Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of different physical exercise programs and polymorphisms of the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated gene) on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: A randomized, parallel, double-blind clinical trial consisting of the adolescent overweight from the state public network, in a simple representative random sample, who participated in an aerobic exercise or weight training intervention for 10 weeks. Anthropometry, body composition, biochemical markers, sexual maturation, and rs9939609 polymorphism in the FTO gene were assessed. 347 adolescents had their characterization of nutritional status. 72 individuals with overweight and obesity were invited to participate. 39 remained for the start of the program and were randomly allocated to both types of intervention. In the end, 26 subjects participated in the intervention programs, with 12 and 14 in the aerobic and weight training programs, respectively. Results: Heterozygous and homozygous bearers of risk allele A participating in the aerobic program showed improvements in glycemia (p = 0.002) and total cholesterol (p = 0.023) and a reduction in body fat mass (p = 0.041). The weight training program reduced glycemia in patients with the risk allele A (p = 0.027). Cameron’s stage four sexual maturation participants were 2.1 times more likely to improve their body fat (CI = 1.31–3.39). Conclusion: Aerobic exercises produced exclusively a significant decrease in fat mass and total cholesterol in patients with risk allele A. Distinct physical exercise programs may cause diverse changes in risk variables related to the health of adolescents.

This report describes the fabrication of a low-cost magnetic separator holder combining 3D printing and compact neodymium blocks for allowing magnetic extraction and purification of RNA from samples collected by nasopharyngeal swab from patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. The device was designed to contain 24 entrances for plastic microtubes in an arrangement like a commercial device. The proof of concept of the proposed device was successfully demonstrated through the sample extraction and purification of swab samples collected from eight patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sample preparation protocol was performed using a commercial kit containing magnetic beads and different solutions. The performance of the printed device was compared to a commercial magnetic separator, usually employed in the golden standard techniques. The fabrication of the 3D printed magnetic separator was completed under optimized printing conditions within 6 h at cost of 4 USD per unit. The RNA extracted from samples using both devices was analyzed by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the achieved results have indicated no statistical different at confidence level of 95%. Based on the achievements, the use of 3D printing and neodymium blocks have demonstrated an alternative route to be used in routing analysis associated to COVID-19 diagnosis.

Abstract Fibrinolytic enzymes are considered promising alternative in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by preventing fibrin clots. A protease from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 was obtained by solid state fermentation and purified by ion exchange chromatography. The purified extract was administered at an acute dose of 2000 mg/mL to evaluate its toxic effects to the lungs of mice. After 14 days of treatment, a histomorphometric study was performed by the type 1 and 2 pneumocyte count and the evaluation of the lung area. As result, the experimental group showed a significant decrease of type 2 pneumocyte and although a decrease in the alveolar area was observed in relation to the control group, no significant pulmonary toxicity, emphysema, and fibrosis characteristics were detected. The in vitro tests suggest possible clinical applications for the enzyme.

ABSTRACT Variation in the spatial distribution of leaf chlorophyll content associated with the progression of the phenological cycle of crops may occur in cultivated areas as a result of the variability of environmental conditions and of the intrinsic properties of the plants. The objective of the present study was to model the trend in variation and assess the temporal stability of index of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll (Chla, Chlb, and Chlt, respectively), and to characterize the spatial distribution of Chlt index in grapevine cv. ‘Chardonnay’. The assessments consisted of in situ measurements made with a portable meter in a commercial vineyard located in the municipality of Espírito Santo do Pinhal, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in the period between flowering and fruit maturation. Descriptive statistics were applied to the indices and regression models were fitted to ascertain the relationship of their mean variation with time. The temporal stability of Chlt index was estimated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis and thematic maps were created using geostatistical analysis and spatial estimation by ordinary kriging. The Chlb and Chlt indices were non-linearly associated with cycle progression and their decrease after the start of maturation was estimated. The temporal stability of the Chlt index was low and variation in its spatial distribution was observed over the assessed period.

O objetivo foi realizar revisão sistemática sobre os efeitos de programas de exercício físico ao nível das autoperceções no domínio físico de jovens adolescentes e comparar a magnitude do efeito utilizando meta- análise. Foi realizada busca nas bases Pubmed e PsychInfo, considerando o período de janeiro de 2005 a maio de 2015, com os seguintes descritores em inglês: “exercise”, “adolescents”, “physical self perception”, “self concept”. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 10 artigos. Após a avaliação da qualidade metodológica dos estudos, somente 7 foram incluídos na meta-análise. As análises foram realizadas utilizando o software informático Comprehensive meta-analysis versão 2.2. A maioria dos estudos compreendeu programas multidisciplinares e variou quanto ao tipo de exercício. A prática de programas de intervenção com exercício físico teve um efeito positivo ao nível das autoperceções no domínio físico de jovens adolescentes, quando comparados aos sujeitos do grupo controlo (nenhum exercício), sendo a magnitude do efeito de Z=3.44 (p=0.001). No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para confirmar os efeitos isolados do exercício face ao modo como os adolescentes se veem a si mesmos no dominio físico, bem como o tipo de exercício físico que apresenta um maior potencial gerador desses efeitos.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on the effects of exercise programs on adolescent´s Physical Self-perceptions and compare the magnitude of the effect using a meta-analysis. A search in Pubmed and PsychInfo databases was conducted ranging from January 2005 to May 2015 and using the following keywords in English language: “exercise”, “adolescents”, “physical self-perception”, “self-concept”. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review, however only seven were included in the meta-analysis after assessing the methodological quality of the studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive meta-analysis version 2.2. software. The majority of studies included multidisciplinary programs, however, they used different types of exercise. Physical exercise intervention programs had a positive effect on young adolescents self- perceptions in the physical domain when compared to the subjects in the control group (no exercise) and the magnitude of the effect was Z = 3.44 (p=0.001). However, more studies are needed to confirm the isolated effects of exercise on the way that teenagers perceive themselves in the physical domain, and about the type of exercise that has the greatest potential to generate these effects.

Abstract Genes can influence lipid profile and anthropometric variables related to obesity. The present study aimed to verify if variants of the APOE, APOB, ADIPOQ, HSD11β1, and PLIN4 genes are associated with lipid levels or anthropometric variables in a sample comprised of 393 Euro-Brazilian children and adolescents. DNA was genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. The ε4 and ε2 alleles of the APOE gene were associated respectively with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p=0.015 and p=0.012, respectively), while the ε3 allele was associated with higher abdominal circumference (p=0.0416) and excess weight (p=0.0001). The G allele (rs846910) of the HSD11β1 gene was also associated with excess weight (p=0.039). No other association was found. Our results indicate that the ε4 and ε2 alleles could contribute to lower HDL-C and LDL-C levels, respectively, furthermore, the ε3 allele and the G allele (rs846910) of HSD11β1 gene may be risk factors for excess of weight.These findings are very important because we observed that some genetic variants influence the lipid profile and anthropometric variables early in life.

This report describes the use of toner-based microzone plates for quantitative determination of glucose in artificial urine and human serum samples using colorimetric detection. The proposed approach has exhibited a linear response for glucose concentration levels from 0 to 10 mmol L-1 with determination coefficient (R2) of 0.996. The achieved values for sensitivity and limit of detection were 5.1 AU (mmol L-1)-1 and 0.6 mmol L-1, respectively. The glucose analysis in artificial serum samples revealed error lower than 5% in comparison with certified values provided by the supplier. Lastly, the proposed approach has also provided suitable accuracy (92-105%) for glucose measurements in artificial urine samples.

Background: Increased carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) is considered a marker of early-onset atherosclerosis and it has been found in obese children and adolescents, but the risk factors associated with this population remain to be elucidated. Objective : To compare and verify the relationship between c-IMT, metabolic profile, inflammatory markers, and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese and non-obese children and adolescents. Method : Thirty-five obese subjects (19 boys) and 18 non-obese subjects (9 boys), aged 10-16 years, were included. Anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and basal metabolic rate were evaluated. Serum glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin were assessed. c-IMT was measured by ultrasound. Results: The results showed that c-IMT, triglycerides, insulin, HOMA-IR, and CRP values were significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), adiponectin, and VO2max values were significantly lower in the obese group than in the non-obese group. The c-IMT was directly correlated with body weight, waist circumference, % body fat, and HOMA-IR and inversely correlated with % free fat mass, HDL-c, and VO2max. Conclusions : Our findings show that c-IMT correlates not only with body composition, lipids, insulin resistance, and inflammation but also with low VO2max values in children and adolescents.

Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da destruxina A em fêmeas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, uma vez que essa toxina é uma das prováveis causas da alta mortalidade induzida pelo fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae em artrópodes. Os carrapatos foram imersos ou inoculados com diferentes concentrações de destruxina A. Apesar das doses aplicadas, não houve mortes ou alterações significativas de postura entre os grupos tratados com destruxinas A e os grupos controle. Nenhum outro efeito externo provocado pela destruxina A, tal como paralisia tetânica, foi observado nas fêmeas ingurgitadas de carrapato após o tratamento.

This study evaluated the effects of destruxin A on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females, since this toxin is one of the likely causes of high mortality induced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in arthropods. Ticks were immersed or inoculated with different concentrations of destruxin A. Despite the doses applied, there were no deaths or significant alterations in oviposition between the groups treated with destruxin A and the control groups. No other external effect caused by destruxin, such as tetanic paralysis, was observed in these engorged female ticks after the treatment.

Este artigo descreve a síntese e a caracterização de três novos complexos de platina(II) com a oxitetraciclina, doxiciclina e clortetraciclina por análise elementar, espectroscopias IV e RMN de 195Pt. As interações da doxiciclina com íons PtII em função do pH foram estudadas por RMN de ¹H. Todas as tetraciclinas investigadas formam complexos 1:1 com a PtII via oxigênio do grupo hidroxila e oxigênio do grupo amida do anel A. As concentrações mínimas inibitórias (MIC) dos ligantes e de seus complexos de PtII foram determinadas em duas cepas sensíveis (E. coli HB 101 and E. coli ATCC 25922) e em uma resistente (E. coli HB101/pBR322). O complexo de platina da doxiciclina é duas vezes mais potente do que o antibiótico livre na cepa resistente. Os coeficientes de partição dos complexos em octanol e água foram determinados. O aumento da lipofilia causa um aumento da atividade antimicrobiana na cepa resistente.

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of three new platinum(II) complexes with oxytetracycline, doxycycline and chlortetracycline by elemental analysis, IR and 195Pt RMN spectroscopies. Doxycycline interactions with PtII ions as a function of the pH were studied by ¹H NMR. All the investigated tetracyclines form 1:1 complexes with PtII via the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and oxygen of the amide group at ring A. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the ligands and those of their PtII compounds were determined in two sensitive strains (E. coli HB 101 and E. coli ATCC 25922) and in a resistant one (E. coli HB101/pBR322). Platinum complex of doxycycline is twice as potent as the free antibiotic in the resistant strain. Octanol/water partition coefficients of the complexes were determined. Increasing lipophilicity enhances antimicrobial activity in the resistant strain.