Action Observation Therapy for Arm Recovery after Stroke: A Preliminary Investigation on a Novel Protocol with EEG Monitoring.

This preliminary study introduces a novel action observation therapy (AOT) protocol associated with electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring to be used in the future as a rehabilitation strategy for the upper limb in patients with subacute stroke. To provide initial evidence on the usefulness of this method, we compared the outcome of 11 patients who received daily AOT for three weeks with that of patients who undertook two other approaches recently investigated by our group, namely intensive conventional therapy (ICT), and robot-assisted therapy combined with functional electrical stimulation (RAT-FES). The three rehabilitative interventions showed similar arm motor recovery as indexed by Fugl-Meyer's assessment of the upper extremity (FMA_UE) and box and block test (BBT). The improvement in the FMA_UE was yet more favourable in patients with mild/moderate motor impairments who received AOT, in contrast with patients carrying similar disabilities who received the other two treatments. This suggests that AOT might be more effective in this subgroup of patients, perhaps because the integrity of their mirror neurons system (MNS) was more preserved, as indexed by EEG recording from central electrodes during action observation. In conclusion, AOT may reveal an effective rehabilitative tool in patients with subacute stroke; the EEG evaluation of MNS integrity may help to select patients who could maximally benefit from this intervention.

Effects of 2 Types of Resistance Training Models on Obese Adolescents' Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk, and Physical Fitness.

Magnani Branco, BH, Carvalho, IZ, Garcia de Oliveira, H, Fanhani, AP, Machado dos Santos, MC, Pestillo de Oliveira, L, Macente, SB, and Nelson, NJ. Effects of 2 types of resistance training models on obese adolescents' body composition, cardiometabolic risk, and physical fitness. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2672-2682, 2020-The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 types of resistance training (RT) models in conjunction with interdisciplinary interventions by other health professionals to reduce the body fat and cardiometabolic risk of obese adolescents while improving their general health-related physical fitness. The 12-week analyses involved 18 male adolescents who were split into 2 groups (weight lifting: n = 9 and functional: n = 9), with equalization according to the primary muscle group (whenever possible), the effort:pause ratio, and intensity. The results showed reductions in fat mass and body fat, as well as in waist and hip circumferences (p < 0.05) after the intervention period. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of the body mass, body mass index, neck circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and for lean mass (p > 0.05) after the respective period. Maximal isometric strength, abdominal strength resistance, flexibility, and maximal oxygen consumption all produced significant increases after the interventions (p < 0.05). There were reductions in low-density lipoproteins and triglyceride levels after the intervention period (p < 0.05). For fasting glycemia, high-density lipoproteins, and alanine aminotransferase, no differences were observed (p > 0.05). In addition, no differences were observed in rating of perceived recovery, internal training load, or caloric intake (p > 0.05). With the results presented, it is concluded that both RT methods were effective at reducing both fat mass and body fat, thus improving health-related physical fitness components and decreasing cardiometabolic risk.

Prevalência da sífilis gestacional e congênita na população do Município de Maringá - PR / Prevalence of pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the population of Maringá, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a prevalência de sífilis gestacional e congênita dos anos 2013 a 2016, com base em dados do setor de epidemiologia do município de Maringá - PR. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo retrospectivo por meio de coleta de dados em fichas de notificação compulsória de sífilis gestacional e congênita, onde foram coletados dados da pesquisa. Foram notificados 226 casos de sífilis em gestantes, cuja média de idade mais acometida é de 25,6 anos, mostrando uma prevalência elevada de sífilis primária (68,6%), quando comparado às demais fases da doença. A sífilis congênita apresentou aumento crescente entre os anos estudados, sendo notificados 134 casos da doença em recém-nascidos. Dentre esses, 8,9% apresentaram manifestações clínicas e alterações ósseas importantes. Com esse estudo, foi possível observar aumento significativo de sífilis gestacional e congênita no decorrer dos anos estudados, o que indica alguns pontos frágeis na assistência pré-natal e saúde da gestante, que necessitam de melhoras.

The prevalence of pregnancy and congenital syphilis between 2013 and 2016 are analyzed, foregrounded on data retrieved from the epidemiological sector of the municipality of Maringá PR Brazil. A retrospective descriptive study was undertaken by data collection from compulsory notification charts on pregnancy and congenital syphilis. Two hundred and twenty-six syphilis cases were notified in pregnant women, mean age 25.6 years, with a high prevalence primary syphilis (68.6), when compared with other phases of the disease. Congenital syphilis increased during the years under analysis, with 134 cases in newly born children, among whom 8.9% had clinical manifestations and important bone alterations. Results show significant increase in pregnancy and congenital syphilis during the studied period and reveal weak points in pre-natal assistance and health. Improvements are required.

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica de alimentos minimamente processados comercializados em supermercados de Maringá, PR / Evaluation of the microbiological quality of minimally processed foods commercialized in supermarkets in Maringá, PR

Os alimentos minimamente processados (AMP) são cada vez mais procurados pela população, porém, desde a fase de plantio até o preparo do produto a ser comercializado, este alimento pode sofrer contaminações por micro-organismos patogênicos que podem levar a surtos de toxinfecção alimentar. A demanda de vegetais minimamente processados tem crescido devido às suas características de frescor e conveniência, entretanto a produção, a distribuição, a qualidade e a segurança de tais frutos e hortaliças são limitadas pelos conhecimentos que se têm acerca desse tipo de produto. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se os AMP oferecidos pelo comércio de Maringá-PR estão aptos para o consumo e seguros para saúde dos consumidores. Pesquisou- -se em amostras de couve, repolho, cenoura, beterraba e almeirão, os seguintes grupos de micro-organismos: Coliformes totais, Coliformes termotolerantes pela técnica dos tubos múltiplos (Número Mais Provável), Salmonella sp e Sthaphylococcus aureus. Das 25 amostras de hortaliças e/ou raízes/tubérculos minimamente processados analisadas, uma (4%), estava contaminada com Salmonella sp. e sete (25%), apresentavam coliformes termotolerantes em valores superiores a 102 NMP.g-1 e 103 NMP.g-1, para hortaliças e raízes/ tubérculos, respectivamente, estando em desacordo com a legislação vigente. As amostras de hortaliças e raízes/tubérculos (almeirão, couve, repolho, beterraba e cenoura) minimamente processadas apresentaram a incidência de coliformes totais de ≥2,4 x 103 NMP.g-1. Foi observada a presença de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva em 10 amostras analisadas. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho mostraram uma alta taxa de coliformes totais e termotolerantes em hortaliças, raízes e tubérculos minimamente processados comercializados em supermercados de Maringá-PR, mostrando que boa parte desses alimentos encontra-se em desacordo com a legislação brasileira, o que os torna impróprios para consumo. Mostra-se necessário melhor controle e vigilância do manuseio e comercialização destes alimentos.

The minimally processed foods (MPF) are marketed chopped foods ready for consumption and are being increasingly demanded by the population. However, from initial planting to the preparation of the product to be marketed, this food may suffer contamination by pathogenic micro-organisms that can lead to outbreaks of food poisoning. The demand for fresh cut vegetables has grown due to its characteristics of freshness and convenience, however the production, distribution, quality and security of such fruits and vegetables are limited by the knowledge that they have about this type of product. The aim of this study was to determine whether the MPF offered by the Maringá/PR market are in good conditions for consumption, bringing reliability and health to the consumers. We searched in samples of kale, cabbage, carrot, beet and chicory, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Total Coliform and Thermotolerant Coliforms, the last two bacteria were detected by the multiple tubes (Most Probable Number) technique. From the 25 samples of vegetables and / or root / tuber minimally processed analyzed, one (4%) were infected with Salmonella sp. and 7 (25%) had coliform organisms in amounts exceeding 102 NMP.g-1 and 103 NMP.g-1, for vegetables and roots / tubers, respectively, being in disagreement with current legislation. Samples of vegetables and roots / tubers (chicory, kale, cabbage, beets and carrots) minimally processed analyzed showed the incidence of total coliform ≥2,4 x 103 NMP.g-1. The presence of Staphylococcus coagulase-positive was observed in 10 samples. The results obtained in this work show a high taxa of totais and thermotolerant coliforms in vegetables, roots and tubers minimally processed marketed in supermarkets in Maringá - PR, showing that some of the foodstuffs are in compliance with the Brazilian legislation, or that it makes printing for consumption. It shows the need for control and vigilance of manning and marketing of food.

Efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) together with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis.

Traditional diagnostic methods used to detect American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis, such as histopathology using biopsy samples, culture techniques, and direct search for parasites, have low sensitivity and require invasive collection procedures. This study evaluates the efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis using skin and mucous samples from 25 patients who had tested positive for leishmaniasis. The outcome of the tests performance on swab samples was compatible with PCR results on biopsy samples. The findings have also shown that PCR-kDNA test is more efficient than PCR-HSP70 and qPCR tests (sensitivity of 92.3%, 40.7%, and 41%, respectively). Given the high sensitivity of the tests and the fact that the sampling method using swabs affords greater patient comfort and safety, it could be said that this method is a promising alternative to conventional biopsy-based methods for the molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) together with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis

ABSTRACT Traditional diagnostic methods used to detect American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis, such as histopathology using biopsy samples, culture techniques, and direct search for parasites, have low sensitivity and require invasive collection procedures. This study evaluates the efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis using skin and mucous samples from 25 patients who had tested positive for leishmaniasis. The outcome of the tests performance on swab samples was compatible with PCR results on biopsy samples. The findings have also shown that PCR-kDNA test is more efficient than PCR-HSP70 and qPCR tests (sensitivity of 92.3%, 40.7%, and 41%, respectively). Given the high sensitivity of the tests and the fact that the sampling method using swabs affords greater patient comfort and safety, it could be said that this method is a promising alternative to conventional biopsy-based methods for the molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

Incidência de sífilis congênita e sua prevalência em gestantes em um município do noroeste do Paraná / Occurrence of congenital syphilis and its prevalence in pregnant women in a municipality in the northwestern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência de sífilis em gestantes atendidas no município de Nova Esperança (PR) entre 2013 e 2014 e a incidência de sífilis congênita notificada no mesmo período na cidade. Foi realizado estudo descritivo retrospectivo por meio de coleta de dados em fichas de gestantes com solicitação médica do exame Veneral Disease Research Laboratory durante o acompanhamento pré-natal e as notificações compulsórias de sífilis congênita registradas pelo setor de epidemiologia do município. Foram constatados 36 casos de sífilis gestacional e cinco de sífilis congênita. Todas as pacientes tiveram acompanhamento pré-natal, entretanto uma teve o diagnóstico da sífilis gestacional somente no momento do parto/curetagem. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a prevalência de sífilis congênita em Nova Esperança apresentou um crescimento no período de 2013 para 2014. Ao avaliar todas as gestantes com diagnóstico de sífilis durante o atendimento pré-natal, 13,9% não obtiveram tratamento satisfatório e o agente etiológico desencadeou a infecção fetal. Ao comparar os resultados do presente estudo com dados nacionais, em 2013, no Brasil observou- se uma taxa de detecção de 7,5 casos de sífilis em gestantes para cada 1.000 nascidos vivos e em relação à incidência de sífilis congênita no mesmo ano observou-se uma taxa de 4,8 casos por 1.000 nascidos vivos. Conclui-se que os achados deste estudo marcam alguns pontos frágeis da assistência e prevenção da sífilis, no qual os profissionais da saúde devem participar ativamente na realização de ações preventivas e de acompanhamento desta enfermidade.

The prevalence of syphilis in pregnant women in Nova Esperança PR Brazil, between 2013 and 2014 and the occurrence of congenital syphilis reported during the same period in the town are investigated by a descriptive and retrospective analysis. Data were retrieved from pregnant women´s clinical charts in which were included Venereal Disease Research Laboratory tests during the prenatal follow-up and compulsory reports for congenital syphilis from the town´s epidemiological sector. Thirty-six cases of pregnancy syphilis and five cases of congenital were registered. All patients had a prenatal follow-up and only one patient was diagnosed with pregnancy syphilis at birth. Results demonstrate a rise in the prevalence of congenital syphilis in Nova Esperança between 2013 and 2014. Assessment of all pregnant women with syphilis during the prenatal period showed that 13.9% failed to have a satisfactory treatment and the etiological agent caused fetal infection. Comparison of results of current study with data for Brazil revealed a detection rate of 7.5 cases of pregnancy syphilis for every 1000 live births, whereas a rate of 4.8 cases per 1000 live cases of congenital syphilis occurred during the same year. Results reveal weak points in the care and prevention of syphilis. Health professionals should actively participate in the disease´s prevention and follow-up.