Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Pelotas published in 2011"

Physical activity change during adolescence: a systematic review and a pooled analysis

Abstract: Conclusions The decline of PA during adolescence is a consistent finding in the literature. Differences between boys and girls were observed and should be explored in future studies. Interventions that attempt to attenuate the PA decline, even without an increase in PA levels, could be considered as effective.

Breastfeeding and the risk for diarrhea morbidity and mortality

Abstract: Background: Lack of exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-5 months of age and no breastfeeding among children 6-23 months of age are associated with increased diarrhea morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We estimate the protective effects conferred by varying levels of breastfeeding exposure against diarrhea incidence, diarrhea prevalence, diarrhea mortality, all-cause mortality, and hospitalization for diarrhea illness. Methods: We systematically reviewed all literature published from 1980 to 2009 assessing levels of suboptimal breastfeeding as a risk factor for selected diarrhea morbidity and mortality outcomes. We conducted random effects meta-analyses to generate pooled relative risks by outcome and age category. Results: We found a large body of evidence for the protective effects of breastfeeding against diarrhea incidence, prevalence, hospitalizations, diarrhea mortality, and all-cause mortality. The results of random effects meta-analyses of eighteen included studies indicated varying degrees of protection across levels of breastfeeding exposure with the greatest protection conferred by exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-5 months of age and by any breastfeeding among infants and young children 6-23 months of age. Specifically, not breastfeeding resulted in an excess risk of diarrhea mortality in comparison to exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-5 months of age (RR: 10.52) and to any breastfeeding among children aged 6-23 months (RR: 2.18). Conclusions: Our findings support the current WHO recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life as a key child survival intervention. Our findings also highlight the importance of breastfeeding to protect against diarrhea-specific morbidity and mortality throughout the first 2 years of life.

Physiological Profiles of Elite Judo Athletes

Abstract: To be successful in international competitions, judo athletes must achieve an excellent level of physical fitness and physical condition during training. This article reviews the physiological profiles of elite judo athletes from different sex, age and weight categories. Body fat is generally low for these athletes, except for the heavyweight competitors. In general, elite judo athletes presented higher upper body anaerobic power and capacity than non-elite athletes. Lower body dynamic strength seems to provide a distinction between elite and recreational judo players, but not high-level judo players competing for a spot on national teams. Even maximal isometric strength is not a discriminant variable among judo players. However, more studies focusing on isometric strength endurance are warranted. Although aerobic power and capacity are considered relevant to judo performance, the available data do not present differences among judo athletes from different competitive levels. Typical maximal oxygen uptake values are around 50-55 mL/kg/min for male and 40-45 mL/kg/min for female judo athletes. As for other variables, heavyweight competitors presented lower aerobic power values. The typical differences commonly observed between males and females in the general population are also seen in judo athletes when analysing anaerobic power and capacity, aerobic power, and maximal strength and power. However, further research is needed concerning the differences among the seven weight categories in which judo athletes compete.

The human micronucleus project on exfoLiated buccal cells (HUMNXL): the role of life-style, host factors, occupational exposures, health status, and assay protocol

Abstract: Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC), Italian Ministry of Health, Fondazione Buzzi Onlus, Casale, Italy

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers Conducted within the INHANCE Consortium

Abstract: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in identifying common genetic variation involved in susceptibility to etiologically complex disease. We conducted a GWAS to identify common genetic variation involved in susceptibility to upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancers. Genome-wide genotyping was carried out using the Illumina HumanHap300 beadchips in 2,091 UADT cancer cases and 3,513 controls from two large European multi-centre UADT cancer studies, as well as 4,821 generic controls. The 19 top-ranked variants were investigated further in an additional 6,514 UADT cancer cases and 7,892 controls of European descent from an additional 13 UADT cancer studies participating in the INHANCE consortium. Five common variants presented evidence for significant association in the combined analysis (p≤5×10−7). Two novel variants were identified, a 4q21 variant (rs1494961, p = 1×10−8) located near DNA repair related genes HEL308 and FAM175A (or Abraxas) and a 12q24 variant (rs4767364, p = 2×10−8) located in an extended linkage disequilibrium region that contains multiple genes including the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene. Three remaining variants are located in the ADH gene cluster and were identified previously in a candidate gene study involving some of these samples. The association between these three variants and UADT cancers was independently replicated in 5,092 UADT cancer cases and 6,794 controls non-overlapping samples presented here (rs1573496-ADH7, p = 5×10−8; rs1229984-ADH1B, p = 7×10−9; and rs698-ADH1C, p = 0.02). These results implicate two variants at 4q21 and 12q24 and further highlight three ADH variants in UADT cancer susceptibility.

What are the causal effects of breastfeeding on IQ, obesity and blood pressure? Evidence from comparing high-income with middle-income cohorts

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A novel approach is explored for improving causal inference in observational studies by comparing cohorts from high-income with low- or middle-income countries (LMIC) where confounding structures differ. This is applied to assessing causal effects of breastfeeding on child blood pressure (BP) body mass index (BMI) and intelligence quotient (IQ). METHODS: Standardized approaches for assessing the confounding structure of breastfeeding by socio-economic position were applied to the British Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (N approximately 5000) and Brazilian Pelotas 1993 cohorts (N approximately 1000). This was used to improve causal inference regarding associations of breastfeeding with child BP BMI and IQ. Analyses were extended to include results from a meta-analysis of five LMICs (N approximately 10 000) and compared with a randomized trial of breastfeeding promotion. Findings Although higher socio-economic position was strongly associated with breastfeeding in ALSPAC there was little such patterning in Pelotas. In ALSPAC breastfeeding was associated with lower BP lower BMI and higher IQ adjusted for confounders but in the directions expected if due to socioeconomic patterning. In contrast in Pelotas breastfeeding was not strongly associated with BP or BMI but was associated with higher IQ. Differences in associations observed between ALSPAC and the LMIC meta-analysis were in line with those observed between ALSPAC and Pelotas but with robust evidence of heterogeneity detected between ALSPAC and the LMIC meta-analysis associations. Trial data supported the conclusions inferred by the cross-cohort comparisons which provided evidence for causal effects on IQ but not for BP or BMI. CONCLUSION: While reported associations of breastfeeding with child BP and BMI are likely to reflect residual confounding breastfeeding may have causal effects on IQ. Comparing associations between populations with differing confounding structures can be used to improve causal inference in observational studies.

Cohort Profile: The 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study

Abstract: The last decades of the 20th century witnessed a major epidemiological and nutritional transition in Latin America. Mortality due to infectious diseases and malnutrition declined in most countries and neonatal deaths now account for a growing proportion of infant deaths. In Brazil, infant mortality fell from 82.8 per 1000 live births in 1980 to 27.4 per 1000 in 2000. There were also marked improvements in undernutrition: 37.1% of Brazilian children <5 years of age were stunted in 1974 compared with 10.5% in 1996. Because of the speed of epidemiological and nutritional changes, and motivated by the successful implementation and follow-up of two previous population-based birth cohorts in 1982 and 1993, the research team decided to start a new cohort in 2004 to assess the magnitude of changes in maternal and child health status and their determinants. The existence of three prospective birth cohorts in the same population would provide a unique opportunity to study time trends over a 22-year span.

Green consumer values: how do personal values influence environmentally responsible water consumption?

Abstract: The present research analyses how personal values influence environmentally responsible water consumption in Brazil. This research reports a four-part study that is focused on both the influence of demographics (1a and 1b) and the influence of personal values (2 and 3). In general, environmental awareness has an effect on wasteful habits. Regarding demographics, we found that green consumers tend to be older and have lower levels of education. Our results also suggest that personal values influence responsible water consumption. Responsible consumers usually attach more importance to personal values such as conformity and personal virtues. Socially oriented values were seen to increase responsible consumption. Finally, the study demonstrates that environmental awareness and personal values could predict wasteful habits, enabling a broader comprehension of green consumers.

Dental pulp tissue engineering.

Abstract: Dental pulp is a highly specialized mesenchymal tissue that has a limited regeneration capacity due to anatomical arrangement and post-mitotic nature of odontoblastic cells. Entire pulp amputation followed by pulp space disinfection and filling with an artificial material cause loss of a significant amount of dentin leaving as life-lasting sequelae a non-vital and weakened tooth. However, regenerative endodontics is an emerging field of modern tissue engineering that has demonstrated promising results using stem cells associated with scaffolds and responsive molecules. Thereby, this article reviews the most recent endeavors to regenerate pulp tissue based on tissue engineering principles and provides insightful information to readers about the different aspects involved in tissue engineering. Here, we speculate that the search for the ideal combination of cells, scaffolds, and morphogenic factors for dental pulp tissue engineering may be extended over future years and result in significant advances in other areas of dental and craniofacial research. The findings collected in this literature review show that we are now at a stage in which engineering a complex tissue, such as the dental pulp, is no longer an unachievable goal and the next decade will certainly be an exciting time for dental and craniofacial research.

Dry washing in biodiesel purification: a comparative study of adsorbents

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to compare the efficiency of different adsorbents in the purification of biodiesel produced by alkaline transesterification of soybean oil (Methanol/KOH). The proposed methodologies were based on the use of Magnesol®, silica, Amberlite BD10 DRY® and Purolite PD 206® as adsorbents and were developed by adsorption at 65 oC. The response of each adsorbent was measured through the residual potassium, alcohol, water and soaps dissolved in the purified biodiesel. As a result, we observe that Magnesol® and silica showed better adsorption properties than Amberlite BD10 DRY® and Purolite PD 206®, especially for removing soap, free and bonded glycerol and potassium. In comparison to the conventional acid water washing, these matrices were found to be equally appropriate for the removal of inorganic and organic contaminant species from biodiesel. The main results found for these two adsorbents (Magnesol® 1% and silica 2%) were values below 0.17 mg KOH g-1 for acid number, 1 mg kg-1 of K, 61 ppm of soap, 500 mg kg-1 of water, 0.22% of methanol and 0.03% of free glycerol

Acidentes de trânsito no Brasil de 1998 a 2010: muitas mudanças e poucos resultados

Abstract: O artigo descreve a situacao dos acidentes de trânsito no Brasil, desde a implementacao do Codigo de Trânsito Brasileiro de 1998 ate o ano de 2010. Foi realizada analise dos principais trabalhos cientificos e publicacoes nao academicas nacionais. A revisao de literatura incluiu periodicos indexados, nao indexados, relatorios tecnicos, busca especifica por autores, referencias bibliograficas de artigos e contato com pesquisadores. Os principais problemas do trânsito brasileiro identificados foram aumento do numero absoluto de mortos e das taxas de mortalidade, ampliacao da frota de motocicletas e o uso de alcool. Foram identificados autores influentes e ilhas de producao de conhecimento nas areas pesquisadas. Os autores apresentam algumas possiveis solucoes e sugerem que o poder publico nao tem assumido a responsabilidade que lhe cabe no controle e reducao dos acidentes de trânsito.

Patterns of deliveries in a Brazilian birth cohort: almost universal cesarean sections for the better-off

Abstract: OBJETIVO: Descrever o padrao dos partos em uma coorte de nascimentos, comparando partos normais e cesarianos. METODOS: Todos os recem-nascidos de moradoras da area urbana de Pelotas (RS) em 2004 foram recrutados para uma coorte de nascimentos. As maes foram entrevistadas ainda no hospital, quando informacoes detalhadas sobre a gestacao, o parto e o recem-nascido, junto com um historico da saude materna e caracteristicas da familia foram coletadas. Caracteristicas maternas e o financiamento do parto foram os principais fatores estudados. Tambem se fez uma descricao da distribuicao das cesareas por hora do dia e dia da semana. Tecnicas padrao de analise descritiva e testes qui-quadrado para comparar proporcoes e regressao Poisson para explorar o efeito independente de preditores da cesarea foram os metodos utilizados. RESULTADOS: A taxa global de cesarianas foi de 45%, 36% entre pacientes do SUS e 81% no servico privado, onde se relatou que 35% das cesarianas foram eletivas. As cesarianas foram mais frequentes nas tercas e quartas-feiras, com uma reducao de cerca de um terco aos domingos, enquanto os partos normais apresentaram distribuicao uniforme ao longo da semana. O horario das cesarianas no setor publico e no privado foi muito diferente. A escolaridade materna se associou positivamente com a cesariana entre as maes do servico publico, mas nao do privado. CONCLUSOES: A cesariana foi muito frequente entre as maes mais ricas, e fortemente associada com a escolaridade materna entre pacientes do SUS. Os padroes descritos sao compativeis com a hipotese de que as cesareas sao feitas, em grande parte, para atender a conveniencia das agendas dos medicos. A situacao atual so sera revertida com politicas radicais.

Discriminação racial e saúde: uma revisão sistemática de escalas com foco em suas propriedades psicométricas (Racial discrimination and health: a systematic review of scales with a focus on their psychometric properties)

Abstract: A literatura abordando o uso da variavel raca no estudo de causas das iniquidades raciais em saude e caracterizada por uma profunda discussao sobre os problemas envolvidos na interpretacao de associacoes estatisticas como relacoes de causa e efeito. Em contrapartida, um numero menor de estudos tem abordado o uso de escalas de discriminacao racial para estimar os efeitos deste tipo de tratamento injusto sobre a saude, e nenhum deles realizou uma avaliacao abrangente das propriedades psicometricas destes instrumentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre escalas de discriminacao racial, com vistas a descrever seus processos de desenvolvimento e prover uma sintese de suas propriedades psicometricas. Uma busca eletronica nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, PsycInfo, Scielo, Scopus e Web of Science foi realizada sem qualquer restricao, utilizando-se vocabulario livre e controlado. Apos identificar 3.060 referencias, 24 escalas foram incluidas na revisao. Apesar de a discriminacao racial constituir um tema de relevância internacional, 23 (96%) escalas foram desenvolvidas nos Estados Unidos. A maior parte dos estudos (67%, N = 16) foi publicada nos ultimos 12 anos, documentando tentativas iniciais de desenvolvimento de escalas, com uma escassez de investigacoes sobre o refinamento ou a adaptacao trans-cultural destes instrumentos. As propriedades psicometricas relatadas foram boas; dezesseis entre todas as escalas apresentaram confiabilidade acima de 0,7, 19 entre 20 instrumentos confirmaram, pelo menos, 75% das hipoteses relacionadas aos construtos avaliados e a estrutura dimensional foi corroborada por analises fatoriais em 17 de 21 escalas. Entretanto, pesquisadores independentes raramente examinaram estas escalas. O uso de terminologia racial e como isto pode afetar o relato de experiencias de discriminacao racial nao foi extensamente avaliado. A necessidade de considerar outras formas de tratamento discriminatorio como exposicoes danosas a saude igualmente importantes e a ideia de um instrumento universal, adaptavel a diferentes contextos socioculturais, deveriam ser discutidas entre os pesquisadores deste emergente campo de investigacao. ABSTRACT – The literature addressing the use of the race variable to study causes of racial inequities in health is characterized by a dense discussion on the pitfalls in interpreting statistical associations as causal relationships. In contrast, fewer studies have addressed the use of racial discrimination scales to estimate discrimination effects on health, and none of them provided a thorough assessment of the scales’ psychometric properties. Our aim was to systematically review self-reported racial discrimination scales to describe their development processes and to provide a synthesis of their psychometric properties. A computer-based search in PubMed, LILACS, PsycInfo, Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted without any type of restriction, using search queries containing free and controlled vocabulary. After initially identifying 3,060 references, 24 scales were included in the review. Despite the fact that discrimination stands as topic of international relevance, 23 (96%) scales were developed within the United States. Most studies (67%, N = 16) were published in the last 12 years, documenting initial attempts at scale development, with a dearth of investigations on scale refinements or cross-cultural adaptations. Psychometric properties were acceptable; sixteen of all scales presented reliability scores above 0.7, 19 out of 20 instruments confirmed at least 75% of all previously stated hypotheses regarding the constructs under consideration, and conceptual dimensional structure was supported by means of any type of factor analysis in 17 of 21 scales. However, independent researchers, apart from the original scale developers, have rarely examined such scales. The use of racial terminology and how it may influence self-reported experiences of discrimination has not yet been thoroughly examined. The need to consider other types of unfair treatment as concurrently important health-damaging exposures, and the idea of a universal instrument, which would permit cross-cultural adaptations, should be discussed among researchers in this emerging field of inquiry. Key words: Race Relations; Prejudice; Causality; Questionnaires; Psychometrics

Prevalence of falls in elderly in Brazil: a countrywide analysis

Abstract: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a sample of 6,616 elderly living in urban areas of 100 municipalities in 23 Brazilian states, who responded to questions on the occurrence of falls in the 12 months prior to the interview, and occurrence of fractures due to the falls. The prevalence of falls among the elderly was 27.6% (95%CI: 26.5-28.7). Among those reporting falls, 11% had suffered fractures as a result. Of the elderly, 36% had received guidance about the precautions necessary to prevent falls, and about 1% had required surgery. Falls were associated with female gender, older age, low socioeconomic status, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. The prevalence of falls differed significantly between the North and other regions of Brazil. The study shows a high prevalence of falls, and underlines the need for preventive strategies targeting modifiable risk factors.

A Review of Time-Motion Analysis and Combat Development in Mixed Martial Arts Matches at Regional Level Tournaments

Abstract: SummaryMixed martial arts (MMA) have become a fast-growing worldwide expansion of martial arts competition, requiring high level of skill, physical conditioning, and strategy, and involving a synthesis of combat while standing or on the ground. This study quantified the effort-pause ratio (EP), and classified effort segments of stand-up or groundwork development to identify the number of actions performed per round in MMA matches. 52 MMA athletes participated in the study (M age = 24 yr., SD = 5; average experience in MMA = 5 yr., SD = 3). A one-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was conducted to compare the type of action across the rounds. A chi-squared test was applied across the percentages to compare proportions of different events. Only one significant difference (p <.05) was observed among rounds: time in groundwork of low intensity was longer in the second compared to the third round. When the interval between rounds was not considered, the EP ratio (between high-intensity effort ...

Standardized phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis as prognostic factor for survival in patients with cancer

Abstract: Phase angle (PA), determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), has been considered as a prognostic factor in several clinical conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate PA, after adjusting for sex and age (standardized phase angle; SPA) as a prognostic factor for survival in cancer patients. A prospective study was conducted in 195 patients before the first chemotherapy course. BIA was performed in all patients and SPA was calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival. The Cox regression method was used to evaluate the independent prognostic effect of PA after adjustment for other variables. Patients with SPA < −1.65 had a smaller survival rate than those with SPA ≥ −1.65 (p < 0.001). Using Cox regression, the mortality rate was higher in patients with SPA < −1.65 (RR 3.12 CI: 2.03–4.79; p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, patients with PA < −1.65 still presented a higher mortality rate (RR 2.35 CI: 1.41–3.90; p = 0.001). The present study demonstrates that PA, used as SPA, is an independent prognostic indicator in this group of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment even after adjustment for other prognostic variables.

In silico comparative analysis of ssr markers in plants.

Abstract: The adverse environmental conditions impose extreme limitation to growth and plant development, restricting the genetic potential and reflecting on plant yield losses. The progress obtained by classic plant breeding methods aiming at increasing abiotic stress tolerances have not been enough to cope with increasing food demands. New target genes need to be identified to reach this goal, which requires extensive studies of the related biological mechanisms. Comparative analyses in ancestral plant groups can help to elucidate yet unclear biological processes. In this study, we surveyed the occurrence patterns of expressed sequence tag-derived microsatellite markers for model plants. A total of 13,133 SSR markers were discovered using the SSRLocator software in non-redundant EST databases made for all eleven species chosen for this study. The dimer motifs are more frequent in lower plant species, such as green algae and mosses, and the trimer motifs are more frequent for the majority of higher plant groups, such as monocots and dicots. With this in silico study we confirm several microsatellite plant survey results made with available bioinformatics tools. The comparative studies of EST-SSR markers among all plant lineages is well suited for plant evolution studies as well as for future studies of transferability of molecular markers.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics in relation to dietary patterns among young Brazilian adults.

Abstract: Objective To identify dietary patterns among young adults and the relationships with socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle characteristics.

Efficacy of denture cleansers on Candida spp. biofilm formed on polyamide and polymethyl methacrylate resins.

Abstract: Statement of problem Although new materials have emerged as options to fabricate removable dental prostheses, the development of Candida biofilms on these materials and the effectiveness of methods to control these pathogenic biofilms are poorly understood. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of denture cleansers on Candida single- and dual-species biofilms formed on polyamide resin. Material and Methods Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin (Acron MC) and polyamide resin (Flexite M.P.) specimens (n=116) were prepared, and their surface roughness was standardized (0.34 ±0.02 μm). Surface free energy (SFE) was measured for some specimens (n=20 per resin), while the remainder were randomly divided by lottery into 24 groups (n=8) for biofilm assay. C. albicans and/or C. glabrata biofilm was formed for 72 hours, and then specimens were treated with an enzymatic cleanser solution (Polident 3 Minutes), a cleanser solution (Corega Tabs), or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution. Water served as the negative control. Remaining adherent microorganisms were removed from the treated specimens by ultrasonic waves, and colony-forming units (CFU) of each microorganism were calculated. SFE data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA, and Candida species data were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer test ( P =.05). Results All tested biofilms displayed significantly higher growth on polyamide resin ( P Candida levels; however, the 0.5% NaOCl solution was the only effective cleanser. C. glabrata revealed significantly higher CFU counts under all experimental conditions ( P Conclusions The highest Candida spp. biofilm growth was shown to occur on polyamide resin when compared with PMMA. Denture cleansers were able to remove Candida spp. biofilm formed on both denture base resins.

Determination of Trace Elements in Vegetable Oils and Biodiesel by Atomic Spectrometric Techniques—A Review

Abstract: The determination of trace elements in edible oils and biodiesel using atomic spectrometric methods is reviewed. Problems related to sample pretreatment for appropriate sample introduction and calibration are addressed as well as the strategies to overcome them. Recent trends aimed at simplifying sample manipulation are presented. The applications and scope of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), flame optical emission spectrometry (F-OES), inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques for the determination of trace metals in edible oils and biodiesel are discussed, as well as some current instrumental new developments.