Contactless Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Estimation Using a Smartphone During Respiratory Maneuvers and Body Movement.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been extensively investigated as a noninvasive marker to evaluate the functionality of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Many studies have provided photoplethysmography (PPG) as a surrogate for electrocardiogram (ECG) signal HRV measurements. Remote PPG (rPPG) has been also investigated for pulse rate variability (PRV) estimation but in controlled conditions.

[Clinical-epidemiological characterization of patients with tuberculosis in the Department of Caaguazú, Paraguay. 2014-2017].

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide.

Aim: To characterize the clinical and epidemiological point of view of TB cases reported in the Department of Caaguazú-Paraguay, from 2014 to 2017.

Methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study; Population: 659 cases of TB registered in the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP); variables: age, sex, population group, type of TB, TB/HIV coinfection.

Non-Contact HR Monitoring via Smartphone and Webcam During Different Respiratory Maneuvers and Body Movements.

As a reliable indicator for individual's healthiness conditions, heart rate (HR) has been widely considered and used. Imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) is recently highlighted as a promising HR measurement method, due to its non-contact characteristics, by extracting the HR from facial video recordings. In this study, we propose a camera-based HR monitoring technique that estimates HR information from iPPG signals extracted from a video sequence.

Density variation of parotid glands during IMRT for head-neck cancer: correlation with treatment and anatomical parameters.

Purpose: Measuring parotid density changes in patients treated with IMRT for head-neck cancer (HNC) and assessing correlation with treatment-related parameters.

Patients And Materials: Data of 84 patients treated with IMRT for different HNC were pooled from three institutions. Parotid deformation and average Hounsfield number changes (ΔHU) were evaluated through MVCT (with Helical Tomotherapy) or diagnostic kVCT images taken at the treatment start/end.

Comparison of the blood pressure-lowering effects and tolerability of Losartan- and Amlodipine-based regimens in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.

Background: Elevated systolic blood pressure is a more important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease than elevated diastolic blood pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is the predominant form of hypertension in the elderly. Effects of angiotensin II on the vascular wall and endothelium may contribute to development of ISH.