Uncommon Sorption Mechanism of Aromatic Compounds onto Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan/Maleic Anhydride-ß-Cyclodextrin Hydrogels.

Aromatic hydrocarbons are extensive environmental pollutants occurring in both water and air media, and their removal is a priority effort for a healthy environment. The use of adsorbents is among the several strategies used for the remediation of these compounds. In this paper, we aim the synthesis of an amphiphilic hydrogel with the potential for the simultaneous sorption of a set of monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with toxicity effects in humans. Thus, we start by the synthesis of a copolymer-based in chitosan and ß-cyclodextrin previously functionalized with the maleic anhydride. The presence of ß-cyclodextrin will confer the ability to interact with hydrophobic compounds. The resulting material is posteriorly incorporated in a cryogel of poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. We aim to improve the amphiphilic ability of the hydrogel matrix. The obtained hydrogel was characterized by swelling water kinetics, thermogravimetric analysis, rheological measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. The sorption of aromatic hydrocarbons onto the gel is characterized by pseudo-first-order kinetics and Henry isotherm, suggesting a physisorption mechanism. The results show that the presence of maleic anhydride-ß-cyclodextrin and chitosan into hydrogels leads to an increase in the removal efficiency of the aromatic compounds. Additionally, the capacity of this hydrogel for removing these pollutants from a fossil fuel sample has also been tested.

Apolipoprotein B and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms and aerobic interval training: randomized controlled trial in coronary artery disease patients.

Physical training has been strongly recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). Genetic polymorphisms have been studied to understand the biological variability in response to exercise among individuals. This study aimed to verify the possible influence of apolipoprotein B (ApoB: rs1042031 and rs693) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-ID: rs1799752) genotypes on the lipid profile and functional aerobic capacity, respectively, after an aerobic interval training (AIT) program in patients with CAD and/or cardiovascular risk factors. Sixty-six men were randomized and assigned to trained group (n=32) or control group (n=34). Cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed to determine the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) from cardiorespiratory variables. The AIT program, at an intensity equivalent to %VAT (70-110%), was conducted three times a week for 16 weeks. ApoB gene polymorphisms (-12669C>T (rs1042031) and -7673G>A (rs693)) were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene (rs1799752) was identified through PCR and fragment size analysis. After 16 weeks, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels increased in the trained and control groups with the GA+AA genotype (-7673G>A) of the ApoB gene. Trained groups with ACE-II and ACE-ID genotypes presented an increase in oxygen consumption (VO2VAT) and power output after the AIT program. The presence of the ACE I-allele was associated with increased aerobic functional capacity after the AIT program. Increased LDL levels were observed over time in patients with the -7673G>A polymorphism of the ApoB gene. Trial Registration Information: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02313831.

Synthesis, characterization and sorption studies of aromatic compounds by hydrogels of chitosan blended with ß-cyclodextrin- and PVA-functionalized pectin.

Petroleum comprises the monoaromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which exhibit acute toxicity towards living animals. Consequently, their removal from natural environment is a priority challenge. On the other hand, biomaterials are increasingly being used as adsorbents. Pectin and chitosan are well-known polysaccharides able to form coacervate hydrogels. Aiming an increase of sorption ability by hydrophobic compounds, pectin was also functionalized with two amphiphilic compounds: ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Both the modified pectin and the hydrogels were evaluated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogels were further characterized in terms of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and swelling kinetics. The interaction between the hydrogel and mix solutions containing six different aromatic compounds (BTXs and the following PAHs: pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene) has been evaluated through sorption isotherms and kinetics. The mechanism of sorption interaction and the selectivity of the adsorbents towards different aromatic compounds were discussed. The results clearly show that the presence of ß-CD and PVA into gel leads to an increase in the removal efficiency of both, BTXs and PAHs. The gels were subjected to two sorption/desorption cycles to have an assessment of the capability of adsorbents for re-use. Finally, the sorption quantification of those six aromatic compounds from a real gasoline sample onto gels has been tested.

Apolipoprotein B and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms and aerobic interval training: randomized controlled trial in coronary artery disease patients

Physical training has been strongly recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). Genetic polymorphisms have been studied to understand the biological variability in response to exercise among individuals. This study aimed to verify the possible influence of apolipoprotein B (ApoB: rs1042031 and rs693) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-ID: rs1799752) genotypes on the lipid profile and functional aerobic capacity, respectively, after an aerobic interval training (AIT) program in patients with CAD and/or cardiovascular risk factors. Sixty-six men were randomized and assigned to trained group (n=32) or control group (n=34). Cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed to determine the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) from cardiorespiratory variables. The AIT program, at an intensity equivalent to %VAT (70-110%), was conducted three times a week for 16 weeks. ApoB gene polymorphisms (−12669C>T (rs1042031) and −7673G>A (rs693)) were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene (rs1799752) was identified through PCR and fragment size analysis. After 16 weeks, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels increased in the trained and control groups with the GA+AA genotype (−7673G>A) of the ApoB gene. Trained groups with ACE-II and ACE-ID genotypes presented an increase in oxygen consumption (VO2VAT) and power output after the AIT program. The presence of the ACE I-allele was associated with increased aerobic functional capacity after the AIT program. Increased LDL levels were observed over time in patients with the −7673G>A polymorphism of the ApoB gene. Trial Registration Information: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02313831

The humidity in a Dräger Primus anesthesia workstation using low or high fresh gas flow and with or without a heat and moisture exchanger in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: An inhaled gas absolute humidity of 20 mg H2O·L is the value most considered as the threshold necessary for preventing the deleterious effects of dry gas on the epithelium of the airways during anesthesia. Because children have small minute ventilation, we hypothesized that the humidification of a circle breathing system is lower in children compared with adults. The Primus anesthesia workstation (Dräger Medical, Lübeck, Germany) has a built-in hotplate to heat the patient's exhaled gases. A heat and moisture exchanger (HME) is a device that can be used to further humidify and heat the inhaled gases during anesthesia. To evaluate the humidifying properties of this circle breathing system during pediatric anesthesia, we compared the temperature and humidity of inhaled gases under low or high fresh gas flow (FGF) conditions and with or without an HME. METHODS: Forty children were randomly allocated into 4 groups according to the ventilation of their lungs by a circle breathing system in a Dräger Primus anesthesia workstation with low (1 L·min) or high (3 L·min) FGF without an HME (1L and 3L groups) or with an HME (Pall BB25FS, Pall Biomedical, East Hills, NY; HME1L and HME3L groups). The temperature and absolute humidity of inhaled gases were measured at 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes after connecting the patient to the breathing circuit. RESULTS: The mean inhaled gas temperature was higher in HME groups (HME1L: 30.3°C ± 1.1°C; HME3L: 29.3°C ± 1.2°C) compared with no-HME groups (1L: 27.0°C ± 1.2°C; 3L: 27.1°C ± 1.5°C; P < 0.0001). The mean inhaled gas absolute humidity was higher in HME than no-HME groups and higher in low-flow than high-flow groups ([HME1L: 25 ± 1 mg H2O·L] > [HME3L: 23 ± 2 mg H2O·L] > [1L: 17 ± 1 mg H2O·L] > [3L: 14 ± 1 mg H2O·L]; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a pediatric circle breathing system, the use of neither high nor low FGF provides the minimum humidity level of the inhaled gases thought to reduce the risk of dehydration of airways. Insertion of an HME increases the humidity and temperature of the inhaled gases, bringing them closer to physiological values. The use of a low FGF enhances the HME efficiency and consequently increases the inhaled gas humidity values. Therefore, the association of an HME with low FGF in the breathing circuit is the most efficient way to conserve the heat and the moisture of the inhaled gas during pediatric anesthesia.

Linear and daily undulating resistance training periodizations have differential beneficial effects in young sedentary women.

The aim of this randomized controlled study was to verify the impact of a 12-weeks muscular endurance (ME) training of high repetitions (i. e., 15-30) with 2 different periodization models on body composition, maximal strength, muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness. Twenty eight sedentary women aged 20-35 years were randomly assigned to: control (CON) (n=8), linear periodization (LP) (n=10) and daily undulating periodization (DUP) (n=10). LP and DUP models significantly improved body composition, maximal strength and ME. However, no significant changes were detected for cardiorespiratory fitness. LP showed a higher body fat loss (- 12.73%) compared to DUP (- 9.93%) (p=0.049), and systematically higher effect sizes (ES) when compared with DUP for maximal strength and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters (e. g. ES=0.53 for ventilatory threshold). In contrast, DUP exhibited a significantly (p=0.002) greater ME gain (129.43%) compared to LP (70.72%) in bench press, and greater ES in all exercises. It may be suggested that LP performed with a high number of repetitions may be considered an appropriate periodization model for untrained young women that would likely lead to the improvement of body composition and maximum strength performance, whereas DUP is more effective for the development of ME.

Avaliação dos parâmetros cardiovasculares e da dosagem anestésica em cirurgias de implantes osseointegráveis sob efeito da mistura óxido nitroso/oxigênio: um estudo piloto / Evaluation of the cardiovascular parameters and anesthetical dosage in surgery of osseointegrated implant under affect of nitrous oxideloxygen mixture: a pilot study

O propósito deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros cardiovasculares, a dosagem anestésica e a sintomatologia dolorosa em cirurgias para instalação de implantes osseointegráveis em pacientes sob o efeito da mistura de óxido nitroso/oxigênio (N2O/O2). A amostra foi composta por 10 indivíduos adultos, ASA I ou ASA II (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 1965), submetidos à cirurgia para instalação de implantes unitários. Os voluntários foram divididos em dois grupos cada um com cinco pacientes: Grupo “T” (teste), em que foi utilizada a inalação de óxido nitroso e oxigênio e o grupo “C” (controle), que recebeu oxigênio puro. Foram avaliados parâmetros cardiovasculares (freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial, saturação de oxigênio), além do requerimento de droga anestésica e sintomatologia dolorosa. Os resultados demonstraram que a saturação de O2 apresentou maior estabilidade no transoperatório do grupo sedado (grupo teste). A freqüência cardíaca e a pressão arterial não se alteraram nos grupos experimentais. Também foi observada uma tendência à redução do anestésico local requerido e diminuição da sintomatologia dolorosa no grupo submetido à sedação com N2O/O2. A sedação consciente com óxido nitroso/oxigênio mostrou-se como um recurso benéfico, visto que esteve relacionada à manutenção dos parâmetros cardiovasculares em níveis normais associada à redução da percepção dolorosa e menor requerimento anestésico durante as cirurgias para a instalação de implantes osseointegráveis.

The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular parameters, anesthetical dosage and painful symptoms during surgery for the placement of osseointegrated implants in patients under conscious sedation with nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture (N2O/O2). The sample was composed of 10 adults ASA or ASA II (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 1965) that were submitted to surgery for the placement of unitary osseointegrated implants. The volunteers were divided at random into 2 groups with 5 patients each one: group T (test), was used an inhalation of the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture and the group C (control) only received pure oxygen. The hemodynamic parameters were verified: cardiac frequency, blood pressure, oxygen saturation. The results showed that the O2 saturation remained more stability during the surgical act of the sedated group. The cardiac frequency and the blood pressure did not change in the groups studied. A tendency of reduction of the local anesthetic required and diminution of pain in the sedated group were also observed. The conscious sedation with nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture may be a beneficial resource, related to the maintenance of cardiovascular parameters in normal levels associated with reduction in pain perception and lower quantity of anesthetic during the surgery for the installation of osseointegrated implants.

Influência do uso de contraceptivos orais nos níveis lipídicos e nas respostas cardiorrespiratórias de mulheres saudáveis e sedentárias / Influence of oral contraceptive use on lipid levels and cardiorespiratory responses among healthy sedentary women

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do uso de contraceptivos orais (CO) sobre os níveis lipídicos, a variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC) e a capacidade aeróbia em mulheres jovens sedentárias. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Vinte mulheres saudáveis (23,55±1,88 anos), sendo dez que utilizam CO (GT) e dez que não utilizam CO (GC). Protocolos: teste ergoespirométrico (TE), em cicloergômetro para determinar a capacidade aeróbia no limiar de anaerobiose (LA) e no pico do exercício; captação da FC e dos intervalos R-R (iRR) nas posições supina e sentada durante 15 minutos; análise bioquímica de sangue. Os índices dos iRR(ms) foram analisados no domínio do tempo (DT), RMSSD, RMSM e pNN50( por cento) e no domínio da freqüência (DF), usando a transformada rápida de Fourier a partir das bandas de baixa freqüência (BF) e alta freqüência (AF), em unidades normalizadas (un), e a razão a BF/AF. Estatística: Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, α=5 por cento. RESULTADOS: Os níveis de triglicérides e de colesterol do GT foram superiores aos do GC (p<0,05). No LA e no pico do exercício, a potência (W), o consumo de oxigênio, a produção de dióxido de carbono, a razão VO2/VCO2, a ventilação pulmonar e a freqüência cardíaca (FC) foram semelhantes (p>0,05) entre os grupos. Os índices da VFC no DT e no DF da posição supina e sentada intergrupos foram semelhantes. CONCLUSÕES: O uso de CO não influenciou na capacidade aeróbia e na modulação autonômica da FC, mas influenciou nos níveis de colesterol total e triglicérides. Estas avaliações são importantes para a determinação de protocolos de treinamento físico na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of oral contraceptive use on lipid levels, heart rate (HR) variability and aerobic capacity among sedentary young women. METHODS: The subjects were 20 healthy women (23.55±1.88 years): ten used oral contraceptives (TG) and ten did not (CG). Ergospirometric test on a cycle ergometer was used to determine the aerobic capacity at the anaerobic threshold and at the exercise peak. In addition, recordings of HR and R-R (iRR) intervals in the supine and seated positions, for 15 minutes, and biochemical blood analysis were performed. The iRR (ms) indices were analyzed in the time domain (TD) for RMSSD, RMSM and pNN50 ( percent), and in the frequency domain (FD) using fast Fourier transforms from low (LF) and high (HF) frequency bands in normalized units, obtaining the LF/HF ratio. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, with α=5 percent, were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the TG were greater than those in the CG (p<0.05). At the anaerobic threshold and at the exercise peak, the power (W), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), (VO2/VCO2) ratio, pulmonary ventilation and HR were not significantly different between the groups. The indices for HR variability in the TD and FD for the two groups in the supine and seated positions were also not different. CONCLUSIONS: The use of oral contraceptives did not influence the aerobic capacity or the autonomic modulation of the HR. However, it influenced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These assessments are important for determining protocols for physical training for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Avaliação da modulação autonômica da freqüência cardíaca nas posturas supina e sentada de homens jovens sedentários / Evaluation of autonomic heart rate modulation among sedentary young men, in seated and supine postures

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar a modulação autonômica da freqüência cardíaca (FC) em repouso em relação à postura corporal em jovens sedentários. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 20 homens jovens (22,6 ± 2,5 anos), saudáveis e sedentários. A FC e os intervalos das ondas R (iR-R em ms) do eletrocardiograma (ECG) foram captados em tempo real na derivação DII modificada, com os voluntários em repouso nas posturas supina e sentada, durante 15 minutos. Os dados dos iR-R foram analisados, no domínio do tempo (DT), pelos índices RMSSD, RMSM e pNN50 ( por cento); e no domínio da freqüência (DF) pela análise espectral, transformada rápida de Fourier (FFT), pelas bandas de baixa freqüência (BF) e alta freqüência (AF), expressas em unidades normalizadas (un) e a razão BF/AF. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o teste de correlação Spearman e o teste de Wilcoxon para amostras pareadas com significância de alfa= 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: No DT, os índices RMSSD e pNN50 apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes na comparação entre as posturas supina e sentada (p< 0,05), e o RMSM não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre as posturas (p> 0,05). No DF, as bandas de BF, AF e a razão BF/AF apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação entre as posturas supina e sentada (p< 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram que, com a mudança postural, ocorreram ajustes autonômicos do sistema nervoso parassimpático e simpático sobre o controle da FC, o que pode ser atribuído à integridade do sistema neurocárdico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the autonomic heart rate (HR) modulation, under resting conditions in relation to body posture, in sedentary young adults. METHODS: Twenty young healthy and sedentary men aged 22.6 ± 2.5 years participated in the study. The HR and R-R intervals (in ms) of the electrocardiogram (EKG) were obtained in real time using the modified DII derivation, with the volunteers at rest in the supine and seated positions, for 15 minutes. The R-R data were analyzed in the time domain, by means of the RMSSD, RMSM and pNN50 ( percent) indices; and in the frequency domain, by means of spectral analysis and fast Fourier transforms (FFT), using low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands expressed as normalized units and as the LF/HF ratio. The statistical analysis consisted of the Spearman test for correlation analyses and the Wilcoxon test for paired samples, with significance of alpha= 5 percent. RESULTS: In the time domain, the RMSSD and pNN50 indices demonstrated statistically significant differences between the supine and seated positions (p< 0.05). The RMSM index did not showed any statistically significant difference between the positions (p> 0.05). In the frequency domain, the LF and HF bands and the LF/HF ratio demonstrated statistically significant differences between the supine and seated positions (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that, by changing the posture, autonomic adjustments were produced to the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems with regard to HR control. This can be attributed to the integrity of the neurocardiac system.

Synthesis and molecular structure of prolame, N-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17 beta-yl)-3-hydroxypropylamine; an amino-estrogen with prolonged anticoagulant and brief estrogenic effects.

The synthesis and molecular structure of prolame, N-(3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17 beta-yl)-3-hydroxypropylamine, is described. It was characterized by ir, nmr, mass spectrometry and chemical analysis. The crystal structure of this compound was determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction. Prolame belongs to space group P212121. Cell dimensions are: a = 8.356(2), b = 13.343(4) and c = 16.119(4) A. Z = 4; R = 4.1%.