Claudio M Rocha

Anthocyanins in Black Raspberries Prevent Esophageal Tumors in Rats

Diets containing freeze-dried black raspberries (BRB) suppress the development of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)–induced tumors in the rat esophagus. Using bioassay-directed fractionation, the anthocyanins in BRB were found to be the most active constituents for down-regulation of carcinogen-induced nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 expression in mouse epidermal cells in vitro. The present study was undertaken, therefore, to determine if the anthocyanins contribute to the chemopreventive activity of BRB in vivo. F344 rats consumed diets containing either (a) 5% whole BRB powder, (b) an anthocyanin-rich fraction, (c) an organic solvent-soluble extract (a–c each contained ∼3.8 μmol anthocyanins/g diet), (d) an organic-insoluble (residue) fraction (containing 0.02 μmol anthocyanins/g diet), (e) a hexane extract, and (f) a sugar fraction (e and f had only trace quantities of anthocyanins), all derived from BRB. Animals were fed diets 2 weeks before treatment with NMBA and throughout the bioassay. Control rats were treated with NMBA only. Animals were killed at week 30, and esophageal tumors were enumerated. The anthocyanin treatments (diet groups a–c) were about equally effective in reducing NMBA tumorigenesis in the esophagus, indicating that the anthocyanins in BRB have chemopreventive potential. The organic-insoluble (residue) fraction (d) was also effective, suggesting that components other than berry anthocyanins may be chemopreventive. The hexane and sugar diets were inactive. Diet groups a, b, and d all inhibited cell proliferation, inflammation, and angiogenesis and induced apoptosis in both preneoplastic and papillomatous esophageal tissues, suggesting similar mechanisms of action by the different berry components.

Drinking Water with Red Beetroot Food Color Antagonizes Esophageal Carcinogenesis in N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine-Treated Rats

This study was undertaken to determine if the oral consumption of red beetroot food color would result in an inhibition of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumors in the rat esophagus. Rats were treated with NMBA and given either regular water ad libitum or water containing 78 microg/mL commercial red beetroot dye, E162. The number of NMBA-induced esophageal papillomas was reduced by 45% (P < .001) in animals that received the food color compared to controls. The treatment also resulted in reduced rates of cell proliferation in both precancerous esophageal lesions and in papillomas of NMBA-treated rats, as measured by immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 in esophageal tissue specimens. The effects of beetroot food color on angiogenesis (microvessel density by CD34 immunostaining), inflammation (by CD45 immunostaining), and apoptosis (by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling staining) in esophageal tissue specimens were also determined. Compared to rats treated with NMBA only, the levels of angiogenesis and inflammation in the beetroot color-consuming animals were reduced, and the apoptotic rate was increased. Thus, the mechanism(s) of chemoprevention by the active constituents of red beetroot color include reducing cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation and stimulating apoptosis. Importantly, consumption of the dye in the drinking water for a period of 35 weeks did not appear to induce any overt toxicity. Based on the fact that red beetroot color contains betanins, which have strong antioxidant activity, it is postulated that these effects are mediated through inhibition of oxygen radical-induced signal transduction. However, the sum of constituents of E162 has not been determined, and other components with other mechanisms may also be involved in antagonizing cancer development.

Gestão do esporte: definindo a área

A gestao do esporte constitui-se em uma area de investigacao academica, com formacao especifica a partir da decada de 60. Em termos de atuacao e intervencao profissional, as organizacoes publicas ou privadas, com ou sem fins lucrativos, de pratica ou administracao esportiva se configuram como campos de atuacao para o gestor do esporte. Este artigo foi desenvolvido no sentido de contextualizar a area em tres eixos. Inicialmente, o atual estagio academico da gestao esportiva e discutido a partir do desenvolvimento de cursos de pos-graduacao, das associacoes profissionais e das revistas cientificas da area. Em seguida, gestao do esporte e termos relacionados sao definidos. Por fim, as subareas e as principais linhas de pesquisa da area sao apresentadas, com exemplos de estudos sob a otica das teorias que as sustentam. Em cada um desses topicos considera-se a area em termos internacionais e seu desenvolvimento no pais, de forma a fornecer subsidios para a definicao de escopos de ensino, pesquisa e pratica profissional.

Berry ellagitannins may not be sufficient for prevention of tumors in the rodent esophagus

Biodirected fractionation is used to identify the active inhibitory constituents in berries for esophageal cancer in rats. The present study was undertaken to determine if ellagitannins contribute to the chemopreventive activity of an alcohol/water-insoluble (residue) fraction of berries. Rats consumed diets containing residue fractions of three berry types, that is, black raspberries (BRBs), strawberries (STRWs), and blueberries (BBs), that differ in their content of ellagitannins in the order BRB > STRW > BB. Animals were fed residue diets beginning 2 weeks before treatment with the esophageal carcinogen N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA) and throughout the 30-week bioassay. Residue fractions from all three berry types were about equally effective in reducing NMBA tumorigenesis in the rat esophagus irrespective of their ellagitannin content (0.01-0.62 g/kg of diet). These results suggest that the ellagitannins may not be responsible for the chemopreventive effects of the alcohol/water-insoluble fraction of berries.

Relationship between Organizational Support and Performance of College Coaches: A Mediational Model

Abstract Two hundred and sixty-seven NCAA Division I coaches participated in the investigation of the mediator effects of affective commitment (AC) on the relationship between college coaches’ perceived organizational support (POS) and athletic performance. Social exchange theory predicts that the relationship between POS and performance should be mediated by AC. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable model fit measures. Both scales presented good internal consistency and construct validity. Using structural equation modeling, three models were compared. A fully mediated model was chosen to explain the indirect effects of POS on athletic performance through AC. The path coefficients from POS to AC and from AC to athletic performance were both significant. The indirect effect was also significant. Implications of these results for theory and practice are discussed.

Support of politicians for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

The purpose of this research was to explore and describe politicians’ evaluations of the work done by the government, perceptions of legacy and support for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. The literature has argued that organisers must know in advance the opinion of main stakeholders in order to plan, organise and stage sport mega-events which are going to leave important legacy to the hosts. Considering politicians have privileged information about costs and benefits of sport mega-events, they are more likely than any other group of stakeholders to be able to make rational choices about social exchanges related to such events. Social exchange theory provided the theoretical background to test a structural model, where evaluations of the work done and perceptions of legacy were antecedents of support. Out of 715 politicians, 13 senators, 40 congressmen, six Rio state representatives and five Rio city councillors took part into a survey responding a questionnaire. Controlling for political affiliation of respondents, the tourism legacy was evaluated as the most likely to happen, while the environmental legacy was evaluated as the least likely to stay after the games. Political affiliation affected the evaluation of the work of the government, but not perceptions about positive legacies and support. Overall, politicians’ support depends on evaluations of the work of the government and perceptions of legacy.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games and diplomatic legacies

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to describe perceptions of Brazilian diplomats in regard to legacies, diplomatic legacies and strategies that have been applied by the Brazilian government to leverage possible legacies of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Drawing on soft power theory, I investigated whether Brazilian diplomats perceived the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as an opportunity for the country to gain diplomatic relevance in international affairs by improving its non-coercive power. I sent invitations to all ambassadors and consuls responsible for Brazilian representations abroad (N = 198). I received answers from 12 diplomats living abroad and one diplomat in charge of the department of General Coordination for Cooperation and Exchange on Sport, a department inside the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Results showed that Brazilian diplomats perceived higher chances of positive legacies related to infrastructure, positive image of the country internationally and development of elite sport in the country. Few leverage strategies for diplomatic legacies were cited by the diplomats, who understand the event itself as the most important leveraging strategy. Implications for theory and practise are discussed.

Attendance of Brazilian soccer games: the role of constraints and team identification

ABSTRACT Research question The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the structural relationships between constraints and intentions to attend soccer games in Brazil. Considering the well-established importance of team identification for sport consumer behaviors, we tested the role of this construct on those structural relationships. This investigation started with the following research question: Can constraints explain some variance in attendance intentions above and beyond that explained by team identification? Research methods To answer this question, we proposed a model with team identification as the exogenous construct, constraints as the mediator, and attendance intentions as the endogenous construct. We first conducted a pilot test (n = 675) via confirmatory factor analysis to investigate the psychometric properties of the constraint scale. Then, we applied structural equation modeling to test the measurement model and the proposed structural model using a second sample of fans (n = 583). Results and findings Results showed that the indirect effect of team identification on attendance through perceptions of barriers was small, mainly because of the small relationship between team identification and constraints. A direct effects model was deemed to be a better structural representation of the relationships between constraints and intentions to attend, controlling for team identification. Implications Managing and removing barriers might increase attendance intentions above and beyond the parcel associated with team identification. Not highly identified fans can be attracted to stadiums not only by becoming more identified (the traditional view), but also by perceiving less barriers (the alternative view).

Patriotism, national athletes and intention to purchase international sports products

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of patriotism and identification with national players on identification with the NBA and, ultimately, with purchase intentions of league-related merchandise. Findings revealed that the interaction between patriotism and identification with national players was a significant predictor of identification with NBA, which in turn was a significant predictor of purchase intentions of league-related products. The moderated mediation model fit the data quite well and explained 44.5% of the variance in purchase intentions. Theoretical implications of the findings, as well as practical implications for sports managers, are discussed.

Does Distance Matter? Geographical Distance and Domestic Support for Mega Sports Events (Forthcoming/Available Online)

Residential support is one key factor that increases the probability of a positive outcome of mega events. Especially, pre-event support seems important, since hosting the event often requires public consensus. Within the discussion of determinants of pre-event support, the distance between a resident’s home (district) and the event area has been neglected so far. To explore the spatial nature of event support, representative survey data (n = 900) from the 2016 Olympic Games is analyzed using ordered probit and spatial regression models. Estimates reveal a lower probability of high support for residents living close to the main event area. Moreover, the rate of marginal changes in the probability of support decreases with decreasing distance to other areas.