ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to determine the differences in body fat distribution and central obesity indicators using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), adiposity indices, and anthropometric indices between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: Clinical and laboratory examination history, including transvaginal ultrasound, fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and DXA scans were conducted in 179 women with PCOS (PCOS group) and 100 without PCOS (non-PCOS group). The volunteers were grouped by body mass index (BMI): normal (18-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (>30 kg/m2). The visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) were calculated, regions of interest (ROIs) were determined, and the fat mass index (FMI) was calculated using DXA. Results: VAI, LAP, ROIs, FMI, and adiposity indices by DXA were higher in women with PCOS and normal BMI. In both PCOS and non-PCOS groups, the ROIs progressively increased from normal BMI to overweight and obese, and from overweight to obese. Obese women with PCOS showed high trunk fat mass. However, obesity was not able to modify these trunk/periphery fat ratios in PCOS from overweight to higher BMI. These variables were associated with the incidence of PCOS. Conclusion: In women with PCOS and normal BMI, both DXA and the adiposity indices, VAI and LAP, are more sensitive methods to evaluate total body fat and fat accumulation in the central abdominal region. It was also observed that as BMI increased, the differences in measurements between women with and without PCOS decreased.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the teacher’s professional practice, there is a high level of stress, anxiety and incidence of pain. With the advent of COVID-19 and the emergence of remote teaching, it is possible that this scenario has been aggravated. The objective of this study was to evaluate chronic pain, central sensitization and pain catastrophizing among primary education teachers during remote teaching offered due to the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical observational study. Participants were 200 teachers from different regions of Brazil who responded through an online form a sociodemographic questionnaire and a questionnaire about their working conditions. In addition, pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), central sensitization state was assessed using the Central Sensitization Questionnaire (CSI), and pain catastrophizing was assessed using the Catastrophic Thinking Scale about Pain (PCS). RESULTS: Most of the teachers were female, white, from the southeast region, with lato sensu specialization, had an income of 2 to 2.5 minimum wages, working 21 to 40 hours a week. Most of the teachers reported pain intensity equal to eight and the body region most affected was the lumbar spine. It was observed that teachers with low salary, uncomfortable environment and longer days dedicated to remote teaching showed a greater tendency to central sensitization and pain catastrophizing. Most teachers reported pain intensity equal to eight and the most affected body region was the lumbar spine. Teachers with uncomfortable furniture reported increased pain, especially in the lumbar spine and neck. They also showed higher levels of central sensitization to pain, inversely proportional to their salary income and, in sum, teachers with a greater feeling of discomfort catastrophized more which reflects the physical and emotional damage that pain can cause. CONCLUSION: Remote teaching during the pandemic of COVID-19 impacted physical and emotional changes in teachers of primary education. The professionals perceived that their furniture was not the most adequate for the high amount of time they had to work on academic activities using computers (in general, over 40 hours a week), they reported increased pain, especially in the lumbar spine and neck, they presented higher levels of central pain sensitization, which was influenced by low salary income, and, in sum, teachers with higher feelings of discomfort catastrophized more, which reflects the physical and emotional damage that pain may cause. All these affections tend to reduce the teachers’ quality of life and, consequently, affect the teaching and learning processes.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Na atuação profissional do professor, há elevado nível de estresse, ansiedade e incidência de dor. Com o advento do COVID-19 e a emergência do ensino remoto, é possível que este cenário tenha sido agravado. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar quadros de dor crônica, sensibilização central e catastrofização da dor em professores da rede básica durante o ensino remoto ofertado devido à pandemia. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional analítico do tipo transversal. Participaram 200 professores de diferentes regiões do Brasil que responderam, através de um formulário online, perguntas sobre aspectos sociodemográficos e suas condições de trabalho, além de serem avaliadas a intensidade de dor por meio da escala analógica visual de dor, o estado de sensibilização central por meio do Questionário de Sensibilização Central (CSI) e a catastrofização da dor por meio da Escala de Pensamento Catastrófico sobre a Dor. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos professores eram do sexo feminino, brancos, da região sudeste, com especialização lato sensu, apresentavam renda de 2 a 2,5 salários-mínimos e jornada de trabalho de 21 a 40 horas semanais. A maioria dos professores relatou intensidade de dor igual a oito e a região do corpo mais afetada foi a coluna lombar. Observou-se que professores com baixo salário, ambiente desconfortável e maior jornada dedicada ao ensino remoto apresentaram maior tendência à sensibilização central e à catastrofização da dor. Professores com mobiliário desconfortável relataram aumento da dor, em especial, na coluna lombar e no pescoço. Apresentaram também maiores níveis de sensibilização central à dor, inversamente proporcional à sua renda salarial e, de maneira somatória, professores com maior sensação de desconforto catastrofizaram mais o que reflete os prejuízos físicos e emocionais que a dor pode causar. CONCLUSÃO: O ensino remoto durante a pandemia do COVID-19 impactou alterações físicas e emocionais nos professores da rede básica de ensino. Os profissionais perceberam que seu mobiliário não era o mais adequado para a alta permanência de tempo que tiveram de trabalhar em atividades acadêmicas pelo computador (em geral, acima de 40 horas semanais), relataram aumento da dor, em especial na coluna lombar e no pescoço, apresentaram maiores níveis de sensibilização central à dor, que foi influenciado por baixa renda salarial e, de maneira somatória, professores com maior sensação de desconforto catastrofizaram mais, o que reflete os prejuízos físicos e emocionais que a dor pode causar. Todos estes acometimentos tendem a reduzir a qualidade de vida do professor e, consequentemente, afetar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a força de preensão manual (FPM) em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP). Métodos Estudo de caso-controle que incluiu 70 mulheres com SOP e 93 mulheres saudáveis comidade entre 18 e 47 anos e índice demassa corporal (IMC) de 18 Kg/m2 a 39.9 Kg/m2. Foram dosados os níveis séricos de testosterona total, androstenediona, insulina, estradiol, hormônio estimulador da tireoide (HET), prolactina, globulina de ligação ao hormônio sexual (GLHS), e 17-hidroxiprogesterona (17-OHP). Foram calculados o índice de androgênio livre (IAL) e a avaliação do modelo homeostático da resistência à insulina (AMH-RI). As regiões de interesse (RIs) da composição corporal foram avaliadas por absorciometria de raios-x de dupla energia (ARDE), e a força de preensão manual (FPM) das mãos dominante e não dominante foi avaliada com um dinamômetro manual Sammons Preston (Bolingbrook, IL, EUA). Resultados Mulheres com SOP apresentaram níveis séricos elevados de testosterona total (p < 0.01), androstenediona (p = 0.03), e insulina (P < 0.01), assim como valores altos no IAL (p < 0.01) e no AMH-RI (p = 0.01). Comparado ao grupo controle, o grupo SOP apresentou maior massa magra total na mão dominante (p < 0.03) e maior FPM emambas asmãos (p < 0.01). A FPM foi correlacionada coma massamuscularmagra (p <0.01). Conclusão Mulheres com SOP têm maior FPM, que pode estar associada à idade, ao IMC, e à massa magra. Além disso, o efeito de dominância na massa muscular pode influenciar o desempenho físico na força de preensão manual em mulheres com SOP.

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to investigate the physical performance of handgrip strength (HGS) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods A case-control study that included 70 women with PCOS and 93 agematched healthy women aged between 18 and 47 years with body mass index (BMI) between 18 Kg/m2-39.9 Kg/m2. The serum levels of total testosterone, androstenedione, insulin, estradiol, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG), and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were measured. The free androgen index (FAI) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The body composition regions of interest (ROIs) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the handgrip strength (HGS) was evaluated for both the dominant and the non-dominant hands with a manual Sammons Preston (Bolingbrook, IL, US) bulb dynamometer. Results Women with PCOS had high serum levels of total testosterone (p < 0.01), androstenedione (p = 0.03), and insulin (p < 0.01), as well as high FAI (p < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.01) scores. Compared with the non-PCOS group, the PCOS group had greater total lean mass in the dominant hand (p < 0.03) and greater HGS in both the dominant and the non-dominant hands (p < 0.01). The HGS was correlated with lean mass (p < 0.01). Conclusion Women with PCOS have greater HGS. This may be associated with age and BMI, and it may be related to lean mass. In addition, the dominance effect on muscle mass may influence the physical performance regarding HGS in women with PCOS.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the utility of bioimpedance (BIA) and skinfolds thickness (SF) in body fat percentage measuring (%BF) compared to the reference method dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Brazilian reproductive age women, as well as to estimate of inter- and intra-observer precision for SF. Subjects and methods 170 women aged 18-37 years with BMI between 18 and 39.9 kg/m2 were selected for this cross-sectional study. Body density was evaluated through equations proposed by Jackson, Pollock and Ward (1980) (EqJPW) and Petroski (1995) (EqPET), and %BF was estimated by BIA, DXA and Siri’s formula (1961). The SF were measured by two separate observers: A and B (to determine inter-observer variability), who measured the folds at three times with 10-minute interval between them (to determine intra-observer variability – we used only observer A). Results The %BF by DXA was higher than those measured by SF and BIA (p<0.01, for all) of 90 volunteers. The Lin coefficient of agreement was considered satisfactory for %BF values obtained by EqJPW and BIA (0.55) and moderate (0.76) for sum of SF (ΣSF) values obtained by EqJPW and EqPET. No agreement was observed for the values obtained by SF (EqJPW and EqPET), BIA and DXA. Analysis of inter- and intra-observer of 59 volunteers showed that different measures of SF thickness met acceptability standards, as well as the % BF. Conclusion BIA and SF measurements may underestimate %BF compared with DXA. In addition, BIA and SF measurements are not interchangeable with DXA. However, our results suggest the equation proposed by Jackson, Pollock and Ward (three skinfolds) compared to BIA are interchangeable to quantify the %BF in Brazilian women in reproductive age. Furthermore, our results show acceptable accuracy for intra- and inter-observer skinfold measurements. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(3):257-68

Resumo Objetivo O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a modulação autonômica cardíaca por análise espectral e simbólica da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) que foram submetidas a dois testes consecutivos de inclinação. Métodos Um total de 64 mulheres foram selecionadas e divididas em 2 grupos: controle (sem SOP) e SOP. Concentrações de hormônio folículo-estimulante, hormônio luteinizante, prolactina, estradiol, homocisteína, globulina de ligação a hormônios sexuais, hormônio estimulante da tireóide, insulina em jejum, testosterona e androstenediona e níveis de 17-hidroxiprogesterona, triglicerídeos, índice de andrógeno livre (FAI) e homeostase modelo de avaliação (HOMA-IR) foram avaliados. A modulação autonômica cardíaca foi avaliada por análises espectrais e simbólicas durante dois testes de inclinação consecutivos (dois momentos) e momentos supinos antes, entre e após (três momentos) os testes de inclinação. Resultados Mulheres com SOP apresentaram insulina em jejuM, índices HOMA-IR, testosterona e FAI mais altos. Além disso, observamos que o grupo PCOS apresentou maior modulação cardíaca autonômica simpática nos momentos supino 2, inclinado 1 e supino 3 em comparação aos controles. Conclusão Mulheres com SOP apresentaram modulação cardíaca simpática autonômica mais alta mesmo após um segundo teste de inclinação. Nenhuma adaptação a esse teste provocativo foi observada. A análise espectral foi mais sensível para identificar diferenças entre os grupos do que a análise simbólica.

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to analyze cardiac autonomic modulation via spectral and symbolic analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were subjected to two consecutive tilt tests. Methods A total of 64 women were selected and divided into 2 groups: control (without PCOS), and PCOS. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estradiol, homocysteine, sex hormone-binding globulin, thyroid stimulating hormone, fasting insulin, testosterone, androstenedione, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels, triglycerides, free androgen index (FAI), and homeostasis assessment model (HOMA-IR) were assessed. Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral and symbolic analyses during two consecutive tilt tests (two moments) and supine moments before, between and after (three moments) the tilt tests. Results Women with PCOS had higher fasting insulin, HOMA-IR indexes, testosterone and FAI. Additionally, we observed that the PCOS group had greater sympathetic autonomic cardiac modulation in supine 2, tilt 1, and supine 3 moments compared with controls. Conclusion Women with PCOS had higher autonomic sympathetic cardiac modulation even after a second tilt test. No adaptation to this provocative test was observed. Spectral analysis was more sensitive for identifying differences between groups than the symbolic analysis.

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to explore the relationship between body fat percentage and metabolic markers. Subjects and methods Sedentary women were assigned to PCOS (N = 60) and CONTROL (N = 60) groups. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to body fat percentage (22-27%, 27-32% and 32-37%). The protocol consisted of assessments of glucose, insulin, androgens, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results The PCOS subgroups showed higher concentrations of androgens, LH and 17-OHP. Leptin showed direct relationship with increased body fat percentage, whereas adiponectin showed the inverse effect. However, both were unaffected by PCOS. TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in PCOS women and showed a direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Glucose showed direct relationship with body fat percentage, whereas insulin presented higher values in PCOS women and direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PCOS and body fat percentage directly influence concentrations of insulin, TNF-α and IL-6, whereas leptin and adiponectin are influenced only by the increase in body fat percentage in these women. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):4-10

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the associations among visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), body fat percentage (%), and android/gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and verify if the parameters representative of visceral obesity correlate with and exhibit the same frequency as body composition variables; anthropometric indices; and metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters. Subjects and methods This was a cross-sectional study that included 94 women with PCOS. Hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters were analyzed in all women. Free androgen index (FAI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), as well as LAP, VAI, and anthropometric indices, were calculated. The regions of interest (ROIs) in body composition and body composition indices were evaluated using a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Overall, 32 variables were selected as markers of body fat distribution. Results Among the 32 markers evaluated, 29 correlated with LAP, whereas 25 correlated with VAI, 19 with body fat (%), and 30 with A/G ratio. Additionally, some markers correlated with the four adiposity indices evaluated: ROIs, except for total mass and leg fat (%); body composition (body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference) indices; fasting insulin; and C-reactive protein. Conclusion LAP and VAI may be sensitive measures for screening and preventing metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in PCOS, with LAP being more sensitive than VAI, and the A/G ratio may be more sensitive than body fat percentage.

PURPOSE : To investigate allometric relationships among body mass (BM), muzzle-tail length (MTL), and tibia length (TL) in Wistar rats and establish their growth rate change parameters. METHODS : Eighteen male and 18 female Wistar rats were studied from the 3rd to the 21st week of age. BM, MTL, and TL were measured daily, and relative growth was compared using allometry. RESULTS : A positive correlation between BM and MTL (p<0.05) and BM and TL (p<0.05) was observed. Males and females showed comparable curves; however, females had turning points at a younger age. The allometric relationship between BM and MTL presented a regular increase until reaching a mass of 351 g (males) and 405 g (females). BM and TL showed an initial increase until 185 g (males) and 182 g (females), and then reached a plateau that finished at 412 g (males) and 334 g (females), to display another increase. CONCLUSIONS : The allometric relationship of body mass with animal length and tibia length was comparable for male and female rats, with female rats maturing earlier. Animal longitudinal growth occurred in a single stage. In contrast, tibia length depicted two stages of accelerated growth with an intermediate period of deceleration.