Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 impact on the cardiorespiratory fitness in young and middle-aged populations

The goal of the present study was to compare pulmonary function test (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance in COVID-19 survivors with a control group (CG). This was a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19, without severe signs and symptoms, were evaluated one month after the infection. Healthy volunteers matched for sex and age constituted the control group. All volunteers underwent the following assessments: i) clinical evaluation, ii) PTF; and iii) CPET on a cycle ergometer. Metabolic variables were measured by the CareFusion Oxycon Mobile device. In addition, heart rate responses, peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and perceived exertion were recorded. Twenty-nine patients with COVID-19 and 18 healthy control subjects were evaluated. Surviving patients of COVID-19 had a mean age of 40 years and had higher body mass index and persistent symptoms compared to the CG (P<0.05), but patients with COVID-19 had more comorbidities, number of medications, and greater impairment of lung function (P<0.05). Regarding CPET, patients surviving COVID-19 had reduced peak workload, oxygen uptake (V̇O2), carbon dioxide output (V̇CO2), circulatory power (CP), and end-tidal pressure for carbon dioxide (PETCO2) (P<0.05). Additionally, survivors had depressed chronotropic and ventilatory responses, low peak oxygen saturation, and greater muscle fatigue (P<0.05) compared to CG. Despite not showing signs and symptoms of severe disease during infection, adult survivors had losses of lung function and cardiorespiratory capacity one month after recovery from COVID-19. In addition, cardiovascular, ventilatory, and lower limb fatigue responses were the main exercise limitations.

Gonad development and reproduction of the ballyhoo half beak, Hemiramphus brasiliensis from the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil / Desenvolvimento das gônadas e reprodução da agulha-preta, Hemiramphus brasiliensis das águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

The gonad development and reproductive aspects of Hemiramphus brasiliensis from the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil were verified. This paper presents data on the length-weight relationship, sex ratio, length at first sexual maturity, gonad development, reproductive period and fecundity of H. brasiliensis. Females of this species predominated in the sampled population and were larger in size than the males. The length at the first sexual maturation of males was 20.8 cm and that of females was 21.5 cm. The macroscopic characteristics of the gonads indicated four maturation stages. Histological studies of gonads of H. brasiliensis showed six phases of oocyte development and four phases of spermatocyte development. The batch fecundity of this species is 1153 (±258.22) oocytes for 50 g body weight of female. The microscopic characteristics of gonad development indicate that H. brasiliensis is a multiple spawner, with active reproductive period during the months of January to June and October. The reproductive period of this species is independent of the rainy period of the region.

O desenvolvimento das gônadas e os aspectos reprodutivos de Hemiramphus brasiliensis nas águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil foram verificados. Este trabalho apresenta dados sobre a relação peso-comprimento, proporção sexual, comprimento de primeira maturação sexual, desenvolvimento gonadal, período reprodutivo e fecundidade de H. brasiliensis. As fêmeas de H. brasiliensis predominam na população amostrada e foram maiores em tamanho do que os machos. O comprimento da primeira maturação sexual dos machos foi de 20,8 cm e das fêmeas foi de 21,5 cm. As características macroscópicas das gônadas indicam quatro estádios de maturação. Estudos histológicos de gônadas de H. brasiliensis mostraram seis fases de desenvolvimento do ovócito e quatro fases de desenvolvimento de espermatócitos. A fecundidade por lote desta espécie foi 1,153 (± 258,22) ovócitos por 50 g de peso corporal da fêmea. As características microscópicas de desenvolvimento das gônadas indicam que H. brasiliensis apresenta desova múltipla, com um período de atividade reprodutiva nos meses de janeiro a junho e outubro. O período reprodutivo de H. brasiliensis é independente das chuvas da região.

Reproductive aspects of the flyingfish, Hirundichthys affinis from the Northeastern coastal waters of Brazil / Aspectos reprodutivos do peixe voador, Hirundichthys affinis das águas costeiras do Nordeste do Brasil

The epipelagic flyingfish, Hirundichthys affinis is a major artisanal fishery resource from the Northeastern coastal waters of Brazil. However, biological information about this species has been poorly documented. This paper presents data on the length-weight relationship, sex ratio, length at first sexual maturity, gonadal development and fecundity of H. affinis sampled from the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The total body length and weight for both sexes ranged from 23.4 to 29.4 cm and from 89 to 188g, respectively. The allometric coefficient of males was 2.208 and that of females was 2.985, indicating negatively allometric growth. The sex ratio was 1M:1.6F thus differing from the expected ratio of 1:1 (χ2 = 18.63). The total length at first sexual maturity was estimated at 27.3 cm for males and 27.1 cm for females. The macroscopic characteristics of the gonads indicated four maturation stages. Histological studies of gonads of H. affinis showed seven phases of oocyte development and four phases of spermatocyte development. The mean absolute fecundity was 9092 vitelogenic oocytes. Spawning occurred during the months of March to July. The microscopic descriptions of the stages of gonad maturation indicate that the study area is an important spawning ground of H. affinis.

O peixe epipelágico voador, Hirundichthys affinis é um importante recurso de pesca artesanal das águas costeiras do Nordeste do Brasil. No entanto, as informações biológicas sobre esta espécie tem sido pouco documentada. Este trabalho apresenta dados sobre a relação peso-comprimento, proporção sexual, comprimento de primeira maturação sexual, desenvolvimento gonadal e fecundidade de H. affinis amostrados das águas costeiras do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O comprimento total e o peso total de ambos os sexos variaram 23,4-29,4 cm, e de 89 a 188g, respectivamente. O coeficiente alométrico dos machos foi de 2,208 e o de fêmeas foi 2,985, indicando um crescimento alométrico negativo. A proporção entre os sexos foi 1M:1.6 F, diferindo da proporção esperada de 1:1 (χ2 = 18.63). O comprimento total da primeira maturação sexual foi estimado em 27,3 centímetros para os machos e 27,1 cm para as fêmeas. As características macroscópicas das gônadas indicaram quatro estádios de maturação. Estudos histológicos das gônadas de H. affinis mostram sete fases de desenvolvimento do ovócito e quatro fases de desenvolvimento do espermatócito. A fecundidade absoluta média foi de 9.092 ovócitos vitelogênicos. A desova ocorreu durante os meses de março a julho. As descrições microscópicas dos estágios de maturação gonadal indicam que a área de estudo é uma importante área de desova de H. affinis.

Efeito do consumo da aveia e farinha da casca de maracujá sobre a glicemia e lipemia em um grupo de voluntários / Effect of consumption of oats and passion fruit peel flour on glycemia and lipemia in a gr oup of volunteers

The purpose of this article is to assess the effects ofconsuming (rolled) oat flakes and passion fruit peelflour on glycemia and lipemia in a group of volunteersof sedentary habits. A clinical study was conductedin 2010 with 28 people in the city of Viçosa (MinasGerais, Brazil), whose age ranged from 30 to 60 years.The subjects were divided randomly into two groupsof 14. Group 1 ate 30g of oat flakes and group 2, 30gof passion fruit peel flour, every day for 60 days. Todetermine the biochemical effects, blood samples werecollected at three times: the first at time zero (t0), thesecond after 30 days (t30) and the third after 60 days(t60). In group 1 (treated with oats), it was observedthat HDL levels increased, while the serum glucoseconcentration decreased significantly; however, thevariables body weight, total cholesterol and LDLdid not change statistically. In group 2 (treatedpassion fruit peel flour) the serum glucose and totalcholesterol concentration decreased significantly;however, the variables body weight, HDL and LDLdid not change statistically. The products used inthis study were effective in reducing serum glucoselevels and there was also an improvement in the lipidprofile.

O objetivo do presente artigo foi analisar os efeitos do consumo da aveia em flocos e da farinha da casca de maracujá sobre a glicemia e a lipemia em um grupo de voluntários, com hábitos sedentários. Foi realizado um estudo clínico com 28 pessoas na cidade de Viçosa, MG, no ano de 2010, com idade variando entre 30 a 60 anos, onde essas foram divididas de forma aleatória em dois grupos de 14 pessoas. O grupo 1 recebeu 30 g de aveia em flocos enquanto o grupo 2, 30 g de farinha da casca de maracujá, durante 60 dias. Para verificação dos resultados bioquímicos, foram realizadas três coletas de sangue: a primeira, no início do estudo (tempo zero), a segunda, após 30 (t30) dias; e a terceira, após 60 dias (t60). Com o uso da aveia em flocos, observou-se que a concentração de HDL aumentou e a concentração sérica de glicose diminuiu significativamente, porém as variáveis peso, colesterol total e LDL não diferiram estatisticamente. Com a ingestão da farinha da casca do maracujá, houve diminuição significativa das concentrações de glicose e de colesterol total, contudo, as variáveis peso, HDL e LDL não diferiram estatisticamente. Os produtos utilizados foram eficazes na redução da concentração sérica de glicose e houve também melhora no perfil lipídico.

Subjective aspects of the nutritional status and length of chemotherapy treatment in patients with neoplasias / Aspectos subjetivos del estado nutricional y tiempo de quimioterapia en los portadores de neoplasias

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Tiempo de hospitalización y estado nutricional en pacientes hospitalizados / Hospitalization period and nutritional status in hospitalized patients

Con el objetivo de estudiar el estado nutricional y su relación con el tiempo de hospitalización, ha sido realizado un estudio trasversal en pacientes de un hospital privado, que representan una población de mejor condición socio-económica. Han sido evaluados en el 2º día de hospitalización, los indicadores antropométricos de 267 pacientes, siendo 46% del sexo masculino y 54% del sexo femenino, con edad entre 20 y 80 años. El tiempo de hospitalización ha sido relacionado al estado nutricional, siendo los datos procesados y analizados por el programa Excel y Sigma Stat, aplicándose el Test exacto de Fischer y el Qui-cuadrado. La población estudiada presentó IMC de 25,9 ± 5,3 siendo que la mayoría de los pacientes (60%), han presentado pérdida ponderal durante la hospitalización. El mayor tiempo de hospitalización ha sido encontrado entre los pacientes con neumopatías (13 días), los cuales se presentaron preobesos en su mayoría (40%), con pequeña prevalencia de desnutrición (4%). La distribución porcentual del estado nutricional en los grupos, conforme el diagnóstico, ha sido diferente (P 60 y <= 60 años no ha presentado diferencia por el test Qui-cuadrado. Los hallazgos de este estudio han permitido concluir que el estado nutricional en algunas dolencias, merece atención especial, en virtud del mayor riesgo encontrado en estas situaciones, lo que contribuye a para un mayor tiempo de hospitalización

With the objective of studying the nutritional status and its relationship with hospitalization period, a crosssectional study was done with patients from a private hospital representing a population with a better socioeconomic condition. The anthropometric data of 267 patients, 46% males and 54% females ranging from 20 to 80 years of age, were assessed on the second day of hospitalization. Hospitalization period associated with nutritional status. The data were analyzed by the software Excel and Sigma Stat, using Fisher’s exact test and the chi-square test. The studied population presented a body mass index of 25.9 ± 5.3 and most patients lost weight during hospitalization. The longest hospitalization periods were found among patients with lung diseases (13 days), some being preobese (40%) with a small prevalence of undernutrition (4%). The percentage distribution of nutritional status among the groups according to diagnosis was different (P 60 and <= 60 did not present a difference when assessed by the chi-square test. The results of this study show that the nutritional status in some diseases deserves special attention given the greater risk found in these situations, contributing to a longer hospitalization period

Comparación del estado nutricional, consumo alimenticio y tiempo de hospitalización de pacientes de dos hospitales, uno público y otro privado / Comparative analysis of nutritional status, food intake and length of hospitalization considering two hospitals: public versus private

Introducción: Conocer el estado nutricional de pacientes hospitalizados es importante para la prevención de la desnutrición hospitalaria y para la planificación de las intervenciones nutricionales. Objetivo: Analizar comparativamente el estado nutricional,el consumo energético, el proteico y el tiempo de hospitalización/internación de pacientes ingresados en plantas enfermerías de un hospital público y uno privado,que atiendan a personas con diferentes perfiles socioeconómicos. Casuística y métodos: Este estudio ha sido del tipo prospectivo con la muestra obtenida entre pacientes dedos hospitales, uno público (HPU) y uno privado (HPR),que presentan respectivamente la población más pobre y la de mejor condición socioeconómica. Han sido considerados para el análisis, 51 pacientes del HPU con una edad mediana de 53,9 ± 15,6 años y 51 del HPR con 55,0± 13,9 años, dispuestos en parejas y agrupados de acuerdo con las siguientes enfermedades: neoplasias (n = 25),enfermedades de aparato digestivo (n = 11) y otras (n = 15). Para el análisis estadístico, ha sido aplicado el test T-Student para comparaciones entre las variaciones del HPU y HPR, con p < 0,05 y para las comparaciones realizadas entre las variaciones de un mismo hospital has ido aplicado el test T-Student, con p < 0,05; p < 0,01;p< 0,005 y p < 0,001.Resultados: No ha habido diferencia estadística en las comparaciones de las variaciones evaluadas entre los dos hospitales, excepto que el tiempo de hospitalización/internación de los pacientes con enfermedades del aparato digestivo ha sido mayor para el HPR. En la hospitalización/internación,21,0% y 17,6% han presentado el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) coincidente con desnutrición. Los pacientes portadores de neoplasias han presentado peso actual (PA) inferior al peso habitual(PH). Tanto los pacientes portadores de neoplasias, como los portadores de enfermedades del aparato digestivo, han presentado consumo energético insuficiente en el período que antecedió a la hospitalización/internación (p < 0,05). Ha sido encontrada correlación negativa entre el tiempo de hospitalización/internación y la relación peso actual/peso habitual (r = -0,194, p < 0,05, n =102) y IMC (r = -0,186, p< 0,05, n = 102), según el coeficiente de Pearson.Conclusión: La similitud de las condiciones nutricionales encontradas indica semejanza del estado nutricional de pacientes de ambas las instituciones y refleja los cambios del perfil nutricional de la población. La intervención nutricional debe considerar las necesidades nutricionales de la población atendida (AU)

Introduction: To assess the nutritional status of hospitalized patients is important for the prevention of hospital malnutrition and planning of nutritional intervention.Objective: To comparatively analyze the nutritional status of patients admitted to two hospitals, one public and another private, caring for populations with different socioeconomic profiles.Case study and methods: This was a prospective study and samples were collected from patients of two hospitals,one public (PUH) and another private (PRH), which respectively represent the underprivileged and the more affluent populations. The analysis considered 51 patients from the PUH, aged between 53.9 ± 15.6 years and 51from the PRH, aged between 55.0 ± 13.9 years, paired and grouped according to the following diseases: neoplasia(n+25), digestive tract disorders (n+11) and others (n+15).The statistical analysis was made by means of the T-Student test to compare PUH and PRH variables with p <0.05, as well as to compare different variables in the same hospital, with p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.005 and p < 0.001.Results: There were no statistical differences when the variables evaluated in both hospitals were compared, except for the length of hospitalization of patients with digestive tract disorders, which was longer for HPR. Upon hospitalization, 21.0% and 17.6% presented a body mass index (BMI) indicative of malnutrition. The patients with neoplasias presented current weight (CW) lower than habitual weight (HW). Both the patients with neoplasias and those with digestive tract disorders presented insufficient energy consumption in the period before hospitalization (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between the length of hospitalization and the current weight/habitual weight ratio (r = 0.194, 0 < 0.05,n = 102) and BMI (r=-0.186, p < 0.05, n = 102), according to Pearson’s coefficient. Conclusion: The similarity of nutritional conditions found points to similarity of nutritional status for patients of both institutions and reflects the changes in the nutritional status of the population. The nutritional intervention should consider the nutritional needs of the population assisted (AU)