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The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in modulating bronchial smooth muscle contractility, which is altered in cystic fibrosis (CF). A convenient approach to probe ANS regulation is the quantitative analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The purpose of this study was to evaluate ANS regulation in children with CF and to investigate the influence of colonization by Pseudonomas aeruginosa via assessment of HRV in colonized CF (CCF) children and noncolonized CF (NCCF) children. Sixteen children with CF (7 CCF and 9 NCCF) and seven healthy age‐matched control children were enrolled in the study. Heart rate was recorded for 10 min at rest in the supine and standing positions and HRV analysis was carried out using autoregressive spectral analysis. The CCF group was characterized by lower forced expiratory volume than NCCF, indicating an impairment of respiratory function. The HRV parameters further confirmed the possible sympathetic overactivity in CCF. Children with CF exhibited hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. In particular, the CCF group presented a greater impairment of ANS modulation. Both CCF and NCCF children showed lower supine vagal activation in the HRV indices related to sympathetic activation and reduction of indices indicating vagal activity with the postural change from supine to standing when compared to the NCCF group.

Abstract:The notoriety of the shortage of qualified professionals in the engineering segment to meet the existing projects and also the future ones is worrying the academic community. These challenges show how the lack of appropriate courses and low expenses with incentives to research and extension programs can affect the formation of the future engineer. Therefore, universities have the mission to develop teaching, research and extension, offering to the students new opportunities for diverse technical training, scientific and humanist formation. It is noted, however, that such activities in many engineering courses, especially scientific research, are not being prioritized by the universities. In light of this, the present paper aims to register measure and evaluate the participation of the students in scientific initiation in the four engineering courses of the Faculty of Engineering of the Minas Gerais State University. Sticking to the disparities presented by the four courses studied, in relation to the participation in research projects, the results showed a greater engagement of students of Environmental Engineering and Mining Engineering courses regarding the other engineering courses. In addition, a better divulgation and a greater involvement of teachers in projects were identified as the main recurring challenges to the access in scientific research by the students of this institution.

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