Scheimpflug-Based Corneal Biomechanical Analysis As A Predictor of Glaucoma in Eyes With High Myopia.

Purpose: To address if corneal biomechanical behavior has a predictive value for the presence of glaucomatous optical neuropathy in eyes with high myopia. Patients and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 209 eyes from 108 consecutive patients, divided into four groups: high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) - HMG, n = 53; high myopia without POAG - HMNG, n = 53; non-myopic with POAG - POAG, n = 50; non-myopic and non-POAG- NMNG, n = 53. Biomechanical assessment was made through a Scheimpflug-camera-based technology. Receiver operating characteristic curves were made for the discrimination between groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to address the predictive value of corneal biomechanics for the presence of glaucoma. Results: Areas Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROCs) above 0.6 were found in 6 parameters applied to discriminate between HMG and HMNG and six parameters to discriminate between POAG and NMNG. The biomechanical models with the highest power of prediction for the presence of glaucoma included 5 parameters with an AUROC of 0.947 for eyes with high myopia and 6 parameters with an AUROC of 0.857 for non-myopic eyes. In the final model, including all eyes, and adjusted for the presence of high myopia, the highest power of prediction for the presence of glaucoma was achieved including eight biomechanical parameters, with an AUROC of 0.917. Conclusion: Corneal biomechanics demonstrated differences in eyes with glaucoma and mainly in myopic eyes. A biomechanical model based on multivariable logistic regression analysis and adjusted for high myopia was built, with an overall probability of 91.7% for the correct prediction of glaucomatous damage.

Anti-Mayaro virus activity of a hydroethanolic extract from Fridericia chica (Bonpl.) L. G. Lohmann leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mayaro fever is a neglected tropical disease. The region of the most significant circulation of the Mayaro virus (MAYV) is the Amazon rainforest, situated in remote areas that are difficult to access and where medicine is scarce. Thus, the regional population uses plants as an alternative for the treatment of various diseases. Fridericia chica is an endemic plant of tropical regions used in traditional medicine to treat fever, malaise, inflammation, and infectious diseases such as hepatitis B. However, its antiviral activity is poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anti-MAYV activity of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of Fridericia chica (HEFc) in mammalian cells and its possible mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiviral activity of HEFc was studied using Vero cell lines against MAYV. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of the extract were evaluated by the 3-(4, 5- dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The overall antiviral activity was confirmed by the plaque forming units (PFU) method. Then, the effects of HEFc on MAYV multiplication kinetics, virus adsorption, penetration, and post-penetration, and its virucidal activity were determined in Vero cells using standard experimental procedures. RESULTS: HEFc exerted a effect against viral infection in Vero cells at a non-cytotoxic concentration, and no virion was detected in the supernatant in a dose-dependent and selective manner. HEFc inhibited MAYV in the early and late stages of the viral multiplication cycle. The extract showed significant virucidal activity at low concentrations and did not affect adsorption or viral internalization stages. In addition, HEFc reduced virions at all post-infection times investigated. CONCLUSIONS: HEFc has good antiviral activity against MAYV, acting directly on the viral particles. This plant extract possesses an excellent and promising potential for developing effective herbal antiviral drugs.

Effects of pre-exposure and post-exposure of the context in habituation of the retraction response in earthworms (Lumbricidae).

The context specificity of habituation has been demonstrated in earthworms. After the habituation of the retraction response to a light, a recovery of the response was observed when subjects are re-habituated in a different context. Some theories assume that an association between the context and the unconditioned stimulus could underlie this result. A series of experiments were conducted in order to test this issue. We assessed the potential disruptive effects of post-exposure (extinction effect) and pre-exposure of the context (latent inhibition effect) on the establishment of a context-US association. A recovery of response during subsequent rehabituation test was expected. The results of Experiment 1 showed that the extinction was effective, the post-exposure of the context after habituation produced a recovery of the retraction response. This result was replicated in Experiment 2 where the post-exposure condition was compared with a pre-exposure one. However, the pre-exposure to the context did not result in a recovery of the response in the rehabituation test, but also produced a general decrement on the response during the habituation training, that it has been interpreted as decrement in context's salience. In summary, these results suggest the involvement of associative and nonassociative processes in habituation learning.

Immunoinformatics Design of Multi-Epitope Peptide-Based Vaccine Against Schistosoma mansoni Using Transmembrane Proteins as a Target.

Schistosomiasis remains a serious health issue nowadays for an estimated one billion people in 79 countries around the world. Great efforts have been made to identify good vaccine candidates during the last decades, but only three molecules reached clinical trials so far. The reverse vaccinology approach has become an attractive option for vaccine design, especially regarding parasites like Schistosoma spp. that present limitations for culture maintenance. This strategy also has prompted the construction of multi-epitope based vaccines, with great immunological foreseen properties as well as being less prone to contamination, autoimmunity, and allergenic responses. Therefore, in this study we applied a robust immunoinformatics approach, targeting S. mansoni transmembrane proteins, in order to construct a chimeric antigen. Initially, the search for all hypothetical transmembrane proteins in GeneDB provided a total of 584 sequences. Using the PSORT II and CCTOP servers we reduced this to 37 plasma membrane proteins, from which extracellular domains were used for epitope prediction. Nineteen common MHC-I and MHC-II binding epitopes, from eight proteins, comprised the final multi-epitope construct, along with suitable adjuvants. The final chimeric multi-epitope vaccine was predicted as prone to induce B-cell and IFN-γ based immunity, as well as presented itself as stable and non-allergenic molecule. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics foresee stable interactions between the putative antigen and the immune receptor TLR 4. Our results indicate that the multi-epitope vaccine might stimulate humoral and cellular immune responses and could be a potential vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis.

Classical conditioning in earthworms employing an odorous conditioned stimulus.

The study of associative learning in invertebrates has become an essential tool for exploring their cognitive abilities and for studying the biological bases of learning and memory. In this experiment with earthworms, we paired a rose odour conditioned stimulus (CS) with a bright light unconditioned stimulus (US). After these pairings, the head retraction response - which is initially elicited by the bright light - is eventually evoked by the rose odour. This is the first demonstration of classical conditioning of an odour in earthworms (vibrations are usually employed as CSs), using a procedure that enables us to rule out an explanation in terms of pseudoconditioning.

Food Components with the Potential to be Used in the Therapeutic Approach of Mental Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders represent a high influence in our society throughout the world. Although the symptoms arising from those diseases are well known, the causes and mechanisms are complex and depending on multiple factors. Some food components consumed as part of our diet have been studied regarding their incidence in different common neurological diseases such as Alzheimer disease, major depression, Parkinson disease, autism and schizophrenia among others. OBJECTIVE: In this review, information has been gathered on the main evidences arising from studies on the most promising food components, related to their therapeutic potential, as part of dietary supplements or through the diet, as an alternative or a complement of the traditional drug treatments. Those food components include vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, bioactive peptides, probiotics, creatine and saponins. RESULTS: Many in vitro and in vivo animal studies, randomized and placebo control trials, and systematic reviews on the scientific results published in the literature, have been discussed, highlighting the more recent advances, also with the aim to explore the main research needs. Particular attention has been paid to the mechanisms of action of the compounds regarding their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative properties and neuronal protection. CONCLUSION: More research is needed to prove the therapeutic potential of the food components based on scientific evidence, also on intervention studies to demonstrate the improvement of neuronal and cognitive impairments.

Relationship between pemphigus and American tegumentary leishmaniasis: insights from serological and genetic profiles.

Background: Antibodies against Leishmania peptides (Lbr-peps) and desmogleins (Dsgs) have been reported in pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and leishmaniasis patients, respectively. We aimed to compare serological and genetic features in a Brazilian region endemic for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) and pemphigus. Methods: Commercial anti-Dsg ELISA and in-house ELISA with Lbr-peps were used to determine the serological profile, in addition to immunoblotting (IB) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assays. HLA-DRB1 and -DQA1/DQB1 alleles were characterized by PCR combined with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP). The serological and genetic profiles were compared using 78 PF, 62 pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and 58 ATL patients against 163 and 1592 healthy controls, respectively. Results: Some ATL patients showed positive results for anti-Dsg1 and/or anti-Dsg3 antibodies. They also revealed 130, 160 and/or 230 kDa epidermal peptides in IB. Moreover, some ATL samples exhibited pemphigus or a bullous pemphigoid pattern in IIF. ELISA and IB assays showed Lbr-peps in pemphigus patients. HLA-DQA1*01 and -DQA1*01:02 were protective and susceptibility alleles for ATL, respectively, but the opposite for pemphigus. Conclusions: Anti-Dsgs in ATL may represent epiphenomena. Anti-Lbr-pep antibodies in pemphigus suggest a previous infection. A differential association of the HLA profile may contribute to the lack of co-association between pemphigus and ATL.

Epitopes rationally selected through computational analyses induce T-cell proliferation in mice and are recognized by serum from individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is the second leading cause of death due to parasitic diseases in the world. Seeking an alternative for the control of disease, the World Health Organization funded the genome sequencing of the major species related to schistosomiasis to identify potential vaccines and therapeutic targets. Therefore, the aim of this work was to select T and B-cell epitopes from Schistosoma mansoni through computational analyses and evaluate the immunological potential of epitopes in vitro. Extracellular regions of membrane proteins from the Schistosoma mansoni were used to predict promiscuous epitopes with affinity to different human Major Histocompatibility Class II (MHCII) molecules by bioinformatics analysis. The three-dimensional structure of selected epitopes was constructed and used in molecular docking to verify the interaction with murine MHCII H2-IAb . In this process, four epitopes were selected and synthesized to assess their ability to stimulate proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes in mice splenocyte cultures. The results showed that Sm041370 and Sm168240 epitopes induced significant cell proliferation. Additionally, the four epitopes were used as antigens in the Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to assess the recognition by serum from individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Sm140560, Sm168240, and Sm041370 epitopes were recognized by infected individuals IgG antibodies. Therefore, Sm041370 and Sm168240 epitopes that stood out in in silico and in vitro analyses could be promising antigens in schistosomiasis vaccine development or diagnostic kits. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:804-814, 2017.

Prediction of length and diameter of hamstring tendon autografts for knee ligament surgery in Caucasians.

PURPOSE: Prediction of hamstring tendon autograft size facilitates preoperative planning of knee ligament surgery and may reduce the need for allografts in complex knee reconstructions. The aim of this study was to analyse whether length and diameter of hamstring tendon autografts can be predicted preoperatively with anthropometric parameters and patient characteristics. METHODS: In this observational study, 725 consecutive Caucasian patients scheduled for ACL reconstruction were included. Preoperatively gender, age, height and weight were recorded. After harvest, tendon lengths of both gracilis and semitendinosus tendons were measured. Diameter of the final four-strand hamstring autograft was recorded. Relationship between length and diameter of tendon grafts and different anthropometric parameters were assed by linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean lengths of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autografts were 28.9 ± 3.1 and 27.7 ± 3.0 cm, respectively. Length of the gracilis and semitendinosus grafts was independently related to patient height. Female gender was correlated with smaller graft diameter. One in nine female patients had a diameter <8 mm. The ratio in men was 1 in 36. CONCLUSION: Hamstring autograft length and size can be predicted in Caucasians. Length of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons was related to patient height. Smaller graft diameter was related to female gender. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Patellar resurfacing in posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty (PATRES): design of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Anterior knee pain may occur after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patellar resurfacing, which is considered to lower the incidence of anterior knee pain after TKA, remains controversial. In the present study clinical and radiological outcomes after TKA performed on patients with clinical and radiological signs of femorotibial and patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) with and without patellar resurfacing will be compared. METHODS/DESIGN: Fifty patients will be included in a randomized controlled trial. Patients scheduled for TKA with clinical and radiological signs of femorotibial and patellofemoral OA will be included. Arthritis of the patellofemoral joint was determined based on the preoperative Baldini and Merchant X-ray views, which is assessed by the orthopaedic surgeon who treats the patient. Exclusion criteria are rheumatoid arthritis, history of patellar fracture, tuberosity transposition, high tibial osteotomy (HTO), hip arthroplasty and posterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. Patients will be randomized to undergo TKA either with or without patellar resurfacing. Outcomes will be assessed preoperatively, at 6 weeks and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postoperatively. Primary outcome measure is the patellofemoral scoring system according to Baldini. Secondary outcome measures are the Knee Society clinical rating system (KSS) and the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS) scores. Conventional weight-bearing radiographs, and views according to Baldini will be used to asses component loosening, wear, and patellofemoral problems including fracture or loosening of resurfaced patellae, subluxation and wear of non-resurfaced patellae. DISCUSSION: There is no consensus regarding patellar resurfacing during primary TKA. Current prospective studies fail to determine any differences in clinical outcome among patients after TKA with or without patellar resurfacing. This randomized controlled trial has been designed to determine the effectiveness of patellar resurfacing during TKA in patients undergoing TKA who have clinical and radiological signs of tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA, using a specific patellofemoral outcome measurement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry NTR3108.

Associative relationships in human predictive learning.

Two experiments were conducted to explore the associations involved in human predictive learning. Experiment 1 found that post-training devaluation of one of the outcomes by instructing participants that one of the attackers was indestructible, led to a significant decrease in participants' predictive responses to the cue that was initially followed by the devalued outcome, suggesting that cue-outcome associations play a major role in human simple predictive learning. In Experiment 2, immediately after receiving cue-outcome predictive judgment training, participants were instructed to destroy the attackers by using the same responses previously used to give predictive judgments, but they were not informed as to which response should be used on each attacker. During a test in which both attackers were present at the same time, when the cue was present, participants preferentially chose the instrumental response alternative that was previously used as a predictive judgment about the relationship between the present cue and its outcome. In the absence of cues, participants equally chose either response alternative. This transfer of control shows that participants also establish judgment-outcome associations during predictive training.

Regeneration of hamstring tendons after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Primary aim of the study was analysis of hamstring tendon regeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Secondary aim was analysis of isokinetic muscle strength in relation to hamstring regeneration. The hypothesis was that regeneration of hamstring tendons after ACLR occurs and that regenerated hamstring tendons contribute to isokinetic hamstring strength with regeneration distal to the knee joint line. METHODS: Twenty-two patients scheduled for ACLR underwent prospective MRI analysis of both legs. MRI parameters were tendon regeneration and morphology, muscle retraction and muscle cross-sectional area. A double-blind, prospective analysis of isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength was performed. RESULTS: Regeneration of the gracilis tendon after ACLR occurred in all patients. Regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon occurred in 14 patients. At 1 year, the surface area of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscle decreased compared to both preoperatively (P < 0.01) and the contralateral leg (P < 0.01). The cross-sectional area of the semitendinosus muscle decreased in the absence of tendon regeneration (P = 0.05). The cross-sectional area of the gracilis muscle was greater in case of regeneration distal to the joint line (P = 0.01). Muscle retraction of the semitendinosus muscle was increased in case of nonregeneration (P = 0.02). There was no significant relationship between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration. CONCLUSION: Hamstring tendons regenerated after harvest of both semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for ACLR. There was no relation between isokinetic flexion strength and tendon regeneration.

Associative relationships in human predictive learning

Two experiments were conducted to explore the associations involved in human predictive learning. Experiment 1 found that post-training devaluation of one of the outcomes by instructing participants that one of the attackers was indestructible, led to a significant decrease in participants’ predictive responses to the cue that was initially followed by the devalued outcome, suggesting that cue-outcome associations play a major role in human simple predictive learning. In Experiment 2, immediately after receiving cue-outcome predictive judgment training, participants were instructed to destroy the attackers by using the same responses previously used to give predictive judgments, but they were not informed as to which response should be used on each attacker. During a test in which both attackers were present at the same time, when the cue was present, participants preferentially chose the instrumental response alternative that was previously used as a predictive judgment about the relationship between the present cue and its outcome. In the absence of cues, participants equally chose either response alternative. This transfer of control shows that participants also establish judgment-outcome associations during predictive training (AU)

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Avaliação da qualidade do sono em adolescentes com disfunções temporomandibulares / Assessment of sleep quality in adolescents with temporomandibular disorders

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a frequência de disfunções temporomandibulares e investigar sua relação com qualidade do sono em adolescentes de 18 e 19 anos. MÉTODOS: Delineamento transversal; diagnóstico das disfunções pelos Critérios de Diagnóstico para Pesquisa das Disfunções Temporomandibulares e avaliação do sono pelo Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh em 200 estudantes. Os dados foram analisados pela distribuição de frequência, testes qui-quadrado e t de Student. RESULTADOS: 35,5% dos adolescentes apresentaram disfunções. A média do escore total dos adolescentes com disfunções foi 7,34 e a dos adolescentes sem disfunções foi 4,76 (p < 0,001). Dos participantes sem disfunções, 82% apresentaram boa qualidade do sono. Entre aqueles com disfunções, esse percentual foi de 17%. CONCLUSÕES: A frequência de disfunções foi elevada e associada à má qualidade do sono. O delineamento do estudo não permitiu concluir se a má qualidade do sono é causa ou consequência das disfunções, o que poderá ser esclarecido em pesquisas futuras.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of temporomandibular disorders and investigate their relationship with sleep quality in 18 and 19-year-old adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional design; dysfunctions were diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in 200 students. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution and using the chi-square test and Student's t test. RESULTS: 35.5% dos adolescents had dysfunctions. The mean total score of adolescents with dysfunctions was 7.34 and 4.76 for adolescents without dysfunctions (p < 0.001). 82% of the participants were free from dysfunctions. 17% of those with dysfunctions had good sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of dysfunctions was elevated and dysfunctions were associated with poor sleep quality. The study design does not allow it to be determined whether poor sleep quality is a cause or a consequence of TMDs, which can be elucidated in future studies.

Assessment of sleep quality in adolescents with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and investigate their relationship with sleep quality in 18 and 19-year-old adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional design; dysfunctions were diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in 200 students. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution and using the chi-square test and Student's t test. RESULTS: 35.5% of the adolescents had dysfunctions. The mean total score of adolescents with dysfunctions was 7.34 and 4.76 for adolescents without dysfunctions (p < 0.001). 82% of the participants were free from dysfunctions. 17% of those with dysfunctions had good sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of dysfunctions was elevated and dysfunctions were associated with poor sleep quality. The study design does not allow it to be determined whether poor sleep quality is a cause or a consequence of TMDs, which can be elucidated in future studies.

Impacto de um programa de manejo da asma sobre as hospitalizações e os atendimentos de urgência / Impact of an asthma management program on hospitalizations and emergency department visits

OBJETIVOS: Analisar as frequências de hospitalização e de atendimentos em serviços de urgência ocorridas em crianças e adolescentes antes e após o ingresso em programa de asma no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Prontuários de 608 pacientes menores de 15 anos e com asma foram avaliados retrospectivamente. As frequências de hospitalização por asma e de atendimentos em serviços de urgência para episódios agudos de broncoespasmo foram avaliadas nos períodos anterior e posterior à admissão no programa que disponibiliza medicamentos, preconiza abordagem integral do paciente e manejo profilático de acordo com a Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). O período de observação antes do programa (AP) teve a duração de 12 meses enquanto o depois do programa (DP) variou de 12 a 36 meses. RESULTADOS: No período AP, ocorreram 895 hospitalizações e 5.375 atendimentos em serviços de urgência, e no período DP, ocorreram 180 hospitalizações e 713 atendimentos na urgência. O teste t de Student para amostras pareadas e o modelo de regressão para observações dependentes identificaram efeito significativo do programa em relação às variáveis estudadas (p = 0,000). CONCLUSÕES: A adoção das recomendações do GINA levou à redução significativa nas frequências de hospitalização e atendimentos na urgência em crianças e adolescentes com asma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits of children and adolescents before and after the enrolment in an asthma program. METHODS: Medical records of 608 asthmatics younger than 15 years were assessed retrospectively. The frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits caused by exacerbations were evaluated before and after enrolment in an asthma program. Patients were treated with medications and a wide prophylactic management program based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The before asthma program (BAP) period included 12 months before enrollment, whereas the after asthma program (AAP) period ranged from 12 to 56 months after enrollment. RESULTS: In the BAP period, there were 895 hospitalizations and 5,375 emergency department visits, whereas in the AAP period, there were 180 and 713, respectively. This decrease was significant in all statistical analyses (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the GINA recommendations led to a significant decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in children and adolescents with asthma.

Context-outcome associations underlie context-switch effects after partial reinforcement in human predictive learning

El valor predictivo que se asigna a claves reforzadas de forma continua se ve afectado por el cambio de contexto cuando éstas se entrenan en un contexto en el que otra clave diferente recibe reforzamiento parcial. Se llevó a cabo un experimento con el objetivo de explorar el mecanismo que subyace a este efecto de cambio de contexto. Se entrenó a participantes humanos en una situación de aprendizaje predictivo en la que una clave recibía reforzamiento parcial mientras que una clave objetivo (C1) recibía reforzamiento continuo en el contexto A y una segunda clave objetivo (U2) no era reforzada en el contexto B. Los participantes del grupo Parcial-Uno no recibieron reforzamiento parcial en B, mientras que los participantes del grupo Parcial-Ambos recibieron el mismo entrenamiento que en el contexto A, pero con claves distintas. Cuando las claves objetivo se probaron en el grupo Parcial-Uno, se observó mayor respuesta en el contexto A que en el contexto B, aunque las diferencias fueron menores ante la clave U2 que ante C1. No se encontraron diferencias entre contextos en el grupo Parcial-Ambos. Estos resultados están en consonancia con la hipótesis de que el cambio de contexto tras el reforzamiento parcial se debe principalmente a la formación de asociaciones contexto-consecuencia, aunque la diferencia entre el tamaño del efecto sobre la clave reforzada y no reforzada sugiere que también podría estar implicado un mecanismo modulador en estos efectos de cambios de contexto(AU)

Predictive value for continuously reinforced cues is affected by context changes when they are trained within a context in which a different cue undergoes partial reinforcement. An experiment was conducted with the goal of exploring the mechanisms underlying this context-switch effect. Human participants were trained in a predictive learning situation in which a cue received partial reinforcement while a target cue received continuous reinforcement in context A (C1) and another target cue was presented unreinforced in context B (U2). Participants in group Partial-One did not receive partial reinforcement in context B, while participants in group Partial-Both received the same training they received in context A, but with different cues. When target cues were tested in group Partial-One, greater responding in context A than in context B was found. Differences were smaller in cue U2 than in cue C1. No differences across contexts were found in group Partial-Both. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that context-switch effects after partial reinforcement are mainly due to the formation of direct context-outcome associations, though the difference on the effect size on the reinforced and unreinforced cues suggests that a modulator mechanism may be also responsible for these context-switch effects(AU)

O impacto do tratamento fonoaudiológico no controle da asma e da rinite alérgica em crianças e adolescentes respiradores orais / The impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents

OBJETIVO: Detectar o impacto do tratamento fonoaudiológico no controle da asma e da rinite alérgica em crianças e adolescentes respiradores orais. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental; foram randomizados 24 pacientes com asma, rinite alérgica e respiração oral, idade de 6 a 15 anos. Todos os pacientes usavam dipropionato beclometasona inalação oral. No momento em que aceitaram participar da pesquisa, a inalação oral foi substituída pela inalação exclusivamente nasal na inspiração e, após 1 mês, associou-se ao tratamento fonoaudiológico em metade dos pacientes. Esses receberam 16 sessões de tratamento fonoaudiológico em 8 semanas, além do dipropionato de beclometasona inalação exclusivamente nasal (grupo DBF). O grupo de comparação recebeu somente dipropionato beclometasona inalação exclusivamente nasal (grupo DBI). Os dois grupos foram avaliados em cinco tempos. Utilizou-se o escore clínico da rinite alérgica, da asma, o protocolo de avaliação miofuncional orofacial adaptado de Marchesan (2003), a observação dos responsáveis, dados de espirometria, de pico de fluxo inspiratório e de pico de fluxo expiratório. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora significativa do grupo DBF: escores clínicos da asma no tempo 5 (p = 0,046); valores do pico de fluxo inspiratório no tempo 4 (p = 0,030); pico de fluxo expiratório no tempo 3 (p = 0,008); modo respiratório e postura de lábios (p = 0,000) a partir do tempo 3; observação dos responsáveis, no tempo 2, tempo 4 e tempo 5 (p = 0,010; p = 0,027; p = 0,030). CONCLUSÕES: O tratamento fonoaudiológico associado ao dipropionato beclometasona por inalação exclusivamente nasal promoveu um controle clínico e funcional mais precoce e duradouro da asma, da rinite alérgica e da respiração oral entre os grupos estudados.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental randomized study of 24 mouth breathing patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis, aged from 6 to 15 years. All patients were taking beclomethasone diproprionate through oral inhalation at the start of the study. At enrollment on the study, oral inhalation was substituted with exclusively nasal inhalation and 1 month later half of the patients began speech therapy. They attended 16 speech therapy sessions in 8 weeks and continued taking beclomethasone dipropionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDT group). The comparison group received only beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDI group). Both groups were assessed five times. Clinical scores were calculated for allergic rhinitis and asthma, an adapted version of the Marchesan orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol was applied, and parents/guardians' observations were recorded, in addition to spirometry measurements of peak inspiratory and peak expiratory flow. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the BDT group: clinical asthma score at T5 (p = 0.046); peak inspiratory flow at T4 (p = 0.030); peak expiratory flow at T3 (p = 0.008); breathing mode and lip position (p = 0.000) from T3 onwards; and parents/guardians' observations at T2, T4, and T5 (p = 0.010; p = 0.027; p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Speech therapy in combination with beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation resulted in earlier and longer-lasting clinical and functional control of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and mouth breathing than was achieved in the group that only took beclomethasone diproprionate.

The impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental randomized study of 24 mouth breathing patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis, aged from 6 to 15 years. All patients were taking beclomethasone diproprionate through oral inhalation at the start of the study. At enrollment on the study, oral inhalation was substituted with exclusively nasal inhalation and 1 month later half of the patients began speech therapy. They attended 16 speech therapy sessions in 8 weeks and continued taking beclomethasone dipropionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDT group). The comparison group received only beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDI group). Both groups were assessed five times. Clinical scores were calculated for allergic rhinitis and asthma, an adapted version of the Marchesan orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol was applied, and parents/guardians' observations were recorded, in addition to spirometry measurements of peak inspiratory and peak expiratory flow. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the BDT group: clinical asthma score at T5 (p = 0.046); peak inspiratory flow at T4 (p = 0.030); peak expiratory flow at T3 (p = 0.008); breathing mode and lip position (p = 0.000) from T3 onwards; and parents/guardians' observations at T2, T4, and T5 (p = 0.010; p = 0.027; p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Speech therapy in combination with beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation resulted in earlier and longer-lasting clinical and functional control of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and mouth breathing than was achieved in the group that only took beclomethasone diproprionate.

The effect of context change on simple acquisition disappears with increased training

The goal of this experiment was to assess the impact that experience with atask has on the context specificity of the learning that occurs. Participantsperformed an instrumental task within a computer game where differentresponses were performed in the presence of discriminative stimuli to obtainreinforcers. The number of training trials (3, 5, or 8) with eachdiscriminative stimulus varied between participants. A single test trial wasconducted in the context where training occurred or in a different butequally familiar context. The change in context attenuated performance inparticipants that received 3 training trials, but not in the others, suggestingthat the influence of context on performance decreases when trainingincreases(AU)