The basement membrane regulates the cellular localization and the cytoplasmic interactome of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in mammary epithelial cells.

The Hippo pathway, a signaling cascade involved in the regulation of organ size and several other processes, acts as a conduit between extracellular matrix (ECM) cues and cellular responses. We asked whether the basement membrane (BM), a specialized ECM component known to induce quiescence and differentiation in mammary epithelial cells, would regulate the localization, activity, and interactome of YAP, a Hippo pathway effector. To address this question, we used a broad range of experimental approaches, including 2D and 3D cultures of both mouse and human mammary epithelial cells, as well as the developing mouse mammary gland. In contrast to malignant cells, nontumoral cells cultured with a reconstituted BM (rBM) displayed higher concentrations of YAP in the cytoplasm. Incidentally, when in the nucleus of rBM-treated cells, YAP resided preferentially at the nuclear periphery. In agreement with our cell culture experiments, YAP exhibited cytoplasmic predominance in ductal cells of developing mammary epithelia, where a denser BM is found. Conversely, terminal end bud (TEB) cells with a thinner BM displayed higher nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratios of YAP. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that genes regulated by YAP were overrepresented in the transcriptomes of microdissected TEBs. Consistently, mouse epithelial cells exposed to the rBM expressed lower levels of YAP-regulated genes, although the protein level of YAP and Hippo components were slightly altered by the treatment. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a differential set of proteins interacting with YAP in cytoplasmic fractions of mouse epithelial cells in the absence or presence of rBM. In untreated cells, YAP interactants were enriched in processes related to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, whereas in cells exposed to rBM YAP interactants were mainly key proteins related to amino acid, amino sugar, and carbohydrate metabolism. Collectively, we unraveled that the BM induces YAP translocation or retention in the cytoplasm of nontumoral epithelial cells and that in the cytoplasm YAP seems to undertake novel functions in metabolic pathways.

Challenges and Recent Progress on Solid-State Batteries and Electrolytes, using Qualitative Systematic Analysis. A Short Review.

The rise in the energy demand, the need to decrease the use of fossil fuels, expanding investments in renewable energy and boosting the electric vehicle market, opens the door to new technologies in clean energy accumulators. Lithium-ion batteries are the most advanced technology in the market but have safety concerns due to the flammability of the electrolyte, which opens the door to innovations. One of these innovations is the solid-state batteries (SSB), which, by using solid electrolytes, do not have the flammable risk, bringing safety to users while reaching similar energy and power densities. This work presents a review about SSB, based on qualitative and exploratory research, using the Web of Science (WoS) platform. Keywords used to gather information from the database were "solid state batteries" and "electrolytes". Only publications from 2018 to 2023 were selected. The main research focus is to solve the challenges posed by the different physical-chemical phenomena of the SSB. This work focuses on the general comprehension of the SSB batteries, what are the factors that can affect it and the main solutions presented in the literature the last five years.

Influence of Aerobic Training on The Mechanics of Ventricular Contraction After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study.

The study of myocardial contractility, based on the new anatomical concepts that govern cardiac mechanics, represents a promising strategy of analysis of myocardial adaptations related to physical training in the context of post-infarction. We investigated the influence of aerobic training on physical capacity and on the evaluation parameters of left ventricular contraction mechanics in patients with myocardial infarction. Thirty-one patients (55.1 ± 8.9 years) who had myocardial infarction in the anterior wall were prospectively investigated in three groups: interval training group (ITG) (n = 10), moderate training group (MTG) n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 10). Before and after 12 weeks of clinical follow-up, patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The trained groups performed supervised aerobic training on treadmill, in two different intensities. A statistically significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was observed in the ITG (19.2 ± 5.1 at 21.9 ± 5.6 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01) and in the MTG 18.8 ± 3.7 to 21.6 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01). The GC did not present a statistically significant change in peak VO2. A statistically significant increase in radial strain (STRAD) was observed in the CG: basal STRAD (57.4 ± 16.6 to 84.1 ± 30.9%, p < 0.05), medial STRAD (57.8 ± 27, 9 to 74.3 ± 36.1%, p < 0.05) and apical STRAD (38.2 ± 26.0 to 52.4 ± 29.8%, p < 0.01). The trained groups did not present a statistically significant change of the radial strain. The present study points to a potential clinical application of the parameters of ventricular contraction mechanics analysis, especially radial strain, to discriminate post-infarction myocardial adaptations between patients submitted or not to aerobic training programs.

Influence of Aerobic Training on The Mechanics of Ventricular Contraction After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study / Influência do Treinamento Aeróbico na Mecânica de Contração Ventricular após Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio: Estudo Piloto

Abstract The study of myocardial contractility, based on the new anatomical concepts that govern cardiac mechanics, represents a promising strategy of analysis of myocardial adaptations related to physical training in the context of post-infarction. We investigated the influence of aerobic training on physical capacity and on the evaluation parameters of left ventricular contraction mechanics in patients with myocardial infarction. Thirty-one patients (55.1 ± 8.9 years) who had myocardial infarction in the anterior wall were prospectively investigated in three groups: interval training group (ITG) (n = 10), moderate training group (MTG) n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 10). Before and after 12 weeks of clinical follow-up, patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The trained groups performed supervised aerobic training on treadmill, in two different intensities. A statistically significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was observed in the ITG (19.2 ± 5.1 at 21.9 ± 5.6 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01) and in the MTG 18.8 ± 3.7 to 21.6 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01). The GC did not present a statistically significant change in peak VO2. A statistically significant increase in radial strain (STRAD) was observed in the CG: basal STRAD (57.4 ± 16.6 to 84.1 ± 30.9%, p < 0.05), medial STRAD (57.8 ± 27, 9 to 74.3 ± 36.1%, p < 0.05) and apical STRAD (38.2 ± 26.0 to 52.4 ± 29.8%, p < 0.01). The trained groups did not present a statistically significant change of the radial strain. The present study points to a potential clinical application of the parameters of ventricular contraction mechanics analysis, especially radial strain, to discriminate post-infarction myocardial adaptations between patients submitted or not to aerobic training programs.

Resumo O estudo da contratilidade miocárdica, baseado nos novos conceitos anatômicos que regem a mecânica cardíaca, representa uma estratégia promissora de análise das adaptações do miocárdio relacionadas ao treinamento físico no contexto do pós-infarto. Nós investigamos a influência do treinamento aeróbico na capacidade física e nos parâmetros de avaliação da mecânica de contração do ventrículo esquerdo em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio. Foram prospectivamente investigados 30 pacientes, 55,1 ± 8,9 anos, acometidos por infarto do miocárdio de parede anterior, aleatorizados em três grupos: grupo treinamento intervalado (GTI) (n = 10), grupo treinamento moderado (GTM) (n=10) e grupo controle (GC) (n = 10). Antes e após as 12 semanas de seguimento clínico, os pacientes realizaram teste cardiopulmonar de exercício e ressonância magnética cardíaca. Os grupos treinados realizaram treinamento aeróbico supervisionado, em esteira ergométrica, aplicando-se duas intensidades distintas. Observou-se aumento estatisticamente significante do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) pico no GTI (19,2 ± 5,1 para 21,9 ± 5,6 ml/kg/min, p < 0,01) e no GTM (18,8 ± 3,7 para 21,6 ± 4,5 ml/kg/min, p < 0,01). O GC não apresentou mudança estatisticamente significante no VO2 pico. Houve aumento estatisticamente significante do strain radial (STRAD) somente no GC: STRAD basal (57,4 ± 16,6 para 84,1 ± 30,9%, p < 0,05), STRAD medial (57,8 ± 27,9 para 74,3 ± 36,1%, p < 0,05) e STRAD apical (38,2 ± 26,0 para 52,4 ± 29,8%, p < 0,01). Os grupos treinados não apresentaram mudança estatisticamente significante do strain radial. Os achados do presente estudo apontam para uma potencial aplicação clínica dos parâmetros de análise da mecânica de contração ventricular, notadamente do strain radial, em discriminar adaptações do miocárdio pós-infarto entre pacientes submetidos ou não a programas de treinamento aeróbico.

Pilot study testing the effect of physical training over the myocardial perfusion and quality of life in patients with primary microvascular angina.

BACKGROUND: Primary microvascular angina (PMA) is a common clinical condition associated to negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and reduced physical capacity. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on myocardial perfusion, physical capacity, and QOL in patients with PMA. METHODS: We investigated 12 patients (53.8 ± 9.7 years old; 7 women) with PMA, characterized by angina, angiographycally normal coronary arteries, and reversible perfusion defects (RPDs) detected on (99m)Tc-sestamibi-SPECT myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). At baseline and after 4 month of APT, the patients underwent MPS, cardiopulmonary test, and QOL questionnaire. Stress-rest MPS images were visually analyzed by attributing semi-quantitative scores (0 = normal; 4 = absent uptake), using a 17-segment left ventricular model. Summed stress, rest, and difference scores (SDS) were calculated. RESULTS: In comparison to the baseline, in the post-training we observed a significant increase in peak-VO2 (19.4 ± 4.8 and 22.1 ± 6.2 mL·kg(-1)·minute(-1), respectively, P = .01), reduction of SDS (10.1 ± 8.8 and 2.8 ± 4.9, P = .008), and improvement in QOL scores. CONCLUSIONS: Physical training in patients with PMA is associated with reduction of myocardial perfusion abnormalities, increasing of physical capacity, and improvement in QOL. The findings of this hypothesis-generating study suggest that APT can be a valid therapeutic option for patients with PMA.

Contribution of cardiopulmonary exercise testing to the identification of latent systolic dysfunction in chronic aortic regurgitation.

Chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) is a valvulopathy of slow and insidious evolution, and patients may remain asymptomatic for a long period of time. Exercise-induced systolic dysfunction occurs during the natural history of chronic AR and is related to changes in both preload and afterload. We describe the case of a 58-year-old woman with a diagnosis of chronic AR who reported progressive dyspnea of six years' duration. A cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess functional capacity showed flattening of both oxygen uptake and oxygen pulse curves, suggesting latent systolic dysfunction related to chronic AR, which was later confirmed by stress Doppler echocardiogram with dynamic physical exercise.

Produção do girassol e teor de óleo nos aquênios em função da temperatura do ar, precipitação pluvial e radiação solar / Yield of sunflower and oil seed content as a function of air temperature, rainfall and solar radiation

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da temperatura do ar, precipitação pluvial e radiação solar, ocorridos em cada fase fenológica da cultura do girassol, na produção de aquênios, no teor de óleo dos aquênios e na produção de óleo do girassol. Foram conduzidos dez experimentos em intervalos de 20 dias, com início em 30/07/2007 e término em 28/01/2008. Cada experimento constituiu uma época de semeadura. Para verificar a normalidade dos erros e homogeneidade das variâncias, inicialmente, realizou-se uma análise individual por experimento para, em seguida, realizar análise conjunta. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos (cultivares) e quatro repetições, em cada época de semeadura. Houve interação entre épocas de semeadura e cultivares para todas as variáveis estudadas. Foram feitas análises de correlação entre as variáveis meteorológicas e as de produção do girassol. A produção de aquênios, teor de óleo e produção de óleo nas cultivares de girassol foram mais elevados quando ocorreram temperaturas mais baixas na fase vegetativa, maiores precipitações pluviais na floração e maiores índices de radiação solar na fase vegetativa e de enchimento de aquênios.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of air temperature, rainfall and solar radiation occurring during each phonological phase of the sunflower crop, on yield of achenes, on oil content of achenes and on oil yield in sunflower. Ten experiments were carried out at Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil, with intervals of 20 days, beginning on July 30, 2007 and finishing on January 28, 2008. Each sowing time constituted an experiment. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments (cultivars) and four replicates. It was performed the analysis of variance of each experiment separately and, after that, the joint analysis of all experiments. There was interaction between sowing date and cultivars for all the studied variables. Correlation analysis between meteorological and yield variables of sunflower were performed. The achene yield, oil content and oil yield in sunflower cultivars were higher when there were lower temperatures in the vegetative phase, higher rainfall at flowering and higher levels of radiation in the vegetative and filling of achenes phase.

Produção do girassol e teor de óleo nas sementes em diferentes épocas de semeadura no Centro-Sul do Paraná / Sunflower yield and oil seed content at different sowing dates in the southern central region of Paraná state

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de dez épocas de semeadura na produção de aquênios, no teor de óleo dos aquênios e, como consequência, na produção de óleo em quatro cultivares de girassol em Ponta Grossa, PR. Dessa forma, foram conduzidos dez experimentos em intervalos de 20 dias, com início em 30/07/2007 e término em 28/01/2008. Cada experimento constituía uma época de semeadura e, para verificar a normalidade dos erros e homogeneidade das variâncias, inicialmente, realizou-se uma análise individual por experimento para, em seguida, realizar análise conjunta. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições, em cada época de semeadura. Entre épocas de semeadura e cultivares, houve interação para todas as variáveis estudadas, sendo que as maiores produções de aquênios e de óleo ocorreram nas semeaduras do final de julho, mês de agosto e de setembro. O teor de óleo dos aquênios foi maior nas primeiras épocas de semeadura, diminuindo nas épocas mais tardias, enquanto as maiores produções de aquênios foram obtidas com as cultivares 'M734' e 'Aguará 4'.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of ten sowing date on achenes yield, on achenes oil content s and, as a consequence, on oil yield in four cultivars of sunflower. Ten experiments were carried out at Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil, with intervals of 20 days, beginning on July 30, 2007 and finishing on January 28, 2008. Each sowing time constituted an experiment. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design, with four treatments (cultivars) and four replicates. It was performed the analysis of variance of each experiment separately and, after that, the joint analysis of all experiments. There was interaction between sowing date and cultivars for all the studied variables. The highest achenes yield s and oil occurred at the end of July, in August and in September. The achenes oil content was higher in the earlier sowing dates, decreasing in the later sowing dates. The cultivars 'M734' and 'Aguará 4' had the highest achenes yield.

Insuficiência cardíaca: comparação entre o teste de caminhada de seis minutos e o teste cardiopulmonar / Heart failure: comparison between six-minute walk test and cardiopulmonary test / Insuficiencia cardíaca: comparación entre el test de esfuerzo de seis minutos y el test cardiopulmonar

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência cardíaca crônica (IC) é uma síndrome complexa caracterizada pela redução do débito cardíaco em relação às necessidades metabólicas do organismo, bem como alterações metabólicas e do eixo neuro-hormonal. Sintomas como fadiga muscular e dispneia são notórios e os testes de esforço são amplamente utilizados para a avaliação da capacidade funcional, prognóstico e eficácia das intervenções terapêuticas nessa síndrome. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a reprodutibilidade do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6') em pacientes com IC e correlacionar a magnitude das variáveis atingidas no pico do esforço do TC6' com as de um teste cardiopulmonar (TCP). MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 16 pacientes (12 homens e 4 mulheres) com diagnóstico de IC CF I-II (NYHA). Os voluntários foram submetidos a dois testes TC6' (TC6'1 e TC6'2) com intervalo de 30 minutos entre eles; posteriormente realizaram um TCP máximo. RESULTADOS: Todas as variáveis obtidas nos dois TC6' mostraram-se significantes, com altas correlações: distância percorrida (DP) (r = 0,93; p < 0,0001), frequência cardíaca (FC) (r = 0,89; p < 0,0001), consumo de oxigênio (VO2) (r = 0,93; p < 0,0001) e escala de percepção de esforço (r = 0,85; p < 0,0001). Por sua vez, todas as variáveis analisadas no TC6' mostraram correlações moderadas e significantes com as variáveis obtidas no TCP, a saber: FC pico (r = 0,66; p = 0,005); VO2 (r = 0,57; p = 0,02) e VO2 no TCP e DP no TC6'2 (r = 0,70; p = 0,002). CONCLUSÃO: O TC6' foi reprodutível nesse grupo de pacientes com IC (NYHA - I-II) e se correlacionou com o TCP. Sendo assim, apresenta-se como ferramenta de avaliação fidedigna, constituindo-se numa alternativa adequada, segura e de baixo custo para a prescrição de exercícios físicos aeróbicos em pacientes com IC.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by reduced cardiac output in relation to the metabolic needs of the organism, as well as metabolic and neurohormonal axis abnormalities. Symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnoea are notorious and stress tests are widely used to assess functional capacity, prognosis and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of the six-minute walk test (6MW) in patients with HF and correlate the magnitude of the variables reached at peak exercise of the 6MWT with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). METHODS: We studied 16 patients (12 men and 4 women) diagnosed with HF FC I-II (NYHA). The volunteers underwent two 6MWT (6MWT'1 and 6MWT'2) with 30-minute interval between them; then, they underwent a maximum CPET. RESULTS: All variables obtained in the two 6MWT' proved to be significant with high correlations: distance walked (DW) (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001), heart rate (HR) (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001), oxygen consumption (VO2) (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001) and scale of perceived exertion (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001). In turn, all variables analyzed in the 6MWT' showed significant and moderate correlations with the variables obtained from the CPET, namely: peak HR (r = 0.66; p = 0.005); VO2 (r = 0.57; p = 0.02) and VO2 in the CPET and DT in the 6MWT'2 (r = 0.70; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The 6MWT was reproducible in this group of patients with HF (NYHA - I-II) and correlated with the CPET. Therefore, it is a tool for reliable evaluation, and a suitable, safe and low-cost alternative for the prescription of aerobic exercise in patients with HF.

FUNDAMENTO: La insuficiencia cardíaca crónica (IC), es un síndrome complejo que se caracteriza por la reducción del débito cardíaco con relación a las necesidades metabólicas del organismo, como también por las alteraciones metabólicas y del eje neuro hormonal. Los síntomas como el cansancio muscular y la disnea son notables y los test de esfuerzo son ampliamente utilizados para la evaluación de la capacidad funcional, pronóstico y eficacia de las intervenciones terapéuticas en ese síndrome. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la reproductibilidad del test de esfuerzo de seis minutos (TE6') en pacientes con IC y correlacionar la magnitud de las variables alcanzadas en el pico del esfuerzo del TE6' con las de un test cardiopulmonar (TECP). MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 16 pacientes (12 hombres y 4 mujeres) con un diagnóstico de IC CF I-II (NYHA). Los voluntarios se sometieron a dos test TE6' (TC6'1 y TC6'2), con un intervalo de 30 minutos entre ellos. Posteriormente realizaron un TECP máximo. RESULTADOS: Todas las variables obtenidas en los dos TE6' fueron significativas, y con altas correlaciones: distancia recorrida (DR) (r = 0,93; p < 0,0001), frecuencia cardíaca (FC) (r = 0,89; p < 0,0001), consumo de oxígeno (VO2) (r = 0,93; p < 0,0001) y escala de percepción de esfuerzo (r = 0,85; p < 0,0001). A su vez, todas las variables analizadas en el TE6' mostraron correlaciones moderadas y significativas con las variables obtenidas en el TECP, a saber: FC pico (r = 0,66; p = 0,005); VO2 (r = 0,57; p = 0,02) y VO2 en el TECP y DR en el TE6'2 (r = 0,70; p = 0,002). CONCLUSIÓN: El TE6' se pudo reproducir en ese grupo de pacientes con IC (NYHA - I-II) y se correlacionó con el TECP. Por lo tanto, se presenta como una herramienta de evaluación fidedigna y constituye una alternativa adecuada, segura y de bajo coste para la prescripción de ejercicios físicos aeróbicos en pacientes con IC.

Heart failure: comparison between six-minute walk test and cardiopulmonary test.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by reduced cardiac output in relation to the metabolic needs of the organism, as well as metabolic and neurohormonal axis abnormalities. Symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnoea are notorious and stress tests are widely used to assess functional capacity, prognosis and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of the six-minute walk test (6MW) in patients with HF and correlate the magnitude of the variables reached at peak exercise of the 6MWT with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). METHODS: We studied 16 patients (12 men and 4 women) diagnosed with HF FC I-II (NYHA). The volunteers underwent two 6MWT (6MWT'1 and 6MWT'2) with 30-minute interval between them; then, they underwent a maximum CPET. RESULTS: All variables obtained in the two 6MWT' proved to be significant with high correlations: distance walked (DW) (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001), heart rate (HR) (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001), oxygen consumption (VO2) (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001) and scale of perceived exertion (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001). In turn, all variables analyzed in the 6MWT' showed significant and moderate correlations with the variables obtained from the CPET, namely: peak HR (r = 0.66; p = 0.005); VO2 (r = 0.57; p = 0.02) and VO2 in the CPET and DT in the 6MWT'2 (r = 0.70; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The 6MWT was reproducible in this group of patients with HF (NYHA - I-II) and correlated with the CPET. Therefore, it is a tool for reliable evaluation, and a suitable, safe and low-cost alternative for the prescription of aerobic exercise in patients with HF.

Teste de sentar e alcançar sem banco como alternativa para a medida de flexibilidade de crianças e adolescentes / Sit and reach without bench as alternative to flexibility measure in children and adolescent

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram a) identificar a relação entre o teste de SA com banco (SACB) e o teste de SA sem banco (SASB) em crianças e adolescentes, e; b) propor uma equação de regressão de predição do teste de SACB a partir do teste de SASB. A amostra foi composta por 698 crianças e adolescentes, sendo 357 rapazes e 341 moças, na faixa etária entre 7 e 17 anos, oriundos do banco de dados do PROESP-BR. Para o tratamento dos dados utilizamos a correlação linear de Pearson e regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados sugerem uma relação linear positiva e alta (r=0,885) entre os resultados dos dois testes de SA. Quando as variáveis sexo e grupo etários (GE1 - 7 a 10 anos; do GE2 - 11 a 13 anos; e do GE3 - 14 a 17 anos) são consideradas, os resultados indicam que os valores de correlação ficam menores no sexo masculino e no GE1 nos dois sexos, e maiores no sexo feminino e nos GE2 e GE3 nos dois sexos. Diante disto, optamos por acrescentar ao modelo de estimativa do teste de SACB a partir do teste de SASB as variáveis sexo e GE. O resultado da análise de regressão disponibilizou uma equação com capacidade de determinação de 78,8%. Portanto, baseado no grau de relação linear entre as variáveis podemos através de uma predizer a outra, ou seja, tanto o protocolo com banco quanto o sem banco podem nos informar resultados análogos no que se refere à flexibilidade. Deste modo, o teste SASB poderá ser utilizado como um instrumento alternativo, sendo de fácil aplicação e principalmente de baixo custo, facilitando, assim, a busca de informações da flexibilidade de crianças e adolescentes.

The goals of this study was a) to verify the possible relations between the sit and reach test with chair (SR) and without chair (VSR) in children and adolescents, and b) to porpoise a regression equation to predict the SR from VSR. The sample was composed for 698 children and adolescents (357 boys and 341 girls) between 7 to 17 years old from the PROESP-BR dates? bank. The dates analyze was made with the Pearson correlation and with multiple linear regression. The results suggest a positive and high (r=0,885) correlation between SR and VSR. When the sex and age group (AG1 - 7 to 10 years old; do AG2 - 11 to 13 years old; and AG3 - 14 to 17 years old) variables are consider, correlation coefficients get lower at male sex and at AG1 for both sex, and get high AG2 and AG3 for both sex. Before this, we chose to add the sex and AG variable in SR test model estimate from VSR. The regression analyze results released a equation with 78,8% determination capacity. Therefore, considering the relation degree between flexibility tests, we can predict one using the results of the other. Thus, the VSR can be used as an alternative instrument for the children and adolescents flexibility measured.

Pulsoterapia em dermato/polimiosite grave com paralisia respiratória / Pulse therapy in severe dermato/polymyositis with respiratory paralysis

Os autores apresentam caso de DM/PM em paciente de nove anos, sexo feminino, que após um ano com quadro de fraqueza muscular, febre, poliartralgia, apresentou complicaçäo grave consequente a paralisia dos músculos respiratórios com indicaçäo de traqueostomia e respiraçäo artificial. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por estudo enzimático, eletromiográfico e histopatológico de músculo. Instituída medicaçäo de 40/60 mg de prednisona por dia, näo houve sinais de recuperaçäo. Indicou-se pulsoterapia com metilprednisolona na dose de 1g e.v./dia por três dias seguidos, voltando-se ao esquema anterior. Uma semana após o início da pulsoterapia, a paciente passou a apresentar sinais de evidente melhora da movimentaçäo articular, e um mês após, a paciente ficou liberada da prótese respiratória. Há três anos encontra-se bem, com dose de manutençäo de 5 mg de prednisona, em controle ambulatorial e freqüentando escola