Communication and swallowing training of stroke-specialized health professionals using transdisciplinary knowledge in a patient-actor scenario: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Most people with stroke exhibit a variety of impairments that need to be addressed by a multidisciplinary team. Communication and swallowing disorders are common and should be screened very early. To guarantee a patient-centred approach, all patients, even those with speech and language disorders, must be actively engaged in the healthcare process. Effective communication is essential to success in many of the needed interventions. However, healthcare professionals often do not receive formal training in communicating with these patients, thus increasing the risk of preventable adverse events. AIMS: To describe the design, implementation and evaluation of a post-acute stroke multidisciplinary team training using patient actors in a simulation approach. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A 2-day course focused on the transdisciplinary knowledge related to communication and swallowing that all members of the multidisciplinary stroke team should acquire was implemented. A case-based learning methodology used simulation and resorting to patients' actors. Learning outcomes were evaluated by comparing the results obtained in two knowledge tests, one for each topic, which participants performed before and after each day course. Reaction to the training was gathered concerning the content, teacher quality and course organization. The follow-up was performed 6 months later to assess training skills transfer to the workplace environment. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: All the participants considered that the programme objectives were relevant or truly relevant and revealed that the programme's dynamic, rhythm and scenarios set were excellent. After the end of the programme, both communication and swallowing knowledge increased. Most participants had the opportunity to employ the acquired training skills in their work environment. The main barriers identified to implementing these skills were the 'need for additional training', the 'lack of time' or 'the lack of opportunities'. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Simulation is a central method to increase and improve health professionals' skills when intervening with stroke patients. Using simulation with patient actors allows flexibility and diversification of clinical situations under analysis, which can provide a multiplier effect of reflection and learning. The implemented training achieved its objectives. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Simulation in the training of health professionals is increasingly used as a good practice, allowing the recreation of scenarios identical to those in the context of professional practice. This strategy is used not only in initial training but also for the development of advanced skills. What this study adds to the existing knowledge This study reports the use of simulation using actor patients for the development of transdisciplinary skills in the topics of communication and swallowing in people with stroke What are the clinical and practical implications of this work? The study demonstrates that in a short period of training, the use of simulation with actor patients favours the development of transdisciplinary skills in the topics of communication and swallowing in people with stroke. At the same time, the skills developed are transferable to professional practice.

Health-Related Telemonitoring Parameters/Signals of Older Adults: An Umbrella Review.

Aging is one of the greatest challenges in modern society. The development of wearable solutions for telemonitoring biological signals has been viewed as a strategy to enhance older adults' healthcare sustainability. This study aims to review the biological signals remotely monitored by technologies in older adults. PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Web of Science, and the Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports were systematically searched in December 2021. Only systematic reviews and meta-analyses of remote health-related biological and environmental monitoring signals in older adults were considered, with publication dates between 2016 and 2022, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Studies referring to conference proceedings or articles with abstract access only were excluded. The data were extracted independently by two reviewers, using a predefined table form, consulting a third reviewer in case of doubts or concerns. Eighteen studies were included, fourteen systematic reviews and four meta-analyses. Nine of the reviews included older adults from the community, whereas the others also included institutionalized participants. Heart and respiratory rate, physical activity, electrocardiography, body temperature, blood pressure, glucose, and heart rate were the most frequently measured biological variables, with physical activity and heart rate foremost. These were obtained through wearables, with the waist, wrist, and ankle being the most mentioned body regions for the device's placement. Six of the reviews presented the psychometric properties of the systems, most of which were valid and accurate. In relation to environmental signals, only two articles presented data on this topic. Luminosity, temperature, and movement were the most mentioned variables. The need for large-scale long-term health-related telemonitoring implementation of studies with larger sample sizes was pointed out by several reviews in order to define the feasibility levels of wearable devices.

Diagnostic ultrasound assessment of deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo: A scoping review - Part 2: Femoral and crural fasciae.

BACKGROUND: Failure of fascial sliding may occur in cases of excessive or inappropriate use, trauma, or surgery, resulting in local inflammation, pain, sensitization, and potential dysfunction. Therefore, the mechanical properties of fascial tissues, including their mobility, have been evaluated in vivo by ultrasound (US) imaging. However, this seems to be a method that is not yet properly standardized nor validated. OBJECTIVES: To identify, synthesize, and collate the critical methodological principles that have been described in the literature for US evaluation of deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo in humans. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on ScienceDirect, PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and B-On databases, according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The OCEBM LoE was used to evaluate the level of evidence of each study. RESULTS: From a total of 104 full-text articles retrieved and assessed for eligibility, 18 papers were included that evaluate the deep fasciae of the thoracolumbar (n = 4), abdominal (n = 7), femoral (n = 4) and crural (n = 3) regions. These studies addressed issues concerning either diagnosis (n = 11) or treatment benefits (n = 7) and presented levels of evidence ranging from II to IV. Various terms were used to describe the outcome measures representing fascial sliding. Also, different procedures to induce fascial sliding, positioning of the individuals being assessed, and features of US devices were used. The US analysis methods included the comparison of start and end frames and the use of cross-correlation software techniques through automated tracking algorithms. These methods had proven to be reliable to measure sliding between TLF, TrA muscle-fascia junctions, fascia lata, and crural fascia, and the adjacent epimysial fascia. However, the papers presented heterogeneous terminologies, research questions, populations, and methodologies. This two-part paper reviews the evidence obtained for the thoracolumbar and abdominal fasciae (Part 1) and for the femoral and crural fasciae (Part 2). CONCLUSION: The US methods used to evaluate deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo in humans include the comparison of start and end frames and the use of cross-correlation software techniques through automated tracking algorithms. These seem reliable methods to measure sliding of some fasciae, but more studies need to be systematized to confirm their reliability for others. Moreover, specific standardized protocols are needed to assess each anatomical region as well as study if age, sex-related characteristics, body composition, or specific clinical conditions influence US results.

Diagnostic ultrasound assessment of deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo: A scoping review - Part 1: Thoracolumbar and abdominal fasciae.

BACKGROUND: Failure of fascial sliding may occur in cases of excessive or inappropriate use, trauma, or surgery, resulting in local inflammation, pain, sensitization, and potential dysfunction. Therefore, the mechanical properties of fascial tissues, including their mobility, have been evaluated in vivo by ultrasound (US) imaging. However, this seems to be a method that is not yet properly standardized nor validated. OBJECTIVES: To identify, synthesize, and collate the critical methodological principles that have been described in the literature for US evaluation of deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo in humans. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on ScienceDirect, PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and B-On databases, according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The OCEBM LoE was used to evaluate the level of evidence of each study. RESULTS: From a total of 104 full-text articles retrieved and assessed for eligibility, 18 papers were included that evaluate the deep fasciae of the thoracolumbar (n = 4), abdominal (n = 7), femoral (n = 4) and crural (n = 3) regions. These studies addressed issues concerning either diagnosis (n = 11) or treatment benefits (n = 7) and presented levels of evidence ranging from II to IV. Various terms were used to describe the outcome measures representing fascial sliding. Also, different procedures to induce fascial sliding, positioning of the individuals being assessed, and features of US devices were used. The US analysis methods included the comparison of start and end frames and the use of cross-correlation software techniques through automated tracking algorithms. These methods had proven to be reliable to measure sliding between TLF, TrA muscle-fascia junctions, fascia lata, and crural fascia, and the adjacent epimysial fascia. However, the papers presented heterogeneous terminologies, research questions, populations, and methodologies. This two-part paper reviews the evidence obtained for the thoracolumbar and abdominal fasciae (Part 1) and for the femoral and crural fasciae (Part 2). CONCLUSION: The US methods used to evaluate deep fascia sliding mobility in vivo in humans include the comparison of start and end frames and the use of cross-correlation software techniques through automated tracking algorithms. These seem reliable methods to measure sliding of some fasciae, but more studies need to be systematized to confirm their reliability for others. Moreover, specific standardized protocols are needed to assess each anatomical region as well as study if age, sex-related characteristics, body composition, or specific clinical conditions influence US results.

ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN (1ST CYCLE).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in students from elementary schools in Porto and Maia and analyze its association with sleep hygiene, physical activity, cardiometabolic risk, and school performance. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 891 Portuguese students: 455 boys (51%) and 436 girls (49%), aged between 9 and 11 years old (mean [M]=9.2, standard deviation [SD]=0.4), with an average weight of 35.9 kg (SD=8.1), average height of 1.4 m (SD=0.1), average body mass index (standardized BMI Z score for the pediatric age group) of 0.76 (SD=1.21); 59.5% of them had normal weight and 15.9% were obese. The students filled a questionnaire on the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]), participated in a socio-demographic interview, and had their anthropometric data collected after their parents signed the informed consent form. RESULTS: The results suggest high levels of adherence to the MD (77.6%) both in males and females. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we found that the Z score was positively associated to cardiometabolic risk and the starting age of an extracurricular physical activity, and negatively associated to the average hours of sleep on a typical day both in males and females. We also identified a negative relation between KIDMED and the starting age of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This study has contributed to the knowledge of adherence to the MD among Portuguese elementary students and correlations with variables associated to a healthier lifestyle (MD, hours of sleep, and physical activity). Future studies should focus their attention on other countries and more heterogeneous samples.

Adherence to the mediterranean diet in elementary school children (1st cycle) / Adesão à dieta mediterrânica em crianças do 1º ciclo de escolaridade

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in students from elementary schools in Porto and Maia and analyze its association with sleep hygiene, physical activity, cardiometabolic risk, and school performance. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 891 Portuguese students: 455 boys (51%) and 436 girls (49%), aged between 9 and 11 years old (mean [M]=9.2, standard deviation [SD]=0.4), with an average weight of 35.9 kg (SD=8.1), average height of 1.4 m (SD=0.1), average body mass index (standardized BMI Z score for the pediatric age group) of 0.76 (SD=1.21); 59.5% of them had normal weight and 15.9% were obese. The students filled a questionnaire on the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]), participated in a socio-demographic interview, and had their anthropometric data collected after their parents signed the informed consent form. Results: The results suggest high levels of adherence to the MD (77.6%) both in males and females. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we found that the Z score was positively associated to cardiometabolic risk and the starting age of an extracurricular physical activity, and negatively associated to the average hours of sleep on a typical day both in males and females. We also identified a negative relation between KIDMED and the starting age of physical activity. Conclusions: This study has contributed to the knowledge of adherence to the MD among Portuguese elementary students and correlations with variables associated to a healthier lifestyle (MD, hours of sleep, and physical activity). Future studies should focus their attention on other countries and more heterogeneous samples.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar a adesão à dieta mediterrânica de alunos de escolas primárias do Porto e Maia e analisar a sua associação com a higiene do sono, a atividade física, o risco cardiometabólico e o desempenho escolar. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 891 alunos portugueses: 455 meninos (51%) e 436 meninas (49%), entre 9 e 11 anos (média [M]= 9,2; desvio padrão [DP]= 0,4), peso médio 35,9 kg (DP= 8,1), estatura média 1,4 cm (DP= 0,1), índice de massa corporal médio (IMC padronizado por escore Z para a faixa etária pediátrica) 0,76 (DP= 1,2), 59,5% de pessoas com peso adequado e 15,9% de obesos. Os alunos completaram o Índice de Qualidade de Adesão à Dieta Mediterrânica em Crianças e Adolescentes (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in Children and Adolescents [KIDMED]) e uma entrevista sociodemográfica e dados antropométricos, após obtenção do consentimento informado dos pais. Resultados: Os resultados sugerem altos níveis de adesão ao padrão alimentar mediterrânico (77,6%), tanto nos meninos como nas meninas. Recorrendo ao coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, encontramos associação positiva entre o escore Z e o risco cardiometabólico, associação negativa entre o escore Z e a média de horas de sono em um dia típico nos meninos e nas meninas, associação positiva entre o escore Z e a idade de início de uma atividade física extracurricular e associação negativa entre o KIDMED e a idade de início da atividade física. Conclusões: Este estudo contribuiu para o conhecimento da adesão ao padrão alimentar mediterrânico de alunos do 1º ciclo de escolaridade do Porto e da Maia e correlações com variáveis associadas a um estilo de vida mais saudável (adesão à dieta mediterrânica, horas de sono e atividade física). Estudos futuros deverão focar a sua atenção em outros países e com amostras mais heterogêneas.

Comparison of upper limb kinematics in two activities of daily living with different handling requirements.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, kinematic analysis of the drinking task (DRINK) has been recommended to assess the quality of upper limb (UL) movement after stroke, but the accomplishment of this task may become difficult for poststroke patients with hand impairment. Therefore, it is necessary to study ADLs that involve a simpler interaction with a daily life target, such as the turning on a light task (LIGHT). As the knowledge of movement performed by healthy adults becomes essential to assess the quality of movement of poststroke patients, the main goal of this article was to compare the kinematic strategies used by healthy adults in LIGHT with those that are used in DRINK. METHODS: 63 adults, aged 30 to 69 years old, drank water and turned on a light, using both ULs separately, while seated. The movements of both tasks were captured by a 3D motion capture system. End-point and joint kinematics of reaching and returning phases were analysed. A multifactorial analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied to the kinematic metrics, using age, sex, body mass index and dominance as main factors. RESULTS: Mean and peak velocities, index of curvature, shoulder flexion and elbow extension were lower in LIGHT, which suggests that the real hand trajectory was smaller in this task. In LIGHT, reaching was less smooth and returning was smoother than DRINK. The instant of peak velocity was similar in both tasks. There was a minimal anterior trunk displacement in LIGHT, and a greater anterior trunk displacement in DRINK. Age and sex were the main factors which exerted effect on some of the kinematics, especially in LIGHT. CONCLUSION: The different target formats and hand contact in DRINK and LIGHT seem to be responsible for differences in velocity profile, efficiency, smoothness, joint angles and trunk displacement. Results suggest that the real hand trajectory was smaller in LIGHT and that interaction with the switch seems to be less demanding than with the glass. Accordingly, LIGHT could be a good option for the assessment of poststroke patients without grasping ability. Age and sex seem to be the main factors to be considered in future studies for a better match between healthy and poststroke adults.

Opposing Effects of Adenosine and Inosine in Human Subcutaneous Fibroblasts May Be Regulated by Third Party ADA Cell Providers.

Human subcutaneous fibroblasts (HSCF) challenged with inflammatory mediators release huge amounts of ATP, which rapidly generates adenosine. Given the nucleoside's putative relevance in wound healing, dermal fibrosis, and myofascial pain, we investigated the role of its precursor, AMP, and of its metabolite, inosine, in HSCF cells growth and collagen production. AMP (30 µM) was rapidly (t½ 3 ± 1 min) dephosphorylated into adenosine by CD73/ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Adenosine accumulation (t½ 158 ± 17 min) in the extracellular fluid reflected very low cellular adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity. HSCF stained positively against A2A and A3 receptors but were A1 and A2B negative. AMP and the A2A receptor agonist, CGS21680C, increased collagen production without affecting cells growth. The A2A receptor antagonist, SCH442416, prevented the effects of AMP and CGS21680C. Inosine and the A3 receptor agonist, 2Cl-IB-MECA, decreased HSCF growth and collagen production in a MRS1191-sensitive manner, implicating the A3 receptor in the anti-proliferative action of inosine. Incubation with ADA reproduced the inosine effect. In conclusion, adenosine originated from extracellular ATP hydrolysis favors normal collagen production by HSCF via A2A receptors. Inhibition of unpredicted inosine formation by third party ADA cell providers (e.g., inflammatory cells) may be a novel therapeutic target to prevent inappropriate dermal remodeling via A3 receptors activation.

Behavioral Pain Scale e Critical Care Pain Observation Tool para avaliação da dor em pacientes graves intubados orotraquealmente. Revisão sistemática da literatura / Behavioral Pain Scale and Critical Care Pain Observation Tool for pain evaluation in orotracheally tubed critical patients. A systematic review of the literature

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a adequação de duas escalas comportamentais, a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. Método: Utilizando a metodologia recomendada pelo Centro Cochrane, foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura, na base de dados eletrônica EBSCO host (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE®Complete, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, MedicLatina). Foram realizadas duas pesquisas com os seguintes termos em inglês no campo de pesquisa: "behavioral pain scale" AND "critical care pain observation tool" AND "behavioral pain scale" OR "critical care pain observation tool". Dois revisores independentes realizaram a avaliação crítica, a extração e a síntese dos dados. Resultados: Foram incluídos 15 estudos que evidenciaram que a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool eram duas escalas válidas e confiáveis para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente e internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. As escalas apresentaram propriedades psicométricas semelhantes, bem como boa confiabilidade. Conclusão: Ambas as escalas são adequadas para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, contudo, apresentam limitações em populações específicas como doentes vítimas de trauma, queimados e do foro neurocirurgico. É sugerida a realização de mais estudos sobre o tema e em populações específicas.

ABSTRACT Objective: Descrever a adequação de duas escalas comportamentais, a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. Method: Utilizando a metodologia recomendada pelo Centro Cochrane, foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura, na base de dados eletrônica EBSCO host (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE®Complete, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, MedicLatina). Foram realizadas duas pesquisas com os seguintes termos em inglês no campo de pesquisa: "behavioral pain scale" AND "critical care pain observation tool" AND "behavioral pain scale" OR "critical care pain observation tool". Dois revisores independentes realizaram a avaliação crítica, a extração e a síntese dos dados. Results: Foram incluídos 15 estudos que evidenciaram que a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool eram duas escalas válidas e confiáveis para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente e internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. As escalas apresentaram propriedades psicométricas semelhantes, bem como boa confiabilidade. Conclusion: Ambas as escalas são adequadas para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, contudo, apresentam limitações em populações específicas como doentes vítimas de trauma, queimados e do foro neurocirurgico. É sugerida a realização de mais estudos sobre o tema e em populações específicas.

Envelhecimento Ativo e Saudável: resultado-piloto do programa de intervenção "VintAGEING+Felizes" / Active and Healthy Aging: pilot result of the "VintAGEING+Happy" Intervention Program / Envejecimiento activo y saludable: resultado piloto del Programa de Intervención "VintAGEING+Felices"

Ações de prevenção e de manutenção da saúde do idoso, na sua comunidade e no seu domicílio, devem ser resultado de um esforço de parcerias públicas e/ou privadas, academia e serviço. O programa intitulado, VintANGEING+Felizes, tem como finalidade realizar um trabalho multidisciplinar de intervenção comunitária, disponibilizando o conhecimento científico e contribuindo para o cumprimento das diretrizes e das políticas de atenção pública à saúde do idoso, na direção do envelhecimento ativo e saudável.

Actions to prevent and maintain the health of the elderly, in their community and at home, should be the result of an effort of public and / or private partnerships, academia and service. The VintANGEING+Happy Program aims to carry out a multidisciplinary work of community intervention, providing scientific knowledge and contributing to the compliance with the guidelines and policies of public attention to the health of the elderly in the direction of active and healthy aging.

Las acciones de prevención y mantenimiento de la salud de los ancianos, en su comunidad y en el hogar, deben ser el resultado de un esfuerzo de asociaciones públicas y / o privadas, gimnasio y servicio. El programa VintANGEING+Felizes tiene como objetivo llevar a cabo un trabajo multidisciplinario de intervención comunitaria, proporcionando conocimiento científico y contribuyendo al cumplimiento de las directrices y políticas de atención de salud pública para personas mayores, en la dirección del envejecimiento activo y saludable.

Methodological considerations for kinematic analysis of upper limbs in healthy and poststroke adults Part II: a systematic review of motion capture systems and kinematic metrics.

Background and purpose: To review the methods used to analyze the kinematics of upper limbs (ULs) of healthy and poststroke adults, namely the motion capture systems and kinematic metrics. Summary of review: A database of articles published in the last decade was compiled using the following search terms combinations: ("upper extremity" OR "upper limb" OR arm) AND (kinematic OR motion OR movement) AND (analysis OR assessment OR measurement). The articles included in this review: (1) had the purpose to analyze objectively three-dimension kinematics of ULs, (2) studied functional movements or activities of daily living involving ULs, and (3) studied healthy and/or poststroke adults. Fourteen articles were included (four studied a healthy sample, three analyzed poststroke patients, and seven examined both poststroke and healthy participants). Conclusion: Most articles used optoelectronic systems with markers; however, the presentation of laboratory and task-specific errors is missing. Markerless systems, used in some studies, seem to be promising alternatives for implementation of kinematic analysis in hospitals and clinics, but the literature proving their validity is scarce. Most articles analyzed "joint kinematics" and "end-point kinematics," mainly related with reaching. The different stroke locations of the samples were not considered in their analysis and only three articles described their psychometric properties. Implication of key findings: Future research should validate portable motion capture systems, document their specific error at the acquisition place and for the studied task, include grasping and manipulation analysis, and describe psychometric properties.

Behavioral Pain Scale and Critical Care Pain Observation Tool for pain evaluation in orotracheally tubed critical patients. A systematic review of the literature. / Behavioral Pain Scale e Critical Care Pain Observation Tool para avaliação da dor em pacientes graves intubados orotraquealmente. Revisão sistemática da literatura.

OBJECTIVE: Descrever a adequação de duas escalas comportamentais, a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. METHOD: Utilizando a metodologia recomendada pelo Centro Cochrane, foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura, na base de dados eletrônica EBSCO host (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE®Complete, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, MedicLatina). Foram realizadas duas pesquisas com os seguintes termos em inglês no campo de pesquisa: "behavioral pain scale" AND "critical care pain observation tool" AND "behavioral pain scale" OR "critical care pain observation tool". Dois revisores independentes realizaram a avaliação crítica, a extração e a síntese dos dados. RESULTS: Foram incluídos 15 estudos que evidenciaram que a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool eram duas escalas válidas e confiáveis para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente e internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. As escalas apresentaram propriedades psicométricas semelhantes, bem como boa confiabilidade. CONCLUSION: Ambas as escalas são adequadas para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, contudo, apresentam limitações em populações específicas como doentes vítimas de trauma, queimados e do foro neurocirurgico. É sugerida a realização de mais estudos sobre o tema e em populações específicas.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a adequação de duas escalas comportamentais, a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool, para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. MÉTODO: Utilizando a metodologia recomendada pelo Centro Cochrane, foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura, na base de dados eletrônica EBSCO host (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE®Complete, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts, MedicLatina). Foram realizadas duas pesquisas com os seguintes termos em inglês no campo de pesquisa: "behavioral pain scale" AND "critical care pain observation tool" AND "behavioral pain scale" OR "critical care pain observation tool". Dois revisores independentes realizaram a avaliação crítica, a extração e a síntese dos dados. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 15 estudos que evidenciaram que a Behavioral Pain Scale e a Critical Care Pain Observation Tool eram duas escalas válidas e confiáveis para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente e internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. As escalas apresentaram propriedades psicométricas semelhantes, bem como boa confiabilidade. CONCLUSÃO: Ambas as escalas são adequadas para a avaliação da dor em pacientes intubados orotraquealmente, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, contudo, apresentam limitações em populações específicas como doentes vítimas de trauma, queimados e do foro neurocirurgico. É sugerida a realização de mais estudos sobre o tema e em populações específicas.

Methodological considerations for kinematic analysis of upper limbs in healthy and poststroke adults. Part I: A systematic review of sampling and motor tasks.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the methods used to analyze the kinematics of upper limbs (ULs) of healthy and poststroke adults, namely specificities of sampling and motor tasks. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: A database of articles published in the last decade was compiled using the following search terms combinations: ("upper extremity" OR "upper limb" OR arm) AND (kinematics OR motion OR movement) AND (analysis OR assessment OR measurement). The articles included in this review (1) had the purpose to analyze objectively a three-dimension kinematics of ULs, (2) studied functional movements or activities of daily living (ADL) involving uppers limbs, and (3) studied healthy and/or poststroke adults. Fourteen articles were included (four studied a healthy sample, three analyzed poststroke patients, and seven examined both poststroke and healthy participants). CONCLUSION: Most of the recommended demographic and stroke information, such as some preexisting conditions to stroke, initial stroke severity, and stroke location, were not collected by all or most of the articles. Time poststroke onset was presented in all articles but showed great variability. Few articles identified anthropometric characteristics and adjusted task environment to them. Most of the samples were composed mainly by males and had a low mean age, which does not represent poststroke population. Most articles analyzed "functional movements", namely simulations of ADL. Implication of key findings: Future research should identify the recommended information to allow an adequate stratification. Acute phase after stroke, real ADL with different complexities, and ipsilesional UL should be studied.

Calcium signaling and the novel anti-proliferative effect of the UTP-sensitive P2Y11 receptor in rat cardiac myofibroblasts.

During myocardial ischemia and reperfusion both purines and pyrimidines are released into the extracellular milieu, thus creating a signaling wave that propagates to neighboring cells via membrane-bound P2 purinoceptors activation. Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are important players in heart remodeling, electrophysiological changes and hemodynamic alterations following myocardial infarction. Here, we investigated the role UTP on calcium signaling and proliferation of CF cultured from ventricles of adult rats. Co-expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 and α-smooth muscle actin indicate that cultured CF are activated myofibroblasts. Intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) signals were monitored in cells loaded with Fluo-4 NW. CF proliferation was evaluated by the MTT assay. UTP and the selective P2Y4 agonist, MRS4062, caused a fast desensitizing [Ca(2+)]i rise originated from thapsigargin-sensitive internal stores, which partially declined to a plateau providing the existence of Ca(2+) in the extracellular fluid. The biphasic [Ca(2+)]i response to UTP was attenuated respectively by P2Y4 blockers, like reactive blue-2 and suramin, and by the P2Y11 antagonist, NF340. UTP and the P2Y2 receptor agonist MRS2768 increased, whereas the selective P2Y11 agonist NF546 decreased, CF growth; MRS4062 was ineffective. Blockage of the P2Y11 receptor or its coupling to adenylate cyclase boosted UTP-induced CF proliferation. Confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of P2Y2, P2Y4 and P2Y11 receptors. Data indicate that besides P2Y4 and P2Y2 receptors which are responsible for UTP-induced [Ca(2+)]i transients and growth of CF, respectively, synchronous activation of the previously unrecognized P2Y11 receptor may represent an important target for anti-fibrotic intervention in cardiac remodeling.

Co-activation of upper limb muscles during reaching in post-stroke subjects: an analysis of the contralesional and ipsilesional limbs.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the change in antagonist co-activation ratio of upper-limb muscle pairs, during the reaching movement, of both ipsilesional and contralesional limbs of post-stroke subjects. Nine healthy and nine post-stroke subjects were instructed to reach and grasp a target, placed in the sagittal and scapular planes of movement. Surface EMG was recorded from postural control and movement related muscles. Reaching movement was divided in two sub-phases, according to proximal postural control versus movement control demands, during which antagonist co-activation ratios were calculated for the muscle pairs LD/PM, PD/AD, TRIlat/BB and TRIlat/BR. Post-stroke's ipsilesional limb presented lower co-activation in muscles with an important role in postural control (LD/PM), comparing to the healthy subjects during the first sub-phase, when the movement was performed in the sagittal plane (p<0.05). Conversely, the post-stroke's contralesional limb showed in general an increased co-activation ratio in muscles related to movement control, comparing to the healthy subjects. Our findings demonstrate that, in post-stroke subjects, the reaching movement performed with the ipsilesional upper limb seems to show co-activation impairments in muscle pairs associated to postural control, whereas the contralesional upper limb seems to have signs of impairment of muscle pairs related to movement.

Bradykinin-induced Ca2+ signaling in human subcutaneous fibroblasts involves ATP release via hemichannels leading to P2Y12 receptors activation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain involves connective tissue remodeling triggered by inflammatory mediators, such as bradykinin. Fibroblast cells signaling involve changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). ATP has been related to connective tissue mechanotransduction, remodeling and chronic inflammatory pain, via P2 purinoceptors activation. Here, we investigated the involvement of ATP in bradykinin-induced Ca2+ signals in human subcutaneous fibroblasts. RESULTS: Bradykinin, via B2 receptors, caused an abrupt rise in [Ca2+]i to a peak that declined to a plateau, which concentration remained constant until washout. The plateau phase was absent in Ca2+-free medium; [Ca2+]i signal was substantially reduced after depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin. Extracellular ATP inactivation with apyrase decreased the [Ca2+]i plateau. Human subcutaneous fibroblasts respond to bradykinin by releasing ATP via connexin and pannexin hemichannels, since blockade of connexins, with 2-octanol or carbenoxolone, and pannexin-1, with 10Panx, attenuated bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i plateau, whereas inhibitors of vesicular exocytosis, such as brefeldin A and bafilomycin A1, were inactive. The kinetics of extracellular ATP catabolism favors ADP accumulation in human fibroblast cultures. Inhibition of ectonucleotidase activity and, thus, ADP formation from released ATP with POM-1 or by Mg2+ removal from media reduced bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i plateau. Selective blockade of the ADP-sensitive P2Y12 receptor with AR-C66096 attenuated bradykinin [Ca2+]i plateau, whereas the P2Y1 and P2Y13 receptor antagonists, respectively MRS 2179 and MRS 2211, were inactive. Human fibroblasts exhibited immunoreactivity against connexin-43, pannexin-1 and P2Y12 receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Bradykinin induces ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts via connexin and pannexin-1-containing hemichannels leading to [Ca2+]i mobilization through the cooperation of B2 and P2Y12 receptors.

Histamine induces ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts, via pannexin-1 hemichannels, leading to Ca2+ mobilization and cell proliferation.

Changes in the regulation of connective tissue ATP-mediated mechano-transduction and remodeling may be an important link to the pathogenesis of chronic pain. It has been demonstrated that mast cell-derived histamine plays an important role in painful fibrotic diseases. Here we analyzed the involvement of ATP in the response of human subcutaneous fibroblasts to histamine. Acute histamine application caused a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) and ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts via H1 receptor activation. Histamine-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise was partially attenuated by apyrase, an enzyme that inactivates extracellular ATP, and by blocking P2 purinoceptors with pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid) tetrasodium salt and reactive blue 2. [Ca(2+)]i accumulation caused by histamine was also reduced upon blocking pannexin-1 hemichannels with (10)Panx, probenecid, or carbenoxolone but not when connexin hemichannels were inhibited with mefloquine or 2-octanol. Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of vesicular exocytosis, also did not block histamine-induced [Ca(2+)]i mobilization. Prolonged exposure of human subcutaneous fibroblast cultures to histamine favored cell growth and type I collagen synthesis via the activation of H1 receptor. This effect was mimicked by ATP and its metabolite, ADP, whereas the selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist, MRS2179, partially attenuated histamine-induced cell growth and type I collagen production. Expression of pannexin-1 and ADP-sensitive P2Y1 receptor on human subcutaneous fibroblasts was confirmed by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis. In conclusion, histamine induces ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts, via pannexin-1 hemichannels, leading to [Ca(2+)]i mobilization and cell growth through the cooperation of H1 and P2 (probably P2Y1) receptors.