Altered Food Behavior and Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature

: There is evidence of an association between cancer and certain types of altered eating behaviors, including orthorexia, food cravings, and food addiction. Given the growing interest in the topic throughout the scientific community we conducted a systematic review to summarize current evidence on the development of altered food behavior, including food addiction and cancer. The Cochrane Collaboration and the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed to perform this systematic review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to report the process and results. The structured literature search was conducted on 19 April 2022, on PubMed/Medline and Scopus, combining free-text terms and medical subject headings. A total of seven articles were included once the selection process was completed. Food craving has been associated with different types of cancer in adults and young patients, as well as with orthorexia; conversely, compulsive eating has only been explored in patients with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists. This systematic review explored a new area of research that warrants further investigation. More research is required to better understand the relationship between cancer and food behavior

Relationship among physical activity level, mood and anxiety states and Quality of Life in Physical Education students.

Background: Physical activity level (PAL) is known to play an important role in reducing risk factors associated with sedentarism, in addition to improving the mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Objective: Investigate the relationship of PAL and their domains with HRQL, mood state (MS) and anxiety. Method: 140 Physical Education students (23.6 ± 3.7 years) were evaluated. The Baecke Habitual Physical Activity and Quality of Life (QOL-36) questionnaires, State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI-S and STAI-T) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) scale were used to investigate PAL, HRQL and mental health indicators. Pearson’s correlation coefficient examined the association between PAL and both mental health and HRQL parameters. Results: There was a correlation between state anxiety and both the domain leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) (p = 0.013) and total PAL score (p = 0.010). In relation to MS, a negative correlation was found between LTPA and total mood disorder (TMD) (p = 0.004). However, there were positive correlations between the vigor subscale and both LTPA (p=0.001) and total PAL (p=0.019). With respect to HRQL, analysis of the relationship between LTPA and total PAL demonstrated positive coefficients with the physical component summary (PCS) (p=0.000; p = 0.005), mental component summary (MCS) (p = 0.000; p = 0.006) and total HRQL (p = 0.000; p = 0.003). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the rise in LTPA was related to an increase in HRQL and MS. However, PAL was positively related to anxiety

Association Between Body Image and Mental Health in Adolescents: A Social Issue

The construct of esthetic beauty is culturally and socially determined and widely disseminated by the media. The body image dissatisfaction (BID) is considered a public health problem, it is an important risk factor for disorders related to mental health, which is highly prevalent in adolescents and has an impact on social behavior. We aimed to evaluate the possible association between BID and the mental health aspects of depression and risk of eating disorders and identify the prevalence in adolescent boys and girls. The sample consisted of 308 adolescent students: 167 girls (54.2%) and 141 boys (45.8%). BID was identified by the silhouette scale. The Childhood Depression Scale (CDS) and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) were used to assess MH. The chi-squared contingency test showed an association between body image and mental health variables in both sexes. Results: 70.1% of the girls and 76.6% of the boys exhibited BID. The girls demonstrated a significant association between body image and depressive symptoms (X(1) = 8.523; p = 0.004) and the risk of ED (X(1) = 14.281; p = 0.000). However, the boys exhibited no interactions between body image and mental health-related factors. Although BID was high in adolescents of both sexes, it may be a marker for depression and eating disorders in girls.A construção da beleza estética é cultural e socialmente determinada e amplamente divulgada pela mídia. A insatisfação com a imagem corporal (BID), considerada um problema de saúde pública, é um importante fator de risco para transtornos relacionados à saúde mental que apresenta alta prevalência em adolescentes e impacta sobre o comportamento social. Objetivamos avaliar a possível associação entre BID e os aspectos de saúde mental da depressão e risco de transtornos alimentares e identificar a prevalência em meninos e meninas adolescentes. Método: A amostra foi composta por 308 adolescentes escolares: 167 meninas (54,2%) e 141 meninos (45,8%). O BID foi identificado pela escala de silhueta. A Escala de Depressão na Infância (CDS) e o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares (EAT-26) foram utilizados para avaliar a HM. O teste de contingência qui-quadrado mostrou associação entre a imagem corporal e as variáveis de saúde mental em ambos os sexos. Resultados: 70,1% das meninas e 76,6% dos meninos apresentaram BID. As meninas demonstraram associação significativa entre imagem corporal e sintomas depressivos (X(1) = 8,523; p = 0,004) e risco de TA (X(1) = 14,281; p = 0,000). No entanto, os meninos não exibiram interações entre a imagem corporal e os fatores relacionados à saúde mental. Conclusão: Embora o BID tenha sido elevado em adolescentes de ambos os sexos, pode ser um marcador de depressão e transtornos alimentares em meninas

Estudo retrospectivo de osteossarcoma primário dos ossos da pelve em cães em um período de 14 meses

The osteosarcoma (OSA) is one of the most common malignant tumors of dogs. Large and giant-breed dogs are affected and the mean age of these dogs is about 7 years. The tumor usually involves the metaphyses of long bones and the treatment is radical amputation and chemotherapy with cisplatin. The therapy of neoplasia located in pelvis is difficult and usually don't accept by owners. This report describes the incidence of primary osteosarcoma in pelvis of dogs, during a period of fourteen months. Of the eight animals taken care with this neoplasia, a bigger frequency in the dogs of the race Rottweiler and German Pastor was observed. Amongst the bones that compose animal's pelvis was observed greater osteosarcoma incidence in ileum (6 cases). Lameness, functional impotence of pelvic member and pain had been the main observed clinical signals. In seven cases was found advanced involvement osseous, mainly, for lyses of the cortical. All the animals had been submitted to the euthanasia for not presenting possibility of surgical treatment with safety margin. Also one was taken in consideration for this decision to the clinical condition of the patients, the possibilities to confer improvement in the quality of life of the dogs and the option of the owners' front to the prognostic.O osteossarcoma (OSA) é um dos tumores malignos mais comum em cães. Geralmente acomete cães de raça grande e gigante, com idade média de sete anos. Esta neoplasia envolve, freqüentemente, a metáfise de ossos longos, sendo indicado à amputação radical do membro, acrescido de quimioterapia com cisplatina. A terapêutica desta neoplasia com localização na pelve torna-se difícil e normalmente não aceita pelos proprietários. O presente trabalho relata a incidência de osteossarcoma primário em ossos da pelve em cães, durante um período de 14 meses. Dos oito animais atendidos com esta neoplasia, observou-se maior freqüência nos cães da raça Rottweiler e Pastor Alemão. Dentre os ossos que compõem a pelve do animal se observou maior incidência de OSA acometendo o ílio (6 casos). Claudicação, impotência funcional de membro pélvico e dor foram os principais sinais clínicos observados. Em sete casos encontrou-se estágio avançado de comprometimento ósseo na imagem radiográfica, evidenciado, principalmente, pela lise da cortical óssea. Todos os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia por não apresentarem possibilidade de tratamento cirúrgico (hemipelvectomia) com margem de segurança. Também se levou em consideração para esta decisão à condição clínica dos pacientes, as chances de conferir melhora na qualidade de vida dos cães e a opção dos proprietários frente ao prognóstico

Do Haiti a São Miguel do Oeste: reflexões sobre o trajeto, chegada e inserção local de haitianos

Migrations are understood as phenomena that accompany the history of humanity. In view of the current scenario of migrations in Brazil, this study aimed to analyze, from life histories, the route, arrival and local insertion of Haitians residing in São Miguel do Oeste (SC). The research was attended by three Haitians living in this city. The methodology chosen was the life history and the data were analyzed from the content analysis. As a result, we identified that Haitians arrived in São Miguel do Oeste by hiring immigrants from local companies in Brazil or by the contact network among Haitians. The local insertion of Haitian immigrants is composed of positive and negative experiences, which are still in the process of being built.As migrações são compreendidas como fenômenos que acompanham a história da humanidade. Diante do cenário atual das migrações no Brasil, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar, a partir de histórias de vida, o trajeto, a chegada e a inserção local de haitianos residentes em São Miguel do Oeste (SC). A pesquisa contou com a participação de três haitianos residentes nesta cidade. A metodologia escolhida foi a história de vida e os dados foram analisados a partir da análise de conteúdo. Como resultados identificamos que os haitianos chegaram a São Miguel do Oeste pela contratação de imigrantes realizadas pelas empresas locais em Brasileira ou pela rede de contato entre os haitianos. A inserção local dos imigrantes haitianos é composta por experiências positivas e negativas, a qual ainda está em processo de construção

Building an Aerial-Ground Robotics System for Precision Farming: An Adaptable Solution

The application of autonomous robots in agriculture is gaining increasing popularity thanks to the high impact it may have on food security, sustainability, resource use efficiency, reduction of chemical treatments, and the optimization of human effort and yield. With this vision, the Flourish research project aimed to develop an adaptable robotic solution for precision farming that combines the aerial survey capabilities of small autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with targeted intervention performed by multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). This paper presents an overview of the scientific and technological advances and outcomes obtained in the project. We introduce multi-spectral perception algorithms and aerial and ground-based systems developed for monitoring crop density, weed pressure, crop nitrogen nutrition status, and to accurately classify and locate weeds. We then introduce the navigation and mapping systems tailored to our robots in the agricultural environment, as well as the modules for collaborative mapping. We finally present the ground intervention hardware, software solutions, and interfaces we implemented and tested in different field conditions and with different crops. We describe a real use case in which a UAV collaborates with a UGV to monitor the field and to perform selective spraying without human intervention.Comment: Published in IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 29-49, Sept. 202

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunostimulatory effects of Luehea divaricata Mart. & Zucc. (Malvaceae) bark

Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae) is a plant widely used for treatment of various inflammatory and infectious conditions; however few reports discuss its biological properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as well as the macrophage activity in mice treated with the hydroalcoholic crude extract of L. divaricata (CLD). Thin layer chromatography revealed presence of epicathequin, stigmasterol, lupeol and α,β-amyrin in the extract. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, animals were subjected to paw edema induced by carrageenan test, writhing, formalin and capsaicin tests. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by adhesion and phagocytic capacity, lysosomal volume, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by peritoneal macrophages, after daily treatment with CLD for 15 days. CLD promoted reduction in paw edema (36.8% and 50.2%; pLuehea divaricata (Malvaceae) é utilizada para o tratamento de várias condições patológicas, entretanto, há poucos relatos sobre sua bioatividade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito anti-inflamatório e analgésico, bem como a atividade de macrófagos em camundongos tratados com extrato bruto hidroalcoólico (CLD) da planta. Cromatografia em camada delgada revelou a presença de epicatequina, estigmasterol, lupeol e α,β-amirina no material. Para avaliar a atividade anti-inflamatória e analgésica, animais foram submetidos a teste de edema de pata induzido por carragenana, teste de contorções, da formalina e da capsaicina. A atividade imunomodulatória foi avaliada pela capacidade de adesão e de fagocitose dos macrófagos, volume lisossômico e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), após tratamento diário com CLD por 15 dias. CLD promoveu redução do edema de pata (36,8% e 50,2%; 100 e 300 mg/kg, respectivamente;

Residual neurotoxicity in ovarian cancer patients in clinical remission after first-line chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel: The Multicenter Italian Trial in Ovarian cancer (MITO-4) retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Carboplatin/paclitaxel is the chemotherapy of choice for advanced ovarian cancer, both in first line and in platinum-sensitive recurrence. Although a significant proportion of patients have some neurotoxicity during treatment, the long-term outcome of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy has been scantly studied. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of residual neuropathy in a cohort of patients in clinical remission after first-line carboplatin/paclitaxel for advanced ovarian cancer. METHODS: 120 patients have been included in this study (101 participating in a multicentre phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of consolidation treatment with topotecan, and 19 treated at the National Cancer Institute of Naples after the end of the trial). All patients received carboplatin (AUC 5) plus paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, completing treatment between 1998 and 2003. Data were collected between May and September 2004. Residual sensory and motor neurotoxicity were coded according to the National Cancer Institute – Common Toxicity Criteria. RESULTS: 55 patients (46%) did not experience any grade of neurological toxicity during chemotherapy and of these none had signs of neuropathy during follow-up. The other 65 patients (54%) had chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity during treatment and follow-up data are available for 60 of them. Fourteen out of 60 patients (23%) referred residual neuropathy at the most recent follow-up visit, after a median follow up of 18 months (range, 7–58 months): 12 patients had grade 1 and 2 patients grade 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy; 3 patients also had grade 1 motor neuropathy. The remaining 46/60 patients (77%) had no residual neuropathy at the moment of interview: recovery from neurotoxicity had occurred in the first 2 months after the end of chemotherapy in 22 (37%), between 2 and 6 months in 15 (25%), or after more than 6 months in 9 patients (15%). Considering all 120 treated patients, there was a 15% probability of persistent neurological toxicity 6 months after the end of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with first-line carboplatin/paclitaxel suffer long-term residual neuropathy. This issue should be carefully taken into account before considering re-treatment with the same agents in sensitive recurrent disease

The future search for low-frequency axions and new physics with the FLASH resonant cavity experiment at Frascati National Laboratories

We present a proposal for a new experiment, the FINUDA magnet for Light Axion SearcH (FLASH), a large resonant-cavity haloscope in a high static magnetic field which is planned to probe new physics in the form of dark matter (DM) axions, scalar fields, chameleons, hidden photons, as well as high frequency gravitational waves (GWs). Concerning the QCD axion, FLASH will search for these particles as the DM in the mass range (0.49-1.49) ueV, thus filling the mass gap between the ranges covered by other planned searches. A dedicated Microstrip SQUID operating at ultra-cryogenic temperatures will amplify the signal. The frequency range accessible overlaps with the Very High Frequency (VHF) range of the radio wave spectrum and allows for a search in GWs in the frequency range (100-300) MHz. The experiment will make use of the cryogenic plant and magnet of the FINUDA experiment at INFN Frascati National Laboratories near Rome (Italy); the operations needed to restore the functionalities of the apparatus are currently underway. We present the setup of the experiment and the sensitivity forecasts for the detection of axions, scalar fields, chameleons, hidden photons, and GWs

Manometric evaluation of anorectal function in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: An altered anorectal function is reported after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery for rectal cancer. AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the relative contribution of neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgical resection on the impairment of anorectal function as evaluated by anorectal manometry. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with rectal cancer, who underwent neoadjuvant CRT and laparoscopic rectal resection, were evaluated with the Pescatori Faecal Incontinence score, and with anorectal manometry: before neoadjuvant therapy (T0), after neoadjuvant therapy and before surgery (T1), 12 months after stoma closure (T2). RESULTS: Resting and/or maximum squeeze pressure and/or volume thresholds for urgency were below the normal values in 12 (30%) patients at baseline. After CRT the mean resting pressure significantly decreased (p=0.007). Surgery determined a significantly decrease of the resting pressure (p=0.001), of the maximum squeeze pressure (p=0.001) and of the volume threshold for urgency (p=0.001). Impairment of continence was reported by 5, 11 and 18 patients at T0, T1 and T2, with a mean incontinence score of 3, 3.8 and 3.9 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CRT is detrimental to the function of the internal anal sphincter. Rectal resection significantly affects both internal and external anal sphincter function and the maximum tolerated volume of the neo-rectum, particularly in patients with low rectal cancer, significantly impairing anal continence