Epidemiological Analysis of 245 Patients with Athletic Pubalgia.

Objective To analyze the clinicoepidemiological characteristics of pubalgia in athletes and to define the epidemiological profile of patients complaining of lower abdomen and groin pain at a specialized center. Methodology We conducted a retrospective study based on a case series to evaluate the epidemiological profile of 245 athletes with pubalgia reported in their medical records from October 2015 to February 2018. The selected sample underwent a clinical evaluation, and the results were recorded through the application of a questionnaire. Results The sample consisted of 245 patients aged between 14 and 75 years. Soccer and running were the most prevalent sports. Most subjects (58%) trained or played sports 3 or more days a week. After evaluating specific sports movements, symptoms worsened in 24% of the patients when changing direction; in 23%, when kicking; in 22%, during sprints and speed training; in 17%, during long runs; and in 14%, when jumping. Pain during intercourse was reported by 13% of the patients. For most subjects (80%), the inguinal region, the adductor muscles, and the pubis (midline) were the main pain sites. The tests involving adductor contraction against resistance with an extended knee was positive in 77.6% of the patients, and the one involving simultaneous hip and abdomen flexion against resistance was positive in 76.7% of the sample. Conclusion The present study has demonstrated the predominance of pubalgia in male patients who play soccer and practice running. In most cases (80%), pain occurred in the inguinal region, the adductor muscles, and the pubis. Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis took more than six months for most patients.

Epidemiological Analysis of 245 Patients with Athletic Pubalgia / Análise epidemiológica de 245 pacientes com pubalgia atlética

Abstract Objective To analyze the clinicoepidemiological characteristics of pubalgia in athletes and to define the epidemiological profile of patients complaining of lower abdomen and groin pain at a specialized center. Methodology We conducted a retrospective study based on a case series to evaluate the epidemiological profile of 245 athletes with pubalgia reported in their medical records from October 2015 to February 2018. The selected sample underwent a clinical evaluation, and the results were recorded through the application of a questionnaire. Results The sample consisted of 245 patients aged between 14 and 75 years. Soccer and running were the most prevalent sports. Most subjects (58%) trained or played sports 3 or more days a week. After evaluating specific sports movements, symptoms worsened in 24% of the patients when changing direction; in 23%, when kicking; in 22%, during sprints and speed training; in 17%, during long runs; and in 14%, when jumping. Pain during intercourse was reported by 13% of the patients. For most subjects (80%), the inguinal region, the adductor muscles, and the pubis (midline) were the main pain sites. The tests involving adductor contraction against resistance with an extended knee was positive in 77.6% of the patients, and the one involving simultaneous hip and abdomen flexion against resistance was positive in 76.7% of the sample. Conclusion The present study has demonstrated the predominance of pubalgia in male patients who play soccer and practice running. In most cases (80%), pain occurred in the inguinal region, the adductor muscles, and the pubis. Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis took more than six months for most patients.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar as características clínico-epidemiológicas da pubalgia do atleta, e definir o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com queixa de dor na região baixa do abdômen e virilha avaliados em um centro especializado. Metodologia Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo de uma série de casos, no qual se avaliou o perfil epidemiológico de 245 pacientes esportistas com pubalgia, registrados em prontuário, entre outubro de 2015 e fevereiro de 2018. A amostra selecionada foi submetida a uma avaliação clínica, e os resultados foram documentados a partir da aplicação de um questionário. Resultados A amostra estudada foi de 245 pacientes com idades que variavam entre 14 e 75 anos. O futebol e a corrida foram os esportes mais prevalentes, e 58% treinavam ou praticavam esporte 3 ou mais dias por semana. Após a avaliação dos movimentos esportivos específicos, foi observada piora dos sintomas em 24% com a troca de direção; em 23%, nos chutes; em 22%, nos sprints e treinos de velocidade; em 17%, nas corridas longas; e em 14%, nos saltos. Dor durante o ato sexual foi relatado em 13% dos pacientes. A maior parte dos pacientes (80%) relatou que a região inguinal, os adutores e o púbis (linha média) eram os principais sítios da dor. O teste de contração dos adutores contra resistência com joelho em extensão foi positivo em 77,6% dos pacientes avaliados, e o teste de Flexão simultânea do Quadril + Abdômen contra resistência foi positivo em 76.7% dos pacientes. Conclusão O presente estudo demonstrou o predomínio dessa lesão nos pacientes do sexo masculino praticantes de futebol e de corrida. A dor, na maioria dos casos (80%), estava presente na região inguinal, nos adutores e no púbis. A maioria dos pacientes demorou mais de seis meses para ter o diagnóstico clínico confirmado.

Tecnogeografias: modulações nas ecologias e políticas cognitivas / Technogeography: rearrangements in cognitive ecologies and politics

Resumo Apresentamos uma pesquisa-intervenção concebida para analisar o jogo de localização "Um dia no Jardim Botânico", projetado para ser jogado por crianças e adolescentes no Jardim Botânico de Porto Alegre. Usando o jogo como instrumento de pesquisa, investigamos as articulações e percepções que ele ofereceu aos jogadores durante a exploração do espaço híbrido Jardim-jogo. Consideramos o campo empírico da pesquisa como um espaço tecnogeográfico que se configura localmente e constitui planos de consistência para a existência de objetos e ações e suas relações que são, ao mesmo tempo, ficcionais e reais. Assim, seguimos os efeitos do jogo tomado como uma experiência programada que participa do modo como percepções e explorações ocorrem nesse espaço público; bem como as modulações nas políticas e ecologias cognitivas que daí emergem. As oficinas nos permitiram acompanhar o processo de reconfiguração da política cognitiva desse espaço e repensar o conceito de experiência programada nos jogos de localização.(AU)

Abstract This is an intervention research intended to analyze a gps-based game named "A day at the Botanical Garden", designed for children and teenagers at Porto Alegre´s Botanical Garden. By using the game as a research instrument, we meant to investigate the articulations of actions and perceptions it makes possible as players explore the hybrid garden-game space. Such empirical field is herein understood as a technogeographic space, locally arranged and able to offer patterns of consistency to the existence of objects and their relations, being simulteneaously real and fictional. We therefore consider the game as a designed experience that participates in the way perceptions and explorations emerge in a public space; as well as the cognitive ecologies and politics it might enable. By conducting a series of workshops with the game, we could track the rearrangements in players´ cognitive politics and rethink the concept of designed experienced applied to gps-based games.(AU)

The future of novel diagnostics in medical mycology.

Several fungal diseases have become serious threats to human health and life, especially upon the advent of human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS epidemics and of other typical immunosuppressive conditions of modern life. Accordingly, the burden posed by these diseases and, concurrently, by intensive therapeutic regimens against these diseases has increased worldwide. Existing and available rapid tests for point-of-care diagnosis of important fungal diseases could enable the limitations of current laboratory methods for detection and identification of medically important fungi to be surpassed, both in low-income countries and for first-line diagnosis (screening) in richer countries. As with conventional diagnostic methods and devices, former immunodiagnostics have been challenged by molecular biology-based platforms, as a way to enhance the sensitivity and shorten the assay time, thus enabling early and more accurate diagnosis. Most of these tests have been developed in-house, without adequate validation and standardization. Another challenge has been the DNA extraction step, which is especially critical when dealing with fungi. In this paper, we have identified three major research trends in this field: (1) the application of newer biorecognition techniques, often applied in analytical chemistry; (2) the development of new materials with improved physico-chemical properties; and (3) novel bioanalytical platforms, allowing fully automated testing. Keeping up to date with the fast technological advances registered in this field, primarily at the proof-of-concept level, is essential for wise assessment of those that are likely to be more cost effective and, as already observed for bacterial and viral pathogens, may provide leverage to the current tepid developmental status of novel and improved diagnostics for medical mycology.

Nucleic-acid testing, new platforms and nanotechnology for point-of-decision diagnosis of animal pathogens.

Accurate disease diagnosis in animals is crucial for animal well-being but also for preventing zoonosis transmission to humans. In particular, livestock diseases may constitute severe threats to humans due to the particularly high physical contact and exposure and, also, be the cause of important economic losses, even in non-endemic countries, where they often arise in the form of rapid and devastating epidemics. Rapid diagnostic tests have been used for a long time in field situations, particularly during outbreaks. However, they mostly rely on serological approaches, which may confirm the exposure to a particular pathogen but may be inappropriate for point-of-decision (point-of-care) settings when emergency responses supported on early and accurate diagnosis are required. Moreover, they often exhibit modest sensitivity and hence significantly depend on later result confirmation in central or reference laboratories. The impressive advances observed in recent years in materials sciences and in nanotechnology, as well as in nucleic-acid synthesis and engineering, have led to an outburst of new in-the-bench and prototype tests for nucleic-acid testing towards point-of-care diagnosis of genetic and infectious diseases. Manufacturing, commercial, regulatory, and technical nature issues for field applicability more likely have hindered their wider entrance into veterinary medicine and practice than have fundamental science gaps. This chapter begins by outlining the current situation, requirements, difficulties, and perspectives of point-of-care tests for diagnosing diseases of veterinary interest. Nucleic-acid testing, particularly for the point of care, is addressed subsequently. A range of valuable signal transduction mechanisms commonly employed in proof-of-concept schemes and techniques born on the analytical chemistry laboratories are also described. As the essential core of this chapter, sections dedicated to the principles and applications of microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, and nanotechnology for the development of point-of-care tests are presented. Microdevices already applied or under development for application in field diagnosis of animal diseases are reviewed.

Genotypic diversity of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from Northern Portugal.

The Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii species complex members are the main agents of systemic cryptococcosis. This disease is believed to be acquired from the environment via fungal cell inhalation. Often, isolates recovered from environmental and clinical sources have proven to be genotypically similar. We assessed the occurrence of C. neoformans and C. gattii in environmental substrates collected in a Portuguese region. Twenty-eight isolates were identified as C. neoformans - five from decaying Eucalyptus leaves and 23 from domestic pigeon droppings. The isolates were genotyped using a URA5-RFLP approach. The C. neoformans VNIV (53.6%, n = 15) and VNI (32.1%, n = 9) genotypes were abundantly present among environmental isolates. The hybrid VNIII (14.3%, n = 4) genotype was underrepresented and the VNII was not found. Cryptococcus gattii was also not found although some isolates yielded a positive canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue test.

Update on dengue in Africa.

Dengue fever is a major public health problem worldwide, being considered one of the most important re-emerging diseases of today. Dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors, while being widely spread across all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, have recently emerged in temperate regions as well. In Africa, both the virus and the vector mosquitoes exist, but, unlike in Asia or South America, human dengue cases have been identified only occasionally, without reports of severe outbreaks, until a few years ago. Recent episodes in the African continent evidenced the lack of effective and reliable programmes for surveillance and control of dengue outbreaks. This paper tries to give a brief overview of the current status of dengue in Africa and to assess the main risk factors for any massive outbreaks in the future, while outlining the currently envisaged strategies to face this emergent threat.

Biosensors and rapid diagnostic tests on the frontier between analytical and clinical chemistry for biomolecular diagnosis of dengue disease: a review.

The past decades have witnessed enormous technological improvements towards the development of simple, cost-effective and accurate rapid diagnostic tests for detection and identification of infectious pathogens. Among them is dengue virus, the etiologic agent of the mosquito-borne dengue disease, one of the most important emerging infectious pathologies of nowadays. Dengue fever may cause potentially deadly hemorrhagic symptoms and is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical world, being also a serious threat to temperate countries in the developed world. Effective diagnostics for dengue should be able to discriminate among the four antigenically related dengue serotypes and fulfill the requirements for successful decentralized (point-of-care) testing in the harsh environmental conditions found in most tropical regions. The accurate identification of circulating serotypes is crucial for the successful implementation of vector control programs based on reliable epidemiological predictions. This paper briefly summarizes the limitations of the main conventional techniques for biomolecular diagnosis of dengue disease and critically reviews some of the most relevant biosensors and rapid diagnostic tests developed, implemented and reported so far for point-of-care testing of dengue infections. The invaluable contributions of microfluidics and nanotechnology encompass the whole paper, while evaluation concerns of rapid diagnostic tests and foreseen technological improvements in this field are also overviewed for the diagnosis of dengue and other infectious and tropical diseases as well.

Biosensors as rapid diagnostic tests for tropical diseases.

Effective diagnosis of infectious pathogens is essential for disease identification and subsequent adequate treatment, to prevent drug resistance and to adopt suitable public health interventions for the prevention and control of epidemic outbreaks. Particular situations under which medical diagnostics operate in tropical environments make the use of new easy-to-use diagnostic tools the preferred (or even unique) option. These diagnostic tests and devices, usually based on biosensing methods, are being increasingly exploited as promising alternatives to classical, "heavy" lab instrumentation for clinical diagnosis, allowing simple, inexpensive and point-of-care testing. However, in many developing countries the lack of accessibility and affordability for many commercial diagnostic tests remains a major cause of high disease burden in such regions. We present a comprehensive overview about the problems of conventional medical diagnosis of infectious pathologies in tropical regions, while pointing out new methods and analytical tools for in-the-field and decentralized diagnosis of current major infectious tropical diseases. The review includes not only biosensor-based rapid diagnostic tests approved by regulatory entities and already commercialized, but also those at the early stages of research.

Electrochemical Detection of a Dengue-related Oligonucleotide Sequence Using Ferrocenium as a Hybridization Indicator.

A simple method for electrochemical detection of a synthetic 20-bpoligonucleotide sequence related with dengue virus genome was developed. Acomplimentary DNA probe sequence was electrostatically immobilized onto a glassycarbon electrode modified with chitosan. Electrochemical detection of hybridizationbetween probe and target was performed by cyclic voltammetry, using ferrocene (Fc ) as ahybridization label. After hybridization, the peak current response of Fc oxidationincreased around 26%. A higher voltammetric decay rate constant (kd) and a lower half-lifeperiod (t1/2) for the interaction of Fc with dsDNA compared to those with ssDNAquantitatively characterize the different strengths of interaction with both types of DNA.By combining the simplicity of DNA immobilization onto a chitosan film and suitablevoltammetric detection of hybridization concomitant with ferrocene attachment, a gooddiscrimination between ssDNA and dsDNA was obtained.