Improvement of heart rate recovery after exercise training in older people.

Twenty-four subjects aged 70 and older were retrospectively selected from our archives and screened for symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Baseline exercise test was negative for myocardial ischemia in all subjects. All subjects had completed an 8-week program, performed for a variety of indications and consisting of an aerobic physical training program including 30 minutes of cycling three times per week at 65% to 75% of maximum heart rate achieved at peak exercise test performed at enrollment, an educational intervention, dietary advice, and psychological support. All subjects underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) before and at the end of exercise training. At the end of each CPX, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), the rate of increase of ventilation per unit of increase of carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2slope), and HRR were recorded. Twenty-five healthy subjects younger than 60 with no evidence of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia and not enrolled in any exercise training program were also retrospectively selected from our archives and used as a control group for analyzing HRR. These patients performed two exercise tests several weeks apart. Several studies have shown that changes in vagal tone can be used as an outcome tool that helps identify patients or subjects with or without cardiovascular disease at risk for a cardiovascular event, although the evidence of a prognostic value of HRR in older subjects without cardiovascular disease is rather poor. In this study, exercise training resulted in HRR improvement in healthy elderly subjects, suggesting that exercise training improves vagal/sympathetic balance in older subjects without cardiovascular disease as well. Whether the observed improvement in HRR may have long-term beneficial prognostic effects was not the aim of the study, although a beneficial effect might be postulated, in light of the Framingham dat

A comparison between standard and crossfeed monopulse radars in presence of rough sea scattering and ship movements

Monopulse radars are widely used in tracking systems, due to their relative simplicity and theoretical precision, but the presence of multipath impairs the tracking capabilities of these radars, especially when multipath signals are strong, as in a naval environment. A special monopulse setup, the crossfeed, has been proposed in the past to provide an automatic cancellation from smooth sea multipath. In this contribution, the performances of such a system are analyzed in presence of rough sea scattering and compared with those of a standard monopulse setup. Particular attention is devoted to performance degradations due to possible phase errors in the passive network implementing the comparator and due to ship rolling and pitching. This latter requires a full 3D monopulse simulator for its correct evaluation

Cytoskeleton structure, pattern of mitochondrial activity and ultrastructure of frozen or vitrified sheep embryos.

Even though sheep embryo cryopreservation is a commonly used procedure the survival and pregnancy outcomes can vary greatly. This study investigated whether cryopreservation was causing subtle changes in ultrastructure, mitochondrial activity or cytoskeletal integrity. Sheep embryos were either slow cooled in 1.5 M EG (n = 22), or vitrified in 20% EG + 20% DMSO with 0.5 M sucrose in Open Pulled Straws (OPS) (n = 24). One hour after warming the cryopreserved embryos differed from control embryos in that they had no mitochondrial activity combined with cytoskeletal disorganization and large vesicles. Vitrified embryos also showed many points of cytoskeleton disruption. Ultrastructural alterations resulting from actin filaments disorganization were observed in both cryopreserved groups. This includes areas presenting no cytoplasmic organelles, Golgi complex located far from the nucleus and a decrease of specialized intercellular junctions. Additionally, large vesicles were observed in vitrified morulae and early blastocysts. The alterations after cryopreservation were proportional to embryo quality as assessed using the stereomicroscope. Even in the absence of mitochondrial activity, grade I and II cryopreserved embryos contained mitochondria with normal ultrastructure. Embryos classified as grade I or II in the stereomicroscope revealed mild ultrastructural alterations, meaning that this tool is efficient to evaluate embryos after cryopreservation

Effects of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Linagliptin on Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Concentric Left Ventricular Geometry (the DYDA 2TM Trial). Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of the Study Population

Purpose: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study aimed to define the potential positive effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition on left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) beyond glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (DYDA 2TM trial). Methods: Individuals with fairly controlled T2DM and asymptomatic impaired LVSF were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive for 48 weeks either linagliptin 5 mg daily or placebo, in addition to their stable diabetes therapy. Eligibility criteria were age ≥ 40 years, history of T2DM with a duration of at least 6 months, HbA1c ≤ 8.0% (≤ 64 mmol/mol), no history or clinical signs/symptoms of cardiac disease, evidence at baseline echocardiography of concentric LV geometry (relative wall thickness ≥ 0.42), and impaired LVSF defined as midwall fractional shortening (MFS) ≤ 15%. The primary end-point was the modification from baseline to 48 weeks of MFS. As an exploratory analysis, significant changes in LV global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain, measured by speckle tracking echocardiography, were also considered. Secondary objectives were changes in diastolic and/or in systolic longitudinal function as measured by tissue Doppler. Results: A total of 188 patients were enrolled. They were predominantly males, mildly obese, with typical insulin-resistance co-morbidities such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. Mean relative wall thickness was 0.51 ± 0.09 and mean MFS 13.3% ± 2.5. Conclusions: DYDA 2 is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to explore the effect of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor on LVSF in T2DM patients in primary prevention regardless of glycemic control. The main characteristics of the enrolled population are reported

Efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (RBST) sobre a curva de lactação de vacas da raça holandesas.

Foi conduzido um estudo com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da aplicaç ão de rBST sobre a curva de lactação de vacas da raça Holandesa. O experimento foi desenvolvido no sistema de produção de leite do Centro de Pesquisa de Pecuária do Sudeste (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste), em São Carlos, durante o período de abril a dezembro de 1999. Foram avaliadas 41 vacas, dos 60 aos 150 dias de lactação, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em três tratamentos: sem aplicação de rBST (controle) ? 15 vacas; aplicação de rBST 60 dias após o parto (rBST-60) ? 15 vacas; e aplicação de rBST 100 dias após o parto (rBST- 100) ? 11 vacas. Foram realizadas análises de regressão da produção de leite em função dos dias de lactação. A aplicação de rBST aos 60 dias de lactação apresentou maior resposta no aumento da produção de leite e menor queda na produção. Com relação ao tratamento rBST-100, foi verificada uma estabilização seguida da diminuição menos acentuada na curva de lactação quando comparado com o tratamento controle. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram diminuição na produção de leite em função dos dias de lactação. No tratamento com rBST-60 durante o período de 75 a 120 dias de lactação, a cada dia da lactação, a produção de leite diminuiu 25,7 g, enquanto que para o mesmo período no tratamento controle, a produção decresceu 80,9 g/dia. A suplementação com rBST aumentou a persistência de lactação e a produção de leite quando administrada aos 60 dias pós -parto

Efeito da somatotropina bovina recombinante (RBST) sobre a produção de leite e gordura em vacas da raça Holandesas.

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de somatotropina bovina recombinante (rBST) sobre a produção de leite e gordura de vacas da raça Holandesa, durante os 60 aos 150 dias de lactação. O experimento foi desenvolvido no sistema de produção de leite do Centro de Pesquisa de Pecuária do Sudeste (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste), em São Carlos, durante o período de abril a dezembro de 1999. Foram utilizadas 41 vacas distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em três tratamentos: sem aplicação de rBST (controle) ? 15 vacas; aplicação de rBST 60 dias após o parto (rBST-60) ? 15 vacas; e aplicação de rBST 100 dias após o parto (rBST-100) ? 11 vacas. Foram realizadas análises de variância para as variáveis produção de leite; produção de leite corrigida a 4% de gordura e produção de gordura, tanto em porcentagem como em kg/dia. A suplementação com rBST aos 60 dias apresentou significativo aumento na produção de leite e na produção de leite corrigida em relação ao tratamento controle, entretanto esse fato não foi verificado para o tratamento com rBST aos 100 dias. Não ocorreram efeitos significativos da aplicação de rBST sobre a produção de gordura no leite, em % e em kg/dia. A suplementação com rBST aumentou a produção de leite e a produção de leite corrigida a 4% de gordura quando administrada aos 60 dias pós -parto. Não foram observados efeitos da suplementação de rBST sobre a porcentagem e produção de gordura do leite

Re-Evaluation of the Role of Antifibrinolytic Therapy with Lysine Analogs in Liver Transplantation in The Post-Aprotinin Era

Purpose of review: Hemorrhage, blood and blood product transfusions and the need for surgical re-exploration for bleeding can have a detrimental effect on patient outcome during liver surgery. Following the suspension of aprotinin from the market only the antifibrinolyticstranexamic acid (TA) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) are left as pharmacological options to reduce hemostatic activation and associated bleeding complications. Considering the apparent usefulnes of aprotinin in liver surgery and transplantation, its loss has left a void within the armamentarium of drugs available to reduce blood loss. The need for large independent safety studies has become evident. The current review focuses on the drugs that are available, the safety and efficacydata that supports their use and the indications warranting further trailsRecent findings Both TA and EACA are effective in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements in liver surgery. Analysis of data is complicated as the dosing regimens, especially for tranexamic acid, varies enormously and the agents are highly overdosed in most relevant trials. New data indicates that in a dose-dependent fashion, TA is associated with an increase in adverse events with transient renal failure highlighted as a particular problem. It appears that all the anti-fibrinolyticshave side effects that may impact on morbidity and mortality and it may be that aprotinin is no worse. The use of these agents needs to be balanced against benefitespecially in the management of high risk cases

Prolonged magmatism and growth of the Iran-Anatolia Cadomian continental arc segment in Northern Gondwana

Much of the crust of Iran and Anatolia, including their oldest exposed rocks, formed during an episode of intense convergent margin (arc) magmatism as a result of subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath northern Gondwana from ca 620 Ma to ca 500 Ma, the Cadomian crust-forming event. Most igneous rocks formed between ca 570 and 525 Ma. Cadomian crust is well-known from western and southern Europe and from eastern North America but is much less well-known from Iran and Anatolia. We use published age and compositional data and contribute new data in order to better understand this ancient magmatic system. Cadomian magmatism included calc-alkaline igneous rocks of arc affinity in the main arc and alkalic igneous rocks that formed in a back-arc setting; these igneous rocks are associated with sedimentary rocks. Geochemical and isotopic modelling reveals that basaltic magmas were the main input, that these formed by partial melting in the upper mantle, and that basaltic magmas evolved further in deep crustal hot zones to form granitic magmas through a combination of assimilating older continental crust and fractional crystalization of basaltic magmas.This study was funded by the “ National Key Research and Development Program of China ( 2016YFE0203000 )” and by “ Chinese Academy of Sciences , President's International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI, 2019VCB0013 ). Financial support was also received from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in the form of a senior research grant and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre while preparing these results for publication. FL gratefully acknowledges the PRIN2017 Project 20177BX42Z_001 (Intraplate deformation, magmatism and topographic evolution of a diffuse collisional belt: Insights into the geodynamics of the Arabia-Eurasia collisional zones) and the grant to Department of Science, Roma Tre University (MIUR-Italy Dipartimenti di Eccellenza, ARTICOLO 1, COMMI 314 – 337 LEGGE 232/2016 ). We thank Semih Gürsu for providing us bulk rock data from Derik complex of Turkey. Zircon U–Pb geochronology and and Lu–Hf isotope data were obtained using instrumentation funded by DEST Systemic Infrastructure Grants, ARC LIEF, NCRIS/AuScope, industry partners, and Macquarie University. All logistical support for field studies came from Damghan University. This is contribution 1544 from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems ( http://www.ccfs.mq.edu.au ) and 1412 in the GEMOC Key Centre ( http://www.gemoc.mq.edu.au ), and 1380 from UTD Geosciences and is related to IGCP-662. from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems ( http://www.ccfs.mq.edu.au ), xxxx from the GEMOC Key Centre ( http://www.gemoc.mq.edu.au ), and xxxx from UTD Geosciences and is related to IGCP-662