Benefits of physical exercise on executive functions in older people with Parkinson's disease

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Functional dependence and caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease: a controlled trial on the benefits of motor intervention

Background: Cognitive decline has a negative impact on functional activities in Alzheimer's disease. Investigating the effects of motor intervention with the intent to reduce the decline in functionality is an expected target for patients and caregivers. The aim of this study was to verify if a 6-month motor intervention programme promoted functionality in Alzheimer's patients and attenuated caregivers' burden. Methods: The sample comprised 32 community patients with Alzheimer's disease and their 32 respective caregivers. Patients were divided into two groups: 16 participated in the motor intervention programme and 16 controls. Subjects performed 60 minutes of exercises, three times per week during the 6-month period, to improve flexibility, strength, agility and balance. Caregivers followed the procedures with their patients during this period. Functionality was evaluated by the Berg Functional Balance Scale and the Functional Independence Measure. Caregivers completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Caregiver Distress Scale and the Zarit Carer Burden Scale. Two-way ANOVA was used to verify the interaction between time (pre- and post-intervention) and the motor intervention program. Results: While patients in the motor programme preserved their functionality, as assessed by the Functional Independence Measure, the controls suffered a relative decline (motor intervention group: from 109.6 to 108.4 vs controls: from 99.5 to 71.6; P= 0.01). Patients from motor intervention also had better scores than the controls on functional balance assessed by Berg scale (F: 22.2; P= 0.001). As assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and Zarit scale, burden was reduced among caregivers whose patients participated in the motor intervention programme compared with caregivers whose patients did not participate in this programme (Neuropsychiatric Inventory, caregiver's part: F: 9.37; P= 0.01; Zarit: F: 11.28; P= 0.01). Conclusion: Patients from the motor intervention group showed reduced functional decline compared to the controls, and there was an associated decrease in caregivers' burden.

Finite element analysis and fracture resistance testing of a new intraradicular post

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate a prefabricated intraradicular threaded pure titanium post, designed and developed at the Sao Jose dos Campos School of Dentistry - UNESP, Brazil. This new post was designed to minimize stresses observed with prefabricated post systems and to improve cost-benefits. Materials and and methods: Fracture resistance testing of the post/core/root complex, fracture analysis by microscopy and stress analysis by the finite element method were used for post evaluation. The following four prefabricated metal post systems were analyzed: group 1, experimental post; group 2, modification of the experimental post; group 3, Flexi Post, and group 4, Para Post. For the analysis of fracture resistance, 40 bovine teeth were randomly assigned to the four groups (n=10) and used for the fabrication of test specimens simulating the situation in the mouth. The test specimens were subjected to compressive strength testing until fracture in an EMIC universal testing machine. After fracture of the test specimens, their roots were sectioned and analyzed by microscopy. For the finite element method, specimens of the fracture resistance test were simulated by computer modeling to determine the stress distribution pattern in the post systems studied. Results: The fracture test presented the following averages and standard deviation: G1 (45.63 +/- 8.77), G2 (49.98 +/- 7.08), G3 (43.84 +/- 5.52), G4 (47.61 +/- 7.23). Stress was homogenously distributed along the body of the intraradicular post in group 1, whereas high stress concentrations in certain regions were observed in the other groups. These stress concentrations in the body of the post induced the same stress concentration in root dentin. Conclusions: The experimental post (original and modified versions) presented similar fracture resistance and better results in the stress analysis when compared with the commercial post systems tested (08/2008PA/CEP).

Effects of Cold Water Immersion and Active Recovery on Post-Exercise Heart Rate Variability

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential benefits of cold water immersion (CWI) and active recovery (AR) on blood lactate concentration ([Lac]) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices following high-intensity exercise. 20 male subjects were recruited. on the first visit, an incremental test was performed to determine maximal oxygen consumption and the associated speed (MAS). The remaining 3 visits for the performance of constant velocity exhaustive tests at MAS and different recovery methods (6 min) were separated by 7-day intervals [randomized: CWI, AR or passive recovery (PR)]. The CWI and AR lowered [Lac] (p < 0.05) at 11, 13 and 15 min after exercise cessation in comparison to PR. There was a 'time' and 'recovery mode' interaction for 2 HRV indices: standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN) (partial eta squared = 0.114) and natural log of low-frequency power density (lnLF) (partial eta squared = 0.090). CWI presented significantly higher SDNN compared to PR at 15 min of recovery (p < 0.05). In addition, greater SDNN values were found in CWI vs. AR during the application of recovery interventions, and at 30 and 75 min post-exercise (p < 0.05 for all differences). The lnLF during the recovery interventions and at 75 min post-exercise was greater using CWI compared with AR (p < 0.05). For square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD) and natural log of high-frequency power density (lnHF), a moderate effect size was found between CWI and PR during the recovery interventions and at 15 min post-exercise. Our findings show that AR and CWI offer benefits regarding the removal of [Lac] following high-intensity exercise. While limited, CWI results in some improvement in post-exercise cardiac autonomic regulation compared to AR and PR. Further, AR is not recommended if the aim is to accelerate the parasympathetic reactivation.

Application of molecular markers on genetic improvement and reproduction in the post-genomic Era: Emerging biotechnologies and perspectives in livestock

Background: New challenges are rising in the animal protein market, and one of the main world challenges is to produce more in shorter time, with better quality and in a sustainable way. Brazil is the largest beef exporter in volume hence the factors affecting the beef meat chain are of major concern in countrýs economy. An emerging class of biotechnological approaches, the molecular markers, is bringing new perspectives to face these challenges, particularly after the publication of the first complete livestock genome (bovine), which has triggered a massive initiative to put in practice the benefits of the so called the Post-Genomic Era. Review: This article aimed at showing the directions and insights in the application of molecular markers on livestock genetic improvement and reproduction as well at organizing the progress so far, pointing some perspectives of these emerging technologies in Brazilian ruminant production context. An overview on the nature of the main molecular markers explored in ruminant production is provided, which describes the molecular bases and detection approaches available for microsatellites (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). A topic is dedicated to review the history of association studies between markers and important trait variation in livestock, showing the timeline starting on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification using STR markers and ending in high resolution SNP panels to proceed whole genome scans for phenotype/genotype association. Also the article organizes this information to reveal how QTL prospection using STR could open ground to the feasibility of marker-assisted selection and why this approach is quickly being replaced by studies involving the application of genome-wide association using SNP research in a new concept called genomic selection. Conclusion: The world's scientific community is dedicating effort and resources to apply SNP information in livestock selection through the development of high density panels for genomic association studies, connecting molecular genetic data with phenotypes of economic interest. Once generated, this information can be used to take decisions in genetic improvement programs by selecting animals with the assistance of molecular markers.

Linear and undulating periodized strength plus aerobic training promote similar benefits and lead to improvement of insulin resistance on obese adolescents

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

Nanoencapsulation enhances the post-emergence herbicidal activity of atrazine against mustard plants

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