Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

The interaction between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors increases the risk of developing a diabetic phenotype which is associated with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and cardiovascular diseases. Variants in the T-cell factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To investigate the association of the rs.11196205 polymorphism of the TCF7L2 gene with biochemical and anthropometric parameters and cardiovascular risk indices in Brazilian patients with SAH and T2DM.

The polymorphism was identified by qPCR in 664 samples from four groups: Control (CG-without diabetes or hypertension), diabetic (DG-normotensive), hypertensive (HG-without diabetes) and hypertensive diabetic (HDG), using the TaqMan® system. Biochemical dosages were taken for the lipid profile: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and uric acid. Anthropometric measurements were taken for body mass index (BMI), visceral fat index and cardiovascular risk calculations, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and uric acid/HDL-c ratio (UA/HDL). Bivariate logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with SAH and T2DM. Subsequent categorical variables were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

The GG genotype of the rs.11196205 variant of the TCF7L2 gene was associated with an increased risk of hypertension and diabetic hypertension. Patients in the GHD group with the GG genotype showed worsening BMI parameters and TyG index values.

The GG genotype of the rs.11196205 variant of the TCF7L2 gene acts as a cardiovascular risk genotype in patients with diabetic hypertension.

Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method of assessing global health through the analysis of the autonomous centralnervous system, including both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resistance training on heart rate variability at rest in elderly individuals undergoing six months of resistance training with progressive loads. Training reduced the body fat percentage of the volunteers (pre: 39.39 ± 7.21 vs post: 34.97 ± 6.40%; p = 0.0069). There was also a significant reduction in the low-frequency index (pre: 69621.50 ± 9817.28 vs post: 54210.50 ± 14903.94; p = 0.0322) and a significant increase in the high-frequency index (pre: 30308.00 ± 9857.86 vs post: 45627.10 ± 14838.80; p = 0.0326). We concluded that sixmonths of resistance training with progressive loads were beneficial for heart rate variability and reduced the body fat percentage in the elderly.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a controversial yet profitable technique used to stimulate ultra-low permeability reservoirs in unconventional hydrocarbon production. A significant environmental concern associated with fracking is its potential to mobilize radionuclides, leading to contamination aquifers, sediments, and surface waters. Despite this risk, the potential for radionuclide contamination in watersheds due to unconventional oil and gas operations is frequently underestimated, resulting in hazardous consequences globally, including health risk and ecosystem damage. One effective approach to mitigating such risks is establishment of environmental baselines prior to shale gas development. This study aims to establish a radionuclide baseline for surface water, groundwater, sediments, and source rocks in the São Francisco Basin (Brazil), prior to the introduction of unconventional gas production. The study also simulates radionuclide flux in produced water, a byproduct of hydraulic fracturing, and assesses annual dose of radioactivity exposure using Monte Carlo simulations. Radionuclides U-238, Th-232, K-40, Pb-210, Ra-226, and Ra-228 were analyzed using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and gamma spectrometry. Environmental thresholds and geochemical background were calculated using 2mMAD (Median Absolute Deviation) whereas a multivariate statistical analysis was performed through Principal Components Analysis using Compositional Data transformations. A Monte Carlo simulation, based on 10,000 iterations, was used to compare potential NORM flux from fracking with natural background levels and those in other shale plays worldwide. Current radionuclide concentrations in water resources are low, however the NORM flux and Annual Exposure simulations indicate a potential radiological risk to water security in the event of unconventional gas production. This research provide novel insights into the NORM-related risks of fracking in the São Francisco Basin, offering a foundation for further assessments before shale gas development, which can be also used in unconventional reservoirs around the world.