Evaluating the potential of an oral-based bioguard to estimate heart rate using photoplethysmography

The reliable monitoring of heart rate during intense exercise is imperative to effectively manage training loads while providing insights from a healthcare perspective. However, current technologies perform poorly in contact sports settings. This study aims to evaluate the best approach for heart rate tracking using photoplethysmography sensors embedded into an instrumented mouthguard (iMG). Seven adults wore iMGs and a reference heart rate monitor. Several sensor placements, light sources and signal intensities were explored for the iMG. A novel metric related to the positioning of the sensor in the gum was introduced. The error between the iMG heart rate and the reference data was assessed to obtain insights into the effect of specific iMG configurations on measurement errors. Signal intensity was found to be the most important variable for error prediction, followed by the sensor light source, sensor placement and positioning. A generalized linear model combining an infrared light source, at an intensity of 5.08 mA, and a frontal placement high in the gum area resulted in a heart rate minimum error of 16.33%. This research shows promising preliminary results for the use of oral-based heart rate monitoring, but highlights the need for the careful consideration of sensor configurations within these systems

Geoepidemiological Profile of Leprosy in Rondônia, Brazil

The research aimed to evaluate the geoepidemiological profile of leprosy and its spatially uneven production in the state of Rondonia in the period from 2011 to 2014, from the perspective of medical geography, identifying and performing mapping of critical areas of the spatial production of leprosy. The study it is quantitative, descriptive and retrospective research. Information System Diseases and Reportable - the database SINAN (Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificáveis) was used. For the clothing of thematic maps was used ArcGIS program. The research universe was created by the registration of all new cases of leprosy reported in the period from 2011 to 2014, living in Rondonia. The State of Rondonia had 2,972 (two thousand nine hundred seventy-two) new cases of leprosy in the period studied, respectively 827 new cases in 2011, 779 in 2012, 2013 686 and 2014 680, which corresponds to 5.24 detection rate in 2011 4.93 2012 3.96 3.88 2013 and 2014 and are classified as hyperendemic area with detection rate/average incidence of 4.50 per 10,000 inhabitants. Leprosy is present in virtually 100% of the municipalities of Rondonia

Effects of Zolpidem CR on Sleep and Nocturnal Ventilation in Patients with Heart Failure

Study Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zolpidem CR (controlled release) on sleep and nocturnal ventilation in patients with congestive heart failure, a population at risk for insomnia and poor sleep quality. Methods: Fifteen patients with heart failure (ischemic cardiomyopathy) and ejection fraction <= 45% in NYHA functional class I or II were evaluated with full polysomnography in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. Patients underwent three tests: (1) baseline polysomnography and, after randomization, (2) a new test with zolpidem CR 12.5 mg or placebo, and after 1 week, (3) a new polysomnography, crossing the "medication" used. Results: A 16% increase in total sleep time was found with the use of zolpidem CR and an increase in stage 3 NREM sleep (slow wave sleep). The apnea hypopnea index (AHI) did not change with zolpidem CR even after controlling for supine positionhowever, a slight but significant decrease was observed in lowest oxygen saturation compared with baseline and placebo conditions (83.60 +/- 5.5184.43 +/- 3.8080.71 +/- 5.18, P = 0.002). Conclusion: Zolpidem CR improved sleep structure in patients with heart failure, did not change apnea hypopnea index, but slightly decreased lowest oxygen saturation.Associacao Fundo Incentivo a Pesquisa (AFIP), Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sleep Div, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Cardiol, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sleep Div, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Cardiol, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Identification of iGb3 and iGb4 in melanoma B16F10-Nex2 cells and the iNKT cell-mediated antitumor effect of dendritic cells primed with iGb3

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CD1d-restricted iNKT cells are protective against murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 growing subcutaneously in syngeneic C57Bl/6 mice as inferred from the fast tumor development in CD1d-KO in comparison with wild type animals. CD1d glycoproteins are related to the class I MHC molecules, and are involved in the presentation, particularly by dentritic cells (DC), of lipid antigens to iNKT cells. In the present work we attempted to identify the endogenous lipid mediator expressed in melanoma cells inducing such immunesurveillance response and study the possibility of protecting animals challenged with tumor cells with lipid-primed DC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Crude cytosolic and membrane fractions from <it>in vivo </it>growing melanoma contained iNKT-stimulating substances. Lipids were then extracted from these cells and one of the fractions (i.e. F3A) was shown to prime bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) to stimulate iNKT murine hybridoma (DN32D3) cells to produce IL-2. The active fraction was analyzed by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-LIT-MS) and both iGb3 and iGb4 were identified along with GM3. When iGb3 was incubated with BMDC and tested with DN32D3 cells, IL-2 was equally produced indicating iNKT cell activation. GM3 consistently inhibited this response. To assess the antitumor response-induced by iGb3, a cytotoxicity assay <it>in vitro </it>was used with [³H]-thymidine labeled B16F10-Nex2 cells. At target/effector (iGb3-activated iNKT) cell ratio of 100^-1-100^-4tumor cell lysis was shown. The antitumor activity <it>in vivo </it>was tested in mice challenged i.v. with B16F10-Nex2 cells and treated with iGb3- or α-galactosylceramide-primed DCs. A 4-fold lower tumor load in the lungs was observed with either treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show the expression of globo and isoglobohexosylceramides in murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2. The expression of iGb3 and its precursor, iGb4, on tumor cells may prime an effective iNKT cell-dependent antitumor response, modulated negatively by GM3 which is also produced in these cells. iGb3-primed BMDC exerted a significant iNKT cell-mediated anti-tumor activity in mice challenged with melanoma cells.</p

BIRD ENTANGLEMENT AND MORTALITY BY FRUITS OF THE ZAPALLO CASPI TREE PISONIA ZAPALLO IN THE DRY CHACO, ARGENTINA

Abstract ∙ Bird entanglement by plants may be globally widespread, but it is not a frequently studied phenomenon, and records in different regions of the world are still scarce. During a short visit to the El Impenetrable National Park, Chaco province, Argentina, in October–November 2022, we recorded 15 incidental cases of birds entangled or trapped by fruits of the tree Pisonia zapallo. Our report involves 12 bird species from eight families, with a wide range of body sizes and masses. To our knowledge, this is the first documented report on this phenomenon in continental South America