychosocial health. The NFG group significantly decreased (p < 0.05) waist-to-height ratio and blood pressure, and significantly increased (p < 0.05) nutritional knowledge, fruit, and fish consumption. While FG significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the percentage of fat mass and significantly increased (p < 0.05) muscle mass and performance in the 20 m sprint. Discussion: The results have shown to improve nutritional status, explosive strength, aerobic and neuromuscular fitness, as well as increase the level of physical activity. The nutritional education sessions contributed to increase nutritional knowledge and to improve the consumption of healthy food groups in a ludic-educational way. The “Football and Nutrition for Health” program was able to induce short-term improvements in several health markers, highlighting the role of the school curriculum in children's health.publishersversionpublishe

Effects of Physical Activity and Nutrition Education on the Gut Microbiota in Overweight and Obese Children

Funding Information: This research was funding by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT/UIDB/00617/2020) and by the Portuguese Football Federation, Portugal Football School. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Childhood obesity continues to represent a growing challenge, and it has been associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study examines the gut microbiota composition in overweight and obese school children and assesses whether a 12-week multidisciplinary intervention can induce changes in the gut microbiota. The intervention, which combined recreational football and nutritional education, was implemented among 15 school children, aged 7–10 years, with a Body Mass Index ≥ 85th percentile. The children were assigned into two groups: Football Group (n = 9) and Nutrition and Football Group (n = 6). Faecal samples were collected at the beginning and end of the program and analysed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Over the intervention, a significant decrease was found collectively for Bifidobacterium genera (p = 0.011) and for Roseburia genera in the Football Group (p = 0.021). The relative abundance of Roseburia (p = 0.002) and Roseburia faecis (p = 0.009) was negatively correlated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), while Prevotella copri was positively correlated with MVPA (p = 0.010) and with the daily intake of protein (p = 0.008). Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary intervention was capable of inducing limited but significant positive changes in the gut microbiota composition in overweight and obese school children.publishersversionpublishe

p62/SQSTM1 is required for cell survival of apoptosis-resistant bone metastatic prostate cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) paracrine factor(s) can induce apoptosis in bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. However, the PCa cells that escape BMSC-induced apoptosis can upregulate cytoprotective autophagy. METHODS: C4-2, C4-2B, MDA PCa 2a, MDA PCa 2b, VCaP, PC3, or DU145 PCa cell lines were grown in BMSC conditioned medium and analyzed for mRNA and/or protein accumulation of p62 (also known as sequestome-1/SQSTM1), Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B), or lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR), Western blot, or immunofluorescence. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to determine if p62 is necessary PCa cell survival. RESULTS: BMSC paracrine signaling upregulated p62 mRNA and protein in a subset of the PCa cell lines. The PCa cell lines that were insensitive to BMSC-induced apoptosis and autophagy induction had elevated basal p62 mRNA and protein. In the BMSC-insensitive PCa cell lines, siRNA knockdown of p62 was cytotoxic and immunostaining showed peri-nuclear clustering of autolysosomes. However, in the BMSC-sensitive PCa cell lines, p62 siRNA knockdown was not appreciably cytotoxic and did not affect autolysosome subcellular localization. CONCLUSIONS: A pattern emerges wherein the BMSC-sensitive PCa cell lines are known to be osteoblastic and express the androgen receptor, while the BMSC-insensitive PCa cell lines are characteristically osteolytic and do not express the androgen receptor. Furthermore, BMSC-insensitive PCa may have evolved a dependency on p62 for cell survival that could be exploited to target and kill these apoptosis-resistant PCa cells in the bone

Prediction of Simulated 1,000 m Kayak Ergometer Performance in Young Athletes

This study aimed to develop a predictive explanatory model for the 1,000-m time-trial (TT) performance in young national-level kayakers, from biomechanical and physiological parameters assessed in a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Twelve young male flat-water kayakers (age 16.1 ± 1.1 years) participated in the study. The design consisted of 2 exercise protocols, separated by 48 h, on a kayak ergometer. The first protocol consisted of a GXT starting at 8 km.h−1 with increments in speed of 1 km.h−1 at each 2-min interval until exhaustion. The second protocol comprised the 1,000-m TT. Results: In the GXT, they reached an absolute (Formula presented.) O2max of 3.5 ± 0.7 (L.min−1), a maximum aerobic power (MAP) of 138.5 ± 24.5 watts (W) and a maximum aerobic speed (MAS) of 12.8 ± 0.5 km/h. The TT had a mean duration of 292.3 ± 15 s, a power output of 132.6 ± 22.0 W and a (Formula presented.) O2max of 3.5 ± 0.6 (L.min−1). The regression model [TT (s) = 413.378–0.433 × (MAP)−0.554 × (stroke rate at MAP)] presented an R2 = 84.5%. Conclusion: It was found that (Formula presented.) O2max, stroke distance and stroke rate during the GXT were not different from the corresponding variables ((Formula presented.) O2peak, stroke distance and stroke rate) observed during the TT. The MAP and the corresponding stroke rate were strong predicting factors of 1,000 m TT performance. In conclusion, the TT can be useful for quantifying biomechanical parameters (stroke distance and stroke rate) and to monitor training induced changes in the cardiorespiratory fitness ((Formula presented.) O2max)

A 3D inﾠvitro model of patient-derived prostate cancer xenograft for controlled interrogation of inﾠvivo tumor-stromal interactions

Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models better represent human cancer than traditional cell lines. However, the complex in vivo environment makes it challenging to employ PDX models to investigate tumor-stromal interactions, such as those that mediate prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastasis. Thus, we engineered a defined three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel system capable of supporting the co-culture of PCa PDX cells and osteoblastic cells to recapitulate the PCa-osteoblast unit within the bone metastatic microenvironment in vitro. Our 3D model not only maintained cell viability but also preserved the typical osteogenic phenotype of PCa PDX cells. Additionally, co-culture cellularity was maintained over that of either cell type cultured alone, suggesting that the PCa-osteoblast cross-talk supports PCa progression in bone, as is hypothesized to occur in patients with prostatic bone metastasis. Strikingly, osteoblastic cells co-cultured with PCa PDX tumoroids organized around the tumoroids, closely mimicking the architecture of PCa metastases in bone. Finally, tumor-stromal signaling mediated by the fibroblast growth factor axis tightly paralleled that in the in vivo counterpart. Together, these findings indicate that this 3D PCa PDX model recapitulates important pathological properties of PCa bone metastasis, and validate the use of this model for controlled and systematic interrogation of complex in vivo tumor-stromal interactions

Tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ stimulate MUC16 (CA125) expression in breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers through NFκB

Transmembrane mucins (TMs) are restricted to the apical surface of normal epithelia. In cancer, TMs not only are over-expressed, but also lose polarized distribution. MUC16/CA125 is a high molecular weight TM carrying the CA125 epitope, a well-known molecular marker for human cancers. MUC16 mRNA and protein expression was mildly stimulated by low concentrations of TNFα (2.5 ng/ml) or IFNγ (20 IU/ml) when used alone; however, combined treatment with both cytokines resulted in a moderate (3-fold or less) to large (> 10-fold) stimulation of MUC16 mRNA and protein expression in a variety of cancer cell types indicating that this may be a general response. Human cancer tissue microarray analysis indicated that MUC16 expression directly correlates with TNFα and IFNγ staining intensities in certain cancers. We show that NFκB is an important mediator of cytokine stimulation of MUC16 since siRNA-mediated knockdown of NFκB/p65 greatly reduced cytokine responsiveness. Finally, we demonstrate that the 250 bp proximal promoter region of MUC16 contains an NFκB binding site that accounts for a large portion of the TNFα response. Developing methods to manipulate MUC16 expression could provide new approaches to treating cancers whose growth or metastasis is characterized by elevated levels of TMs, including MUC16

MUC16/CA125 Regulation by the Proinflammatory Cytokines TNF α and IFNγ and the PPARγ Agonist Rosiglitazone in Breast and Ovarian Cancers

MUC16 is a high molecular weight transmembrane mucin (TM) carrying the CA125 epitope, a well-known molecular marker for human cancers. TMs are restricted to the apical surface of normal epithelia. TMs not only are over-expressed, but also lose polarized distribution in cancers. Similar to other TMs, MUC16 is overexpressed in a variety of epithelial cancers. In this work the regulation of MUC16 by the proinflammatory cytokines, TNFα and IFNγ, in addition to the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, a drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, was explored. MUC16 mRNA and protein expression was mildly stimulated by low concentrations of TNFα or IFNγ when used alone; however, combined treatment with both cytokines resulted in a moderate (3-fold or less) to large (>10-fold) stimulation of MUC16 mRNA and protein expression in a variety of cancer cell types indicating that this may be a general response. Human cancer tissue microarray analysis indicated that MUC16 expression directly correlates with TNFα and IFNγ staining intensities in certain cancers. NFκB is an important mediator of cytokine stimulation of MUC16 since siRNA-mediated knockdown of NFκB/p65 greatly reduced cytokine responsiveness. The 250 bp proximal promoter region of MUC16 contains an NFκB binding site that accounts for a large portion of the TNFα response. Rosiglitazone exerts a dual role in the regulation of MUC16 since at low pharmacologically relevant concentrations it further stimulates MUC16 in combination with cytokines, but at high concentrations inhibits cytokine stimulated MUC16. This regulation also is PPARγ dependent. In this work methods were developed to manipulate MUC16 expression that can provide new approaches to treating cancers whose growth or metastasis is characterized by elevated levels of TMs, including MUC16

Caracterização Antropométrica, Avaliação da Ingestão Nutricional e Dispêndio Energético em Canoístas Portugueses de Elite

Dissertação de Mestrado em Nutrição Clínica apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra.A canoagem é uma modalidade desportiva, praticada com canoa ou kayak, sendo modalidade Olímpica desde 1936. Dado que a competitividade no desporto é cada vez mais elevada e exigente, cujas vitórias se podem decidir em partes de segundo, a nutrição surge como uma ferramenta que pode fazer a diferença entre ganhar e perder. Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar a composição corporal, determinar o somatótipo, estimar a ingestão nutricional e o dispêndio energético em canoístas portugueses de elite, no período pré-competitivo e competitivo da época 2015/2016. Fizeram parte do estudo 21 atletas da seleção nacional, praticantes das disciplinas de velocidade, com participações internacionais, 15 homens e 6 mulheres, com uma média de idades de 22,4 ± 4,12 anos e 24,83 ± 7,52 anos, respetivamente. Foram medidas as estaturas, peso, pregas adiposas, diâmetros e perímetros para avaliação da composição corporal e determinação do somatótipo. O preenchimento de registos alimentares e de registos de atividade física de 3 dias forneceu informações relativamente à ingestão nutricional e dispêndio energético dos atletas, respetivamente. A estatura média dos homens foi 1,77 ± 0,07 metros e das mulheres 1,62 ± 0,07 metros. Os resultados demonstraram que o peso (homens – P1: 77,43 ± 7,15 kg e P2: 77,16 ± 6,46 kg; mulheres – P1: 61,48 ± 6,13 kg e P2: 60,38 ± 5,13 kg) e a percentagem de gordura (homens – P1: 10,55 ± 2,00 e P2: 9,48 ± 1,77; mulheres – P1: 22,63 ± 1,62 e P2: 20,97 ± 1,10) tendem a diminuir ao longo da época, sendo a percentagem de gordura menor nos atletas masculinos (p ≤ 0,01). Quanto à determinação do somatótipo, metodologia de Heath-Carter que permite descrever e comparar a morfologia externa dos indivíduos, os resultados revelaram uma predominância da componente mesomorfa, em ambos os géneros e categorias (mulheres e praticantes de kayak: endo-mesomorfo; praticantes de canoa: mesomorfo equilibrado). A ingestão energética, de hidratos de carbono, fibra e lípidos foram inferiores às recomendações e a ingestão de proteínas superior. Verificou-se ainda uma ingestão inadequada de alguns micronutrientes, nomeadamente, insuficiente em vitamina D e mineral K e excessiva em Na, Mg e vitamina A (nas mulheres). O dispêndio energético revelou ser superior à ingestão, resultando num balanço energético maioritariamente negativo. Os dados antropométricos permitem-nos conhecer o perfil antropométrico dos canoístas portugueses, mas devemos ser cautelosos na análise dos resultados de ingestão nutricional, pelo facto do método não estar isento de possíveis viéses. Este conhecimento poderá ser usado como um guia para identificação de jovens talentos, ajudar a estabelecer um perfil específico para canoístas de elite. Além disso, este trabalho vem realçar que as escolhas alimentares determinam o estado de saúde, gestão da composição corporal e a disponibilidade de substratos energéticos, reforçando a importância de uma alimentação adequada e específica como pré-requisito no alcance do sucesso competitivo.Canoeing is a sport practiced with a canoe or a kayak, being an Olympic sport since 1936. The competitiveness in sport is increasingly high and demanding, where victories may be decided in parts of a second, so nutrition emerges as a tool that can make the difference between winning and losing. In this context, this study has as its main aims characterizing the body composition, determining the somatotype, estimating the nutritional intake and the energy expenditure in Portuguese elite paddlers, for the pre-competitive and competitive period of the 2015/2016 season. Participants were 21 athletes from the national team, practitioners of speed disciplines, with international participations: 15 men and 6 women with a mean age of 22.4 ± 4.12 years and 24.83 ± 7.52 years, respectively. Stature, weight, skinfolds, body circumferences and diameters were measured to assess the body composition and to determinate the somatotype. The filling of food records and of physical activity records for 3 days provided information regarding the nutritional intake and the energy expenditure of the athletes, respectively. The average height of men was 1.77 ± 0.07 meters and women 1.62 ± 0.07 meters. The results showed that weight (man - P1: 77.43 ± 7.15 kg and P2: 77.16 ± 6.46 kg, female - P1: 61.48 ± 6.13 kg and P2: ± 60.38 5.13 kg) and fat percentage (men - P1: 10.55 ± 2.00 and P2: 9.48 ± 1.77; women - P1: 22.63 ± 1.62 and P2: 20.97 ± 1,10) tend to decrease along the season, with a lower percentage of fat in male athletes (p ≤ 0,01). The determination of somatotype, with the Heath-Carter methodology that aims to describe and compare the external morphology of individuals, revealed a predominance of the mesomorph component in both genders and categories (women and kayak practitioners: endo-mesomorph; canoeing practitioners: balanced mesomorph). Energy intake of carbohydrate, fiber and fat was lower than the intake recommendations, but the protein intake was higher. It was also noticed a inadequate intake of some micronutrients, in particular, insufficient intake of vitamin D and mineral K, excessive intake for Na, Mg and vitamin A (in women). The energy expenditure was found to be higher than the intake, resulting in a largely negative energy balance. Anthropometric data allow us to know the anthropometric profile of Portuguese canoeists, but we should be cautious when analyzing the results of nutritional intake, because the method is not free from potential bias. This knowledge can be used as a guide for identifying talent, helping establish a specific profile for elite paddlers. Moreover, this work has highlighted that food choices determine health, management of body composition and the availability of energy substrates, reinforcing the importance of an adequate and specific diet as a prerequisite in achieving competitive success

Contextualization of Programming Learning: A Virtual Environment Study

In this paper, it is presented a study concerning about the use of the three-dimensional virtual world Second Life (SL) to visualize and contextualize the learning of computer programming. SL allows students to use avatars to create 3D objects and program their behaviours, process data, and interact with external servers, using Linden Scripting Language (LSL), a language with C-like syntax and a state machine. Scripts can execute concurrently, and several students can simultaneously work over the same object and/or script. Through action research, we explore and analyse the potential of SL for teachinglearning introductory computer programming in computer science undergraduate courses. We believe this virtual environment has potential to help students, since it presents an immediately visual feedback of the program execution