Contingent Negative Variation in the Evaluation of Neurocognitive Disorders Due to Possible Alzheimer's Disease.

The usefulness of Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) potential as a biomarker of neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease, is based on its possible physiological correlates. However, its application in the diagnostic evaluation of these disorders is still incipient. The aim of this study is to characterize the patterns of cognitive processing of information in the domain of nonspecific global attention, by recording potential CNV in a group of patients with neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease. An experimental study of cases and controls was carried out. The sample included 39 patients classified according to DSM-5 with a neurocognitive disorder subtype possibly due Alzheimer's disease, and a Control Group of 53 subjects with normal cognitive functions. CNV potential was registered using standard protocol. The analysis of variance obtained significant differences in mean values and confidence intervals of total CNV amplitude between the three study groups. The late CNV segment amplitudes makes it possible to discriminate between the level of mild and major dysfunction in the group of patients. The CNV total amplitudes of potential allows for effective discrimination between normal cognitive functioning and neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease.

The Relationship between Paresthesia and the Presence of Cardiac Dysautonomia in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Preliminary Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Post-Coronavirus disease 2019 (Post-COVID-19) syndrome has neurological symptoms related to the dysfunction of the autonomous nerve system. However, a pathogenic relationship between post-COVID-19 syndrome and dysautonomia still remains to be demonstrated. Establishing a pathogenic relationship between paresthesia and the presence of cardiac dysautonomia in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome is the objective of this study. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This observational study was carried out in the neurophysiology service wing of the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital, Santiago de Cuba, in Cuba. The patients were recruited through a post-COVID-19 clinic at the same hospital. A variability study of cardiac frequency and a test of autonomic cardiovascular reflexes was carried out, which is composed of deep breathing, orthostatism, and the Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: The variability parameters of the cardiac frequency, the expiration-inspiration ratio between deep breaths, and the Valsalva Index showed no statistically significant differences between healthy participants and those with post-COVID-19 syndrome. During the Valsalva maneuver, there was a greater cardiac frequency response in participants with post-COVID-19 syndrome than in healthy subjects. The difference in supine and standing blood pressure was significantly minor in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The logarithm of high frequency (log HF) increased significantly in patients with paresthesia when compared to patients without paresthesia. CONCLUSIONS: In the autonomic function tests, no signs of dysautonomia were found in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. The presence of paresthesias is associated with differences in cardiac vagal activity, which may suggest that damage to peripheral sensory nerve fibers could be associated with an affectation to autonomic fibres.

Autonomic and Vascular Responses during Reactive Hyperemia in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Background and Objectives: To compare autonomic and vascular responses during reactive hyperemia (RH) between healthy individuals and patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Materials and Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects and 24 SCA patients were subjected to arterial occlusion for 3 min at the lower right limb level. The pulse rate variability (PRV) and pulse wave amplitude were measured through photoplethysmography using the Angiodin® PD 3000 device, which was placed on the first finger of the lower right limb 2 min before (Basal) and 2 min after the occlusion. Pulse peak intervals were analyzed using time-frequency (wavelet transform) methods for high-frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4) and low-frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15) bands, and the LF/HF ratio was calculated. Results: The pulse wave amplitude was higher in healthy subjects compared to SCA patients, at both baseline and post-occlusion (p < 0.05). Time-frequency analysis showed that the LF/HF peak in response to the post-occlusion RH test was reached earlier in healthy subjects compared to SCA patients. Conclusions: Vasodilatory function, as measured by PPG, was lower in SCA patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, a cardiovascular autonomic imbalance was present in SCA patients with high sympathetic and low parasympathetic activity in the basal state and a poor response of the sympathetic nervous system to RH. Early cardiovascular sympathetic activation (10 s) and vasodilatory function in response to RH were impaired in SCA patients.

Discriminant Model for Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus tend to have insulin resistance, a condition that is evaluated using expensive methods that are not easily accessible in routine clinical practice. Objective: To determine the anthropometric, clinical, and metabolic parameters that allow for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was carried out in 92 type 2 diabetic patients. A discriminant analysis was applied using the SPSS statistical package to establish the characteristics that differentiate type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance from those without it. Results: Most of the variables analyzed in this study have a statistically significant association with the HOMA-IR. However, only HDL-c, LDL-c, glycemia, BMI, and tobacco exposure time allow for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not, considering the interaction between them. According to the absolute value of the structure matrix, the variable that contributes most to the discriminant model is HDL-c (-0.69). Conclusions: The association between HDL-c, LDL-c, glycemia, BMI, and tobacco exposure time allows for the discrimination of type 2 diabetic patients who have insulin resistance from those who do not. This constitutes a simple model that can be used in routine clinical practice.

Reactive Hyperemia and Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Nonrandomized Clinical Trials.

Objective: This work aimed to determine the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and reactive hyperemia (RH) in type 2 diabetes patients with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Methodology: A systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized clinical studies characterizing reactive hyperemia and autonomic activity in type 2 diabetes patients with and without CAN was performed. Results: Five articles showed differences in RH between healthy subjects and diabetic patients with and/or without neuropathy, while one study did not show such differences between healthy subjects and diabetic patients, but patients with diabetic ulcers had lower RH index values compared to healthy controls. Another study found no significant difference in blood flow after a muscle strain that induced reactive hyperemia between normal subjects and non-smoking diabetic patients. Four studies measured reactive hyperemia using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT); only two found a significantly lower endothelial-function-derived measure of PAT in diabetic patients than in those without CAN. Four studies measured reactive hyperemia using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), but no significant differences were reported between diabetic patients with and without CAN. Two studies measured RH using laser Doppler techniques; one of them found significant differences in the blood flow of calf skin after stretching between diabetic non-smokers and smokers. The diabetic smokers had neurogenic activity at baseline that was significantly lower than that of the normal subjects. The greatest evidence revealed that the differences in RH between diabetic patients with and without CAN may depend on both the method used to measure hyperemia and that applied for the ANS examination as well as the type of autonomic deficit present in the patients. Conclusions: In diabetic patients, there is a deterioration in the vasodilator response to the reactive hyperemia maneuver compared to healthy subjects, which depends in part on endothelial and autonomic dysfunction. Blood flow alterations in diabetic patients during RH are mainly mediated by sympathetic dysfunction. The greatest evidence suggests a relationship between ANS and RH; however, there are no significant differences in RH between diabetic patients with and without CAN, as measured using FMD. When the flow of the microvascular territory is measured, the differences between diabetics with and without CAN become evident. Therefore, RH measured using PAT may reflect diabetic neuropathic changes with greater sensitivity compared to FMD.

Rapid adjustments to autonomic control of cardiac rhythm at the onset of isometric exercise in healthy young adults.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) influences on cardiac rhythm at the onset of exercise, a time of rapid autonomic adjustments, are clinically important areas of investigation. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) involves time-frequency-based heart rate variability (HRV) analysis allowing investigation of autonomic influences on cardiac rhythm during short durations of exercise. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize SNS and PNS influences on cardiac rhythm at the onset of isometric exercise in healthy young adults. CWT analysis was retrospectively applied to R-R interval data (electrocardiogram) previously collected from 14 healthy young adults (26 ± 2 years) who performed 30-s, one-legged, isometric, calf exercise at 70% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC; 70% MVC trial) or rested (0% MVC trial). Absolute and normalized low-frequency (aLF, nLF; 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (aHF, nHF; 0.15-0.4 Hz) bands and LF/HF were used to analyze one 30-s baseline period and six 5-s time windows during the 30-s exercise (70% MVC) or rest (0% MVC). Statistical analysis involved two-way analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis. aHF, aLF, LF/HF, nHF, and nLF displayed a trial-time interaction (all p ≤ 0.027). In the 70% compared to the 0% MVC trial, aHF and nHF were lower after 5-30 s (all p ≤ 0.040), aLF was lower after 20-30 s (all p ≤ 0.011) and LF/HF and nLF were higher after 5-20 s (all p ≤ 0.045). These results indicate the reduction of the PNS influence on cardiac rhythm begins sooner than the augmentation of the SNS influence at the onset of isometric exercise in healthy young adults.

Blood Pressure Prediction Using Ensemble Rules during Isometric Sustained Weight Test.

BACKGROUND: Predicting beat-to-beat blood pressure has several clinical applications. While most machine learning models focus on accuracy, it is necessary to build models that explain the relationships of hemodynamical parameters with blood pressure without sacrificing accuracy, especially during exercise. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to use the RuleFit model to measure the importance, interactions, and relationships among several parameters extracted from photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrocardiography (ECG) signals during a dynamic weight-bearing test (WBT) and to assess the accuracy and interpretability of the model results. METHODS: RuleFit was applied to hemodynamical ECG and PPG parameters during rest and WBT in six healthy young subjects. The WBT involves holding a 500 g weight in the left hand for 2 min. Blood pressure is taken in the opposite arm before and during exercise thereof. RESULTS: The root mean square error of the model residuals was 4.72 and 2.68 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, during rest and 4.59 and 4.01 mmHg, respectively, during the WBT. Furthermore, the blood pressure measurements appeared to be nonlinear, and interaction effects were observed. Moreover, blood pressure predictions based on PPG parameters showed a strong correlation with individual characteristics and responses to exercise. CONCLUSION: The RuleFit model is an excellent tool to study interactions among variables for predicting blood pressure. Compared to other models, the RuleFit model showed superior performance. RuleFit can be used for predicting and interpreting relationships among predictors extracted from PPG and ECG signals.

Análisis de sentimiento de tweets sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19 en países iberoamericanos hispanohablantes / Sentiment analysis of tweets about the COVID-19 vaccine in Spanish-speaking Ibero-American countries

Resumen Introducción: En este estudio se evalúa la emocionalidad asociada a la vacunación contra el COVID-19 a partir de la técnica de análisis de sentimientos de los tweets en países iberoamericanos hispanohablantes. Método: En enero de 2021 se realizó un estudio mixto observacional transversal de 41023 tweets procedentes de nueve países iberoamericanos hispanohablantes (Chile, El Salvador, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, México, Panamá, Perú y España) con una fase cuantitativa y técnicas de análisis de sentimientos mediante algoritmos de inteligencia artificial y una fase cualitativa donde se realizó un análisis del discurso de los tweets cuya emocionalidad era en extremo positiva y negativa. Resultados: A partir del análisis de sentimiento de los tweets, se observó que los países presentan una emocionalidad negativa asociada a la vacunación contra el COVID-19, que se podría atribuir a la desconfianza hacia las autoridades y a la eficacia o seguridad de las vacunas, según el análisis del discurso en los tweets de emocionalidad en extremo negativa. Conclusiones: Las técnicas de análisis de sentimientos en combinación con el análisis del discurso de la emocionalidad extrema posibilitaron la monitorización de las opiniones negativas y sus posibles factores asociados en la vacunación contra el COVID-19 en los países iberoamericanos estudiados.

Abstract Introduction: This study evaluates the emotionality associated with vaccination against COVID-19 using the sentiment analysis technique of tweets in Spanish-speaking Ibero-American countries. Method: In January 2021 a mixed cross-sectional observational study of 41023 tweets from nine Spanish-speaking Ibero-American countries (Chile, El Salvador, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Spain) was carried out with a quantitative phase and analysis techniques of feelings based on artificial intelligence algorithms and a qualitative phase where an analysis of the discourse of the tweets whose emotionality was extremely positive and negative was carried out. Results: From the sentiment analysis of the tweets, it was observed that the countries present a negative emotionality associated with the vaccination against COVID-19, which could be attributed to mistrust towards the authorities and the efficacy or safety of the vaccines, according to the analysis of the discourse in the extremely negative emotionality tweets. Conclusions: Sentiment analysis techniques in combination with extreme emotionality discourse analysis made it possible to monitor negative opinions and their possible associated factors in vaccination against COVID-19 in the Ibero-American countries studied.

Temporal inequality of RR intervals like a new psychophysiological indicator of mental stress / Desigualdad temporal de los intervalos RR como nuevo indicador psicofisiológico de estrés mental / Desigualdade temporal de intervalos RR como um novo indicador psicofisiológico de estresse mental

Introduction: Gini coefficient (Gini index or Gini ratio) is a parameter that is normally used in economy to measure the income distribution in a country or in the whole wide world, but it can be used to measure any kind of distribution. In the present study it is exposed an innovative proposal of application of the Gini coefficient to Heart Rate Variability (HRV) like a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress. Purpose: To assess the application of the Gini coefficient as a psychophysiological indicator of mental stress. Methods: The involved participants are 13 healthy individuals (age 19 ± 1.5 years). Heart rate was continuously recorded at rest (5 minutes) and during a mental stress (5 minutes). Linear and nonlinear methods of heart rate variability were assessed, and 2 new indicators (Sequential and Non-Sequential Gini) were calculated and proposed to measure HRV differences between states. Results: When comparing rest and mental stress conditions, a sensible decrease of the traditional indicators of the HRV was founded (p<0.05), an increase of the heart rate (p=0.004) and of the Sequential Gini (p=0.004) and Non-Sequential Gini (p=0.04). Conclusions: The results suggest that temporary inequality of the RR intervals analyzed from the Gini coefficient could be an adequate indicator of sympathetic activity present during the mental stress, with great potentialities with the objective to assess the consequences of psychosomatic affections and anxiety disorders.

Introducción: El coeficiente de Gini o índice de Gini es un parámetro que normalmente se usa en economía para medir la distribución del ingreso en un país o en todo el mundo, pero puede usarse para medir cualquier tipo de distribución. En el presente estudio se expone una propuesta innovadora de aplicación del coeficiente de Gini a la Variabilidad de la Frecuencia Cardíaca (VFC) como indicador psicofisiológico del estrés mental. Objetivo: Evaluar la aplicación del coeficiente de Gini como indicador psicofisiológico de estrés mental. Métodos: Los participantes involucrados son 13 individuos sanos (edad 19 ± 1,5 años). La frecuencia cardíaca se registró continuamente en reposo (5 minutos) y durante un estrés mental (5 minutos). Se evaluaron métodos lineales y no lineales de variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca, y se calcularon y propusieron 2 nuevos indicadores (Gini secuencial y no secuencial) para medir las diferencias de VFC entre estados. Resultados: Al comparar las condiciones de reposo y estrés mental, se encontró una sensible disminución de los indicadores tradicionales de la VFC (p<0,05), un aumento de la frecuencia cardiaca (p=0,004) y del Gini Secuencial (p=0,004) y Gini no secuencial (p=0,04). Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la desigualdad temporal de los intervalos RR analizados a partir del coeficiente de Gini podría ser un indicador adecuado de la actividad simpática presente durante el estrés mental, con grandes potencialidades en la evaluación las consecuencias de afecciones psicosomáticas y trastornos de ansiedad.

Introdução: O coeficiente de Gini ou índice de Gini é um parâmetro normalmente usado em economia para medir a distribuição de renda em um país ou no mundo, mas pode ser usado para medir qualquer tipo de distribuição. No presente estudo, apresenta-se uma proposta inovadora de aplicação do coeficiente de Gini à Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca (VFC) como indicador psicofisiológico de estresse mental.Objetivo: Avaliar a aplicação do coeficiente de Gini como indicador psicofisiológico de estresse mental.Métodos: Os participantes envolvidos são 13 indivíduos saudáveis ​​(idade 19 ± 1,5 anos). A frequência cardíaca foi registrada continuamente em repouso (5 minutos) e durante o estresse mental (5 minutos). Métodos lineares e não lineares de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca foram avaliados e 2 novos indicadores (gini sequencial e não sequencial) foram calculados e propostos para medir as diferenças na VFC entre os estados.Resultados: Ao comparar as condições de repouso e estresse mental, foi encontrada diminuição significativa nos indicadores tradicionais da VFC (p<0,05), aumento da frequência cardíaca (p=0,004) e do Gini Sequencial (p= 0,004) e não - Gini sequencial (p=0,04).Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que a desigualdade temporal dos intervalos RR analisados ​​a partir do coeficiente de Gini pode ser um indicador adequado da atividade simpática presente durante o estresse mental, com grande potencial na avaliação das consequências de condições psicossomáticas e transtornos de ansiedade.

Theil Entropy as a Non-Lineal Analysis for Spectral Inequality of Physiological Oscillations.

Theil entropy is a statistical measure used in economics to quantify income inequalities. However, it can be applied to any data distribution including biological signals. In this work, we applied different spectral methods on heart rate variability signals and cellular calcium oscillations previously to Theil entropy analysis. The behavior of Theil entropy and its decomposable property was investigated using exponents in the range of [-1, 2], on the spectrum of synthetic and physiological signals. Our results suggest that the best spectral decomposition method to analyze the spectral inequality of physiological oscillations is the Lomb-Scargle method, followed by Theil entropy analysis. Moreover, our results showed that the exponents that provide more information to describe the spectral inequality in the tested signals were zero, one, and two. It was also observed that the intra-band component is the one that contributes the most to total inequality for the studied oscillations. More in detail, we found that in the state of mental stress, the inequality determined by the Theil entropy analysis of heart rate increases with respect to the resting state. Likewise, the same analytical approach shows that cellular calcium oscillations present on developing interneurons display greater inequality distribution when inhibition of a neurotransmitter system is in place. In conclusion, we propose that Theil entropy is useful for analyzing spectral inequality and to explore its origin in physiological signals.

Effectiveness of hypnotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment in primary monosymptomatic enuresis / Efectividad del tratamiento hipnoterapéutico y farmacológico en la enuresis primaria monosintomática

Abstract: Background: In primary monosymptomatic enuresis, it is not clear what dynamic changes occur in the efficacy of hypnotherapeutic versus pharmacological treatment plan. Objective: Determine the changes over time in the effectiveness of hypnotherapy and a pharmacological treatment plan in primary monosymptomatic enuresis. Method: A prospective, longitudinal and analytical study (time series) was performed on a universe of 119 patients between 7 and 16 years old, with primary monosymptomatic enuresis. 40 patients treated with imipramine and 79 patients with 1 session/1 hour /week of hypnotherapy were evaluated on the frequency of temporal changes of enuretic episodes during 14 weeks of treatments at the Hypnosis Clinic. Results: A logarithmic scale of the distributions of temporal changes in the frequencies of enuretic episodes in hypnotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments is presented, with an enuretic plateau from week 3 to week 6 in hypnotherapy. Conclusions: The hypnotherapeutic treatment was more favorable, as it had an early and efficient response compared to treatment with imipramine.

Resumen: Antecedentes: En la enuresis monosintomática primaria, no está claro qué cambios dinámicos ocurren en la eficacia del plan de tratamiento hipnoterapéutico versus farmacológico. Objetivo: Determinar los cambios dinámicos a lo largo del tiempo en la efectividad de la hipnoterapia y un plan de tratamiento farmacológico en la enuresis infantil no orgánica. Método: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y analítico (serie temporal) en un universo de 119 pacientes entre 7 y 16 años, con enuresis nocturna no orgánica. 40 pacientes tratados con imipramina y 79 pacientes con 1 sesión / 1 hora / semana de hipnoterapia fueron evaluados en la frecuencia de cambios temporales de episodios enuréticos durante 14 semanas de tratamientos en la Clínica de Hipnosis. Resultados: Se presenta un modelo logarítmico de las distribuciones de cambios temporales en las frecuencias de episodios enuréticos en tratamientos hipnoterapéuticos y farmacológicos, con una meseta enurética desde la semana 3 a la semana 6 en hipnoterapia. Conclusiones: El tratamiento hipnoterapéutico fue más favorable, ya que tuvo una respuesta temprana y eficaz en comparación con el tratamiento con imipramina.

Dinámica no lineal de la regulación autonómica cardiovascular durante la prueba del peso sostenido en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Nonlinear dynamics of cardiovascular autonomic regulation during the sustained weight test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Resumen Introducción: La dinámica no lineal de la regulación autonómica cardiovascular a partir de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca no ha sido previamente estudiada en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 mediante la prueba del peso sostenido como inductor de hiperreactividad cardiovascular. Objetivo: Determinar las variaciones en la dinámica no lineal de la regulación autonómica cardiovascular durante la prueba del peso sostenido en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Método: Estudio cuasiexperimental, antes-después, con grupo control, realizado en junio-agosto de 2018 en la Facultad No. 1 de Medicina de Santiago de Cuba. Se trabajó con 15 pacientes que padecían diabetes mellitus tipo 2 sin otra enfermedad asociada y 15 sujetos sanos, a quienes se les aplicó la prueba del peso sostenido. Resultados: En los pacientes con diabetes mellitus, al realizar la prueba del peso sostenido se produjo un aumento significativo en la presión arterial sistólica, diastólica y media, y en la frecuencia cardiaca. En la entropía muestral, parámetro que evalúa la adaptabilidad de los sistemas, se produjo una disminución significativa (2.28 ± 0.33 vs. 1.83 ± 0.47 ms; p = 0.003143). El valor del estadístico C de la entropía muestral en estado basal quedó establecido en 0.973, siendo la variable con mayor capacidad predictiva. Conclusiones: Durante la prueba del peso sostenido en los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 se produjo una disminución de la complejidad de la regulación autonómica cardiovascular; la entropía muestral basal constituyó el indicador de mayor eficacia en la identificación de alteraciones autonómicas cardiovasculares.

Abstract Introduction: The analysis of non-linear dynamics of cardiovascular autonomic regulation based on heart rate variability has not been previously studied in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using the sustained weight test as an inducer of cardiovascular hyperreactivity. Objective: To determine the variations in the non-linear dynamics of cardiovascular autonomic regulation during the sustained weight test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: A quasi-experimental, before-after study with a control group, from June-August 2018, at the No. 1 School of Medicine in Santiago de Cuba. We worked with 15 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus without other associated disease and 15 healthy subjects, to whom the sustained weight test was applied. Results: In patients with diabetes mellitus, when performing the sustained weight test, there was a significant increase in the hemodynamic parameters TAS, TAD, TAM and FC. In the sample entropy, a parameter that evaluates the adaptability of the systems, there is a significant decrease (2.28 ± 0.33 vs. 1.83 ± 0.47 ms; p = 0.003143). The value of the C statistic of the sample entropy at baseline was established at 0.973, being the variable with the highest predictive capacity. Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during the sustained weight test, there was a decrease in the complexity of cardiovascular autonomic regulation, the basal sample entropy was the indicator of greater efficacy in the identification of cardiovascular autonomic alterations.

Índice tobillo-brazo obtenido mediante fotopletismografía como marcador de insuficiencia arterial periférica asintomática en pacientes prehipertensos

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad arterial periférica (EAP) puede presentarse de forma asintomática, de ahí la necesidad de su diagnóstico para evitar complicaciones. Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de enfermedad arterial periférica mediante el índice tobillo-brazo obtenido por fotopletismografía en pacientes prehipertensos. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, en un universo constituido por los 35 pacientes mayores de 18 años, con diagnóstico presuntivo de prehipertensión arterial, del Consultorio 2 perteneciente al Policlínico Universitario Josué País García de Santiago de Cuba. Para medir el índice tobillo-brazo se empleó el pletismógrafo digital ANGIODIN® PD 3000. Resultados: El 100% de los pacientes carecía de síntomas de EAP, pero al realizar la medición del índice tobillo-brazo se encontró que el 51,43% de ellos tenía signos de esta enfermedad. La EAP fue más frecuente en hombres (52,94 vs. 50,0%), sin que se encontraran diferencias estadísticas significativas (p>0,05). Conclusiones: El índice tobillo-brazo obtenido mediante fotopletismografía resultó útil para determinar la presencia de enfermedad arterial periférica asintomática en pacientes prehipertensos. Se identificó una alta incidencia de la enfermedad, con mayor frecuencia en el sexo masculino.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may present with no symptoms at all, hence the need for diagnosis to avoid complications. Objective: To determine the presence of peripheral artery disease by means of the ankle-brachial index obtained by photoplethysmography in prehypertensive patients. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 35 patients over 18 years of age, with a presumptive diagnosis of prehypertension, belonging to the Family Doctor's Office 2 from the Policlínico Universitario Josué País García in Santiago de Cuba. The ANGIODIN® PD 3000 digital plethysmograph was used to measure the ankle-brachial index. Results: None of the patients had symptoms of PAD, but after measuring the ankle-brachial index, 51.43% of them were found to have signs of this disease. Peripheral artery disease was more frequent in men (52.94 vs. 50.0%), with no significant statistical differences (p>0.05). Conclusions: The ankle-brachial index obtained by photoplethysmography was useful in determining the presence of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease in prehypertensive patients. A high incidence of the disease was identified, with a higher frequency in the male sex.

Early cardiovascular sympathetic reflex activation is independent of occlusion time during reactive hyperemia / La activación temprana del reflejo simpático cardiovascular es independiente del tiempo de oclusión durante la hiperemia reactiva / A ativação precoce do reflexo simpático cardiovascular é independente do tempo de oclusão durante a hiperemia reativa

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of occlusion time in dynamic changes of autonomic activation during reactive hyperemia. Methods: Healthy subjects (n = 30) in the age range of 18­25 years participated in this study. Vascular reactivity was assessed by measuring the dynamic changes in finger pulse volume amplitude (PVA) and  pulse transit time relative to the RR intervals in the test (occluded arm) and control arm (contralateral non-occluded arm) during 1, 3 and 5 minute of occlusion using two separate Photoplethysmographic sensors. Heart Rate Variability was computed from a simultaneously acquired ECG signal to monitor the dynamic changes in cardiac autonomic nervous activity. Time-varying analysis of all signals were shown every 1 second in average response graphs. Results: Time-varying analysis of vascular and autonomic response during reactive hyperemia demonstrated the presence of a characteristic response pattern with an increase in the Sympathetic index and a decrease in Parasympathetic index at 8 to 10 seconds, an increase in heart rate at 20 seconds and a progressive increase in PVA during the first 60 seconds after occlusion regardless of the time spent in the procedure. Moreover, a decrease in pulse transits time relative to RR intervals,  followed by an increase regardless of the occlusion time was evidenced.  Conclusions: Early cardiovascular sympathetic activation is independent of occlusion time during reactive hyperemia, which suggests this is a vascular autonomic reflex response involved in the generation of the physiological phenomenon of reactive hyperemia.

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar el papel del tiempo de oclusión en los cambios dinámicos de la activación autónoma durante la hiperemia reactiva.Métodos: Participaron en este estudio sujetos sanos (n = 30) en el rango de edad de 18 a 25 años. La reactividad vascular se evaluó midiendo los cambios dinámicos en la amplitud del volumen del pulso del dedo (PVA) y el tiempo de tránsito del pulso en relación con los intervalos RR en la prueba (brazo ocluido) y el brazo de control (brazo contralateral no ocluido) durante 1, 3 y 5 minutos. de oclusión utilizando dos sensores fotopletismográficos separados. La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca se calculó a partir de una señal de ECG adquirida simultáneamente para controlar los cambios dinámicos en la actividad nerviosa autónoma cardíaca. El análisis variable en el tiempo de todas las señales se mostró cada segundo en gráficos de respuesta promedio.Resultados: El análisis variable en el tiempo de la respuesta vascular y autonómica durante la hiperemia reactiva demostró la presencia de un patrón de respuesta característico con un aumento en el índice simpático y una disminución en el índice parasimpático a los 8 a 10 segundos, un aumento en la frecuencia cardíaca a los 20 segundos y un aumento progresivo de PVA durante los primeros 60 segundos después de la oclusión independientemente del tiempo transcurrido en el procedimiento. Además, se evidenció una disminución en el tiempo de tránsitos del pulso en relación con los intervalos RR, seguido de un aumento independientemente del tiempo de oclusión.Conclusiones: La activación simpática cardiovascular temprana es independiente del tiempo de oclusión durante la hiperemia reactiva, lo que sugiere que se trata de una respuesta refleja autonómica vascular involucrada en la generación del fenómeno fisiológico de hiperemia reactiva.

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o papel do tempo de oclusão nas mudanças dinâmicas da ativação autonômica durante a hiperemia reativa.Métodos: Participaram deste estudo indivíduos saudáveis ​​(n = 30) na faixa etária de 18 a 25 anos. A reatividade vascular foi avaliada medindo as mudanças dinâmicas na amplitude do volume do pulso do dedo (PVA) e tempo de trânsito do pulso em relação aos intervalos RR no teste (braço ocluído) e braço controle (braço não ocluído contralateral) durante 1, 3 e 5 minutos de oclusão usando dois sensores fotopletismográficos separados. A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca foi calculada a partir de um sinal de ECG adquirido simultaneamente para monitorar as mudanças dinâmicas na atividade nervosa autonômica cardíaca. A análise variável no tempo de todos os sinais foi mostrada a cada 1 segundo em gráficos de resposta média.Resultados: A análise variável no tempo da resposta vascular e autonômica durante a hiperemia reativa demonstrou a presença de um padrão de resposta característico com um aumento no índice simpático e uma diminuição no índice parassimpático em 8 a 10 segundos, um aumento na frequência cardíaca em 20 segundos e aumento progressivo do PVA durante os primeiros 60 segundos após a oclusão, independentemente do tempo despendido no procedimento. Além disso, foi evidenciada uma diminuição no tempo de trânsito de pulso em relação aos intervalos RR, seguida de um aumento independente do tempo de oclusão.Conclusões: A ativação simpática cardiovascular precoce independe do tempo de oclusão durante a hiperemia reativa, o que sugere que se trata de uma resposta reflexa autonômica vascular envolvida na geração do fenômeno fisiológico de hiperemia reativa.

Dynamics of cardiac autonomic regulation during isometric sustained weight test in hypertensive patients

Background: The Sustained Weight Test (SWT) is an isometric exercise test that has great practical value for carrying out massive studies on hypertension, however, is insufficient knowledge of the dynamics of cardiac autonomic regulation during this test. The aim of this study was to determine variations in the dynamics of cardiac autonomic regulation and in hemodynamic response during SWT in hypertensive subjects. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 15 hypertensive patients of both sexes, paired with 30 normotensive individuals, measuring arterial blood pressure, entropy sample and the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in time-frequency with the Continuous Wavelet Transform Morlet-type (CWT  morlet) through the electrocardiographic signal of the polygraph AD Instruments in the functional states of Rest and SWT. Results: A significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure was found, as well as a decrease in sample entropy in the functional states of normotensive and hypertensive patients. In hypertensive patients, an early response pattern increased with multiple fluctuations during SWT in the time-frequency analysis of HRV with the CWT morlet. Conclusions: SWT produces an increase in blood pressure, which is more frequent and evident in hypertensive subjects. Cardiac autonomic regulation during SWT increases the sympathetic and decreases the parasympathetic components, manifesting itself in hypertensive patients with a pattern of imbalance in the regulation of both sympathetic and parasympathetic response.

Influence of the emotional alterations in the arterial stiffness index and cardiovascular risk of pre-hypertensive patients

Purpose: To determine the influence of emotional alterations in the arterial stiffness index and cardiovascular risk of pre-hypertensive patients.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 48 pre-hypertensive patients. Emotional alterations, global cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness index were evaluated. The PPG technique was used to record the arterial pulse wave in the first finger of the lower right limb, using the ANGIODIN® digital plethysmograph.Results: Pre-hypertensive patients with emotional alterations had major Weight, Body Mass Index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness index with respect to patients who did not find emotional alterations. In pre-hypertensive patients, 58.3% presented a positive Cornell test, 39.6% of them female, and 18.8% male. There was a significant relationship (p<0.001) between the presence of emotional disturbances and moderate cardiovascular risk.Conclusions: Emotional alterations in pre-hypertensive patients is associated with an increase in arterial stiffness and an increased global cardiovascular risk.

Respuesta autonómica cardiovascular al estrés mental inducido por la prueba de cálculo aritmético / Autonomic cardiovascular response to mental stress induced by the arithmetic computation test

Introducción: El estrés mental agudo, así como los estados de ansiedad inducidos para influenciar la reactividad psicofisiológica en jóvenes sanos, aportan cambios en los patrones nerviosos que pueden ser medidos mediante la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en los parámetros lineales del balance autonómico cardiovascular en individuos jóvenes en estado basal y durante la prueba de cálculo aritmético. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental, sin grupo control de tipo antes y después, en el Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Biomédicas de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Población y muestra de 10 sujetos. Se registró el trazado electrocardiográfico (5 min) durante el reposo y luego durante la prueba de cálculo aritmético. Resultados: Existieron diferencias significativas entre ambos estados en las variables frecuencia cardiaca (p = 0,005); mínima (p = 0,007); máxima (p = 0,005); intervalo RR (p = 0,005); stress index (p = 0,028); índice simpático (p = 0,005); bajas frecuencias (p = 0,005); relación LF/HF (p = 0,005); RMSSD (p = 0,007); NN50 (p = 0,008); pNN50 (p = 0,005); índice parasimpático (p = 0,005) y altas frecuencias (p = 0,005). El estrés mental provocó una disminución parasimpática y un predominio simpático uniforme en todos los sujetos participantes en el estudio. Conclusiones: Durante el estrés mental inducido por la prueba de cálculo aritmético la dinámica lineal de la respuesta autonómica cardiovascular experimenta un aumento en la actividad simpática y una disminución del tono parasimpático, traduciendo una respuesta adaptativa en la regulación de la función cardiovascular por el sistema nervioso autónomo(AU)

Introduction: Acute mental stress and states of anxiety induced to influence psychophysiological reactivity in healthy young people, result in changes in nervous patterns which may be measured in terms of heart rate variability. Objective: Determine the differences in linear parameters for autonomic cardiovascular balance in young individuals at baseline and during the arithmetic computation test. Methods: A non-observational quasi-experimental before-after study without a control group was conducted at the Basic Biomedical Sciences Laboratory of the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba. The study population and sample was 10 subjects. The electrocardiographic tracing (5 min) was recorded at rest and then during the arithmetic computation test. Results: Significant differences were found between the two states as to the variables heart rate (p = 0.005), minimum (p = 0.007), maximum (p = 0.005), RR interval (p = 0.005), stress index (p = 0.028), sympathetic index (p = 0.005), low frequencies (p = 0.005), LF/HF ratio (p = 0.005), RMSSD (p = 0.007), NN50 (p = 0.008), pNN50 (p = 0.005), parasympathetic index (p = 0.005) and high frequencies (p = 0.005). Mental stress caused a parasympathetic reduction and uniform sympathetic predominance in all the subjects participating in the study. Conclusions: During the mental stress induced by the arithmetic computation test, the linear dynamic of the autonomic cardiovascular response experiences an increase in sympathetic activity and a reduction in parasympathetic tone, displaying an adaptive response in cardiovascular function regulation by the autonomous nervous system(AU)

Glycine Receptor Inhibition Differentially Affect Selected Neuronal Populations of the Developing Embryonic Cortex, as Evidenced by the Analysis of Spontaneous Calcium Oscillations.

The embryonic developing cerebral cortex is characterized by the presence of distinctive cell types such as progenitor pools, immature projection neurons and interneurons. Each of these cell types is diverse on itself, but they all take part of the developmental process responding to intrinsic and extrinsic cues that can affect their calcium oscillations. Importantly, calcium activity is crucial for controlling cellular events linked to cell cycle progression, cell fate determination, specification, cell positioning, morphological development and maturation. Therefore, in this work we measured calcium activity in control conditions and in response to neurotransmitter inhibition. Different data analysis methods were applied over the experimental measurements including statistical methods entropy and fractal calculations, and spectral and principal component analyses. We found that developing projection neurons are differentially affected by classic inhibitory neurotransmission as a cell type and at different places compared to migrating interneurons, which are also heterogeneous in their response to neurotransmitter inhibition. This reveals important insights into the developmental role of neurotransmitters and calcium oscillations in the forming brain cortex. Moreover, we present an improved analysis proposing a Gini coefficient-based inequality distribution and principal component analysis as mathematical tools for understanding the earliest patterns of brain activity.

Diferencias en los parámetros lineales del balance autonómico basal entre estudiantes de medicina y atletas juveniles de béisbol / Differences in linear parameters of the basal autonomic balance between medical students and young baseball players

RESUMEN Introducción: La modulación autonómica cardiovascular puede ser considerada como una herramienta útil en la determinación del estado fisiológico de la interacción entre los sistemas nervioso autónomo y cardiovascular. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en los parámetros lineales del balance autonómico basal entre estudiantes de medicina y atletas juveniles de béisbol. Método: Se realizó un estudio analítico de tipo transversal en el Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Biomédicas de la Facultad Nº. 1 de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Universo y muestra de 36 individuos (Grupo 1: 18 atletas juveniles de béisbol de alto rendimiento, Grupo 2: 18 estudiantes de medicina). Los datos fueron recolectados mediante de polígrafo PowerLab de 8 canales, y fueron procesados usando el software Kubios® versión 3.0.4 Premium. Resultados: Existieron diferencias significativas en los valores de pNN50 (p=0,009), índice de estrés (stress index [p=0,044]), y en los índices parasimpático (p=0,005) y simpático (p=0,001) entre estudiantes y atletas. La capacidad discriminatoria del índice parasimpático para asociarse con la mejor forma física de los atletas fue buena (área bajo la curva 0,784). El punto de corte óptimo por encima del cual el índice parasimpático se asocia al grupo de los atletas, quedó establecido en 0,57. Conclusiones: El índice parasimpático se asoció con el grupo de atletas, lo que evidencia el predominio vagal en la modulación de la actividad cardíaca en los sujetos de este grupo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cardiovascular autonomic modulation can be considered a useful tool in determining the physiological state of the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Objective: To determine the differences in linear parameters of the basal autonomic balance between medical students and young baseball players. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in the Biomedical Basic Sciences Laboratory, Faculty No.1, of the Universidad de Ciencias Médicas in Santiago de Cuba. The population and sample consisted of 36 individuals (Group 1: 18 high-performance young baseball athletes, Group 2: 18 medical students). Data was collected using an 8-channel PowerLab polygraph and it was processed using the Kubios® Software version 3.0.4 Premium. Results: There were significant differences in the values between students and athletes: pNN50 (p=0.009), stress index (p=0.044) and in parasympathetic (p=0.005) and sympathetic (p=0.001) indexes. The discriminatory ability of the parasympathetic index to be associated with the best physical fitness of the athletes was good (area under the curve 0.784). The optimum cut-off point above which the parasympathetic index is associated with the group of athletes was set at 0.57. Conclusions: The parasympathetic index was associated with the group of athletes, showing the vagal predominance in the modulation of cardiac activity in the individuals belonging to this group.

Cardiac vagal imbalance to the isometric sustained weight test in adolescents with emotional eating behavior.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between emotional eating behavior and heart rate variability in Spanish adolescents during an isometric exercise test. METHODS: Participants included 52 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years old. Heart rate was continuously recorded at rest (2 minutes) and during the sustained weight test (2 minutes). Linear and nonlinear methods of heart rate variability were assessed and related to the emotional eating behavior divided in two clusters. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in linear and non-linear parameters of heart rate variability comparing rest and sustained weight test. An increase in the value of emotional eating in overweight adolescents was founded. During the sustained weight test, there were differences between the two emotional eating clusters regarding the variables peak high frequency power, normalized low frequency power, normalized high frequency power, low frequency/high frequency ratio, and sample entropy. A positive correlation between the emotional eating behavior and the peak high frequency power was observed, though the prediction capacity of the high frequency waves is low it is observed that there is a good fit to the regression line. CONCLUSION: Results of this study shows that there was a relationship between vagal tone and emotional eating behavior in adolescents during an isometric exercise, with excessive parasympathetic predominance and sympathetic withdrawal during a physical effort.