ABSTRACT Excess body fat is a serious problem for increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, compromising the health and quality of life of the population. In this sense, resistance training (RT) is type of physical exercise which improves body composition by increasing lean mass and reducing fat mass. RT in combination with nutrition (i.e. protein supplementation) is a key intervention to improve body fat metabolism and reducing obesity. Concerning protein supplementation, the β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the branched-chain amino acid leucine that has demonstrated positive effects on body fat reduction. However, the effects of combining HMB supplementation with RT related to adipose tissue metabolic activity are controversial and warrant further investigation. This study analyzed the effects of HMB supplementation associated with RT on body fat concentration and lipid metabolism signaling pathways.

RESUMEN El exceso de grasa corporal es un problema grave que aumenta tu riesgo de enfermedades y problemas de salud, tales como enfermedad cardíaca, diabetes, presión arterial alta y ciertos tipos de cáncer. En este sentido, y dentro del ejercicio físico, el entrenamiento de resistencia (ER) es un tipo de entrenamiento con pesos que mejora la composición corporal aumentando la masa magra y perdiendo masa grasa. El ER asociado con la nutrición (ej. suplementación proteica) es una excelente intervención para mejorar el metabolismo de los lípidos al reducir la grasa corporal. En relación con la suplementación proteica el β-hidroxi-β-metilbutirato (HMB) es un metabolito del aminoácido de cadena ramificada esencial leucina que ha demostrado efectos positivos en la reducción de grasa corporal. Sin embargo, los efectos de la suplementación con HMB asociados con TR relacionados con la actividad metabólica del tejido adiposo son controvertidos y necesita la realización de investigaciones adicionales. Este estudio analizó los efectos de la suplementación con HMB asociados con TR en la concentración de grasa corporal y en las vías de señalización que participan en la regulación del metabolismo de los lípidos.

ABSTRACT Objectives Yacon flour is rich in bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds and fructooligosaccharides (FOS)), and may therefore reduce the risk of diseases associated with excess body weight. However, its effect on fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA), intestinal permeability, oxidative stress and inflammation markers has not been studied in adult humans with excess body weight. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the consumption of yacon flour on these variables. Materials and methods Twenty-six excess body weight (30.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2) adults (31.3 ± 8.5y) were randomized to one of two groups (yacon flour or control; n = 13) on a double blind clinical trial. Subjects received a breakfast drink containing or not yacon flour (25g) associated with an energy restricted diet, for six weeks. The flour chemical characterization, FOS and total phenolics contents were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo (plasma). Intestinal permeability, fecal SCFA, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers also were evaluated in vivo. Results Yacon flour was well tolerated. It presented an in vitro and in vivo antioxidant capacity, increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (ΔYAC: 49.16 (-4.20; 156.63)) and reduced protein carbonyl concentrations (ΔYAC: -0.98 (-1.54; -0.42)). A reduction in SCFAs was observed in both groups (Δacetic: -3.16 (-5.07; -0.95) vs. -1.05 (-2.65; 1.11); Δpropionic: -1.05 (-2.60;-0.38) vs. -0.41 (-2.08; 0.09); Δbutyric: -0.75 (-1.38; -0.04) vs. -0.28 (-0.98; 0.11), for YAC and CON, respectively). Other variables did not change. Conclusion The yacon flour increased the plasma antioxidant capacity, decreased oxidative stress and SCFAs in adults with obesity or overweight.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência da deficiência/insuficiência de vitamina D em indivíduos com sibilância recorrente e/ou asma com idade de 0-18 anos e residentes na microrregião de Viçosa (MG) atendidos em um centro de referência e determinar sua associação com os principais fatores de risco para sibilância. Métodos: Estudo transversal utilizando um questionário semiestruturado por entrevistadores treinados, aplicado aos responsáveis pelos participantes do estudo. Foram obtidas informações sobre características gerais da sibilância recorrente, fatores sociodemográficos, ambientais e biológicos gerais e aqueles relacionados à atopia. A magnitude da associação estatística foi avaliada por meio do cálculo da OR e IC95% obtidos por regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Foram incluídos 124 indivíduos no estudo. A prevalência da deficiência/insuficiência de vitamina D na amostra foi de 57,3%. Observaram-se associações da deficiência/insuficiência de vitamina D com sibilância no primeiro ano de vida, antecedentes pessoais de dermatite atópica, poluição ambiental e suplementação de vitamina D até os 2 anos de idade. Conclusões: A prevalência de deficiência/insuficiência de vitamina D foi alta em nossa amostra. As concentrações de vitamina D foram associadas diretamente com a suplementação de vitamina D até os 2 anos de idade e inversamente com eventos de sibilância no primeiro ano de vida, antecedentes pessoais de dermatite atópica e poluição ambiental.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in children 0-18 years of age with recurrent wheezing and/or asthma residing in the microregion of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and treated at a referral center, and to determine its association with major risk factors for wheezing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a semi-structured questionnaire, which was administered by trained interviewers to the legal guardians of the study participants. Data were obtained regarding general characteristics of recurrent wheezing; general sociodemographic, environmental, and biologic factors; and atopy-related factors. The magnitude of the statistical association was assessed by calculating ORs and their corresponding 95% CIs by using multiple logistic regression. Results: We included 124 children in the study. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in the sample was 57.3%. Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was found to be associated with wheezing in the first year of life, personal history of atopic dermatitis, environmental pollution, and vitamin D supplementation until 2 years of age. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was high in our sample. Vitamin D concentrations were directly associated with vitamin D supplementation until 2 years of age and were inversely associated with wheezing events in the first year of life, personal history of atopic dermatitis, and environmental pollution.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de Adenovírus como agente etiológico da conjuntivite, em clínica médica oftalmológica especializada, em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos: Amostras da secreção conjuntival de 91 pacientes clinicamente diagnosticados com conjuntivite foram submetidos à reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), utilizando primers degenerados para a região codificadora do gene da proteína estrutural II. Posteriormente as amostras positivas foram submetidas a sequenciamento e genotipagem. Resultados: A análise dos resultados de PCR revelou prevalência de 36,3% de Adenovírus. Não havendo distinção entre os sexos e com maior prevalência na faixa etária de 26 a 65 anos com 60,60% dos casos positivos. O sequenciamento dos casos positivos por Adenovírus revelaram a presença dos sorotipos 3, 4, 7, 8 e 34 circulante na região. Conclusão: No município de Viçosa, dois em cada cinco casos de conjuntivite são de etiologia adenoviral.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Adenovirus as a etiologic agent of conjunctivitis on a ophthalmic clinic in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Samples of conjunctival secretion from 91 patients clinically diagnosed with conjunctivitis were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers targeted to the gene encoding the structural protein II. Positive samples were subsequently subjected to sequencing and genotyping. Results: PCR results showed 36.3% prevalence of Adenovirus. No differences between the sexes and was found to be higher in the age group 26-65 years with 60.60% of the positive cases. Sequencing of positive cases showed the presence of Adenovirus serotypes 3, 4, 7, 8, and 34 circulating in the region. Conclusion: In Viçosa two in five cases of conjunctivitis has Adenovirus as etiologic agent.

Background: Studies have shown fibers to be effective in reducing the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rodents. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin prebiotics on the appearance of ACF in mice. Materials and Methods: The techniques used were: RT-PCR to evaluate the gene expression of p16, p21, p54, cyclin D1 and cyclin E in the distal colon; the quantification of Number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and measurement of catalase activity in the liver and distal colon. The animals were divided into five treatments (n=8); C-: AIN93M diet without fibers + DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine); INL: AIN93M diet with inulin; INLCA: AIN93M diet with inulin + DMH; FOS: AIN93M diet with FOS; FOSCA: AIN93M diet with FOS + DMH, during 15 weeks. Results: Inulin prevented the appearance of ACF in the proximal, middle and distal colon, compared to the control without fibers. In the middle and distal colon, FOS was also effective in preventing the incidence of ACF. This effectiveness may be attributed to the increased gene expression of p16 following FOS treatment. Both prebiotics also decreased catalase activity in the distal colon, thus suggesting an antioxidant effect. Conclusion: These results suggesting an antioxidant effect prebiotics that may be attributed to the increased gene expression of p16.

Introducción: Existen estudios que demuestran la eficacia de fibras para reducir la aparición de focos de cripta aberrantes (FCA) en roedores. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio consistió en investigar los efectos preventivos de los fructooligosacáridos (FOS) y el prebiótico inulina sobre la aparición de FCA en ratones. Materiales y métodos: Las técnicas empleadas fueron: RT-PCR para evaluar la expresión gènica de p16, p21, p54, ciclina D1 y ciclina E en el colon distal; la cuantificación del Número de FCA y la medición de la actividad de la catalasa en el hígado y el colon distal. Los animales fueron divididos en cinco tratamientos (n=8); C-: dieta AIN93M sin fibra + DMH (1.2-dimetilhidrazina); INL: dieta AIN93M con inulina; INLCA: dieta AIN93M con inulina + DMH; FOS: dieta ANIN93M con FOS; FOSCA: dieta AIN93M con FOS + DMH, durante 15 semanas. Resultados: La inulina previno la aparición de FCA en el colon proximal, medio y distal, comparado con el control sin fibras. En el colon medio y distal, FOS también fue efectiva para prevenir la incidencia de FCA. Esta efectividad podría ser atribuida al aumento de la expresión génica de p16 tras el tratamiento con FOS. Ambos prebióticos también disminuyeron la actividad de la catalasa en el colon distal, lo que sugiere un efecto antioxidante. Conclusión: Estos resultados sugieren un efecto antioxidante de los prebióticos que podría atribuirse a un aumento de la expresión génica de p16.

CONTEXTO: O repolho (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) é uma planta de folhas herbáceas pertencente à família Brassicaceae, nativa na costa sul e oeste da Europa. Usado na culinária por seu valor nutritivo, possui conhecida atividade anti-inflamatória. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atividade antiulcerogênica do extrato aquoso de Brassica oleracea var. capitata (AEB), a fim de validar os conhecimentos etnobotânico do uso da espécie em distúrbios gástricos. MÉTODO: Úlceras gástricas foram induzidas em ratos pela administração oral de ácido acetilsalicílico. O potencial gastroprotetor de AEB (0,250, 0,500 e 1,000 mg.kg-1/peso) foram comparados com omeprazol (20 mg.kg-1/peso). RESULTADOS: As análises dos estômagos indicaram que o tratamento com AEB inibiu a progressão da lesão gástrica. A atividade gastroprotetora foi evidenciada por sua significativa inibição da progressão da úlcera induzida por agentes químicos, com o máximo de 99,44% eficácia (250 mg.kg-1/peso) frente a úlceras gástricas induzidas por ácido acetilsalicílico. CONCLUSÕES: O AEB demonstrou atividade cicatrizante de úlceras gástricas, o que justifica a inclusão da espécie em tratamentos de distúrbios gástricos. Estudos futuros estão em andamento para determinar quais os mecanismos antiulcerogêncios estão envolvidos com a gastroproteção.

CONTEXT: The cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata) is an herbaceous and leafy plant which belongs to the Brassicaceae family, native to coastal southern and Western Europe. Used in cooking for its nutritional value also has known anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE We studied the antiulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (AEB) in order to validate ethnobotanical claims regarding the plant use in the gastric disorders. METHOD: Acute gastric ulcers were induced in rats by the oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid. The gastroprotective potential of the AEB (0.250, 0.500 and 1.000 mg.kg-1/body weight) was compared with omeprazole (20 mg.kg-1/body weight). RESULTS: The stomach analysis indicated that treatment with AEB inhibited the gastric damage. The gastroprotective activity as evidenced by its significant inhibition in the formation of ulcers induced by chemical agent with a maximum of 99.44% curation (250 mg.kg-1 body weight) in acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: The AEB demonstrated good antiulcerogenic activities which justify the inclusion of this plant in the management of gastric disorders. Further experiments are underway to determine which antiulcer mechanisms involved in gastroprotection.