Differences in muscle activity during hand dexterity tasks between women with arthritis and a healthy reference group

Background. Impaired hand function is common in patients with arthritis and it affects performance of daily activities; thus, hand exercises are recommended. There is little information on the extent to which the disease affects activation of the flexor and extensor muscles during these hand-dexterity tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation during such tasks in subjects with arthritis and in a healthy reference group. Methods. Muscle activation was measured in m. extensor digitorium communis (EDC) and in m. flexor carpi radialis (FCR) with surface electromyography (EMG) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 20), hand osteoarthritis (HOA, n = 16) and in a healthy reference group (n = 20) during the performance of four daily activity tasks and four hand exercises. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was measured to enable intermuscular comparisons, and muscle activation is presented as %MVIC. Results. The arthritis group used a higher %MVIC than the reference group in both FCR and EDC when cutting with a pair of scissors, pulling up a zipper and—for the EDC—also when writing with a pen and using a key (p < 0.02). The exercise “rolling dough with flat hands” required the lowest %MVIC and may be less effective in improving muscle strength. Conclusions. Women with arthritis tend to use higher levels of muscle activation in daily tasks than healthy women, and wrist extensors and flexors appear to be equally affected. It is important that hand training programs reflect real-life situations and focus also on extensor strength.

The hand of God is over their hands (Q. 48:10) : on the notion of covenant in al-Ṭabarī’s account of Karbalāʾ

This article is an analysis of the story of the killing of Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī at Karbalāʾ in 61/680, as it is presented by Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad b. Jarīr al-Ṭabarī (d. 310/923). The main argument is that the notion of the divine covenant, which permeates the Qur’an, constitutes a framework through which al-Ṭabarī views this event. The Qur’anic idea of the covenant is read in structural/thematic continuity with the Hebrew Bible account of the covenant between Yahweh and the Hebrew people, which has, in turn, been traced back in its basic form to Late Bronze Era treaties between rulers and their vassals.   The present study focusses on four speeches ascribed to Ḥusayn during the encounter he and his group had with the vanguard of the Kūfan army led by al-Ḥurr. These are analysed in accordance with their use of Qur’anic covenant vocabulary. They are also categorised within the broader framework of the eight standard characteristics of Ancient West Asian and Biblical covenants, as presented by George Mendenhall and Gary Herion, which have recently been developed in a Qur’anic context by Rosalind Ward Gwynne. This article argues that al-Ṭabarī’s Karbalāʾ narrative presents the pact of loyalty to Ḥusayn as a clear extension of the divine covenant.

Análise da segurança no trabalho no setor de mármore e granito do Espírito Santo: proposição de ação para reunião do índice de acidentes no trabalho

O setor de mármore e granito do Espírito Santo constitui-se no maior pala industrial brasileiro do setor, sendo líder na comercialização dos produtos dele derivados, tanto no mercado interno como externo. Apesar do crescimento significativo observado nas exportações nos últimos anos, em peso e valor, bem como de estar comercializando a cada ano, produtos com maior valor agregado, convive com problemas de naturezas diversas, os quais se solucionados, proporcionarão maior participação nos mercados em que atua. Em termos sociais o reflexo será imediato, pois com os investimentos decorrentes, haverá geração de quantidade considerável de novos postos de trabalho, visto que trata-se de atividade altamente geradora de empregos. Por outro lado, os benefícios decorrentes do aumento de produção, proporcionarão a geração de renda e divisas para o país. Entre os problemas a serem solucionados encontra-se o alto índice de acidentes ocorridos no setor, conforme mostram as estatísticas apresentadas na presente dissertação. O estabelecimento de ações que visem a redução desses índices constitui o objetivo deste trabalho, tendo como meta principal, proporcionar a preservação da saú- de e segurança do trabalhador, e a implementação das mesmas, trarão como conseqüência natural, ganhos de produtividade e redução de custos, na medida que os acidentes implicam no surgimento de custos adicionais. A globalização da economia e a política econômica vigente no país, impuseram aos setores econô- micos uma competição cada vez mais acirrada, obrigando-os a buscarem alternativas que os viabilizem. A redução de custos por meio da prevenção de acidentes Vll no trabalho se constitui numa das alternativas. Esta dissertação, apresenta a partir de diagnóstico realizado nas diversas atividades do setor, ou seja, extração, serragem e beneficiamento, as tendências das ocorrências dos acidentes, caso não haja no futuro, nenhum tipo de intervenção. É estabelecida uma comparação com os demais setores da economia capixaba, através das respectivas curvas de tendências, na qual fica caracterizada a gravidade da situação e a importância da redução dos acidentes no setor de mármore e granito do Espírito Santo. Em fun- ção da dimensão com que o problema se apresenta, surge a necessidade de intervenções, as quais são classificadas como imediatas e de médio prazo. A observância à legislação vigente, representada pelas Normas Regulamentadoras, proporcionará maior segurança aos trabalhadores, possibilitando a esses, exercer suas atividades em ambiente onde os riscos referentes a lesões, com ou sem afastamentos, e morte, sejam minimizados, na medida que eles são inerentes ao setor e sempre existirão. Como metodologia é utilizado pesquisa de campo, através de entrevistas com empresários, trabalhadores, sindicatos patronal e dos trabalhadores, representantes da DRT e INSS, com as quais é possível o levantamento estatístico, consultas a revistas especializadas, jornais, Internet, disserta- ções e Normas Regulamentadoras. É ainda utilizado referencial teórico de diversos autores, na busca de dar sustentação conceitual ao tema abordado. Como resultado, é apresentado proposta que se constitui em uma série de ações a serem implementadas, para o atingimento do objetivo procurado.

Physiological response of American bullfrog tadpoles to stressor conditions of capture and hypoxia

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

Stretch Injuries of Skeletal Muscles: Experimental Study in Rats' Soleus Muscle

The study aimed to verify the physiological injury behavior by stretching the soleus muscle of rats, using a noninvasive experimental model. Twenty-four rats were used and divided into three groups of eight animals: control group (A), group that performed tetanus followed by electrical stimulation and a sudden dorsiflexion of the left paw performed by a device equipped with a mechanism of muscle soleus rapid stretching (B); and a group that only received the tetanus (C). Three days later, the animals were killed, and the soleus muscle was resected and divided into three segments. Morphological changes indicative of muscle damage appeared in all three segments of group B. In a lesser degree, similar changes were also detected in muscles subjected to only tetanus. This model was effective; reproducing an injury similar to what occurs in human sports injuries.

Métodos de recuperação pós-exercício: uma revisão sistemática

A recuperação pós-exercício consiste em restaurar os sistemas do corpo a sua condição basal, proporcionando equilíbrio e prevenindo a instalação de lesões e, nesse sentido, torna-se aspecto importante de todo programa de condicionamento físico, em quaisquer níveis de desempenho, mas, sobretudo nos mais elevados. O objetivo desta revisão foi reunir informações e descrever as respostas proporcionadas por métodos recuperativos pós-exercício, como crioterapia, contraste, massagem e recuperação ativa, constituindo uma fonte de atualização do referido tema. Utilizaram-se os bancos de dados MedLine, Scielo e Lilacs, como lista de periódicos, o SportsDiscus. Foram incluídos no estudo somente ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados e não-controlados, além de artigos de revisão referentes ao tema proposto. Optou-se por procurar os termos: cryotherapy, massage, active recovery, thermotherapy, immersion e exercise, individualmente e em cruzamentos. Como achado, observou-se que alguns estudos relatam que a crioterapia é prejudicial em se tratando de recuperação pós-exercício, pois reduz o desempenho imediatamente após a aplicação da técnica. Por outro lado, estudos apontam como sendo benéfica, pois reduzem o nível de creatinaquinase após alta intensidade de esforço, evitando danos musculares. Para o contraste, embora apresente significância em se tratando de remoção de lactato sanguíneo, sua efetividade necessita ser mais bem discutida. Na massagem e na recuperação ativa, os principais vieses descritos dizem respeito à pressão exercida e à intensidade do exercício, respectivamente. Entre as técnicas, as que parecem ter efeitos semelhantes são o contraste e a recuperação ativa, no que tange à remoção de lactato e diminuição da creatinaquinase. Ressalta-se que o tempo de exposição é de fundamental importância para todos os métodos. Entretanto, diversos estudos não se propõem a identificar os reais efeitos fisiológicos promovidos pelas técnicas, utilizando-as de modo inipiente. Portanto, a inconsistência dos resultados encontrados sugere que a análise das variáveis utilizadas como método de recuperação deve ser mais bem controlada.

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.

Trimetazidine and N-acetylcysteine in attenuating hind-limb ischemia and reperfusion injuries: experimental study in rats

Aim. Lower-limb traumatic injury associated with ischemia and followed by reperfusion (I/R) is a common severe situation in muscle lesions due to trauma and hypoxia followed by local and systemic injuries induced by oxygen-derived free radical release during reperfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attenuating effects of trimetazidine (TMZ) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in such situation.Methods. The muscles at the root of the right hind limb of Wistar rats were cross-sectioned, preserving femoral vessels and nerves and clamping the femoral artery for four hours. The clamp was then released and the femoral artery has been reperfused for 2 hours. Rats were randomly divided in groups of ten as follows: Group 1: sham I/R, treated with saline; Group 2: I/R, treated with saline; Group 3: sham I/R, treated with TMZ (7.5 mg/kg/dose); Group 4: sham I/R, treated with NAC (375 mg/kg/dose); Group 5: I/R treated with TMZ (7.5 mg/kg/dose); Group 6: I/R treated with NAC (375 mg/kg/dose). All rats received two intravenous bolus injections of the drugs, one before ischemia and one before reperfusion. Oxidative stress in plasma (MDA, total, oxidized and reduced glutathione), creatinephosphokinase (CPK), optical and electron microscopy and pelvic extremity circumference and volume were studied.Results. No statistical differences were found between the groups for MDA or total and reduced glutathione. Oxidized glutathione increased significantly in groups 5 and 2. Limb circumference as well as limb volume increased in all groups over time, mainly in groups 5, 2 and 1. CPK increased in all groups, being highest in groups 5, 6 and 2. Histological lesions were present in all but sham groups, being less severe in group 6. Soleus muscle analyses at electron microscopy exhibit some degree of alteration in all groups.Conclusion. This experimental model simulated severe limb trauma associated with ischemia and reperfusion, and, as such, it was aggressive, causing severe injury and local inflammatory reaction. The model did not show antioxidant action from NAC, and possible antioxidant action from TMZ was insufficient to attenuate tissue injuries. [Int Angiol 2009;28:412-7]

Injuries caused by scorpionfishes and (Scorpaena plumieri Bloch, 1789 Scorpaena brasiliensis Cuvier 1829) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Brazilian coast): epidemiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of 23 stings in humans

Fishes of the family Scorpaenidae are responsible for severe injuries and occasionally deaths in humans around the world. The more venomous fishes on the Brazilian coast and in the Southwestern Atlantic region are classified in the genus Scorpaena (family Scorpaenidae). However, there are few studies on the venomous apparatus, the effects of the venom, or clinical aspects of human envenoming provoked by Atlantic scorpionfishes.In this communication, the authors present 23 accidents caused by scorpionfishes of the genus Scorpaena among fishermen, and report the species that provoked the injuries, the circumstances of contacts, the clinical aspects observed and the therapeutic measures utilized for control of the symptoms of the victims. The intense pain and the systemic findings observed in the patients were very frequent and we think that the injuries provoked by scorpionfishes should be considered the most important manifestations caused by venomous fishes of the East Atlantic Ocean. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Injuries and envenoming by aquatic animals in fishermen of Coxim and Corumbá municipalities, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil: identification of the causative agents, clinical aspects and first aid measures

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Association between distressing non-work-related events and occupational injuries

The following is a report on a case-control study whose objective was to investigate the association between distressing non-work-related events and occupational injures. Ninety three injured workers (cases) were matched with 372 non-injured controls in a large metallurgical factory in southeastern Brazil. Exposure to distressing non-work-related events was measured through a questionnaire focusing on situations pertaining to personal problems unrelated to work activities. The data were analyzed by adjusting a conditional logistic regression model, where occurrence of the work injury was the dependent dichotomous variable and answers from the questionnaire were independent continuous variables. The analysis showed an association between some distressing non-work-related events and occupational injuries. These findings imply expanding the horizon of preventive measures used in targeting. work injuries which have traditionally been focused on the control of strictly workplace risks.

Dentists' level of knowledge of the treatment plans for periodontal ligament injuries after dentoalveolar trauma

This study investigated the level of knowledge held by dentists about the possible treatment plan procedures for periodontal ligament injuries after dentoalveolar trauma. A 5-item self-applied questionnaire was prepared with questions referring to the professional profile of the interviewees and to the treatment plan they would propose for periodontal ligament injuries secondary to dentoalveolar trauma. The questionnaires were filled out by 693 dentists attending the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Dental Research, and the data obtained were subjected to descriptive analysis. Either the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was applied to assess associations among variables, at a 5% level of significance. The results revealed that dentists experienced difficulty in establishing a treatment plan for subluxation, and for extrusive, lateral and intrusive luxations. In general, holding a dental specialty degree had no influence on the knowledge about treatment plan procedures for the most severe injuries. It could be concluded that the dentists participating in this study, whether specialists or not, did not have sufficient knowledge to treat most of the periodontal ligament injuries resulting from dentoalveolar trauma adequately.

Occurrence of tooth injuries in patients treated in hospital environment in the region of Aracatuba, Brazil during a 6-year period

Dental trauma has been considered as a public health problem that affects mainly children and youngsters and due to its impact on the patient's quality of life. This study presents the results of a 6-year survey of the occurrence and characteristics of dental trauma in patients admitted to the Service of Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Traumatology of the School of Dentistry of Aracatuba (UNESP, Brazil) after emergency care in hospital facilities in the region of Aracatuba, SP, Brazil. For such purpose, the clinical files of patients treated at the Service between 1999 and 2005 were reviewed. Information regarding gender, age, number of traumatized teeth, etiology and diagnosis of the trauma was collected from the files of patients with tooth injuries and recorded in case report forms specifically designed for this purpose. The results showed that from a total of 4112 patients admitted to the Service within the surveyed period, 266 (6.5%) had tooth injuries (172 males - 64.7%; 94 females - 35.3%). The total number of traumatized teeth was 496. Most patients belonged to the 16-20 year-old age group (20.3%) and the most frequent causes of tooth injuries were bicycle accidents (28.6%), motorcycle accidents (19.2%) and falls (18.8%). Injuries to the periodontal tissues were the most frequent type of tooth injuries (408 teeth; 82.26%), occurring in 118 primary and 290 permanent teeth. Among the injuries to the periodontal tissues, avulsion was the most common (32.86%) (29.41% for primary and 34.0% for permanent teeth), followed by extrusive luxation (19.15%) (25.21% for primary and 17.24% for permanent teeth). In conclusion, in the surveyed population, cases of tooth injuries were more frequent in males aged 16-20 years old due to cyclist accidents with predominance of injuries to the periodontal tissues, in particular, avulsions.