The impact of multicomponent exercise protocols order on the maximum voluntary contraction of older women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of exercise order in multicomponent training (MCT) on the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of older women. A total of 91 older women, ranging in age from 60 to 85 years, were randomly assigned to either Group A or Group B. Group A performed a warm up followed by aerobic training and resistance training, whereas Group B followed a warm up followed by resistance training and aerobic training. A control group (CG) did not engage in any exercise interventions. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons, and ANOVA was used for repeated measures. The results revealed that Group A demonstrated significant increases in MVC for knee extensors (KEs) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001) and between M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Similarly, Group A exhibited significant increases in MVC for knee flexors (KFs) between M1 and M3 (p = 0.001) and between M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Both Group A and Group B demonstrated significant increases in MVC for elbow flexors (EFs) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Group B showed a significant increase in hand grip strength (HGS) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that initiating MCT with aerobic training followed by resistance training is the most effective approach for improving muscle strength in older women.This research was funded by national funds via the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. I.P.: grant number UIDB/04748/2020 and grant number UID/04045/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo da adaptação estratégica da accountability

This article discusses the process of strategic change and adaptation of the accountability of the municipality of Ijuí / RS, in a study based on the institutionalization of the accountability process, indicating the possibilities of development in the municipality during the period of change and adaptations, of public order, the exercise of citizenship and social control. A longitudinal analysis of direct research (MINTZBERG, 1978), contemplating the environment of change and the questions of organization and adequacy carried out during the process, with the contributions of Pettigrew, Ferlie and Mckee (1992) to the context, content and process of change, and Hrebiniak and Joyce (1985) for the analysis and interpretation of the typologies of strategic adaptation. The municipality is located in the Northwest region / RS and stands out for its population and for the society's participation in the monitoring of public management, giving importance to accountability as fundamental in the process of strategic management before ethical responsibility, in the management of public resources generally. The study reveals that in the process of strategic change and adaptation of accountability the environment is determinant for both differentiated choice and strategic choice, and adaptation by will prevails in the sense of bringing government performance closer to the needs of the citizen. In relation to the development of accountability, the interaction of public management with the citizen is capable of producing results through strategic choices. Keywords: Strategic adaptation. Public sphere. Accountability. Development. Ijuí.O presente artigo discorre sobre o processo de mudança e adaptação estratégica da accountability do município de Ijuí/RS, em um estudo a partir da institucionalização do processo de accountability, indicando as possibilidades de desenvolvimento no município ao longo do período de mudança e de adaptações, de ordem da legislação pública, do exercício da cidadania e do controle social. Propõe-se uma análise longitudinal da direct research (MINTZBERG, 1978), contemplando o ambiente de mudança e as questões de organização e adequação realizadas no decorrer do processo, com as contribuições de Pettigrew, Ferlie e Mckee (1992) para o contexto, conteúdo e processo de mudança, e de Hrebiniak e Joyce (1985) para a análise e interpretação das tipologias de adaptação estratégica. O município está situado na região Noroeste/RS e destaca-se por sua população e pela participação da sociedade no acompanhamento da gestão pública, dando importância para a accountability como fundamental no processo de gestão estratégica perante a responsabilidade com ética, na condução dos recursos públicos em geral. O estudo revela que no processo de mudança e adaptação estratégica da accountability o ambiente é determinante tanto para a escolha diferenciada como para a escolha estratégica, e a adaptação por vontade prevalece no sentido de aproximar o desempenho do governo com as necessidades do cidadão. Em relação ao desenvolvimento da accountability, a interação da gestão pública com o cidadão é capaz de produzir resultados por meio das escolhas estratégicas. Palavras-chave: Adaptação estratégica. Esfera pública. Accountability. Desenvolvimento. Ijuí

Isolation of filamentous fungi from different food matrices from Angola and Mozambique

Agriculture remains the main economic activity in most African countries. However, crops are often contaminated with fungi that can cause diseases or produce mycotoxins, which is a major concern to food safety and security. Little is known about the mycotoxigenic fungi contaminating the most relevant staples in Mozambique and Angola. The aim of this work was to isolate and identify fungi from three food commodities – corn, peanuts and beans – and understand if they are a source of mycotoxin exposure to the populations, as these products are fundamental to the local food diet, and important to the economy. Samples of corn from Mozambique, and samples of peanuts and beans from Angola (four samples of each) were analysed for fungal contamination. Samples were also surveyed for aflatoxins using the AgraStrip® Pro WATEX® (Romer) method. Twenty-five grains of each sample were directly plated onto DRBC, and filamentous fungi were isolated after 5 to 7 days of incubation at 25 °C. A total of 56 fungal isolates representing the various fungal morphotypes were molecularly identified by Sanger sequencing of the ITS region. The microbiota of all samples was mainly composed of Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., many of them belonging to mycotoxigenic species. Phytopathogenic fungi of four genera – Lasiodiplodia sp., Macrophomina sp., Nigrospora sp. and Pseudocercospora sp. – were also identified. Most species were common to all types of samples. Aflatoxins were detected in all samples.Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and to the Aga Khan Development Network for the financial support to the project Ref. FCT AGA-KHAN / 541590696 / 2019 “MYCOTOX-PALOP – Multi-actor partnership for the risk assessment of MYCOTOXins along the food chain in African Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP)”. Teresa Dias and Cláudio Matusse thank FCT for the PhD grants 2020.05849.BD and PRT/BD/15483/2022, respectively. This study was also supported by FCT under the scope of CEB (UIDB/04469/2020), LABBELS (LA/P/0029/2020), CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Oral bilateral collagenous fibroma : a previously unreported case and literature review

Collagenous fibroma, also known as desmoplastic fibroblastoma, is a rare benign slow growing tumor particularly uncommon in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and histopathological features of an oral collagenous fibroma as well as to compare this data with those reported in an English-literature review. The thirteenth case of collagenous fibroma in the oral cavity and the first to present clinically as a bilateral mass was described. A 48-years-old female patient was referred to a School of Dentistry, complaining about an asymptomatic swelling on the hard palate, lasting around ten years. The intraoral examination revealed two well-defined mass, bilaterally in the hard palate. An excisional biopsy was performed. Microscopically, the connective tissue consisted of dense collagen bundles in which were seen scarcely distributed spindle-shaped to stellate fibroblastic cells. Blood vessels were few, as well as inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for vimentin, ?-smooth muscle actin and factor XIIIa and negative for S-100, CD68, CD34, HHF35, desmin and AE1/AE3. The patient remains disease-free 24 months after excision. In conclusion, oral collagenous fibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral sessile nodules in the oral cavity

Isolation of filamentous fungi from different food matrices from Angola and Mozambique

Agriculture remains the main economic activity in most African countries. However, crops are often contaminated with fungi that can cause diseases or produce mycotoxins, which is a major concern to food safety and security. Little is known about the mycotoxigenic fungi contaminating the most relevant staples in Mozambique and Angola. The aim of this work was to isolate and identify fungi from three food commodities corn, peanuts and beans and understand if they are a source of mycotoxin exposure to the populations, as these products are fundamental to the local food diet, and important to the economy. Samples of corn from Mozambique, and samples of peanuts and beans from Angola (four samples of each) were analysed for fungal contamination. Samples were also surveyed for aflatoxins using the AgraStrip® Pro WATEX® (Romer) method. Twenty-five grains of each sample were directly plated onto DRBC, and filamentous fungi were isolated after 5 to 7 days of incubation at 25 °C. A total of 56 fungal isolates representing the various fungal morphotypes were molecularly identified by Sanger sequencing of the ITS region. The microbiota of all samples was mainly composed of Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., many of them belonging to mycotoxigenic species. Phytopathogenic fungi of four genera Lasiodiplodia sp., Macrophomina sp., Nigrospora sp. and Pseudocercospora sp. were also identified. Most species were common to all types of samples. Aflatoxins were detected in all samples.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and to the Aga Khan Development Network for the financial support to the project Ref. FCT AGA-KHAN / 541590696 / 2019 “MYCOTOX-PALOP – Multi-actor partnership for the risk assessment of MYCOTOXins along the food chain in African Portuguese-speaking countries (PALOP)”. Teresa Dias and Cláudio Matusse thank FCT for the PhD grants 2020.05849.BD and PRT/BD/15483/2022, respectively. This study was also supported by FCT under the scope of CEB (UIDB/04469/2020), LABBELS (LA/P/0029/2020), CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Epigenetic Modification Mechanisms Involved in Inflammation and Fibrosis in Renal Pathology

The growing incidence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, coupled with the aging of the population, is increasing the prevalence of renal diseases in our society. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of renal function leading to end-stage renal disease. Nowadays, CKD treatment has limited effectiveness underscoring the importance of the development of innovative therapeutic options. Recent studies have identified how epigenetic modifications participate in the susceptibility to CKD and have explained how the environment interacts with the renal cell epigenome to contribute to renal damage. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate critical processes involved in gene regulation and downstream cellular responses. The most relevant epigenetic modifications that play a critical role in renal damage include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and changes in miRNA levels. Importantly, these epigenetic modifications are reversible and, therefore, a source of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we will explain how epigenetic mechanisms may regulate essential processes involved in renal pathology and highlight some possible epigenetic therapeutic strategies for CKD treatment.This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Fondos FEDER European Union (PI14/00041, PI15/00960, PI16/01354, PI17/00119, and PI17/01244), Red de Investigación Renal (REDinREN; RD16/0009), Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3751 NOVELREN-CM), Fondecyt 1181574 (BK), Sociedad Española de Nefrología, and the “Juan de la Cierva Formacion” training program of the Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad which supported the salary of S.R-M (FJCI-2016-29050). V. Marchant has a CONICYT Scholarship for his graduate studies at the PhD program in Medical Science, Universidad Austral de Chile. The Centro de Estudios Científicos is funded by the Chilean Government through the Centers of Excellence Basal Financing Program of CONICYT

Hepatic osteodystrophy : literature review and report of a personal experience with children and adolescents with chronic cholestasis

Osteodistrofia hepática é o termo usado para definir a doença óssea metabólica associada à hepatopatia crônica. Estudada principalmente em indivíduos adultos com colestase crônica, é igualmente prevalente em crianças e adolescentes hepatopatas crônicos. A patogênese é desconhecida mas parece ser multifatorial. Na maioria dos pacientes, ocorre uma perda progressiva de densidade óssea, a qual causa importante fragilidade esquelética. Esta predispõe à perda de estatura, dor óssea e surgimento de fraturas associadas ou não a trauma. A densidade óssea mineral pode ser medida por densitometria óssea de dupla emissão. Nenhuma medida, farmacológica ou profilática, tem se mostrado efetiva em reduzir a osteopenia da hepatopatia crônica. Todavia, aproximadamente 1 ano após transplante hepático, observa-se aquisição de massa óssea em grande parte dos pacientes. Nesta revisão discutimos a fisiopatologia, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da osteodistrofia hepática e relatamos a nossa experiência com 20 pacientes com colestase crônica acompanhados na unidade de Gastroenterologia Pediátrica do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.Hepatic osteodystrophy is the term used to define the metabolic bone disease associated with chronic liver disease. It has been studied mainly in adults with chronic cholestasis, but it is equally prevalent in children and adolescents. The pathogenesis of hepatic osteodystrophy is unknown, however, it is likely to be multifactorial. The majority of patients experience a progressive loss of bone mineral density, which causes skeletal fragility. Thus, patients are predisposed to loss of height, to bone pain, and to fracturing bones with minimal or no trauma. Bone mineral density may be measured by dual photon absorptiometry. No specific therapy is available to treat or prevent the osteopenia of chronic liver disease. However, 1 year after liver transplant, most patients do regain bone mass. This review discusses the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatic osteodystrophy. In this review we also report our personal experience with 20 children and adolescents with chronic cholestasis receiving care at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre

MicroRNA-186-5p controls GluA2 surface expression and synaptic scaling in hippocampal neurons

Homeostatic synaptic scaling is a negative feedback response to fluctuations in synaptic strength induced by developmental or learning-related processes, which maintains neuronal activity stable. Although several components of the synaptic scaling apparatus have been characterized, the intrinsic regulatory mechanisms promoting scaling remain largely unknown. MicroRNAs may contribute to posttranscriptional control of mRNAs implicated in different stages of synaptic scaling, but their role in these mechanisms is still undervalued. Here, we report that chronic blockade of glutamate receptors of the AMPA and NMDA types in hippocampal neurons in culture induces changes in the neuronal mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes, leading to synaptic upscaling. Specifically, we show that synaptic activity blockade persistently down-regulates miR-186-5p. Moreover, we describe a conserved miR-186-5p-binding site within the 3'UTR of the mRNA encoding the AMPA receptor GluA2 subunit, and demonstrate that GluA2 is a direct target of miR-186-5p. Overexpression of miR-186 decreased GluA2 surface levels, increased synaptic expression of GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors, and blocked synaptic scaling, whereas inhibition of miR-186-5p increased GluA2 surface levels and the amplitude and frequency of AMPA receptor-mediated currents, and mimicked excitatory synaptic scaling induced by synaptic inactivity. Our findings elucidate an activity-dependent miRNA-mediated mechanism for regulation of AMPA receptor expression.publishe

Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Evidence shows that metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD) because of the increase in oxidative stress levels along with other factors such as neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, because some studies have reported that MS is associated with a lower risk of PD, the relationship between MS and PD should be investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MS on PD. Two authors searched five electronic databases, namely, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Science Direct, for relevant articles between September and October 2020. After screening the title and abstract of all articles, 34 articles were selected for full-text review. Finally, 11 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The quality of articles was critically evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute. Overall, we evaluated data from 23,586,349 individuals (including healthy individuals, with MS and PD) aged 30 years or more. In cohort studies, the follow-up period varied between 2 and 30 years. MS contributed considerably to the increase in the incidence of PD. In addition, obesity, a component of MS, alone can increase the probability of developing neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite few studies on MS and PD, changes in cognitive function and more rapid progression of PD disease has been documented in patients with MS using methods commonly used in research

Tratamento farmacológico do Transtorno Depressivo Maior: uma revisão integrativa

Introdução: O Transtorno Depressivo Maior (TDM) caracteriza-se como um conjunto de sinais e sintomas tal como humor deprimido e/ou perda de interesse por atividades que eram prazerosas há, pelo menos, 2 semanas. Atualmente, segundo a Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde, tal transtorno é a principal causa de incapacidade no mundo e estima-se que mais de 300 milhões de pessoas, de todas as idades, sofram com essa patologia. Objetivo. Com base nesse panorama, o presente artigo busca avaliar se o mecanismo serotoninérgico de sinalização do TDM, apesar de ser o mais aceito, é o único existente. Além disso, busca-se analisar a eficácia da principal linha de tratamento para a depressão e a persistência de casos refratários. Método. Como metodologia, foi utilizada a busca por artigos nas principais bases de dados: PUBMED, LILACS e SCIELO. Resultados. Foram encontrados, após critérios de seleção, 36 artigos elegíveis para o estudo. Dentre os artigos selecionados, os anos de 2018 e 2021 foram os que mais se destacaram em relação à quantidade de publicações realizadas sobre esse transtorno, além disso, os Estados Unidos e Reino Unido lideraram o grupo de países publicadores. Conclusão. Dessa forma, apesar da via serotoninérgica ser a mais aceita no mecanismo de sinalização do TDM, há pacientes que apresentam recidiva ao tratamento. Logo, sob essa perspectiva, é primordial o aprofundamento e a compreensão dos demais mecanismos moleculares envolvidos no desencadeamento dos sintomas da doença para adotar-se linhas farmacológicas mais eficazes