Diastolic function is associated with quality of life and exercise capacity in stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) are important outcome predictors in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), independent of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). LV diastolic function has been shown to be a better predictor of aerobic exercise capacity in patients with systolic dysfunction and a New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification >II. We hypothesized that the currently used index of diastolic function E/e' is associated with exercise capacity and QOL, even in optimally treated HF patients with reduced LVEF. This prospective study included 44 consecutive patients aged 55±11 years (27 men and 17 women), with LVEF,0.50 and NYHA functional class I-III, receiving optimal pharmacological treatment and in a stable clinical condition, as shown by the absence of dyspnea exacerbation for at least 3 months. All patients had conventional transthoracic echocardiography and answered the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire, followed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). In a multivariable model with 6MWT as the dependent variable, age and E/e' explained 27% of the walked distance in 6MWT (P=0.002; multivariate regression analysis). No association was found between walk distance and LVEF or mitral annulus systolic velocity. Only normalized left atrium volume, a sensitive index of diastolic function, was associated with decreased QOL. Despite the small number of patients included, this study offers evidence that diastolic function is associated with physical capacity and QOL and should be considered along with ejection fraction in patients with compensated systolic HF.

Identification of folding intermediates of streblin, the most stable serine protease: biophysical analysis

Streblin, a serine proteinase from plant Streblus asper, has been used to investigate the conformational changes induced by pH, temperature, and chaotropes. The near/far UV circular dichroism activities under fluorescence emission spectroscopy and 8-aniline-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) binding have been carried out to understand the unfolding of the protein in the presence of denaturants. Spectroscopic studies reveal that streblin belongs to the alpha+beta class of proteins and exhibits stability towards chemical denaturants, guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl). The pH-induced transition of this protein is noncooperative for transition phases between pH 0.5 and 2.5 (midpoint, 1.5) and pH 2.5 and 10.0 (midpoint, 6.5). At pH 1.0 or lower, the protein unfolds to form acid-unfolded state, and for pH 7.5 and above, protein turns into an alkaline denatured state characterized by the absence of ANS binding. At pH 2.0 (1M GuHCl), streblin exists in a partially unfolded state with characteristics of amolten globule state. The protein is found to exhibit strong and predominant ANS binding. In total, six different intermediate states has been identified to show protein folding pathways.

Surfactant-cosurfactant interactions and process parameters involved in the formulation of stable and small droplet-sized benznidazole-loaded soybean O/W emulsions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A peculiar stable region around Pluto

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stable, mobile, dark-in-bright, dipolar Bose-Einstein-condensate solitons

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles with potential use as anode in lithium ion batteries

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The use of stable isotopes to investigate the effects of supplemental lysine and methionine on protein turnover and amino acid utilization in pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, juveniles

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Finite element evaluation of three methods of stable fixation of condyle base fractures

The surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures currently offers several possibilities for stable internal fixation. In this study, a finite element model evaluation was performed of three different methods for osteosynthesis of low subcondylar fractures: (1) two four-hole straight plates, (2) one seven-hole lambda plate, and (3) one four-hole trapezoidal plate. The finite element model evaluation considered a load applied to the first molar on the contralateral side to the fracture. Results showed that, although the three methods are capable of withstanding functional loading, the lambda plate displayed a more homogeneous stress distribution for both osteosynthesis material and bone and may be a better method when single-plate fixation is the option.

Evaluation of Fe uptake and translocation in transgenic and non-transgenic soybean plants using enriched stable Fe-57 as a tracer

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stable and mobile excited two-dimensional dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate solitons

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tratamento da superfície do alumínio via eletrólise a plasma

This paper presents the study on the application of the electrolytic plasma for surface treatment of aluminum. A bibliographical study on the material of interest was preliminarily performed and later designed and built an electrolytic cell, including the excitation source. Unlike conventional electrolysis process, the plasma assisted carry on in the non-linear region of characteristic current/voltage curve. Therefore it requires for the on set of the process that the power supply operates on harder conditions than those on high current process. The plasma produced during the present investigation has temperatures in the range o 6,0.10 3 -7,0 .10 3 K, well above those found in conventional chemical process. It also shows a particular dynamic to promote changes on surface and to produce new materials. The plasma is generated by microdischarge in vapor or gas bubbles involved in physic-chemical processes in electrode regions of the electrolytic cell. The electrode material was the aluminum (7075). The Process Electrolytic Plasma Processing (EPP) is sensitive to various parameters such as operating voltage, current density, electrolyte, concentration of electrolyte, geometry of reactor, temperature of electrolytic solution and dynamic of the fluid in the cell. The experiments were carried on in order to find parameters for a stable abd steady operation. The choice for the electrolytic was silicate/alkali solution in various concentrations to operate in various voltage as well. Plasma was produced on negative (cathode) and positive (anode) electrode, in specific conditions. A stable operation on the cathode process was obtained with low concentration of the electrolytic in aqueous solution, current density around 250V effective voltage. For the evolution of plasma in anodic process it was required higher concentrations and higher... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Assessment of low amounts of meat and bone meal in the diet of laying hens by using stable isotopes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Profiles of steroid hormones in canine X-Linked muscular dystrophy via stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hydrochemical and stable isotopes (H, O, S) signatures in deep groundwaters of Parana basin, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stable retrograde orbits around the triple system 2001 SN263

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)