ANALYSIS OF LOWER LIMBS’ STRENGTH AND ASYMMETRIES BY ISOKINETIC AND VERTICAL JUMP TESTS

The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between biomechanical characteristics of muscle force measured by isokinetic and vertical jump tests for each lower limb. Peak torque and total work of 46 professional male soccer players were assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s, 120°/s and 180°/s and maximal strength, maximal power and impulse were determined during countermovement jump (CMJ) on a double force platform. A factor analysis of all analyzed variables resulted in two independent factors (F1, F2), where factor F1 is characterized by peak torque and total work at 180o/s and factor F2 by maximal power and impulse during CMJ. Only low correlations between the variables determined by isokinetic test and CMJ were observed

ISOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF MEDIAL AND LATERAL ROTATORS RATIO OF GLENOHUMERAL JOINT IN MALE BRAZILIAN VOLLEYBALL TEAM

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ratio of medial and lateral rotators of glenohumeral joint in the male Brazilian Volleyball Team under 19 and 21 years-old. Twenty athletes under-19 and fifteen athletes under- 21, participated in this study. The Dynamometer Isokinetic Biodex 3 System Pro® was used to assess antagonist/agonist (RL/RM) ratio at 60º/s and 360º/s. A significant difference was found in ratio (RL/RM) between the categories, on the dominant limb (F= 11,840; p=0,0016 at 60º/s and F= 7,00; p= 0,0124 at 360º/s) and on the non-dominant (F= 20,269; p= 0.0001 at 60º/s and F= 11,223; p= 0,0020 at 360º/s). The under-21 athletes of Brazilian Volleyball Team presented RL/RM ratios below the expected values described in the literature

ISOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF HAMSTRINGS AND QUADRICEPS MUSCLES IN THE MALE AND FEMALE TAEKWONDO BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ratio and peak torque of hamstring and quadriceps of knee joint in male and female athletes of the Taekwondo Brazilian National Team. Six women and six men had been evaluated. The Isokinetic Dynamometer Biodex 3 System Pro® was used to assess hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio at 60o/s and 300o/s. All athletes presented the H/Q ratio below 60% at 60 o/s and below 75% at 300o/s. The dominant limb had the lowest values of ratio H/Q and flexor peak torque compared with the non-dominant limb at both speeds

Influência da concentração de extratos de malte e do açúcar adicionado no teor de açúcar total de refrigerantes de malte

 O açúcar representa de 8 a 12 % do produto final, formando, junto com a água, a base do refrigerante. O delineamento composto central rotacional (DCCR) foi empregado para avaliar a influência das concentrações de extrato de malte Pilsen (EMP) e torrado (EMT) e do teor de açúcar adicionado (TAA) no teor de açúcar total (TAT) de refrigerantes de malte. O valor de TAT máximo encontrado foi de 19,6 ºBrix, que ocorreu na formulação contendo 4,6% de EMP, 11,7% de EMT e 11,8% de TAA. Já o valor de TAT mínimo encontrado foi de 3,9 ºBrix, que ocorreu na formulação contendo 4,0% de EMP, 7,6% de EMT e 0,0% de TAA

Study of the best condition for the use of combined drying technologies in artisanal noodle pasta, to improve the technological characteristic and consequent retention of nutrientes

Pasta is a popular food item that is produced in several shapes and dimensions. Therefore, the industry and research need updates regarding novel technologies applicable to the processing of new products. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of drying pasta arranged in nests using a convective dryer combined with a microwave oven and that influence the offer of a more nutritious product for the consumer. An experimental design was carried out in five assays with varying conditions of drying temperature and microwave oven power. After drying, moisture analyses were performed to assess whether or not the samples were in accordance with the legislation (moisture content not higher than 13%). Technological quality analyses were also carried out. Assay 5 (60°C / 107 W) led to the best drying condition, as indicated by the lowest loss of soluble solids and the shortest cooking time. Thus, this condition is considered ideal for conducting further research on the development and shelf life evaluations of pasta

Pronação excessiva e varismos de pé e perna: relação com o desenvolvimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas - Revisão de Literatura

A literatura propõe mecanismos biomecânicos que relacionam a pronação subtalar excessiva ao desenvolvimento de diversas patologias músculo-esqueléticas. A presença dos desalinhamentos anatômicos antepé varo, retropé varo e tíbia vara pode levar à ocorrência da pronação subtalar excessiva. Entretanto, não existe um consenso sobre a contribuição do padrão de movimento e da presença desses desalinhamentos para o desenvolvimento de patologias. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura para investigar a influência de varismos aumentados de antepé, retropé e tíbia e da pronação subtalar excessiva no surgimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica sistematizada nas bases Medline, ISI - Web of Science, Lilacs e Scielo, tendo sido selecionados 13 estudos analíticos. Do total de 13 estudos, 10 encontraram associação de patologias no membro inferior com um ou mais dos desalinhamentos anatômicos analisados ou com um ou mais parâmetros cinemáticos relacionadas à pronação subtalar excessiva. A análise dos estudos sugere que a pronação subtalar excessiva e/ou a presença de desalinhamentos que podem levar a esse padrão de movimento são possíveis fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de patologias músculo-esqueléticas no membro inferior.The literature proposes biomechanical mechanisms that link excessive subtalar joint pronation to the development of several musculoskeletal pathologies. The presence of forefoot varus, rearfoot varus and tibiofibular varum can lead to the occurrence of excessive subtalar pronation. However, there is no consensus about the contribution of the movement pattern and/or the presence of these anatomical misalignments to the development of pathologies. The aim of the present study was to conduct a literature review in order to investigate the influence of increased varus alignment of forefoot, rearfoot and shank and of excessive subtalar pronation on the development of musculoskeletal pathologies. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases Medline, ISI - Web of Science, Lilacs and Scielo, and 13 analytic studies were selected. Ten studies found significant associations of lower-limb musculoskeletal pathologies with one or more of the anatomical misalignments analyzed or with one or more kinematic parameters related to excessive subtalar pronation. The analysis of the studies suggests that excessive pronation and/or the presence of these anatomical misalagniments should be regarded as possible risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal pathologies in the lower limb

Alterações musculares em indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior

Patients with upper motor neuron lesions (UMNL) experience movement and posture dysfunction, which hinder their mobility and performance in daily activities. Traditionally, spasticity has been considered the major determinant of movement dysfunction in these individuals. However, there is evidence that changes in muscle characteristics may contribute to movement deficits in this population. The aim of this study was to critically appraise the literature regarding characterization of passive stiffness, length-tension relationship and extensibility of muscles of individuals with UMNL. The review shows that patients with UMNL present increase in passive stiffness, shifts in the length-tension relationship, and decrease in muscle extensibility. Such alterations appear to be the result of tissue remodelling in response to specific patterns of use, with histochemical and histological alterations. Such changes in muscle tissues, in turn, may contribute to movement and posture patterns presented by these patients. The interplay between muscle properties and movement function needs to be addressed in more detail to allow the elaboration of more efficient strategies of intervention to promote functional improvement of the population with neurological deficits.Indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior (LNMS) apresentam disfunções do movimento e postura que prejudicam a mobilidade e o desempenho de tarefas de vida diária. A espasticidade tem sido considerada tradicionalmente o principal determinante das disfunçõesmotoras desses indivíduos. No entanto, há evidências de que alterações nas características musculares dessa população possam contribuir para os défices motores. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma análise crítica da literatura referente à caracterização da rigidez passiva, curva comprimento-tensão e comprimento dos músculos de indivíduos com lesão do neurônio motor superior (LNMS). A literatura revisada traz evidências de que pacientes com LNMS apresentam aumento da rigidez passiva, deslocamento das curvas comprimento-tensão e diminuição de comprimento muscular. Tais alterações parecem decorrer de remodelaçãotecidual em resposta a padrões diferenciados de uso, com modificações histoquímicas e histológicas do tecido muscular. As alterações das características musculares podem, por sua vez, contribuir para os padrões de postura e movimento atópicos. A interação entre as propriedades musculares e a função motora precisa ser melhor investigada, para que possam ser elaboradas estratégias de intervenção mais eficazes para a promoção de ganhos funcionais na população com défices neurológicos

Molecular characterization of the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis hsp60-hsp10 operon, and evaluation of the immune response and protective efficacy induced by hsp60 DNA vaccination in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses in mammals. We identified and characterized the <it>hsp60-hsp10 </it>bicistronic operon of the animal pathogen <it>Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis</it>, a Gram-positive bacterium of the class <it>Actinobacteria</it>, which causes caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in small ruminants.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>To construct the DNA vaccine, the <it>hsp60 </it>gene of <it>C. pseudotuberculosis </it>was cloned in a mammalian expression vector. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with the recombinant plasmid (pVAX1/<it>hsp60</it>).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This vaccination induced significant anti-hsp60 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a isotype production. However, immunization with this DNA vaccine did not confer protective immunity.</p

Mudanças antropométricas e habilidade motora em crianças no início da marcha independente

Changes in infants’ body dimensions occurring during development may impose specific motor demands at the onset of independent walking. That is, anthropometric features may influence infants’ gross motor performance. This study aimed at assessing the association between weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) with motor performance of typically developing infants, comparing two groups of infants with different BMI values in regard to motor performance. Weight, height, and BMI measures of 10 infants were obtained during the week of onset of independent walking. Motor performance of all infants was assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) one week later. Results show significant correlations between BMI and motor performance (r= -0.850; p=0,002) and between weight and motor performance (r= -0.701; p= 0.024). The correlation between height and motor performance was not significant (r= -0.495; p=0.145). The two groups of infants separated by the median value of the BMI distribution showed significant differences in gross motor performance (t=3.795; p=0.005), the group with higher BMI showing lower AIMS scores. These results suggest that anthropometric features are associated with gross motor performance in infants at early stages of independent walking.As mudanças nas proporções corporais durante o desenvolvimento infantil podem impor uma demanda motora diferenciada às crianças durante o início da marcha independente, ou seja, as características antropométricas podem exercer influência em seu desempenho motor grosso. Este estudo visou avaliar a associação entre as variáveis massa corporal, estatura eíndice de massa corporal (IMC) com o desempenho motor de crianças com desenvolvimento típico, comparando o desempenho motor entre dois grupos de crianças com diferentes IMC. As medidas de massa corporal, estatura e IMC de 10 crianças foram obtidas na semana de aquisição da marcha independente e a avaliação do desempenho motor foi realizada pela Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) uma semana após essa primeira avaliação. Os resultados revelaram associações significativas entre as variáveis IMC e desempenho motor (r= –0,850; p=0,002) e entre massa corporal e desempenho motor (r= –0,701; p=0,024), enquanto a associação entre estatura e desempenho motor não foi significativa (r= –0,495; p=0,145). Os dois grupos separados pelo índice mediano da distribuição do IMC apresentaram diferenças significativas (t=3,795; p=0,005) no desempenho motor grosso, sendo que as crianças commaiores valores de IMC apresentaram escores mais baixos no teste AIMS. Esses resultados indicam que as características antropométricas estão associadas com o desempenho motor grosso de crianças no período inicial de aquisição da marcha independente