Effect of Telerehabilitation on Pulmonary Function, Functional Capacity, Physical Fitness, Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis.

Background: This study aimed to demonstrate the technological means used to offer telerehabilitation and to evaluate the effect of physical exercise on the population affected by COVID-19. Methods: Clinical trials were searched in the electronic databases Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO (CINAHL), PEDro, and Web of Science from January 16 to 19, 2023. The effect measure was estimated as mean difference (MD) or standard MD (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analysis was used to study potential moderating factors. Results: Twenty-four articles, describing trials with a total of 1,344 individuals affected by COVID-19, were included in the qualitative synthesis and 14 articles in the meta-analysis. The pooled results revealed that telerehabilitation improves the functional capacity (MD 79.65 [63.57, 95.73]m, p < 0.00001), agility (MD -0.69 [-1.33, -0.04] s, p = 0.04), lower limb strength and endurance (SMD 0.74 [0.52, 0.96], p < 0.00001), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (MD 0.22 [-0.04, 0.49] L, p = 0.10), and dyspnea (SMD -0.94 [-1.64, -0.24], p = 0.009). The dynamic muscular resistance training associated or not with other exercise modalities led to improvements in muscular strength (MD 4.69 [0.44, 8.94] kg, p = 0.03) and fatigue (SMD -0.97 [-1.74, -0.20], p = 0.01). In addition, telerehabilitation showed improvements in the quality of life in the contagious-phase COVID-19 patients. Although this intervention improved inspiratory muscle strength (MD 13.71 [5.41, 22.0] cmH2O, p = 0.001), it did not favor forced vital capacity. Conclusions: Telerehabilitation contributed to improving functional capacity, inspiratory muscle strength, physical fitness, and quality of life, and reducing dyspnea and fatigue in COVID-19 adult survivors.

Effects of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation protocol on functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reduced functional capacity, dyspnea, fatigue, and changes in body composition are common in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation may improve these parameters. Thus, the present study verified the effects of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (respiratory, aerobic, and resistance muscle training) on submaximal exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition. METHODS: This controlled and randomized clinical trial applied a six-week outpatient intervention protocol in individuals over 18 years old (n = 33) with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. These individuals were allocated to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (n = 17) or control groups (i.e., educational lectures; n = 16). The cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group performed respiratory, aerobic, and resistance muscle training. Submaximal exercise tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, and body composition were assessed before and after the protocol. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group increased the tolerance to submaximal exercise, with a difference of 100.46 m (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.40-193 m) in the distance walked on the six-minute walk test, reduced dyspnea (-1.45, 95% CI: -1.98--0.92) in the modified Medical Research Council, and increased 0.63 kg (95% CI: 0.09-1.18 kg) of muscle mass in the upper limbs compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The six-week cardiopulmonary rehabilitation protocol improved functional capacity, reduced dyspnea, and increased muscle mass in the upper limbs in individuals with PCS. Thus, these results supported the protocol use in this population and encourage further studies to assess its effectiveness in a large sample.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation adjunct to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in hypertensive individuals.

Background: Hypertension is a global issue that is projected to worsen with increasingly obese populations. The central nervous system including the parts of the cortex plays a key role in hemodynamic stability and homeostatic control of blood pressure (BP), making them critical components in understanding and investigating the neural control of BP. This study investigated the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) associated with aerobic physical exercise on BP and heart rate variability in hypertensive patients. Methods: Twenty hypertensive patients were randomized into two groups: active tDCS associated with aerobic exercise or sham tDCS associated with aerobic exercise. BP and heart rate variability were analyzed before (baseline) and after twelve non-consecutive sessions. After each tDCS session (2 mA for 20 min), moderate-intensity aerobic exercise was carried out on a treadmill for 40 min. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled (53.9 ± 10.6 years, 30.1 ± 3.7 Kg/m2). There were no significant interactions between time and groups on diastolic BP during wake, sleep, over 24 and 3 h after the last intervention. Heart rate variability variables showed no significant difference for time, groups and interaction analysis, except for HF (ms2) between groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Anodal tDCS over the temporal cortex associated with aerobic exercise did not induce improvements in BP and heart rate variability. Clinical trial registration: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-56jg3n/1, identifier: RBR-56jg3n.

Effects of telerehabilitation on cardiac remodeling and hemodynamics parameters in hypertensive older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of telerehabilitation with multimodal exercise on cardiac remodeling and blood pressure in hypertensive older adults. METHODS: Thirty-two hypertensive older adults (66.7 ± 5.33 years; 29.5 ± 4.22 Kg/m2; 24 female) were randomized into either a telerehabilitation or a control group. Echocardiographic parameters and blood pressure were assessed before and after the 16-week intervention. The exercise program was supervised, individualized, and offered 3×/week via videoconference. RESULTS: Blood pressure significantly decreased after telerehabilitation when compared to the control group, presenting a large effect size. The moderate effect size in relative and posterior wall thickness (g = 0.63; g = 0.61), shortening fraction (g = 0.54), and ejection fraction (g = 0.68). CONCLUSION: As a preliminary study, telerehabilitation is favorable to promote a moderate clinical improvement of some cardiac morphofunctional parameters and reduce blood pressure in hypertensive older adults.

Morphohistometric and steroidogenic parameters during testicular and epididymal differentiation in cavy (Galea spixii) fetuses.

Sexual differentiation and steroidogenic mechanisms have an important impact on postnatal gonadal phenotypic development. Thus, establishing the activities that lead to male phenotypic development can provide a better understanding of this process. This study examined the prenatal development of cavies to establish morphological and histometric development patterns and protein and enzyme immunolocalization processes that are responsible for androgen synthesis in the testes and epididymis. Histological and histometric analyses of the diameter of the seminiferous cords and epididymal ducts of male fetuses on Days 25, 30, 40, and 50 were performed, as well as immunohistochemistry of the steroidogenic enzymes 5α-reductase and 17ß-HSD, the androgen receptor, and the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Our findings showed a cellular grouping of gonocytes from Day 30 onward that was characteristic of the seminiferous cord, which was not present in the lumen at any of the studied dates. From Day 50 onward, the differentiation of the three anatomical regions of the epididymis was evident, the head (caput), body (corpus), and tail (cauda), with tissue distinctions. Furthermore, the diameters of the seminiferous cords and epididymal ducts significantly increased with age. On Day 50, the tail showed the greatest diameter of the three regions. The Sertoli and Leydig cells exhibited AMH immunoreactivity at all dates. In addition, the Leydig cells and epididymal epithelial tissue were immunopositive for 5α-reductase, 17ß-HSD, and the androgen receptor; therefore, these factors influenced the development and maintenance of the testis and epididymis during cavy prenatal development.

The Effect of Telerehabilitation on Physical Fitness and Depression/Anxiety in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a telerehabilitation program on physical fitness, muscle strength, and levels of depression and anxiety in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: Thirty-two individuals recovered from COVID-19 (48.20±12.82 years) were allocated into either a telerehabilitation (TG n=16) or control (CG n=16) group. Physical fitness, handgrip strength, depression and anxiety levels were assessed before and after an 8-week intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in muscle strength in both groups. Physical fitness significantly increased compared to the CG at the end of the intervention. Levels of anxiety and depression significantly decreased after the intervention when compared to the CG. Conclusion: Eight weeks of functional telerehabilitation training is a viable and efficient way to rehabilitate patients affected by COVID-19, as it improved physical conditioning and mental health.

Impaired Neuromuscular Efficiency and Symptom-Limited Aerobic Exercise Capacity 4 Weeks After Recovery From COVID-19 Appear to Be Associated With Disease Severity at Onset.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate neuromuscular recruitment and efficiency in participants who recovered from COVID-19 and assess the association between neuromuscular efficiency and symptom-limited aerobic exercise capacity. METHODS: Participants who recovered from mild (n = 31) and severe (n = 17) COVID-19 were evaluated and compared with a reference group (n = 15). Participants underwent symptom-limited ergometer exercise testing with simultaneous electromyography evaluation after a 4-week recovery period. Activation of muscle fiber types IIa and IIb and neuromuscular efficiency (watts/percentage of root-mean-square obtained at the maximum effort) were determined from electromyography of the right vastus lateralis. RESULTS: Participants who had recovered from severe COVID-19 had lower power output and higher neuromuscular activity than the reference group and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19. Type IIa and IIb fibers were activated at a lower power output in participants who had recovered from severe COVID-19 than in the reference group and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19, with large effect sizes (0.40 for type IIa and 0.48 for type IIb). Neuromuscular efficiency was lower in participants who had recovered from severe COVID-19 than in the reference group and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19, with a large effect size (0.45). Neuromuscular efficiency showed a correlation with symptom-limited aerobic exercise capacity (r = 0.83). No differences were observed between participants who had recovered from mild COVID-19 and the reference group for any variables. CONCLUSION: This physiological observational study supports the notion that more severe COVID-19 symptoms at disease onset appear to correspondingly impair neuromuscular efficiency in survivors over a short time frame of 4 weeks after recovery, potentially contributing to reduced cardiorespiratory capacity. Further studies are needed to replicate and extend these findings with respect to their clinical implications for assessment/evaluation and interventions. IMPACT: After 4 weeks of recovery, neuromuscular impairment is particularly evident in severe cases; this problem may contribute to reduced cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.

Occupational risks and musculoskeletal complaints among industrial workers: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders result from the overuse of the musculoskeletal system and insufficient time for the structures to recover. They are generally characterized by chronic pain, paresthesia, feeling of heaviness and fatigue, especially in the upper extremities, concomitantly or not, with an insidious onset. Objectives: To characterize musculoskeletal complaints and occupational risks in workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 60 participants in a Workers' Health Reference Center with clinical and imaging diagnosis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The instrument used contained 30 questions about individual factors, occupational risks, and musculoskeletal abnormalities. The results were analyzed descriptively, and the chi-square test was used to assess associations with a significance level at p < 0.05. Data analysis was performed using BioEstat 5®. Results: Most participants were men (66.7%) working in the industrial sector. The most common complaint was pain (100%) in the shoulders (43.8%) and lumbar spine (22%), and the most common abnormalities were tendinopathies and intervertebral disc disorders. The following risk factors were identified: 8-hour workday (80%); repetitive gestures (86.7%); twisting (58.3%); bending (61.7%); standing (66.7%); manual work (96.7%); and 10-30 kg of weight handled (35%). Conclusions: A large number of workers exposed to biomechanical and organizational risks report musculoskeletal pain. Employers should check working conditions and adjust them, investing in health promotion and protection actions to effectively reduce the occurrence of these disorders.

Introdução: Os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho são decorrentes da utilização excessiva do sistema osteomuscular e da falta de tempo para recuperação dessas estruturas. Geralmente, são caracterizados por dor crônica, parestesia, sensação de peso e fadiga, sobretudo em membros superiores, concomitantes ou não, de aparecimento insidioso. Objetivos: Caracterizar as queixas osteomioarticulares e os riscos ocupacionais em trabalhadores portadores de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho. Métodos: Estudo observacional com análise transversal, realizado com 60 participantes em um Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador, com diagnóstico clínico e de imagem dos distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho. O instrumento utilizado continha 30 questões sobre fatores individuais, riscos ocupacionais e alterações osteomusculares. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e, para avaliar as associações, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado, considerando nível de significância p < 0,05. As análises foram realizadas no programa BioEstat 5®. Resultados: A amostra foi majoritariamente masculina (66,7%) e do setor industrial. A queixa mais relatada foi a dor (100%) nos ombros (43,8%) e região lombar da coluna (22%), e as alterações mais encontradas foram tendinopatias e transtornos nos discos vertebrais. Alguns fatores de risco identificados foram: jornada de trabalho de 8 horas (80%); realizar gestos repetitivos (86,7%); torções (58,3%); deslocamentos (61,7%); adotar a posição bípede (ortostática) do corpo (66,7%); trabalho manual (96,7%); transporte de peso entre 10 e 30 kg (35%). Conclusões: Um grande número de trabalhadores expostos a riscos biomecânicos e organizacionais relata dores musculoesqueléticas. Cabe aos empresários verificar as condições de trabalho e ajustá-las, investindo em ações de promoção e proteção à saúde, para efetivamente reduzir a ocorrência desses distúrbios.

Sport-Specific Skills Differentiate Performance Levels Better Than Anthropometric or Physiological Factors in Beach Handball.

Beach handball is characterized by high- and low-intensity efforts on an unstable surface. Players are expected to display high levels of physical performance on sand, though there are no data concerning success in elite players. Purpose: This study aimed to address anthropometric, fitness, and sport-specific skills components in beach handball, by comparing elite national team beach handball players (world champions) to sub-elite players (playing at a regular club). Method: A total of 91 senior players (more than 21 years old) of both genders (19 world champions) were assessed for anthropometry, 5-m acceleration, 15-m sprint, handgrip strength, horizontal jump, and three specific sport-specific skills (ball velocities in standing, inflight and spin throwing) at a beach court. Anthropometric, physiological, and sport-specific skill test variables were analyzed as a multiple dependent variable using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with sex and level (elite vs sub-elite) as the fixed factors. SPSS (25.0) was used, significance was assumed at p < .05. Results: The results highlighted that for male and female athletes, horizontal jump, 6-m standing, spin, and inflight throwing discriminated between elite and sub-elite groups (p < .001). Conclusion: The study suggests that the factors which differentiate between elite and sub-elite performers in beach handball are horizontal jump and technical ability via the performance of specific throwing skills, rather than anthropometric or any other physical variables, irrespective of sex. These findings highlight some of the relevant physical capacities and skills that need to be developed over the years of preparation of top-level beach handball players.

Digitalização e Impressão Tridimensional de Crânio Canino como Ferramenta Educacional para Estudo Anatômico.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo padronizar a digitalização e impressão 3D de crânios de cães para uso educacional e avaliar a eficácia de modelos anatômicos impressos na disciplina de anatomia do curso de medicina veterinária. Os crânios foram selecionados para escaneamento e criação dos modelos impressos 3D modelados por fusão de deposição (FDM) utilizando acrilonitrila butadieno estireno. Após uma aula teórica sobre anatomia do crânio os modelos impressos 3D e os modelos reais do crânio de cães foram apresentados aos 140 alunos durante a aula prática de ossos. Uma avaliação prática de osteologia foi realizada após um mês que consistiu na identificação de estruturas anatômicas dos ossos do crânio identificados por alfinetes. Os alunos foram divididos em duas turmas para a realização da avaliação; o primeiro grupo fez os testes usando os crânios reais, enquanto o segundo grupo os crânios impressos 3D. O desempenho dos alunos foi avaliado conforme as suas performances no exame prático. No final da disciplina, eles foram convidados a responder a um breve questionário sobre suas experiências individuais. Os resultados do estudo demonstram que as estruturas anatômicas dos crânios impressos 3D eram semelhantes aos crânios reais. Não houve diferença significativa quando se analisou o grau de acertos e erros durante a realização do exame entre aqueles que identificaram as estruturas nos crânios reais ou nos impressos 3D. Conclui-se que é possível construir um acervo dinâmico digital e impresso tridimensional (3D) para estudos da anatomia comparada da espécie canina a partir de crânios reais, e que os crânios 3D podem ser usados como uma excelente ferramenta alternativa ao ensino na anatomia veterinária.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation associated with an aerobic exercise bout on blood pressure and autonomic modulation of hypertensive patients: A pilot randomized clinical trial.

The objective of this article was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise bout associated with a single session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left temporal lobe on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in hypertensive people. After met the inclusion criteria, twenty hypertensive people were randomized to active-tDCS or sham-tDCS group. Initially, they provided their sociodemographic data, a blood sample, and went through an evaluation of the cardiorespiratory performance. Then, a single session of tDCS with an intensity of 2 mA over the left lobe during 20 min was carried out. After tDCS, it was performed a session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during 40 min. BP during 24 h and HRV measurements were performed before (baseline) and after the intervention. Systolic BP during sleep time decreased in the active-tDCS group (p = 0.008). Diastolic BP showed a significant decrease 3 h after the intervention in the active-tDCS group (p = 0.01). An intragroup comparison showed a significant decrease in systolic BP 3 h after intervention only for the active-tDCS group (p = 0.04). Besides, there was a trend toward a difference in wake for diastolic BP for active-tDCS (p = 0.07). Lastly, there were no changes in the HRV for both groups. It is suggested that anodal tDCS associated with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can decrease systolic and diastolic BP of hypertensive people during sleep time and 3 h after the intervention.

Enhanced ligand-free attachment of osteoblast to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticles have previously been used as substrates for cell attachment and proliferation due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix, but in general, they require surface chemical modifications to achieve this purpose. In this study, polymeric nanoparticles were developed and used without any matrix ligands functionalized on their surface to promote cell attachment and proliferation of human osteoblasts (MG63s). First, telechelic, reduced molar mass and diol-functionalized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was prepared by transesterification using ethylene glycol. Then, PHBV-diol was used to prepare biodegradable nanoparticles via the solvent evaporation technique. MG63s were cultured in the presence of PHBV nanoparticles and growth kinetics were compared to that on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). Cell attachment on non-tissue culture polystyrene pre-coated with nanoparticles was assessed and compared to attachment on TCPS. The cell attachment study demonstrated that cells readily attached and were well spread onto the nanoparticle surfaces compared to non-tissue culture polystyrene. These findings reveal the potential of PHBV nanoparticles for cell attachment and growth to be used in tissue engineering.

EMG breakpoints for detecting anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point in recovered COVID-19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: A huge number of COVID-19 patients should be referred to rehabilitation programmes. Individualizing the exercise intensity by metabolic response provide good physiological results. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of EMG as a non-invasive determinant of the anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point, for more precise exercise intensity prescription. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study with 66 recovered COVID-19 patients was carried out. The patients underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test with simultaneous assessment of muscle electromyography in vastus lateralis. EMG breakpoints were analyzed during the ramp-up protocol. The first and second EMG breakpoints were used for anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point determination. RESULTS: EMG and gas exchange analysis presented strong correlation in anaerobic threshold (r = 0.97, p < 0.0001) and respiratory compensation point detection (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001) detection. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a bias = -4.7 W (SD = 6.2 W, limits of agreement = -16.9 to 7.6) for anaerobic threshold detection in EMG compared to gas exchange analysis. In respiratory compensation point detection, Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a bias = -2.1 W (SD = 4.5 W, limits of agreement = -10.9 to 6.6) in EMG compared to gas exchange analysis. EMG demonstrated a small effect size compared to gas exchange analysis in oxygen uptake and power output at anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point detection. CONCLUSIONS: EMG analysis detects anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point without clinical significant difference than gas exchange analysis (gold standard method) in recovered COVID-19 patients.

Transcranial direct current stimulation as a strategy to manage COVID-19 pain and fatigue.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected millions of people worldwide and generated many sequels in the survivors, such as muscular pain and fatigue. These symptoms have been treated through pharmacological approaches; however, infected people keep presenting physical limitations. Besides, the COVID-19 damage to the central nervous system has also been related to the presence of some physical impairment, so strategies that focus on diverse brain areas should be encouraged. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-pharmacological tool that could be associated with pharmacological treatments to improve the central nervous system function and decrease the exacerbation of the immune system response. tDCS targeting pain and fatigue-related areas could provide an increase in neuroplasticity and enhancements in physical functions. Moreover, it can be used in infirmaries and clinical centers to treat COVID-19 patients.

Neuromuscular efficiency is impaired during exercise in COPD patients.

AIM: to analyze respiratory and peripheral neuromuscular efficiency during exercise in COPD. METHODS: COPD patients (VEF1 = 39.25 ± 13.1 %) were paired with healthy subjects. It was performed cardiopulmonary exercise test with simultaneously electromyography (EMG). Respiratory neuromuscular efficiency was determined by relationship between tidal volume and diaphragm EMG. Peripheral neuromuscular efficiency was determined by relationship between power output and vastus lateralis EMG. RESULTS: Healthy subjects presented higher respiratory neuromuscular efficiency at moderate, heavy and maximum exercise intensities compared to COPD (p < 0.05). Healthy subjects presented higher peripheral neuromuscular efficiency at light, moderate, heavy and maximum exercise intensities compared to COPD (p < 0.001). Dynamic hyperinflation presented correlation with respiratory and peripheral neuromuscular efficiency (r = -0.73 and r = -0.76, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COPD patients have lower respiratory neuromuscular efficiency at moderate exercise intensity and lower peripheral neuromuscular efficiency at light exercise intensity. Dynamic hyperinflation affects respiratory and peripheral neuromuscular efficiency.

Three-dimensional digitalized and printed tongue models of the cow, dog, pig, and horse for undergraduate veterinary educationh / Modelos tridimensionales digitalizados e impresos de lengua de vaca, perro, cerdo y caballo para la educación veterinaria de pregrado

SUMMARY: This study aimed to construct three-dimensional (3D) anatomical models of the tongue of domestic mammals of veterinary interest. The tongues were obtained from the didactic collection of the Laboratory of Veterinary Macroscopic Anatomy in the Surgery Department of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo. Tongues from a cow, dog, horse, and pig were selected for scanning and creation of the 3D-printed models. The printer used a filamentous thermoplastic material, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which was deposited together with a support resin. In addition to the printing of models, an interactive 3D PDF was generated, creating a didactic collection for students. The anatomical characteristics and peculiarity of the tongues were easily identified in the scanned and printed images. The 3D scanning and printing offered an innovative method of visualizing different anatomical structures and, together with the existing methods, can optimize anatomy teaching in an educational context.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo construir modelos anatómicos tridimensionales (3D) de la lengua de mamíferos domésticos de interés veterinario. Las lenguas se obtuvieron de la colección didáctica del Laboratorio de Anatomía Macroscópica Veterinaria del Departamento de Cirugía de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad de São Paulo. Se seleccionaron lenguas de vaca, perro, caballo y cerdo para escanear y crear los modelos impresos en 3D. La impresora utilizó un material termoplástico filamentoso, acrilonitrilo-butadieno-estireno (ABS), que se depositó junto con una resina de soporte. Además de la impresión de modelos, se generó un PDF 3D interactivo, creando una colección didáctica para los estudiantes. Las características anatómicas y la peculiaridad de las lenguas se identificaron fácilmente en las imágenes escaneadas e impresas. El escaneo e impresión 3D ofrecieron un método innovador para visualizar diferentes estructuras anatómicas y, junto con los métodos existentes, puede optimizar la enseñanza de la anatomía en un contexto educativo.

Canine Skull Digitalization and Three-Dimensional Printing as an Educational Tool for Anatomical Study.

This article aims to standardize 3D scanning and printing of dog skulls for educational use and evaluate the effectiveness of these anatomical printed models for a veterinary anatomy course. Skulls were selected for scanning and creating 3D-printed models through Fused Deposition Modeling using acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. After a lecture on skull anatomy, the 3D-printed and real skull models were introduced during the practical bone class to 140 students. A bone anatomy practical test was conducted after a month; it consisted in identifying previously marked anatomical structures of the skull bones. The students were divided into two groups for the exam; the first group of students took the test on the real skulls, whereas the second group of students took the test on 3D-printed skulls. The students' performance was evaluated using similar practical examination questions. At the end of the course, these students were asked to answer a brief questionnaire about their individual experiences. The results showed that the anatomical structures of the 3D-printed skulls were similar to the real skulls. There was no significant difference between the test scores of the students that did their test using the real skulls and those using 3D prints. In conclusion, it was possible to construct a dynamic and printed digital 3D collection for studies of the comparative anatomy of canine skull species from real skulls, suggesting that 3D-digitalized and-printed skulls can be used as tools in veterinary anatomy teaching.

Evaluation of different solvents and solubility parameters on the morphology and diameter of electrospun pullulan nanofibers for curcumin entrapment.

In this work, the effect of different solvents and solvent binary mixtures on the morphology of electrospun pullulan (Pull) nanofibers was evaluated. The solution viscosities, interactions between solvent and polymer, as well as, solvent vapor pressure, were correlated to the morphology and diameters of the nanofibers. Water, dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and Teas graphs that rely on the use of Hildebrand solubility parameters were used to identify the most suitable mixtures of solvents. The best binary mixture of solvents to produce Pull nanofibers without defects and with small diameters (203±32 nm) was DMF/DMSO in the ratio of 70/30 wt.%. Pull nanofibers containing 3 and 5 wt. % of curcumin (Curc) in a mixture of DMF/DMSO (70/30 wt.%) were then obtained, and the entrapment efficiency was evaluated using 1H NMR and a UV--vis spectrophotometer. The results obtained in this work create a new approach for the production of Pull nanofibers for drug delivery systems.

Chemical Modification of Pullulan Exopolysaccharide by Grafting Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) via Click Chemistry.

Biodegradable and biocompatible copolymers have been often studied for the development of biomaterials for drug delivery systems. In this context, this work reports the synthesis and characterization of a novel pullulan-g-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (Pull-g-PHBHV) graft copolymer using click chemistry. Well-defined and functional pullulan backbones containing azide groups (PullN3) previously prepared by our group were successfully used for this purpose and propargyl-terminated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) was prepared via transesterification using propargyl alcohol as a chain transfer agent. By an alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction catalyzed by copper (Cu (I)) (CuAAC), the graft copolymer Pull-g-PHBHV was obtained. The chemical structures of the polymers were accessed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR FTIR. Disappearance of the bands referring to the main bonds evidenced success in the grafting reaction. Besides that, DRX, DSC and TGA were used in order to access the changes in crystallinity and thermal behavior of the material. The remaining crystallinity of the Pull-g-PHBHV structure evidences the presence of PHBHV. Pull-g-PHBHV presented lower degradation maximum temperature values than the starting materials, indicating its minor thermal stability. Finally, the synthesized material is an innovative biopolymer, which has never been reported in the previous literature. It is a bio-derived and biodegradable polymer, chemically modified, resulting in interesting properties which can be useful for their further applications as biomedical systems for controlled delivery, for example.

Effect of racial crossing on the seminal parameters of rams submitted to heat stress / Efeito do cruzamento racial nos parâmetros seminais de carneiros submetidos ao estresse de calor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of racial crossing on seminal parameters of eight Santa Inês and crossbred (Santa Inês x Dorper) rams submitted to heat stress, and to monitor the return of these parameters to previously reported. Before to place the insulation bags, two collects of semen through electroejaculation were performed. The insulation pouches were made with double-layer plastic, internally lined with cotton, and fixed around the spermatic funiculus and scrotum with adhesive tape and bandage remaining on the testes of the animals for seven days. The first collect was performed on the day that the pouches were taken (day 0) and thereafter, every seven days, totalizing 15 measurements. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The analyzed variables were subjected to Dunnett test at 5% probability to compare the values obtained before treatment with those obtained in the following days. In this study it was found that the animals restored normal seminal parameter after the insulation effects, however, the return rate differed slightly among the studied breeds. The crossbred animals restored the seminal patterns, on average, a week before Santa Inês. It is concluded that the racial crossing influences the semen parameters of rams submitted to heat stress.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do cruzamento racial sobre parâmetros seminais de oito carneiros Santa Inês e mestiços, submetidos ao estresse térmico e monitorar o retorno desses parâmetros aos relatos anteriormente. Antes de colocar as bolsas de insulação, foram realizadas duas coletas de sêmen por meio de eletroejaculação. As bolsas de insulação foram confeccionadas com plástico de camada dupla, revestidas internamente com algodão, fixadas ao redor do funículo espermático e escroto com fita adesiva e bandagem, permanecendo nos testículos dos animais por sete dias. A primeira coleta foi realizada no dia em que as bolsas foram retiradas (dia 0) e a partir daí, a cada sete dias, totalizando 15 coletas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA). As variáveis analisadas foram submetidas ao teste de Dunnett a 5% de probabilidade para comparar os valores obtidos antes do tratamento com aqueles obtidos nos dias seguintes. Neste estudo verificou-se que os animais restauraram os parâmetros seminais normais após os efeitos da insulação, porém, a taxa de retorno diferiu ligeiramente entre as raças estudadas. Os animais mestiços restauraram os padrões seminais, em média, uma semana antes da Santa Inês. Conclui-se que o cruzamento racial influencia os parâmetros seminais de carneiros submetidos ao estresse térmico.