Changes In Cardiovascular System Research Articles

Echocardiographic assessment of suspicious clinical and electrocardiogram findings of healthy young male military aspirants: a cross sectional observational study

ABSTRACTBackground: Heavy exercise is associated with multiple physiological changes in cardiovascular system. Individuals who otherwise are healthy and asymptomatic are also found to have cardiac abnormalities. The aim of study is to find prevalance of structural abnormalities in apparently healthy males who are found to have abnormal/ suspicious clinical/electrogram findings during routine screening. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was done in the department of cardiology within Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara over a period of 3 years (December 2013 to December 2016). The study population included all the participants who were apparently healthy young males competing for military recruitment. After the initial screening, those who had abnormal/suspicious findings in the physical examination or in ECG were subjected for trans-thoracic echocardiogram to assess for any structural abnormality Results: Out of 1950 individuals, who underwent physical examination and ECG, 165 had abnormal physical findings and 261 had abnormal ECG findings (21.84% of total had any form of abnormality). 72 (43%) had grade 2 short systolic murmur in the pulmonary area followed by pansystolic murmur in apex. Only 1.8% had diastolic murmur in aortic area. Most common ECG abnormality found was LVH followed by sinus bradycardia and Tinversion in III . Almost 7% of individuals with abnormal ECG findings. Only 16 (0.82% of the total screened/ 4.38% of suspicious findings) had structural abnormalities in echocardiography: 12 had RHD (MR-7, AR-3, R+AS+MR=2); 1 had ASD, 1 had VSD, 1 had Ebstein’s anomaly and 1 had mild valvular pulmonary stenosis (congenital). Conclusion: Individuals who are otherwise healthy and asymptomatic were found to have cardiac abnormality (almost 1.7% had serious electrical or structural abnormality). Cardiovascular screening of all the individuals seeking jobs requiring intense physical exertion is essential to prevent serious cardiovascular outcomes.Keywords: echocardiography; electrocardiography; intense exercise; physical cardiac findings.

Maternity Nurses’ Performance Regarding Management of the Intrapartum Woman With Cardiac Disease

Background: Cardiac disease in pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Effective management is based upon close fetal and maternal monitoring during pregnancy and labour. The aim of the present study was to evaluate maternity nurses’ performance regarding management of intrapartum woman with cardiac disease. Research design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized to fulfil the aim of the study. Sample: A convenient sample of a total 64 maternity nurses was included in the present study. Setting: The present study was conducted in Obstetrical and Gynecological Department at Benha University Hospital. Tools: Two tools were utilized for data collection. I-A structured interviewing questionnaire which include two parts; Part 1: Socio demographic characteristics. Part2: Assessment of nurses’ knowledge regarding cardiac disease during pregnancy and labour which includes Physiological changes of cardiovascular system during pregnancy. Causes and risk factors, etc. II-Maternity nurses' practice observational checklistwhich focus on management of cardiac women during labor including four stages of labour and Nursing care for moderate and high risk cases immediately after labour. Results: Shows significant improvement in nurses' knowledge 57.8% compared to 90.6% post intervention. Also, improvement is clear in satisfactory level of practice after intervention, in first stage for example was 32.8 % pre intervention compared to 87.5% post intervention. there were highly statistical significance differences between mean score of both knowledge and practice regarding management of intrapartum woman with cardiac diseases between the pre and post intervention phases (p<0.001).Conclusion: the study concluded that research hypotheses are supported and educational intervention had appositive effect on improvement nurses 'knowledge and practice and in turn their performance regarding management of intrapartum woman with cardiac diseases. Recommendation: Periodic educational program for nursing staff in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department regarding nursing care of cardiac patients.

Urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites associated with changes in clinical hemostatic and hematologic parameters in pregnant women

BackgroundExposure to phthalates, one kind of widely used plasticizers, has been demonstrated to be associated with some clinical hematological changes in circulatory system from animal studies and in vitro experiments, but their relations to hemostatic and hematologic changes in human are unknown. ObjectivesWe explored the relationships of urinary phthalate metabolites with clinical hemostatic and hematologic parameter changes in pregnant women. MethodsThe present study population included 1482 pregnant women drawn from an ongoing prospective birth cohort study in Wuhan, China. Eight urinary phthalate metabolites and eight blood clinical parameters, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fg), total white blood cell counts (WBC), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet counts (PLT) were measured in the late third trimester. The associations between phthalate metabolites and blood parameters were analyzed using general linear model. The odds ratios (ORs) for anemia during pregnancy associated with phthalates were also explored by using logistic regression models. ResultsAfter adjustment for false discovery rate, a significantly negative association between ln-transformed urinary mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) concentration and blood Fg, and a positive association between urinary mono-butyl phthalate (MBP) and APTT were found in this study. Higher concentrations of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) were associated with lower Hb concentrations. In addition, higher levels of MEHP, MEOHP and MECPP were also associated with increased likelihood of anemia. No significant associations were found between phthalates and other hematologic parameters. ConclusionsHigher urinary phthalate metabolites in late third trimester were associated with prolonged blood clotting time, decreased Hb concentrations, and increased likelihood of anemia in pregnant women. Further research is needed to replicate the observed findings and clarify the potential biological mechanism.

AN OVERTRAINING SYNDROME AS FUNCTIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDER DUE TO PHYSICAL OVERLOAD

In the article, an analysis provided of recent views on the overtraining syndrome by the data from local and foreign publications.The witness of the problem actuality is also an existence of controversial opinions and absence of clear definitions on properties of the condition. It has been revealed that the main role in pathogenesis of the overtraining syndrome do play the changes of cardiovascular, endocrine and central nervous systems. These changes are complicated and ambiguous, depend upon multiple factors, as the type of sport, specifics of exertion and loads, stage of pathophysiological process. Entraining effect of exertion, if incorrectly utilized, underestimation of current condition of a sportsman, might not lead to expected results. Moreover, non-rational application of exertion might lead to opposite effect, that is, to decrease adaptation potential and reserves, towards the edge of the condition as an overtraining syndrome, which shows phasic, progressing character, starting from fatigue and mild disorders, to persistent, rigidly reversible processes.Due to controversy, multiple stages and multifactorial of the overtraining syndrome, by now there is no unified approach to its definition, as no unified standards to its diagnostics, treatment and prevention.

Functional Neuroimaging of Nociceptive and Pain-Related Activity in the Spinal Cord and Brain: Insights From Neurovascular Coupling Studies.

Spinal cord and brain processes underlie pain perception, which produces systemic cardiovascular changes. In turn, the autonomic nervous system regulates vascular function in the spinal cord and brain in order to adapt to these systemic changes, while neuronal activity induces local vascular changes. Thus, autonomic regulation and pain processes in the brain and spinal cord are tightly linked and interrelated. The objective of this topical review is to discuss work on neurovascular coupling during nociceptive processing in order to highlight supporting evidence and limitations for the use of cerebral and spinal fMRI to investigate pain mechanisms and spinal nociceptive processes. Work on functional neuroimaging of pain is presented and discussed in relation to available neurovascular coupling studies and related issues. Perspectives on future work are also discussed with an emphasis on differences between the brain and the spinal cord and on different approaches that may be useful to improve current methods, data analyses and interpretation. In summary, this review highlights the lack of data on neurovascular coupling during nociceptive stimulation and indicates that hemodynamic and BOLD responses measured with fMRI may be biased by nonspecific vascular changes. Future neuroimaging studies on nociceptive and pain-related processes would gain further understanding of neurovascular coupling in the brain and spinal cord and should take into account the effects of systemic vascular changes that may affect hemodynamic responses. Anat Rec, 301:1585-1595, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Heart rate variability in healthy term newborns is related to delivery mode: a prospective observational study

BackgroundEarly postnatal period is characterized by dramatic adaptation changes of cardiovascular and respiratory systems in newborns. There is still insufficient data regarding maturation of autonomic regulatory mechanisms in neonates early after delivery. Aim of this study was to analyze cardiac autonomic regulation in newborns within the first few postnatal days in relation to different modes of delivery using time and spectral heart rate variability analysis.MethodsEutrophic healthy term newborns (n = 46) were divided into three groups according to the delivery mode: vaginal delivery (VD group; n = 16), vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia (EDA group; n = 16), and caesarean section under general anesthesia (CS group; n = 14). Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured within the first two hours after birth and on the third to fourth postnatal day. HRV parameters were evaluated in the time domain (RR intervals, mean square of successive differences – MSSD) and frequency domain (total spectral power – TP, absolute and relative low and high frequency powers).ResultsThe HRV spectral analysis showed significantly higher relative power of the high-frequency band (HF%) in the VD group compared to the CS group early after delivery (p = 0.002). HRV parameters and BP significantly increased on the third to fourth postnatal day in all groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences in basic characteristics, BP and SpO2 were identified between groups during both measurements.ConclusionsHRV analysis revealed higher cardiovagal modulation in spontaneously born newborns without analgesia compared to neonates born by caesarean section. It could represent a potential pathomechanism that leads to discrete abnormal neurocardiac regulation associated with higher risk for worsened postnatal adaptation of cardiovascular system in surgically delivered neonates.

Cardiovascular system changes in rheumatoid arthritis patients with continued low disease activity

Systemic inflammation and disease activity seem to contribute to excessive prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) diseases (CVDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the study was to assess chosen CV parameters in RA patients who have continuous low disease activity. The study group consisted of 70 RA patients without known CVD and 33 healthy controls, of a comparable age. All RA patients had continued low disease activity (DAS28 ≤ 3.2) from 2 to 7 years. The groups were assessed for: blood pressure, serum amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), electrocardiography (ECG), ejection fraction (EJ) and diastolic dysfunction (E/A ratio) in echocardiography. In RA patients in comparison with controls, significantly greater values of cIMT [0.83 (0.21) vs 0.62 (0.1) mm, p < 0.001] were found, as well as higher incidence of atherosclerotic plaques [43 (61.4%) vs 10 (30.3%), p = 0.003], prolonged QTc interval [439.6 (23.7) vs 414.0 (27.9) ms, p < 0.001]. High or very high Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) was found in 32.9% of patients with RA and increased serum NT-proBNP in 71.4%. The mean values of CV parameters (cIMT, E/A, NT-proBNP, SCORE) were associated with age, disease duration, rheumatoid factor (RF-IgM), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The results of our study indicate, that RA with continued low disease activity is associated with atherosclerosis and heart dysfunction. Strong relationships were found between CV parameters and patients’ age, disease duration. Deterioration of CV parameters was associated with higher DAS28, ESR, RF-IgM concentration and bone erosions.

Pathophysiologic aspects of the development of cognitive disorders in chronic heart failure in elderly patients

The present literature review presents current views on pathophysiologic aspects of the formation and progression of cognitive disorders in chronic heart failure in elderly patients. Advanced age itself is an important predictor of the development of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and other diseases. Involutive changes of cardiovascular system are known to potentiate the development of chronic heart failure. Heart failure in older people usually develops gradually. Formation of the cognitive deficit in heart disease is associated with chronic cerebral ischemia as well as a cascade of neurochemical processes occurring in the brain, eventually forming a vicious circle. Often the symptoms of cerebral ischemia due to reduced stroke volume occur much earlier than congestion signs in other organs and systems. Chronic cerebral ischemia that occurs due to violation of cerebral hemodynamics, is associated with both extracerebral and intracerebral causes, which in turn contributes to the development of chronic brain hypoxia and aggravation of cognitive dysfunction. Thus, the features of the development and course of disease in people of older age groups indicate that in geriatric practice existing diagnostic schemes are not always applicable. When observing patients of elderly and senile age with chronic heart failure, during the assessment of their condition and running diagnostic tests, special attention should be payed to the earliest detection of cognitive dysfunction signs in order to correct the patient's treatment and improve quality of life.

Serum nitric oxide levels in healthy pregnant women: a case- control study in a tertiary facility in Ghana

BackgroundPregnancy is associated with significant changes in maternal cardiovascular system which regulates oxygen and nutrient supply to the growing foetus. Nitric oxide, a physiologic vascular smooth muscle relaxant regulates blood flow and therefore may play a role in the cardiovascular changes in pregnancy. The study aimed to determine the levels and changes in maternal serum nitric oxide levels during healthy pregnancy.MethodsA case-control study was conducted among 32 healthy non-pregnant women as controls and 100 healthy pregnant women (consisting of 33 first trimester, 37 s trimester, and 30 third trimester) as cases. Subjects were consecutively recruited into the study after obtaining an informed consent and meeting the inclusion criteria. Griess Reagent method was used to determine serum nitric oxide levels.ResultsThere were no statistically significant difference in the ages and parity of recruited cases and controls. Mean arterial blood pressures were significantly lower (p = 0.009) and serum nitric oxide levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in healthy pregnant women compared to healthy non-pregnant women. There was a non-significant progressive increase in serum nitric oxide levels during healthy normal pregnancy.ConclusionsThe finding of a significantly reduced blood pressures and a significant increase in serum nitric oxide levels in healthy pregnancy may suggest a role of nitric oxide in vascular adaptation in pregnancy.

The cardiovascular system in patients with functional and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Identification of subclinical and metamanifests state changes of cardiovascular system in patients with functional and inflammatory bow- el diseases (IBD) without a background of cardiac pathology. Was examined 79 patients with colon diseases, 20 patients were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea, a 37 - undifferentiated colitis (UdC) and 22 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). As a control group were examined in 50 healthy subjects. All patients received treatment in accordance with international and national guidelines. Prescribed medications had effect on the function of the cardiovascular system. Patients with contacting the hospital and against the onset of remission was performed ultrasound of the heart. Determines the size of the left atrium, heart rate, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction (EF), cardiac index (CI), to- tal peripheral vascular resistance, the presence of right heart failure, blood flow, the area of the right atrium and right ventricle in systole and diastole, and calculated the proportion of contractility of the right atrium and right ventricle. Determined systolic pressure in PA (SPPA), the average pressure in PA (SPPA). Clinical manifestations of cardiac syndrome was identified in 75,0% of patients with IBS, 54,1% of patients NK and 68,2% patients with UC. When performing correlation analysis in the patients with UdC and UC was noted the relationship of hemodynamic parameters and disease severity was more pronounced in UC. So, when comparing the duration of the disease and levels of the MLC - r=0,52 and r=0,73 (p&lt;0,05), EF - r=-0,51 and r=-0,71 (p&lt;0,05), CI - r=0,49 and r=0,70 (p&lt;0,05), heart rate - r=0,47, r=0,68 (p&lt;0,05); duration of stay in hospi- tal and the magnitudes of MLC - r=0,54 and r=0,77 (p&lt;0,05), EF - r=-0,51 and r=-0,71 (p&lt;0.05), CI - r=0,55 and r=0,73 (p&lt;0,05), heart rate - r=0,47, r=0,63 (p&lt;0,05). For patients with UC, we noted the presence of correlation when the average frequency of exacerbations per year and the values of the MLC - r=0,53 (p&lt;0,05), EF - r=-0,55 (p&lt;0,05), heart rate: r=0,54 (p&lt;0,05); severity of UC and EF (r=-0,67; p&lt;0,05). A statistically significant correlation of changes in EF and value SPPA and APPA, aggravated by the deepening severity of the disease. So, for IBS - r=-0,46, and r=-0,48 (p&lt;0,05); for NK - r=-0,51 and r=-0,59 (p&lt;0,05); for the UC - r=-0,62, and r=-0,67 (p&lt;0,05). In the analysis of duration of hospitalization, and values SPPA and APPA for patients with IBS - r=0.48 and r=0.46 (p&lt;0,05); with UdC - r=0,50 and r=0,53 (p&lt;0,05); with UC - r=0,59 and r=0,62 (p&lt;0,05). Sick UC was characterized by the greatest dilatation of RA and RV with access from outside the variations of the norms of 90.9 and 68.2 per cent, a significant decrease dRA and dRV. Discovered correlation of the squares of PP and SDL - r=0,48, r=0,54 and r=0,61 (p&lt;0,05); APPA - r=0,50, r=0,56 and r=0,63 (p&lt;0,05); RV areas and levels SPPA - r=0,45, r=0,50 and r=0.52 (p&lt;0,05); and APPA - r=0,46, r=0,47 r=0,53 (p&lt;0,05). When analyzing the values of the squares of the pancreas and MLC - r=0,47 r=0,54 and r=0,61 (p&lt;0,05), levels of EF and dRV - r=0,41, r=0,50 and r=0,56 (p&lt;0,05). Cardiac syndrome in patients with IBS and IBD without a background of cardiac pathology can occur in the form of subclinical or manifested weakly, but persistent changes that may not be recognized, but in the future may complicate the course of the underlying dis- ease, necessitating research to develop tactics to correct them.

ECG changes in patients with primary hyperthyroidism.

IntroductionThyroid hormones plays key role in regulating cardiovascular system. Its imbalance leads to various electrophysiological changes in cardiovascular system. This study was done to determine the frequency of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in patients with primary hyperthyroidism.MethodsIt was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Medicine, Medical Unit III, Ward-7, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from October 2013 to April 2014. A total of 103 patients newly diagnosed with primary hyperthyroidism were included in this study. Venous blood samples were collected for T3, T3, TSH analyzed by radioimmunoassay. ECG was performed. Outcome variables were the ECG changes i.e. sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.ResultsThe average age of the patients was 30.09±5.57 years (95%CI: 29 to 31.18). Out of 103 cases, 19 (18.45%) were male and 84 (81.55%) were female. Sinus tachycardia was observed in 60.19% (62/103) patients whereas atrial fibrillation was found in 11.65 (12/103) of cases.ConclusionIn this study frequency of electrocardiographic changes in term of sinus tachycardia was high. This report has emphasized the importance of thyrotoxicosis as a cause of cardiac morbidity and mortality in patients with thyrotoxicosis. These cardiac complications are readily reversible if timely optimal treatment is offered.

The Cardiac Function in the Beach Chair Position under General Anesthesia

Background: Shoulder surgery is performed in the beach chair position (BCP). The systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) must be increased to prevent cerebral hypoperfusion. However, it is not clear how the cardiac function is affected when BP increase to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure in anesthetized patients. Methods: An analysis was performed using the data from 13 patients. We prepared a parallel circuit using a FloTrac Sensor transducer and an arterial BP transducer. Following the transfer of the patient to the BCP under general anesthesia, the FloTrac Sensor transducer was placed at the level of the fourth intercostal space, the arterial BP transducer was placed at the external auditory meatus level. We selected two points before surgery (120 s apart), during which the mean arterial BP (mABP) at the level of the brain was stable and at which the values in the supine position and the BCP were within 5 mmHg. Results: While the patients were in the supine position, the mean mABP at the mid-axillary level was 65.7 mmHg. In the BCP, the mean mABP was 66.5 mmHg at the external auditory meatus and 80.7 mmHg at the fourth intercostal space. The cardiac index changed from 2.2 (supine position) to 2.5 l/min/m2 (BCP). The stroke volume index was significantly increased from 35.8 to 42.3 ml/m2 (P = 0.003). The heart rate changed from 63.0 to 58.6 beats/min. The stroke volume variation was significantly decreased from 12.4% to 8.8% (P = 0.024). Conclusion: In order to ensure patient safety, close attention should be paid to the systemic cardiovascular changes that occur when the BP is increased.

PROBLEMS OF PREVENTION OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Currently, in connection with the development of methods for genetic studies, increased attention to the problem of sudden death and its prevention. The majority of stops cardiac activity occur without prior symptoms and is almost always fatal despite resuscitation. At a young age cause of sudden cardiac death often remains unclear even after autopsy, because some diseases, such as channelopathies, or drug-arrhythmia, not associated with any structural changes of the cardiovascular system and result in death in this age group. In recent years, technological progress in the field of genetics has facilitated the study of a large number of genes, which allowed to map several key genes with the reasons for the development of sudden cardiac death, which may allow the stratification of risk in young individuals based on the genetic data (2 figs, bibliography: 38 refs).

Monotherapy of experimental metabolic syndrome: II. Study of cardiovascular effects.

Metabolic syndrome belongs to the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in cardiovascular system induced by high cholesterol and high fat diet (HCHF) in HTG rats and their influence by a pyridoindole antioxidant – SMe1EC2 (S). The effects of S were compared with those of atorvastatin (A). Male HTG rats were fed HCHF (1% cholesterol + 7.5% lard) for 4 weeks. S and A were administered p.o., 50 mg/kg b.w. Following experimental groups were used: Wistar rats (W), hypertriglyceridemic rats (HTG), HTG rats fed HCHF (CHOL), HTG+S (S-HTG), CHOL+S (S-CHOL), and CHOL+A (A-CHOL). Values of blood pressure (BP) and selected ECG parameters were monitored in conscious animals, functions of the isolated heart and aorta were analyzed ex vivo. At the end of the experiment, systolic (sBP) and diastolic (dBP) blood pressure was increased in HTG and CHOL. S and A decreased BP in all treated groups. Accordingly with BP changes, the aortic endothelial function of CHOL was damaged. Both S and A administration ameliorated the endothelium-dependent relaxation to values of W. PQ and QTc intervals were prolonged in CHOL, while the treatment with S or A improved ECG findings. Prodysrhythmogenic threshold was decreased significantly in CHOL and both treatments returned it to the control values. In conclusion, HCHF increased BP, impaired endothelial relaxation of the aorta and potentiated susceptibility of myocardium to dysrhythmias. The effect of S on the changes induced by HCHF diet was more pronounced than that of A.

Study Progress of Physiological Responses in High Temperature Environment

Certain workers are exposed to high temperatures for a long time. Heat stress will result in a series of physiological responses, and cause adverse effects on the health and safety of workers. This paper summarizes the physiological changes of cardiovascular system, core temperature, skin temperature, water-electrolyte metabolism, alimentary system, neuroendocrine system, reaction time and thermal fatigue in high temperature environments. It can provide a theoretical guidance for labor safety in high temperature environment.

Tractor Noise Levels Impact on Operator Safety

Acoustic noise is one of the most persistent pitfalls of the operators of construction, mining and agricultural machineries, predominantly hearing loss or weak hearing. Also noise include decreased productivity, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure, startle reaction, and other cardiovascular and psychophysiological system changes (Mansoor, et al. 2011, 2012). The aim of this reaserch was to investigate the impact of noise levels emitted from the agricultural tractors under field operations on the operator safety. Three types of tractors used in this study were Nasr, Belarus and Universal/UTB (Romani). They are without cabin and represent about 76% of the total number of tractors used in Egypt (Economic affair sector, 2012). The noise emitted from them was monitored and evaluated under plowing and land leveling operations as a heavy duty operation field. The data was collected at different engine speed and gears as recommended by the operator for each operation. Measurements of noise levels were taken with the use of Cirrus CR 110A doseBadge and RC 110A reader unit. The noise level measurements were performed in accordance with the Egyptian environmental law (EEL) number 4/1994 modified issue in 2012. Results show that the sound pressure level (SPL) in operator ear and the noise dose % from all tractors under all cases were more than EEL allowable 90 dBA criterion level for 8 hour of operation. The obtained results indicated that the noise levels with “A” frequency weighting (LAeqdB) for all tractors loaded with chisel plow were the highest measured values. The noise levels emitted from the Nasr tractor were the highest and ranged from 102 to 107 dBA, for Belarus tractor were ranged from 99 to 105 dBA and for UTB tractor were ranged from 96 to 104 dBA. The daily noise exposure levels (Lex(8)dB) from Nasr, Belarus and UTB tractors were 105, 102 and 100 dBA and the corresponding noise dose % as function of equivalent-continuous sound pressure level were 800%, 560% and 400% respectively. The results showed that there was highly significant difference in the systolic blood pressure (SBP) before and after work shift. Similar results were found for the diastolic blood pressure (DBP). For the classification of blood pressure among the operators before and after work shift, majority of the operators was under stage one hypertension (64.5 %), followed by pre-hypertension (28.4 %) and stage two hypertension (7.1%). This study showed that there was association between noise exposure and blood pressure among the operators. It is recommended that; the tractors operators must use one of hear protecting tool to increase working hours, arrange work schedules to let operators exchange work activities so that no one person is exposed to the noise for more than permissible hours in one day and proved tractors with a cabin for the tractors types under this study.

Emerging Data Show E-Cigarettes May Pose Heart Risk.

The use of e-cigarettes likely poses a risk to heart health based on emerging data that suggest it increases cardiovascular risk factors. E-cigarettes are often promoted as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes or even as a cessation tool. The perception that these devices are safer than cigarettes has led to a surge in their use. A 2016 report from the US Surgeon General, for example, noted that 1 in 6 teens now uses e-cigarettes, even as use of traditional cigarettes has dropped in this age group. This has canceled out some of the gains in reducing youth use of nicotine-containing products, explained Holly R. Middlekauff, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles. > “People who wouldn’t have used tobacco products in the past are using e-cigarettes now probably because they think they are harmless,” she said. However, limited data are available on the health effects of e-cigarettes, particularly the long-term effects of exposure, which could take decades to fully understand. Preliminary studies, however, have suggested that e-cigarette use may cause cardiovascular system changes that have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk. > “The main message is they are not harmless,” Middlekauf said. Preliminary studies suggest that e-cigarettes may be associated with heart risks. In an e-cigarette, nicotine is heated …

Developmental transcriptomic analyses for mechanistic insights into critical pathways involved in embryogenesis of pelagic mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus).

Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is a commercially and ecologically important species of fish occurring in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Understanding early life events is crucial for predicting effects of environmental stress, which is largely restricted by a lack of genetic resources regarding expression of early developmental genes and regulation of pathways. The need for anchoring developmental stages to transcriptional activities is highlighted by increasing evidence on the impacts of recurrent worldwide oil spills in this sensitive species during early development. By means of high throughput sequencing, we characterized the developmental transcriptome of mahi-mahi at three critical developmental stages, from pharyngula embryonic stage (24 hpf) to 48 hpf yolk-sac larva (transition 1), and to 96 hpf free-swimming larva (transition 2). With comparative analysis by multiple bioinformatic tools, a larger number of significantly altered genes and more diverse gene ontology terms were observed during transition 2 than transition 1. Cellular and tissue development terms were more significantly enriched in transition 1, while metabolism related terms were more enriched in transition 2, indicating a switch progressing from general embryonic development to metabolism during the two transitions. Special focus was given on the most significant common canonical pathways (e.g. calcium signaling, glutamate receptor signaling, cAMP response element-binding protein signaling, cardiac β-adrenergic signaling, etc.) and expression of developmental genes (e.g. collagens, myosin, notch, glutamate metabotropic receptor etc.), which were associated with morphological changes of nervous, muscular, and cardiovascular system. These data will provide an important basis for understanding embryonic development and identifying molecular mechanisms of abnormal development in fish species.

Hemodynamic adaptation to training in visually-impaired professional tandem cyclists

Cycling is one of the disciplines with the greatest training-induced volumetric changes in cardiovascular systems. The aim of the study was to evaluate the hemodynamic adaptation to 7-month routine training in athletes with and without severe visual impairment. The study involved 26 men: visually-impaired (VI) (N.=13; 37±12.2 years) and properly-sighted (PS) (N.=13; 41±12.8 years) elite tandem-cycling athletes. They underwent hemodynamic variables monitoring at rest and during exercise test by impedance cardiography (ICG), before (in the middle of the transition period) and after 7-month cycling training (at the beginning of the competitive period). At baseline, there were no statistically significant differences in hemodynamic variables between studied groups (P>0.05) apart from ejection fraction (EF) (P=0.010). After training, there was an increase in SVpeak (for PS: 146.46±7.10 mL vs. 169.69±5.19 mL; for VI: 147.53±9.55 mL vs. 160.07±12.27 mL), COpeak (for PS: 26.21±1.32 L/min vs. 30.65±0.94 L/min; for VI: 25.08±1.72 L/min vs. 27.95±2.17 L/min) and EFpeak (for PS: 65.46±2.04% vs. 71.92±2.36%; for VI: 61.46±2.19% vs. 65.538±2.895%). The decrease in HRrest (for PS: 74.91±2.8 bpm vs. 69.61±3.3 bpm; for VI: 76.7±3.8 bpm vs. 72.22±3.2 bpm) and SVRpeak (for PS: 311.92±20.48 PRU vs. 263.00±11.69 PRU; for VI: 365.46±24.26 PRU vs. 315.38±19.07 PRU) was also noted. VI and PS tandem cyclists showed similar improvement in majority of hemodynamic variables (mainly volumetric changes). Severe visual impairment does not limit health benefits of regular physical activity. This could be the starting point to motivate inactive VI people to physical activity.

Involvement of rest diastolic arterial pressure in autonomic heart rate recovery from exercise in normotensive men

OBJECTIVE: Rest arterial pressure has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular mortality. Autonomic heart rate control during recovery from exercise is estimated to detect changes in cardiovascular system, which may lead to cardiovascular diseases. We assessed the involvement of rest diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) on heart rate dynamics after exercise in normotensive physically active men. METHOD: We evaluated healthy physically active men aged 18 to 22 years old divided into two unequal groups: G1- rest DAP between 80 and 90 mmHg (N=11) and G2- rest DAP < 80mmHg (N=24). Volunteers performed physical exercise on a treadmill with intensity equivalent to 60% of Vmax. Heart rate recovery in the first (HRR1) and third (HRR3) minute after exercise were measured and heart rate variability (HRV) was examined in the time and frequency domain. Additionally, we performed the quantitative analysis of the Poincare plot. HRV was recorded in the following phases: the 10-minute period before exercise, during exercise and the 60 minute period after exercise. RESULTS: We found no significant difference between G1 and G2 concerning HRV changes during exercise. The G2 group exhibited a delayed recovery of SDNN, RMSSD, RRTri, LF, HF, LF/HF, SD1 and SD2 indices during recovery from exercise. HRR1 and HRR3 was greater in the G2 group. CONCLUSION: Normotensive physically active men with DAP between 80 and 90 mmHg presented faster heart rate recovery and an accelerated recovery of heart rate autonomic control after aerobic exercise.