Different acquisition systems for heart rate variability analysis may lead to diverse outcomes

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a relevant physiological variable for the estimation of cardiac autonomic function. Although the gold standard for HRV registration is the electrocardiogram (ECG), several applications (APPs) have been increasingly developed. The evaluation carried out by these devices must be compatible with ECG standards. The aim of this study was to compare the data obtained simultaneously with ECG and APP with chest heart rate transmitters. Fifty-six healthy individuals (28 men and 28 women) were evaluated at rest through a short simultaneous HRV measurement with both devices. Data from both acquisition systems were analyzed separately using their own analysis software and exported and analyzed using a validated software. Signal recordings were compatible between the two acquisition systems (Pearson r=0.99; P<0.0001). Although a high correlation was found for the HRV variables obtained in the time domain (Spearman r=0.99; P<0.0001), the correlation decreased in the frequency domain (Pearson r=0.85; P<0.0001) when two software programs were used. Comparison of the averages of spectral analysis parameters also showed differences when HRV data were analyzed separately in each device for low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands. Although the portability of these mobile devices allows for optimal HRV evaluation, the direct analysis obtained from these devices must be carefully evaluated with respect to frequency domain parameters.

Intensity of swimming exercise influences aortic reactivity in rats

Exercise is known to cause a vasodilatory response; however, the correlation between the vasorelaxant response and different training intensities has not been investigated. Therefore, this study evaluated the vascular reactivity and lipid peroxidation after different intensities of swimming exercise in rats. Male Wistar rats (aged 8 weeks; 250-300 g) underwent forced swimming for 1 h whilst tied to loads of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8% of their body weight, respectively (groups G3, G4, G5, G6 and G8, respectively; n=5 each). Immediately after the test, the aorta was removed and suspended in an organ bath. Cumulative relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10−12-10−4 M) and contraction in response to phenylephrine (10−12-10−5 M) were measured. Oxidative stress was estimated by determining malondialdehyde concentration. The percentages of aorta relaxation were significantly higher in G3 (7.9±0.20), G4 (7.8±0.29), and G5 (7.9±0.21), compared to the control group (7.2±0.04), while relaxation in the G6 (7.4±0.25) and G8 (7.0±0.06) groups was similar to the control group. In contrast, the percentage of contraction was significantly higher in G6 (8.8 ±0.1) and G8 (9.7±0.29) compared to the control (7.1±0.1), G3 (7.3±0.2), G4 (7.2±0.1) and G5 (7.2±0.2%) groups. Lipid peroxidation levels in the aorta were similar to control levels in G3, G4 and G5, but higher in G6 and G8, and significantly higher in G8 (one-way ANOVA). These results indicate a reduction in vasorelaxing activity and an increase in contractile activity in rat aortas after high-intensity exercise, followed by an increase in lipid peroxidation.

Perfil de pacientes com artrite reumatoide em uso de inibidores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa (TNF-?), cadastrados no Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica de Pernambuco, Brasil / Profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis under treatment with inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) enrolled in the Specialized Program for Pharmaceutical Services of Pernambuco State (Brazil)

In Pernambuco, with federal funding from the BrazilianMinistry of Health, the State Department of Health providesthe anti-TNF-? drugs (adalimumab, etanerceptand infliximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA), as set out in a Clinical Protocol of TherapeuticGuidelines. The aim of the study was to describe thedemographic and clinical profile of RA patients treatedwith anti-TNF-? drugs enrolled in the Specialized Programfor Pharmaceutical Services (CEAF) in Pernambuco.A cross-sectional study was performed by collectingpatient data recorded in the Computerized Systemfor Management and Monitoring of Drugs of the CEAF,for the base month and year, September 2012. The dataanalyzed were age, gender, International Classificationof Diagnosed Disease, anti-TNF-? dispensed and city ofresidence. Out of 525 RA patients taking anti-TNF-?,384 (73%) were women. Etanercept (57%) was in thehighest number of prescriptions, followed by adalimumab(37%) and infliximab (11%). According to theirhome addresses, Health Management Region I had thehighest prevalence of patients with RA in Pernambuco.The study enabled the profile of patients treated for RAwith anti-TNF-? to be described. This information mayhelp decision making and contribute to improving themanagement of Pharmaceutical Services and public healthpolicies.

Em Pernambuco, por meio de financiamento federal do Ministério da Saúde, a Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, provê, ao tratamento da Artrite Reumatóide (AR), os medicamentos anti-TNF-? (adalimumabe, etanercepte e infliximabe), cujas linhas de cuidados estão definidas em Protocolos Clínicos de Diretrizes Terapêuticas. O estudo objetivou descrever o perfil demográfico e clínico dos pacientes com AR em uso de anti-TNF-? cadastrados no Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF) em Pernambuco. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com a coleta de dados de pacientes cadastrados no Sistema Informatizado de Gerenciamento e Acompanhamento de Medicamentos do CEAF. Com mês e ano base em setembro de 2012, foram consideradas para análise a idade, gênero, Classificação Internacional da Doença diagnosticada, anti-TNF-? dispensado e município de residência. Considerando 525 pacientes com AR que utilizam anti-TNF-?, 384 (73%) eram mulheres. O Etanercepte (57%) apresentou maior número de prescrições, seguido do Adalimumabe (37%) e Infliximabe (11%). Segundo o local de residência, a I Gerência Regional de Saúde apresentou maior prevalência de pacientes com AR. O estudo possibilitou descrever o perfil dos pacientes que utilizam anti-TNF-? no tratamento da AR. Essas informações podem subsidiar tomadas de decisões, contribuir na melhoria da gestão da Assistência Farmacêutica e de políticas públicas em saúde.

Aplicações da cultura de tecidos em plantas medicinais / Applications of tissue culture in medicinal plants

Esta revisão tem por objetivo levantar dados de literatura sobre o histórico e a situação atual das técnicas de cultura de tecidos em plantas medicinais. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão de publicações do período de 1976 a 2009. A cultura de tecidos é muito utilizada em pesquisas envolvendo plantas medicinais, com destaque para a técnica de micropropagação. A aplicação das técnicas de cultura de tecidos em plantas medicinais tem como perspectivas a obtenção de germoplasma competitivo e adaptado a diversos métodos de cultivo, escolha de novas espécies que servirão como fonte de compostos biologicamente ativos e aprimoramento da produção de fitofármacos, a fim de assegurar exploração sustentável destas espécies.

The aim of this literature review is to conduct a survey concerning the history and current situation of tissue culture techniques in medicinal plants. Therefore, a review was done considering the period from 1976 to 2009. Tissue culture is widely applied in medicinal plants researches, especially micropropagation. The perspectives of tissue culture techniques in medicinal plants are related to the development of competitive germoplasm adapted to diverse methods of cultivation, the election of new species that will serve as source of biological active composts, and the improvement of phytochemicals production, in order to assure sustainable exploration of these species.