PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the Amblyopia and Strabismus Questionnaire (A&SQ) is a suitable instrument for the assessment of vision-related quality-of life (VR-QoL) in individuals with strabismus and/or amblyopia. METHODS: The A&SQ was completed by 102 individuals, all of whom had amblyopia, strabismus, or both. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the usefulness of individual questionnaire items (i.e., questions); the response-scale performance; how well the items targeted VR-QoL; whether individual items showed response bias, depending on factors such as whether strabismus was present; and dimensionality. RESULTS: Items relating to concerns about the appearance of the eyes were applicable only to those with strabismus, and many items showed large ceiling effects. The response scale showed disordered responses and underused response options, which improved after the number of response options was reduced from five to three. This change improved the discriminative ability of the questionnaire (person separation index increased from 1.98 to 2.11). Significant bias was found between strabismic and nonstrabismic respondents. Separate Rasch analyses conducted for subjects with and without strabismus indicated that all A&SQ items seemed appropriate for individuals with strabismus (Rasch infit values between 0.60 and 1.40), but several items fitted the model poorly in amblyopes without strabismus. The AS&Q was not found to be unidimensional. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the limitations of the A&SQ instrument in the assessment of VR-QoL in subjects with strabismus and especially in those with amblyopia alone. The results suggest that separate instruments are needed to quantify VR-QoL in amblyopes with and without strabismus.

2010年蘋果推出iPad後，台灣也跟著掀起平板熱潮，並快速普及到中高年齡層使用者。平板現在已經是中年家庭主婦重要的家戶休閒之一。本研究結合休閒領域和性別傳播科技領域探討中年家庭主婦的休閒，分析形成婦女「休閒阻礙」（Leisure constraint）的原因，並觀察平板融入主婦的生活後主婦休閒體驗的變化、平板使用複製過去女性用資通科技進行休閒的特性與限制。 本研究結合使用者日誌與深度訪談探索中年家庭主婦的平板休閒經驗。結果顯示本地中年家庭主婦認為的休閒包含心理閒暇感受，外出活動，社交等，這也反映在她們對於平板休閒的感知。與過往休閒研究歸納的女性休閒特性相似，本地中年主婦的休閒特性包含休閒時間碎片化，習慣多工等，反映她們的休閒受到阻礙。而與其他生命週期的女性不同，步入空巢期的中年主婦因為照顧子女的責任減輕，使她們開始積極追求休閒，休閒意識提高。中年主婦也因為擁有多年家務經驗，使她們發展出抵抗休閒阻礙的策略，獲得更多的休閒機會。 中年主婦的平板使用時機融入她們的生活韻律，因為平板的體積與未連網之故，主婦一旦外出，反而少攜帶；平板之為行動載具的行動性(mobility)未見發揮，平板成為居家休閒的重要裝置。獨自在家時主婦用平板看劇、玩遊戲，主婦也會在此時一邊看電視，一邊用平板，採取「雙螢」休閒模式，極大化休閒體驗。家人同在的晚間家庭時光，主婦平板不離身，陪伴家人、履行情感勞動，透過平板上的社交媒體同步與自己友人聊天，或看喜歡的劇集，沉浸在自己的虛擬空間。 平板為主婦過去透過其他科技物中介的休閒帶來新的意義。然而雖然平板使主婦擺脫不擅電子遊戲的刻板印象、也因平板而掌有觀影權，鬆動過去丈夫主導的家庭觀影秩序，本研究發現母職腳本形成主婦的平板休閒阻礙分別顯現在平板擁有權、使用平板瀏覽資訊、平板的社群通訊軟體使用上。中年家庭主婦休閒受到「妻職」影響，即便主婦用平板休閒受到丈夫中斷，她們也將其視為理所當然，因為經過與丈夫多年的相處磨合，中年婦女大多都能接受與容忍配偶的行為。 / After Apple introduced the iPad in 2010, the tablet quickly earned many middle–aged users' attention in Taiwan. Nowadays, the tablet has become one of the most important household leisure devices for middle-aged housewives. This study adopts diary study and in-depth interviews to explore how the tablet has been integrated into middle–aged housewives' lives. Additionally, it examines what kinds of leisure constraints housewives confront when they use a tablet. This study explores the leisure of Taiwanese middle-aged housewives. The result shows that Taiwanese middle-aged housewives have varied definitions of leisure which include relaxed mental state, outdoor activities and social activities. Those definitions reflect on housewives' feeling about tablet use. What’s more, a number of leisure researchers have indicated fragmented leisure time and multitasking characterize women's leisure. Taiwanese middle-aged housewives' leisure shows similar characteristics. However, Taiwanese middle-aged housewives feel a sense of entitlement with regards to leisure since they no longer have the responsibility of care-taking as their younger peers still carry. Besides, middle-aged housewives have developed strategies to resist and transform leisure constraints imposed on them along the way. The timing of tablet use of middle-aged housewives is closely related to their lifestyle. The finding suggests that the mobility of a tablet is limited. Tablets are heavy and lack network access, which is why housewives reserve their use for domestic leisure. Housewives who are alone at home usually use a tablet to play games or watch dramas. They also watch TV and use the tablet at the same time. Using this “double screen” model, housewives can broaden their leisure experience. During family hours in the evening, housewives bring their tablets to the living room so that they not only show their emotional support to be there with their family but also enjoy their personal tablet at the same time. The nature of leisure and the related images which housewives obtained in the past by using other technology have undergone great transformations. For example, instead of non-gamers or incapable gamers, housewives have proven themselves to be the ones who also enjoy game play. Moreover, the tablet has become housewives' “second screen” with which they can watch any program they like instead of being forced to watch the programs chosen by their husbands. However, the findings suggest the scripted motherhood affects housewives' tablet use, and it reflects on their tablet’s ownership, their use of social media and the web-browsing. The scripted wife- hood also affects housewives' leisure. For instance, their husbands often interrupt their tablet use, but housewives see interruptions as the way things have always been.

A evolução do conhecimento acerca das funções dos meniscos e do tratamento das suas lesões, impulsionada pelo advento da cirurgia artroscópica, consagrou e popularizou a meniscectomia por esta via, por ser uma técnica menos invasiva, com menor morbidade e menores custos hospitalares, a ponto de torná-la, atualmente, a cirurgia ortopédica mais frequentemente realizada no mundo. Embora a maior parte dos pacientes submetidos a esta intervenção cirúrgica tenha resultados favoráveis e resolução rápida dos sintomas, percebe-se que parte considerável dos pacientes, especialmente os mais idosos, não apresenta uma evolução póscirúrgica satisfatória, apresentando piora dos sintomas e, eventualmente, necessitando de nova cirurgia. Partindo da hipótese que em determinados pacientes a meniscectomia, em vez de tratar, precipita e acentua um desequilíbrio biomecânico do joelho, o autor realizou estudo observacional prospectivo não-controlado com 86 pacientes de ambos os gêneros, com idade superior a 50 anos (média de 60,2 ± 7,1 anos), submetidos à meniscectomia artroscópica para tratamento de lesão do menisco medial de natureza degenerativa, com o objetivo de determinar variáveis demográficas, clínicas, anatômicas e cirúrgicas relacionadas aos resultados desfavoráveis. As avaliações funcionais pré e pós-operatórias foram realizadas utilizandose o Índice do KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), aplicado a todos os pacientes antes da cirurgia e 60 meses depois. Após análise estatística dos resultados obtidos, o autor verificou que 10 fatores podem ser considerados preditivos das meniscectomias mediais artroscópicas neste grupo etário, sendo quatro fatores fortemente associados aos resultados desfavoráveis: lesão da raiz posterior do menisco medial, dor pré-operatória intensa, claudicação antes da cirurgia e tempo decorrido entre o início dos sintomas e a cirurgia; dois fatores foram considerados moderadamente associados aos resultados desfavoráveis: presença de edema de medula óssea na ressonância magnética (RM) préoperatória e duração da cirurgia; quatro fatores foram considerados associados de modo fraco aos resultados desfavoráveis: Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) >= 30 kg/m2 , varismo do joelho, presença de cisto poplíteo na RM pré-operatória e extensão da ressecção do menisco medial / The evolution of knowledge concerning meniscal functions and the treatment of their injuries, boosted by the development of arthroscopic surgery, has established and popularized arthroscopic meniscectomy due to its less invasiveness, less post-operative morbidity and lower hospital costs, to the point it has become, nowadays, the most frequently performed orthopedic procedure in the world. Although the majority of patients undergoing this operation is quite pleased with the outcomes and with the prompt resolution of their symptoms, it is noticeable that a considerable amount of patients with meniscal injuries, mainly the older, does not have a satisfactory postoperative outcome, with worsening of symptoms after being operated on and occasionally requiring another surgery. Based on observations of his medical practice and on the assumption that meniscectomy, rather than treat, can hasten and accentuate a biomechanical imbalance of the knee in those patients, the author conducted an observational prospective uncontrolled study with 86 patients of both genders, aged over 50 years old (average 60.2 ± 7.1 years), who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy for the treatment of degenerative medial meniscal lesions, aiming to determine demographic, anatomical, clinical and surgical variables related to poor outcomes. The functional pre and post-operative evaluations were performed using the KOOS index (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) applied to all patients before surgery and 60 months later. After statistical analysis of the results, the author found that 10 factors can be considered predictors of arthroscopic medial meniscectomy in this age group: four factors were strongly associated with unfavorable results - posterior root lesion of the medial meniscus, intense pre-operative pain, claudication before surgery and time elapsed between onset of symptoms and surgery; two factors were moderately associated with unfavorable results - bone marrow edema in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgery time length; four factors that were weakly associated with poor results - bone mass index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m2, varus knee, poplyteal cyst in pre-operative MRI and extension of meniscal ressection

O presente trabalho tem como objetivos avaliar a resposta da freqüência cardíaca (FC) e de sua variabilidade nas condições de repouso e em exercício físico dinâmico; determinar o limiar de anaerobiose a partir da análise das respostas de FC durante o exercício físico pelos modelos matemáticos e estatísticos autorregressivos-integrados-médias móveis (ARIMA) e semiparamétrico (SMP) e pelos índices de variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC); comparar o grau de correlação entre as três metodologias de análise na detecção de alterações no padrão de resposta da FC como indicador do limiar de anaerobiose (LA). Foram estudados doze voluntários com idade em mediana de 42 anos, considerados ativos e saudáveis, a partir dos resultados da avaliação clínica, cardiovascular e do eletrocardiograma (ECG) em repouso e durante teste de esforço físico dinâmico contínuo do tipo degrau (TEFDC-D). O protocolo experimental consistiu de teste de esforço físico dinâmico descontínuo do tipo degrau (TEFDD-D), com potências progressivas de 10 em 10 watts (W) sendo que a potência inicial foi de 25W. Os intervalos RR (IRR) e a FC, captados a partir dos registros do ECG em tempo real, batimento a batimento, foram obtidos utilizando-se um programa de processamento de sinais. Os dados foram captados na condição de repouso por um período de 900 s na posição supina, 900 s na posição sentada e sentado no cicloergômetro durante 60 s em repouso, 360s em exercício e 60s em recuperação. Foram calculadas: as médias da FC; os índices de RMSSD dos IRR de repouso e em exercício; tempo de variação da FC (t/DFC t1 – t0 ) em segundos onde t1 eqüivale ao instante em que ocorreu o maior valor da FC no período entre 0 (t0) e 20 s do início do exercício físico e a variação da FC no mesmo intervalo. Para determinar o LA a partir da análise das respostas de FC durante o exercício físico utilizou-se os modelos matemáticos autorregressivos-integrados- médias móveis (ARIMA) e o modelo SMP. Para análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, e nas comparações múltiplas o teste de Friedman, seguido do teste de Dunn, e o de correlação de Spearman, com nível de significância de 5%.A FC em repouso na posição sentada foi superior a da posição supina (p<0,05), já a VFC foi semelhante. O t/DFC t1 – t0 e o DFC (bpm) apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas potências realizadas pelos voluntários. Os índices de VFC durante o TEFDD-D reduziram com o incremento de potência apresentando diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05), para o RMSSD nas potências de 55 e 60 W em relação ao repouso sentado e em relação as potências de 25 e 35 W. O nível do LA foi em 60 W com uma FC de 97 bpm e em 55 W com uma FC de 97 bpm, determinados pelo modelo ARIMA e pelo modelo SMP, respectivamente (p>0,05). Na comparação dos índices de RMSSD dos IRR no nível de potência do LA determinado pelos modelos de análise, não observamos diferenças significantes (p>0,05). O coeficiente de correlação entre os índices de RMSSD do modelo SMP vs ARIMA foi rs= 0,82 com p<0,05; entre as potências dos dois modelos foi: rs = 0,72, p < 0,05 e entre a FC foi rs = 0,87, p < 0,05. A análise da VFC, a partir do índice de RMSSD foi sensível na identificação de alterações da modulação autonômica sobre o nódulo sinusal. O aumento da FC com concomitante redução da VFC, associado ao incremento de potência sugere uma menor participação da atuação vagal e predomínio da atividade simpática sobre o nó sinusal. As três metodologias de análise utilizadas neste trabalho mostraram respostas similares, apresentando uma correlação estatisticamente significante, sendo portanto adequadas para detectar o ponto de mudança da resposta da FC concomitante ao achatamento da VFC como indicativo do limiar de anaerobiose. / The objectives of the present study were to assess the heart rate (HR) response and its variability under resting conditions and during dynamic physical exercise, to determine the anaerobic threshold from the analysis of the HR responses during physical exercise using the autoregressive-integrated-moving average (ARIMA) and semi-parametric (SMP) mathematical and statistical models and the indices of heart rate variability (HRV), and to compare the degree of correlation between the three methods of analysis for the detection of changes in the pattern of HR response as an indicator of anaerobic threshold (AT). The study was conducted on 12 volunteers (median age: 42 years) considered to be active and healthy on the basis of clinical and cardiovascular evaluation of resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and of ECG during a continuous dynamic physical effort test of the step type (CDPET-S). The experimental protocol consisted of a discontinuous DPET-S (DDPET-S) with progressive 10 Watts increments starting from and initial power of 25 Watts. RR intervals (RRI) and HR obtained from ECG recordings in real time, beat to beat, were recorded using a signal processing system. The data were obtained in the resting condition for a period of 900 s with the subject in the supine position, for 900 s in the sitting position ,and with the subject sitting on the bicycle ergometer for 60 s at rest, for 360 s while exercising and for 60 s during recovery. We calculated mean HR, RMSSD and RRI indices at rest and during exercise, HRV time (t/DHR t1 – t0 ) in seconds, where t1 is the instant when the highest HR value occurred during the period between 0 (t0) and 20 s after the beginning of physical exercise, and HR variation (DHR)during the same interval. To determine AT from the analysis of the HR responses during physical exercise we used the ARIMA and SMP models. Data were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon test and by the Friedman test for multiple comparisons followed by the Dunn test. Correlation was calculated by the Spearman test and the level of significance was set at 5% in all analyses. Resting HR in the sitting position was higher than in the supine position (p<0.05), whereas HRV was similar.t/DHR t1 – t0 and DHR (beat/min) presented statistically significant differences at the powers reached by the volunteers. The HRV indices during the DDPET-S were reduced with increasing power, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05) for RMSSD at the powers of 55 and 60 Watts compared to sitting rest and compared to the powers of 25 and 35 Watts. The AT level determined by ARIMA was at 60 Watts, with HR of 97 beat/min, and the AT level determined by SMP was at 55 Watts, with HR of 97 beat/min (p>0.05). Comparison of the RMSSD indices of the RRI at the power level of AT determined by the analysis models did not show significant differences (p>0.05). The correla tion coefficient between the RMSSD indices of the SMP model vs ARIMA was rs= 0.82, with p<0.05; between the powers of the two models it was rs = 0.72, p < 0.05, and between HR of the two models it was rs = 0.87, p < 0.05. HRV analysis from the RMSSD index was sensitive for the identification of changes in autonomic modulation of the sinus node. The increase in HR with a concomitant reduction in HRV, together with the increment in power suggests a lower participation of vagal activity and a predominance of sympathetic activity in the sinus node. The three methods used for analysis in the present study showed similar responses and were strongly correlated and therefore are adequate to detect the point of change in the HR response concomitant with HRV flattening as an indication that AT.

The diploma thesis deals with the problem of muscle imbalances of middle school aged children and its relationship with their free time activities. The selected exercises were tested for the muscles involved in the lower and upper cross syndrome. On the basis of the measured results, the frequency of shortened / weakened muscles and muscles in the physiological standard were compared. A questionnaire survey was used to identify preferences of children concerning leisure activities. Based on the data obtained from the comparison of the data found in the questionnaire and the results measured during the testing of the muscles, the following topics were addressed: Whether the muscular condition is influenced by the sex, the frequency of sport activities performed and the type of sport practiced. In addition, the influence of parents' and their lifestyle. KEYWORDS muscoskeletal system, muscle imbalance, upper crossed syndrome, lumboischiatic syndrome, gender, middle aged children

Introdução: O câncer de mama é um problema de saúde publica, sendo a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade de câncer em mulheres de todo mundo. O rastreamento mamográfico mostrou-se efetivo na redução na mortalidade por câncer de mama em países desenvolvidos, entretanto ainda não é consenso a idade de início do rastreamento mamográfico. Objetivo: Verificar o impacto do rastreamento mamográfico em mulheres entre 40-49 anos na região de Barretos. Casuística e métodos: Este é um estudo observacional transversal que incluíram mulheres assintomáticas com idade entre 40-69 anos que foram submetidas a rastreamento mamográfico entre os anos de 2003 a 2007. As mulheres com exames classificadas pelo sistema BI-RADS em zero, quatro ou cinco foram convocados para investigação. Foram descritas as freqüências absolutas e relativas das variáveis e suas diferenças analisadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado sendo escolhido o nível de significância p <0,05. Foi realizado análise de regressão logística para avaliar o risco de câncer de mama em relação à idade. Resultados: 27.133 mulheres com idades entre 40-69 foram selecionadas, 52% (14.082) das mamografias foram feitas em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos. Foram detectados 132 casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 69 anos sendo 49 casos entre mulheres de 40 a 49. A estimativa de risco de câncer de mama entre mulheres de 40 e 49 anos (OR 0,43 [IC95% 0,28 - 0,66]) foi significativamente menor do que entre 60-69 anos. Dos casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos 55% eram iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) enquanto que no período anterior ao rastreamento eram 13%. Conclusões: O rastreamento mamográfico realizado na Região de Barretos mostrou menor risco de câncer de mama nas mulheres de 40 a 49 anos em relação às mulheres entre 60 e 69 anos. O estudo mostrou ainda que o rastreamento aumentou o número de casos iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) entre as mulheres de 40 e 49 anos em relação ao período anterior ao rastreamento / Introduction: Breast cancer is a public health problem, being the major cause of morbidity and mortality of cancer in women worldwide. The mammographic screening was effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer in developed countries, but consensus is not yet the age of onset of mammographic screening. Objective: Investigate the impact of mammographic screening in women aged 40-49 years in Barretos region. Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study that included asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years who underwent screening mammography between the years 2003 to 2007. Women with tests classified by the BI-RADS at zero, four or five were summoned for investigation. We described the absolute and relative frequencies of the variables and their differences were analyzed by chi-square was chosen significance level p <0.05. Was performed logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of breast cancer in relation to age. Results: 27,133 women aged 40-69 were selected, 52% (14 082) of mammograms were performed in women 40 to 49 years. We detected 132 cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 69 years with 49 cases among women 40 to 49. The estimated risk of breast cancer among women between 40 and 49 years (OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.66]) was significantly lower than 60-69 years. Cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years 55% were early (clinical stage 0-I) while in the period prior to screening was 13%. Conclusions: The screening mammography performed in the region Barrie showed a lower risk of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years for women between 60 and 69 years. The study also showed that screening increased the number of initial cases (clinical stage 0-I) among women aged 40 to 49 years in the period prior to screening

O presente trabalho tem como objetivos avaliar a resposta da freqüência cardíaca (FC) e de sua variabilidade nas condições de repouso e em exercício físico dinâmico; determinar o limiar de anaerobiose a partir da análise das respostas de FC durante o exercício físico pelos modelos matemáticos e estatísticos autorregressivos-integrados-médias móveis (ARIMA) e semiparamétrico (SMP) e pelos índices de variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC); comparar o grau de correlação entre as três metodologias de análise na detecção de alterações no padrão de resposta da FC como indicador do limiar de anaerobiose (LA). Foram estudados doze voluntários com idade em mediana de 42 anos, considerados ativos e saudáveis, a partir dos resultados da avaliação clínica, cardiovascular e do eletrocardiograma (ECG) em repouso e durante teste de esforço físico dinâmico contínuo do tipo degrau (TEFDC-D). O protocolo experimental consistiu de teste de esforço físico dinâmico descontínuo do tipo degrau (TEFDD-D), com potências progressivas de 10 em 10 watts (W) sendo que a potência inicial foi de 25W. Os intervalos RR (IRR) e a FC, captados a partir dos registros do ECG em tempo real, batimento a batimento, foram obtidos utilizando-se um programa de processamento de sinais. Os dados foram captados na condição de repouso por um período de 900 s na posição supina, 900 s na posição sentada e sentado no cicloergômetro durante 60 s em repouso, 360s em exercício e 60s em recuperação. Foram calculadas: as médias da FC; os índices de RMSSD dos IRR de repouso e em exercício; tempo de variação da FC (t/DFC t1 – t0 ) em segundos onde t1 eqüivale ao instante em que ocorreu o maior valor da FC no período entre 0 (t0) e 20 s do início do exercício físico e a variação da FC no mesmo intervalo. Para determinar o LA a partir da análise das respostas de FC durante o exercício físico utilizou-se os modelos matemáticos autorregressivos-integrados- médias móveis (ARIMA) e o modelo SMP. Para análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, e nas comparações múltiplas o teste de Friedman, seguido do teste de Dunn, e o de correlação de Spearman, com nível de significância de 5%.A FC em repouso na posição sentada foi superior a da posição supina (p<0,05), já a VFC foi semelhante. O t/DFC t1 – t0 e o DFC (bpm) apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas potências realizadas pelos voluntários. Os índices de VFC durante o TEFDD-D reduziram com o incremento de potência apresentando diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05), para o RMSSD nas potências de 55 e 60 W em relação ao repouso sentado e em relação as potências de 25 e 35 W. O nível do LA foi em 60 W com uma FC de 97 bpm e em 55 W com uma FC de 97 bpm, determinados pelo modelo ARIMA e pelo modelo SMP, respectivamente (p>0,05). Na comparação dos índices de RMSSD dos IRR no nível de potência do LA determinado pelos modelos de análise, não observamos diferenças significantes (p>0,05). O coeficiente de correlação entre os índices de RMSSD do modelo SMP vs ARIMA foi rs= 0,82 com p<0,05; entre as potências dos dois modelos foi: rs = 0,72, p < 0,05 e entre a FC foi rs = 0,87, p < 0,05. A análise da VFC, a partir do índice de RMSSD foi sensível na identificação de alterações da modulação autonômica sobre o nódulo sinusal. O aumento da FC com concomitante redução da VFC, associado ao incremento de potência sugere uma menor participação da atuação vagal e predomínio da atividade simpática sobre o nó sinusal. As três metodologias de análise utilizadas neste trabalho mostraram respostas similares, apresentando uma correlação estatisticamente significante, sendo portanto adequadas para detectar o ponto de mudança da resposta da FC concomitante ao achatamento da VFC como indicativo do limiar de anaerobiose. / The objectives of the present study were to assess the heart rate (HR) response and its variability under resting conditions and during dynamic physical exercise, to determine the anaerobic threshold from the analysis of the HR responses during physical exercise using the autoregressive-integrated-moving average (ARIMA) and semi-parametric (SMP) mathematical and statistical models and the indices of heart rate variability (HRV), and to compare the degree of correlation between the three methods of analysis for the detection of changes in the pattern of HR response as an indicator of anaerobic threshold (AT). The study was conducted on 12 volunteers (median age: 42 years) considered to be active and healthy on the basis of clinical and cardiovascular evaluation of resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and of ECG during a continuous dynamic physical effort test of the step type (CDPET-S). The experimental protocol consisted of a discontinuous DPET-S (DDPET-S) with progressive 10 Watts increments starting from and initial power of 25 Watts. RR intervals (RRI) and HR obtained from ECG recordings in real time, beat to beat, were recorded using a signal processing system. The data were obtained in the resting condition for a period of 900 s with the subject in the supine position, for 900 s in the sitting position ,and with the subject sitting on the bicycle ergometer for 60 s at rest, for 360 s while exercising and for 60 s during recovery. We calculated mean HR, RMSSD and RRI indices at rest and during exercise, HRV time (t/DHR t1 – t0 ) in seconds, where t1 is the instant when the highest HR value occurred during the period between 0 (t0) and 20 s after the beginning of physical exercise, and HR variation (DHR)during the same interval. To determine AT from the analysis of the HR responses during physical exercise we used the ARIMA and SMP models. Data were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon test and by the Friedman test for multiple comparisons followed by the Dunn test. Correlation was calculated by the Spearman test and the level of significance was set at 5% in all analyses. Resting HR in the sitting position was higher than in the supine position (p<0.05), whereas HRV was similar.t/DHR t1 – t0 and DHR (beat/min) presented statistically significant differences at the powers reached by the volunteers. The HRV indices during the DDPET-S were reduced with increasing power, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05) for RMSSD at the powers of 55 and 60 Watts compared to sitting rest and compared to the powers of 25 and 35 Watts. The AT level determined by ARIMA was at 60 Watts, with HR of 97 beat/min, and the AT level determined by SMP was at 55 Watts, with HR of 97 beat/min (p>0.05). Comparison of the RMSSD indices of the RRI at the power level of AT determined by the analysis models did not show significant differences (p>0.05). The correla tion coefficient between the RMSSD indices of the SMP model vs ARIMA was rs= 0.82, with p<0.05; between the powers of the two models it was rs = 0.72, p < 0.05, and between HR of the two models it was rs = 0.87, p < 0.05. HRV analysis from the RMSSD index was sensitive for the identification of changes in autonomic modulation of the sinus node. The increase in HR with a concomitant reduction in HRV, together with the increment in power suggests a lower participation of vagal activity and a predominance of sympathetic activity in the sinus node. The three methods used for analysis in the present study showed similar responses and were strongly correlated and therefore are adequate to detect the point of change in the HR response concomitant with HRV flattening as an indication that AT.

Introdução: O câncer de mama é um problema de saúde publica, sendo a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade de câncer em mulheres de todo mundo. O rastreamento mamográfico mostrou-se efetivo na redução na mortalidade por câncer de mama em países desenvolvidos, entretanto ainda não é consenso a idade de início do rastreamento mamográfico. Objetivo: Verificar o impacto do rastreamento mamográfico em mulheres entre 40-49 anos na região de Barretos. Casuística e métodos: Este é um estudo observacional transversal que incluíram mulheres assintomáticas com idade entre 40-69 anos que foram submetidas a rastreamento mamográfico entre os anos de 2003 a 2007. As mulheres com exames classificadas pelo sistema BI-RADS em zero, quatro ou cinco foram convocados para investigação. Foram descritas as freqüências absolutas e relativas das variáveis e suas diferenças analisadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado sendo escolhido o nível de significância p <0,05. Foi realizado análise de regressão logística para avaliar o risco de câncer de mama em relação à idade. Resultados: 27.133 mulheres com idades entre 40-69 foram selecionadas, 52% (14.082) das mamografias foram feitas em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos. Foram detectados 132 casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 69 anos sendo 49 casos entre mulheres de 40 a 49. A estimativa de risco de câncer de mama entre mulheres de 40 e 49 anos (OR 0,43 [IC95% 0,28 - 0,66]) foi significativamente menor do que entre 60-69 anos. Dos casos de câncer de mama em mulheres de 40 a 49 anos 55% eram iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) enquanto que no período anterior ao rastreamento eram 13%. Conclusões: O rastreamento mamográfico realizado na Região de Barretos mostrou menor risco de câncer de mama nas mulheres de 40 a 49 anos em relação às mulheres entre 60 e 69 anos. O estudo mostrou ainda que o rastreamento aumentou o número de casos iniciais (Estádio Clínico 0-I) entre as mulheres de 40 e 49 anos em relação ao período anterior ao rastreamento / Introduction: Breast cancer is a public health problem, being the major cause of morbidity and mortality of cancer in women worldwide. The mammographic screening was effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer in developed countries, but consensus is not yet the age of onset of mammographic screening. Objective: Investigate the impact of mammographic screening in women aged 40-49 years in Barretos region. Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study that included asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years who underwent screening mammography between the years 2003 to 2007. Women with tests classified by the BI-RADS at zero, four or five were summoned for investigation. We described the absolute and relative frequencies of the variables and their differences were analyzed by chi-square was chosen significance level p <0.05. Was performed logistic regression analysis to assess the risk of breast cancer in relation to age. Results: 27,133 women aged 40-69 were selected, 52% (14 082) of mammograms were performed in women 40 to 49 years. We detected 132 cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 69 years with 49 cases among women 40 to 49. The estimated risk of breast cancer among women between 40 and 49 years (OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.66]) was significantly lower than 60-69 years. Cases of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years 55% were early (clinical stage 0-I) while in the period prior to screening was 13%. Conclusions: The screening mammography performed in the region Barrie showed a lower risk of breast cancer in women aged 40 to 49 years for women between 60 and 69 years. The study also showed that screening increased the number of initial cases (clinical stage 0-I) among women aged 40 to 49 years in the period prior to screening

We investigated the relationship between calcium and protein intake and bone loss over a one-year period in 99 early postmenopausal women (1-36 months) aged 51.3 �� 0.31 years. Bone mineral density (g/cm��) of the left hip (total hip, femoral neck, greater trochanter) and lumbar spine (L1-L4) as well as body composition were assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intake of calcium and protein was assessed using a 100-item Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. A physical activity questionnaire was also completed by the subjects to estimate energy expenditure. Paired t-tests revealed that there were no significant differences between baseline and month 12 physical characteristics except for percent fat which increased from 31.99 �� 0.60% to 32.44 �� 0.61% (p=.009). At month 12, bone mineral density decreased significantly at the femoral neck (-0.97 �� 0.31%) and total hip (-0.55 �� 0.24%). The average calcium, protein and calcium to protein ratio intake for the group was 1129.88 �� 46.22mg/day, 57.88 �� 1.93g/day and 20.10 �� 0.71m/g, respectively. Partial correlation analyses showed no significant relationships between change in bone mineral density and average intakes for calcium, protein, or the calcium to protein ratio. After adjusting for hormone replacement status, lean body mass and months post menopause, analysis of covariance revealed that there were no significant differences between groups when intakes of calcium, protein and the calcium to protein ratio were separated into "above recommended" and "below recommended" categories (above or below 1000/1500mg/day, 50g/day, 20:1 mg/g/day, respectively). Our results suggest that consuming adequate amounts of calcium and protein does not appear to significantly slow bone loss after 12 months in early postmenopausal women. / Graduation date: 2003

Even though Sweden is considered a high trust society, research on this topic is primarily based on a few standardized survey questions. It is also known that there is a robust pattern of less trustful young people compared to older ones. Still, a satisfactory explanation of this fact is lacking. Thus, the first aim of this dissertation is to map trust among young adults and middle-aged individuals. The second aim is to examine by which factors and in what way different dimensions of trust are determined, focusing on individuals’ life course and consequently experiences. Analytical principles from the life course tradition are used as a theoretical framework. Data is derived from a Swedish cross-sectional nationally representative postal survey on trust, and qualitative interviews using a mixed-methods approach. A multi-dimensional concept of trust is suggested. Participants report relatively high levels of trust in known and unknown people, confidence in institutions, normative notions of trust, security, and trustful behaviour. Trust also seems to be structured according to a closeness principle. Young adults display lower trust levels in general. However, in some respects the pattern is reversed, particularly regarding domains they are expected to be more familiar with. Contrary to the well-established idea of generalised trust derived from predispositions and primary socialization, and particularised trust originating from experiences in adulthood, the results of this study suggest that unique combinations of factors, both individual characteristics and experiences, might explain each of the different dimensions. Often there is a sphere-specific relationship between experiences and later trust, i.e. experiences from one sphere of life seem to exclusively affect trust within the same sphere. It is suggested that as people grow older they accumulate what is called experience capital, which might benefit trust and contribute to an explanation of the age differences.