Stability, performance and upper and lower extremities range of motion in elite beach handball athletes: A cross sectional study

Although beach handball is a popular sport worldwide, information about the functional profile in elite athletes are lacking. This study generate a descriptive profile of stability, performance and upper and lower extremities ROM in elite beach handball athletes. Secondary proposals were to compare these outcome measures between sexes and sides, and to report the frequency of athletes "at risk" according to cutoff values for shoulder ROM and dynamic postural stability of the lower extremities. Twenty-eight (n = 16 males, 28.7 ± 5.3 years; n = 12 females, 27.5 ± 5.5 years) elite beach handball athletes were tested. Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST), single hop test, modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and passive shoulder, hip and ankle dorsiflexion ROM were assessed. Male athletes presented greater reach distance in the anterior direction [P < .0001; Mean Difference (MD): 36%] and lower reach distance in the posteromedial direction (P < .0001; MD: -29.7%) than female athletes in the mSEBT. Bilateral differences were observed for male athletes during the mSEBT, with the dominant stance limb obtaining a smaller reach distance in the anterior direction (P < .01; MD: -38.3%) and greater reach distance in the posteromedial direction (P < .0001; MD: 30.8%). Male athletes had less upper and lower extremities ROM and reached a smaller normalized single hop distance than female athletes. Most athletes presented mSEBT asymmetries and shoulder ROM deficits which have been shown to increase injury risk. Dynamic postural stability adaptations are present in elite beach handball athletes of both sexes, with more pronounced upper and lower extremity flexibility deficits in male athletes.

Clinical-Like Cryotherapy in Acute Knee Arthritis Protects Neuromuscular Junctions of Quadriceps and Reduces Joint Inflammation in Mice

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects synovial joint tissues and skeletal muscle. Clinical-like cryotherapy benefits signs of joint inflammation in knee osteoarthritis after 60 days of anterior cruciate ligament transection surgery. However, it is unknown whether it also benefits acute knee arthritis (e.g., reduces inflammatory process and protects neuromuscular junction [NMJ] and muscle fibers). We aimed to analyze the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on NMJ and quadriceps muscle fibers in a model of acute knee arthritis. Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice (20 to 25 g) were randomly allocated into three groups: control (mice with no intervention), antigen-induced arthritis (AIA; mice sensitized and immunized with intra-articular [i.a.] injection of methylated bovine serum albumin [mBSA]), and AIA+cryotherapy (mice sensitized, immunized with i.a. injection of mBSA, and submitted to a clinical-like cryotherapy protocol). Twenty-one days after sensitization, arthritis was induced in immunized mice via i.a. injection of mBSA (100 μg/joint). Two clinical-like cryotherapy sessions (crushed ice pack for 20 min) were applied two hours apart. The first session was applied immediately after i.a. injection of mBSA. The quadriceps was removed two hours after the second clinical-like cryotherapy session for morphological analysis of muscle fibers (cross-sectional area), frequency distribution of muscle fiber area (%), and NMJ (area, perimeter, and maximum diameter). Gene expressions of mRNA involved in NMJ signaling (γ-nAChR, α1-nAChR, ε-nAChR, Agrin-MusK-Rapsyn, α-dystrobrevin, and utrophin) and atrophy (muscle RING-finger protein-1 and Atrogin-1) pathways were analyzed. Inflammatory signs were assessed in knee joint (swelling, articular surface temperature, and neutrophil migration in synovial fluid). Regarding morphological analysis of muscle fibers, 180 to 270 and >270 μm2 classes were higher in the AIA+cryotherapy than the AIA group. Area, perimeter, and maximum diameter of NMJ also increased in the AIA+cryotherapy compared with the control group. Agrin mRNA expression increased in the AIA+cryotherapy compared with the control and AIA groups. In the atrophy pathway, Atrogin-1 increased compared with the control and AIA groups. The AIA+cryotherapy group reduced knee swelling and neutrophil migration compared with the AIA group. In conclusion, clinical-like cryotherapy increased Agrin expression, contributing to NMJ maintenance and increased Atrogin-1 expression, thus protecting NMJ and muscle fiber. Furthermore, clinical-like cryotherapy reduced inflammatory signs (swelling and neutrophil migration) of acute knee arthritis.

Clinical-like cryotherapy in acute knee arthritis of the knee improves inflammation signs, pain, joint swelling, and motor performance in mice

To assess the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on inflammatory signs (in vivo neutrophil migration, cytokines, and joint inflammation), pain, joint swelling, balance, and motor coordination in mice with knee arthritis. Young C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (8 to 10 mice per group): Control group: mice with no intervention; antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) group: mice sensitized and immunized with intra-articular (i.a.) injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA); and AIA + cryotherapy group: mice sensitized, immunized with i.a. injection of mBSA, and submitted to a clinical-like cryotherapy protocol. After 21 days of sensitization, AIA and AIA + cryotherapy groups received i.a. injection of mBSA (100 μg/joint) to induce joint inflammation, and a clinical-like cryotherapy protocol was applied to AIA + cryotherapy group (crushed ice bag, two cryotherapy sessions of 20 min every two hours). Experimental analysis was conducted in the initial (immediately after i.a. injection of mBSA) and final periods (two hours after the second cryotherapy session). The number of synovial fluid neutrophils, cytokine levels, joint histology, pain, joint swelling, and motor performance were also analyzed. Our results showed that clinical-like cryotherapy in mice with acute knee arthritis reduced inflammatory signs, pain, and joint swelling, and improved balance and motor coordination.

Thirty days after anterior cruciate ligament transection is sufficient to induce signs of knee osteoarthritis in rats: pain, functional impairment, and synovial inflammation

OBJECTIVE

To compare the unilateral signs of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) 30 and 60 days after anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Pain, gait function, synovial fluid inflammation, and histopathological changes in the synovial membrane were analyzed, as well as the interaction between the variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (n = 32; 219.2 ± 18.6 g) were randomly distributed into four groups of eight animals each. Two groups were submitted to unilateral ACLT surgery to induce KOA and analyzed after 30 (KOA30) and 60 days (KOA60). Two control groups (without surgery) were also assessed after the same time periods (C30 and C60). All the groups were evaluated before ACLT from the least to most stressful tests (skin temperature, mechanical response threshold, gait test, thermal response threshold, and joint swelling), as well as 30 and 60 days after surgery. After euthanasia, the synovial fluid and synovial membrane were collected.

RESULTS

Thirty days after ACLT, KOA30 showed decrease paw print area and mechanical response threshold, higher joint swelling, skin temperature, leukocyte count, cytokine levels, and synovitis score. No differences were found between KOA30 and KOA60.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed that 30 days after ACLT is sufficient to induce signs of KOA in rats, such as pain, functional impairment, and synovial inflammation, suggesting that a shorter time period can be used as an experimental model.

[Epidemiological aspects of canine American tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Municipality of Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro, brazil]

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is endemic in the State of Rio de Janeiro, with the highest incidence observed in the municipalities along the Southern coast. A total of 169 human cases were reported from 1993 to 1995 in the municipality of Paraty, representing 15% of all case reports in the State of Rio de Janeiro during that period. From March to December, 1996, a survey was conducted in endemic american tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) areas (Praia Grande, Taquari, Várzea do Machado, and Graúna) in Paraty. 326 households with 215 pet dogs were surveyed. The initial study consisted of taking venous blood samples to perform RIFI and ELISA tests. The canine skin test was performed during the same visit and was positive in 8.8% of dogs. Of the 215 dogs, 5 presented lesions suspected of ATL; biopsies and the vacuum aspiration technique were performed on these cases. Correlating the study areas with the results obtained, some dogs presented sub-clinical infection, highly relevant to studies on canine ATL infection in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

[Hypoglycemic polyneuropathy: report of a case with insulinoma]

A case of a young man who presented symptoms and clinical signs of polyneuropathy that occurred in connection with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes is reported. The hypoglycemia was probably caused by a pancreatic islet tumor. There were symmetric weakness and wasting of hands and feet, absent tendon reflexes and 'glove and stocking' loss of sensation. Electromyographic studies showed denervation potentials with slight reduction of nerve conduction velocities. Sural nerve biopsy studied by optic and electronic microscopy showed axonal degeneration without signs of demyelination or remyelination. There are only 30 similar cases reported in the literature. According to experimental findings, the authors believe that glucopenia is the mechanism responsible for the development of the neuropathy, and that at present time there is no evidence for a direct insulin effect.