ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the passaggio in the voice range profile of choristers, by identifying the fundamental frequencies and intensities, both in the change to the high and low registers, comparing them, by voice types. Method 67 choristers participated, mean age of 27.79 (± 7.50) years old, of the following voice types: soprano (n = 20), alto (n = 17), tenor (n = 15) and bass (n = 15). For data collection and analysis, the Vocalgram software (CTS Informática) was used, which recorded the emission of the vowel / Ɛ / in ascending and descending glissando, up to the lowest and highest note in the weakest and strongest intensities possible. Results The values of frequencies and respective intensities of the passaggio were identified in ascending and descending, strong and weak emissions in all voice types. There was a higher occurrence of voice break in the high voices, compared to the low ones. The average values of the frequencies found corresponded to different tones from those established in the literature for all voice types. Conclusion The passaggio identified in the vocal range profile of choristers, based on their frequencies and intensities were more frequent in soprano na tenor, compared to alto and bass, in changes to the low and high registers.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a nota de passagem no perfil de extensão vocal de coristas, pela identificação das frequências fundamentais e intensidades, tanto na mudança para o registro agudo quanto para o grave, comparando-as, por naipe. Método Participaram 67 coristas, com média de idade de 27,79 (±7,50) anos, dos naipes: soprano (n=20), contralto (n=17), tenor (n=15) e baixo (n=15). Para coleta e análise dos dados utilizou-se o software Vocalgrama (CTS Informática) no qual foi realizada a gravação da emissão da vogal /Ɛ/ em glissando ascendente e descendente, até às frequências mais grave e mais aguda, nas intensidades mais fraca e mais forte possíveis. Resultados Foram identificados os valores das frequências e respectivas intensidades das notas de passagem nas emissões ascendentes e descendentes fortes e fracas nos quatro naipes. Houve maior ocorrência de identificação de quebra nas vozes agudas, comparativamente às mais graves. Os valores médios das frequências encontradas foram correspondentes a notas diferentes das estabelecidas na literatura para todos os naipes. Conclusão As notas de passagem identificadas no perfil de extensão vocal de coristas, a partir de suas frequências e intensidades, obtiveram maior ocorrência nos naipes soprano e tenor, comparativamente ao contralto e baixo, nas mudanças para os registros graves e agudos.

Abstract Introduction Minor structural alterations of the vocal fold cover are important causes of dysphonia. The variability in the type of alteration and the grade of vocal deviation affects the definition of the conduit and the results of treatment. Objective To characterize the occurrence, the selected treatments adopted and vocal quality before and after treatment in patients with minor structural alterations of the vocal folds cover. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on the records of patients treated by an interdisciplinary team at the laryngology outpatient clinic of a public university hospital from 2010 to 2018. Data collection consisted of access to a database of information on otorhinolaryngological diagnostic hypotheses, intervention and perceptual-auditory vocal assessments before and after the treatment. Data from 102 subjects were analyzed. Association tests were applied between the perceptualauditory vocal results and the different alterations found and between these and the adopted treatments. The results of the degrees of vocal deviation before and after treatment were also compared. Results The degree of roughness was associated with the sulcus vocalis, and in this alteration the highest occurrence was mild degree of roughness. There was an improvement in the breathiness and general grade of vocal deviation after treatment. Conclusion Cysts were the most frequent structural alteration in the population studied. There was an association between the degree of general deviation and that of roughness in sulcus vocalis cases. The breathiness and the general grade of vocal deviation improved after treatment regardless of the type of treatment and alteration.

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to explore the relationship between body fat percentage and metabolic markers. Subjects and methods Sedentary women were assigned to PCOS (N = 60) and CONTROL (N = 60) groups. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to body fat percentage (22-27%, 27-32% and 32-37%). The protocol consisted of assessments of glucose, insulin, androgens, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results The PCOS subgroups showed higher concentrations of androgens, LH and 17-OHP. Leptin showed direct relationship with increased body fat percentage, whereas adiponectin showed the inverse effect. However, both were unaffected by PCOS. TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in PCOS women and showed a direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Glucose showed direct relationship with body fat percentage, whereas insulin presented higher values in PCOS women and direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PCOS and body fat percentage directly influence concentrations of insulin, TNF-α and IL-6, whereas leptin and adiponectin are influenced only by the increase in body fat percentage in these women. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):4-10

<sec><title>Introduction</title><p> Mercury poisoning causes hearing loss in humans and animals. Acute and long-term exposures produce irreversible peripheral and central auditory system damage, and mercury in its various forms of presentation in the environment is ototoxic.</p></sec><sec><title>Objective</title><p> We investigated the otoacoustic emissions responses in a riverside population exposed to environmental mercury by analyzing the inhibitory effect of the medial olivocochlear system (MOCS) on transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE).</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p> The purpose of the research was to evaluate the entire community independently of variables of sex and age. All of the participants were born and lived in a riverside community. After otolaryngologic evaluation, participants were received tympanometry, evaluation of contralateral acoustic reflexes, pure tone audiometry, and recording of TEOAEs with nonlinear click stimulation. Hair samples were collect to measure mercury levels.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p> There was no significant correlation between the inhibitory effect of the MOCS, age, and the level of mercury in the hair.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p> The pathophysiological effects of chronic exposure may be subtle and nonspecific and can have a long period of latency; therefore, it will be important to monitor the effects of mercury exposure in the central auditory system of the Amazon population over time. Longitudinal studies should be performed to determine whether the inhibitory effect of the MOCS on otoacoustic emissions can be an evaluation method and diagnostic tool in populations exposed to mercury.</p></sec>

O acidente vascular encefálico é a principal causa de incapacidade crônica em adultos, porém poucos estudos avaliaram a motricidade do tronco nestes indivíduos. OBJETIVO: Comparar a atividade mioelétrica do tronco entre indivíduos hemiparéticos e controle. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados oito indivíduos hemiparéticos e oito controles, por meio de eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs), durante atividades de flexão dos membros inferiores e rotação do tronco em supino; levantar e elevação dos membros superiores na posição sentada. RESULTADOS: O músculo reto abdominal parético apresentou maior ativação que o grupo controle (p=0,031) durante a flexão dos membros inferiores. Os músculos oblíquos apresentaram, bilateralmente, maior ativação na elevação dos membros inferiores do que na rotação (p=0,014 e p=0,002, respectivamente). Não houve diferenças entre músculos eretores durante as atividades. CONCLUSÃO: Os músculos flexores do tronco de indivíduos hemiparéticos apresentaram alterações motoras no reto abdominal do lado parético e realizam compensações por meio dos oblíquos externos.

Stroke is the main cause of chronic disability in adults, but few studies evaluated the trunk motor activity in affected subjects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the myoelectrical activity of trunk muscle in hemiparetic and control subjects. METHOD: Eight hemiparetic and eight control subjects were assessed during lower extremities flexion and trunk rotation in supine position; stand up and rise up upper extremities in seated position. RESULTS: Paretic rectus abdominis presented a higher activation than control group (p=0.031) during lower extremities elevation. Obliquus externus abdominis showed a bilateral higher activation during lower extremities elevation than rotation activities (p=0.014 and p=0.002, respectively). There was no difference in extension activities comparison. CONCLUSION: Trunk flexor muscles of hemiparetic subjects demonstrated motor alterations in rectus abdominis of paretic side and compensations were used with Obliquus externus.