PURPOSE:To compare breast measurements performed using the software packages ImageTool METHODS:Points were marked on the breasts and arms of 40 volunteer women aged between 18 and 60 years. When connecting the points, seven linear segments and one angular measurement on each half of the body, and one medial segment common to both body halves were defined. The volunteers were photographed in a standardized manner. Photogrammetric measurements were performed by three independent observers using the three software packages and compared to direct anthropometric measurements made with calipers and a protractor. RESULTS:Measurements obtained with AutoCAD ® were the most reproducible and those made with ImageTool ® were the most similar to direct anthropometry, while measurements with Adobe Photoshop ® showed the largest differences. Except for angular measurements, significant differences were found between measurements of line segments made using the three software packages and those obtained by direct anthropometry. CONCLUSION:

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The phototherapy effects in the skin are related to biomodulation, usually to accelerate wound healing. However, there is no direct proof of the interrelation between the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light-emitting diode (LED) in neuropeptide secretion, these substances being prematurely involved in the neurogenic inflammation phase of wound healing. This study therefore focused on investigating LLLT and LED in Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) secretion in healthy rat skin. Forty rats were randomly distributed into five groups with eight rats each: Control Group, Blue LED Group (470 nm, 350 mW power), Red LED Group (660 nm, 350 mW power), Red Laser Group (660 nm, 100 mW power), and Infrared Laser Group (808 nm, 100 mW power) (DMC® Equipamentos Ltda., São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil). The skin of the animals in the experimental groups was irradiated using the punctual contact technique, with a total energy of 40 J, single dose, standardized at one point in the dorsal region. After 14 min of irradiation, the skin samples were collected for CGRP and SP quantification using western blot analysis. SP was released in Infrared Laser Group (p = 0.01); there was no difference in the CGRP secretion among groups. Infrared (808 nm) LLLT enhances neuropeptide SP secretion in healthy rat skin.

PURPOSE:To determine the limitations of the photographs used to obtain the anthropometric measurements of the breast region. METHODS:Five women, between the ages of 18 to 60 years, were evaluated. Photographs of the frontal and left and right profile views of their breasts were taken. Based on the current literature, the most commonly used anthropometric and anatomic landmarks for breast measurement were marked in their different positions. The different points were used to evaluate if the direct anthropometry was possible in a standardized way and determine how the points and the positions can to be used in any breast measurements. RESULTS:There were some limitations to the use of defining points of the breast fold, as well as of its lower portion and lateral extension positions in both profiles. CONCLUSION:The defining points of the breast fold and the profile photographs have some limitations and we suggested how the points and positions can be used for breasts measurements.

PURPOSE:To investigate the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) after subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone prior to skin incision in rats. METHODS:Twenty seven Wistar-EPM-1 rats were randomly divided into three groups. The sham group (SG) of rats was injected with 0.9 % saline. The second group (Dexa) was injected with 1.0 mg/kg dexamethasone, and the third group (Dexa+) was injected with 10.0 mg/kg dexamethasone. In all groups, the three subcutaneous injections were performed 30 minutes prior to the surgical skin incision and tissue collection. SP and CGRP (15 kDa pro-CGRP and 5 kDa CGRP) were quantified by Western Blotting. RESULTS:No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found in pro-CGRP, CGRP and SP values in all three groups. CONCLUSION:The anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone did not occur when the substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide levels were altered during the neurogenic inflammation process of skin wound healing in rats.