Influence of heart failure (HF) comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and isolated forms of HF and COPD on cardiovascular function during hospitalization.

Introduction: Coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and heart failure(HF) is associated with systemic inflammation, myocardial injury, and arterial stiffening, impacting cardiovascular risk and prognosis in patients. Arterial stiffness, reduced nitric oxide synthesis, and altered cardiac autonomic control further link COPD and HF pathophysiology, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.

Objective: To investigate a cardiovascular profile in patients hospitalized with exacerbation COPD(ECOPD) in coexistence with HF compared with isolated diseases.

Discriminative value of pulse wave velocity for arterial stiffness and cardiac injury in prediabetic patients.

Background: Prediabetes (PD) is defined as impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and may be associated with high risk of cardiovascular injury. It is recommended that PD patients be screened for signs of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular injury to reinforce therapeutic strategies.

Objectives: To identify pulse wave velocity values discriminative for arterial stiffness and cardiovascular injury in PD patients.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of heart rate variability in COPD.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with disruption in autonomic nervous control of the heart rhythm. We present here quantitative evidence of the reduction in HRV measures as well as the challenges to clinical application of HRV in COPD clinics.

Method: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we search in June 2022 Medline and Embase databases for studies reporting HRV in COPD patients using relevant medical subject headings (MeSH) terms.

Respiratory and peripheral muscle strength influence recovery of exercise capacity after severe exacerbation of COPD? An observational prospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) have decreased exercise tolerance, which may persist for months. In this context, little is known about the associations between muscle strength and recovery of exercise capacity.

Objective: To assess whether respiratory and peripheral muscle strength influence recovery of exercise capacity in patients hospitalized due to AECOPD.

Comparing cardiac function and structure and their relationship with exercise capacity between patients with stable COPD and recent acute exacerbation: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Patients with COPD are prone to cardiac remodeling; however, little is known about cardiac function in patients recovering from an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and its association with exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac function and structure and to compare their relationship with exercise capacity in patients with a recent AECOPD and patients with clinically stable COPD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 40 COPD patients equally divided into two groups: recent AECOPD group (AEG) and clinically stable COPD group (STG).

Role of arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction on lower limb performance in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To verify whether arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction influence lower limb muscle strength and gait speed in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Cross-sectional study including seventy-eight older adults with T2DM (aged 67 ± 6 years and 42 % male). Arterial stiffness was assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV), while endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Functional Effects of Home-Based Exercise Training after COVID-19 Hospitalization.

Introduction: The present randomized, single-center, and single-blinded clinical trial tested the hypothesis that tele-supervised home-based exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals who were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Thirty-two individuals (52 ± 10 yr; 17 were female) randomly assigned to exercise ( n = 12) or control groups ( n = 20) had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand, timed up and go test, and 6-min walking test) assessed at baseline (30-45 d of hospital discharged) and after 12 wk of follow-up.

Results: Both groups similarly increased ( P < 0.

Can Previous Levels of Physical Activity Affect Risk Factors for Cardiorespiratory Diseases and Functional Capacity after COVID-19 Hospitalization? A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of previous levels of physical activity on hemodynamic, vascular, ventilatory, and functional outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization.

Methods: Sixty-three individuals with COVID-19 had their clinical status and previous levels (12 month) of physical activity (Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity) assessed at hospital admission. Individuals were then allocated to lower levels of physical activity (ACT; = 22), intermediate levels of physical activity (ACT; = 22), or higher levels of physical activity (ACT; = 19) groups, according to tertiles of physical activity.

Determinants of endothelial dysfunction in noncritically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19.

Methods: A total of 109 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in noncritical status were cross-sectionally studied. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, and medications) and BMI were assessed.

Brain-heart autonomic axis across different clinical status and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Impairment of cardiac autonomic integrity is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The influence of the interaction between clinical and severity status on brain-heart autonomic axis (BHAA) is not well known. We aimed to investigate the BHAA function across different clinical status and severity of COPD.

Noninvasive ventilation acutely improves endothelial function in exacerbated COPD patients.

Purpose: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, which can be linked to endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether noninvasive ventilation (NIV) acutely changes endothelial function in hospitalized AECOPD patients.

Methods: Twenty-one AECOPD patients were assessed in a hospital ward setting from 24 to 48 h after admission.

Association of exercise capacity and endothelial function in patients with severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are associated with significant poor outcomes including an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and exercise intolerance. Endothelial dysfunction might contribute to an impaired vascular homeostasis and consequently to CV events and exercise capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the association between exercise capacity and endothelial function in patients with severe AECOPD.

Effects of acute fluoride exposure on the jejunum and ileum of rats: Insights from proteomic and enteric innervation analysis.

Fluoride (F) is largely employed in dentistry, in therapeutic doses, to control caries. However, excessive intake may lead to adverse effects in the body. Since F is absorbed mostly from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), gastrointestinal symptoms are the first signs following acute F exposure.

Left Ventricular Geometry in COPD Patients: ARE THERE ASSOCIATIONS WITH AIRFLOW LIMITATION, FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY, AND GRIP STRENGTH?

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) geometry often coexist. This study aimed to verify whether LV geometry is associated with airflow obstruction, functional capacity, and grip strength in COPD patients.

Methods: Thirty-seven COPD patients (GOLD II, III, and IV) were allocated to three groups according to LV geometry as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography: normal (n = 13), concentric LV remodeling (n = 8), and concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) (n = 16).

Chronic treatment with fluoride affects the jejunum: insights from proteomics and enteric innervation analysis.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are the first signs of fluoride (F) toxicity. In the present study, the jejunum of rats chronically exposed to F was evaluated by proteomics, as well as by morphological analysis. Wistar rats received water containing 0, 10 or 50 mgF/L during 30 days.

Enteric innervation combined with proteomics for the evaluation of the effects of chronic fluoride exposure on the duodenum of rats.

Ingested fluoride (F) is absorbed mainly in the small intestine, which is controlled by the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). Although important intestinal symptomatology has been described after excessive F exposure, there have been no studies reporting the effects of F on the ENS. In this study, the effects of chronic F exposure were evaluated on the duodenums of rats through proteomic and morphological analyses.