Ana Paula Vasconcellos Abdon

Gastroprotective potential of frutalin, a d-galactose binding lectin, against ethanol-induced gastric lesions

The present study was designed to verify whether frutalin (FTL) affords gastroprotection against the ethanol-induced gastric damage and to examine the underlying mechanism(s). Gastric damage was induced by intragastric administration of 0.2 ml of ethanol (96%). Mice in groups were pretreated with FTL (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg; i.p.), cimetidine (100 mg/kg; p.o.), or vehicle (0.9% of NaCl, 10 mL/kg; p.o.), 30 min before ethanol administration. They were sacrificed 30 min later, the stomachs excised, and the mucosal lesion area (mm²) measured by planimetry. Gastroprotection was assessed in relation to inhibition of gastric lesion area. To study the gastroprotective mechanism(s), its relations to capsaicin-sensitive fibers, endogenous prostaglandins, nitric oxide, sulphydryls, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, adrenoceptors, opioid receptors and calcium channels were analyzed. Treatments effects on ethanol-associated oxidative stress markers GSH and MDA were measured in gastric tissue. FTL afforded a dose-unrelated gastroprotection against the ethanol damage. However, it failed to prevent the ethanol-induced changes in the levels of GSH and MDA. It was observed that the gastroprotection by FTL was greatly reduced in animals pretreated with capsazepine, indomethacin, L-NAME or glibenclamide. Considering the results, it is suggested that the FTL could probably be a good therapeutic agent for the development of new medicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Perfil funcional de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular em tratamento fisioterápico

Objectives: To assess the functional profile of patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) receiving physical therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried with 21 patients receiving physiotherapy care during the year of 2007 at the Center for Integrated Medical Care (Nucleo de Atencao Medica Integrada - NAMI), in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. Those were submitted to anamnesis (age, presence of pain, affected sites and parafunctional habits) and functional assessment (presence of trigger points, movement amplitude and postural evaluation). Results: The age varied from 16 to 56 years, with an average of 31.3 ± 14.85 and female gender was the most affected with 17 (81.0%) patients. Of the assessed patients, 13 (61.9%) presented pain of moderate intensity, with an average of 5.4 ± 0.50. The most common sites of pain were the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), reported by 15 (71.4%), and cervical region, reported by 13 (61.9%) patients. We found that 13 (61.9%) assessed patients reported clenching as parafunctional habit. Significant limitation of mouth opening and movements of the cervical region were observed when compared to normal values (p <0.05). The most painful muscles on palpation were upper trapezius (n=19), medial pterygoid (n=15) and the masseter (n=15). The TMJ presented strong pain (degree 3) on palpation in 3 (14.3%) patients. In postural assessment, 10 (47.6%) had cervical hyperlordosis, 7 (33%) had forward head posture and 7 (33%) had raised shoulders. Conclusion: Patients with TMJD receiving physical therapy present limitations in TMJ and cervical movement, pain, presence of trigger points and postural changes at a more compromised and symptomatic stage of this dysfunction. In view of this, it becomes necessary to provide early evaluation and treatment with physical therapy.

Conhecimento de graduandos em fisioterapia na Universidade de Fortaleza sobre o Sistema Único de Saúde

Um novo modelo de saude publica, visando corrigir o sistema de saude inadequado as necessidades da populacao, foi proposto na 8a Conferencia Nacional de Saude em 1986. Ate hoje, porem, o funcionamento do sistema unico de saude (SUS) ainda esta muito distante de seus principios basicos. Uma questao frequente a respeito e a da capacitacao de profissionais para atuar no SUS. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o conhecimento sobre o SUS dos graduandos em Fisioterapia na Universidade de Fortaleza, por meio da aplicacao de um questionario especialmente elaborado. Participaram 56 dentre os 68 graduandos em 2007, independente de sexo e idade. Os resultados mostram que 41 (73,2%) dos entrevistados alegam ter recebido na graduacao formacao adequada para atuar no SUS; 32 (62,5%) tinham feito estagio em unidade basica de saude; e 47 (83,9%) julgaram-se aptos a atuar no sistema. A media de acertos sobre os principios doutrinarios e organizacionais, origem, funcao e financiamento do SUS foi significativamente maior que a de erros (p<0,05). Pode-se concluir que a maioria dos academicos de Fisioterapia da Unifor revelam deter conhecimento sobre o SUS, adquirido em grande parte no curso de graduacao, e acreditam estar preparados para atuar no sistema unico de saude.

O estágio extracurricular na formação profissional: a opinião dos estudantes de fisioterapia

This study aimed to investigate the opinion of the Physiotherapy students on the extracurricular in- ternship and the influence of this practice on their profes- sional formation. A cross-sectional study was performed with Physical Therapy students from a higher education institution in Ceara, Brazil. The sample consisted of 157 stu- dents, 29 men (18.5%) and 128 women (81.5%), with mean age of 22.6±4.02 years, from second to last semester of graduation. A questionnaire was applied with 20 objective questions covering the experiences and repercussions of this practice. A total of 61 (38.9%) surveyed students af- firmed to have participated of extracurricular internship. Out of these, 55 (90.2%) were motivated by the neces- sity of acquiring experience; 53 (86.9%) were performing therapeutic interventions in patients; and 13 (21.3%) had 15 to 20 working hours. However, 36 academics (59.0%) did work in disagreement with the rules of the Federal Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The stu- dents considered the extracurricular internship as a tool of improvement of their professional formation, because it allowed the practice of common physical therapist daily life activities procedures and techniques. There is a neces- sity for competent organizations to inspect these kind of activities, so that the students can practice tasks accord- ingly their qualification level.

Avaliação neurofuncional em pacientes com hanseníase

Objective: To investigate neurofunctional alterations in patients affected by leprosy, also searching to identify their socioeconomic and clinical profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 51 adult patients diagnosed with leprosy, regardless of gender, conducted in a reference center in 2010, in which the simplified neurofunctional evaluation form and a questionnaire (socioeconomic and clinical data) were applied. Findings were presented in a descriptive approach. Results: The study found a mean age of 46.4 ± 14.9 years, 32 (62.7%) patients of male sex, 32 (62.7%) with incomplete elementary school and 37 (72.5%) with family income between 1 and 3 minimum wages. The mean time of treatment was 14.4 ± 15.63 months. The multibacillary type of leprosy predominated (n=18/35.3%) with tuberculoid form (n=11/21.6%). The interphalangeal joints of upper and lower limbs were compromised in 5 (9.8%) and 6 (11.7%) patients, respectively. The most affected nerves were the posterior tibial in 19 (37.3%), the ulnar in 17 (33.3%), and the common fibular in 13 (25.5%) patients. The muscles with deficit were the extensor hallucis (n=8/15.7%), the toe extensors (n=6/11.8%) and the 5o finger abductor (n=6/11.8%). It was observed that 35 patients (68.6%) presented sensitive alterations in lower limbs and 14 (27.5%) presented functional incapacity degree 1. Conclusion: The study highlighted the socioeconomic profile of leprosy patients as men, low educational level and income, with multibacillary operational classification showing tuberculoid clinical form. In the neurofunctional assessment, there were sensory changes with higher incidence than the motor alterations, as well as discreet presence of deformities and high degree of functional disability. doi:10.5020/18061230.2014.p247

Percepção de pacientes com diabetes sobre o autocuidado

Objective: To analyze the diabetic patients’ perception of self-care. Methods: Qualitative study, carried out in a diabetes and hypertension referral center in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, in the period from February to June 2016. The sample consisted of 12 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who attended the meetings of the Social Responsibility Program. For data collection, a focus group was carried out, followed by the thematic analysis, thus emerging four categories: acquisition of healthy life habits; eating and physical activity allied to diabetes management; continuous adherence to medication for prevention of injuries; and daily care with diabetic foot prevention. Results: It can be understood, through the reports, that there is development of awareness based on the practice of education and health presented by the participants linked to the program. The patients expressed to the group the importance of their awareness of the essential care procedures for management of diabetes, highlighting good health practices, such as: a balanced diet, the regular practice of physical exercises, non-abandonment of medication therapy, and foot hygiene and care. Conclusion: The study found that the Social Responsibility Program gave rise to changes in life habits, considering the practice of health education as fundamental to the diabetic patients’ perception.

OCORRÊNCIA DE DOR NA COLUNA VERTEBRAL E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE MANICURES E PEDICURES

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of spine column pain in manicures/pedicures and verify its relationship with quality of life. Methods: A quantitative and descriptive crosssectional research conducted from February to June 2010 with 30 professionals aged between 18 and 45 years and with at least one year of work experience. After selection, two questionnaires were applied: the SF-36 and another developed by the researchers with questions related to occupation (working hours and length of service), occurrence of pain and its characteristics (location, type, frequency and intensity). Results: Of the 30 participants, 76.7% (n=23) reported pain, with 63.3% (n=19) occurrence in the lumbar spine and 46.7% (n=14) occurrence of chronic type (lasting more than 6 months). A total of 36.7% (n=11) of interviewees reported daily pain with an average intensity of 6.1+2.24. Age and length of service rates were higher in the group of people who felt pain (34.2+6.80 and 12.3+6.39 years respectively). Regarding the quality of life in the group of people who did not feel pain, the domains “functional capacity”, “pain” and “general health status” had higher scores when compared to the group of people who felt pain (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was detected a high occurrence of spinal column pain among manicures / pedicures, especially in the lumbar spine, leading to functional limitations, and a consequent change in quality of life. doi:10.5020/18061230.2013.p318