Treinamento muscular inspiratório para asma: revisão sistemática com metanálise

In asthmatic, the lung hyperinflation leaves the inspiratory muscle at a suboptimal position in length-tension relationship, reducing the capacity of to generate tension. The increase in transversal section area of the inspiratory muscles could reverse or delay the deterioration of inspiratory muscle function. Objective: To evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with an external resistive device in patients with asthma. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. The sources researched were the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 11 of 12, 2012), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED, ClinicalTrials.gov and reference lists of articles. All databases were searched from their inception up to November 2012 and there was no restriction on the language of publication. Randomised controlled trials that involved the use of an external inspiratory muscle training device versus a control (sham or no inspiratory training device) were considered for inclusion. Two reviewers independently selected articles for inclusion, evaluated risk of bias in studies and extracted data. Results: A total of five studies involving 113 asthmatic patients were included. Three clinical trials were produced by the same group. The included studies showed a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (MD 13.34 cmH2O, 95% CI 4.70 to 21.98), although the confidence intervals were wide. There was no statistically significant difference between the IMT group and the control group for maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow rate, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, sensation of dyspnea and use of beta2-agonist. There were no studies describing exacerbation events that required a course of oral and inhaled corticosteroids or emergency department visits, inspiratory muscle endurance, hospital admissions and days of work or school. Conclusions: There is no conclusive evidence in this review to support or refute inspiratory muscle training for asthma, once the evidence was limited by the small number of studies included, number of participants in them together with the risk of bias. More well conducted randomized controlled trials are needed, such trials should investigate respiratory muscle strength, exacerbation rate, lung function, symptoms, hospital admissions, use of medications and days off work or school. IMT should also be assessed in the context of more severe asthma

Associação entre diferentes marcadores antropométricos com variáveis espirométricas e de força muscular respiratória em obesos mórbidos

A obesidade é uma epidemia global em alarmante ascensão. Caracterizada pelo excesso de gordura corporal subcutânea, de caráter multifatorial, está relacionada ao surgimento de diversas co-morbidades, entre elas, várias alterações respiratórias, estas se tornam mais intensas quanto maior o grau de obesidade. Não há consenso na relação entre os marcadores de adiposidade geral ou específicos e suas repercussões sobre a função ventilatória, especialmente em relação à sobrecarga muscular respiratória. Objetivo: Analisar a relação entre marcadores antropométricos e variáveis espirométricas e de força muscular respiratória em indivíduos com obesidade mórbida. Métodos: Estudo transversal entre setembro de 2007 e outubro de 2012. Participaram da pesquisa 163 obesos mórbidos (37.1±9.8 anos e IMC=49.0±5.88 Kg/m2) sem alterações espirométricas. Foram observadas as associações entre Índice de Massa Corporal-IMC, adiposidade localizada (Circunferências de Pescoço-CP, Cintura-CC e Quadril-CQ), percentual de gordura corporal através do Índice de Adiposidade Corporal-IAC, volumes e capacidades pulmonares (CVF, VEF1 e VRE) e pressões respiratória estática (PIM e PEM) e dinâmica (VVM). Resultados: O VRE foi o volume mais afetado pela obesidade (apenas 41%predito) e mostrou associação negativa nas relações com todos os marcadores de adiposidade (IMC: r=-0.52; IAC: r=-0.21; CC: r=-0.44; CP: r=-0.25 e CQ: r=-0.28). Há relação inversa entre o percentual de gordura corporal (IAC) com a CVF (r=-0.59), o VEF1(r=-0.56) e o VVM (r=-0.43). As pressões respiratórias são justificadas principalmente pela adiposidade ao redor do pescoço e o IAC. Nossos dados de força muscular respiratória foram melhores associados aos valores de referências sugeridos pelas equações de Harik-Klan et al (1998) para PIM (R²=0.72) e com a equação proposta por Neder et al (1999) para PEM (R²=0.52). Em um modelo de regressão linear, as variáveis de adiposidade não justificam a VVM, já o VEF1 explica 62% da variância da VVM em obesos mórbidos. Conclusão: O percentual da adiposidade corporal e a circunferência do pescoço estão associados com a força muscular e capacidade de gerar fluxo respiratório de obesos mórbidos. Sugerimos a equação elaborada por Harik-Klan et al (1998) para obtenção de valores preditos de PIM e a equação proposta por Neder et al (1999) para valores de normalidade da PEM em sujeitos com obesidade mórbida. Foi possível fornecer uma equação de referência específica para VVM em obesos mórbidos

Comparação e mobilidade, equilíbrio corporal e desempenho muscular segundo a auto-eficácia para quedas em idosas

The aging process modifies various systems in the body, leading to changes in mobility, balance and muscle strength. This can cause a drop in the elderly, or not changing the perceived self-efficacy in preventing falls. Objective: To compare the mobility, body balance and muscle performance according to self-efficacy for falls in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study with 63 older (65-80 years) community. Were evaluated for identification data and sociodemographic, cognitive screening using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), effective for the fall of Falls Efficacy Scale International Brazil (FES-I-BRAZIL), Mobility through the Timed Up and Go Test , the balance Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Clinical Test tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), tandem walk (TW) and Sit to Stand (STS) of the Balance Master® System. Finally, muscle performance by using isokinetic dynamometry. Statistical analysis was performed Student t test for comparison between groups, with p value ≤ 0.05. Results: Comparing the elderly with low-efficacy for falls with high-efficacy for falls, we found significant differences only for the variable Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.04). With regard to data on balance tests were significant differences in the speed of oscillation firm surface eyes open modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Test of Balance (p = 0.01). Variables to isokinetic dynamometry were no significant differences in movement knee extension, as regards the variables peak torque (p = 0.04) and power (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The results suggest that, compared to older community with low-and high-efficacy for falls, we observed differences in variables related to mobility, balance and muscle function

Efeitos imediatos da laserterapia sobre o desempenho neuromuscular após fadiga muscular induzida: ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado e cego

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of laser therapy on neuromuscular performance in healthy subjects after a muscle fatigue. This is a clinical trial, controlled, randomized, blinded, attended by 80 volunteers of both genders, healthy, with ages between 18 to 28 years. Initially the volunteers performed an initial evaluation (EV1) using electromyography in the biceps muscle, associated with assessment in isokinetic dynamometry with 5 concentric contractions (60 °/s) for elbow flexion. The subjects were randomly allocated into 4 groups: G1 (control, n = 20), G2 (placebo, n = 20), G3 (pre-fatigue laser, n = 20), and G4 (post fatigue laser, n = 20). The muscular fatigue protocol had 30 concentric isokinetic contractions (120 °/s). We used a 808 nm laser, power of 100 mW, applied at the belly of the biceps muscle. After the speeches the volunteers performed a final evaluation (EV2). Test was applied to two-way ANOVA with post hoc Turkey, with a significance level of 5%. There was no significant difference in electromyographic evaluation. In dynamometric evaluation showed a drop in peak torque, peak torque normalized to body weight (p <0.001) and average power (p <0, 05) between the initial and final evaluations in control. Among the groups there was a significant difference between the control and the other groups in relation to peak torque (p <0.05), peak torque to body weight (p <0.001) and average power (p <0.05). Therefore, the low intensity laser therapy does not alter the immediate neuromuscular performance after fatigue

Efeitos do treinamento muscular inspiratório domiciliar sobre a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos respiratórios em asmáticos: estudo piloto

Asthma treatment aims to achieve and maintain the control of the disease for prolonged periods. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may be an alternative in the care of patients with asthma, and it is used as a complementary therapy to the pharmacological treatment. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a domiciliary program of IMT on the electromyographic activity of the respiratory muscles in adults with asthma. This is a clinical trial in which ten adults with asthma and ten healthy adults were randomized into two groups (control and training). The electrical activity of inspiratory muscles (sternocleidomastoid (ECM) and diaphragm) was obtained by a surface electromyography. Furthermore, we assessed lung function (spirometry), maximal inspiratory pressure - MIP - (manometer). The functional capacity was evaluated by six minute walk test. Participants were assessed before and after the IMT protocol of 6 weeks with POWERbreathe® device. The training and the control groups underwent IMT with 50% and 15 % of MIP, respectively. The sample data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0, attributing significance of 5 %. Were used t test, ANOVA one way and Pearson correlation. It was observed an increase in MIP, after IMT, in both training groups and in healthy sham group (P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a significant increase in ECM activity during MIP in healthy training group (1488 %) and in asthma training group (ATG) (1186.4%). The ATG also showed a significant increase in diaphragm activity in basal respiration (48.5%). Functional capacity increased significantly in the asthma sham group (26.5 m) and in the asthma training group (45.2 m). These findings suggest that IMT promoted clinical improvements in all groups, especially the ATG, which makes it an important complementary treatment for patients with asthma

Efeito da crioterapia e da laserterapia na resposta ao dano muscular induzido pelo exercício excêntrico: ensaio clínico e randomizado

Exercise-induced muscle damage mainly affects individuals who returned to physical activity after a time without practicing it or had some kind of exhaustive exercise, particularly eccentric exercise. To evaluate the effect of cryotherapy and laser therapy in response to muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise on the biceps muscle. This was a randomized clinical trial consisting of 60 female subjects. All subjects initially underwent an evaluation consisting of perimetry, measurement of pain sensation (via algometry and visual analogue scale), electromyography and dynamometry. Then the subjects performed an exercise protocol on the isokinetic dynamometer consisting of 2 sets of 10 eccentric elbow flexors contraction at 60 °/s. Completed this protocol, an intervention was held according to a previously random group distribution: control group (no intervention), cryotherapy group and laser therapy group. Finally, subjects were re-evaluated immediately and 48 hours after the intervention protocol, except for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which was also evaluated 24 hours after exercise. The circumference of the limb, the pain sensation (VAS and algometry), the muscle activation amplitude (via Root Mean Square - RMS), median frequency, peak torque normalized per body weight, average peak torque, power and work were analyzed. The median frequency immediately after the intervention protocol on the cryotherapy group was the only variable that showed inter and intra-group differences; the remaining variables showed only intragroup differences. The perimetry values did not change immediately after the protocol on the groups which underwent cryotherapy and laser therapy, however, there was an increase after 48 hours; algometry values decreased in all groups for 48 hours and the VAS values increased 24 and 48 hours also for all groups. Regarding RMS no significant change was observed. For dynamometry, peak torque normalized per body weight and average peak torque had a similar behavior, with a reduction in the post protocol that has remained after 48 hours. For the power and work, a decrease was observed immediately after the protocol with a further reduction after 48 hours. Cryotherapy and laser therapy does not alter the muscle damage response, except for the perimetry values immediately after exercise.

Estágio menopausal e níveis hormonais no desenvolvimento muscular e funcional em mulheres de meia idade: um estudo transversal

Introduction: Hypoestrogenism is the main characteristic of female aging. It promotes significant changes in body composition, both in fat mass as in lean body mass, leading to a decrease in muscle strength and physical performance. Objective: The aim of this study was to test whether menopausal status and hormone levels are associated with muscular strength and physical performance in middle-aged women. Methods: In a cross-sectional study it was collected sociodemographic data, gynecological history, anthropometric and biochemical measures in women aged 40 to 65 years in Parnamirim-RN. The menopause status (pre, peri and post menopause) was determined by menstrual history. All women underwent three dimensions of physical performance assessment: handgrip dynamometry, gait speed and chair stands test - Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Categorical data were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. Quantitative data were showed as mean and standard deviation and the normality of distribution was verified with Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test. Biochemical measures of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were transformed to log10. ANOVA with Tukey post-test for comparison of variables between the groups pre, peri and post-menopausal was performed and then multiple linear regression analyzes. Results: Two hundred and seventy eight women aged 50.2 (±5.58) years composed this study, being 50 women in premenopausal status (18%), 122 in perimenopausal (43.9%), and 106 postmenopausal stage (38.1%). The groups were different in age (p=0.001), marital relationship duration (p <0.001), number of pregnancies (p=0.001) and parity (p=0.001). Differences in biochemical measures were observed among the groups: estradiol (p<0.001), FSH (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p=0.001). There were no differences in gait velocity between menopausal status. Values in mean of grip strength decreased by postmenopausal women to perimenopausal and premenopausal ones (24.5 ± 5.1, 25.6 ± 5.4, 26.9 ± 4.9 for post-stage, pre and peri menopausas, respectively, p = 0.02) and the performance of chair stands test was better in premenopausal women compared with that in peri and postmenopausal status (p = 0.02). In multiple linear regression for muscle strength, the variables that remained were: age, estradiol and somatic symptoms measured by Menopause Rating Scale-MRS (R2=0.15). While for the xiv chair-stands test the predictors were number of births and FSH values (R2=0.04). Conclusion: There is a relationship between the stages of menopause and muscle performance in measures of grip strength and sit-up test and these are influenced by the fall of estrogens levels. Data suggest that the decrease in muscle strength and physical performance already appear in the transition to menopause stage, pointing to the need for more research in this area and appropriate preventive interventions

Aspectos epidemiológicos, cognitivo-comportamentais e neurofisiológicos do sonho lúcido

Lucid dreaming (LD) is a mental state in which the subject is aware of being dreaming while dreaming. The prevalence of LD among Europeans, North Americans and Asians is quite variable (between 26 and 92%) (Stepansky et al., 1998; Schredl & Erlacher, 2011; Yu, 2008); in Latin Americans it is yet to be investigated. Furthermore, the neural bases of LD remain controversial. Different studies have observed that LD presents power increases in the alpha frequency band (Tyson et al., 1984), in beta oscillations recorded from the parietal cortex (Holzinger et al., 2006) and in gamma rhythm recorded from the frontal cortex (Voss et al., 2009), in comparison with non-lucid dreaming. In this thesis we report epidemiological and neurophysiological investigations of LD. To investigate the epidemiology of LD (Study 1), we developed an online questionnaire about dreams that was answered by 3,427 volunteers. In this sample, 56% were women, 24% were men and 20% did not inform their gender (the median age was 25 years). A total of 76.5% of the subjects reported recalling dreams at least once a week, and about two-thirds of them reported dreaming always in the first person, i.e. when the dreamer observes the dream from within itself, not as another dream character. Dream reports typically depicted actions (93.3%), known people (92.9%), sounds/voices (78.5%), and colored images (76.3%). The oneiric content was related to plans for upcoming days (37.8%), and memories of the previous day (13.8%). Nightmares were characterized by general anxiety/fear (65.5%), feeling of being chased (48.5%), and non-painful unpleasant sensations (47.6%). With regard to LD, 77.2% of the subjects reported having experienced LD at least once in their lifetime (44.9% reported up to 10 episodes ever). LD frequency was weakly correlated with dream recall frequency (r = 0.20, p <0.001) and was higher in men (χ2=10.2, p=0.001). The control of LD was rare (29.7%) and inversely correlated with LD duration (r=-0.38, p <0.001), which is usually short: to 48.5% of the subjects, LD takes less than 1 minute. LD occurrence is mainly associated with having sleep without a fixed time to wake up (38.3%), which increases the chance of having REM sleep (REMS). LD is also associated with stress (30.1%), which increases REMS transitions into wakefulness. Overall, the data suggest that dreams and nightmares can be evolutionarily understood as a simulation of the common situations that happen in life, and that are related to our social, psychological and biological integrity. The results also indicate that LD is a relatively common experience (but not recurrent), often elusive and difficult to control, suggesting that LD is an incomplete stationary stage (or phase transition) between REMS and wake state. Moreover, despite the variability of LD prevalence among North Americans, Europeans and Asians, our data from Latin Americans strengthens the notion that LD is a general phenomenon of the human species. To further investigate the neural bases of LD (Study 2), we performed sleep recordings of 32 non-frequent lucid dreamers (sample 1) and 6 frequent lucid dreamers (sample 2). In sample 1, we applied two cognitive-behavioral techniques to induce LD: presleep LD suggestion (n=8) and light pulses applied during REMS (n=8); in a control group we made no attempt to influence dreaming (n=16). The results indicate that it is quite difficult but still possible to induce LD, since we could induce LD in a single subject, using the suggestion technique. EEG signals from this one subject exhibited alpha (7-14 Hz) bursts prior to LD. These bursts were brief (about 3s), without significant change in muscle tone, and independent of the presence of rapid eye movements. No such bursts were observed in the remaining 31 subjects. In addition, LD exhibited significantly higher occipital alpha and right temporo-parietal gamma (30-50 Hz) power, in comparison with non-lucid REMS. In sample 2, LD presented increased frontal high-gamma (50-100 Hz) power on average, in comparison with non-lucid REMS; however, this was not consistent across all subjects, being a clear phenomenon in just one subject. We also observed that four of these volunteers showed an increase in alpha rhythm power over the occipital region, immediately before or during LD. Altogether, our preliminary results suggest that LD presents neurophysiological characteristics that make it different from both waking and the typical REMS. To the extent that the right temporo-parietal and frontal regions are related to the formation of selfconsciousness and body internal image, we suggest that an increased activity in these regions during sleep may be the neurobiological mechanism underlying LD. The alpha rhythm bursts, as well as the alpha power increase over the occipital region, may represent micro-arousals, which facilitate the contact of the brain during sleep with the external environment, favoring the occurrence of LD. This also strengthens the notion that LD is an intermediary state between sleep and wakefulness

Efeito da oferta dietética de proteína sobre o ganho muscular, balanço nitrogenado e cinética da 15N-glicina de atletas em treinamento de musculação

The effect of increased protein intake on the muscle mass gain, nitrogen balance and N-15-glycine kinetics was studied in six young, healthy subjects practitioners of strength training (> 2 years), without use of anabolic steroids and in agreement with the ethical principles of the research. All athletes received adequate diet (0.88g protein/kg/day) during 2 weeks prior the study (D1), and thereafter with diet providing 1.5g of protein/kg/day and 30kcal/g of protein (D2 diet) for the subsequent 2 weeks. Later on, they all received diet with 2.5g of protein/kg/day (D3 diet) and 30 kcal/g protein for the last two weeks. Body composition, food intake, blood biochemistry, nitrogen balance (NB) and 15N-glycine kinetics were determined at the beginning, after D1 (M0) and in the last days of the D2 (M1) and D3 (M2). The results showed at the end of the study (4 weeks) significant increase in muscle mass (1.63 +/- 0.9kg), without difference between D2 and D3. The NB followed the protein/energy consumption (M0 = -7.8g/day; M1 = 5.6g/day and D3 = 16.6g/day), the protein synthesis followed the NB, with M0 < (M1= M2) (M1 = 49.8 +/- 12.2g N/day and M2 = 52.5 +/- 14.0g N/day). Protein catabolism rate was similarly kept among diets. Thus, the results of the NB and N-15-glycine kinetics indicate that the recommended protein intake for these athletes is higher than the one for sedentary adults (0.88g/kg) and lower than 2.5g/kg, around 1.5g of protein/kg/day, with adjustment of the energy consumption to 30 kcal/g of protein.

Efeito da via de parto sobre a força muscular do assoalho pélvico

OBJETIVO: analisar a influência da via de parto sobre a força muscular do assoalho pélvico (FM-AP). MÉTODOS: estudo clínico de corte transversal, para avaliar a FM-AP pelo teste da avaliação da força do assoalho pélvico (AFA) e uso do perineômetro em primíparas, entre 20-30 anos de idade, 4-6 meses pós-parto. A contração, medida pelos dois testes, foi classificada em: zero - ausência, um - leve, dois - moderada e três - normal, sustentada por 6 segundos. Avaliaram-se 94 mulheres, entre 20 e 30 anos, divididas em três grupos: pós-parto vaginal (n=32); pós-cesárea (n=32) e nulíparas (n=30). A variável independente foi a via de parto e a dependente, a FM-AP. A comparação entre os graus de contração foi realizada pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis e o teste de Dunn para comparações múltiplas; a influência da via de parto pelo teste chi2, o risco relativo (RR) para alteração da FM-AP e o coeficiente kappa para avaliar equivalência entre os testes. RESULTADOS: a mediana e 1º e 3º quartil da FM-AP foram menores (p=0,01) pós-parto vaginal (2,0;1-2) e intermediários pós-cesárea (2,0; 2-3) em relação às nulíparas (3,0;2-3), tanto analisadas pelo AFA como pelo perineômetro. Aumentou o RR de exame alterado pós-parto vaginal (RR=2,5; IC 95%: 1,3-5,0; p=0,002); (RR=2,3; IC 95%: 1,2-4,3; p=0,005) e pós-cesárea (RR=1,5; IC 95%: 0,94-2,57; p=0,12); (RR=1,3; IC 95%: 0,85-2,23; p=0,29) pelo PFSE e perineômetro, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: o parto vaginal diminuiu a força muscular do AP de primíparas quando comparado com os casos submetidos à cesárea e com as nulíparas.

Redução da força muscular está relacionada à perda muscular em mulheres acima de 40 anos

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a influência da idade na massa muscular e na força muscular, de membros superiores e inferiores, em mulheres acima de 40 anos. Foram estudadas 52 voluntárias, divididas em 3 grupos etários: 40-49 anos(G40, n=16), 50-59 anos(G50, n=18) e 60-70 anos(G60, n=18). Avaliaram-se: massa muscular (MM) por impedância bioelétrica e força muscular-1RM (FM). Para estatística, utilizaram-se análise variância-one-way, teste de Duncan e correlação de Pearson. Observou-se diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre 10,1% na MM entre G40 e G50 e 7,5% entre G50 e G60, totalizando 16,8% nas duas décadas (G40/G60). A FM de membros inferiores foi 16,4% menor entre G40 e G50 e 12,5% entre G50 e G60, perfazendo 25,3% nas duas décadas (p<0,05). Nos membros superiores, não houve diferença significativa da força, entre G40 e G50 (3,3% supino reto e 2,5% rosca direta) e entre G50 e G60 (17,5% e 9,6%), totalizando, nas duas décadas, 20,2% e 12,2%, respectivamente. A Soma das FMs foi corrigida pela MM (FMs/MM), não apresentando diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos. Correlacionando-se MM e FM, houve maior analogia nos membros inferiores (r=0,57), quando comparados aos membros superiores (r=0,42 e r=41, respectivamente). Concluíu-se que as mulheres apresentaram menores valores de MM e de FM nos membros inferiores logo na quinta década de vida. A FMs/MM parece não se alterar em mulheres entre 40 e 60 anos, quando comparadas por grupos etários. A MM reduzida parece ser fator importante para os menores valores de FM observados em mulheres entre 40 e 60 anos.

Ação neuro-muscular do veneno crotálico: dados preliminares

Estudamos 6 pacientes, 2 cães e um coelho com intoxicação crotálica. Avaliamos a condução nervosa periférica sensitiva e motora, a transmissão neuromuscular e eletromiografias. As biópsias de músculo foram processadas por histoquímica. Os 6 pacientes apresentaram mononeuropatia sensitiva no nervo periférico adjacente ao local da inoculação do veneno e encontramos evidências histoquímicas de miopatia mitocondrial. Os defeitos da transmissão neuromuscular foram mínimos. A maioria dos autores admite que veneno crotálico determina síndrome miastênica. Nossos achados indicam que ptose palpebral, facies miastênico e fraqueza muscular observados após acidente crotálico, correspondem provavelmente a miopatia mitocondrial, muitas vezes transitória e reversível.

Respiratory muscular strength decrease in children with mylomeningocele

Study Design. Case-control study.Objective. To evaluate respiratory muscle force in children with myelomeningocele. Summary of Background Data. Myelomeningocele is a common spinal cord malformation with limitations linked to central nervous system lesions and abnormalities in respiratory movements. Despite this, little attention has been given to evaluating respiratory muscle force in these patients.Methods. Children with myelomeningocele aged between 4 and 14 years ( myelomeningocele group; MG, n = 20) were studied and compared with healthy children ( control group; CG, n = 20) matched for age and gender. Respiratory muscular force was evaluated by maximum inspiratory ( Pimax) and expiratory ( Pemax) pressures.Results. Groups were similar for age [ CG = 8 ( 6 - 13) = MG = 8 ( 4 - 14), P > 0.05]; gender, and body mass index [ CG = 17.4 ( 14.1 - 24.7) x MG = 19.2 ( 12.6 - 31.9), P > 0.05]. The lumbosacral region was predominantly affected ( 45%). Maximum respiratory pressures were significantly higher in CG than MG ( Pimax = CG: similar to 83 +/- 21.75 > MG: -54.1 +/- 23.66; P < 0.001 and Pemax = CG: + 87.4 +/- 26.28 > MG: + 64.6 +/- 26.97; P = 0.01). Patients with upper spinal lesion ( UL) had lower maximum respiratory pressure values than those with lower spinal lesion ( LL), [Pimax ( UL = - 38.33 +/- 11.20 cm H2O x LL = - 60.85 +/- 24.62 cm H2O), P < 0.041 and Pemax ( UL = + 48 +/- 20.82 cm H2O x LL + 71.71 +/- 26.73 cm H2O), P = 0.067]).Conclusion. Children with myelomeningocele at the ages studied presented reduced respiratory muscle force with more compromise in upper spinal lesion.

Fixador esquelético pino-resina acrílica e enxerto ósseo esponjoso no tratamento de complicações secundárias à imobilização inadequada de fratura do rádio e ulna em cães

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do fixador esquelético pino-resina, configuração tipo II, coadjuvado pelo enxerto ósseo esponjoso autólogo, no tratamento das complicações secundárias à imobilização inadequada de fraturas do rádio e ulna em 10 cães, com peso entre 1,8 e 33,6 kg. Detectou-se não-união (n=4), osteomielite (n=1), má-união (n=1), falência ou quebra de implante (n=4), sendo 60% das lesões referente ao uso prévio de pino intramedular no rádio. A montagem do fixador foi realizada com transfixação de pinos lisos em sua maioria angulados, cujas extremidades excedentes foram dobradas e estabilizadas com resina acrílica. em todos os casos, utilizou-se enxerto esponjoso autólogo fresco, após debridamento do foco de fratura. O tempo de permanência do aparelho variou entre 45 dias e 5 meses e a maior complicação foi o afrouxamento dos pinos transfixantes. A consolidação das fraturas ocorreu por formação de calo periosteal de mínimo a moderado, indicando boa rigidez da montagem.