Do age and time of practice predict the development of life skills among youth futsal practitioners? / ¿La edad y el tiempo de práctica predicen el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida entre los jóvenes practicantes de fútbol sala? / A idade e o tempo de prática predizem o desenvolvimento de habilidades para a vida entre jovens praticantes de futsal?

The practice of sports has been considered one of the main tools for the life skills development among youth sport participants. This cross-sectional study investigated the predicting role of age and time of practice in the development of life skills among 207 male youth futsal practitioners from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The instruments used were the Life Skills Scale for Sports and a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted through Multivariate Analysis of Variance, Pearson's correlation and Multiple Regression (p<.05). The results showed significant difference (p<.05; η2=.036-.142) in all life skills according to age group, evidencing higher scores for older adolescents. Further, more experienced adolescents showed higher scores at goal seating (p=.001, η2=.074); problems solving (p=.013, η2=.042), communication (p=.003, η2=.054) and total life skills (p=.002, η2=.057). There was significant (p<.05) and positive correlation between age and almost all life skills subscales. Multiple regression revealed only age presented positive prediction toward life skills. It can be concluded that age is a predictor of life skills development among youth futsal practitioners

La práctica del deporte ha sido considerada una de las principales herramientas para el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida entre los jóvenes participantes en el deporte. Este estudio transversal investigó el papel predictivo de la edad y el tiempo de práctica en el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida entre 207 practicantes de futsal masculinos del estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Escala de habilidades para la vida deportiva y un cuestionario semiestructurado. El análisis de los datos se realizó a través del Análisis de varianza multivariante, la correlación de Pearson y la Regresión múltiple (p<.05). Los resultados mostraron una diferencia significativa (p <.05; η2=.036-.142) en todas las habilidades para la vida según el grupo de edad, evidenciando puntuaciones más altas para los adolescentes mayores. Además, los adolescentes más experimentados mostraron puntajes más altos en la meta sentada (p=.001, η2=.074); resolución de problemas (p=.013, η2=.042), comunicación (p=.003, η2=.054) y habilidades para la vida total (p=.002, η2=.057). Hubo una correlación significativa (p<.05) y positiva entre la edad y casi todas las subescalas de habilidades para la vida. La regresión múltiple reveló que solo la edad presentaba predicciones positivas hacia las habilidades para la vida. Se puede concluir que la edad es un predictor del desarrollo de habilidades para la vida entre los jóvenes practicantes de fútbol sala

A prática esportiva tem sido considerada uma das principais ferramentas para o desenvolvimento de habilidades para a vida entre jovens praticantes de esportes. Este estudo transversal investigou o papel preditivo da idade e do tempo de prática no desenvolvimento de habilidades para a vida em 207 jovens praticantes de futsal do sexo masculino do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala de Habilidades para a Vida Esportiva e um questionário semiestruturado. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio da Análise Multivariada de Variância, correlação de Pearson e Regressão Múltipla (p < 0,05). Os resultados mostraram diferença significativa (p < 0,05; η2=0,036-0,142) em todas as habilidades para a vida de acordo com a faixa etária, evidenciando escores mais altos nos adolescentes mais velhos. Além disso, os adolescentes mais experientes apresentaram pontuações mais altas nos assentos para as metas (p = 0,001; η2=0,074); resolução de problemas (p = 0,013, η2=0,042), comunicação (p = 0,003, η =0,054) e habilidades totais para a vida (p = 0,002, η2=0,057). Houve correlação significativa (p < 0,05) e positiva entre idade e quase todas as subescalas de habilidades para a vida. A regressão múltipla revelou que apenas a idade apresentou predição positiva em relação às habilidades para a vida. Pode-se concluir que a idade é um preditor do desenvolvimento de habilidades para a vida entre jovens praticantes de futsal

Identification of a novel UMOD mutation (c. 163G>A) in a Brazilian family with autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease

Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, progressive chronic kidney disease, and a bland urinary sediment. ADTKD is most commonly caused by mutations in the UMOD gene encoding uromodulin (ADTKD-UMOD). We herein report the first confirmed case of a multi-generational Brazilian family with ADTKD-UMOD, caused by a novel heterozygous mutation (c.163G>A, GGC→AGC, p.Gly55Ser) in the UMOD gene. Of 41 family members, 22 underwent genetic analysis, with 11 individuals found to have this mutation. Three affected individuals underwent hemodialysis, one peritoneal dialysis, and one patient received a kidney transplant from a family member later found to be genetically affected. Several younger individuals affected with the mutation were also identified. Clinical characteristics included a bland urinary sediment in all tested individuals and a kidney biopsy in one individual showing tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Unlike most other reported families with ADTKD-UMOD, neither gout nor hyperuricemia was found in affected individuals. In summary, we report a novel UMOD mutation in a Brazilian family with 11 affected members, and we discuss the importance of performing genetic testing in families with inherited kidney disease of unknown cause.

Validación de test para atletas de balonmano en silla de ruedas / Validation of battery skill tests to wheelchair handball athletes

El balonmano en sillas de ruedas es un deporte adaptado que ofrece una oportunidad de actividades deportivas para personas con discapacidad física. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la validez y la confiabilidad de una batería de tests de habilidad para el balonmano en silla de ruedas. Los tests de precisión de pases, desempeño en el bloqueo, conducción de la pelota y velocidad en 20 metros fueron administrados en 29 atletas con discapacidades físicas. Los resultados indican que los tests de velocidad de 20 metros, de desempeño en el bloqueo y de conducción de la pelota pueden ser aplicados para la evaluación de atletas de balonmano en silla de ruedas (AU)

The Wheelchair Handball is opportunity of sport practice to people with physical disabilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and the reliability of a battery of skills tests to assess skills of wheelchair handball athletes. 29 physical disable athletes were assessed by the following tests: accuracy of passes, performance of block, ball conduction and 20 meters speed. Our results have shown that the 20 meters speed, performance of block and ball conduction tests can be applied to the evaluation of wheelchair handball athletes (AU)

Characterization of TistH, a multifunctional peptide from the scorpion Tityus stigmurus: Structure, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity

The presence of bioactive peptides in animal venoms has been targeted in scientific research for assessing biological activities, as well as mechanisms of action. A recent study by our group observed hypotensive action of TistH (Tityus stigmurus Hypotensin), a peptide deduced from the transcriptome of T. stigmurus venom gland. The present study aims to analyze TistH structure properties and to evaluate its toxicity on normal and tumor cells, its in vitro antimicrobial activity, as well as its inflammatory effect. Circular dichroism analyses of TistH showed a general predominance of alpha-helix conformation in TFE (20-70%) and structural stability to pH variations. TistH was not cytotoxic to normal cell lines (3T3, RAW and HER), and also not to cancer cell lines (HeLa, B16, 786-0, SiHa and HepG2). The peptide did not present inflammatory activity up to 6 h after administered subcutaneously to Swiss mice. It was observed that concentrations of 4-1024 mu g/mL of TistH produced no inhibition against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of antifungal assays showed a moderate activity of TistH against Candida albicans strain LM-108 and the filamentous fungus Trichophyton rubrum LM-640, with growth inhibition at a concentration of 1024 mu g/mL. In contrast, the peptide presented a greater activity (MIC 128 mu g/mL) against C. albicans LM-106, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13308 and Aspergillus flavus strains LM-247 and LM-26, fungi that cause oral and vaginal infections, candidiasis and respiratory allergies, respectively. The present data contribute to a better understanding of TistH and its possible use as a bioactive compound. This multifunctional peptide is capable of acting as anti hypertensive, as well as to inhibit the growth of fungal strains, having low toxicity, which suggests its safety for using as a pharmacological agent. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stigmurin and TsAP-2 from Tityus stigmurus scorpion venom: Assessment of structure and therapeutic potential in experimental sepsis

Microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics is a public health problem worldwide, motivating the search for new therapeutic alternatives in varied natural sources. Cationic peptides without disulfide bridges from scorpions have been targeted in this context, mainly due to their multifunctional action and the limited ability of microorganisms to develop resistance against them. The present study was focused on Stigmurin and TsAP-2, cationic peptides found in the transcriptome of the venom gland from the scorpion Tityus stigmurus. The aims were: to assess the secondary structure of TsAP-2 and the structural stability of both peptides by circular dichroism; to evaluate their antiproliferative effect, and antimicrobial activities in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo; and to investigate their therapeutic potential in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis. Stigmurin and TsAP-2 secondary structures responded similarly to environment polarity changes, and were stable to temperature and pH variation. Both peptides showed antiproliferative effect on tumor cells. TsAP-2 showed lower cytotoxicity to normal cells, and had a mitogenic activity on murine macrophages. Stigmurin demonstrated bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity, depending on the microorganism, whereas TsAP-2 had bactericidal action upon different bacterial strains analyzed. Both peptides were able to reduce leukocyte migration, TNF-alpha levels and microorganism load in the peritoneal cavity after induction of experimental sepsis, decreasing inflammation in the lung and cecum of septic animals. TsAP-2 also reduced the release of nitric oxide in the peritoneal cavity. Taken together, these data suggest that Stigmurin and TsAP-2 are structurally stable molecules and are efficient in the control of the infectious focus in polymicrobial sepsis, with potential use as a prototype for the rational design of novel therapeutic agents. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.