Mucosal Immunity, Stress, Cognition and Functional Fitness in Sedentary and Active Elderly Men

Physical activity in the elderly has been shown to have positive effects on several chronic diseases and to improve immunity, mental health and cognition. Chronic stress as also been shown to have immuno-suppressive effects and to accelerate immunosenescence. Recently it as also been found that different types of exercise may affect cognition and dementia risk to different extents. This cross-sectional study compared a group of 16 sedentary men with a mean age of 74,5+10,17 years old and a group of 17 men engaged in moderate regular exercise, mean age 69,99+6,36 years old, and aimed to identifying markers involved in maintaining immune and mental health in the elderly. Immune and physiological markers of stress (salivary IgA, CRP, cortisol, alpha-amylase, testosterone and DHEA), psychological variables (perceived stress, self-esteem, physical self, satisfaction with life) and functional fitness (using the Rikli and Jones test battery) were evaluated. A smaller sample of subjects (8 sedentary and 10 active) was also evaluated for cognitive function using the Vienna Test System Software (Schuhfried, Austria). Four different tests were used: evaluation of reaction time to a visual stimulus, evaluation of reaction time to sound, evaluation of different components of cognitive speed and evaluation of complex and multiple reactions to different stimuli. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples T-test and the bivariate Pearson’s correlation for the association between variables. For the cognition tests variables the Mann-Whitney and Spearman tests were used. Results showed that the active group had significantly better results in all components of functional fitness, including upper and lower strength and flexibility, agility and balance as well as aerobic resistance. Saliva levels of CRP and IgA concentration, but not IgA secretion rates, were lower in the active group. In the psychological variables, differences between groups were only found for Physical Self in the Physical Function domain. The active group performed better for cognitive speed and for complex and multiple reactions test. Correlations were found for the navel perimeter and salivary flow rate (r=-0.32, p=0.02) and CRP (r=0.34, p=0.012) and mean reaction time to sound (r=-0.47, p=0.049); for salivary cortisol and total perceived stress (r=0.29, p=0.034). Two components of the cognitive speed test (reaction time to choose and reaction time to visual search) negatively correlated with saliva flow rate (r=-0.64, p=0.003; r=-0.52, p=0.02). Several correlations were also found for aerobic resistance and the complex and multiple reactions test. Inflammation and cognition were improved in active groups

The extreme value Birnbaum-Saunders model in athletics

The Birnbaum-Saunders (BS) model is a life distribution that has recently been largely studied and applied. A random variable following the BS distribution can be defined through a simple transformation of a standard normal. The BS model can thus be generalized by switching the standard normal distribution of the basis random variable, allowing the construction of more general classes of models. Among those models, we mention the extreme value Birnbaum-Saunders (EVBS) models, recently introduced in the literature, and based on results from extreme value theory. A real application to athletics data will be used to illustrate the methodology and to provide the way this model and related models can link with traditional extreme value analysis methods.Este trabalho é financiado por Fundos FEDER através do Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE e por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia no âmbito do projecto PEst-C/MAT/UI0013/2011.Este trabalho é financiado por Fundos FEDER através do Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE e por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia no âmbito do projecto PEst-C/MAT/UI0013/2011

The extreme value Birnbaum-Saunders model, its moments and an application in biometry

The Birnbaum-Saunders (BS) model is a life distribution that has been largely studied and applied. Recently, a new version of the BS distribution based on extreme value theory has been introduced, which is named extreme value Birnbaum-Saunders (EVBS) distribution. In this article, we provide some further details on the EVBS models that can be useful as a supplement to the already existing results. We use these models to analyze real survival time data of patients treated with alkylating agents for multiple myeloma. This analysis allow us to show the adequacy of these new statistical distributions and identify them as models useful for medical practitioners in order to obtain a prediction of the survival times of these patients and evaluate changes in the dose of their treatment.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Pluriannual Funding Program, PTDC/FEDER, PEst-OE/MAT/UI0006/2011, FCT/OE, POCI 201

Infection characteristics of a trematode in an estuarine isopod: influence of substratum

The estuarine isopod Cyathura carinata is a second intermediate host to microphallid trematodes, which use mud snails Hydrobia spp. and shorebirds as respectively first intermediate and final hosts. To identify processes responsible for infection patterns observed in C. carinata, a short-term microcosm experiment was conducted with both macroinvertebrates and one of their common parasites – Maritrema subdolum. Fine sand collected from two different shallow water sites was used to test if sediment type could affect infection rates. After 7 days at 25 °C, C. carinata from the substratum with the highest proportion of particles µm were more surface active and obtained significantly more M. subdolum individuals than isopods from the other sediment type. No parasite-induced effects on the hosts were found during this short-term experiment. The distribution pattern of microphallid cysts and mesocercariae inside the isopods revealed that M. subdolum cercariae primarily penetrated through the pleopods and afterwards located themselves in the middle-posterior region of the host’s body. Even if it was not possible to identify the factor responsible for the observed infection patterns (cercariae production and/or host behaviour), the results of this experiment indicate that small-scale factors, such as differences in substratum and associated features, may have considerable impact on infections of host populations

Ambientes e vida na terra: Os primeiros 4.0 ga

O planeta Terra tem sofrido alterações ao longo do tempo geológico. Pouco tempo decorrido após a sua formação, há cerca de 4.6 Ga, era uma planeta homogéneo. Durante este longo intervalo de tempo, a Geosfera sofreu diversos processos de diferenciação geoquímica e geológica, responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento da actual estrutura interna da Terra. A formação da Atmosfera e da Hidrosfera ocorreu durante o Hadaico, aproximadamente entre 4.5 Ga e 4.4 Ga. A evolução e interacção dos sistemas terrestres, geosfera, atmosfera e hidrosfera, permitiu que fossem reunidas condições favoráveis ao aparecimento da Vida, há pelo menos 3.8 Ga. As formas de Vida foram-se desenvolvendo em diversos ambiente, constituindo outro importante sistema terrestre, a Biosfera. Este artigo tem como principal objectivo a compilação da informação mais relevante relacionada com os principais eventos e outros episódios significantes, que contribuíram para a origem da Vida e seu suporte, tendo como limite temporal o início do Fanerozóico.Environments and Life – the first 4.0 Ga in Earth: The planet Earth has been changing through the geologic time. The Earth was created about 4.6 Ga ago as a homogeneous planet. During this long period of time, several processes occurred originating the geochemical and geological differentiation of the Geosphere and developing the present internal Earth structure. The formation of the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere occurred during the Hadean, approximately 4.5 Ga to 4.4 Ga ago. The evolution and interaction of these important terrestrial systems (geosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere) allowed, during Earth history, the development of vital conditions for the emergence of Life, at least 3.8 Ga ago. The first organisms might have appeared from the most diverse environments constituting another important system, the Biosphere. The main objective of this article is to compile the most relevant information related with major geological events and other significant episodes, which have contributed to the emergence of Life and its support throughout geological time until Early Paleozoic.Centro de Ciências da Terra (NCT/UM), do Centro de Ciências da Terra (CCT/UM) e do Centro de Geologia da Universidade do Porto (CGUP). Programa de Financiamento Plurianual da FCT, inscrito no POCTI inserido no III Quadro Comunitário de Apoio, co- financiado pelo Governo Português e pela União Europeia (FEDER

Influência das varáveis familiares nos auto-cuidados em diabéticos tipo 2

Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT

X-chromosome terminal deletion in a female with premature ovarian failure: Haploinsufficiency of X-linked genes as a possible explanation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Premature ovarian failure (POF) has repeatedly been associated to X-chromosome deletions. <it>FMR1 </it>gene premutation allele's carrier women have an increased risk for POF. We intent to determine the cause of POF in a 29 year old female, evaluating both of these situations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Concomitant analysis of <it>FMR1 </it>gene CGG repeat number and karyotype revealed an X-chromosome terminal deletion. Fluorescence <it>in situ </it>further characterized the breakpoint. A methylation assay for <it>FMR1 </it>gene allowed to determine its methylation status, and hence, the methylation status of the normal X-chromosome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report a POF patient with a 46,X,del(X)(q26) karyotype and with skewed X-chromosome inactivation of the structural abnormal X-chromosome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Despite the hemizygosity of <it>FMR1 </it>gene, the patient does not present Fragile X syndrome features, since the normal X-chromosome is not subject to methylation. The described deletion supports the hypothesis that haploinsufficiency of X-linked genes can be on the basis of POF, and special attention should be paid to X-linked genes in region Xq28 since they escape inactivation and might have a role in this disorder. A full clinical and cytogenetic characterization of all POF cases is important to highlight a pattern and help to understand which genes are crucial for normal ovarian development.</p

Synthesis of fluorescent 2-(2´,2´´-bithienyl)-1,3-benzothiazoles

Eight new bithienyl benzothiazole derivatives 1 were synthesised by reacting various 5-formyl-5´-alkoxy- or 5-formyl-5´-amino-2,2´-bithiophenes 2 with ortho-aminobenzenethiol in good to excelent yields. Compounds 1a-h were completely characterised by spectroscopic methods. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of these compounds were also recorded. In agreement with previous findings concerning the fluorescence studies of 2-(2´-thienyl)-1,3-benzothiazoles, the new compounds prepared can find application for additives in textile dyeing and plastics, tunable dye lasers, biological stains, fluorescent markers, materials science and optoelectronics

Heterocyclic dicyanovinyl derivatives: synthesis and evaluation of the chemosensory ability in aqueous solution

Two novel dicyanovinyl derivatives 3a-b were synthesized in moderate to good yields through a Knoevenagel reaction of the corresponding aldehyde precursors and malononitrile. The photophysical properties of the new push-pull systems were studied by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in acetonitrile. The evaluation of the compounds as colorimetric chemosensors was carried out by performing spectrophotometric titrations in acetonitrile and acetonitrile/water in the presence of relevant organic and inorganic anions, and of alkaline, alkaline-earth and transition metal cations. The benzoindole derivative exhibited great selectivity for the cyanide anion over other anions in acetonitrile/water (8:2) solution showing a distinct color change from colorless to yellow.FCTFEDERQRE

Photophysical characterization and ion sensing properties of new colorimetric chemosensors based on hydrazones bearing quinoline

Molecular receptors are chemical species designed to achieve a high degree of complementarity with a selected guest. When synthetic receptors are coupled with certain signaling units, that could change one or more physical properties upon receptor-guest interaction (e.g. color, fluorescence, redox potential), a molecular sensor is obtained. In this field is especially appealing the use of optical outputs such as changes in color and/or fluorescence that allow the use of low-cost and widely available instrumentation. Moreover, in the case of chromogenic chemosensors, a straightforward semi-quantitative and in situ “naked-eye” detection is possible and chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors displaying a displacement of the absorption or emission bands are interesting for the development of ratiometric procedures. Hydrazone and quinoline derivatives have been reported to be suitable systems for the optical (colorimetric and fluorimetric) sensing of certain anions and for the recognition of metal cations. Other applications in materials science include molecular switches and OLEDs. Taking into account the above mentioned facts and our interest in the development of optical probes, we report herein the synthesis, photophysical characterization and interaction studies toward anions and cations, in ACN, of probes 2a-b containing hidrazono-quinoline moieties as both binding and signaling subunits. Moreover, selective detection of cyanide was achieved in aqueous mixtures for chemosensor 2a.FCTFEDERQRE