Circadian clock of Aedes aegypti: effects of blood-feeding, insemination and RNA interference

Mosquitoes are the culprits of some of the most important vector borne diseases. A species’ potential as a vector is directly dependent on their pattern of behaviour, which is known to change according to the female’s physiological status such as whether the female is virgin/mated and unfed/blood-fed. However, the molecular mechanism triggered by and/or responsible for such modulations in behaviour is poorly understood. Clock genes are known to be responsible for the control of circadian behaviour in several species. Here we investigate the impact mating and blood-feeding have upon the expression of these genes in the mosquito Aedes aegypti . We show that blood intake, but not insemination, is responsible for the down-regulation of clock genes. Using RNA interference, we observe a slight reduction in the evening activity peak in the fourth day after dstim injection. These data suggest that, as in Drosophila , clock gene expression, circadian behaviour and environmental light regimens are interconnected in Ae. aegypti .

Genetic and environmental influences on blood pressure and physical activity: a study of nuclear families from Muzambinho, Brazil

Blood pressure (BP) and physical activity (PA) levels are inversely associated. Since genetic factors account for the observed variation in each of these traits, it is possible that part of their association may be related to common genetic and/or environmental influences. Thus, this study was designed to estimate the genetic and environmental correlations of BP and PA phenotypes in nuclear families from Muzambinho, Brazil. Families including 236 offspring (6 to 24 years) and their 82 fathers and 122 mothers (24 to 65 years) were evaluated. BP was measured, and total PA (TPA) was assessed by an interview (commuting, occupational, leisure time, and school time PA). Quantitative genetic modeling was used to estimate maximal heritability (h²), and genetic and environmental correlations. Heritability was significant for all phenotypes (systolic BP: h² = 0.37 ± 0.10, P < 0.05; diastolic BP: h² = 0.39 ± 0.09, P < 0.05; TPA: h² = 0.24 ± 0.09, P < 0.05). Significant genetic (r g) and environmental (r e) correlations were detected between systolic and diastolic BP (r g = 0.67 ± 0.12 and r e = 0.48 ± 0.08, P < 0.05). Genetic correlations between BP and TPA were not significant, while a tendency to an environmental cross-trait correlation was found between diastolic BP and TPA (r e = -0.18 ± 0.09, P = 0.057). In conclusion, BP and PA are under genetic influences. Systolic and diastolic BP share common genes and environmental influences. Diastolic BP and TPA are probably under similar environmental influences.

Motivação à prática regular de atividades físicas e esportivas: um estudo comparativo entre estudantes com sobrepeso, obesos e eutróficos / Motivation of regular physical and sporting activities practice: a comparative study between obeses, overweight, and other students

O principal objetivo do presente estudo é comparar os níveis de motivação à prática regular de atividades físicas de três diferentes grupos de alunos das escolas de ensino fundamental e médio do município de Erechim/RS: Obesos, com sobrepeso, e eutróficos. Para tanto, além das avaliações antropométricas – massa corporal e altura – foi aplicado o Inventário de motivação à prática regular de atividades físicas e esportivas (IMPRAFE-54) (BALBINOTTI; BARBOSA, 2006). Os resultados variaram consideravelmente em valores nominais e a principais dimensões motivacionais foram as seguintes: Obesos (saúde); sobrepeso (estética; saúde; prazer); eutróficos (saúde, estética, prazer). Na comparação inter-grupo (obesos; sobrepeso; eutróficos), a dimensão Estética se destacou na diferença entre os grupos de sobrepesos e obesos. Espera-se que esses resultados possam contribuir para a prática pedagógica da educação física escolar.

The main intent of the present study is compare the motivation levels of regular physical activities practice of three differents scholars groups from elementary and middle schools of Erechim/RS municipal district: Obeses, overweight, and Eutrophic. Then, besides the anthropometry evaluations – corporal mass and height – was applied the “Inventário de motivação à prática regular de atividades físicas e esportivas” (IMPRAFE-54) (BALBINOTTI; BARBOSA, 2006). The results varied considerably in nominal values and the main motivation dimensions were as follows: Obeses (health); overweight (esthetics; health; joy); Eutrophic (health; esthetics; joy). In comparing inter-group (obese, overweight, Eutrophic), the Aesthetic dimension stood out in the difference between the groups of overweight and obese. Hope these results might contribute for the pedagogy practice in scholar physical education.

El aprendizaje motor: un problema epigenético / Motor learning: an epigenetic problema

El presente trabajo pone en tela de juicio no solo los resultados de la investigación tradicional del aprendizaje motor sino, más radicalmente, los métodos utilizados para establecerlos. La cuestión metodológica cobra, entonces, una importancia singular, en tanto los estudios clásicos han logrado conocer, en todo caso, los factores orgánicos del aprendizaje motor, los sistemas intervinientes, pero no han aportado nada al conocimiento del aprendizaje motor mismo. La investigación clásica se esfuerza en aprehender los mecanismos íntimos de las respuestas motrices recurriendo a la neurofisiología, o en establecer cuáles son los aprendizajes que es preciso alcanzar en cada etapa del desarrollo para lograr el modelo “maduro’. De este modo, la investigación del aprendizaje motor se desplaza hacia la investigación de la Motricidad Humana, pero no explica (y en esto consiste siempre el trabajo de la ciencia) el acto, o el proceso, de aprendizaje de una habilidad o de un conjunto de habilidades, menos aún de una configuración de habilidades como, por ejemplo, un deporte. Por otra parte, los estudios clásicos convierten al sujeto en objeto de estudio, expropiándolo de toda posibilidad de condición particular, al mismo tiempo que encajan por la fuerza la heterogeneidad de las prácticas de aprendizaje en las restricciones que aseguran el control, la estabilidad y la uniformidad de los resultados, dejando fuera de la investigación, por tanto, todo el universo real de las prácticas.

This work calls into question not only the results of traditional research in motor learning but, more radically, the methods used to establish them. The methodological question becomes, then, a particular importance in both classical studies have come to know, in any case, organic factors of motor learning, the systems involved, but have not contributed anything to the knowledge of motor learning itself. The classic research strives to grasp the intimate mechanisms of motor responses using neurophysiology, or to establish what the lessons we need to be achieved are in each development stage to achieve the “mature” model. Thus, motor learning research is shifted to the investigation of Human Movement, but does not explain (which is always the science work) the act or process of learning a skill or a set of skills, even less a configuration of skills, such as a sport. On the other hand, classical studies makes the subject under study dispossessed of any possibility of special status, while forcibly fit the diversity of learning practices in the restrictions that ensure control, stability and uniformity of results, leaving out the research and, consequently, the whole world of real practice.

Efeito do exercício físico e do polimorfismo T-786C na pressão arterial e no fluxo sanguíneo de idosas / Effect of physical activity and t-786C polymorphism in blood pressure and blood flow in the elderly / Efecto del ejercicio físico y del polimorfismo T-786C en la presión arterial y en el flujo sanguíneo de añosas

FUNDAMENTO: O polimorfismo T-786C do gene da sintetase do óxido nítrico endotelial (eNOS) e a produção de ânion superóxido podem diminuir a produção e biodisponibilidade do óxido nítrico, comprometendo o grau de vasodilatação, podendo este efeito ser revertido pelo exercício físico. OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência do treinamento aeróbico e do polimorfismo T-786C nas concentrações dos metabólitos do óxido nítrico (NOx), no fluxo sanguíneo (FS) e na pressão arterial (PA). MÉTODOS: Trinta e duas idosas pré-hipertensas (59 ± 6 anos) foram separadas em dois grupos de acordo com o polimorfismo T-786C (TT e TC+CC). Foram analisadas as concentrações de NOx (plasma) e fluxo sanguíneo por pletismografia de oclusão venosa em repouso, 1, 2 e 3 minutos pós-oclusão (FS-0, FS-1, FS-2, FS-3, respectivamente). As avaliações foram realizadas antes e após 6 meses de um programa de exercício aeróbico. RESULTADOS: Nas avaliações pré-treinamento, os níveis de NOx foram menores no grupo TC+CC em relação ao grupo TT. O grupo TT apresentou correlações entre NOx e FS-0 (r = 0,6) e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) e FS-0 (r = -0,7), porém nenhuma correlação foi encontrada no grupo TC+CC. Nas avaliações pós-treinamento, ocorreram correlações entre NOx e FS-0 (r = 0,6) e nas mudanças do NOx e PAD (r = -0,6) no grupo TT. Também foram obtidas correlações entre PAD e FS-1 (r = -0,8), PAD e FS-2 (r = -0,6), PAD e FS-3 (r = -0,6), nas mudanças entre NOx e FS-1 (r = 0,8) e mudanças do NOx e PAD (r = -0,7) no grupo TC+CC. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que 6 meses de exercício aeróbico podem contribuir para aumentar as relações existentes entre NO, PA e FS em idosas portadores do alelo C.

BACKGROUND: The T-786C polymorphism of the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and superoxide anion production may reduce production and bioavailability of nitric oxide, affecting the degree of vasodilation. This effect can be reversed by exercise. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of aerobic training and T-786C polymorphism in the concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in blood flow (BF) and blood pressure (BP). METHODS: Thirty-two elderly pre-hypertensive women (59 ± 6 years old) were divided into two groups according to the T-786C polymorphism (TT and TC + CC). We analyzed the concentrations of NOx (plasma) and blood flow by venous occlusion plethysmography at rest, 1, 2 and 3 minutes post-occlusion (BF-0, BF-1 BF-2 BF-3, respectively). Evaluations were performed before and after 6 months of a program of aerobic exercise. RESULTS: In the pre-training evaluations, NOx levels were lower in TC + CC group than in TT group. The TT group showed correlations between NOx and BF-0 (r = 0.6) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and BF-0 (r = -0.7), but no correlation was found in TC + CC group. In the post-training evaluations, there were correlations between NOx and BF-0 (r = 0.6) and the changes in NOx and DBP (r = -0.6) in TT group. There were also correlations between DBP and BF-1 (r = -0.8), DBP, and BF-2 (r = -0.6), DBP, and BF-3 (r = -0.6), in the changes between NOx and BF-1 (r = 0.8) and changes in NOx and DBP (r = -0.7) in TC + CC group. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that 6 months of aerobic exercise can increase the relationship between NO, BP and BF in elderly of allele C carriers.

FUNDAMENTO: El polimorfismo T-786C del gen de la sintetasa del óxido nítrico endotelial (eNOS) y la producción de anión superóxido pueden disminuir la producción y biodisponibilidad del óxido nítrico, comprometiendo el grado de vasodilatación, pudiendo este efecto ser revertido por el ejercicio físico. OBJETIVO: Investigar la influencia del entrenamiento aeróbico y del polimorfismo T-786C en las concentraciones de los metabolitos del óxido nítrico (NOx), en el flujo sanguíneo (FS) y en la presión arterial (PA). MÉTODOS: Treinta y dos añosas prehipertensas (59 ± 6 años) fueron separadas en dos grupos de acuerdo con el polimorfismo T-786C (TT y TC+CC). Fueron analizadas las concentraciones de NOx (plasma) y flujo sanguíneo por pletismografía de oclusión venosa en reposo, 1, 2 y 3 minutos post oclusión (FS-0, FS-1, FS-2, FS-3, respectivamente). Las evaluaciones fueron realizadas antes y después de 6 meses de un programa de ejercicio aeróbico. RESULTADOS: En las evaluaciones pre entrenamiento, los niveles de NOx fueron menores en el grupo TC+CC en relación al grupo TT. El grupo TT presentó correlaciones entre NOx y FS-0 (r = 0,6) y presión arterial diastólica (PAD) y FS-0 (r = -0,7), sin embargo ninguna correlación fue encontrada en el grupo TC+CC. En las evaluaciones post entrenamiento, ocurrieron correlaciones entre NOx y FS-0 (r = 0,6) y en los cambios del NOx y PAD (r = -0,6) en el grupo TT. También fueron obtenidas correlaciones entre PAD y FS-1 (r = -0,8), PAD y FS-2 (r = -0,6), PAD y FS-3 (r = -0,6), en los cambios entre NOx y FS-1 (r = 0,8) y cambios del NOx y PAD (r = -0,7) en el grupo TC+CC. CONCLUSIÓN: Se concluye que 6 meses de ejercicio aeróbico pueden contribuir a aumentar las relaciones existentes entre NO, PA y FS en añosas portadoras del alelo C.

A seleção brasileira de voleibol infanto-juvenil feminina e o seu perfil dermatoglífico / The Brazilian volleyball juvenile female team and its dermatoglyphic characteristics

OBJECTIVE: To identify the dermatoglypical caracteristics by the digital impressions. METHODS: The study was descriptive and 19 female athletics were included. They were 15.9 +/- 0.36 years old, there weight was 67.4 +/- 8.73kg, and thad 181.6 +/- 6.11cm, from the juvenile 2004 Brazilian voleybol juvenile selection team. The Cummins & Midlo (1942), method was used to identify the dermatoglyphical caracteristics by the digital impressions from 10 hand digits of athletes. RESULTS: The study showed the following model of digital impressions: A = 0.42 +/- 0.69; L = 6.89 +/- 2.89; W = 2.74 +/- 3.14; D10 = 12.32 +/- 3.51 e SQTL = 119.37 +/- 28.99. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed that the dermatoglyphical characteristics of the female voleybol athletes of the juvenile Brazilian team are similar to that of the adult male team. Its necessary to compare these data with the adult female voley team, in order to stablish parameters to evaluate the potencial of future athletes.

Efeitos genéticos e do envolvimento dos níveis de actividade física e aptidão física associada à saúde: um estudo em gémeos dos 6 aos 12 anos de idade do Arquipélago dos Açores (Portugal) / Genetic and environmental effects in physical activity and health related physical fitness. A study in twins aged 6-to-12 years of the Azores Islands (Portugal)

Este trabalho pretende estimar a importância de factores genéticos e do envolvimento nos níveis de actividade física (ActF) e aptidão física associados à saúde (ApFS) em crianças. Os dados provêm de 96 pares de gêmeos monozigóticos e dizigóticos do arquipélago dos Açores (Portugal) cuja idade varia entre os 6 e os 12 anos. A ActF foi estimada com base no questionário de Godin e Shephard e a ApFS foi avaliada a partir da bateria de testes Prudential Fitnessgram. O cálculo das estimativas da influência genética e do envolvimento comum e único foi efectuado com base em procedimentos bem referenciados na literatura. Os resultados sugerem que cerca de 25% das diferenças interindividuais nos níveis de ActF podem ser atribuídas a efeitos genéticos. Já os valores de ApFS evidenciam um maior contributo génico: 32% na prova do trunk lift, 53.4% na prova de push-up, 38.4% na prova de curl-up, 58.2% na corrida-marcha da milha e 88% no índice de massa corporal. Em conclusão pode referir-se que os efeitos genéticos que governam as diferenças interindividuais são de magnitude baixa a moderada, exceptuando o índice de massa corporal. De particular importância é o efeito do envolvimento comum. Este último dado deve ser considerado de modo importante no sentido de consolidar a relevância da família, sobretudo dos progenitores na promoção de um estilo de vida activo e saudável.

The purposes of this study were to estimate the importance of genetic and environmental factors in physical activity (ActF) and health-related physical fitness (ApFS) levels of children. Data comes from 96 twin monozygotic and dizygotic pairs aged 6-to-12 years of the Azores Islands (Portugal). Physical activity was estimated with the Godin & Shephard questionnaire, and the ApFS was evaluated with the Prudential Fitnessgram test battery. Genetic factors, common and unique environmental estimates were calculated with well-known formulas. About 25% of the total variance in ActF was explained by genetic differences among subjects. In ApFS genetic effects were of the following magnitude: 32% for curl-up, 53.4% for trunk-lift, 38.4% for curl-up, 58.2% for 1 mile run-walk, and 88% for body mass index. In conclusion we may state that the magnitude of genetic effects are low to moderate, with exception of body mass index. An emphasis must be stated for the importance of common environmental effects. This fact should be regarded as an issue to pinpoint the importance of familial environment, especially the relevance of parents in their promotion of active and healthy lifestyles among family members.