Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae among children in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Western Brazilian Amazon.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the primary pathogens that are associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) that cause high rates of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization, the antimicrobial resistance profile, and the capacity for biofilm formation by S. pneumoniae isolated from children aged 0-6 years with ARI throughout the Porto Velho-RO. A total of 660 swabs were collected from children with ARI. Molecular and biochemical tests were performed to characterize the isolates. The disk-difusion method and the E-test were used for antimicrobial sensitivity testing (TSA). Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using microtiter plate assays, and serotype detection was acheived using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. The colonization rate for S. pneumoniae was 8.9% (59/660) and exhibited a high prevalence in children under 23 months of age 64.4% (38/59). The observed serotypes were 9V and 19F with frequencies of 1.7% (1/59) and 13.6% (8/59), respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed 100% (59/59) sensitivity to vancomycin. In contrast, trimethoprim and oxacillin exhibited high resistance rates of 76.3% (45/59) and 52.5% (31/59), respectively. Of the biofilm-forming isolates, 54.8% (23/42) possessed resistance to some antimicrobials. In this study, S. pneumoniae showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance and the ability to form biofilms, as these are factors that favor bacterial persistence and can cause serious damage to the host.

Exergame training-induced neuroplasticity and cognitive improvement in institutionalized older adults: A preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has reported cognitive improvements in elderly individuals when mental and physical exercise are practiced simultaneously, as in exergaming. However, the molecular mechanisms driving this beneficial response remain unclear. Moreover, there is robust evidence that regular exercise increases neurotrophic factors and promotes neuroplasticity, contributing to cognitive improvement. This research aimed to assess the impact of a 6-week Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol on cognitive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in institutionalized older individuals. METHODS: Participants living in a long-term care facility were included. The intervention (Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol) was conducted individually and consisted of two sessions per week (40 min each) over 6 weeks. Participants' cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) was evaluated before and after the intervention. Blood samples (15 ml) were collected at the same time to measure BDNF levels. RESULTS: Although there were no changes in total MoCA scores, exergame training improved the "language" domain and demonstrated a tendency toward an improvement in the "abstraction" and "memory/delayed recall" domains. Furthermore, BDNF levels were significantly increased after the intervention. CONCLUSION: BDNF enhancement might mediate, at least in part, the cognitive changes induced by a 6-week Xbox 360 Kinect exergame protocol in institutionalized older adults.

Effect of mesh anchoring technique in uterine prolapse repair surgery: A finite element analysis.

The female pelvic cavity involves muscles, ligaments, endopelvic fasciae and multiple organs where different pathologies may occur, namely the pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The synthetic implants are used for the reconstructive surgery of POP, but severe complications associated with their use have been reported, mainly related to their mechanical properties (e.g., implant stiffness) and microstructure. In this study, we mimicked a transvaginal reconstructive surgery to repair the apical ligaments (uterosacral ligaments (USLs) and cardinal ligaments (CLs)), by modeling, their impairment (90% and 50%) and/or total rupture. The implants to reinforce/replace these ligaments were built based on literature specifications and their mechanical properties were obtained through uniaxial tensile tests. The main aim of this study was to simulate the effect of mesh anchoring technique (simple stich and continuous stitch), and compare the displacement magnitude of the pelvic tissues, during Valsalva maneuver. The absence/presence of the synthetic implant was simulated when total rupture of the CLs and USLs occurs, causing a variation of the vaginal displacement (9% for the CLs and 27% for the USLs). Additionally, the simulations showed that there was a variation of the supero-inferior displacement of the vaginal wall between different anchoring techniques (simple stich and continuous stitch) being approximately of 10% for the simulation USLs and CLs implant. The computational simulation was able to mimic the biomechanical behavior of the USLs and CLs, in response to different anchoring techniques, which can be help improving the outcomes of the prolapse surgery.

Biosurfactant production of Piper hispidum endophytic fungi.

AIMS: To evaluate the production of biosurfactants by fungi isolated from the Amazonian species Piper hispidum (Piperaceae), and to determine the physico-chemical properties of the crude biosurfactant obtained from the most promising fungi. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 117 endophytic fungi were isolated, and 50 were used to verify the production of biosurfactants. Of these, eight presented positive results in the drop collapse test, and emulsification index ranging from 20 to 78%. The most promising fungi, Ph III 23L and Ph II 22S (identified as Aspergillus niger and Glomerella cingulata, respectively) were recultivated for extraction and analysis of the biosurfactant's physico-chemical characteristics. The cultivation broth that presented the greatest decrease in surface tension (36%) was that of the A. niger, which reduced it from 68·0 to 44·0 mN m-1 . The lowest critical micellar concentration value was found for the same endophyte (14·93 mg ml-1 ). CONCLUSIONS: Endophytes of P. hispidum proved to be interesting producers of biosurfactants and presented promising physico-chemical characteristics for applications in diverse industrial sectors. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Piper hispidum endophytic fungi can be used as a new source of biosurfactants, as these molecules present a significant market due to their wide industrial applications.

Immunological profile of teeth with inflammatory periapical disease from chronic liver disease patients.

AIM: To evaluate the mRNA expression levels of the cytokines interferon-γ, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, IL-6, VEGF, and AGT and the chemokine CCL2/MCP-1 in periapical interstitial fluid associated with root canal infections before and after the reduction of the bacterial load using a cleaning procedure. METHODOLOGY: The case group included 11 patients with chronic liver disease, and the control group included 11 healthy patients. Clinical samples were taken from teeth with pulp necrosis. After cleaning and drying the canal, three paper points were introduced into the root canal and passed through the root apex (2 mm) into the periapical tissues for 1 min. The samples were collected immediately after root canal cleaning and 7 days later to characterize those gene expression levels using real-time PCR. The data were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk and the Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: In the control group, significantly increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α was observed in teeth with restrained bacterial loads (day 7) (P < 0.05). Similarly, increased TNF-α expression was found on day 7 in the liver group (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the expression levels of the IL-1ß, IL-10 and, IL-6, MCP-1/CCL-2 and VEGF between the first collection (day 0) and second collection (day 7), over time in either group. CONCLUSION: Chronic liver disease patients exhibited sufficient immunologic ability showing relatively similar expression levels of cytokines, chemokines and angiogenic factors in periapical samples compared with the responses from no-chronic liver disease patients. The outcomes of this study suggest that liver impairment did not compromise the periapical immune response.

Evaluation of different air dosing strategies to enhance H2S removal in microaerobic systems treating low-strength wastewaters.

This study aimed to evaluate different air dosing strategies such as microaeration flow rates and air dosing points to enhance H2S removal in microaerobic systems treating low-strength wastewaters. Efficiency and stability of the reactors, as well as biogas quality, were assessed, and microbial community changes were evaluated using the PCR-DGGE technique. The results showed that the air dosing point affected the H2S concentration and that air dosing at the headspace promoted the highest H2S removal efficiency. The airflow rate also affected the process, since H2S concentration in the biogas was higher at 0.1 mL air.min-1 than at 0.3 mL air.min-1. The methane concentration in the biogas was also affected by both air dosing point and flow rate, since the lowest value was observed at the highest airflow rate of the headspace dosing point, due to dilution by the N2 influx applied to the system. The highest productivity and operational efficiency were observed at this air dosing point, with this airflow (HD0.3), which corroborates with the operational results and the ecological parameters, since the microaeration at this stage promoted high bacterial and archaeal species richness and diversity, optimum functional organization, high COD and H2S removal efficiencies.

What haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients think about health and oral care: A qualitative study in a Brazilian health service.

Differences in the perceptions of treatment between healthcare team and patients should be identified, aiming to provide a more humanised health care. We sought to understand and evaluate the concepts regarding oral health and dental care among haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, from both sexes, in the post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant stage, who underwent dental treatment. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, respecting the spelling and syntax used by the interviewees. A thematic content analysis was performed, and three themes were assessed: what is oral health, why was pre-transplant dental treatment performed, and what was the relevance of dental treatment for the haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Oral health was understood as the act of dental care through oral hygiene. The reason for performing prior dental treatment involves strict guidelines for transplants, and when questioned as to the importance of the dental treatment for transplants, the interviewed subjects' statements focused on the prevention of infections during the low-immunity stage. The individuals saw dental treatment as a step towards a successful transplant; their main concerns were not to re-establish their oral health, but rather to end the dental treatment as quickly as possible.

Characterization of the passive and active material parameters of the pubovisceralis muscle using an inverse numerical method.

The mechanical characteristics of the female pelvic floor are relevant to understand pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD), and how they are related with changes in their biomechanical behavior. Urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are the most common pathologies, which can be associated with changes in the mechanical properties of the supportive structures in the female pelvic cavity. PFD have been studied through different methods, from experimental tensile tests using tissues from fresh female cadavers or tissues collected at the time of a transvaginal hysterectomy procedure, or by applying imaging techniques. In this work, an inverse finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to understand the passive and active behavior of the pubovisceralis muscle (PVM) during Valsalva maneuver and muscle active contraction, respectively. Individual numerical models of women without pathology, with stress UI (SUI) and POP were built based on magnetic resonance images, including the PVM and surrounding structures. The passive and active material parameters obtained for a transversely isotropic hyperelastic constitutive model were estimated for the three groups. The values for the material constants were significantly higher for the women with POP when compared with the other two groups. The PVM of women with POP showed the highest stiffness. Additionally, the influence of these parameters was analyzed by evaluating their stress-strain, and force-displacements responses. The force produced by the PVM in women with POP was 47% and 82% higher when compared to women without pathology and with SUI, respectively. The inverse FEA allowed estimating the material parameters of the PVM using input information acquired non-invasively.

A preliminary exploration of the potential of Eugenia uvalha Cambess juice intake to counter oxidative stress.

PURPOSE: The ability of foods to aid in the prevention of chronic metabolic diseases, has recently become an area of increased interest. In addition, there is growing interest in exploring the benefits of consuming underutilized fruits as alternatives to commercially available fruits. Eugenia uvalha Cambess (uvaia) is a native fruit of Brazil with great market and phytotherapy potential. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of uvaia juice (UJ) on the levels of protein carbonyls (PCO) and antioxidant enzymes in the livers of rats fed a high-fat diet. METHODS: Thirty-two female rats were randomly assigned to four groups. The rats were fed either a standard diet (group C) or a high-fat diet (group HF). In addition, groups CUJ and HFUJ were treated with UJ (2mL/day) administered via gavage for 8weeks. RESULTS: In our study, UJ displayed high antioxidant activity (135.14±9.74 GAE/100g). Administration of UJ caused a significantly reduced concentration of rat liver PCO (47.4%), which was associated with a 29% increase in catalase activity. A significant increase in the concentration of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (15.04±5.08nmol/ml) and a reduction in the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) (11.30±2.68) were found in the HF group, whilst these changes were not observed in the HFUJ group (a result similar to that of group C). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that UJ decreases oxidative damage by improving antioxidant efficiency and attenuating oxidative damage to proteins.

Use of antidepressants in dentistry: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has suggested that antidepressants can be used in oral health care. The aim of this systematic review was to search for scientific evidence of the efficacy of the use of antidepressants in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical question was as follows (PICO question): dentistry patients (Patients); antidepressants (Intervention); no use or placebo or other drug (Comparison); and efficacy in oral health problems (Outcome). An electronic search was conducted in seven databases, as well as a manual search without restriction regarding language and date of publication. Two independent reviewers selected studies based on eligibility criteria, extracted data and assessed methodological quality based on the PEDro scale. The PROSPERO record is number CRD42016037442. RESULTS: A total of 15 randomized controlled trials were associated with the use of antidepressants to control chronic or acute pain in dentistry, among other conditions such as bruxism and burning mouth syndrome. The most commonly used drug in clinical trials was amitriptyline (more than 50% of studies). CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressants may be effective in dentistry for acute and chronic pain, but there is a large amount of methodological heterogeneity among the evaluated studies. In summary, there is rationality for the indication of this class of medicine in dentistry in specific clinical situations.

Genotypic variation and relationships among nitrogen-use efficiency and agronomic traits in tropical maize inbred lines.

Improvement in nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) on maize is among the best strategies to mitigate the problems of poor soil fertility in tropical conditions. The objectives of this study were: i) to quantify the genetic variability for NUE-components and agronomic traits in a set of tropical maize inbred lines; ii) to study the genetic divergence among tropical maize inbred lines under contrasting nitrogen (N) levels; iii) to identify the secondary traits associated with NUE in tropical maize inbred lines; and iv) to identify maize inbred lines efficient in NUE and its components. Sixty-four tropical maize inbred lines were evaluated in the field under low- and high-N conditions for NUE-components and agronomic traits. Genetic variability for NUE-components and agronomic traits was found; lines in eight different groups for each N condition were allocated, and N-efficient inbred lines were identified in different groups. Furthermore, we suggest flowering time traits and kernel number as great secondary traits for selecting tropical maize inbred lines for NUE under both N conditions, and chlorophyll content for selecting for NUE under N stress.

Biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women using an inverse finite element analysis.

Pelvic disorders can be associated with changes in the biomechanical properties in the muscle, ligaments and/or connective tissue form fascia and ligaments. In this sense, the study of their mechanical behavior is important to understand the structure and function of these biological soft tissues. The aim of this study was to establish the biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women, using an inverse finite element analysis (FEA). The numerical models, including the pubovisceral muscle and pelvic bones were built from magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired at rest. The numerical simulation of Valsalva maneuver was based on the finite element method and the material constants were determined for different constitutive models (Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin and Yeoh) using an iterative process. The material constants (MPa) for Neo-Hookean (c1) were 0.039 ± 0.022 and 0.024 ± 0.004 for continent vs. incontinent women. For Mooney-Rivlin (c1) the values obtained were 0.026 ± 0.010 vs. 0.016 ± 0.003, and for Yeoh (c1) the values obtained were 0.031 ± 0.023 vs. 0.016 ± 0.002, (p < 0.05). Muscle displacements obtained in the numerical simulations of Valsalva maneuver were compared with the muscle displacements obtained through additional dynamic MRI. Incontinent women presented a higher antero-posterior displacement than the continent women. The results were also similar between MRI and numerical simulations (40.27% vs. 42.17% for Neo-Hookean, 39.87% for Mooney-Rivlin and 41.61% for Yeoh). Using an inverse FEA coupled with MR images allowed to obtain the in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to a relationship between them for the continent and incontinent women in a non-invasive manner.

Combination of Recreational Soccer and Caloric Restricted Diet Reduces Markers of Protein Catabolism and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Moderate calorie-restricted diets and exercise training prevent loss of lean mass and cardiovascular risk. Because adherence to routine exercise recommendation is generally poor, we utilized recreational soccer training as a novel therapeutic exercise intervention in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effects of acute and chronic soccer training plus calorie-restricted diet on protein catabolism and cardiovascular risk markers in T2D. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Fifty-one T2D patients (61.1±6.4 years, 29 females: 22 males) were randomly allocated to the soccer+diet-group (SDG) or to the diet-group (DG). The 40-min soccer sessions were held 3 times per week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Nineteen participants attended 100% of scheduled soccer sessions, and none suffered any injuries. The SDG group showed higher levels of growth hormone (GH), free fatty acids and ammonia compared with DG. After 12 weeks, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFPB)-3 and glucose levels were lower in SDG, whereas insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1/ IGFBP-3 ratio increased in both groups. After the last training session, an increase in IGF-1/IGFBP-3 and attenuation in ammonia levels were suggestive of lower muscle protein catabolism. CONCLUSIONS: Recreational soccer training was popular and safe, and was associated with decreased plasma glucose and IGFBP-3 levels, decreased ammoniagenesis, and increased lipolytic activity and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio, all indicative of attenuated catabolism.

Ovulation-inducing factor (OIF/NGF) in seminal plasma: a review and update.

The ovulation-inducing effect of seminal plasma was first reported in Bactrian camels over 30 years ago, and the entity responsible was dubbed 'ovulation-inducing factor' (OIF). More recent studies, primarily in llamas and alpacas, characterized the biological and chemical properties of OIF and ultimately identified it as ßNGF. This recent discovery has allowed a convergence of knowledge previously separated by discipline and by mechanism; that is, neurobiology and reproductive biology, and autocrine/paracrine vs endocrine. To preserve this link, we have referred to the seminal factor as OIF/NGF. As a highly conserved protein, the implications of discoveries related to OIF/NGF in reproductive tissues extend beyond the camelid species, and results of recent studies show that the presence and function of OIF/NGF in seminal plasma are conserved among species considered to be induced ovulators as well as those considered to be spontaneous ovulators. The abundance of OIF/NGF in seminal plasma and the effects of seminal plasma on ovarian function strongly support the idea of an endocrine mode of action (i.e. systemic distribution with distant target tissues). This review is intended to provide an update on the progress in our understanding of the nature of OIF/NGF in seminal plasma and its effects on reproductive function in the female, including the effects of dose and route of administration, evidence for ovarian effects in other species, tissue sources of OIF/NGF and early findings related to the mechanism of action of OIF.

Establishing the biomechanical properties of the pelvic soft tissues through an inverse finite element analysis using magnetic resonance imaging.

The mechanical characteristics of the female pelvic floor are relevant when explaining pelvic dysfunction. The decreased elasticity of the tissue often causes inability to maintain urethral position, also leading to vaginal and rectal descend when coughing or defecating as a response to an increase in the internal abdominal pressure. These conditions can be associated with changes in the mechanical properties of the supportive structures-namely, the pelvic floor muscles-including impairment. In this work, we used an inverse finite element analysis to calculate the material constants for the passive mechanical behavior of the pelvic floor muscles. The numerical model of the pelvic floor muscles and bones was built from magnetic resonance axial images acquired at rest. Muscle deformation, simulating the Valsalva maneuver with a pressure of 4 KPa, was compared with the muscle displacement obtained through additional dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. The difference in displacement was of 0.15 mm in the antero-posterior direction and 3.69 mm in the supero-inferior direction, equating to a percentage error of 7.0% and 16.9%, respectively. We obtained the shortest difference in the displacements using an iterative process that reached the material constants for the Mooney-Rivlin constitutive model (c10=11.8 KPa and c20=5.53 E-02 KPa). For each iteration, the orthogonal distance between each node from the group of nodes which defined the puborectal muscle in the numerical model versus dynamic magnetic resonance imaging was computed. With the methodology used in this work, it was possible to obtain in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles for a specific subject using input information acquired non-invasively.

Starch characterization in seven raw, boiled and roasted chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivars from Portugal.

Changes occurring in seven chestnut (Castanea sativa sp.) cultivars, caused by boiling and roasting, on starch content, cell and starch granules dimension were evaluated, and morphological changes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Three clear patterns of variation were detected after processing, namely: i) decrease of starch content with processing; ii) starch increase with the applied treatments; iii) increase of starch with boiling and decrease with roasting. Starch granules of raw chestnuts presented round, oval or elliptical form, external smooth surface and eccentric hilum, with rather ellipsoid-shaped growth rings. Processing resulted in modifications of the granules, with fusion of individual granules, and gelatinization taking place with the formation of elongated clusters. The present results indicate that boiling and roasting, besides changing the starch content of chestnut, causes important modifications in the starch granules, which can affect the sensory, rheological and chemical characteristics of chestnuts.

Time-course effects of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and renal parameters in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rats

Exercise training (Ex) has been recommended for its beneficial effects in hypertensive states. The present study evaluated the time-course effects of Ex without workload on mean arterial pressure (MAP), reflex bradycardia, cardiac and renal histology, and oxidative stress in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. Male Fischer rats (10 weeks old; 150–180 g) underwent surgery (2K1C or SHAM) and were subsequently divided into a sedentary (SED) group and Ex group (swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks). Until week 4, Ex decreased MAP, increased reflex bradycardia, prevented concentric hypertrophy, reduced collagen deposition in the myocardium and kidneys, decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the left ventricle, and increased the catalase (CAT) activity in the left ventricle and both kidneys. From week 6 to week 10, however, MAP and reflex bradycardia in 2K1C Ex rats became similar to those in 2K1C SED rats. Ex effectively reduced heart rate and prevented collagen deposition in the heart and both kidneys up to week 10, and restored the level of TBARS in the left ventricle and clipped kidney and the CAT activity in both kidneys until week 8. Ex without workload for 10 weeks in 2K1C rats provided distinct beneficial effects. The early effects of Ex on cardiovascular function included reversing MAP and reflex bradycardia. The later effects of Ex included preventing structural alterations in the heart and kidney by decreasing oxidative stress and reducing injuries in these organs during hypertension.

Time-course effects of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and renal parameters in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rats.

Exercise training (Ex) has been recommended for its beneficial effects in hypertensive states. The present study evaluated the time-course effects of Ex without workload on mean arterial pressure (MAP), reflex bradycardia, cardiac and renal histology, and oxidative stress in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. Male Fischer rats (10 weeks old; 150-180 g) underwent surgery (2K1C or SHAM) and were subsequently divided into a sedentary (SED) group and Ex group (swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks). Until week 4, Ex decreased MAP, increased reflex bradycardia, prevented concentric hypertrophy, reduced collagen deposition in the myocardium and kidneys, decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the left ventricle, and increased the catalase (CAT) activity in the left ventricle and both kidneys. From week 6 to week 10, however, MAP and reflex bradycardia in 2K1C Ex rats became similar to those in 2K1C SED rats. Ex effectively reduced heart rate and prevented collagen deposition in the heart and both kidneys up to week 10, and restored the level of TBARS in the left ventricle and clipped kidney and the CAT activity in both kidneys until week 8. Ex without workload for 10 weeks in 2K1C rats provided distinct beneficial effects. The early effects of Ex on cardiovascular function included reversing MAP and reflex bradycardia. The later effects of Ex included preventing structural alterations in the heart and kidney by decreasing oxidative stress and reducing injuries in these organs during hypertension.

Study on the influence of the fetus head molding on the biomechanical behavior of the pelvic floor muscles, during vaginal delivery.

Pelvic floor injuries during vaginal delivery are considered a significant risk factor to develop pelvic floor dysfunction. The molding of the fetus head during vaginal delivery facilitates the labor progress, since it adjusts to the birth canal geometry. In this work, a finite element model was used to represent the effects induced by the passage of the fetus head on the pelvic floor. The numerical model used for this simulation included the pelvic floor muscles attached to the bones, and a fetus body. The model of the fetus head included the skin and soft tissues, the skull with sutures and fontanelles, and the brain. The fetus head movements during birth in vertex position were simulated: descent, internal rotation and extension. Two models of the fetus head were compared: a rigid and a deformable one, with the inclusion of the cranial sutures. The influence of the fetus head molding on the pelvic floor muscles was analyzed by evaluating their reaction forces, stretch, and stress and strain fields. Additionally, anatomical indices for the molding of the fetal skull were obtained and compared with clinical data. The passage of the deformable fetus head through the birth canal leads to a reduction of 17.3% on the reaction forces on the pelvic floor muscles when compared to the ones of a rigid head. Furthermore, the fetus head molding implies inferior resistance to rotation resulting in a reduction of 1.86% in muscle stretching. Quantitative evaluation of the fetus head molding showed good agreement with clinical experiments.

Positive effects of football on fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes.

We evaluated the effects of recreational football training combined with calorie-restricted diet (football + diet) vs calorie-restricted diet alone (diet) on aerobic fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance indicators in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-four T2D patients aged 48-68 years (27 females, 17 males) were randomly allocated to the football + diet group (FDG; n = 22) or to the diet group (DG; n = 22), of whom 19 FDG and 15 DG subjects completed the study. The football training was performed for 3 × 40 min/week for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, treadmill testing, and fasting blood samplings were performed pre and post-intervention. After 12 weeks, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ) was elevated (P < 0.05) by 10 ± 4% in FDG but not in DG (-3 ± 4%, P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, reductions in blood triglycerides (0.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L), total cholesterol (0.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels were observed only in FDG. Fat mass decreased (P < 0.05) by 3.4 ± 0.4 kg in FDG and 3.7 ± 0.4 kg in DG. The lower (P < 0.05) glucagon and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance indicated an improvement in insulin sensitivity in FDG. In conclusion, football combined with restricted diet was effective in enhancing VO2max , reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing insulin sensitivity, potentially providing better tools for the prevention of T2D complications than diet alone.