Usual gait speed assessment in middle-aged and elderly Brazilian subjects

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usual gait speed of asymptomatic adult and elderly Brazilians with a 10-meter walk test and to compare the results with foreign reference values. METHODS: Seventy-nine asymptomatic volunteers >40 years old of both genders were assessed. After anamnesis, anthropometry and the application of a habitual physical activity questionnaire, the volunteers were submitted to a 10-meter walk test at usual speed by means of which gait speed, the number of steps and length of stride were calculated. RESULTS: Except for age, all study variables were significantly lower in women. Subjects >70 years old presented a significantly lower gait speed than subjects between 40 and 49 years old and between 50 and 59 in both men (1.09±0.18 m/s, 1.35±0.11 m/s and 1.34±0.22 m/s, respectively) and women (1.02±0,10 m/s, 1.27±0.20 m/s and 1.27±0,15 m/s), respectively). Gait speed showed moderate correlations with age (r=-0.41, p40 anos, de ambos os gêneros, foram avaliados. Após anamnese, antropometria e questionário de atividade física habitual, os voluntários foram submetidos ao TC10m em velocidade usual. Por meio do tempo de teste, a VM, o número e comprimento dos passos e das passadas foram calculados. RESULTADOS: Com exceção da idade, todas as variáveis estudadas foram significativamente inferiores para as mulheres. Os indivíduos com idade >70 anos apresentaram VM significativamente inferior aos indivíduos entre 40 e 49 anos e entre 50 e 59 anos nos homens (1,09±0,18 m/s, 1,35±0,11 m/s e 1,34±0,22 m/s, respectivamente) e nas mulheres (1,02±0,10 m/s, 1,27±0,20 m/s e 1,27±0,15 m/s, respectivamente). A VM apresentou correlações moderadas com a idade (r=-0,41, p<0,001) e com a estatura (r=0,35, p=0,001). Após análise de regressão múltipla, idade e gênero foram selecionados como atributos determinantes da VM, explicando 24,6% dessa variável. Os valores da VM encontrados foram significativamente inferiores aos valores de referência estrangeiros (p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A VM apresentou declínio com o avançar da idade e valores significativamente inferiores àqueles descritos para populações estrangeiras. Esse achado indica a necessidade de ampla investigação dos valores de referências da VM para a população brasileira.Universidade Federal de ViçosaUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Health ScienceUNIFESP, Department of Health ScienceSciEL

Reference equations for predicting of handgrip strength in brazilian middle-aged and elderly subjects

The aim of the present study was to evaluate normal values of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) upper limb handgrip strength (HGS) in asymptomatic middle-aged elderly subjects and to establish reference equations for predicting HGS. Fifty-four volunteers (51.9% men) aged >50 years old were enrolled. Weight, height, and both arms circumference were measured, being the body mass index calculated. Mechanical dynamometry was used to measure D-HGS and ND-HGS. Self-reported level of regular physical activity was assessed by Baecke questionnaire. D-HGS was higher than ND-HGS for both sexes and in all age groups (p50 anos, medindo-se massa corporal, estatura e perimetria do braço direito e esquerdo, e calculando-se o índice de massa corporal. A FPM-D e FPM -ND foram avaliadas por dinamometria mecânica. O índice de atividade física habitual (IAF) foi avaliado pelo questionário de Baecke. A FPM-D foi superior à FPM-ND em ambos os sexos e em todas as idades (p<0,05). Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre a FPM e idade, estatura, massa corporal e perimetria do braço. As melhores equações de referência foram as seguintes: FPM-Dkgf =39,996 - (0,382 x idade anos)+(0,174 x peso kg)+(13,628 x sexo homens=1;mulheres=0) (R²ajustado=0,677); e FPM-NDkgf=44,968- (0,420 x idade anos)+(0,110 x peso kg)+(9,274 x sexo homens=1;mulheres=0) (R²ajustado=0,546) A diferença consistente entre a FPM-D e FPM-ND torna necessário o uso de dados normativos específicos para cada mão. Atributos simples de serem obtidos, tais como idade, estatura, massa corporal, perimetria do braço e sexo, podem pois prever adequadamente os valores esperados da FPM para adultos e idosos assintomáticos.Universidade Federal de Viçosa Departamento de Biologia GeralUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Departamento de Ciências BásicasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ciências da SaúdeUNIFESP, Depto. de Ciências da SaúdeSciEL

Flavonoids Effects on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Murine Models: A Systematic Review

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It occurs primarily as manifestation of other pathological processes, such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxin exposure that affect directly the cellular process. Studies were selected from PubMed and Scopus databases according to the PRISMA statement. The research filters were constructed using three parameters: flavonoids, hepatocellular carcinoma, and animal model. The bias analysis of the 34 selected works was done using the ARRIVE guidelines. The most widely used flavonoid in the studies was epigallocatechin gallate extracted from green tea. In general, the treatment with different flavonoids presented inhibition of tumor growth and antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The bias analysis evidenced the absence of methodological processes in all studies, such as the age or weight of the animals, the method of flavonoids’ extraction, or the experimental designs, analytical methods, and outcome measures. It has been known that flavonoids have a protective effect against HCC. However, the absence or incomplete characterization of the animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical and toxicity analyses impaired the internal validity of the individual studies, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of plant-derived products in the treatment of HCC

Equações de referência para a predição da força de preensão manual em brasileiros de meia idade e idosos

The aim of the present study was to evaluate normal values of dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) upper limb handgrip strength (HGS) in asymptomatic middle-aged elderly subjects and to establish reference equations for predicting HGS. Fifty-four volunteers (51.9% men) aged >;50 years old were enrolled. Weight, height, and both arms circumference were measured, being the body mass index calculated. Mechanical dynamometry was used to measure D-HGS and ND-HGS. Self-reported level of regular physical activity was assessed by Baecke questionnaire. D-HGS was higher than ND-HGS for both sexes and in all age groups (pO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os valores normais da força de preensão manual do membro superior dominante (FPM-D) e não dominante (FPM-ND) em sujeitos de meia idade e idosos assintomáticos e elaborar equações de referência para a predição da FPM. Foram investigados 54 voluntários (51,9% homens) com idade >;50 anos, medindo-se massa corporal, estatura e perimetria do braço direito e esquerdo, e calculando-se o índice de massa corporal. A FPM-D e FPM -ND foram avaliadas por dinamometria mecânica. O índice de atividade física habitual (IAF) foi avaliado pelo questionário de Baecke. A FPM-D foi superior à FPM-ND em ambos os sexos e em todas as idades (

Applicability of Isolates and Fractions of Plant Extracts in Murine Models in Type II Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Type II diabetes mellitus is one of the most common public health problems worldwide. Its increasing prevalence in several countries and the difficult metabolic control of individuals with the disease justify studying strategies for primary prevention. The population has sought alternative and cheaper ways to treat the disease, including the use of plants considered medicinal by the population. In this study, we carried out a systematic review on the applicability of isolates and fractions of plant extracts in animal models in type II diabetes. A literature search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies using other experimental animals (horses, rabbits, and monkeys) and humans as well as articles in Chinese, German, and Russian were excluded. We assessed the quality of the studies included by using the criteria described in the ARRIVE guidelines. In general, the animals that received fractions or isolates presented reduced blood glucose levels, normalization of body weight and plasma insulin levels, and reduced total triglycerides and cholesterol. In addition, we observed wide variation among the analyzed parameters, which hindered comparison between the studies found. In further studies, standardized reports and experimental design would help to establish comparable study groups and advance the overall knowledge, thus facilitating translatability from animal data to human clinical conditions

Los resultados de la ECE 2014 : explorando motivos

La mayor sorpresa en relación a los resultados de la Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes 2014 (ECE) ha sido el notable incremento, entre 2013 y 2014, del porcentaje de alumnos que lograron aprendizajes del 2° grado de primaria. Asíse aprecia que dicho porcentaje en comprensión lectora a nivel nacional pasó de 33% en 2013 a 43% en 2014; asimismo, dieciséis de las veintiséis regiones del país crecieron más de diez puntos porcentuales, destacando Piura y Puno, con 17.3 y 17.2 puntos porcentuales de diferencia, respectivamente. Respecto a matemática, el indicador nacional se movió de 17% en 2013 a 26% en 2014, además, catorce regiones tuvieron un crecimiento mayor a diez puntos porcentuales, siendo Ayacucho la que más creció, con dieciséis puntos porcentuales. El reporte busca contribuir a ello con una exploración inicial, analizando la relación causal de un conjunto de indicadores educativos sobre los resultados de la ECE. Dichos indicadores miden aspectos de la realidad educativa peruana como son el i) acceso a servicios básicos (agua potable, desagüe y electricidad) e ii) Internet, el iii) promedio de alumnos por docente, la iv) transición de educación inicial a primaria y la v) presencia de atraso escolar

Exercise training prior to myocardial infarction attenuates cardiac deterioration and cardiomyocyte dysfunction in rats

OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to investigate 1) whether aerobic exercise training prior to myocardial infarction would prevent cardiac dysfunction and structural deterioration and 2) whether the potential cardiac benefits of aerobic exercise training would be associated with preserved morphological and contractile properties of cardiomyocytes in post-infarct remodeled myocardium. METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent an aerobic exercise training protocol for eight weeks. The rats were then assigned to sham surgery (SHAM), sedentary lifestyle and myocardial infarction or exercise training and myocardial infarction groups and were evaluated 15 days after the surgery. Left ventricular tissue was analyzed histologically, and the contractile function of isolated myocytes was measured. Student's t-test was used to analyze infarct size and ventricular wall thickness, and the other parameters were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's test or a one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test (