Spirometry reference values in the Brazilian population.

The aim of the present study was to provide new spirometry reference equations in a sample of the Brazilian population for the following parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak of expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 50% (FEF50%), 75% average vital capacity (FEF25-75%), and average forced expiratory flow time (FEFT). This was a prospective study using results from chest radiographs, electrocardiograms, and questionnaires to investigate the participants' respiratory symptoms, sedentarism, and comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index). From December 2010 to July 2014, individuals were randomly selected from various locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro. All individuals were examined by a single technician in the morning at the laboratory, and performed the spirometry with the same spirometer. Spirometry values were tabulated for the creation of three equation models: linear regression, logarithmic regression, and logarithms through a method that incorporates the lambda, median, and coefficient of variation (LMS method). Initially, 7003 individuals from both genders were contacted, and 454 were recruited. The data from the new equations were compared with one Brazilian and eight international equations, resulting in a high correlation (r>0.9). The values derived from the LMS method and linear regression were very similar (P>0.5), and both could be used to acquire the reference values for Brazilian spirometry. Data derived from the equations of this study were different from the current Brazilian equation, which could be justified by the different method used.

Can we use the 6-minute step test instead of the 6-minute walking test? An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether or not heart rate is maintained below the calculated submaximal level in healthy, sedentary subjects when they perform the 6-minute step test (6MST) and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and to compare the maximal heart rate achieved by the subjects at the end of each test. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional study. SETTING: One tertiary centre. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and fifty-three participants from a pool of 330 healthy and sedentary subjects between 20 and 80 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Both the 6MWT and the 6MST were performed in accordance with the American Thoracic Society's statement. Dyspnoea, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured before and after each test. RESULTS: Mean heart rate immediately after the 6MST was significantly higher than mean heart rate immediately after the 6MWT {125 [standard deviation (SD) 19] vs 111 (SD 17) beats/minute; mean difference 13 (95% confidence interval of the difference 10 to 16); P<0.001}. Moreover, mean heart rate during (3minutes after commencement) the 6MST [118 (SD 18) beats/minute] was statistically higher than mean heart rate at the end of the 6MWT [111 (SD 18) beats/minute; P<0.001]. None of the subjects achieved the calculated submaximal heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MST and 6MWT are safe and produce submaximal effort in healthy participants. However, they are not interchangeable, and the 6MST requires more energy than the 6MWT.

Effects of whole body vibration exercises on bone mineral density of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications: novel findings and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the literature about the effect of whole body vibration exercise in the BMD in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis without medications. METHODS: A systematic review was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of the mechanical vibration used in the protocols has varied from 12 to 90 Hz. The time used in the protocols varied from 2 up to 22 months. Techniques with X-rays were used in nine of the twelve publications analyzed, the Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in eight studies and the High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in one publication. The concentration of some biomarkers was determined, as the sclerostin, the bone alkaline phosphatase, N-telopeptide X and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Among the twelve articles analyzed, seven of them have shown an improvement of the BMD of some bone of postmenopausal women exposed to whole body vibration exercises not associated to medications; as well as modifications in biomarkers.

Força muscular respiratória e pico de fluxo expiratório de pacientes com bronquiectasia submetidos à reabilitação respiratória / Respiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flow in patients with bronchiectasis underwent pulmonary rehabilitation / La fuerza muscular respiratoria y el flujo espiratorio máximo en pacientes con bronquiectasias en rehabilitación respiratoria

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la fuerza muscular respiratoria y el flujo espiratorio máximo en pacientes con bronquiectasias en rehabilitación respiratoria. Método. Clínico, experimental, en el que, una vez verificados los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, la muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en: grupo experimental (GE, n = 13, edad = 60 ± 14,86 años) - que fueron tratados con rehabilitación respiratoria dos veces por semana, con una duración de 40 minutos por sesión, por 12 semanas y el grupo de control (GC, n = 13, edad = 58 ± 13,90 años) - los pacientes tratados con clínica conservadora de seguimiento permanecieron sin tratamiento durante el período de estudio, porque eran parte de una lista de espera para el servicio. Las variables dependientes del estudio fueron la fuerza muscular respiratoria (MIP - Presión de MIP-espiratorio - MEP) y el flujo espiratorio máximo (FEM), medida por el manómetro y el pico de flujo ®, respectivamente. El nivel de significación se fijó en p <0,05. Resultados. En la comparación dentro de los grupos, hubo un aumento significativo sólo en las variables de GE, a saber: MIP (cmH2O Δ = 18,08, p <0,001); MEP (cmH2O Δ = 12,31, p <0,001) y el FEM (Δ = 26,77 l / min, p = 0,016). En la comparación entre los grupos, hubo incremento satisfactorio en el post-test, el GE frente al GC en el MIP y la MEP (p = 0,005). Conclusiones. Por lo tanto, parece que la terapia física propuesta influencia en el aumento de la fuerza muscular respiratoria y del flujo espiratorio máximo en pacientes con bronquiectasia(AU)

Objetivo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la fuerza muscular respiratoria y el flujo espiratorio máximo en pacientes con bronquiectasias en rehabilitación respiratoria. Método. Clínico, experimental, en el que, una vez verificados los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, la muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en: grupo experimental (GE, n = 13, edad = 60 ± 14,86 años) - que fueron tratados con rehabilitación respiratoria dos veces por semana, con una duración de 40 minutos por sesión, por 12 semanas y el grupo de control (GC, n = 13, edad = 58 ± 13,90 años) - los pacientes tratados con clínica conservadora de seguimiento permanecieron sin tratamiento durante el período de estudio, porque eran parte de una lista de espera para el servicio. Las variables dependientes del estudio fueron la fuerza muscular respiratoria (MIP - Presión de MIP-espiratorio - MEP) y el flujo espiratorio máximo (FEM), medida por el manómetro y el pico de flujo®, respectivamente. El nivel de significación se fijó en p <0,05. Resultados. En la comparación dentro de los grupos, hubo un aumento significativo sólo en las variables de GE, a saber: MIP (cmH2O Δ = 18,08, p <0,001); MEP (cmH2O Δ = 12,31, p <0,001) y el FEM (Δ = 26,77 l / min, p = 0,016). En la comparación entre los grupos, hubo incremento satisfactorio en el post-test, el GE frente al GC en el MIP y la MEP (p = 0,005). Conclusiones. Por lo tanto, parece que la terapia física propuesta influencia en el aumento de la fuerza muscular respiratoria y del flujo espiratorio máximo en pacientes con bronquiectasia

Objective. This research aimed to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flow in patients with bronchiectasis undergoing respiratory rehabilitation. Method. Clinical trial where, after scrutiny of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the sample was divided randomly into experimental group (EG, n = 13, age = 60 ± 14.86 years) - who underwent treatment with respiratory rehabilitation twice week, lasting 40 minutes per session, at 12 weeks and control group (CG, n = 13, age = 58 ± 13.90 years) - patients with conservative clinical follow-up without therapy during the period of research because they were part of a waiting list for care. The dependent variables of the study were respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure - MIP- expiratory pressure - MEP) and peak expiratory flow (PEF), measured by the manometer and the peak flow®, respectively. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. In within groups comparison, there was a significant increase only in the EG variables, namely: MIP (Δ = 18.08 cm H2O, p < 0.001) and MEP (cmH2O Δ = 12.31, p < 0.001) and PEF (Δ = 26.77 l / min, p = 0.016). In the between groups comparison, increased satisfactory post-test, GE, compared to GC in MIP and MEP (p = 0.005). Conclusion. it appears that physical therapy influences the proposed increase in respiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flow in patients with bronchiectasis(AU)

Evaluation of the in vitro effect of a Lantana camara extract on the labeling of blood constituents of rats with technetium-99m.

Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) have been used in nuclear medicine procedures and drugs are capable to interfere on this labeling. Lantana camara (lantana) has medicinal properties and it has been used in folk medicine. The aim is to verify the effect of a lantana extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc. Blood of rats was incubated with extract, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate. Plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) were isolated, also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) were separated. The % of radioactivity (%ATI) in these samples was calculated. Samples of labeled BC were washed and the %ATI maintained (%ATI-M) in the BC was determined. The results showed that lantana extract decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the IF-P from 70.24 +/- 2.59 to 11.95 +/- 3.07. This effect was not observed in the BC and IF-BC. The BC-%ATI-M was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all concentrations tested when the BC was washed. This fact was not observed in the control. Substances present on the extract should have redoxi action decreasing the concentration of the stannous ion and this condition could justify the effect on the IF-P. The results about the BC-%ATI-M should indicate a possible effect on the transport of ions through the erythrocyte membrane.