cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092508.v1
title: Body composition indices in Brazilian adults: age-specific and sex-specific percentile curves

description: ABSTRACT Objective To establish percentile curves for measures and indices of body composition by age and sex and compare them with data from other ethnic groups. Subjects and methods Cross-sectional, population-based study with adults aged 20-59 years (n = 689). Percentile curves adjusted by a third degree polynomial function were constructed for skeletal mass index (SMI), fat mass index, body fat, and load-capacity metabolic indices (LCMI) based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results SMIweight and SMIBMI showed decline from the third decade of life in both sexes, whereas SMIheight was not able to identify lean mass loss over the ages studied. There was a slight drop at the end of the fifth decade (50-59 years) in men. Among Americans and Chinese, the 50th percentile curve of SMIheight showed an earlier decline. The estimates of adiposity and LCMI curves peaked between 40-49 years and Americans and Chinese maintained an upward curve throughout adulthood. Conclusion The data and curves showed that the SMI adjusted for BMI and body weight were more adequate in detecting the decline of lean mass in adults due to aging. In contrast, SMIheight had a positive correlation with age and its curve increased throughout the evaluated age groups. The results contribute to the evaluation to the nutritional status of adults and to the prevention and treatment of outcomes related to adiposity and deficit lean mass.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092511.v1
title: An early stage in T4-induced hyperthyroidism is related to systemic oxidative stress but does not influence the pentose cycle in erythrocytes and systemic inflammatory status

description: ABSTRACT Objective Hyperthyroidism causes many injuries in its target organs and the consequences are reflected systemically. As systemic alterations in hyperthyroidism at earlier stages have received partial attention, this study aimed to investigate systemic redox and inflammatory status at an early stage of T4-induced hyperthyroidism. Materials and methods Male Wistar rats were assigned to control and hyperthyroid groups (n = 7/group). The hyperthyroid group received L-thyroxine (12 mg/L) in their drinking water for 14 days whereas control group received only the vehicle. Body weight was measured on the 1st and 14th day of the protocol. On the 14th day, animals were anaesthetized. Blood was then collected from the retro-orbital venous plexus and then the animals were euthanised. The blood was separated into plasma and erythrocytes. Plasma was used to measure ROS levels, sulfhydryl compounds, IL-10, TNF-α and LDH levels; erythrocytes were used for the analysis of thioredoxin reductase activity, glutaredoxin content, and pentose cycle enzymes (total G6PD, G6PD and 6PGD). Results Hyperthyroid animals presented body weight gain and final body weight reduction, which was associated with increased ROS levels and decreased sulfhydryl content in plasma. Thioredoxin reductase activity, glutaredoxin content, and pentose cycle enzymes levels in erythrocytes, as well as IL-10, TNF-α and LDH plasma levels were unaltered. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest an impairment in corporal mass associated with systemic oxidative stress at this stage of hyperthyroidism. Meanwhile, the pentose cycle was not influenced and systemic inflammation and tissue damage seem to be absent at this stage of hyperthyroidism.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092502
title: Forming a “School of Champions”: Sport, morality, pedagogy and Peronist aesthetics

description: ABSTRACT “Escuela de Campeones” it’s an Argentine film directed by Ralph Pappier released at the end of 1950, bases its argument on the story of a historical fact: the difficulties experienced by those who wanted to incorporate sports as pedagogical tool. Focused on the life of the Scottish Alejandro Watson Hutton, the film shows his vicissitudes as a school teacher since he arrives to Buenos Aires in 1885, especially on his attempt to teach through modern and renewed didactical methods to an elite and conservative Buenos Aires English High School. In this work it is analyzed “Escuela de Campeones” from three axes: a) the education that proposes, which combines a view of schooling that includes some renovation of pedagogy, with a “modern” educational objective that transcends the walls of schools, b) the postulation of sports as pedagogical resources to transmit moral, civic and social senses, and c) the putting into image of a Peronist aesthetic, which includes from cinematographic resources to particular readings of the present and the past. In short, “Escuela de Campeones” is a work of mass dissemination in which it is possible to read discourses on education that were dominant during the Peronist decade between 1946 and 1955, as well as a particular point of view of what happened about the senses of the schooling in Argentina since the end of the 19th century.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092505.v1
title: Clinical and functional variables can predict general fatigue in patients with acromegaly: an explanatory model approach

description: ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate whether hormonal profile, arterial function, and physical capacity are predictors of fatigue in patients with acromegaly. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 23 patients. The subjects underwent a Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) assessment; serum growth hormones (GH) and IGF-1 measurements; pulse wave analysis comprising pulse wave velocity (PWV), arterial compliance (AC), and the reflection index (IR1,2); dominant upper limb dynamometry (DYN); and the six-minute walking distance test (6MWT). Multiple linear regression models were used to identify predictors for MFIS. The coefficient of determination R2 was used to assess the quality of the models’ fit. The best model was further analyzed using a calibration plot and a limits of agreement (LOA) plot. Results The mean ± SD values for the participants’ age, MFIS, PWV, AC, IR1,2, DYN, and the distance in the 6MWT were 49.4 ± 11.2 years, 31.2 ± 18.9 score, 10.19 ± 2.34 m/s, 1.08 ± 0.46 x106 cm5/din, 85.3 ± 29.7%, 33.9 ± 9.3 kgf, and 603.0 ± 106.1 m, respectively. The best predictive model (R2 = 0.378, R2 adjusted = 0.280, standard error = 16.1, and P = 0.026) comprised the following regression equation: MFIS = 48.85 - (7.913 × IGF-I) + (1.483 × AC) - (23.281 × DYN). Conclusion Hormonal, vascular, and functional variables can predict general fatigue in patients with acromegaly.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092493
title: Prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester: comparison of maternal fetuin-A, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fasting glucose levels

description: ABSTRACT Objective We investigated the utility of maternal fetuin-A, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fasting glucose levels at 11-14 gestation weeks for predicting pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Subjects and methods This prospective cohort study included 327 low-risk pregnant women who completed antenatal follow-up at a tertiary research hospital between January and April 2014. Maternal blood samples were collected between 11–14 gestational weeks in the first trimester of pregnancy and then stored at –80 °C until further analyses. During follow-up, 29 (8.8%) women developed GDM. The study population was compared 1:2 with age- and body mass index-matched pregnant women who did not develop GDM (n = 59). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and serum fetuin-A, pro-ANP, and hs-CRP levels were measured using automated immunoassay systems. Results There was a significant negative correlation between fetuin-A and hs-CRP (CC = –0.21, p = 0.047) and a positive correlation between FPG and hs-CRP (CC = 0.251, p = 0.018). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosing GDM were 0.337 (p = 0.013), 0.702 (p = 0.002), and 0.738 (p &lt; 0.001) for fetuin-A, hs-CRP, and FPG, respectively. The optimal cut-off values were &gt; 4.65, &lt; 166, and &gt; 88.5 mg/dL for maternal hs-CRP, fetuin-A, and FPG, respectively. Conclusion Reduced fetuin-A, elevated hs-CRP, and FPG levels in women in the first trimester can be used for the early detection of GDM. Further research is needed before accepting these biomarkers as valid screening tests for GDM.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092496
title: Heart rate deflection point as an alternative to determining the anaerobic threshold in dyslipidaemic patients

description: Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to verify the agreement between the ventilatory method (VT) and the alternative method of heart rate deflection point (HRDP) in determining the anaerobic threshold (AT) during incremental treadmill test in dyslipidaemic patients. Methods: Twenty-seven dyslipidaemic patients (61.50 ± 10.46 years) performed an incremental treadmill test, in which the AT was determined using both methods. Bland-Altman statistics was adopted in order to verify the agreement between the methods. Results: Agreement in AT determination between the VT and HRDP methods was observed (p &lt; 0.05) for heart rate (138.00 ± 23.80 and 136.26 ± 22.18 bpm, respectively), oxygen uptake (31.00 ± 10.33 and 31.00 ± 11.17 ml.kg−1.min−1), and treadmill velocity (7.67 ± 1.71 km.h-1and 8.00 ± 1.75 km.h-1). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the HRDP method can be adopted for the determination of the AT in dyslipidaemic patients, showing agreement with the VT method.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092499
title: Morphological and nociceptive effects of mechanical vibration on the sciatic nerve of oophorectomized Wistar rats

description: Abstract Aim: To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration in the sciatic nerve of oophorectomized Wistar rats, on nociceptive and morphological parameters, such as fiber, axon, and myelin sheath diameters, G ratio, number of nerve fiber and nuclei of Schwann cells, and percentage of connective tissue. Method: Sixty-four rats were used in the groups sham-operate and oophorectomy (n = 32/group); after surgical procedures, each group was subdivided into four: euthanized in the 12th week, untreated and treated for four weeks; and euthanized in the 16th week, untreated and treated for eight weeks. The treatment with vibration was performed with a 60 Hz frequencies, for 10 minutes, three days a week, with duration of 4 or 8 weeks. Nociception was evaluated later, in the right paw, by means of a digital analgesimeter, prior to surgery, at the beginning and at the end of the protocol. After the trial period, the sciatic nerve was dissected for examination of the general morphology of the tissue and morphometric analysis; later, the animals were euthanized. Results: Regarding nociception and the morphometry of the sciatic nerve, independent of oophorectomy and treatment time, there was no statistically significant difference within and between groups. Also, the general morphology of the tissue in all groups had characteristics that were preserved. Conclusion: The mechanical vibration did not alter the nociceptive threshold and the morphological aspects of nerve fibers in oophorectomized Wistar rats.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092502.v1
title: Forming a “School of Champions”: Sport, morality, pedagogy and Peronist aesthetics

description: ABSTRACT “Escuela de Campeones” it’s an Argentine film directed by Ralph Pappier released at the end of 1950, bases its argument on the story of a historical fact: the difficulties experienced by those who wanted to incorporate sports as pedagogical tool. Focused on the life of the Scottish Alejandro Watson Hutton, the film shows his vicissitudes as a school teacher since he arrives to Buenos Aires in 1885, especially on his attempt to teach through modern and renewed didactical methods to an elite and conservative Buenos Aires English High School. In this work it is analyzed “Escuela de Campeones” from three axes: a) the education that proposes, which combines a view of schooling that includes some renovation of pedagogy, with a “modern” educational objective that transcends the walls of schools, b) the postulation of sports as pedagogical resources to transmit moral, civic and social senses, and c) the putting into image of a Peronist aesthetic, which includes from cinematographic resources to particular readings of the present and the past. In short, “Escuela de Campeones” is a work of mass dissemination in which it is possible to read discourses on education that were dominant during the Peronist decade between 1946 and 1955, as well as a particular point of view of what happened about the senses of the schooling in Argentina since the end of the 19th century.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092490
title: Effect of solids retention time on membrane fouling in a membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater

description: ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of solids retention time (SRT) on membrane fouling rate in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating municipal wastewater. The evaluation was conducted in a membrane bioreactor built in bench scale, with a volume of 15 L, operated for 420 days in the sequential batch regime. During this period, three experimental runs were applied, E-1, E-2 and E-3, in which the solids retention time of 80, 40 and 20 days, respectively, were tested. The results showed that use of 20-days solids retention time resulted in a higher membrane fouling rate (MFR), with value of 1,95 mbar d-1, approximately two times higher than observed in the solids retention time of 80 and 40 days. The higher membrane fouling rate observed was attributed to a higher concentration of soluble microbial products (SMP) in the mixed liquor and to the higher proteins/polysaccharides ratio of the biological flocs in this period. On the other hand, the use of 80-days solids retention time resulted in a lower membrane fouling rate, with a value of 0.82 mbar d-1. However, it was observed in the final period of this experimental run an excessive growth of filamentous bacteria, which was reflected in a deterioration of the mixed liquor filterability and an increase of membrane fouling rate. Overall, the results showed that the 40-days solids retention time resulted in a mixed liquor with lower fouling propensity.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092487
title: Cognitive functions in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

description: ABSTRACT Objective There is controversy regarding cognitive function in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study is aimed at the assessment of cognitive functions in children with CAH, and their relation to hydrocortisone (HC) therapy and testosterone levels. Subjects and methods Thirty children with CAH due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency were compared with twenty age- and sex-matched healthy controls. HC daily and cumulative doses were calculated, the socioeconomic standard was assessed, and free testosterone was measured. Cognitive function assessment was performed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale – Revised for Children and Adults (WISC), the Benton Visual Retention Test, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Results The mean age (SD) of patients was 10.22 (3.17) years [11 males (36.7%), 19 females (63.3%)]. Mean (SD) HC dose was 15.78 (4.36) mg/m 2 /day. Mean (SD) cumulative HC dose 44,689. 9 (26,892.02) mg. Patients had significantly lower scores in all domains of the WISC test, performed significantly worse in some components of the Benton Visual Retention Test, as well as in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. There was no significant difference in cognitive performance when patients were subdivided according to daily HC dose (&lt; 10, 10 – 15, &gt; 15 mg/m 2 /day). A positive correlation existed between cumulative HC dose and worse results of the Benton test. No correlation existed between free testosterone and any of the three tests. Conclusion Patients with CAH are at risk of some cognitive impairment. Hydrocortisone therapy may be implicated. This study highlights the need to assess cognitive functions in CAH.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092490.v1
title: Effect of solids retention time on membrane fouling in a membrane bioreactor treating municipal wastewater

description: ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of solids retention time (SRT) on membrane fouling rate in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating municipal wastewater. The evaluation was conducted in a membrane bioreactor built in bench scale, with a volume of 15 L, operated for 420 days in the sequential batch regime. During this period, three experimental runs were applied, E-1, E-2 and E-3, in which the solids retention time of 80, 40 and 20 days, respectively, were tested. The results showed that use of 20-days solids retention time resulted in a higher membrane fouling rate (MFR), with value of 1,95 mbar d-1, approximately two times higher than observed in the solids retention time of 80 and 40 days. The higher membrane fouling rate observed was attributed to a higher concentration of soluble microbial products (SMP) in the mixed liquor and to the higher proteins/polysaccharides ratio of the biological flocs in this period. On the other hand, the use of 80-days solids retention time resulted in a lower membrane fouling rate, with a value of 0.82 mbar d-1. However, it was observed in the final period of this experimental run an excessive growth of filamentous bacteria, which was reflected in a deterioration of the mixed liquor filterability and an increase of membrane fouling rate. Overall, the results showed that the 40-days solids retention time resulted in a mixed liquor with lower fouling propensity.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092493.v1
title: Prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester: comparison of maternal fetuin-A, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fasting glucose levels

description: ABSTRACT Objective We investigated the utility of maternal fetuin-A, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fasting glucose levels at 11-14 gestation weeks for predicting pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Subjects and methods This prospective cohort study included 327 low-risk pregnant women who completed antenatal follow-up at a tertiary research hospital between January and April 2014. Maternal blood samples were collected between 11–14 gestational weeks in the first trimester of pregnancy and then stored at –80 °C until further analyses. During follow-up, 29 (8.8%) women developed GDM. The study population was compared 1:2 with age- and body mass index-matched pregnant women who did not develop GDM (n = 59). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and serum fetuin-A, pro-ANP, and hs-CRP levels were measured using automated immunoassay systems. Results There was a significant negative correlation between fetuin-A and hs-CRP (CC = –0.21, p = 0.047) and a positive correlation between FPG and hs-CRP (CC = 0.251, p = 0.018). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosing GDM were 0.337 (p = 0.013), 0.702 (p = 0.002), and 0.738 (p &lt; 0.001) for fetuin-A, hs-CRP, and FPG, respectively. The optimal cut-off values were &gt; 4.65, &lt; 166, and &gt; 88.5 mg/dL for maternal hs-CRP, fetuin-A, and FPG, respectively. Conclusion Reduced fetuin-A, elevated hs-CRP, and FPG levels in women in the first trimester can be used for the early detection of GDM. Further research is needed before accepting these biomarkers as valid screening tests for GDM.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092499.v1
title: Morphological and nociceptive effects of mechanical vibration on the sciatic nerve of oophorectomized Wistar rats

description: Abstract Aim: To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration in the sciatic nerve of oophorectomized Wistar rats, on nociceptive and morphological parameters, such as fiber, axon, and myelin sheath diameters, G ratio, number of nerve fiber and nuclei of Schwann cells, and percentage of connective tissue. Method: Sixty-four rats were used in the groups sham-operate and oophorectomy (n = 32/group); after surgical procedures, each group was subdivided into four: euthanized in the 12th week, untreated and treated for four weeks; and euthanized in the 16th week, untreated and treated for eight weeks. The treatment with vibration was performed with a 60 Hz frequencies, for 10 minutes, three days a week, with duration of 4 or 8 weeks. Nociception was evaluated later, in the right paw, by means of a digital analgesimeter, prior to surgery, at the beginning and at the end of the protocol. After the trial period, the sciatic nerve was dissected for examination of the general morphology of the tissue and morphometric analysis; later, the animals were euthanized. Results: Regarding nociception and the morphometry of the sciatic nerve, independent of oophorectomy and treatment time, there was no statistically significant difference within and between groups. Also, the general morphology of the tissue in all groups had characteristics that were preserved. Conclusion: The mechanical vibration did not alter the nociceptive threshold and the morphological aspects of nerve fibers in oophorectomized Wistar rats.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092484
title: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TiO2 AND ZnO APPLICATION IN HYBRID SOLAR CELLS USING COPOLYMER P3OT/P3MT

description: Hybrid inorganic-organic solar cells are an attractive alternative energy source because of their low-cost production and ability to make use of a large amount of solar radiation available. This work aims to evaluate different solar cells composed of TiO2 and ZnO with P3OT/P3MT copolymer. Layers of semiconductor oxides were deposited on transparent fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) by spin coating and adsorption in the polymer solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to characterize the fabricated semiconductors and curves of current density vs. potential (j-V), photochronoamperometry (j-t) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to determine their electrical characteristics. The XRD analyses confirmed the crystalline nature of the oxide materials. SEM micrographs showed the spherical morphology of ZnO and the poorly defined agglomerate morphology of TiO2. The electrochemical measurements proved that the best cell was produced with P3OT/P3MT copolymer and TiO2, owing to its lower charge transfer resistance, with the following photovoltaic parameters: Voc = 0.615 V ± 0.004, jsc = 1.545 mA cm-2 ± 0.240, FF = 0.637 ± 0.003, and η = 0.617% ± 0.117.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8092496.v1
title: Heart rate deflection point as an alternative to determining the anaerobic threshold in dyslipidaemic patients

description: Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to verify the agreement between the ventilatory method (VT) and the alternative method of heart rate deflection point (HRDP) in determining the anaerobic threshold (AT) during incremental treadmill test in dyslipidaemic patients. Methods: Twenty-seven dyslipidaemic patients (61.50 ± 10.46 years) performed an incremental treadmill test, in which the AT was determined using both methods. Bland-Altman statistics was adopted in order to verify the agreement between the methods. Results: Agreement in AT determination between the VT and HRDP methods was observed (p &lt; 0.05) for heart rate (138.00 ± 23.80 and 136.26 ± 22.18 bpm, respectively), oxygen uptake (31.00 ± 10.33 and 31.00 ± 11.17 ml.kg−1.min−1), and treadmill velocity (7.67 ± 1.71 km.h-1and 8.00 ± 1.75 km.h-1). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the HRDP method can be adopted for the determination of the AT in dyslipidaemic patients, showing agreement with the VT method.