Myokines: a descriptive review.

In the last years, scientists have shown that skeletal muscle is not a pure locomotor unit or responsible for propulsion and posture. Skeletal muscle encompasses one of the major organs of the body (constituting about 40% of the body mass in non-obese men). It regulates energy and metabolic processes and is now recognized as an organ capable of producing molecules with vital functions. These molecules are termed myokines, a new field of research in the health sciences, and represent an open field of discoveries and applications in several areas. The aim of this review was to show the role of some well-known myokines in the maintenance of homeostasis. Our search was performed in databases such as Medline/Pubmed, Embase and Scielo. Some relevant myokines are interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-15, irisin, myostatin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). They are related to play a positive or negative role in muscle function and metabolism homeostasis. They are associated with the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, the deposition of fat in the adipose tissue, and the "browning" of the white adipose tissue. For these reasons, they can interfere with the prevention of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. The discovery of the myokines has opened a new direction in understanding the effects of exercises on humans.

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscular Strength Compared to Predicted Values in Patients with Stroke.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength of individuals affected by stroke and to compare it with the predicted values in the literature considering their corresponding age. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated in 22 elderly people who had sequels of stroke, four with right hemiparesis, 16 with left hemiparesis and two with bilateral, of ages ranging from 34 to 82 years. The collected data were submitted to statistical analysis using a Mann-Whitney test to evaluate if there was a significant difference in the average data collected when compared with a mean of the predicted data in the literature. Fourteen men and eight women were evaluated, who obtained mean values of 71.85 cmH2O and 57.75 cmH2O, respectively, for a maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and when compared to the predicted values for men and women, 105.41 cmH2O (p-value 0.0019) and 80.57 cmH2O (p-value 0.00464) were significantly lower. For a maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), the mean value obtained for men was 62.28 cmH2O and 49.5 cmH2O for women, whereas the predicted values in the literature were 114.79 cmH2O (p-value < 0.0001) and 78, 46 cmH2O (p-value 0.0059), respectively. In the statistical analysis, it was possible to notice that the studied population did not reach the predicted age indexes and that there was a significant difference between the median columns. In conclusion, there is a weakness in the respiratory muscles of hemiparetic men and women due to stroke.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in bone repair: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser influences the release of several growth factors involved in the formation of epithelial cells, fibroblasts, collagen and vascular proliferation, besides accelerating the synthesis of bone matrix due to the increased vascularization and lower inflammatory response, with significant increase of osteocytes in the irradiated bone. Considering its properties, beneficial effects and clinical relevance, the aim of this review was to analyze the scientific literature regarding the use of PBMT in the process of bone defect repair. METHODS: Electronic search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINEⓇ and Web of Science databases with combination of the descriptors low-level laser therapy AND bone repair, considering the period of publication until the year 2018. RESULTS: The literature search identified 254 references in PubMed/MEDLINE and 204 in Web of Science, of which 33 and 4 were selected, respectively, in accordance with the eligibility requirements. The analysis of researches showed articles using PBMT in several places of experimentation in the subjects, different types of associated biomaterials, stimulatory effects on cell proliferation, besides variations in the parameters of use of laser therapy, mainly in relation to the wavelength and density of energy. Only four articles reported that the laser did not improve the osteogenic properties of a biomaterial. CONCLUSIONS: Many studies have shown that PBMT has positive photobiostimulatory effects on bone regeneration, accelerating its process regardless of parameters and the use of biomaterials. However, standardization of its use is still imperfect and should be better studied to allow correct application concerning the utilization protocols.

Tradução e Adaptação Cultural de Instrumentos para Avaliar a Predisposição do Uso de Tecnologia Assistiva que Constitui o Modelo Matching, Person & Technology / Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Instruments to Assess the Predisposition of Assistive Technology Use that Constitutes the Matching, Person & Technology Model

RESUMO: O modelo conceitual Matching, Person & Technology (MPT) propõe uma abordagem centrada no usuário e no ambiente para prescrição de tecnologia assistiva, por meio de instrumentos padronizados, para facilitar o processo de correspondência entre usuário e tecnologia. O estudo teve como objetivo traduzir e adaptar culturalmente para o Português do Brasil os instrumentos Initial Worksheet for the Matching Person & Technology Process; History of Support e Healthcare Technology Device Predisposition Assessment - HCT PA que compõem o modelo MPT. O estudo contou com a participação de dois tradutores juramentados, três pesquisadores cujo idioma nativo era o português e tinham fluência em inglês com domínio na área de tecnologia assistiva, um tradutor cujo idioma nativo era o inglês e tinha fluência em português, o coordenador do projeto, a autora do instrumento original, cinco juízes com experiência na área de tecnologia assistiva e Mestrado ou Doutorado em Educação com ênfase em Educação Especial e seis profissionais da educação e saúde com experiência no fornecimento de tecnologia assistiva para pessoas com deficiência. A pesquisa foi dividida em 5 etapas, sendo elas: 1) tradução do instrumento; 2) tradução conciliada; 3) retrotradução; 4) análise de equivalência dos itens e adequação do instrumento; e 5) pré-teste. Os resultados indicaram um alto índice de concordância entre os participantes e uma boa equivalência cultural dos instrumentos. Conclui-se que as versões em português do Brasil dos instrumentos têm uma boa aceitabilidade e são adequados para serem utilizados para a prescrição de tecnologia para usuários brasileiros.

ABSTRACT: The Matching, Person & Technology (MPT) conceptual model proposes a user-centered, environment-oriented approach for prescription of Assistive Technology, by means of standardized instruments, in order to facilitate the process of correspondence between user and technology. The aim of the study was to translate and adapt culturally to the Portuguese of Brazil the Initial Worksheet for the Matching Person & Technology Process; History of Support and Healthcare Technology Device Predisposition Assessment - HCT PA that make up the MPT model. The study was attended by two sworn translators, three researchers whose native language was Portuguese and had fluency in English with an area of Assistive Technology, a translator whose native language was English and had fluency in Portuguese and the coordinator of the project, the author of the original instrument, five judges with experience in the area of Assistive Technology and Master's or PhD in Education with an emphasis on Special Education and six health and education professionals with experience in dispensing Assistive Technology for people with disabilities. The research was divided into 5 stages: 1) translation of the instrument, 2) reconciled translation, 3) back translation, 4) equivalence of item analysis and adequacy of the instrument, and 5) pre-test. The results indicated a high index of agreement among the participants and a good cultural equivalence of the instruments. It is concluded that the Portuguese of Brazil versions of the instruments have a good acceptability and are suitable to be used for the prescription of technology for Brazilian users.