Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva

Progressive resistance training in elderly hiv-positive patients: does it work?

BACKGROUND Elderly people present alterations in body composition and physical fitness, compromising their quality of life. Chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS, worsen this situation. Resistance exercises are prescribed to improve fitness and promote healthier and independent aging. Recovery of strength and physical fitness is the goal of exercise in AIDS wasting syndrome. OBJECTIVE This study describes a case series of HIV-positive elderly patients who participated in a progressive resistance training program and evaluates their body composition, muscular strength, physical fitness and the evolution of CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts. METHODS Subjects were prospectively recruited for nine months. The training program consisted of three sets of 8–12 repetitions of leg press, seated row, lumbar extension and chest press, performed with free weight machines hts, twice/week for one year. Infectious disease physicians followed patients and reported all relevant clinical data. Body composition was assessed by anthropometric measures and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after the training program. RESULTS Fourteen patients, aged 62–71 years old, of both genders, without regular physical activity who had an average of nine years of HIV/AIDS history were enrolled. The strengths of major muscle groups increased (74%–122%, p=0.003–0.021) with a corresponding improvement in sit-standing and walking 2.4 m tests (p=0.003). There were no changes in clinical conditions and body composition measures, but triceps and thigh skinfolds were significantly reduced (p=0.037). In addition, there were significant increases in the CD4+ counts (N=151 cells; p=0.008) and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (0.63 to 0.81, p=0.009). CONCLUSION Resistance training increased strength, improved physical fitness, reduced upper and lower limb skinfolds, and were associated with an improvement in the CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ counts in HIV positive elderly patients without significant side effects.

Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis in Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii).

This was a pioneer study of the spermatogenic process from the onset of puberty in Spixs yellow-toothed cavies (SYC, Galea spixii) bred in captivity. The study aimed to characterize fine structure of spermatogenesis. Twelve testes from pubertal and post-pubertal SYC males were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Spermatogenesis can be divided into three phases: proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. In proliferation phase, three types of spermatogonia were identified and characterized as A(dark), A(pale), and B. In the second phase, spermatocytes (2n) undergo meiotic divisions that generate spermatids (n); the process begins in spermatocytes in the preleptotene stage when they increase their nuclear size, differentiating into spermatocytes in the leptotene stage when cell division is initiated. In addition, we found chromatin condensation, and formation of a structure composed of proteins that formed a central shaft and two lateral bars associated with pairing of homologous chromosomes. During spermiogenesis, the following main events occurred: condensation of nuclear chromatin, formation of acrosome with perfuratorium, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and development of the flagellum. The sperm head is different from that of other rodents. The endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex are the two main organelles demonstrated during this process. These organelles collaborate through synthesis of proteins and hormones for the development of germ cells during spermatogenesis in SYC.

Remote laboratory experiment access via an RFID interface

In this paper, remote laboratory experiment access is considered through the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Contactless smart cards are used widely in many applications from travel cards through to building access control and inventory tracking. However, their use is considered here for access to electronic engineering experimentation in a remote laboratory setting by providing the ability to interface experiments through this contactless (wireless) connection means. A case study design is implemented to demonstrate such a means by incorporating experiment data onto a contactless smart card and accessing this via a card reader and web server arrangement.

Remote Laboratory Description Language Based On XML

In this paper, a language used to describe the structure and capabilities (attributes) of remote, or online, laboratories is presented. With reference to the Remote Access Laboratory (RAL) at the University of Limerick, the structure of this laboratory is presented in order to identify the use of the Remote Laboratory Description Language (RLDL). This is based on XML providing for a text based, standard format on which to build and extend RLDL. The structure of the language is presented and an example is given with reference to the specific case study remote laboratory. However, the language can be readily extended to describe current laboratory attributes in more detail and to extend the language in order to identify and present new laboratory attributes. Such a description can be used to exchange information between remote laboratory developers and maintainers.

Respiratory syncytial virus rhinosinusitis in intensive care unit patients

This study reported a case of rhinosinusitis for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Intensive Care Unit patient. The settings were Intensive Care Unit at Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. One female HIV-infected patient with respiratory failure and circulatory shock due to splenic and renal abscesses, who developed rhinosinusitis caused by RSV and bacteria. Respiratory viruses can play a pathogenic role in airways infection allowing secondary bacterial overgrowth.

Automation tool to deploy Simulink models into programmable system-on-chip

In this article we present a computational tool called MS2PSoC to automate the deployment of applications developed in Matlab/Simulink environment in PSoC hardware. The purpose of this automation is to assist the project development process described in Simulink and translated to PSoC Creator environment. The proposed methodology is to translate the digital or analog designs described in the Matlab/Simulink environment to programming language and hardware supported by PSoC hardware. Two case studies were used to assess the proposed methodology. The first case it is a digital case consisting of the MLT-3 line code. The second case is reported to a D/A converter of 4 bits employing the model Ladder R-2R. Both cases have been described in Simulink environment and then implemented in hardware PSoC using the MS2PSoC tool. The results show the feasibility of the methodology developed in the tool.

Concept design for a RFID enabled student workbook

In this paper, the concept for a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled student workbook is discussed and a prototype system developed. The workbook is a question-answer notebook in traditional paper format in which hand written solutions to student assignments are written. An embedded RFID tag in the workbook is then used for the student to store his/her solution to the attempted assignment questions at home. On entry to the classroom and once the questions have been attempted, an RFID reader in the classroom will retrieve the answers from the workbook, automatically collate the results and instantly provide a summary of these results for the individual student and the class as a whole. If problems are highlighted, the teacher can then investigate issues with individual students and review the answers provided in the workbook.

RFID in electronic engineering education

In this paper, a discussion is presented into ways in which the area of radio frequency identification (RFID) can be introduced to students studying electronic and computer engineering at the university level and different teaching and learning scenarios will be considered. The idea is to consider how to present the engineering aspects of such technology in a meaningful way and which identifies how the different aspects of electronic and computer engineering come together to form the overall system.

Microscopy of the umbilical cord of rock cavies--Kerodon rupestris Wied, 1820 (Rodenta, Caviidae).

The rock cavies (Kerodon rupestris) are rodents belonging to family Caviidae, with habitat restricted to northeastern Brazil. Current studies have shown that blood cord has stem and hematopoietic cells both with a high regenerative potential, microscopic studies about the description in rodents and other mammals are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the structural components of the umbilical cord of rock cavies. Rock cavies embryos at different stages of pregnancy were used, three in the first third, five in middle third, and six in the final third of gestation. They were obtained at the Centre for Wild Animals Multiplication of Federal Rural University of Semi‐Arid. In rock cavies was observed that the number of vessels involved in the transport of maternal substances was represented by two major arteries, veins and an allantois duct. The umbilical cord was delimited by amniotic epithelium, formed by a layer of squamous cells, connective tissue with characteristic of the mucosal tissue, corresponding to the Wharton jelly (fetal mesenchyme), where elastic fibers were observed and intercellular spaces were arranged in concentric blades. The morphology observed in rock cavies is similar to that described in the literature for other mammals, including man. The rock cavies are well adapted to captivity and are docile, which makes this animal an important model for study within the field of regenerative medicine. The knowledge of the umbilical cord morphology represents a base point for using this animal as a model for culture and cell therapy. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:419–422, 2013.

Flow sensor instrumentation employing differential pressure reading

This paper presents an analysis of flow sensors found in the market today that uses the differential pressure technology to measure flow at mechanical pulmonary ventilator respiratory circuits. It proposes a set of differential pressure transducers for the reading of the resistance element in order to get a readout resolution equal or smaller than 0.15L/min within the regular measuring range for mechanical ventilation, which is from 0 to 150L/min. It also suggests an internal geometry for the resistance element to reduce pneumatic noise in the differential pressure measuring. In this paper is shown a decrease on the standard deviation value of the differential pressure reading for the same ranges in the same test condition. It is shown that the proposed geometry for the new nozzle decreases the measurement pneumatic noise in 47.5% in average. Finally, it is shown that the combination of three differential sensors, reading different ranges, achieves the desired resolution and measuring range.