Previous exposure to musical auditory stimulation immediately influences the cardiac autonomic responses to the postural change maneuver in women

Background: Chronic exposure to musical auditory stimulation has been reported to improve cardiac autonomic regulation. However, it is not clear if music acutely influences it in response to autonomic tests. We evaluated the acute effects of music on heart rate variability (HRV) responses to the postural change maneuver (PCM) in women. Method: We evaluated 12 healthy women between 18 and 28 years old and HRV was analyzed in the time (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50 and pNN50) and frequency (LF, HF and LF/HF ratio) domains. In the control protocol, the women remained at seated rest for 10 minutes and quickly stood up within three seconds and remained standing still for 15 minutes. In the music protocol, the women remained at seated rest for 10 minutes, were exposed to music for 10 minutes and quickly stood up within three seconds and remained standing still for 15 minutes. HRV was recorded at the following time: rest, music (music protocol) 0–5, 5–10 and 10–15 min during standing. Results: In the control protocol the SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 indexes were reduced at 10–15 minutes after the volunteers stood up, while the LF (nu) index was increased at the same moment compared to seated rest. In the protocol with music, the indexes were not different from control but the RMSSD, pNN50 and LF (nu) were different from the music period. Conclusion: Musical auditory stimulation attenuates the cardiac autonomic responses to the PCM.

Cardiac autonomic responses induced by mental tasks and the influence of musical auditory stimulation

We investigated the acute effects of musical auditory stimulation on cardiac autonomic responses to a mental task in 28 healthy men (18–22 years old). In the control protocol (no music), the volunteers remained at seated rest for 10 min and the test was applied for five minutes. After the end of test the subjects remained seated for five more minutes. In the music protocol, the volunteers remained at seated rest for 10 min, then were exposed to music for 10 min; the test was then applied over five minutes, and the subjects remained seated for five more minutes after the test. In the control and music protocols the time domain and frequency domain indices of heart rate variability remained unchanged before, during and after the test. We found that musical auditory stimulation with baroque music did not influence cardiac autonomic responses to the mental task.

Atuação da ocitocina no processo de diferenciação osteoblástica de ratas senis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Controle de Acesso utilizando Arduino, banco de dados MySQL e LabVIEW

The search for more reliable security systems and information management of these systems is leading to a growing progress in new technologies investments that allow the implementation of equipment with a high level of reliability, but also have an agile and practical operation. This led people to turn increasingly looking for home automation systems, enterprise and industry for the automation and integration of their systems. The identification by radio frequency is very widespread today for ensuring both agility in handling records data, the reliability of their identification systems, which are increasingly advanced and less susceptible to fraud. Attached to this technology, the use of the database is always very important for the storage of information collected, the area where the MySQL platform is widely used. Using the open source Arduino platform for programming and manipulation of RFID module and LabVIEW software for the union of all these technologies and to develop a user-friendly interface, you can create a highly reliable access control and agility places a high turnover of people. This project aims to prove the advantages of using all these technologies working together, thus improving a flawed system effectively safety, cheaper and quicker

Sex hormones change visceral pigmentation in Eupemphix nattereri (Anura): effects in testicular melanocytes and hepatic melanomacrophages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of the Effects of Hydration with Water or Isotonic Solution on the Recovery of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Longer immediate recovery time after anesthesia increases risk of respiratory complications after laparotomy for bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial and a cohort study

We compared the effects of two anesthesia protocols in both immediate recovery time (IRT) and postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs) after laparotomy for bariatric surgery, and we determined the association between the longer IRT and the increase of PRC incidence. We conducted the study in two stages: (i) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), patients received either intervention (sevoflurane-remifentanil-rocuronium-ropivacaine) or control protocol (isoflurane-sufentanil-atracurium-levobupivacaine). All patients received general anesthesia plus continuous epidural anesthesia and analgesia. Treatment was masked for all, except the provider anesthesiologist. We defined IRT as time since anesthetics discontinuation until tracheal extubation. Primary outcomes were IRT and PRCs incidence within 15 days after surgery. We also analyzed post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and hospital length of stays; (ii) after the end of the RCT, we used the available data in an extension cohort study to investigate IRT > 20 min as exposure factor for PRCs. Control protocol (n = 152) resulted in longer IRT (30.4 ± 7.9 vs 18.2 ± 9.6 min; p < 0.0001), higher incidence of PRCs (6.58 vs 2.5 %; p = 0.048), and longer PACU and hospital stays than intervention protocol (n = 200); PRC relative risk (RR) = 2.6. Patients with IRT > 20 min (n = 190) presented higher incidence of PRCs (7.37 vs 0.62 %; p < 0.0001); RR = 12.06. Intervention protocol, with short-acting anesthetics, was more beneficial and safe compared to control protocol, with long-acting drugs, regarding the reduction of IRT, PRCs, and PACU and hospital stays for laparotomy in bariatric patients. We identified a 4.5-fold increase in the relative risk of PRCs when morbid obese patients are exposed to an IRT > 20 min.

The manipulation of progesterone profiles during progesterone + estradiol timed ai protocols in dairy cattle: effects on fertility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos do estímulo auditivo musical sobre a resposta autonômica cardíaca e parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios durante e após exercício submáximo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH-agonist protocol: a matched case-control study

Background: Some studies have suggested that the suppression of endogenous LH secretion does not seem to affect the majority of patients who are undergoing assisted reproduction and stimulation with recombinant FSH (r-FSH). Other studies have indicated that a group of normogonadotrophic women down-regulated and stimulated with pure FSH preparations may experience low LH concentrations that compromise the IVF parameters. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of recombinant LH (r-LH) supplementation for controlled ovarian stimulation in r-FSH and GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) protocol in ICSI cycles.Methods: A total of 244 patients without ovulatory dysfunction, aged < 40 years and at the first ICSI cycle were divided into two groups matched by age according to an ovarian stimulation scheme: Group I (n = 122): Down-regulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and Group II (n = 122): Downregulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and r-LH (beginning simultaneously).Result(s): The number of oocytes collected, the number of oocytes in metaphase II and fertilization rate were significantly lower in the Group I than in Group II (P = 0.036, P = 0.0014 and P = 0.017, respectively). In addition, the mean number of embryos produced per cycle and the mean number of frozen embryos per cycle were statistically lower (P = 0.0092 and P = 0.0008, respectively) in Group I than in Group II. Finally the cumulative implantation rate (fresh+thaw ed embryos) was significantly lower (P = 0.04) in Group I than in Group II. The other clinical and laboratory results analyzed did not show difference between groups.Conclusion: These data support r-LH supplementation in ovarian stimulation protocols with r-FSH and GnRH-a for assisted reproduction treatment.

Chemically induced immunotoxicity in a medium-term multiorgan bioassay for carcinogenesis with Wistar rats

A variety of chemicals can adversely affect the immune system and influence tumor development. The modifying potential of chemical carcinogens on the lymphoid organs and cytokine production of rats submitted to a medium-term initiation-promotion bioassay for carcinogenesis was investigated. Male Wistar rats were sequentially initiated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N-butyl-N-(4hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN), dihydroxy-di-n-propylnitrosamine (DHPN), and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) during 4 weeks. Two initiated groups received phenobarbital (PB) or 2-acetyl amino fluorene (2-AAF) for 25 weeks and two noninitiated groups received only PB or 2-AAF. A nontreated group was used as control. Lymphohematopoietic organs, liver, kidneys, lung, intestines, and Zymbal's gland were removed for histological analysis. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-10, and transforming growth factor betal (TGF-beta1) levels were determined by ELISA in spleen cell culture supernatants. At the fourth week, exposure to the initiating carcinogens resulted in cell depletion of the thymus, spleen and bone marrow, and impairment of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-gamma production. However, at the 30th week, no important alterations were observed both in lymphoid organs and cytokine production in the different groups. The results indicate that the initiating carcinogens used in the present protocol exert toxic effects on the lymphoid organs and affect the production of cytokines at the initiation step of carcinogenesis. This early and reversible depression of the immune surveillance may contribute to the survival of initiated cells facilitating the development of future neoplasia. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lymphoproliferative response and T lymphocyte subsets in a medium-term multi-organ bioassay for carcinogenesis in Wistar rats

The lymphoproliferative response and T lymphocyte subsets were evaluated at different stages of carcinogenesis in male Wistar, rats sequentially initiated with N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN), N-butyl-N-4(hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), dihydroxy-di-N-propylnitrosamine (DHPN) and N,N'-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) (DMBDD initiation). One group was evaluated at the 4th week and other initiated group at the 30th week. Two initiated groups were also exposed through diet to 7-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) or phenobarbital (PB), from the 6th until the 30th week. Two groups received only 2-AAF or PB until the 30th week. Five groups were studied to evaluate the effects of each initiator. The lymphoproliferative response was induced in vitro by concanavalin A and the percentage of T lymphocyte subsets was determined by flow cytometry, All groups submitted to initiation only, initiation plus promotion, or promotion only, developed significantly more preneoplastic: lesions than the untreated control group. The main target organs for tumor development were the liver, colon, urinary bladder, kidneys and Zymbal glands, mainly in the group treated with DMBDD + 2-AAF, There were no alterations of the lymphoproliferative response and of the T lymphocyte subsets percentage in the DMBDD-treated group at the 4th and 30th weeks. At the 30th week, the T lymphocyte subsets percentage was also not affected in the initiated groups after treatments with 2-AAF or PB. The lymphoproliferative response, however, was decreased in the DMBDD + 2-AAF group and in the groups treated only with 2-AAF or PB, the present results indicate that the initiating chemicals used in the DMBDD initiation protocol do not exert any influence on the immune system. The alteration of lymphoproliferative response induced at the advanced stage of carcinogenesis without alteration of T lymphocyte subsets may indicate that the influence of 2-AAF and PB on the immune system is functional and not toxic. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Use of Response Surface Methodology in Optimization of Lactic Acid Production: Focus on Medium Supplementation, Temperature and pH Control

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Quality of service control for rt-VBR connections in ATM networks

Nowadays, networks must support applications such as: distance learning, electronic commerce, access to Internet, Intranets and Extranets, voice over IP (Internet Protocol) and many others. These new applications, employing data, voice, and video traffic, require high bandwidth and Quality of Service (QoS). The ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology, together with dynamic resource allocation methods, offers network connections that guarantee QoS parameters, such as minimum losses and delays. This paper presents a system that uses Network Management Functions together with dynamic resource allocation for provision of the end-to-end QoS parameters for rt-VBR connections.

Using artificial intelligence for the control of medium voltage substations

This paper introduces a method for the supervision and control of devices in electric substations using fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks. An automatic knowledge acquisition process is included which allows the on-line processing of operator actions and the extraction of control rules to replace gradually the human operator. Some experimental results obtained by the application of the implemented software in a simulated environment with random signal generators are presented.