Differences in whole blood before and after hemodialysis session of subjects with chronic kidney disease measured by Raman spectroscopy.

This study aimed to identify differences in the composition of whole blood of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), before and after a hemodialysis session (HDS), and possible differences in blood composition between stages and between genders using Raman spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA). Whole blood samples were collected from 40 patients (20 women and 20 men), before and after a HDS. Raman spectra were obtained and the spectra were evaluated by PCA and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Mean spectra and difference spectrum between the groups were calculated: stages Before and After HDS, and gender Women and Men, which had their most intense peaks identified. Stage: mean spectra and difference spectrum indicated positive peaks that could be assigned to red blood cells, hemoglobin and deoxi-hemoglobin in the group Before HDS. There was no statistically significant difference by PCA. Gender: mean spectra and difference spectrum Before HDS indicated positive peaks that could be assigned to red blood cells, hemoglobin and deoxi-hemoglobin with greater intensity in the group Women, and negative peaks to white blood cells and serum, with greater intensity in the group Men. There was statistically significant difference by PCA, which also identified the peaks assigned to white blood cells, serum and porphyrin for Women and red blood cells and amino acids (tryptophan) for Men. PLS model was able to classify the spectra of the gender with 83.7% accuracy considering the classification per patient. The Raman technique highlighted gender differences in pacients with CKD.

High and low pitch sound stimuli effects on heart-brain coupling.

This study aimed to explore the influence of sound stimulation on heart rate and the potential coupling between cardiac and cerebral activities. Thirty-one participants underwent exposure to periods of silence and two distinct continuous, non-repetitive pure tone stimuli: low pitch (110 Hz) and high pitch (880 Hz). Electroencephalography (EEG) data from electrodes F3, F4, F7, F8, Fp1, Fp2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 were recorded, along with R-R interval data for heart rate. Heart-brain connectivity was assessed using wavelet coherence between heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG envelopes (EEGE). Heart rates were significantly lower during high and low-pitch sound periods than in silence (p < 0.002). HRV-EEGE coherence was significantly lower during high-pitch intervals than silence and low-pitch sound intervals (p < 0.048), specifically between the EEG Beta band and the low-frequency HRV range. These results imply a differential involvement of the frontal and temporal brain regions in response to varying auditory stimuli. Our findings highlight the essential nature of discerning the complex interrelations between sound frequencies and their implications for heart-brain connectivity. Such insights could have ramifications for conditions like seizures and sleep disturbances. A deeper exploration is warranted to decipher specific sound stimuli's potential advantages or drawbacks in diverse clinical scenarios.

Thermodynamic and Ab Initio Design of Multicomponent Alloys Based on (Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10)-xBx (x = 0, 5, 7, 10, and 15 at.%).

Multicomponent alloys have attained general interest in recent years due to their remarkable performance. Non-equiatomic alloys with boron addition as an interstitial element are being studied, exhibiting outstanding mechanical properties. In order to estimate the mechanical behavior of potential alloys, thermodynamic and ab initio calculations were utilized in this work to investigate phase stability and stacking fault energy (SFE) for (Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10)-xBx (x = 0, 5, 7, 10, and 15 at.%) systems. Thermodynamic experiments revealed two structural variations of borides, M2B(C16) with a tetragonal structure and M2B(CB) with an orthorhombic structure. Borides precipitate when boron content increases, and the FCC matrix becomes deficient in Mn and Cr. According to ab initio calculations, the presence of boron in the FCC and HCP structures primarily disrupts the surroundings of the Fe and Mn atoms, resulting in an increased distortion of the crystal lattice. This is related to the antiferromagnetic condition of the alloys. Furthermore, for alloys with a low boron concentration, the stacking fault energy was found to be near 20 mJ/m2 and greater than 50 mJ/m2 when 10 and 15 at.% boron was added. As boron concentrations increase, M2B borides are formed, generating changes in the matrix composition prone to fault-induced phase transitions that could modify and potentially impair mechanical properties.

Embedded Electronic Sensor for Monitoring of Breathing Activity, Fitting and Filter Clogging in Reusable Industrial Respirators.

Millions of workers are required to wear reusable respirators in several industries worldwide. Reusable respirators include filters that protect workers against harmful dust, smoke, gases, and vapors. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, and diseases. Respiratory protection is prone to failure or misuse, such as wearing respirators with filters out of service life and employees wearing respirators loosely. Currently, there are no commercial systems capable of reliably alerting of misuse of respiratory protective equipment during the workday shifts or provide early information about dangerous clogging levels of filters. This paper proposes a low energy and non-obtrusive functional building block with embedded electronics that enable breathing monitoring inside an industrial reusable respirator. The embedded electronic device collects multidimensional data from an integrated pressure, temperature, and relative humidity sensor inside a reusable industrial respirator in real time and sends it wirelessly to an external platform for further processing. Here, the calculation of instantaneous breathing rate and estimation of the filter's respirator fitting and clogging level is performed. The device was tested with ten healthy subjects in laboratory trials. The subjects were asked to wear industrial reusable respirator with the embedded electronic device attached inside. The signals measured with the system were compared with airflow signals measured with calibrated transducers for validation purposes. The correlation between the estimated breathing rates using pressure, temperature, and relative humidity with the reference signal (airflow) is 0.987, 0.988 and 0.989 respectively, showing that instantaneous breathing rate can be calculated accurately using the information from the embedded device. Moreover, respirator fitting (well-fitted or loose condition) and filter's clogging levels (≤60%, 80% and 100% clogging) also can be estimated using features extracted from absolute pressure measurements combined to statistical analysis ANOVA models. These experimental outputs represent promising results for further development of data-driven prediction models using machine learning techniques to determine filters end-of-service life. Furthermore, the proposed system would collect relevant data for real-time monitoring of workers' breathing conditions and respirator usage, helping to improve occupational safety and health in the workplace.

Autonomic nerve regulation in joint hypermobility patients with myofascial trigger points by Musculoskeletal Interfiber Counterirritant Stimulation (MICS).

Joint hypermobility (JH) conditions suggest dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) (dysautonomia), associated with multifactor non-articular local musculoskeletal pain, and remains a complex treatment. This study aims to determine the effects of musculoskeletal interfiber counterirritant stimulation (MICS) as an innovative treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on the upper trapezius muscle in JH patients. We evaluate the ANS activity by wavelet transform spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in sixty women, equally divided: MTrP, MTrP + general joint hypermobility (GJH), and MTrP + joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS). The protocol phases were rest, stimulation, and recovery, with clinical and home treatment for three-days. All groups show a significantly decreased in pain perception during and post-treatment, and an increased parasympathetic ANS activity under MICS in the GJH and JHS groups. The variables low-frequency (LF) vs. high-frequency (HF) showed significant differences during the protocol phases, and the LF/HF ratio maintained a predominance of sympathetic activity (SA) throughout the protocol. The new MICS technique reduces the pain perception and modulates the ANS activity by an increase in vagal tone, and a decrease in sympathetic tone. This modulation was followed by an increase in the HRV in JH patients after treatment with MICS. Clinical Trials: RBR-88z25c5.

Divergent Pd-catalyzed Functionalization of 4-Oxazolin-2-ones and 4-Methylene-2-oxazolidinones and Synthesis of Heterocyclic-Fused Indoles.

Palladium-catalyzed functionalization was presently performed on two building blocks: 4-oxazolin-2-ones and 4-methylene-2-oxazolidinones. Direct Heck arylation of 4-oxazolin-2-ones led to a series of 5-aryl-4-oxazolin-2-ones, including analogues with N-chiral auxiliary, in an almost quantitative yield. The Pd(II)-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of 4-oxazolin-2-ones provided novel heterocyclic across-ring dienes. Meanwhile, the intramolecular cross-coupling of N-aryl-4-methylene-2-oxazolidinones furnished a series of oxazolo[3,4-a]indol-3-ones. Further functionalization of 4-methylene-2-oxazolidinones afforded substituted indoles and heterocyclic-fused indoles with aryl, bromo, carbinol, formyl, and vinyl groups. A computational study was carried out to account for the behavior of the formylated derivatives. The currently developed methodology was applied to a new formal total synthesis of ellipticine.

Effects of the habitat on anuran blood parasites in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

Biological interactions play an important role in regulating and maintaining natural populations. Like most interactions, parasitism may be influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, changes caused by human activity may drastically affect the equilibrium of the assemblages of parasitized organisms (hosts). Herein, we described the composition of hemoparasites of anurans from two distinct environments: forest and oil palm plantations. We identified the most frequent groups of blood parasites, and whether infections differ between habitats (forest and plantation) and between microhabitats (arboreal or terrestrial). We collected 128 anurans, of which 46 (36%) were parasitized by hemoparasites. The genus Trypanosoma spp. was found in 30% (n = 37/128) of the infected anurans in both habitats, recorded mostly in terrestrial anurans in oil palm plantations. Apicomplexa hemoprotozoans were also found in 13% (n=17/128) of the anurans, which mainly were terrestrial species collected in oil palm plantations. There was no difference in parasitism between the two assemblies and between the studied microhabitats. This is the first study that has analyzed the ecological relationship between anurans as hosts and their blood parasites, in a region under intense anthropic pressure, in the Brazilian Amazon.

Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking of a new class of indolylpropyl benzamidopiperazines as dual AChE and SERT ligands for Alzheimer's disease.

During the last decade, the one drug-one target strategy has resulted to be inefficient in facing diseases with complex ethiology like Alzheimer's disease and many others. In this context, the multitarget paradigm has emerged as a promising strategy. Based on this consideration, we aim to develop novel molecules as promiscuous ligands acting in two or more targets at the same time. For such purpose, a new series of indolylpropyl-piperazinyl oxoethyl-benzamido piperazines were synthesized and evaluated as multitarget-directed drugs for the serotonin transporter (SERT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The ability to decrease ß-amyloid levels as well as cell toxicity of all compounds were also measured. In vitro results showed that at least four compounds displayed promising activity against SERT and AChE. Compounds 18 and 19 (IC50 = 3.4 and 3.6 µM respectively) exhibited AChE inhibition profile in the same order of magnitude as donepezil (DPZ, IC50 = 2.17 µM), also displaying nanomolar affinity in SERT. Moreover, compounds 17 and 24 displayed high SERT affinities (IC50 = 9.2 and 1.9 nM respectively) similar to the antidepressant citalopram, and significant micromolar AChE activity at the same time. All the bioactive compounds showed a low toxicity profile in the range of concentrations studied. Molecular docking allowed us to rationalize the binding mode of the synthesized compounds in both targets. In addition, we also show that compounds 11 and 25 exhibit significant ß-amyloid lowering activity in a cell-based assay, 11 (50% inhibition, 10 µM) and 25 (35% inhibition, 10 µM). These results suggest that indolylpropyl benzamidopiperazines based compounds constitute promising leads for a multitargeted approach for Alzheimer's disease.

Gait Segmentation Method Using a Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors.

Gait analysis has been widely studied by researchers due to the impact in clinical fields. It provides relevant information on the condition of a patient's pathologies. In the last decades, different gait measurement methods have been developed in order to identify parameters that can contribute to gait cycles. Analyzing those parameters, it is possible to segment and identify different phases of gait cycles, making these studies easier and more accurate. This paper proposes a simple gait segmentation method based on plantar pressure measurement. Current methods used by researchers and clinicians are based on multiple sensing devices (e.g., multiple cameras, multiple inertial measurement units (IMUs)). Our proposal uses plantar pressure information from only two sensorized insoles that were designed and implemented with eight custom-made flexible capacitive sensors. An algorithm was implemented to calculate gait parameters and segment gait cycle phases and subphases. Functional tests were performed in six healthy volunteers in a 10 m walking test. The designed in-shoe insole presented an average power consumption of 44 mA under operation. The system segmented the gait phases and sub-phases in all subjects. The calculated percentile distribution between stance phase time and swing phase time was almost 60%/40%, which is aligned with literature reports on healthy subjects. Our results show that the system achieves a successful segmentation of gait phases and subphases, is capable of reporting COP velocity, double support time, cadence, stance phase time percentage, swing phase time percentage, and double support time percentage. The proposed system allows for the simplification of the assessment method in the recovery process for both patients and clinicians.

In vitro activity of essential oils against adult and immature stages of Ctenocephalides felis felis.

Essential oils (EOs) are considered a new class of ecological products aimed at the control of insects for industrial and domestic use; however, there still is a lack of studies involving the control of fleas. Ctenocephalides felis felis, the most observed parasite in dogs and cats, is associated with several diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity, the establishment of LC50 and toxicity of EOs from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm, Cinnamomum spp., Laurus nobilis L., Mentha spicata L., Ocimum gratissimum L. and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle against immature stages and adults of C. felis felis. Bioassay results suggest that the method of evaluation was able to perform a pre-screening of the activity of several EOs, including the discriminatory evaluation of flea stages by their LC50. Ocimum gratissimum EO was the most effective in the in vitro assays against all flea stages, presenting adulticide (LC50 = 5.85 µg cm-2), ovicidal (LC50 = 1.79 µg cm-2) and larvicidal (LC50 = 1.21 µg cm-2) mortality at low doses. It also presented an excellent profile in a toxicological eukaryotic model. These findings may support studies involving the development of non-toxic products for the control of fleas in dogs and cats.

Análise da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em crianças submetidas a jogos eletrônicos / Heart rate variability analysis in children submitted to electronic games

Objetivo: avaliar a função autonômica do coração de crianças sadias em situações de jogos eletrônicos, mediante a análise de Variabilidade da Frequência cardíaca. Métodos: participaram deste estudo 60 crianças sadias, que foram monitoradas por um monitor de frequência cardíaca digital e submetidas ao experimento com o jogo eletrônico. A análise da Variabilidade da Frequência cardíaca foi calculada com emprego da transformada Wavelet Contínua. Resultados: pode-se observar um aumento na intensidade dos valores de baixa frequência/alta frequência, sugerindo influência das fases do protocolo, de modo que houve uma elevação nos valores da fase de Repouso para a fase de Jogo, mas não foi encontrado um valor significativo. Entre as fases de Repouso (1,52±0,97 ms²) e Recuperação (1,89±1,04 ms²) houve um aumento significativo obtendo um valor de p=0,003. Comparando os valores de baixa frequência/alta frequência entre as fases Jogo 2,37±1,20 ms² e Recuperação 1,89±1,04 ms², verificou-se uma redução significativa da relação (p = 0,016). Conclusão: conclui-se que Jogos eletrônicos podem provocar um aumento da atividade simpática, diminuindo a Variabilidade da Frequência cardíaca das crianças estudadas, sugerindo uma situação estressante.

Aims: to evaluate the autonomic heart function of healthy children in electronic games situations, by analyzing Heart Rate Variability. Methods: sixty healthy children participated in this study, who were monitored by a digital heart rate monitor and subjected to the experiment with the electronic game. Heart rate variability analysis was calculated using the Continuous Wavelet transform. Results: an increase in the intensity of the Low frequency / High Frequency values can be observed, suggesting influence of the protocol phases, so that there was an increase in the values from the Rest phase to the Game phase, but no significant value was found. Between the Rest (1.52±0.97 ms²) and Recovery (1.89±1.04 ms²) phases there was a significant increase obtaining a value of p=0.003. Comparing the values of Low frequency / High Frequency between the phases Game 2.37±1.20 and Recovery 1.89±04 ms², there was a significant reduction of the ratio (p =0.016). Conclusion: it is concluded that electronic games can cause an increase in sympathetic activity, decreasing the heart rate variability of the studied children, suggesting a stressful situation.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Cognitive Rehabilitation of Patients with Cranioencephalic Trauma.

Objective: This research evaluated the hemodynamic conditions before and after the transcranial photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and investigated neurocognitive changes before and after treatment. Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals 21-60 years old and causes ∼500,000 people to be hospitalized in Brazil annually. Some survivors develop an irreversible decrease in neurological function, and the mortality rate is as high as 70% in severe cases. PBMT is an alternative to treat secondary injuries due to TBI. Methods: This multidisciplinary clinical study was carried out on 10 chronic adult patients with severe TBI, who were treated with PBMT with an optical device containing 13 sets of 4 light emitting diodes, and underwent hemodynamic transcranial Doppler and neuropsychological evaluation at three different times: pre-PBMT, post-PBMT (after a week), and late-PBMT, which occurred 3 months after the last session. The patients received PBMTs three times a week, for 6 weeks. PBMTs were performed for 18 sessions for 6 weeks and 30 min per session. Results: The results found an alteration in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as a consequent increase of the cerebral oxygenation that helped to improve the cerebral function. Conclusions: The PBMT contributed to increased CBF, evidenced mainly by the increased left peak systolic velocity, which consequently increased the hemodynamic response after the PBMT and impacts on the peripheral cerebral perfusion contributing to improved cerebral function.

Comparison of aerobic power and capacity between athletes from different sports / Comparaçao da potência e capacidade aeróbica entre atletas de alto rendimento de diferentes modalidades esportivas / Comparación de potencia y capacidad aeróbica entre atletas de alto rendimiento de diferentes modalidades deportivas

INTRODUCTION: Ergospirometry is a noninvasive procedure used to assess physical performance or the capacity of an individual, through an analysis of expired gases and respiratory variables. This procedure is crucially important in sports, and makes a significant contribution to the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness indices, such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and the anaerobic threshold (AT). OBJECTIVE: To assess aerobic capacity and potency in professional and junior soccer players, handball athletes, and women soccer players. METHODS: Forty-eight athletes participated voluntarily and were divided into 4 groups. The first group consisted of 12 youth soccer players in the under-20 category, the second group was made up of 12 professional soccer players, the third group was made up of female soccer players, and the fourth group consisted of handball players. RESULTS: We analyzed values such as peak VO2, average speed and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold as well as pulmonary ventilation. We found that the values were always greater for the group formed by professional soccer players, with the exception of mean maximum O2 consumption, in which the difference between this group and that of soccer players in the junior category was not significant. In other physical valences, there was a degree of similarity between the other groups, with special emphasis on pulmonary ventilation, which was significantly lower in the group of female soccer players. CONCLUSION: The particularities of each sport, such as pitch dimensions, duration, and tactical system, together with the morphology and sex of the athletes, directly influence peak VO2, AT and VE values in athletes who play different sports. Level of Evidence III; Development of diagnostic criteria in consecutive patients (with gold reference standard applied).

INTRODUÇÃO: A ergoespirometria é um procedimento não invasivo, utilizado para avaliar o desempenho físico ou a capacidade de um indivíduo, pela análise de gases espirados e variáveis respiratórias. No esporte, é de fundamental importância e traz significativa contribuição na verificação de índices de aptidão cardiorrespiratória, como é o caso do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 máx.) e do limiar anaeróbico (LA). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a potência e a capadidade aeróbica em atletas profissionais e juniores do futebol, atletas de handebol e mulheres futebolistas. MÉTODOS: Participaram voluntariamente 48 atletas divididos em 4 grupos. O primeiro grupo foi composto por 12 jovens futebolebolistas na categoria sub-20, o segundo grupo era formado por 12 futebolistas profissionais, o terceiro grupo foi formado por futebolistas do sexo feminino e o quarto grupo, por atletas de handebol. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados valores como pico de VO2, velocidade média e frequência cardíaca do limiar anaeróbico, além da ventilação pulmonar; verificaram-se valores sempre maiores para o grupo formado por jogadores de futebol profissional com exceção do valor médio de consumo máximo de O2, no qual a diferença para futebolistas da categoria juniores não foi significativa. Em outras valências físicas, houve alguma semelhança entre os demais grupos, com destaque para a ventilação pulmorar, que foi significativamente menor no grupo de futebol feminino. CONCLUSÃO: As especificidades da modalidade, como dimensões do campo de jogo, tempo de duração, sistema tático, em conjunto com a morfologia e o sexo dos atletas influenciam diretamente os valores de VO2 pico, LA e VE nos atletas de diferentes modalidades. Nível de Evidência III; Desenvolvimento de critérios diagnósticos em pacientes consecutivos (com padrão de referência "ouro" aplicado).

INTRODUCCIÓN: La ergoespirometría es un procedimiento no invasivo, utilizado para evaluar el desempeño físico o la capacidad de un individuo, utilizando análisis de gases espirados y variables respiratorias. En el deporte, es de fundamental importancia y trae significativa contribución en la verificación de índices de aptitud cardiorrespiratoria, como es el caso del consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2 máx.) y el umbral anaeróbico (UA). OBJETIVO: Evaluar la potencia y la capacidad aeróbica en atletas profesionales y juveniles de fútbol, atletas de hándball y mujeres futbolistas. MÉTODOS: Participaron voluntariamente 48 atletas divididos en 4 grupos. El primer grupo fue compuesto por 12 jóvenes futbolistas en la categoría sub-20, el segundo grupo era formado por 12 futbolistas profesionales, el tercer grupo fue formado por futbolistas del sexo femenino, y el cuarto grupo por atletas de hándball. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron valores como pico de VO2, velocidad promedio y frecuencia cardíaca del umbral anaeróbico, además de la ventilación pulmonar; se verificaron valores siempre mayores para el grupo formado por jugadores de fútbol profesional con excepción del valor promedio de consumo maximo de O2 donde la diferencia para futbolistas de la categoría junior no fue significativa. En otras valencias físicas hubo cierta semejanza entre los demás grupos, pudiendo ser destacada la ventilación pulmonar, que fue significativamente menor para el grupo de fútbol femenino. CONCLUSIÓN: Las especificidades de la modalidad, como dimensiones del campo de juego, tiempo de duración, sistema táctico, en conjunto con la morfología y sexo de los atletas influyen directamente en los valores de VO2 pico, UA y VE en los atletas de diferentes modalidades. Nivel de Evidencia III; Desarrollo de criterios diagnósticos en pacientes consecutivos (con patrón de referencia "oro" aplicado).

Detecting active ingredients of insect repellents and sunscreens topically in skin by Raman spectroscopy.

We present the use of Raman spectroscopy for determination of functional characteristics of insect repellents and sunscreens by identifying the active ingredients of these products applied topically to the skin. Commercial formulations of insect repellents and sunscreens (SPF 15 and 30) were obtained, and Raman spectra were obtained from the formulations and from volunteers' skins with topical applications of such products compared to controls. The results indicated that, for insect repellents, the peaks at 527 and 1003 cm - 1 were markers of the presence of the active ingredient diethyl toluamide in the skin, while for sunscreens, the peaks at 1177, 1288, and 1611 cm - 1, associated to octinoxate, benzophenone-3, and avobenzone, were markers of the presence of solar filters in the skin. The results suggested reliability in the use of Raman spectroscopy to identify the active ingredients of insect repellents and sunscreens topically applied on the skin; the applied methodology can be used to determine the functional characteristics of topical products with similar characteristics.

Influence of neural mobilization in the sympathetic slump position on the behavior of the autonomic nervous system

Abstract Introduction The neural mobilization technique in the sympathetic slump position (NMSS) was based on the slump test, whose purpose was to directly influence the sympathetic trunk and thus provide greater analgesia by sympathetic activation and treat pain syndromes caused by peripheral sympathetic changes. Therefore, as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for extrinsic regulation of the cardiovascular system through sympathetic and parasympathetic action, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the NMSS technique on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variability in athlete and non-athlete men. Methods Twenty-eight subjects performed the procedure that was divided into three phases: rest; intervention and recovery, lasting 4 minutes and 30 seconds each, totaling a 13-minute and 30 seconds collection time. Results The results showed that the NMSS technique significantly influences the action/activity of the ANS, as there was predominant sympathetic activation during the application of the technique, which was observed by the increase in systolic blood pressure, low frequency (LF), LF/HF ratio and decreased values of high frequency (HF). Conclusion It may be concluded that the neural mobilization technique on the sympathetic slump (NMSS) significantly influences the ANS action/activity. Among the groups there was no statistically significant difference in heart rate variability. It is worth noting that patients with cardiovascular disorders may be at risk if the NMSS technique is applied, since there was an increase in SBP and sympathetic activation during its application in both groups.

Análise dos Índices Espectrais da Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca Durante a Mudança Postural de Idosos Hipertensos / Analysis of Spectral Indexes of Variability of Cardiac Frequency during the Postural Change of Hypertensive Elderly

O estudo da Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca (VFC) tem permitido, de forma não invasiva, avaliar o Sistema Nervoso autônomo e o risco cardíaco, sendo um importante indicador prognóstico de doenças cardíacas e sistêmicas. O objetivo foi avaliar e comparar a VFC no domínio da frequência e do tempo de idosos com hipertensão arterial e de idosos saudáveis frente à mudança postural de repouso para sentado. Foram estudados 18 indivíduos hipertensos e 18 indivíduos saudáveis na faixa etária de 60 a 85 anos. A frequência cardíaca e os intervalos R-R foram coletados pelo instrumento Polar S810i durante 1200 s nas posturas supina e sentada. A VFC foi analisada no domínio do tempo - DT pelas variáveis: Índice raiz quadrada da média dos quadrados das diferenças entre intervalos R-R (iR-R) sucessivos (RMSSD), desvio padrão da média dos iR-R normais em ms - SDNN e PNN50%, que traduz a diferença de duração superior a 50 milissegundos, e no domínio da frequência, pelas bandas de alta (AF) e baixa frequência (BF), e da razão BF/AF. Ocorreu alteração na VFC dos idosos tanto no grupo controle e hipertenso, no entanto não houve mudanças significativas na VFC entre os grupos estudados. Ao analisar a VFC no domínio do tempo, o estudo mostrou que a amostragem estudada apresenta alto risco cardíaco ao analisar o parâmetro SDNN. Conclui-se que a mudança postural alterou a VFC desses idosos, tanto no grupo controle e hipertenso, no entanto não houve mudanças significativas na VFC entre as fases dos grupos estudados e obteve-se como resultado alto risco cardíaco ao avaliar o parâmetro SDNN em ambos os grupos. (AU).

The study of heart rate variability (HRV) allows noninvasive way to evaluate the autonomic nervous system and cardiac risk, and an important prognostic indicator of heart and systemic diseases disease. The objective was to evaluate and compare the HRV in the frequency and duration of elderly patients with hypertension and healthy elderly versus postural change in the condition of rest. The study comprised 18 hypertensive individuals and 18 healthy subjects aged 60 to 85 years, both sexes. Heart rate and RR intervals were collected by the instrument Polar S810i during 1200 s in supine and sitting postures. HRV was analyzed in time domain indices SDNN, RMSSD and PNN50% and the frequency domain, by bands of high (AF) and low frequency (LF), and the ratio LF / HF. Intergroup intra-analyes were used as well as the tests of normality D'Augustine as a criterion for parametric groups. There was change in heart rate variability of both the elderly and hypertensive patients in the control group, however there were no significant changes in studied HRV intergroups . In the area of the time it was found that the sampling shows high-risk cardiac parsing the parameter SDNN. The results showed that the change posture changed the variability of heart rate in the control group and hypertension, however there were no significant changes in HRV among the phases of the groups and a high risk was obtained as a result of the parameter SDNN for both heart the groups. (AU).

Efeitos do Método Pilates sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, flexibilidade e variáveis antropométricas em indivíduos sedentários / Effects of the Pilates Method on heart rate variability, flexibility and anthropometric variables in sedentary subjects

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do Método Pilates sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, na flexibilidade e nas variáveis antropométricas em indivíduos sedentários. O presente estudo contou com 14 voluntárias do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 40 e 55 anos, que realizaram 20 sessões de exercícios do Método Pilates, duas vezes por semana, com duração de 45 minutos cada sessão, dividida em três fases: repouso, exercício e recuperação. As variáveis estudadas foram: os dados antropométricos, flexibilidade avaliada utilizando o teste de sentar-e-alcançar com o Banco de Wells, e intervalos R-R usando um cardiotacômetro. O processamento dos sinais da frequência cardíaca foi efetuado em ambiente MatLab 6.1®, utilizando a TWC. Os dados coletados foram submetidos ao teste de normalidade de Shapiro Wilk e foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon e Anova One Way (α = 0,05). Nos resultados, observou-se que não houve diferenças significativas entre os valores antropométricos e de frequência cardíaca, porém houve aumento da flexibilidade com o treinamento. Comparando a primeira e a Artigo original vigésima sessão com relação aos parâmetros low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), e relação LF/HF, não houve diferença na fase de repouso e foram constatadas diferenças significativas de LF (p = 0,04) e HF (p = 0,04) na fase de exercício e diferença significativa de LF/ HF (p = 0,05) na fase de recuperação. Comparando os parâmetros nos períodos de repouso, exercícios e recuperação durante a primeira sessão e durante a vigésima sessão, não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros LF, HF e LF/HF. Pode-se concluir que, em relação à flexibilidade, foi observada uma melhora significativa, enquanto a análise da frequência cardíaca caracterizou a intensidade do exercício de 50% da capacidade funcional das voluntárias. Em relação aos parâmetros LF, HF e LF/HF foram observados um aumento da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, provavelmente produto da atividade do Método Pilates. A Transformada Wavelet (TWC) mostrou-se um Método adequado para as análises da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca. (AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Pilates method on cardiovascular system through heart rate analysis with Continuous Wavelet Transformation (CWT). In the present study, 14 women, 40 to 55 years old, performed 20 sets of Pilates method exercises twice a week with duration of 45 minutes each set divided in three phases: rest, exercise and recovery. The studied variables were anthropometric data, flexibility which was evaluated using the sit-and-reach test (bench of wells), heart frequency which was monitored through a model s810i (Polar) cardiotachometer and the RR intervals were stored. The signals processing of the FC was computed in MatLab 6.1® environment, utilizing the CWT. The collected data were analyzed using Shapiro Wilk normality test and Wilcoxon and Anova One Way (α = 0.05) tests to compare the parameters. There were no significant differences between anthropometric values and heart rate; however there was an increase in flexibility. Comparing the parameters during the phases rest, exercise and recovery in the first and later in the last session, it was not observed statistically significant changes in heart frequency. Regarding to low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and LF/HF parameters, there was no significant difference. Significant differences of LF (p = 0.04) and HF (p = 0.04) were reported in exercise phase and significant difference (p = 0.05) in recovery phase. There was no significant difference in LF, HF and LF/HF parameters in the resting periods, exercises and recovery in the first and twentieth set. In relation to flexibility, a significant improvement was observed, while the heart rate analysis characterized the intensity of the exercise of fifty per cent of the functional capacity of the subjects. In relation to LF, HF and LF/HF parameters, a VFC increase was reported, result of Pilates method activity. The CWT showed itself an adequate method for the heart rate frequency analysis. (AU)

Low-level laser therapy ameliorates CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rats.

This study investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the liver function, structure and inflammation in a experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver cirrhosis. Wistar rats were divided into Control, LLLT, CCl(4) and CCl(4) +LLLT groups. CCl(4) groups received CCl(4) (0.4 g kg(-1); i.p.), three times a week, for 12 weeks. A 830 nm LLLT was performed with a continuous wave, 35 mW, 2.5 J cm(-2) per point, applied to four points of the liver (right and left upper and lower extremities, in the four lobes of the liver) for 2 weeks. Liver structure and inflammation (cirrhotic areas, collagen deposition, inflammation, density of Kupffer and hepatic stellate cells) and function (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins and globulins) were evaluated. LLLT significantly reduced CCl(4)-increased aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P < 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) activity, as well as total proteins (P < 0.05) and globulins (P < 0.01). LLLT also reduced the number of cirrhotic areas, the collagen accumulation and the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate. Of note, LLLT reduced CCl(4)-increased number of Kupffer cells (P < 0.05) and hepatic stellate cells (P < 0.05). We conclude that LLLT presents beneficial effects on liver function and structure in an experimental model of CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis.

Effect of the rest interval duration between contractions on muscle fatigue.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effect of rest interval, between successive contractions, on muscular fatigue. METHODS: Eighteen subjects performed elbow flexion and extension (30 repetitions) on an isokinetic dynamometer with 80º of range of motion. The flexion velocity was 120º/s, while for elbow extension we used 5 different velocities (30, 75, 120, 240, 360º/s), producing 5 different rest intervals (2.89, 1.28, 0.85, 0.57 and 0.54 s). RESULTS: We observed that when the rest interval was 2.89 s there was a reduction in fatigue. On the other hand, when the rest interval was 0.54 s the fatigue was increased. CONCLUSIONS: When the resting time was lower (0.54 s) the decline of work in the flexor muscle group was higher compared with different rest interval duration.

Comparative analysis of assessment of the craniocervical equilibrium through two methods: cephalometry of Rocabado and cervical range of motion.

UNLABELLED: There are several instruments of evaluation of the craniocervical equilibrium; the most reliable are the radiographies. This study used the cephalometric analysis of Rocabado to measure the sensibility and specificity of the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM), a goniometer designed to assess cervical movements in degrees, and measure the forward head position in centimeters. This instrument frequently used, has been tested as a reliable instrument to evaluate the cervical movements but not the forward head. The sample consisted of 30 volunteers, 18 females, 12 males, mean age of 24.63 years. All participants were evaluated with CROM and radiographies in the resting head position and in erect head position. The values considered by the cephalometry consisted in the angle made between the McGregor plane and the vertical line formed by the base of the odontoid process to its apex; the posterior space between C0-C1 and C1-C2 and the hyoid triangle. RESULTS: 30% of the subjects had forward head posture, according to de cephalometry of Rocabado (decreased space between C0-C1, C1-C2) and 43,3% according to CROM. 16,6% had decreased posterior-inferior angle, and 13% had the hyoid triangle facing up. ROC curve of identifying forward head posture yielded area under the curve of 0,778 (95% confidence interval 0,596-0,960). The sensibility of CROM was: 77%. The specificity 71%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CROM has a moderate sensibility and specificity, useful for clinic use, but not for research.