BACKGROUND The autonomic nervous system plays a central role in the functioning of systems critical for the homeostasis maintenance. However, its role in the cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy-related demands is poorly understood. We explored the maternal cardiovascular systems throughout pregnancy to quantify pregnancy-related autonomic nervous system adaptations. METHODOLOGY Continuous ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular function in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to investigate the possible relation with ocular dryness. METHODS 41 (40 women) patients with primary SS, mean age 50 years (range 20-80) with a mean disease duration of eight years (range 1-30), were studied. In each patient direct arterial blood pressure (BP), heart ra...

purpose: patterned breathing allows standardized serial measurements of heart rate variability and baroreflex indices. the slow breathing augments these parameters, and regular exercises, including yoga breathing practices with even respiratory rates have long-term beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases. the role of temporization of breathing phases, i.e. the ratio of expiration to inspi...

BACKGROUND Information on the comparative efficacy of single deep breathing versus tidal breathing for inhaled asthma medications is limited, although such information can be of much use for the treatment of patients suffering from asthma. The objective of the present study was to compare the relative difference in improvement in peak expiratory flow (PEF) with single maximal inhalation with br...

Endogenous oscillations in blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow have been associated with improved orthostatic tolerance. Although slow breathing induces such responses, it has not been tested as a therapeutic strategy to improve orthostatic tolerance. With the use of a randomized, crossover sham-controlled design, we tested the hypothesis that breathing at six breaths/min (vs. spontaneo...

After bronchoconstriction, deep inspiration (DI) causes dilatation followed by airway re-narrowing. Re-narrowing may be faster in asthmatic than nonasthmatic subjects. This study investigated the relationship between re-narrowing and the magnitude of both DI-induced dilatation and the volume-dependence of respiratory system resistance (Rrs) during tidal breathing. In 25 asthmatic and 18 nonasth...

Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the spinal cord stand to benefit greatly from the increased signal-to-noise ratio of ultra-high field. However, ultra-high field also poses considerable technical challenges, especially related to static and dynamic B0 fields. Breathing causes the field to fluctuate with the respiratory cycle, giving rise to artifacts such as ghosting and apparent ...

PURPOSE: MR is a compelling imaging modality for children, free of risks of ionizing radiation of CT and nuclear scintigraphy studies. However, motion corrupts MR images, so children often undergo deep anesthesia and periods of suspended respiration, particularly for body MR exams. This prolongs studies and has its risks. Leveraging recent advancements in accelerated imaging and motion correcti...