Extraction of reliable information from time-domain pressure and flow signals measured by means of forced oscillation techniques

This paper aims to give a proof-of-concept for the possible application of the forced oscillation lung function test to assess the viscoelastic properties of the airways and tissue. In particular, a novel signal processing algorithm is employed on non-stationary, noisy, (relatively) short time series of respiratory pressure and flow signals. This novel technique is employed to filter the useful information from the signals acquired under two measurement conditions: pseudo-functional residual capacity (PFRC) and pseudo-total lung capacity (PTLC). The PFRC is the measurement performed at lowest lung volume with maximum deflation, and the PTLC is measurement performed at the maximum lung volume under maximum inflation. The results suggest that the proposed technique is able to extract information on the viscoelastic properties of the lung tissue at a macroscopic level. The conclusion of this preliminary study is that the proposed combination of signal processing method and lung function test is suited to be employed on a large database in order to deliver reference values and perform further statistical analysis

Personalized Risk Assessment in Never, Light, and Heavy Smokers in a prospective cohort in Taiwan.

The objective of this study was to develop markedly improved risk prediction models for lung cancer using a prospective cohort of 395,875 participants in Taiwan. Discriminatory accuracy was measured by generation of receiver operator curves and estimation of area under the curve (AUC). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, age, gender, smoking pack-years, family history of lung cancer, personal cancer history, BMI, lung function test, and serum biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), bilirubin, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and c-reactive protein (CRP) were identified and included in an integrative risk prediction model. The AUC in overall population was 0.851 (95% CI = 0.840-0.862), with never smokers 0.806 (95% CI = 0.790-0.819), light smokers 0.847 (95% CI = 0.824-0.871), and heavy smokers 0.732 (95% CI = 0.708-0.752). By integrating risk factors such as family history of lung cancer, CEA and AFP for light smokers, and lung function test (Maximum Mid-Expiratory Flow, MMEF25-75%), AFP and CEA for never smokers, light and never smokers with cancer risks as high as those within heavy smokers could be identified. The risk model for heavy smokers can allow us to stratify heavy smokers into subgroups with distinct risks, which, if applied to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, may greatly reduce false positives

Correlation of Lipopolysaccharide Endotoxin Level in Cotton Dust with the Increase of TNFα Level and the Decline of Lung Function in Cotton Spinning Factory Workers

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin contained in cotton dust may cause airway inflammation and decline of lung function when inhaled, which eventually leads to respiratory symptoms. The objective of this research is to analyze the correlation of the exposure of LPS endotoxin in cotton dust with the increase of TNFα level and the decline of lung function after one day’s work. This study applies analytical observation method and prospective cohort approach. Main participants of this study were the workers of a cotton spinning factory located in Tulangan District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java Province. Sixteen samples from cotton factory were taken as study group, and twenty three samples from village administrators were taken as control group. Data collection involves several techniques: spirometry, laboratory test, and interview. Results showed that concentration of personal dust has a significant relationship with the decline of FVC, %FVC, FEV1, and %FEV1, with Pearson correlation test showing p<0.05. LPS endotoxin in personal dust samples has a significant relationship with the increase of blood serum TNFα and the decline of FEV1 and %FEV1, with Pearson correlation test showing p>0.05. The research concludes that the level of LPS endotoxin was strongly related to the increase of blood serum TNFα and the decline of lung function. Development of more effective preventive measures such as stronger enforcement of worker’s health maintenance regulations and use of personal protective equipment is needed to ensure the best protection of cotton workers’ health

Fit to Perform: A Profile of Higher Education Music Students’ Physical Fitness

Musicians are often called athletes of the upper body, but knowledge of their physical and fitness profiles is nonetheless limited, especially those of advanced music students who are training to enter music’s competitive professional landscape. To gain insight into how physical fitness is associated with music making, this study investigated music students’ fitness levels on several standardized indicators. 483 students took part in a fitness screening protocol that included measurements of lung function, flexibility (hypermobility, shoulder range of motion, sit and reach), strength and endurance (hand grip, plank, press-up), and sub-maximal cardiovascular fitness (3-min step test), as well as self-reported physical activity (IPAQ-SF). Participants scored within ranges appropriate for their age on lung function, shoulder range of motion, grip strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Their results for the plank, press up, and sit and reach were poor by comparison. Reported difficulty (22%) and pain (17%) in internal rotation of the right shoulder were also found. Differences between instrument groups and levels of study were observed on some measures. In particular, brass players showed greater lung function and grip strength compared with other groups, and postgraduate students on the whole were able to maintain the plank for longer but also demonstrated higher hypermobility and lower lung function (FEV1) and cardiovascular fitness than undergraduates. 79% of participants exceeded the minimum recommended weekly amount of physical activity, with singers the most physically active group and keyboard players, composers, and conductors the least active. IPAQ-SF scores correlated positively with lung function, sit and reach, press-up and cardiovascular fitness suggesting that, in the absence of time and resources to carry out comprehensive physical assessments with musicians, this one measure alone can provide useful insights. The findings indicate that music students have adequate levels of general health-related fitness, and we discuss whether adequate fitness is enough for people undertaking physically and mentally demanding activities such as making music. We argue that musicians could benefit from strengthening their supportive musculature and enhancing their awareness of strength imbalances

Low income as a determinant of exercise capacity in COPD.

Exercise capacity (EC) is a critical outcome in chronic obstructive lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)). It measures the impact of the disease and the effect of specific interventions like pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). EC determines COPD prognosis and is associated with health-care utilization and quality of life. Field walking tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) are two ways to measure EC. The 6-minute walking test (6MWT) is the commonest and easiest field test. CPET has the advantage of assessing maximal aerobic capacity. Determinants of EC include age, gender, breathlessness, and lung function. Previous research suggests that socioeconomic status (SES), a meaningful factor in COPD, may also be associated with EC. However, those findings have not been replicated. We aimed to determine whether SES is an independent factor associated with EC in COPD. For this analysis, we used the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) database. NETT was a multicenter clinical trial where severe COPD patients were randomized to lung volume reduction surgery or medical therapy. Measures used were taken at baseline, postrehabilitation. Patients self-reported their income and were divided in two groups whether it was less or above US$30,000. Patients with a lower income had worse results in 6MWT ( p < 0.0001). We found an independent association between income and the 6MWT in patients with severe COPD after adjusting for age, gender, lung function, dyspnea, and living conditions ( p < 0.0007). One previous publication stated the relationship between income and EC. Our research confirms and extends previous publications associating EC with income by studying a large and well characterized cohort of severe COPD patients, also addressing EC by two different methods (maximal watts and 6MWT). Our results highlight the importance of addressing social determinants of health such as income when assessing COPD patients

Faktor-faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Gangguan Fungsi Paru pada Pekerja di Unit Boiler Industri Tekstil X Kabupaten Semarang

One of the negative impacts of boiler operation using coal fuel is air pollution caused by coal dust. Respirable coal dust can risk workers of lung function disturbance either restriction, obstruction or mixed. The purpose of this study was analyze factors associated with lung function disturbance to workers in boiler unit of X textile industry in Semarang district. This research was an observational research with cross sectional approach. The subjects were all 35 workers in boiler unit. The measurement result of respirable coal dust level showed that the respirable coal dust level above the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) was 2 mg/m3. The result of this study indicates that lung function disturbance which occurs to workers in boiler unit is a mild restrictive lung disease which of the 35 subjects, 34.3% of them had mild restriction. Based on the Fisher Excat Test correlation test, researchers concluded that ages is not associated with lung function disturbance (p-value = 0,726), history of lung disease related to lung function disturbance (p-value = 0,003), there is no correlation between working periode with lung function disturbance (p-value = 1,000), type of work associated with lung function disturbance (p-value = 0,013), there is no correlation between nutritional status with lung function disturbance (p-value = 1,000), personal protective equipment related to lung function disturbance (p-value = 0,024). Researchers suggested that the workers always use mask when he work and replace the mask every day or at least wash fabric mask every day

Hubungan Usia, Lama Paparan Debu, Penggunaan APD, Kebiasaan Merokok Dengan Gangguan Fungsi Paru Tenaga Kerja Mebel Di Kec. Kalijambe Sragen

Impaired lung function is a sign of disease of the respiratory system that can disrupt the body's metabolism and lowers productivity. Impaired lung function often occurs in workers exposed to dust as furniture factories. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between age, duration of exposure, the use of safety protect and smoking with impaired lung function. This type of research is observational analytic with cross sectional approach. This study population all workers who work at UD. Indri Jati and UD. Wanna Jati subdistrict, Sragen Kalijambe amounted to 53 people. Samples taken as a whole (Exhaustive Sampling). Collecting data using questionnaires and measurements of lung function with spirometry capacity. Data were analyzed using statistical test Chi- Square. The results showed no relationship between age (p = 0,021) and smoking (p = 0,019) with impaired lung function, while the variable long-exposure (p = 0,740) and use of safety protect (p = 0,250) no association with impaired lung function

Hubungan Antara Umur Dan Lama Paparan Dengan Gangguan Fungsi Paru Pada Pekerja Terpapar Debu Kapas Di Bagian Winding Pt.Bintang Makmur Sentosa Tekstil Industri Sragen

Cotton dust, including organic dust containing carbon that are as fibrosis of the lungs. The research objective for know the relationship between age and length of exposure with lung function capacity in workers exposed to cotton dust at the Winding PT. Bintang Makmur Sentosa Textile Industry Sragen. This type of research is analytic survey with cross sectional approach and the sample size of 32 people. Sample collection technique used purposive. Data analysis was performed using univariate, bivariate with the Shapiro-Wilk test and if the data is normally distributed then followed by a test of Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results of this study showed the average dust concentration of cotton at 10 points is 7,975 mg / M3. Lung Function Test results Capacity for FEV1% on average 98.20% and FVC% on average 66.39%. The results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation test shows its age with FEV1% and FVC% of all significant with p-value 0.047% FEV1 r value of 0.05 and a p-value 0.688% 0.039 FVC <0.05 value r 0.652. It can be concluded that the age and duration of exposure had a significant relationship with lung function capacit

Latihan Pernapasan dengan Metode Buteyko Meningkatkan Nilai Force Expiratory Volume In 1 Second (%Fev1) Penderita Asma Dewasa Derajat Persisten Sedang

Background: Breathing exercises are frequently recommended as an adjunctive treatment for asthma. Breathing exercise for asthma that is recommended in Indonesia is Senam Asma Indonesia, which has a session of aerobic exercise. In Russia and Australia Buteyko method is practiced as a simple exercise for respiration. Principally, the technique of Buteyko is different from other respiration methods.Objective: The aim of this study is to know if the effect of Buteyko method could increase lung function of adult asthmatic patient better than Senam Asma Indonesia.Methods: Design of this study is field experiment with pretest and posttest of the lung function test (FVC, %FVC, FEV1 and %FEV1). The subjects divided into three groups, the group I, given exercise with the Buteyko method, group II given exercise with Senam Asma Indonesia and the group III without any exercise. The exercise was given for 12 weeks. The lung function test was done at the end of every month for all groups.Result: %FEV1 for Buteyko\u27s group increased significantly but other parameters didn\u27t.Conclusion: Breathing exercises with Buteyko and Senam Asma Indonesia both could decrease the airway resistance in asthmatic patient, but could not improve the vital capacity of the lung