Clinical and radiological study of sternal fractures in pediatrics. / Estudio clínico radiológico de las fracturas esternales en edad pediátrica.

Sternal fractures are considered uncommon in pediatric patients. Classically, they have been described as fractures secondary to high-energy trauma that have a risk of associated lesions. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and imaging features of sternal fractures in patients less than 18 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 79 pediatric patients diagnosed with sternal fractures after trauma. RESULTS: We found that 92.4% of the fractures were caused by low-energy trauma and that associated lesions were present in only 3 (4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that sternal fractures in children are often due to lesser trauma and that associated lesions are rare.

The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT®) speech therapy in progressive supranuclear palsy.

BACKGROUND: The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT®) was specifically created and tested to comply with the needs of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurological problems. This is a high effort intensive treatment that aims at increasing vocal intensity through the increase of subglottal air pressure, i.e. respiratory effort, for a better cordal adduction and vibration, following the motto "think loud". AIM: The main goal of this study is to inspect the efficacy of LSVT® treatment in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Rehabilitative inpatient unit. POPULATION: Sixteen patients with PSP and 23 patients with idiopathic PD as control were enrolled in the study. METHODS: All patients underwent a training consisting in16 sessions of speech therapy following the LSVT® protocol. Initially the two groups of patients had similar voice problems, i.e. low volume and bad articulation of speech. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was found among the data collected before and after treatment in the PSP and Parkinson groups. Increase in maximum phonation duration and volume of voice in reading were similar in the two groups. Improvement in quality of voice and articulation were more significant in the PD group as compared to the PSP group. CONCLUSION: These results, along with previous findings, add further support to the generalized therapeutic impact of intensive voice treatment on respiratory and laryngeal functions in individuals with PSP. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The positive results, the absence of dropout and collateral effect following this clinical treatments with LSVT technique encouraged to use this technique in PSP patients.

Seasonal variations of the energy metabolism of two sympatric species of Hyalella (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Dogielinotidae) in the southern Brazilian highlands.

Aquatic organisms exist in a constantly fluctuating habitat, with changes in photoperiod, temperature, pH, dissolved organic content, dissolved oxygen and food supply. Organisms must alter past of their physiological and biochemical processes to cope with these changes. We compared the effect of seasonal variations in factors related to energy metabolism of two species of sympatric amphipods, Hyalella pleoacuta and Hyalella castroi. The animals were collected monthly from April 2004 through March 2006. Contents of glycogen, proteins, lipids, triglycerides and the levels of lipoperoxidation were determined in males and females throughout the year by using spectrophotometric methods. Observations revealed significant seasonal differences in biochemical composition, as well as differences among sexes and species. Environmental conditions (e.g., trophic conditions) and reproduction are supposed to be the main processes influencing the seasonal patterns of variation in biochemical composition. Both species of Hyalella show ecological and behavioral differences, especially by resources such as food, space and seasonal variations of energy metabolism, which might facilitate their coexistence in the same habitat.