Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on torque and performance in recreational distance runners: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used by athletes to improve muscle performance. However, evidence on the use of NMES in long distance runners is scarce. As such, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of NMES on the muscle torque and sports performance of long-distance recreational runners. METHODS: This was a blinded randomized controlled trial. Data from 30 volunteers were analyzed. Participants were randomly allocated to an experimental (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). The experimental group was submitted to running training (RT) and a strengthening protocol with NMES (1 kHz, modulated in 2 ms bursts, 50 Hz modulated burst frequency and 10% duty cycle, 15 min totaling 18 contractions per sessions) for 6 weeks, with 3 sessions per week, while controls were submitted to RT alone. The following variables were analyzed: peak isometric (ISO), concentric (CON), and eccentric (ECC) torque of the quadriceps muscle in voluntary contractions, ventilatory anaerobic thresholds (VATs), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and oxygen cost of transport (OCT). RESULTS: The NMES group obtained higher values of ISO, 21.04% (p = 0.001), CON, 21.97% (p = 0.001) and ECC, 18.74% (p = 0.001) peak torque and VAT1, 9.56% (p = 0.001), as well as a statistically significant improvement in oxygen cost of transport at VAT1 when compared to controls (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: NMES was effective in improving peak isometric, concentric and eccentric quadriceps muscle torque, in addition to being an interesting resource for enhancing sports performance in long-distance recreational runners and future clinical trials should be performed to compare the use of NMES to different forms of training over longer training periods.

Pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from estuarine environments (Ceará, Brazil) - antimicrobial resistance and virulence potential profiles

ABSTRACT Detection of virulent strains associated with aquatic environment is a current concern for the management and control of human and animal health. Thus, Vibrio diversity was investigated in four estuaries from state of Ceará (Pacoti, Choró, Pirangi and Jaguaribe) followed by antimicrobial susceptibility to different antimicrobials used in aquaculture and detection of main virulence factors to human health. Isolation and identification were performed on TCBS agar (selective medium) and dichotomous key based on biochemical characteristics, respectively. Nineteen strains of genus Vibrio were catalogued. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Choró River) and V. alginolyticus (Pacoti River) were the most abundant species in the four estuaries. All strains were submitted to disk diffusion technique (15 antimicrobials were tested). Resistance was found to: penicillin (82%), ampicillin (54%), cephalotin (7%), aztreonan (1%), gentamicin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (0.5%). Five pathogenic strains were chosen to verification of virulence factors. Four estuaries showed a high abundance of species. High number of tested positive strains for virulence is concerning, since some of those strains are associated to human diseases, while others are known pathogens of aquatic organisms.

Pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from estuarine environments (Ceará, Brazil) - antimicrobial resistance and virulence potential profiles.

Detection of virulent strains associated with aquatic environment is a current concern for the management and control of human and animal health. Thus, Vibrio diversity was investigated in four estuaries from state of Ceará (Pacoti, Choró, Pirangi and Jaguaribe) followed by antimicrobial susceptibility to different antimicrobials used in aquaculture and detection of main virulence factors to human health. Isolation and identification were performed on TCBS agar (selective medium) and dichotomous key based on biochemical characteristics, respectively. Nineteen strains of genus Vibrio were catalogued. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Choró River) and V. alginolyticus (Pacoti River) were the most abundant species in the four estuaries. All strains were submitted to disk diffusion technique (15 antimicrobials were tested). Resistance was found to: penicillin (82%), ampicillin (54%), cephalotin (7%), aztreonan (1%), gentamicin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (0.5%). Five pathogenic strains were chosen to verification of virulence factors. Four estuaries showed a high abundance of species. High number of tested positive strains for virulence is concerning, since some of those strains are associated to human diseases, while others are known pathogens of aquatic organisms.

Effects of two physical therapy interventions in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: feasibility of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back pain is both a health and a socio-economic problem which is associated with disability as well as with emotional distress. The Mckenzie and Back School's techniques have been shown to be effective in the treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVES: to perform a preliminary analysis of the effects of these treatments in patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the following outcomes: pain, disability and trunk flexion range of motion and to test the feasibility of randomized controlled trial testing these interventions on this population. METHODS: the participants were assessed by a blinded assessor and randomly assigned into one of the treatment groups. The data analysis was performed in only 18 patients and the study is still ongoing, so the results are restricted to these patients, as a single group. RESULTS: the patients improved for the outcomes pain intensity (mean difference of 2.4 points and 95% CI 0.84 to 3.93) and disability (5.2 points and 95% CI 2.55 to 7.78), but no improvement in range of motion in flexion was observed (7.2 degrees 95% CI -1.82 to 16.29). CONCLUSION: the Mckenzie and Back School's approaches may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the outcomes pain intensity and disability. We also concluded that the study is feasible and we will continue performing the current study without any adjustments of the original research protocol. This study was prospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number ACTRN12610000435088.

Effects of two physical therapy interventions in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: feasibility of a randomized controlled trial / Efeitos de duas intervenções fisioterapêuticas em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não-específica: viabilidade de um estudo controlado aleatorizado

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back pain is both a health and a socio-economic problem which is associated with disability as well as with emotional distress. The Mckenzie and Back School’s techniques have been shown to be effective in the treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVES: to perform a preliminary analysis of the effects of these treatments in patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the following outcomes: pain, disability and trunk flexion range of motion and to test the feasibility of randomized controlled trial testing these interventions on this population. METHODS: the participants were assessed by a blinded assessor and randomly assigned into one of the treatment groups. The data analysis was performed in only 18 patients and the study is still ongoing, so the results are restricted to these patients, as a single group. RESULTS: the patients improved for the outcomes pain intensity (mean difference of 2.4 points and 95 percent CI 0.84 to 3.93) and disability (5.2 points and 95 percent CI 2.55 to 7.78), but no improvement in range of motion in flexion was observed (7.2 degrees 95 percent CI -1.82 to 16.29). CONCLUSION:the Mckenzie and Back School’s approaches may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the outcomes pain intensity and disability. We also concluded that the study is feasible and we will continue performing the current study without any adjustments of the original research protocol. This study was prospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number ACTRN12610000435088.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A dor lombar crônica não-específica é um problema de saúde associado à redução do desempenho funcional e a alterações emocionais. Os métodos Back School e Mckenzie têm se mostrado eficazes no tratamento desse sintoma. OBJETIVOS: Realizar uma análise preliminar da eficácia dessas técnicas em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não-específica para os desfechos intensidade da dor, desempenho funcional e amplitude de movimento (ADM) de flexão de coluna e testar a viabilidade da condução de um estudo controlado aleatorizado utilizando essas intervenções nessa população. MÉTODOS: Os indivíduos foram avaliados por um examinador cego e distribuídos aleatoriamente para os grupos de tratamento. A análise dos dados foi realizada em 18 pacientes, e o estudo continua em andamento, portanto os resultados apresentados se referem a esses pacientes como sendo de um só grupo. RESULTADOS:Os pacientes obtiveram melhora nos desfechos intensidade da dor (média das diferenças de 2,4 pontos e IC a 95 por cento - 0,84 a 3,93) e desempenho funcional (5,2 pontos e IC 95 por cento - 2,55 a 7,78), mas não para a ADM de flexão de coluna (7,2 graus e IC 95 por cento - 1,82 a 16,29). CONCLUSÃO: Os métodos Back School e Mckenzie podem ser benéficos no tratamento de indivíduos com dor lombar crônica não-específica. Além disso, concluiu-se que o estudo é viável e continua sem alterações no projeto inicial. Estudo previamente registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número ACTRN12610000435088.

Effectiveness of the back school and mckenzie techniques in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain is a highly prevalent condition, which is associated with high direct and indirect costs to the society. Although this condition is highly prevalent, it is still extremely difficult to treat. Two potentially useful treatments for patients with chronic low back pain are called the McKenzie and Back School treatment programs. These programs have good biological plausibility, are widely available and have a modest cost. Although these treatments are already available for patients, the evidence that supports their use is largely based on low quality methodological studies. Therefore, a high-quality randomised controlled trial is required to compare, for the first time, the effectiveness of these treatments in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred and forty-eight patients will be randomly allocated to a four-week treatment program based upon the McKenzie or Back School principles. Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, disability, quality of life, and trunk flexion range of motion) will be obtained at follow-up appointments at 1, 3 and 6 months after randomisation. The data will be collected by an assessor who will be blinded to the group allocation. DISCUSSION: This will be the first study aimed to compare the McKenzie and Back School approaches in patients with chronic low back pain. The results of this trial may help in the decision-making process of allied health providers for the treatment of chronic low back pain and reduce the health-related costs of this condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12610000435088.

Kanagawa-negative, tdh- and trh-positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from fresh oysters marketed in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Between October 2008 and June 2009, 15 samples of 10 live oysters each (Crassostrea rhizophorae) measuring 8.31-10.71 cm were purchased from a restaurant on the seashore of Fortaleza, Brazil. The Vibrio count ranged from 75 (estimated) to 43,500 CFU/g. Fourteen species were identified among the 56 isolated Vibrio strains, with V. parahaemolyticus as the most prevalent. Two of the 17 V. parahaemolyticus strains were urease-positive and tdh- and trh-positive on multiplex PCR, but neither produced ß-hemolysis halos in Wagatsuma agar. Thus, fresh oysters served in natura in Fortaleza, Brazil, were found to contain Vibrio strains known to cause gastroenteritis in humans.