ABSTRACT The present research aimed to compare the HRV of people living with HIV (PLWH) with non-infected individuals in aquatic and dryland environments. Twenty participants were divided into two groups. PLWH composed the experimental group (EG), and seronegative participants composed the control group (CG). In dryland, HRV was measured in time and frequency domains, as follows: 10 minutes in rest (RES), 20 minutes of moderate and intense aerobic exercise (EXE), and 30 minutes post-exercise recovery (REC). After 72 hours, the same procedures were repeated in the aquatic environment. HRV analysis demonstrated significant differences in Mean r-r (Δ%= 3.5%, p< 0.01) and rMSSD (Δ%= −19.4%, p< 0.05) when compared dryland vs aquatic environment in RES. We observed similar results in rMSSD (Δ%= 49.2%, p< 0.01), pNN50(%) (Δ%= 79.1%, p< 0.01), and SD1 (Δ%= 49.3%, p< 0.01), during REC. Significant differences (p< 0.01) were also demonstrated for the HF during RES (Δ%= −43.4%) and REC (Δ%= −28.8%). However, the EG intra-group analysis showed no significant differences. The inter-group analysis at RES in dryland demonstrated significant differences in rMSSD (Δ%= −36.5%, p< 0.05), pNN50(%) (Δ%= −54.8%, p< 0.05), and SD1 (Δ%= 46.5%, p< 0.05). We also observed significant differences in mean R-R intervals (Δ%= −17.8%, p< 0.01), SDNN (Δ%= −41.2%, p< 0.01), rMSSD (Δ%= −50.5%, p< 0.01), pNN50 (Δ%= −73.6%, p< 0.001), and SD1 (Δ%= −50.4%, p< 0.001) during water immersion as well as the HF (Δ%= −67.6%, p< 0.01). The mean R-R interval (Δ%= −16.3%, p< 0.01), SDNN (Δ%= −46.4%, p< 0.001), rMSSD (Δ%= −57.0%, p< 0.001), pNN50 (Δ%= −73.1, p< 0.001), and SD1 (Δ%= −57.1, p< 0.001) also showed significant differences during REC. Water immersion increases the CG vagal modulation as expected. However, without any influence in EG. The results indicate a decreased vagal modulation in PLHIV in ART, indicating a possible autonomic dysfunction over the heart for this group.

ABSTRACT Objective: We hypothesized that perinatal manipulations of the nitrergic system would affect adult animal behaviors. Methods: We tested this hypothesis by perinatally administering N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a non-specific antagonist of nitric oxide synthase for 15 days and assessed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adult mice. At 70 days of age, the mice were subjected to a battery of tests consisting of the open-field, light/dark box, forced swim, and tail-flick tests. The tests were performed at two-day intervals, and the order of the tests within the battery was determined according to the progressive invasiveness degree. Results: L-NAME-treated animals exhibited decreased anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark box and open field tests, with no change in locomotor activity. Additionally, they demonstrated decreased depression-like behavior in the forced swim test and no change in pain perception in the tail-flick test. Conclusion: The nitrergic system is possibly involved in neural circuitry development that regulates behaviors since blocking perinatal nitric oxide production decreases anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adult mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the anticholinesterase activities of extracts and fractions of Ocotea daphnifolia in vitro and characterize its constituents. The effects of hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanolic extracts on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity were determined with a spectrophotometry assay. All extracts inhibited cholinesterase activity, and the ethanolic extract (2 mg/mL) exhibited the highest inhibition of both enzymes (99.7% for BuChE and 82.4% for AChE). The ethanolic extract was fractionated by column chromatography resulting in 14 fractions that were also screened for their anticholinesterase effects. Fraction 9 (2 mg/mL) showed the highest activity, inhibiting AChE and BuChE by 71.8% and 90.2%, respectively. This fraction was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry which allowed the characterization of seven glycosylated flavonoids (containing kaempferol and quercetin nucleus) and one alkaloid (reticuline). In order to better understand the enzyme-inhibitor interaction of the reticuline toward cholinesterase, molecular modeling studies were performed. Reticuline targeted the catalytic activity site of the enzymes. Ocotea daphnifolia exhibits a dual cholinesterase inhibitory activity and displays the same pattern of intermolecular interactions as described in the literature. The alkaloid reticuline can be considered as an important bioactive constituent of this plant.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of combinations of resistance training (RT) and static stretching (SS) on heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), rate pressure product (RPP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), rating of perceived effort (RPE), and heart rate variability (HRV) in men. METHODS: Twelve normotensive healthy men participated in four protocols: a) SS+RT, b) RT+SS, c) RT, and d) SS. Variables were measured before, immediately after, and 15, 30, and 45 min after the sessions. RESULTS: The combination of SS and RT increased (p<0.001) HR when compared to the effects of the noncombined protocols (from 2.38 to 11.02%), and this result indicated metabolic compensation. Regarding DBP, there were differences (p<0.001) between the RT and SS groups (53.93±8.59 vs. 67.00±7.01 mmHg). SS has been shown to be able to reduce (p<0.001) SpO2 (4.67%) due to the occlusion caused by a reduction in the caliber of the blood vessels during SS compared to during rest. The increase in RPP (6.88% between RT and SS+RT) along with the HR results indicated higher metabolic stress than that reflected by the RPE (combined protocols increased RPE from 21.63 to 43.25%). The HRV analysis confirmed these results, showing increases (p<0.01) in the LF index between the combined and noncombined protocols. Compared to the effect of RT, the combination of SS and RT promoted a vagal suppression root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) index (from 9.51 to 21.52%) between the RT and SS+RT groups (p<0.01) and between the RT and RT+SS groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Static stretching increases cardiac overload and RPE, reducing oxygen supply, especially when performed in combination with RT.

ABSTRACT Measuring thyroid hormones is an important aspect for the study of metabolism and for monitoring diseases in both human and animal models. The traditional method for hormone measurement in rats is the radioimmunoassay (RIA). However, the RIA is associated with some practical disadvantages, including the use of radioactive material, the need for specialized equipment and expert staff, the short shelf-life of kits according to the half-life of the radioisotope and high costs. The objective of this study was to develop a new cost-effective method for measuring TSH levels in rats that avoids the use of radioactive material. We developed an in-house competitive immunoassay using a reference standard, polyclonal antibody produced in rabbits and biotinylated antigen. This method was tested in 64 Wistar rats that were divided into a control group (n = 41) and a group with hypothyroidism (n = 23). Our assay demonstrated an analytical sensitivity of 0.24 ng/mL (n = 12) and an intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 8.9% for sera with TSH levels of 1.5 ng/mL and 13.2% for sera with TSH levels of 17.5 ng/mL (n = 14). The inter-assay CV was 13.5% for sera with TSH levels of 1.4 ng/mL and 14.5% for TSH levels of 18.2 ng/mL (n = 5). The analysis of mean TSH levels in control rats (5.06 ± 0.5701) and hypothyroid rats (51.09 ± 5.136) revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the groups. This method showed good sensitivity, can be automated and is low-cost compared with RIA. Our method offers a viable alternative for TSH measurement in rats.

OBJETIVO: Nosso objetivo foi verificar o efeito agudo do alongamento estático sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em homens treinados. MÉTODOS: Oito voluntários (n = 8) foram randomicamente submetidos a duas situações, a saber: alongamento estático (AE) ou 20 minutos em repouso (CTRL). O protocolo de alongamento consistiu em duas séries de 30 segundos para musculatura do peitoral (40 segundos de intervalo). Após 48 horas, os procedimentos foram realizados de maneira reversa, de forma que todos os participantes realizaram as duas situações (ALONGAMENTO e CRTL) ao final do estudo. Os valores de VFC foram medidos antes e imediatamente depois das situações experimental e controle (alongamento vs. repouso). Para registro das variáveis cardíacas coletadas (rMSSD, pNN50, LF e HF) no presente estudo, nós utilizamos um relógio Polar RS800CX (Polar Electro OY, Finland). As análises estatísticas realizadas foram feitas através da aplicação do teste de Shapiro-Wilk seguido pelo teste t de Student pareado, sendo adotado um nível crítico de significância de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Nenhuma diferença significativa (p > 0.05) foi observada (alongamento vs. controle) quando as variáveis foram analisadas. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo sugere que o alongamento estático com baixo volume de aplicação não altera significativamente o controle simpato-vagal em homens treinados. Na medida em que o protocolo utilizado não resultou em diferenças significativas nas variáveis estudadas, nós inferimos que não há fundamento fisiologicamente válido para a realização deste tipo de exercício em sua forma tradicional pré-exercício quando o objetivo for a obtenção de ganhos na performance física.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effect of static stretching on heart rate variability in trained men. METHODS: Eight subjects were randomly submitted to two situations, as follows: a static stretch protocol and 20 minutes at rest. The stretch protocol consisted of two sets of 30 seconds of static stretch of the chest muscles with a 40 second of interval between them. After 48 hours, the procedures were reversed so that all the subjects should were submitted to the two situations. The values of heart rate variability were measured before and after the experimental and control situation (stretch vs. rest). We registered the following cardiac variables: root mean square of standard deviation (rMSSD), the number of pairs of successive beats that differ by more than 50 ms (pNN50), low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF). The Shapiro-Wilk and the paired Student's test were used for statistical analysis; a critical level of significance of p < 0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found (stretching vs. control) to the RMSSD, pNN50, LF and HF indices. However, although no statistical differences were observed, the figures show large changes on mean values, suggesting an unclear effect on the sympathetic-vagal modulation. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that a low intensity (motion range until discomfort point) and volume (1 minute) of static stretching does not significantly affect the acute sympathetic-vagal control in trained men. Because the protocol did not show differences regarding the studied variables, we suggest that there is not a sufficient level of physiological basis to perform this type of exercise in a traditional pre-exercise setting, if the purpose is obtain gains in physical performance.

Resumo Eventos como inundações e movimentos de massa podem provocar desastres, afetando amplamente a saúde pública brasileira. Além de mortes, traumas e lesões, podem ocorrer danificação de estações de tratamento de água, postos de saúde e hospitais, comprometimento de equipamentos e estoque de remédios, epidemias e proliferação de doenças, bem como danos psicossociais. Neste artigo, com o objetivo de identificar e analisar características pré e pós-impacto relacionadas à saúde pública, são estudados dois cenários: inundações ocorridas em Santa Catarina, em 2008, e em Pernambuco, em 2010. Procuramos analisar as condições socioambientais e de cobertura de serviços de saúde prévias e os danos pós-impacto em municípios que decretaram estado de calamidade pública. Para caracterizar a vulnerabilidade socioambiental, foram utilizados dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) do Serviço Geológico do Brasil (CPRM), da Secretaria Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Civil (Sedec) e do Sistema Único de Saúde (Datasus). Encontramos grandes diferenças entre os dois estados, principalmente nos indicadores sociais, mas os efeitos das inundações foram severos para ambos, incluindo maior número de óbitos em Santa Catarina, estado com alto índice de desenvolvimento humano e menores índices de pobreza. Estes resultados evidenciam a necessidade de inclusão do tema saúde pública em todas as etapas do gerenciamento do risco de desastres.

Abstract Events such as floods and landslides can cause disasters that affect Brazilian public health extensively. Impacts include traumas and injuries, damage to water treatment plants and hospitals, disruption of equipment and medicine supply, epidemics and the spread of diseases, as well as lasting psychosocial damage. In this article, we study disaster scenarios in municipalities from two Brazilian states that had declared a state of public calamity as a result of flooding - Santa Catarina (2008) and Pernambuco (2010). The object was to identify and analyze the impacts of these disasters on social and environmental conditions as well as on the coverage of public health. To this purpose, the before and after disaster situation in affected municipalities was analyzed. To characterize socio-environmental vulnerability, we used data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Brazilian Geological Survey (CPRM), the National Protection and Civil Defense Secretariat (SEDEC) and the Health Ministry. Although there are expressive differences between the two investigated states, especially in regards to social indicators, both of them suffered strong impacts after floods. Despite a higher human development index and low levels of poverty, Santa Catarina suffered more deaths than Pernambuco. Altogether, results demonstrate the need to include public health issues in all steps of disaster risk management.

Resumen Eventos tales como las inundaciones y los derrumbes pueden causar desastres, afectando ampliamente la salud pública en Brasil. Además de las muertes, traumas y lesiones, pueden causar daños a las estaciones de tratamiento del agua, centros de salud y hospitales, comprometer el equipamiento y el stock de medicamentos, además de generar epidemias, proliferación de enfermedades y daños psicosociales. Con el objetivo de identificar y analizar las características pre y post impacto relacionadas con la salud pública, en este artículo se estudian dos escenarios: las inundaciones ocurridas en Santa Catarina en 2008 y en Pernambuco en 2010. Se analizan las condiciones socioambientales y de la cobertura de los servicios de salud previas y los daños posteriores al impacto en los municipios que decretaron el estado de emergencia pública. Para caracterizar la vulnerabilidad socioambiental se utilizaron datos del Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística (IBGE), del Servicio Geológico de Brasil (CPRM), de la Secretaría Nacional de Protección y Defensa Civil (SEDEC) y del Ministerio de Salud. Se encontraron grandes diferencias entre los dos estados, principalmente en los indicadores sociales, aunque los efectos de las inundaciones fueron severos para ambos, e incluso hubo un mayor número de muertos en Santa Catarina, estado con un alto índice de desarrollo humano y menores niveles de pobreza. Estos resultados muestran la necesidad de incluir el tema de la salud pública en todas las etapas de la gestión del riesgo de desastres.

Para que as estruturas de concreto alcancem uma vida útil adequada é necessário avaliar a durabilidade e considerar a manutenção das mesmas. Isso tem estimulado o desenvolvimento de tecnologias destinadas a solucionar a problemática de peças deterioradas ou danificadas. Este trabalho analisa o comportamento da zona de interface entre concreto novo e velho após a escarificação do concreto velho (tratamento físico) e o emprego da técnica de dopagem (tratamento químico). A técnica de dopagem consiste na impregnação de pó por via seca ou pasta de alto desempenho, seguida do lançamento de concreto novo, ou no lançamento direto de um concreto novo com características de alto desempenho. O desempenho dessa ligação foi avaliado por meio de ensaios de tração na flexão, até a ruptura, em corpos de prova prismáticos de concreto simples (fck = 20 MPa) e em seguida remoldados. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que a ruptura dos corpos de prova recuperados ocorreu fora da região de interface e que as resistências à flexão desse concreto foram mantidas tais quais as originais, demonstrando a eficácia do procedimento na ligação entre concreto novo e velho.

In order for concrete structures to have an adequate lifetime it is necessary to assess their durability and also to consider their maintenance. This has encouraged the development of specific technologies to solve problems concerning deteriorated and damaged parts. This study analyses the behavior of the interface zone between fresh and old concrete after scraping the old concrete (physical treatment) and also using the doping technique (chemical treatment). The doping technique consists in dry powder or high performance paste impregnation followed by fresh concrete pouring, or direct pouring of fresh high performance concrete. The performance of that connection was evaluated through flexural tensile tests until failure. The tests were carried out on conventional concrete prismatic specimens (fck = 20 MPa). At the end of the tests the specimens were remolded. The results indicated that the failure in the remolded specimens occurred outside the interface zone and the flexure resistance values were the same when compared to the original values, showing the efficacy of the procedure for connecting fresh and old concrete.