Do athletes with hamstring strain injury have shorter muscle fascicles in the injured limb?

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested that a reduced length of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicles may increase the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI). However, it remains unclear whether the BFlh fascicles of the injured limb are shorter than those of the contralateral limb in athletes with an acute HSI. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the between-limb asymmetry of BFlh fascicle length in amateur athletes with an acute HSI. METHODS: Male amateur athletes were evaluated using ultrasound scans within five days following an HSI. The BFlh fascicle length was estimated using a validated equation. RESULTS: Eighteen injured athletes participated in this study. There was no significant difference (p = 0.27) in the length of BFlh fascicles between the injured limb (9.53 ± 2.55 cm; 95%CI 8.26 to 10.80 cm) and the uninjured limb (10.54 ± 2.87 cm; 95%CI 9.11 to 11.97 cm). Individual analysis revealed high heterogeneity, with between-limb asymmetries (percentage difference of the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb) ranging from -42% to 25%. Nine out of the 18 athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% shorter in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb, five athletes had a difference of less than 10%, and four athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% longer in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb. CONCLUSION: The architecture characteristics of injured and uninjured muscles is not consistent among athletes with HSI. Therefore, rehabilitation programs focused on fascicle lengthening should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pulse Spray Drying for Bovine Skimmed Milk Powder Production.

Pulse Spray Drying (PSD) has potential as a sustainable means of skimmed milk powder (SMP) production. In this study, powders were obtained from PSD using different drying outlet temperatures (70, 80, 90 and 100 °C), and their characteristics were compared to those of traditional Spray Drying (SD). Native whey proteins were well preserved and Solubility Indexes were over 98% in all cases, despite powders obtained by PSD displaying lower solubility than the SD ones. No visual difference was observable in the powders (ΔE < 2); however, PSD powders were found to be yellower with a higher Browning Index. The drying technology did not have a significant effect on powder moisture content and bulk density. Particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of fine particles (<10 µm) in all samples that might have provided poor flowability and wetting behavior (overall Carr Index and Hausner ratio were 33.86 ± 3.25% and 1.52 ± 0.07, respectively). Higher amounts of agglomerated particles were found at low temperatures in the products processed with both technologies, but PSD samples showed a narrower particle size distribution and hollow particles with more wrinkles on the surface (probably due to the fast evaporation rate in PSD). Overall, PSD provided SMP with comparable physicochemical characteristics to SD and, once optimized at the industrial level, could offer significant advantages in terms of thermal efficiency without significant modification of the final product quality.

A new species of Jeremia Redtenbacher (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae), a stick insect from the northern Brazilian Amazon Basin.

A new species of Jeremia Redtenbacher (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Cladomorphinae) is described based on both male and female specimens from the northern Brazilian Amazon Basin and named Jeremia megaplax sp. nov. The new species can be differentiated from other species of this genus by the length of the female subgenital plate, which is two times longer than the length of tergites 810. Photos and description from subadult male and not fully developed eggs are also provided. The studied material is deposited at the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amaznia (INPA).

The distance backbone of directed networks.

In weighted graphs the shortest path between two nodes is often reached through an indirect path, out of all possible connections, leading to structural redundancies which play key roles in the dynamics and evolution of complex networks. We have previously developed a parameter-free, algebraically-principled methodology to uncover such redundancy and reveal the distance backbone of weighted graphs, which has been shown to be important in transmission dynamics, inference of important paths, and quantifying the robustness of networks. However, the method was developed for undirected graphs. Here we expand this methodology to weighted directed graphs and study the redundancy and robustness found in nine networks ranging from social, biomedical, and technical systems. We found that similarly to undirected graphs, directed graphs in general also contain a large amount of redundancy, as measured by the size of their (directed) distance backbone. Our methodology adds an additional tool to the principled sparsification of complex networks and the measure of their robustness.

Separation of α-Lactalbumin-Enriched Fractions from Caprine and Ovine Native Whey Concentrate by Combining Membrane and High-Pressure Processing.

Whey from goat and sheep have been gaining attention in the last few years for their nutritional properties. Unfortunately, ß-Lg, not found in human milk, may trigger infant allergies if used in infant food formulations, so there is a growing interest in developing ingredients derived from whey with higher α-La/ß-Lg ratios. The objective of this work was to study the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) on caprine and ovine native whey concentrates (NWC) in order to obtain α-Lactalbumin (α-La)-enriched fractions. NWCs were treated at 600 MPa (23 °C) for 2, 4, and 15 min and two pH conditions were studied (physiological pH and pH 4.60). The concentration of ß-Lg in supernatant fraction after HPP significantly decreased after 2 min of treatment, while the concentration of α-La was unchanged in both goat and sheep samples. Longer HPP processing times (up to 15 min) progressively increased α-La purification degree but also decreased the α-La yield. Caprine and ovine NWCs treated at physiological pH provided better α-La yield, α-La purification degree, and higher ß-Lg precipitation degrees than the corresponding acidified samples, while the corresponding NWC supernatant (NWCsup) showed lower values for both surface hydrophobicity and total free thiol indices, suggesting a higher extent of protein aggregation. Effects of sample acidification and the HPP treatment were opposite to those previously reported on bovine NWC, so further characterization of caprine and ovine ß-Lg should be carried out to understand their different behavior.

Bipedicled and structured mammoplasty "in three pillars" / Mamoplastia bipediculada e estruturada "em três pilares"

Introduction: Reduction mammoplasty has a long and established history. Since the end of the 19th century, numerous techniques for reducing and elevating breast tissue have been described, seeking the best aesthetic result and greater safety in relation to areolar vascularization and innervation. The purpose of the present study is to describe a new bipedicled and structured mammoplasty technique: safe, reproducible, with a fast-learning curve and predictable esthetic results. Methods: From January 2015 to August 2021, 86 patients underwent surgical treatment of mammoplasty using the technique in question. The analysis of the cases was carried out retrospectively through the evaluation of medical records and review of pre and postoperative photographs. Results: The support and projection achieved were lasting results. There were no hematomas or necrosis of the nipple-areola complex or other areas. Conclusion: The technique has high reproducibility, easy execution, high applicability and versatility, extremely satisfactory aesthetic and functional results for surgeon and patient, and above all, a high degree of safety.

Introdução: A mamoplastia redutora tem uma história longa e estabelecida. Desde o final do século XIX, foram descritas inúmeras técnicas para redução e elevação do tecido mamário, buscando não apenas o melhor resultado estético, como também maior segurança em relação a vascularização e inervação areolar. O presente estudo tem como propósito a descrição de uma nova técnica de mamoplastia bipediculada e estruturada: segura, reprodutível, de baixa curva de aprendizado e com resultados estéticos previsíveis. Método: De janeiro de 2015 a agosto de 2021, 86 pacientes foram submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico de mamoplastia com a utilização da técnica em questão. A análise dos casos foi realizada de forma retrospectiva, através de avaliação de prontuários e revisão de fotografias de pré e pós-operatório. Resultados: A sustentação e projeção atingidas foram duradouras. Não houve ocorrência de hematomas ou necrose do complexo areolomamilar ou de quaisquer outras áreas. Conclusão: Tratase de uma técnica de alta reprodutibilidade, fácil execução, alta aplicabilidade e versatilidade, resultados estéticos e funcionais extremamente satisfatórios para cirurgião e paciente, além de, principalmente, um alto grau de segurança.

Separation of α-Lactalbumin Enriched Fraction from Bovine Native Whey Concentrate by Combining Membrane and High-Pressure Processing.

Whey exhibits interesting nutritional properties, but its high ß-Lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) content could be a concern in infant food applications. In this study, high-pressure processing (HPP) was assessed as a ß-Lg removal strategy to generate an enriched α-Lactalbumin (α-La) fraction from bovine native whey concentrate. Different HPP treatment parameters were considered: initial pH (physiological and acidified), sample temperature (7-35 °C), pressure (0-600 MPa) and processing time (0-490 s). The conditions providing the best α-La yield and α-La purification degree balance (46.16% and 80.21%, respectively) were 4 min (600 MPa, 23 °C), despite the significant decrease of the surface hydrophobicity and the total thiol content indexes in the α-La-enriched fraction. Under our working conditions, the general effects of HPP on α-La and ß-Lg agreed with results reported in other studies of cow milk or whey. Notwithstanding, our results also indicated that the use of native whey concentrate could improve the ß-Lg precipitation degree and the α-La purification degree, in comparison to raw milk or whey. Future studies should include further characterization of the α-La-enriched fraction and the implementation of membrane concentration and HPP treatment to valorize cheese whey.

Effective Connectivity and Bias Entropy Improve Prediction of Dynamical Regime in Automata Networks.

Biomolecular network dynamics are thought to operate near the critical boundary between ordered and disordered regimes, where large perturbations to a small set of elements neither die out nor spread on average. A biomolecular automaton (e.g., gene, protein) typically has high regulatory redundancy, where small subsets of regulators determine activation via collective canalization. Previous work has shown that effective connectivity, a measure of collective canalization, leads to improved dynamical regime prediction for homogeneous automata networks. We expand this by (i) studying random Boolean networks (RBNs) with heterogeneous in-degree distributions, (ii) considering additional experimentally validated automata network models of biomolecular processes, and (iii) considering new measures of heterogeneity in automata network logic. We found that effective connectivity improves dynamical regime prediction in the models considered; in RBNs, combining effective connectivity with bias entropy further improves the prediction. Our work yields a new understanding of criticality in biomolecular networks that accounts for collective canalization, redundancy, and heterogeneity in the connectivity and logic of their automata models. The strong link we demonstrate between criticality and regulatory redundancy provides a means to modulate the dynamical regime of biochemical networks.

The Effects of Incremental Doses of Aflatoxin B1 on In Vitro Ruminal Nutrient Digestibility and Fermentation Profile of a Lactating Dairy Cow Diet in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin known to impair human and animal health. It is also believed to have a deleterious effect on ruminal nutrient digestibility under in vitro batch culture systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing the dose of AFB1 on ruminal dry matter and nutrient digestibility, fermentation profile, and N flows using a dual-flow continuous culture system fed a diet formulated for lactating dairy cows. Eight fermenter vessels were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 10 d periods (7 d adaptation and 3 d sample collection). Treatments were randomly applied to fermenters on diet DM basis: (1) 0 µg of AFB1/kg of DM (Control); (2) 50 µg of AFB1/kg of DM (AF50); (3) 100 µg of AFB1/kg of DM (AF100); and (4) 150 µg of AFB1/kg of DM (AF150). Treatments did not affect nutrient digestibility, fermentation, and N flows. Aflatoxin B1 concentration in ruminal fluid increased with dose but decreased to undetectable levels after 4 h post-dosing. In conclusion, adding incremental doses of AFB1 did not affect ruminal fermentation, digestibility of nutrients, and N flows in a dual-flow continuous culture system fed diets formulated for lactating dairy cows.

Models of Cell Processes are Far from the Edge of Chaos.

Complex living systems are thought to exist at the "edge of chaos" separating the ordered dynamics of robust function from the disordered dynamics of rapid environmental adaptation. Here, a deeper inspection of 72 experimentally supported discrete dynamical models of cell processes reveals previously unobserved order on long time scales, suggesting greater rigidity in these systems than was previously conjectured. We find that propagation of internal perturbations is transient in most cases, and that even when large perturbation cascades persist, their phenotypic effects are often minimal. Moreover, we find evidence that stochasticity and desynchronization can lead to increased recovery from regulatory perturbation cascades. Our analysis relies on new measures that quantify the tendency of perturbations to spread through a discrete dynamical system. Computing these measures was not feasible using current methodology; thus, we developed a multipurpose CUDA-based simulation tool, which we have made available as the open-source Python library cubewalkers. Based on novel measures and simulations, our results suggest that-contrary to current theory-cell processes are ordered and far from the edge of chaos.

Lift temporal com reposicionamento do músculo orbicular e da cauda da sobrancelha / Temporal lift with repositioning of the orbicular muscle and eyebrow tail

Introdução: O sistema musculoaponeurótico superficial (SMAS) é a melhor estrutura que temos à nossa disposição para elevar e reposicionar a face e o pescoço no face lift. No entanto, na região têmporo-orbitária, esta estrutura é frequentemente negligenciada. Na busca por uma solução de execução simples, eficiente e segura para tratar a queda têmporo-orbitária, o autor descreve uma tática de lift temporal com reposicionamento da cauda das sobrancelhas para tratamento do envelhecimento e flacidez da região têmporo-orbitária. Métodos: Foi realizado o tratamento em 358 pacientes entre 2017 e 2020, em lifts completos ou apenas temporais. Destes, apenas 30 foram incluídos no artigo por terem sido submetidos exclusivamente a lifts temporais, acompanhados ou não de blefaroplastias. Através de incisão intracapilar marginal quebrada em região temporal e com descolamento supraSMAS, foi realizado tratamento musculoaponeurótico da região órbito-temporal, além de ressecção da pele em excesso. Resultados: A tática apresentada foi eficiente na elevação e na abertura da cauda das sobrancelhas em todos os casos tratados, além do efeito de perda da função contrátil da porção lateral do músculo orbicular, com melhora significativa das rugas periorbitais e da flacidez órbito-temporal. Conclusão: A eficácia e os ótimos resultados alcançados com a tática operatória descrita, associada à escassez de opções de tratamento isolado ou específico da região órbito-temporal, tornam o lift têmporo-orbitário proposto uma excelente alternativa para o rejuvenescimento desta região.

Introduction: The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is the best structure that we have at our disposal to raise and reposition the face and neck in face lifts. However, in the temporal-orbital region, this structure is often overlooked. In search of a simple, efficient and safe solution to treat temporal-orbital fall, the author describes a technique of temporal lift with repositioning of the eyebrow tail to treat aging and flaccidity of the temporal-orbital region. Methods: The treatment was performed on 358 patients between 2017 and 2020, in face lifts or temporal lifts. Of these, only 30 were included in the article because they underwent temporal lifts exclusively, with or without blepharoplasty. Through a marginal, "W" type, intra-capillary incision in the temporal region and with supra-SMAS detachment, we performed muscle-aponeurotic treatment of the orbital-temporal region and excessive skin resection. Results: The technique presented was efficient in raising and opening the tail of the eyebrows in all treated cases, in addition to the effect of loss of contractile function of the lateral portion of the orbicularis muscle, with significant improvement of peri-orbital wrinkles and temporal-orbital flaccidity. Conclusion: The efficacy and the excellent results achieved with the described operative technique, associated with the scarcity of isolated or specific treatment options for the orbital-temporal region, make the proposed temporo-orbital lift an excellent alternative for the rejuvenation of this region.

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on muscle damage after resistance exercise in young women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 is a nutritional strategie that have been used to recover muscles from exercise-induced muscle damage in a preventive perspective. AIM: To verify whether omega-3 (ω-3) supplementation after a session of resistance exercise facilitates muscle recovery in women undergoing a balanced diet. METHODS: This clinical trial was registered under the number NCT02839525. Thirty healthy women (22.2 ± 3.3 years) participated in this double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. They were randomly distributed into ω-3 (n=15) and placebo (n=15) groups. They ingested ω-3 fish oil (3200 mg/day) or placebo (olive oil) at the dinner after the exercise bout (10 sets of 10 unilateral eccentric contractions in a knee extension chair), as well as at lunch for the three subsequent days. In addition, both groups followed a balanced diet along the four days. Muscle soreness and maximal isometric and isokinetic voluntary contractions were assessed immediately before, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the resistance exercise. MAIN FINDINGS: There was no significant group-time interaction for any outcome. Participants presented increased levels of muscle soreness and reduced muscle strength capacity along the three days after exercise. There was no difference between placebo and ω-3 groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of ω-3 fish oil for three days after resistance exercise provided no additional benefits compared to placebo supplementation on recovery of healthy young women following a balanced diet.

Reliability of a Clinical Test for Measuring Eccentric Knee Flexor Strength Using a Handheld Dynamometer.

CONTEXT: Eccentric knee flexor strength assessments have a key role in both prevention and rehabilitation of hamstring strain injuries. OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability of a clinical test for measuring eccentric knee flexor strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise using a commercially available handheld dynamometer. DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Physical Therapy Laboratory, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (Brazil). PARTICIPANTS: Fifty male amateur athletes (soccer or rugby players; 24 [3] y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Eccentric knee flexor strength. RESULTS: When compared with a load cell-based device, the clinical test using a handheld dynamometer provided smaller force values (P < .05) with large effect sizes (.92-1.21), moderate intraclass correlation (.60-.62), typical error of 30 to 31 N, and coefficient of variation of 10% to 11%. Regarding the test-retest reproducibility (2 sessions separated by 1 week), the clinical test provided similar force values (P > .05) with only small effect sizes (.20-.27), moderate to good correlation (.67-.76), typical error of 23 to 24 N, and coefficient of variation of 9% to 10%. CONCLUSION: The clinical test with handheld dynamometer proposed by this study can be considered an affordable and relatively reliable tool for eccentric knee flexor strength assessment in the clinical setting, but results should not be directly compared with those provided by load cell-based devices.

Do age and body size affect the eccentric knee flexor strength measured during the Nordic hamstring exercise in male soccer players?

The study aimed to verify how age, height, body mass and body mass index affects the eccentric knee flexor strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) in male soccer players. Ten professional soccer clubs were included in this cross-sectional trial. Three hundred and eleven soccer players (192 from senior and 119 from under-20 teams) were assessed using a load-cell based device. Pearson's correlation tests were performed between peak force values (measured in Newtons) and age, height, body mass and body mass index. The individual-limb strength (n = 622 limbs) and the between-limb average strength (n = 322 players) presented no correlation with age (r = 0.12 for both) and height (r = 0.13; r = 0,15), and fair correlations with body mass (r = 0.37; r = 0,41) and body mass index (r = 0.40; r = 0,43). In conclusion, the male soccer players' eccentric knee flexor strength measured during the NHE execution is not affected by age or height. Body mass and body mass index play somewhat effect on strength, thus normalising absolute strength measures by body mass or body mass index can provide more accurate analysis in some contexts.

Right ventricular contractility decreases during exercise in patients with non-advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Early right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we aimed to assess right ventricular functions in IPF patients and controls by speckle-tracking strain echocardiography at rest and peak exercise.We screened 116 IPF patients from February to August 2019 to include 20 patients with no history of oxygen therapy, peripheral saturation levels ≥92% at rest, Gender-Age-Physiology Index score ≤5, and modified Medical Research Council score ≤3. Additionally, we enrolled 10 matched controls. Transthoracic echocardiography images were acquired at rest and during a cardiopulmonary exercise test. We analyzed 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters and right ventricular function using the global longitudinal strain assessed by the 2-dimensional speckle-tracking technique.In the control group, we found normal values of right ventricle longitudinal strain (RVLS) at rest and at peak exercise, the latter being much more negative (-23.6 ±â€Š2.2% and -26.8 ±â€Š3.1%, respectively; P < .001). By contrast, RVLS values in the IPF group increased from -21.1 ±â€Š3.8% at rest to -17.0 ±â€Š4.5% at peak exercise (P < .001). The exercise revealed a difference between the 2 groups as the mean RVLS values moved during peak exercise in opposite directions. Patients with IPF got worse, whereas control patients presented improved right ventricular contractility.Right ventricular dysfunction was unveiled by speckle-tracking echocardiography during exercise in non-advanced IPF patients. We suggest that this reflects an inadequate right ventricular-arterial coupling decreasing the right ventricular longitudinal contraction during exercise in these patients. This parameter may be useful as an early index of suspected pulmonary hypertension.

Entropic Dynamics on Gibbs Statistical Manifolds.

Entropic dynamics is a framework in which the laws of dynamics are derived as an application of entropic methods of inference. Its successes include the derivation of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory from probabilistic principles. Here, we develop the entropic dynamics of a system, the state of which is described by a probability distribution. Thus, the dynamics unfolds on a statistical manifold that is automatically endowed by a metric structure provided by information geometry. The curvature of the manifold has a significant influence. We focus our dynamics on the statistical manifold of Gibbs distributions (also known as canonical distributions or the exponential family). The model includes an "entropic" notion of time that is tailored to the system under study; the system is its own clock. As one might expect that entropic time is intrinsically directional; there is a natural arrow of time that is led by entropic considerations. As illustrative examples, we discuss dynamics on a space of Gaussians and the discrete three-state system.

Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cross-sectional prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients without hypoxemia at rest. We evaluated it at rest and during exercise. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 123 IPF patients were evaluated, and 27 met all the following criteria: Gender-Age-Physiology Index score ≤5, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score ≤3, peripheral oxygen saturation ≥92% at rest, and no history of oxygen therapy. They were submitted to two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography at rest and during cardiopulmonary exercise to analyze right ventricular global longitudinal strain. RESULTS: Abnormal speckle-tracking echocardiography findings were identified in 10/27 patients (37%), indicating right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. No patients had abnormalities observed in conventional echocardiographic parameters. Significant differences in mPAP were observed between patients with RV dysfunction and those without dysfunction (at rest: 26.0 ± 4.8 vs. 19.1 ± 4.2 mmHg, p = 0.001; during exercise: 51.3 ± 6.4 vs. 36.9 ± 14.7 mmHg, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: RV dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and early recognition was only possible using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Special attention should be given to these patients as RV dysfunction is suggestive of worse prognosis. These patients could benefit from new specific drugs or even oxygen therapy for transitory hypoxia.

Eccentric knee flexor strength of professional football players with and without hamstring injury in the prior season.

Both injury history and eccentric knee flexor strength have been associated with risk of football players sustaining hamstring strain injury (HSI). However, it remains unclear whether football players who sustained HSIs in the prior season present persistent eccentric strength deficits. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to verify the eccentric knee flexor strength of professional male football players with and without history of HSI in the prior season. This case-control study assessed 210 professional male football players from 10 Brazilian clubs: 182 included in the control group and 28 in the previously injured group. Players from the injured group had suffered unilateral HSI in the prior season. We measured the knee flexors peak force during the Nordic hamstring exercise and calculated the between-limb asymmetry. Groups were similar for age, body mass and height (p > 0.05). Control group had similar strength values between left and right limbs (376.29 ± 61.77 N vs. 380.28 ± 61.77 N; p = 0.27; d = 0.06), while the previously injured limb was weaker than the contralateral uninjured limb in the injured group (350.87 ± 60.79 N vs. 385.75 ± 63.49 N; p < 0.01; d = 0.56). Thirty-seven percent of players in the control group and 50% in the injured group presented between-limb asymmetry >10%. This study demonstrates that players with history of HSI in the prior season present reduced eccentric knee flexor strength in the injured limb, but half of them have between-limb asymmetry within the most commonly adopted benchmark value of 10%.

Um novo conceito em envelhecimento de pescoço: "cintura cervicofacial" / A new concept in neck aging: "cervicofacial waist"

Introdução: O envelhecimento do terço inferior da face promove o apagamento da definição da borda mandibular e do ângulo cervicofacial, além do surgimento das bandas platismais na região anterior do pescoço. Os pacientes têm grande expectativa de que o facelift resolva de maneira significativa tais efeitos. Para alcançar estes resultados, desenvolvemos uma abordagem cuja finalidade é a definição marcante do que chamamos de cintura cervicofacial. Métodos: O autor propõe uma nova abordagem cirúrgica de facelift já realizada em 444 pacientes consecutivos, desde 2015, que envolve uma plicatura agressiva do SMAS-platisma somada a uma tração lateral, também por plicatura, das bandas mediais do platisma. Resultados: Apesar da dificuldade em comparar resultados com diferentes técnicas, percebemos claramente uma melhora significativa nos nossos resultados com a nova técnica cirúrgica, sem aumento dos índices de complicações. Discussão: Buscamos novas técnicas pelo fato de que os tratamentos clássicos da região cervical nos parecem falhos e baseados em conceitos mal fundamentados. Estes envolvem a plicatura medial das bandas platismais por abordagem submentoniana, aproximando-as e prejudicando a elevação cranial do SMAS-platisma. Assim, passamos a realizar plicaturas laterais diretamente sobre as bandas através do acesso lateral do descolamento da face, com confecção de uma cintura cervicofacial. Conclusão: A soma dos efeitos da plicatura do SMAS com a plicatura lateral da banda medial do platisma torna a definição cervicofacial mais nítida com otimização importante dos efeitos estéticos desejados.

Introduction: The aging of the lower third of the face stimulates the definition deletion of the mandibular border and the cervicofacial angle, besides the appearance of platysmal bands in the anterior neck region. Patients have high expectations that the facelift will significantly resolve such effects. To achieve these results, we have developed an approach to defining what we call the cervicofacial waist. Methods: The author proposes a new surgical facelift approach that has been performed on 444 consecutive patients since 2015, which involves an aggressive plication of the SMAS-platysma plus lateral traction, also by plication, of the platysma medial bands. Results: Despite the difficulty in comparing results with different techniques, we perceive a significant improvement in our results with the new surgical technique, without increasing the complication rates. Discussion: We are looking for new techniques because the cervical region's traditional treatments seem flawed and based on ill-founded concepts. These involve the medial plication of the platysma bands by a submental approach, bringing them closer together and impairing the cranial elevation of the SMAS-platysma. Thus, we started to directly perform lateral plications on the bands through the lateral access of the face detachment, making a cervicofacial waist. Conclusion: The sum of the effects of the plication of the SMAS with the lateral plication of the platysma medial band makes the cervicofacial definition clearer with important optimization of the desired aesthetic effects.

Microscopic analysis and microstructural characterization of the organic and inorganic components of dairy fouling during the cleaning process.

This study evaluated the organic residues of milk fouling using fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The inorganic content was analyzed with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, complemented with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. These techniques were applied to evaluate milk fouling cleanliness using an alkaline product and an enzymatic formulation based on protease and amylase. The results showed that the efficiency of enzymatic cleaning was 87.1% when it was evaluated at 55°C for 30 min, and with a medium of pH 8.5. No difference was found from the efficacy in eliminating dairy fouling observed for the chemical cleaning (86.9%). The fluorescence microscopy proved useful for determining the organic solid components in the outer layer of the dairy fouling. The fouling spatial disposition in 3 dimensions, obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy, showed that it was formed of 51.3% sugars, 9.3% fats, and 39.4% proteins, with the enzymatic cleaning of these compounds being homogeneous, compared with chemical cleaning. The protein and lipid contents were in the surface layer, whereas sugars were located in the innermost part that contributes to the Maillard reaction during fouling formation. After enzymatic cleaning, the reduction in the concentration of Ca and P was 71.61 and 74.67%, respectively, compared with fouling intact. Thus, enzymatic cleaning, without the accumulation of Na from chemical cleaning, leaves 1.5 times less mineral than chemical cleaning. Knowing the content and structure of fouling in the industry helps to formulate better products to achieve proper levels of cleanliness. Additionally, studying the cleaning residues helps to avoid problems of cross-contamination between batches or subsequent microbial growths (biofilms) on surfaces with residues.