Infection due to Roseomonas spp: a case report

ABSTRACT Male patient, 68 years old, immunocompromised, presented himself with fever and malaise for 15 days. At his hospitalization, peripheral blood and Schilley catheter blood cultures were collected, in addition to computed tomography that showed the presence of a peri-pancreatic collection. The material was drained and the samples were sent to the laboratory. Blood culture was positive for pink coconuts identified by mass spectrometry as Roseomonas spp. with the diagnosis of Bloodstream Infection being closed.

Bases para um programa de controle da artrite encefalite caprina em rebanho leiteiro / [Bases for a program of control of caprine arthritis encephalite in dairy flock]

Objetivou-se avaliar um programa de controle da artrite encefalite caprina (AEC), por meio de testes diagnósticos sensíveis, separação de mãe e cria após o parto e medidas de manejo, com o intuito de formar rebanho livre do vírus. Utilizou-se um total de 47 cabritos da raça Saanen, mantidos isoladamente até o resultado dos primeiros testes de reação em cadeia de polimerase nested (PCR nested) e Western Blotting (WB), com base na coleta de sangue no momento do nascimento (M0). No PCR nested, quatro animais foram positivos, no M0, e foram eutanasiados. Posteriormente, os demais 43 cabritos foram submetidos à coleta de sangue aos 60 (M60) e 270 (M270) dias de vida para realização de novos testes de WB e PCR nested, que não detectaram animais positivos. Pode-se afirmar que a metodologia adotada neste estudo foi efetiva no controle da doença, nas fases de aleitamento e pós-aleitamento, e que a combinação do sistema de manejo, a fim de propiciar diminuição de risco de transmissão horizontal, com técnicas de diagnóstico mais apuradas, como o WB e a PCR nested, é relevante para elaboração de plano estratégico de controle da enfermidade.(AU)

We aimed to evaluate a program to control Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), using diagnostic tests, separation of the mother and postpartum and other management measures, in order to form a free flock of the virus. We used a total of 47 Saanengoats in isolation until the results of the first nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested PCR) and Western Blotting (WB) tests, based on blood collection at the time of birth (M0). In the nested PCR, 4 animals were positive, at M0, and were eliminated. Later, the other 43goats were submitted to blood collection at 60 (M60) and 270 (M270) days of life to perform new tests of WB and nested PCR, which did not detect positive animals. We can affirm that the methodology adopted in this study was effective in the control of the disease, in the phase of breastfeeding and post-breastfeeding, and that the combination of the management system, which allows a reduction of risk of horizontal transmission, with more accurate diagnostic techniques, such as WB and nested PCR, is relevant for the elaboration of a strategic plan for the disease control.(AU)

A rare case of a recently described entity: mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the parotid gland / Un caso raro de una entidad descrita recientemente: carcinoma secretorio análogo mamario (CSAM) de la glándula parótida

MASC is a salivary gland tumour which shares histological, immunologic and genetic characteristics with mammary secretory carcinoma including an ETV6 translocation and immunocytochemical positivity for S-100 protein, CK7, and mammaglobin as well as negativity for DOG1. This is a rare tumour with uncommon characteristics when compared to other salivary gland tumours. The case reported here is of a 28-year-old female patient who presented in the ER due to a palpable mass in the left parotid region. She underwent a superficial parotidectomy with using a mini-lifting approach, with tumour resection, followed by radiotherapy. The identified tumour shared most of the clinical characteristics with other cases of MASC described in the literature

CSAM es un tumor de glándula salival que comparte características histológicas, inmunológicas y genéticas con el carcinoma secretor mamario, que incluye una translocación ETV6 y positividad inmunocitoquímica para la proteína S-100, CK7 y mamaglobina, así como negatividad para DOG1. Este es un tumor raro con características poco comunes en comparación con otros tumores de glándulas salivales. El caso referido aquí es el de una paciente de 28 años de edad que se presentó en la sala de emergencias debido a una masa palpable en la región parotídea izquierda. Se sometió a una parotidectomía superficial con un abordaje de mini-lifting, con resección tumoral, seguida de radioterapia. El tumor identificado compartía la mayoría de las características clínicas con otros casos de CSAM descritos en la literatura

Functional Brain Plasticity Associated with ACL Injury: A Scoping Review of Current Evidence.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common problem with consequences ranging from chronic joint instability to early development of osteoarthritis. Recent studies suggest that changes in brain activity (i.e., functional neuroplasticity) may be related to ACL injury. The purpose of this article is to summarize the available evidence of functional brain plasticity after an ACL injury. A scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The terms "brain," "activity," "neuroplasticity," "ACL," "injury," and "reconstruction" were used in an electronic search of articles in PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases. Eligible studies included the following criteria: (a) population with ACL injury, (b) a measure of brain activity, and (c) a comparison to the ACL-injured limb (contralateral leg or healthy controls). The search yielded 184 articles from which 24 were included in this review. The effect size of differences in brain activity ranged from small (0.05, ACL-injured vs. noninjured limbs) to large (4.07, ACL-injured vs. healthy control). Moreover, heterogeneity was observed in the methods used to measure brain activity and in the characteristics of the participants included. In conclusion, the evidence summarized in this scoping review supports the notion of functional neuroplastic changes in people with ACL injury. The techniques used to measure brain activity and the presence of possible confounders, as identified and reported in this review, should be considered in future research to increase the level of evidence for functional neuroplasticity following ACL injury.

Evaluation of anti-enzyme properties of Origanum vulgare essential oil against oral Candida albicans.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-enzymatic activity of Origanum vulgare (oregano) essential oil against 15 strains of Candida albicans. Candida albicans samples were isolated from the oral mucosa of patients with denture stomatitis treated in a Dentistry school on a public university. Preparation of the inoculum was performed with a suspension of C. albicans reactivated 24h earlier in 5mL of sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) adjusted to a 0.5-turbidity on the MacFarland scale (1,5×108UFC/mL). The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type machine and analyzed by gas chromatography. Enzymatic assay was performed to test phospholipase anti-enzymatic properties. Chromatography analysis revealed that the main compounds present in the essential oil were 4-terpineol (41.17%), thymol (21.95%), γ-terpinene (5.91%) and carvacrol (4.71%). For the anti-enzymatic test, the statistical analysis showed that there was found statistically significant interactions between the factors time and concentration (P≤0,001). Thus, essential oil of oregano at 1%, 5% and 10% presented significant reductions in the production of the phospholipase enzyme produced by Candida albicans strains. However, the longer the incubation time of the essential oil, there is a relatively moderate reduction in its anti-enzymatic activity.

Viabilidade econômica de vacas leiteiras F1 Holandês x Zebu com diferentes bases maternas e ordens de parto / Economic viability F1 Holstein x Zebu cows of dairy from different maternal bases and birth orders

Objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade econômica de vacas F1 de Holandês x Zebu de diferentes bases maternas e ordens de parto. Foram utilizados dados do Campo Experimental da Epamig (Felixlândia-MG). Analisaram-se 406 lactações de vacas F1 H x Z de diferentes bases maternas. Estimaram-se a receita e os custos operacional efetivo, operacional total e custo total. As F1 Holandês x Gir tiveram médias de custos maiores (R$ 3582,30), seguidas pelas F1 Holandês x Nelogir (R$ 3448,06), e o menor foi das F1 Holandês x Nelore (R$ 3145,07). A receita total foi maior para as vacas F1 Holandês x Gir e F1 Holandês x Nelogir, com valores de R$ 4394,96 e R$ 4245,61, respectivamente, e a menor receita foi para F1 Holandês x Nelore, com valor de R$ 3976,12. O lucro foi de R$ 812, 65; R$ 797,54 e R$ 831,04 para as F1 filhas de base materna Gir, Nelogir e Nelore, respectivamente. Todas as bases maternas são viáveis economicamente e podem ser utilizadas no sistema de produção de leite e bezerros para venda. Todas as ordens de parto de Holandês x Zebu estudadas são viáveis economicamente.(AU)

The objective was to evaluate the economic viability of a milk production system of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows of different maternal bases and calving order. Lactations data of F1 Holtein x Zebu cows (n=406) of different maternal bases, from the experimental field of the EPAMIG at Felixlândia county (MG state, Brasil) were analyzed. Revenue, cost/effect of operation, total operating, and total cost have been estimated. F1 cows Holstein x Gir had averages of higher costs R$ 3582.30, followed by F1 cows Holstein x Nelogir R$ 3448.06; and the lowest was from cows F1 Holstein x Nellore with R$ 3145.07. The total revenue was higher for Holstein x Gir and Holstein x Nelogir with recipe values of R$ 4394.96 and R$ 4245.61 respectively, and the lowest value of R$ 3976.12 for Holstein x Nellore. The profits were R$812.65; R$ 797.54 and R$ 831.04 for animals of groups Holstein x Gir, Holstein x Nelogir and Holstein x Nellore respectively. All genetic groups are economically viable and can be used in the production of milk and calves for sale. All calving order of Holstein x Zebu studied are viable economically.(AU)

Efeito da composição genética nas caraterísticas de conformação em equinos / Effect of genetic composition in conformation traits in horse

Objetivou-se verificar o efeito da composição genética nas características morfológicas em equinos com diferentes objetivos de seleção. Foram utilizados 234 equinos sendo 136 da raça Mangalarga Marchador e 90 entre mestiços e puros Quarto de Milha utilizados em vaquejada. Foram mensuradas as medidas lineares de altura na cernelha, na garupa, no dorso, no costado e na cintura pélvica; os comprimentos de corpo, de cabeça, de pescoço, de dorsolombo, de garupa, de espádua, de braço, de antebraço, de canela anterior, de quartela anterior, de coxa, de perna, de canela posterior e de quartela posterior; os perímetros de tórax, de cintura pélvica, de canela anterior e de canela posterior; as larguras de cabeça, de peito e de garupa. O peso corporal foi estimado por meio de fita métrica (em kg). Os ângulos mensurados foram escápulo-solo, escápulo-umeral, úmero-radial, metacarpo-falangiano, pelve-solo, pelve-femoral, fêmur-tíbio-patelar, tíbio-tarso-metatarsiano e metatarso-falangiano descritos. O modelo estatístico considerou os efeitos de sexo, raça e interação sexo*raça com as médias comparadas pleo teste SNK a 5% de significância. Houve interação sexo x raça para as todas as características de alturas e larguras, para as medidas de comprimento do pescoço, do dorsolombo, garupa, espádua, braço antebraço e canela anterior e para as angulações apenas a escápulo-umeral, enquanto a raça teve efeito para todas as medidas angulares (P<0,01) exceto a úmero-radial. Os autores conluíram que os animais das raças Mangalarga Marchador e Quarto de Milha são biótipos geneticamente diferentes em suas medidas lineares e angulares e que as diferenças observadas entre as raças podem estar associadas ao tipo de andamento e à funcionalidade atribuída a cada uma delas induzidas pela seleção.(AU)

This study aimed to verify the effect of the genetic conformation of the tarits in horses with different selection goals. In a total of 234 horses, 136 were from the Mangalarga Marchador breed and 90 were Quarter Horse crossed and pure used in vaquejada. The linear measurements of height at the withers, the rump, the back, on the side and pelvic girdle; the length as body, head, neck, backing sirloin, rump, shoulder, arm, forearm, fore cannon, fore pastern, thigh, leg, hind cannon and hind pastern; the chest perimeters of pelvis, fore hind cannon; the head width, chest and hip; and body weight estimated by measuring tape (kg) were recorded. The measured angles of joints were shoulder-floor, scapulohumeral, humerus-radial, metacarpal-phalangeal, pelvis-floor, pelvis-femoral, femoral-tibial-patellar, tibial-tarsal-metatarsal and metatarsal-phalangeal. The statistical model considered the effects of sex, race and sex x race interaction with means compared byt the SNK test at 5% significance level. There was sex x race interaction for all the features of heights and widths for the neck length measures, the back-loin, rump, shoulder, arm, forearm and fore cannon lenght and angulation just scapulohumeral while the race had effect for all angular measurements (P<0.01) except the radial-humeral. The authors concluded that animals of Mangalarga Marchador and Quarter are genetically different biotypes in their linear and angular measurements and the differences between races may be associated with the type of running and the functionality assigned to each induced selection.(AU)

A PCR-based diagnostic assay for detecting DNA of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, in the gut of soil-living arthropods.

Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered the most devastating pest of the olive tree worldwide. In an effort to develop management and biological control strategies against this pest, new molecular tools are urgently needed. In this study, we present the design of B. oleae-specific primers based on mitochondrial DNA sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Two pairs of B. oleae-specific primers were successfully designed and named as SBo1-F/SBo1-R and SBo2-F/SBo1-R, being able to amplify 108 and 214 bp COI fragments, respectively. The specificity of designed primers was tested by amplifying DNA from phylogenetically related (i.e. Diptera order) and other non-pest insects living in olive groves from the Mediterranean region. When using these primers on a PCR-based diagnostic assay, B. oleae DNA was detected in the gut content of a soil-living insect, Pterostichus globosus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The detection of B. oleae DNA in the guts of arthropods was further optimized by adding bovine serum albumin enhancer to the PCR reaction, in order to get a fast, reproducible and sensitive tool for detecting B. oleae remains in the guts of soil-living arthropods. This molecular tool could be useful for understanding pest-predator relationships and establishing future biological control strategies for this pest.

Biochemical conversion of sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolyzate supplemented with co-substrates for xylitol production.

Biotechnological production of xylitol is an attractive route to add value to a sugarcane biorefinery, through utilization of the hemicellulosic fraction of sugarcane straw, whose availability is increasing in Brazil. Herein, supplementation of the sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (xylose 57gL(-1)) with maltose, sucrose, cellobiose or glycerol was proposed, and their effect as co-substrates on xylitol production by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 was studied. Sucrose (10gL(-1)) and glycerol (0.7gL(-1)) supplementation led to significant increase of 8.88% and 6.86% on xylose uptake rate (1.11gL(-1)h(-1) and 1.09gL(-1)), respectively, but only with sucrose, significant increments of 12.88% and 8.69% on final xylitol concentration (36.11gL(-1)) and volumetric productivity (0.75gL(-1)h(-1)), respectively, were achieved. Based on these results, utilization of complex sources of sucrose, derived from agro-industries, as nutritional supplementation for xylitol production can be proposed as a strategy for improving the yeast performance and reducing the cost of this bioprocess by replacing more expensive nutrients.

Sexual precocity of Nellore bulls that are offspring of super precocious, precocious and normal cows in extensive farming conditions.

The objective of this work was to verify that mothers classified as super precocious (M1) and precocious (M2) produce more precocious bulls than females classified as normal (M3). This study included 21,186 animals with an average age of 21.29 ± 1.77 months that underwent a breeding soundness evaluation from 1999 to 2008. Of these animals, 2019, 6059 and 13,108 were offspring of M1, M2 and M3 females, respectively. In the breeding soundness examination, the animals were classified as sound for reproduction, sound under a natural mating regime, unsound for reproduction and discarded. To compare the averages obtained for each category of mother within the individual breeding soundness classes, a chi-square test with a 5% error probability was used, considering the effects of year and month of birth and farm. For the three classes of mothers (M1, M2 and M3), 67.26, 67.22 and 64.16% of bull calves were considered sound for reproduction and 19.71, 19.46 and 21.90% were considered unsound for reproduction, respectively. There was no difference in the frequency of animals that were sound for reproduction under the natural breeding regime between the three classes of mothers (8.87, 9.31 and 9.19%, respectively). There was a difference between the numbers of precocious and normal females that were discarded, with frequencies of 4.01 and 4.75%, respectively (p < 0.05). There were differences in year and month of birth and farm between super precocious and precocious cows in relation to the breeding soundness classification of the animals. It was concluded that the bull offspring of super precocious and precocious cows presented a higher percentage of approval in the breeding soundness examination than the bull offspring of normal cows, demonstrating that the selection for precocity of females has contributed to an increase in the sexual precocity of the herd in relation to the sexual maturity of bulls.

Genetic structure and diversity in the Dioscorea cayenensis/D. rotundata complex revealed by morphological and isozyme markers.

Of the 600 known yam species, only 10 are utilized as food, and the Dioscorea cayenensis/D. rotundata species complex is among the most cultivated. In Brazil, these species are commercially cultivated in the northeast region and are cultivated in the south and southeast regions as subsistence crops by traditional agriculturists. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of 21 local varieties of D. cayenensis and 2 D. rotundata accessions using 7 isozymic loci and 24 morphological markers, and to investigate the diversity distribution in different levels of organization, such as swidden fields and communities of Vale do Ribeira. Cluster analyses for both the isozymic and morphological data separated the 2 D. rotundata accessions from the D. cayenensis accessions from Vale do Ribeira. The analysis with morphological characteristics showed the presence of 2 subgroups (Iguape and Cananéia) within group I, which included all of the local varieties from Vale do Ribeira; this result may indicate the influence of the cultural units on the morphological variation. Molecular analysis of variance indicated that most of the isozymic variability was concentrated among swiddens within communities (42.5%) and within communities (40.3%). Most of the morphological variability was also concentrated among swidden fields within communities (44.8%). The correlation between geographic and genetic distances indicated that neither morphological (r = 0.17) nor isozymic diversity (r = -0.15) is structured in space. Thus, the traditional agriculturists of Vale do Ribeira maintain and manage a great diversity of D. cayenensis varieties in their communities.

Involvement of dorsal hippocampus glutamatergic and nitrergic neurotransmission in autonomic responses evoked by acute restraint stress in rats.

The dorsal hippocampus (DH) is a structure of the limbic system that is involved in emotional, learning and memory processes. There is evidence indicating that the DH modulates cardiovascular correlates of behavioral responses to stressful stimuli. Acute restraint stress (RS) is an unavoidable stress situation that evokes marked and sustained autonomic changes, which are characterized by elevated blood pressure (BP), intense heart rate (HR) increase and a decrease in cutaneous temperature. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor/nitric oxide (NO) pathway of the DH in the modulation of autonomic (arterial BP, HR and tail skin temperature) responses evoked by RS in rats. Bilateral microinjection of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-7 (10 nmol/500 nL) into the DH attenuated RS-evoked autonomic responses. Moreover, RS evoked an increase in the content of NO2/NO3 in the DH, which are products of the spontaneous oxidation of NO under physiological conditions that can provide an indirect measurement of NO production. Bilateral microinjection of N-propyl-L-arginine (0.1 nmol/500 nL; N-propyl, a neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor) or carboxy-PTIO (2 nmol/500 nL; c-PTIO, an NO scavenger) into the DH also attenuated autonomic responses evoked by RS. Therefore, our findings suggest that a glutamatergic system present in the DH is involved in the autonomic modulation during RS, acting via NMDA receptors and nNOS activation. Furthermore, the present results suggest that NMDA receptor/nNO activation has a facilitatory influence on RS-evoked autonomic responses.

Estimativas de herdabilidades e correlações genéticas entre características reprodutivas em touros da raça Nelore / Genetic correlations and heritability estimates of reproductive traits of Nellore bulls

Foram obtidas estimativas de variância fenotípica, genética e residual, herdabilidades e correlações genéticas para as características reprodutivas em 5.903 animais da raça Nelore. O modelo experimental utilizado foi o método de máxima verossimilhança restrita livre de derivadas. Os valores de herdabilidade foram de 0,24±0,05 para perímetro escrotal aos 450 dias de idade e de 0,37±0,05 aos 21 meses de idade, na ocasião do exame andrológico; de 0,24±0,05 e 0,26±0,05 para comprimento dos testículos esquerdo e direito; de 0,29±0,05 e 0,31±0,05 para largura dos testículos esquerdo e direito; de 0,12±0,04 para formato testicular; de 0,33±0,06 para volume testicular; de 0,11±0,03 para turbilhonamento; de 0,08±0,03 para motilidade e de 0,05±0,02 para vigor espermático; de 0,20±0,04, 0,03±0,02 e 0,19±0,04 para defeitos espermáticos maiores, menores e totais, respectivamente. As características biométricas testiculares apresentaram valores de herdabilidade moderados a altos, enquanto as características seminais valores baixos. Correlações genéticas entre perímetro escrotal com todas as características reprodutivas foram favoráveis, o que sugere o perímetro escrotal como característica de escolha na seleção de touros.

Estimates of phenotypic, genetics and residual variances for reproductive traits in 5903 Nellore bulls were obtained. The experimental model used was multiple trait derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood. The values obtained for heritability were 0.24±0.05 for scrotal circumference at 450 days of age and 0.37±0.05 at 21 months for age at the time of the breeding soundness evaluation; 0.24±0.05 and 0.26±0.05 for left and right testicle length; 0.29±0.05 and 0.31±0.05 for left and right testicle width; 0.12±0.04 for testicle format; 0.33±0.06 for testicle volume; 0.11±0.03 for gross motility; 0.08±0.03 for individual motility and 0.05±0.02 for spermatic vigor; 0.20±0.04, 0.03±0.02 and 0.19±0.04 for larger defects, smaller defects and total defects, respectively. The values for heritability for testicular biometric characteristics were moderate to high while the seminal characteristics, presented low values. Genetic correlations between scrotal circumference with all the reproductive traits were favorable, suggesting the scrotal circumference as a feature of choice in the selection of bulls.

Heritability estimate and genetic correlations of reproductive features in Nellore bulls, offspring of super precocious, precocious and normal cows under extensive farming conditions.

The present work aimed to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of reproductive features of Nellore bulls, offspring of mothers classified as superprecocious (M1), precocious (M2) and normal (M3). Twenty one thousand hundred and eighty-six animals with average age of 21.29 months were used, evaluated through the breeding soundness evaluation from 1999 to 2008. The breeding soundness features included physical semen evaluation (progressive sperm motility and sperm vigour), semen morphology (major, minor and total sperm defects), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV) and SC at 18 months of age (SC18). The components of variance, heritability and genetic correlations for and between the features were estimated simultaneously by restricted maximum likelihood, with the use of the vce software system vs 6. The heritability estimates were high for SC18, SC and TV (0.43, 0.63 and 0.54; 0.45, 0.45 and 0.44; 0.42, 0.45 and 0.41, respectively for the categories of mothers M1, M2 and M3) and low for physical and morphological semen aspects. The genetic correlations between SC18 and SC were high, as well as between these variables with TV. High and positive genetic correlations were recorded among SC18, SC and TV with the physical aspects of the semen, although no favourable association was verified with the morphological aspects, for the three categories of mothers. It can be concluded that the mother's sexual precocity did not affect the heritability of their offspring reproduction features.

Immotile short-tail sperm defect in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) breed bulls.

This case study reported the presence of short tail sperm defect in the semen of three Nelore breed bulls. The sperm presented 0% of motility in the three animals evaluated and a total of 70%, 61% and 34% of pathologies of the intermediate piece of the tail respectively for animals 1, 2 and 3. It was identified that animals 2 and 3 had high degree of inbreeding, although no relationship was found with animal 1. Animal 2 was the only one that presented inbreeding coefficient (6.25%). His half-sib (animal 3) and animal 1, from the same herd, had shown no inbreeding, showing that inheritance is not the only determinant factor for its incidence on Nelore males.

Movement patterns in elite Brazilian youth soccer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine standards for the total distance covered (DC) and motion pattern characteristics of young Brazilian soccer players during competitive matches. METHODS: Seventy-five young soccer players from 5 of the most successful soccer clubs of Sao Paulo's Soccer Federation were divided in 3 categories: under-15 years (U15), under-17 years (U17) and under-20 years (U20) with 25 soccer players in each age group. In the U15 each half lasts for 30 min, in the U17 40 min and in the U20 45 min. The individual measurements were made during games following accepted video-recording methodology. The players were grouped by position: fullbacks, wingers (WG), defensive midfielders, offensive midfielders (OMF) and strikers (STK). The following indices were determined: total distance, and distance jogging, walking, and sprinting. Age and position differences were determined by ANOVA. RESULTS: The intensity of the U15 (118 m/min) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than U17 (108 m/min) and U20 (109 m/min). WG and midfielders show greater DC than the other players in all other positions. STK and OMF show increased sprinting in U15 and U17 groups, respectively, and WG in U20s. The U15 group showed the greatest mean intensity when the time of each group was corrected to meters per minute. CONCLUSION: The results show differences in running volume and intensity between the age groups during match play. The data suggest that earlier development, physical training and tactical organization in the young soccer player leads to a high level of energy during competition.

Impact of acute exposure to air pollution on the cardiorespiratory performance of military firemen.

The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of acute short-term exposure to air pollution on the cardiorespiratory performance of military firemen living and working in the city of Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-five healthy non-smoking firemen aged 24 to 45 years had about 1 h of exposure to low and high levels of air pollution. The tests consisted of two phases: phase A, in Bertioga, a town with low levels of air pollution, and phase B, in Cubatão, a polluted town, with a 7-day interval between phases. The volunteers remained in the cities (Bertioga/Cubatão) only for the time required to perform the tests. Cumulative load 10 +/- 2 min-long exertion tests were performed on a treadmill, consisting of a 2-min stage at a load of 7 km/h, followed by increasing exertion of 1 km h-1 min-1 until the maximum individual limit. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in anaerobic threshold (AT) between Cubatão (35.04 +/- 4.91 mL kg-1 min-1) and Bertioga (36.98 +/- 5.62 mL kg-1 min-1; P = 0.01), in the heart rate at AT (AT HR; Cubatão 152.08 +/- 14.86 bpm, Bertioga 157.44 +/- 13.64 bpm; P = 0.001), and in percent maximal oxygen consumption at AT (AT%VO2max; Cubatão 64.56 +/- 6.55%, Bertioga 67.40 +/- 5.35%; P = 0.03). However, there were no differences in VO2max, maximal heart rate or velocity at AT (ATvel) observed in firemen between towns. The acute exposure to pollutants in Cubatão, SP, caused a significant reduction in the performance at submaximal levels of physical exertion.

Impact of acute exposure to air pollution on the cardiorespiratory performance of military firemen

The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of acute short-term exposure to air pollution on the cardiorespiratory performance of military fireman living and working in the city of Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-five healthy non-smoking firemen aged 24 to 45 years had about 1 h of exposure to low and high levels of air pollution. The tests consisted of two phases: phase A, in Bertioga, a town with low levels of air pollution, and phase B, in Cubatão, a polluted town, with a 7-day interval between phases. The volunteers remained in the cities (Bertioga/Cubatão) only for the time required to perform the tests. Cumulative load 10 ± 2 min-long exertion tests were performed on a treadmill, consisting of a 2-min stage at a load of 7 km/h, followed by increasing exertion of 1 km h-1 min-1 until the maximum individual limit. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in anaerobic threshold (AT) between Cubatão (35.04 ± 4.91 mL kg-1 min-1) and Bertioga (36.98 ± 5.62 mL kg-1 min-1; P = 0.01), in the heart rate at AT (AT HR; Cubatão 152.08 ± 14.86 bpm, Bertioga 157.44 ± 13.64 bpm; P = 0.001), and in percent maximal oxygen consumption at AT (AT percentVO2max; Cubatão 64.56 ± 6.55 percent, Bertioga 67.40 ± 5.35 percent; P = 0.03). However, there were no differences in VO2max, maximal heart rate or velocity at AT (ATvel) observed in firemen between towns. The acute exposure to pollutants in Cubatão, SP, caused a significant reduction in the performance at submaximal levels of physical exertion.

The effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on physical performance by sedentary subjects submitted to ergospirometric test on the treadmill.

AIM: Acupuncture and moxibustion are 2 therapeutic methods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in physical performance by an ergospirometry test. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects, sedentary, were randomized into 3 groups: Group I (Acupuncture); Group II (AcupunctureSham) and Group III (Control). They were submitted to anamnesis and an ergospirometry test. The subjects from Groups I and II were submitted to 10 acupuncture and moxibustion sessions, twice a week, for 5 weeks. The differences between the groups were that in Group I the acupuncture and moxibustion sessions were performed in acupoints and Group II in non acupoints. After this, the ergospirometry test was performed again. RESULTS: The acupuncture and moxibustion sessions did not increase maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) significantly. Other variables presented a significant increasing: oxygen uptake in anaerobic threshold (VO2La); velocity in anaerobic threshold (Vel LA); caloric consumption (Gast Cal). The heart rate decreased when compared to velocity pre and post-treatment. The results show peripheral, afferent stimulation (acupuncture and moxibustion) could alter the functions of structures or internal organs. The decrease in heart rate and the significant improvement in oxygen uptake in anaerobic threshold are similar to adaptations to physical training. Probably, the autonomic nervous system (mainly sympathetic system) is engaged in the acupuncture and moxibustion mechanism of action. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture and moxibustion decreased the heart rate during the ergospirometry test; the oxygen uptake in anaerobic threshold (VO2La); velocity in anaerobic threshold (Vel LA) and caloric consumption (Gast Cal) had significantly increased.