RESUMO Introdução: Evidências das últimas décadas têm mostrado que o exercício físico impacta de forma significativa aspectos neurofisiológicos e estruturais do cérebro humano. No entanto, a maioria das pesquisas emprega modelos animais, o que gera confusão no que diz respeito aos efeitos reais do exercício no cérebro humano, assim como os mecanismos adjacentes. Objetivo: Apresentar uma atualização sobre o impacto do exercício no cérebro; revisar e analisar sistematicamente as evidências provenientes exclusivamente de estudos randomizados controlados em humanos, dos últimos seis anos. Métodos: Foi conduzida uma busca na literatura usando as bases de dados MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science e PsycINFO, para todos os estudos randomizados e controlados publicados entre janeiro de 2014 e janeiro de 2020. Resultados: Foram revisados 24 estudos randomizados controlados em humanos, que observavam a relação entre exercício físico e alterações neuroquímicas e estruturais no cérebro. Conclusões: Ainda que esta revisão tenha observado que o exercício físico melhora a plasticidade cerebral em humanos, particularmente por meio de alterações no fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF), conectividade funcional, núcleos da base e hipocampo, muitas questões ainda precisam ser respondidas. Dados os avanços recentes nessa temática e seu potencial terapêutico para a população em geral, espera-se que este manuscrito e pesquisas futuras que correlacionem estudos moleculares e variáveis psicológicas e de imagem possam ajudar na elucidação dos mecanismos pelos quais o exercício físico melhora a saúde cerebral.

Abstract Background: Physical exercise has been found to impact neurophysiological and structural aspects of the human brain. However, most research has used animal models, which yields much confusion regarding the real effects of exercise on the human brain, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Objective: To present an update on the impact of physical exercise on brain health; and to review and analyze the evidence exclusively from human randomized controlled studies from the last six years. Methods: A search of the literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases for all randomized controlled trials published between January 2014 and January 2020. Results: Twenty-four human controlled trials that observed the relationship between exercise and structural or neurochemical changes were reviewed. Conclusions: Even though this review found that physical exercise improves brain plasticity in humans, particularly through changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), functional connectivity, basal ganglia and the hippocampus, many unanswered questions remain. Given the recent advances on this subject and its therapeutic potential for the general population, it is hoped that this review and future research correlating molecular, psychological and image data may help elucidate the mechanisms through which physical exercise improves brain health.

This review aims to analyze and synthesize the scientific evidence on the effects of physical exercise on the precaution of COVID-19 and the main recommendations on the practice of physical activity during and after the pandemic. A search was carried out with the MEDLINE / PUBMED, Cochrane, Web of Science and Scopus databases, and manual searches in journals, in the references of the selected studies, in addition to the use of pre-print studies. The initial search totaled 1026 records. After the exclusion by title, summary, duplicates and full reading, 13 publications remained, in addition to another 10 studies selected manually, totaling 23 publications. After analyzing the results, the evidence was categorized according to: the effects of physical exercise on viral respiratory infections, the impact of COVID-19 in relation to physical inactivity, physical and mental health, precautions and recommendations on regular physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations on post-pandemic physical activity. Most evidence recommends regular moderate physical activity during and after the pandemic. However, more specific recommendations on intensity, type of exercise, sets and duration of training need further investigation.

A presente revisão visa analisar e sintetizar as evidências científicas sobre os efeitos do exercício físico na precaução do COVID-19 e as principais recomendações sobre a prática de atividade física durante e após a pandemia. Realizou-se uma busca junto às bases MEDLINE/PUBMED, Cochrane, Web of Science e Scopus, e buscas manuais em periódicos, nas referências dos estudos selecionados, além da utilização de estudos pré-print. A busca inicial totalizou 1026 registros. Após a exclusão por título, resumo, duplicatas e leitura na íntegra restaram 13 publicações, além de mais 10 estudos selecionados manualmente, totalizando 23 publicações. Após análise dos resultados, as evidências foram categorizadas de acordo com: os efeitos do exercício físico sobre infecções respiratórias virais, o impacto do COVID-19 em relação à inatividade física, saúde física e mental, as precauções e recomendações sobre a atividade física regular durante a pandemia do COVID-19 e recomendações sobre atividade física pós pandemia.  A maioria das evidências recomendam a realização de atividade física moderada regular durante e após a pandemia. No entanto, recomendações mais específicas sobre a intensidade, o tipo de exercício, séries e duração do treino precisam de maiores investigações.

Introduction: Lower back pain (LBP), one of the main causes of pain, employee absenteeism and disabilities, exhibits a multifactorial and degenerative etiology, with different characteristics. Objective: a) analyze the acute effect of osteopathic treatment on the temperature of three dermatomes of patients with chronic lumbago; and b) assess the subjective pain perception of patients before and after an osteopathic session. Materials and methods: Quasi-experimental cross-sectional study of 14 individuals treated at a physical therapy clinic in Brasilia, Brazil. Data collection included physical therapy, pain scale (VAS), thermographic, and anthropometric assessment. Treatment consisted of a single osteopathic session. Results and conclusions: leg and foot temperature declined (∆% = 2.91 and 4.76%, respectively, p = 0005) in the innervations of 2 regions of interest (ROIs) of the L4 lower limb dermatome and pain levels decreased (∆% = 65.98 and 59.92%, p = 0.005) in the men and women, respectively. In addition, a strong correlation was observed between the maximum (r=0.742 and p-value = 0.002) and mean temperature variations of the lumbar region (r=0.733 and p-value = 0.003), according to the VAS. It was concluded that acute osteopathic treatment was efficient in varying the temperature at reference points of the dermatome analyzed and lowering pain perception, suggesting the effectiveness of the proposed treatment.

Background This paper reports the production of cellulase by thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 using sugarcane bagasse and corn steep liquor as substrates. Some biochemical properties of the enzyme were also assessed for the purposes of exploiting its potential in the detergent industry, as well as other suitable applications. Results Bacillus sp. produced cellulases when cultivated at 50°C in liquid cultures containing sugarcane bagasse and corn steep liquor. Maximum avicelase (0.83 U mL-1) and CMCase (0.29 U mL-1) activities were reached in 120 h and 168 h of culturing time, respectively. The avicelase and CMCase presented an optimum activity at pH of 7.5 and 8.0, respectively. The maximum stability of avicelase and CMCase was observed at a pH range between 6.5-8.0 and 7.0-9.0 respectively, where they retained more than 70% of their maximum activities after incubation at room temperature for 3 h. The optimum temperature of avicelase and CMCase was 70°C, and both enzymes remained 100% stable until the treatment at 60°C for 1 h. Bacillus sp. cultures also released proteases into the culture medium, but the cellulases were resistant to protease digestion. The compatibility of cellulases varied with each laundry detergent tested, being more stable in the presence of Ultra Biz® and less with Ariel®. In addition, the enzyme was stable in sodium dodecyl sulfate and RENEX-95, and was inhibited by TritonX-100 and H2O2. Conclusions The properties presented by Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 suggest that this organism might become a potential source of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes for industrial applications such as in the detergent industry.

This study aimed at evaluating the bacteriological effects of the treatment of sheep meat contaminated with total coliforms, coliforms at 45 °C and Salmonella spp. by using irradiation at doses of 3 kGy and 5 kGy. Thirty sheep meat samples were collected from animals located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and then grouped in three lots including 10 samples: non-irradiated (control); irradiated with 3 kGy; and irradiated with 5 kGy. Exposure to gamma radiation in a 137Cs source-driven irradiating facility was perfomed at the Nuclear Defense Section of the Brazilian Army Technological Center (CTEx) in Rio de Janeiro. The samples were kept under freezing temperature (-18 °C) until the analyses, which occurred in two and four months after irradiation. The results were interpreted by comparison with the standards of the current legislation and demonstrated that non-irradiated samples were outside the parameters established by law for all groups of bacteria studied. Gamma irradiation was effective in inactivating those microorganisms at both doses tested and the optimal dose was achieved at 3 kGy. The results have shown not only the need for sanitary conditions improvements in slaughter and processing of sheep meat but also the irradiation effectiveness to eliminate coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp.

As enzimas proteolíticas termoestáveis produzidas por microrganismos do gênero Bacillus possuem grande importância comercial, sendo sua aplicação predominante (35%) na indústria de detergentes. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a produção de proteases pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. SMIA-2, utilizando-se substratos de baixo custo. A fim de verificar a utilidade da protease para aplicações industriais, a estabilidade e a atividade da enzima a diferentes valores de pH e temperatura foram também estudadas. A atividade da protease secretada por Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 em culturas submersas contendo 0,5% (m/v) de pectina de maçã, 0,1% (m/v) de proteínas do soro e 0,3% (m/v) de água de maceração de milho foi máxima após 24 h de incubação da cultura, com níveis de 54,3 U.mg-1 Proteína. A redução na concentração da pectina para 0,3% (m/v) e o aumento nos níveis das proteínas do soro para 0,3% (m/v) no meio de cultura aumentaram a produção da protease, que alcançou sua máxima atividade em 30 h, com níveis de 72,2 U.mg-1 Proteína. Estudos sobre a protease revelaram que as suas características mais importantes foram a alta temperatura ótima para atividade da enzima (70 °C) e a alta estabilidade em uma grande faixa de pH. A protease reteve em torno de 80% de sua atividade original quando incubada à temperatura ambiente por 2 h na faixa de pH entre 6,0 e 12,0. Essas propriedades constituem importantes vantagens para um possível uso da enzima em indústrias de detergentes.

The thermostable proteolytic enzymes produced by the genus Bacillus are commercially very important, being predominantly applied (35%) in detergents. In this work the production of proteases by a thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 using low-cost substrates was evaluated. In order to assess the use of the protease for industrial use, the stability of the enzyme activity at different pH values and temperatures was also studied. The protease activity secreted by Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 in submerged cultures containing 0.5% (w/v) apple pectin, 0.1% (w/v) whey protein concentrate and 0.3% (w/v) corn steep liquor reached a maximum after 24 h, with levels of 54.3 U.mg-1 protein. A reduction in the pectin concentration to 0.3% (w/v) and increase in the whey protein levels to 0.3% (w/v) in the culture medium improved the protease production, which reached a maximum after 30 h, with levels of 72.2 U.mg-1 protein. Studies on the characterization of the protein revealed that the most important kinetic properties of the enzyme were the high optimal temperature (70 °C) and high stability in a very broad pH range. The protease retained about 80% of its original activity when incubated at room temperature for 2 h in a pH range between 6.0 - 12.0. These properties represent important advantages for the possible use of the enzyme in detergent industries.

This work studied the anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroalcoholic extracts (HAEs) from Erythrina velutina Willd. (Ev) and E. mulungu Mart. ex Benth. (Em) in the carrageenan- and dextran-induced mice hind paw edema models. These medicinal plants belonging to the Fabaceae family are used in some Brazilian communities to treat pain, inflammation, insomnia and disorders of the central nervous system. In the present work, the extracts were administered orally in male mice at the doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg. In the carrageenan-induced test, only Em showed anti-inflammatory activity, decreasing the paw edema, at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. No effect was observed with Ev in this model. On the other hand, in the dextran model, Ev demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect, showing decrease of the paw edema at the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 24th h. Em (200 or 400 mg/kg) presented anti-inflammatory effect at the 2, 3 and 4th h after administration of dextran, as compared to control. In conclusion, the work showed that Ev and Em present anti-edematous actions, which possibly occurs by distinct mechanisms. While Ev seems to interfere especially in inflammatory processes in which mast cells have an important role, Em exerts greater activity in the inflammatory process that depends mainly on polymorphonuclear leucocytes. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanism of action of the species investigated.

A produção de poligalacturonase pelo termofílico Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 cultivado em culturas líquidas contendo 0,5% (p/v) de pectina de maçã e suplementado com 0,3% (p/v) de água de maceração de milho foi máxima em 36 horas com níveis de 39 U.mL-1. O aumento da concentração da pectina de maçã e da água de maceração de milho no meio de cultura de 0,5 e 0,3%, respectivamente, para 0,65%, afetou de maneira marcante a produção da poligalacturonase, cuja atividade aumentou cerca de quatro vezes, atingindo o valor máximo de 150,3 U.mL-1. Estudos sobre a caracterização da poligalacturonase revelaram que a temperatura para atividade ótima desta enzima foi entre 60-70 °C. Em relação à termoestabilidade da enzima, a poligalacturonase manteve sua atividade em torno de 82 e 63% a 60 e 70 °C, respectivamente, após 2 horas de incubação. O pH para atividade ótima da enzima foi 10,0. Após a incubação da solução enzimática bruta a pH 8,0 por 2 horas à temperatura ambiente, foi observado um decréscimo em torno de 29% de sua atividade original. À pH 10,0 o decréscimo na atividade foi de 25%.

Polygalacturonase production by the thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2 cultivated in liquid cultures containing 0.5% (w/v) apple pectin and supplemented with 0.3% (w/v) corn steep liquor, reached its maximum after 36 hours with levels of 39 U.mL-1. The increase in apple pectin and corn steep liquor concentrations in the medium from 0.5 and 0.3%, respectively, to 0.65%, markedly affected the production of polygalacturonase, whose activity increased four times, reaching a maximum of 150.3 U.mL-1. Studies on polygalacturonase characterization revealed that the optimum temperature of this enzyme was between 60-70 °C. Thermostability profile indicated that the enzyme retained about 82 and 63% of its activity at 60 and 70 °C, respectively, after 2 hours of incubation. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be 10.0. After incubation of crude enzyme solution at room temperature for 2 hours at pH 8.0, a decrease of about 29% on its original activity was observed. At pH 10.0, the decrease was 25%.

Crotalaria retusa é uma planta encontrada no Nordeste brasileiro, pertence ao gênero Crotalaria e à família Leguminosae, e possuem mais de seissentas espécies no mundo e mais de quarenta no Brasil. As variedades tóxicas mais conhecidas são C. spectabilis, C. crispata, C. retusa, C. dura e C. globifera. Plantas do gênero Crotalaria são de interesse porque são usadas na medicina popular. Esses gêneros são ricos em alcaloides pirrolizidínicos (AP), que são as principais toxinas e apresentam efeitos pneumotóxicos, nefrotóxicos, cardiotóxicos, fetotóxicos, carcinogênicos, inflamação, hemorragia e fibrose. A monocrotalina é o principal alcaloide pirrolizidínico encontrado nessas plantas e é ativamente oxidada in vivo pelo citocromo P450 no fígado, formando intermediários altamente reativos tipo pirrólicos que são responsáveis pela ligação cruzada do DNA-DNA e DNA-proteína. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo fazer um levantamento bibliográfico via internet, utilizando bancos de dados, programas de pesquisa científica e pesquisa em livros relacionados, acerca da atividade farmacológica e do mecanismo de ação da monocrotalina extraída de plantas do gênero Crotalaria, ressaltando desde os aspectos botânicos da planta, estrutura química dos alcaloides pirrolizidínicos, exemplos experimentais de toxicidade e provável mecanismo de ação.

Crotalia retusa is a plant found in Brazilian Northeast and belongs to the genus Crotalaria and the family Leguminosae, which comprises more than 600 species throughout the world and more than forty in Brazil. The most known toxic species are C. spectabilis, C. crispata, C. retusa, C. dura and C. globifera. Plants of the Crotalaria genus are of great interest because they are used by humans for folk medicine. These plants are rich in pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which are the main toxins that cause effects such as pneumotoxic, nefrotoxic, cardiotoxic, fetotoxic, carcinogenic, inflammation, hemorrhage and fibrosis. Monocrotaline is the main pirrolizidinic alkaloid found in plants and is actively oxidated in vivo by the cytochrome P450 in the liver, yielding highly reactive pyrrolic type intermediates, which are responsible for DNA-DNA and DNA-protein cross-links reaction. The aim of this work is to make a bibliographic survey via internet, using databases, scientific research programs and related books, about pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of monocrotaline extracted from plants of Crotalaria genus, emphasizing plant botanical aspects, chemical structure of pirrolizidinic alkaloid, experimental examples of toxicity and probable action mechanism.

Thermophilic Bacillus sp. SMIA-2, produced protease when grown on apple pectic, whey protein and corn step liquor medium, whose concentration was varied from 3 to 10 gL-1, according to the central composite design 2³. The experiments were conducted in shaker, at 50 °C, 150 rpm and initial pH 6.5. The results revealed that the culture medium affected both, cell growth and enzyme production. After graphical and numerical optimization procedure, the enzyme production reached its maximum value at 30 h fermentation, reaching, approximately, 70 U protein mg-1, suggesting that this process was partially associated to the growth.

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois programas de treinamento muscular respiratório, na melhoria da autonomia funcional de idosos institucionalizados. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico experimental aleatorizado, realizado numa instituição de longa permanência, com 42 idosos, divididos em grupos: Grupo Threshold® (GT; n=14; idade 70,93±8,41), Grupo Voldyne® (GV; n=14; idade 70,54±7,73) e Grupo Controle (GC; n=14; idade 73,92±7,28). Os grupos GT e GV foram tratados com exercícios respiratórios e treinamento muscular com Threshold e Voldyne, respectivamente, e o GC realizou apenas exercícios respiratórios. O treinamento teve duração de 10 semanas. Para avaliação da autonomia funcional, foi utilizado o protocolo de GDLAM. RESULTADOS: Na comparação intragrupos (pré x pós-teste) houve diferença significativa no GT para todos os testes (índice de GLDAM - IG: Δ %= -18,43, p=0,0001), com exceção do levantar da posição de decúbito ventral. No GV só houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) para o teste de caminhar 10 metros - C10m (Δ %= -17,11; p=0,004). Na comparação intergrupos (pós x pós), houve uma significância estatística (p<0,05) para o teste vestir e tirar a camiseta entre o GT e o GV (Δ %= -3,62; p=0,017), sendo os resultados favoráveis ao GT. Semelhantemente houve diferença estatística do GT no C10m (Δ %= -3,83; p=0,023), levantar-se da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa - LCLC (Δ %= -34,02; p=0,012) e IG (Δ %= -13,63; p=0,004) em relação ao GC. CONCLUSÃO: Os grupos treinados obtiveram níveis de autonomia funcional, acima de 27,42; considerado fraco tanto no pré e pós-treinamento.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two respiratory muscle training programs for improving the functional autonomy of institutionalized elderly. METHODS: Clinical randomized trial conducted at a long stay institution with 42 elderly volunteers that were divided into three groups: Group ® Threshold (GT) with mean age (70.93 ± 8.41), Group Voldyne ® (GV) (70.54 ± 7.73) and Control Group (CG) (73.92 ± 7.28). Groups GT and GV were treated with breathing exercises and muscle training by Threshold and Voldyne, respectively while the CG did just breathing exercises. Training of groups took 10 weeks. To assess the functional autonomy, the elderly were evaluated before and after training, according to the GDLAM protocol. RESULTS: All intra-group comparison (pre x post-test) showed a significant difference in GT for all tests (C10M: Δ% = -20.57, p = 0.0001; LPS: Δ% = -13.53, p = 0.020; VTC: Δ% = -27.96, p = 0.0001; LCLC: Δ% = -18.71, p = 0.0001 and IG:% Δ = -18.43, p = 0, 0001), except in LPDV. In GV there was a significant difference only (p <0.05) for the C10M (% Δ = -17.11, p = 0.004). In the comparison between (post x post), there was a statistical significance (p <0.05) for VTC test between the GT and GV (Δ = -3.62%, p = 0.017), with favorable results for the GT. Similarly, there was a statistical difference (p <0.05) in GT C10M (% Δ = -3.83, p = 0.023), LCLC (Δ = -34.02%, p = 0.012) and IG (Δ% = -13.63, p = 0.004) compared to GC. CONCLUSION: The trained groups improved functional autonomy, reaching 27.42; considered to be a weak level in both pre-and post-training.

CONTEXTO: O 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA, êxtase) é um derivado da anfetamina, cujo consumo por jovens tem aumentado. OBJETIVOS: Conduzir uma revisão de literatura sobre os aspectos farmacológicos e fisiopatológicos do MDMA, incluindo o mecanismo de ação que possa explicar os efeitos neurotóxicos e a toxicidade aguda e a longo prazo. MÉTODOS: Revisão da literatura usando as palavras-chave: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy, neurotoxicity, intoxication, drug abuse, por intermédio do MEDLINE e LILACS. A busca incluiu todos os artigos publicados no período entre 1985 e 2007. RESULTADOS: Ainda existem muitas questões sem respostas sobre a farmacologia do êxtase e a fisiopatologia dos efeitos tóxicos dessa substância. A simples descrição do mecanismo de ação é insuficiente para explicar todos os efeitos induzidos pelo êxtase. O mecanismo exato responsável por mediar os efeitos tóxicos do MDMA sobre os neurônios da serotonina precisa ser elucidado. CONCLUSÕES: Existem poucas informações na literatura sobre a farmacologia e o mecanismo de ação do MDMA que possam explicar os efeitos neurotóxicos e outros efeitos fisiopatológicos. São necessários mais estudos para que o profissional de saúde possa obter informações e conhecimentos a fim de combater os efeitos terríveis do êxtase na população jovem vulnerável.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of the amphetamine derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) by young people increased in the past years. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a literature review on the pharmacology of MDMA and particularly with respect to the putative mechanism of action implicated in the acute and long-term toxicity and neurotoxic effects. METHODS: A literature review using the key words: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy, neurotoxicity, intoxication, abuse drugs was performed in the databases MEDLINE and LILACS. The search covered all articles published between 1985 and 2007. RESULTS: There were still many unanswered questions regarding the pharmacology of ecstasy and the pathophysiology of its toxic effects. The fundamental mechanism of action is insufficient to explain all effects induced by the drug. The exact mechanism responsible for mediating the toxic effects of MDMA on 5-HT neurons remain to be elucidated. DISCUSSION: There is limited information in published literature about the underlying pharmacology and mechanism of action that could account for the neurotoxic and other phathophysiological effect of MDMA.

A miringoesclerose é caracterizada por hialinização da lâmina própria da membrana timpânica. Trabalhos experimentais têm utilizado a otomicroscopia ou a histologia para estudar a miringoesclerose em animais, porém sem correlacionar precisamente estes dois métodos de avaliação. OBJETIVO: Este estudo procura avaliar a acurácia da otomicroscopia no diagnóstico de miringoesclerose em modelo experimental com ratos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi induzida miringoesclerose por inoculação transtimpânica de Streptococcus pneumoniae em 25 ratos Wistar, que foram examinados quinzenalmente por otomicroscopia e sacrificados após oito semanas, tendo suas membranas timpânicas examinadas por histologia. RESULTADOS: Da confrontação das alterações otomicroscópicas com os achados histológicos, houve uma sensibilidade de 80% e especificidade de 75%. CONCLUSÃO: Pelos resultados obtidos neste estudo, a otomicroscopia não representou um bom método para avaliar a miringoesclerose neste modelo experimental.

Myringosclerosis is characterized by hyaline changes of the lamina propria of the tympanic membrane. Experimental studies have used otomicroscopy or histology to evaluate myringosclerosis in animals, but they do not correlate precisely these two methods. AIM: The present study evaluates the accuracy of otomicroscopy in the diagnosis of myringosclerosis in rats. STUDY DESIGN: experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Myringosclerosis was induced by transtympanic inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in 25 Wistar rats, which were examined weekly through otomicroscopy and sacrificed after eight weeks for histologic study of their tympanic membranes. RESULTS: From the comparison of the otomicroscopic data in relation to the histologic findings, we could observe sensibility of 80% and specificity of 75% for the otomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: Considering the results in this study, otomicroscopy did not represent a good method to evaluate myringosclerosis in this experimental model.