Relationship between heart rate deflection point determined by Dmax method and 10-km running performance in endurance recreationally-trained female runners.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to verify the relationship between the speed at heart rate deflection point based on Dmax method (sHRDPDmax) with 10-km running performance and the speed at lactate threshold calculated with Dmax method (sLTDmax) in endurance recreationally-trained female runners. We also aim to examine the influence of exponential-plus-constant and third-order polynomial regression models and the influence of the heart rate points (model with initial HR points above 140 b·min(-1) versus model with all HR points) on the determination of the sHRDPDmax. METHODS: Thirteen endurance recreationally-trained female runners were recruited. Participants performed a discontinuous incremental exercise tests initiating at 7 km·h(-1) with 1 km·h(-1) increments each 3 min to determine sHRDPDmax and sLTDmax according to two adjustments: 1) exponential-plus-constant regression model (sHRDPexp and sLTexp); 2) third-order polynomial regression model (sHRDPpol and sLTpol). The sHRDPDmax was also calculated based on HR points above 140 b·min(-1) (sHRDPexp>140 and sHRDPpol>140). Each participant performed a 10-km running performance (s10km). RESULTS: Only the sHRDPexp and sHRDPexp>140 correlated with s10km (sHRDPexp, r=0.87; sHRDPexp>140, r=0.76) and showed higher correlations than the sHRDPpol and sHRDPpol>140 with sLTDmax. The sHRDPexp presented higher correlation with sLTexp than sHRDPexp>140, however sHRDPexp>140 better correlated with sLTpol than sHRDPexp. Furthermore, sHRDPpol>140 demonstrated higher correlations with sLTexp and sLTpol than sHRDPpol. CONCLUSION: The determination of sHRDPDmax according to different initial HR point and its correlation with sLTDmax is influenced by the regression model. Further, only sHRDPexp and sHRDPexp>140 were predictors of endurance performance. However, despite the high correlations, the deflection point very often occurred around the midpoint between initial and final speeds during the incremental test suggesting that the exponential-plus-constant may not be an appropriate regression curve.

Increased expression of clp genes in Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 exposed to acid stress and bile salts.

The ability to survive in harsh environments is an important criterion to select potential probiotics strains. The objective of this study was to identify and carry out phylogenetic and expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR of the clpP, clpE, clpL and clpX genes in the probiotic strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 exposed to the conditions prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Phylogenetic trees reconstructed by Bayesian inference showed that the L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 clpP, clpL and clpE genes and the ones from L. delbrueckii ATCC 11842 were grouped. The exposure of cells to MRS broth of pH 3.5 for 30 and 60 min resulted in an increased expression of the four genes. Exposure of the L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 cells for 30 and 60 min to MRS broth containing 0.1% bile salts increased the expression of the clpP and clpE genes, while the expression level of the clpL and clpX genes increased only after 30 min of exposure. The involvement of the studied genes in the responses to acid stress and bile salts suggests a possible central role of these genes in the survival of L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 during the passage through the GIT, a characteristic necessary for probiotic strains.

Genes involved in lactose catabolism and organic acid production during growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 in skimmed milk.

There are three main reasons for using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as starter cultures in industrial food fermentation processes: food preservation due to lactic acid production; flavour formation due to a range of organic molecules derived from sugar, lipid and protein catabolism; and probiotic properties attributed to some strains of LAB, mainly of lactobacilli. The aim of this study was to identify some genes involved in lactose metabolism of the probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20, and analyse its organic acid production during growth in skimmed milk. The following genes were identified, encoding the respective enzymes: ldh - lactate dehydrogenase, adhE - Ldb1707 acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and ccpA-pepR1 - catabolite control protein A. It was observed that L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 cultivated in different media has the unexpected ability to catabolyse galactose, and to produce high amounts of succinic acid, which was absent in the beginning, raising doubts about the subspecies in question. The phylogenetic analyses showed that this strain can be compared physiologically to L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis, which are able to degrade lactose and can grow in milk. L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 sequences have grouped with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC BAA-365, strengthening the classification of this probiotic strain in the NCFM group proposed by a previous study. Additionally, L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 presented an evolutionary pattern closer to that of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, corroborating the suggestion that this strain might be considered as a new and unusual subspecies among L. delbrueckii subspecies, the first one identified as a probiotic. In addition, its unusual ability to metabolise galactose, which was significantly consumed in the fermentation medium, might be exploited to produce low-browning probiotic Mozzarella cheeses, a desirable property for pizza cheeses.

Genes involved in protein metabolism of the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20.

A basic requirement for the prediction of the potential use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the dairy industry is the identification of specific genes involved in flavour-forming pathways. The probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 was submitted to a genetic characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of genes involved in protein catabolism. Eight genes belonging to this system were identified, which possess a closely phylogenetic relationship to NCFM strains representative, as it was demonstrated for oppC and oppBII, encoding oligopeptide transport system components. PepC, PepN, and PepX might be essential for growth of LAB, probiotic or not, since the correspondent genes are always present, including in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 genome. For pepX gene, a probable link between carbohydrate catabolism and PepX expression may exists, where it is regulated by PepR1/CcpA-like, a common feature between Lactobacillus strains and also in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20. The well conserved evolutionary history of the ilvE gene is evidence that the pathways leading to branched-chain amino acid degradation, such as isoleucine and valine, are similar among L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains and L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20. Thus, the involvement of succinate in flavour formation can be attributed to IlvE activity. The presence of aminopeptidase G in L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 genome, which is absent in several strains, might improve the proteolytic activity and effectiveness. The nucleotide sequence encoding PepG revealed that it is a cysteine endopeptidase, belonging to Peptidase C1 superfamily; sequence analysis showed 99% identity with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 pepG, whereas protein sequence analysis revealed 100% similarity with PepG from the same organism. The present study proposes a schematic model to explain how the proteolytic system of the probiotic L. delbrueckii UFV H2b20 works, based on the components identified so far.

Effect of two microwave disinfection protocols on adaptation of poly (methyl methacrylate) denture bases.

AIM: A few protocols of microwave irradiation have been proposed for disinfection of dental prostheses, but their effect on dimensional alteration still is unknown. This study evaluated the effect of 2 protocols of microwave disinfection on adaptation of resin denture bases polymerised by conventional hot water bath or by microwave energy. METHODS: Thirty-six resin bases were obtained from stone casts duplicated from a metallic master model of an edentulous maxilla and polymerised by either conventional hot water bath or microwave energy. Experimental disinfection treatments were: 1) control (no disinfection); 2) protocol 1 (690 W/6 min); 3) protocol 2 (345 W/6 min). Disinfection procedures were performed 3 times (T1, T2, T3) with a 7-day interval. Adaptation was measured by weighing a vinyl polysiloxane film reproducing the gap between resin base and master model. Data were analysed by ANOVA for repeated measures and Bonferroni test (a=0.05). RESULTS: In T1 and T2, all groups polymerised by microwave energy had higher mean values than the groups polymerised by conventional technique. In T3, denture resin bases polymerised by microwave energy had increased poor adaptation when submitted to microwave disinfection at 690 W for 6 min. No significant changes were found for bases submitted to microwave disinfection at 345 W for 6 min (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adaptation of denture bases varied as a function of polymerisation technique and protocol of microwave disinfection (power and time) over time. Microwave disinfection at 690 W for 6 min proved harmful to denture bases after repeated disinfection procedures.

[Nursing diagnosis of the patient in the immediate postoperative period]. / Diagnósticos de enfermagem do paciente no período pós-operatório imediato.

The aim of this study was to identify the nursing diagnoses that are more frequent in patients in immediate post-operative period. Data were collected and recorded on specially cards, through evaluation of 28 patients in the first two hours after the admission of the patient. The nursing diagnoses were set by one of the authors, based on Taxonomy I, proposed by North American Nursing Diagnosis Association--NANDA. The diagnoses that occurred mostly were: Risk for injury (100.0%), Risk for infection (92.8%), Sensory perceptual alterations (89.2%), Risk for aspiration (82.1%), Impaired physical mobility (71.4%), Impaired tissue integrity (82.1%) and Hypothermia (67.8%).

[Epilepsies with midline projected foci: study with quantitative and topographic EEG (brain mapping)]. / Epilepsias com focos projetados na linha média. Estudo com EEG quantitativo e topográfico (mapeamento cerebral).

We report a topographic and quantitative EEG (EEGQT) study of four patients with analogic EEG diagnostics of midline foci. The new study with EEGQT offered an increased definition of the electrical source with advantages in foci localization. These findings should be confirmed with studies including a greater number of patients.

[Compliance in epilepsy. I. Concept factors and influence factors]. / Aderência em epilepsias. I. Aspectos conceituais e fatores de influência.

The aim of this paper is to introduce compliance concept and to classify technicals, biologicas, socials and mixed factors that may influence compliance. The importance of conscious attitudes in a good patient compliance is emphasized.

[Compliance in epilepsy. II. Practical aspects]. / Aderência em epilepsias. II. Aspectos práticos.

Therapeutic regimen compliance was assessed in 84 epileptic patients. The compliance measurement was based on two interviews, one has been taken by the physician and the other by the nurse. Most patients (72.6%) were detected as non-compliance by the nurse's interview. The forgetfulness of drugs intake was found in 50% subjects. The treatment length and changes from Medical Centers were negatively associated with compliance. Our findings point out the important role of detailed interview in order to detect the most influencing factors in compliance.