Effects of regular exercise and dual tasking on spatial and temporal parameters of obstacle negotiation in elderly women.

This study investigated the effects of regular exercise and dual tasking on bilateral spatial and temporal parameters of obstacle negotiation in elderly women. Sedentary (n=12) and physically active (n=12) elderly women volunteered to participate in this study. Gait kinematics were recorded during obstacle crossing when performing a dual task and when not performing a dual task. Physically active participants crossed obstacles more safely, in terms of clearance or distance to or over the obstacle, both with and without dual tasking, and usually for both lead and trail legs. Performing the dual task increased toe distance, and decreased heel distance and gait speed in the active participants, and increased toe clearance and heel distance, and decreased gait speed in the sedentary participants. Differences between preferred and non-preferred leg were accentuated for toe clearance in the lead limb. These results suggest that specialized exercises may not be needed for improvement in obstacle avoidance skills in the elderly, and participation in multi-activities, including aerobic exercises, may be sufficient.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of mass trapping with BG-sentinel traps for dengue vector control: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Manaus, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of BG-Sentinel (BGS) traps for mass trapping at the household level to control the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.), in Manaus (Brazil) by performing a cluster randomized controlled trial. After an initial questionnaire and baseline monitoring, 6 out of 12 clusters were randomly allocated to the intervention arm, where participating premises received one BGS trap for mass trapping. The other six clusters did not receive traps and were considered as the control arm. Biweekly monitoring with BGS in both arms assessed the impact of mass trapping. At the end of the study, a serological survey was conducted and a second questionnaire was conducted in the intervention arm. Entomological monitoring indicated that mass trapping with BGS traps significantly reduced the abundance of adult female Ae. aegypti during the first five rainy months. In the subsequent dry season when the mosquito population was lower, no effect of mass trapping was observed. Fewer Ae. aegypti females were measured in the intervention arm during the next rainy period, but no significant difference between arms was observed. The serological survey revealed that in participating houses of mass trapping areas recent dengue infections were less common than in control areas, although this effect was not statistically significant. The majority of participants responded positively to questions concerning user satisfaction. Our results suggest that BGS traps are a promising tool which might be deployed as part of dengue control programs; however, further investigations and larger scale studies are necessary.

Dental trauma among Brazilian schoolchildren: prevalence, treatment and associated factors.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injury (TDI), as well as associated factors, behaviour of affected schoolchildren and normative treatment needs. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study involved 590 children aged 7-14 years at state schools in Campina Grande, Brazil. The O'Brien classification [1994] was used for the diagnosis of TDI and the body mass index (BMI) was used as an indicator of overweight/obesity. Clinical tests were carried out by two duly calibrated examiners (intra-observer and inter-observer agreement: 0.87 and 0.90, respectively). The Chi-square test was used (5% level of significance) to determine whether TDI was associated with age, gender, ethnicity, overweight/obesity, lip seal and overjet. Backward stepwise multivariate regression analysis was performed. Normative treatment needs were determined based on the criteria of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT). When the absence of treatment was detected, each child/adolescent was asked about the reason for non-treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDI was 12.7%. The most common type of trauma was enamel fracture (67.0%), followed by enamel-dentine fracture (25.3%). TDI was 4.9-fold greater (95% CI: 1.6-14.4) among children aged 13 and 14 years, 1.9- fold greater (95% CI: 1.1-3.2) among males and 2.6-fold greater (95% CI: 1.2-5.4) among those with inadequate lip seal. The majority of schoolchildren did not undergo treatment (82.6%) due to a belief that it was unnecessary (53.2%). The normative clinical evaluation revealed that adhesive restoration was the most common form of treatment (84.0%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TDI was low. Age, gender and inadequate lip seal were associated with dental trauma. A significant number of schoolchildren did not receive treatment for dental trauma.

[Common orthopedic problems in adolescents] / Problemas ortopédicos comuns na adolescência.

OBJECTIVE: Orthopedic problems in children and adolescents are quite frequent. For that reason, our aim was to give a remarkable insight into five selected topics: spinal deformities, osteochondritis, growing pains, back pain, and corrective shoes. METHODS: We analyzed general concepts of spinal deformities, including the general definition of scoliosis and its etiologic classification. We also discussed the definition, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of osteochondritis, growing pains, back pain, and corrective shoes. The data were obtained from review articles, textbooks, and from the Internet. RESULTS: We describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the selected conditions through review of literature and the authors own experience. CONCLUSIONS: Comments and relevant aspects concerning general pediatric practice are discussed.

Methamidophos: an anticholinesterase without significant effects on postsynaptic receptors or transmitter release.

Methamidophos (O,S-dimethyl phosphoroamidothiolate, Tamaron), an organophosphate (OP) anticholinesterase of limited toxicity, is widely used as an insecticide and acaricide. To provide additional insight into the molecular basis of its action, we have used electrophysiological and biochemical techniques to study the effects of methamidophos on the neuromuscular junction of rat and frog and on the central nervous system of rat. Methamidophos has a relatively weak inhibitory action on cholinesterases in rat diaphragm muscle, brain and hippocampal homogenates, with IC50 values on the order of 20-20 microM. An even weaker anticholinesterase activity was found in frog muscle homogenates, with the IC50 being above 300 microM. As further evidence of anticholinesterase activity, methamidophos (1-100 microM) was able to reverse the blockade by d-tubocurarine (0.5-0.7 microM) of neuromuscular transmission in rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations. Inhibition of cholinesterase activity by methamidophos was long lasting, which is consistent with the formation by the agent of a covalent bond with the enzyme's active serine residue. The action was also slowly reversible, which suggests spontaneous reactivation of the enzyme. electrophysiological studies at the rat neuromuscular junction showed that, due to its anticholinesterase activity, methamidophos increased the amplitude and prolonged the decay phase of nerve-evoked and spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials. In contrast to other OP compounds, e.g., paraoxon (Rocha et al., 1996a), methamidophos did not affect neurotransmitter release, nor did it interact directly with the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Moreover, it contrast to paraoxon, methamidophos did not affect the whole-cell currents induced by application of acetylcholine, glutamate or gamma-aminobutyric acid recorded to cultured hippocampal neurons. Based on these data, methamidophos appears to have a selective effect on cholinesterase.

Aortic input impedance during hypovolemic shock and after hyperosmotic solution infusion.

Aortic input impedance (Zin) was determined in 7 chloralose-urethane-anesthetized dogs. Flow and pressure were recorded in the ascending aorta during random cardiac pacing. These signals were processed on a spectrum analyzer utilizing the Fast Fourier Transform. Measurements were made 1) under control conditions; 2) every 5 min throughout 1 hr of hypovolemic shock; 3) every 5 min for 30 min after ending infusion of hyperosmotic solution (7.5% NaCl, 4.5 ml/kg body weight). We conclude that the determination of characteristic impedance (Zc) (average value of Zin from 4 to 10 Hz) can be useful for determining the initial phase of vascular decompensation in hypovolemic shock. After hyperosmotic solution infusion we observed a reduction in peripheral resistance, Zin, Zc, frequency of minimal Zin and frequency of phase crossover. These data strongly suggest a decrease in arterial vascular tonus.

Aortic input impedance during hypovolemic shock and after hyperosmotic solution infusion

Aortic input impedance (Zin) was determined in 7 chloralose-urethane-anesthetized dogs. Flow and pressure were recorded in the ascending aorta during randon cardiac pacing. These signals were processed on a spectrum analyzer utilization the Fast tansform. Measurements were made 1) under control conditions; 2) every 5 min throughout 1 h of hypovolemic shock; 3) every 5 min for 5 min for 30 min after ending infusions of hypersosmotic solution (7.5%) NaCl, 4.5 ml/Kg body weight). We conclude that the determination of characteristics impedance (Zc) (average value of Zin from 4 to 10 Hz) can be useful for determining the initial phase of vascular decompensation in hypovolemic shock. After hyperosmotic solution infusion we observed a reduction in peripheral resistance, Zin, Zc, frequency of minimal Zin and frequency of phase crossover. These datea strongly suggest a decrease in arterial vascular tonus