Electromyographic validation of the muscles deltoid (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) in military press exercises with open grip.

It was analized the deltoid muscle anterior portion and the pectoralis major clavicular portion in 24 male volunteers using a two-channel electromyograph TECA TE 4, and Hewllet Packard surface electrodes, in 4 modalities of military press exercises with open grip. The results showed high inactivity for PMC in almost all the modalities while DA developed very high levels of action potentials in all the modalities assessed.

Anatomical variations of the mandibular nerve and its branches correlated to clinical situations.

AIM: The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve is the largest of the three major divisions of the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve). In this way, many health professionals belonged to different fields are commonly evaluating patients suffering with orofacial pain and stomatognatic dysfunction associated to this structure. But, in the most cases, it is difficult to establish a correct diagnosis due to the anatomical complexity of the head and neck surfaces, especially when the focus is the trigeminal nerve. Thus, the objective of this research was to present the anatomical variations of the mandibular nerve and its branches correlated to more common clinical situations. METHODS: For this purpose, 20 human heads were anatomically dissected, so to study their structures, an external, medial and endocranial view. RESULTS: No significant variations related to ophthalmic and maxillary nerves were observed. Anatomical variations were observed in 20% of the total human heads dissected, all related to mandibular nerve and its branches: masseter, temporal, auriculotemporal and lingual. Variations in three to seven, on the number of the following nerves ramus, masseter and temporal were described. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present data using the described methodology, it was possible to conclude that anatomical variations are present in many subjects and they can explain many clinical situations that involve the stomatognathic structures.

Evidence of muscle role over the cranio-facial skull development in Angle's Class III dental malocclusion under the clinical rest position.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate correlations between masseter muscle activity and cephalometric measures in Angle's class III dental malocclusion under the clinical rest position. METHODS: Eight volunteers, both sex, age 7-12, were submitted to an electromyographic analysis of the masseter muscle, subdivided in the upper, medium and lower regions, and to a cephalometric analysis of 15 angle and linear measurements. After normalization, the data was subjected to a statistical, non-parametric Spearman correlation test, by means of the SPSS 12.0 program. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were observed between the clinical rest condition before and after the execution of exercises (a serie of mandibular movements), and the cephalometric measurements angle SN GoGn, angle SNA, angle SNB, angle SND, upper incisive. NA angle, upper incisive-NA distance, lower incisive. NB angle, lower incisive-NB distance and angle IMPA, and the different regions of the masseter muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The significant statistical correlation found between the cephalometric analysis and the function of the masseter muscle indicate a strong influence of the musculature under a clinical rest condition over the cranial-facial development in the Angle's class III dental malocclusion. There is a selective activity of the different regions of the masseter muscle under the clinical rest condition in the Angle's class III dental malocclusion. There is a demand for research to complement these findings in other classes of dental malocclusion.

Effect of congenital blindness on EMG activity of the facial muscles.

The aim of this work was to analyze electromyographically the facial muscles: orbicularis oris (upper and lower fascicles), orbicularis oculi (right and left lateral portions) and frontal, in blind and clinically normal (control) individuals, in various clinical conditions. Electromyographic averages of all data collected were normalized by maximal voluntary contraction of the studied muscles and statistical analysis was performed by Student's t test, using "Statistical Package for the Social Sciences" software--SPSS 12.0 (Chicago, IL). It was found that electromyographic alterations occur in the facial musculature that influences facial expressions of individuals. Results for the orbicularis oris muscle demonstrated that myoelectric activity among blind and control subjects was greater for the control group at muscular rest, blowing, and in labial projection. Electromyographic analysis of the orbicularis oculi among blind and control subjects in three clinical conditions studied demonstrated that activity was greater for the control group at muscular rest, blinking, and forced blinking. For the frontal muscles were demonstrated that electromyographic activity was greater for blind individuals. These data suggest the influence of congenital blindness on muscular development, including alterations in electromyographic activity of skin musculature in individuals with visual impairment.

Electromyographic validation of the deltoideus (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles in pull-over exercises.

The electromyographic activity of the deltoideus (anterior portion) and pectoralis major (clavicular portion) muscles was analyzed in 24 male volunteers in two different modalities of pull-over exercises. The PMC activity varied from weak to moderate in both modalities, while the DA activity was moderate in the pull-over and strong in the pull-over with bent arms exercises.

Electromyographic evaluation of the masseter and temporal muscles activity in volunteers submitted to acupuncture.

AIM: To assess the effect of acupuncture on the temporal and masseter muscles activity employing surface electromyography. METHODS: Thirty volunteers were evaluated according to three groups of acupuncture application: selected local points, selected points at distance and association of local and distant points. Bipolar surface electrodes were positioned bilaterally on the anterior portion of temporal muscle, as well as in the median region of masseter muscle. An electromyograph connected to a computer and a specific software registered the muscular activity before and after acupuncture, in the following experimental conditions: 1- Rest Position (RP); 2- Maximum Intercuspation Clenching (MIC); 3- Bilateral Molar Clenching with Cotton Rolls (BMCCR). The mean values obtained for the activities of the studied muscles were submitted to Analysis of Variance and Tukey complementary test. RESULTS: The electromyographic activity of the studied muscles was lower after the application of the methods of acupuncture in the Rest, and higher after the application of the acupuncture in the Maximum Intercuspation Clenching; the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle was higher than the masseter muscle in the Rest and lower in the Bilateral molar clenching with cotton rolls; the electromyographic activity showed to be modified after the three used methods of acupuncture in the Maximum Intercuspation Clenching. In this clinical condition, the method of long-distance acupuncture was higher than the application of local needles and the associated method. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture provided alterations in the activity of the studied muscles, favoring conditions of rest and muscular tightness.

Electromyographic analysis of upper and lower fascicles of the orbicularis oris muscle in deaf individuals, in mandibular rest position, compared to hearers.

This study had the aim to analyze electromyographically, the upper and lower fascicles of the orbicularis oris muscle in bilingual, oralist deaf individuals, comparing them with clinically healthy volunteers in mandibular rest position. This was performed in 50 patients of both sexes with an average age of 18.5 years, divided into 4 groups. 1. Ten deaf bilingual, nasal-breathing patients; 2. Ten deaf bilingual, buccal-breathing patients; 3. Ten deaf oralist, nasal-breathing patients; 4. Twenty healthy volunteers, nasal-breathing patients. An electromyograph K6-I EMG Light Channel Surface Electromyography (Myo-tronics Co. Seattle, WA, EUA) of eight channels was used. The electrodes applied were duotrodes, silver-chloride surface, disposable. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 10.0 (Chicago, IL). Continuos data with normal distribution were analyzed by univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). The level of significance was set at alpha= 0.01. Comparing the EMG activity of the orbicularis oris muscle made it possible to verify that, during clinical mandibular rest position, all four groups presented various levels of electromyographic (EMG) activity with statistically significant differences (F = 8.81, p < 0.01). Based this study's data, it was possible to conclude that the electromyography analysis of the orbicularis oris muscle in deaf individuals showed that deaf individuals presented higher levels of EMG activity of the orbicularis oris muscle than normal controls during mandibular rest position.

Electromyographic amplitude variability of chewing cycles in deaf individuals.

This study had the goal of determining if the amplitude of the surface electromyograph signals changes in terms of time of analysis and subjects, deaf or normal listeners, when estimated in a 250 ms of length window, visually determined, considering the most stable signal period from the center of the chewing cycle. In order to do this, groups with control subjects, listeners and deaf individuals, who made use of the Brazilian sign language (LIBRAS), were studied. All participants performed continuous 5 s of chewing for the electromyographic recording of the temporalis and masseter muscles. The normalized RMS values of three chewing cycles were compared between and among groups. The results from the Kruskall-Wallis test did not show any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the normalized RMS values obtained in the three individual chewing cycles, for each of the two completed and evaluated cycles, in both groups studied. The Mann-Whitney test showed that the mean normalized RMS values obtained in the first chewing cycle were higher for the control group when compared to the mean amplitude values of the first chewing cycle of the group of deaf volunteers. It can be concluded that, in these experimental conditions, the RMS values obtained from the select windows of 250 ms length duration, in relatively stable periods of the electromyographic signal of chewing cycles did not suffer any changes in terms of EMG register duration, in both studied groups, but does give evidence of the differences among the groups.

Electromyographical analysis of the masseter muscle in dentulous and partially toothless patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

This study had as objective to analyze with computerized electromyography the masseter muscles bilaterally in twenty individuals with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (DTM), being: the group I consisting of ten individuals with complete dentition and group II constituted by ten individuals with posterior dental absences; comparing nine clinical activities: rest before and after exercises, maximum habitual intercuspation (MIH), right and left laterality, forced centric occlusion, protrusion, bilateral molar bite and chewing. It was utilized the Electromyography K6I-Myotronics, with eight canals and surface silver electrodes. By means of the results analysis, we verified significant differences between the groups (p < 0.01), being group I, presented greater electromyographic activity (32.98 microvolts), than the group II (22.31 microvolts), suggesting that this individuals presented low muscular activity. The interaction between the groups and the clinical activities was significant (p < 0.01), as well as between the groups, clinical activities and muscles (p < 0.05). To clarify which amongst the relative averages the clinical activities were different, calculated the critical value of Tukey, being that rest before and after exercises, MIH, right and left laterality, presented averages with similar distributions, with values below of the values of Tukey, as well as forced centric occlusion, protrusion, bilateral molar bite and chewing presented higher values than Tukey. Based on this research's data, we concluded that the electromyographical analysis of the masseter muscles in Individuals with TMD, dentulous and with dental absence showed that individuals with TMD, dentulous or not, presented elevated muscular activity in rest position and individuals with TMD, dentulous, presented higher electromyographical activity than the individuals with TMD and lacking posterior teeth.

Electromyographic analysis of the masseter and temporal muscles in oralized deaf individuals.

Deaf individuals show a number of difficulties related to the functionality of the stomatognathic system, mainly by reason of the little or no use of facial musculature during speech either due to the use of sign language or to the difficulty that these individuals have in articulating words. The stomatognathic system muscles play important roles in functions such as mastication, deglutition, and phonation. This study aimed to assess, by means of computerized bilateral electromyography (EMG), masseter and temporal muscles of 12 oralized deaf individuals in clinical activities that involve part of this masticatory musculature and compare this system's functionality with that of 12 normal listening individuals, performing the same activities. An 8-channel K6-I EMG Light Channel Surface Electromyography device was used (Myo-Tronics Co.Seattle, WA, USA), in addition to disposable double electrodes covered with silver chloride (Duotrodes; Myo-tronics Co., Seattle, WA) containing a conductor gel (Myogel- Myo-tronics Co., Seatlle, WA). The averaged rectified EMG values were normalized with reference to the EMG amplitude induced by a maximum bite force. The statistical analysis confirmed that there were any significant differences between the groups, clinical activities, and muscles, and also effects of interaction among them. The analysis made use of Variance Analysis (ANOVA). Significant differences (p < 0.01) for both muscles were found among the clinical conditions, with deaf individuals showing greater electromyographic activity for both muscles for the clinical activity protrusion. Deaf individuals showed a lower muscular activity for clinical activities that demanded a greater masseter and temporal muscular activity such as mastication, mouth opening and closing, and dental compression. Greater electromyographic values were found for both deaf individuals and healthy controls during clinical activities of mastication and dental compression. Based on the obtained data, we concluded that deaf individuals showed a lower activity of the masticatory musculature than healthy individuals; the differences were significant at the level of p < 0.01 between the performed clinical activities; and all deaf individuals and healthy controls showed greater electromyographic values for mastication and dental compression.

Assessment of the maximum voluntary arm muscle contraction in sign language for the deaf.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of upper member muscles' activation of deaf individuals, who use the Brazilian sign language - LIBRAS, comparing these findings to volunteers with no postural deviations and normal hearing METHODS: Forty eight volunteers divided into two groups comprising healthy and deaf subjects (24 volunteers for each group). The signs of rest were obtained with the volunteer maintaining the upper member in an anatomical position, but with the forearm flexed and sustained by the lower member. Maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the biceps, triceps, deltoid, and trapezius muscles were performed in the position of muscular function testing. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS-10.0. Continuous data with normal distribution were analyzed by ANOVA with the significance level of p < 0.01. RESULTS: The normalized electromyographic muscle data obtained in muscular rest do not show statistically significant differences among the studies muscles, in both groups. In the comparison of normalized RMS values obtained in MVIC, the mean values for the trapezius muscle of deaf group were statistically lower than control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study's results indicate there are no differences between the levels of muscular activation for arm biceps, arm triceps, and the anterior portion of the deltoid muscle between the mean normalized RMS values of deaf and healthy individuals.

Changes in masticatory muscles activity associated with Eagle's syndrome.

AIM: This study had the goal of analyzing masseter and temporalis muscles of individuals with Eagle's Syndrome, establishing comparisons with healthy control individuals by means of electromyography, due to the importance of the masticatory musculature upon the various functions of the stomatognathic system and the effects of Eagle's syndrome on this system's functioning. METHOD: Ten women with Eagle's syndrome and ten healthy controls volunteered to participate in the study. A Myosystem I system, Prosecon Ltda (Uberlândia/MG, Brazil) with 12 channels was used Active differential electrodes were placed on the belly of both masseters and on the anterior temporalis. Firstly, rest position was registered and then the patients were instructed to clench their teeth with maximum strength for four seconds to register the Clenching at Usual Maximum Intercuspation. Next, the clinical conditions of chewing, mandible laterality, and water swallowing were performed. RESULTS: The normalized data of muscle activity during the different clinical conditions and at rest position were compared by Student's t test, considering two groups: controls and syndrome bearers. The masticatory muscles of every syndrome bearers showed hyperactivity during the analyzed clinical conditions; except for chewing, in which the right masseter did not show greater electromyographic activity. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that individuals with the syndrome showed muscular hyperactivity when compared to healthy individuals, due to the interference of the elongated styloid process, which leads to dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system in the syndrome bearers, with signs and symptoms related to craniofacial pain, dysphagia, otalgy, temporomandibular dysfunctions, and headache.

The effect of the Schwartz-Jampel syndrome on masticatory and facial musculatures--an electromyographic analysis.

This study had the goal to perform an electromyography evaluation of the orbicularis oris, orbicularis oculi, masseter, and temporal muscles of two siblings with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS), in different clinical activities, comparing them to healthy controls (C). The Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a rare genetic disorder (71 cases reported in worldwide literature), in which myotonia may be observed in the facial muscles, determining a standard facie that shows an appearance of someone who is sad and weeping For the electromyography (EMG), a Myotronics--K61 electromyographer, was used, with superficial and disposable silver chloride electrodes. By means of the analysis of the obtained results, we observed significant statistical differences for the masseter muscle and for orbicularis oculi muscles (p < 0.01) among the studied groups, in which the individuals with SJS presented greater muscular activity than the normal ones, used as healthy controls. The statistical difference between the two groups was not significant for the temporal muscle, as well as for the orbicularis oris muscle, although the EMG averages were much greater in patients who were bringers of the syndrome. This high muscular activity may be related to the facial osseous alterations, evidenced in both patients with SJS, such as the mandibular migrognathia, with an atrophy of the mandibular cortex and a consequent approximation between the inferior dental root apices and the mandible base, as well as the presence of hypoplastic condyles in terms of size and height.

Recombinant soluble human thrombomodulin: a randomized, blinded assessment of prevention of venous thrombosis and effects on hemostatic parameters in a rat model.

UNLABELLED: Thrombomodulin is an endothelial surface receptor that binds thrombin and accelerates the activation of protein C. We compared the effects of a recombinant thrombomodulin analog (TME), recombinant hirudin (r-HIR), heparin sodium (HEP), and normal saline (Control) on thrombus formation, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), platelet aggregation and tail transection bleeding time (BT) in a rat model of vena cava thrombosis. RESULTS: TME, r-HIR and HEP prevented venous thrombosis in this model in a dose-dependent manner. At the dose required to reduce vena cava thrombosis by 50% (ED50), TME did not prolong the APTT or TT as did HEP and r-HIR. Platelet aggregation in response to thrombin was not effected by TME but was inhibited by both r-HIR and HEP. BT did not differentiate the agents tested. CONCLUSION: TME inhibited venous thrombosis in a rat vena cava model with less effect on hemostatic variables than HEP or r-HIR.

Electromyographic investigations of the tongue and circumoral muscular sling with fine-wire electrodes.

The electromyographic (EMG) examination of 11 normal individuals in whom bipolar fine-wire indwelling electrodes were placed showed no EMG activity during rest periods and only very slight to slight activity during normal oral functionsmduring aberrant oral activity, such as thumb-sucking, the orbicularis oris and genioglossus muscles gave a marked EMG response and the buccinator muscles were slightly active. These findings may help explain the classical malocclusions seen in tongue-thrusters and thumb-suckers.

Isolated symptomatic midcervical stenosis of the internal carotid artery.

All carotid arteriograms performed between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1991 were reviewed for instances of midcervical carotid stenosis. Sixteen cases were identified. A stenosis related to the hypoglossal nerve was specifically identified in three operative reports in the retrospective review. Pathologic examinations of the specimens confirmed the presence of atherosclerotic plaque or fibrous dysplasia. In another case, relief of intermittent neurologic symptoms (TIAs) was obtained by division of the stylohyoid ligament. Prospective observation of five cases confirmed a stenosis immediately distal to a transverse neurofascial band formed by the hypoglossal nerve, which arose with the vagus nerve in three patients, and a large cervical contribution to the ansa hypoglossi in two. Presumably the lesion was caused by the turbulent flow in the internal carotid artery distal to the band. Isolated stenosis of the midcervical internal carotid artery unrelated to bifurcation disease may be the result of turbulence induced by tethering neural or myofascial bands.

[Plasmapheresis and survival of patients with myeloma and secondary renal insufficiency]. / Plasmaferesi e sopravvivenza del paziente mielomatoso con insufficienza renale secondaria.

The mortality rate due to renal insufficiency in patients with myelomas was studied and the results obtained compared with figures on patients given plasmapheresis to correct the insufficiency. The results of the comparison confirm the value of the immediate use of plasmapheresis on patients with myelomas. In a large percentage of cases, the technique either completely cured or significantly improved renal dysfunction, thus normalizing the blood and urine situation and improving the patients' chances of survival.

[The role of plasmapheresis in the treatment of primary and secondary cryoglobulinemia]. / Ruolo della plasmaferesi nel trattamento delle crioglobulinemie primarie e secondarie.

The data on monoclonal or mixed cryoglobulinaemia patients admitted to Pavia University's 1st Medical Division since 1970 were examined. Complications included peripheral microangiopathies caused by immune complexes and especially kidney lesions of varying severity caused by immune complexes precipitated in the basal membrane. Although the course of the condition was ameliorated in all patients given immunosuppressive treatment alone, this could not prevent the appearance of progressively worsening kidney conditions. Terminating in severe renal failure these were often complicated by encephalopathies, disturbed microcirculation in the brain and hypertension patients given plasmapheresis at an early stage, at the first sign of renal or brain circulation problems, responded brilliantly with regression of all clinical symptoms. Where plasmapheresis was not given until an advanced stage of the kidney disease, a satisfactory improvement was obtained and the quality and expectancy of life enhanced, even though a total cure was not achieved. Regular cycles of plasmapheresis indubitably protect the patient from irreversible renal or microvascular conditions so that immunosuppressive treatment can effectively control the cryoglobulinaemia.

Drugs affecting the hormonal receptors of normal and leukaemic peripheral leucocytes.

The authors investigated the behaviour of steroid hormone uptake in leukaemic cells (CML, CLL, AML, ALL), in basal conditions and after incubation with drugs which modify the cellular concentration of cAMP, PGE and PGF. The results demonstrated the presence in leukaemic cells of an alteration in the incorporation of steroid hormones. This alteration was scarcely modified by incubation with theophylline, which increases cellular concentration of cAMP. On the other hand, it was moderately counteracted by thioproline and was evidently inhibited by flurbiprofen, which also reduced cellular concentrations of prostaglandins, particularly PGE2, with the exception of PGF2 which showed a poor response. Differences were observed in the behavior of hormonal uptake of CML, in contrast to that of AML, CLL and ALL peripheral leucocytes.

Electromyographic study of the trapezius and deltoideus in elevation, lowering, retraction and protraction of the shoulders.

The electromyographic activity of the trapezius and deltoideus was analyzed using a 2-channel TECA TE4 electromyograph and needle electrodes in 16 male volunteers in the following movements of the shoulders elevation, lowering, protraction and retraction. The superior portion of the trapezius was active in the elevation and lowering of the shoulders. The middle and inferior portions were active in retraction. The deltoideus was practically inactive in all these movements.