Current Concepts in Early Mobilization of Critically Ill Patients Within the Context of Neurologic Pathology.

Neurocritical patients (NCPs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) rapidly progress to respiratory and peripheral muscle dysfunctions, which significantly impact morbidity and death. Early mobilization in NCPs to decrease the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness has been showing rapid growth, although pertinent literature is still scarce. With this review, we summarize and discuss current concepts in early mobilization of critically ill patients within the context of neurologic pathology in NCPs. A narrative synthesis of literature was undertaken trying to answer the following questions: How do the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems in NCPs behave? Which metabolic biomarkers influence physiological responses in NCPs? Which considerations should be taken when prescribing exercises in neurocritically ill patients? The present review detected safety, feasibility, and beneficial response for early mobilization in NCPs, given successes in other critically ill populations and many smaller intervention trials in neurocritical care. However, precautions should be taken to elect the patient for early care, as well as monitoring signs that indicate interruption for intervention, as worse outcomes were associated with very early mobilization in acute stroke trials.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathways for Aesthetic Breast Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study on Patient-Reported Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients' expectations of an anticipated timeline of recovery and fear of anesthesia in aesthetic breast surgery have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess patient anxiety, expectations, and satisfaction after Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways for aesthetic breast surgery and the progress of postoperative recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent aesthetic breast surgery between April 2021 and August 2022 were included in this single-center prospective cohort study. The ERAS protocol consists of more than 20 individual measures in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative period. Epidemiological data, expectations, and recovery were systematically assessed with standardized self-assessment questionnaires, including the International Pain Outcome Questionnaire (IPO), the BREAST-Q or BODY-Q, and data collection forms. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients with a median of 30 years of age were included. Patients returned to most daily activities within 5 days. Eighty-eight percent of patients were able to accomplish daily activities sooner than expected. The time of return to normal daily activities was similar across all procedure types. There was no statistically significant difference regarding postoperative satisfaction between patients who recovered slower (12%) and patients who recovered as fast or faster (88%) than anticipated (p=0.180). Patients reporting fear of anesthesia in the form of conscious sedation significantly diminished from 17 to 4% postoperatively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways for aesthetic breast surgery are associated with rapid recovery and high patient satisfaction. This survey study provides valuable insight into patients' concerns and perspectives that may be implemented in patient education and consultations to improve patient satisfaction following aesthetic treatments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Danger Zones of the Gluteal Anatomy: Improving the Safety Profile of the Gluteal Fat Grafting.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the vascular anatomy is critical to performing safe gluteal surgery. To date, only the course of the main blood vessels within the muscles has been outlined. These findings are based on MRI and CTA images that do not conform to a topographically standardized and normalized probability distribution. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional mapping of the gluteal zones of high vascular density in relation to anatomical landmarks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort analysis comprised all consecutive patients who underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans between January 2016 and October 2021. The location of blood vessels in the gluteal region was allometrically normalized in relation to anatomical landmarks. Moreover, the caliber and area of the blood vessels were assessed. RESULTS: CBCT scans of 32 patients with an average age of 64 ± 12 years (range 34-87 years) were included. Fifty-three percent were female. The median [IQR] caliber of the intramuscular gluteal vessels was 1.47 [1.15-1.88] mm, significantly greater than that of the subcutaneous vessels 1.09 [0.72-1.44] mm (p < 0.001). Vascular density was higher intramuscularly, as 4.5% of the area of the muscle was occupied by blood vessels, as opposed to 0.3% in the adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the CBCT scans showed a higher vascular density and larger vessels intramuscularly. We, therefore, recommend the injection of autologous fat merely to the subcutaneous plane. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Mesenteric sparing approach for advanced nodal extent in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Is there a limit to the vascular resection in order to avoid creating a short small bowel syndrome? An anatomic research study.

PURPOSE: By selectively perfusing the first three jejunal arteries (JA), we aim to assess the individual perfusion length of small bowel (SB) and its impact on nodal resection in stage III-up small-intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NET). METHODS: Our anatomical research protocol implies a midline laparotomy and three measures of the SB length. We then perform a classical anterior approach of the superior mesenteric vessels. We carry on with the complete dissection and checking of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in order to identify the first three JA. Then we selectively perfuse each artery with colored latex solutions and measure the length of small bowel perfused respectively. RESULTS: We conducted our protocol on six cadaveric subjects. Mean(SD) SB length was 413(5.7), 535(13.2), 485(15), 353(25.1), 730(17.3) and 525(16° cm respectively from subject one to six. Most JA originated from the left side of the SMA. The first JA originated from its posterior wall in two subjects. Mean(SD) distance of origin of the first three JA was 4.6(1.3)cm, 6(1.1)cm and 7.1(0.9)cm respectively. Mean(SD) diameter of SMA was 10.8(3.3)mm. Mean diameter of the three first JA was 4(1.4)mm, 4(1.5)mm and 5(1.2)mm respectively. Mean(SD) SB length perfused by first and second JA was 224(14.9)cm, 175(8.6)cm, 238.3(7.6)cm, 84.3(5.1)cm, 233.3(5.8)cm and 218.3(10.4)cm respectively from subject one to six. CONCLUSION: We observed a trend suggesting that the first and second JA may sustain a SB length beyond the viable 1.5 m limit, implying the feasibility of stage III-up SI-NET resection with just two JA.

Enhanced Recovery After Aesthetic Breast Surgery Under Sedation, Intercostal Block and Tumescent Anaesthesia: A Prospective Cohort Study of the Early Postoperative Phase.

BACKGROUND: Comfort and recovery are major concerns of patients seeking aesthetic surgery. This study aimed to assess postoperative pain and recovery after outpatient breast surgery under sedation, intercostal block, and local anaesthesia. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included all consecutive patients who underwent aesthetic breast surgery between April 2021 and August 2022. Epidemiological data, anaesthesia, pain, and patients' satisfaction were systematically assessed with standardized self-assessment questionnaires. RESULTS: Altogether, 48 patients [median (IQR) age: 30 (36-25)] were included. The most frequent surgery was mastopexy. 69% of surgeries involved additional procedures. The mean intercostal block and local anaesthesia time was 15 min. Patients received a median (IQR) of 19 (34-2) mg/kg lidocaine and 2.3 (2.5-2.0) mg/kg ropivacaine. The median (IQR) consumption of propofol and alfentanil was, respectively, 4.89 (5.48-4.26) mg/kg/h and 0.27 (0.39-0.19) µg/kg/min. No conversion to general anaesthesia or unplanned hospital admission occurred. Patients were discharged after a median (IQR) of 2:40 (3:43-1:58) hours. Within the first 24 postoperative hours, 17% required once an antiemetic medication and 38% an opioid. Patients were very satisfied with the anaesthesia and 90% of the patients had not wished more analgesia in the first 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: Aesthetic breast surgery under sedation, intercostal block, and tumescent anaesthesia can safely be performed as an ambulatory procedure and is associated with minimal intra- and postoperative opioid consumption and high patient satisfaction. These data may be used to inform patients and clinicians and improve the overall quality of care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The 2019 northeast Brazil oil spill: scenarios.

During the last quarter of 2019, the beaches, mangroves, and estuaries of Northeast Brazil received an unprecedented volume of crude oil from the sea, which became the worst environmental disaster ever to reach the Brazilian coast. The oil, having reached the shores completely unnoticed, left both society and government agents completely clueless on (i) where the oil was coming from; (ii) how much oil was still in the ocean to reach the shorelines; and (iii) which beaches were going to be affected next! By exploring remote sensing data and ocean numerical modeling, along with oil dispersion chemistry on sea water, this study investigates the possible origin and path of the spill and whether it could have been detected from space. The oil dispersion modeling simulations performed for this investigation revealed a possible region and timing of the oil spill, also indicating the likelihood of it being advected toward the shoreline under the ocean surface.

Experimental Study of Rupture Pressure and Elasticity of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Found at Autopsy.

BACKGROUND: Resistance and elasticity of normal and aneurysmal aorta walls are directly associated with this vessel's growth and rupture. This study aims to experimentally analyze the biomechanical behavior of aneurysmal specimens found at autopsy, comparing them with normal diameter aortas removed from age-matched donors. METHODS: Thirty-eight human aortas (30 normal aortas; 8 infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms) were harvested during autopsy. An apparatus was built with a digital gauge, plastic tray, connections, and hoses that conducted fluid (air) from a pump through the system. Specimens were dissected, and a flexible balloon was introduced in each of them to avoid leakage. The specimens were fastened on the test tray, and activation of the air pump enhanced system pressure up to their rupture. RESULTS: All 8 aneurysms and all 30 normal aortas specimens evolved to rupture under inflation pressures above 590 mm Hg (mean ± standard deviation = 1,035 ± 375 mm Hg) and 840 mm Hg (mean ± SD = 1,405 ± 342 mm Hg), respectively. In the aneurysm group, 25% of specimens did not rupture in their most dilated region. Percentage of increment in diameter was higher in normal aortas (mean ± SD = 0.2106 ± 0.144) than in aneurysms (mean ± SD = 0.093 ± 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: In the present experiment, unruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms could support high pressures nearly as much as nonaneurysmal abdominal aortas. In some specimens, the most dilated part of the aneurysm was not the most vulnerable under pressure. Normal aortas presented higher elasticity than aneurysms.

Ten-year seasonal climate reforecasts over South America using the Eta Regional Climate Model.

Ten-year seasonal climate reforecasts over South America are obtained using the Eta Regional Climate Model at 40 km resolution, driven by the large-scale forcing from the global atmospheric model of the Center for Weather Forecasts and Climate Studies. The objective of this work is to evaluate these regional reforecasts. The dataset is comprised of four-month seasonal forecasts performed on a monthly basis between 2001 and 2010. An ensemble of five members is constructed from five slightly different initial conditions to partially reduce the uncertainty in the seasonal forecasts. The seasonal mean precipitation and 2-meter temperature forecasts are compared with the observations. The comparison shows that, in general, forecasted precipitation is underestimated in the central part of the continent in the austral summer, whereas the forecasted 2 meter temperature is underestimated in most parts of the continent and throughout the year. Skill scores show higher skill in the northern part of the continent and lower skill in the southern part of the continent, but mixed skill signs are seen in the central part of the continent. During the El Niño and La Niña seasons, the forecast skill scores clearly increase. The downscaling of the Eta model seasonal forecasts provides added value over the driver global model forecasts, especially during rainy periods.

Bacteriostatic and bactericidal clays: an overview.

This article aims to draw an overview on the actual knowledge on bacteriostatic and bactericidal natural clays. Particular emphasis is given to the role of clay itself, the action of reduced metals located either in the structure of clay minerals or external to them as constituents of associate minerals, and the definition of the mechanisms of action based on the achievements found in all available studies being carried out so far. The term bactericidal is herein used when a clay or a clay mineral kill the bacteria, whereas the term bacteriostatic is used when those minerals stop bacteria growth and replication. The second part of this article deals with experimental studies on bactericidal natural clay, experience and perspective for the preparation of bactericidal natural clays, interesting on the authors perspective and experience for the preparation of pathogens safe both therapeutic and cosmetic natural mud/natural peloid, and better yet of both therapeutic 87oooand cosmetic peloid itself and designed and engineered peloid. The authors also show how to convert non-antimicrobial clay into antimicrobial one, opening the way in the field of pelotherapy to the preparation of sanitary safe peloids addressed, for instance, to the treatment of rheumatic disabilities, as well as to the preparation of antimicrobial peloids and, in particular, of dermatological ointments, all able to fight infectious skin disorders.

Information System Maturity Models in Healthcare.

The use of information systems in healthcare (HIS) has been recognised as having crucial importance in improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, and safety of medical care delivery. HIS has the potential to improve individuals' health and providers' performance by producing better quality, cost savings, and greater patient involvement in their own health. There have been two major drivers for the HIS investments in healthcare: The ever-increasing burden from chronic disease with costs growing significantly faster and the recognition of the need for greatly improved quality and safety in health delivery. Maturity models (MM) are based on the premises that people, organizations, functional areas and processes evolve through a process of development or growth towards a more advanced maturity, going through a distinct number of levels. Through a state-of-the-art review of HIS, focused on their maturity state, we identify and characterize a set of critical factors recognized as determinants in the context of HIS maturity. The article identifies a broad spectrum of MM applied to the health sector and its characteristics and reinforces the belief that the maturity of HIS can contribute to the quality of information and knowledge management in the sector.

Novelty-Driven Cooperative Coevolution.

Cooperative coevolutionary algorithms (CCEAs) rely on multiple coevolving populations for the evolution of solutions composed of coadapted components. CCEAs enable, for instance, the evolution of cooperative multiagent systems composed of heterogeneous agents, where each agent is modelled as a component of the solution. Previous works have, however, shown that CCEAs are biased toward stability: the evolutionary process tends to converge prematurely to stable states instead of (near-)optimal solutions. In this study, we show how novelty search can be used to avoid the counterproductive attraction to stable states in coevolution. Novelty search is an evolutionary technique that drives evolution toward behavioural novelty and diversity rather than exclusively pursuing a static objective. We evaluate three novelty-based approaches that rely on, respectively (1) the novelty of the team as a whole, (2) the novelty of the agents' individual behaviour, and (3) the combination of the two. We compare the proposed approaches with traditional fitness-driven cooperative coevolution in three simulated multirobot tasks. Our results show that team-level novelty scoring is the most effective approach, significantly outperforming fitness-driven coevolution at multiple levels. Novelty-driven cooperative coevolution can substantially increase the potential of CCEAs while maintaining a computational complexity that scales well with the number of populations.

Sex-Related Glycemic and Cardiovascular Responses After Continuous and Interval Aerobic Sessions in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study.

We aimed to investigate sex-related glycemic and cardiovascular responses after intensity- (moderate) and duration- (30 minutes) matched interval aerobic exercise (IAE) and continuous (CAE) aerobic exercise sessions in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). A total of 19 volunteers (10 women) participated in 2 randomized and crossover sessions (1:1). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, double product, and blood glucose (BG) levels were measured before (PRE), immediately after (POST-0), and 20 minutes after (POST-20) each session. The rates of perceived exertion (RPE) and enjoyment levels (ELs) were assessed after each session. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data (condition × time × sex). Regarding sex-related changes, men showed BG reductions at POST-0 and POST-20 after CAE (∆: -3.7 and -3.7 mmol/L, respectively) and only at POST-0 after IAE (∆: -1.6 mmol/L), with 1 episode of hypoglycemia occurring in the latter group. In contrast, women showed reduced BG values only after CAE at both time points (∆: -1.4 and -1.7 mmol/L) compared with PRE values. The decrease in BG levels at both time points was higher for men after CAE than IAE. Cardiovascular responses, RPEs, and ELs were similar between exercise sessions, except for blood pressure, which showed higher values in men. In conclusion, lower BG levels were observed after CAE, with greater reductions in men. Similar cardiovascular, RPE, and EL responses were found across sexes and sessions. Consideration of sex-specific recommendations may be warranted when prescribing aerobic exercise, particularly, for men with irregular physical activity levels.

Is rating of perceived exertion a valid method for monitoring exergaming intensity in type-1 diabetics? A cross-sectional randomized trial.

AIMS: The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) provides correlations with physiological measurements of exercise intensity, including metabolic equivalent (MET), oxygen consumption (V˙O2), and heart rate (HR), in real (RS) and virtual (VS) sessions. To use RPE in patients with pathology, we aimed to examine the concurrent validity of RPE in type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients while exergaming. METHODS: Ten T1DM patients performed two 30-min crossover sessions of moderate-intensity exercise (washout 72-196 h). The RS group performed running, and the VS group played the Kinect Adventures! video game. METs were measured by a direct gas analyzer during the sessions, and RPE was measured on the 6 - 20 point Borg scale after the sessions. RESULTS: RS and VS showed similar RPE (13.2 ± 2.7 vs. 14.2 ± 2.4) and MET (4.6 ± 1.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8) values (p > 0.05). RPE vs. MET correlation-coefficients were large in RS (r = 0.64; R2 = 41; p = 0.04) and were moderate in VS (r = 0.42; R2 = 18; p = 0.22). Additionally, RS secondary values (V˙O2 and HR vs. RPE) showed high coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.62; average HRr = 0.62; maximal HRr = 0.50, p < 0.05). VS secondary values, on the other hand, showed low-moderate coefficients (V˙O2-r = 0.42; average HRr = 0.23; maximal HRr = 0.21, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current validation showed that RPE may not be a valid and strong method for T1DM patients while exergaming. Healthcare professionals should cautiously use the 6 - 20 point RPE scale in pathological patients, specifically in T1DM while exergaming.

Quantification of Facial Fat Compartment Variations: A Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of the Cheek.

BACKGROUND: Cheek contour is a main determinant of facial attractiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) and cheek fat volume in a large cohort to better understand and treat facial aging. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of the archives of the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Tübingen. Epidemiologic data and medical history were assessed. Cheek superficial and deep fat compartment volumes were measured on magnetic resonance images. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and SAS statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients with a mean age of 46 years (range, 18 to 81 years) were included. The superficial and deep fat compartment volumes of the cheek increased with BMI ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.005), but there was no significant relationship between age and volume. The ratio of superficial versus deep fat did not change with age. No significant difference of the superficial or deep fat compartments was found between men and women in a regression analysis ( P = 0.931 and P = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: Cheek fat volume measurements on magnetic resonance imaging scans using reconstruction software suggest that the fat volume of the cheek increases with BMI but does not change significantly with age. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of age-related changes of bone structures or sagging of the fat compartments.

Prediction of ground vibrations induced by rail traffic in Lisbon urban area.

The possibility of introducing high-speed trains in Portugal will challenge the regular train circulation of existing railways tracks. To carry this traffic, improvements and maintenance programmes will be intensified together with the evaluation of the railway performance and its consequences on neighbourhood structures, including the execution of several vibration measurement tests. One of them was performed in Lisbon's urban area for measure of ground-borne vibration due to the train traffic. It was used to develop an efficient numerical model, which allowed to study the influence of introducing high-speed vehicles on the generation and propagation of vibrations through the free field and the impact on the wayside buildings. To access the effect of introducing such trains in the existing tracks, three bi-dimensional numerical models for each measurement profile were developed. Numerical models were calibrated using the monitoring records. Then, new simulations were performed with Thalys HST train allowing to conclude that the introduction of high-speed trains will not lead to an increase of level of vibrations, for the adopted traffic conditions.

Skin graft associated with platelet-rich plasma in correcting extensive injuries resulting from the resection of skin cancer chemically induced in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the graft recipient bed after the resection of a neoplasia can influence its recurrence because this product stimulates angiogenesis, mitogenesis and chemotaxis. METHODS: A study with 30 rats Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus), which were separated into group A (induction of carcinogenesis, PRP in the postoperative period) and group B (induction of carcinogenesis, absence of PRP in the postoperative period), with 15 animals in each. Carcinogenesis was induced on the skin of the animals' chest by the topical application of 0.5% dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA) diluted in acetone. After surgical resection of the induced neoplasia, PRP was used to stimulate angiogenesis before surgical wound synthesis. Data on the control and experimental groups and macroscopic and microscopic variables were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: It was possible to determine that the use of PRP is good in reconstructive surgeries, but it is contraindicated in patients during tumor resection, as it can cause changes in the surgical bed, in addition to stimulating recurrences and metastases. CONCLUSIONS: PRP may interact with tumour cells that were in the recipient site of the surgical wound during the resection of a neoplasia, and a local recurrence process can be triggered by applying this product.

Simulation and Validation of Porosity and Permeability of Synthetic and Real Rock Models Using Three-Dimensional Printing and Digital Rock Physics.

A standard digital rock physics workflow aims to simulate petrophysical properties of rock samples using few millimeter size subsets scanned with X-ray microtomography at a high resolution of around 1 µm. The workflow is mainly based on image analysis and simulation procedures at a subset scale leading to potential uncertainties and errors that cannot be quantified experimentally. To overcome the gap between scales, we propose to integrate three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to generate enlarged subsets at a scale where experimental measurements are feasible to validate simulated results. In this study, we 3D printed synthetic and real samples and compared digital and experimental rock properties. The most challenging phase in the workflow consists of the difficulties encountered while cleaning the 3D printed samples to remove the support material. Results for subsets extracted from synthetic, sandstone, and carbonate samples showed good agreement between digital and experimental measurements for porosity values less than 12% and a range of permeability values between 100 and 2000 mD.

Sex-related glycemic changes after intensity- and duration- matched aerobic and strength exercise sessions in type 1 diabetes: A randomized cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate sex-related glycemic, cardiovascular, and enjoyment responses after intensity-(moderate) and duration-(30 min) matched aerobic (AE) and strength exercises sessions (SE) in type 1 diabetic (T1DM) patients. METHODS: Twelve volunteers performed randomly three exercise sessions: AE, strength exercises A (SEA) and B (SEB). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, double product (DP) and capillary blood glucose (BG) levels were measured pre (PRE), immediately (POST-0) and 20 min (POST-20) after each exercise session. Rating of perceived exertion and enjoyment level were also measured. A generalized mixed model was used to verify responses over time (p < 0.05). Effect size (ES) was also calculated. RESULTS: Men shown reduced BG levels (POST-0 and POST-20), besides presenting lower values than women in both time points after AE. BG was found reduced POST-0 (SEA and SEB) and POST-20 (SEA) in men, and POST-0 and POST-20 min (SEA) in women compared to PRE (ES was moderate, large or very large), without causing hypoglycemic episodes. However, no differences between sexes were seen concerning strength sessions. Cardiovascular parameters and enjoyment levels were similar between exercise sessions. CONCLUSIONS: When aerobic and strength exercise sessions are intensity- and duration-matched, lower glucose levels are seen in men after AE, but similar values are found regarding SE. These findings suggest that sex-specific recommendations may be considered when prescribing exercise for T1DM patients.

Cardiovascular and Enjoyment Comparisons after Active Videogame and Running in Type 1 Diabetes Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Active videogames (AVGs) have been primarily studied in healthy individuals. To use the technology in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients, cardiovascular and enjoyment responses should be studied and compared with traditional exercises. Objective: To compare the effects of AVG and running exercises on cardiovascular and enjoyment responses in T1DM patients. Methods: Cardiovascular (heart rate, HR; blood pressure, BP; double product, DP; vessel diameter, VD; % endothelial function, %EF) and enjoyment levels were recorded during 3 weeks and twice per week. On the first day, patients completed baseline assessments, familiarization, and a 30-minute control session. On the second day and after 24 hours, the measurements were repeated. Patients repeated the same protocol in the second and third weeks and performed randomized active sessions. Results: T1DM patients had similar cardiovascular responses during active exercises without significant postexercise hypotension to HR, BP, and DP over time. However, VD and %EF values were higher in AVG, followed by running and rest, 30 minutes and after 24 hours (VD-AVG: 39.6 ± 9.5, 48.8 ± 12.3 and 56.6 ± 13.9 mm; VD-running: 41.5 ± 9.9, 47.4 ± 10.1 and 46.4 ± 12.4 mm; %EF-AVG: 9.6 ± 8.5, 29.6 ± 17.1 and 45.4 ± 25.9%; %EF-running: 7.3 ± 9.4, 14.8 ± 14.1 and 26.8 ± 18.9%, p < 0.05). Enjoyment was also higher in AVG compared with the running session (9.4 ± 0.7 vs. 7.7 ± 1.6; p < 0.05). Conclusions: AVG presented similar cardiovascular responses to running with higher endothelial and enjoyment levels.

Biomechanical and histological data from abdominal aortas harvested in autopsy.

This data article describes biomechanical and histological information of abdominal aortas harvested in autopsy. Eight abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA) and 30 normal diameter abdominal aortas were collected and submitted to an inflation test up to their rupture. This inflation procedure was part of the research entitled "Experimental study of rupture pressure and elasticity of abdominal aortic aneurysms found at autopsy", submitted to Annals of Vascular Surgery. The rupture borders and control samples (harvested from places other than the rupture site) were submitted to uniaxial destructive tensile test and to histological analysis. The following variables were evaluated in the biomechanical test: failure stress, failure tension and failure strain. The histological processing of the samples enabled a quantitative analysis of the percentage of coverage of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in the samples. The present data could be reutilized because they are experimental evidence that cadaveric abdominal aortas, even when previously stressed by inflation, conserve significant resistance against tearing comparable to no previously stressed aortas described in the literature. Considering real whole cadaveric AAAs are especially scarce, this information would be a useful reference source for further in-depth research in the aortic biomechanics field.