Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Systemic Arterial Hypertension

Background: Hypertensive patients present, in addition to worse cardiovascular health, lower health-related quality of life compared to normotensive subjects. Factors such as functional capacity, functional status, pain, participation in social activities, mental and emotional health, fatigue and energy level, along with perception of general health, seem to be relevant for evaluation in this population. However, evidence is unclear in hypertensive patients. Objective: To analyze the factors associated with quality of life in hypertensive patients. Methods: Forty-five patients were recruited. The dependent variables of the present study are the quality of life domains. Demographic data and clinical conditions were considered independent variables. The Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Handgrip strength, blood pressure and anthropometric indicators were evaluated. Crude and adjusted linear regression analysis was used. Results: It was verified that education level, body mass index and muscle strength were associated with the functional capacity domain (p < 0,05), whereas systolic blood pressure was associated with the physical domain (p < 0,05). Women presented lower quality of life on the pain domain compared to men and educational level was associated with the social domain (p < 0,05). Conclusion: Hypertensive patients with lower levels of body mass index, higher levels of education and muscle strength presented a better quality of life on the physical domain, while the social aspects presented a positive relationship with education level. Women presented a worse quality of life on the pain domain compared to men

Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ Energy Transfer in Mixed-Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks

In this work, we report a theoretical and experimental investigation of the energy transfer mechanism in two isotypical 2D coordination polymers, _∞[(Tb_1–<i>x</i>Eu_<i>x</i>)­(DPA)­(HDPA)], where H₂DPA is pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and <i>x</i> = 0.05 or 0.50. Emission spectra of _∞[(Tb_0.95Eu_0.05)­(DPA)­(HDPA)] and _∞[(Tb_0.5Eu_0.5)­(DPA)­(HDPA)], <b>(1)</b> and <b>(2)</b>, show that the high quenching effect on Tb³⁺ emission caused by Eu³⁺ ion indicates an efficient Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy transfer (ET). The <i>k</i>_ET of Tb³⁺<i>→</i> Eu³⁺ ET and rise rates (<i>k</i>_r) of Eu³⁺ as a function of temperature for <b>(1)</b> are on the same order of magnitude, indicating that the sensitization of the Eu^3+ 5<i>D</i>₀ level is highly fed by ET from the ⁵<i>D</i>₄ level of Tb³⁺ ion. The η_ET and <i>R</i>₀ values vary in the 67–79% and 7.15 to 7.93 Å ranges. Hence, Tb³⁺ is enabled to transfer efficiently to Eu³⁺ that can occupy the possible sites at 6.32 and 6.75 Å. For <b>(2)</b>, the ET processes occur on average with η_ET and <i>R</i>₀ of 97% and 31 Å, respectively. Consequently, Tb³⁺ ion is enabled to transfer energy to Eu³⁺ localized at different layers. The theoretical model developed by Malta was implemented aiming to insert more insights about the dominant mechanisms involved in the ET between lanthanides ions. Calculated single Tb³⁺→ Eu³⁺ ETs are three orders of magnitude inferior to those experimentally; however, it can be explained by the theoretical model that does not consider the role of phonon assistance in the Ln³⁺<i>→</i> Ln³⁺ ET processes. In addition, the Tb³⁺→ Eu³⁺ ET processes are predominantly governed by dipole–dipole (d–d) and dipole–quadrupole (d<i>–</i>q) mechanisms