Particulate matter fingerprints in biofuel impacted tunnels in South America's largest metropolitan area.

This study characterized the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) from light- (LDV) and heavy-duty (HDV) vehicles based on two traffic tunnel samplings carried out in the megacity of São Paulo (Brazil), which has >7 million vehicles and intense biofuel use. The samples were collected with high-volume samplers and analyzed using chemical characterization techniques (ion and gas chromatography, thermal-optical analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy). Chemical source profiles (%) were calculated based on the measurements performed inside and outside the tunnels.

Kinematic Changes in the Uninjured Limb After a Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury.

Traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) typically causes sensory, motor and autonomic deficits of the affected upper limb. Recent studies have suggested that a unilateral TBPI can also affect the cortical representations associated to the uninjured limb. To investigate the kinematic features of the uninjured upper limb in participants with TBPI.

Contract-relax technique compared to static stretching in treating migraine in women: A randomized pilot trial.

Introduction: Physical therapy is often used by patients with headache, including modalities such as muscle stretching exercises.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of a pilot trial aimed at determining the efficacy of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) contract-relax technique compared to static stretching for treating migraineurs.

Methods: This pilot trial allocated 30 migraineur women (23 ± 4 years) into PNF (n = 15) and static stretching groups (n = 15).

Addition of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation to cardiorespiratory training in patients poststroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Individuals affected by stroke present with changes in cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Cardiorespiratory training (CRT) is one of the classic intervention guidelines for cardiorespiratory fitness. CRT in association with the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique for respiratory muscles could improve the quality of life, cardiorespiratory function and gait parameters of patients after stroke.

A Neglected Cause of Iatrogenic Brachial Plexus Injuries in Psychiatric Patients.

Background: Psychiatric patients are often kept immobilized during hospitalization to avoid self-inflicted injuries and danger to third parties. Inadequate positioning can lead to brachial plexus injuries (BPI).

Objective: To present a series of 5 psychiatric patients with BPI after being left sedated and restrained for prolonged periods of time during hospitalization.

High prevalence of neuropathic pain in the hand of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To describe the pain profile of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Methods: We enrolled 65 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire was used to classify pain and the SF-36 was used to evaluate quality of life.

Decreasing fall risk in spinocerebellar ataxia.

[Purpose] Spinocerebellar ataxia consists of a group of autosomal dominant disorders that cause progressive degeneration, mainly in the cerebellum and its connections. Falls, which are a significant concern of this condition, reduce patients' mobility, deteriorate their health and have physical and social consequences. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a modified protocol for improving balance and diminishing the fall risk of spinocerebellar ataxia patients exclusively.

Physiotherapy for human T-lymphotropic virus 1-associated myelopathy: review of the literature and future perspectives.

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection may be associated with damage to the spinal cord - HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis - and other neurological symptoms that compromise everyday life activities. There is no cure for this disease, but recent evidence suggests that physiotherapy may help individuals with the infection, although, as far as we are aware, no systematic review has approached this topic. Therefore, the objective of this review is to address the core problems associated with HTLV-1 infection that can be detected and treated by physiotherapy, present the results of clinical trials, and discuss perspectives on the development of knowledge in this area.

Comparison of strength training, aerobic training, and additional physical therapy as supplementary treatments for Parkinson's disease: pilot study.

Introduction: Physical rehabilitation is commonly used in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to improve their health and alleviate the symptoms.

Objective: We compared the effects of three programs, strength training (ST), aerobic training (AT), and physiotherapy, on motor symptoms, functional capacity, and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in PD patients.

Methods: Twenty-two patients were recruited and randomized into three groups: AT (70% of maximum heart rate), ST (80% of one repetition maximum), and physiotherapy (in groups).

Impact of the timing and duration of weed control on the establishment of a rubber tree plantation.

Rubber tree production is reduced by weeds that compete for environmental resources; therefore, the timing and duration of weed control influences weed interference. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the growth of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) plants, to determine the critical period for weed control, and to evaluate the growth recovery of rubber trees that coexisted with weeds for different periods of time after planting. Two groups of treatments were established under field conditions in the first year of the investigation: one group contained crescent periods of weed infestation, while the other contained crescent periods of weed control, also including a weed-free check and a total weedy check.

Muscle strength and executive function as complementary parameters for the assessment of impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the quantitative results of functional and cognitive performance of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and disease severity; and to study the relationship between patients' functional and cognitive capacity and motor impairment (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - UPDRS III).

Method: Twenty-nine subjects clinically diagnosed with PD were classified into three groups according to disease severity using the modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y). They were submitted to functional (Senior Fitness Test) and neuropsychological tests.

Quality of life in patients with HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.

Objective: To assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with HTLV-I-associate myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and to correlate it with specific aspects of the disease.

Methods: Fifty-seven HAM/TSP patients completed the SF-36 QoL questionnaire. They were also asked about common complaints related to the disease, and we looked for associations between QoL and these complaints.

Measurement of the effect of Amazon smoke on inhibition of cloud formation.

Urban air pollution and smoke from fires have been modeled to reduce cloud formation by absorbing sunlight, thereby cooling the surface and heating the atmosphere. Satellite data over the Amazon region during the biomass burning season showed that scattered cumulus cloud cover was reduced from 38%in clean conditions to 0%for heavy smoke (optical depth of 1.3).