non-linear relationships in children 6-10 years

Background: Given the concern for health?related consequences of an elevated body mass index (BMI; obesity), the potential consequences of a low BMI in children are often overlooked. The purpose was to evaluate the relationship between the BMI across its entire spectrum and motor coordination (MC) in children 6?10 years. Methods: Height, weight, and MC (K?rperkoordinationstest f?r Kinder, KTK test battery) were measured in 1,912 boys and 1,826 girls of 6?10 years of age. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. KTK scores for each of the four tests were also converted to a motor quotient (MQ). One?way ANOVA was used to test differences in the BMI, individual test items, and MQ among boys and girls within age groups. Sex?specific quadratic regressions of individual KTK items and the MQ on the BMI were calculated. Girls and boys were also classified into four weight status groups using International Obesity Task Force criteria: thin, normal, overweight, and obese. Differences in specific test items and MQ between weight status groups were evaluated by age group in each sex. Results: Thirty?one percent of the sample was overweight or obese, whereas 5% was thin. On average, normal weight children had the highest MQ in both sexes across the age range with few exceptions. Overweight/obese children had a lower MQ than normal weight and thin children. The quadratic regression lines generally presented an inverted parabolic relationship between the BMI and MC and suggested a decrease in MC with an increase in the BMI. Conclusion: In general, BMI shows a curvilinear, inverted parabolic relationship with MC in children 6?10 years.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo Rodriguesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Single nucleotide polymorphisms from Theobroma cacao expressed sequence tags associated with witches' broom disease in cacao

In order to increase the efficiency of cacao tree resistance to witches¿ broom disease, which is caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa (Tricholomataceae), we looked for molecular markers that could help in the selection of resistant cacao genotypes. Among the different markers useful for developing marker-assisted selection, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) constitute the most common type of sequence difference between alleles and can be easily detected by in silico analysis from expressed sequence tag libraries. We report the first detection and analysis of SNPs from cacao-M. perniciosa interaction expressed sequence tags, using bioinformatics. Selection based on analysis of these SNPs should be useful for developing cacao varieties resistant to this devastating disease. (Résumé d'auteur

Siblings’ influence on the motor competence of preschoolers

The number of single-child families has been rising steadily in recent years, resulting in a childhood absent of sibling relationships. Being an only child has been shown to have a negative impact on physical fitness, somatic fitness, and motor development. In this study, we aimed to understand how living with and without siblings can impact the motor competence of children. One hundred and sixty-one children (87 boys, 74 girls) from 3.0 to 6.0 years of age (34 only children, 125 siblings) and with no known motor or cognitive disability were assessed using the Motor Competence Assessment (MCA). Their standardized results on the three MCA subscales (stability, locomotor, and manipulative) and total MCA were used to group them into high, average, and low motor competence groups. Motor competence percentile distribution of the sibling and only child group condition was compared using chi-square tests. Results showed a significative and positive association between the sibling condition and the distribution between the three MC groups (chi-square = 6.29; p = 0.043), showing that children in a household with siblings, independent of their age and sex, show a clear tendency for developing better motor competence.L.P.R. and V.P.L. were partly supported by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), under Grant UID04045/2020. R.C. was partly supported by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), under Grant UIDB/00447/2020 (unit 447). The research project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project TECH-Technology, Environment, Creativity and Health, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000043.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structure-Function insights of Jaburetox and Soyuretox: Novel intrinsically disordered polypeptides derived from plant ureases

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) do not have a stable 3D structure but still have important biological activities. Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from the jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease and presents entomotoxic and antimicrobial actions. The structure of Jaburetox was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance which reveals it is an IDP with small amounts of secondary structure. Different approaches have demonstrated that Jaburetox acquires certain folding upon interaction with lipid membranes, a characteristic commonly found in other IDPs and usually important for their biological functions. Soyuretox, a recombinant peptide derived from the soybean (Glycine max) ubiquitous urease and homologous to Jaburetox, was also characterized for its biological activities and structural properties. Soyuretox is also an IDP, presenting more secondary structure in comparison with Jaburetox and similar entomotoxic and fungitoxic effects. Moreover, Soyuretox was found to be nontoxic to zebra fish, while Jaburetox was innocuous to mice and rats. This profile of toxicity affecting detrimental species without damaging mammals or the environment qualified them to be used in biotechnological applications. Both peptides were employed to develop transgenic crops and these plants were active against insects and nematodes, unveiling their immense potentiality for field applications.Fil: Grahl, Matheus V. Coste. Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Lopes, Fernanda Cortez. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Martinelli, Anne H. Souza. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Carlini, Célia Regina R. S.. Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Fruttero, Leonardo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Fístula vésico-apendicular em adenocarcinoma mucinoso do apêndice

BACKGOUND: A rare case of vesicoappendiceal fistula secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix is presented. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old man with a one year history of recurrent urinary tract infections. After two months he developed pneumaturia and fecaluria. An abdominal and pelvic computed tomography demonstrated a trans-mural mass in the posterior wall of the bladder with a vesicoenteric fistula leading to the terminal ileum. Laparotomy revealed a tumor arising from the appendix contiguous with the bladder posterior wall. The bladder was opened and a large fistula and tumor on the posterior bladder wall near the trigone was identified. Frozen pathological analysis showed a mucinous adenocarcinoma. En-bloc right hemicolectomy and partial cystectomy, preserving bladder trigone was performed. After manipulating the tumor, grossly leakage of mucinous materials occurred into the pelvic cavity. A peritoneal washing with a mytomicin solution at 42º C was then performed, to prevent peritoneal seeding. The patient had a prolonged postoperative ileus and was discharged at the 15th day. Five months after the procedure the patient was recieving chemotherapy with 5-fluoracil and leucovorin and there was no signs of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: The presentation with vesico-appendiceal fistula is extremely rare with only a few cases reported in the literature. Knowledge of different types of neoplasm and appropriate treatment allows the surgeon to provide patients optimal care referring to specialized centers whenever appropriate.INTRODUÇÃO: Apresenta-se raro caso de fístula vésico-apendicular secundária a adenocarcinoma mucinoso do apêndice. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente masculino de 62 anos com história de um ano de infecções urinárias de repetição. Após dois meses desenvolveu pneumatúria e fecalúria, sendo indicada tomografia computadorizada de abdômen que mostrou massa trans-mural na parede da bexiga, com fistula vésico-entérica para região do íleo terminal. A laparotomia revelou tumoração surgindo do apêndice cecal, em continuidade com a parede posterior da bexiga. A mesma foi aberta, sendo identificada grande fistula e material tumoral até próximo ao trígono vesical. A biópsia de congelação identificou adenocarcinoma mucinoso. Realizada hemicolectomia associada à cistectomia parcial em bloco, com preservação do trígono vesical. Houve extravasamento de mucina para a cavidade pélvica pela manipulação. Optado por lavagem peritoneal com solução de mitomicina a 42º C para prevenir disseminação peritoneal. O paciente evoluiu com íleo prolongado pós-operatório, tendo alta hospitalar no15º dia. Cinco meses após o procedimento encontrava-se em quimioterapia com 5-fluouracil e leucovorin, sem sinais de doença recidivante. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de fístula vésico-apendicecal é extremamente rara, tendo poucos casos relatados na literatura. O conhecimento dos diferentes tipos de neoplasias e seus tratamentos adequados permite ao cirurgião oferecer melhor cuidado ao paciente

Controle Híbrido de um Robô Autônomo Seguidor de Linha: Projeto e Implementação

Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um robô seguidor de linha autônomo. É apresentada a modelagem e a implementação de um controle híbrido, composto por dinâmicas contínuas e discretas, que são, respectivamente, os controladores Proporcional-Integral-Derivativo e Sistemas a Eventos Discretos. O controle a eventos discretos foi modelado com os autômatos de Moore. Robôs seguidores de linha foram desenvolvidos para testar o controle híbrido desenvolvido e testes práticos foram realizados em uma pista de testes e em uma competição em nível nacional