Advances on the Experimental Research in Resistant Hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: Resistant Hypertension (RH) poses a significant public health challenge, contributing to increased mortality, cardiovascular events and organ damage. Both clinical and experimental research are striving for higher standards in a translational manner to integrate new findings and confirm hypotheses. Considering that many are the aspects of RH that are still under investigation, this review aims to shed light on the advances made in experimental research concerning RH.

Effects of circuit training and Yoga on biochemical and psychological responses to stress and cardiovascular markers: A randomized clinical trial with nursing and medical students in Southern Brazil.

A Randomized Controlled Trial involving 158 Brazilian medical and nursing students assessed one of three conditions over an 8-week period: 1) a circuit training protocol (CTG); 2) a yoga protocol (YG); or 3) no intervention (CG). The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of circuit training and yoga protocols in reducing perceived mental stress and examining their effects on serum cortisol levels, as well as on traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), during an academic semester. Mental stress was measured using self-reported stress questionnaires.

Fetal ductus arteriosus constriction associated with citronella maternal use.

Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus is a condition that narrows the ductus arteriosus and can lead to death, so the importance of prior diagnosis. Citronella, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause constriction of the fetal duct.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cord blood banking and transplantation.

Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells that has been used for transplantation for over 30 years, especially when there is no compatible hematopoietic stem cell donor available. Its use has decreased more recently, since the development of methods to improve haploidentical transplants has allowed the use of mobilized peripheral blood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells. Public cord blood banks collect, process and store cord blood samples from voluntary donations.

Regenerative potential of multinucleated cells: bone marrow adiponectin-positive multinucleated cells take the lead.

Background: Polyploid cells can be found in a wide evolutionary spectrum of organisms. These cells are assumed to be involved in tissue regeneration and resistance to stressors. Although the appearance of large multinucleated cells (LMCs) in long-term culture of bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal cells has been reported, the presence and characteristics of such cells in native BM and their putative role in BM reconstitution following injury have not been fully investigated.

Nano-scaled surfaces and sustainable-antibiotic-release from polymeric coating for application on intra-osseous implants and trans-mucosal abutments.

Multifunctional surfaces may display the potential to accelerate and promote the healing process around dental implants. However, the initial cellular biocompatibility, molecular activity, and the release of functionalized molecules from these novel surfaces require extensive investigation for clinical use. Aiming to develop and compare innovative surfaces for application in dental implants, the present study utilized titanium disks, which were treated and divided into four groups: machined (Macro); acid-etched (Micro); anodized-hydrophilic surface (TNTs); and anodized surface coated with a rifampicin-loaded polymeric layer (poly(lactide-co-glycolide), PLGA) (TNTsRIMP).

Brief periods of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improve autonomic balance and alter circulating monocytes and endothelial cells in patients with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study.

Background: There is emerging evidence that the nervous system regulates immune and metabolic alterations mediating Metabolic syndrome (MetS) pathogenesis via the vagus nerve. This study evaluated the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TAVNS) on key cardiovascular and inflammatory components of MetS.

Methods: We conducted an open label, randomized (2:1), two-arm, parallel-group controlled trial in MetS patients.

Psychoeducational Intervention for Reducing Heart Failure Patients' Rehospitalizations and Promoting Their Quality of Life and Posttraumatic Growth at the 1-Year Follow-Up: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: This study's aim was to verify whether a psychoeducational intervention, with a brief expressive posttraumatic growth (PTG) component, could reduce heart failure (HF) patients' hospital readmissions and promote their quality of life (QoL) and PTG.

Methods: It adopted a parallel randomized clinical trial design, and its participants comprised HF patients from a hospital in Southern Brazil. All the participants completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory questionnaires at the pre (T1: baseline) and post (T2) assessments of the intervention.

Autogenous dentin combined with mesenchymal stromal cells as an alternative alveolar bone graft: an in vivo study.

Objective: Considering the chemical and structural properties of dentin, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of dentin matrix alone or combined with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) on postextraction alveolar bone regeneration.

Material And Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to tooth extraction with osteotomy and allocated into groups according to the graft inserted: (1) Gelita-Spon, (2) Bio-Oss, (3) Dentin, (4) MSC, (5) Dentin/MSC, and (6) Control. Maxillae were analyzed by means of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Dietary intake of anthocyanins improves arterial stiffness, but not endothelial function, in volunteers with excess weight: A randomized clinical trial.

Excess body weight has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness. Foods rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins such as açaí-juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) fruit may have protective vascular effects. Thus, we examined the effect of dietary intake of anthocyanins (açaí-juçara fruit) on endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) in individuals with excess body weight.

Preventive aerobic training preserves sympathovagal function and improves DNA repair capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in rats with cardiomyopathy.

To evaluate the effect of preventive aerobic exercise training on sympathovagal function, cardiac function, and DNA repair capacity in a preclinical model of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiomyopathy. Forty male Wistar-Kyoto rats were allocated into four groups (n = 10/group): D (DOX-treated) and C (controls) remained sedentary, and DT (DOX-trained) and CT (control-trained) performed aerobic training 4 days/week, during 4 weeks before exposure to DOX (4 mg/kg/week during 4 weeks) or saline solution. We evaluated cardiac function (echocardiography), hemodynamic and sympathovagal modulation (artery-femoral cannulation), cardiac troponin T levels, and DNA repair capacity (comet assay).

Comparison of the effects of virtual training by serious game and lecture on operating room novices' knowledge and performance about surgical instruments setup: a multi-center, two-arm study.

Background: Game-based training is increasingly implemented in different nursing fields, as it allows students to learn experientially, with the flexibility to regulate their training based on their personal progresses and abilities. This study aimed to compare the effects of virtual training by the "Playing with Surgical Instruments (PlaSurIn)" game and the lecture on the surgical instruments setup knowledge and performance of Operating Room (OR) novices.

Methods: This study was conducted on 51 s-semester undergraduate OR technology students taking the course "An Introduction to Surgical Instruments and Equipment.

The Influence of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Anger Management on Endothelial Function in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Anger may cause adverse cardiovascular responses, but the effects of anger management on clinical cardiovascular outcomes are insufficiently understood. We sought to assess the influence of anger management through a cognitive behavioral intervention on endothelial function in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Patients with ST-elevation MI and a low anger control score were enrolled during hospitalization in a randomized, parallel, controlled clinical trial.

Thromboprophylaxis for Children Post-Fontan Procedure: Insights From the UNIVERSE Study.

Background Patients with single-ventricle physiology who undergo the Fontan procedure are at risk for thrombotic events associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The UNIVERSE Study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel liquid rivaroxaban formulation, using a body weight-adjusted dosing regimen, versus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in children post-Fontan. Methods and Results The UNIVERSE Study was a randomized, multicenter, 2-part, open-label study of rivaroxaban, in children who had undergone a Fontan procedure, to evaluate its dosing regimen, safety, and efficacy.

"Playing with Surgical Instruments (PlaSurIn)" game to train operating room novices how to set up basic surgical instruments: A validation study.

Background: Game-based training has been considered as an alternative modality to traditional training in different perioperative nursing fields.

Objectives: To describe the adaptation and validation process of "Playing with Tweezers", a Portuguese game developed for novices to set up basic surgical instruments on the Mayo stand or a back table.

Design: A validation study with three phases of translation, reconciliation, and evaluation (face, content, and construct validity).

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on muscle damage after resistance exercise in young women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Omega-3 is a nutritional strategie that have been used to recover muscles from exercise-induced muscle damage in a preventive perspective.

Aim: To verify whether omega-3 (ω-3) supplementation after a session of resistance exercise facilitates muscle recovery in women undergoing a balanced diet.

Methods: This clinical trial was registered under the number NCT02839525.

Individuals with controlled hypertension show endothelial integrity following a bout of moderate-intensity exercise: randomized clinical trial.

To examine the acute effects of aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE) or combined exercise (CE) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), progenitor cells (PCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), oxidative stress markers and endothelial-cell derived microvesicles (EMVs) in patients with hypertension. This is a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial involving an intervention of one session of three different modalities of exercise. Thirty-three males (43 ± 2y) were randomly divided into three groups: a session of AE (n = 11, 40 min, cycle ergometer, 60% HRR); a session of RE (n = 11, 40 min, 4 × 12 lower limb repetitions, 60% 1-RM); or a session of CE (n = 11, 20-min RE + 20-min AE).

Dietary total antioxidant capacity is inversely associated with cardiovascular events and cardiometabolic risk factors: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Dietary total antioxidant capacity (dTAC) has been introduced as a useful tool to quantify the antioxidant content of a diet. However, few studies have evaluated the association of dTAC with cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with established CVD events. Thus, we aimed to investigate the presence of an association between dTAC values, cardiovascular events, and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with previous CVD in a Brazilian multicenter study.

Cardioprotective effects of exercise training on doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies.

Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in chemotherapy is a major treatment drawback. Clinical trials on the cardioprotective effects of exercise in cancer patients have not yet been published. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies for to assess the efficacy of exercise training on DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Aerobic exercise, but not isometric handgrip exercise, improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing coronary intervention: a randomized pilot study.

Background: Aerobic exercise improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness after myocardial infarction (MI), but the effects of isometric exercise on cardiovascular parameters are still uncertain. We aimed to assess the effects of one session of aerobic or isometric exercise on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in post-MI volunteers undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Twenty post-MI patients undergoing PCI were randomized to aerobic (AE, n = 10) or isometric (IE, n = 10) exercise groups.

Effect of hyaluronic acid on paracrine signaling of osteoblasts from mesenchymal stromal cells: potential impact on bone regeneration.

Objectives: This study evaluated hyaluronic acids (HA) with different molecular weights as potential matrices for tissue-engineered bone grafting and their possible influence on the paracrine mechanisms of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Material And Methods: Murine adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (mASCs) on the fourth passage were seeded in 96-well plates, osteoinduced for 27 days and exposed for 3 days to low (HA-LW) and high/low molecular weight (HA-HLW) at previously defined concentrations. Cytokines IGF-1, VEGF, FGF-2, and BMP-2 were evaluated by quantification in the supernatant.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and low-fat diet adherence questionnaire.

Background And Aims: The Mediterranean diet and the low-fat diet are recognized as cardioprotective dietary patterns, and the use of validated instruments that quickly identify adherence to these diets is very useful in the daily practice of the nutritionist. Our aim was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and a 9-item quantitative score of compliance with the low-fat diet (low-fat diet questionnaire) to the Brazilian Portuguese language.

Methods: The process of translation and cultural adaptation was conducted in six stages: initial translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, proof of cross-cultural equivalence, pre-final version testing, and final evaluation of the cultural adaptation process.

Cancer regeneration: Polyploid cells are the key drivers of tumor progression.

In spite of significant advancements of therapies for initial eradication of cancers, tumor relapse remains a major challenge. It is for a long time known that polyploid malignant cells are a main source of resistance against chemotherapy and irradiation. However, therapeutic approaches targeting these cells have not been appropriately pursued which could partly be due to the shortage of knowledge on the molecular biology of cell polyploidy.

Cell Therapy Improves Cardiac Function in Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy Preclinical Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although anthracycline (ANT)-based treatment strongly contributes to cancer survivorship, the use of these agents is limited by the risk of cardiotoxicity. For those patients who evolve to heart failure, myocardial regenerative approaches are of particular interest, and a growing body of preclinical studies has been investigating the use of cell therapy for ANT-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC). However, since animal models and modalities of cell therapy are highly heterogeneous between studies, the efficacy of cell therapy for AIC is not clear.