A Low-Cost Wearable Device to Estimate Body Temperature Based on Wrist Temperature.

The remote monitoring of vital signs and healthcare provision has become an urgent necessity due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world. Blood oxygen level, heart rate, and body temperature data are crucial for managing the disease and ensuring timely medical care. This study proposes a low-cost wearable device employing non-contact sensors to monitor, process, and visualize critical variables, focusing on body temperature measurement as a key health indicator. The wearable device developed offers a non-invasive and continuous method to gather wrist and forehead temperature data. However, since there is a discrepancy between wrist and actual forehead temperature, this study incorporates statistical methods and machine learning to estimate the core forehead temperature from the wrist. This research collects 2130 samples from 30 volunteers, and both the statistical least squares method and machine learning via linear regression are applied to analyze these data. It is observed that all models achieve a significant fit, but the third-degree polynomial model stands out in both approaches. It achieves an R2 value of 0.9769 in the statistical analysis and 0.9791 in machine learning.

Situs inversus totalis: A challenge for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a congenital condition in which the major visceral organs are reversed or in a mirror image from their normal positions that affects one per 10,000 live births. It is associated with dextrocardia (DXC) in which the heart is located on the right side of the chest. We present a challenging cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation in a 60-year-old man with SIT-DXC, heart failure, extreme bradycardia, wide QRS, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The procedure was complex due to the mirror-image anatomy and the tortuous origin of the coronary sinus (CS) branches that required a subselection catheter for adequate lead implantation.

Molecular variability of the Ancylostoma secreted Protein-2 (Aca-asp-2) gene from Ancylostoma caninum contributes to expand information on population genetic studies of hookworms.

Hookworm infection is a major public health problem in many regions of the world. Given the high levels of host morbidity and even mortality of the host caused by these infections, it is crucial to understand the genetic structure of hookworm populations. This understanding can provide insights into the ecology, transmission patterns, mechanisms of drug resistance, and the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies. Previously, we examined presumably neutral molecular markers, such as microsatellites and COI (Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1) in Brazilian populations of Ancylostoma caninum. Here we analyze the molecular variability of a genomic fragment of the Aca-asp-2 (Ancylostoma secreted protein-2) gene from Ancylostoma caninum. This gene is a highly expressed and activated following the infection of the L3 larvae in the host. We obtained individuals of A. caninum from five different geographic locations in Brazil, sequenced and analyzed parts of the gene. The results revealed extensive polymorphism at this fragment, especially in the intronic region, indicating low selective pressure acting on these sequences. However, we also observed irregular distributions of nucleotides and polymorphisms in the coding region of this gene, resulting in the identification of 27 alleles. The data presented here contribute to expanding the understanding of population genetic studies of hookworms.

A Review of Cognitive Hybrid Radio Frequency/Visible Light Communication Systems for Wireless Sensor Networks.

The development and growth of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is significantly propelled by advances in Radio Frequency (RF) and Visible Light Communication (VLC) technologies. This paper endeavors to present a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in cognitive hybrid RF-VLC systems for WSNs, emphasizing the critical task of seamlessly integrating Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks (CRSNs) and VLC technologies. The central challenge addressed is the intricate landscape of this integration, characterized by notable trade-offs between performance and complexity, which escalate with the addition of more devices and increased data rates. This scenario necessitates the development of advanced cognitive radio strategies, potentially facilitated by Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) approaches, albeit introducing new complexities such as the necessity for pre-training with extensive datasets. The review scrutinizes the fundamental aspects of CRSNs and VLC, spotlighting key areas like Energy Efficient Resource Allocation, Industrial Scenarios, and Energy Harvesting, and explores the synergistic amalgamation of these technologies as a promising pathway for enhanced spectrum utilization and network performance. By delving into the integration of cognitive radio technology with visible light, this study furnishes valuable insights into the potential for innovative applications in wireless communication, presenting a balanced overview of the current advancements and prospective avenues in the field of cognitive hybrid RF/VLC systems.

Sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Hg(II) in aqueous solution using 4'-dimethylaminochalcone.

Mercury (Hg) is an element with high toxicity, especially to the nervous system, and fluorescent pigments are used to visualize dynamic processes in living cells. A little explored fluorescent core is chalcone. Herein, we synthesized chalcone (2E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (8) and assessed its photophysical properties. Moreover, the application of this chemosensor in aqueous media shows a selective fluorescence quenching effect with Hg(II). The figures of merit for the chemosensor were calculated to be LOD = 136 nM and LOQ = 454 nM, as well as a stoichiometry of 1:1. Furthermore, the association constant (Ka) and fluorescence quenching constant (KSV) were calculated using the Benesi-Hildebrand and Stern-Volmer equations to be Ka= 9.08 × 104 and KSV= 1.60 × 105, respectively. Finally, by using a computational approach, we explain the interaction between chalcone (8) and Hg(II) and propose a potential quenching mechanism based on the blocking of photoinduced electron transfer.

Antiinflammatory activity of natural triterpenes-An overview from 2006 to 2021.

Terpenes are one of the most abundant classes of secondary metabolites produced by plants and can be divided based on the number of isoprene units (C5 ) in monoterpenes (2 units-C10 ), sesquiterpenes (3 units-C15 ), diterpenes (4 units-C20 ), triterpenes (6 units-C30 ), etc. Chemically, triterpenes are classified based on their structural skeleton including lanostanes, euphanes, cycloartanes, ursanes, oleananes, lupanes, tirucallanes, cucurbitanes, dammaranes, baccharanes, friedelanes, hopanes, serratanes etc. Additionally, glycosylated (saponins) or highly oxidated/degraded (limonoids) triterpenes could be found in nature. The antiinflammatory effect and action as immunomodulators of these secondary metabolites have been demonstrated in different studies. This review reports an overview of articles published in the last 15 years (from 2006 to 2021 using PubMed and SciFinder database) describing the antiinflammatory effects of different triterpenes with their presumed mechanism of action, suggesting that triterpenes could be appointed as natural products with future pharmaceutical applicability.

Current Therapeutic Strategies in Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are the fastest growing chronic complication of diabetes mellitus, with more than 400 million people diagnosed globally, and the condition is responsible for lower extremity amputation in 85% of people affected, leading to high-cost hospital care and increased mortality risk. Neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease trigger deformities or trauma, and aggravating factors such as infection and edema are the etiological factors for the development of DFUs. DFUs require identifying the etiology and assessing the co-morbidities to provide the correct therapeutic approach, essential to reducing lower-extremity amputation risk. This review focuses on the current treatment strategies for DFUs with a special emphasis on tissue engineering techniques and regenerative medicine that collectively target all components of chronic wound pathology.

Matrix metalloproteinase multiplex screening identifies increased MMP-2 urine concentrations in women predicted to develop preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, represents the leading cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The identification of novel and accurate biomarkers that are predictive of preeclampsia is necessary to improve the prognosis of patients with preeclampsia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of nine urinary metalloproteinases to predict the risk of preeclampsia development. METHODS: MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-10, MMP-12 and MMP-13 were analyzed in urine (early-pregnancy) from 17 women predicted to develop preeclampsia and 48 controls using the Bio-Plex Pro-Human MMP panel (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). RESULTS: Urinary MMP-2 showed differences between groups which allowed us to calculate an increased risk for PE development of up to 20 times among the study population. CONCLUSION: Increased urinary concentration of MMP-2 at 12 and 16 weeks of gestation predicted an increased risk of developing preeclampsia in the study population.

Circulating levels of specific members of chromosome 19 microRNA cluster are associated with preeclampsia development.

PURPOSE: To perform serum microRNA expression profiling to identify members of chromosome 19 miRNA cluster involved in preeclampsia development. METHODS: Serum chromosome 19 miRNA cluster microRNA expression profiling was evaluated at 12, 16, and 20 gestational weeks and at the time of preeclampsia diagnosis, in women who developed preeclampsia (WWD-PE; n = 16) and controls (n = 18) using TaqMan low density array plates. RESULTS: A total of 51 chromosome 19 microRNA cluster members were evaluated. The circulating hsa-miRs 512-3p, 518f-3p, 520c-3p, and 520d-3p, were differentially expressed between groups (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, serum levels of hsa-miR-518f-3p at 20 GW were useful for identifying WWD-Mild-PE (P = 0.035) and WWD-Severe-PE (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Serum hsa-miRs 512-3p, 518f-3p, 520c-3p, and 520d-3p, are differentially expressed between WWD-PE and controls and their role in the development of preeclampsia should be investigated further.

Fabrication of self-expandable NiTi thin film devices with micro-electrode array for bioelectric sensing, stimulation and ablation.

Self-expandable medical devices provide mechanical functionality at a specific location of the human body and are viable for minimal invasive procedures. Besides radiopaque markers and drug-eluting coatings, next generation self-expandable devices can be equipped with additional functionality, such as conductive and flexible electrodes, which enables chronic recording of bioelectrical signals, stimulating or ablating tissue. This promises new therapeutic options in various medical fields, among them in particular neuromodulation (e.g. deep brain stimulation), BioMEMS, radio frequency ablation, mapping or denervation. However, the fabrication of such multi-functional devices is challenging. For this study we have realized a 35 µm thick, superelastic NiTi thin film stent structure with six isolated electrodes on the outer circumference, each electrode connected to a contact pad at the end of the stent structure, using magnetron sputtering, UV lithography and wet chemical etching. Mechanical and electrical properties of the device during typical loading conditions, i.e. crimping, simulated pulsatile and electrochemical testing, were characterized and reveal promising results. For the fabrication of future multifunctional, minimal invasive medical devices, such as electroceuticals or other intelligent implants, NiTi thin film technology is therefore a versatile alternative to conventional fabrication routes.

Reconstruction of chaotic saddles by classification of unstable periodic orbits: Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation.

The unstable periodic orbits (UPOs) embedded in a chaotic attractor after an attractor merging crisis (MC) are classified into three subsets, and employed to reconstruct chaotic saddles in the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation. It is shown that in the post-MC regime, the two chaotic saddles evolved from the two coexisting chaotic attractors before crisis can be reconstructed from the UPOs embedded in the pre-MC chaotic attractors. The reconstruction also involves the detection of the mediating UPO responsible for the crisis, and the UPOs created after crisis that fill the gap regions of the chaotic saddles. We show that the gap UPOs originate from saddle-node, period-doubling, and pitchfork bifurcations inside the periodic windows in the post-MC chaotic region of the bifurcation diagram. The chaotic attractor in the post-MC regime is found to be the closure of gap UPOs.

The role of a laboratory of experimental psychology in the Brazilian education renewal of the 1930s.

In this article, we present the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology at the Belo Horizonte Teachers College (Escola de Aperfeiçoamento de Professores de Belo Horizonte) during its early years (1929-1932). The Laboratory is examined in the context of the prevailing public discourse on primary education and its renewal in Brazil. To achieve our goal, we describe the Belo Horizonte Teachers College and its Laboratory's director, tools, and functions. In presenting these aspects, we highlight the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology as an important place that promoted contact with psychological instruments, techniques, and theories. It contributed to the training of teachers and produced psychological knowledge for elementary education in Brazil.

Fragmented surface ECG was a poor predictor of appropriate therapies in patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy and ICD implantation (Fragmented ECG in CHAgas' Cardiomyopathy Study).

BACKGROUND: Main causes of death in chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy (CChC) are progressive congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have been proved an effective therapy to prevent sudden death in patients with CChC. Identification of predictors of sudden death remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether surface fragmented ECG (fQRS) helps identifying patients with CChC and ICDs at higher risk of presenting appropriate ICD therapies. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study. All patients with CChC and ICDs were analyzed. Clinical demographics, surface ECG, and ICD therapies were collected. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were analyzed. Another four cases were excluded due to pacing dependency. Mean age was 55.5 ± 10.4 years, male gender 65%, heart failure New York Heart Association class I 47% and II 38%. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 39.6 ± 11.8%. The indication for ICD was secondary prevention in 70% of patients. fQRS was found in 56 patients (59.6%). Location of fragmentation was inferior (57.1%), lateral (35.7%), and anterior (44.6%). Rsr pattern was the more prevalent (57.1%). Predictors of appropriate therapy in the multivariate model were: increased age (P = 0.01), secondary prevention indication (P = 0.01), ventricular pacing >50% of the time (P = 0.004), and LVEF <30% (P = 0.01). The presence of fQRS did not identify patients at higher risk of presenting appropriate therapies delivered by the ICD (P = 0.87); regardless of QRS interval duration. CONCLUSIONS: fQRS is highly prevalent among patients with CChC. It has been found a poor predictor of appropriate therapies delivered by the ICD in this population.

Development of a selective culture medium for bifidobacteria, Raffinose-Propionate Lithium Mupirocin (RP-MUP) and assessment of its usage with Petrifilm™ Aerobic Count plates.

This study aimed to develop a selective culture media to enumerate bifidobacteria in fermented milk and to assess this medium when used with Petrifilm™ AC plates. For this purpose, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus thermophilus strains were tested to verify their fermentation patterns for different carbohydrates. All bifidobacteria strains were able to use raffinose. Based on these characteristic, a selective culture medium was proposed (Raffinose-Propionate Lithium Mupirocin, RP-MUP), used with Petrifilm™ AC plates, and was used to enumerate bifidobacteria in fermented milk. RP-MUP performance was assessed by comparing the results with this medium to reference protocols and culture media for bifidobacteria enumeration. RP-MUP, whether used or not with Petrifilm™ AC, presented similar performance to TOS-MUP (ISO 29981), with no significant differences between the mean bifidobacteria counts (p < 0.05) and with high correlation indices (r = 0.99, p < 0.05). As an advantage, reliable results were obtained after just 48 h of incubation when RP-MUP was used with Petrifilm™ AC, instead of the 72 h described in the ISO 29981 protocol.

Validation of a novel algorithm for quantification of the percentage of signal fractionation in atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is rapidly becoming a standard practice. There is literature to support that catheter ablation of persistent AF requires additional 'substrate modification'. In clinical practice, operators rely on automated fractionation maps created by three-dimensional anatomic mapping systems to rapidly assess complex 'fractionated' signals (CFAE). These systems use differing algorithms to automate the process. The agreement between operators and contemporary algorithms has not been examined. We sought to assess the agreement between operators and a novel method of quantification calculating percentage fractionation (PF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Expert opinion on 80 atrial electrogram 4 s signals of varying levels of activity were gathered and pooled for comparison. Twelve independent experts visually quantified the signal fractionation and offered a threshold level for ablation. We developed an algorithm to find sites with high continuous electrical activity, or high PF. Correlation between experts and PF was 0.78 [P < 0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.68-0.86)]. Receiver operating characteristics curve sensitivity and specificity for PF were 0.7727 and 0.8103 at the optimal cut-off point of 58.45 PF with area under curve 0.89 CI (0.80-0.99). CONCLUSION: The PF statistic represents a more robust and intuitive measure to represent fractionated atrial activity; importantly it demonstrates excellent agreement with expert users and presents a new standard for algorithm assessment. Use of a PF statistic should be considered in automated mapping systems.

Lagrangian coherent structures at the onset of hyperchaos in the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations.

We study a transition to hyperchaos in the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with periodic boundary conditions and an external forcing term. Bifurcation diagrams are constructed by varying the Reynolds number, and a transition to hyperchaos (HC) is identified. Before the onset of HC, there is coexistence of two chaotic attractors and a hyperchaotic saddle. After the transition to HC, the two chaotic attractors merge with the hyperchaotic saddle, generating random switching between chaos and hyperchaos, which is responsible for intermittent bursts in the time series of energy and enstrophy. The chaotic mixing properties of the flow are characterized by detecting Lagrangian coherent structures. After the transition to HC, the flow displays complex Lagrangian patterns and an increase in the level of Lagrangian chaoticity during the bursty periods that can be predicted statistically by the hyperchaotic saddle prior to HC transition.

Towards implementing precision conservation practices in agricultural watersheds: A review of the use and prospects of spatial decision support systems and tools.

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution leads to water quality degradation. While agriculture is faced with the challenge of feeding a growing population in a changing climate, farmers must also strive to minimize adverse impacts of agriculture on the environment. As a result, policies, and agri-environmental programs to promote agricultural conservation practices for controlling NPS pollution have been emerging. Despite progress, reducing NPS is a complex challenge that requires ongoing innovation and investment. A major challenge is to achieve an optimal spatial trade-off between the economic costs and positive environmental outcomes of conservation practices on complex agricultural landscapes. Geospatial systems and tools can help to address this challenge and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of conservation efforts. However, using these tools for precision conservation is underexamined. This review paper aims to address this gap through a critical exploration of spatial decision support systems and tools to provide synthesized knowledge for implementing precision conservation practices. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to guide the implementation of precision conservation and identifies areas for further development of geospatial systems and tools on planning and assessment of precision conservation efforts. All of which will be helpful for decision-makers and watershed managers in determining the most effective approaches for precision conservation. Furthermore, this review highlights the need for further research and development towards establishing an integrated spatial decision support system framework, which can improve socio-economic, environmental, and ecological outcomes.

Candida palmioleophila: A New Emerging Threat in Brazil?

Human activity directly or indirectly causes climate change, promoting changes in the composition of the atmosphere. This change is beyond the variation of the natural climate. In this manner, climate change could create an environmental pressure which is enough to trigger new fungal diseases. In addition to climate alterations, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been associated with the emergence of fungal pathogens. Fungi showed that an inability to grow at high temperatures limits the capacity of fungi to infect mammals. However, fungi can develop thermotolerance, gradually adapting to rising temperatures due to climate change, and generating a greater number of disease-causing organisms. In the present study, we reported the detection and identification of Candida palmioleophila isolates recovered from raw sewage samples in Niteroi city, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, during a monitoring program for measuring SARS-CoV-2 presence and concentration. Using polyphasic taxonomy to identify the species and evaluating some virulence aspects of this species, such as biofilm formation and extracellular enzyme production, our data highlight this species as a possible emerging pathogen in Brazil, especially in the pandemic context.

The right ventricular septum presents the optimum site for maximal electrical separation during left ventricular pacing.

UNLABELLED: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits selected heart failure (HF) patients. The optimal placement of the right ventricle (RV) lead during biventricular pacing has not been assessed. Greater electrical separation (ES) between left ventricle (LV) and RV leads has been associated with better clinical outcomes. The site of maximal electrical separation(MES) in the RV is unknown. METHODS: Prospective study of 50 CRT patients. The LV lead was placed in a postero-lateral branch of the coronary sinus. ES was recorded at 6 sites within the RV during LV pacing at 600 milliseconds cycle length (CL). The median ES was recorded with a roving deflectable catheter at the RV outflow tract (RVOT), high septum, inflow septum, mid-septum, apical septum and apex. RESULTS: Mean age was 67 ± 7 years, 39 were male (78%). Thirty had ischemic etiology (60%). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 25 ± 7%, QRS duration pre and post was 165 ± 26 milliseconds and 138.5 ± 15.6 milliseconds (P < 0.001). Mapping ES showed a difference between 20 and 50 milliseconds distributed across the RV in the majority of patients (40/49). However, 7 subjects demonstrated delay distribution of between 50 and 82 milliseconds. ES was significant greater in the RV mid-septum (161.2 ± 23.7 milliseconds) compared with RVOT (154.1 ± 20.8 milliseconds) and apex (148.0 ± 25.5 milliseconds; P < 0.001). The site of Maximal ES was most commonly found at the mid-septum (40 patients, 80%) and only rarely at the RVOT (5, 10%) and apex (5, 10%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MES was observed most commonly at the RV septum and rarely at the RV apex. Better correction of electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony by CRT may be achieved by placing the RV lead in a site outside of the apex in the majority of patients. Clinical studies exploring RV septal pacing in CRT seem warranted.