PurposeTo compare two modalities of exercise training (i.e., Endurance Training [ET] and High-Intensity Interval Training [HIT]) on health-related parameters in obese children aged between 8 and 12 years.MethodsThirty obese children were randomly allocated into either the ET or HIT group. The ET group performed a 30 to 60-minute continuous exercise at 80% of the peak heart rate (HR). The HIT group training performed 3 to 6 sets of 60-s sprint at 100% of the peak velocity interspersed by a 3-min active recovery period at 50% of the exercise velocity. HIT sessions last ∼70% less than ET sessions. At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention, aerobic fitness, body composition and metabolic parameters were assessed.ResultsBoth the absolute (ET: 26.0%; HIT: 19.0%) and the relative VO2 peak (ET: 13.1%; HIT: 14.6%) were significantly increased in both groups after the intervention. Additionally, the total time of exercise (ET: 19.5%; HIT: 16.4%) and the peak velocity during the maximal graded cardiorespiratory test (ET: 16.9%; HIT: 13.4%) were significantly improved across interventions. Insulinemia (ET: 29.4%; HIT: 30.5%) and HOMA-index (ET: 42.8%; HIT: 37.0%) were significantly lower for both groups at POST when compared to PRE. Body mass was significantly reduced in the HIT (2.6%), but not in the ET group (1.2%). A significant reduction in BMI was observed for both groups after the intervention (ET: 3.0%; HIT: 5.0%). The responsiveness analysis revealed a very similar pattern of the most responsive variables among groups.ConclusionHIT and ET were equally effective in improving important health related parameters in obese youth.

Leishmaniasis and Chagas are diseases caused by parasitic protozoans that affect the poorest population in the World, causing a high mortality and morbidity. As a result of highly toxic and long-term treatments, the discovery of novel, safe and more efficacious drugs is essential. In this work, the in vitro antiparasitic activity and mammalian cytotoxicity of three natural tirucallane triterpenoids, isolated from leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), and nine semi-synthetic derivatives were investigated against Leishmania (L.) infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi. Trypomastigotes of T. cruzi were the most susceptible parasites and seven compounds demonstrated a trypanocidal activity with IC 50 values in the range between 15 and 58 µg/mL. Four compounds demonstrated selectivity towards the intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania, with IC 50 values in the range between 28 and 97 µg/mL. The complete characterization of triterpenoids was afforded after thorough analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data as well as electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Additionally, structure-activity relationships were performed using Decision Trees.

No relationships reported)Assessing physical activity (PA) in adults and children is difficult, and the use of accelerometers is currently the most common method based on validity and reliability. However, the use of accelerometry is not practical in large samples. PURPOSE:To determine whether a simplified daily PA questionnaire can be used in adolescents to accurately assess activity levels when compared to accelerometry data. METHODS:Twenty-seven males and females aged 11-12 wore GT1M Actigraph accelerometers over seven days. A 10 second epoch was used to analyze accelerometry data during all waking hours. Each child was required to log the type and duration of physical activity each day based on moderate versus vigorous activity. Moderate PA was defined by 3-5.9 METS and vigorous PA as ≥6 METS. In regards to the daily diary, if an individual responded yes to sweating or breathing hard during activity it was considered vigorous. All other activities were considered of moderate intensity if the individual responded "no" to sweating or breathing hard. RESULTS:There was no significant association (r=0.217, p>.05) between the average time spent in combined moderate and vigorous activity assessed using accelerometry (38.4±20.9 minutes) and reported daily diary time (91.0±53.5 minutes). When examining each sex using accelerometry, males (46.9±22.9 minutes) exhibited a trend of higher activity levels when compared to females (31.1±16.1 minutes). CONCLUSION:Adolescents overestimated physical activity in both intensity and duration when using a daily diary questionnaire. Using this specific daily diary to assess physical activity levels in this population appears to be invalid and misleading. The present data indicates there is still a need for a survey that is valid to estimate PA in children and adolescents. Currently, the use of accelerometers is still the most appropriate and practical instrument to asses PA levels.Childhood obesity throughout the United States continues to rise. As a result, physical education (PE) class may help youth increase fitness, or prevent decreases in fitness as students progress. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine the percentages of students that met FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) standards for body composition and aerobic conditioning in a large sample of elementary, middle, and high school physical education classes. METHODS:This study included 4,189 students (age 9-18 years) enrolled in physical education classes. PE teachers conducted fitness testing using FITNESSGRAM standards for body composition and aerobic conditioning. Youth were categorized into Meeting/Not Meeting current HFZ standards. The resulting distributions were created separately by age. RESULTS:Between age groups, the percentage of students meeting the HFZ standards ranged from 59% in 17-18 year olds to 85% in 9-10 year olds for the one mile run and 30% in 17-18 year olds to 84% in 9-10 year olds for PACER. The percentages of students meeting the HFZ for percent body fat ranged from 79% to 86% and...

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