Virulence and Reproductive Fitness of Meloidogyne paranaensis Field Populations in Coffee Genotypes.

The aim of this study was to characterize Meloidogyne paranaensis populations collected from infested coffee crops. Methodologies used to characterize the 11 studied populations from municipalities in Paraná and Minas Gerais States involved the morphological analysis of perineal patterns, biochemical analysis by isozyme electrophoresis, sequencing of internal transcribes spacer 1 (ITS-1) and D2/D3 ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions, reproductive fitness, and virulence characterization in coffee genotypes. Morphological evaluations showed the existence of variation between populations, although the majority of them showed typical perineal patterns. The biochemical identification was based on α-esterase isozyme analyses and resulted in the appearance of three distinct profiles: P1 (typical), P2 (atypical), and a nondescribed profile, P2b. BLAST of the ITS-1 and D2/D3 rDNA regions indicated homology (>95%) with other sequences deposited in GenBank. For reproductive fitness and virulence characterization, 13 coffee genotypes (5 Coffea arabica and 8 C. canephora) were inoculated with 11 M. paranaensis populations. Variation in the reproductive fitness of populations was observed for cultivar Mundo Novo, a genotype without resistance genes, and variation in the virulence of populations was observed in genotypes carrying resistance genes. Three populations exhibited virulence combined with high reproductive fitness, while one showed virulence with low reproductive fitness. Some hosts were resistant to 11 populations, while one of the hosts was resistant to only one population, indicating the presence of different resistance genes. Nevertheless, no relationship was observed between the origin of population and their variations in perineal patterns, esterase profiles, phylogeny, or reproductive fitness in coffee genotypes, or between the different characterizations, although differences were observed within each characteristic.

Six-minute walk test: functional capacity of severely obese before and after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a well-known instrument for assessing the functional capacity of a variety of groups, including the obese. It is a simple, low-cost and easily applied method to objectively assess the level of exercise capacity. The aim of the present study was to study the functional capacity of a severely obese population before and after bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 51 patients were studied. Of the 51 patients, 86.2% were women, and the mean age was 40.9 + or - 9.2 years. All 51 patients were evaluated preoperatively and 49 were evaluated 7-12 months postoperatively. The initial body mass index was 51.1 + or - 9.2 kg/m(2), and the final body mass index was 28.2 + or - 8.1 kg/m(2). All patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The 6MWT was performed in a hospital corridor, with patients attempting to cover as much distance as they could, walking back and forth for as long as possible within 6 minutes at their regular pace. The total distance, Borg Scale of perceived exhaustion, modified Borg dyspnea scale for shortness of breath, and physical complaints at the end of the test were recorded. In addition, the heart rate and respiratory frequency were assessed before and after the test. RESULTS: The tolerance was good, and no injuries occurred at either evaluation. The patients' mean distance for the 6MWT was 381.9 + or - 49.3 m before surgery and 467.8 + or - 40.3 m after surgery (p <.0001). Similar results were observed for the other parameters assessed. CONCLUSION: The 6MWT provided useful information about the functional status of the obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. A simple, safe, and powerful method to assess functional capacity of severely obese patients, the 6MWT is an objective test that might replace the conventional treadmill test for these types of patients.

Gait cinematic analysis in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Functional co-morbidities of excess body weight such as gait problems are never life-threatening like those associated with certain metabolic sequelae. Nevertheless, they may interfere with quality of life and also act as a mirror of muscle, bone and joint stress. In this prospective study, the goal was to document dynamic aspects of gait in severely obese subjects. METHODS: An outpatient population (age 47.2+/-12.9 years, 94.1% females, BMI 40.1+/-6.0 kg/m2, n=34) had their gait analyzed by an experienced physical therapist. Variables included speed, cadence, stride, support base and foot angle, which were compared to reference values for the Brazilian population. RESULTS: All variables were significantly lower in the obese patients, except for support base which was increased. Speed was 73.3+/-16.3 vs 130 cm/s, cadence was 1.4+/-0.2 vs 1.8 steps/s, stride was 106.8+/-13.1 vs 132.0 cm, and support was 12.5+/-3.5 vs 10.0 cm (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Widespread cinematic impairment was the rule in the studied population. 2) These findings are consistent with poor skeletal muscle performance, high metabolic expenditure and constant physical exhaustion. 3) Attention should be paid not only to the metabolic management but also to the physical rehabilitation required in cases of advanced obesity.

Postural changes in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Postural deviations in morbidly obese individuals may contribute to low self-esteem and to long-term adverse effects on bones and joints. In a case-control study, the axial skeleton was investigated, to disclose the main abnormalities found in obese compared to non-obese groups. METHODS: 2 groups were compared. Group 1, severely obese patients (n= 32), age 41.5 +/- 8.2 years, BMI 49.4 +/- 6.6 kg/m2, 93.8% females, and group 2 non-obese (n= 30), age 43.5 +/- 5.8 years, BMI 24.6 +/- 5.1 kg/m2, 96.7% females, had their posture analyzed through clinical examination and radiological imaging. Variables measured were anterior, lateral and posterior angular deviation from the vertical body axis at the head, shoulders, pelvis, Thales triangle, spine, knees, ankles and feet. Data are shown as a percentage of abnormal angles in the 2 groups. RESULTS: On anterior analysis of the 2 groups, disturbances affected head (37.5% vs 13.3%), Thales angle (78.1% vs 53.3%), knees (84.4% vs 33.3%), legs (59.4% vs 30.0%) and support base (59.4% vs 26.7%) (P<0.05). On posterior view, the spine was the deranged segment (87.5% vs 36.7%) (P<0.05), and on lateral assessment, 100% of the results were abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Individuals with morbid obesity present important postural alterations. 2) Seriously altered posture was the rule for the obese population in this study, especially in the spine, knees and feet. 3) Most patients had compatible clinical complaints, but they rarely associated the bone and joint pain with the obesity and axial skeleton deviations. 4) Planned physical activity should be part of the treatment of severe obesity, in order to correct deviations, prevent new ones, and improve quality of life.