Abstract Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate clinical and histological changes induced by Fractional Radiofrequency (FRF) and microneedling in vulvar tissue. Methods: Thirty postmenopausal women were randomly divided into G1 (FRF) and G2 (microneedling) groups. Sub-ablative FRF was executed using disposable fractionated electrodes with an intensity of 8 mJ. Microneedling was performed using a derma roller system. The authors evaluated before and after treatment using the Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), EuroQol Five-Dimensional (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and the Blatt and Kupperman Menopausal Index (BKMI). Additionally, the authors performed biopsies of the labia majora for histological analysis pre- and post-treatment. Data were expressed as mean (± standard deviation). A paired t-test was used for intra-group comparison (pre- and post-treatment), with an independent t-test used to compare intergroup data (both pre- and post-treatment). Results: In the G1 group, the VLQ values showed differences compared to the pre-treatment values with the data obtained 60 days after the beginning of the sessions (p = 0.01). Similarly, the data changes of the G2 group proved to be significant (p = 0.001) across the same time interval. In comparing the groups, VLQ values were not different (p > 0.05). Regarding histological analysis, FRF demonstrated improvement concerning the number of fibroblasts, blood vessels, and fatty degeneration (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Additionally, FRF and microneedling samples showed higher type III collagen and vimentin expression in the immunohistochemical analysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The therapies were found to be effective in treating the flaccidity of the female external genitalia. Additionally, histological changes were observed after interventions suggesting collagen remodeling.

Abstract Purpose To collect data capable of pointing out the effects of the ultracavitation treatment on the liver of rabbits after adipose tissue application, by means of histological analyses of the liver and hematological and biochemical exams. Methods This is an experimental study with 12 albino rabbits as sample, which were divided into 3 groups and submitted to a hypercaloric diet for one month. Subsequently, subjects underwent UCV treatment: 3 minutes, 30 W, continuous mode at 100%, every 2 ERAS = 441.02 J/cm2, intensity of 10w/cm2. They were then euthanized and underwent biopsy after 24 hours. Results After 48 hours from the ultracavitation treatment, the animals’ livers presented greater amount of fat infiltration if compared to the amount presented 96 hours after the treatment. However, laboratory tests showed no alterations. Values were maintained within normal parameters of cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Conclusions This study has identified that infiltrates may appear on livers after the treatment, despite high hematological and biochemical tests results. The fat infiltrates reduction 96 h after treatment suggests lower risks to animal health, if the period between applications is respected.

Objetivo : Analisar a relevância da mensuração objetiva de rítides nasogenianas de mulheres em diferentes faixas etárias, utilizando-se osoftware radiocef 2.0® como ferramenta complementar na avaliação do cronoenvelhecimento facial. Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional descritivo envolvendo 100 voluntárias do sexo feminino, com idade entre 20 e 70 anos, dispostas em cinco grupos de 20 voluntárias de acordo com a faixa etária. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Protocolo de Avaliação Facial, o cefalostato para padronização das fotos, câmera digital e o software radiocef 2.0®. Foi aplicado o teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov para a confirmação da normalidade e todos os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística, usando o teste ANOVA e post hoc de Tukey. Foi realizado o teste Qui-quadrado e a correlação de Pearson. Foi adotado um nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados : Foi observado que todas as faixas etárias apresentaram rugas na localização do sulco nasogeniano. Observou-se também uma associação entre a idade e as escalas de Goglau e Lapiere e Pierard. Essa incidência surgiu progressivamente com o aumento da faixa etária. Foi verificada correlação moderada (r=0,67) entre a idade e a distância do sulco nasogeniano, enquanto o seu ângulo diminui com correlação fraca (r=0,3), sendo mais significativa a faixa etária que obteve a menor distância e o maior ângulo. Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou relevância do software radiocef 2.0®. para a análise mais detalhada do sulco nasogeniano, surgindo assim como uma complementação da avaliação, podendo se tornar um protocolo de investigação para identificar a eficácia dos tratamentos realizados, otimizando o método avaliativo.

Objective : To evaluate the facial aging of women of different ages using a software program to assist in the classification of wrinkles and sagging in the nasogenian region. Method : A descriptive observational study of 100 female volunteers was performed. The women were aged between 20 and 70 years old and were sorted by age group into five groups of 20 volunteers each. The instruments used were the Facial Assessment Protocol, a cephalostat for the standardization of photos, a 14.1 megapixel Sony digital camera, and the Radiocef 2.0® software program. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test was used for confirmation of normality and all data was statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc analysis. The Chi-squared and Pearson's correlation tests were also performed. A significance level of 5% and a p value of ≤0.05 were adopted. Results : It was observed that all age groups had wrinkles in the nasolabial fold region. There was an association between age and the Goglau, Lapiere and Pierard scale. This incidence increased progressively with aging. A moderate correlation (r=0.67) was observed between age and distance from the nasolabial folds, while angle represented only a weak correlation (r=0.3), with the most significant age group that with the shortest distance and the widest angle. Conclusion : The present study demonstrated the importance of the Radiocef 2.0® software program in providing a more detailed analysis of the nasolabial folds. It is therefore a complementary assessment to the Facial Assessment Protocol, representing a research protocol for identifying the effectiveness of treatments and improving the evaluative procedure.

Electromagnetic radiation (in the form of pulsed magnetic fields, radiofrequency and intense pulsed light) and mechanical agents (such as sonic waves) have been used in physical therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of low-intensity magnetic fields, sonic and radiofrequency waves, and intense pulsed light on the survival of Escherichia coli cultures and on the electrophoretic mobility of plasmid DNA. Exponentially growing E. coli AB1157 cultures and plasmid DNA samples were exposed to these physical agents and 0.9% NaCl (negative control) and SnCl2 (positive control) solutions. Aliquots of the cultures were diluted and spread onto a solidified rich medium. The colony-forming units were counted after overnight incubation and the survival fraction was calculated. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed to visualise and quantify the plasmid topological forms. The results suggest that these agents do not alter the survival of E. coli cells or plasmid DNA electrophoresis mobility. Moreover, they do not protect against the lesive action of SnCl2. These physical agents therefore had no cytotoxic or genotoxic effects under the conditions studied.

Objetivo: Este estudo objetiva avaliar o uso da Ressonância Magnética como uma nova técnica de avaliação de uma técnica de drenagem linfática no tratamento do Fibro Edema Gelóide (FEG). O FEG, popularmente conhecido como "celulite" é um dos principais problemas de estética corporal que leva as mulheres a procurar orientações e tratamentos específicos. Devido à natureza multifatorial da sua patogenia, existem várias abordagens terapêuticas, mas a maioria desses não tem sua eficácia comprovada de maneira acurada, pois os métodos de avaliação utilizados, em sua maioria, são subjetivos ou não provêem informações suficientes para o estudo do tecido subcutâneo. A introdução da ressonância magnética como meio de avaliação de uma técnica de drenagem linfática no tratamento do FEG a torna mais acurada, uma vez que a mesma possibilita o estudo detalhado da arquitetura do subcutâneo.

The aim of this study was to assess the use of magnetic resonance as a new method for evaluating the manual lymphatic drainage technique in treating cellulitis. Cellulitis is one of the main esthetic problems that lead women toward seeking guidance and specific treatments. There are various therapeutic approaches, owing to the multi-factorial nature of its pathogen, although the effectiveness of most of these has not been definitively proven, given that the assessment methods used are mostly subjective or do not provide enough information on subcutaneous tissue. The introduction of magnetic resonance as a means of assessing a lymphatic drainage technique in cellulitis treatment makes the evaluation more accurate, since it enables a detailed study of subcutaneous architecture.

O ensino das ciências sociais nos cursos da área de saúde tem sido objeto de reflexões e discussões. As várias dimensões do processo do adoecimento e a própria condição do doente, no aspecto não apenas biológico, mas psicossocial, escapam a uma simples análise biomédica, dada a sua complexidade. Esta pesquisa descritiva visou abordar as interfaces sociais, buscando a compreensão da saúde e da doença com base em uma concepção transdisciplinar, por meio da religação dos saberes através da disciplina sociologia da saúde no curso de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Concluímos que os docentes dessa disciplina, nos cursos da área da saúde, têm a responsabilidade de fazer o intercâmbio entre as ciências sociais e a prática do profissional da saúde, contextualizando o conhecimento à realidade da profissão na sociedade atual.

Recent scholarly reflections and discussions have been focused on the teaching of social sciences as part of courses in the health fields. The different dimensions involved in the process of taking ill and the state of being ill itself - not just from a biological but also from a psychosocial standpoint - transcend a simple biomedical analysis, given their complexity. The present descriptive research study, which analyzes data both quantitatively and qualitatively, endeavors to understand health and illness from an interdisciplinary view, i.e., where these fields of knowledge come together in the Sociology of Health class that is part of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte's Physical Therapy Course. The authors conclude that those who teach sociology as part of health field courses must assume the responsibility of linking the social sciences to the practice of healthcare workers, by placing knowledge within the context of the healthcare professional's reality in our society today.