Muscle Activation During Four Pilates Core Stability Exercises in Quadruped Position

Queiroz BC, Cagliari MF, Amorim CF, Sacco IC. Muscle activation during four Pilates core stability exercises in quadruped position. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91: 86-92. Objective: To compare the activity of stabilizing trunk and hip muscles in 4 variations of Pilates stabilizing exercises in the quadruped position. Design: Repeated-measures descriptive study. Setting: A biomechanics laboratory at a university school of medicine. Participants: Healthy subjects (N=19; mean age +/- SD, 31 +/- 5y; mean weight +/- SD, 60 +/- 11 kg; mean height +/- SD, 166 +/- 9cm) experienced in Pilates routines. Interventions: Surface electromyographic signals of iliocostalis, multifidus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominis, and external and internal oblique muscles were recorded in 4 knee stretch exercises: retroverted pelvis with flexed trunk; anteverted pelvis with extended trunk; neutral pelvis with inclined trunk; and neutral pelvis with trunk parallel to the ground. Main Outcome Measures: Root mean square values of each muscle and exercise in both phases of hip extension and flexion, normalized by the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: The retroverted pelvis with flexed trunk position led to significantly increased external oblique and gluteus maximus muscle activation. The anteverted pelvis with trunk extension significantly increased multifidus muscle activity. The neutral pelvis position led to significantly lower activity of all muscles. Rectus abdominis muscle activation to maintain body posture was similar in all exercises and was not influenced by position of the pelvis and trunk. Conclusions: Variations in the pelvic and trunk positions in the knee stretch exercises change the activation pattern of the multifidus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominis, and oblique muscles. The lower level of activation of the rectus abdominis muscle suggests that pelvic stability is maintained in the 4 exercise positions.

Role of ankle mobility in foot rollover during gait in individuals with diabetic neuropathy

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ankle range of motion during neuropathic gait and its influence on plantar pressure distribution in two phases during stance: at heel-strike and at push-off. Methods: Thirty-one adults participated in this study (control group, n = 16; diabetic neuropathic group, n = 15). Dynamic ankle range of motion (electrogoniometer) and plantar pressures (PEDAR-X system) were acquired synchronously during walking. Plantar pressures were evaluated at rearfoot. midfoot and forefoot during the two phases of stance. General linear model repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to investigate relationships between groups, areas and stance phases. Findings: Diabetic neuropathy patients walked using a smaller ankle range of motion in stance phase and smaller ankle flexion at heel-strike (P = 0.0005). Peak pressure and pressure-time integral values were higher in the diabetic group in the midfoot at push-off phase when compared to heel-strike phase. On the other hand, the control group showed similar values of peak pressure in midfoot during both stance phases. Interpretation: The ankle mobility reduction observed could be associated to altered plantar pressure distribution observed in neuropathic subjects. Results demonstrated that midfoot and forefoot play a different role in subjects with neuropathy by receiving higher loads at push-off phase that are probably due to smaller ankle flexion at stance phase. This may explain the higher loads in anterior areas of the foot observed in diabetic neuropathy subjects and confirm an inadequate foot rollover associated to the smaller ankle range of motion at the heel-strike phase. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low doses of silver nitrate induce pleurodesis with a limited systemic response

Background and objective: Both talc and 0.5% silver nitrate have been shown to induce effective pleurodesis. However, acute adverse systemic inflammatory effects have been described with both agents. The aim of this study was to assess in rabbits the systemic effects associated with a new technique of pleurodesis using repeated low doses of 0.1% silver nitrate. Methods: Rabbits were injected intrapleurally through a chest tube with 0.1% silver nitrate at 0, 24 and 48 h. Other groups received a single injection of 0.5% silver nitrate or 400 mg/kg of talc. Blood samples were collected at 24, 48 and 72 h, and at 7 days, and cytological and biochemical measurements were performed. After 28 days, the presence of macroscopic pleural adhesions and microscopic pleural fibrosis in the pleural cavity were evaluated. Results: Both talc and 0.5% silver nitrate caused significant increases in blood neutrophils, serum LDH, IL-8, transforming growth factor-beta and CRP in comparison with control at almost all time points, whereas sequential doses of 0.1% silver nitrate only increased LDH and CRP in the first 24 h and transforming growth factor-beta at all time points. All groups showed efficient pleurodesis, with no differences in pleural adhesions or fibrosis. Conclusions: Sequential doses of 0.1% silver nitrate produced efficient pleurodesis in rabbits, with a low systemic inflammatory response in comparison with 400 mg/kg of talc or 0.5% silver nitrate.

Fetal hemodynamic changes following maternal betamethasone administration in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction and absent end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery

Objectives. To examine the effects of betamethasone administration on umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV) Doppler flow. Design. Longitudinal prospective study. Setting: Fetal Surveillance Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Population. Thirty-two singleton pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction with absent end-diastolic flow in the UA. Methods. Pulsatility index (PI) of the UA, MCA and DV was measured from 26 to 34 weeks prior to and within 24 or 48 hours after starting betamethasone treatment course. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to determine the changes in the fetal hemodynamic Doppler flow following maternal corticosteroid administration. Main outcome measures. Improvement of UA-PI within 24 hours and DV-PIV (venous pulsatility) within 48 hours from the first betamethasone dose. Results. Mean gestational age at delivery was 29.3 (1.8) weeks and birthweight was 806.6 (228.2) g. A reduction in the UA-PI was observed in 29 (90.6%) cases, with return of end-diastolic flow in 22 (68.7%). The mean UA-PI were 2.84 (0.52) before corticosteroid administration, 2.07 (0.56) within 24 hours and 2.42 (0.75) after 48 hours, with a significant difference along the evaluations (p0.001). No significant changes in the MCA Doppler were observed. DV-PIV decreased from 1.06 (0.23) prior corticosteroids administration to 0.73 (0.16) within 24 hours and 0.70 (0.19) after 48 hours (p0.001). Conclusions. There was reduction in the umbilical artery and in the DV pulsatility indices within 24 hours from betamethasone administration that was maintained up to 48 hours.

Abuse liability of intra-nasal midazolam in inhaled-cocaine abusers

Intra-nasally instilled benzodiazepines have been proposed for acute anxiety episodes. However, routes with faster absorption may increase abuse liability. This study compared abuse liability of intra-nasal midazolam between subjects with a history of intra-nasal drug abuse and non-psychiatric subjects on a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Thirty-one inhaled-cocaine abusers and 34 normal volunteers received either 1 mg intra-nasal midazolam or active placebo. Visual analogue scales assessing desire to repeat the experience (ER) and Experience Liking (EL) assessed abuse liability. Profile analysis for repeated measures showed a significant effect of time over ER (F-[5,F-57]=3.311, p=0.011) and EL (F-[5,F-57]=3.947, p=0.004), diagnostic group (cocaine abusers scoring higher on both - F-[5,F-57]=5.229, p=0.026; F-[5,F-57]=4.946, p=0.030), regardless of the administered substance. It is concluded that the intra-nasal route does not seem to pose risks for non-psychiatric individuals, but it may represent a risk in itself for subjects with a history of drug abuse through this path. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

Intraorbital polyacrylamide gel injection for the treatment of anophthalmic enophthalmos

Purpose: To evaluate the use of orbital polyacrylamide gel injection for the correction of anophthalmic enophthalmos. Methods: Noncontrolled clinical trial of 21 patients (14 with ocular implants, 5 with phthisis bulbi, and 2 with dermis-fat graft). Orbital CT was performed to estimate the volume of polyacrylamide gel needed to restore orbital volume. Polyacrylamide gel was injected using a 22-gauge (30 x 0.7 min) needle transcutaneously inserted in the lateral third of the lower eyelid, directed to the orbital muscle cone. A second injection was administered 15 days later. if necessary. CT was repeated 30 days after the last procedure. Exophthalmometry was performed before Bind 90 days after file procedure. Results: The mean total volume injected per orbit was 2.4 +/- 0.7 ml (range 1-3.5 ml). The volume of the enophthalmic orbit increased front 26.9 +/- 5.0 ml to 29.3 +/- 4.9 ml (p < 0.001). The mean difference in exophthalmometry readings was 3.3 +/- 1.6 mm (range, 1.5-8.0 mm) before the procedure and 1.0 +/- 0.9 mm (range, 0.0-3.0 mm) after 3 months (p < 0.001). Adjustment of the ocular prosthesis or fabrication of a new one was necessary in 11 patients (52.4%), and the mean volume of the ocular prosthesis was reduced front 2.0 +/- 0.6 ml to 1.6 +/- 0.6 ml (p = 0.003). All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. No serious adverse events were observed. The initial results were maintained 1 year after the procedure. Conclusions: Polyacrylamide gel injection in the orbital space effectively reduces enophthalmos in ocular prosthesis wearers.

Comparative study of pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation on pulse pressure variation in a model of hypovolaemia in rabbits

Background and objective: Dynamic indices represented by systolic pressure variation and pulse pressure variation have been demonstrated to be more accurate than filling pressures in predicting fluid responsiveness. However, the literature is scarce concerning the impact of different ventilatory modes on these indices. We hypothesized that systolic pressure variation or pulse pressure variation could be affected differently by volume-controlled ventilation and pressure-controlled ventilation in an experimental model, during normovolaemia and hypovolaemia. Method: Thirty-two anaesthetized rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups according to ventilatory modality and volaemic status where G1-ConPCV was the pressure-controlled ventilation control group, G2-HemPCV was associated with haemorrhage, G3-ConVCV was the volume-controlled ventilation control group and G4-HemVCV was associated with haemorrhage. In the haemorrhage groups, blood was removed in two stages: 15% of the estimated blood volume withdrawal at M1, and, 30 min later, an additional 15% at M2. Data were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measures; a value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: At MO (baseline), no significant differences were observed among groups. At M1, dynamic parameters differed significantly among the control and hypovolaemic groups (P < 0.05) but not between ventilation modes. However, when 30% of the estimated blood volume was removed (M2), dynamic parameters became significantly higher in animals under volume-controlled ventilation when compared with those under pressure-controlled ventilation. Conclusions: Under normovolaemia and moderate haemorrhage, dynamic parameters were not influenced by either ventilatory modalities. However, in the second stage of haemorrhage (30%), animals in volume-controlled ventilation presented higher values of systolic pressure variation and pulse pressure variation when compared with those submitted to pressure-controlled ventilation.

Activation of the shoulder and arm muscles during axial load exercises on a stable base of support and on a medicine ball

The purpose of this study was to compare SEMG activities during axial load exercises on a stable base of support and on a medicine ball (relatively unstable). Twelve healthy male volunteers were tested (x = 23 +/- 7y). Surface EMG was recorded from the biceps brachii, anterior deltoid, clavicular portion of pectoralis major, upper trapezius and serratus anterior using surface differential electrodes. All SEMG data are reported as percentage of RMS mean values obtained in maximal voluntary contractions for each muscle studied. A 3-way within factor repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare RMS normalized values. The RMS normalized values of the deltoid were always greater during the exercises performed on a medicine ball in relation to those performed on a stable base of support. The trapezius showed greater mean electric activation amplitude values on the wall-press exercise on a medicine ball, and the pectoralis major on the push-up. The serratus and biceps did not show significant differences of electric activation amplitude in relation to both tested bases of support. Independent of the base of support, none of the studied muscles showed significant differences of electric activation amplitude during the bench-press exercise. The results contribute to the identification of the levels of muscular activation amplitude during exercises that are common in clinical practice of rehabilitation of the shoulder and the differences in terms of type of base of support used. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antigen-presenting cells in draining lymph nodes of goats repeatedly infested by the Cayenne tick Amblyomma cajennense nymphs

Resistance to tick feeding has been previously shown to be an acquired, immunologically mediated phenomenon in goats, associated with cutaneous basophilia to nymphs of Amblyomma cajennense, the Cayenne tick, after repeated infestations. On the other hand, it is well known that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play an important role in the host immune reaction to tick infestations. The most able APCs for Th cells are the well defined dendritic cells, mononuclear phagocytes and B-lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of draining lymph nodes of goats repeatedly infested with nymphs of the ixodid tick A. cajennense to search for APCs was done. Pre-scapular lymph nodes draining the tick attachment sites were collected 15 days after both the first and third infestations. Tick infestations resulted in increased number of CD21(+) B lymphocytes in lymph nodes after the tertiary infestation. However, the number of CD11b(+) and CD11c(+) cells were not altered after the successive infestations. Lower numbers of CD11c(+) cells had infiltrated lymph nodes responsible for draining the tick infested skin. These findings suggest that acquired immunity of goats against nymphs of A. cajennense is possibly established by B lymphocytes during the first infestation and that APCs may play a key role in this mechanism.

Cannabidiol inhibitory effect on marble-burying behaviour: involvement of CB1 receptors

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major nonpsychotomimetic component of Cannabis sativa that has been shown to have an anxiolytic effect in human and animal models. Earlier studies suggest that these effects involve facilitation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has also been related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. On the basis of this evidence, this study investigated the effects of CBD in C57BL/6J mice submitted to the marble-burying test (MBT), an animal model proposed to reflect compulsive behaviour. CBD (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease in the number of buried marbles compared with controls (34, 41 and 48%, respectively). A similar, although larger, decrease was also found after the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine (10 mg/kg, 77% decrease) and the benzodiazepine diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, 84% decrease). The effect of CBD (30 mg/kg) was still significant after 7 days of daily repeated administration, whereas the effect of diazepam disappeared. Pretreatment with WAY100635 (3 mg/kg), a 5HT1A receptor antagonist, prevented the effects of paroxetine but failed to alter those of CBD. These latter effects, however, were prevented by pretreatment with the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 mg/kg). These results indicated that CBD and paroxetine decrease the number of buried marbles in the MBT through distinct pharmacological mechanisms. They also suggest a potential role of drugs acting on the cannabinoid system in modulating compulsive behaviour. Behavioural Pharmacology 21: 353-358 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Leptin resistance and desensitization of hypophagia during prolonged inflammatory challenge

Leptin resistance and desensitization of hypophagia during prolonged inflammatory challenge. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 300: E858-E869, 2011. First published February 22, 2011; doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00558.2010.-Acute exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent inducer of immune response as well as hypophagia. Nevertheless, desensitization of responses to LPS occurs during long-term exposure to endotoxin. We induced endotoxin tolerance, injecting repeated (6LPS) LPS doses compared with single (1LPS) treatment. 1LPS, but not 6LPS group, showed decreased food intake and body weight, which was associated with an increased plasma leptin and higher mRNA expression of OB-Rb, MC4R, and SOCS3 in the hypothalamus. Hypophagia induced by 1LPS was associated with lower levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), increased number of p-STAT3 neurons, and decreased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. Desensitization of hypophagia in the 6LPS group was related to high 2-AG, with no changes in p-STAT3 or increased p-AMPK. Leptin decreased food intake, body weight, 2-AG levels, and AMPK activity and enhanced p-STAT3 in control rats. However, leptin had no effects on 2-AG, p-STAT3, or p-AMPK in the 1LPS and 6LPS groups. Rats treated with HFD to induce leptin resistance showed neither hypophagia nor changes in p-STAT3 after 1LPS, suggesting that leptin and LPS recruit a common signaling pathway in the hypothalamus to modulate food intake reduction. Desensitization of hypophagia in response to repeated exposure to endotoxin is related to an inability of leptin to inhibit AMPK phosphorylation and 2-AG production and activate STAT3. SOCS3 is unlikely to underlie this resistance to leptin signaling in the endotoxin tolerance. The present model of prolonged inflammatory challenge may contribute to further investigations on mechanisms of leptin resistance.

Covariance functions for body weight from birth to maturity in Nellore cows

The objective of this study was to estimate (co)variance functions using random regression models on Legendre polynomials for the analysis of repeated measures of BW from birth to adult age. A total of 82,064 records from 8,145 females were analyzed. Different models were compared. The models included additive direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects as random terms. Contemporary group and dam age at calving (linear and quadratic effect) were included as fixed effects, and orthogonal Legendre polynomials of animal age (cubic regression) were considered as random co-variables. Eight models with polynomials of third to sixth order were used to describe additive direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. Residual effects were modeled using 1 (i.e., assuming homogeneity of variances across all ages) or 5 age classes. The model with 5 classes was the best to describe the trajectory of residuals along the growth curve. The model including fourth- and sixth-order polynomials for additive direct and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, and third-order polynomials for maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were the best. Estimates of (co) variance obtained with the multi-trait and random regression models were similar. Direct heritability estimates obtained with the random regression models followed a trend similar to that obtained with the multi-trait model. The largest estimates of maternal heritability were those of BW taken close to 240 d of age. In general, estimates of correlation between BW from birth to 8 yr of age decreased with increasing distance between ages.

Models for genetic evaluation of Nelore cattle mature body weight

Records of 18,770 Nelore animals, born from 1975 to 2002, in 8 herds participating in the Nelore Cattle Breeding Program, were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters for mature BW. The mature BW were analyzed as a single BW taken closest to 4.5 yr of age for each cow in the data file, considering BW starting from 2 (W2Y_S), 3 (W3Y_S), or 4 (W4Y_S) yr of age or as repeated records, including all BW starting from 2 (W2Y_R), 3 (W3Y_R), or 4 (W4Y_R) yr of age. The variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting univariate and bivariate animal models, including weaning weight. The heritability estimates were 0.29, 0.34, 0.36, 0.41, 0.44, and 0.46 for W2Y_S, W3Y_S, W4Y_S, W2Y_R, W3Y_R, and W4Y_R, respectively. The repeatability estimates for W2Y_R, W3Y_R, and W4Y_R were 0.59, 0.64, and 0.72, respectively. Larger accuracy values associated with the EBV were obtained in the repeated records models. The results indicated the bivariate repeated records model as the most appropriate for analyzing mature BW.

Thiele massage as a therapeutic option for women with chronic pelvic pain caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles

Aims and objectives Musculoskeletal system has been found to be involved in genesis and perpetuation of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and has strong evidences that up to 80% of women with CPP present dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. In this study, we report a series of women with CPP caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles successfully treated with Thiele massage. Methods Were included in this study six women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle that underwent transvaginal massage using the Thiele technique, over a period of 5 minutes repeated once a week for 4 weeks. After 1 month, the women returned for follow-up. Results The median tenderness score for the six women evaluated was 3 at the first evaluation and 0 after 1 month of follow-up (P < 0.01). The mean Visual Analogue Scale and McGill Pain Index scores were 8.1 and 34, respectively, at the first evaluation, and 1.5 and 16.6 at follow-up (P < 0.01). Conclusion Thiele massage appears to be very helpful for women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle. However, these results are preliminary and a larger number of women are necessary to obtain more conclusive results.

Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naive Social Phobia Patients

Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common anxiety conditions with impairment in social life. Cannabidiol (CBD), one major non-psychotomimetic compound of the cannabis sativa plant, has shown anxiolytic effects both in humans and in animals. This preliminary study aimed to compare the effects of a simulation public speaking test (SPST) on healthy control (HC) patients and treatment-naive SAD patients who received a single dose of CBD or placebo. A total of 24 never-treated patients with SAD were allocated to receive either CBD (600 mg; n = 12) or placebo (placebo; n = 12) in a double-blind randomized design 1 h and a half before the test. The same number of HC (n = 12) performed the SPST without receiving any medication. Each volunteer participated in only one experimental session in a double-blind procedure. Subjective ratings on the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) and Negative Self-Statement scale (SSPS-N) and physiological measures (blood pressure, heart rate, and skin conductance) were measured at six different time points during the SPST. The results were submitted to a repeated-measures analysis of variance. Pretreatment with CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort in their speech performance, and significantly decreased alert in their anticipatory speech. The placebo group presented higher anxiety, cognitive impairment, discomfort, and alert levels when compared with the control group as assessed with the VAMS. The SSPS-N scores evidenced significant increases during the testing of placebo group that was almost abolished in the CBD group. No significant differences were observed between CBD and HC in SSPS-N scores or in the cognitive impairment, discomfort, and alert factors of VAMS. The increase in anxiety induced by the SPST on subjects with SAD was reduced with the use of CBD, resulting in a similar response as the HC. Neuropsychopharmacology (2011) 36, 1219-1226; doi: 10.1038/npp.2011.6; published online 9 February 2011