Efeitos da adição de carga no treino de marcha na esteira em indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson: ensaio clínico controlado randomizado

Introduction: The intrinsic gait disorders in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are one of the most disabling motor symptoms. Among the therapeutic approaches used in attempts to improve the motor function, especially the gait pattern of individuals, stands out the treadmill gait training associated with the addition of load. However, there are few findings that elucidate the benefits arising from such practice. Objective: To assess the effects of adding load on the treadmill gait training in individuals with PD. Material and Methods: A controlled, randomized and blinded clinical trial, was performed with a sample of 27 individuals (18 men and 9 women) with PD, randomly assigned to three experimental conditions, namely: treadmill gait training (n=9), treadmill gait training associated with addition of 5% load (n=9) and treadmill gait training associated with addition of 10% load (n=9). All volunteers were assessed, during phase on of Parkinson's medication, regarding to demographic, clinical and anthropometric (identification form) data, level of disability (Hoehn and Yahr Modified Scale), cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination), clinical functional - in those areas activity of daily living and motor examination (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - UPDRS) and gait cinematic analysis was performed through Qualisys Motion Capture System®. The intervention protocol consisted of gait training in a period of 4 consecutive weeks, with three weekly sessions, lasting 30 minutes each. The post-intervention assessment occurred the next day after the last training session, which was performed cinematic analysis of gait and the UPDRS. Data analysis was performed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences® (SPSS) 17.0. Results: The age of volunteers ranged from 41 to 75 years old (62,26 ± 9,07) and the time of clinical diagnosis of PD between 2 to 9 years (4,56 ± 2,42). There was a reduction regarding the score from motor exam domain (p=0,005), only when training with the addition of a 5% load. As for the space-time variables there was no significant difference between groups (p>0,120); however, the training with addition of 5% load presented the following changes: increase in stride length (p=0,028), in step length (p=0,006), in time balance of the most affected member (p=0,006) and reduction in support time of the referred member (p=0,007). Regarding angular variables significant differences between groups submitted to treadmill gait training without addition load and with 5% of load were observed in angle of the ankle at initial contact (p=0,019), in plantar flexion at toe-off (p=0,003) and in the maximum dorsiflexion in swing (p=0,005). While within groups, there was a reduction in amplitude of motion of the ankle (p=0,048), the only workout on the treadmill. Conclusion: The treadmill gait training with addition of 5% load proved to be a better experimental condition than the others because it provided greater gains in a number of variables (space-time and angular gait) and in the motion function, becoming a therapy capable of effectively improving the progress of individuals with PD

Caracterização comportamental e distribuição de neurônios inibitórios em um modelo animal de autismo induzido por ácido valpróico

Autism comprises a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affects the brain maturation and produces sensorial, motor, language and social interaction deficits in early childhood. Several studies have shown a major involvement of genetic factors leading to a predisposition to autism, which are possibly affected by environmental modulators during embryonic and post-natal life. Recent studies in animal models indicate that alterations in epigenetic control during development can generate neuronal maturation disturbances and produce a hyper-excitable circuit, resulting in typical symptoms of autism. In the animal model of autism induced by valproic acid (VPA) during rat pregnancy, behavioral, electrophysiological and cellular alterations have been reported which can also be observed in patients with autism. However, only a few studies have correlated behavioral alterations with the supposed neuronal hyper-excitability in this model. The aim of this project was to generate an animal model of autism by pre-natal exposure to VPA and evaluate the early post-natal development and pre-puberal (PND30) behavior in the offspring. Furthermore, we quantified the parvalbumin-positive neuronal distribution in the medial prefrontal cortex and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of VPA animals. Our results show that VPA treatment induced developmental alterations, which were observed in behavioral changes as compared to vehicle-treated controls. VPA animals showed clear behavioral abnormalities such as hyperlocomotion, prolonged stereotipies and reduced social interaction with an unfamiliar mate. Cellular quantification revealed a decrease in the number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the anterior cingulate cortex and in the prelimbic cortex of the mPFC, suggesting an excitatory/inhibitory unbalance in this animal model of autism. Moreover, we also observed that the neuronal reduction occurred mainly in the cortical layers II/III and V/VI. We did not detect any change in the density of Purkinje neurons in the Crus I region of the cerebellar cortex. Together, our results strengthens the face validity of the VPA model in rats and shed light on specific changes in the inhibitory circuitry of the prefrontal cortex in this autism model. Further studies should address the challenges to clarify particular electrophysiological correlates of the cellular alterations in order to better understand the behavioral dysfunctions

Evaluation of the thermal damages in inlet engine valves varying the grinding wheels and the cutting fluids

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

Avaliação da estimulação da medula espinhal como modelo de tratamento da doença de parkinson no primata Callithrix jacchus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Caracterização do repertório acústico do botocinza, sotalia guianensis, e impacto de embarcações no nordeste do brasil

The wide distribution along the Brazilian coast of specie Sotalia guianensis has been growing interest in searchers on the ecology of this species, addition to commercial interests by whalewatching. This work described the accoustic repertory of S. guianensis and their behavior associated and found if underwater noises affect this repertorie in Pipa-RN. It were analyzed 18:49h of recordings maked between april and june/2009. It were found 3258 whistles, 289 calls, 873 clicks and no gargle. The frequencies range of guiana dolphins was 1 a 48kHz and may be related to system response recorder and population s regionalization. The frequencies overlaps the noise made by motorboats, schooners and water bomb. The behavior travelling ocurred siletly in 72,58% and socialization presented no sound (56,4%) and presence of sound (43,6%). This great absence of sound may be relacioned to saving energy, probably because in this behaviors they can use physical and visual contacts. The foraging presented highest records of all class noise with 46,84% clicks, 33,84% whistles and 9,02% calls. All this sounds occurred differently in each behavior (travelling: x2 = 134,35 df = 3 p = 0,0001; foraging: x2 = 19,83 df = 3 p= 0,00018 and socialization x2 = 60,35 df = 3 p = 0,0001). It was possible to determine that underwater noise cause changes in the repertorie and does a considerable increase in whistle s number and reduce clicks. Also occurs changes in some whistles (FI: t=2,42, p=0,015; FF: t= -2,22, p=0,025), calls (FMI: t= -3,13, p=0,001; FMA: t= -3,49, p=0,0005; FD: t= -2,21, p=0,027; D: t=2,89, p=0,004) and clicks parameters (D: t= -3,85, p=0,0001; I: t= -5,32, p=0,0001) during presence of noise. These changes may be a strategy of these animals to win this sound barrier. We can not say which noise has more impact, ix however the water bomb seems to affect more the clicks and the motorboats seems to affect the others sounds. Little is know about auditive sensibility of this specie, but daily exposure to this noise may cause damage and this specie appears to have residence. The specie conservation is necessary because the population already seems to suffer damage as decrease in length of stay, number of individuals entering the inlet and the apparent diminution in the foragind during vessels presence and control standards and ambiental education can help. So, we can advance in knowledge about the ecology of this specie especially when it come to bioacoustics and their behaviors associated and reveals some of the impacts that the noise have brought to this population

Estudo dos efeitos comportamentais do neuropeptídeos em camundongos submetidos a modelos animais de Parkinson

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is the endogenous ligand of a G-protein coupled receptor. Preclinical studies have shown that NPSR receptor activation can promote arousal, anxiolytic-like behavioral, decrease in food intake, besides hyperlocomotion, which is a robust but not well understood phenomenon. Previous findings suggest that dopamine transmission plays a crucial role in NPS hyperactivity. Considering the close relationship between dopamine and Parkinson Disease (PD), and also that NPSR receptors are expressed on dopaminergic nuclei in the brain, the current study attempted to investigate the effects of NPS in motor deficits induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of 6-OHDA and systemic administration of haloperidol. Motor deficits induced by 6-OHDA and haloperidol were evaluated on Swiss mice in the rota-rod and catalepsy test. Time on the rotating rod and time spent immobile in the elevated bar were measured respectively in each test. L-Dopa, a classic antiparkinsonian drug, and NPS were administrated in mice submitted to one of the animal models of PD related above. 6-OHDA injection evoked severe motor impairments in rota-rod test, while the cataleptic behavior of 6-OHDA injected mice was largely variable. The administration of L-Dopa (25 mg/kg) and NPS (0,1 and 1 nmol) reversed motor impairments induced by 6-OHDA in the rota-rod. Haloperidolinduced motor deficits on rota-rod and catalepsy tests which were reversed by L-Dopa (100 e 400 mg/kg), but not by NPS (0,1 and 1 nmol) administration. The association of L-Dopa 10 mg/kg and NPS 1 nmol was also unable to counteract haloperidol-induced motor deficits. To summarize, 6-OHDA-, but not haloperidol-, induced motor deficits were reversed by the central administration of NPS. These data suggest that NPS possibly facilitates dopamine release in basal ganglia, what would explain the overcome of motor performance promoted by NPS administration in animals pretreated with 6-OHDA, but not haloperidol. Finally, the presented findings point, for the first time, to the potential of NPSR agonist as an innovative treatment for PD.

Avaliação termoanalítica da eficiência de antioxidantes na estabilidade oxidativa do biodiesel de mamona

The biodiesel is defined as the mono-alkyl ester derived from long-chain fatty acids, from renewable sources such as vegetable oils or animal fat, whose use is associated with the replacement of fossil fuels in diesel engine cycle. The biodiesel is susceptible to oxidation when exposed to air and this process of oxidation affects the quality of fuel, mainly due to long periods of storage. Because of this, the oxidation stability has been the focus of numerous researches since it directly affects the producers, distributors and users of fuel. One of the possibilities to increase the resistance of biodiesel is the autoxidation treatment with inhibitors of oxidation. The antioxidants can be used as potential inhibitors of the effects of oxidation on the kinematic viscosity and the index of acidity of biodiesel, thereby increasing oxidative stability. This work aims to examine the efficiency of antioxidants, α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy-toluene (BHT), added the biodiesel content of remembrance through Pressurized-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (P-DSC), Thermogravimetry (TG) and Petrology. The results showed that the use of antioxidant BHT, at the concentration of 2000ppm, increased resistance to oxidation of the biodiesel and oxidative induction time (OIT), which is a better result as antioxidant than the α-tocopherol. With the thermogravimetric analysis, it was observed that the biodiesel presented an initial decomposition temperature of lower tendency than that of oil, demonstrating to be more volatile, bearing great similarity to the diesel and being characterized as an alternative fuel. The rheological analysis indicated that each sample of biodiesel behaved as a Newtonian fluid

Caracterização de resíduo sólido formado em biodiesel de sebo bovino

Biodiesel production has increased over the last decade because of the benefits associated with this fuel, including renewability, domestic feedstock, lower toxicity, and biodegradability. From 2008, the use of beef tallow as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Brazil has increased in significance, representing the second largest source of biodiesel, after soybeans. However, the performance of biodiesel in cold weather conditions is worse than diesel because of deposition of insoluble at low temperatures, accelerating the plugging of fuel filters and injectors of the vehicle engine. Studies have been conducted on beef tallow biodiesel, mostly related to the properties of thermal and oxidative stability. However, few studies have described the nature of the precipitate formed and its influence on product quality. Research suggests that the cause of deposition is related to the nature of saturated esters and monoacylglycerols as inducing agents. This study monitored the levels of mono-, diand triacylglycerols, the oxidation stability and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) in beef tallow biodiesel samples from two commercial producers in Brazil for a period of twelve months. Filtered precipitates were analyzed by comparative techniques of GCFID, HPLC-UV/VIS, HPLC-MS-IT-TOF and TG to verify the nature, using monopalmitin and monostearin as reference standards. The formation of precipitate reduced the levels of monoacylglycerols in the beef tallow biodiesel. GC-FID and LCMS- IT-TOF results confirmed the nature of the deposit as saturated monoacylglycerols, predominantly monostearin and monopalmitin as the second major component. Moreover the TG analysis of the residue indicated similar thermal decomposition of the reference standards. The precipitate did not affect the oxidation stability of beef tallow biodiesel and the CFPP characteristic of blends up B60. However, the presence of iron reduced significantly the oxidation stability of biodiesel

Caracterização de resíduo sólido formado em biodiesel de sebo bovino

Biodiesel production has increased over the last decade because of the benefits associated with this fuel, including renewability, domestic feedstock, lower toxicity, and biodegradability. From 2008, the use of beef tallow as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Brazil has increased in significance, representing the second largest source of biodiesel, after soybeans. However, the performance of biodiesel in cold weather conditions is worse than diesel because of deposition of insoluble at low temperatures, accelerating the plugging of fuel filters and injectors of the vehicle engine. Studies have been conducted on beef tallow biodiesel, mostly related to the properties of thermal and oxidative stability. However, few studies have described the nature of the precipitate formed and its influence on product quality. Research suggests that the cause of deposition is related to the nature of saturated esters and monoacylglycerols as inducing agents. This study monitored the levels of mono-, diand triacylglycerols, the oxidation stability and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) in beef tallow biodiesel samples from two commercial producers in Brazil for a period of twelve months. Filtered precipitates were analyzed by comparative techniques of GCFID, HPLC-UV/VIS, HPLC-MS-IT-TOF and TG to verify the nature, using monopalmitin and monostearin as reference standards. The formation of precipitate reduced the levels of monoacylglycerols in the beef tallow biodiesel. GC-FID and LCMS- IT-TOF results confirmed the nature of the deposit as saturated monoacylglycerols, predominantly monostearin and monopalmitin as the second major component. Moreover the TG analysis of the residue indicated similar thermal decomposition of the reference standards. The precipitate did not affect the oxidation stability of beef tallow biodiesel and the CFPP characteristic of blends up B60. However, the presence of iron reduced significantly the oxidation stability of biodiesel

Estudo da influência do biodiesel de mamona como aditivo antioxidante para o biodiesel de girassol e soja

Biodiesel is a fuel made up by mono-alkyl-esters of long chain fatty acids, derived from vegetable oils or animal fat. This fuel can be used in compression ignition engines for automotive propulsion or energy generation, as a partial or total substitute of fossil diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be processed from different mechanisms. Transesterification is the most common process for obtaining biodiesel, in which an ester compound reacts with an alcohol to form a new ester and a new alcohol. These reactions are normally catalyzed by the addition of an acid or a base. Initially sunflower, castor and soybean oil physicochemical properties are determined according to standard test methods, to evaluate if they had favorable conditions for use as raw material in the transesterification reaction. Sunflower, castor and soybean biodiesel were obtained by the methylic transesterification route in the presence of KOH and presented a yield above 93% m/m. The sunflower/castor and soybean/castor blends were studied with the aim of evaluating the thermal and oxidative stability of the biofuels. The biodiesel and blends were characterized by acid value, iodine value, density, flash point, sulfur content, and content of methanol and esters by gas chromatography (GC). Also studies of thermal and oxidative stability by Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry High Pressure (P-DSC) and dynamic method exothermic and Rancimat were carried out. Biodiesel sunflower and soybean are presented according to the specifications established by the Resolution ANP no 7/2008. Biodiesel from castor oil, as expected, showed a high density and kinematic viscosity. For the blends studied, the concentration of castor biodiesel to increased the density, kinematic viscosity and flash point. The addition of castor biodiesel as antioxidant in sunflower and soybean biodiesels is promising, for a significant improvement in resistance to autoxidation and therefore on its oxidative stability. The blends showed that compliance with the requirements of the ANP have been included in the range of 20-40%. This form may be used as a partial substitute of fossil diesel

Estudo de materiais mesoporosos funcionalizados com diferentes aminas para captura do dióxido de carbono através do processo de adsorção

Intensive use of machinery and engines burning fuel dumps into the atmosphere huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), causing the intensification of the greenhouse effect. Climate changes that are occurring in the world are directly related to emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, gases, mainly due to the excessive use of fossil fuels. The search for new technologies to minimize the environmental impacts of this phenomenon has been investigated. Sequestration of CO2 is one of the alternatives that can help minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The CO2 can be captured by the post-combustion technology, by adsorption using adsorbents selective for this purpose. With this objective, were synthesized by hydrothermal method at 100 °C, the type mesoporous materials MCM - 41 and SBA-15. After the synthesis, the materials were submitted to a calcination step and subsequently functionalized with different amines (APTES, MEA, DEA and PEI) through reflux method. The samples functionalized with amines were tested for adsorption of CO2 in order to evaluate their adsorption capacities as well, were subjected to various analyzes of characterization in order to assess the efficiency of the method used for functionalization with amines. The physic-chemical techniques were used: X- ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption and desorption (BET/BJH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CNH Analysis, Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and photoelectron spectroscopy X-ray (XPS). The CO2 adsorption experiments were carried out under the following conditions: 100 mg of adsorbent, at 25 °C under a flow of 100 ml/min of CO2, atmospheric pressure and the adsorption variation in time 10-210 min. The X-ray diffraction with the transmission electron micrographs for the samples synthesized and functionalized, MCM-41 and SBA-15 showed characteristic peaks of hexagonal mesoporous structure formation, showing the structure thereof was obtained. The method used was efficient reflux according to XPS and elemental analysis, which showed the presence of amines in the starting materials. The functionalized SBA -15 samples were those that had potential as best adsorbent for CO2 capture when compared with samples of MCM-41, obtaining the maximum adsorption capacity for SBA-15-P sample

Mensuração da qualidade de vida de indivíduos com a doença de Parkinson por meio do questionário PDQ-39

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença de Parkinson (DP) é caracterizada por uma degeneração progressiva seletiva de neurônios localizados na pars compacta da substância negra. Ela compõe-se por um conjunto de quatro sintomas motores: tremor, rigidez, bradicinesia e instabilidade postural. OBJETIVO: O estudo objetivou investigar os fatores relacionados à queda na percepção da qualidade de vida de indivíduos com DP. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 25 indivíduos com diagnóstico de doença de Parkinson, classificados entre os estágios um e cinco da escala de estadiamento de Hoen e Yahr, tendo a sua qualidade de vida avaliada segundo o Parkinson Disease Questionary-39 (PDQ-39). RESULTADOS: Os 25 indivíduos (12 homens e 13 mulheres) apresentaram idade média de 71,2 ± 8,5 anos, variando entre 53 a 85 anos, e tempo de evolução da doença de 6,54 ± 7,71, variando entre 1 e 39 anos de doença. Verificou-se que as piores percepções sobre a qualidade de vida estão relacionadas ao domínio mobilidade, com média de 55% de comprometimento, e ao domínio atividade de vida diária, com 52,78% de comprometimento. Ficou também constatada uma alta correlação entre o escore total do PDQ-39 com os domínios atividade de vida diária, bem-estar emocional e mobilidade. CONCLUSÕES: A partir dos resultados obtidos, é possível constatar que carências de origem motora associadas aos sinais e sintomas e às complicações secundárias da DP interferem negativamente sobre a percepção da qualidade de vida dos indivíduos.

Uma abordagem dirigida por modelos para gerência de variabilidade e execução de processos de software

This dissertation presents a model-driven and integrated approach to variability management, customization and execution of software processes. Our approach is founded on the principles and techniques of software product lines and model-driven engineering. Model-driven engineering provides support to the specification of software processes and their transformation to workflow specifications. Software product lines techniques allows the automatic variability management of process elements and fragments. Additionally, in our approach, workflow technologies enable the process execution in workflow engines. In order to evaluate the approach feasibility, we have implemented it using existing model-driven engineering technologies. The software processes are specified using Eclipse Process Framework (EPF). The automatic variability management of software processes has been implemented as an extension of an existing product derivation tool. Finally, ATL and Acceleo transformation languages are adopted to transform EPF process to jPDL workflow language specifications in order to enable the deployment and execution of software processes in the JBoss BPM workflow engine. The approach is evaluated through the modeling and modularization of the project management discipline of the Open Unified Process (OpenUP)

Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration and hepatic encephalopathy: correlations and variety of clinical presentations in overt and subclinical liver disease

A degeneração hepatocerebral adquirida (AHD) e a degeneração hepatolenticular podem ter apresentações clínicas semelhantes, mas quando uma doença hepática crônica e achados motores atípicos coexistem, a distinção entre AHD e encefalopatia hepática (HE) pode ser ainda mais complicada. Descrevemos três casos de AHD (dois tendo HE) com diferentes achados em neuroimagem, doenças hepáticas distintas e apresentações motoras semelhantes, todos com hipertensão arterial e perda de peso antes das manifestações motoras. O diagnóstico e a fisiopatologia são comentados e comparados com relatos prévios. Concluímos que existem muitas correlações entre HE, degeneração hepatolenticular e AHD, mas a sobreposição de HE e AHD pode ser mais comum dependendo do conhecimento clínico e da acurácia dos critérios diagnósticos adotados para cada enfermidade. Como a AHD não é considerada prioridade na lista de transplante hepático, o prognóstico dos pacientes com AHD permanece ruim, e a interrupção do fluxo nos shunts portossistêmicos deve ser sempre considerada.

Incidência de disfagia orofaríngea após acidente vascular encefálico em hospital público de referência

A doença vascular encefálica (AVE) é a principal causa de morte no Brasil. As seqüelas em indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico incluem distúrbios motores, distúrbios de fala ou de linguagem e distúrbios de deglutição. A disfagia orofaríngea ocorre em cerca de 50% dos pacientes com AVE. Este estudo teve por objetivo determinar a incidência da disfagia após AVE. Foram avaliados todos os pacientes que deram entrada em hospital universitário de referência no período de um ano, tão logo apresentassem condições para avaliação clínica, fonoaudiológica e neurológica (102 pacientes), com análise objetiva da deglutição (61 pacientes). Foi observada incidência de disfagia em 76,5% dos pacientes avaliados clinicamente, este percentual elevando-se a 91% com avaliação videofluoroscópica. A alta incidência de disfagia observada neste estudo que avaliou pacientes com amplo espectro de gravidade, em diferentes fases de recuperação, ressalta a importância de equipe multidisciplinar, incluindo fonoaudiólogos capacitados, para avaliar os distúrbios da deglutição nos diversos momentos de recuperação dos AVEs.