Inverse correlation between testosterone and ventricle ejection fraction, hemodynamics and exercise capacity in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Neurohormonal activation and abnormalities in growth hormone and testosterone concentrations have been reported in heart failure (HF). Erectile dysfunction(ED) is common in these patients and contributes to a low quality of life. No data are known regarding the correlation between testosterone and hemodynamics, exercise capacity and cardiac function in HF patients with ED, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate testosterone levels with cardiac function, hemodynamic and exercise capacity in HF patients with ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen HF patients underwent a six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walking test (6'CWT) and, ten minutes later, a maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test. Also, testosterone and other hormones were determined at rest. RESULTS: Among hemodynamic variables only diastolic blood pressure on 6'CWT was correlated with testosterone levels(r =- 0.66, p = 0.007). The variables on exercise tests, VE/VCO2 slope and oxygen consumption did not show any correlation, except the distance at 6'CWT (r = 0.50, p = 0,047). Right and left ventricle ejection fraction showed inverse correlation with testosterone (r =- 0.55, p = 0.03 and r =- 0.69, p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: Testosterone levels correlated directly with distance at six-minute cardiopulmonary walk test and inversely with diastolic blood pressure, right and left ventricle ejection fraction in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction. Further elucidation of mechanisms as regards testosterone action in these patients is warranted

The Trap Architecture of Utricularia multifida and Utricularia westonii (subg. Polypompholyx)

Utricularia are carnivorous plants which have small hollow vesicles as suction traps that work underwater by means of negative pressure and watertightness of the entrance for capturing small animal prey. Utricularia multifida and U. westonii have specific thick-walled traps, which are triangular in a transverse section but their functioning is unclear. Some authors suggest that the trap door in U. multifida acts as a simple valve without a suction trapping mechanism. Our main aim was to check the anatomical trap characters that are responsible for possible water outflow and maintaining negative pressure as main functional parts of the active trap suction mechanism in both species. Using different microscopic techniques, we investigated the ultrastructure of external trap glands, quadrifids, glands near the entrance (bifids, monofids), and also pavement epithelium. Quadrifids of both species have a similar structure to those known in other species from the genus, which possess the suction trap mechanism. Glands near the entrance in U. multifida and U. westonii, which are responsible for water pumping in other species, are typically developed as in other species in the genus and have pedestal cells which are transfer cells. The transfer cells also occur in glands of the pavement epithelium, which is again typically developed as in other species in the genus. Simple biophysical tests did not confirm reliably neither the negative underpressure formation in the traps nor the watertightness of the entrance in both species. Our anatomical results indirectly support the hypothesis that both species have suction traps like all other Utricularia species, but the biophysical data rather suggest a passive valve mechanism

Pavimento flutuante com aglomerado de cortiça, de desempenho acústico optimizado

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do desenvolvimento de pavimentos flutuantes com aglomerado de cortiça com o objectivo de melhorar o seu isolamento sonoro a ruídos de percussão. Foram realizados ensaios de percussão a 26 tipos de pavimentos em câmara reverberante da FEUP com o apoio da empresa SEDACOR. Os resultados mostraram que o melhor desempenho acústico é atingido com a combinação dos produtos 012, contraplacado e 51 PL/12 PL ou 012, MDF e 25 MS. Foi possível apurar que outros tipos de underlay podem melhorar substancialmente o isolamento sonoro nas médias-altas frequências. Fundamentada na comparação dos resultados, foi sugerida uma adaptação à actual normalização através da aplicação da curva de ponderação tipo A.This work presents the results of the development of agglomerated cork floating floors through the optimization of their acoustic performance, with the goal of improving sound insulation to structure borne noise. Percussion tests were performed in 26 floors in the reverberation room of FEUP, and with the support of the cork company SEDACOR. The results showed that the best acoustic performance is attained with the combination of the "012", "plywood" and "51 PL"/"12 PL" or "012", "MDF" and "25" products. It was found that other underlay shapes can substantially improve sound insulation in medium-high frequencies. For a better comparison of results an adaptation of the current standardization is suggested, through the use of the A-weighting curve

Utilizando a metodologia PDCA para a melhoria do processo da construção de uma Ponte de Espaguete / Using PDCA methodology to improve the process of building a Spaghetti Bridge

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de mostrar resultados experimentais e a análise dos resultados obtidos no ensaio de uma ponte de espaguete, utilizando o método PDCA como instrumento de melhoria na elaboração e execução do projeto. O projeto ponte de espaguete é realizado no âmbito da disciplina Resistência dos Materiais do Curso de Engenharia Civil da Universidade de Vassouras.  Considerando a metodologia PDCA, foram construídas diversas pontes de espaguete. Durante o processo de construção das pontes, foram identificados diversos problemas tanto nos materiais como no método de execução. Tais problemas juntamente com os ensaios obtidos com os diversos ensaios, geraram feedbacks que foram utilizados para aperfeiçoar o processo construtivo, eliminando possíveis erros até que chegar a um o resultado ótimo. Assim, como resultado do projeto, foi constatado a melhoria ao longo de todo processo, com aumento na capacidade de carga da ponte à medida que elas eram construídas considerando as experiências e problemas identificados na ponte construída na etapa anterior. A ferramenta PDCA foi importante para direcionar na melhoria da elaboração e execução de projetos, visando a diminuição das perdas e buscando uma maior precisão no resultado da carga de ruptura. Do ponto de vista educação, pode-se verificar que projetos como este, os estudantes podem aliar conceitos teóricos com práticos, são interessantes para a construção do conhecimento e desenvolvimento das competências técnicas de engenharia, bem como das competências comportamentais

Fractal correlation property of heart rate variability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: It was reported that autonomic nervous system function is altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated short-and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability (HRV) in COPD subjects.Patients and methods: We analyzed data from 30 volunteers, who were divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (n = 15) and control (n = 15). for analysis of HRV indices, HRV was recorded beat by beat with the volunteers in the supine position for 30 minutes. We analyzed the linear indices in the time (SDNN [standard deviation of normal to normal] and RMSSD [root-mean square of differences]) and frequency domains (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF), and the short-and long-term fractal exponents were obtained by detrended fluctuation analysis. We considered P < 0.05 to be a significant difference.Results: COPD patients presented reduced levels of all linear exponents and decreased short-term fractal exponent (alpha-1: 0.899 +/- 0.18 versus 1.025 +/- 0.09, P = 0.026). There was no significant difference between COPD and control groups in alpha-2 and alpha-1/alpha-2 ratio.Conclusion: COPD subjects present reduced short-term fractal correlation properties of HRV, which indicates that this index can be used for risk stratification, assessment of systemic disease manifestations, and therapeutic procedures to monitor those patients.Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP)Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, Dept Fisioterapia, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Cardiol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilFac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Dept Cardiol & Cirurgia Cardiovasc, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Londrina, Lab Pesquisa Fisioterapia Pulm, Dept Fisioterapia, Londrina, BrazilFac Med ABC, Dept Morfol & Fisiol, Santo Andre, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Disciplina Cardiol, Dept Med, São Paulo, BrazilFUNDUNESP: 00704/08 - DFPWeb of Scienc

nutrition and performance in football

Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football?s physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.D915-7373-ED16 | Cesar LeaoN/

Metformin-induced lactic acidosis: a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Unlike other agents used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metformin has been shown to reduce mortality in obese patients. It is therefore being increasingly used in higher doses. The major concern of many physicians is a possible risk of lactic acidosis. The reported frequency of metformin related lactic acidosis is 0.05 per 1000 patient-years; some authors advocate that this rate is equal in those patients not taking metformin.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present two case reports of metformin-associated lactic acidosis. The first case is a 77 year old female with a past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus who had recently been prescribed metformin (3 g/day), perindopril and acetylsalicylic acid. She was admitted to the emergency department two weeks later with abdominal pain and psychomotor agitation. Physical examination revealed only signs of poor perfusion. Laboratory evaluation revealed hyperkalemia, elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and mild leukocytosis. Arterial blood gases showed severe lactic acidemia. She was admitted to the intensive care unit. Vasopressor and ventilatory support was initiated and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration was instituted. Twenty-four hours later, full clinical recovery was observed, with return to a normal serum lactate level. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit on the sixth day. The second patient is a 69 year old male with a past medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease who was on metformin (4 g/day), glycazide, acetylsalicylic acid and isosorbide dinitrate. He was admitted to the emergency department in shock with extreme bradycardia. Initial evaluation revealed severe lactic acidosis and elevated creatinine and urea. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and commenced on continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration in addition to other supportive measures. A progressive recovery was observed and he was discharged from the intensive care unit on the seventh day.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We present two case reports of severe lactic acidosis most probably associated with high doses of metformin in patients with no known contraindications for metformin prescription. In both patients no other condition was identified to cause such severe lactic acidosis. Although controversial, lactic acidosis should be considered in patients taking metformin.</p

Metabolic Signatures of Lung Cancer in Biofluids: NMR-Based Metabonomics of Blood Plasma

In this work, the variations in the metabolic profile of blood plasma from lung cancer patients and healthy controls were investigated through NMR-based metabonomics, to assess the potential of this approach for lung cancer screening and diagnosis. PLS-DA modeling of CPMG spectra from plasma, subjected to Monte Carlo Cross Validation, allowed cancer patients to be discriminated from controls with sensitivity and specificity levels of about 90%. Relatively lower HDL and higher VLDL + LDL in the patients' plasma, together with increased lactate and pyruvate and decreased levels of glucose, citrate, formate, acetate, several amino acids (alanine, glutamine, histidine, tyrosine, valine), and methanol, could be detected. These changes were found to be present at initial disease stages and could be related to known cancer biochemical hallmarks, such as enhanced glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and gluconeogenesis, together with suppressed Krebs cycle and reduced lipid catabolism, thus supporting the hypothesis of a systemic metabolic signature for lung cancer. Despite the possible confounding influence of age, smoking habits, and other uncontrolled factors, these results indicate that NMR-based metabonomics of blood plasma can be useful as a screening tool to identify suspicious cases for subsequent, more specific radiological tests, thus contributing to improved disease management.ERDF - Competitive Factors Thematic Operational ProgrammeFCT/PTDC/ QUI/68017/2006FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007439SFRH/BD/ 63430/2009National UNESCO Committee - L'Oréal Medals of Honor for Women in Science 200Portuguese National NMR Network - RNRM

Rarity of monodominance in hyperdiverse Amazonian forests.

Tropical forests are known for their high diversity. Yet, forest patches do occur in the tropics where a single tree species is dominant. Such "monodominant" forests are known from all of the main tropical regions. For Amazonia, we sampled the occurrence of monodominance in a massive, basin-wide database of forest-inventory plots from the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN). Utilizing a simple defining metric of at least half of the trees ≥ 10 cm diameter belonging to one species, we found only a few occurrences of monodominance in Amazonia, and the phenomenon was not significantly linked to previously hypothesized life history traits such wood density, seed mass, ectomycorrhizal associations, or Rhizobium nodulation. In our analysis, coppicing (the formation of sprouts at the base of the tree or on roots) was the only trait significantly linked to monodominance. While at specific locales coppicing or ectomycorrhizal associations may confer a considerable advantage to a tree species and lead to its monodominance, very few species have these traits. Mining of the ATDN dataset suggests that monodominance is quite rare in Amazonia, and may be linked primarily to edaphic factors