This study aimed at comparing both the results of wheat flour quality assessed by the new equipment Wheat Gluten Quality Analyser (WGQA) and those obtained by the extensigraph and farinograph. Fifty-nine wheat samples were evaluated for protein and gluten contents; the rheological properties of gluten and wheat flour were assessed using the WGQA and the extensigraph/farinograph methods, respectively, in addition to the baking test. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression were used to evaluate the results. The parameters of energy and maximum resistance to extension determined by the extensigraph and WGQA showed an acceptable level for the linear correlation within the range from 0.6071 to 0.6511. The PCA results obtained using WGQA and the other rheological apparatus showed values similar to those expected for wheat flours in the baking test. Although all equipment used was effective in assessing the behavior of strong and weak flours, the results of medium strength wheat flour varied. WGQA has shown to use less amount of sample and to be faster and easier to use in relation to the other instruments used.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a análise perceptivo-auditiva e de psicodinâmica vocal de amostras de fala de personagens suicidas em filmes de cinema. MÉTODO: Foram analisadas amostras de fala de 48 personagens suicidas (27 homens, 21 mulheres), extraídas de 36 filmes produzidos no período de 1968 a 2006. As amostras foram analisadas utilizando-se um protocolo especificamente produzido para o registro das características da voz por meio da análise perceptivo-auditiva (qualidade vocal, ressonância, pitch, loudness, modulação, pausas, articulação e ritmo de fala) e da psicodinâmica vocal. RESULTADOS: 85,5% das amostras (n = 41) apresentaram alterações em ao menos cinco parâmetros da análise perceptivo-auditiva, com destaque para soprosidade (n = 42; 87,5% das amostras), rugosidade (n = 39; 81,2%) e tensão (n = 29; 60,4%), bem como ressonância laringofaríngea (n = 39; 81,2%), pitch agudo (n = 14; 29,2%) e loudness fraca (n = 31; 64,6%). A análise da psicodinâmica vocal revelou desânimo em 50% (n = 24) das amostras, desesperança em 47,9% (n = 23), resignação em 37,5% (n = 18) e tristeza em 33,3% (n = 16). CONCLUSÃO: Os achados do presente estudo apontam para padrões vocais característicos utilizados por atores na interpretação de personagens suicidas. Se replicados entre pacientes reais, estes achados podem contribuir para o aperfeiçoamento da avaliação do risco de suicídio e a instauração de medidas preventivas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the auditory-perceptive evaluation and the psychodynamic aspects of voice samples among suicidal movie characters. METHOD: Voice samples of 48 characters (27 male, 21 female), extracted from 36 movies produced between 1968 and 2006, were analyzed. The samples were evaluated through a specific protocol focusing on the auditory-perceptive evaluation (voice quality, resonance, pitch, loudness, modulation, pauses, articulation and rhythm) and the psychodynamic aspects of voice. RESULTS: 85.5% of the samples exhibited abnormal findings in at least five parameters of the auditory-perceptive analysis, such as breathiness (n = 42; 87.5% of the samples), hoarseness (n = 39; 81.2%) and strain (n = 29; 60.4%), as well as laryngopharingeal resonance (n = 39; 81.2%), either high pitch (n = 14; 29.2%), or decreased loudness (n = 31; 64.6%). With respect to the psychodynamic aspects, dismay was detected in 50% (n = 24) of the samples, hopelessness in 47.9% (n = 23), resignation in 37.5% (n = 18), and sadness in 33.3% (n = 16). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the existence of specific patterns used by actors during the interpretation of suicidal characters. The replication of these findings among real patients may contribute to improvement in the evaluation of potential suicidal patients, as well as the implementation of preventive measures.

INTRODUÇÃO: Poucos estudos investigaram anormalidades cerebrais em esquizofrenia de início precoce. OBJETIVO: Avaliar anormalidades cerebrais em tomografias computadorizadas (TC) em pacientes com esquizofrenia de início precoce. Método: Foram comparadas TCs de pacientes com esquizofrenia de início na infância (6-11 anos de idade) (N=6) e na adolescência (12-17 anos de idade) (N= 9). O diagnóstico foi feito de acordo com os critérios do DSM-III-R. A dilatação ventricular foi medida pela Razão Ventricular-Cerebral (VBR) e a atrofia cortical (avaliação da proeminência pré-frontal), pelo Índice de Atrofia Pré-Frontal (PFAI). RESULTADOS: Houve uma diferença do VBR, mas não do PFAI, entre pacientes e controles [8,26±2.79, e 5,71±3,26 (p=0,029), e [2,72±1,77, e 3,21±1,53 (p=0,424)]. A comparação entre crianças e adolescentes com esquizofrenia não revelou diferenças nestes parâmetros. CONCLUSÃO: Comparados aos controles, pacientes com esquizofrenia de início precoce na infância ou adolescência apresentam dilatação ventricular mais pronunciada. Nao houve diferenças em relação à atrofia pré-frontal.

BACKGROUND: Few studies investigated brain abnormalities in early onset schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE: To assess computed tomography (CT) abnormalities in patients with childhood or adolescence onset schizophrenia. Method: CT scans of patients with childhood (6 to 11 years old) (N=6) or adolescence (12-17 years old) (N=9) schizophrenia were compared to normal controls. Patients were diagnosed based on the DSM-III-R criteria. Ventricular enlargement was measured by the Ventricle to Brain Ratio (VBR) and Cortical Atrophy (pre-frontal prominence) was measured by the Pre-Frontal Atrophy Index (PFAI). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in VBR, but not in PFAI, between subjects and controls [8.26±2.79, and 5.71±3.26 (p=0.029)], and [2.72±1.77, and 3.21±1.53 (p=0.424)], respectively. There were no differences of VBR and PFAI between children and adolescents with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: Compared to controls, patients with child or adolescent onset schizophrenia exhibit more pronounced ventricular enlargement. There were no differences regarding prefrontal atrophy.