Device and nondevice-guided slow breathing to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Backgroud and Aims: Hypertension (HTN) is a multifactorial chronic disease. Considering the high prevalence rates of this disease, treatment of HTN is necessary, not only to reduce blood pressure (BP) levels but also to prevent the development of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and kidney diseases. This treatment can be through medication, which will be determined according to the BP values, obtained either in medical consultations or at home; presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and the presence of target organ damage identified during anamnesis. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the effects of device-guided slow breathing (DGSB) and nondevice-guided slow breathing (NDGSB) on BP levels of patients with HTN. Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, pertaining to hypertensive patients, with or without comorbidity, over 18 years old, of both sexes, and with or without hypertensive medication. The selected studies showed comparisons between groups that performed DGSB and/or NDGSB with control conditions. The primary outcome was the value of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after the interventions. Results: Twenty-two studies involving 17,214 participants were included in the quantitative analysis. Considerable heterogeneity was revealed between studies. Using random effect model, it was found that DGSB did not significantly reduce SBP and DBP compared to usual care, both in terms BP values and in relation to their variations (SBP, mean difference [MD]: -2.13 mmHg, (95% confidence interval [CI]: -12.71 to 8.44), 288 individuals; I 2 = 93%, high heterogenity: DBP, MD: -0.90, 95% CI: -3.97 to 2.11, 288 individuals; I 2 = 63%, substantial heterogenity. SBP variations MD: -2.42, 95% CI: -7.24 to 2.40, 443 individuals; I 2 = 85% high heterogenity/DBP variations MD: -1.67, 95% CI: -4.57 to 1.24, 443 individuals; I 2 = 80%, high heterogenity). Conclusion: Based on these results it appears that DGSB did not reduce BP in hypertensive patients and NDGSB is a new path for the future.

An evaluation of machine learning methods for speed-bump detection on a GoPro dataset.

Every day, new applications arise relying on the use of high-resolution road maps in both academic and industrial environments. Autonomous vehicles rely on digital maps to navigate when optical sensors cannot be trusted, such as heavy rainfalls, snowy conditions, fog, and other situations. These situations increase the risks of accidents and disable the potentials of real-time mapping sensors. To tackle those problems, we present a methodology to automatically map anomalies on the road, namely speed bumps in this study, using an off-the-shelf camera (GoPro) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. We acquired data over a series of differently shaped speed bumps and applied three classification techniques: Naive Bayes, Multi-Layer Perceptron, and Random Forest (RF). With over 96% of classification accuracy, then RF was able to identify speed bumps on a GoPro dataset automatically. The results show a potential of the proposed methodology to be developed in surveying vehicles to produce highly-detailed maps of vertical road anomalies with a fast and accurate update rate.

The relevance of enzyme specificity for coenzymes and the presence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase for polyhydroxyalkanoates production in the metabolism of Pseudomonas sp. LFM046.

Reconstruction of genome-based metabolic model is a useful approach for the assessment of metabolic pathways, genes and proteins involved in the environmental fitness capabilities or pathogenic potential as well as for biotechnological processes development. Pseudomonas sp. LFM046 was selected as a good polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producer from carbohydrates and plant oils. Its complete genome sequence and metabolic model were obtained. Analysis revealed that the gnd gene, encoding 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, is absent in Pseudomonas sp. LFM046 genome. In order to improve the knowledge about LFM046 metabolism, the coenzyme specificities of different enzymes was evaluated. Furthermore, the heterologous expression of gnd genes from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (NAD+ dependent) and Escherichia coli MG1655 (NADP+ dependent) in LFM046 was carried out and provoke a delay on cell growth and a reduction in PHA yield, respectively. The results indicate that the adjustment in cyclic Entner-Doudoroff pathway may be an interesting strategy for it and other bacteria to simultaneously meet divergent cell needs during cultivation phases of growth and PHA production.

Assessment of the use of Unna boot in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers in adults: systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an anomaly of the normal functioning of the venous system caused by valvular incompetence with or without the obstruction of venous flow. This condition can affect either or both of the superficial and the deep venous systems. Venous dysfunction can even result in congenital or acquired disorders, and its complications include venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The objective of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of Unna boot in the treatment of wound healing of VLU by assessing the quality of the available evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, BVS/BIREME, Embase, ProQuest, BDTD, Thesis and Dissertation Catalog, Sao Paulo Research Foundation/Thesis and dissertation, OPEN THESIS, A service of the US National Institute of Health, Center for Reviews and Dissemination-University of New York and SciElo published in the last 10 years, the period from January 1999 to March 2019. The review will include primary studies (original), and Controlled Trials or Observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control or longitudinal studies) with VLU. The exclusion will include leg ulceration due to different causes, such as pressure, arterial, diabetic or mixed-aetiology leg ulcers. Data synthesis will be performed using a narrative summary and quantitative analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review does not require approval by the ethics committee, as individual patient data will not be collected. Dissemination of findings will be through publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or via conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019127947.

Prevalence and clinical significance of potential drug-drug interaction in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk of developing potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PDDIs that occur in HSCT patients on the day of hematopoietic stem cell infusion. We performed a cross-sectional study based on the evaluation of prescriptions to HSCT patients on the day of infusion (day 0). The PDDIs were analyzed using the DRUG-REAX(®) system and classified according to the severity level, available scientific evidence, time of onset, and potential clinical impact. Forty patients undergoing HSCT were included in this study; 33 patients (82.5%) were exposed to at least one major and one contraindicated PDDI in a concomitant manner. All patients exposed to PDDIs had an increased risk of cardiotoxicity. Most cases of PDDIs were classified as being of major severity (80.9%), with time of onset not specified (61.9%), and with good or excellent scientific evidence (52.4%). HSCT patients have a high prevalence of clinically significant PDDIs. The management of PDDIs requires an approach that includes biochemical tests, installation of cardiac monitors, periodic electrocardiograms, implementation of electronic prescriptions with a PDDI alert system, and availability of the PDDI databases.