Quantitative comparison of mobility and gross motor function in Brazilian children with cerebral palsy

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) presents changes in posture and movement as a core characteristic, which requires therapeutic monitoring during the habilitation or rehabilitation of children. Besides clinical treatment, it is fundamental that professionals use systems of evaluation to quantify the difficulties presented to the individual and assist in the organization of a therapeutic program. The aim of this study was to quantitatively verify the performance of children with spastic di-paresia type CP.Methods: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFM) tests were used and classification made through the GMFCS in the assessment of 7 patients with CP, 4 females and 3 males, average age of 9 years old.Results: According to GMFCS scales, 17% (n=1) were level II and 83% (n=6) were level III. The PEDI test and 88 GMFM items were used in the area of mobility. We observed that there was high correlation between mobility and gross motor function with Pearson's correlation coefficient =0.929) showing the likely impact of these areas in the functional skills and the quality of life of these patients.Conclusion: We suggest the impact of the limitation of the areas in functional skills and quality of life of these patients.

Characterization of the motor performance in infants with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy in process of rehabilitation: the importance of the proactivity of caregivers

Introduction: The progress in technology, associated to the high survival rate in premature newborn infants in neonatal intensive care units, causes an increase in morbidity. Individuals with CP present complex motor alterations, with primary deficits of abnormal muscle tone affecting posture and voluntary movement, alteration of balance and coordination, decrease of force, and loss of selective motor control with secondary problems of contractures and bone deformities.Objective: The aim of this work is to describe the spontaneous movement and strategies that lead infants with cerebral palsy to move.Methods: Seven infants used to receive assistance at the Essential Stimulation Center of CIAM (Israeli Center for Multidisciplinary Support - Philanthropic Institution), with ages ranging between six and 18 months with diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) were assessed.Results: The results show the difficulty presented by the infants with respect to the spontaneous motor functions and the necessity of help from the caregiver in order to perform the functional activity (mobility). Prematurity prevails as the major risk factor among the complications.Conclusion: The child development can be understood as a product of the dynamic interactions involving the infant, the family, and the context. Thus, the social interactions and family environment in which the infant live may encourage or limit both the acquisition of skills and the functional independence.

Calcium gluconate and sodium succinate for therapy of sodium fluoroacetate experimental intoxication in cats: clinical and electrocardiographic evaluation

Sodium fluoroacetate (SFAC) or Compound 1080 is a potent rodenticide, largely used after 1946 for rodent and home pest control. The toxic effects of SFAC are caused by fluorocitrate action, a toxic metabolite, which has a competitive action with aconitase enzyme, leading to citrate accumulation and resulting in interference in energy production by Krebs cycle blockade. In the present study, domestic cats were intoxicated with oral doses of fluoroacetate (0.45 mg/kg). The intoxicated animals presented emesis, diarrhea with abdominal pain posture and an abdominal palpation, tachypnea, bilateral midriasis, hypothermia, hyperexcitability and convulsions. Blood gas analysis indicated decreased pH and bicarbonate levels. Serum ionized calcium was also decreased. ECG showed non-specific changes in ventricular repolarization and ventricular arrhythmias. The survival rate was 75% in the treated group with calcium gluconate and sodium succinate and 37.5% in the non-treated group.

Alterações orofaciais em doenças alérgicas de vias aéreas

OBJETIVO: Apontar as possíveis alterações orofaciais decorrentes do sintoma obstrução nasal em pacientes portadores de doenças alérgicas de vias aéreas superiores, por meio de revisão de literatura. FONTES DE DADOS: Levantamento bibliográfico utilizando bancos de dados eletrônicos, como Medline, Ovid, SciELO e Lilacs, com as palavras-chave asthma, rhinitis e mouth breathing, abrangendo os 30 últimos anos. Foram incluídos artigos de revisão, estudos observacionais e ensaios clínicos. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A obstrução nasal é encontrada freqüentemente em doenças alérgicas de vias aéreas, como rinite e asma. A respiração bucal decorrente da obstrução nasal pode interferir de maneira direta no desenvolvimento infantil, com alterações no crescimento do crânio e orofacial, na fala, na alimentação, na postura corporal, na qualidade do sono e no desempenho escolar. CONCLUSÕES: Devido à variedade de alterações orofaciais encontradas na criança respiradora bucal decorrente de obstrução nasal por doenças alérgicas de vias aéreas, é necessário realizar diagnóstico e tratamento precoces por uma equipe multidisciplinar, composta por médico, ortodontista e fonoaudiólogo, contemplando a visão de uma via respiratória única, que traz conseqüências ao crescimento e desenvolvimento do sistema motor oral.

Estudo do comportamento da PIO de 24 horas e frequência de glaucoma em pacientes com síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono

Purpose: To determine the frequency of glaucoma and evaluate the behavior of 24-hour intraocular pressure in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with OSAS, diagnosed by polysonography, were avaliated in a cross-sectional study. Demographic data were analyzed: age, sex, race/color, weight, height and associated diseases. The patients were submitted to complete ophthalmologic examination, including the visual field, as well as to 24-hour intra-ocular pressure (IOP) evaluation by an applanation tonometer at 9h, 12h, 15h, 18h, 24h and 6h in the lying and sitting positions. The diagnostic criterion for glaucoma was alteration of the visual field (VF) compatible with glaucoma and one or more of the following alterations: cup-disc ratio >= 0.7, hemorrhage, wedge-shaped defect, bayonet-shaped vessels, Hoyt's sign, asymmetry > than 0.2 between cup/disc ratio of the eyes. The angle should be opened without alterations. Results: 9 (82%) of 11 patients showed glaucoma or were suspected to have glaucoma, 9% of which exhibited normal tension glaucoma and 73% were suspected to have glaucoma for presenting alterations in the optic nerve or ocular hypertension. The mean for the IOP values of the 11 patients was observed to be the highest at 6 o'clock, when they were lying down. Variations of IOP >= 5 mmHg occurred in 7 (64%) of the patients, and variations of up to 14 mmHg and IOP peaks of up to 32 mmHg were observed. Conclusion: OSAS may be an important risk factor for the development of glaucoma, particularly that of normal tension glaucoma. Patients with OSAS must be referred to an ophthalmologist and those professionals must be attentive to the association of sleep disorders in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Relação entre desenvolvimento motor corporal e aquisição de habilidades orais

TEMA: a literatura aponta para a influência da postura corporal sobre as habilidades orais em crianças com desenvolvimento sensório-motor alterado. em crianças normais existem poucos estudos sobre essa relação. OBJETIVO: estudar em crianças a termo a relação entre habilidades motoras e habilidades motoras orais, desde 1 dia de vida até 24 meses de idade. MÉTODO: 42 crianças foram filmadas com 1 dia, 1 mês, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9,12 e 24 meses nas posições supino, prono, sentado e em pé e durante alimentação com amamentação / mamadeira (até 5 meses), uso de colher para alimentação pastosa (3 aos 12 meses), uso de copo para água ou suco (6 aos 24 meses) e alimento sólido (6 aos 24 meses). Estabeleceram-se escores de quantificação para o desenvolvimento corporal e habilidades orais e utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para o estudo estatístico, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: os resultados do desenvolvimento motor apontaram para semelhança de dados entre supino e prono e sentado e em pé; para as habilidades orais (durante a alimentação com mamadeira/amamentação, colher, copo, mastigação) constatou-se em cada modalidade de alimentação, homogeneidade de aquisição de habilidades para lábios, língua e mandíbula. Houve associação entre habilidades motoras e orais; resultados apontam que o desenvolvimento motor (habilidades motoras) se deu antes das orais desde o 5° ao 24° mês e que as habilidades de mandíbula em copo e colher ocorreram antes das habilidades de lábios e língua. CONCLUSÃO: houve crescente aquisição de habilidades motoras e orais, variabilidade de habilidades em idades entre 3 e 24 meses e associação entre habilidades motoras e orais.

Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Farelo de trigo na alimentação de poedeiras semipesadas na fase de recria

O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de farelo de trigo (FT) na ração sobre o desempenho de frangas semipesadas nas fases de recria 1 (7 a 14 semanas de idade) e recria 2 (15 a 19 semanasde idade) e seu efeito residual durante a fase inicial de produção de ovos. Foram utilizadas 160 frangas Lohmann Brown distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro níveis de FT na ração: 0 (controle), 10, 20 e 30%, que resultaram em quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições de oito aves na fase de recria 1. Ao completarem 14 semanas, as aves foram transferidas para gaiolas de arame galvanizado, redistribuídas em seis repetições de seis aves. Utilizaram-se 144 aves e descartaram-se, aleatoriamente, quatro aves por tratamento, constituindo a fase de recria 2. A adição de FT diminuiu linearmente o peso vivo final e o ganho de peso, resultando em reduções de 1,15 e 0,03 g, respectivamente, para cada 1% de inclusão de FT na ração. O consumo de água aumentou de forma quadrática e cresceu, em valores absolutos, com o aumento de 0 a 30% de farelo de trigo. A cada aumento de 1% de FT na ração, a idade das aves ao primeiro ovo elevou aproximadamente 0,6 dia e o peso do ovo em 0,22 g. A inclusão de farelo de trigo na ração reduz a taxa de crescimento de frangas, atrasa o início da postura, mas melhora o peso inicial dos ovos em relação a dietas à base de milho e de farelo de soja.

Maxillo-mandibular counter-clockwise rotation and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts (R) total joint prostheses Part II - Airway changes and stability

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical changes and stability of the oropharyngeal airway and head Posture following TMJ reconstruction and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts custom-made total joint prostheses and maxillary osteotomies with counter-clockwise rotation of the maxillo-mandibular complex. All patients were operated at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas TX, USA, by one surgeon (Wolford). The lateral cephalograms of 47 patients were analyzed to determine surgical and post-surgical changes of the oropharyngeal airway, hyoid bone and head posture. Surgery increased the narrowest retroglossal airway space 4.9 mm. Head Posture showed flexure immediately after surgery (-5.6 +/- 6.7 degrees) and extension long-term post surgery (1.8 +/- 6.7 degrees); cervical curvature showed no significant change. Surgery increased the distances between the third cervical vertebrae and the menton 11.7 +/- 9.1 mm and the third cervical vertebrae and hyoid 3.2 +/- 3.9 mm, and remained stable. The distance from the hyoid to the mandibular plane decreased during surgery (-3.8 +/- 5.8 mm) and after surgery (-2.5 +/- 5.2 mm), Maxillo-mandibular advancement with counter-clockwise rotation and TMJ reconstruction with total joint prostheses produced immediate increase in oropharyngeal airway dimension, which was influenced by long-term changes in head posture but remained stable over the follow-up period.

Avaliação funcional do equilíbrio e da sensibilidade cutânea plantar de idosos moradores na comunidade

Desequilíbrio é um dos muitos fatores de risco que aumenta a susceptibilidade de um idoso a quedas. O equilíbrio pode ser avaliado mediante testes posturais e de sensibilidade plantar. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ocorrência de desequilíbrio e perda de sensibilidade cutânea plantar em idosos da comunidade e verificar a existência de associação entre ambas as alterações. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal descritivo envolvendo 45 idosos submetidos à escala de equilíbrio de Berg (EEB) e ao teste de sensibilidade plantar com monofilamento de nylon. Foram utilizados os testes qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher e elaboradas curvas ROC para estudo da sensibilidade e especificidade da EEB. RESULTADOS: Idosos com alteração do equilíbrio e da sensibilidade cutânea foram em número de 2 e 4, respectivamente. Houve associação significativa entre queixa de desequilíbrio e perda da sensibilidade (p = 0,047) e ocorreu concordância razoável (Kappa: 0,6457) entre a EEB e o teste da sensibilidade. Verificou-se também associação significativa entre 6 dos 14 tarefas da EEB e o teste sensorial. CONCLUSÃO: Idosos vivendo com independência na comunidade, em sua maioria, apresentam equilíbrio e sensibilidade cutânea plantar normais. Quando alteradas estas funções mostram-se associadas de forma que, se os testes forem realizados conjuntamente, a precisão da avaliação do equilíbrio idoso aumenta.

Efeitos de dois procedimentos educacionais sobre os sintomas musculoesqueléticos em trabalhadores administrativos

Objective: To investigate the effect of applying two educational programs (one using a self-instructional approach and the other using a traditional approach similar to educational workshops), on the perceived frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 94 office workers in a public company. The participants were divided into three groups through simple randomized sampling with no replacement, The first group (32 employees) underwent a traditional/workshop program, the second (28) used a self-instructional manual and the third (34) was a Control Group. The frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms was measured by means of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, at the beginning of the program and 30 days after its completion. The statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, a nonparametric analysis of variance technique for a repeated measure model in three independent groups and the Goodman test. Results: From the data collected in pre and post-test comparisons, it was observed that the traditional/workshop educational program significantly reduced the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms over the final seven days. For the self-instructional manual group and control group, no difference was observed in the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms, Conclusions: It could be concluded that the interventions. particularly the traditional approach using educational workshops, had a positive effect on the individuals' actions. Despite the complexity of some of the preventive measures needed, there was a reduction in musculoskeletal symptoms of the participants during work.

Effect of topical application of juvenile hormone (JH) in honeybee worker larvae on the development of the Dufour's and Koschewnikow's glands

In order to investigate the action of the juvenile hormone (JH) on honeybee caste differentiation two exocrine glands, Koschewnikow and Dufour glands, were chosen for study. Two combs (I & II) were taken from a single posture of a queen to use for this research. In comb I the larvae were treated with a topical application of JH in Acetone, and those from the comb II (control group) received only Acetone. Immediately after the emergence of the workers, their glands were dissected and prepared for microscopic measurements. The results showed cell area reduction in the Koschewnikow gland induced by the JH application. The results for the Dufour gland displayed taller epithelial cells with the JH application. The difference in glandular responses to the JH relates to gland function, hormone targets, and individual homeostasis.

NESTLING BEHAVIOR and PARENTAL CARE of THE COMMON POTOO (NYCTIBIUS GRISEUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

We recorded and quantified the nocturnal activity and parental care of a brooding Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) using an infrared camera in southeastern Brazil. Parents alternated care of the nestling and decreased their presence as the nestling grew. Nestling feeding on passing insects while sitting on the nest, movements on the nest, wing exercising, preening, and defecating were recorded primarily while it was alone. The frequency of begging calls per hour was higher when the nestling was accompanied by one of the parents. Nocturnal recordings of this species on the nest revealed behaviors that were not cited in past studies, including: feedings bouts on passing flies performed by the nestling and adults, nestling defecation, and nestling plumage maintenance. The well-known plus newly quantified behaviors of the Common Potoo reinforce their value to survival during the long nestling period. Received 24 May 2010. Accepted 14 September 2010.

WATER ABSORPTION of THE FUR and SWIMMING BEHAVIOR of SEMIAQUATIC and TERRESTRIAL ORYZOMINE RODENTS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Postural control in Down syndrome: the use of somatosensory and visual information to attenuate body sway

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of visual and somatosensory information on body sway in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Nine adults with DS (19-29 years old) and nine control subjects (CS) (19-29 years old) stood in the upright stance in four experimental conditions: no vision and no touch; vision and no touch; no vision and touch; and vision and touch. In the vision condition, participants looked at a target placed in front of them; in the no vision condition, participants wore a black cotton mask. In the touch condition, participants touched a stationary surface with their right index finger; in the no touch condition, participants kept their arms hanging alongside their bodies. A force plate was used to estimate center of pressure excursion for both anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. MANOVA revealed that both the individuals with DS and the control subjects used vision and touch to reduce overall body sway, although individuals with DS still oscillated more than did the CS. These results indicate that adults with DS are able to use sensory information to reduce body sway, and they demonstrate that there is no difference in sensory integration between the individuals with DS and the CS.