Raman spectroscopy and sciatic functional index (SFI) after low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model.

Axonotmesis causes sensorimotor and neurofunctional deficits, and its regeneration can occur slowly or not occur if not treated appropriately. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) promotes nerve regeneration with the proliferation of myelinating Schwann cells to recover the myelin sheath and the production of glycoproteins for endoneurium reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of LLLT on sciatic nerve regeneration after compression injury by means of the sciatic functional index (SFI) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). For this, 64 Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the length of treatment: 14 days (n = 32) and 21 days (n = 32). These two groups were subdivided into four sub-groups of eight animals each (control 1; control 2; laser 660 nm; laser 808 nm). All animals had surgical exposure to the sciatic nerve, and only control 1 did not suffer nerve damage. To cause the lesion in the sciatic nerve, compression was applied with a Kelly clamp for 6 s. The evaluation of sensory deficit was performed by the painful exteroceptive sensitivity (PES) and neuromotor tests by the SFI. Laser 660 nm and laser 808 nm sub-groups were irradiated daily (100 mW, 40 s, energy density of 133 J/cm2). The sciatic nerve segment was removed for RS analysis. The animals showed accentuated sensory and neurofunctional deficit after injury and their rehabilitation occurred more effectively in the sub-groups treated with 660 nm laser. Control 2 sub-group did not obtain functional recovery of gait. The RS identified sphingolipids (718, 1065, and 1440 cm-1) and collagen (700, 852, 1004, 1270, and 1660 cm-1) as biomolecular characteristics of sciatic nerves. Principal component analysis revealed important differences among sub-groups and a directly proportional correlation with SFI, mainly in the sub-group laser 660 nm treated for 21 days. In the axonotmesis-type lesion model presented herein, the 660 nm laser was more efficient in neurofunctional recovery, and the Raman spectra of lipid and protein properties were attributed to the basic biochemical composition of the sciatic nerve.

[Asthma and associated factors in students 13 and 14 years of age in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil]. / Asma e fatores associados em adolescentes de 13 e 14 anos em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma and associated factors among students 13 and 14 years of age in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the questionnaire developed by ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and an additional questionnaire from July 2008 to May 2009, including 3,069 adolescents. Asthma prevalence (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 12.7%, lifetime prevalence was 32.4%, 3.9% reported difficulty speaking due to wheezing, and 9.8% reported wheezing after exercise. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased asthma prevalence were family history of asthma, respiratory infection and wheezing in early life, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and passive smoking. Asthma prevalence was lower than for Brazil as a whole. Factors most strongly associated with asthma prevalence in these adolescents were family history of asthma (PR = 3.86), wheezing in early childhood (PR = 4.58), and allergic rhinitis (PR = 3.21).

Asma e fatores associados em adolescentes de 13 e 14 anos em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil / Asthma and associated factors in students 13 and 14 years of age in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de asma e fatores associados em estudantes de 13 e 14 anos do Município de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. Realizou-se estudo transversal utilizando o questionário do ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) e questionário complementar, entre julho de 2008 e maio de 2009 com 3.069 adolescentes. A prevalência de asma (sibilos nos últimos 12 meses) foi de 12,7%, sendo que 32,4% apresentaram sibilos alguma vez na vida, 3,9% tinham dificuldade de fala por causa de sibilos e 9,8% relataram sibilos após exercícios físicos. Na análise multivariada, os fatores associados à maior prevalência de asma foram história familiar de asma, infecção respiratória e sibilos no início da vida, eczema, tabagismo passivo e rinite alérgica. A prevalência de asma encontrada foi inferior à brasileira. Os fatores mais associados com a prevalência de asma foram história familiar de asma (RP = 3,86), sibilos no início da vida (RP = 4,58) e rinite alérgica (RP = 3,21).

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma and associated factors among students 13 and 14 years of age in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the questionnaire developed by ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and an additional questionnaire from July 2008 to May 2009, including 3,069 adolescents. Asthma prevalence (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 12.7%, lifetime prevalence was 32.4%, 3.9% reported difficulty speaking due to wheezing, and 9.8% reported wheezing after exercise. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with increased asthma prevalence were family history of asthma, respiratory infection and wheezing in early life, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and passive smoking. Asthma prevalence was lower than for Brazil as a whole. Factors most strongly associated with asthma prevalence in these adolescents were family history of asthma (PR = 3.86), wheezing in early childhood (PR = 4.58), and allergic rhinitis (PR = 3.21).

Pulmonary complications in pediatric cardiac surgery at a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of pulmonary complications in children undergone cardiac surgery, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of this population. METHODS: The sample comprised 37 children of both genders, underwent cardiac surgery at the Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, São Luis (MA) during the year of 2007. There were not included patients who had lung disease in pre-operative period, patients with neurological disorders, intra-operative death besides lack of data in medical records. The data were obtained from general medical and nursing staff of their medical records. RESULTS: The population of the study was predominantly composed by female children, from the countryside and at school age. Pathologies considered low risk were the majority, especially the patent ductus arteriosus, interventricular communication and interatrial communication. It was observed that the largest share of children made use of cardiopulmonary bypass for more than 30 minutes, with a median of 80 minutes, suffered a median sternotomy, using only the mediastinal drain and made use of mechanical ventilation after surgery, with the median about 6.6 hours. Only three (8.1%) patients developed pulmonary complications, and of these, two died. CONCLUSION: Most of the sample was female, school aged and from the countryside. The low time of cardiopulmonary bypass and mechanical ventilation, and congenital heart disease with low risk, may have been factors that contributed to the low rate of pulmonary complications postoperative.

Complicações pulmonares em crianças submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca em um hospital universitário / Pulmonary complications in pediatric cardiac surgery at a university hospital

OBJETIVO: Identificar a prevalência de complicações pulmonares em crianças submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca, assim como características demográficas e clínicas da população estudada. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 37 crianças, de ambos os sexos, submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca no Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, São Luís (MA), durante o ano de 2007. Não foram incluídos pacientes que apresentaram doença pulmonar pré-cirúrgica, portadores de distúrbios neurológicos, óbito intra-operatório, além de falta de dados no prontuário. Os dados foram obtidos pela coleta nas evoluções médicas e de enfermagem dos respectivos prontuários. RESULTADOS: Quanto às características populacionais, houve predomínio de crianças do sexo feminino, provenientes do interior do estado e na faixa etária escolar. Patologias consideradas de baixo risco foram a maioria, destacando-se a persistência do canal arterial, comunicação interventricular e comunicação interatrial. Observou-se que a maior parcela das crianças fez uso de circulação extracorpórea por mais de 30 minutos, sendo a mediana igual a 80 minutos, sofreu esternotomia mediana, utilizou apenas dreno mediastinal e fez uso de ventilação mecânica pós-operatória, sendo a mediana aproximadamente de 6,6 horas. Somente três (8,1 por cento) pacientes apresentaram complicações pulmonares, sendo que destes, dois foram a óbito. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria das crianças da amostra era do sexo feminino, na faixa etária escolar e proveniente do interior do estado. Os baixos tempos de circulação extracorpórea e ventilação mecânica, além de cardiopatias congênitas consideradas de baixo risco, podem ter sido fatores contribuintes para o pequeno índice de complicações pulmonares no pós-operatório.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of pulmonary complications in children undergone cardiac surgery, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of this population. METHODS: The sample comprised 37 children of both genders, underwent cardiac surgery at the Hospital Universitário Presidente Dutra, São Luis (MA) during the year of 2007. There were not included patients who had lung disease in pre-operative period, patients with neurological disorders, intra-operative death besides lack of data in medical records. The data were obtained from general medical and nursing staff of their medical records. RESULTS: The population of the study was predominantly composed by female children, from the countryside and at school age. Pathologies considered low risk were the majority, especially the patent ductus arteriosus, interventricular communication and interatrial communication. It was observed that the largest share of children made use of cardiopulmonary bypass for more than 30 minutes, with a median of 80 minutes, suffered a median sternotomy, using only the mediastinal drain and made use of mechanical ventilation after surgery, with the median about 6.6 hours. Only three (8.1 percent) patients developed pulmonary complications, and of these, two died. CONCLUSION: Most of the sample was female, school aged and from the countryside. The low time of cardiopulmonary bypass and mechanical ventilation, and congenital heart disease with low risk, may have been factors that contributed to the low rate of pulmonary complications postoperative.

Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory exercises in children with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and respiratory exercises have on muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and severity variables in children with asthma. METHODS: This was a randomized analytical study involving 50 children with asthma allocated to one of two groups: an IMT group, comprising 25 children submitted to IMT via an asthma education and treatment program; and a control group, comprising 25 children who were submitted only to monthly medical visits and education on asthma. The IMT was performed using a pressure threshold load of 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The results were evaluated using analysis of variance, the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, values of p > 0.05 being considered significant. RESULTS: In the comparative analysis, pre- and post-intervention values of MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and PEF increased significantly in the IMT group: MIP from -;48.32 +/- 5.706 to -;109.92 +/- 18.041 (p < 0.0001); MEP from 50.64 +/- 6.55 to 82.04 +/- 17.006 (p < 0.0001); and PEF from 173.6 +/- 50.817 to 312 +/- 54.848 (p < 0.0001). In the control group, however, there were no significant differences between the two time points in terms of MIP or MEP, although PEF increased from 188 +/- 43.97 to 208.80 +/- 44.283 (p < 0.0001). There was a significant improvement in the severity variables in the IMT group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Programs involving IMT and respiratory exercises can increase mechanical efficiency of the respiratory muscles, as well as improving PEF and severity variables.

Treinamento muscular inspiratório e exercícios respiratórios em crianças asmáticas / Inspiratory muscle training and respiratory exercises in children with asthma

OBJETIVO: Avaliar efeitos do treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI) e exercícios respiratórios na força muscular, pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) e variáveis de gravidade em crianças asmáticas. MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico, experimental aleatório em 50 crianças asmáticas alocadas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: um grupo composto de 25 crianças que realizaram TMI em um programa de assistência e educação em asma (grupo TMI); e um grupo controle, composto de 25 crianças que foram submetidas apenas às consultas médicas mensais e educação em asma. O TMI foi realizado com o threshold com a carga de 40 por cento da pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx). A análise dos resultados foi realizada através da análise da variância, teste de qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher, sendo considerado significante o valor de p > 0,05. RESULTADOS: Na análise comparativa, observou-se aumento significativo da PImáx, da pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) e do PFE pré- e pós-intervenção no grupo TMI, como se segue: PImáx de -;48,32 ± 5,7 para -;109,92 ± 18 (p < 0,0001); PEmáx de 50,64 ± 6,5 para 82,04 ± 17(p < 0,0001); e PFE de 173,6 ± 50 para 312 ± 54 (p < 0,0001). Entretanto, não houve aumento significativo da PImáx e PEmáx no grupo controle, somente no PFE, de 188 ± 43,97 para 208,80 ± 44,283 (p < 0,0001). Houve melhora significativa das variáveis de gravidade no grupo TMI (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: O TMI e exercícios respiratórios proporcionam uma melhora na eficiência mecânica nos músculos respiratórios, no PFE e variáveis de gravidade.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and respiratory exercises have on muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and severity variables in children with asthma. METHODS: This was a randomized analytical study involving 50 children with asthma allocated to one of two groups: an IMT group, comprising 25 children submitted to IMT via an asthma education and treatment program; and a control group, comprising 25 children who were submitted only to monthly medical visits and education on asthma. The IMT was performed using a pressure threshold load of 40 percent of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The results were evaluated using analysis of variance, the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, values of p > 0.05 being considered significant. RESULTS: In the comparative analysis, pre- and post-intervention values of MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and PEF increased significantly in the IMT group: MIP from -;48.32 ± 5.706 to -;109.92 ± 18.041 (p < 0.0001); MEP from 50.64 ± 6.55 to 82.04 ± 17.006 (p < 0.0001); and PEF from 173.6 ± 50.817 to 312 ± 54.848 (p < 0.0001). In the control group, however, there were no significant differences between the two time points in terms of MIP or MEP, although PEF increased from 188 ± 43.97 to 208.80 ± 44.283 (p < 0.0001). There was a significant improvement in the severity variables in the IMT group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Programs involving IMT and respiratory exercises can increase mechanical efficiency of the respiratory muscles, as well as improving PEF and severity variables.