Degree of psychological commitment to exercise in young athletes

The objective was to analyze the effects of affective, personal and demographic variables in the degree of psychological commitment to exercise (DPCE). 286 athletes aged between 10 and 19 years of both sexes participated in the study. We used the Commitment Exercise Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire and the "Criterion of Economic Classification Brazil" to assess the DPCE, body dissatisfaction and socioeconomic status, respectively. The results showed significant effects for females (p = .001). These same analyzes for males showed no significant effects. It was concludedthat affective, personal and demographic factors promoted effects in DPCE only in females.El objetivo fue analizar los efectos de los variables afectivos, personales y demográficos en el grado de compromiso psicológico para ejercer (GCPE). 286 atletas de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 19 años de ambos sexos participaron en el estudio. Se utilizó la Commitment Exercise Scale, la Body Shape Questionnaire y el "Criterio de Clasificación Económica Brasil" para evaluar el GCPE, la insatisfacción corporal y nivel socioeconómico, respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron efectos significativos para las mujeres (p = .001). Estos mismos análisis para los machos no mostraron efectos significativos. Se concluyó que la afectiva, factores personales y demográficos promovió efectos en GPCE sólo en las mujeres.O objectivo foi analisar os efeitos das variáveis afectivas, pessoais e demográficas no grau de compromisso psicológico para exercer (GCPE). Participaram no estudo 286 atletas de idades compreendidas entre os 10 e os 19 anos de ambos os géneros. Foi utilizado o Commitment Exercise Scale, o Body Shape Questionnaire e o "Critério de Classificação Económica Brasil" para avaliar o GCPE, a insatisfação corporal e o nível socioeconómico, respetivamente. Os resultados revelaram efeitos significativos para as mulheres (p = .001). Estas mesmas análises não revelaram efeitos significativos nos homens. Conclui-se que a variável afectiva, os factores pessoais e demográficos promoveram efeitos no GCPE apenas nas mulheres

ETHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-PUP INTERACTIONS AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS IN RATS: EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION AND TACTILE STIMULATION OF THE PUPS

Mother-pup interaction, as well as other behavioral reactions were studied during the lactation period in 24 litters of Wistar rats and their dams fed either a 16% (control - C; 12 litters) or a 6% (malnourished - M; 12 litters) protein diet. The diets were isocaloric. Throughout lactation there was a 36.4% weight loss of M dams and a 63% body weight deficit in the M pups when compared to control pups. During this period, half of the litters were exposed daily to additional tactile stimulation (CS or MS), while the other half were submitted to normal rearing conditions (CN or MN). The tactile stimulation of pups (handling) consisted of holding the animal in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the animal's body with the fingers for 3 min. A special camera and a time-lapse video were used to record litter behavior in their home cages. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m., on days 3, 6, 12, 15, 18 and 21 of lactation, photos were taken at 4-s intervals. An increase in the frequency (154.88 ± 16.19) and duration (455.86 ± 18.05 min) of suckling was observed throughout the lactation period in all groups compared to birth day (frequency 24.88 ± 2.37 and duration 376.76 ± 21.01 min), but the frequency was higher in the C (84.96 ± 8.52) than in the M group (43.13 ± 4.37); however, the M group (470.2 ± 11.87 min) spent more time suckling as compared with the C group (393.67 ± 13.09 min). The M dams showed a decreased frequency of resting position throughout the lactation period (6.5 ± 2.48) compared to birth day (25.42 ± 7.74). Pups from the C group were more frequently observed separated (73.02 ± 4.38) and interacting (258.99 ± 20.61) more with their mothers than the M pups (separated 66.94 ± 5.5 and interacting 165.72 ± 12.05). Tactile stimulation did not interact with diet condition, showing that the kind of stimulation used in the present study did not lead to recovery from the changes induced by protein malnutrition. The changes in mother-pup interaction produced by protein malnutrition of both may represent retardation in neuromotor development and a higher dependence of the pups on their mothers. These changes may represent an important means of energy saving and heat maintenance in malnourished pups. Keywords: protein malnutrition, tactile stimulation, mother-pup interaction.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROTEIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION ON THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUG RATS TESTED IN THE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE

The interaction between the effects of different levels of protein malnutrition and environmental stimulation was investigated in young male rats in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Litters (dam plus 6 male and 2 female pups) were fed a 16% (Control: C), 10% (Malnourished: M10) or 6% (Malnourished: M6) protein diet. Half of the litters were daily exposed to additional stimulation (CS, MS10 or MS6), while the other half was maintained in normal rearing conditions (CN, MN10 or MN6). The stimulation (handling) consisted of holding the rat in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the body with the fingers for3 min. On the 22nd day of life (weaning), two male pups from each group were tested in the plus-maze. Two male pups continued to receive the same diet their mothers, and other two were fed a non-purified lab chow diet until 35 days of age when they were tested in the plus-maze (LN, LS, LN10, LS10, LN6 and LS6 groups). Results showed that environmental simulation increased open arms exploration both at 22 and 35 days of age, indicating an anxiolytic effect of this procedure. Younger rats (22 days of age) explored significantly more the open arms of the maze as compared with older rats (35 days of age), indicating an increase in anxiety with age. M6 animals showed significantly higher percentages of open arm entries and less frequent attempts to enter open arms in the maze as compared with C and M10 animals. These results suggest that even a short period of protein deficiency can produce alterations in the emotional response of rats in the elevated plus-maze. In addition, the data demonstrated that protein deficiency more severe than 10% is necessary to produce behavior alterations in the EPM test. Keywords: Age, Anxiety, Environmental stimulation, Impulsiveness, Plus-maze test, Protein malnutrition levels.

Distorção da imagem corporal em adolescentes: um estudo de comparação entre dois instrumentos

 Objective: to compare two instruments classically utilized by the literature and indicated to evaluate possible distortions of body image in adolescents and adults of both sexes.Method: the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Silhouette Figure Scale (SFS) was applied in 118 students, aged 16.5 ± 1.2 years, 62 boys and 56 girls of 4 public schools. The BSQ measures body shape concerns and the feeling of being “fat”; while the SFS evaluates the actual shape perception and the desirable shape, based on 15 silhouettes of each sex, presented in individual cards, with progressive variations, from the thinner (BMI = 12.5 Kg/m 2) to the larger (BMI = 47.5 Kg/m2).Besides that, weight and height were measured for the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation and posterior comparison with the SFS. The data were submitted to the statistical treatment consisted in a descriptive analysis, a Pearson’s correlation test between the instruments and the Student’s T-Test  for comparison between the sexes. Results: The BSQ showed that 14.5% of the boys and 60.7% of the girls presented some level of body image distortion. The SFS on girls showed a “actual” BMI of 26.9 Kg/m.The EFS on boys showed a “actual” BMI of 23.7 Kg/m 2, while the real BMI were 21.0 Kg/m2 , indicating a prevalence of body image distortion in both sexes. The statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.8) between the two instruments, however, the SFS did not presented differences between the sexes (p=0.93), while the BSQ detected a higher level of distortion by the girls [F(1,110)=13.80; p<0.001)]. Conclusion: the body image distortion was detected by both instruments, however, the BSQ detected differences due to sex, while SFS appears not sufficiently sensible to detect sex differences in adolescents.  Objetivo : comparar dois instrumentos classicamente utilizados pela literatura especializada, indicados para avaliar possíveis distorções da imagem corporal em adolescentes e adultos de ambos os sexos. Metodologia: aplicou-se o Questionário de Imagem Corporal (BSQ) e a Escala de Figuras de Silhuetas (EFS) em 118 estudantes, com idade média de 16,5 anos (± 1,2), sendo 62 meninos e 56 meninas, de 4 escolas públicas estaduais. O primeiro instrumento mede as preocupações com a forma do corpo, a auto-depreciação devido à aparência física e a sensação de estar “gordo”; enquanto o segundo avalia a percepção do estado atual e do estado desejado, através de 15 silhuetas de cada gênero, apresentadas em cartões individuais, com variações progressivas na escala de medidas, da figura mais magra (IMC = 12,5 Kg/m 2) para a mais larga (IMC = 47,5 Kg/m2). Além disso, aferiu-se peso e altura para cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e posterior comparação com a EFS. A análise dos resultados foi realizada através da escala de avaliação do BSQ e o tratamento estatístico consistiu na análise descritiva dos resultados, além da aplicação de um teste de correlação de Pearson entre os instrumentos e do Teste t de Student  para comparação entre os sexos. Resultados: através do BSQ observou-se que 14,5% dos meninos e 60,7% das meninas apresentaram algum grau de distorção da imagem corporal. Já a EFS demonstrou que no grupo feminino, o IMC médio escolhido como “atual” foi de 26,9 Kg/m 2 enquanto o IMC médio real foi de 21,5 Kg/m2 e no grupo masculino, o IMC médio “atual” escolhido foi 23,7 Kg/m 2, enquanto a média do IMC real foi de 21,0 Kg/m2 , indicando uma prevalência de distorção da imagem corporal em ambos os sexos. A análise estatística mostrou uma correlação positiva significativa (r=0,38) entre os dois instrumentos, entretanto, a EFS não apresentou diferença devido ao sexo (p=0,93), enquanto o BSQ detectou um maior grau de distorção no sexo feminino [F(1,110)=13,80; p<0,001)]. Conclusão: ambos os instrumentos detectaram distorções da imagem corporal, porém, o BSQ conseguiu detectar diferenças devido ao sexo enquanto a EFS parece não ser suficientemente sensível para diferenciar os dois sexos

SHORT-TERM SOCIAL ISOLATION DOES NOT REDUCE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE EXPLORATION IN EARLY PROTEIN MALNOURISHED RATS

An increased number of visits and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze by malnourished rats has been used as indicative of lower anxiety or impulsiveness. In order to study how this behavior profile responds to an anxiogenic procedure (short-term social isolation), control (16% protein) and malnourished (6% protein) rats were socially isolated prior to the test in the maze. Litters (dam plus 6 male 2 female pups) were fed the diets from birth to 49 days of age. From 50 days on, all rats were fed a lab chow diet. Social isolation consists in removing the rats from the group and placing in individual cages for 2h before the test. During the test each rat was individually placed on the center of the maze and allowed to explore for 5 min. The results showed higher open arms exploration and lower attempts to enter open arms by the malnourished rats than by the controls. Social isolation decreased open arm exploration and increased time spent on the central platform in control animals, but had no effect on the malnourished rats. The results reinforce the lower anxiety or higher impulsiveness of malnourished rats, as well as the anxiogenic effect of social isolation in control rats. However, the malnourished rats were unresponsive to the anxiogenic effects of social isolation, indicating that protein deficiency early in life not only induces lower anxiety or higher impulsiveness in the maze, but also changes the behavior of these animals in response to another environmentally-induced procedure of anxiety (social isolation). Keywords: Early protein malnutrition, Social isolation, Anxiety, Impulsiveness, Stress, Rats.

Efeitos de variáveis psicológicas, morfológicas e sociodemográficas sobre o comportamento alimentar de adolescentes

-OBJETIVO: Averiguar a associação da insatisfação corporal (IC), do grau de comprometimento psicológico ao exercício (GCPE), do nível habitual de atividade física (NAF), do índice de massa corpórea (IMC), do percentual de gordura (%G) e da etnia com o comportamento alimentar inadequado (CAI) de adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Investigação transversal, da qual participaram 362 jovens de ambos os sexos, com idades entre dez e 19 anos, selecionados por amostragem estratificada. O Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) foi utilizado para avaliar o CAI. Ademais, utilizou-se o Body Shape Questionnaire, a Commitment Exercise Scale e o International Physical Activity Questionnaire para avaliar IC, GCPE e NAF, respectivamente. Conduziu-se análise multivariada e regressão múltipla para se analisarem os dados. RESULTADOS: Os resultados evidenciaram que a IC, o GCPE, o IMC e o %G associaram-se significativamente (p<0,05) com os escores das subescalas do EAT-26, tanto no sexo feminino, quanto no masculino. Os valores indicativos dessas associações foram diferentes entre os sexos. CONCLUSÕES: a insatisfação corporal e o IMC parecem ser os fatores mais fortemente associados aos distintos construtos do comportamento alimentar em ambos os sexos

Effect of an extract of Centella asiatica on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na^99mTcO₄) and on the fixation of radioactivity on blood constituents

This study evaluates the effects of an acute treatment with a Centella asiatica (CA) extract on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 and on the fixation of technetium-99m on blood constituents. Wistar rats were treated with CA extract and, 1 hour after, Na99mTcO4 was administered; organs/tissues were withdrawn and weighted. The radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g). Also, blood samples were withdrawn, plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fractions of P and BC were isolated and the radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity (%ATI). Data indicated that the acute treatment with CA extract changed significantly (p99mTcO4 and the fixation of the technetium-99m on blood constituents in an acute treatment

Translation and validation of the Brazilian version of the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children – child report

AbstractObjectiveTo verify the psychometric properties of the Cerebral Palsy: Quality of Life Questionnaire Children – child report (CPQol-Child) questionnaire, after it was translated and culturally adapted into Brazilian Portuguese.MethodsAfter the translation and cultural adaptation of the tool into Brazilian Portuguese, the questionnaire was answered by 65 children with cerebral palsy, aged 9–12 years. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the reliability and internal consistency of the tool and its validity was analyzed through the association between CPQol-Child: self-report tool and Kidscreen-10 using Pearson's correlation coefficient.ResultsInternal consistency ranged from 0.6579 to 0.8861, the intraobserver reliability from 0.405 to 0.894, and the interobserver from 0.537 to 0.937. There was a weak correlation between the participation domain and physical health of CPQol-Child: self-report tool and Kidscreen-10.ConclusionThe analysis suggests that the tool has psychometric acceptability for the Brazilian population

The effect of an extract from Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m and on the survival of Escherichia coli

This study evaluated effects of an aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) and on the survival of cultures of Escherichia coli treated with stannous chloride. Blood samples from Wistar rats were treated with reishi extract, radiolabeling procedure was performed, plasma (P), blood cells (BC) and insoluble (IF) and soluble (SF) fractions of P and BC were separated. The radioactivity was counted for the determination of the percentages of radioactivity (%ATI). Cultures of Escherichia coli AB1157 were treated with stannous chloride in the presence and absence of reishi extract. Blood samples and bacterial cultures treated with NaCl 0.9% were used as controls. Data indicated that reishi extract altered significantly (p99mTc and protecting bacterial cultures against oxidative damage induced by stannous chloride