BACKGROUND: The risk factors for the development of plantar fasciitis (PF) have been associated with the medial longitudinal arch (MLA), rearfoot alignment and calcaneal overload. However, the relationships between the biomechanical variables have yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between the MLA, rearfoot alignment, and dynamic plantar loads in runners with unilateral PF in acute and chronic phases. METHOD: Cross-sectional study which thirty-five runners with unilateral PF were evaluated: 20 in the acute phase (with pain) and 15 with previous chronic PF (without pain). The MLA index and rearfoot alignment were calculated using digital images. The contact area, maximum force, peak pressure, and force-time integral over three plantar areas were acquired with Pedar X insoles while running at 12 km/h, and the loading rates were calculated from the vertical forces. RESULTS: The multiple regression analyses indicated that both the force-time integral (R2=0.15 for acute phase PF; R2=0.17 for chronic PF) and maximum force (R2=0.35 for chronic PF) over the forefoot were predicted by an elevated MLA index. The rearfoot valgus alignment predicted the maximum force over the rearfoot in both PF groups: acute (R2=0.18) and chronic (R2=0.45). The rearfoot valgus alignment also predicted higher loading rates in the PF groups: acute (R2=0.19) and chronic (R2=0.40). CONCLUSION: The MLA index and the rearfoot alignment were good predictors of plantar loads over the forefoot and rearfoot areas in runners with PF. However, rearfoot valgus was demonstrated to be an important clinical measure, since it was able to predict the maximum force and both loading rates over the rearfoot.

A cúrcuma é o rizoma limpo, em boas condições, seco e moído da Curcuma longa L., uma planta herbácea da família Zingiberaceae. Visando novas alternativas para o controle da esquistossomose, os extratos de Curcuma longa L. foram testados para a avaliação da atividade moluscicida contra caramujos adultos da espécie Biomphalaria glabrata, e toxicidade (ensaio de letalidade com Artemia salina). A oleoresina e o óleo essencial de cúrcuma foram ativos contra Artemia salina (CL50 = 80,43 e CL50 = 319,82 μg/mL, respectivamente) e também ativos contra os indivíduos adultos de Biomphalaria glabrata (CL50 = 58,3 e CL50 = 46,73 μg/mL, respectivamente). A partir dos resultados obtidos pôde ser concluído que ambos os extratos podem constituir uma alternativa no controle da população desses caramujos e na redução da esquistossomose.

The turmeric is the clean rhizome at good conditions, dried and powdered of Curcuma longa L., an herbaceous plant of Zingiberaceae family. Aiming new alternatives for Schistosomiasis control, the Curcuma longa L. extracts were tested for molluscicidal activity evaluation against adult snails of Biomphalaria glabrata specie, and the toxicity (Brine Shrimp Lethality-BSL-bioassay). The oleoresin and the essential oil of turmeric were active against Artemia salina (CL50 = 80.43 and CL50 = 319.82 μg.mL-1, respectively) and also active against the adult snails of Biomphalaria glabrata (CL50 = 58.3 and CL50 = 46.73 μg.mL-1, respectively). From the obtained results it was concluded that both extracts can constitute an alternative to population control of these snails and in the reduction of Schistosomiasis.

Misturas contendo teor conhecido de borracha natural (NR) e copolímero de butadieno e estireno (SBR) foram preparadas nos laboratórios do CTA e do IFOCA como amostras de referência para a elaboração de uma curva analítica, visando à determinação do teor de NR e SBR por análise pirólise/FT-IR. Termogravimetria foi usada para determinar o teor real de NR e SBR nas misturas por meio da razão entre as alturas dos picos da curva derivada (DTG). As bandas FT-IR escolhidas na região MIR foram 885 cm-1 (A1) para NR e 699 cm-1 (A2) para SBR. Os valores de absorvância relativa (A1/A2) versus a relação NR/SBR, obtida a partir dos dados fornecidos pela análise DTG, foram usados para construir uma curva com uma boa correlação linear (R=0,998), a qual possibilita determinar os teores de NR e SBR em misturas onde os componentes têm a mesma composição química.

Blends with known contents of natural rubber (NR) and butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBR) were prepared at CTA and IFOCA laboratories as sample references for producing an analytical curve to determine the contents of NR and SBR via pyrolysis/FT-IR analysis. Thermogravimetry was used to quantify the real content of NR and SBR in the blends through the ratio between the intensity of the peaks in the derivative curve (DTG). The FT-IR analytical bands chosen at MIR region were 885 cm-1 (A1) for NR and 699 cm-1 (A2) for SBR. Values of relative absorbance (A1/A2) versus the NR/SBR contents data obtained from DTG analysis were used to construct an analytical curve with a good linear correlation (R=0.998) which allows one to determine contents of NR and SBR in blends of similar composition.