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This work incorporated bioactives extracted from jabuticaba peel in the form of concentrated extract (JBE) and microencapsulated powders with maltodextrin (MDP) and gum arabic (GAP) in a dairy drink, evaluating its stability, in vitro bioaccessibility, and glycemic response. We evaluated the pH, acidity, colorimetry, total phenolics and anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity, degradation kinetics and half-life of anthocyanins, bioaccessibility, and postprandial glycemic physicochemical characteristics response in healthy individuals. The drinks incorporated with polyphenols (JBE, GAP, and MDP) and the control dairy drink (CDD) maintained stable pH and acidity over 28 days. In color, the parameter a*, the most relevant to the study, was reduced for all formulations due to degradation of anthocyanins. Phenolic and antioxidant content remained constant. In bioaccessibility, we found that after the gastrointestinal simulation, there was a decrease in phenolics and anthocyanins in all formulations. In the glycemic response, we observed that the smallest incremental areas of glucose were obtained for GAP and JBE compared to CDD, demonstrating that polyphenols reduced glucose absorption. Then, the bioactives from jabuticaba peel, incorporated into a dairy drink, showed good storage stability and improved the product's functional aspects.

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Magnesium tetraborate (MgB4O7) is an example of a material that has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of ionising radiation dosimetry. Several challenges are present in order to achieve considerable advances in luminescence dosimetry. The incorporation of efficient dopants in the host matrix has been an experimentally useful but limited strategy. The lack of specific information about the introduced defects as well as their connection with the trapping and recombination processes associated with light emission may be quoted as challenging examples. Here, we demonstrate the influence of lithium incorporation on Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL)/Thermoluminescence (TL) signal modification/suppression of MgB4O7 by combining experimental and computational procedures. Li substitution into the Mg site leads to a signal suppression due to the probable quenching of the Fs and Fs+ centres in MgO and the formation of O''i, drastically reducing the possibility of MgO anti-Schottky defect formation in MgB4O7. When using Li-co-doped MgB4O7:Ce3+, the Li ions act as a charge balancer, facilitating the entry of Ce ions into the interstitial pores and making possible a positive synergistic effect on the luminescence and dosimetric properties. These findings provide new insights into designing more efficient dosimeters by tuning dopants.

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Ischemia of the optic nerve (ON) is an important cause of visual field deficit provoked by tuberculum sellae (TS) meningiomas. Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography could provide prognostic information. Moreover, it allows new insight into the pathophysiology of visual disturbance. The authors present the case of a 48-year-old woman with visual field impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicted a lesion highly suggestive of a TS meningioma. Following microsurgical resection, ICG videoangiography demonstrated improvement of right ON pial blood supply. In this case, there was one lesion causing visual impairment through both direct compression over the left ON and ischemia to the right nerve. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.10.FOCVID21155.

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Vestibular schwannomas are a multifaceted group of tumors that can present with different sizes and involvement of critical neurovascular structures.1-6 While operating on these tumors, a critical goal is postoperative preservation of facial nerve function and hearing. We present the case of a 66-year-old male with a history of severe left-sided tinnitus and progressive hearing loss (Video 1). Preoperative imaging depicted a lesion highly suggestive of an intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma. Due to worsening of symptoms and after thoughtful discussion with the patient, microsurgical resection was indicated under constant neurophysiologic monitoring. A retrosigmoid approach was employed, and the posterior wall of the internal auditory canal was opened, allowing exposure of tumor and its total resection. Postoperative imaging demonstrated complete tumor resection. The patient's symptoms improve, and there were no new neurologic deficits on follow-up. Anatomical images were a Courtesy of the Rhoton Collection, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Neurosurgical Research and Education Foundation (NREF).

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AIM: To study the prevalence of Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), anti-thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin or TgAb and thyroperoxidase or TPOAb) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. To analyze if associated HT, TgAb and/or TPOAb influence clinical or serological profiles, disease activity and/or its cumulative damage. METHODS: Three hundred and one SLE patients and 141 controls were studied for thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxin, TgAb and TPOAb by chemiluminescence and immunometric assays. Patients' charts were reviewed for serological and clinical profiles. Activity was measured by SLE Disease Activity Index and cumulative damage by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index for SLE. SLE patients were divided into: (i) with HT; (ii) with anti-thyroid antibodies but without HT; and (iii) without HT and without anti-thyroid antibodies, and were then compared. Furthermore, SLE patients were compared according to the number of positive anti-thyroid antibodies. RESULTS: Hashimoto thyroiditis prevalence in SLE was 12.6% and 5.6% in controls (P = 0.02; odds ratio = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.09-5.2). Lupus patients with HT had less malar rash (P = 0.02) and more anti-Sm (P = 0.04). Anti-Sm was more common in those with two anti-thyroid antibodies than in those with one or negative. The presence of HT or the number of positive autoantibodies did not associate either with disease activity (P = 0.95) or with cumulative damage (P = 0.98). CONCLUSION: There is a two-fold increased risk of HT in SLE patients. Anti-Sm antibodies favor this association and also double antibody positivity. Disease activity and cumulative damage are not related to HT or with autoantibodies.

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BACKGROUND: Thyroid autoimmunity is more common in patients with rheumatic diseases than in healthy populations. The degree of association seems subject to influence from patients' geographical location. Here, we aimed to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a cohort of patients with systemic rheumatic disease and the degree of association between its presence and inflammatory activity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional observational study in a rheumatology unit. METHODS: 301 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 210 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 58 with scleroderma (SSc) and 80 with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were studied regarding thyroid function (TSH and T4), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOab) and compared with 141 healthy controls. Disease activity in patients with rheumatic disease was assessed through appropriate indexes. RESULTS: There were more antithyroid antibodies in SLE patients with hypothyroidism (P = 0.01; odds ratio, OR 2.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.20-6.26) and in those without hypothyroidism (P = 0.06; OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.28-4.55) than in controls. SSc patients also showed: P = 0.03 both with antithyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.06-10.80) and without hypothyroidism (OR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.11-0.13). RA and SpA patients had the same prevalence as controls (P not significant). Presence of autoantibodies with and without hypothyroidism was not associated with the activity or functional indexes evaluated. CONCLUSION: SLE and SSc were associated with higher prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with and without hypothyroidism, unlike SpA and RA. There was no link between thyroid autoantibody presence and disease activity or functional impairment.

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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Thyroid autoimmunity is more common in patients with rheumatic diseases than in healthy populations. The degree of association seems subject to influence from patients' geographical location. Here, we aimed to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a cohort of patients with systemic rheumatic disease and the degree of association between its presence and inflammatory activity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional observational study in a rheumatology unit. METHODS: 301 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 210 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 58 with scleroderma (SSc) and 80 with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were studied regarding thyroid function (TSH and T4), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOab) and compared with 141 healthy controls. Disease activity in patients with rheumatic disease was assessed through appropriate indexes. RESULTS: There were more antithyroid antibodies in SLE patients with hypothyroidism (P = 0.01; odds ratio, OR 2.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.20-6.26) and in those without hypothyroidism (P = 0.06; OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.28-4.55) than in controls. SSc patients also showed: P = 0.03 both with antithyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.06-10.80) and without hypothyroidism (OR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.11-0.13). RA and SpA patients had the same prevalence as controls (P not significant). Presence of autoantibodies with and without hypothyroidism was not associated with the activity or functional indexes evaluated. CONCLUSION: SLE and SSc were associated with higher prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with and without hypothyroidism, unlike SpA and RA. There was no link between thyroid autoantibody presence and disease activity or functional impairment.

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[Purpose] This study aimed to assess the exercise capacity and muscle strength in elderly people using drugs for angiotensin-II blockage. [Subjects and Methods] Four hundred and seven older adults were recruited for this study. Data about comorbidities and medication use were recorded and the individuals were divided into three groups: control group- elderly people with normal exercise capacity (n=235); angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group - individuals using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n=140); and angiotensin-II receptor blocker group- patients using angiotensin-II receptor blockers (n= 32). Exercise capacity was evaluated by a 6-minute walking test and muscle strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. [Results] Patients from the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group (mean: 99 ± 12%) and the angiotensin-II receptor blocker group (mean: 101 ± 14%) showed higher predicted values in the 6-minute walking test than the control group patients (mean: 96 ± 10%). Patients from the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group (mean: 105 ± 19%) and the angiotensin-II receptor blocker group (mean: 105.1 ± 18.73%) showed higher predicted values of muscle strength than control group patients (mean: 98.15 ± 18.77%). [Conclusion] Older adults using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers have better functional exercise capacity and muscle strength.

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A practical and easy control of the authenticity of organic sugarcane samples based on the use of machine-learning algorithms and trace elements determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is proposed. Reference ranges for 32 chemical elements in 22 samples of sugarcane (13 organic and 9 non organic) were established and then two algorithms, Naive Bayes (NB) and Random Forest (RF), were evaluated to classify the samples. Accurate results (>90%) were obtained when using all variables (i.e., 32 elements). However, accuracy was improved (95.4% for NB) when only eight minerals (Rb, U, Al, Sr, Dy, Nb, Ta, Mo), chosen by a feature selection algorithm, were employed. Thus, the use of a fingerprint based on trace element levels associated with classification machine learning algorithms may be used as a simple alternative for authenticity evaluation of organic sugarcane samples.

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This study aimed to compare the postural balance of professional tae kwon do athletes with a non-tae kwon do adult group. Nineteen participants (nine tae kwon do practitioners and ten non-tae kwon do practitioners) were tested. To measure the postural sway, a force platform was used and the equipment recorded the main parameters: area of center of pressure; mean frequency, and velocity of center of pressure for both anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were measured for all participants. Before starting the assessment, the subjects received instructions and performed familiarization with the equipment and protocol. Participants were instructed to carry out three balance tests on a single-leg stance position with eyes opened. Values obtained in the postural assessment of professional athletes with the force platform were lower for all parameters compared to non-practitioners, except the frequency of center of pressure in the mediolateral direction. However, a significant difference (p=0.021) between the groups was found only in the center of pressure velocity parameter in the anteroposterior direction. These results have any implications on sport rehabilitation programs for balance assessments in athletes.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar el equilibrio postural de atletas de tae kwon do profesionales con un grupo de adultos que no practican esto deporte. Diecinueve participantes (nueve practicantes profesionales de tae kwon do y diez no practicantes) se pusieron a prueba. Para evaluar la oscilación postural, se utilizó una plataforma de fuerza y el equipo registró los parámetros principales: el centro de la zona de presión; la frecuencia y la velocidad del centro de la presión tanto para la dirección anteroposterior, y para la medio-lateral. Estas mediciones se registraron para todos los participantes. Antes de iniciar la evaluación, los sujetos recibieron instrucciones y se familiarizaron con el equipo y el protocolo. También fueron instruidos para realizar tres pruebas de equilibrio en un solo pie con los ojos abiertos. Los valores obtenidos en la evaluación postural de los atletas profesionales utilizando la plataforma de fuerza eran más bajos para todos los parámetros en comparación con aquellos de los no profesionales, con la excepción de la frecuencia del centro de presión de la dirección medial-lateral. Sin embargo, se encontró una diferencia significativa (p=0,021) entre los grupos sólo con respecto a la velocidad anteroposterior del centro de presión. Esos resultados tienen implicaciones para los deportes de los programas de rehabilitación para la evaluación del equilibrio postural en los atletas.

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OBJETIVO: Verificar os resultados da cirurgia de implante de segmentos de anel estromal para ceratocone e as possíveis correlações existentes entre o resultado cirúrgico e o estado biomecânico da córnea no pré-operatório. MÉTODOS: Dezenove olhos de 19 pacientes com ceratocone foram avaliados antes e 12 meses após a cirurgia de implante de segmento anel estromal. O implante de um ou dois segmentos de anel de Ferrara foi realizado de acordo com o nomograma, considerando-se espessura da córnea, padrão topográfico da ectasia e o astigmatismo. O teste de Wilcoxon signed rank foi realizado para verificar diferenças entre a acuidade visual (logMAR) corrigida com óculos antes da cirurgia (AVccPré) e a obtida sem correção (AVscPós) e com correção (AVccPós) após a cirurgia, bem como entre os valores pré e pós-operatórios de variáveis tomográficas medidas com o Pentacam e variáveis biomecânicas da córnea medidas com o ORA (ocular response analyzer). As diferenças absolutas antes e após a cirurgia (valores delta - Δ) das variáveis com diferenças significantes foram calculadas. Os valores Δ foram correlacionados com as medidas do ORA no pré-operatório por meio dos testes de Pearson ou de Spaerman, de acordo com a distribuição das variáveis ser normal ou não (teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov). RESULTADOS: Observou-se melhora significante na AVcc, bem como na AVscPós em comparação com a AVccPré (teste de Wilcoxon, p<0,05). Houve redução significativa do astigmatismo ceratométrico (AST), dos valores ceratométricos centrais (K1 e K2), do valor ceratométrico mais elevado (KMáx) e dos índices CKI (índice de severidade do ceratocone - center keratoconus index ), IHD (índice de descentração da elevação - index of height decentration) e ISV (índice de variação da superfície - index of surface variance) após a cirurgia (teste de Wilcoxon, p<0,05). Observou-se um significativo aumento da espessura corneana a 3,8 e a 4mm do ápice em direção temporal no meridiano horizontal, bem como houve deslocamento inferior significativo da posição do KMáx (teste de Wilcoxon, p<0,05). Nenhuma variável biomecânica apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante após a cirurgia (teste de Wilcoxon, p>0,05). Os parâmetros do ORA derivados das pressões de aplanamento: histerese da córnea (corneal hysteresis - CH), fator de resistência da córnea (corneal resistance factor - CRF) e as medidas da pressão ocular (IOPg e IOPcc) não apresentaram correlações significantes com os parâmetros delta (Δ). Quinze das 38 variáveis biomecânicas derivadas do sinal de reflexo da córnea do ORA apresentaram correlação significante com pelo menos um parâmetro Δ, destacando-se as correlações entre o ΔKMáx com aindex e path1 (teste de Pearson, p<0,05; r=-0,56 e 0,56 respectivamente) e entre o ΔAVccPré-AVscPós e aindex (teste de Pearson, p<0,05; r=0,48). A variável que teve maior número de correlações significantes foi w21, que se correlacionou negativamente com ΔK2, ΔK1, ΔCKI e ΔKMáx (teste de Spearman, p<0,05; r=-0,56; -0,55; -0,51 e -0,47) respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Existe melhora significante da acuidade visual e de parâmetros ceratométricos após cirurgia de implante de segmentos de anel de Ferrara para ceratocone. A melhora de diversos destes parâmetros com a cirurgia foi significativamente correlacionada com características biomecânicas derivadas do sinal do reflexo da córnea do ORA no pré-operatório. Um estado biomecânico pré-operatório "mais fraco" ou "menos resistente" foi significativamente relacionado com um maior benefício clínico da cirurgia. Análises com associações múltiplas (multivariadas) são necessárias, incluindo parâmetros tomográficos da córnea e de aberrometria total do pré-operatório. Tais informações abrem novos horizontes para a seleção de pacientes e o planejamento de cirurgia de implante de segmentos de anel para ceratocone.

OBJECTIVE: To verify possible correlations between the biomechanical state of the cornea before surgery and the results of stromal ring segments implant for keratoconus. METHODS: Nineteen eyes of 19 patients with keratoconus were evaluated before and 12 months after stromal ring segment implant surgery. The implant of one or two Ferrara ring segments was performed accordingly to the nomogram, considering corneal thickness, ectasy pattern on topography and astigmatism. The Wilcoxon test was performed to verify the differences between visual acuity (logMAR) with correction before surgery (AVccPre) and without correction (AVscPos) and with correction (AVccPos) after surgery, topography variables measured with Pentacam on pre and post operative and corneal biomechanics variables measure with ORA (ocular response analyzer). The absolute differences before and after the surgery (delta values - Δ) of variables with significant differences were calculated. The Δ values were correlated with the ORA measurements pre-operatively using Pearson or Spearman's tests, according with the distribution of the variables to be or not normal (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). RESULTS: There were significant improvements on AVcc and AVscPos comparing with AVccPre (Wilcoxon test, p<0,05). Significant reduction was observed on keratometric astigmatism (AST), Keratometric central values (K1 and K2), higher keratometric value (KMax) and topometric indices: CKI (Center Keratoconus Index), IHD (Index of Height Decentration) and ISV (Index of Surface Variance) after surgery (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). There was a significant increase in corneal thickness of 3.8 and 4 mm from the apex toward the temporal horizontal meridian observed a significant increase on cornea thickness, and there was significant downward displacement of the position of KMax (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). No variable biomechanical statistically significant difference after surgery (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05). The ORA parameters derivate form the aplanation pressure: Corneal Hysteresis (CH), Corneal Resistance Factor (CRF) and the measures of the ocular pressure (IOPg and IOPcc) showed no significant correlations with the parameters delta (Δ). Fifteen of the 38 biomechanical variables derived from the sign of ORA corneal reflex presented significant correlation with at least one parameter Δ, highlighting the correlations between ΔKMax with aindex e path1 (Pearson test, p<0.05; r=-0.56 and 0.56 respectively) and between AVccPre-AVscPos and aindex (Pearson test, p<0.05; r=0.48). The variable that had the greatest number of significant correlations was w21, which correlated negatively with, ΔK2, ΔK1, ΔCKI and ΔKMax (Spearman test, p<0.05; r=-0.56; -0.55; -0.51 and -0.47) respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a significant improvement in visual acuity and keratometric parameters after surgery of implant the Ferrara ring segments for keratoconus. The improvement of several of these parameters with the surgery was significantly correlated with biomechanical characteristics derived from the signal of the ORA corneal reflex preoperatively. A biomechanical preoperative state "weaker" or "less resistant" was significantly related to greater clinical benefit of surgery. Analysis with multiple associations (multivariate) is necessary, including topographic parameters of the cornea and wavefront analysis of preoperative total. This information opens up new horizons for patient selection and planning of ring segments implant surgery for keratoconus.

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BACKGROUND: Clinical and laboratory methods have been developed to assess the different dimensions of postural control with the aim to increase the clinical relevance of decisions about balance deficit. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to correlate the force platform measurements with two functional tests used to evaluate balance in elderly. METHODS: A total of 124 physically independent elderly volunteers participated in this study. Subjects performed the following three tests: 1) a traditional functional balance test, named the one-leg standing test, which measures the time in seconds at this position; 2) a functionalagility/dynamic balance test, which quantifies the total time in seconds that a subject canstand up from a chair and move as quickly as possible around two cones; and 3) an unipodal balance test on a force platform. RESULTS: The one-leg standing test yielded a mean of 12 seconds (SD=9 s), while the mean time observed in the functional agility/dynamic balance test was 26 seconds (SD=6 s). The correlations between the balance parameters of force platform and two functional tests varied between -0.28 and 0.20, which shows a weak association between them. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the idea that these functional tests do not necessarily furnish the same information regarding balance mechanisms as the force platform. This study contributes to the evaluation of balance in elderly and suggests that functional tests should be used with caution especially in regards to the purposes of the research and when conducting clinical assessments of the elderly.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Diferentes métodos clínicos e laboratoriais têm sido desenvolvidos para avaliar as dimensões do controle postural a fim de aumentar a relevância clínica nas decisões quanto ao déficit de equilíbrio. Objetivos: Correlacionar as medidas de plataforma de força com dois testes funcionais usados para avaliar o equilíbrio em idosos. MÉTODOS: Cento e vinte e quatro idosos fisicamente independentes e voluntários participaram deste estudo. Os sujeitos realizaram três testes: 1) teste tradicional e funcional de equilíbrio estático, que mede o tempo-limite em segundos de apoio unipodal; 2) teste funcional de agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico, que quantifica o tempo total em segundos para realizar uma tarefa de sentar, levantar e locomover-se o mais rápido possível em torno de dois cones e 3) teste de equilíbrio unipodal sobre uma plataforma de força. RESULTADOS: A média do tempo-limite para o teste funcional de equilíbrio estático foi de 12 segundos (DP=9s), enquanto a média de tempo para o teste funcional de agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico foi de 26 segundos (DP=6s). As correlações entre os parâmetros de equilíbrio da plataforma de força e os testes funcionais variaram entre -0,28 e 0,20, sugerindo uma associação fraca entre eles. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados suportam a ideia de que os dois testes funcionais não fornecem, necessariamente, a mesma informação que uma plataforma fornece quanto aos mecanismos de controle postural para equilíbrio. Este estudo colabora para a avaliação do equilíbrio em idosos e sugere que alguns testes funcionais deveriam ser usados com mais cautela quanto à sua indicação no alcance dos objetivos da pesquisa e na identificação dos possíveis déficits de equilíbrio, especialmente quando usados para avaliação clínica de idosos.

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BACKGROUND: Clinical and laboratory methods have been developed to assess the different dimensions of postural control with the aim to increase the clinical relevance of decisions about balance deficit. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate the force platform measurements with two functional tests used to evaluate balance in elderly. METHODS: A total of 124 physically independent elderly volunteers participated in this study. Subjects performed the following three tests: 1) a traditional functional balance test, named the one-leg standing test, which measures the time in seconds at this position; 2) a functional agility/dynamic balance test, which quantifies the total time in seconds that a subject can stand up from a chair and move as quickly as possible around two cones; and 3) an unipodal balance test on a force platform. RESULTS: The one-leg standing test yielded a mean of 12 seconds (SD=9 s), while the mean time observed in the functional agility/dynamic balance test was 26 seconds (SD=6 s). The correlations between the balance parameters of force platform and two functional tests varied between -0.28 and 0.20, which shows a weak association between them. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the idea that these functional tests do not necessarily furnish the same information regarding balance mechanisms as the force platform. This study contributes to the evaluation of balance in elderly and suggests that functional tests should be used with caution especially in regards to the purposes of the research and when conducting clinical assessments of the elderly.

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