Effects of exercise training on autonomic modulation and mood symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

We evaluated the effects of exercise training (ET) on the profile of mood states (POMS), heart rate variability, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and sleep disturbance severity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Forty-four patients were randomized into 2 groups, 18 patients completed the untrained period and 16 patients completed the exercise training (ET). Beat-to-beat heart rate and blood pressure were simultaneously collected for 5 min at rest. Heart rate variability (RR interval) was assessed in time domain and frequency domain (FFT spectral analysis). BRS was analyzed with the sequence method, and POMS was analyzed across the 6 categories (tension, depression, hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). ET consisted of 3 weekly sessions of aerobic exercise, local strengthening, and stretching exercises (72 sessions, achieved in 40±3.9 weeks). Baseline parameters were similar between groups. The comparisons between groups showed that the changes in apnea-hypopnea index, arousal index, and O2 desaturation in the exercise group were significantly greater than in the untrained group (P<0.05). The heart rate variability and BRS were significantly higher in the exercise group compared with the untrained group (P<0.05). ET increased peak oxygen uptake (P<0.05) and reduced POMS fatigue (P<0.05). A positive correlation (r=0.60, P<0.02) occurred between changes in the fatigue item and OSA severity. ET improved heart rate variability, BRS, fatigue, and sleep parameters in patients with OSA. These effects were associated with improved sleep parameters, fatigue, and cardiac autonomic modulation, with ET being a possible protective factor against the deleterious effects of hypoxia on these components in patients with OSA.

Effects of exercise training on autonomic modulation and mood symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

We evaluated the effects of exercise training (ET) on the profile of mood states (POMS), heart rate variability, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and sleep disturbance severity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Forty-four patients were randomized into 2 groups, 18 patients completed the untrained period and 16 patients completed the exercise training (ET). Beat-to-beat heart rate and blood pressure were simultaneously collected for 5 min at rest. Heart rate variability (RR interval) was assessed in time domain and frequency domain (FFT spectral analysis). BRS was analyzed with the sequence method, and POMS was analyzed across the 6 categories (tension, depression, hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). ET consisted of 3 weekly sessions of aerobic exercise, local strengthening, and stretching exercises (72 sessions, achieved in 40±3.9 weeks). Baseline parameters were similar between groups. The comparisons between groups showed that the changes in apnea-hypopnea index, arousal index, and O2 desaturation in the exercise group were significantly greater than in the untrained group (P<0.05). The heart rate variability and BRS were significantly higher in the exercise group compared with the untrained group (P<0.05). ET increased peak oxygen uptake (P<0.05) and reduced POMS fatigue (P<0.05). A positive correlation (r=0.60, P<0.02) occurred between changes in the fatigue item and OSA severity. ET improved heart rate variability, BRS, fatigue, and sleep parameters in patients with OSA. These effects were associated with improved sleep parameters, fatigue, and cardiac autonomic modulation, with ET being a possible protective factor against the deleterious effects of hypoxia on these components in patients with OSA.

Study of the ground multiplet of Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices by multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: Nd3+ in PbWO4 single-crystals.

A multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of Nd(3+) impurities in PbWO(4) single-crystals at the conventional microwave frequency (MF) 9.43 GHz, and at the 95, 190, and 285 GHz high frequencies was carried out. The resulting spectra are well described at all frequencies by an axial spin-Hamiltonian corresponding to an effective electron spin of one-half and to a tetragonal symmetry. For the magnetic field along the tetragonal axis, the g(parallel)-factor and the hyperfine constant A(parallel) of the lowest doublet of the ground multiplet decreases with frequency increase. For the magnetic field perpendicular to the tetragonal axis, the g(perpendicular)-factor exhibits a small azimuthal angular dependence that increases with increasing the frequency due to the S(4) site symmetry. The azimuthal angular dependence allows to clearly distinguish between different local axial symmetries. These properties are interpreted as high field/frequency (HF) effects associated with the mixing by the large Zeeman interaction of some of the upper-lying doublets of the ground multiplet into the lowest-lying doublet states. We show that from the combined analysis of the multifrequency MF- and HF-EPR spectra and of the optical data, an accurate description of the ground multiplet of the Kramers rare earth ions in solid matrices can be derived.

Anomaly of the rotational nonergodicity parameter of glass formers probed by high field electron paramagnetic resonance.

Exploiting the high angular resolution of high field electron paramagnetic resonance measured at 95, 190, and 285 GHz we determine the rotational nonergodicity parameter of different probe molecules in the glass former o-terphenyl and polybutadiene in a model-independent way. Our results clearly show a characteristic change in the temperature of the nonergodicity parameter proving a rather sharp dynamic crossover in both systems, in contrast to previous results from other techniques.

Signatures of the fast dynamics in glassy polystyrene: first evidence by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance of molecular guests.

The reorientation of one small paramagnetic molecule (spin probe) in glassy polystyrene (PS) is studied by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy at two different Larmor frequencies (190 and 285 GHz). Two different regimes separated by a crossover region are evidenced. Below 180 K the rotational times are nearly temperature independent with no apparent distribution. In the temperature range of 180-220 K a large increase of the rotational mobility is observed with the widening of the distribution of correlation times which exhibits two components: (i) a deltalike, temperature-independent component representing the fraction of spin probes w which persist in the low-temperature dynamics; (ii) a strongly temperature-dependent component, to be described by a power distribution, representing the fraction of spin probes 1-w undergoing activated motion over an exponential distribution of barrier heights g(E). Above 180 K a steep decrease of w is evidenced. The shape and the width of g(E) do not differ from the reported ones for PS within the errors. For the first time the large increase of the rotational mobility of the spin probe at 180 K is ascribed to the onset of the fast dynamics detected by neutron scattering at T(f)=175+/-25 K.

Delocalization of spin projection in weak exchange linear chains, evidenced by multi-frequency HF-EPR spectroscopy.

High-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the unusual temperature and frequency dependence of the powder spectrum of the Gd(HBPz3)2 tropolonate complex (GdTrp). A new type of H/T effect is evidenced. This effect is interpreted in terms of the formation of spin projection states delocalized and quasidelocalized along linear chains of Gd3+ ions in high magnetic fields due to the competition between the weak dipole and exchange spin-spin interaction and the particular structure of the molecular complex. The number of ions in the chain depends strongly on the orientation of the magnetic field and on the relaxation processes.

A multifrequency EPR approach to travertine characterisation.

The understanding of processes that give rise to travertine deposits is important. This is so because of its widespread use as decorative material, but more so in environmental studies due to the significance, by proxy, of travertine in climatology. In this paper, a multifrequency EPR spectroscopy study of the behaviour of an ubiquitary vicariant of Ca in calcite, Mn(II), is presented. EPR spectra were obtained from a natural sample at 9.5 (X-band), 95, 190, and 285GHz, and interpreted through numerical simulation. An analysis of the distribution of the zero-field splitting interaction revealed the source of some unexpected spectral features in the width of the lines in the X-band. By contrast, the homogeneous broadening plays only a minor role. Moreover, field-dependent anisotropies of the Zeeman and hyperfine tensors were observed at higher frequency. On the basis of results garnered in this study, the ZFS interaction of Mn(II) has been ascribed to the microstructural anomalies of the Mn(II) distribution in calcite. This may be considered as the fingerprint of the physical-chemical conditions at the time of travertine deposition. As a consequence, X-band EPR spectroscopy represents a specific tool to investigate the genesis, and to check the homogeneity of Mn(II) distribution in travertines as well as in other calcite-based materials.

Single-ion versus dipolar origin of the magnetic anisotropy in iron(III)-oxo clusters: a case study.

A multitechnique approach has allowed the first experimental determination of single-ion anisotropies in a large iron(III)-oxo cluster, namely [NaFe6(OCH3)12(pmdbm)6ClO4 (1) in which Hpmdbm = 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione. High-frequency EPR (HF-EPR). bulk susceptibility measurements, and high-field cantilever torque magnetometry (HF-CTM) have been applied to iron-doped samples of an isomorphous hexagallium(III) cluster [NaGa6(OCH3)12-(pmdbm)6]ClO4, whose synthesis and X-ray structure are also presented. HF-EPR at 240 GHz and susceptibility data have shown that the iron(III) ions have a hard-axis type anisotropy with DFe = 0.43(1) cm(-1) and EFe = 0.066(3) cm(-1) in the zero-field splitting (ZFS) Hamiltonian H = DFe[S2(z) - S(S + 1)/3] + Fe[S2(x) - S2(y)]. HF-CTM at 0.4 K has then been used to establish the orientation of the ZFS tensors with respect to the unique molecular axis of the cluster, Z. The hard magnetic axes of the iron(III) ions are found to be almost perpendicular to Z, so that the anisotropic components projected onto Z are negative, DFe(ZZ)= -0.164(4) cm(-1). Due to the dominant antiferromagnetic coupling, a negative DFe(ZZ) value determines a hard-axis molecular anisotropy in 1, as experimentally observed. By adding point-dipolar interactions between iron(III) spins, the calculated ZFS parameter of the triplet state, D1 = 4.70(9) cm(-1), is in excellent agreement with that determined by inelastic neutron scattering experiments at 2 K, D1 = 4.57(2) cm(-1). Iron-doped samples of a structurally related compound, the dimer [Ga2(OCH3)2(dbm)4] (Hdbm = dibenzoylmethane), have also been investigated by HF-EPR at 525 GHz. The single-ion anisotropy is of the hard-axis type as well, but the DFe parameter is significantly larger [DFe = 0.770(3) cm(-1). EFe = 0.090(3) cm(-1)]. We conclude that, although the ZFS tensors depend very unpredictably on the coordination environment of the metal ions, single-ion terms can contribute significantly to the magnetic anisotropy of iron(III)-oxo clusters, which are currently investigated as single-molecule magnets.

High-field, multifrequency EPR spectroscopy using whispering gallery dielectric resonators.

High-field/high frequency EPR spectroscopy measurements are shown. Experiments were carried out at 240- and 316-GHz frequencies. The employed apparatus uses a novel combination of far infrared molecular lasers and of probehead exploiting dielectric resonators working in the whispering gallery modes. This approach constitutes a relatively simple method of multifrequency EPR spectroscopy and opens appealing perspectives in high-sensitivity EPR spectroscopy up to the THz regime.

Ultrawide band multifrequency high-field EMR technique: A methodology for increasing spectroscopic information.

We report methodology that combines an ultrawide band multifrequency microwave system with technology of high magnetic fields for solving challenging problems in electron magnetic resonance (EMR) spectroscopy. This strategy has been made possible due to a novel EMR facility operating in an exceptionally wide range of microwave frequencies of 24 GHz to 3 THz, at magnetic fields up to 17 T, and in the temperature range of 1.6 to 330 K. The basic configuration of the multifrequency system works in a transmission mode and employs oversized cylindrical waveguides for routing the microwave power. A wide-band, low-noise, liquid helium cooled (4.2 K) InSb bolometer is used for signal detection. This approach results in an extremely wide-band performance, thus making it possible to employ a variety of solid-state millimeter and submillimeter microwave sources in combination with a far infrared laser microwave source for performing multifrequency EMR experiments. A complexity of resonant structures and related technical problems such as microphonics at high magnetic fields is virtually eliminated. The system is simple, yet sensitive, and has been revealed to be extremely advantageous while solving such problems as observation of AFMR transitions in spin-ordered systems, g-factor resolution enhancement in complex organic radicals, and resonance signal detection in EMR-silent spin systems having integer spin and large zero field splitting. A technical description of the multifrequency high-field EMR facility is presented and results of its performance tests are given. The potential utility of using the multifrequency high-field methodology in EMR studies is illustrated with selected examples of its recent applications.

Direct determination of the single-ion anisotropy in a one-dimensional magnetic system by high-field EPR spectroscopy; synthesis, EPR, and X-ray structure of NixZn1-x(C2O4)(dmiz)2.

The synthesis, X-ray structure, and EPR measurements of the integer-spin linear-chain antiferromagnet [Ni(ox)(dmiz)2] (where ox = C2O4(2-) and dmiz = 1,2-dimethylimidazole) are presented. The sign and size of the single-ion zero field splitting (Zfs) of the divalent Ni have been determined by high field/high-frequency EPR spectroscopy. The spectra of powder samples of the derivatives [NixZn1-x(C2O4)(dmiz)2] for x = 0.09 and 0.07, at frequencies ranging from 110 to 440 GHz allowed the accurate determination of the zfs parameters D and E, with D = 1.875(4) cm(-1) and E = 0.38 cm(-1). The X-ray structure has been determined from measurements on a single crystal with x = 0.07. Structural parameters are as follows: a = 14.5252(7) A, b = 12.1916(8) A, c = 8.6850(8) A,beta = 97.460(6)degrees in space group C2/c. The zigzag chain contains octahedrally coordinated metal ions with two cis-oriented N-coordinated dmiz ligands and two cis-oriented, tetradentate bridging oxalato(2-) ligands, together resulting in a MN2O4 donor set. The structure was refined to a conventional R value of 0.073 for 1,051 observed reflections. Zn-O distances are 2.167(5) A and Zn-N = 2.098 A. Coordination angles vary for cis angles from 78.4 to 100.7 degrees, with trans angles varying from 163.9 degrees to 165.5 degrees.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in the formation of a dinuclear gadolinium semiquinonato complex: synthesis, high-field EPR studies, and magnetic properties.

The synthesis and characterisation of an asymmetric dinuclear gadolinium(III) semiquinonato complex, namely [Gd2(HBPz3)2(dtbsq)4] CHCl3 (1; HBPz3 = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, dtbsq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-O-semiquinone), is reported. The crystal structure of 1 was determined at room temperature. It crystallises in the triclinic system P1, with a = 16.735(5) A, b = 17.705(5) A, c = 19.553(5) A, alpha = 99.680(5) degrees, beta = 109.960(5), gamma = 107.350(5) degrees, Z = 2 and R = 9.96. The structure of 1 consists of a dinuclear asymmetric unit in which the two gadolinium(III) ions have coordination numbers of eight and nine. Three of the dioxolene molecules act as asymmetric bridging ligands, while the fourth molecule behaves as a bidentate ligand towards a single metal ion. The magnetic properties of 1 were investigated by means of susceptibility measurements and high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) spectroscopy. They revealed an S = 0 ground spin state with excited states of higher spin very close in energy and a small negative zero-field splitting with a transverse anisotropy term for a S = 7 state.

Large clusters of metal ions: the transition from molecular to bulk magnets.

Clusters of metal ions are a class of compounds actively investigated for their magnetic properties, which should gradually change from those of simple paramagnets to those of bulk magnets. However, their interest lies in a number of different disciplines: chemistry, which seeks new synthetic strategies to make larger and larger clusters in a controlled manner; physics, which can test the validity of quantum mechanical approaches at the nanometer scale; and biology, which can use them as models of biomineralization of magnetic particles.

[Chronic beta-stimulant therapy: a possible etiopathogenic factor for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]. / Terapia cronica con beta-stimolanti: un possibile fattore etiopatogenetico per la cardiomiopatia ipertrofica.

We herein report the case of a 37-year-old woman, referred to our Unit because of atypical chest pain, negative T waves in leads V1-6 and medio-apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography. The patient suffered from status asthmaticus and consequently had been treated for a twenty year period with beta-adrenoceptor stimulating agents, corticosteroids, theophylline. No coronary stenosis was revealed by coronary angiography. The results of electrocardiographic and two-dimensional echocardiographic investigations, performed after interruption of beta-stimulations, showed a regression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We suggest that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy could be induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation.