Effects of Zolpidem CR on Sleep and Nocturnal Ventilation in Patients with Heart Failure

Study Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zolpidem CR (controlled release) on sleep and nocturnal ventilation in patients with congestive heart failure, a population at risk for insomnia and poor sleep quality. Methods: Fifteen patients with heart failure (ischemic cardiomyopathy) and ejection fraction <= 45% in NYHA functional class I or II were evaluated with full polysomnography in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. Patients underwent three tests: (1) baseline polysomnography and, after randomization, (2) a new test with zolpidem CR 12.5 mg or placebo, and after 1 week, (3) a new polysomnography, crossing the "medication" used. Results: A 16% increase in total sleep time was found with the use of zolpidem CR and an increase in stage 3 NREM sleep (slow wave sleep). The apnea hypopnea index (AHI) did not change with zolpidem CR even after controlling for supine positionhowever, a slight but significant decrease was observed in lowest oxygen saturation compared with baseline and placebo conditions (83.60 +/- 5.5184.43 +/- 3.8080.71 +/- 5.18, P = 0.002). Conclusion: Zolpidem CR improved sleep structure in patients with heart failure, did not change apnea hypopnea index, but slightly decreased lowest oxygen saturation.Associacao Fundo Incentivo a Pesquisa (AFIP), Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sleep Div, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Cardiol, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sleep Div, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Cardiol, Dept Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Microvascular oxygen delivery-to-utilization mismatch at the onset of heavy-intensity exercise in optimally treated patients with CHF

Sperandio PA, Borghi-Silva A, Barroco A, Nery LE, Almeida DR, Neder JA. Microvascular oxygen delivery-to-utilization mismatch at the onset of heavy-intensity exercise in optimally treated patients with CHF. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 297: H1720-H1728, 2009. First published September 4, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00596.2009.-Impaired muscle blood flow at the onset of heavy-intensity exercise may transiently reduce microvascular O(2) pressure and decrease the rate of O(2) transfer from capillary to mitochondria in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, advances in the pharmacological treatment of CHF (e. g., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and third-generation beta-blockers) may have improved microvascular O(2) delivery to an extent that intramyocyte metabolic inertia might become the main locus of limitation of O(2) uptake ((V)over dot(O2)) kinetics. We assessed the rate of change of pulmonary (V)over dot(O2) ((V)over dot(O2p)), (estimated) fractional O(2) extraction in the vastus lateralis (similar to Delta[deoxy-Hb + Mb] by near-infrared spectroscopy), and cardiac output ((Q)over dot(T)) during high-intensity exercise performed to the limit of tolerance (Tlim) in 10 optimally treated sedentary patients (ejection fraction = 29 +/- 8%) and 11 controls. Sluggish (V)over dot(O2p) and (Q)over dot(T) kinetics in patients were significantly related to lower Tlim values (P < 0.05). the dynamics of Delta[deoxy-Hb + Mb], however, were faster in patients than controls [mean response time (MRT) = 15.9 +/- 2.0 s vs. 19.0 +/- 2.9 s; P < 0.05] with a subsequent response overshoot being found only in patients (7/10). Moreover, tau(V)over dot(O2)/MRT-[deoxy-Hb + Mb] ratio was greater in patients (4.69 +/- 1.42 s vs. 2.25 +/- 0.77 s; P < 0.05) and related to (Q)over dot(T) kinetics and Tlim (R = 0.89 and -0.78, respectively; P < 0.01). We conclude that despite the advances in the pharmacological treatment of CHF, disturbances in central and peripheral circulatory adjustments still play a prominent role in limiting (V)over dot(O2p) kinetics and tolerance to heavy-intensity exercise in nontrained patients.Fed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Resp Med, Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit SEFICE, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Nucleus Res Phys Exercise, Cardiopulm Lab, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Resp Med, Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit SEFICE, São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Examples of pointed color Hopf algebras

We present examples of color Hopf algebras, i.e. Hopf algebras in color categories (braided tensor categories with braiding induced by a bicharacter on an abelian group), related with quantum doubles of pointed Hopf algebras. We also discuss semisimple color Hopf algebras.submittedVersionFil: Andruskiewitsch, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentina.Fil: Andruskiewitsch, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Estudios de Matemática; Argentina.Fil: Angiono, Iván Ezequiel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentina.Fil: Angiono, Iván Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Estudios de Matemática; Argentina.Fil: Bagio, Dirceu. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas. Departamento de Matemática; Brasil.Matemática Pur

Sildenafil improves microvascular O-2 delivery-to-utilization matching and accelerates exercise O-2 uptake kinetics in chronic heart failure

Sperandio PA, Oliveira MF, Rodrigues MK, Berton DC, Treptow E, Nery LE, Almeida DR, Neder JA. Sildenafil improves microvascular O-2 delivery-to-utilization matching and accelerates exercise O-2 uptake kinetics in chronic heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 303: H1474-H1480, 2012. First published September 28, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00435.2012.-Nitric oxide (NO) can temporally and spatially match microvascular oxygen (O-2) delivery (QO(2mv)) to O-2 uptake (VO2) in the skeletal muscle, a crucial adjustment-to-exercise tolerance that is impaired in chronic heart failure (CHF). To investigate the effects of NO bioavailability induced by sildenafil intake on muscle QO(2mv)-to-O-2 utilization matching and VO2 kinetics, 10 males with CHF (ejection fraction = 27 +/- 6%) undertook constant work-rate exercise (70-80% peak). Breath-by-breath VO2, fractional O-2 extraction in the vastus lateralis {similar to deoxy-genated hemoglobin + myoglobin ([deoxy-Hb + Mb]) by near-infrared spectroscopy}, and cardiac output (CO) were evaluated after sildenafil (50 mg) or placebo. Sildenafil increased exercise tolerance compared with placebo by similar to 20%, an effect that was related to faster on-and off-exercise VO2 kinetics (P 0.05). On-exercise [deoxy-Hb + Mb] kinetics were slowed by sildenafil (similar to 25%), and a subsequent response overshoot (n = 8) was significantly lessened or even abolished. in contrast, [deoxy-Hb + Mb] recovery was faster with sildenafil (similar to 15%). Improvements in muscle oxygenation with sildenafil were related to faster on-exercise VO2 kinetics, blunted oscillations in ventilation (n = 9), and greater exercise capacity (P < 0.05). Sildenafil intake enhanced intramuscular QO(2mv)-to-VO2 matching with beneficial effects on VO2 kinetics and exercise tolerance in CHF. the lack of effect on CO suggests that improvement in blood flow to and within skeletal muscles underlies these effects.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Resp Dis, Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilQueens Univ, Dept Med, Div Resp & Crit Care Med, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Resp Dis, Pulm Funct & Clin Exercise Physiol Unit, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, BR-04020050 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Experimental determination of the surface density for the 6He exotic nucleus

Angular distributions for the elastic scattering of 4,6He on 58Ni have been measured at near-barrier energies. The present data, combined with others for the 4He158Ni system at intermediate energies, allowed the determination of the 4,6He ground-state nuclear densities through an unfolding method. The experimentally extracted nuclear densities are compared with the results of theoretical calculations

The South American Land Data Assimilation System (SALDAS) 5-Year Retrospective Atmospheric Forcing Datasets

The definition and derivation of a 5-year, 0.125deg, 3-hourly atmospheric forcing dataset for the South America continent is described which is appropriate for use in a Land Data Assimilation System and which, because of the limited surface observational networks available in this region, uses remotely sensed data merged with surface observations as the basis for the precipitation and downward shortwave radiation fields. The quality of this data set is evaluated against available surface observations. There are regional difference in the biases for all variables in the dataset, with biases in precipitation of the order 0-1 mm/day and RMSE of 5-15 mm/day, biases in surface solar radiation of the order 10 W/sq m and RMSE of 20 W/sq m, positive biases in temperature typically between 0 and 4 K, depending on region, and positive biases in specific humidity around 2-3 g/Kg in tropical regions and negative biases around 1-2 g/Kg further south

Lutzomyia longipalpis Saliva or Salivary Protein LJM19 Protects against Leishmania braziliensis and the Saliva of Its Vector, Lutzomyia intermedia

Leishmaniasis, caused by parasitic protozoa Leishmania, is transmitted by bites of female sand flies that, during blood-feeding, inject humans with parasites and saliva. Sand fly saliva has been investigated as a potential vaccine candidate. It was previously shown that immunization with Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva or salivary proteins protects against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. In the present study, we evaluated if immunization with Lu. longipalpis saliva or DNA plasmid coding for a specific sand fly salivary protein (LJM19) can protect hamsters against L. braziliensis plus another sand fly saliva. Immunization with saliva or LJM19 DNA plasmid induced a mononuclear cell infiltrate which can be a marker of protection. The immune response induced by immunization with these insect molecules was able to protect animals against L. braziliensis infection as shown by the significant reduction in lesion size, parasite load in the ear and draining lymph node. These data show the important role of immune response against sand fly saliva components, suggesting the possibility to develop vaccines using a single component of saliva against Leishmania transmitted by different vectors

Exercise training prevents the deterioration in the arterial baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity in chronic heart failure patients

Arterial baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (ABRMSNA) is impaired in chronic systolic heart failure (CHF). the purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that exercise training would improve the gain and reduce the time delay of ABRMSNA in CHF patients. Twenty-six CHF patients, New York Heart Association Functional Class II-III, EF <= 40%, peak (V) over dot O-2 <= 20 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) were divided into two groups: untrained (UT, n = 13, 57 +/- 3 years) and exercise trained (ET, n = 13, 49 +/- 3 years). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was directly recorded by microneurography technique. Arterial pressure was measured on a beat-to-beat basis. Time series of MSNA and systolic arterial pressure were analyzed by autoregressive spectral analysis. the gain and time delay of ABRMSNA was obtained by bivariate autoregressive analysis. Exercise training was performed on a cycle ergometer at moderate intensity, three 60-min sessions per week for 16 wk. Baseline MSNA, gain and time delay of ABRMSNA, and low frequency of MSNA (LFMSNA) to high-frequency ratio (HFMSNA) (LFMSNA/HFMSNA) were similar between groups. ET significantly decreased MSNA. MSNA was unchanged in the UT patients. the gain and time delay of ABRMSNA were unchanged in the ET patients. in contrast, the gain of ABRMSNA was significantly reduced [3.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2, arbitrary units (au)/mmHg, P = 0.04] and the time delay of ABRMSNA was significantly increased (4.6 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.9 +/- 1.0 s, P = 0.05) in the UT patients. LFMSNA-to-HFMSNA ratio tended to be lower in the ET patients (P < 0.08). Exercise training prevents the deterioration of ABRMSNA in CHF patients.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao ZerbiniCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Heart Inst InCor, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Calif Los Angeles, David Geffen Sch Med, Dept Med Cardiol & Physiol, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Cardiol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2010/50048-1FAPESP: 140643/2009-5FAPESP: 2013/07651-7CNPq: 142366/2009-9CNPq: 301867/2010-0CNPq: 308068/2011-4FAPESP: 2013/15651-7National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: RO1-HL084525Web of Scienc

Importância da configuração de plantio e da cultivar de sorgo em consórcio com o algodoeiro herbáceo

In the Gurinhém area of Paraíba, Brasil, a test was carried out in 1983 to determine the influence of various planting configurations when two sorghum cultivars (IPA 10 and ICAPAL), grain and forage sorghum, respectively, were intercropped with annual cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.r. latifolium Hutch.) cultivar CNPA-2H. The soil in the area is an associated vertisol. The experimental design was in completely randomized blocks with four replications and nine treatments involving three configurations of intercropping plantings. The configurations were: (1) Alternated rows of canon: sorghum; (2) double row of cotton: one row of sorghum; (3) three rows of cotton and one of sorghum cultivar, grown each one isolately. It was found that the system with double row of cotton (0.75 m x 0.20 m spacing) with one row of grain sorghum planted in a row 1 m apart from the cotton was the most efficient than cotton grown having the efficiency use index of 1.16%, the cost benefit ratio of 2.39, and 10.39 of increase in the net profit. None of the intercropping systems affected the cotton fiber characteristics. It was observed that the development of cultivar IPA 10 was more advanced up to the 50th day after emergency than ICAPAL cultivar. This difference was measured by plant height main stem diamenter leaf area per plant, and leaf area index. At 75 days from emergency this situation was reversed.No município de Gurinhém, Paraíba, no ano agrícola de 1983, conduziu-se um experimento com o fim de averiguar a influência da configuração de plantio e da cultivar de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) em consórcio com o algodoeiro herbáceo (Gossypium hirsutum L.r. latifolium Hutch.). O solo do local é um vertissolo associado. Utilizou-se um delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e nove tratamentos, envolvendo três configurações de plantio do consórcio (fileiras alternadas de algodão: sorgo; fileira dupla de algodão: uma de sorgo; e três fileiras de algodão: uma de sorgo), duas cultivares de sorgo (IPA 10, granífera, e ICAPAL, forrageira) e cada uma das cultivares isoladas, inclusive o algodão (cultivar CNPA 2H). Verificou-se que o sistema algodão em fileira dupla (0,75 m x 0,20 m) + uma fileira de sorgo granífero, espaçada 1 m da do algodão, foi o único que se mostrou mais rentável do que o monocultivo de algodão, com índice de uso eficiente da terra de 1,16%, taxa de retorno de 2,39%, e 10,13% de acréscimo na renda líquida. Nenhum dos sistemas consorciados alterou as características tecnológicas da fibra. Observou-se que a cultivar IPA 10 teve um crescimento inicial (até os 50 dias da emergência) maior do que a cultivar ICAPAL, o que foi revelado pelos valores obtidos para altura da planta, diâmetro caulinar, área foliar por planta e índice de área foliar. Já aos 75 dias da emergência, a situação foi invertida