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Objective: To consider the possible role of the vagus nerve (VN) in the pathophysiology of sleep bruxism (SB) and introduce a multimodal protocol of transcutaneous auricular stimulation of the VN in the treatment of SB patients. Methods: Ten patients with SB underwent four sessions of electric transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) in specific auricular areas. The patients were advised to manually stimulate the same areas between sessions. Masticatory muscle activity and sleep parameters were measured by a polysomnography (PSG) before and after the treatment. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were measured during each stimulation. Results: PSG analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in tonic SB index and tonic contraction time. HRV parameters showed a statistically significant increase in mean values of the vagal tone after each session of stimulation. No side effect was reported. Conclusion: The stimulation of the VN might have a role in the treatment of SB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains the importance of assessing cardiac output for optimal vessel opacification in computed tomography for proper diagnoses. Topics discussed include different classifications of heart failure based on the sidedness and pumping abilities of the heart, determinants of cardiac output such as heartbeat, heart rate, preload, contractility and afterload, as well as Laplace's law of physiological wall stress and its effects on cardiac output.

Background: Heart rate is one of the most crucial vital signs and can be measured remotely using microwave Doppler radar. As the distance between the body and the Doppler radar sensor increases, the output signal weakens, making it difficult to extract heartbeat waveforms. In this study, we propose a new template-matching method that addresses this issue by simulating Doppler radar signals. This method extracts the heartbeat waveform with higher accuracy while the participant is naturally sitting in a chair. Methods: An extended triangular wave model was created as a mathematical representation of cardiac physiology, taking into account heart movements. The Doppler radar output signal was then simulated based on this model to automatically obtain a template for one cycle. The validity of the proposed method was confirmed by calculating the PPIs using the template and comparing their accuracy to the R-R intervals (RRIs) of the electrocardiogram for five participants and by analyzing the signals of eight participants in their natural state using the mathematical model of heart movements. All measurements were conducted from a distance of 500 mm. Results: The correlation coefficients between the RRIs of the electrocardiogram and the PPIs using the proposed method were examined for five participants. The correlation coefficients were 0.93 without breathing and 0.70 with breathing. This demonstrates a higher correlation considering the long distance of 500 mm, and the fact that body movements were not specifically restricted, suggesting that the proposed method can successfully estimate RRI. The average correlation coefficients, calculated between the Doppler output signals and the templates for each of the eight participants, exceeded 0.95. Overall, the proposed method showed higher correlation coefficients than those reported in previous studies, indicating that our method performed well in extracting heartbeat waveforms. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the proposed method of remote heart monitoring using microwave Doppler radar demonstrates higher accuracy in estimating the RRI of the electrocardiogram while at rest sitting in a chair, and the ability to extract the heartbeat waveforms from the measured Doppler output signal, eliminating the need to create templates in advance as required by conventional template matching methods. This approach offers more flexibility in the measurement environment than conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Use of Heated Garments as a Warm-Up for Sprint and Submaximal Effort Cycling. JEPonline 2024;27(5):57-69. The purpose of the study was to compare physiological and biomechanical responses using passive and active warm-up techniques. Two separate cycling experiments were conducted differing in intensity: 1) maximal effort, sprint cycling; 2) Submaximal steady state cycling. The 2 experiments were completed with different groups of subjects in separate labs. The sprint subjects (Sprint: n = 7, 22.2 ± 2.6 yrs, 78.6 ± 15.0 kg, 174.4 ± 10.8 cm) completed a 6-sec sprint test and a 30-sec sprint test with peak power output, maximum torque, and maximal cadence measured. The submaximal subjects (47.5 ± 14.4 yrs, 76.4 ± 12.9 kg, 169.3 ± 9.6 cm) completed a 10-min submaximal effort at a fixed intensity with physiological variables (rate of oxygen consumption, rate of carbon dioxide expired, and heart rate) measured. Each experiment consisted of subjects completing a passive warm-up using heated trousers as well as an active warm-up. Sprint results: peak power output and maximum torque were greater pre- vs. post-passive, but not following the active warm-up during the 2nd 6-sec (P < 0.05). For the 30-sec test, neither the peak power output nor the average power was different between the passive and the active warm-up (P > 0.05). Submaximal results: none of the physiological variables were different between the warm-up conditions (P > 0.05). Overall, it was determined that the passive warm-up could be a substitute for the active warm-up for sprint and/or submaximal cycling efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiration is a crucial determinant of autonomic balance and heart rate variability (HRV). The comparative effect of spontaneous versus paced breathing on HRV has been almost exclusively explored in healthy adults and never been investigated in an injured military cohort. Objective: To examine the effect of spontaneous versus paced breathing on HRV in veterans with combat‐related traumatic injury (CRTI). Design: Observational cohort study. Setting: ArmeD serVices trAuma rehabilitatioN outComE (ADVANCE) study, Stanford Hall, UK. Participants: The sample consisted of 100 randomly selected participants who sustained CRTI (eg, amputation) during their deployment (Afghanistan 2003–2014) and were recruited into the ongoing ADVANCE prospective cohort study. Intervention: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: HRV was recorded using a single‐lead ECG. HRV data were acquired during a sequential protocol of 5‐minute spontaneous breathing followed immediately by 5 minutes of paced breathing (six cycles/minute) among fully rested and supine participants. HRV was reported using time domain (root mean square of successive differences), frequency domain (low frequency and high frequency) and nonlinear (sample entropy) measures. The agreement between HRV during spontaneous versus paced breathing was examined using the Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 36.5 ± 4.6 years. Resting respiratory rate was significantly higher with spontaneous versus paced breathing (13.4 ± 3.4 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 breaths/minute; p <.001), respectively. Resting mean heart rate and root mean square of successive differences were significantly higher with paced breathing than spontaneous breathing (p <.001). Paced breathing significantly increased median low frequency power than spontaneous breathing (p <.001). No significant difference was found in the absolute power of high frequency between the two breathing protocols. The Bland–Altman analysis revealed poor agreement between HRV values during spontaneous and paced breathing conditions with wide limits of agreement. Conclusion: Slow‐paced breathing leads to higher HRV than spontaneous breathing and could overestimate resting "natural‐state" HRV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a unique diagnostic tool that assesses the functional capacity of the heart, lungs, and peripheral oxidative system in an integrated manner. However, the clinical utility of CPET for evaluating interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of CPET for mortality in subjects with ILD. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled subjects with ILD who underwent CPET at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan and followed up their survival status for 12 months. Mortality prediction was based on comparing CPET parameters between subjects who survived and those who died. We further analyzed CPET parameters that showed significant differences using receiver operating characteristic curves to identify their optimal cutoff values. RESULTS: A total of 106 newly diagnosed subjects with ILD underwent CPET, and the 1-y mortality rate was 7.5%. Six CPET variables were found to be significant predictors of mortality: peak oxygen consumption, oxygen pulse, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, heart rate recovery 1 min after CPET, minute ventilation to carbon dioxide output slope, and functional aerobic impairment. We calculated a summed score by adding the number of CPET variables that exceeded their cutoff values. Subjects with a summed score of 6 had a 1-y survival rate of only 25%, whereas subjects with scores of 0-5 had a survival rate of 98%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the summed score represents a useful tool for screening patients with ILD who can undergo a CPET to determine their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of motor imagery (MI), action observation (AO), and action execution (AE) interventions on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, case-control study. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to MI (n = 10), AO (n = 15), and the AE group (n = 11). Heart rate (HR)-based measurements (HR, heart rate variability (HRV)) and blood pressure were evaluated before the practice of each group. In the MI group, participants were instructed to imagine themselves walking at their own comfortable pace for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in the AO group, participants were shown a video of a person walking for 5 minutes. Finally, in the AE group, participants were instructed to actually walk for 5 minutes. Then, all measurements were taken again. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in HR and mean RR interval within the AE group (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the Root Mean Square of Successive Differences Between Normal Heartbeats (RMSSD) (ms) within the AO group (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in HR and mean RR intervals (ms) between groups (p < 0.05). According to post-hoc analyses, HR was statistically significantly higher in the AE group compared to the other groups, and the mean RR interval was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, in patients with chronic stroke, AE and AO may affect ANS by increasing sympathetic activation. It is recommended for future studies to evaluate whether patients actually engage in imagery during the MI task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The preferences of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) often remain unfulfilled since it stays challenging to decode their idiosyncratic behavior resulting in a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). Physiological data (i.e. heart rate (variability) and motion data) might be the missing piece for identifying emotions of people with PIMD, which positively affects their QoL. Method: Machine learning (ML) processes and statistical analyses are integrated to discern and predict the potential relationship between physiological data and emotional states (i.e. numerical emotional states, descriptive emotional states and emotional arousal) in everyday interactions and activities of two participants with PIMD. Results: Emotional profiles were created enabling a differentiation of the individual emotional behavior. Using ML classifiers and statistical analyses, the results regarding the phases partially confirm previous research, and the findings for the descriptive emotional states were good and even better for the emotional arousal. Conclusion: The results show the potential of the emotional profiles especially for practitioners and the possibility to get a better insight into the emotional experience of people with PIMD including physiological data. This seems to be the missing piece to better recognize emotions of people with PIMD with a positive impact on their QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the heart rates of male and female Pencak Silat athletes during competition rounds. The study involved 32 well-trained athletes, including 16 males and 16 females, who were 21 ± 1.23 years of age, a bodymass of 65.94 ± 11.01 kg, and a height of 167.44 ± 4.96 cm. The competition was designed to reflect real competition rules. Heart rate was recorded during each phase of the competition, including the resting periods between rounds. The analysis using Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures showed there was no interaction between groups x rounds. However, the females had a higher average heart rate than the males (180.44 ± 7.01 vs. 176.44 ± 6.73) (P = 0.029). Comparing heart rates within groups found that the males had a lower average heart rate in round 1 than in rounds 2 and 3 (P ≥ 0.01, P = 0.003, P = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, females had a lower average heart rate in round 1 than in round 2, with a significant difference (P = 0.034). This study shows that the female athletes have higher heart rates than the male athletes, and using heart rate to measure training load during real competitions is a useful method for determining intensity levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests an association between childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome, with more research available on the potential impacts of positive airway pressure (PAP) on metabolic markers in children. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a systematic synthesis of the evidence on the effect of PAP use on metabolic markers in children with OSA. METHODS: A search strategy with terms for "OSA" and metabolic markers in pediatrics was run to systematically assess 5 databases until August 26, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles, extracted data, and conducted quality appraisal. Meta-analysis was done using random-effects models. Body mass index (BMI), glycemic, lipid, cardiovascular, and other metabolic and inflammatory markers were reported. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (N = 1,213) were included, 15 observational studies and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT); most reported outcomes in children with obesity. Meta-analysis of 4 studies found no changes in BMI at median average follow-up of 12 months after PAP initiation. A reduction in heart rate and blood pressure parameters was demonstrated in several studies in children with OSA with and without obesity at a median average follow-up of 4.9 months after PAP initiation. Research in echocardiographic outcomes is limited, including one RCT in children with Down syndrome and OSA showing no changes in heart rate variability parameters. Evidence of improvements in glycemic and/or lipid control, liver enzymes, and inflammatory markers with PAP therapy is even more limited and of limited clinical importance. Risk of bias was moderate to critical and outcome evidence very low. CONCLUSIONS: Although evidence on effects of PAP on metabolic markers in children with OSA is encouraging, available literature is limited. Longitudinal studies are still required to further assess the long-term influence of PAP on metabolic and inflammatory markers, particularly in children with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time heart rate monitoring and early detection of heart abnormalities are vital to determine heart health before it worsens. To achieve this goal, this project uses the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) method including its capability to classify heartbeats into normal or abnormal by inputting heartbeat values in BPM units derived from prototypes utilizing sensors like Sensor Easy Pulse and NodeMCU, along with considerations of age and sports activity. All data from sensors will be stored in Firebase. Then Firebase will connect to Android, and the normal and abnormal heart classification results will be displayed on the Android system. Simulation results successfully examined 40 people as a sample and provided information from real-time heart rate monitoring, age, and sports activity as input. This research seeks to contribute to improving health services at various public health service centers and independently in detecting heart health early. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of video calling between preterm infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their mothers on the physiological parameters of infants and mother-infant bonding. Background: Preterm infants need prolonged treatment in the NICU, and their families may have difficulty seeing their babies during this treatment process. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized-controlled, experimental study. The study sample consisted of 75 preterm infants and their mothers. The data were collected using a maternal introductory information form, a preterm infant introductory information form, a preterm infant physiological parameters follow-up form, and the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). The study included 3 study groups: the video call group, the video call with lullaby group, and the control group. Video calls between preterm infants and their mothers were made through Zoom for 5 to 10 minutes daily for 7 days. The mothers filled out the MIBS online before and on the 7th and 30th days of the study. Results: Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had higher MIBS mean scores on the 7th and 30th days of the study than their pretest MIBS scores. Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had statistically significantly higher MIBS mean scores on the seventh day of the study than those in the control group. At the end of the 7-day study period, there was an improvement in the physiological parameters of preterm infants in the video call group and the video call with lullaby group compared with those in the control group, and this relationship was statistically significant. Conclusions: In conclusion, the implementation of video calls between mothers and preterm infants in NICUs had a healing effect on the physiological parameters of preterm infants and increased mother-infant bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of white noise on pain response, heart rate, and oxygen saturation during heel puncture in premature infants. Methods: A randomized, controlled, pretest-posttest design was used. The participants were premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital in Gyeonggi Province. Sixty premature infants were assigned to either an experimental (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The experimental group was exposed to white noise during heel puncture, and the measured variables were pain response, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. The data were analyzed using the independent t test, chi-squared test, and analysis of covariance. Results: Premature infants in the experimental group had a lower pain response and heart rate than the control group (F = 81.26, P < .01; F = 7.05, P = .01), and higher oxygen saturation than the control group (F = 4.76, P = .03). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the white noise intervention is an effective nursing intervention to reduce the pain response and stabilize heart rate and oxygen saturation in premature infants during heel puncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Maternal speech has been shown to benefit premature infants by improving feeding outcomes and potentiating the development of the auditory cortex. To our knowledge, limited studies have addressed the benefits of exposure to maternal speech on neural development in premature infants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of early controlled exposure to maternal recording a passage of speech on heart rate variability (obtained before, during, and after playback of a test stimulus of a female stranger speaking the same passage) in very low-birth-weight premature infants tracked weekly from 28 to 34 weeks. Methods: Prospective, randomized controlled trial, longitudinal, and repeated-measures design were conducted on 49 subjects. Infants heard a recording of their mother's speech twice a day from either 28 to 34 weeks (group 1) or from 32 to 34 weeks (group 2). Spectral analysis was measured weekly for 45 seconds before, during, and after playback of maternal speech. A generalized linear mixed model was conducted to examine the 2-way interaction in the log high-frequency power between groups, genders, sessions, and conditions. Results: It was found that there were no significant differences between groups before, during, and after playback of the stimulus. A significant difference, however, was noted between conditions (before vs during period). Conclusion: It can be concluded cautiously that playing back of maternal speech recordings to the premature infant has a beneficial impact on neural development after 32 weeks gestational age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anxiety poses challenges for providing effective oral healthcare. While therapy dogs have shown promise in various medical and mental health contexts, their use for alleviating dental anxiety in adults remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the emotional and physiologic effects of therapy dogs on self-reported dental anxiety. Adults with dental anxiety were randomly assigned to an intervention group (DOG: n = 19) or a standard care group (SC; n = 14). Standard self-report measures were used to assess dental anxiety (Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear [IDAF-46+]), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), and generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7) prior to the intervention. Participants in the DOG group received a 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in sessions 1 and 2, while participants in the SC group rested quietly for 10 minutes before their procedure. The SC participants received the 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in the third and final session, while patients in the DOG group received no intervention prior to their third procedure. After the dental procedures, patients completed a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the dog therapy (Therapy Satisfaction Scale) and recorded their anxiety and comfort levels on visual analog scales. Continuous electrocardiographic recording measured heart rate variability during the intervention and dental procedure. Prior to the intervention, most participants (90.9%) met the IDAF-46+ criteria for dental anxiety, with 7 (21.2%) meeting the criteria for dental phobia. The DOG group participants expressed high satisfaction with the therapy dog intervention. No significant differences in heart rate variability were observed between the groups during dental procedures. Therapy dogs can effectively manage dental anxiety in adults with mild to moderate dental anxiety, offering potential benefits for oral healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the comfort and anxiety levels of patients undergoing two different temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis techniques. Fifty female patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 25 based on the treatment modality: Group 1, single-puncture Type-1 arthrocentesis (SPA); Group 2, conventional double-puncture arthrocentesis (DPA). Preoperative and postoperative anxiety was scored with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S (STAI-S) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed preoperatively during the application of local anesthesia and at needle insertion into the joint cavity, the 5th and 10th minute of the procedure, and end of the procedure. STAI-S scores were lower postoperative than preoperative in both groups. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were highest during anesthesia and needle insertion (p < 0.005). Changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and STAI-S scores were statistically similar between the groups. DPA and SPA were tolerated similarly by the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of different winter paddock management of Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings in Hokkaido, Japan, which is extremely cold in winter, on physiological function, endocrine function and growth were investigated. They were divided into two groups; those kept outdoors for 22 hr in the paddock (22hr group) and those kept outdoors for 7 hr in daytime with walking exercise for 1 hr using the horse-walker (7hr+W group), and the changes in daily distance travelled, body temperature (BT), heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), endocrine function and growth parameters were compared between the two groups from November at the year of birth to January at 1 year of age. The 7hr+W group could travel almost the same distance as the 22hr group by using the horse-walker. The 22hr group had a lower rate of increase in body weight than the 7hr+W group in January. In addition, lower in BT and HR were observed, and HRV analysis showed an increase in high frequency power spectral density, indicating that parasympathetic nervous activity was dominant. And also, changes in circulating cortisol and thyroxine were not observed despite cold environment. On the other hand, the 7hr+W group had higher prolactin and insulin like growth factor than the 22hr group in January, and cortisol and thyroxine were also increased. Physiological and endocrinological findings from the present study indicate that the management of the 7hr+W group is effective in promoting growth and maintaining metabolism during the winter season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared handheld dynamometry (HHD) at the weakest point of the strength curve for hip extensors, hip abductors, and knee extensors in older adults and onerepetition maximum (1RM) of that same muscle groups with cuff weights. Fifty participants (62-94 years) were tested. Paired t tests indicated no significant differences between the 2 measures. Reliability testing for absolute agreement between 1RM and HHD yielded intraclass correlations of good to excellent. This demonstrates HHD at or near the weakest point of a muscle group provides an accurate measure of older individual's 1RM for knee extension, hip extension, and hip abduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of lavender aromatherapy via inhalation as a stress management modality for patients in cardiac rehabilitation. This was a quasi-experimental design. Aromatherapy was provided via inhalation to participants before a cardiac rehabilitation session over 8 minutes using lavender essential oil. The same protocol was used in the non-aromatherapy session without the essential oil. Blood pressure and radial pulse were measured, and subjective data were also collected including assessment of stress level (1-10 scale) and affect using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 20. Quantitative measures were analyzed using Mann-Whitney nonparametric equivalent to the t test. Inferential measures were analyzed using the χ2 or Fisher's exact test. In the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, 25 patients participated in this study. The average change in negative affect (PANAS−) between pre and post-aromatherapy compared with pre- and post-non-aromatherapy sessions was statistically significant. Results showed a reduction in blood pressure following both aromatherapy and non-aromatherapy sessions with no statistical significance between sessions. Heart rate decreased equally post-aromatherapy and non-aromatherapy sessions. Aromatherapy may be a useful stress management tool for cardiac rehabilitation patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy Expenditure (EE) estimation is crucial in health monitoring, as well as in fitness and athletic performance. Monitoring energy expenditure is a key aspect of weight management for individuals while athletes need to optimize their energy intake and expenditure to maximize efficiency in training and recovery. It is a widely researched subject and, depending on the setting, is commonly measured either by direct/indirect calorimetry or with algorithms largely based on heart rate tracking and/or movement tracking using accelerometers. The approach presented here utilizes heart rate, 3-axis acceleration data and breathing rate produced by Zephyr BioHarnessTM, as well as demographic information to produce an accurate (R2 = 95.7%, RMSE = 0.01 Kcal/s) real time EE estimation during walking and running. This methodology could be generalized to other activities using other transmit capable ergo physiological monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Recent evidence suggests an elevated risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF), irrespective of stroke occurrence. AF, known to reduce brain perfusion, particularly through silent cerebral ischemia, underscores the intricate relationship between cardiac and cerebral health. The heart plays a crucial role in supporting normal brain function, and rhythm control, a standard AF treatment, has demonstrated enhancements in brain perfusion. This systematic review aimed to examine published data concerning the influence of rhythm control on brain perfusion in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: A systematic search for relevant studies was carried out in Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost, spanning from their inception until April 30, 2023. Studies that specifically examined brain perfusion following any form of rhythm control in atrial fibrillation were included in the review. Results: The review encompassed 10 studies involving 436 participants. Among these, six utilized electrical cardioversion for rhythm control. The majority (8 out of 10) demonstrated that restoring sinus rhythm markedly enhances brain perfusion. In one of the two remaining studies, notable improvement was observed specifically in a region closely linked to cognition. Additionally, both studies reporting data on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) showed a consistent and significant increase in scores following rhythm control. Conclusion: Successful rhythm control in AF emerges as a significant contributor to enhanced brain perfusion, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for reducing cognitive impairment incidence. However, further validation through larger prospective studies and randomized trials is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in Europe and the United States is estimated to be 3.2 and 4.4 per 10,000 live births, respectively. Abdominal massage for hyperbilirubinemia is considered a safe complementary treatment for infants that may increase number of defecations and decrease bilirubin levels. Purpose: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of abdominal massage on bilirubin levels in term infants receiving phototherapy. Methods: The sample consisted of 43 term newborns (intervention group: 23; control group: 20) who received phototherapy in a university hospital between June 2019 and February 2021. Information and observation forms were used for data collection. The intervention group received 6 abdominal massages over 2 days, performed 3 times a day, 6 hours apart, and lasting 5 minutes each. Results: Transcutaneous bilirubin levels and heart rate were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at 48 hours (P = .015 and P = .033, respectively). Number of defecations was higher in the intervention group at 24 hours (P = .007) but there was no significant difference at 48 hours. The decrease in serum bilirubin between 24 and 48 hours was significantly greater in the intervention group (P = .005). Implication for Practice and Research: Abdominal massage was effective in reducing bilirubin levels and may increase the number of defecations. Providing massage training to the parents of infants who are discharged early could be a protective approach to prevent the rise in bilirubin levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is widely implemented in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to its established role in reducing mortality and morbidity. However, the impact of SSC on diaphragmatic electrical activity (Edi) in premature infants undergoing noninvasive pressure control (NIV-PC) for respiratory management remains insufficiently explored. Purpose: To assess the effects of SSC on Edi and vital signs in preterm infants managed with NIV-PC. Methods: A prospective, observational, crossover study was conducted, involving preterm infants admitted to a level III NICU between May 2020 and August 2021, who were receiving respiratory support with NIV-PC. Data were collected at 3 distinct time points: before SSC (pre-SSC period), during SSC (SSC period), and after SSC (post-SSC period). Thirty-minute periods of stable data were extracted for analysis. Results: A total of 21 SSC sessions were performed on 14 preterm infants, with a median age at the initiation of SSC of 62 days. The median (interquartile range) Edi peak (in microvolts) before, during, and after SSC was 7.1 (5.8-10.8), 6.8 (4.3-8.8), and 7.1 (5.5-8.8), respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in Edi peak or minimum values during SSC, when compared with the periods before and after the SSC procedure. Likewise, no significant changes were noted in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, or the incidence of apnea. Implications for Practice and Research: SSC in preterm infants undergoing NIV-PC does not exacerbate their clinical condition. Further investigations involving diverse patient cohorts are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by dilatation and impaired contraction of left or both ventricles. Diagnostic criteria are left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% or fractional shortening less than 25%. Perioperative anesthetic management of these patients are very challenging for anesthesiologists and intensive care team. Case presentation: A 55-year-old female, presented with complaints of severe low-back ache with bilateral lower limb involvement without involvement of bladder and bowel. Severe cord compression at the L4-5 level and severe lumbar canal stenosis were detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Echocardiography showed that the left ventricle (LV) had global hypokinesia, with an ejection fraction of 25% to 30%. The planed surgical procedures were L4 lumbar laminectomy and L4-5 microdiscectomy. Conclusion: Continuous monitoring and control of hemodynamic parameters as well as central venous pressure guided fluid therapy is the cornerstone in improving outcome in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy for non-cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy Expenditure (EE) estimation is crucial in health monitoring, as well as in fitness and athletic performance. Monitoring energy expenditure is a key aspect of weight management for individuals while athletes need to optimize their energy intake and expenditure to maximize efficiency in training and recovery. It is a widely researched subject and, depending on the setting, is commonly measured either by direct/indirect calorimetry or with algorithms largely based on heart rate tracking and/or movement tracking using accelerometers. The approach presented here utilizes heart rate, 3-axis acceleration data and breathing rate produced by Zephyr BioHarnessTM, as well as demographic information to produce an accurate (R2 = 95.7%, RMSE = 0.01 Kcal/s) real time EE estimation during walking and running. This methodology could be generalized to other activities using other transmit capable ergo physiological monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders may occur in skeletal muscle disease, but the link between them has not been fully established. Studying the relationship between them may yield insights into the mechanisms and treatment of disease. This study aimed to explore the association between heart rate variability (HRV), sarcopenia, and subscales of sarcopenia (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical mobility). 2514 community-dwelling older Chinese participants were included in this study. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia guidelines were used to define sarcopenia. HRV was measured by 90-s electrocardiogram RR interval data. All HRV parameters were transformed using natural logarithms. Multiple regression analysis and multivariate linear regression was performed using potential correlates. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.1 % (18.5 % in males and 12.6 % in females). In the logistic regression analysis model, there was a significant association between log-transformed standard deviation of RR interval (lnSDNN) (OR = 0.736, p = 0.019), log-transformed coefficient of variation of RR intervals (lnCVRR) (OR = 0.751, p = 0.020), log-transformed low-frequency power (lnLF) (OR = 0.861, p = 0.008), log-transformed high-frequency power (lnHF) (OR = 0.864, p = 0.003) and sarcopenia in the general population after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), daily activity levels, hypertension, heart disease and cardiac drugs. In addition, in multivariate linear regression, lnSDNN (β = 0.146, p = 0.001), lnCVRR (β = 0.120, p = 0.010), lnLF (β = 0.066, p = 0.002) and lnHF (β = 0.065, p < 0.001) remained significantly positively associated with muscle mass, but there were no significant differences in grip strength and walking speed. Sarcopenia was independently associated with lower heart rate variability in a community-dwelling elderly Chinese population. In addition, muscle mass was positively associated with heart rate variability in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the mental health issues among adolescents in Singapore, aromatherapy is proposed to mitigate their stress level when studying. An experiment was conducted both in the classroom and home setting, to test the effectiveness of the give odours, lavender, rosemary, ylang-ylang, lemon and bergamot on reducing stress level, using the no odour scenario as control. Objective data (SpO2, heart rate and stress score) is collected using the HUAWEI Band 6 smartwatch. Subjective data was self-reported by the participants through Google forms, rating their emotional health on a 10-point scale and elaborating in prose. It was found that the anti-anxiety effects of the stimulants (lemon, bergamot, rosemary) were much larger than that of the sedatives (lavender, ylang-ylang). In particular, lemon showed the best objective anxiolytic effect, while bergamot was the best in terms of self-perceived effect. Rosemary relieved stress through raising productivity, but some effects of overworking were observed. On the other hand, ylang-ylang showed inconsistent effects, while lavender was not suitable to relieve stress when studying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most real-world systems are characterised by dynamics and correlations emerging at multiple time scales, and are therefore referred to as complex systems. In this work, the complexity of time series produced by complex systems was investigated in the frame of information theory computing the entropy rate via the conditional entropy (CE) measure. A comparative investigation of several CE estimators, based on linear parametric and non-linear model-free representations of the process dynamics, was performed considering simulated linear autoregressive (AR) and mixed non-linear deterministic and linear stochastic dynamics processes, as well as physiological time series reflecting short-term cardiorespiratory dynamics. In simulations, the estimated CE values decreased when reducing the system complexity through an increase in the pole radius of the AR process or with the predominance of the deterministic behaviour in the mixed dynamics. In the application to cardiorespiratory dynamics, a reduction in physiological complexity was observed resulting from a regularization of the time series of heart rate and respiratory volume when decreasing the breathing rate. Our results evidence how simple and fast approaches based on linear parametric or permutation-based model-free estimators allow efficient discrimination of complexity changes in the short-term evolution of complex dynamic systems. However, in the presence of non-linear dynamics, the superiority of the more general but computationally expensive nearest-neighbour method is highlighted. These findings have implications for the assessment of complex dynamics both in clinical settings and in physiological monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the clinical anesthesia outcomes of different segmental erector spinae plane block (ESPB) under ultrasound guidance in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). Methods: From January to December 2022, patients who underwent ESPB-guided PKP at Shenzhen Hospital (Fu Tian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were randomly divided into two groups: M group (ESPB anesthesia shifted 1--2 segments, 40 cases) and E group (ESPB anesthesia at the level of the fractured segment, 40 cases). The operation time for ESPB, PKP, additional intravenous analgesic dose during surgery, vital sign changes, and pain scores at various time points were compared between the two groups. SpO2, MAP, and HR were assessed before anesthesia (T0), 20 minutes after blockade (T1), at skin incision (T2), and after bone cement implantation (T3). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain scores at each interval. Postoperative complications, including nausea, vomiting, itching, cardiopulmonary complications, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality, were documented. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in operative time, surgery duration, and intraoperative additional analgesic use between the groups. HR, MAP, SpO2, and NRS pain scores also showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups. For intragroup comparisons, from T1 to T3, Group E had significantly lower HR, MAP, SpO2, and NRS scores than at T0 (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion: While variations in needle segments for ESPB, as guided by ultrasound, did not significantly alter the anesthetic effect, they effectively improved analgesia and sedation in elderly patients with thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures undergoing PKP. This method also reduces perioperative stress reactions and adverse events, enhancing the quality and safety of anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sedentary activities are not conducive to the health benefits of elderly residents living in nursing homes. This study explored the effect of a 12-week elastic band resistance exercise (EBRE) on physical function, depression and quality of life (QOL) among the elderly in nursing homes. Methods: A single-blind experimental design. Eighty elderly from three nursing homes in the south of Taiwan were selected and assigned to the control group (40) and the experimental group (40). The experimental group intervened with regular EBRE for 12weeks. The control group maintained the original lifestyle and activity. Physiological status, depression and QOL were assessed using tools and instruments with reliability and validity at weeks 4, 8, and 12 during the study period. Results: After the 12-week EBRE intervention, the grip strength, one of the physiological indicators, was significantly improved at weeks 4, 8 and 12 (p < 0.05) with the experimental group. The measured blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were non-affected. Self-reported depression and QOL were improved (p < 0.001) significantly at week 12. Conclusion: Early intervention of EBRE is an effective method to improve grip strength and QOL and to reduce depression for the elderly living in nursing homes. The results provide empirical evidence for incorporating EBRE into regular activity in nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of death caused by COVID-19 in Iran. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study from February 20, 2020, to August 22, 2022, in the hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. The data were collected through a researcher-made checklist. To determine the risk factors of the death, logistic regression and Cox regression models were used. For each variable, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were also reported. Results: 1 885 Patients were included. The age of deceased persons was significantly higher than that of the surviving persons. The risk of death for the age group above 60 years was about 14 times higher than that of people aged 19-35 years [95%CI: 14.41 (2.02-102.99), P<0.01]. Hypertension [95%CI: 1.92 (1.47-2.5), P<0.01], diabetes [95%CI: 1.62 (1.23-2.13), P<0.001], and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [95%CI: 1.92 (1.47-2.50), P<0.01] were also risk factors of mortality. Conclusions: This study reveals that the mortality rate due to COVID-19 is associated with old age, longer hospitalization in the ICU, increased length of stay, and comorbidities of high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local alternating heat and cold stimulation as an alternative to contrast bath may cause intermittent vasoconstriction and vasodilation, inducing a vascular pumping effect and consequently promoting increased tissue blood flow and oxygenation. This study aimed to examine the effects of local alternating heat and cold stimulation, using a wearable thermal device, on the hemodynamics of fatigued muscle tissue and autonomic nervous activity. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals experienced fatigue in the periarticular muscles of the shoulder joint due to a typing task. Local alternating heat and cold stimulations were then applied to the upper trapezius muscle. Muscle hardness was measured using a muscle hardness meter, and muscle tissue hemodynamics and oxygenation were evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy before and after the stimulation. Autonomic nervous activity was also evaluated using heart rate variability. Results: Alternating heat and cold stimulation decreased muscle hardness of the fatigued trapezius muscle from 1.38 ± 0.15 to 1.31 ± 0.14 N (P < 0.01). The concentration of total hemoglobin in the trapezius muscle tissue increased from − 0.21 ± 1.36 to 2.29 ± 3.42 µmol/l (P < 0.01), and the tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation also increased from 70.1 ± 5.4 to 71.1 ± 6.0% (P < 0.05). Additionally, the heart rate variability parameter, which is an index of sympathetic nervous activity, increased from 3.82 ± 2.96 to 6.86 ± 3.49 (P < 0.01). A correlation was found between increased tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation and increased parameters of sympathetic nervous activity (r = 0.50, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Local alternating heat and cold stimulation affected the hemodynamic response in fatigued muscle tissue and autonomic nervous activity. This stimulation is more efficient than conventional contrast baths in terms of mobility and temperature control and has potential as a new versatile therapeutic intervention for muscle fatigue. Trial registration: UMIN-CTR (UMIN000040087: registered on April 7, 2020, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr%5fe/ctr%5fview.cgi?recptno=R000045710. UMIN000040620: registered on June 1, 2020, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046359). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) affects the lower extremities and frequently results in poor clinical outcomes, especially in the vessels below the knee. Understanding the biomechanical and structural characteristics of these arteries is important for improving treatment efficacy, but mechanical and structural data on tibial vessels remain limited. We compared the superficial femoral (SFA) and popliteal (PA) arteries that comprise the above-knee femoropopliteal (FPA) segment to the infrapopliteal (IPA) anterior tibial (AT), posterior tibial (PT), and fibular (FA) arteries from the same 15 human subjects (average age 52, range 42–67 years, 87 % male). Vessels were imaged using μCT, evaluated with biaxial mechanical testing and constitutive modeling, and assessed for elastin, collagen, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). IPAs were more often diseased or calcified compared to the FPAs. They were also twice smaller, 53 % thinner, and significantly stiffer than the FPA longitudinally, but not circumferentially. IPAs experienced 48 % higher physiologic longitudinal stresses (62 kPa) but 27 % lower circumferential stresses (24 kPa) and similar cardiac cycle stretch of <1.02 compared to the FPA. IPAs had lower longitudinal pre-stretch (1.12) than the FPAs (1.29), but there were no differences in the stored elastic energy during pulsation. The physiologic circumferential stiffness was similar in the above and below-knee arteries (718 kPa vs 754 kPa). Structurally, IPAs had less elastin, collagen, and GAGs than the FPA, but maintained similar SMC content. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of segment-specific human lower extremity artery biomechanics and may inform the development of better medical devices for PAD treatment. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in the lower extremity arteries exhibits distinct characteristics and results in different clinical outcomes when treating arteries above and below the knee. However, their mechanical, structural, and physiologic differences are poorly understood. Our study compared above- and below-knee arteries from the same middle-aged human subjects and demonstrated distinct differences in size, structure, and mechanical properties, leading to variations in their physiological behavior. These insights could pave the way for creating location-specific medical devices and treatments for PAD, offering a more effective approach to its management. Our findings provide new, important perspectives for clinicians, researchers, and medical device developers interested in treating PAD in both above- and below-knee locations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human body can be viewed as a collection of distinct subsystems called organs that work together to execute a specific function. Even though a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the structural and functional links between various organs appears impossible, unravelling the inter-organ dependence could be used as a risk predictor in many instances of pathological conditions. The purpose of this study is to comprehend the interactions between the heart and brain stimulated by the sense of smell (natural whole cinnamon, green chilli, crushed pepper, and camphor) while performing cognitive tasks. Permutation entropy was used to extract the measure of variability in the information contained in the EEG and ECG signals, which served as the basis for understanding the highly correlated behaviour of the heart and brain. As per the findings, there was a significant correlation between the recorded EEG and ECG signals under various conditions, including state of rest, presence of olfactory stimuli, cognitive task and aromatherapy. The individual's engagement during cognitive activities was found by computing the coefficient of similarity between the recorded ECG signal and, the EEG signals obtained from the right and the left frontal regions of the brain measured using the Eight-channel EEG head band. The heart rate variability (HRV) from the ECG signal and the power contained in the individual frequency regions of the EEG signal were used as indicators of cognitive task engagement and relaxation during aromatherapy. These findings may be beneficial for selecting the appropriate olfactory stimuli for maintaining a healthy mental state, whether cognitive or relaxing and sleep conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is used to determine the ventilatory thresholds and to directly assess cardiorespiratory capacity. However, its reproducibility should be tested in people with stroke as sequelae imposed by the stroke may induce important variations among and within each subject, affecting the reproducibility of the physiological responses to CPET. This cross-sectional repeated measures study design aims to determine the reproducibility of anaerobic threshold (AT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal cardiorespiratory capacity assessed during a CPET in people with stroke. Twenty-eight subjects with hemiparesis after stroke aging 60 ± 13 years were submitted to two treadmill CPETs with identical protocols. The reproducibility of heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) obtained at AT, RCP, and peak effort was evaluated by systematic error (paired t-test); reliability (ICC and 95% confidence interval); and agreement (typical error and coefficient of variation). There were no systematic errors for HR and VO2assessed at AT, RCP, and peak effort (p > 0,05). Reliability was high for these variables during CPET (ICCs > 0.93). Agreement was good for all variables. Typical errors for HR and VO2 assessed at AT, RCP, and peak effort were, respectively, 7, 7, and 8 bpm, and 1.51, 1.44, and 1.57 ml.kg−1.min−1. Coefficients of variation assessed at AT, RCP, and peak effort were, respectively, 5.7, 5.1, and 6.0% for HR and 8.7, 7.3, and 7.5% for VO2. HR and VO2 measured at AT, RCP, and peak effort during a treadmill CPET present good reproducibility in people with stroke, showing high reliability and good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was the aim of the study to evaluate the contribution of a relaxing immersive experience with virtual reality (VR) goggles in reducing patient anxiety related to wisdom tooth extraction under local anesthesia. A prospective randomized comparative study in consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral wisdom tooth extraction under local anesthesia was carried out between March and December 2022. Both sides were operated upon in the same surgery, but on one side VR goggles were applied (VR), while on the other they were not (noVR). Anxiety was evaluated both subjectively (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] and visual analogue scale [VAS]) and objectively (measuring heart rate, blood pressure [BP] and blood oxygen saturation) before (T1) and after each surgical step (T2VR and T2noVR). The study sample consisted of 27 patients: 9 men and 18 women, with an average age of 25.8 ± 6.5 years (range: 18–43). Anxiety as assessed by the STAI and VAS decreased from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), although to a similar degree regardless of whether VR was used or not. Heart rate showed significant differences influenced by RV exposure (p = 0.013): it increased +2.5 ± 8.8 bpm in the control group and decreased −2.22 ± 7.55 bpm with VR (p = 0.013). Both minimum and maximum BP after surgery were significantly higher in the noVR group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.040, respectively). Regarding minimum BP, VR proved more effective among male patients (p = 0.057) and on starting the procedure using VR (p = 0.055). The results provided evidence of meaningful control of the hemodynamic variables, but less predictable performance in the subjective evaluation of anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Although the cardiopulmonary benefits of aerobic exercise poststroke are well-established, typical stroke rehabilitation does not elicit an aerobic response. Objective: To characterize heart rate response during upper extremity repetitive task practice (RTP) and determine factors that predict a higher aerobic intensity during RTP. Design: Secondary analysis of a subset of data from a randomized clinical trial. Setting: Research laboratory in a large academic medical center. Participants: Patients with chronic stroke (N = 19). Intervention: Participants received 90 min of RTP for 24 sessions across 8 wk. Outcomes and Measures: Aerobic intensity as measured by heart rate reserve (HRR) during RTP. Results: A total of 2,968 tasks were included in the analysis. Of the tasks performed, approximately 79.5% elicited a very light aerobic response (<30% HRR), 10.2% elicited a light aerobic response (30%–39% HRR), and 10.3% elicited a moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic response (≥40% HRR). Of the tasks that elicited a moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic response, 54.1% were performed in standing, 79.7% were gross motor in nature, and 27.9% had targets at or above shoulder height. Standing position, targets at or above shoulder height, and gross motor tasks predicted higher HRR (all ps <.001). Conclusions and Relevance: To maximize aerobic intensity during poststroke RTP, therapists should include gross motor tasks trained in standing with targets at or above shoulder height. Plain-Language Summary: The study characterizes heart rate response in stroke rehabilitation and identifies factors that predict a higher aerobic intensity during upper extremity repetitive task practice. Certain task characteristics were more likely to produce an aerobic response, including gross motor, targets at or above the shoulder, and a standing position. Occupational therapists should include gross motor tasks trained in standing with targets at or above shoulder height to maximize aerobic intensity during poststroke repetitive task practice. Monitoring heart rate may improve awareness of aerobic response to training. The study findings show that occupational therapists should include gross motor tasks trained in standing with targets at or above shoulder height to maximize aerobic intensity during poststroke repetitive task practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease is a kind of heart disease that affects the heart and all the blood vessels in the body caused by a build-up of plaque in a person's arteries and can result in a stroke or heart attack. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, (Depkes RI) coronary heart disease is the main and first cause of all deaths by heart disease, which account for 26.4% among all other causes. Considering the severity of the condition, it is necessary to detect this kind of heart disease to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease. Heart disease detection can be performed by checking the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) signal. HRV assessment is carried out by analyzing short-term and long-term Electrocardiogram (ECG) records. To analyze HRV signals, a Higher-Order Moments Detrended Fluctuation Analysis feature extraction method is proposed to see the non-linear structure of HRV data. The input for Higher-Order Moments Detrended Fluctuation Analysis is an ECG signal which has been converted into an HRV signal. The output of the feature extraction shows that the value of kurtosis-based fluctuation function has a statistical significance in order to differentiate the HRV of heart disease patients and that of normal subjects. These values are then used as the input for classification using an Artificial Neural Network. The output of the classification is the classification of patients with heart disease and normal subjects. The results of the Higher-Order Moments Detrended Fluctuation Analysis feature extraction classification yield the best accuracy of 71.43% with a ROC value of 0.774 which can be categorized as a pretty good classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study makes a comparative analysis based on knowledge mapping of Chinese and English publications on non-contact vital signs monitoring and provides a reference for future research and development. Publications were retrieved from Web of Science (WoS) and PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from January 1, 2002 to October 31, 2023. Bibliometric analysis was performed using CiteSpace software. Information from 612 English and 543 Chinese original research articles was collected and analyzed. The maximum number of English appeared in 2022 and the maximum number of Chinese articles appeared in 2020, and the number of articles published afterward declined slightly. For the articles published in English, USA and China shared the highest number of publications. Chinese Academy of Sciences was the most published institution. Steffen Leonhardt was the highest-published author. Meanwhile, within the Chinese articles, the most productive province was Beijing. The most productive institution was the Air Force Medical University. The most productive author was Weixue Liu. The research institutions and authors of English and Chinese articles were decentralized. The hotspots of the English articles mainly were "heart rate" and "respiratory rate", and the Chinese articles focused on "temperature" and "heart rate". Concluding, the research on non-contact vital signs monitoring is in a booming phase of development at present. Non-contact heart rate monitoring is a popular research direction in English and Chinese research. In the future, research institutions and authors should strengthen their cooperation and communication to promote the development of this research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Black pepper is one of the most popular spices globally. As black pepper essential oil has not yet been used in the context of aromatherapy, this study examined the effect of black pepper aroma on cardiac and peripheral autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity under stressful conditions using an olfactometer to administer aroma in a precise and controlled manner to ensure reproducibility. Methods: A within-participant design experiment was conducted with 20 male university students who performed a 30-min calculation task as a short-term stressor under three aroma conditions: black pepper, ginger, and dipropylene glycol (DPG) (scentless air as a control). Each aroma was sporadically delivered (first 20 s of each 1-min interval) with the olfactometer during the task. Electrocardiograms and skin conductance level (SCL) were measured to evaluate ANS's physiological acute stress response. Subjective evaluations for the given stressful task and impressions on the types of aromas were assessed. Results: The physiological acute stress response induced by the short-term stressor, which is characterized by the enhancement of the heart rate (HR) and SCL and decreases in the heart rate variability (HRV), was suppressed with black pepper: the increase in HR and reduction in HRV from the baseline were 38.9% (p = 0.048 when compared with DPG) and 32.9% smaller (p = 0.002 for multiple comparisons) than those in DPG, respectively, and the increase of SCL was 15.5% smaller (p = 0.005 for multiple comparisons) than that in ginger. However, there was no significant difference in subjective scores among the conditions. Conclusion: Although black pepper is a stimulative agent, the study findings showed that black pepper aroma alleviated the physiological acute stress response, which can be beneficial in aromatherapy under stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Via Panorâmica: A Journal of Anglo-American Studies / Revista de Estudos Anglo-Americanos is the property of Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Letras and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Investigaciones ANDINA is the property of Fundacion Universitaria del Area Andina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)