LLCGs were not associated with improved performance in VJ, VOmax, VOsubmax, [La], or RPE during high-intensity exercise. Such evidence should be taken into account when considering using LLCGs to enhance running performance.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the present study was to compare self-report and interview administration methods using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) in patients with rotator cuff disorders. METHODS: Thirty male and female patients over 18 years of age with rotator cuff disorders (tendinopathy or rotator cuff tear) and Brazilian Portuguese as their primary language were recruited for assessment via administration of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. A randomization method was used to determine whether the questionnaires would be self-reported (n=15) or administered by an interviewer (n=15). Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation between the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire in each group. The t-test was used to determine whether the difference in mean questionnaire scores and administration time was statistically significant. For statistical analysis, the level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean subject age was 55.07 years, ranging from 27 to 74 years. Most patients had a diagnosis of tendinopathy (n=21). With regard to level of schooling, the majority (n=26) of subjects had completed a college degree or higher. The mean questionnaire scores and administration times did not significantly differ between the two groups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) between Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, and strong correlations were found between the questionnaires in both groups. CONCLUSION: There are no differences between the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire administration methods with regard to administration time or correlations between the questionnaires.

Among the health professions, nursing, in particular, has been affected by musculoskeletal disorders. The WMSD produce changes in the lives of these workers, impossible of them held daily activities and labour. Objective: Investigating the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated with the quality of life in nursing professionals who work in surgery teams. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted between March 2011 and January 2012 in a tertiary university hospital in southern Brazil. We evaluated 110 workers nursing teams. It was excluded workers on sick leave, vacation or other absence during the period of data collection. The musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire the quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 -Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). The relationship between musculoskeletal pain and quality of life were analyzed by the U of Mann-Whitney test, using a significance level of 95%. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain found in this study was 91.81%. With respect to anatomic regions, it was considered the complaints of musculoskeletal pain retroactive twelve months ago, where there was the predominance of neck pain (56%) and shoulders (56%). When we consider sick leaving for musculoskeletal pain we found the prevalence of low back pain (34%). The group who reported no musculoskeletal pain showed better indices of quality of life in the areas of physical functioning, physical aspect, bodily pain, vitality, social and mental health aspect. Conclusion: the higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck and shoulder regions. Moreover, the largest number of sick leaves occurs because of the prevalence of low back pain among nursing staff of the surgical teams. The pain influenced the quality of life affecting six of the areas assessed.

BackgroundSchistosomiasis mansoni is a parasitic liver disease, which causes several metabolic disturbances. Here, we evaluate the influence of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphism, a known modulator of lipid metabolism, on plasma lipid levels in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.Methodology/Principal FindingsBlood samples were used for APOE genotyping and to measure total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides. Schistosomiasis patients had reduced TC, LDL-C and triglycerides (25%, 38% and 32% lower, respectively; P<0.0001) compared to control individuals, whereas HDL-C was increased (10% higher; P = 0.0136). Frequency of the common alleles, ε2, ε3 and ε4, was similar (P = 0.3568) between controls (n = 108) and patients (n = 84), implying that APOE genotype did not affect susceptibility to the advanced stage of schistosomiasis. Nevertheless, while patient TC and LDL-C levels were significantly reduced for each allele (except TC in ε2 patients), changes in HDL-C and triglycerides were noted only for the less common ε2 and ε4 alleles. The most striking finding, however, was that accepted regulation of plasma lipid levels by APOE genotype was disrupted by schistosomiasis. Thus, while ε2 controls had higher TC and LDL-C than ε3 carriers, these parameters were lower in ε2 versus ε3 patients. Similarly, the inverse relationship of TG levels in controls (ε2>ε3>ε4) was absent in patients (ε2 or ε4>ε3), and the increase in HDL-C of ε2 or ε4 patients compared to ε3 patients was not seen in the control groups.Conclusion/SignificanceWe confirm that human schistosomiasis causes dyslipidemia and report for the first time that certain changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels depend on APOE gene polymorphism. Importantly, we also concluded that S. mansoni disrupts the expected regulation of plasma lipids by the different ApoE isoforms. This finding suggests ways to identify new metabolic pathways affected by schistosomiasis and also potential molecular targets to treat associated morbidities.

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BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan can improve cardiac function in patients with heart disease.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on cardiac rehabilitation for patients with coronary artery disease.MethodsWe performed a search for studies published in English, Portuguese and Spanish in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Data were extracted in a standardized manner by three independent investigators, who were responsible for assessing the methodological quality of the manuscripts.ResultsThe initial search found 201 studies that, after review of titles and abstracts, resulted in a selection of 12 manuscripts. They were fully analyzed and of these, nine were excluded. As a final result, three randomized controlled trials remained. The studies analyzed in this systematic review included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of coronary artery disease, all were clinically stable and able to exercise. The three experiments had a control group that practiced structured exercise training or received counseling for exercise. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 12 months.ConclusionPreliminary evidence suggests that Tai Chi Chuan can be an unconventional form of cardiac rehabilitation, being an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease. However, the methodological quality of the included articles and the small sample sizes clearly indicate that new randomized controlled trials are needed in this regard.

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A esquistossomose mansônica é uma doença tropical que constitui um importante problema de saúde pública, na Região Nordeste do Brasil, onde é encontrada em alta endemicidade. Essa parasitose tem o fígado como principal alvo de suas lesões histológicas, alterações fisiopatológicas e manifestações clínicas. Estudos anteriores reportam alterações no metabolismo lipídico associadas à forma hepatoesplênica da esquistosomose.Uma das principais alterações consiste na redução da atividade da enzima hepática LCAT, responsável pela esterificação do colesterol no plasma. Neste trabalho, avaliamos a atividade da LCAT no plasma de pacientes portadores da esquistossomose mansônica hepatoesplênica, os quais foram submetidos a esplenectomia e reimplante de parte de tecido do baço. A atividade enzimática da LCAT foi determinada com substrato radioativo. O [14C]colesterol livre e esterificado, formados por ação da LCAT, foram separados por cromatografia em camada delgada e a radioatividade das amostras foi contada em analisador de cintilação líquida. A atividade da LCAT nos pacientes submetidos a esplenectomia e reimplante de tecido do baço apresentou redução de 32 %, em relação ao grupo controle. Contudo, nos portadores da doença que não foram submetidos ao procedimento cirúrgico a redução na atividade da LCAT foi o dobro (64%) da observada em pacientes esplenectomizados e com reimplante de parte do tecido do baço. Esses resultados sugerem haver uma melhora significativa no efeito da forma grave da esquistossomose mansônica sobre a atividade da LCAT.