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This study focuses on the biological impacts of deleting the telomerase RNA from Leishmania major (LeishTER), a parasite responsible for causing leishmaniases, for which no effective treatment or prevention is available. TER is a critical player in the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex, containing the template sequence copied by the reverse transcriptase component during telomere elongation. The success of knocking out both LeishTER alleles was confirmed, and no off-targets were detected. LmTER -/- cells share similar characteristics with other TER-depleted eukaryotes, such as altered growth patterns and partial G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in early passages, telomere shortening, and elevated TERRA expression. They also exhibit increased γH2A phosphorylation, suggesting that the loss of LeishTER induces DNA damage signaling. Moreover, pro-survival autophagic signals and mitochondrion alterations were shown without any detectable plasma membrane modifications. LmTER -/- retained the ability to transform into metacyclics, but their infectivity capacity was compromised. Furthermore, the overexpression of LeishTER was also deleterious, inducing a dominant negative effect that led to telomere shortening and growth impairments. These findings highlight TER's vital role in parasite homeostasis, opening discussions about its potential as a drug target candidate against Leishmania., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors confirm that no financial or other relationship might lead to any potential competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of breakfast consumption and estimate its associations with the consumption of food at different degrees of industrial processing and with overweight indicators in Brazilian adolescents., Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a probabilistic sample of 14- to 19-y-old adolescents enrolled in 29 public schools in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG, Southeast Brazil (n = 805). The frequency of breakfast consumption was evaluated via a questionnaire (classified into "do not consume", "sometimes consume", and "regularly consume"). The evaluation of food consumption involved two 24-h dietary recalls, the items of which were analyzed according to the NOVA classification system. Overweight indicators (waist circumference, body mass index for age (BMI-for-age), and body fat percentage) were evaluated according to a standard protocol. Linear regression models were performed, first without and then with adjustments for sociodemographic characteristics., Results: We found that 20% of adolescents skipped breakfast, and ∼46% of the caloric intake came from ultra-processed foods. Breakfast omission was associated with a mean increase of 3.02% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-5.53) in energy intake from ultra-processed foods, in addition to a mean increase of 0.28 z-score (95% CI, 0.05- 0.52) of BMI-for-age and of 1.64% (95% CI, 0.21-3.08) in body fat., Conclusions: We verified that the omission of breakfast was associated with higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, as well as a higher BMI-for-age and higher percentage of body fat, reinforcing the importance of actions to encourage the consumption of this meal and the adoption of healthy eating practices in adolescents., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of Brazilian adolescents in home cooking, estimating its associations with sex and socioeconomic status., Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a probabilistic sample of 14- to 19-y-olds enrolled in 29 public schools in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG, Southeast Brazil (n = 835). To assess involvement in home cooking, a 12-question questionnaire was used. The content was based on the Brazilian Food Guide, which encourages the acquisition, development, and sharing of culinary skills. Pearson's χ test and Poisson regression models were carried out, without and with adjustments., Results: Most of the adolescents did not usually participate in meal planning (61%), and in the choice/purchase of food and culinary ingredients (67%). Boys were less likely to know how to cook "from scratch", positively self-evaluate their culinary skills, enjoy cooking, wish to learn more about cooking and meal preparation, and to participate frequently in the planning and preparation of meals. Belonging to a lower socioeconomic status represented a greater probability of preparing meals alone for the family., Conclusions: We verified an alarming prevalence of adolescents with behaviors unaligned with Brazilian Food Guide recommendations; that is, most of them, especially boys, were not involved in home cooking. Adolescence may present a window of opportunity for the development of culinary skills, resulting in long-term benefits for the population's diet quality. Furthermore, to change a historical pattern that overloads women's daily lives, it is necessary to encourage, from an early age, the presence of boys in the kitchen., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the eating contexts and estimate their associations with socio-demographic factors in a sample of Brazilian adolescents., Design: Cross-sectional study. We used an exploratory questionnaire about eating contexts (encompassing regularity of meals, places where they occur and if they take place with attention and in company), which was submitted to cluster analysis. Subsequently, three clusters were identified: cluster 1, 'appropriate eating contexts at breakfast, lunch and dinner'; cluster 2, 'inappropriate eating context at breakfast' and cluster 3, 'inappropriate eating context at dinner'. Multinomial logistic regression models were performed, without and with adjustments, using cluster 1 as reference., Setting: Twenty-nine public schools of Juiz de Fora, MG, Southeast Brazil., Participants: Adolescents, 14-19-year-olds ( n 835)., Results: We observed relevant prevalence of adolescents omitting breakfast (52·9 %) and dinner (39·3 %), and who had the habit of eating sitting/lying on the couch/bed or standing/walking, and in front of screens. Breakfast usually occurred unaccompanied (70·8 %); around half (47·5 %) and little over a third (36·1 %) of the sample also would usually have lunch and dinner unaccompanied, respectively. Furthermore, through multivariate analysis, we found associations of eating contexts clusters with female sex (more likely in clusters 2 and 3), age range 14-15-year-olds (less likely in cluster 2) and higher mother's schooling (more likely in cluster 3)., Conclusions: We verified an alarming prevalence of adolescents with eating contexts unaligned with healthy eating recommendations. Additionally, inappropriate eating contexts at breakfast and/or at dinner were associated with socio-demographic factors (sex, age range and mother's schooling).

This cross-sectional study estimated associations of eating contexts (including regularity of meals, places where they occur, and if they take place with attention and in company) with food consumption by degree of industrial processing and overweight indicators in a sample of Brazilian adolescents (14-19 years old) enrolled in 29 public schools in Juiz de Fora, MG (n = 805). We used an exploratory questionnaire, which was submitted to cluster analysis. Three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (n = 572), "appropriate eating contexts at breakfast, lunch, and dinner"; cluster 2 (n = 139), "inappropriate eating context at breakfast"; and cluster 3 (n = 94) "inappropriate eating context at dinner". The evaluation of food consumption involved two 24-h dietary recalls, whose items were analyzed according to the NOVA classification system. Linear regression models were performed, using cluster 1 as reference. Clusters 2 and 3 were associated with an increase in the energy fraction from ultra-processed foods [respectively, β = 2.55% (IC 95%: 0.50; 5.05) and β = 4.18% (IC 95%: 1.21; 7.14)]; and cluster 2 was associated with a reduction in the energy fraction from unprocessed or minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients [β = -3.61% (IC 95%: -6.40; -0.82)]. Additionally, clusters 2 and 3 were associated with an increase of body mass index for age [respectively, β = 0.23 z-score (IC 95%: 0.01; 0.46) and β = 0.27 z-score (IC 95%: 0.02; 0.54)]; and cluster 2 was associated with an increase of body fat [β = 1.21% (IC 95%: 0.23; 2.64)]. In conclusion, inappropriate eating contexts at breakfast and dinner were associated with higher ultra-processed food intake, higher body mass index and higher body fat percentage., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Leishmania spp. comprises a group of protozoan parasites that affect millions of people around the world. Understanding the main cell cycle-dependent events could provide an important route for developing specific therapies since some factors involved in cell cycle control may have low similarity relative to their homologs in mammals. Furthermore, accurate cell cycle-dependent analyses often require many cells, which can be achieved through cell cycle synchronization. Here, we described a useful method to synchronize procyclic promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis using hydroxyurea (HU) and the analysis of its DNA content profile. This approach can be extended to other trypanosomatids, such as Trypanosoma cruzi or Trypanosoma brucei, and provides an effective method for arresting more than 80% of cells at the G1/S phase transition., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Leishmaniases belong to the inglorious group of neglected tropical diseases, presenting different degrees of manifestations severity. It is caused by the transmission of more than 20 species of parasites of the Leishmania genus. Nevertheless, the disease remains on the priority list for developing new treatments, since it affects millions in a vast geographical area, especially low-income people. Molecular biology studies are pioneers in parasitic research with the aim of discovering potential targets for drug development. Among them are the telomeres, DNA-protein structures that play an important role in the long term in cell cycle/survival. Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Due to their multiple interactions with different proteins that confer a likewise complex dynamic, they have emerged as objects of interest in many medical studies, including studies on leishmaniases. This review aims to gather information and elucidate what we know about the phenomena behind Leishmania spp. telomere maintenance and how it impacts the parasite's cell cycle.

Objective: To evaluate energetic contribution according to the degree of industrial food processing and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and behavioural characteristics in adolescents., Design: Cross-sectional study (Adolescent Lifestyle Study). Food consumption was assessed using 24-h dietary recalls, with foods classified by degree of industrial progressing. The usual diet was estimated using the Multiple Source Method. In a linear regression model, the energy percentage (E %) was associated with sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and behavioural characteristics, after adjustment for sex and age., Setting: Juiz de Fora, Brazil., Participants: Eight hundred and four adolescents, of both sexes, 14-19 years of age, enrolled in public schools., Results: The E % of unprocessed or minimally processed foods corresponded to 43·1 %, processed foods to 11·0 % and the ultraprocessed foods to 45·9 %. E % of unprocessed foods was associated with socio-economic stratum (adjusted β = -0·093; P = 0·032), neck circumference (adjusted β = 0·017; P = 0·049), screen time (adjusted β = -0·247; P = 0·036) and HDL-cholesterol (adjusted β = -0·156; P = 0·003). E % of ultraprocessed foods was associated with socio-economic stratum (adjusted β = 0·118; P = 0·011), screen time (adjusted β = 0·375; P = 0·003), BMI (adjusted β = -0·029; P = 0·025), neck circumference (adjusted β = -0·017; P = 0·028) and HDL-cholesterol (adjusted β = 0·150; P = 0·002)., Conclusions: There was a high E % of ultraprocessed foods in the diet of the adolescents. Actions are needed to raise the awareness of adopting healthy eating habits.

Objectives: To compare the serum concentrations of adipokines resistin and chemerin in children and adolescents with eutrophic and overweight and to evaluate their relationship with anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure variables., Methods: a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with 234 students enrolled in public elementary schools in the city of Juiz de Fora / MG. Anthropometric evaluation, biochemistry, and blood pressure measurement were performed. Statistical analyzes included the Student-t or Mann-Whitney tests, Pearson or Spearman correlation, used according to the distribution of the variables, and linear regression analysis, by means of the evaluation of the effect of the independent variables on the serum levels of chemerin and resistin, adjusted for age and sex. For the data analysis, SPSS® software version 21.0 and STATA® version 10.1 were used, assuming a significance level of 5%., Results: the concentrations of chemerin were higher in eutrophic individuals than in those with excess weight (p> 0.05). In contrast, levels of resistin were higher in the young with excess weight than in the eutrophic ones (p <0.05). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the levels of chemerin were associated with the values of resistin, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure. Resistance levels maintained association only with BMI and chemerin values., Conclusion: the adipokines analyzed presented a distinct profile in the groups of children and adolescents with eutrophic and overweight.

Objective: To describe children's perception of risk and preventive factors related to traffic accidents using the Edutherapeutic Method., Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study carried out with 173 students from public schools aged seven to 14 years in Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil. Data were collected in the second half of 2014. The first stage consisted of an activity with drawing/writing sheets in all classes selected by the Nursing undergraduate students. Next, the children answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data. The qualitative analysis of the expressive language of the children's drawings generated two categories: positive and negative factors for the prevention of traffic accidents and their subcategories., Results: The children's perception regarding preventive and risk factors for traffic accidents was considered adequate according to other studies found in the literature on the same subject. The drawings and descriptions were used later to provide the students with a better understanding of these factors., Conclusions: The study lends support to educational activities and interventions about prevention with schoolchildren. This is one of the main goals proposed by Brazil in the National Plan of Action for Road Traffic Safety for the decade 2011-2020.

Objective: To evaluate knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices on traffic accidents in schoolchildren, before and after the implementation of a health education program., Methods: Experimental study carried out in two public schools in Northeastern Brazil. The sample was composed of 173 children from 3rd to 5th grade and was randomized into Experimental Group (EG; n=0) and Control Group (CG; n=8). The educational program was carried out at EG with the use of the educational therapeutic method (Health Magic Box). The data were obtained through the questionnaire Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP), applied at the beginning of the study, before any educational actions, and one month after the experimental treatment. Paired Student's t-test was used to compare the moments before and after the intervention in the EG and initial and final evaluation in the CG., Results: The children in the EG and CG were similar in relation to sociodemographic variables, and no significant difference was observed in the level of knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices on traffic accidents between the groups in the initial evaluation. One month after the experimental treatment, a significant improvement in knowledge was observed in EG (p=0.027). Preventive attitudes and practices were also higher in children in the EG, but without significant differences in relation to CG (p=0.060 and p=0.282, respectively)., Conclusions: The educational intervention increased the level of knowledge and maintained the preventive attitudes and practices on traffic accidents at the same level in 3rd-5th grade students.

Objective: To review findings on chemerin and factors related to cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents., Data Source: A systematic review was performed, according to the standards proposed by the PRISMA guideline, on PubMed, Science Direct, and Lilacs databases. The descriptor "chemerin" was used in combination with "children" and "adolescent", no time limit applied. The research encompassed only original articles written in English, conducted with human subjects - the adult and elderly populations excluded -, as well as literature reviews, brief communications, letters, and editorials., Data Synthesis: After independent analyses of the studies by two reviewers, seven articles meeting the eligibility criteria, published between 2012 and 2016, remained for the review. Cross-sectional, prospective, cohort, and case-control studies were included. The importance of chemerin adipokines on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease is demonstrated by its association with obesity and diabetes mellitus, as well as clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters. However, the strength of evidence from these studies is relatively low, due to their heterogeneity, with several limitations such as small samples and consequent lack of representativeness, lack of standardization in dosage methods, cross-sectional design of most studies, and impossibility of extrapolating results., Conclusions: The deregulation of chemerin caused by increased adipose tissue may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that this adipokine may play a significant role in early identification of individuals at risk.