Dysfunctional suction dynamics in newborns with ankyloglossia / Dinâmica de sucção disfuncional em recém-nascidos com anquiloglossia

ABSTRACT Purpose Compare infant suction in babies with and without ankyloglossia using a microprocessor-controlled pressure sensor coupled to a pacifier. Methods Fifty-five infants from 0 to 2 months of age underwent clinical examination for ankyloglossia, after which they were offered a silicone pacifier connected to the pressure acquisition device and suction activity was recorded. Thus, we extracted the frequency of sucks within a burst, the average suck duration, the burst duration, the number of sucks per burst, the maximum amplitude of sucks per burst and the inter-burst interval. Results The key difference in newborns with ankyloglossia in relation to control was that they perform longer bursts of suction activity. Conclusion The longer burst durations are likely a compensatory strategy and may underlie the pain reported by mothers during breastfeeding. We therefore propose a method for objectively quantifying some parameters of infant suction capacity and demonstrate its use in assisting the evaluation of ankyloglossia.

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar a sucção infantil em bebês com e sem anquiloglossia usando um sensor de pressão controlado por microprocessador acoplado a uma chupeta. Método Cinquenta e cinco lactentes de 0 a 2 meses de idade foram submetidos ao exame clínico de anquiloglossia, em seguida foi oferecido uma chupeta de silicone conectada ao dispositivo de aquisição de pressão e a atividade de sucção foi registrada. Assim, obtivemos dados sobre a frequência de sucções dentro de um período de sucções, a duração média da sucção, a duração da rajada, o número de sucções por rajada, a amplitude máxima das sucções por rajada e o intervalo entre rajadas. O teste t não pareado foi utilizado para comparações entre os grupos. Resultados A principal diferença dos recém-nascidos com anquiloglossia em relação aos do grupo controle é que eles realizam rajadas mais longas durante a atividade de sucção. Conclusão A duração mais longa das rajadas é provavelmente uma estratégia compensatória e pode estar por trás da dor relatada pelas mães durante a amamentação. Portanto, propomos um método para quantificar objetivamente alguns parâmetros da sucção infantil e demonstramos seu uso para auxiliar na avaliação da anquiloglossia.

Changes in muscle strength in elderly women after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation based training / Alteração da força muscular em idosas após treinamento com facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva

Introduction Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can be used to improve the quality of life of both healthy and diseased subjects, including the elderly, who suffer muscular weakness due to aging, leading to an impairment in functional capacity. Objective Verify the effectiveness of PNF as a tool for functional conditioning. Materials and methods We evaluated a total of ten elderly women aged 60–70 years, clinically healthy and physically active. They had the force of motion of hip flexion with knee extension analyzed by an analog dynamometer. They were then randomly and equally divided into experimental (EG) and control group (CG). The GC was instructed to continue with their normal activities while the GE held 15 training sessions in the lower limb (LL) based on the diagonal D1 and D2. Finally, a new collection wrench the two groups was performed and the data compared. Results There was a significant increase in the average strength of GE, on the order of 31% (p < 0.01). The GC also had increased strength, but not significant (p > 0.05). Discussion : The results confirm that the FNP through initial work of readjustment and proprioceptive neuromuscular activation, and after that, conditioning of the muscle fibers (mainly resistive) is capable of amplifying the force developed by the muscle. Conclusion The PNF was effective as training to gain muscle strength, should be better analyzed as a tool fitness, not to cause health risks, have low cost and easy application. .

Introdução A facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (FNP) pode ser utilizada na melhora da qualidade de vida de pessoas saudáveis ou não, incluindo os idosos, que sofrem redução da força muscular decorrente do envelhecimento, levando a um comprometimento de sua capacidade funcional. Objetivo Verificar a eficácia da FNP como ferramenta de condicionamento. Materiais e métodos Participaram dez mulheres idosas com idade entre 60 e 70 anos, voluntárias, fisicamente ativas e clinicamente saudáveis. Elas tiveram a força do movimento de flexão de quadril com extensão de joelho analisada por meio de dinamômetro analógico e, após isso, foram divididas aleatoriamente e igualmente em grupo experimental (GE) e grupo controle (GC). O GC foi orientado a continuar com suas atividades normais, enquanto o GE realizou 15 sessões de treinamento no membro inferior (MI) baseado nas diagonais D1 e D2. Ao final, nova coleta dinamométrica dos dois grupos foi realizada e os dados comparados. Resultados Encontrou-se aumento significativo na média de força do GE, na ordem de 31% (p < 0,01). O GC também obteve aumento de força, porém não significativo (p > 0,05). Discussão Os resultados confirmam que a FNP — por meio de trabalho inicial de readequação proprioceptiva e de ativação neuromuscular e, após isso, condicionamento das fibras musculares (em especial resistivas) — é capaz de ampliar a força desenvolvida pelo músculo. Conclusão A FNP mostrou-se eficaz como treinamento muscular para ganho de força, devendo ser melhor analisada como ferramenta de condicionamento físico, por não causar riscos à saúde, ter baixo custo e ser de fácil aplicação. .

Contrast sensitivity of pattern transient VEP components: contribution from M and P pathways

The purpose of this study was to compare contrast sensitivity estimated from transient visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited by achromatic pattern-reversal and pattern-onset/offset modes. The stimuli were 2-cpd, achromatic horizontal gratings presented either as a 1 Hz pattern reversal or a 300 ms onset/700 ms offset stimulus. Contrast thresholds were estimated by linear regression to amplitudes of VEP components vs. the logarithm of the stimulus contrasts, and these regressions were extrapolated to the zero amplitude level. Contrast sensitivity was defined as the inverse of contrast threshold. For pattern reversal, the relation between the P100 amplitude and log of the stimulus contrast was best described by two separate linear regressions. For the N135 component, a single straight line was sufficient. In the case of pattern onset/offset for both the C1 and C2 components, single straight lines described their amplitude vs. log contrast relations in the medium-to-low contrast range. Some saturation was observed for C2 components. The contrast sensitivity estimated from the low-contrast limb of the P100, from the N135, and from the C2 were all similar but higher than those obtained from the high-contrast limb of the P100 and C1 data, which were also similar to each other. With 2 cpd stimuli, a mechanism possibly driven by the M pathway appeared to contribute to the P100 component at medium-to-low contrasts and to the N135 and C2 components at all contrast levels, whereas another mechanism, possibly driven by the P and M pathways, appeared to contribute to the P100 component at high contrast and C1 component at all contrast levels...

Contrast sensitivity of pattern transient VEP components: contribution from M and P pathways

The purpose of this study was to compare contrast sensitivity estimated from transient visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited by achromatic pattern-reversal and pattern-onset/offset modes. The stimuli were 2-cpd, achromatic horizontal gratings presented either as a 1 Hz pattern reversal or a 300 ms onset/700 ms offset stimulus. Contrast thresholds were estimated by linear regression to amplitudes of VEP components vs. the logarithm of the stimulus contrasts, and these regressions were extrapolated to the zero amplitude level. Contrast sensitivity was defined as the inverse of contrast threshold. For pattern reversal, the relation between the P100 amplitude and log of the stimulus contrast was best described by two separate linear regressions. For the N135 component, a single straight line was sufficient. In the case of pattern onset/offset for both the C1 and C2 components, single straight lines described their amplitude vs. log contrast relations in the medium-to-low contrast range. Some saturation was observed for C2 components. The contrast sensitivity estimated from the low-contrast limb of the P100, from the N135, and from the C2 were all similar but higher than those obtained from the high-contrast limb of the P100 and C1 data, which were also similar to each other. With 2 cpd stimuli, a mechanism possibly driven by the M pathway appeared to contribute to the P100 component at medium-to-low contrasts and to the N135 and C2 components at all contrast levels, whereas another mechanism, possibly driven by the P and M pathways, appeared to contribute to the P100 component at high contrast and C1 component at all contrast levels.(AU)

Main vocal complaints of elderly patients after leprosy treatment.

UNLABELLED: Leprosy is an infectious disease, with vocal involvement varying between hoarseness and difficult breathing. AIM: Compare the main vocal complaints among elderly patients after treatment for leprosy and a control group. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive prospective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 50 patients aged over 60 years, 32 had been treated for leprosy, and the others formed the control group. We used our own questionnaire to analyze the vocal symptoms presented by the two groups, as well as gender, age, life style and comorbidities. RESULTS: Among the treated group, the most frequent symptoms were hawk (34.4%) and hoarseness (28.1%), while in the control group the most prevalent symptoms were hoarseness (77.8%) and a foreign body sensation (55.6%). CONCLUSION: The most prevalent voice complaints in patients treated for leprosy are hawking and hoarseness, and that its development is influenced by life style and associated diseases.

Principais queixas vocais de pacientes idosos pós-tratamento para hanseníase / Main vocal complaints of elderly patients after leprosy treatment

A hanseníase é uma doença infecto-contagiosa, cujo comprometimento vocal manifesta-se desde rouquidão à dificuldade respiratória. OBJETIVO: Comparar as principais queixas vocais entre pacientes idosos pós-tratamento para hanseníase e um grupo controle. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Descritivo prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram incluídos 50 pacientes com idade superior a 60 anos; 32 haviam sido tratados para hanseníase e os demais constituíram o grupo-controle. Houve aplicação de questionário próprio, sendo analisados os sintomas vocais apresentados pelos dois grupos,assim como sexo, faixa etária, hábitos de vida e comorbidades. RESULTADOS: Dentro do grupo pós-tratamento, os sintomas mais frequentes foram pigarro (34,4 por cento) e rouquidão (28,1 por cento), enquanto que no grupo controle os sintomas mais prevalentes foram pigarro (77,8 por cento) e sensação de corpo estranho (55,6 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Os sintomas vocais mais prevalentes em pacientes pós-tratamento para hanseníase são o pigarro e a rouquidão e sua evolução é influenciada pelos hábitos de vida e por doenças associadas.

Leprosy is an infectious disease, with vocal involvement varying between hoarseness and difficult breathing. AIM: compare the main vocal complaints among elderly patients after treatment for leprosy and a control group. STUDY DESIGN: descriptive prospective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 50 patients aged over 60 years, 32 had been treated for leprosy, and the others formed the control group. We used our own questionnaire to analyze the vocal symptoms presented by the two groups, as well as gender, age, life style and comorbidities. RESULTS: among the treated group, the most frequent symptoms were hawk (34.4 percent) and hoarseness (28.1 percent), while in the control group the most prevalent symptoms were hoarseness (77.8 percent) and a foreign body sensation (55.6 percent). CONCLUSION: the most prevalent voice complaints in patients treated for leprosy are hawking and hoarseness, and that its development is influenced by life style and associated diseases.

Division of labor between M and P visual pathways: different visual pathways minimize joint entropy differently

Visual perception and action are strongly linked with parallel processing channels connecting the retina, the lateral geniculate nucleus, and the input layers of the primary visual cortex. Achromatic vision is provided by at least two of such channels formed by the M and P neurons. These cell pathways are similarly organized in primates having different lifestyles, including species that are diurnal, nocturnal, and which exhibit a variety of color vision phenotypes. We describe the M and P cell properties by 3D Gábor functions and their 3D Fourier transform. The M and P cells occupy different loci in the Gábor information diagram or Fourier Space. This separation allows the M and P pathways to transmit visual signals with distinct 6D joint entropy for space, spatial frequency, time, and temporal frequency. By combining the M and P impacts on the cortical neurons beyond V1 input layers, the cortical pathways are able to process aspects of visual stimuli with a better precision than it would be possible using the M or P pathway alone. This performance fulfils the requirements of different behavioral tasks.(AU)

Division of labor between M and P visual pathways: different visual pathways minimize joint entropy differently

Visual perception and action are strongly linked with parallel processing channels connecting the retina, the lateral geniculate nucleus, and the input layers of the primary visual cortex. Achromatic vision is provided by at least two of such channels formed by the M and P neurons. These cell pathways are similarly organized in primates having different lifestyles, including species that are diurnal, nocturnal, and which exhibit a variety of color vision phenotypes. We describe the M and P cell properties by 3D Gábor functions and their 3D Fourier transform. The M and P cells occupy different loci in the Gábor information diagram or Fourier Space. This separation allows the M and P pathways to transmit visual signals with distinct 6D joint entropy for space, spatial frequency, time, and temporal frequency. By combining the M and P impacts on the cortical neurons beyond V1 input layers, the cortical pathways are able to process aspects of visual stimuli with a better precision than it would be possible using the M or P pathway alone. This performance fulfils the requirements of different behavioral tasks.

Estimativa da sensibilidade ao contraste espacial de luminância e discriminação de cores por meio do potencial provocado visual transiente / Spatial luminance contrast sensitivity and color discrimination measured with transient visual evoked potential

O potencial provocado visual (VEP) é uma resposta cortical registrável na superfície do couro cabeludo, que reflete a atividade dos neurônios de V1. É classificado, a partir da freqüência temporal de estimulação, em transiente ou de estado estacionário. Outras propriedades do estímulo parecem provocar uma atividade seletiva dos diversos grupos de neurônios existentes em V1. Desse modo, o VEP vem sendo usado para estudar a visão humana acromática e cromática. Diversos trabalhos usaram o VEP para estimar a sensibilidade ao contraste de luminância no domínio das freqüências espaciais. Mais recentemente, há estudos que empregaram o VEP para medir os limiares de discriminação de cores. O VEP transiente pode complementar as medidas psicofísicas de sensibilidade ao contraste espacial de luminância e de discriminação cromática, e constitui um método não invasivo para estudar a visão de indivíduos com dificuldades de realizar testes psicofísicos

Estimativa da sensibilidade ao contraste espacial de luminância e discriminação de cores por meio do potencial provocado visual transiente / Spatial luminance contrast sensitivity and color discrimination measured with transient visual evoked potential

O potencial provocado visual (VEP) é uma resposta cortical registrável na superfície do couro cabeludo, que reflete a atividade dos neurônios de V1. É classificado, a partir da freqüência temporal de estimulação, em transiente ou de estado estacionário. Outras propriedades do estímulo parecem provocar uma atividade seletiva dos diversos grupos de neurônios existentes em V1. Desse modo, o VEP vem sendo usado para estudar a visão humana acromática e cromática. Diversos trabalhos usaram o VEP para estimar a sensibilidade ao contraste de luminância no domínio das freqüências espaciais. Mais recentemente, há estudos que empregaram o VEP para medir os limiares de discriminação de cores. O VEP transiente pode complementar as medidas psicofísicas de sensibilidade ao contraste espacial de luminância e de discriminação cromática, e constitui um método não invasivo para estudar a visão de indivíduos com dificuldades de realizar testes psicofísicos (AU)