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This laboratory cross-sectional study aimed at explore the muscle response (MR) of the upper trapezius, infraspinatus, biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) during the radial nerve-biased upper limb neurodynamic test (RN-ULNT) in healthy participants. Myoelectric activity was stage-by-stage recorded during two sequencing variants of the RN-ULNT: S1, in which elbow extension was the last movement; and S2, in which wrist flexion was the last movement. Final elbow and wrist joint angle and sensory response (SR) in five zones (Z1-Z5) were also registered. MR was qualitatively categorized as 'absent' (No-MR), 'true' (TMR) or 'uneven' (UMR). In both sequences, significant increases in muscle activity occurred mostly during shoulder abduction and elbow extension (p ≤ 0.009). Also, elbow extension but not wrist flexion increased the activity of the ECRB muscle (p ≤ 0.009). S2 showed significantly higher upper trapezius (p = 0.04) and biceps brachii (p = 0.036) muscle activity during wrist flexion, and higher report of SR in Z1 and Z4 (p < 0.001) compared to S1. Only the ECRB muscle showed significant differences in the MR type between S1 and S2 (TMR, p = 0.016; UMR, = 0,012). Our results may be useful in the assessment of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders.

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PURPOSE: Management of anterior ring injuries is still a matter of discussion, and there are only few studies reporting anterior external fixator as definitive treatment for unstable pelvic injuries. This study aimed to describe the clinical and radiological outcomes of a consecutive series of mechanically unstable pelvic injuries that were treated with definitive anterior supra-acetabular external fixator for the anterior ring, and to identify risk factors for failure. METHODS: We included a consecutive series of patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures who underwent anterior supra-acetabular external fixation for definitive treatment, between January 2012 and January 2020. All demographics, associated injuries and procedures, injury mechanism, and complications were analysed. Pelvic fracture was classified based on Orthopaedic Trauma Association/Tile AO (OTA/AO) and Young-Burgess classifications. Complications associated with the external fixator were revised. All patients were functionally evaluated at final follow-up and asked to report their clinical outcomes using the Majeed score. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were included, of which 25 were females. The median age was 44 years (interquartile range 23-59). Median follow-up duration was 14 months (interquartile range 6-31). The most frequent aetiology was motor vehicle accident (35), followed by fall from height (8). All fractures required posterior pelvic ring fixation. The median time during which patients had external fixation in situ was 11 weeks (interquartile range 9-13). All patients achieved healing of pelvic fracture at median time of 10 weeks (interquartile range 8-12). At final follow-up, the median displacement of the anterior pelvis was 6 mm (interquartile range 0-11). Superficial infection was the most common complication (n = 7). No washout procedures were needed. No major complication was reported. No patient required reoperation for anterior ring fracture. The median Majeed score was 88 points (range 60-95; interquartile range 80-90) at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the use of supra-acetabular external fixator is safe and effective for definitive treatment of the anterior ring in unstable pelvic fractures. It is a method with high proportion of excellent results, regardless of the type of fracture. The rate of complications is low, and it does not compromise functional results.

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BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that the assessment of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) responses and emotional factors can provide important information regarding chronification mechanisms, choices for more efficient therapeutic strategies, and clinical variables supporting a therapeutic prognosis. AIMS: To investigate the impact of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) on CPM and psychosocial factors in individuals with NSCLBP compared with healthy controls. DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Eighteen patients with NSCLBP and 18 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Pain intensity and affective-emotional aspects of pain, functional disability, kinesiophobia, depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing pain were obtained using a questionnaire. A CPM protocol was established to assess the functioning of the descending inhibitory system, with a cold pressor test as a conditioning stimulus and pressure pain threshold as a test stimulus. The maximal isometric strength of the trunk extensors also was evaluated. RESULTS: Healthy participants demonstrated a greater CPM response than those with NSCLBP. Patients with NSCLBP exhibited significantly lower pressure pain threshold than healthy subjects. Moreover, patients with NSCLBP presented with a considerable exacerbation of cognitive-behavioral changes. NSCLBP patients showed diminished maximal isometric strength of the trunk extensor compared to healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The endogenous pain inhibition system is reduced in patients with NSCLBP, with significant cognitive-behavioral changes indicated by high levels of anxiety and moderate pain intensity. SETTING: Clinical School of Physical Therapy of the Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Piauí - Brazil. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: 36 subjects with and without NSCLBP.

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BACKGROUND: Transplantation depends on a donation from a living or deceased donor, with the latter ideally involving a multiorgan transplant. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence the attitudes of the population in Mexico toward being a donor. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study with a survey on the attitudes toward donation in the population of Mexico. The survey had 33 items on it regarding sociodemographic aspects and people's positions on the issues of organ and tissue donation. We used central tendency and dispersion averages and calculated the difference between groups using chi squares or the Student t test. We also used the statistical program SPSS version 25. RESULTS: The perception of respondents regarding organ and tissue donation (with 1064 people or 65.1% in favor) points to a lack of knowledge in Mexico. People do not talk about organ donation with their relatives and especially do not discuss their wishes in case of death (only 660 people indicated they had or 40.4%). There is a better attitude toward donation among younger respondents, women, single people, health personnel, people with higher incomes, Catholics, and those who do not have a hospitalized family member. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to provide more information about organ donation to people in Mexico. The opinion toward donation is generally favorable; however, there are multiple factors that influence opinions. Family members of patients in intensive care are the least willing to donate themselves or donate a relative's organs.

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Abstract The struggle to control insect-borne diseases can lead to make rash decisions. For instance, the controversial method of planting of Crotalaria spp. to attract predatory dragonflies can be used to control insect vectors of dengue fever and several other medically significant insect-borne diseases. Nevertheless, there is no scientific support for this assumption. Despite the lack of evidence, in Brazil, there remains a multitude of online articles and grey literature sources still promote Crotalaria planting as a means to prevent dengue fever. Here we discuss the reasons why Odonata would not be attracted by Crotalaria and, therefore, it cannot not be considered as an efficient method for vector control. Finally, the best practice to avoid the spread of insect-borne diseases in the tropics is to avoid the accumulation of standing water in urban areas.

Resumo A luta contra doenças pode levar as pessoas a tomar decisões precipitadas. Um método controverso que estamos discutindo é o da Crotalaria atraindo libélulas, porém nenhuma pesquisa científica apoia essa premissa. As libélulas são predadoras generalistas e, eventualmente, são empregadas de uma maneira incorreta como predadoras de mosquitos vetores. No Brasil, depois de dez anos, ainda encontramos pessoas que estão plantando Crotalaria com a tentativa de evitar a propagação da dengue. Discutimos as razões pelas quais os Odonata não seriam atraídos pela Crotalaria e, portanto, não poderiam ser utilizados como método eficiente de controle de vetores. Por fim, não deixar a água parada é a maneira mais eficaz de evitar doenças tropicais.