BackgroundThe consumption of foods containing probiotic and prebiotic ingredients is growing consistently every year, and in view of the limited number of studies investigating their effect in the elderly.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of a symbiotic shake containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and fructooligosaccharides on glycemia and cholesterol levels in elderly people.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on twenty volunteers (ten for placebo group and ten for symbiotic group), aged 50 to 60 years. The criteria for inclusion in the study were: total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL; triglycerides > 200 mg/dL and glycemia > 110 mg/dL. Over a total test period of 30 days, 10 individuals (the symbiotic group) consumed a daily dose of 200 mL of a symbiotic shake containing 108 UFC/mL Lactobacillus acidophilus, 108 UFC/mL Bifidobacterium bifidum and 2 g oligofructose, while 10 other volunteers (the placebo group) drank daily the same amount of a shake that did not contain any symbiotic bacteria. Blood samples were collected 15 days prior to the start of the experiment and at 10-day intervals after the beginning of the shake intake. The standard lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol) and glycemia, or blood sugar levels, were evaluated by an enzyme colorimetric assay.ResultsThe results of the symbiotic group showed a non-significant reduction (P > 0.05) in total cholesterol and triglycerides, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in HDL cholesterol and a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in fasting glycemia. No significant changes were observed in the placebo group.ConclusionThe consumption of symbiotic shake resulted in a significant increase in HDL and a significant decrease of glycemia.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00123456

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is one of the most important oxidative stress regulator in the human body. Once Nrf2 regulates the expression of a large number of cytoprotective genes, it plays a crucial role in the prevention of several diseases, including age-related disorders. However, the involvement of Nrf2 on these conditions is complex and needs to be clarified. Here, a brief compilation of the Nrf2 enrollment in the pathophysiology of the most common age-related diseases and bring insights for future research on the Nrf2 pathway is described. This review shows a controversial response of this transcriptional factor on the presented diseases. This reinforces the necessity of more studies to investigate modulation strategies for Nrf2, making it a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of age-related disorders.

Objective To validate the use of Seegene Allplex™ Vaginitis assay in the diagnosis of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis. Design Cross‐sectional, prospective study conducted in a single centre. Setting Outpatient clinic of a gynaecology department. Population Consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic women (18–60 years of age). Methods Comparison of the assay test with the reference standards for the diagnosis of vaginitis (cultures for yeasts, Nugent for BV and nucleic acid amplification test for trichomoniasis). Main outcome measures Performance of the investigational assay, in comparison with the reference standards for the diagnosis of the presence of Candida spp., Trichomonas vaginalis and BV. Secondary objectives are the evaluation of the performance of the test in postmenopausal women and in symptomatic women. Results A diagnosis of vaginitis was established in 14.0%. The global prevalences of BV, Candida spp. and T. vaginalis were 22.3%, 13.2% and 2.4%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay test for those three causes of vaginitis were as follows: BV 91.7% and 86.6%; any Candida spp. 91.1% and 95.6%; Candida albicans 88.1% and 98.2%, non‐albicans Candida 100% and 97.5%, and T. vaginalis 94.4 and 99.9%. The performance of the test was identical in the subgroup of women that reported vulvovaginal symptoms. The presence of multiple infections did not interfere with the performance of the test. Conclusions The Seegene Allplex™ Vaginitis assay has an excellent performance in the diagnosis of the BV and presence of Candida; the results were good for trichomoniasis, but the study was underpowered for this outcome. Tweetable abstract Seegene Allplex™ Vaginitis is an excellent option for screening and diagnosis of vaginitis.

No abstract

RESUMOObjetivo: Avaliar a atuação do Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF) através do conhecimento e da avaliação de serviços pelos profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Métodos: Estudo descritivo quantitativo realizado em 2012 junto às 10 ESF vinculadas ao NASF, distrito 1, de Parnaíba/PI -Brasil, no qual entrevistaram-se 76 profissionais por meio de um questionário composto por caracterização do profissional, investigação do seu conhecimento com relação às atividades do NASF e avaliação dos serviços prestados pela equipe do NASF. Os dados foram divididos em categorias, agrupados e analisados pelo SPSS (versão 19.0). Resultados: Na avaliação da atuação do NASF pelos membros das ESF, 42% (n=32) apontaram o serviço como muito importante, 59,0% (n=45) dos membros encontravam-se satisfeitos, 54,0% (n=41) classificavam o serviço como acessível para a população e 90% (n=68) dos entrevistados reconheceram quais os profissionais que compõem a equipe do NASF, destacando o fisioterapeuta e o educador físico. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que as ESF possuem informação com relação à estrutura do NASF, apontando o serviço como muito importante, estando satisfeitos com as atividades realizadas, classificando o serviço como acessível para a população, sendo esta informada pelo NASF acerca de seus direitos na saúde pública.Descritores: Estratégia Saúde da Família; Avaliação em Saúde; Sistema Único de Saúde. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the performance of the Family Health Support Center (NASF) through the knowledge and evaluation of services by professionals of the Family Health Strategy (FHS

Background: The higher consumption of fat and sugar are associated with obesity development and its related diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene is an antioxidant whose protective potential on fatty liver degeneration has been investigated. The aim of this study was to present the therapeutic effects of lycopene on NAFLD related to the obesity induced by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Wistar rats were distributed in two groups: Control (Co, n = 12) and hypercaloric (Ob, n = 12). After 20 weeks, the animals were redistributed into the control group (Co, n = 6), control group supplemented with lycopene (Co+Ly, n = 6), obese group (Ob, n = 6), and obese group supplemented with lycopene (Ob+Ly, n = 6). Ob groups also received water + sucrose (25%). Animals received lycopene solution (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (corn oil) via gavage for 10 weeks. Results: Animals which consumed the hypercaloric diet had higher adiposity index, increased fasting blood glucose, hepatic and blood triglycerides, and also presented in the liver macro and microvesicular steatosis, besides elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Lycopene has shown therapeutic effects on blood and hepatic lipids, increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), mitigated TNF-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and further improved the hepatic antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Lycopene shows therapeutic potential to NAFLD.

The literature has reported a higher prevalence of negative clinical outcomes due to Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in obese individuals. This can be explained by the cytokine storm, result from the cytokine production from both obesity and viral infection. Gamma-oryzanol (γOz) is a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, little is known about the γOz action as a possible agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that γOz attenuates the cytokine storm by stimulating PPAR-γ in the adipose tissue. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups and fed ad libitum for 30 weeks with control diet (C, n = 6), high sugar- fat diet (HSF, n = 6) or high sugar- fat diet + γOz (HSF + γOz, n = 6). HSF groups also received water + sucrose (25%). The γOz dose was 0.5% in the chow. Evaluation in animals included caloric intake, body weight, adiposity index, plasma triglycerides, and HOMA-IR. In adipose tissue was evaluated: PPAR-γ gene and protein expression, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, and histological analysis. Results Adipose tissue dysfunction was observed in HSF group, which presented remarkable PPAR-γ underexpression and increased levels of cytokines, other inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. The γOz treatment prevented adipose tissue dysfunction and promoted PPAR-γ overexpression. Conclusion Natural compounds as γOz can be considered a coadjutant therapy to prevent the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with obesity conditions.

No abstract