Rheological parameters of mixed Brazilian Cerrado fruits sugar-free preserves: the effect of body agents.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bodying agents (erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, and polydextrose) and their mixtures on the preparation of mixed Brazilian Cerrado fruit preserves (marolo, soursop, and sweet passion fruit). Mixture design was used for product optimization and the preserves were evaluated by texture profile, stress relaxation test, and uniaxial compression test. The research data were analyzed using regression equations on SAS software. The results indicated that the rheological parameters were affected by the body agents. Erythritol should not be used as an isolated component because it provoked changes in the properties of the final product (harder and brittle preserves); xylitol and sorbitol made preserves more elastic, cohesive, and more fragile; and polydextrose showed a synergistic effect with erythritol for rupture deformation and lesser effects for hardness, adhesiveness, and gumminess.

AtNOT1 is required for gametophyte development in Arabidopsis.

In flowering plants, pollen development is under a dynamic and well-orchestrated transcriptional control, characterized by an early phase with high transcript diversity and a late post-mitotic phase skewed to a cell-type-specific transcriptome. Such transcriptional changes require a balance between synthesis and degradation of mRNA transcripts, the latter being initiated by deadenylation. The CCR4-NOT complex is the main evolutionary conserved deadenylase complex in eukaryotes, and its function is essential during germline specification in animals. We hypothesized that the CCR4-NOT complex might play a central role in mRNA turnover during microgametogenesis in Arabidopsis. Disruption of NOT1 gene, which encodes the scaffold protein of the CCR4-NOT complex, showed abnormal seed set. Genetic analysis failed to recover homozygous progeny, and reciprocal crosses confirmed reduced transmission through the male and female gametophytes. Concordantly, not1 embryo sacs showed delayed development and defects in embryogenesis. not1 pollen grains exhibited abnormal male germ unit configurations and failed to germinate. Transcriptome analysis of pollen from not1/+ mutants revealed that lack of NOT1 leads to an extensive transcriptional deregulation during microgametogenesis. Therefore, our work establishes NOT1 as an important player during gametophyte development in Arabidopsis.

Evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of male germline development in flowering plants and animals.

Sexual reproduction is the main reproductive strategy of the overwhelming majority of eukaryotes. This suggests that the last eukaryotic common ancestor was able to reproduce sexually. Sexual reproduction reflects the ability to perform meiosis, and ultimately generating gametes, which are cells that carry recombined half sets of the parental genome and are able to fertilize. These functions have been allocated to a highly specialized cell lineage: the germline. Given its significant evolutionary conservation, it is to be expected that the germline programme shares common molecular bases across extremely divergent eukaryotic species. In the present review, we aim to identify the unifying principles of male germline establishment and development by comparing two very disparate kingdoms: plants and animals. We argue that male meiosis defines two temporally regulated gene expression programmes: the first is required for meiotic commitment, and the second is required for the acquisition of fertilizing ability. Small RNA pathways are a further key communality, ultimately ensuring the epigenetic stability of the information conveyed by the male germline.

Association analysis of CFH and ARMS2 gene polymorphisms in a Brazilian cohort with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between the CFH and ARMS2 gene polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS: We examined 163 individuals with AMD and 154 controls recruited at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, at the Instituto da Visão, and at the Centro Especializado em Olhos, in Brazil, between 2007 and 2012. Genotyping for CFH rs1061170 and ARMS2 rs10490924 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was performed. The odds ratios (OR) for all of the studied genotypes (heterozygous and homozygous) of both genes were calculated compared to homozygous ancestral alleles. RESULTS: Homozygosity for the CFH and ARMS2 at-risk allele was 33.3 and 23.6%, respectively, for AMD individuals and 10.3 and 7.1%, respectively, for controls (p < 0.0001). The OR was 7.2 (95% CI 3.6-14.5; p < 0.001) for the CFH at-risk genotype (CC) and 5.5 (95% CI 2.6-11.8; p < 0.0001) for ARMS2 (TT). Subjects homozygous for both polymorphisms had a much higher risk of developing AMD (n = 14 patients, OR 33.3, 95% CI 12.8-86.4). The proportion of ancestry in each group indicated that AMD patients had a higher European (Caucasian) component than controls. CONCLUSION: CFH and ARMS2 polymorphisms were strongly associated with AMD in this Brazilian cohort.

Inhibition of glutamine synthetase by phosphinothricin leads to transcriptome reprograming in root nodules of Medicago truncatula.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a vital enzyme for the assimilation of ammonia into amino acids in higher plants. In legumes, GS plays a crucial role in the assimilation of the ammonium released by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, constituting an important metabolic knob controlling the nitrogen (N) assimilatory pathways. To identify new regulators of nodule metabolism, we profiled the transcriptome of Medicago truncatula nodules impaired in N assimilation by specifically inhibiting GS activity using phosphinothricin (PPT). Global transcript expression of nodules collected before and after PPT addition (4, 8, and 24 h) was assessed using Affymetrix M. truncatula GeneChip arrays. Hundreds of genes were regulated at the three time points, illustrating the dramatic alterations in cell metabolism that are imposed on the nodules upon GS inhibition. The data indicate that GS inhibition triggers a fast plant defense response, induces premature nodule senescence, and promotes loss of root nodule identity. Consecutive metabolic changes were identified at the three time points analyzed. The results point to a fast repression of asparagine synthesis and of the glycolytic pathway and to the synthesis of glutamate via reactions alternative to the GS/GOGAT cycle. Several genes potentially involved in the molecular surveillance for internal organic N availability are identified and a number of transporters potentially important for nodule functioning are pinpointed. The data provided by this study contributes to the mapping of regulatory and metabolic networks involved in root nodule functioning and highlight candidate modulators for functional analysis.

Laser microdissection unravels cell-type-specific transcription in arbuscular mycorrhizal roots, including CAAT-box transcription factor gene expression correlating with fungal contact and spread.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are the most widespread symbioses on Earth, promoting nutrient supply of most terrestrial plant species. To unravel gene expression in defined stages of Medicago truncatula root colonization by AM fungi, we here combined genome-wide transcriptome profiling based on whole mycorrhizal roots with real-time reverse transcription-PCR experiments that relied on characteristic cell types obtained via laser microdissection. Our genome-wide approach delivered a core set of 512 genes significantly activated by the two mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices and Glomus mossae. Focusing on 62 of these genes being related to membrane transport, signaling, and transcriptional regulation, we distinguished whether they are activated in arbuscule-containing or the neighboring cortical cells harboring fungal hyphae. In addition, cortical cells from nonmycorrhizal roots served as a reference for gene expression under noncolonized conditions. Our analysis identified 25 novel arbuscule-specific genes and 37 genes expressed both in the arbuscule-containing and the adjacent cortical cells colonized by fungal hyphae. Among the AM-induced genes specifying transcriptional regulators were two members encoding CAAT-box binding transcription factors (CBFs), designated MtCbf1 and MtCbf2. Promoter analyses demonstrated that both genes were already activated by the first physical contact between the symbionts. Subsequently, and corresponding to our cell-type expression patterns, they were progressively up-regulated in those cortical areas colonized by fungal hyphae, including the arbuscule-containing cells. The encoded CBFs thus represent excellent candidates for regulators that mediate a sequential reprogramming of root tissues during the establishment of an AM symbiosis.

Homozygosity for the +674C>T polymorphism on VEGF gene is associated with age-related macular degeneration in a Brazilian cohort.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between VEGF gene polymorphism and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS: We examined 160 affected individuals and 140 sex- and age-matched controls recruited at the Vision Institute and the Retina Department, São Geraldo Hospital, Minas Gerais Federal University, Brazil, between 2007 and 2011. Genotyping for the VEGF rs1413711 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (+674C>T) was performed. The incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) for AMD for this genotype was calculated. The odds ratio (OR) was also assessed by using logistic regression, controlling for CFH and LOC387715 risk genotype. RESULTS: We observed a prevalence of homozygosity (TT genotype) of 18.1% for rs1413711 among AMD cases compared with 5.8% among controls (P < 0.002). The ORs for this polymorphism were 3.6 (95%CI 1.6-8.2) for homozygous subjects and 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-2.1, P < 0.01) if the subject had at least one risk allele. When we studied separately exudative and dry AMD groups, this polymorphism was statistically significant for both groups. Controlling for CFH and LOC387715 risk genotype the OR was 3.0 for VEGF homozygous, and the OR increases if the patient is homozygous for the three genes. CONCLUSION: The present data suggests that VEGF TT genotype is associated with AMD among Brazilian patients.

MicroRNA activity in the Arabidopsis male germline.

Most of the core proteins involved in the microRNA (miRNA) pathway in plants have been identified, and almost simultaneously hundreds of miRNA sequences processed in the Arabidopsis sporophyte have been discovered by exploiting next-generation sequencing technologies. However, there is very limited understanding about potentially distinct mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation between different cell lineages. In this review the focus is on the Arabidopsis male gametophyte (pollen), where the germline differentiates after meiosis giving rise to the male gametes. Based on comparative analysis of miRNAs identified in sperm cells by in-depth sequencing, their possible functions during germ cell specification and beyond fertilization are discussed. In addition, 25 potentially novel miRNAs processed in sperm cells and pollen were identified, as well as enriched variations in the sequence length of known miRNAs, which might indicate subfunctionalization by association with a putative germline-specific Argonaute complex. ARGONAUTE 5 (AGO5), by close homology to AGO1 and localizing preferentially to the sperm cell cytoplasm in mature pollen, may be part of such a complex.

Alterations on peripheral blood B-cell subpopulations in very early arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize circulating B-cell subpopulations of arthritis patients with <6 weeks of disease duration. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from very early untreated polyarthritis patients, with <6 weeks of disease duration, for flow cytometric evaluation of B-cell subpopulations. Samples from patients who were later diagnosed as RA [very early RA (VERA)] were also collected 4-6 weeks after starting a low dose of prednisone (5-10 mg) and 4 months after reaching the minimum effective dose of MTX. A matched healthy group was used as a control. RESULTS: VERA patients have a lower percentage of total peripheral blood memory B cells (CD19(+)CD27(+)) and a significant decrease in the frequency of circulating pre-switch memory B cells (CD19(+)IgD(+)CD27(+)) as compared with controls. Therapy with corticosteroids or MTX was unable to restore the normal frequencies of these B-cell subpopulations. A significant decrease in peripheral pre-switch memory B cells is equally observed in other early arthritis patients. Furthermore, no significant differences are found in the frequencies of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in all patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: In very early polyarthritis patients, there is a reduction in circulating pre-switch memory B cells. The reasons that may account for this effect are still unknown. Short-term corticosteroids and MTX do not seem to have a direct effect on circulating B-cell subpopulations in VERA patients.

Bioactive Properties of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Pulp and Seed Phenolic Extracts.

The emergence of bacterial strains resistant to different antibiotics has prompted the search for new sources of antimicrobial compounds. Studies have shown that jambolan [Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels], a tropical fruit from the Mirtaceae family, contains a great variety of phytochemical compounds with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to determine the centesimal composition and physicochemical characteristics of the pulp and seed of S. cumini (L.) Skeels, as well as the content of total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-quorum sensing (QS) activities of the phenolic extracts obtained from the pulp and the seeds of this fruit. The in vitro antibacterial and anti-QS activities of active films incorporating phenolic extracts were also evaluated. Additionally, we performed molecular docking of phenolic compounds present in jambolan with the CviR QS regulator of Chromobacterium violaceum. The composition and physicochemical characteristics of the samples presented similar values to those found for the species. However, the seed phenolic extract had a higher content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity than the pulp. Both phenolic extracts presented antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, C. violaceum, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The seed phenolic extract was particularly inhibitory against S. aureus. The pulp phenolic extract inhibited swarming motility and biofilm formation of A. hydrophila, E. coli, and S. marcescens in sub-MIC concentrations. The pulp and seed phenolic extracts inhibited violacein production in C. violaceum. Films incorporating both phenolic extracts inhibited the growth of bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas fluorescens, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus, as well as QS in C. violaceum. Molecular docking showed that a variety of compounds found in pulp and seed extracts of jambolan, particularly chlorogenic acid and dihydroquercetin, potentially bind CviR protein and may interfere with QS. Our results indicate that pulp and seed of jambolan are good sources of antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-QS compounds that can be used in the development of natural preservatives and for application in antibacterial active films.

Recombinant pre-miR-29b for Alzheimer´s disease therapeutics.

MicroRNAs are arising as the next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for gene silencing. Studies demonstrated that the miR-29 expression is decreased in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients displaying high levels of human ß-secretase (hBACE1). Recent advances toward an effective therapy for AD intend to employ miR-29 to suppress hBACE1 expression and subsequent Amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide. However, delivery of mature miRNA has demonstrated modest efficacy in vitro; therefore, the preparation of highly pure and biologically active pre-miRNA arises as one of the most important challenges in the development of these therapeutic strategies. Recently, we described a new strategy based arginine-affinity chromatography to specifically purify the recombinant pre-miR-29b. Following this strategy, the purified pre-miR-29b was successfully encapsulated into polyplexes that were further delivered in cytoplasm. It was verified that Chitosan/pre-miR-29b and Polyethylenimine/pre-miR-29b systems efficiently delivered pre-miR-29b to N2a695 cells, thus reducing the hBACE1 protein expression (around 78% and 86%, respectively) and Aß42 levels (approximately 44% and 47%, respectively). Furthermore, pre-miR-29b downregulates the hBACE1 mRNA expression in 80%. Overall, it was demonstrated that the recombinant pre-miR-29b using polyplexes allowed to decrease the hBACE1 and Aß42 expression levels, improving the currently available methodologies of miRNA-based therapeutics.

COMT Val(158)Met Polymorphism Is Associated with Verbal Working Memory in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a neurogenetic disease marked by multiple cognitive and learning problems. Genetic variants may account for phenotypic variance in NF1. Here, we investigated the association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val(158)Met polymorphism and working memory and arithmetic performance in 50 NF1 individuals. A significant association of the COMT polymorphism was observed only with verbal working memory, as measured by the backward digit-span task with an advantageous performance for Met/Met carriers. To study how genetic modifiers influence NF1 cognitive performance might be of importance to decrease the unpredictability of the cognitive profile among NF1 patients.

Crystal structure of 4-methyl-N-{(E)-meth-yl[(3aR,8aS)-2-oxo-3,3a,8,8a-tetra-hydro-2H-indeno-[1,2-d][1,3]oxazol-3-yl]-λ(4)-sulfanyl-idene}benzene-sulfonamide.

The formulation that the title compound, C18H18N2O4S2, adopts is a zwitterionic core with the charge separated to the sulfilimine S and N atoms and is supported by the two different S-N bond distances about the sulfinimine N atom [1.594 (2) and 1.631 (2) Å, respectively] that are typical for such bonds. The notably unusual bond is S-N(oxazolidinone) [1.692 (2) Å] that is longer than a typical S-N bond [1.603 (18) Å, Mogul analysis; Macrae et al. (2008 ▸). J. Appl. Cryst. 41, 466-470]. The bond-angle sum about sulfilimine sulfur (308.35°) reflects the trigonal-pyramidal geometry of this atom. Two of the angles are less than 100°. Despite the pyramidalization of this sulfur, there are no significant inter-molecular inter-actions, beyond usual van der Waals contacts, in the crystal packing.

Reduced frequency of T lymphocytes expressing CTLA-4 in frontotemporal dementia compared to Alzheimer's disease.

Studies suggest that inflammation is involved in the neurodegenerative cascade of dementias. Immunological mechanisms may be part of the pathophysiological process in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but up till now only vague evidence of such mechanisms has been presented. The B7- CD28/CTLA-4 pathway is an important immunological signaling pathway involved in modulation of T cell activation. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of molecules associated with co-stimulatory signaling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of FTD to Alzheimer disease (AD) and control groups. Our results confirm the previous demonstrated increased expression of CD80 in CD14+ Alzheimer patients T cells but show, for the first time, a reduction in the expression of CTLA-4 in CD4+ FTD cells. As CTLA-4 is the most potent negative regulators of T-cell activation we speculated that peripheral T lymphocytes in FTD are more activated and this could be involved in the neurodegeneration observed in this dementia.

cell- and tissue-specific transcriptome analyses of Medicago truncatula root nodules.

Legumes have the unique ability to host nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria as symbiosomes inside root nodule cells. To get insight into this key process, which forms the heart of the endosymbiosis, we isolated specific cells/tissues at different stages of symbiosome formation from nodules of the model legume Medicago truncatula using laser-capture microdissection. Next, we determined their associated expression profiles using Affymetrix Medicago GeneChips. Cells were collected from the nodule infection zone divided into a distal (where symbiosome formation and division occur) and proximal region (where symbiosomes are mainly differentiating), as well as infected cells from the fixation zone containing mature nitrogen fixing symbiosomes. As non-infected cells/tissue we included nodule meristem cells and uninfected cells from the fixation zone. Here, we present a comprehensive gene expression map of an indeterminate Medicago nodule and selected genes that show specific enriched expression in the different cells or tissues. Validation of the obtained expression profiles, by comparison to published gene expression profiles and experimental verification, indicates that the data can be used as digital "in situ". This digital "in situ" offers a genome-wide insight into genes specifically associated with subsequent stages of symbiosome and nodule cell development, and can serve to guide future functional studies.

Association study of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene polymorphisms in bipolar disorder patients with panic disorder comorbidity.

Frequent comorbidity between panic disorder (PD) and mood disorders has been widely reported in clinical and epidemiological studies and, recently, an increasing attention has been paid to the cooccurrence of PD and bipolar disorder (BD). Several studies have shown that an imbalance of serotonin activity could be related to panic symptoms. Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) are plausible candidates for the association with PD. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible association between TPH2 gene polymorphisms and the PD comorbidity susceptibility.Our sample consisted of 515 patients; 274 patients with BD (subtypes I and II), including 45 patients with lifetime panic disorder comorbidity and 241 controls. These patients were genotyped for eight tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms of the gene of human TPH2. We found significant differences between patients with BD, with panic disorder comorbidity, and controls in the allelic analysis (rs4448731, P=0.0069; rs4565946, P=0.0359; rs4760820, P=0.0079; rs1487275, P=0.0439) and genotypic analysis (rs4448731, P=0.011; rs4760820, P=0.0259). We also identified significant differences between patients with BD, with and without panic disorder comorbidity in the allelic analysis (rs4448731, P=0.004; rs4565946, P=0.011; rs11179000, P=0.031; rs4760820, P=0.018; rs1487275, P=0.038; rs10879357, P=0.023) and genotypic analysis (rs4448731, P=0.004; rs4565946, P=0.010; rs4760820, P=0.023; rs10879357, P=0.052). The haplotype analysis in the group of patients with BD, with and without panic disorder comorbidity, was also significant (rs4448731-rs4565946, P=0.0190; rs4448731-rs4565946, P=0.0220; rs10506645-rs4760820, P=0.0360). Further studies are needed to replicate the positive association that we observed.

Agreement and reliability of two non-invasive methods for assessing cervical range of motion among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Cervical range of motion (CROM) is a fundamental component of the functional evaluation in physical therapy interventions. The CROM device stands out as a reliable, non-invasive and easy-to-use method, but it is a very expensive tool. In clinical practice, more affordable tools such as Fleximeters are preferred. However, the reliability of Fleximeters for the cervical spine has not been adequately tested. OBJECTIVES: To compare the Fleximeters and the CROM device for the analysis of CROM, and to investigate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of both tools. METHODS: Cervical movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation) were assessed in 20 asymptomatic young women by three examiners using both tools. The statistical analyses were performed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The agreement between the tools was considered moderate for flexion and left rotation (0.71; 0.58) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.76-0.87). The intra-examiner reliability for the CROM device was moderate for flexion and right rotation (0.70; 0.69) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.79-0.88). For the Fleximeter, the agreement was excellent for inclination and right rotation (0.80; 0.77) and moderate for all of the other movements (0.69-0.75). The inter-examiner reliability for the CROM device was excellent for all movements (0.76-0.93) and for the Fleximeter, it was moderate for right and left rotation (0.66; 0.75) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.81-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: There was agreement between the CROM assessments using the Fleximeter and the CROM device. Furthermore, both devices showed acceptable reliability for clinical practice.

Concordância e confiabilidade de dois métodos não-invasivos para a avaliação da amplitude de movimento cervical em adultos jovens / Agreement and reliability of two non-invasive methods for assessing cervical range of motion among young adults

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A amplitude de movimento (ADM) cervical é fundamental na avaliação funcional e na intervenção fisioterapêutica. O Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) destaca-se por ser um método confiável, não invasivo e de fácil manuseio, porém de alto custo. Na prática clínica, opta-se por aparelhos mais acessíveis, como o Flexímetro, cuja confiabilidade ainda não foi adequadamente testada para o segmento cervical. OBJETIVOS: Comparar o Flexímetro com o CROM na análise da ADM cervical e verificar a confiabilidade intra e interexaminadores de ambas as ferramentas. MÉTODOS: Os movimentos cervicais de flexão, extensão, inclinação lateral e rotação foram mensurados, com ambas as ferramentas, por três examinadores em 20 indivíduos jovens, do sexo feminino, assintomáticos. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC). RESULTADOS: A concordância entre as ferramentas foi considerada moderada nos movimentos de flexão e rotação esquerda (0,71;0,58) e excelente nos demais movimentos (0,76-0,87). A confiabilidade intraexaminadores com o CROM foi moderada para os movimentos de flexão e rotação direita (0,70; 0,69) e excelente para os demais movimentos (0,79-0,88); com o Flexímetro, foi excelente para inclinação e rotação direita (0,80; 0,77) e moderada para os demais movimentos (0,69-0,75). A confiabilidade interexaminadores com o CROM foi excelente em todos os movimentos (0,76-0,93) e, com o Flexímetro, foi moderada para os movimentos de rotação direita e esquerda (0,66; 0,75) e excelente para os demais movimentos (0,81-0,88). CONCLUSÕES: Os valores obtidos na avaliação da ADM cervical feita pelo Flexímetro concordam com aqueles mensurados pelo CROM. Além disso, ambas as ferramentas apresentam confiabilidades aceitáveis para a prática clínica.

BACKGROUND: Cervical range of motion (CROM) is a fundamental component of the functional evaluation in physical therapy interventions. The CROM device stands out as a reliable, non-invasive and easy-to-use method, but it is a very expensive tool. In clinical practice, more affordable tools such as Fleximeters are preferred. However, the reliability of Fleximeters for the cervical spine has not been adequately tested. OBJECTIVES: To compare the Fleximeters and the CROM device for the analysis of CROM, and to investigate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of both tools. METHODS: Cervical movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation) were assessed in 20 asymptomatic young women by three examiners using both tools. The statistical analyses were performed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The agreement between the tools was considered moderate for flexion and left rotation (0.71; 0.58) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.76-0.87). The intra-examiner reliability for the CROM device was moderate for flexion and right rotation (0.70; 0.69) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.79-0.88). For the Fleximeter, the agreement was excellent for inclination and right rotation (0.80; 0.77) and moderate for all of the other movements (0.69-0.75). The inter-examiner reliability for the CROM device was excellent for all movements (0.76-0.93) and for the Fleximeter, it was moderate for right and left rotation (0.66; 0.75) and excellent for all of the other movements (0.81-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: There was agreement between the CROM assessments using the Fleximeter and the CROM device. Furthermore, both devices showed acceptable reliability for clinical practice.