[Cross-cultural adaptation of the Quality of Life Index Spinal Cord Injury - Version III].

Objective: To translate and culturally adapt to Portuguese the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index Spinal Cord Injury - Version III and characterize the sample in relation to sociodemographic and clinical aspects.

Method: A methodological study with view to cross-cultural adaptation, following the particular steps of this method: initial translation, translation synthesis, back-translation (translation back to the original language), review by a committee of judges and pretest of the final version. The pretest was carried out with 30 patients with spinal cord injury.

Effects of unstable shoes on trunk muscle activity and lumbar spine kinematics.

Background: In patients with neuromuscular disease and a forced vital capacity (FVC) of <30% of the predictive value, scoliosis correction operation was Background. An unstable shoe was developed as a walking device to strengthen the lower extremity muscles and reduce joint loading. A large number of studies have reported increased electromyographic (EMG) activity throughout the gait cycle in most of the lower limb muscles, and significant kinematic changes in the lower extremity.

Comparison of different sampling types across the rearing period in broiler flocks for isolation of Campylobacter spp.

Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of human gastrointestinal disease in most developed countries. It is generally accepted that poultry products are a significant source of foodborne Campylobacter infections in humans. Assessing the effectiveness of any potential intervention at farm level requires monitoring of the Campylobacter status of broiler flocks, using appropriate sampling methods.

Alternative options for prescribing physical activity among obese children and adolescents: brisk walking supported by an exergaming platform.

Background: Physical inactivity has been identified as an important public health concern for children. An increasing sedentary way of life is directly related to obesity; hence, prevention and management of childhood obesity are commonly based on lifestyle interventions wherein increasing physical activity is one of the main targets. The use of exergames can be useful in promoting physical activity, but it is necessary more research.

Cryoplasty versus angioplasty in the treatment of arterial restenosis in an experimental model of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Cryoplasty may reduce the incidence of post-angioplasty restenosis in peripheral atherosclerotic arteries. Our study is looking to investigate the mid-term effects (4 weeks) of an FDA-approved cryoplasty catheter (PolarCath(®), Boston Scientific) compared to a conventional angioplasty catheter using a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model of arterial restenosis based on diet plus vessel injury. Thirty-six normolipidemic, 3-month old male New Zealand White rabbits were used.

The presence and accuracy of food and nutrition terms in the Spanish and English editions of Wikipedia: in comparison with the Mini Larousse encyclopaedia.

Objectives: To determine the presence and appropriateness of the terminology concerning Food/Nutrition Science in the Spanish and English editions of Wikipedia and to compare them with that of an encyclopaedia for general use (Mini Larousse). Méthods: The terms in the study were taken from the LID dictionary on metabolism and nutrition: The existence and appropriateness of the selected terms were checked through random sample estimate with no replacement (n=386), using the Spanish and English editions of Wikipedia.

Results: The existence of 261 terms in the Spanish edition and 306 in the English edition was determined from the study sample (n=386).

Changes in sports injuries incidence over time in world-class road cyclists.

This is a descriptive epidemiologic survey on all traumatic and overuse injuries which occurred in 2 groups of male elite road cyclists based on retrospective clinical interviews and physical examinations. The historical group consisted of 65 professional road cyclists surveyed from 1983 to 1995. The contemporary group included 65 elite racers still active and reporting injuries from 2003 to 2009.

Immediate effects of active versus passive scapular correction on pain and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic neck pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of active vs passive scapular correction on pain and pressure pain threshold at the most symptomatic cervical segment in patients with chronic neck pain.

Methods: Twenty-three volunteers with chronic, idiopathic neck pain were recruited (age, 38.9 ± 14.

Ulnar nerve neurodynamic test: study of the normal sensory response in asymptomatic individuals.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To describe and analyze normal sensory responses to the ulnar upper-limb neurodynamic test (ULNT3) and to investigate the influence of sex and arm dominance.

Background: Neurodynamic tests are commonly used in the clinical evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal pain disorders.

Anatomical variations in the aortic bifurcation in new zealand white rabbits on arteriography.

The radiologic anatomy of the aortic bifurcation in the rabbit has received little study but it is important as this anatomical area is widely used in atherosclerosis research. Thirty rabbits were used to study the aortic bifurcation and subsequent branching patterns on arteriography. Fifteen different arteries were identified.

Comparison of mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy with biochemical methods for the determination of macronutrients in human milk.

The variability of human milk (HM) composition renders analysis of its components essential for optimal nutrition of preterm fed either with donor's or own mother's milk. To fulfil this requirement, various analytical instruments have been subjected to scientific and clinical evaluation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a rapid method for the analysis of macronutrients in HM as compared with the analytical methods applied by cow's milk industry.

Exercise intervention in childhood obesity: a randomized controlled trial comparing hospital-versus home-based groups.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a hospital clinic group- versus home-based combined exercise-diet program for the treatment of childhood obesity.

Methods: One hundred ten overweight/obese Spanish children and adolescents (6-16 years) in 2 intervention groups (hospital clinic group-based [n = 45] and home-based [n = 41]) and a sex-age-matched control group (n = 24) were randomly assigned to participate in a 6-month combined exercise (aerobic and resistance training) and Mediterranean diet program. Anthropometric values (including body weight, height, body mass index, BMI-Z score, and waist circumference) were measured pre- and postintervention for all the participants.

Impact of biomedical and biopsychosocial training sessions on the attitudes, beliefs, and recommendations of health care providers about low back pain: a randomised clinical trial.

The beliefs and attitudes of health care providers may contribute to chronic low back pain (LBP) disability, influencing the recommendations that they provide to their patients. An excessively biomedical style of undergraduate training can increase negative beliefs and attitudes about LBP, whereas instruction following a biopsychosocial model could possibly lessen these negative beliefs in health care professionals. The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of 2 brief educational modules with different orientations (biomedical or biopsychosocial) on changing the beliefs and attitudes of physical therapy students and the recommendations that they give to patients.

The kinetoplastid chemotherapy revisited: current drugs, recent advances and future perspectives.

Leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, caused by the kinetoplastid parasites Leishmania spp, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively, are among the most important parasitic diseases, affecting millions of people and considered to be within the most relevant group of neglected tropical diseases. The main alternative to control such parasitosis is chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the current chemotherapeutic treatments are far from being satisfactory.

Cocaine causes memory and learning impairments in rats: involvement of nuclear factor kappa B and oxidative stress, and prevention by topiramate.

Different mechanisms have been suggested for cocaine toxicity including an increase in oxidative stress but the association between oxidative status in the brain and cocaine induced-behaviour is poorly understood. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) is a sensor of oxidative stress and participates in memory formation that could be involved in drug toxicity and addiction mechanisms. Therefore NFkappaB activity, oxidative stress, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity, spatial learning and memory as well as the effect of topiramate, a previously proposed therapy for cocaine addiction, were evaluated in an experimental model of cocaine administration in rats.

Antioxidants rescue photoreceptors in rd1 mice: Relationship with thiol metabolism.

We have previously shown that the use of a combination of antioxidants delayed the degeneration process in rd1 mouse retina. In an effort to understand the mechanism of action of these substances (zeaxanthin, lutein, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, and Lycium barbarum extract) the changes in the levels of several proteins and oxidative stress markers in the rd1 retina have been studied. The treatment increased glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione levels and decreased cystine concentrations in rd1 retinas.

In vivo and in vitro anti-leishmanial activities of 4-nitro-N-pyrimidin- and N-pyrazin-2-ylbenzenesulfonamides, and N2-(4-nitrophenyl)-N1-propylglycinamide.

A series of compounds containing the nitrobenzene and sulfonamido moieties were synthesized and their leishmanicidal effect was assessed in vitro against Leishmaniainfantum promastigotes. Among the compounds evaluated, the p-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 4Aa and 4Ba, and the p-nitroaniline 5 showed significant activity with a good selectivity index. In a Balb/c mice model of L.

RhoE is spatiotemporally regulated in the postnatal mouse CNS.

Rnd proteins are a family of small GTPases that have been involved in axon path finding and CNS development by their control of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Rnd proteins are constitutively activated and, subsequently, their functions determined by their localization and expression levels. In this work we have analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry the levels and localization of Rnd3/RhoE during mouse postnatal development.

Expression of GLUT8 in mouse intestine: identification of alternative spliced variants.

GLUT8 is a facilitative glucose transporter composed of 10 exons coding for a 477 amino acids protein. It is mainly expressed in the testis, but it has also been studied in a number of tissues such as brain, adipose tissue, and liver. In this work, we have characterized the expression of GLUT8 in the small and large intestine under normal physiological conditions.

2-sulfonyliminodihydropyrimidines: a novel class of analgesic compounds.

A series of 2-sulfonyliminodihydropyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated in vivo for their antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. The results were compared with that of acetyl salicylic acid. Compounds 6Ab-d and 6Be displayed an interesting analgesic profile in the acetic acid-induced abdominal contractions test.