The Association Between Intra-abdominal Pressure and Diuretic Response in Heart Failure.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: An efficient diuretic response is vital during cardiac decompensation in heart failure (HF) patients. The increase in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) could be one of the keys for understanding cardiorenal syndrome and guiding diuretic treatment during hospitalization. In this review, we analyze the relationship between IAP and diuretic response in HF patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased IAP is associated with worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with advanced HF. Furthermore, the persistence of a rise in IAP after the first 72 h of intravenous diuretic treatment has been correlated with a worse diuretic response, a higher degree of congestion, and an impaired prognosis. The rise in IAP in HF patients has been associated with impaired renal function and a lower diuretic response. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to elucidate the actual role of IAP in congestive nephropathy and whether it may help guide diuretic therapy during acute decompensations.

Using deep learning for pruning region detection and plant organ segmentation in dormant spur-pruned grapevines.

Even though mechanization has dramatically decreased labor requirements, vineyard management costs are still affected by selective operations such as winter pruning. Robotic solutions are becoming more common in agriculture, however, few studies have focused on grapevines. This work aims at fine-tuning and testing two different deep neural networks for: (i) detecting pruning regions (PRs), and (ii) performing organ segmentation of spur-pruned dormant grapevines. The Faster R-CNN network was fine-tuned using 1215 RGB images collected in different vineyards and annotated through bounding boxes. The network was tested on 232 RGB images, PRs were categorized by wood type (W), orientation (Or) and visibility (V), and performance metrics were calculated. PR detection was dramatically affected by visibility. Highest detection was associated with visible intermediate complex spurs in Merlot (0.97), while most represented coplanar simple spurs allowed a 74% detection rate. The Mask R-CNN network was trained for grapevine organs (GOs) segmentation by using 119 RGB images annotated by distinguishing 5 classes (cordon, arm, spur, cane and node). The network was tested on 60 RGB images of light pruned (LP), shoot-thinned (ST) and unthinned control (C) grapevines. Nodes were the best segmented GOs (0.88) and general recall was higher for ST (0.85) compared to C (0.80) confirming the role of canopy management in improving performances of hi-tech solutions based on artificial intelligence. The two fine-tuned and tested networks are part of a larger control framework that is under development for autonomous winter pruning of grapevines. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11119-023-10006-y.

Comparative assessment of satellite- and drone-based vegetation indices to predict arthropod biomass in shrub-steppes.

Arthropod biomass is a key element in ecosystem functionality and a basic food item for many species. It must be estimated through traditional costly field sampling, normally at just a few sampling points. Arthropod biomass and plant productivity should be narrowly related because a large majority of arthropods are herbivorous, and others depend on these. Quantifying plant productivity with satellite or aerial vehicle imagery is an easy and fast procedure already tested and implemented in agriculture and field ecology. However, the capability of satellite or aerial vehicle imagery for quantifying arthropod biomass and its relationship with plant productivity has been scarcely addressed. Here, we used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite Sentinel-2 (S2) imagery to establish a relationship between plant productivity and arthropod biomass estimated through ground-truth field sampling in shrub steppes. We UAV-sampled seven plots of 47.6-72.3 ha at a 4-cm pixel resolution, subsequently downscaling spatial resolution to 50 cm resolution. In parallel, we used S2 imagery from the same and other dates and locations at 10-m spatial resolution. We related several vegetation indices (VIs) with arthropod biomass (epigeous, coprophagous, and four functional consumer groups: predatory, detritivore, phytophagous, and diverse) estimated at 41-48 sampling stations for UAV flying plots and in 67-79 sampling stations for S2. VIs derived from UAV were consistently and positively related to all arthropod biomass groups. Three out of seven and six out of seven S2-derived VIs were positively related to epigeous and coprophagous arthropod biomass, respectively. The blue normalized difference VI (BNDVI) and enhanced normalized difference VI (ENDVI) showed consistent and positive relationships with arthropod biomass, regardless of the arthropod group or spatial resolution. Our results showed that UAV and S2-VI imagery data may be viable and cost-efficient alternatives for quantifying arthropod biomass at large scales in shrub steppes. The relationship between VI and arthropod biomass is probably habitat-dependent, so future research should address this relationship and include several habitats to validate VIs as proxies of arthropod biomass.

FET family fusion oncoproteins target the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.

Members of the human FET family of RNA-binding proteins, comprising FUS, EWSR1, and TAF15, are ubiquitously expressed and engage at several levels of gene regulation. Many sarcomas and leukemias are characterized by the expression of fusion oncogenes with FET genes as 5' partners and alternative transcription factor-coding genes as 3' partners. Here, we report that the N terminus of normal FET proteins and their oncogenic fusion counterparts interact with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. In contrast to normal FET proteins, increased fractions of FET oncoproteins bind SWI/SNF, indicating a deregulated and enhanced interaction in cancer. Forced expression of FET oncogenes caused changes of global H3K27 trimethylation levels, accompanied by altered gene expression patterns suggesting a shift in the antagonistic balance between SWI/SNF and repressive polycomb group complexes. Thus, deregulation of SWI/SNF activity could provide a unifying pathogenic mechanism for the large group of tumors caused by FET fusion oncoproteins. These results may help to develop common strategies for therapy.

Elderly patients with atrial fibrillation in routine clinical practice-peri-procedural management of edoxaban oral anticoagulation therapy is associated with a low risk of bleeding and thromboembolic complications: a subset analysis of the prospective, observational, multinational EMIT-AF study.

BACKGROUND: Annually > 10% of patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation undergo invasive procedures. Optimal peri-procedural management of anticoagulation, as judged by major bleeding and thromboembolic events, especially in the elderly, is still debated. METHODS: Procedures from 1442 patients were evaluated. Peri-procedural edoxaban management was guided only by the experience of the attending physician. The primary safety outcome was the rate of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included the peri-procedural administration of edoxaban, other bleeding events, and the main efficacy outcome, a composite of acute coronary syndrome, non-hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolic events, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 1442 patients, 280 (19%) were < 65, 550 (38%) were 65-74, 514 (36%) 75-84, and 98 (7%) were 85 years old or older. With increasing age, comorbidities and risk scores were higher. Any bleeding complications were uncommon across all ages, ranging from 3.9% in patients < 65 to 4.1% in those 85 years or older; major bleeding rates in any age group were ≤ 0.6%. Interruption rates and duration increased with advancing age. Thromboembolic events were more common in the elderly, with all nine events occurring in those > 65, and seven in patients aged > 75 years. CONCLUSION: Despite increased bleeding risk factors in the elderly, bleeding rates were small and similar across all age groups. However, there was a trend toward more thromboembolic complications with advancing age. Further efforts to identify the optimal management to reduce ischemic complications are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT# 02950168, October 31, 2016.

The protective effect of extra-virgin olive oil in the experimental model of multiple sclerosis in the rat.

This study has evaluated the effect of EVOO (Extra-Virgin olive oil), OA (oleic acid) and HT (hydroxytyrosol) in an induced model of MS through experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Dark Agouti 2-month old rats (25 males) were divided into five groups: (i) control group, (ii) EAE group, (iii) EAE+EVOO, (iv) EAE+HT, and (v) EAE+OA. At 65 days, the animals were sacrificed and the glutathione redox system and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP) products of the microbiota in brain, spinal cord, and blood were evaluated.Gastric administration of EVOO, OA, and HT reduced the degree of lipid and protein oxidation, and increased glutathione peroxidase, making it a diet-based mechanism for enhancing protection against oxidative damage. In addition, it reduced the levels of LPS and LBP, which appeared as being increased in the EAE correlated with the oxidative stress produced by the disease.

Pediatric Barcelona Olfactory Test ̶ 6 (pBOT-6): Validation of a Combined Odor Identification and Threshold Screening Test in Healthy Spanish Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Few odor tests have been developed for children. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a simple and quick olfactory test to evaluate odor identification and threshold in a Spanish pediatric population. METHODS: The Pediatric Barcelona Olfactory Test-6 (pBOT-6) consisted of a set of 6 odorants for a forced choice identification test and a 6-dilution phenyl ethyl alcohol geometric series for the threshold test. The pBOT-6 was compared with the Universal Sniff test (a validated international pediatric smell test) in 131 healthy Spanish volunteers aged 6-17 years. A Bland-Altman plot was used to determine the agreement between the 2 tests. Reliability was analyzed in 15 volunteers using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Normative data were obtained, and 8 children diagnosed with subjective loss of smell were tested for validation. RESULTS: The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a minimal bias of -1.71% with upper and lower limits of agreement of -31.1% and 27.6%, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.83 (95%CI, 0.6-0.96) for the identification test and 0.73 (95%CI, 0.36-0.9) for the threshold test, with excellent and good consistency between measurements over time. Mean pBOT-6 scores were significantly higher in healthy volunteers than in patients with loss of smell. Discrimination between normosmia and loss of smell was achieved with a sensitivity of 96.9% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: pBOT-6 offers an effective and fast method that is useful in clinical routine to distinguish, with high sensitivity and specificity, between pediatric patients with normosmia and those with loss of smell.

Smell and Taste Dysfunction in COVID-19 Is Associated With Younger Age in Ambulatory Settings: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Since the initial anecdotal reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from China, a growing number of studies have reported on smell and/or taste dysfunction (STD). Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency and severity of STD in COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the association with demographic characteristics, hospital admission, symptoms, comorbidities, and blood biomarkers. METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study on patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n=846) and controls (n=143) from 15 Spanish hospitals. Data on STD were collected prospectively using an in-person survey. The severity of STD was categorized using a visual analog scale. We analyzed time to onset, recovery rate, time to recovery, hospital admission, pneumonia, comorbidities, smoking, and symptoms. RESULTS: STD was at least 2-fold more common in COVID-19-positive patients than in controls. COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients were older, with a lower frequency of STD, and recovered earlier than outpatients. Analysis stratified by severity of STD showed that more than half of COVID-19 patients presented severe loss of smell (53.7%) or taste (52.2%); both senses were impaired in >90%. In the multivariate analysis, older age (>60 years), being hospitalized, and increased C-reactive protein were associated with a better sense of smell and/or taste. COVID-19-positive patients reported improvement in smell (45.6%) and taste (46.1%) at the time of the survey; in 90.6% this was within 2 weeks of infection. CONCLUSION: STD is a common symptom in COVID-19 and presents mainly in young and nonhospitalized patients. More studies are needed to evaluate follow-up of chemosensory impairment.

A tissue-mimicking prostate phantom for 980 nm laser interstitial thermal therapy.

Purpose: To develop a phantom with optical and thermal properties matched to human prostate. This phantom will provide a platform for the development and characterization of 980 nm laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) systems. Methods: A polyacrylamide gel was doped with Naphthol Green B, Intralipid, and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). The necessary concentration of each ingredient was determined by measuring the optical properties via fluence measurements and light diffusion theory. LITT was then performed under the same conditions as a previous clinical trial in which temperature was monitored via a thermal probe. The thermal data and induced coagulation zone were compared to clinical data to illustrate the similarity between the phantom and patient. LITT was also performed under magnetic resonance thermometry (MRT). Results: The requisite concentrations of Naphthol Green B, Intralipid and BSA were found to be 0.144% (w/v), 8.06% (v/v) and 31.4% (v/v) respectively. In the native state, the absorption coefficient and reduced scattering coefficient ( µs' ) were found to be 0.66 ± 0.06 cm-1 and 8.27 ± 0.50 cm-1 respectively, with µs' increasing to 17.63 ± 1.41 cm-1 after coagulation. The thermal response of the phantom was similar to that observed clinically with maximum thermal probe measurements of 64.2 °C and 66.9 °C respectively. The shape of the induced coagulation zone was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the MRT zone of elevated temperature and the coagulation zone observed clinically. Conclusions: A phantom which simulates optical and thermal response to 980 nm LITT was constructed and demonstrated to be similar to human prostate.

Off-pump technique and replacement therapy for coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with hemophilia B.

Antithrombotic treatment and perioperative management in patients with hemophilia remains a challenge. As life expectancy in these patients is increasing, a concern about cardiovascular diseases is emerging. Herein we present the case of a 68 year-old patient with mild hemophilia B and multivessel coronary disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Off-pump surgery with continuous infusion FIX treatment was performed successfully with stable factor IX levels, and no bleeding or thrombotic complications. There is a paucity of cases reported regarding management of CABG in this population. To our knowledge, this is the first patient with mild hemophilia B that underwent CABG surgery with off-pump technique, that seems to be a secure and effective procedure.

Clinical and metabolic outcomes in pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus supplemented with myo-inositol: a secondary analysis from 3 RCTs.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as carbohydrate intolerance that begins or is first recognized during pregnancy. Insulin sensitizing substances such as myo-inositol have been considered for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus and related complications. OBJECTIVE: Because previous studies failed to show a clear reduction of gestational diabetes mellitus complications, the aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and metabolic outcomes in women who are at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus supplemented with myo-inositol since the first trimester. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis of databases from 3 randomized, controlled trials (595 women enrolled) in which women who were at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (a parent with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obese, or overweight) were supplemented with myo-inositol (4 g/d) throughout pregnancy. Main measures were the rate of adverse clinical outcomes: macrosomia (birthweight, ≥4000 g), large-for-gestational-age babies (fetal growth, ≥90 percentile), fetal growth restriction (fetal growth, ≤3 percentile), preterm birth (delivery before week 37 since the last menstruation), gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: A significant reduction was observed for preterm birth (10/291 [3.4%] vs 23/304 [7.6%]; P=.03), macrosomia (6/291 [2.1%] vs 16/304 [5.3%]; P=.04), Large-for-gestational-age babies (14/291 [4.8%] vs 27/304 [8.9%]; P=.04) with only a trend to significance for gestational hypertension (4/291 [1.4%] vs 12/304 [3.9%]; P=.07). Gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis was also decreased when compared with the control group (32/291 [11.0%] vs 77/304 [25.3%]; P<.001). At univariate logistic regression analysis, myo-inositol treatment reduced the risk for preterm birth (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.93), macrosomia (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.98), and gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.57). CONCLUSION: Myo-inositol treatment in early pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus and in the risk of preterm birth and macrosomia in women who are at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.

Ligand-dependent Hedgehog pathway activation in Rhabdomyosarcoma: the oncogenic role of the ligands.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. The Hedgehog (HH) pathway is known to develop an oncogenic role in RMS. However, the molecular mechanism that drives activation of the pathway in RMS is not well understood. METHODS: The expression of HH ligands was studied by qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Functional and animal model studies were carried out with cells transduced with shRNAs against HH ligands or treated with HH-specific inhibitors (Vismodegib and MEDI-5304). Finally, the molecular characterisation of an off-target effect of Vismodegib was also made. RESULTS: The results showed a prominent expression of HH ligands supporting an autocrine ligand-dependent activation of the pathway. A comparison of pharmacologic Smoothened inhibition (Vismodegib) and HH ligand blocking (MEDI-5304) is also provided. Interestingly, a first description of pernicious off-target effect of Vismodegib is also reported. CONCLUSIONS: The clarification of the HH pathway activation mechanism in RMS opens a door for targeted therapies against HH ligands as a possible alternative in the future development of better treatment protocols. Moreover, the description of a pernicious off-target effect of Vismodegib, via unfolded protein response activation, may mechanistically explain its previously reported inefficiency in several ligand-dependent cancers.

Effects of endocrine disorders on maxillary and mandibular growth in Colombian children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the influence of overweight/obesity, medicated hypothyroidism, and medicated non-syndromic hypogrowth on maxillary and mandibular growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relation between 10 craniofacial anthropometric measurements and hypothyroidism (n = 216), overweight/obesity (n = 108), and non-syndromic hypogrowth (n = 250) were evaluated in patients aged 1-19 years and a control group of healthy patients (n = 587). A subgroup analysis was performed at the peak growth in all groups. RESULTS: Patients with overweight/obesity and hypothyroidism showed increased craniofacial growth, while hypogrowth patients showed differences in zygomatic width and nasal base growth. Females with hypothyroidism and non-syndromic hypogrowth showed decreased head circumference at peak growth. Several anthropometric measurements were increased in patients with overweight/obesity, including head circumference. When all age groups were analyzed, overweight/obese and hypothyroidism patients showed increased zygomatic width while decreased hypogrowth. Overall, most craniofacial anthropometric measurements in overweight/obese patients were increased. Finally, the peak growth in males with hypothyroidism and subjects with non-syndromic hypogrowth was delayed compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with overweight/obesity and endocrine disorders showed alterations in craniofacial growth. Clinicians must be aware that the growth peak in these patients may be delayed when planning maxillary and mandibular orthopedic treatment.

Antioxidant effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira) maxima in a neurotoxic model caused by 6-OHDA in the rat striatum.

There is evidence to support that an impaired energy metabolism and the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to brain injury in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), whereas diets enriched in foods with an antioxidant action may modulate its progression. Several studies have proved that the antioxidant components produced by Spirulina, a microscopic blue-green alga, might prevent cell death by decreasing free radicals, inhibiting lipoperoxidation and upregulating the antioxidant enzyme systems. In our study, we investigated the protective effect of the Spirulina maxima (S. maxima) against the 6-OHDA-caused toxicity in the rat striatum. The S. maxima (700 mg/kg/day, vo) was administered for 40 days before and 20 days after a single injection of 6-OHDA (16 µg/2 µL) into the dorsal striatum. At 20-day postsurgery, the brain was removed and the striatum was obtained to evaluate the indicators of toxicity, such as nitric oxide levels, ROS formation, lipoperoxidation, and mitochondrial activity. These variables were found significantly stimulated in 6-OHDA-treated rats and were accompanied by declines in dopamine levels and motor activity. In contrast, the animals that received the chronic treatment with S. maxima had a restored locomotor activity, which is associated with the decreased levels of nitric oxide, ROS, and lipoperoxidation in the striatum, although mitochondrial functions and dopamine levels remained preserved. These findings suggest that supplementation with antioxidant phytochemicals (such as contained in S. maxima) represents an effective neuroprotective strategy against 6-OHDA-caused neurotoxicity vía free radical production to preserve striatal dopaminergic neurotransmission in vivo.

One-year effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 12-month effect of myo-inositol treatment on some biochemical parameters of women affected by metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Eighty outpatient postmenopausal women, affected by metabolic syndrome, were enrolled in a 12-month study. All women were treated with a low-energy diet, and then they were randomly assigned to myo-inositol 2 g b.i.d. (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). All the women were evaluated for serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance), triglycerides, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure at baseline and after 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: With the exception of BMI and waist circumference, after 12 months of treatment, all the parameters studied showed a significant improvement in the myo-inositol group compared to the control group. At the end of the study, in the myo-inositol group, the number of women without metabolic syndrome was eight (20%) whereas, in the control group, only one woman no longer had the metabolic syndrome after 12 months of diet. CONCLUSIONS: Myo-inositol might be considered one of the insulin-sensitizing substances in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Protective effects of melatonin on changes occurring in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin has been related to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have been proved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to find out whether a melatonin supplement in MS is able to act as a benefit to its clinical status, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation and indirect biomarkers of bacterial dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP), verifying its therapeutic potential and its possible clinical use in patients with MS. METHODS: The animal MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), was employed whereby 25 male Dark Agouti rats (5 animals per group) were divided into: a control group (not manipulated); a control+vehicle group; a control+melatonin group; an EAE group; an EAE+melatonin group. Melatonin was administered daily for 51 days, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight/i.p., once a day, five days a week. RESULTS: The results from the administration of melatonin demonstrated an improvement in clinical status, a diminution in oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as in bacterial dysbiosis. CONCLUSION: Melatonin could play an effective role against MS, either alone or as a therapy combined with traditional agents.

The effect of myoinositol supplementation on insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes.

AIM: To test the hypothesis that myoinositol supplementation will improve insulin sensitivity as measured by markers of insulin resistance such as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and adiponectin in women with gestational diabetes. METHODS: The trial was carried out in diet-treated patients with gestational diabetes diagnosed in our department between April 2008 and September 2009. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either myoinositol supplementation (4 g daily) plus folic acid (400 µg daily)-the study group-or folic acid only (400 µg daily)-the control group. Both groups received the same diet prescription. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and adiponectin were assayed while fasting at the time of the diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test and after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: There were 69 evaluable patients, 24 in the study group and 45 in the control group. Fasting glucose and insulin, and consequently homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, decreased in both groups (50% in the study group vs. 29% in the control group), but the decline in the study group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P = 0.0001). Adiponectin increased in the myoinositol group while it decreased in the control group (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Myoinositol improves insulin resistance in patients with gestational diabetes.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide: a marker of depressed hypercapnic drive in type 1 diabetes mellitus?

AIMS: Decreased chemosensitivity to hypercapnia, a common finding in Type 1 diabetes mellitus, seems related to autonomic neuropathy. We proposed to verify whether simple neuroautonomic cardiovascular tests or indexes of severity of diabetes and respiratory impairment can identify patients with such a dysfunction, but no clinical evidence of autonomic neuropathy. METHODS: Forty patients with Type 1 diabetes, 20 with autonomic neuropathy according to the results of a standardized test battery, were studied and compared with 40 normal subjects matched by age and sex. Spirometry and pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were performed. The chemosensitivity to hypercapnia was tested by the rebreathing method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between patients with and without autonomic neuropathy in chemosensitivity to hypercapnia, as expressed by the ventilation response to increasing end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide; however, it was lower in the whole group of patients with diabetes than in control subjects (1.71 ± 0.80 vs. 2.45 ± 1.11 l⁻¹ min⁻¹ mmHg, respectively, P=0.002). No significant correlation was found between ventilation response to increasing end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide and the results of autonomic tests. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the ventilatory response to hypercapnia significantly correlated with pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (Spearman's rho=0.387, P=0.013) and this was the only variable significantly associated with ventilation response to increasing end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide in a multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Chemosensitivity to hypercapnia was depressed in patients with diabetes mellitus, irrespective of autonomic neuropathy, in comparison with control subjects. The correlation with pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide suggests that microcirculatory damage might contribute to depress the central chemosensitivity.

The O((1)D) + H2 (X (1)Σ+, v, j) → OH(X (2)Π, v', j') + H((2)S) reaction at low collision energy: when a simple statistical description of the dynamics works.

In this communication, we highlight that statistical approaches for chemical reactions describe reasonably well the low energy dynamics of the title process. Consequently, such methods prove to be valuable to compute rate constants from low to room temperatures. Results are compared with experiment and recent precise quantum wave packet calculations [J. Phys. Chem. A, 2009, 113, 5285].