Sex differences in 3- to 5-year-old children's motor competence: A pooled cross-sectional analysis of 6241 children.

There is some, albeit inconsistent, evidence supporting sex differences in preschoolers' motor competence (MC), with these observations not uniform when analyzed by age, and cultural groups. Thus, this study examined sex differences across ages in 3- to 5-year-old children's MC. A cross-country pooled sample of 6241 children aged 3-5 years (49.6% girls) was assessed for MC using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd/3rd edition, and children were categorized into groups of age in months. Multiple linear regression models and predictive margins were calculated to explore how sex and age in months affect scores of MC (i.e., locomotor and ball skills), with adjustments for country and BMI. The Chow's Test was used to test for the presence of a structural break in the data. Significant differences in favor of girls were seen at 57-59 and 66-68 months of age for locomotor skills; boys performed better in ball skills in all age periods, except for 42-44 and 45-47 months of age. The higher marginal effects were observed for the period between 45-47 and 48-50 months for locomotor skills (F = 30.21; and F = 25.90 for girls and boys, respectively), and ball skills (F = 19.01; and F = 42.11 for girls and boys, respectively). A significantly positive break point was seen at 45-47 months, highlighting the age interval where children's MC drastically improved. The identification of this breakpoint provides an evidence-based metric for when we might expect MC to rapidly increase, and an indicator of early delay when change does not occur at that age.

WEB OF TRANSFORMATIONS: impact of multicomponent intervention on the relationship between sociodemographic indicators, changes in body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and biochemical markers in adolescents with overweight and obesity.

The study aims to analyze the relationships between changes after multicomponent intervention in sociodemographic indicators, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and biochemical markers in overweight/obese adolescents. Quasi-experimental study with 33 overweight/obese adolescents (17 in the intervention group (IG) and 16 in the control group (16)), in which the GI participated in the multicomponent intervention for 24 weeks. Sociodemographic indicators, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and biochemical markers were evaluated. Network analysis was performed using JASP software. In GI, the reduction in %BF proved to be the variable with greater connectivity and strength in the network compared to the control network. Changes in %BF were related to changes in ACR, BMI and leptin. It is concluded that the reduction in %BF is the most important variable in network relationships after the intervention, suggesting that the greater the reduction in %BF, the greater the effect on variables such as BMI, ACR and leptina.

Compliance with the 24-h movement behaviors guidelines among urban and rural Brazilian preschoolers.

BACKGROUND: The importance of movement behaviors for health is well-known, although few studies have examined the compliance with movement guidelines in preschoolers from different living contexts. This study reported the compliance with the 24-h movement behaviors guidelines among low-income Brazilian preschoolers from rural and urban areas, according to age. METHODS: A total of 453 preschoolers (n = 222 urban), aged between 3 and 5 years, provided physical activity (PA) data (Actigraph wGT3X). Sleep duration, and screen time were parent-reported. Preschoolers were classified as compliant/non- compliant with the 24-h movement guidelines, according to age. The association between prevalence of compliance with the recommendations and the children's living setting were estimated (SPSS; 27.0). RESULTS: Preschoolers were active (mean = 299.19 ± 76.42; and 369.76 ± 95.56 min/day in urban and rural areas, respectively), though moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was below the 60 daily minutes recommended in both urban and rural settings (mean = 38.39 ± 21.36; and 47.32 ± 24.28, respectively). None of the urban children complied with the three recommendations simultaneously, while in the rural area, only 2.6% were compliant. Single movement behaviors compliances in the urban setting were 6.8%, 28.8% and 5.4% for PA, sleep, and screen time, respectively; while for rural settings were 16.5%, 21.2%, and 7.4%. Living in the rural area was related to the compliance with PA recommendation for the 5-year-old preschoolers. CONCLUSION: In both urban and rural Brazilian areas, very few preschoolers are compliant with the guidelines, and more than one third of the children do not comply with any of the recommendations. Strategies and programs to promote compliance with movement behaviors guidelines should consider children's living setting and their age groups.

Are there associations between sedentary time inside and outside preschools with preschoolers' executive function?

Preschool children spend a large part of their day at school, and a large part of that time they spend in sedentary time. Although sedentary time negatively affects regions of the brain responsible for cognition, it is believed that the type of sedentary time performed can favor executive functions' performance. The present study explored the associations between sedentary time inside and outside preschools with executive function (EF) tasks in preschoolers. Seventy-three preschool children (60% girls; 55.0 ± 9.1 months of age) were objectively assessed for sedentary time and physical activity (PA) using accelerometers (wGT3X). EF was evaluated using the Go/No-Go paradigm through the Early Years Toolbox - YET. Go's inverse efficiency (IE) and the No-Go accuracy were analyzed. To establish possible associations between EF and sedentary time, a structural equation model was conducted after adjustments for sex, age, body mass index, and moderate-to-vigorous PA. A significant and positive association between sedentary time on weekend days and IE (b = 0.61; p < .001) was observed. The general model explained 52% of the variation in IE and 2.1% in the accuracy of No-Go. The sedentary time on weekend days seems to be related to worse EI. This result emphasizes a context-dependent association between time being sedentary and preschoolers' EF. Further investigations should focus on exploring the type of sedentary behavior children are engaged in different contexts.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and antibacterial activity of chalcone (2E)-1-(3'-aminophenyl)-3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-prop-2-en-1-one against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus carrier of efflux pump mechanisms and ß-lactamase.

BACKGROUND: The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus has stood out for presenting a high adaptability, acquiring resistance to multiple drugs. The search for natural or synthetic compounds with antibacterial properties capable of reversing the resistance of S. aureus is the main challenge to be overcome today. Natural products such as chalcones are substances present in the secondary metabolism of plants, presenting important biological activities such as antitumor, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activity. OBJECTIVES: In this context, the aim of this work was to synthesize the chalcone (2E)-1-(3'-aminophenyl)-3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-prop-2-en-1-one with nomenclature CMADMA, confirm its structure by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and evaluate its antibacterial properties. METHODS: The synthesis methodology used was that of Claisen-Schmidt, and spectroscopic characterization was performed by NMR. For microbiological assays, the broth microdilution methodology was adopted in order to analyze the antibacterial potential of chalcones and to analyze their ability to act as a possible inhibitor of ß-lactamase and efflux pump resistance mechanisms, present in S. aureus strain K4100. RESULTS: The results obtained show that CMADMA does not show direct antibacterial activity, expressing a MIC of ≥1024 µg/mL, or on the enzymatic mechanism of ß-lactamase; however, when associated with ethidium bromide in efflux pump inhibition assays, CMADMA showed promising activity by reducing the MIC of the bromide from 64 to 32 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the chalcone synthesized in this study is a promising substance to combat bacterial resistance, possibly acting in the inhibition of the QacC efflux pump present in S. aureus strain K4100, as evidenced by the reduction in the MIC of ethidium bromide.

Stigma and knowledge about autism in Brazil: A psychometric and intervention study.

LAY ABSTRACT: To promote the full inclusion of autistic people, we must change the knowledge and attitudes of non-autistic individuals. Unfortunately, access to autism information and support remains limited in Brazil, and stigma is also common. Brazilian researchers reached out to a researcher in the United States to co-develop Brazilian surveys to measure autism stigma and knowledge. Together, they made Brazilian versions of stigma and knowledge surveys which autistic people in the United States had helped make. They also adapted an online autism training used in other countries with help from three Brazilian autistic people and the mother of an autistic child. They used the new measures to see if the autism training improved autism stigma and knowledge among Brazilians. The surveys, called EARPA and ECAT in Brazil, were translated into Portuguese in a previous study. In the first study in this article, 532 Brazilians completed the stigma measure and 510 completed the knowledge measure. The researchers used exploratory graph analysis, which uses the connections between items in a survey to understand which items belong together. Seventy-nine Brazilians participated in the training. They were mostly white, female university students. The EGA showed that the stigma survey measured one big idea while the knowledge survey measured four ideas: diagnosis/cause; socio-communicative development; stimming and special interests; and autism in adulthood. Both scales are promising and may be helpful in future Brazilian and cross-cultural studies about autism. Participants reported more knowledge and less stigma after the autism training, which has been found in other countries too.

Synthesis, structural, characterization, antibacterial and antibiotic modifying activity, ADMET study, molecular docking and dynamics of chalcone (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one in strains of Staphylococcus aureus carrying NorA and MepA efflux pumps.

Chalcones have an open chain flavonoid structure that can be obtained from natural sources or by synthesis and are widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, and tea. They have a simple and easy to handle structure due to the α-ß-unsaturated bridge responsible for most biological activities. The facility to synthesize chalcones combined with its efficient in combating serious bacterial infections make these compounds important agents in the fight against microorganisms. In this work, the chalcone (E)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (HDZPNB) was characterized by spectroscopy and electronic methods. In addition, microbiological tests were performed to investigate the modulator potential and efflux pump inhibition on S. aureus multi-resistant strains. The modulating effect of HDZPNB chalcone in association with the antibiotic norfloxacin, on the resistance of the S. aureus 1199 strain, resulted in increase the MIC. In addition, when HDZPNB was associated with ethidium bromide (EB), it caused an increase in the MIC value, thus not inhibiting the efflux pump. For the strain of S. aureus 1199B, carrying the NorA pump, the HDZPNB associated with norfloxacin showed no modulatory, and when the chalcone was used in association with EB, it had no inhibitory effect on the efflux pump. For the tested strain of S. aureus K2068, which carries the MepA pump, it can be observed that the chalcone together the antibiotic resulted in an increase the MIC. On the other hand, when chalcone was used in association with EB, it caused a decrease in bromide MIC, equal to the reduction caused by standard inhibitors. Thus, these results indicate that the HDZPNB could also act as an inhibitor of the S. aureus gene overexpressing pump MepA. The molecular docking reveals that chalcone has a good binding energies -7.9 for HDZPNB/MepA complexes, molecular dynamics simulations showed that Chalcone/MetA complexes showed good stability of the structure in an aqueous solution, and ADMET study showed that the chalcone has a good oral bioavailability, high passive permeability, low risk of efflux, low clearance rate and low toxic risk by ingestion. The microbiological tests show that the chalcone can be used as a possible inhibitor of the Mep A efflux pump.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Motor Competence and Body Mass Index in the Preschool Years: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5545 Children from Eight Countries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum. This study examined the association between motor skill competence and BMI in a multi-country sample of 5545 preschoolers (54.36 ± 9.15 months of age; 50.5% boys) from eight countries. METHODS: Quantile regression analyses were used to explore the associations between motor skill competence (assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second/Third Edition) and quantiles of BMI (15th; 50th; 85th; and 97th percentiles), adjusted for sex, age in months, and country. RESULTS: Negative associations of locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence with BMI percentiles (p < 0.005) were seen, which became stronger at the higher end of the BMI distribution (97th percentile). Regardless of sex, for each raw score point increase in locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence scores, BMI is reduced by 8.9%, 6.8%, and 5.1%, respectively, for those preschoolers at the 97th BMI percentile onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Public health policies should position motor skill competence as critical for children's obesity prevention from early childhood onwards. Robust longitudinal and experimental designs are encouraged to explore a possible causal pathway between motor skill competence and BMI from early childhood.

What are the correlates of intention to be physically active in Brazilian adolescents? A network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the association of individual characteristics, social and environmental factors - school and region - in the intention to be physically active in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study based on the third edition of the National School Health Survey. The study included a total of 53,937 adolescents. To assess the intention to be physically active, only who engaged in less than 300 min of physical activity per week were included. Participants were asked: "If you had the opportunity to practice physical activity most days of the week, what would your attitude be?" Individual characteristics, physical activity domains, social factors, school, and regional environments were used as exposures. Network analysis was utilized to evaluate the associations. RESULTS: We observed that boys had higher intentions to be physically active compared to their peers, as did adolescents who perceived themselves as fat. In addition, students from private schools show a higher intention to regularly engage in physical activities, and in general, private schools offer more extracurricular physical activities. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, individual factors such as sex and body image perception, and environmental factors such as school administrative dependency and availability of extracurricular activities had a significant contribution to the intention to be physically active among Brazilian adolescents.

A network analysis involving mental difficulties, cognition, physical fitness, 24-hour movement components, fatness, and sociodemographic factors in children.

Background: Evidence supports the beneficial linear influence of diverse lifestyle behaviors on brain health since childhood; however, multiple behaviors -and not only one-simultaneously affect such outcomes. Therefore, the aim was to explore the multivariate relationship through a network analysis among mental difficulty and cognitive function with physical fitness (PF), 24-h movement components, fatness, and sociodemographic factors in children. Methods: Cross-sectional study involved 226 children (52.2 % boys) aged between six and 11 years. Mental difficulties were evaluated through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and cognitive function by the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices Test. The body mass index and PF were assessed according to the procedures suggested by the Proesp-Br, while moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) using accelerometry. The socioeconomic level, sleep, and screen time were evaluated by questionnaires. A network analysis was carried out to evaluate the associations among variables and establish centrality measures. Results: Age and PF moderated the negative relationship between cognitive function and MVPA. Furthermore, the direct and inverse relationship between cognitive function and mental difficulties appears to be affected by the 24-h movement components. Finally, age, PF, and screen time are the nodes with higher values of expected influence, indicating more sensitivity to interventions for decreasing mental difficulty and improving cognitive function. Conclusion: Mental health and cognitive function were moderated by the multivariate interaction among age, PF, and the three 24-h movement components. Nonetheless, centrality measures from the network analysis suggest that PF, MVPA, and screen time are crucial nodes in order to implement future interventions.

The subject-environment interplay between runners from different Brazilian macro-regions.

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate the interplay between runners and their environment using a network approach. Methods: This cross-sectional study sampled Brazilian runners of both sexes, from the five macro-regions of the country. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding age, sex, training volume, socio-economic level, place of residence, and running pace. Environmental indicators (public illumination, pavement, sidewalk, and green areas) were collected from available public information. Descriptive statistics were presented in mean (SD), and frequency (%). A network analysis was performed to evaluate the association between individual and environmental characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed in the JASP, considering p < 0.05. Results: At North and Mid-West regions, public illumination presents the highest values for the expected influence (1.74 and 1.56), while in Northeast and Southeast, sidewalks present the highest values (2.13; 0.91). For betweenness centrality, in North, Northeast, and Mid-West regions, residency in the capital of a state presented a hub. In contrast, pavement, and training volume present higher values in the South and Southeast. Network topologies are different. Conclusion: Public illumination (North and Mid-West) and sidewalk (Northeast, Southeast) were the most important variables for runners. Continental size countries need specific approaches to improve physical activity levels and health outcomes that consider the cultural, historical, and environmental background.

Paths towards a healthier BMI among short and adequate sleepers: A pathway network analysis considering movement behaviors in low-income preschoolers.

INTRODUCTION: Short sleep duration has been seen as a predictor of higher body mass index (BMI) in youth. Sleep duration varies substantially along early childhood, and the paths towards a healthier BMI, considering the other movement behaviors (physical activity-PA and screen time) are unexplored in preschoolers. AIM: To construct a sleep-BMI model to capture the direct and indirect paths to intervening towards a healthier BMI, according to low-income preschoolers' compliance with the other movement behaviors. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy two preschoolers (4.5 ± 0.0; 138 boys) participated in the study. Sleep and screen time (ST) were assessed in a face-to-face interview with primary caregivers. PA was assessed using accelerometer (wGT3X-BT). Preschoolers were categorized as compliant or not with sleep, screen time, total and moderate to vigorous PA recommendations. BMIz-score was calculated according to preschoolers' sex and age. All the assessed variables, besides sex and age were included in a Network Pathway Analysis (NPA) according to age as nodes. RESULTS: At 3 years old, a direct and negative path between sleep-BMIz score was observed. At four and 5 years old, this relationship became positive. Further, girls were more compliant with sleep, ST and total PA recommendations. Total PA (TPA) showed the highest expected influence value in the general, 3 and 4 years old NPA. CONCLUSION: The NPA analysis showed different directions for the relationship between sleep and BMIz score, according to age. Intervention strategies to a healthier BMI among preschoolers compliant or not with sleep recommendations should focus in increasing TPA.

Synthesis of chalcones and their antimicrobial and drug potentiating activities.

The increased resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial drugs makes it necessary to search for new active compounds, such as chalcones. Their simple chemical structure makes them molecules easy to synthesize. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and potentiating activity of antibiotics and antifungals by synthetic chalcones against strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The synthesis of chalcones was carried out by Claisen-Schimidt aldol condensation. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) were also performed. Microbiological tests were performed by the broth microdilution method, using gentamicin, norfloxacin and penicillin as standard drugs for the antibacterial assay, and fluconazole for the antifungal assay. Three chalcones were obtained (1E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-1,4-dien-3-one (DB-Acetone), (1E,3E,6E,8E)-1,9-diphenylnone-1,3,6,8-tetraen-5-one (DB-CNM), (1E,4E)-1,5-bis (4-methoxyphenyl) penta-1,4-dien-3-one (DB-Anisal). The compound DB-Acetone was able to inhibit P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 at a concentration of 1.4 × 102 µM (32 µg/mL), while DB-CNM and DB-Anisal inhibited the growth of S. aureus ATCC 25923 at 17.88 × 102 µM and 2.71 × 101 µM (512 µg/mL and 8 µg/mL) respectively. In the combined activity, DB-Anisal was able to potentiate the effect of the three antibacterial drugs tested against E. coli 06, norfloxacin (128 for 4 µg/mL ±1) against P. aeruginosa 24 and penicillin (1,024 for 16 µg/mL ±1) against S. aureus 10. In antifungal assays, chalcones were not able to inhibit the growth of fungal strains tested. However, both showed potentiating activity with fluconazole, ranging from 8.17 x 10-1 µM (0.4909 µg/mL) to 2.35 µM (13.96 µg/mL). It is concluded that synthetic chalcones have antimicrobial potential, demonstrating good intrinsic activity against fungi and bacteria, in addition to potentiating the antibiotics and antifungal tested. Further studies are needed addressing the mechanisms of action responsible for the results found in this work.

Association between the physical activity environment in schools and childhood obesity: a view under the light of complex systems

Objective: to analyse the relationship between physical activity (PA) environment at schools and obesity in children, the light of complex systems. Methods: this is a cross sectional study involved 1.200 children (8.1 ± 1.0 years old and 50% boys) from eight public schools from socially vulnerable neighbourhoods of Petrolina, Brazil. Weight and height measurements were assessed to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) and classified as normal weight and overweight. To assess the PA environment at the school, a questionnaire about the structural and organizational environment of the school was applied through a face-to-face interview with the school´s manager was conducted. The association between the PA environment at school and obesity was tested using a Machine Learning technique (Network Analysis) performed on the Jasp software. Results: positive associations between BMI and Physical Education classes (0.847), physical education teacher (0.349), break duration (0.564) and indoor sports court (0.662) were observed. Negative associations were seen with sex (-0.212) age (- 0.387), extracurricular PA (-0.492) and playground (-0.557). Additionally, the centrality indicators highlighted extracurricular PA (1.789) as the variables with the highest betweenness values, and BMI with the highest closeness (2.239) and strength (1.230) values. Conclusion: Extracurricular PA and the presence of playgrounds at school´s environment are associated with a healthier weight status low-income children.

Fatores associados aos comportamentos ativo e sedentário em adolescentes brasileiros: uma análise de redes / Factors associated with active and sedentary behaviors in Brazilian adolescents: a network analysis

O presente estudo verificou a associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas, características da esco-la, nível de atividade física (AF) e comportamento sedentário (CS) em adolescentes brasileiros. A amostra foi composta por 71.903 adolescentes entre 13 e 16 anos (52,8% meninas), matriculados no último ano do ensino fundamental, em escolas públicas e privadas do Brasil, participantes da terceira edição da Pesquisa Nacional da Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE). As informações foram recolhidas através de questionário. O tempo de AF na aula de Educação Física e extra aula de Educação Física, o tempo em deslocamento ativo e o tempo em CS foram associados às variáveis sociodemográficas (tipo de município, local da escola, escolaridade da mãe, percepção de insegurança, idade e sexo) e características da escola (tipo de escola e quadra disponível para uso). Utilizou-se a análise de rede. Quanto ao comportamento ativo, a topologia de rede mostrou que os meninos são mais ativos do que as meninas, principalmente na AF extra aula de Educação Física. Além disso, os resultados revelaram um maior tempo de AF na aula de Educação Física para os meninos, estudantes cujas mães apresentavam maior escolaridade, matriculados em escolas privadas e com quadra disponível para uso. Os estudantes matriculados em escolas públicas apresentaram maior tempo de AF em deslocamento ativo. Quanto ao CS, jovens do contexto urbano apresentaram maior exposição quando comparados aos pares do contexto rural. Conclui-se que as características sociodemográficas e da escola estão relacionadas com os comportamentos dos adolescentes brasileiros em todos os domínios da AF e no CS

The present study aimed to verify the association of sociodemographic correlates and school characteristics with levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) of Brazilian adolescents. The sample consisted of 71,903 adolescents between 13 and 16 years old (52.8% girls), enrolled in the last year in public and pri-vate elementary schools of Brazil, participants of the third edition of the National Survey of School Health (PeNSE). The time of PA in Physical Education class and extra Physical Education class, time in active commuting and time in SB were related to sociodemographic variables (type of municipality, place where the school is located, mother's schooling, perception of insecurity, age and gender) and school characteristics (type of school, block available for use). Data were analyzed using network analysis. The network topology showed that boys are more active than girls, especially in extra Physical Education`s PA. In addition, boys, students whose mothers have higher education, enrolled in private schools, which have a court available for use, have a positive association with longer time spent in PA in physical education classes. Students enrolled in public schools had a positive association with time spent in active commuting PA. As for SB, young people from the urban context are more exposed to SB than rural context. It was concluded that sociodemographic correlates and characteristics of the school were associated with all domains of the physical activity and sedentary behavior

Related-factors of social support for students' physical activity in a network perspective / Fatores relacionados ao suporte social para atividade física de estudantes em uma perspectiva de rede

This study investigates the relationship between social support and moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as the possible relationships between social support and socioeconomic status, gender and body mass index. Cross-sectional study with a non-randomized sample of 71 students (boys and girls) aged 7 to 12 and their parents or legal guardians. Social support and socioeconomic status were assessed using validated questionnaires. Height and body mass measurements were used for the body mass index equation. Moderate to vigorous physical activity was measured by accelerometers. The associations between all variables were tested by a network analysis. Moderate to vigorous physical activity is negatively correlated with socioeconomic status, body mass index and a question from the social support questionnaire: "How many times in the last week have you watched your child be physically active?". We observed a positive correlation between moderate to vigorous physical activity with gender and a question from the social support questionnaire: "How many times in the last week did you provide transport for your child's physical activity?". Thus, moderate to vigorous physical ac-tivity has a negative correlation with socioeconomic status, body mass index and the variable "parents sometimes observe their child to be physically active", and parents who provide transportation for the child to practice physical activity. In future, it is import to consider the network analysis in the intervention studies to promote adolescents' physical activity

Este estudo investiga a relação entre suporte social e atividade física moderada-vigorosa, bem como as possíveis relações entre suporte social e nível socioeconômico, gênero e índice de massa corporal. Estudo transversal com amostra não randomizada de 71 escolares (meninos e meninas) de 7 a 12 anos e seus pais ou responsáveis. Apoio social e nível socioeconômico foram avaliados por meio de questionários validados. Medidas de altura e massa corporal foram usadas para a equação do índice de massa corporal. Atividade física moderada-vigorosa foi medida por acelerômetros. As associações entre todas as variáveis foram testadas por uma análise de rede. A atividade física moderada a vigorosa está negativamente correlacionada com o nível socioeconômico, índice de massa corporal e uma questão do questionário de apoio social: "Quantas vezes na última semana você observou seu filho ser fisicamente ativo?". Observou-se correlação positiva entre atividade física moderada-vigorosa com o gênero e uma questão do questionário de apoio social: "Quantas vezes na última semana você forneceu transporte para a atividade física de seu filho?". Assim, a atividade física moderada-vigorosa tem correlação negativa com o nível socioeconômico, índice de massa corporal e a variável "os pais às vezes observam que seu filho é fisicamente ativo, e pais que fornecem transporte para a criança praticar atividade física. No futuro, é importante considerar a análise de rede nos estudos de intervenção para promover a atividade física em adolescentes

Investigating the Construct Validity and Reliability of the Test of Motor Competence Across Iranians' Lifespan.

Motor competence (MC) has been extensively examined in children and adolescents, but has not been studied among adults nor across the lifespan. The Test of Motor Competence (TMC) assesses MC in people aged 5-85 years. Among Iranians, aged 5-85 years, we aimed to determine the construct validity and reliability of the TMC and to examine associations between TMC test items and the participants' age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the TMC's factorial structure by age group and for the whole sample. We explored associations between the TMC test items and participant age, sex, and BMI using a network analysis machine learning technique (Rstudio and qgraph). CFA supported the construct validity of a unidimensional model for motor competence for the whole sample (RMSEA = 0.003; CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.993) and for three age groups (RMSEA <0.08; CFI and TLI >0.95). Network analyses showed fine motor skills to be the most critical centrality skills, reinforcing the importance of fine motor skills for performing and participating in many daily activities across the lifespan. We found the TMC to be a valid and reliable test to measure MC across Iranians' lifespan. We also demonstrated the advantages of using a machine learning approach via network analysis to evaluate associations between skills in a complex system.

How Do Health, Biological, Behavioral, and Cognitive Variables Interact over Time in Children of Both Sexes? A Complex Systems Approach.

The present study examined gender differences in health, physical activity, physical fitness, real and perceived motor competence, and executive function indicators in three time points, and analyzed the dynamic and non-linear association between health, biological, behavioral, and cognitive variables in children followed over time. A total of 67 children (aged between six and 10 years) were followed during two years and split into two cohorts (six to eight years old: C1; eight to 10 years old: C2). Data regarding health, physical activity, real and perceived motor competence, physical fitness, and executive function indicators were obtained according to their respective protocols. Comparison tests and network analysis were estimated. Significant gender differences were found in both cohorts. The emerged networks indicated different topologies in both cohorts. No clusters were observed between the variables in C1, and there was a greater number of interactions at eight years of age. Sparse networks were observed in children aged eight and 10 years in C2, and greater connectivity was observed at nine years of age between health, physical fitness, motor competence, and physical activity indicators. This study showed that there are non-linear dynamic relationships between health, biological, behavioral, and cognitive variables over time during child development.

Enhancement of chlorhexidine activity against planktonic and biofilm forms of oral streptococci by two Croton spp. essential oils from the Caatinga biome.

This work investigates the ability of two Croton spp. essential oils (EO) to enhance chlorhexidine (CHX) activity against oral streptococci. EO's chemical composition of Croton argyrophyllus and C. pluriglandulosus was determined by GC-MS/FID. The microbial growth kinetics and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EOs and CHX were determined, followed by their synergism against S. mutans UA159 and ATCC 25175, S. salivarius ATCC 7073 and S. sp. ATCC 15300. The microplate-based method was used to determine the EO/CHX activity against 24-h-old biofilms. The major compounds were α-pinene (54.74%) and bicyclogermacrene (16.08%) for EOAr and 1,8-cineole (17.41%), methyleugenol (16.06%) and elemicin (15.99%) for EOPg. Both EO had MIC around 16,000 µg/mL. EOs/CHX presented a synergistic effect against most strains (FICi from 0.133 to 0.375), and OE/CHX-treated biofilms showed a reduction in biomass and cell viability compared to CHX, only (p < 0.01). Thus, the EOs works as natural adjuvants for CHX.

GABAA and serotonergic receptors participation in anxiolytic effect of chalcones in adult zebrafish.

The prevalence of anxiety is a significant public health problem, being the 24th leading cause of disability in individuals affected by this disorder. In this context, chalcones, a flavonoid subclass obtained from natural or synthetic sources, interact with central nervous system (CNS) receptors at the same binding site as benzodiazepines, the primary drugs used in the treatment of anxiety. Thus, our study investigates the anxiolytic effect of synthetic chalcones derived from the natural product 2-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyacetophenone isolated from Croton anisodontus Müll.Arg. in modulating anxiolytic activity via GABAergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission in an adult zebrafish model. Chalcones 1 and 2 were non-toxic to adult zebrafish and showed anxiolytic activity via GABAA receptors. Chalcone 2 also had its anxiolytic action reversed by the antagonist granisetron, indicating the participation of serotonergic receptors 5HTR3A/3B in the anxiolytic effect. In addition, molecular docking results showed that chalcones have a higher affinity for the GABAA receptor than DZP and binding in the same region of the DZP binding site, indicating a similar effect to the drug. Furthermore, the interaction of chalcones with GABAA and 5-HT3A receptors demonstrates the anxiolytic effect potential of these molecules.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.