Subcutaneous and Visceral Fat: Relation with Brown Adipose Tissue Activation in Women.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) helps control body weight and is inversely correlated with body fat, but it is unclear whether it is subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) or visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that is related to BAT activation. The presented study aimed to verify the relation of SAT and VAT on BAT activation through infrared thermography (IRT) and cold stimulation in adult women. Forty women were evaluated in body composition and skin temperature (Tskin) acquisition by IRT. Student's independent t-test, Pearson's correlation, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc were applied. Women with low amounts of SAT and VAT had a significant increase in supraclavicular Tskin (SCVT). Medium negative degrees of linear variation were found before and after cold stimulation between SCVT, SAT and VAT. A significant effect of the moment factor and the group factor on the SCVT between subjects divided into the groups were pointed out. No difference was found in the relation between SAT, VAT, and BAT in adult women, pointing out that both types of fat are equally related. These results can help clinical practice understand clearly, through IRT, that the high accumulation of SAT and VAT can impair the activation of BAT and hinder the loss of weight in women.

Can Dual Infrared-Visual Thermography Provide a More Reliable Diagnosis of Perforator Veins and Reflux Severity?

The accurate identification of perforator veins (PV) in asymptomatic veins that do not meet the criteria established by venous Doppler (VD) is a complex challenge, considered the gold standard in diagnosis, and is operator-dependent. This study explored the potential of dual infrared-visual thermography (IRVT) to identify PV in 99 patients aged 29 to 80 years. IRVT was conducted using a high-definition hyperspectral visual-infrared sensor. The temperature difference (ΔT) between maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) within the region of interest (ROI) served as an indicator for assessing vascular dysfunction severity. Comparative analysis was performed with VD results obtained using a Doppler ultrasound unit equipped with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. Significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) in ΔT (Tmax-Tmin) were observed among PV sites categorized by reflux severity: no reflux (ΔT = 1.2 °C), mild reflux (ΔT = 1.8 °C), moderate reflux (ΔT = 2.9 °C), and severe reflux (ΔT = 3.6 °C). This study concludes that IRVT effectively distinguishes varying degrees of vascular reflux severity. IRVT shows promise as a non-invasive, radiation-free tool to enhance PV identification, especially in challenging cases, potentially improving patient outcomes and healthcare management. Further research is required to validate and refine its diagnostic utility.

Infrared Imaging of the Brain-Eyelid Thermal Tunnel: A Promising Method for Measuring Body Temperature in Afebrile Children.

(1) Infrared thermography of the inner canthus of the eye has emerged as a promising tool for temperature screening and fever diagnosis. Its non-invasive nature lends itself well to mass screening in diverse settings such as schools, public transport, and healthcare facilities. Swift and accurate temperature assessment plays a pivotal role in the early identification of potential fever cases, facilitating timely isolation, testing, and treatment, thereby mitigating the risk of disease transmission. Nonetheless, the reliability of this approach in the pediatric population, especially when compared to conventional thermometry methods, remains unexplored. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the concordance between the temperature of the inner canthus of the eye (Tic,eye), referred to as the brain-eyelid thermal tunnel (BTT°), with axillary and tympanic methods in afebrile children. (2) Methods: A cohort of 36 children, matched in a 1:1 ratio for gender and age, underwent comprehensive assessments encompassing anthropometric data, blood pressure evaluations, axillary (Tax) and tympanic (Tty) temperature measurements, as well as BTT° infrared thermography. (3) Results: The findings revealed a high level of concordance among the tympanic, axillary, and BTT° measurement methods. Bland-Altman plots showed that the bias was minimal, and no statistically significant differences were observed when comparing BTT° with axillary (p = 0.136) and tympanic (p = 0.268) measurements. Passing-Bablok regression scatter plots further confirmed the agreement, aligning the fitted regression line closely with the identity line for both axillary versus BTT° and tympanic (Tty) versus BTT° comparisons. (4) Conclusions: This study holds significant implications for public health, especially in the context of infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. BTT° infrared thermography of the inner canthus of the eye (Tic,eye) reliably measures body temperature in afebrile children in controlled settings; nevertheless, its practical application necessitates the adaptation of biothermodynamic parameters to accommodate diverse environmental conditions.

Hemodynamic and motion demands of soccer referees: a comparison between series A and B of the State Championship of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Las demandas hemodinámicas y de movimiento de los árbitros de fútbol: una comparación entre las series A y B del Campeonato Estatal de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

Introduction: Soccer referees need excellent conditioning to withstand the physical and psychological demands of games.Objective: To compare the hemodynamic variables, speed, cadence, and distance coursed of referees during soccer gamesof series A and B in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Material and method: The total number of decisions made during the 10 soccer matches evaluated was 1,224 observabledecisions of 10 professional Soccer referees (one per soccer match: 5 in series A and 5 in series B). We used a frequency meter(Polar, model V800, PolarFlow software) and video footage of the games (Sony, model PXW-Z150, 4K). The moments considered were: the decision, 15 seconds that preceded it, and the period from the beginning of each stage to each decision. Were studied the hemodynamic [average heat rate (mean HR), maximum heart rate (HRmax), and minimum heart rate (HRmin)]and motion variables [average speed (Vmed), maximum speed (Vmax), average cadence (cadencemed), maximum cadence(cadencemax), minimum cadence (cadencemin), and distance covered]. Descriptive measures were used to present the resultsof the variables studied and the Student’s T-Test for independent samples to test the study hypotheses. The significance levelwas set at 95% (P <0.05). Results: The matches of series A had a greater number of interventions and greater hemodynamic load at the exact momentof the decision than those of series B. significantly (P <0.05): mean HR, HRmax, HRmin, Vmax, Cadencemed, and Cadencemax in seriesA were higher compared to series B. In the 15 seconds before the decisions: mean HR, HRmax, and HRmin in series A were higherthan in series B, and Vmed in series B was higher in relation to series A. At the exact moment of the decisions: mean HR in seriesA was higher in relation to series B...(AU)

Introducción: Los árbitros de fútbol necesitan un excelente acondicionamiento para soportar las exigencias físicas y psicológicas de los partidos. Objetivo: Comparar las variables hemodinámicas [frecuencia cardíaca media (mean HR), frecuencia cardíaca máxima (HRmax)y frecuencia cardíaca mínima (HRmin)] y desplazamiento [velocidad media (Vmed), velocidad máxima (Vmax), cadencia media(cadencemed), cadencia máxima (cadencemax), cadencia mínima (cadencemin) y distancia recorrida] durante intervencionesarbitrales en partidos entre las series A y B en Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Material y método: Se analizaron 1.224 decisiones observables de 10 árbitros profesionales de fútbol cada uno en 1 partido(10 partidos del Campeonato Carioca: 5 en la serie A y 5 en la B). Se utilizaron frecuencímetros (Polar, modelo V800, softwarePolarFlow) y secuencias de video de los juegos (Sony, modelo PXW-Z150, 4K). Los momentos considerados fueron: la decisión,los 15 segundos que la precedieron y el tiempo desde el inicio de cada etapa hasta cada decisión. Resultados: Los partidos de la serie A tuvieron mayor número de intervenciones y mayor carga hemodinámica en el momentoexacto de la decisión que los de la serie B. significativamente (p <0,05): mean HR, HRmax, HRmin, Vmax, cadencemed y cadencemaxin la serie A fueron mayores que en la serie B. En los 15 segundos previos a las decisiones: mean HR, HRmax y HRmin en la serieA fueron mayores con relación a la serie B, la Vmed en la serie B fue mayor en relación a la serie A. Conclusión: Las intervenciones de los árbitros generalmente se realizan bajo presión hemodinámica elevada. Los partidosdisputados en la serie A requieren un número de intervenciones e intensidad hemodinámica superior a los partidos de laserie B...(AU)

Infrared image method for possible COVID-19 detection through febrile and subfebrile people screening.

This study proposed an infrared image-based method for febrile and subfebrile people screening to comply with the society need for alternative, quick response, and effective methods for COVID-19 contagious people screening. The methodology consisted of: (i) Developing a method based on facial infrared imaging for possible COVID-19 early detection in people with and without fever (subfebrile state); (ii) Using 1206 emergency room (ER) patients to develop an algorithm for general application of the method, and (iii) Testing the method and algorithm effectiveness in 2558 cases (RT-qPCR tested for COVID-19) from 227,261 workers evaluations in five different countries. Artificial intelligence was used through a convolutional neural network (CNN) to develop the algorithm that took facial infrared images as input and classified the tested individuals in three groups: fever (high risk), subfebrile (medium risk), and no fever (low risk). The results showed that suspicious and confirmed COVID-19 (+) cases characterized by temperatures below the 37.5 °C fever threshold were identified. Also, average forehead and eye temperatures greater than 37.5 °C were not enough to detect fever similarly to the proposed CNN algorithm. Most RT-qPCR confirmed COVID-19 (+) cases found in the 2558 cases sample (17 cases/89.5%) belonged to the CNN selected subfebrile group. The COVID-19 (+) main risk factor was to be in the subfebrile group, in comparison to age, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and others. In sum, the proposed method was shown to be a potentially important new tool for COVID-19 (+) people screening for air travel and public places in general.

Analysis of physiological markers and risk factors for the development of rhabdomyolysis in military personnel: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze case reports with individual patient data belonging to the Armed Forces submitted to specific physical or military combat training that was affected by rhabdomyolysis and identify factors that influenced the diagnosis and clinical evolution of the syndrome. CONTENT: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021242465). We searched MedLine (via PubMed), Scopus, Cochrane, Lilacs, SciELO, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, and PEDro databases for studies that reported cases of military personnel affected by rhabdomyolysis. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Forty-nine individual cases of rhabdomyolysis were analyzed. From them, it was possible to identify several associated factors, which were responsible for developing rhabdomyolysis in military personnel. Thirty military personnel (60%) practiced physical training and 20 (40%) practiced specific military combat training. The creatine kinase (CK) peak ranged from 1,040 to 410,755 U/L, with an average of 44.991 U/L, and 14 (28%) of the cases reported alteration of renal function and four militaries (8%) evolved to death condition. Physical activities performed strenuously and without proper planning conditions such as room temperature, the period without adequate water intake, the amount of equipment used during the activity contributed to the development of rhabdomyolysis in the cases of military personnel analyzed in the present study. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies investigate the relationship between the prevalence of rhabdomyolysis cases and the severity of its consequence when associated with progressive methods of training, hydration control, acclimatization to austere environments, monitoring for the existence of hereditary diseases, and control of the use of supplementary nutritional substances.

Thermal changes in the sacral region with different mattresses used in the prevention of pressure injuries.

BACKGROUND: Pressure Injury (PI) is a severe health problem that affects millions of people. As a preventive strategy for high-risk ICU patients, the appropriate selection of a support surface is essential for preventing PI, along with risk assessment and repositioning. Increasing skin temperature has been associated with a higher susceptibility to PI development. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate thermal variations related to skin pressure in the sacral area of healthy individuals lying on three different mattresses models (standard, inflatable air, and egg crate). DESIGN: Experimental study. MAIN OUTCOMES: Initially, a survey was performed to identify the mattresses models most used in four public university hospitals and preventive strategies adopted. And then, an experimental study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample involving 28 individuals of both sexes, aged 18-35 years old. The volunteers were immobilized for 2 h, and temperature variations in the sacral region were obtained by acquiring thermal images. RESULTS: A significant difference was not found in the temperature recorded on the three mattresses models before the experiment. However, there were significant differences at the 1st and 31st minute (p < 0.001). The lowest temperature values were identified in the air inflatable mattress. Post-hoc comparisons revealed a significant difference between standard or egg crate mattresses and the inflatable air model. CONCLUSION: The inflatable air mattress should be considered for preventing pressure injury in ICU patients since the temperature had returned to the initial value (pre-test) after the 31st min. In addition to the appropriate selection surface, risk assessment and positioning are essential to PI prevention strategies.

Assessment of Malnutrition in Heart Failure and Its Relationship with Clinical Problems in Brazilian Health Services.

Malnutrition in heart failure (HF) is frequent and associated with a worse prognosis. Due to differences in investment and the profile of those assisted, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with HF and its association with clinical outcomes in the public and private health systems. Methodology: A cross-sectional study, with 247 volunteers hospitalized with HF in three public hospitals and one private hospital in Aracaju, SE, Brazil. A subjective global nutritional assessment (SGA) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) were performed. Results: Sample with 72.5% users of the public health system and 75.3% with malnutrition (public = 74.9%; private = 76.5%; p = 0.793). Regardless of the healthcare system, hospital stay (>14 days) was longer (p = 0.020) among those with malnutrition (48.4%) than well-nourished patients (29.5%). Malnutrition in the public system had higher mortality (7.5%; 5.8%; p < 0.001) and hospital transfer rate (21.1%; 0.0%; p < 0.001) than those in the private system. Death after discharge was observed only in the public system (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Malnutrition was frequent in both systems and was associated with longer hospital stays and, in the public hospital, in-hospital death and transfers.

BALANCE Dietary Index in Patients with Heart Failure, and Its Adherence in Sergipe, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: "The effective treatment of Heart Failure (HF) involves care with food intake. Recently, the Ministry of Health created the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet and its dietary index, BALANCE, which assesses adherence to the standard's recommendations". METHODS: This observational prospective study is part of the Congestive Heart Failure Registry (VICTIM-CHF) of Aracaju/SE. Observations and data collection took place from April 2018 to February 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical aspects and food consumption were evaluated. Food intake was determined using the food frequency questionnaire. Foods were categorized using the BALANCE dietary index into green, yellow, blue and red food groups. The BALANCE dietary index was obtained using median and interquartile ranges, scores of the Mann-Whitney U test, and associations between clinical variables and the index, through linear regression. RESULTS: Participants included 240 patients with HF (61.12 ± 1.06 years), who were assisted by the Unified Health System (67.5%). Individuals with a partner showed greater adherence to the green food group recommendations (0.09; 0.00-0.17). The lowest adherence to recommendations regarding the blue food group was observed in individuals with excess weight, who had a higher consumption of foods rich in animal protein (0.54; 0.38-0.78). As for the red food group (ultra-processed foods) the highest adherence was observed by patients with diabetes mellitus (0.41; 0.05-0.77). The greatest adherence to the yellow food group, and a higher score, was observed in patients with the smallest left ventricular systolic diameter (LVSD). CONCLUSIONS: Being married was directly associated with the consumption of foods in the green group, while being overweight and having diabetes were inversely associated with adherence to the blue and red food groups, respectively. Greater adherence to the yellow food group recommendations was inversely associated with less change in the DSFVE.

Food Patterns of Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure and Their Relationship with Demographic, Economic and Clinical Factors in Sergipe, Brazil.

Background: The high rates of hospitalization and mortality caused by Heart Failure (HF) have attracted the attention of health sectors around the world. Dietary patterns that involve food combinations and preparations with synergistic or antagonistic effects of different dietary components can influence the worsening and negative outcomes of this disease. Objectives: To describe the dietary patterns of patients hospitalized for HF decompensation and associate them with demographic, economic, and clinical factors, and the type of care provided in Sergipe. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study that is part of the Congestive Heart Failure Registry (VICTIM-CHF)" of Aracaju/SE. Prospective data collection took place with all patients hospitalized between April 2018 and February 2021 in cardiology referral hospitals, 2 public and 1 private. The data collected were sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, anthropometric and food consumption variables. Daily dietary intake was estimated by applying a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The extraction of dietary patterns, by exploratory factor analysis, was performed after grouping the foods according to the nutritional value and form of preparation into 34 groups. To assess the association between the factorial scores for adherence to the standards and the variables studied, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. Linear regressions were also performed, considering the dietary pattern (one for each pattern) as a dependent variable. Results: The study included 240 patients hospitalized for HF decompensation, most of them elderly (mean age 61.12 ± 1.06 years), male (52.08%) and attended by the Unified Health System­SUS (67.5%). Three dietary patterns were identified, labeled "traditional" (typical foods of the Brazilian northeastern population added to ultra-processed foods), "Mediterranean" (foods recommended by the Mediterranean diet) and "dual" (healthy foods combined with fast and easy-to-prepare foods like snacks, bread, sweets and desserts). Adherence to the "traditional" pattern was greater among men (p < 0.031) and non-diabetics (p < 0.003). The "Mediterranean" was more consumed by the elderly (p < 0.001), with partners (p = 0.001) and a lower income (p < 0.001), assisted by the SUS (p < 0.001) and without hypertension (p = 0,04). The "dual" diet pattern had greater adherence by the elderly (p < 0.001), self-declared non-black (p = 0.012), with higher income (p < 0.001), assisted in the private sector (p < 0.001) and with less impaired functional capacity (p = 0.037). It was also observed that being female (p = 0.031) and being older reduced the average scores of performing the "traditional" pattern (p = 0.002). Regarding the type of service, being from the public service reduced the average scores for adhering to the "dual" pattern (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Three dietary patterns representative of the population were found, called traditional, Mediterranean and dual, which were associated with demographic, economic and clinical factors. Thus, these standards must be considered in the development of nutritional strategies and recommendations in order to increase adherence to diets that are more protective against cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of 6 Months of Physical Training on the Physical Fitness of Young Brazilian Army Cadets.

Following the increase in the employment of women in conflicts around the world, the federal government of Brazil enacted a law which determines the participation of women in the military. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of six months of physical training (PT) on the physical fitness of young Brazilian Army cadets to carry out the physical assessments provided in military training. Sixty-eight members of the (19.4 ± 1.0 years) military from the Brazilian Army (BA), with BMI of (23.61 ± 2.17/21.81 ± 2.26) respectively and divided in two groups (men/women) participated in the study. PT was conducted by Manual EB20-MC10.350. Anthropometric measurements and assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry were performed. The Student's t test, percentage evolution equation, and Levene test were used. Results showedasignificant increase in anthropometric variables and cardiorespiratory fitness in both groups. Bone health variables and visceral fat presented a significant increase in the malegroup. In terms of muscle fitness handgrip and isometric strength there was no significant variation between the groups and push-up and pull-up there was significant variation between the groups. Percentage evolution was greater in female group. The conclusion shows PT was able to cause beneficial changes, promoting positive improvement in bone health, especially in women. Also, PT was shown to enhance cardiorespiratory capacity, and muscle fitness of the upper limbs in all participants.

Evaluation of the Post-Training Hypotensor Effect in Paralympic and Conventional Powerlifting.

High blood pressure (HBP) has been associated with several complications and causes of death. The objective of the study was to analyze the hemodynamic responses in Paralympic bench press powerlifting (PP) and conventional powerlifting (CP) before and after training and up to 60 minutes (min) after training. Ten PP and 10 CP athletes performed five sets of five repetition maximal bench press exercises, and we evaluated systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MBP, respectively), heart rate (HR), heart pressure product (HPP), and myocardial oxygen volume (MVO2). The SBP increased after training (p < 0.001), and there were differences in the post training and 30, 40, and 60 min later (p = 0.021), between 10 and 40 min after training (p = 0.031, η2p = 0.570), and between CP and PP (p =0.028, η2p = 0.570). In the MBP, there were differences between before and after (p = 0.016) and 40 min later (p = 0.040, η2p = 0.309). In the HR, there was a difference between before and after, and 5 and 10 min later (p = 0.002), and between after and 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min later (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.767). In HPP and MVO2, there were differences between before and after (p = 0.006), and between after and 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min later (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.816). In CP and PP, there is no risk of hemodynamic overload to athletes, considering the results of the HPP, and training promotes a moderate hypotensive effect, with blood pressure adaptation after and 60 min after exercise.

Evaluation of Training with Elastic Bands on Strength and Fatigue Indicators in Paralympic Powerlifting.

BACKGROUND: Variable resistance training has recently become a component of strength and conditioning programs. OBJECTIVE: This randomized counterbalanced cross-over study aimed to investigate the use of elastic bands (EB) and the traditional method (TRAD) and force indicators in a training session. METHODS: 12 Paralympic athletes (age: 28.60 ± 7.60 years) participated in this three-week study. In the first week, the participants were familiarized with EB and TRAD and were tested for maximal repetition (1-RM). The research occurred in weeks 2 and 3, which included the pre-post training, during which the following measures were extracted: maximum isometric force (MIF), the peak torque (PT), rate of force development (RFD), fatigue index (FI), and time to MIF (Time). The athletes performed two tests, EB and TRAD, separated by a one-week interval. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test for 1RM (p = 0.018, η2p = 0.412), MIF (p = 0.011, η2p = 0.415), PT (p = 0.012, η2p = 0.413), and RFD (p = 0.0002, η2p = 0.761). With the use of EB, there was a difference in RFD between TRAD before and EB after (p = 0.016, η2p = 0.761). There were significant differences in the before and after for FI between TRAD and EB (p < 0.001) and for Time (p < 0.001), indicating that training with the use of elastic bands promotes overload, characterized by increased fatigue and decreased strength. CONCLUSIONS: Training with EB did not decrease 1RM, PT, MIF or RFD, however, there was an increase in fatigue and time to reach MIF when compared to the method with fixed resistance.

Effects of Ibuprofen Use on Lymphocyte Count and Oxidative Stress in Elite Paralympic Powerlifting.

BACKGROUND: Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) training tends to promote fatigue and oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of ibuprofen use on performance and oxidative stress in post-training PP athletes. METHODOLOGY: Ten national level PP athletes (age: 27.13 ± 5.57) were analyzed for oxidative stress in post-training. The study was carried out in three weeks, (1) familiarization and (2 and 3) evaluated the recovery with the use of a placebo (PLA) and ibuprofen (IBU), 800 mg. The Peak Torque (PT), Torque Development Rate (TDR), Fatigue Index (FI), reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and sulfhydryl groups (SH) were evaluated. The training consisted of five sets of five repetitions (80-90%) 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) in the bench press. RESULTS: The IBU showed a higher PT (24 and 48 h, p = 0.04, ɳ2 p = 0.39), a lower FI (24 h, p = 0.01, ɳ2p = 0.74) and an increased lymphocyte count (p < 0.001; ɳ2p = 4.36). There was no change in oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IBU provided improvements in strength and did not protect against oxidative stress.

Predicting lipoabdominoplasty complications with infrared thermography: a delta-R analysis.

The diagnosis of the main complications resulting from lipoabdominoplasty has not yet been standardized. Infrared thermal imaging has been used to assess possible complications, such as necrosis and changes in micro- and macro-circulation, based on perforator mapping techniques, among others. The objective of this study was to present two clinical cases involving thermal imaging monitoring of the healing process of lipoabdominoplasty in the immediate postoperative evaluation and its preliminary results. Infrared thermography was performed 24 hours after the operation and on postoperative days 5, 25, and 27. In clinical case 1, it was found that the delta-R (∆TR)-defined as the difference in minimum temperature between the highest and lowest points in the SA3 region (caution suction area) following the classification established by Matarasso-was 0.4°C at 24 hours after surgery and decreased to 0.1°C on a postoperative day 5. There were no complications in this case. In contrast, in clinical case 2, the ∆TR was 1.7°C at 24 hours after surgery (upon hospital discharge) and remained high, at 2.2°C, on postoperative day 5. A higher ∆TR was found in the second patient, who developed necrosis of the surgical wound. The ∆TR thermal index may be a new tool for predicting possible complications, complementing the clinical evaluation and therapeutic decision-making.

Bariatric Surgery: Late Outcomes in Patients Who Reduced Comorbidities at Early Follow-Up.

Backgroundand Objectives: In severe obesity, a relevant weight loss can promote the reduction of comorbidities, such as systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus (DM2). Bariatric surgery (BS) has been an essential resource in the therapy of this disease with a short-term reduction of cardiometabolic risk (CR). This study aimed to evaluate the reduction of factors associated with the CR in patients undergoing BS at a 5-year follow-up. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal, retrospective study carried out with patients undergoing BS by the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (PHS). Anthropometric and clinical parameters related to the CR (DM2, dyslipidemia, and SAH), quantified by the Assessment of Obesity-Related Comorbidities (AORC) score, were evaluated at the following moments: admission and preoperative and postoperative returns (3 months, 6 months, 1 to 5 years). Results: The sample had a mean age of 44.69 ± 9.49 years and were predominantly in the age group 20-29 years (34.80%) and women (72.46%). At admission to the service, 42.3% had DM2, 50.7% dyslipidemia, and 78.9% SAH. Regarding BS, the gastric bypass technique was used in 92.86% of the sample, and the waiting time for the procedure was 28.3 ± 24.4 months. In the pre- and postoperative period of 3 months, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of DM2 (p < 0.003), dyslipidemia (p < 0.000), and SAH (p < 0.000). However, at postoperative follow-up from 6 months to 5 years, there was no significant reduction in the comorbidities studied. After five years, 35.7% had total remission of DM2 and 2.9% partial remission of DM2, 44.2% had control and remission of dyslipidemia, and 19.6% of SAH (AORC score ≤ 2 for the comorbidities). Conclusion: BS promoted a reduction of the CR in the first three months after BS in severely obese PHS users.

Are Strength Indicators and Skin Temperature Affected by the Type of Warm-Up in Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes?

(1) Background: the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of warm-ups on the strength and skin temperature of Paralympic powerlifting athletes. (2) Methods: the participants were 15 male Paralympic powerlifting athletes. The effects of three different types of warm-up (without warm-up (WW), traditional warm-up (TW), or stretching warm-up (SW)) were analyzed on static and dynamic strength tests as well as in the skin temperature, which was monitored by thermal imaging. (3) Results: no differences in the dynamic and static indicators of the force were shown in relation to the different types of warm-ups. No significant differences were found in relation to peak torque (p = 0.055, F = 4.560, η2p = 0.246 medium effect), and one-repetition maximum (p = 0.139, F = 3.191, η2p = 0.186, medium effect) between the different types of warm-ups. In the thermographic analysis, there was a significant difference only in the pectoral muscle clavicular portion between the TW (33.04 ± 0.71 °C) and the WW (32.51 ± 0.74 °C) (p = 0.038). The TW method also presented slightly higher values than the SW and WW in the pectoral muscles sternal portion and the deltoid anterior portion, but with p-value > 0.05. (4) Conclusions: the types of warm-ups studied do not seem to interfere with the performance of Paralympic Powerlifting athletes. However, the thermal images showed that traditional warm-up best meets the objectives expected for this preparation phase.

Cut-Off Points of Visceral Adipose Tissue Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Military Men.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has high metabolic activity and secretes a larger number of adipokines that are related to the inflammatory process. Quantifying VAT could estimate the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). This study was designed to determine the VAT cut-off points assessed by DXA associated with MetS in military men. In total, 270 (37.5 ± 6.9 years) military men from the Brazilian Army (BA) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, assessment of body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hemodynamics and biochemical tests were performed. The Student's t test, independent samples, Person's correlation, ROC curve, Youden Index and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were used. The MetS prevalence was 27.4%, which means that 74 (38.0 ± 7.3 years) military men had at least three risk factors of MetS present. The cutoff point of VAT with the highest balance between sensitivity (77.0%) and specificity (69.9%) was 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g). An area on the ROC curve was 0.801 (p < 0.000), which was very good precision. VAT ≥ 1025.0 cm3 (1086.0 g) is associated with the risk factors of MetS and is, therefore, a predictor of the disease with good indicators of sensitivity and specificity and a robust indicator of MetS.

Static and Dynamic Strength Indicators in Paralympic Power-Lifters with and without Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND: In Paralympic powerlifting (PP), athletes with and without spinal cord injury (SCI) compete in the same category. Athletes with SCI may be at a disadvantage in relation to the production of muscle strength and the execution of motor techniques. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indicators force, dynamic and static, at different intensities, on performance in athletes with and without SCI. METHODS: The sample was composed of two groups of PP athletes: SCI (30.57 ± 4.20 years) and other deficiencies (OD; 25.67 ± 4.52 years). Athletes performed a test of maximum isometric force (MIF), time to MIF (Time), rate of force development (RFD), impulse, variability and fatigue index (FI), dynamic tests Mean Propulsive Velocity (MPV), Maximum Velocity (Vmax) and Power. RESULTS: There were differences in the SCI in relation to OD, 50% 1RM (p < 0.05), in relation to MPV and Vmax. There were no differences in the static force indicators. Regarding EMG, there were differences between the SCI triceps in relation to the previous deltoid (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the static and dynamic strength indicators are similar in Paralympic powerlifting athletes with spinal cord injury and other disabilities.