Effects of progressive exercise during phase I cardiac rehabilitation on the heart rate variability of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Purpose. aEuro integral Heart rate variability (HRV) decreases after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to changes in cardiac autonomic balance. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to evaluate the effects of a progressive exercise protocol used in phase I cardiac rehabilitation on the HRV of patients with post-AMI. Material and methods. aEuro integral Thirty-seven patients who had been admitted to hospital with their first non-complicated AMI were studied. The treated group (TG, n == 21, age == 52 +/-+/- 12 years) performed a 5-day programme of progressive exercise during phase I cardiac rehabilitation, while the control group (CG, n == 16, age == 54 +/-+/- 11 years) performed only respiratory exercises. Instantaneous heart rate (HR) and RR interval were acquired by a HR monitor (Polar (R) A (R) S810i). HRV was analysed by frequency domain methods. Power spectral density was expressed as normalised units (nu) at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies, and as LF/HF. Results. aEuro integral After 5 days of progressive exercise, the TG showed an increase in HFnu (35.9 +/-+/- 19.5 to 65.19 +/-+/- 25.4) and a decrease in LFnu and LF/HF (58.9 +/-+/- 21.4 to 32.5 +/-+/- 24.1; 3.12 +/-+/- 4.0 to 1.0 +/-+/- 1.5, respectively) in the resting position (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in the CG. Conclusions. aEuro integral A progressive physiotherapeutic exercise programme carried out during phase I cardiac rehabilitation, as supplement to clinical treatment increased vagal and decreased sympathetic cardiac modulation in patients with post-AMI.

Vitrification with Glutamine Improves Maturation Rate of Vitrified/Warmed Immature Bovine Oocytes

Contents The current study examined the protective effects of l-glutamine and cytochalasin B during vitrification of immature bovine oocytes. Oocyte vitrification solution (PBS supplemented with 10% FCS, 25% EG, 25% DMSO and 0.5 m trehalose) was the vitrification control. Treatments were the addition of 7 mu g/ml cytochalasin B, 80 mm glutamine or both cytochalasin and glutaminine for 30 s. After warming, oocytes were matured in vitro for 24 h, fixed and stained with Hoechst (33342) for nuclear maturation evaluation. l-glutamine improved the vitrified/warmed immature bovine oocytes viability (32.8%), increasing the nuclear maturation rates compared to other treatments and the no treatment vitrified control (17.4%). There was, however, no effect of cytochalasin B on in vitro maturation (14.4%).

Maned wolf survival rate in central Brazil

Although many carnivores are of conservation concern, most are poorly studied. The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger, 1811 is the largest South American canid with a broad distribution; however, the largest portion of its range is in the Brazilian Cerrado savannah, where due to intensive agricultural expansion, it is threatened by habitat loss. Maned wolf population trends are virtually unknown. We analyzed radio telemetry data from a 13-year study in Emas National Park, central Brazil, with Burnham`s live recapture/dead recovery models in the program MARK to obtain the first analytically sound estimate of the apparent maned wolf survival rate. We constructed 16 candidate models including variation in survival rate and resighting probability associated with an individual`s sex or age and year of study. Apparent adult survival rate throughout the study ranged from 0.28 (se=0.08) to 0.97 (se=0.06). There was no evidence for sex specificity but strong support for time variation. Model weights supported an age effect and the subadult survival rate was 0.63 (se=0.15). Results indicate similar life patterns for male and female maned wolves and similar mortality risks for adults and subadults in the study area. The observed temporal fluctuations of adult survival rate are important for population dynamics as they decrease average population growth rates. Population dynamics are central for conservation planning and our results are an important step towards a better understanding of the maned wolf`s ecology.

Effect of remifentanil hydrochloride administered via constant rate infusion on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats

Objective-To evaluate the effects of increasing doses of remifentanil hydrochloride administered via constant rate infusion (CRI) on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in cats. Animals-6 healthy adult cats. Procedures-For each cat, 2 experiments were performed (2-week interval). On each study day, anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane; a catheter was placed in a cephalic vein for the administration of lactated Ringer`s solution or remifentanil CRIs, and a catheter was placed in the jugular vein for collection of blood samples for blood gas analyses. On the first study day, individual basal MAC (MAC(Basal)) was determined for each cat. On the second study day, 3 remifentanil CRIs (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mu g/kg/min) were administered (in ascending order); for each infusion, at least 30 minutes elapsed before determination of MAC (designated as MAC(R0.25`) MAC(R0.5`) and MACR(R1.0`) respectively). A 15-minute washout period was allowed between CRIs. A control MAC (MAC Control) was determined after the last remifentanil infusion. Results-Mean +/- SD MAC(Basal) and MAC(Control) values at sea level did not differ significantly (1.66 +/- 0.08% and 1.52 +/- 0.21%, respectively). The MAC values determined for each remifentanil CRI did not differ significantly. However, MACR(0.25`) MAC(R0.5`) and MAC(R1.0) were significantly decreased, compared with MAC(Basal`) by 23.4 +/- 79%, 29.8 +/- 8.3%, and 26.0 +/- 9.4%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The 3 doses of remifentanil administered via CRI resulted in a similar degree of isoflurane MAC reduction in adult cats, indicating that a ceiling effect was achieved following administration of the lowest dose. (Am J Vet Res 2009;70:581-588)

Effect of defocused infrared diode laser on salivary flow rate and some salivary parameters of rats

This study aims to investigate whether infrared diode low-level laser therapy (LLLT) increased salivary flow rate and altered pH value, protein concentration, and peroxidase and amylase activities in saliva of rats. Wistar rats were used and divided into three groups. Experimental groups (A and 13) had their parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands submitted to diode laser, 808-nm wavelength, on two consecutive days. The dose results were 4 and 8 J/cm(2), respectively. A red guide light was used to visualize the irradiated area. Group C was irradiated only with red pilot beam and served as control. The saliva samples were collected after each irradiation step (first and second collection days) and 1 week after the first irradiation (seventh day). Statistical analysis was performed, and differences were observed according to different days of salivary collection. The results showed that salivary flow rate for groups A and B was higher on the seventh day if it is compared to data obtained for the first day (p<0.05). LLLT applications on salivary glands are a therapy procedure that requires further studies.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue and Floor of the Mouth: Analysis of Survival Rate and Independent Prognostic Factors in the Amazon Region

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 95% of all malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity. Although several studies have shown the epidemiology of this cancer in Brazil, there do not seem to be any studies that describe the prognostic factors related to OSCC in the Amazon region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the survival rate and prognostic significance of different factors in patients from this region affected by OSCC. Data from 85 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and floor of the mouth identified from the Ofir Loyola Hospital archives were collected and analyzed using univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox proportional hazard model) tests. The overall 5-year survival rate was found to be 27%. Univariate analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly higher for younger (<= 45 y) female patients, patients with T1-2 tumors and clinically clear neck nodes (N0), patients with early stage cancers (AJCC stage I-II), and patients treated with surgical procedures. However, multivariate analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly higher only in the younger patients and those who underwent surgical treatment. The age of the patient at the moment of diagnosis and treatment with surgical procedures were the only independent prognostic factors that affected the 5-year survival rate of the patients in this region.

Effect of temperature and heating rate on the sintering of leucite-based dental porcelains

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of temperature and heating rate on the densification of four leucite-based dental porcelains: two low-fusion (Dentsply Ceramco and Ivoclar) and two high-fusion commercial porcelains (Dentsply Ceramco). Porcelain powders were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size distribution, helium picnometry, and by scanning electron microscopy. Test specimens were sintered from 600 to 1050 degrees C, with heating rates of 55 degrees C/min and 10 degrees C/min. The bulk density of the specimens was measured by the Archimedes method in water, and microstructures of fracture surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that densification of specimens increased with the increase in temperature. The increase in the heating rate had no effect on the densification of the porcelains studied. Both high-fusion materials and one of the low-fusing porcelains reached the maximum densification at a temperature that was 50 degrees C lower than that recommended by the manufactures. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Al(2)O(3)/GdAlO(3)fiber for dental porcelain reinforcement

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the addition of continuous or milled GdAlO(3)/Al(2)O(3) fibers to a dental porcelain increases its mechanical properties. Porcelain bars without reinforcement (control) were compared to those reinforced with long fibers (30 vol%). Also, disk specimens reinforced with milled fibers were produced by adding 0 (control), 5 or 10 vol% of particles. The reinforcement with continuous fibers resulted in significant increase in the uniaxial flexural strength from 91.5 to 217.4 MPa. The addition of varied amounts of milled fibers to the porcelain did not significantly affect its biaxial flexural strength compared to the control group. SEM analysis showed that the interface between the continuous fiber and the porcelain was free of defects. On the other hand, it was possible to note the presence of cracks surrounding the milled fiber/porcelain interface. In conclusion, the reinforcement of the porcelain with continuous fibers resulted in an efficient mechanism to increase its mechanical properties; however the addition of milled fibers had no significant effect on the material because the porcelain was not able to wet the ceramic particles during the firing cycle. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Factors Affecting Photopolymerization Stress in Dental Composites

Polymerization stress development results from the complex interplay of volumetric shrinkage, reaction kinetics, and viscoelastic properties. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among volumetric shrinkage, degree of conversion, rate of polymerization (RPmax), and stress development for 2 model bis-GMA-based composites. Three irradiances were used 220, 400, or 600 mW/cm(2) - with exposure times adjusted to deliver the same radiant energy. Volumetric shrinkage was determined with a mercury dilatometer, degree of conversion and RPmax by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and polymerization stress with a low-compliance device (Sakaguchi et al., 2004b). Results indicated that polymerization reaction rate and shrinkage were not correlated. Irradiance was directly related to polymerization reaction rate and to stress development. The group with the highest stress/degree of conversion exhibited the lowest RPmax, so it can be assumed, within the limitations of this study, that the conversion was most closely related to stress development.

Effect of the microstructure on the lifetime of dental ceramics

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of the microstructure on the Weibull and slow crack growth (SCG) parameters and on the lifetime of three ceramics used as framework materials for fixed partial dentures (FPDs) (YZ - Vita In-Ceram YZ; IZ - Vita In-Ceram Zirconia; AL - Vita In-Ceram AL) and of two veneering porcelains (VM7 and VM9). Methods. Bar-shaped specimens were fabricated according to the manufacturer`s instructions. Specimens were tested in three-point flexure in 37 degrees C artificial saliva. Weibull analysis (n = 30) and a constant stress-rate test (n = 10) were used to determine the Weibull modulus (m) and SCG coefficient (n), respectively. Microstructural and fractographic analyzes were performed using SEM. ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05) were used to statistically analyze data obtained with both microstructural and fractographic analyzes. Results. YZ and AL presented high crystalline content and low porosity (0.1-0.2%). YZ had the highest characteristic strength (sigma(0)) value (911 MPa) followed by AL (488 MPa) and IZ (423 MPa). Lower sigma(0) values were observed for the porcelains (68-75 MPa). Except for IZ and VM7, m values were similar among the ceramic materials. Higher n values were found for YZ (76) and AL (72), followed by IZ (54) and the veneering materials (36-44). Lifetime predictions showed that YZ was the material with the best mechanical performance. The size of the critical flaw was similar among the framework materials (34-48 mu m) and among the porcelains (75-86 mu m). Significance. The microstructure influenced the mechanical and SCG behavior of the studied materials and, consequently, the lifetime predictions. (C) 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.