Antioxidant pectins from eggplant (Solanum melongena) fruit exocarp, calyx and flesh isolated through high-power ultrasound and sodium carbonate.

Dried and milled eggplant fruit peel and calyces (PC) and mesocarp, placenta and core (Mes) were utilized as natural sources of valuable chemicals. Pectins were extracted with 0.1 M Na2CO3 (1 h; 23 °C). A high-power ultrasound (US) pretreatment (10 min net time; 12.76 W/cm2 power intensity) in 10:200 (g/mL) powder:water ratio led to the lowest solvent and energy consumptions after the subsequent 0.1 M Na2CO3 stirring, permitting the highest recoveries of uronic acid (UA) from PC and Mes (80.25 and 93.8 %, respectively). Homogalacturonans (>65 % w/w UA) of low degree of methylesterification, of acetylation, and 90,214-138,184 Da molecular weights with low polydispersity (≈1.32-1.40) were obtained. They included released ferulate (≈3.5 mg/100 g) esterified pectins. Antioxidants (caffeoylquinic acid, putrescine and spermidine derivatives, ß-carotene, lutein) gave additional technological value to their thickening effect as pectins protected tryptophan, tyrosine, alkyl side chains and sulfhydryl of skim milk proteins from UV-C photo-oxidation.

Biorremediação de solos contaminados com arsênio por meio de lavagem de solo usando biossurfactantes / Bioremediation of arsenic-contaminated soil through soil washing using biosurfactants

RESUMO A mineração de ouro é uma das principais fontes de contaminação de arsênio (As) no Quadrilátero Ferrífero em Minas Gerais. O As é um elemento tóxico capaz de causar sérios danos à saúde humana. Com o objetivo de investigar formas mais ecológicas e igualmente eficientes para a remoção de As em solos, empregou-se a técnica de lavagem de solos (soil washing) com uso de extratos com biossurfactantes (BS) visando promover a mobilização do As contido em solo de mina de ouro abandonada. Para a produção dos extratos, foram selecionadas duas culturas mistas de bactérias produtoras de BS (MPCB e MPBR) tolerantes a alta concentração de arsênio (8 mg.L-1). Os tensoativos produzidos foram estáveis em ampla faixa de pH, 3-11; temperatura, 28-50ºC e salinidade, 1-5% NaCl (p.v-1). Nos testes de lavagem de solo, em pH 11, as remoções de As obtidas com os extratos MPCB (14,01 e 13,72%) e MPBR (12,04 e 12,31%) foram superiores àquelas obtidas com soluções a 1% (p.v-1) dos surfactantes comerciais SDS (0,87 e 0,71%); saponina (0,57 e 0,55%) e lecitina de soja (2,05 e 2,63%). Os resultados dos testes em coluna foram igualmente influenciados pelo pH e pela proporção sólido:líquido. As maiores remoções de As: 25,43% (MPCB) 22,43% (MPBR) foram obtidas em pH 11, na proporção 1:40 (g.mL-1), após 10 ciclos de extração. Os extratos MPCB e MPBR removeram o As solúvel em água, os íons ligados ao carbonato e aqueles adsorvidos. Ambos os extratos tiveram comportamento semelhante ao ácido etilenodiaminotetracético (EDTA) e ao extrato de cultura microbiana comercial (GorduraKlin®).

ABSTRACT Gold mining is one of the main sources of Arsenic (As) contamination in Minas Gerais, particularly at the Iron quadrangle. Arsenic is a toxic element that causes damage to human health. The soil washing technique using biosurfactants (BS) containing extracts was tested to promote the mobilization of the As contained in some soil samples collected in an abandoned gold mine, to investigate an environmentally friendly but equally efficient alternative to remove As from soils. Two mixed cultures of biosurfactant-producing bacteria (MPCB and MPBR), both adapted to the cultivation at high As concentrations (8 mg.L-1), were selected for extracts production. Surfactants were stable over a wide pH range, 3-11; temperature, 28-50ºC and salinity, 1-5% NaCl (p.v-1), and promoted the mobilization of As. The pH and solid:liquid ratio influenced the removal efficiency of the tested extracts. The highest removals were obtained at pH 11.0 and a solid:liquid ratio of 1:40 (g.mL-1). Under pH 11.0, the arsenic removal results obtained with MPCB (14.01 and 13.72%) and MPBR extracts (12.04 and 12.31%) were superior to those obtained by using 1% (w/v) solutions of the commercial surfactants SDS (0.87 and 0.71%), saponin (0.57 and 0.55%) and, soy lecithin (2.05 and 2.63%). The pH and the solid: liquid ratio influenced the results of the column tests. The highest As removals: 25.43% (MPCB) and 22.43% (MPBR) were obtained after 10 extraction cycles, at pH 11 and 1:40 ratio (g.mL-1). The extracts MPCB and MPBR removed the water-soluble arsenic as well as the carbonate associated As and the adsorbed ions. Both extracts behaved similarly to EDTA and the commercial microbial extract (GorduraKlin®).

Damming Amazon Rivers: Environmental impacts of hydroelectric dams on Brazil's Madeira River according to local fishers' perception.

This study aimed to investigate the environmental impacts generated by the hydroelectric complex in the Madeira River, Brazilian Amazon, based on the perceptions of local fishers and fishery database, it focus attention on three main impacts: (i) on local fishery stocks; (ii) in fish fauna and (iii) on the aquatic ecosystems. The local fishers were selected through the "snowball" approach for the application of semi-structured interviews. All the local fishers confirmed having perceived a decline in fishery productivity following the impounding of the Madeira River. Changes in the condition of the fish were also perceived by the local fishers, including exophthalmia (82%), a reduction in the weight or length of the fish (25%), and irregular breeding patterns (14%). In the case of impacts on the river, changes in the hydrological cycle were the process remembered most frequently (75%). The results elucidated a range of environmental impacts caused by the hydroelectric dams of the Madeira River.

Preprocessing procedures and supervised classification applied to a database of systematic soil survey

Data Mining techniques play an important role in the prediction of soil spatial distribution in systematic soil surveying, though existing methodologies still lack standardization and a full understanding of their capabilities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of preprocessing procedures and supervised classification approaches for predicting map units from 1:100,000-scale conventional semi-detailed soil surveys. Sheets of the Brazilian National Cartographic System on the 1:50,000 scale, Dois Córregos (Brotas 1:100,000-scale sheet), São Pedro and Laras (Piracicaba 1:100,000-scale sheet) were used for developing models. Soil map information and predictive environmental covariates for the dataset were obtained from the semi-detailed soil survey of the state of São Paulo, from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) 1:50,000-scale topographic sheets and from the 1:750,000-scale geological map of the state of São Paulo. The target variable was a soil map unit of four types: local soil unit name and soil class at three hierarchical levels of the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). Different data preprocessing treatments and four algorithms all having different approaches were also tested. Results showed that composite soil map units were not adequate for the machine learning process. Class balance did not contribute to improving the performance of classifiers. Accuracy values of 78 % and a Kappa index of 0.67 were obtained after preprocessing procedures with Random Forest, the algorithm that performed best. Information from conventional map units of semi-detailed (4th order) 1:100,000 soil survey generated models with values for accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity and Kappa indexes that support their use in programs for systematic soil surveying.(AU)

Preprocessing procedures and supervised classification applied to a database of systematic soil survey

Data Mining techniques play an important role in the prediction of soil spatial distribution in systematic soil surveying, though existing methodologies still lack standardization and a full understanding of their capabilities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of preprocessing procedures and supervised classification approaches for predicting map units from 1:100,000-scale conventional semi-detailed soil surveys. Sheets of the Brazilian National Cartographic System on the 1:50,000 scale, Dois Córregos (Brotas 1:100,000-scale sheet), São Pedro and Laras (Piracicaba 1:100,000-scale sheet) were used for developing models. Soil map information and predictive environmental covariates for the dataset were obtained from the semi-detailed soil survey of the state of São Paulo, from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) 1:50,000-scale topographic sheets and from the 1:750,000-scale geological map of the state of São Paulo. The target variable was a soil map unit of four types: local soil unit name and soil class at three hierarchical levels of the Brazilian System of Soil Classification (SiBCS). Different data preprocessing treatments and four algorithms all having different approaches were also tested. Results showed that composite soil map units were not adequate for the machine learning process. Class balance did not contribute to improving the performance of classifiers. Accuracy values of 78 % and a Kappa index of 0.67 were obtained after preprocessing procedures with Random Forest, the algorithm that performed best. Information from conventional map units of semi-detailed (4th order) 1:100,000 soil survey generated models with values for accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity and Kappa indexes that support their use in programs for systematic soil surveying.

Protocol for the use of legacy data and magnetic signature on soil mapping of São Paulo Central West, Brazil.

The demand for information on the soil resource to support the establishment of public policies for land use and management has grown exponentially in the last years. However, there are still difficulties to the proper use of already existing information for soil mapping. Here we aimed to establish a protocol for soil mapping using legacy data, magnetic signature and soil attributes evaluation. A total of 493 soil samples were collected at 0-0.20 m in the geological domain of Western Plateau of São Paulo State. This work has three parts: First, we performed a classification analysis using soil mapping units (SMU) extracted from conventional soil map and Support Vector Machines algorithm (SVM). As covariates, we used categorical information, such as geology, dissection and landform maps. Second, we used soil attributes to perform a cluster analysis using k-means as partitioning method. To choose the optimal number of clusters, the same number of SMU showed in the conventional soil map (e.g. 34 clusters) were used. The last step was to compare soil and clusters maps predicted by SVM with the conventional soil map. Results showed good performance of SVM for both classifications (clusters and SMU), with overall accuracy of 0.60 and 0.90 respectively. In addition, the distribution of soil attributes within each cluster was more homogeneous and well distributed than within SMU, showing that is very possible to use numerical classification for soil mapping. Future soil surveys could use cluster analysis as a preliminary evaluation for better understanding of tropical soil variations.

Solitary ulcerated plaque on the face - an unusual presentation of cutaneous plasmacytosis?

Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous polyclonal plasma cell infiltration frequently associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and lymphadenopathy. We report a case of a 67-year-old woman with an inflammatory ulcerated plaque in the left masseter region. A skin biopsy showed dense perivascular infiltrate of mature plasma cells in the dermis without atypia and immunoglobulin light chain restriction. After physical examination and further investigation, we ruled out systemic disease. Our patient was successfully treated only with hydrocortisone cream application. Few cases of isolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis have been described, particularly in children. After excluding the diagnosis of a reactive process to an infection, which is unlikely in this case, we suspected of a rare manifestation of primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in adults with distinct presentation and clinical course.

Solitary ulcerated plaque on the face - an unusual presentation of cutaneous plasmacytosis?

Abstract Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous polyclonal plasma cell infiltration frequently associated with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and lymphadenopathy. We report a case of a 67-year-old woman with an inflammatory ulcerated plaque in the left masseter region. A skin biopsy showed dense perivascular infiltrate of mature plasma cells in the dermis without atypia and immunoglobulin light chain restriction. After physical examination and further investigation, we ruled out systemic disease. Our patient was successfully treated only with hydrocortisone cream application. Few cases of isolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis have been described, particularly in children. After excluding the diagnosis of a reactive process to an infection, which is unlikely in this case, we suspected of a rare manifestation of primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in adults with distinct presentation and clinical course.

Fatores relacionados ao nível de estresse em adolescentes estudantes: uma revisão sistemática / Stress level related factorsin adolescent students:a systematic review

Introdução: o estresse na adolescência pode ser considerado um fator desencadeante de problemas psicológicos, que podem resultar em depressão ou em casos extremos até o suicídio. Objetivo: revisar sistematicamente estudos que exploraram os fatores relacionados ao estresse de adolescentes escolares em níveis compatíveis ao ensino médio brasileiro. Métodos: a busca de literatura foi realizada nas seguintes bases de periódicos científicos: MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, Sportdiscus, Psycoinfo e LILACS. Resultados: inicialmente a busca resultou em 930 artigos dentre os quais, após as etapas da revisão, cinco foram incluídos nos resultados. Conclusões: entre os fatores relacionados ao estresse em estudantes do ensino médio, concluiu-se que ser do sexo feminino e as atividades acadêmicas são fatores mais relevantes para aumento dos indicadores de estresse dos estudantes.

Introduction: stress in adolescence can be considered a triggering factor for psychological problems, which can result in depression or in some cases even suicide. Objective: the purpose of this study was to systematically review studies that explored factors related to adolescent stress in compatible to high school levels. Methods: the literature verified was performed in the following journals databases: MEDLINE / PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Psycoinfo and LILACS. Results: initially search resulted in 930 articles which, after the steps of the review, five were included in the results. Conclusions: Among factors related to stress in middle school students, it was found that being female and academic activities are more relevant to increased stress indicators of student factors.

Functional capacity and physical activity level in failed back surgery syndrome patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Failed back surgery syndrome refers to a condition in which a patient has undergone back surgery with a poor outcome. This syndrome leads to losses in daily living activities and hinders the return to physical exercise. The objective of this study was to analyze the relation between chronic low back pain and functional capacity and the physical activity level of these patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study comprising 57 patients, mean age 51.07±12.93 years, who underwent low back surgery. These patients were divided into two groups, according to the presence of chronic low back pain. All patients filled in a questionnaire that covered demographic data, visual analog scale for pain, Rolland-Morris Questionnaire to evaluate functional incapacity and International Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity level. RESULTS: The following predominated: women (77%), obese (49%), surgery for spinal disc herniation (80%), underwent one low back surgery (52%). Patients with chronic low back pain refer a greater perception of disability and 81% of this group showed an average of 3.53±3.51 points in Roland-Morris. Chronic low back pain had no influence on the different levels of physical activity demonstrated in patients with chronic low back pain and results of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire showed no significant difference between the groups (p=0.54). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that there were other factors beyond chronic pain interfering with the physical activity level in these groups and further studies to explore lifestyle, physical exercise adherence and other dimensions of pain are still needed. Results contribute to the understanding and management of patients with chronic low back pain. .

Is vein damage the only cause of clinical signs of lower limb chronic venous insufficiency? / É a lesão venosa a única responsável pela clínica da insuficiência venosa crônica dos membros inferiores?

Background: Venous insufficiency is a very prevalent disease. Some decades ago a group of patients was identified that had symptoms of venous insufficiency, but no visible anatomic abnormalities. Studies showed that this subset had reduced venous tone, and their condition became known as hypotonic phlebopathy. Objective: To investigate prevalence, age group and variations in body mass index (BMI) among patients with hypotonic phlebopathy. Methodology: A total of 1,960 limbs were examined in 1,017 patients who had been referred for complaints compatible with venous insufficiency. Patients with BMI ≥ 30 were defined as obese. The patients were examined using color Doppler ultrasonography to detect presence or absence of reflux in veins of the lower limbs and were then distributed into two groups as follows: patients with CEAP ≤ 1 and no reflux, diagnosed with hypotonic phlebopathy; or patients with CEAP ≥ 2 and reflux. Results: The study sample comprised 89.7% women and 10.3% men with a mean age of 44.9 years. Hypotonic phlebopathy was more common among the women (p = 0.0001). Obese women were more likely than women who were not obese to have venous symptom etiology involving trunk lesions (p = 0.0017). Among the men, obesity was unrelated to etiology of symptoms (p = 0.5991). Symptomology was more likely to be related to trunk vein damage among older age groups than among younger age groups (p-valor <0.0001). Conclusions: Hypotonic phlebopathy was very prevalent, particularly among young women who were not obese...

Contexto: A insuficiência venosa é uma doença muito prevalente. Há algumas décadas, evidenciou-se a existência de um grupo que, embora apresentasse sintomas de insuficiência venosa, não possuía alterações anatômicas visíveis. Estudos mostraram redução no tônus venoso nesses indivíduos, denominando-os portadores de flebopatia hipotônica. Objetivo: Estudar a prevalência, a faixa etária e as variações do índice de massa corporal (IMC) em pacientes portadores de flebopatia hipotônica. Metodologia: Foram examinados 1.960 membros de 1.017 pacientes, devido a queixas compatíveis com insuficiência venosa. Foram considerados obesos aqueles com IMC ≥ 30. Foram avaliados com ecocolor Doppler, para se detectar a presença ou não de refluxo em veias dos membros inferiores, sendo então distribuídos em dois grupos: aqueles com CEAP ≤ 1, além de excluído refluxo, os portadores de flebopatia hipotônica, e outros com CEAP ≥ 2 e com refluxo. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 89,7% de mulheres e 10,3% de homens, com faixa etária média de 44,9 anos. A flebopatia hipotônica foi mais comum em mulheres (p-valor = 0,0001). Naquelas obesas, houve mais lesão troncular como etiologia dos sintomas venosos do que nas não obesas (p-valor = 0,0017). Dentre os homens, a presença de obesidade não influenciou na etiologia dos sintomas (p-valor = 0,5991). Nos grupos etários de idade mais avançada, a presença de sintomatologia teve como origem etiológica a lesão venosa troncular com mais frequência do que nas faixas etárias mais jovens (p-valor <0,0001). Conclusão: A flebopatia hipotônica se mostrou muito prevalente, principalmente em mulheres jovens não obesas...

O nível de estresse de atletas de basquetebol em diferentes momentos do jogo em uma competição oficial / The stress level of basketball players at different times of the game in an official competition

Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar indicadores psicofisiológicos do estresse entre atletas de basquetebol em competição. Participaram 38 atletas, durante as semifinais e finais de jogos estaduais. Foi aplicada a Escala de Humor de Brunel (BRUMS), antes e após os jogos como também foram colhidas amostras salivares dos atletas nas situações repouso, antes e após os jogos das semifinais e finais da competição. Para comparar os momentos pré e pós-jogos dos atletas e para as variáveis psicológicas (BRUMS) e fisiológicas (cortisol salivar), e as respostas entre vencedores e perdedores foi aplicado a ANOVA mista de medidas repetidas. Foi adotado um nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados mostraram que houve diferenças entre significativas entre as respostas psicológicas e não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações de cortisol dos atletas, independente do período ou tipo do jogo.

This study aimed to compare psychophysiological indicators of stress among basketball athletes in competition. 38 participating athletes during the semifinals and final game state. The Brunel Humor Scale (BRUMS) was applied before and after the games as well as saliva samples were collected from athletes in home situations before and after the games of the semifinals and finals of the competition. To compare the pre-and post-games athletes and psychological variables (BRUMS) and physiological (salivary cortisol), and responses between winners and losers was applied to mixed ANOVA with repeated measures. We adopted a significance level of 5%. The results showed that there were significant differences between psychological responses and no significant difference in cortisol levels of athletes, regardless of the period or game type.

Cadmium background concentrations to establish reference quality values for soils of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Proper assessment of soil cadmium (Cd) concentrations is essential to establish legislative limits. The present study aimed to assess background Cd concentrations in soils from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and to correlate such concentrations with several soil attributes. The topsoil samples (n = 191) were assessed for total Cd contents and for other metals using the USEPA 3051A method. The background concentration was determined according to the third quartile (75th). Principal component analysis, Spearman correlation, and multiple regressions between Cd contents and other soil attributes (pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay content, sum of bases, organic matter, and total Fe, Al, Zn, and Pb levels) were performed. The mean Cd concentration of all 191 samples was 0.4 mg kg(-1), and the background concentration was 0.5 mg kg(-1). After the samples were grouped by parent material (rock origin) and soil type, the background Cd content varied, i.e., soils from igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks harbored 1.5, 0.4, and 0.2 mg kg(-1) of Cd, respectively. The background Cd content in Oxisols (0.8 mg kg(-1)) was higher than in Ultisols (0.3 mg kg(-1)). Multiple regression demonstrated that Fe was primarily attributed to the natural Cd contents in the soils (R (2) = 0.79). Instead of a single Cd background concentration value representing all São Paulo soils, we propose that the concentrations should be specific for at least Oxisols and Ultisols, which are the primary soil types.

Bulímicas: elas vão à academia de ginástica? / Bulimics: do they go to the gym? / Bulímicos: van al gimnasio?

O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar a prevalência de mulheres com sintomas de bulimia nervosa frequentadoras de academia de ginástica e verificar, dentre as praticantes que apresentam traços bulímicos, qual a frequência de utilização do exercício físico como forma compensatória. Participaram do estudo 197 mulheres matriculadas em academias de ginástica da cidade de Marechal Cândido Rondon - PR (28,7±9,9 anos). Para avaliar o quadro de bulimia utilizou-se o Teste de Investigação Bulímica de Edingurgh (BITE) e uma anamnese estruturada pelos pesquisadores para atender interesses do estudo. Na análise dos dados foi utilizada a estatística descritiva e a frequência amostral pelo programa estatístico SPSS for Windows 11.5. A prevalência de sintomas de bulimia foi de 3%. A prevalência de traços bulímicos foi de 11,2%. Dos indivíduos que apresentaram traços bulímicos, 59,1% afirmaram praticar exercício físico após episódios de alimentação exagerada. Estes resultados podem indicar que esse comportamento compensatório através da prática de exercício físico pode levar as mulheres a procurar as academias de ginástica.

The research objective was to determine the prevalence of women with symptoms of bulimia nervosa attending the gym and check out the practitioners who show bulimic traces, and how often they use the exercise as a compensatory way. The study included 197 women enrolled in gyms in the city of Marechal Cândido Rondon - PR (28.7 ± 9.9 years). To evaluate the framework of bulimia it was used the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edingurgh (BITE) and a structured interview by the researchers to meet the interests of the study. For the data analysis it was used descriptive statistics and frequency sampling by the statistical program SPSS for Windows 11.5. The prevalence of symptoms of bulimia was 3%. The prevalence of bulimic traits was 11.2%. From the individuals that show bulimic traits, 59.1% reported physical exercise after episodes of over-eating. These results may indicate that this compensatory behavior through physical exercise can cause women to seek out gyms.

El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la prevalencia de mujeres que frecuentan al gimnasio y presentan síntomas de la bulimia nerviosa, observar en los practicantes que presentan rasgos de bulimia, con qué frecuencia se utilizan del ejercicio como una forma de compensación. El estudio incluyó a 197 mujeres que participaron en los gimnasios en la ciudad de Marechal Cândido Rondon - PR (28,7 ± 9,9 años). Para evaluar el marco de la bulimia se utilizó la Prueba Investigadora de la Bulimia de Edingurgh (BITE) y una entrevista estructurada por los investigadores para satisfacer a los intereses del estudio. En el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva y la frecuencia de muestra por el programa estadístico SPSS 11.5 for Windows. La prevalencia de síntomas de la bulimia fue de 3%. La prevalencia de rasgos bulímicos fue del 11,2%. De las personas que tienen rasgos bulímicos, el 59,1% reportó el ejercicio físico después de los episodios de comer en exceso. Estos resultados indican que este comportamiento compensatorio a través del ejercicio físico hace con que las mujeres busquen a los gimnasios.

O fenômeno da idade relativa em atletas de tênis infantojuvenil e profissional: nível de associação com o ranking da federação sul-americana e mundial / The relative age effect on young and professional tennis players: association level with south america and international federation rankings

A idade relativa refere-se à diferença cronológica de indivíduos nascidos no mesmo ano (BARNSLEY et. al. 1985). Pode influenciar o desenvolvimento, o aprendizado, os resultados e a permanência no esporte. Essa influência é conhecida como relative age effect (RAE) (GRONDIN el. al. 1984). O estudo objetivou verificar associação entre idade relativa e classificação no ranking infantojuvenil e profissional do tênis de campo. Foram analisados 924 atletas, de ambos os sexos. Para análise estatística, foi utilizada uma regressão linear simples e ANOVA multivariada com post hoc de Bomferroni a um nível de p<0,05 (SPSS 18.0). Houve associação apenas nas categorias masculinas: 14 anos de 22% (β=-0.478, p=0.003) e 18 anos de 72% (β=-0.269, p=0.00). Isso indica que, nos momentos críticos de maturação biológica, a idade relativa influenciou no desempenho do tenista. Em todas as categorias, foi observado maior número de tenistas mais velhos, indicando a existência de RAE no tênis.

Relative age refers to chronological difference between individuals born in the same year (BARNSLEY et. al. 1985). It can influence development, learning, outcomes and retention in sport. This influence is known as the relative age effect (RAE) (GRONDIN et. al. 1984). The present study investigated the association between relative age and rankings in youth and professional tennis. The sample size was 924 athletes of both sexes. Statistical analysis consisted of simple linear regression and multivariate ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni test to a predictive level of p<0.05 (SPSS 18.0). The results showed association only in male categories: 14 years, 22% (β = -0478, p = 0.003); and 18 years, 72% (β = -0269, p = 0.00). This suggests that relative age influenced tennis performance during the critical moments of sexual maturation. However, a greater number of older players were observed in all categories, indicating the existence of a relative age effect in tennis.

Relação entre a personalidade e lesões musculares em atletas de tênis de campo / Relationship between personality trait and muscle injuries in tennis players

INTRODUÇÃO: A personalidade de um indivíduo é o resultado de uma complexa rede de influências de diversos fatores independentes como a constituição biológica e psicológica, além das influências do meio social, ambiental e cultural em que vive. Ela é a integração dessas partes que interagindo formam o todo. OBJETIVO: Verificar se existe relação causa-efeito entre traços de personalidade, sexo e lesão no esporte. MÉTODO: A amostra foi composta por 60 atletas com idade média de 15,6 (DP =1,5) anos, sendo 35 atletas do sexo masculino e 25 atletas do sexo feminino pertencentes à Categoria Infanto-Juvenil, participantes de torneios de tênis de campo da Federação Paranaense e Catarinense. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado o Inventário Fatorial de Personalidade - IFP. Para tratamento dos dados utilizou-se uma MANOVA e uma ANOVA a um nível de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Apresentaram significância para a variável lesão com Agressão (p = 0,01) e Heterossexualidade (p = 0,00). Para a variável sexo, houve diferença significativa com Intracepção (p = 0,02); Afago (p = 0,02); Dominância (p = 0,004); Autonomia (p = 0,03); Heterossexualidade (p = 0,00). CONCLUSÃO: A agressividade é um importante traço de personalidade a ser considerado para ser controlada para prevenir e diminuir as incidências de lesões em atletas de tênis.

INTRODUCTION: The personality of an individual is the result of a complex network of influences of various independent factors such as biological and psychological constitution, beyond the influences of social, environmental and cultural aspects where he/she live. It is the integration of these parts that when interacting, make the whole. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether there is a cause-effect relationship among personality traits, gender and injury in sports. METHOD: The sample consisted of 60 athletes with mean age of 15.6 (SD = 1.5) years old, being 35 male athletes and 25 female athletes from the children and youth category, participating in field tennis tournaments of the Federation of Santa Catarina and Paraná. Data were collected with the application of the Factor Personality Inventory - FPI. MANOVA and ANOVA at a level of p < 0.05 were used for data processing. RESULTS: Were significant to the variable damage with aggression (p = 0.01) and heterosexuality (p = 0.00). Concerning gender, there were significant differences with intraception (p = 0.02); succorance (p = 0.02), dominance (p = 0.004), autonomy (p = 0.03) and heterosexuality (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: That aggressiveness is an important personality trait to be considered to control, prevent and reduce the incidence of injuries in tennis athletes.

Efeitos de curto prazo de um programa de imaginação sobre o medo de queda de indivíduos pós acidente vascular encefálico / Short-term effects of imagery intervention on fear of falling in individuals post-stroke

O medo de cair é um dos principais problemas em indivíduos pós acidente vascular encefálico (AVE). A imaginação pode ser uma experiência sucedida para diminuir este aspecto. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de um programa de imaginação de curto prazo no medo de quedas em indivíduos pós-AVE. Sete indivíduos acometidos por AVE participaram do estudo. A Escala Internacional de Eficácia de Quedas (FES-I-Brasil) foi aplicada antes (PRÉ), depois (PÓS) e sete dias após a intervenção (RET). Foram realizadas quatro sessões de familiarização e seis de prática da imaginação. Não houve diferença significativa no escore total da FES-I-Brasil após intervenção (p=0,46), exceto na tarefa subir/descer escadas (PRÉ e PÓS, p=0,04; PRÉ e RET; p=0,01). Apesar da melhoria na tarefa subir/descer escadas, alterações nos demais itens da escala não foram encontradas o que pode representar um efeito relativamente reduzido do programa de imaginação de curto prazo.

The fear of falling is one of the main problems with subjects after stroke. Imagery could be one succeed experience to decrease this issue. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a short-time imagery intervention in fear of falling in subjects after stroke. Seven individuals affected by stroke participated in the study. The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I-Brazil) were used before (PRE), after (POST) and seven days after intervention (RET). Four session of familiarization and six of imagery were performed. There were no difference in FES-I-Brazil score after intervention (p=0.46), except in up/down stairs task (PRE and POST, p=0.04; PRÉ and RET, p=0.01). Although, the improvement in up/down stairs task, no more changes were found in the scale items, which could represent a relatively reduced effect of short-time imagery intervention.

Associação entre pressão arterial e estresse percebido em motoristas de ônibus / Association between blood pressure and perceived stress in bus drivers

Verificar a associação entre pressão arterial e estresse percebido em motoristas de ônibus. Métodos - O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa e os participantes assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. A amostra foi constituída de 46 motoristas de ônibus, sexo masculino, de uma empresa interestadual da cidade de Curitiba-PR. Para mensurar a pressão arterial foi utilizado um esfigmomanômetro com estetoscópio. Para verificação do estresse percebido foi utilizado a Escala de Estresse Percebido-10 (EPS-10). A análise estatística foi realizada com o auxílio do programa estatístico SPSS 18.0, considerando um nível de significância de p<0,05. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva (média e desvio-padrão) e uma análise de regressão linear para verificar a associação entre a pressão arterial e o estresse percebido. Resultados - Os resultados apresentados mostram que 18 dos 46 motoristas de ônibus encontram-se hipertensos e que 100% se percebem estressados comparando-se com a tabela normativa tanto norte-americana quanto sul-brasileira. Ao verificar a associação entre o estresse percebido e a hipertensão arterial percebeu-se que não houve associação entre as variáveis, pois p=0,931. Conclusões - Fazem-se necessárias novas pesquisas para averiguar qual fator está relacionado à hipertensão arterial para que se possa ter um controle maior sobre eles. Além disso, é possível que a percepção de estresse dos motoristas não seja condizente ao quão estressado realmente eles estão. Uma sugestão é a utilização de mensurações de cortisol como uma medida psicofisiológica de estresse, evitando assim, as subjetividades...

To investigate the association into the blood pressure and the perceived stress in bus drivers. Methods - The study was approved by the ethical committee in search and the participants signed a consent form. The sample was 46 bus drivers, male, of a Company Interstate Curitiba-PR city. To measure the blood pressure was used sphygmomanometer with stethoscope. To check the perceived stress was used Perceived Stress Scale-10 (EPS-10). The statistic analyses was performed with the statistic program SPSS 18.0 considering p<0.05. Descriptive Statistic (Media and Standard Deviation) was used and a Linear Regression to verify the association into the blood pressure and perceived stress. Results - The results show that 18 of 46 bus drivers are hypertensive and 100% them perceived themselves stressed by comparing to the normative table both North Americans and South Brazilians. When checked the association into blood pressure and perceived stress verified that wasn't association into blood pressure and perceived stress because p=0.931. Conclusions - Is necessary further research to ascertain who factor was associated with blood pressure so that we can have greater control over them. In addition, is possible that the perceived stress in bus drivers is not really stressed they were. A suggestion is measuring the stress with the cortisol measure, as psychophysiologic test, thus avoiding the subjectivity...

Floristic and phytosociology in a physiognomic gradient of riverine forest in Cerrado, Campinas, SP / Floristica e fitossociologia em um gradiente fisionomico de floresta ribeirinha em Cerrado, Campinas, SP

Knowledge on floristic composition and vegetation structure is essential to preserve plant biodiversity and environmental conditions. A floristic and structural survey of woody vegetation was carried out in a physiognomic gradient of riparian forest of Cerrado vegetation, Campinas - SP. We sampled 25 plots, distributed along five transects, located perpendicularly to a stream. We found 971 individuals (65 standing dead trees) distributed among 35 families and 80 species. We recorded one single individual of exotic species (Citrus limon – rangpur) and a large number of individuals of endangered species (Luetzelburgia guaissara, Myroxylon peruiferum and Trichilia hirta) indicating that the Santa Elisa study area retains much of the original characteristics of its native vegetation. The small number of exclusive Cerrado species in the study area indicates that riverine environments represent a very different condition in relation to that of the Cerrado. Except for swampy areas, which are more homogeneous and floristically similar to each other due to adaptations to greater environmental constraints, the riverine forest physiognomies showed greater internal floristic heterogeneity, even considering only those located in Cerrado areas. This emphasizes the importance of studying riverine forests flora for each particular region, especially when restoration or management actions are needed. At the Santa Elisa riverine-cerrado transition fragment, riparian species were found throughout gradient up to the limit of the study area showing that a distance of at least 50 m far from the stream should be preserved in order to keep the riparian environment.

Conhecer a composição florística e a estrutura da vegetação é imprescindível quando se trata da conservação da biodiversidade e das condições ambientais. Foi realizado um levantamento florístico e estrutural da vegetação arbórea em um gradiente fisionômico de mata ribeirinha em área de Cerrado, Campinas - SP, em 25 parcelas, distribuídas em cinco transectos, localizados perpendicularmente a um córrego. Foram encontrados 971 indivíduos (65 mortos em pé), pertencentes a 35 famílias e 80 espécies, sendo um único indivíduo de espécie exótica (Citrus limon – limão-vinagre) e um número muito maior de indivíduos de espécies ameaçadas (Luetzelburgia guaissara, Myroxylon peruiferum e Trichilia hirta) indicando que a área de estudo na Fazenda Santa Elisa mantém muito das características originais de sua vegetação nativa. O pequeno número de espécies exclusivas do Cerrado na área de estudo indica que ambientes ribeirinhos representam uma condição muito diferente em relação àquelas do Cerrado. Com exceção de áreas paludícolas, que são mais homogêneas e floristicamente semelhantes devido à adaptação a maiores restrições ambientais, as fisionomias florestais ribeirinhas comparadas mostraram grande heterogeneidade florística, mesmo considerando-se apenas aquelas localizadas em áreas de Cerrado. Isso enfatiza a importância de se estudar a flora das florestas ribeirinhas de cada região em particular, especialmente quando as ações de restauração ou de gestão são necessárias. No fragmento de transição floresta ribeirinha-cerrado da Fazenda Santa Elisa, as espécies exclusivas de florestas ribeirinhas, embora com diferentes densidades, foram encontradas em todo o gradiente até o limite da área de estudo, mostrando que a vegetação deve ser preservada até uma distância de pelo menos 50 m a partir do rio, a fim de manter o ambiente ribeirinho.