São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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Maintainance of postural balance requires detection of body movements, integration of sensory information in the central nervous system and an appropriate motor response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lower-limb dominance has an influence on postural balance. ⋯ The lower-limb dominance did not influence single-foot balance among sedentary males.
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Considering the difficulties in stopping smoking, this article aimed to identify factors relating to failure of attempts to quit smoking among smokers who sought care at an outpatient clinic in a general university hospital. ⋯ The variables of lack of leisure activities, higher education and/or lack of tobacco-related disease correlated with failure to quit smoking among smokers who sought treatment at an outpatient clinic in a tertiary general hospital.
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Evaluation of severe maternal morbidity has been used in monitoring of maternal health. The objective of this study was to estimate its incidence and main causes in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. ⋯ Direct obstetric disorders were the main causes of severe maternal morbidity in São Luís, Maranhão. Investigation and monitoring of severe morbidity may contribute towards improving obstetric care in the municipality.
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Controversy exists regarding the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA), presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaques and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in postmenopausal women. ⋯ In women referred for routine osteoporosis screening, the relationship between CCA, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis can be demonstrated using either cortical or trabecular BMD. Vertebral fractures may be considered to be a likelihood factor for atherosclerotic plaque development.