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Bodybuilding, as a high-performance sport, requires regular strength and resistance exercises with the principal objective of increasing muscle hypertrophy. However, many bodybuilders resort to the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) to improve their performance in a short period of time. This study employs a survey-type, cross-sectional, descriptive–analytical method to evaluate the profile of bodybuilding athletes in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, and verify the level of knowledge/awareness about the health risks and impacts resulting from the use of such substances. Finite- and convenience-type populations are assessed, including individuals of both sexes, aged older than 18 years, self-declared bodybuilding athletes residing in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, and participating in regional and/or state competitions. As a result, no significant relationships were determined between sex (p = 0.492), age (p = 0.460), family income (p = 0.141), and medical follow-up sessions. For the variables level of education and medical follow-up vs. no follow-up sessions, a significant result was achieved (p = 0.01), with 74.3% of individuals reporting having follow-up treatment and 25.7% responding that they had no follow-up treatment, a percentage representing the group that completed their higher education. The substances most used by the athletes were Sustanon 250 or Durateston, Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca or Deca-Durabolin), and Testosterone. The most-reported acute side effects were acne at 33.8% (n = 20), irritability at 32.1% (n = 19), alopecia (hair loss), and nervousness at 23.7% (n = 14). The most-reported chronic side effects were arterial hypertension at 36.0% (n = 9), liver disease at 28.0% (n = 7), and cancer (non-specific) at 8.0% (n = 2). We concluded that, regardless of the athletes' socioeconomic profiles, the use of AASs was high, with two or more substances being used in combination and for a prolonged period. Thus, it is necessary to promote awareness campaigns regarding the use of AASs and their effects on high-performance and recreational athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Because icodextrin has a greater ultrafiltration power compared with glucose-based solutions for long dwell, it could improve left ventricular mass by reducing fluid overload. This was a randomized clinical trial that included patients on PD recruited from 2 teaching hospitals, in Sao Paulo—Brazil. Patients were allocated to the control glucose group (GLU) or the intervention icodextrin (ICO) group. Clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance image (MRI) parameters were evaluated at baseline and 6 months after randomization. The primary outcome was the change in left ventricular mass adjusted by surface area (ΔLVMI), measured by cardiac MRI. A total of 22 patients completed the study (GLU, N = 12 and ICO, N = 10). Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, underlying disease, and time on dialysis were similar in both groups. At baseline, 17 patients (77.3%) presented with left ventricular hypertrophy with no difference between groups (p = 0.748). According to the total body water (TBW)/extracellular water (ECW) ratio, 36.8% and 80% of patients from GLU and ICO groups, respectively, were considered hypervolemic (p = 0.044). During follow-up, ΔLVMI was 3.9 g/m (− 10.7, 2.2) in GLU and 5.2 (− 26.8, 16.8) in ICO group (p = 0.651). ΔLVMI correlated with change in brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.566, p = 0.044), which remained significant in a multiple regression analysis. The use of the icodextrin-based solution in prevalent patients on PD compared with a glucose-based solution was not able to improve LMV. A larger randomized trial with a longer follow-up period may be needed to show changes in LVM in this patient population. Trial registration: this study has been registered at ReBEC (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos) under the identification #RBR-2mzhmj2, available at: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/pesquisador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prostate cancer represents 3.8% of cancer deaths worldwide. For most prostate cancer cells to grow, androgens need to bind to a cellular protein called the androgen receptor (AR). This study aims to demonstrate the expression of five microRNAs (miRs) and its influence on the AR formation in patients from the northern region of Brazil. Material and Methods: Eighty-four tissue samples were investigated, including nodular prostatic hyperplasia (NPH) and acinar prostatic adenocarcinoma (CaP). Five miRs (27a-3p, 124, 130a, 488-3p, and 506) were quantified using the TaqMan® Real Time PCR method and AR was measured using Western blotting. Results: Levels of miRs 124, 130a, 488-3p, and 506 were higher in NPH samples. Conversely, in the CaP cases, higher levels of miR 27a-3p and AR were observed. Conclusion: In the future, these microRNAs may be tested as markers of CaP at the serum level. The relative expression of AR was 20% higher in patients with prostate cancer, which suggests its potential as a biomarker for prostate malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper airway obstruction may cause pulmonary hypertension in childhood. In this study we aimed to identify a possible correlation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP), using Doppler echocardiography, with nasal patency (NP), as measured by rhinomanometry, in mouth‐breathing (MB) children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). Methods: In this cross‐sectional study we evaluated 183 patients, from 2 to 12 years of age, at an MB referral clinic in Brazil, from December 2013 to 2017. We allocated patients to 4 etiology groups: group 1, 60 MBs with ATH; group 2, 47 MBs with AR; group 3, 43 MBs with both ATH and AR; and group 4, 33 nasal breathing control subjects. The ratio of total nasal inspiratory flow (assessed by active anterior rhinomanometry) and expected inspiratory flow adjusted for height determined the percent NP (%NP). Results: The median %NP was higher in controls than in the MB groups (controls, 114% [79‐147%]; ATH: 65% [5‐116%]; AR: 57% [23‐144%]; ATH and AR: 64% [3‐120%]; p < 0.001). Median SPAP was higher in the MB groups than in controls (SPAP: ATH, 26.0 [20.0‐35.0] mmHg; AR, 26.0 [22.0‐32.0] mmHg; ATH and AR, 26.30 [20.0‐34.0] mmHg; control, 22.0 [16.0‐30.0] mmHg; p < 0.001). SPAP showed a negative association with %NP (Spearman's rho = −0.24; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Reduced nasal airflow in MB children showed a correlation with higher levels of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. The AR and ATH groups were similar in nasal obstruction severity and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure level distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several investigations have been carried out to improve the productivity of tambaqui, an economically important fish species in Brazil and other Latin American countries. This study determined the digestible protein (DP) requirements in juvenile tambaqui by assessing their productive performance and nutritional efficiency. It also evaluated the effects of different dietary DP levels on the morphology and cellularity of skeletal fast muscle fibres. The 1750 tambaqui tested (6.53 ± 0.43 g body weight, 7.58 ± 0.18 cm length) were randomly distributed into 35 tanks. Fish were fed one of the seven isocaloric diets, which contained 140, 170, 200, 230, 260, 290 or 320 g/kg DP. The DP requirement, calculated by segmented (broken line) regression of weight gain data, was 290 g/kg. An increase in diet DP to 290 g/kg significantly improved final weight, weight gain, feed intake, specific growth rate and crude protein gain, and changed fibre diameter in deep muscle. Muscle fibres were randomly distributed into a mosaic pattern, characterized by fibres with different diameters. Treatments with 290 and 320 g/kg DP increased the frequency of large‐diameter fibres (>50 µm), indicating hypertrophic growth of skeletal muscle during the juvenile phase, which occurred in conjunction with hyperplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in cardiovascular (CV) remodeling and hypertension-mediated target organ damage (TOD). Genetic polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) gene [− 1575G/A (rs243866); − 1306C/T (rs243865); and − 735C/T (rs2285053)] are associated with several CV conditions, however the relationship between MMP-2 polymorphisms and resistant hypertension (RH) is unknown. We evaluated whether these genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP-2 gene are associated with 1) MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) levels in RH and mild to moderate hypertensive (HT) subjects, 2) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and arterial stiffness and 3) the presence of RH. Methods One hundred and nineteen RH and 136 HT subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. Genotypes were determined by real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. Haplotypes were estimated using Bayesian method. Results The levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were similar among genotypes and haplotypes for the three studied polymorphisms in HT and RH groups. RH showed higher frequency for GCC haplotype and lower frequency of GCT and ATC haplotypes (− 1575G/A, − 1306C/T and − 735C/T, respectively) compared to HT (0.77 vs. 0.64; 0.09 vs. 0.17; 0.13 vs. 0.19, p = 0.003 respectively). GCC haplotype was associated to RH apart from potential confounders (odds ratio (OR) = 2.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20–3.64; p = 0.01). In addition, CC genotype (OR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.22–7.01; p = 0.02) and C allele (OR = 2.81; 95% CI = 1.26–6.31; p = 0.01) for − 735C/T polymorphism were independently associated with RH. GCT haplotype was associated with reduced probability of having RH (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.16–0.79; p = 0.01). Finally, no relationship was found between studied MMP-2 SNPs and left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial stiffness in both groups. Conclusion GCC haplotype carriers showed higher probability to have RH (odds ratio > 1), while the GCT haplotype carriers showed lower probability to have RH, suggesting that the GCT haplotype may represent a protective genetic factor for the development of RH. These finds suggest that GCC and GCT haplotypes, and C allele and CC genotype of the − 735C/T MMP-2 gene polymorphism may have a role in RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported in hemodialysis patients, but data regarding its pathogenesis are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the role of fluid overload in PH and its interrelationships with the usual biomarkers of micro-inflammatory state in hemodialysis patients.Materials and Methods: In is a cross-sectional and prospective study, 119 consecutive hemodialysis patients at a Brazilian referral university hospital were evaluated between March 2007 and February 2013. Based on the presence of echocardiographic parameters of PH, patients were allocated to two groups of the PH group and the non-PH group. Clinical parameters, site and type of vascular access, bio-impedance, and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups and a logistic regression model was elaborated.Results: Pulmonary hypertension was found in 23 (19.0%) of 119 patients. The groups significantly differed in extracellular water, ventricular thickness, left atrium diameter, and ventricular filling. Additionally, laboratory data associated with PH were alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (140.0 ± 32.9 versus 116.0 ± 35.5; P < .001); C-reactive protein (median, 1.1 versus 1.6; P = .01) and B-type natriuretic peptide (median, 328 versus 77; P = .03). The adjusted logistic regression model, including alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and B-type natriuretic peptide, showed significant associations for both (odds ratio, 1.023; 95% confidence interval, 1.008 to 1.043;  P = .004 and odds ratio, 3.074; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-6.35; P = .002, respectively).Conclusions: Pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, fluid overload, and inflammation were associated to each other in hemodialysis patients, providing insight into its pathogenesis. Longitudinal studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze respiratory mechanics and hemodynamic alterations in an experimental model of chronic heart failure (CHF) following myocardial infarction. Method: Twenty-seven male adult Wistar rats were randomized to CHF group (n = 12) or Sham group (n = 15). Ten weeks after coronary ligation or sham surgery, the animals were anesthetized and submitted to respiratory mechanics and hemodynamic measurements. Pulmonary edema as well as cardiac remodeling were measured. Results: The CHF rats showed pulmonary edema 26% higher than the Sham group. The respiratory system compliance (Crs) and the total lung capacity (TLC) were lower (40% and 27%, respectively) in the CHF rats when compared to the Sham group (P<0.01). There was also an increase in tissue resistance (Gti) and elastance (Hti) (28% and 45%, respectively) in the CHF group. Moreover, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher (32 mmHg vs 4 mmHg, P<0.01), while the left ventricular systolic pressure was lower (118 mmHg vs 130 mmHg, P=0.02) in the CHF group when compared to the control. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative association between pulmonary edema and Crs (R=-0.70, P=0.0001) and between pulmonary edema and TLC (r=-0.67,P=0.0034). Pulmonary edema correlated positively with Gti (r=0.68, P=0.001) and Hti (r=0.68, P=0.001). Finally, there was a strong positive relationship between pulmonary edema and heart weight (r=0.80, P=0.001). Conclusion: Rats with CHF present important changes in hemodynamic and respiratory mechanics, which may be associated with alterations in cardiopulmonary interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the influence of resistance exercise on strength performance and muscular hypertrophy. Topics discussed include investigations that compared the effects of number of sets on muscle strength, interaction of different strength training volumes and muscular endurance and statistical analysis of data collected through changes in body composition.

Cardiac disease frequently occurs in children with chronic kidney disease ( CKD) undergoing dialysis ( DI), but it is not well studied in patients undergoing conservative treatment ( CT). The aim of our study was to use echocardiography to analyze and compare the cardiac involvement of children with CKD undergoing DI or CT. Methods Seventy-one children with CKD were included; 41 undergoing DI and 30 undergoing CT. There were 33 controls. Measurements of arterial pressure and structural and functional echocardiographic variables were obtained; the children were followed up for 18 months. Tests of comparison and multiple regression were used; significant if P < 0.05. Results Arterial hypertension ( AH) was present in 37 of 71 (52%) children with CKD: 27 (65.8%) in DI and 10 (33.3%) in CT ( X2 = 8.7; P = 0.003). An abnormal left ventricular geometric pattern was present in 37/41 (90.3%) undergoing DI, 33 had left ventricular hypertrophy ( LVH), and in 14/30 (46.7%) undergoing CT, 5 had LVH. Ejection fraction was normal in all groups; diastolic function alteration ( DFA) occurred in 28/41 (68.3%) children on DI and in 10/30 (33.3%) on CT ( X 2 = 9.2; P = 0.002). For children with CKD, DI (P = 0.002) and hypertension (P = 0.04) were associated with LVH; among those on DI, only AH was associated with LVH (P = 0.02). During the follow-up, 18 (43.9%) children undergoing DI had at least one cardiovascular event. Conclusion Children with CKD undergoing CT had less cardiac involvement than those undergoing DI. LVH was associated with DI and AH in all children with CKD and with AH in those on DI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the role of caffeine chronic administration during gestation of C57BL/6 mice on cardiac remodeling and the expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in male offspring as adults. Methods: Pregnant C57BL/6 female mice were divided into two groups ( n = 10): Control group (C), dams were injected with the vehicle only (saline 0.9 % NaCl); Caffeine group (CF), dams received daily a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg of caffeine/day (1 mg/mL saline). Pups had free access to standard chow since weaning to 3 months of age, when they were killed. Results: CF group showed increased energy expenditure (+7 %) with consequent reduction in body mass (BM) gain (−18 %), increased blood pressure (+48 %), and higher heart rate (+10 %) than C group. The ratio between LV mass/BM was greater (+10 %), with bigger cardiomyocytes (+40 %), and reduced vascularization (−25 %) in CF group than in C group. In the LV, the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (+30 %), Angiotensin II (AngII) (+60 %), AngII receptor (ATR)-1 (+77 %) were higher, and the expression of ATR-2 was lower (−46 %; P < 0.05) in CF group than in C group. In the kidney, the expressions of renin (+128 %) and ATR-1 (+88 %) were higher in CF group than in C group. Conclusions: Chronic administration of caffeine to pregnant dams led to persistent activation of local RAS in the kidney and heart of the offspring, which, in turn, leads to high BP and adverse cardiac remodeling. These findings highlight the urge to encourage pregnant women to avoid food or medicines containing caffeine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate under morphoquantitative aspects possible alterations in the ascending section of the Aorta's endothelium of elderly Wistar rats (16 months of age) trained at an anaerobic threshold intensity. Ten male animals were divided in two experimental groups (control and exercise, each with 5 animals). The exercise group performed swimming five times per week, 30 minutes per day during eight weeks. Anaerobic threshold was evaluated at the first, fourth and eighth week of training. After the intervention the animals were sacrificed and the heart and Aorta were collected. The Aorta was properly fixed and prepared according to the histology procedures for coloring with Hematoxilin-Eosin, Weigert and Verhoeff. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations were performed using morphometric and stereological methods. There was an increase in the thickness, cross sectional area, elastic fibers and distance between the beams and the nucleus of the smooth muscle without alteration of its diameter (p< .05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research conducted to investigate whether muscle mass gain after resistance training is inversely correlated with trunk adiposity gain in postmenopausal women. Researchers evaluated 22 postmenopausal women who participated in nine months of resistance training. They found that increased levels of trunk adiposity suggest that resistance training increases interleukin six concentrations, which is a significant negative predictor of muscle mass gain in postmenopausal women.

The article reports on research which was conducted to compare the hypertrophic and strength effects of nonlinear and linear periodized resistance training. Researchers evaluated both types of training with 30 untrained men. They found that while both forms of training were effective, nonlinear training may lead to greater gains in muscle thickness and one repetition strength gains.

Background: Resistance exercise such as weight-lifting (WL) increases oxidation products in plasma, but less is known regarding the effect of WL on oxidative damage to tissues. Dietary compounds are known to improve antioxidant defences. Whey protein (WP) is a source of protein in a variety of sport supplements and can enhance physical performance. Aim: To evaluate the effect of WL on biomarkers of lipid and protein oxidation, on liver antioxidants and on muscle growth in the absence or presence of WP in rats. Methods: Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed with control or WP diets. The WL programme consisted of inducing the animals to perform sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After 8 weeks, arteriovenous blood samples, abdominal fat, liver and gastrocnemius muscle were collected for analysis. Results: WP precludes WL-mediated increases in muscle protein carbonyl content and maintains low levels of TBARS in exercised and sedentary animals. WL reduced liver CAT activity, whereas WP increased hepatic glutathione content. In addition, WL plus WP generated higher body and muscle weight than exercise without WP. Conclusions: These data suggest that WP improves antioxidant defences, which contribute to the reduction of lipid and protein oxidation as well as body and muscle weight gain in resistance-exercised rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 27-year-old woman of Moldavian origin presented at the age of 15 with progressive proximal limb weakness and painful cramps in her calf muscles. Clinical examination revealed prominent muscle weakness in proximal muscles of the lower extremities and distal anterior compartment of legs, and mild weakness in shoulder girdle muscles. In addition, she had marked calf hypertrophy, muscle atrophy involving the anterior and posterior compartments of the thighs, and the distal anterior compartment of legs, as well as mild scapular winging and hyperlordosis. A muscle biopsy taken from the biceps brachii showed mild dystrophic changes, absent vacuoles, and abundant lobulated fibers. Immunofluorescence and Western blot assays demonstrated complete telethonin deficiency. Molecular analysis revealed a homozygous Trp25X mutation in the telethonin (TCAP) gene resulting in termination of transcription at an early point. Four families from Brazil with telethonin deficiency have previously been reported and classified as LGMD2G, but the actual frequency of this disease is unknown. With this current identification of a case outside the Brazilian population, telethonin mutation-associated LGMD should be considered worldwide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Regular and systematic practice is fundamental to the health of the human being. Facing this perspective, we became interested in knowing and comparing the level of importance and interest given to the practice of physical activity by the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) students. 1350 Unicamp students from 17 to 22 years old, of both sexes, and enrolled in nine full-time graduation courses such as Nursery, Physical Education, Biology, Pedagogy, Dancing, Music, History, Mathematics and Computer Science, were selected. It could be observed that only in the Physical Education course, more than half of them (89%) practiced a physical activity in a satisfactory way, that being a minimum of 30 minutes, three times a week. It could also be observed that the practice of a physical activity is due to the following considered aspects: Combat and control of stressing factors, followed by the maintenance of physical conditioning, esthetics, socializing, health, quality of life, and last, leisure and the gain or maintenance muscular hypertrophy. Soccer, weight lifting, physical conditioning, running and localized gymnastics were the most enrolled activities. Therefore we suggest to the coordinators of UNICAMP's graduation courses that they save time and space for students to practice a physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses case report of severe tungiasis in a patient with Klippel-Trenauney syndrome (KTS). During a field study on parasitic skin diseases, a 21-year-old man with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome was identified in a remote fishing village in north east Brazil. KTS was diagnosed in the patient when he was 11 years old. KTS is characterized by varicose veins, capillary malformation and hypertrophy of bone and soft tissues, affecting an extremity. Lymphatic malformations and lymphedema are commonly present. The disease is rare, and the etiology is not fully understood. Upon examination, the patient showed an enormously enlarged right foot with generalized edema. Varicose veins were present on the lower right leg and foot.