Evaluating cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses towards country of origin for wines: the role of gender and involvement

Purpose This study aims to analyse the impact of the country of origin of wines on cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses for consumers from the perspective of gender and the level of involvement. Design/methodology/approach A wine tasting experiment was performed using electroencephalography (EEG). The sample consisted of 40 students from an important Brazilian university. In the first group, the participants tasted two glasses of wine with Brazilian then French origins. In the second group, the participants only tasted one glass of wine, without the origin information. The wine was the same in both groups and from Brazilian origin. Throughout the tasting process, participants had their brain responses recorded via the EEG. Findings The main findings suggest that the country of origin did not have a significant influence on cognitive processing or preferences for consumers in general, neither for women nor consumers of high involvement. For men, there was greater cognitive processing for Brazilian wines. However, there was no preference for men among the origins of wines. For consumers with low involvement, there was a difference in cognitive processing, presenting a greater value for Brazil and without origin information. Also, for low-involvement consumers, a greater preference for wine from France was seen. Originality/value This study presents a new contribution to the literature by analysing the cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses for consumers from the perspective of gender and the level of involvement

Adiposity in preadolescent children: Associations with cardiorespiratory fitness

Lifestyle factors contribute to childhood obesity risk, however it is unclear which lifestyle factors are most strongly associated with childhood obesity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to simultaneously investigate the associations among dietary patterns, activity behaviors, and physical fitness with adiposity (body fat %, fat mass, body mass index [BMI], and waist to hip ratio) in preadolescent children. Preadolescent children (N = 392, 50% female, age: 9.5 ± 1.1year, BMI: 17.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) were recruited. Body fat (%) and fat mass (kg) were measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max), muscular strength (hand-grip strength), activity, sleep, and dietary pattern was assessed. Multivariable analysis revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness associated most strongly with all four indicators of adiposity (body fat (%) (β = -0.2; p < .001), fat mass (β = -0.2; p < .001), BMI (β = -0.1; p < .001) and waist to hip ratio (β = -0.2; p < .001). Additionally, fruit and vegetable consumption patterns were associated with body fat percentage, but the association was negligible (β = 0.1; p = 0.015). Therefore, future interventions should aim to promote the use of cardiorespiratory fitness as a means of reducing the obesity epidemic in children

Prospective Home-use Study on Non-invasive Neuromodulation Therapy for Essential Tremor.

Highlights: This prospective study is one of the largest clinical trials in essential tremor to date. Study findings suggest that individualized non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction and improves quality of life for many essential tremor patients. Background: Two previous randomized, controlled, single-session trials demonstrated efficacy of non-invasive neuromodulation therapy targeting the median and radial nerves for reducing hand tremor. This current study evaluated efficacy and safety of the therapy over three months of repeated home use. Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, post-clearance, single-arm study with 263 patients enrolled across 26 sites. Patients were instructed to use the therapy twice daily for three months. Pre-specified co-primary endpoints were improvements on clinician-rated Tremor Research Group Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS) and patient-rated Bain & Findley Activities of Daily Living (BF-ADL) dominant hand scores. Other endpoints included improvement in the tremor power detected by an accelerometer on the therapeutic device, Clinical and Patient Global Impression scores (CGI-I, PGI-I), and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST) survey. Results: 205 patients completed the study. The co-primary endpoints were met (p≪0.0001), with 62% (TETRAS) and 68% (BF-ADL) of \u27severe\u27 or \u27moderate\u27 patients improving to \u27mild\u27 or \u27slight\u27. Clinicians (CGI-I) reported improvement in 68% of patients, 60% (PGI-I) of patients reported improvement, and QUEST improved (p = 0.0019). Wrist-worn accelerometer recordings before and after 21,806 therapy sessions showed that 92% of patients improved, and 54% of patients experienced ≥50% improvement in tremor power. Device-related adverse events (e.g., wrist discomfort, skin irritation, pain) occurred in 18% of patients. No device-related serious adverse events were reported. Discussion: This study suggests that non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction in many essential tremor patients

Beneficial Effects of Physical Exercise on Functional Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Stress in Rats with Aortic Stenosis-Induced Heart Failure

Objective. We evaluated the influence of exercise on functional capacity, cardiac remodeling, and skeletal muscle oxidative stress, MAPK, and NF-B pathway in rats with aortic stenosis-(AS-) induced heart failure (HF). Methods and Results. Eighteen weeks after AS induction, rats were assigned into sedentary control (C-Sed), exercised control (C-Ex), sedentary AS (AS-Sed), and exercised AS (AS-Ex) groups. Exercise was performed on treadmill for eight weeks. Statistical analyses were performed with Goodman and ANOVA or Mann-Whitney. HF features frequency and mortality did not differ between AS groups. Exercise improved functional capacity, assessed by maximal exercise test on treadmill, without changing echocardiographic parameters. Soleus cross-sectional areas did not differ between groups. Lipid hydroperoxide concentration was higher in AS-Sed than C-Sed and AS-Ex. Activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was changed in AS-Sed and restored in AS-Ex. NADPH oxidase activity and gene expression of its subunits did not differ between AS groups. Total ROS generation was lower in AS-Ex than C-Ex. Exercise modulated MAPK in AS-Ex and did not change NF-B pathway proteins. Conclusion. Exercise improves functional capacity in rats with AS-induced HF regardless of echocardiographic parameter changes. In soleus, exercise reduces oxidative stress, preserves antioxidant enzyme activity, and modulates MAPK expression

Beneficial Effects of Physical Exercise on Functional Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Stress in Rats with Aortic Stenosis-Induced Heart Failure

Objective. We evaluated the influence of exercise on functional capacity, cardiac remodeling, and skeletal muscle oxidative stress, MAPK, and NF-κB pathway in rats with aortic stenosis- (AS-) induced heart failure (HF). Methods and Results. Eighteen weeks after AS induction, rats were assigned into sedentary control (C-Sed), exercised control (C-Ex), sedentary AS (AS-Sed), and exercised AS (AS-Ex) groups. Exercise was performed on treadmill for eight weeks. Statistical analyses were performed with Goodman and ANOVA or Mann-Whitney. HF features frequency and mortality did not differ between AS groups. Exercise improved functional capacity, assessed by maximal exercise test on treadmill, without changing echocardiographic parameters. Soleus cross-sectional areas did not differ between groups. Lipid hydroperoxide concentration was higher in AS-Sed than C-Sed and AS-Ex. Activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was changed in AS-Sed and restored in AS-Ex. NADPH oxidase activity and gene expression of its subunits did not differ between AS groups. Total ROS generation was lower in AS-Ex than C-Ex. Exercise modulated MAPK in AS-Ex and did not change NF-κB pathway proteins. Conclusion. Exercise improves functional capacity in rats with AS-induced HF regardless of echocardiographic parameter changes. In soleus, exercise reduces oxidative stress, preserves antioxidant enzyme activity, and modulates MAPK expression

As particularidades clínicas da otite média: Clinical features of otitis media

A otite média é um processo inflamatório de evolução abrupta, acompanhado pelo quadro clínico típico de inflamação na orelha média, sendo sua incidência prevalente em crianças, culminando em leves repercussões clínicas, mas que deve ser adequadamente diagnosticada e tratada. Este evento clínico pode ser agudo, subagudo ou crônico com aparições típicas, evolução e manejo clínico diferenciados. O seguinte artigo é uma revisão narrativa de literatura que visa analisar a respeito das principais particularidades clínicas da Otite Média. Diante das informações coletadas, pode se elucidar que a otite média é o fator causal para implicações negativas e antibioticoterapia em crianças, logo é essencial medidas para diagnose precoce para evitar repercussões na saúde destes

Desafios das Trabalhadoras Mães de Crianças pequenas durante a Pandemia Covid-19

A partir do início de 2020, a pandemia da Covid-19 criou, em escala mundial, impactos profundos na maneira de viver das pessoas. As relações de trabalho foram drástica e repentinamente alteradas, sendo a adoção do teletrabalho uma das soluções mais comuns. Esse novo cenário implicou ajustes profissionais e familiares, além de ter acarretado desgastes psíquicos. O presente estudo objetivou compreender as vivências de 10 mulheres trabalhadoras mães de crianças entre zero e seis anos e que atuavam em modalidades alternativas de trabalho. O método utilizado foi qualitativo fenomenológico e, a partir de encontros dialógicos individuais, foram elaboradas narrativas compreensivas e posteriormente compiladas em uma narrativa síntese com resultados analisados a partir do Modelo Demandas-Recursos (JD-R). Os elementos estruturais dos fenômenos identificados foram: a) foco na vida pessoal ou profissional; b) isolamento e sobrecarga e c) engajamento x esgotamento. Foi possível constatar que as mulheres trabalhadoras, que são mães de crianças pequenas, enfrentam dificuldades para manter o equilíbrio emocional e qualidade de vida. Vivências de sobrecarga derivada da multiplicidade de papéis, bem como a percepção de restrições para ascensão na carreira, também foram detectadas. Possuir uma rede de apoio estruturada e com efetiva participação de outros atores é visto de forma positiva quando ocorre, mas, infelizmente, a viabilização desses recursos ainda só ocorre a partir da organização das próprias mulheres. Diante desses resultados, ressalta-se a importância de políticas sociais e organizacionais mais eficazes para a promoção de condições favoráveis de trabalho, assim como a valorização de modalidades flexíveis de vínculo com o trabalho e a conscientização social a respeito das desigualdades de gênero

Evaluating cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses towards country of origin for wines: the role of gender and involvement

Purpose This study aims to analyse the impact of the country of origin of wines on cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses for consumers from the perspective of gender and the level of involvement. Design/methodology/approach A wine tasting experiment was performed using electroencephalography (EEG). The sample consisted of 40 students from an important Brazilian university. In the first group, the participants tasted two glasses of wine with Brazilian then French origins. In the second group, the participants only tasted one glass of wine, without the origin information. The wine was the same in both groups and from Brazilian origin. Throughout the tasting process, participants had their brain responses recorded via the EEG. Findings The main findings suggest that the country of origin did not have a significant influence on cognitive processing or preferences for consumers in general, neither for women nor consumers of high involvement. For men, there was greater cognitive processing for Brazilian wines. However, there was no preference for men among the origins of wines. For consumers with low involvement, there was a difference in cognitive processing, presenting a greater value for Brazil and without origin information. Also, for low-involvement consumers, a greater preference for wine from France was seen. Originality/value This study presents a new contribution to the literature by analysing the cognitive processing and preferences through brain responses for consumers from the perspective of gender and the level of involvement

Abdominal mass as an expression of a wandering spleen

[eng] Background: Wandering spleen and splenic cyst are rare conditions caused by the absence or abnormal accompanying splenic laxity, due to congenital or acquired causes. Case Report: A 30-year-old girl, mother recently, presented a mobile abdominal mass in the left upper quadrant associated with mild abdominal pain. The diagnosis of nonparasitic cyst in a wandering spleen was confirmed by computerized tomography and negative serological test. Due to its characteristics and anatomical position, a laparotomy with simple extirpation and splenic preservation was performed. The postoperative course did not present any problems. The pathological anatomical result was pseudocyst. Conclusions: In the differential diagnosis of an abdominal mass the splenic pseudocysts need to be taken into consideration. Like in children, as well as in adults the treatment of a wandering spleen associated with a cyst should aim at the extirpation of the pseudocyst, the prevention of vascular accidents and at conservation of the spleen