The Triterpenoid Betulin Protects against the Neuromuscular Effects of Bothrops jararacussu Snake Venom In Vivo.

We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 μg/mL), but only partial blockade (~30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.

The forearm positioning changes electromyographic activity of upper limb muscles and handgrip strength in the task of pushing a load cart.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the electromyographic activity of the upper limb muscles as well as the handgrip strength during the activity of pushing a load cart. Eighteen healthy male right-handed volunteers (21.50 ± 2.

Emotional Experiences of Obese Women with Adequate Gestational Weight Variation: A Qualitative Study.

Background: As a result of the growth of the obese population, the number of obese women of fertile age has increased in the last few years. Obesity in pregnancy is related to greater levels of anxiety, depression and physical harm. However, pregnancy is an opportune moment for the intervention of health care professionals to address obesity.

Acute bouts of upper and lower body static and dynamic stretching increase non-local joint range of motion.

Purpose: There are conflicts in the literature concerning the crossover or non-local effects of stretching. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether static (SS) and dynamic (DS) stretching of the shoulders would affect hip flexor range of motion (ROM) and performance and reciprocally whether SS and DS of the lower body would affect shoulder extension ROM and performance.

Methods: A randomized crossover study design examined the acute effects of upper and lower body SS and DS on lower and upper body performance measures, respectively.

Immediate and Short-Term Effects of Upper Thoracic Manipulation on Myoelectric Activity of Sternocleidomastoid Muscles in Young Women With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Blind Clinical Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and short-term effects of upper thoracic spine manipulation on pain intensity and myoelectric activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscles in young women with chronic neck pain.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out involving 32 women with chronic neck pain (mean age, 24.8 ± 5.

Accuracy of the Fonseca anamnestic index in the identification of myogenous temporomandibular disorder in female community cases.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Fonseca anamnestic index (FAI) in the identification of myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Two hundred and three female volunteers participated in this study, 117 with myogenous TMD and 86 without TMD. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were first applied as the gold standard for the diagnosis.

Accuracy of the surface electromyography RMS processing for the diagnosis of myogenous temporomandibular disorder.

Due to the multifactor etiology of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), the precise diagnosis remains a matter of debate and validated diagnostic tools are needed. The aim was to determine the accuracy of surface electromyography (sEMG) activity, assessed in the amplitude domain by the root mean square (RMS), in the diagnosis of TMD. One hundred twenty-three volunteers were evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and distributed into two groups: women with myogenous TMD (n=80) and women without TMD (n=43).

Unilateral plantar flexors static-stretching effects on ipsilateral and contralateral jump measures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of unilateral ankle plantar flexors static-stretching (SS) on the passive range of movement (ROM) of the stretched limb, surface electromyography (sEMG) and single-leg bounce drop jump (SBDJ) performance measures of the ipsilateral stretched and contralateral non-stretched lower limbs. Seventeen young men (24 ± 5 years) performed SBDJ before and after (stretched limb: immediately post-stretch, 10 and 20 minutes and non-stretched limb: immediately post-stretch) unilateral ankle plantar flexor SS (6 sets of 45s/15s, 70-90% point of discomfort). SBDJ performance measures included jump height, impulse, time to reach peak force, contact time as well as the sEMG integral (IEMG) and pre-activation (IEMGpre-activation) of the gastrocnemius lateralis.

Effect of upper thoracic manipulation on mouth opening and electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in women with temporomandibular disorder: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of upper thoracic manipulation on vertical mouth opening (VMO) and electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles in women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Methods: A randomized, controlled, blinded study involving 32 women (mean age of 24.78 ± 5.

Microbiological characteristics of sepsis in a University hospital.

Background: Microbiological characteristics of sepsis and antimicrobial resistance are well studied, although in State University of Campinas, no data has been published yet.

Methods: The main agents related to sepsis and antimicrobial resistance were analyzed. The blood culture records requested from 4,793 hospitalized patients were analyzed.

Leucine minimizes denervation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy of rats through akt/mtor signaling pathways.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of leucine treatment (0.30 mM) on muscle weight and signaling of myoproteins related to synthesis and degradation pathways of soleus muscle following seven days of complete sciatic nerve lesion. Wistar rats (n = 24) of 3-4 months of age (192 ± 23 g) were used.

Kinematic and sEMG Analysis of the Back Squat at Different Intensities With and Without Knee Wraps.

The purposes of this study were to measure the acute effects of knee wraps (KWs) on knee and hip joint kinematics, dynamic muscle activation from the vastus lateralis (VL) and gluteus maximus (GM), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during the back squat exercise at 2 different intensities. Fourteen resistance-trained men (age: 24 ± 4 years, height: 176 ± 6 cm, body mass: 81 ± 11 kg, back squat 1 repetition maximum [1RM]: 107 ± 30 kg, 3 ± 1 year of back squat experience) performed 1 set of 3 repetitions under 4 different conditions, to a depth of approximately 90 degrees of knee joint flexion, and in random order: KWs at 60% 1RM (KW60), KWs at 90% 1RM (KW90), without knee wraps (NWs) at 60% 1RM (NW60), and NWs at 90% 1RM (NW90). The dependent variables obtained were vertical and horizontal bar displacement, peak joint angle in the sagittal plane (hip and knee joints), concentric and eccentric muscle activation (by integrated electromyography) from the VL and GM, and RPE.

Development and validation of an automated step ergometer.

Laboratory ergometers have high costs, becoming inaccessible for most of the population, hence, it is imperative to develop affordable devices making evaluations like cardiorespiratory fitness feasible and easier. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an Automated Step Ergometer (ASE), adjusted according to the height of the subject, for predicting VO2max through a progressive test. The development process was comprised by three steps, the theoretical part, the prototype assembly and further validation.

Motor performance of children with Down syndrome and typical development at 2 to 4 and 26 months.

Purpose: To compare gross motor performance of children with Down syndrome (DS) and typical development (TD) at 2 to 4 months (Phase I) and at 2 years of age (Phase II) and to investigate the relation between early motor performance and later outcome.

Methods: Seventeen infants (10 with TD and 7 with DS) were assessed in Phase I using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP); 25 children were assessed in Phase II using the gross motor scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III); 10 participants were enrolled in both phases.

Results: TIMP and Bayley-III scores were lower in the DS group.

Immediate effects of electrical stimulation, diathermy, and physical exercise on lower limb arterial blood flow in diabetic women with peripheral arterial disease: a randomized crossover trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES), continuous short wave diathermy, and physical exercise on arterial blood flow in the lower limbs of diabetic women with peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: A crossover study was carried out involving 15 diabetic women (mean age of 77.87 ± 6.

Acute effects of movement velocity on blood lactate and growth hormone responses after eccentric bench press exercise in resistance-trained men.

This study aimed to compare the effects of different velocities of eccentric muscle actions on acute blood lactate and serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations following free weight bench press exercises performed by resistance-trained men. Sixteen healthy men were divided into two groups: slow eccentric velocity (SEV; n = 8) and fast eccentric velocity (FEV; n = 8). Both groups performed four sets of eight eccentric repetitions at an intensity of 70% of their one repetition maximum eccentric (1RMecc) test, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets.

Women with more severe degrees of temporomandibular disorder exhibit an increase in temperature over the temporomandibular joint.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to correlate the degree of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) severity and skin temperatures over the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masseter and anterior temporalis muscles.

Materials And Methods: This blind cross-sectional study involved 60 women aged 18-40 years. The volunteers were allocated to groups based on Fonseca anamnestic index (FAI) score: no TMD, mild TMD, moderate TMD, and severe TMD (n = 15 each).

Further Development and Validation of the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS).

Background: Affordances in the home environment may play a significant role in infant motor development.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further develop and validate the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS), an inventory that measures the quantity and quality of motor affordances in the home.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate criteria for content validity, reliability, internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, and interpretability of the instrument.

Lack of Association Between ACE Indel Polymorphism and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physically Active and Sedentary Young Women.

Background: Polymorphisms at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE), such as the indel [rs1799752] variant in intron 16, have been shown to be associated with aerobic performance of athletes and non-athletes. However, the relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness has not been always demonstrated.

Objectives: The relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness was investigated in a sample of young Caucasian Brazilian women.

Upper limb static-stretching protocol decreases maximal concentric jump performance.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of an upper limb static-stretching (SS) protocol on the maximal concentric jump performance. We recruited 25 young healthy, male, resistance trained individuals (stretched group, n = 15 and control group, n = 10) in this study. The randomized between group experimental protocol consisted of a three trials of maximal concentric jump task, before and after a SS of the upper limb.

The acute effects of unilateral ankle plantar flexors static- stretching on postural sway and gastrocnemius muscle activity during single-leg balance tasks.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of unilateral ankle plantar flexors static- stretching on surface electromyography (sEMG) and the center of pressure (COP) during a single-leg balance task in both lower limbs. Fourteen young healthy, non-athletic individuals performed unipodal quiet standing for 30s before and after (stretched limb: immediately post-stretch, 10 and 20 minutes and non-stretched limb: immediately post-stretch) a unilateral ankle plantar flexor static- stretching protocol [6 sets of 45s/15s, 70-90% point of discomfort (POD)]. Postural sway was described using the COP area, COP speed (antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions) and COP frequency (antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions).

The chronicity of myogenous temporomandibular disorder changes the skin temperature over the anterior temporalis muscle.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the chronicity of myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and skin temperature over the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. A blind, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 30 women with myogenous TMD, aged 18-40 years (mean of 23.60 ± 5.

Relationship between neck disability and mandibular range of motion.

Background And Objective: There is a close interaction between the mandibular and cervical systems due to the existing neurological and biomechanical communications. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between neck disability and mandibular range of motion (ROM).

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two women aged between 18 and 40 years were recruited and allocated to four groups using two outcome measures: the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD): Group I (n=13), healthy volunteers; Group II (n=13), volunteers with TMD and neck disability; Group III (n=13), volunteers with TMD and without neck disability; and Group IV (n=13), volunteers with neck disability and without TMD.

An isoflavone from Dipteryx alata Vogel is active against the in vitro neuromuscular paralysis of Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and bothropstoxin I, and prevents venom-induced myonecrosis.

Snakebite is a neglected disease and serious health problem in Brazil, with most bites being caused by snakes of the genus Bothrops. Although serum therapy is the primary treatment for systemic envenomation, it is generally ineffective in neutralizing the local effects of these venoms. In this work, we examined the ability of 7,8,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (TM), an isoflavone from Dipteryx alata, to neutralize the neurotoxicity (in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations) and myotoxicity (assessed by light microscopy) of Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro.