Investigation of pathophysiologic trends in Caucasian and Afro-American hypertensives by means of heart rate variability recording during upright tilt-table testing

The incidence of hypertension is more prevalent among the Afro-American population than the Caucasians and there is not a satisfactory explanation for this discrepancy. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been demonstrated to reflect the relative activities of the sympathetic (SMP) and parasympathetic (PSMP) divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This study consisted in comparing the HRV, as well as the blood pressure (BP) of four different groups during up-right tilt table testing. The subjects were grouped by age, gender, race and health condition. Analysis in time and frequency domain was applied to the data. In the frequency domain, the LF and HF bands were studied. In the time domain, a new parameter was proposed to analyze the data. As a result, the ratio of the FIF area, from the supine to the standing positions, was higher in the hypertensive group than the normotensive one, and the ratio of the LF area was higher in the normotensives than the others. On the other hand, Afro-Americans had a higher LF area ratio than Caucasians and a lower HF area ratio

CD4(+) CD25(+) T Cells Prevent Arthritis Associated with Borrelia Vaccination and Infection

CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells are a population of regulatory T cells associated with control of arthritis in anti-interleukin-17 antibody-treated Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged gamma interferon-deficient mice. Here, we present direct evidence that adoptive transfer of enriched CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells from these mice can prevent the development of arthritis in Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged mice. These findings establish a major role for CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells in the prevention of arthritis in Borrelia-vaccinated and challenged animals