Efeitos do apoio dos membros superiores sobre a força muscular respiratória e função pulmonar de pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Objective: To analyze the effect of arm bracing posture on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Methods: 20 patients with COPD (11 male; 67 +/- 8 years; BMI 24 +/- 3 Kg . m(-2)) were submitted to assessments of Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) and spirometry with and without arm bracing in a random order. The assessment with arm bracing was done on standing position and the height of the support was adjusted at the level of the ulnar styloid process with elbow flexion and trunk anterior inclination of 30 degrees promoting weight discharge in the upper limbs. Assessment without arm bracing was also performed on standing position, however with the arms relaxed alongside the body. The time interval between assessments was one week.Results: MIP, MEP and maximal voluntary ventilation (MW) were higher with arm bracing than without arm bracing (MIP 64 +/- 22 cmH(2)O versus 54 +/- 24 cmH(2)O, p = 0,00001; MEP 104 +/- 37 cmH(2)O versus 92 +/- 37 cmH(2)O, p = 0,00001 and MW 42 +/- 20 L/min versus 38 +/- 20 L/min, p = 0,003). Other variables did not show statistical significant difference.Conclusion: The arm bracing posture resulted in higher capacity to generate force and endurance of the respiratory muscles in patients with COPD. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. on behalf of Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. All rights reserved.

Correlação entre padrão postural em jovens praticantes do atletismo

O estudo objetivou observar o alinhamento corporal de jovens atletas praticantes de atletismo e analisar a associação de tais padrões dentro e entre os grupos de provas desta modalidade. Participaram 63 atletas de ambos os sexos e o protocolo de coleta para análise postural baseou-se na observação e registro fotográfico com marcações nos principais acidentes ósseos visando à verificação do alinhamento dessas estruturas. Os segmentos considerados para análise foram: tronco, pelve, joelho e tornozelo. Foi utilizado para análise dos dados o teste de Goodman para contrastes entre e dentro de proporções binomiais. Os resultados mostraram que saltadores (58,33%) e arremessadores/lançadores (50,00%) apresentam o tronco em posição mais equilibrada que atletas de resistência (5,56%). Na região do quadril, arremessadores/lançadores apresentaram predomínio de pelve com rotação esquerda (66,67%), enquanto nos saltadores foi observada elevada frequência de anteversão pélvica (58,33%). A observação do joelho revelou altas taxas de normalidade e recurvatum em fundistas, valgo nos arremessadores/lançadores (50,00%) e varo para os demais grupos. Para a articulação do tornozelo, nota-se que, exceto os saltadores, os grupos apresentaram predominância de valgismo. Conclui-se que, para atender às características particulares de cada prova, níveis distintos de postura são estabelecidos.

Study of postures in sugarcane cutters in the Pontal of Paranapanema-SP, Brazil

The expansion of sugarcane monoculture in Brazil in the last decades has pointed out to the necessity of considering the question of sugarcane cutters occupational health. In this work we present a cross-sectional study aiming to examine the occupational posture of a group of sugarcane cutters, which work in a cane field located in the region of Pontal do Paranapanema-SP, Brazil. The study was made using the Ergonomic Analysis of Work - EAW methodology and the postural analysis method by Win-OWAS. Through the obtained records of postures, it was observed that during a workday the sugarcane cutters remain standing erect on two legs or in one leg 66% of the time and that their trunk remain tilted and in rotation, according to 63% of the positions categorized. It was also observed that the sugarcane cutter trunk performs repetitive and boundless movements during his routine of work, which can expose this individual to additional wear of their musculoskeletal functions. The activities in which the individual engages have favorable or adverse influence on his posture. The repetitive movements involved in specialized occupations are equivalent to repeated exercises, thus may be responsible for the excessive development of certain muscle groups. The study suggests that the postures adopted by sugarcane cutters can overload their musculoskeletal system and predispose the cutters to work-related musculoskeletal diseases.

Matemal separation affects cocaine-induced locomotion and response to novelty in adolescent, but not in adult rats

Maternal separation is known to exert long-term effects on both behavior and the neuroendocrine system. We investigated cocaine-induced locomotor activation as well as the locomotor and corticosterone response to forced novelty in maternally separated adolescent and adult rats. Maternal separation consisted of separating litters from their darns daily during 5 h from postnatal days 2 to 6. Control animals were subjected only to regular cage changes. Cocaine- (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and novelty-induced locomotion were recorded in an activity cage. After the animals were tested for behavioral response to novelty, trunk blood samples were collected and plasma corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Adolescent rats exposed to maternal separation exhibited an increased locomotor response to novelty and cocaine; corticosterone levels were lower in these adolescent animals, after exposure to the novel environment. These effects of materrial separation were not observed in rats that were tested as adults. Thus the maternal separation protocol produced enduring but transient changes in the behavioral response to cocaine and in the stress response to novelty. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Differential behavioral and neuroendocrine effects of repeated nicotine in adolescent and adult rats

Despite the high prevalence of tobacco abuse among adolescents, the neurobiology of nicotine addiction has been studied mainly in adult animals. Repeated administration of this drug to adult rats induces behavioral sensitization. Nicotine activates the HPA axis in adult rats as measured by drug-induced increases in ACTH and corticosterone. Both behavioral sensitization and corticosterone are implicated in drug addiction. We examined the expression of behavioral sensitization induced by nicotine as well as the changes in corticosterone levels after repeated injections of nicotine in adolescent and adult animals. Adolescent and adult rats received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of saline or 0.4 mg/kg of nicotine once daily for 7 days. Three days after the last injection animals were challenged with saline or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg; s.c.). Nicotine-induced locomotion was recorded in an activity cage. Trunk blood samples were collected in a subset of adolescent and adult rats and plasma corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Adult, but not adolescent, rats expressed behavioral sensitization. Pretreatment with nicotine abolished corticosterone-activating effect of this drug only in adult animals, indicating the development of tolerance at this age. Our results provide evidence that adolescent rats exposed to repeated nicotine display behavioral and neuroendocrine adaptations distinct from that observed in adult animals. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of chronic stress on nicotine-induced locomotor activity and corticosterone release in adult and adolescent rats

We examined nicotine-induced locomotion and increase in corticosterone plasma levels in adolescent and adult animals exposed to chronic restraint stress. Adolescent [postnatal day (P) 28-37] and adult (P60-67) rats were restrained for 2 hours once daily for 7 days. Three days after the last exposure to stress, the animals were challenged with saline or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg subcutaneously). Nicotine-induced locomotion was recorded in an activity cage. Trunk blood samples were collected in a subset of adolescent and adult rats and plasma corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Exposure to stress did not affect the nicotine-induced locomotor- or corticosterone-activating effects in both ages.

Aprendizagem motora baseada em demonstrações de movimento biológico

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o processo de aprendizagem motora de uma habilidade complexa da Ginástica Artística a partir da observação de demonstrações de modelos de pontos de luz e vídeo. Dezesseis participantes divididas em grupos dos respectivos modelos executaram um pré-teste, seguido de 100 tentativas de uma parada de mãos, igualmente distribuídas em blocos de 10 tentativas em dois dias, alternando períodos de demonstração e prática, com um teste de retenção após um dia. Cinemática de braço, tronco e perna das participantes possibilitaram análise da semelhança entre a coordenação de cada participante e do modelo e do tempo de movimento; a performance das participantes também foi avaliada por duas especialistas em Ginástica Artística. Ambas as análises indicaram que os grupos não diferiram. Os resultados são discutidos em termos da hipótese de suficiência de informação nos modelos de movimento biológico particularmente aplicada ao processo de aprendizagem de habilidades motoras complexas.

Adventure race's injuries

Objective. - To describe the distribution of frequency of the injuries during adventure competition.Material and methods. - Fifty-five participants who underwent to the second stage of the Caloi Adventure Camp competition answered to a questionnaire about their personal characteristics, training status and injuries.Results. - The age of the athletes was 32 +/- 10 years old and the body mass index (BMI) 23.3 +/- 2.2 kg/m(2). The most frequent injuries occurred during trekking (61%), followed by mountain bike (24%). Abrasions (36.7%) and cuts (24.5%) were the most frequent injuries mentioned. Tissue level lesions occurred in 61.2% of the episodes. The most frequent injuries were contusions (16.3%) at muscular level, and sprain (6.1%) and fracture (6.1%) at osteoarticular system. Related to the body structure, the lower limb was the most affected (49%), mainly ankle (14.3%) and knee (12.2%). In the upper limb (30.6%), arm and forearm were more affected with cuts and abrasions. Neck and trunk were responsible for 20.4% of the injuries. Cramps (31%) and tendinitis (11%) were also mentioned.Conclusion. - The data suggest that it is necessary to create one training approach including prevention and logistics for participants rescue and rapid attendance during the tournament. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

LEARNING A COMPLEX MOTOR SKILL FROM VIDEO and POINT-LIGHT DEMONSTRATIONS

The aim of this Study was to compare the learning process of a highly complex ballet skill following demonstrations of point light and video models 16 participants divided into point light and video groups (ns = 8) performed 160 trials of a pirouette equally distributed in blocks of 20 trials alternating periods of demonstration and practice with a retention test a day later Measures of head and trunk oscillation coordination d1 parity from the model and movement time difference showed similarities between video and point light groups ballet experts evaluations indicated superiority of performance in the video over the point light group Results are discussed in terms of the task requirements of dissociation between head and trunk rotations focusing on the hypothesis of sufficiency and higher relevance of information contained in biological motion models applied to learning of complex motor skills

Distribuição do sistema radicular do porta-enxerto Coquinho sob copa da mangueira cv. Haden

Para o manejo adequado de uma cultura, especialmente frutífera perene, torna-se importante o conhecimento de vários fatores agronômicos, entre os quais o desenvolvimento e a distribuição do sistema radicular. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a distribuição do sistema radicular do porta-enxerto coquinho sob copa da mangueira cultivar Haden. O estudo foi realizado de março/2005 a maio/2007 em solo argiloso, Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, sob vegetação de cerrado, em pomar implantado em 1992, espaçamento de 10 x 10 m, na Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da Faculdade de Engenharia/Unesp/Ilha Solteira, localizada no Município de Selvíria-MS. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: plantas testemunhas, sem aplicação de calcário, e plantas que receberam 3,1 t de calcário ha-1. Avaliou-se o sistema radicular, coletando-se amostras de solo e raízes nas profundidades de 0,0-0,20; 0,20-0,40; 0,40-0,60; 0,60-0,80 e 0,80 a 1,0 m e nas distâncias do tronco de 0,83; 2,49; 4,15 m, classificando as raízes em < 2; 2-5; 5-10 e >10 mm de diâmetro. As raízes de absorção de maior ocorrência foram as de diâmetro menor do que 2 mm nos dois tratamentos. A maior concentração de raízes de absorção ocorreu na faixa compreendida entre 0,0 e 1,66 m do tronco e ao longo do perfil analisado, de 0,0 a 1,0 m de profundidade. A maior concentração de raízes de absorção localizou-se até 0,4 m de profundidade. As plantas que receberam calcário apresentaram aumento de 15,73% de raízes de absorção em relação à testemunha.

Influência do assento da cadeira adaptada na execução de uma tarefa de manuseio

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a influência da flexibilidade da superfície de assento da cadeira na velocidade e no tempo despendido por alunos com paralisia cerebral espástica durante a execução de uma tarefa de manuseio de um objeto na posição sentada. Participaram do estudo 11 alunos, de ambos os gêneros, com diagnóstico de paralisia cerebral espástica, que tinham algum controle de tronco e membros superiores. A quantificação da análise cinemática foi realizada em duas situações experimentais: 1) execução de uma tarefa acadêmica de encaixe, com o indivíduo posicionado em um mobiliário adaptado com assento de lona; 2) execução de uma tarefa acadêmica de encaixe, com o participante posicionado em um mobiliário adaptado com assento de madeira. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e não-paramétrica por meio do teste de Wilcoxon. Os resultados indicaram que: 1) a velocidade média de execução das tarefas não foi influenciada pelo tipo de assento utilizado 2) o tempo de execução da tarefa foi influenciada pelo tipo de assento utilizado. A utilização do assento de lona aumentou o tempo de realização da tarefa. Conclui-se que o assento de um mobiliário escolar para um aluno com paralisia cerebral espástica não deve ser confeccionado com um material muito flexível. Este tipo de assento fornecerá uma base instável que dificultará o desempenho do aluno durante atividades realizadas com os membros superiores.

A report of 49 cases of cnidarian envenoming from southeastern Brazilian coastal waters

Forty-nine accidents caused by jellyfish (Cnidaria) were observed during a period of 5 years on the southeastern coast of Brazil. Most of them involved male patients (65.3%), the injured areas being mainly the legs (71.3%) and the trunk (65.3%). Twenty accidents with Chiropsalmus quadrumanus, four with Physalia physalis and 20 with unidentified jellyfish presented intense pain, linear plaques and systemic symptoms. The five cases with Olindias sambaquiensis caused mild pain, round plaques and no systemic symptoms. There are a few reports on accidents caused by jellyfish, in this country, and scarce clinical or epidemiological data are available up to the present moment. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Paracoccidioidomicose: freqüência, morfologia e patogênese de lesões tegumentares

FUNDAMENTOS: Paracoccidioidomicose é micose sistêmica de alta prevalência no Brasil. As lesões orocutâneas são de importância para o diagnóstico e acompanhamento clínico. OBJETIVO: Quantificar e qualificar a presença de lesões cutâneas em pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose e correlacionar com forma clínica e gravidade dos casos. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo clínico observacional de série de casos, classificados segundo a forma clínica, localização topográfica e morfologia da lesão quando presente. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 152 pacientes classificados como forma crônica do adulto (87,5%) ou como forma aguda-subaguda, tipo juvenil (12,5%). Lesão cutânea foi identificada em 61,2% dos pacientes. Não houve correlação estatística entre presença de lesão e forma clínica (p=1,000) ou entre presença de lesão e gravidade clínica (p= 0,5607). Houve correlação entre presença de lesão mucosa e a forma clínica crônica do adulto (p<0,001). As lesões localizaram-se no segmento cefálico (47,6%), tronco (14,9%), membro superior (14,9%), membro inferior (21,7%) e região genital (0,7%). As lesões ulceradas (42,8%) e as de padrão infiltrativo (26,6% dos casos), foram predominantes. CONCLUS ÃO: A freqüência de lesões cutâneas e padrão morfológico são úteis ao diagnóstico da paracoccidioidomicose. É incomum a presença de lesão da mucosa oral na forma aguda-subaguda, tipo juvenil.

Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa: A case report

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare group of diseases characterized by skin fragility. There is no specific treatment, short of protection from trauma, currently available for these patients. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was effective as an analgesic and in accelerating cutaneous wound healing after six sessions of therapy in a child with dystrophic EB with cutaneous scarring and blisters on the limbs and trunk.

Exuberant clinical presentation of probable Malassezia folliculitis in a young nonimmunosuppressed patient

Malassezia folliculitis is an inflammatory disorder observed in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. The authors describe an unusual and exuberant presumed case affecting the face, trunk and upper limbs of a 12-year-old nonimmunosuppressed patient. Although the agent was not identified by culture, the clinical and histopathological aspects plus the response to specific treatment support the diagnosis of Malassezia folliculitis. The only possible predisponent cause observed on the patient was greasy skin. Repetitive cultures were negative. Treatment with itraconazol promoted apparent cure, however, the patient relapsed twelve months later.