Efeitos de um programa de fonoterapia da voz em grupo de pacientes com disfonia: estudo piloto / Effects of a voice therapy program in a group of patients with dysphonia: a pilot study

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar os efeitos de um programa de fonoterapia da voz em grupo de pacientes com disfonia, por meio de avaliações perceptivo-auditiva e autopercepção vocal. Métodos Estudo-piloto de ensaio clínico não controlado, com amostra de conveniência. O estudo contou com 22 participantes com diagnóstico otorrinolaringológico de disfonia. Dentre eles, 15 mulheres e sete homens, com média de idade de 59,4 ± 12,53. Foram realizadas dez sessões de terapia fonoaudiológica em grupos de cinco a seis pessoas, com abordagens diretas e indiretas, baseadas no Programa Integral de Reabilitação Vocal (PIRV). Os participantes foram avaliados individualmente, antes e após a realização do programa terapêutico. A avaliação incluiu análise de autopercepção com a Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV) e perceptivo-auditiva da qualidade vocal com a escala Grade, Roughness, Breathness, Asteny, Strain, (GRBAS), realizadas por fonoaudiólogos especialistas em voz. Resultados Após o programa terapêutico, observou-se diferença significativa na pontuação de grau geral de alteração da ESV (p=0,002) e também nas subescalas Limitação (p=0,002) e Emocional (p=0,006), indicando autopercepção de redução dos sintomas vocais após intervenção. No entanto, destaca-se que não foram encontrados resultados significativos na comparação pré e pós-tratamento com relação à qualidade vocal. Conclusão O programa de fonoterapia da voz teve efeitos estatisticamente significativos em relação aos sintomas vocais autorrelatados, sinalizando um caminho promissor de abordagem eclética para a terapia vocal em grupo.

ABSTRACT Purpose To identify the effects of a phonotherapy program in a group of patients with dysphonia through auditory-perceptual and vocal self-perception assessments. Methods Pilot study: an uncontrolled clinical trial with a convenience sample. Twenty-two patients with an otorhinolaryngological diagnosis of dysphonia participated in the study, including 15 women and 7 men, with a mean age of 59.4 ± 12.53, who underwent 10 speech therapy sessions in groups of 5 to 6 people, with direct and indirect therapy based on the Comprehensive Vocal Rehabilitation Program (CVRP). Patients were individually assessed before and after the therapeutic program, the assessment included auditory-perceptual analysis with the Vocal Symptoms Scale (VSS) and auditory-perceptual analysis of voice quality GRBAS, performed by speech-language pathologists specializing in voice. Results After the therapeutic program, there was a significant difference in the score for the general degree of change in the VSS (p=0.002), and also in the limitation (p=0.002) and emotional (p=0.006) subscales, indicating selfperceived reduction in vocal symptoms after intervention. However, no significant results were found in the pre- and posttreatment comparison regarding vocal quality. Conclusion The study demonstrated that the voice therapy program had statistically significant effects in relation to self-reported vocal symptoms, thus signaling a promising path for an eclectic approach to group vocal therapy.

Sinais e sintomas vocais em professores universitários durante a pandemia da COVID-19 / Vocal signs and symptoms in university professors during the COVID-19 pandemic / Signos y síntomas vocales en profesores universitarios durante la pandemia del COVID-19

Introdução: Os professores utilizam a voz como instrumento de trabalho. Neste momento de pandemia da COVID-19, aumentaram os desafios das demandas vocais. Objetivo: Analisar os sinais e os sintomas vocais presentes em professores universitários durante o período da pandemia da COVID-19, o qual exigiu a realização de aulas e reuniões online. Método: A amostra foi composta por 664 professores universitários, de todas as áreas de conhecimento, sendo 366 do sexo feminino e 298 do masculino. Foi aplicado um formulário online que incluiu o Questionário de Sinais e Sintomas Vocais e o preenchimento de dados relativos a sexo biológico, universidade e departamento ao qual está vinculado. Foi realizada a associação de sinais e sintomas por meio de análise fatorial e foram comparados os sintomas vocais às variáveis sexo e área de conhecimento por meio do teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: Os sinais e os sintomas mais frequentes foram garganta seca, dificuldade para cantar agudo e cansaço vocal. 29,1% dos docentes apresentaram no mínimo 5 sintomas vocais. Houve significância estatística na relação de sexo com os sintomas de dificuldade para cantar agudo, garganta seca e dor na garganta. O sintoma de cansaço vocal foi significativamente correlacionado com as áreas de conhecimento Ciências da Saúde e Ciências Biológicas. Conclusão: Os professores universitários autorreferiram sintomas vocais físicos e funcionais durante o período da pandemia da COVID-19, havendo uma prevalência na sensação de garganta seca e dificuldade para cantar agudo.

Introduction: Teachers use their voice as a work tool. At this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of vocal demands have increased. Objective: To analyze the vocal signs and symptoms present in university professors during the COVID-19 pandemic period, which required online classes and meetings. Method: The sample consisted of 664 university professors, from all areas of knowledge, 366 of whom were female and 298 of whom were male. An online form was applied that included the Questionnaire of Vocal Signs and Symptoms and the filling in of data related to biological sex, university, and department to which each subject is linked. The association of signs and symptoms was carried out through factor analysis and the vocal symptoms were compared to the variables gender and area of knowledge using the chi-square test. Results: The most frequent signs and symptoms were dry throat, difficulty in high-pitched singing, and vocal tiredness. 29.1% of the teachers had at least 5 vocal symptoms. There was statistical significance with sex in relation to the symptoms of difficulty in high-pitched singing, dry throat, and sore throat. The symptom of vocal tiredness was significantly correlated with the areas of knowledge Health Sciences and Biological Sciences. Conclusion: University professors self-reported physical and functional vocal symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic period, with a prevalence of dry throat sensation and difficulty in high-pitched singing.

Introducción: Los profesores utilizan la voz como instrumento de trabajo. En estos momentos de pandemia por el COVID-19, aumentaron los desafíos y las demandas vocales. Objetivo: Analizar los signos y síntomas vocales presentes en profesores universitarios durante el período de la pandemia COVID-19, que requirieron hacer clases y reuniones virtuales. Método: La muestra fue compuesta por 664 profesores de todas las áreas de conocimiento, siendo 366 del género femenino y 298 del masculino. Fue aplicado una encuesta virtual que incluyó el Examen de Signos y Síntomas Vocales, así como también datos relacionados con el sexo biológico, universidad y programa académico vinculado. La asociación de signos y síntomas se realizó mediante análisis factorial y los síntomas vocales se compararon con las variables de género y área de conocimiento mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Los signos y síntomas más frecuentes fueros garganta seca, dificultad para cantar agudos y fatiga vocal. 29,1% de los profesores presentaron por lo menos 5 síntomas vocales. Hubo significancia estadística en la relación entre el sexo y los síntomas de dificultad para cantar agudos, garganta seca y dolor de garganta. El síntoma de fatiga vocal tuvo correlación significativa con las áreas de conocimiento de Ciencias de la Salud y Ciencias Biológicas. Conclusión: Los profesores universitarios auto relataron síntomas vocales físicos y funcionales durante el período de la pandemia del COVID-19, siendo predominante la sensación de garganta seca y la dificultad para cantar agudos.

Surface-Active Compounds Produced by Microorganisms: Promising Molecules for the Development of Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Healing Agents.

Surface-active compounds (SACs), biomolecules produced by bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi, have interesting properties, such as the ability to interact with surfaces as well as hydrophobic or hydrophilic interfaces. Because of their advantages over other compounds, such as biodegradability, low toxicity, antimicrobial, and healing properties, SACs are attractive targets for research in various applications in medicine. As a result, a growing number of properties related to SAC production have been the subject of scientific research during the past decade, searching for potential future applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic fields. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential of biosurfactants and emulsifiers as antimicrobials, modulators of virulence factors, anticancer agents, and wound healing agents in the field of biotechnology and biomedicine, to meet the increasing demand for safer medical and pharmacological therapies.

Soybean meal particle size for pigs during the nursery phase / Tamanho da partícula do farelo de soja em suínos no período de creche

This study evaluated the effect of soybean meal (SBM) particle size on nutrient digestibility and the growth performance of nursery piglets. Sixty-three piglets (BW = 6.86 kg ± 0.56; 23 d of age) were distributed in a randomized block design (by initial weight and sex) with 3 dietary treatments: diets with 1,017 µm (unground); 585 µm; and 411µm SBM, with 7 replicates of 3 piglets each. All diets were offered ad libitum in mash form, formulated differently according to three growing phases: (1) with 20% of SBM, from 23 to 32 d of age; (2) with 25% of SBM, from 32 to 44 d of age, and (3) with 30% of SBM, from 44 to 63 d of age. For the first 21 d, pigs fed diets with a medium particle size of SBM (585mm) had better average weight gain and feed/gain ratio (P<0.05). The average feed intake, average body weight gain, and feed/gain ratio from 44 to 63 d improved (P<0.05) with increasing SBM particle sizes, and the average live weight for the overall period increased with coarser SBM (P<0.05). There was a marginally improvement (P < 0.1) on digestible energy as particle size of SBM decreased; although, no differences (P > 0.05) in the coefficients of apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein for the assessed SBM particle sizes were observed. It was concluded that the grinding of dietary SBM is not required for piglets during the nursery phase.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tamanho da partícula do farelo de soja (FS) sobre o desempenho e digestibilidade de leitões no período de creche. 63 leitões (6,86 kg ± 0,56; 23 dias de idade) foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em um delineamento de blocos casualizados (peso inicial e sexo) entre os tratamentos. As dietas experimentais foram produzidas a partir de diferentes tamanhos médios de partículas do FS moídos ou não: 1,017 µm (sem moer), 585 µm (moído em peneira de 10 mm), e 411µm (moído em peneira de 3 mm), totalizando três tratamentos com sete repetições de três animais cada. Todas as dietas foram fornecidas na forma farelada e ad libitum, sendo divididas em três fases: 1) com 20% de FS, dos 23 a 32 dias de idade; 2) com 25% de FS, dos 32 a 44 dias de idade; e 3) com 30% de FS, dos 44 a 62 dias de idade. Nos primeiros 21 dias de experimento, os animais consumindo a dieta com o tamanho médio (585 µm) das partículas do FS apresentaram melhores resultados para o ganho de peso médio e conversão alimentar. No período seguinte (44 a 63 d), houve (P<0.05) aumento do consumo de ração médio, do ganho do peso médio e melhor conversão alimentar dos leitões conforme o aumento do tamanho da partícula de FS incluída na ração. Consequentemente, ao final do experimento houve melhora linear do peso vivo médio dos animais com o aumento do tamanho do FS consumido. Foi observado melhora marginalmente significativa (P < 0.1) da energia digestível conforme a redução no tamanho do FS, entretanto, não houve diferença (P > 0.05) no coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca e da proteína bruta dos animais entre os diferentes tamanhos do FS. Em conclusão, de acordo com as condições deste estudo, não se faz necessária a moagem do farelo de soja para leitões no período de creche.

Soybean oil supplementation for sows in the first three days after farrowing.

One of the main causes of death in newborn piglets is the low level of energy reserves to maintain their body temperature, which can lead to hypothermia and, subsequently, death. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soybean oil supplementation to sows in the first three days after farrowing to save piglet fat reserves through the higher nutritional intake of sow milk. In total, 604.5, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 g of soybean oil were provided for each sow during the three days of supplementation. A total of 60 sows were evaluated per treatment, distributed in a random block design, supplemented in the first three days after farrowing with soybean oil added on top of the feed at the time of feeding. Performance and reproductive data and milk samples were collected from the sows to determine fat levels. Piglets were evaluated for fall-back rate and survival. There was no significant effect of soybean oil supplementation on any of the parameters evaluated for both sows and their milk. Therefore, soybean oil supplementation for sows in the first three days after farrowing does not influence performance parameters, reproduction and milk fat of the sows and mortality and fall-back rate of the piglets.

Adherence of Patients With Dysphonia to Voice Therapy: Systematic Review.

Adherence expresses the patient's degree of commitment to the therapeutic process. It's necessary for professionals to know how to evaluate it in order to plan more effective conducts. This study aims to perform a systematic review of the adherence of patients with a dysphonia setting to voice therapy programs. This review was carried out on the PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, using a search strategy related to the subject of the study. The selection included studies that assessed the adherence of patients with dysphonia to voice therapy using an instrument created for the study or previously validated. Of 1987 publications, 35 were included, of which 14 were excluded for not fitting the eligibility criteria of this review, leaving a total of 21 papers, which were analyzed in full and went through qualitative analysis. The strategies found for the assessment of adherence were the conclusion of the therapy plan, patient self-report, and the use of the URICA-VOICE scale. Therapy conclusion was the most commonly used of the strategies, which showed low adherence to voice therapy. This result shows that instruments like the URICA-VOICE scale measure in a more detailed manner which stage the patient finds himself at the moment of the evaluation.

Motivational Stage Analysis of Patients with Behavioral Dysphonia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the applicability of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA)-VOICE scale before and after a therapeutic program for functional balance in voice production. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 26 adult participants (18 female) from the -Brazilian Public Healthcare System. The URICA-VOICE scale was applied prior to the intervention and after 10 sessions of a therapeutic program. RESULTS: The motivational stage values were significantly increased after the intervention compared with the first application of the scale. Precontemplation and action were the stages most commonly reported by the participants. Significant differences were found in 6 statements of the URICA-VOICE scale after voice therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The motivational stage of the participants improved after voice therapy. Being motivated is important for adherence to behavioral changes regarding the voice, and this study shows that using the URICA-VOICE scale in clinical practice is essential to measure patient performance in the voice therapy process, as well as to determine the ideal moment of discharge.

Glycerol in ovo feeding as an energy substrate improves performance of broilers from young breeders.

Glycerol is one of the substrates used for glycogen production by the chicken embryo, which is the predominant energy source during the last days of incubation and during hatching. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in ovo feeding (IOF) of glycerol in the light and heavy broiler eggs derived from breeders of two different ages. Two experiments, with 672 eggs each, were carried out. The only difference between the experiments was breeder age: 32 weeks old in Exp. I and 60 weeks old in Exp. II. A completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was applied. Treatments consisted of three glycerol IOF doses (0, 6, or 12 mg/ml) and two egg weights (light or heavy). Incubation parameters, glycogen reserves and live performance parameters (1-7 days of age) were evaluated. Hatch of fertile eggs, embryo mortality after IOF and the number of early-hatching chicks were not affected by the treatments in both experiments. Hatchlings from heavy eggs (68.03 ± 0.64 g) laid by young breeders and receiving 6 mg glycerol/ml showed higher liver glycogen levels than those injected with 0 or 12 mg/ml. Glycerol IOF of embryos from young breeders increased feed intake and weight gain at 7 days of age, independently of egg weight. However, different glycerol dosages had no effect on the performance of the progeny of 60-week-old breeders. These results show that glycerol may be used as an IOF ingredient without affecting incubation parameters. The chickens from young breeders had greater glycogen deposition with inoculation of 6 mg/ml of glycerol and better performance with glycerol administration. However, glycerol IOF did not improve the performance of the progeny of 60-week-old breeders. Therefore, glycogen IOF may be recommended for eggs laid by young breeders.

Bastonetes Gram-negativos aeróbios e anaeróbios facultativos no fluido ruminal de bovinos de corte alimentados em pastagem lignificada e em novilhos com acidose ruminal / Aerobes and anaerobe facultative Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria in the ruminal fluid of beef cattle fed lignified pasture and steers with ruminal acidosis

Objetivou-se analisar a população de bastonetes Gram negativos aeróbios e anaeróbios facultativas no suco ruminal bovinos zebuínos de diferentes categorias, alimentados em pastagem tropical, e de novilhos alimentados com alto teor de grão e sem volumosos. Foram coletados fluido ruminal de 32 vacas, 50 novilhos e 50 bezerros alimentadas em pastagem de Brachiaria spp. e de 20 novilhos com acidose ruminal. Após diluições decimais, amostras foram inoculadas em placas contendo ágar MacConkey a 39°C. Para a identificação dos gêneros mais frequentes foram utilizadas provas bioquímicas. A concentração dessas bactérias não diferiu no ambiente ruminal de vacas, novilhos e bezerros de corte alimentados com pastagem tropical lignificada. Os gêneros mais frequentemente identificados para esses animais foram Escherichia, Enterobacter e Klebsiella. Novilhos alimentados sem volumoso e com acidose apresentaram maior taxa de detecção e maior população dessas bactérias no ambiente ruminal (>6 log/ml) quando comparados aos novilhos alimentados somente em pastagem. A espécie Escherichia coli foi predominante entre as bactérias isoladas do fluido ruminal de novilhos alimentados com dieta com alta concentração de grãos e com acidose (p<0,01). Constatou-se que em bovinos de corte, criados em pastagem tropical lignificada, a população desses microrganismos é baixa no ambiente ruminal e com maior diversidade de gêneros bacterianos. Entretanto em novilhos confinados e alimentos sem volumoso, apresentando acidose ruminal subaguda, ocorre desequilíbrio populacional com aumento da população de E. coli...

This study aimed to analyze the population of Gram negative bacteria, rod-shaped aerobic and facultative anaerobes, in ruminal fluid of health Zebu cattle of different categories fed in tropical pasture and steers fed high levels of grain and without bulky. Rumen fluid from 32 cows, 50 steers and 50 calves fed on Brachiaria spp. and 20 steers with ruminal acidosis were collected. After decimal dilutions, the samples were inoculated on petri dishes with agar MacConkey at 39°C. Biochemical tests were used to identify the most common genera these bacteria. The concentration of these bacteria did not differ in the rumen of cows, calves and calves fed lignified tropical pasture and the most frequently identified genera for these animals were Escherichia, Enterobacter and Klebsiella. However, steers fed without forage and with acidosis showed a higher detection rate and larger population of these bacteria in the rumen (>6 log/ml) compared to steers fed only pasture. The Escherichia coli species was predominant among theses bacteria isolated from the rumen fluid of steers with acidosis (p<0.01). In beef zebu cattle raised on pasture lignified, the population of these microorganisms in the rumen is low showing greater diversity of genera. However in confined zebu steers fed without forage and with sub acute ruminal acidosis occur disequilibrium with increased E. coli population...

Evaluating water resource maintenance for lakes of the middle Doce river / Avaliação da manutenção dos recursos hídricos dos lagos do médio rio Doce

The importance of water resources to mankind and the threat level these resources have withstood due to regional and worldwide human intervention are undeniable. In the middle stretch of the Doce river basin, there are close to 170 natural lakes, located between an environmental conservation area and monoculture eucalyptus plantations, with social, economic and biological importance. Our objective was to evaluate whether the water surface area in these lakes has remained constant in the last few decades, and make inferences on the result. To that end, we measured the water surface area of 16 lakes, from satellite images obtained between May and August in the years 1977, 1979, 1981, 2000 and 2005. Total water surface area was compared considering these dates the two different areas. We did not find any changes in water surface area for these lakes in the studied images. Likewise, we did not observe reductions in any single lake for any of the studied areas. These results indicate hydrological constancy of the system, as well as of the services this group of lakes provides to society and biodiversity in its vicinity, regardless of whether the environmental matrix consists of old-growth vegetation or eucalyptus plantations.

É inegável a importância dos recursos hídricos ao Homem e o grau de ameaça que vêm sofrendo devido a intervenções humanas regionais e globais. No trecho médio da bacia do rio Doce há cerca de 170 lagos naturais, distribuídos entre área de conservação ambiental e área de monocultivo de eucalipto, com importância social, econômica e biológica. O nosso objetivo foi avaliar se a lâmina d'água total destes lagos vem se mantendo nas últimas décadas e inferir sobre esta resposta. Para isto, aferimos a lâmina d'água de 16 lagos a partir de imagens de satélite obtidas entre maio e agosto dos anos de 1977, 1979, 1981, 2000 e 2005. Esta lâmina d'água total foi comparada considerando estas datas e as duas áreas diferentes. Não encontramos alteração na lâmina d'água destes lagos nas imagens estudadas. Do mesmo modo, não observamos redução em lagos de quaisquer das áreas estudadas, isoladamente. Estes resultados apontam para uma constância hidrológica do sistema, bem como dos serviços que este conjunto de lagos presta à sociedade e à biodiversidade de seu entorno, independente da matriz ambiental ser constituída por vegetação conservada ou cultivo de eucalipto.

Evaluating water resource maintenance for lakes of the middle Doce river - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i3.8703

The importance of water resources to mankind and the threat level these resources have withstood due to regional and worldwide human intervention are undeniable. In the middle stretch of the Doce river basin, there are close to 170 natural lakes, located between an environmental conservation area and monoculture eucalyptus plantations, with social, economic and biological importance. Our objective was to evaluate whether the water surface area in these lakes has remained constant in the last few decades, and make inferences on the result. To that end, we measured the water surface area of 16 lakes, from satellite images obtained between May and August in the years 1977, 1979, 1981, 2000 and 2005. Total water surface area was compared considering these dates the two different areas. We did not find any changes in water surface area for these lakes in the studied images. Likewise, we did not observe reductions in any single lake for any of the studied areas. These results indicate hydrological constancy of the system, as well as of the services this group of lakes provides to society and biodiversity in its vicinity, regardless of whether the environmental matrix consists of old-growth vegetation or eucalyptus plantations.