Tests of one Brazilian facial reconstruction method using three soft tissue depth sets and familiar assessors

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of the medicinal plants Curcuma zedoaria and Camellia sinensis on halitosis control

Volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) are the gases mainly responsible for halitosis (bad breath). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants on halitosis control. Two commonly used plants were tested: Curcuma zedoaria and Camellia sinensis (green tea). These plants were prepared as an aqueous solution and used as mouthwashes, compared with a standard mouthwash of 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate and a placebo (water). The experiment was conducted with 30 volunteers from the School of Dentistry of Sao Jose dos Campos, Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, SP, Brazil. Each volunteer tested the four mouthwashes. The Cysteine Challenge Method, modified for this study, was used for initial breath standardization. Four breath assessments were conducted after volunteers rinsed orally with acetylcysteine: one before the test mouthwash was used; the second, one minute after its use; a third 90 minutes later; and the last 180 minutes later. The results showed that chlorhexidine gluconate lowered VSC production immediately, and that this effect lasted up to 3 hours, while the tested plants had immediate inhibitory effects but no residual inhibitory effects on VSC. We concluded that Curcuma zedoaria and Camellia sinensis, prepared as infusions and used as mouthwashes, did not have a residual neutralizing effect on VSC.

Velocidade de corrida associada ao consumo máximo de oxigênio em meninos de 10 a 15 anos

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a influência da idade cronológica e da maturação biológica sobre o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) e a velocidade de corrida correspondente ao VO2max em crianças e adolescentes brasileiros, do sexo masculino, com idade entre 10 e 15 anos, não praticantes de atividade física sistemática. Participaram do estudo 40 voluntários, divididos em dois grupos, segundo a idade cronológica (GC1 - n = 20; 11,4 ± 0,6 anos; 38,8 ± 8,6kg; 143,6 ± 8,2cm e GC2 - n = 20; 14,1 ± 0,6 anos; 55,9 ± 14,2kg; 163,3 ± 10,2cm) e maturação biológica (GB1 - n = 20; estágios 1, 2 e 3; e GB2 - n = 20; estágios 4 e 5). O VO2max foi mensurado em um teste progressivo e intermitente de corrida em esteira rolante, com estágios de três minutos e pausa de 20 segundos, incrementos de 1km/h a começar com 9km/h, até a exaustão voluntária. A velocidade correspondente ao VO2max (vVO2max) foi considerada como a menor velocidade em que se observou o maior valor de VO2. A máxima velocidade aeróbia (Va max) foi calculada pela fórmula proposta por di Prampero (1986). Houve diferença significante para os valores de VO2max(l/min), Va max(km/h)e vVO2max(km/h) entre os grupos GC1 e GC2 (1,84 ± 0,41 / 2,81 ± 0,61; 11,8 ± 1,2 / 12,6 ± 1,2; 12,1 ± 1,2 / 12,9 ± 1,1, respectivamente), GB1 e GB2 (1,80 ± 0,37 / 2,87 ± 0,56; 12,1 ± 1,2 / 12,9 ± 1,1; 11,8 ± 1,2 / 12,5 ± 1,1, respectivamente), mas não para os valores de VO2max em ml.kg-1.min-1 para todos os grupos (GC1 e GC2: 47,9 ± 6,8 / 50,4 ± 5,5; GB1 e GB2: 47,9 ± 6,8 / 50,3 ± 5,5, respectivamente). Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o VO2max (l/min), aVa max e a vVO2max têm seus valores aumentados como um provável efeito do crescimento e desenvolvimento, podendo, ainda, expressar melhora da economia de movimento, mesmo em indivíduos não praticantes de atividade física sistemática.

Confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores nas mensurações angulares por fotogrametria digital e goniometria

INTRODUÇÃO: A utilização da fotogrametria computadorizada em prol da goniometria, ou vice-versa, na prática clínica ainda necessita de fundamentações consistentes. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos deste estudo foram: verificar a confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores avaliadores na quantificação das medidas angulares obtidas a partir da fotogrametria computadorizada e a goniometria e determinar a confiabilidade paralela entre esses dois diferentes instrumentos de avaliação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 26 voluntários e 4 examinadores foram utilizados no estudo. A coleta foi realizada em 4 etapas sequenciais: demarcação dos pontos anatômicos de referência, mensuração e registro dos valores goniométricos, captação da imagem do voluntário com os marcadores fixados no corpo e avaliação do registro fotográfico no programa ImageJ. RESULTADOS: O goniômetro é um instrumento confiável na maioria das evidências, porém, a confiabilidade das medições depende principalmente da uniformização dos procedimentos. Considerações metodológicas relativas ao estabelecimento de confiabilidade e padronização da colocação dos marcadores se fazem necessárias, de modo a oferecer opções de avaliação ainda mais confiáveis para a prática clínica. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os instrumentos são confiáveis e aceitáveis, porém, mais evidências ainda são necessárias para suportar a utilização desses instrumentos, pois poucos pesquisadores têm utilizado o mesmo desenho de estudo, e a comparação dos resultados entre eles muitas vezes são difíceis.

Conteúdos lúdicos, expressivos e artísticos na educação formal

A prática de atividades lúdicas ou o incentivo ao fluir expressivo e artístico são propostas que permeiam a Educação, desde a Antiguidade Clássica. Atualmente, a necessidade premente de atentar para a inclusão contextualizada dessas práticas, vem sendo convalidada pelas diretrizes propostas pelos Parâmetros Curriculares tanto das disciplinas de Educação Física, como da Educação Artística. Entretanto esse espaço, ainda sutil, merece enfoque mais incisivo, por meio de estudos mais aprofundados acompanhados de práticas direcionadas que convalidem sua relevância. Assim, este estudo, de natureza qualitativa, objetivou investigar se essas variáveis estão disponíveis dentro dos conteúdos disseminados pelos professores e se possuem um espaço destinado ou não dentro da Educação formal. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo exploratório com trinta professores voluntários, de ambos os sexos, pesquisados in loco, com consentimento livre e esclarecido, das disciplinas de Educação Física e Artística, utilizando como instrumento, para a coleta de dados, um questionário com perguntas mistas. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente, indicando que é possível notar a presença do lúdico e da arte, em ambas as disciplinas; mediando os processos de aprendizagem. Além disso, que os professores utilizam amplamente desses recursos, no entanto, nem sempre, de forma consciente e contextualizada, e que, apesar da implantação dos parâmetros curriculares desde 1998, esse espaço ainda não está consolidado.

Grading and staging chronic hepatitis C and its relation to genotypes and epidemiological factors in brazilian blood donors

Progression of chronic hepatitis C is known to be associated with some factors, but influence of HCV genotypes is still controversial. Association between HCV genotypes and other risk factors was examined to determine which factors are associated with progression of infection. One hundred consecutive anti-HCV positive volunteer blood donors were evaluated for several risk factors, examined for HCV genotypes, and submitted to hepatic biopsy and biochemical exams.HCV genotyping were carried out in 89 patients and hepatic biopsy in 78. Transmission routes were found to be illicit intravenous drug use (26%), Gluconergan® use in a non-safe manner (48%) and blood transfusion (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 45%, 3 in 40%, and it was not associated with the stage of fibrosis or with inflammatory activity. There was no significant association of factors related to infection, chronic alcohol use, or duration of illness, with progression of the lesion. There was a significant association of aminotransferase levels and the fibrosis stage. Univariate analysis showed that the age at contamination, patient's age, GT-gamma, and aminotransferase levels over three times the upper normal limits, were associated with fibrosis stages 2 to 4. Multivariate analysis detected age (odds ratio=1.19), and GT-gamma (odds ratio=2.02) as independent factors.

Magnesium supplementation alleviates premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention

We investigated the effect of a daily supplement of 200 mg of magnesium (as MgO) for two menstrual cycles on the severity of premenstrual symptoms in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. A daily supplement of 200 mg of Mg (as MgO) or placebo was administered for two menstrual cycles to each volunteer, who kept a daily record of her symptoms, using a 4-point scale in a menstrual diary of 22 items. Symptoms were grouped into six categories: PMS-A (anxiety), PMS-C (craving), PMS-D (depression), PMS-H (hydration), PMS-O (other), and PMS-T (total overall symptoms). Urinary Mg output/24 hours was estimated from spot samples using the Mg/creatinine ratio. Analysis of variance for 38 women showed no effect of Mg supplementation compared with placebo in any category in the first month of supplementation. In the second month there was a greater reduction (p = 0.009) of symptoms of PMS-H (weight gain, swelling of extremities, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating) with Mg supplementation compared with placebo. Compliance to supplementation was confirmed by the greater mean estimated 24-hour urinary output of Mg (p = 0.013) during Mg supplementation (100.8 mg) compared with placebo (74.1 mg). A daily supplement of 200 mg of Mg (as MgO) reduced mild premenstrual symptoms of fluid retention in the second cycle of administration.

Excessive iodine intake in schoolchildren

Inadequate iodine intake may result in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Thus, for more than 50 years, policies for the regulation of salt fortification with iodine have existed in Brazil. In 2003, a study on 6-14-year-old schoolchildren from regions of the state of So Paulo showed a median urinary iodine concentration of 360 mu g/L. The objective of the present study was to assess the iodine nutrition status among schoolchildren.The study was conducted on 828 schoolchildren aged 4-13 years from eight schools in the interior of the state of So Paulo. A casual urine sample was collected from each volunteer for iodine determination by the adapted method of Sandell-Kalthoff.Only 1.9% (n = 16) of the children evaluated had low values of urinary iodine (< 100 mu g/L), while 24.6% had urinary iodine excretion values between 200 and 300 mu g/L, and 67.1% had values above > 300 mu g/L.The results show that the iodine nutritional status of the schoolchildren studied is characterized by a high urinary iodine excretion, which might reveal an increase in iodine consumption by this population.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises

Based on the lack of electromyographic researches on sport and programmes of physical conditioning, we can say that it is necessary to reexamine some exercises routinely used in the programmes of physical conditioning. Thus, the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles were studied electromyographically so that we could evaluate the validity in some ways of execution of the frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises for the development of these muscles. We analyzed 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, using a 2-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For the execution of the exercise it was used a supine bench, a straight board and two bars of 40 cm made of light wood. The results showed that TS acted preferentially in standing modality and in the inclined supine modality, however with activity levels that do not justify its inclusion in physical fitness programmes.

Electromyographic validation of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles in rowing exercises with middle and closed grip

Because the lack of specialized textbooks on the select and indication of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes, an electromyographic study of the trapezius (upper portion) (TS) and the serratus anterior (lower portion) (SI) muscles in rowing exercises with middle and closed grip in three different modalities, upright, sitting and bent over was performed. The tests were carried out with 24 male volunteers, 18 to 25 years old, by using a two-channel TECA TE 4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. For exercises execution, a supine bench, a straight board and a 1,20 m-long bar made of light wood were used. The results showed that TS acted preferentially with closed grip sitting and bent over modalities, and presented no difference among the grips for upright rowing. SI acted preferentially with closed grip in all modalities, however, with activity levels that do not justify its indication for physical conditioning programmes.

Electromyographic validation of basic exercises for physical conditioning programmes IV. Analysis of the deltoid muscle (anterior portion) and pectoralis major muscle (clavicular portion) in frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises

The electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles deltoid - anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major - clavicular portion (PMC) was tested on 24 male volunteers using a 2 channel TEC A TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes during the execution of four different modalities of frontal-lateral cross, dumbbells exercises. The results showed that all of the tested exercises developed high levels of action potential for both muscles. So, we jusfity the indication of all of them for physical fitness programmes for DA and PMC. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.

Participation of the deltoid (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles in different modalities of supine and frontal elevation exercises with different grips

The muscles deltoid-anterior portion (DA) and pectoralis major-clavicular portion (PMC) were analysed to establish the muscular behavior and intensity patterns, as well to evaluate the connected participation of these muscles during supine and frontal elevation exercises. Twenty-four male volunteers were examined using a 2-channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and Hewlett Packard surface electrodes. Our results showed low levels of activity to PMC in frontal elevation exercises, whereas to DA the levels were very high. In the supine exercise, the action potential levels developed by the PMC were always lower than those presented by DA, however, with action simultaneity. Some suggestions to the use of the tested exercises are presented.

Electromyographic fatigue threshold of erector spinae muscle induced by a muscular endurance test in health men

Purpose: To identify the electromyographic fatigue threshold in the erector spinae muscle. Methods: Eight 19 to 24-year-old male volunteers participated in this study, in which surface electrodes were used, as well as a biological signals acquisition module (Lynx) with a sampling frequency of 1000Hz, a 1000 times gain, a 20Hz high pass filter and a 500Hz low pass filter. The test consisted of repeated isometric contractions of the erector spinae muscle in a 45° hip flexion posture, with 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Results: A positive correlation of the RMS (root mean square) value as a function of time was found for most of the subjects with 40% (N = 6), 50% (N = 7) and 60% (N = 8) loads of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Conclusions: It was concluded, from this study, that the proposed protocol provides evidence, through the electromyographic signal, of the development of fatigue in the erector spinae muscle with loads of 40%, 50% and 60% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The protocol also allows the electromyographic fatigue threshold and its probable applicability in the diagnosis of this phenomenon during repetitive activities to be determined.

Electromyographic analysis of the arm muscles in front support exercises

The electromyographic activity of the biceps brachii - BB (long head), triceps brachii - TB (long head) and deltoideus - DA (clavicular portion) muscles, during the going (G) and return (R) phases in front support exercise, as well the efficacy of this exercise for the development of these muscles strength were studied in 10 male volunteers. The values were normalized through maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC = 100%) and statistically analyzed using the Friedman, DMS and Wilcoxon non-parametric test. A value of p≤0.05 indicated significance (Campos, 1983). All the muscles presented higher electromyographic activity in the return phase of the movement. The triceps brachii was the muscle which had higher activity in both phases of the movement. It was concluded that the front support exercise is efficient for strength development mainly in the triceps brachii muscle.

Laryngeal electromyography in normal Brazilian population

Quantitative analysis of normal values of motor unit action potentials duration and amplitude of muscles tireoaritenoideus (TA), cricotireoideus (CT), cricoaritenoideus lateralis (CAL), and cricoaritenoideus posterioris (CAP) was performed in 14 adult normal Brazilian volunteers. The recordings were obtained by percutaneously inserted concentric needle electrode. Different motor unit action potentials were manually selected in each muscle for quantitative computerized analysis of duration and amplitude. The mean values for duration and amplitude were respectively 3.8 ms and 413 μV for TA, 4.9 ms and 585 μV for CT, 4.1 ms and 388 μV for CAL and 4.5 ms and 475 μV in CAP. There were no similar reports of normal values of motor unit action potentials in Brazilian subjects.