The role of serum levels of vitamin D in children’s muscle strength: A systematic review

This review aims to investigate the different levels of vitamin D and its role in muscle strength in healthy children and non-athletes. A search conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Psycinfo) resulted in 655 articles, which were systematically analyzed and selected based on the following criteria: (a) original cross-sectional studies and clinical trials; (b) healthy children aged 5-11 years; (c) no language restriction or year of publication; and (d) studies that assessed the possible relationship between vitamin D levels and muscle strength. Six studies were included because they met all the inclusion criteria. According to the findings of this review, factors such as sex, skin color, and vitamin D supplementation early in life modulate the levels of vitamin D in the body, and there is a relationship between muscle strength and vitamin D levels. Interestingly, vitamin D supplementation is not always significantly associated with increased muscle grip strength. However, there is a scarcity of studies that aim to analyze the possible effects of different levels of vitamin D on muscle function and neuromuscular variables in physically inactive children and non-athletes without previously diagnosed disease. Further studies are warranted in the future to address the gap in the literature

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

Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) biological potential, phytochemical prospection and polyphenol content

Montrichardia linifera is commonly known in Brazil as "aninga." In November 2008 and August 2009, we collected plant samples and extracted leaves and stems using hexane or dichloromethane and methanol to evaluate its biological and chemical potential, phytochemical profile and polyphenol content. Differences in the chemical composition of the collections were evident. In the first collection, the apolar extracts were the richest in metabolite composition while the polar extracts were the richest in the second collection. In general, extracts from Aug/2009 had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than extracts from Nov/2008 and the stem and leaf extracts from the Aug/2009 collection showed the highest polyphenol content. As an insecticide against Sitophilus zeamais, the hexane extract of the leaves (Aug/2009) presented concentration-dependent insecticidal activity. Only the methanolic extract of stems and leaves (Aug/2009) presented a small inhibition halo (9 and 7 mm, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila when evaluating its antibacterial potential. The study demonstrates that, collection period is an important factor to consider in phytochemical and biological activity studies of M. linifera

Tradução para o português brasileiro e adaptação cultural do Reflux Finding Score Translation and cultural adaptation of the Reflux Finding Score into Brazilian portuguese

As manifestações supraesofágicas da Doença do Refluxo Gastroesofágico, conhecidas como Refluxo Laringofaríngeo (RLF) apresentam alta prevalência. Há dificuldade no diagnóstico, que é pautado em grande parte por sintomas sugestivos e sinais inflamatórios laringofaríngeos. Belafsky et al. propuseram um escore que pontua sinais inflamatórios laríngeos por meio de achados videolaringoscópicos, o Reflux Finding Score (RFS), de forma a diminuir a subjetividade do diagnóstico. Tal escore apresentou alta sensibilidade e reprodutibilidade na língua inglesa. OBJETIVO: Traduzimos para o português brasileiro, realizamos adaptações culturais e testamos a confiabilidade do RFS. MÉTODO: Seguindo diretrizes internacionais, foram realizadas as etapas de tradução e retrotradução por dois profissionais de forma independente e por tradutores nativos norte-americanos. O teste da versão final para avaliação da confiabilidade foi realizado a partir de 24 exames de videolaringoscopia em que os examinadores aplicaram a escala em português em cada exame por duas vezes, com intervalo mínimo de 24 horas, e avaliada a coerência intraexaminadores. RESULTADO: A tradução e adaptação cultural foi realizada de forma satisfatória. Houve facilidade de treinamento e aplicação do instrumento traduzido, além de boa reprodutibilidade e confiabilidade intraobservadores. CONCLUSÃO: Escala de Achados Endolaríngeos de Refluxo tem semelhança conceitual, semântica e de conteúdo com RFS, além de confiabilidade.The supraesophageal manifestations of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease commonly known as Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) are highly prevalent. The diagnosis of LPR is challenging and mostly based on suggestive symptoms and signs of inflammation at the larynx and pharynx. In order to decrease the subjectivity of clinical assessment, a score based on endolaryngeal videolaryngoscopic findings, the Reflux Finding Score (RFS), was proposed by Belafasky et al. This score has proven to be highly sensitive and reproducible in the English language. OBJECTIVE: Translate and culturally adapt the RFS into Brazilian Portuguese and test its reliability. METHOD: Following international guidelines, translation and back translation of the RFS was made by 2 independent professional translators who were native English speakers. The translated version of the RFS was then applied to the videolaryngoscopic images of 24 patients by 3 examiners twice with a 24-hour minimum interval between scoring sessions, and tested for intraobserver reliability. RESULTS: The translation and cultural adaptation were carried out satisfactorily. Examiners applied the instrument, after brief technichal training, without difficulties. Intraobserver test re-test reliability and reproducibility were high. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the RFS presents semantic similarity to the English version, and with reliability

Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) biological potential, phytochemical prospection and polyphenol content

Montrichardia linifera is commonly known in Brazil as "aninga." In November 2008 and August 2009, we collected plant samples and extracted leaves and stems using hexane or dichloromethane and methanol to evaluate its biological and chemical potential, phytochemical profile and polyphenol content. Differences in the chemical composition of the collections were evident. In the first collection, the apolar extracts were the richest in metabolite composition while the polar extracts were the richest in the second collection. In general, extracts from Aug/2009 had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than extracts from Nov/2008 and the stem and leaf extracts from the Aug/2009 collection showed the highest polyphenol content. As an insecticide against Sitophilus zeamais, the hexane extract of the leaves (Aug/2009) presented concentration-dependent insecticidal activity. Only the methanolic extract of stems and leaves (Aug/2009) presented a small inhibition halo (9 and 7 mm, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila when evaluating its antibacterial potential. The study demonstrates that, collection period is an important factor to consider in phytochemical and biological activity studies of M. linifera

Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) biological potential, phytochemical prospection and polyphenol content

Montrichardia linifera is commonly known in Brazil as “aninga.” In November 2008 and August 2009, we collected plant samples and extracted leaves and stems using hexane or dichloromethane and methanol to evaluate its biological and chemical potential, phytochemical profile and polyphenol content. Differences in the chemical composition of the collections were evident. In the first collection, the apolar extracts were the richest in metabolite composition while the polar extracts were the richest in the second collection. In general, extracts from Aug/2009 had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than extracts from Nov/2008 and the stem and leaf extracts from the Aug/2009 collection showed the highest polyphenol content. As an insecticide against Sitophilus zeamais, the hexane extract of the leaves (Aug/2009) presented concentration-dependent insecticidal activity. Only the methanolic extract of stems and leaves (Aug/2009) presented a small inhibition halo (9 and 7 mm, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila when evaluating its antibacterial potential. The study demonstrates that, collection period is an important factor to consider in phytochemical and biological activity studies of M. linifera

Montrichardia linifera (Araceae) biological potential, phytochemical prospection and polyphenol content

Montrichardia linifera is commonly known in Brazil as “aninga.” In November 2008 and August 2009, we collected plant samples and extracted leaves and stems using hexane or dichloromethane and methanol to evaluate its biological and chemical potential, phytochemical profile and polyphenol content. Differences in the chemical composition of the collections were evident. In the first collection, the apolar extracts were the richest in metabolite composition while the polar extracts were the richest in the second collection. In general, extracts from Aug/2009 had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities than extracts from Nov/2008 and the stem and leaf extracts from the Aug/2009 collection showed the highest polyphenol content. As an insecticide against Sitophilus zeamais, the hexane extract of the leaves (Aug/2009) presented concentration-dependent insecticidal activity. Only the methanolic extract of stems and leaves (Aug/2009) presented a small inhibition halo (9 and 7 mm, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila when evaluating its antibacterial potential. The study demonstrates that, collection period is an important factor to consider in phytochemical and biological activity studies of M. linifera