Oxidative stress and lung function profiles of male smokers free from COPD compared to those with COPD: A case-control study

Background: The mechanisms of smoking tobacco leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are beginning to be understood. However, conclusions about the role of blood or lung oxidative stressmarkers were disparate.Aims: To investigate the oxidative stress in blood or lung associated with tobacco smoke and to evaluate its effect on pulmonary function data and its relation with physical activity.Methods: It is a case-control study. Fifty-four male-smokers of more than five pack-years (PY) and aged 4060 years were included (29 Non-COPD, 16 COPD). Physical activity score was determined. Blood sample levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein-cys-SH (PSH), and Glutathione (GSH) were measured. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and plethysmographic measurements were performed. Correlation coefficients (r) evaluated the association between oxidative stress markers and independent variables (plethysmographic data and physical activity score).Results: Non-COPD (4896 years) and COPD (4995 years) groups had  similar tobacco consumption patterns, that is, 27914 PY versus 30919 PY, respectively. Compared to the Non-COPD group, the COPD group had significantly lower levels of GSH and PSH, that is, mean9SE were 4096 versus 2595 mg/mL and 54910 versus 2695 mg/g of hemoglobin,  respectively. However, MDA level and FeNO values were similar. In the COPD group, none of the oxidative stress markers was significantly  correlated with plethysmographic data or physical activity score. In the Non-COPD group, GSH was significantly correlated with physical activity score (r0.47) and PSH was significantly correlated with total lung capacity (TLC) (r0.50), residual volume (r0.41), and physical activity score (r0.62). FeNO was significantly correlated with TLC of the COPD group (r0.48).Conclusion: Compared to the Non-COPD group, the COPD group had a marked decrease in blood antioxidant markers (GSH and PSH) but similar blood oxidant (MDA) or lung (FeNO) burden.Keywords: inflammation; lung disease; spirometry; tobacco; sedentarily; stress oxidan

Two Weeks of Ischemic Conditioning Improves Walking Speed and Reduces Neuromuscular Fatigability in Chronic Stroke Survivors

This pilot study examined whether ischemic conditioning (IC), a noninvasive, cost-effective, and easy-to-administer intervention, could improve gait speed and paretic leg muscle function in stroke survivors. We hypothesized that 2 wk of IC training would increase self-selected walking speed, increase paretic muscle strength, and reduce neuromuscular fatigability in chronic stroke survivors. Twenty-two chronic stroke survivors received either IC or IC Sham on their paretic leg every other day for 2 wk (7 total sessions). IC involved 5-min bouts of ischemia, repeated five times, using a cuff inflated to 225 mmHg on the paretic thigh. For IC Sham, the cuff inflation pressure was 10 mmHg. Self-selected walking speed was assessed using the 10-m walk test, and paretic leg knee extensor strength and fatigability were assessed using a Biodex dynamometer. Self-selected walking speed increased in the IC group (0.86 ± 0.21 m/s pretest vs. 1.04 ± 0.22 m/s posttest, means ± SD; P\u3c 0.001) but not in the IC Sham group (0.92 ± 0.47 m/s pretest vs. 0.96 ± 0.46 m/s posttest; P= 0.25). Paretic leg maximum voluntary contractions were unchanged in both groups (103 ± 57 N·m pre-IC vs. 109 ± 65 N·m post-IC; 103 ± 59 N·m pre-IC Sham vs. 108 ± 67 N·m post-IC Sham; P = 0.81); however, participants in the IC group maintained a submaximal isometric contraction longer than participants in the IC Sham group (278 ± 163 s pre-IC vs. 496 ± 313 s post-IC, P = 0.004; 397 ± 203 s pre-IC Sham vs. 355 ± 195 s post-IC Sham; P = 0.46). The results from this pilot study thus indicate that IC training has the potential to improve walking speed and paretic muscle fatigue resistance poststroke

Towards Gradient-Based Design Optimization of Flexible Transport Aircraft with Flutter Constraints

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140443/1/6.2014-2726.pd

Soft Tissue Reconstruction following Hemipelvectomy: Eight-Year Experience and Literature Review

Background and Objectives. Hemipelvectomy is a major surgical procedure that associates with significant morbidity, functional impairment, and psychological and body image problem. Reconstruction of the defect is a challenged since a large amount of composite tissues are needed. We would like to share our eight-year experience with massive pelvic resection and reconstruction. Methods. A retrospective analysis of all cases of hemipelvectomy was conducted in our institution over eight-year period with particular attention given to the reconstruction choices and associated complications. Results. Thirteen patients were included with median age of 39 years (range 13–78) of which all had advanced tumour with stage IIb (54%) and Stage III (46%). External hemipelvectomy was performed in all cases, and resultant defects were reconstructed with variety type of flaps. These include fillet thigh flaps, regional pedicle flaps of different designs, and free flap. Conclusions. Massive pelvic tumour is rarely encountered in our population but can be seen across all age groups and usually due to late presentation. The defects should be reconstructed using local or regional flaps, incorporating the muscle component to enhance flap perfusion. The tissue should be harvested from the amputated limb, as it can limit the donor site morbidity

Validating the ISO 9000 Construct of Measurement Instrument Through Application of RASCH Model

There are numerous researches conducted on the issues related to ISO 9001 quality management system. Among the issue is the impact of the ISO 9001 quality management system implementation on the performance of the organization. However the findings from the research appeared as inconclusive. Few literature suggest that the inconclusive result may due to the level of ISO 9000 implementation therefore further research is required. Generally the data collected for these types of researches are through mailed questionnaires and analyzed it using SPSS and SEM. In line with that this study also developed questionnaires correspond to a 5 point Likert to assess the implementation of ISO 9000 in the organization. As a result 231 items are identified within five dimensions. The five dimensions are derived from ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality management standards requirement and guidelines. Among the dimensions are management responsibility, resource management, product realization, measurement improvement and innovation and organizational performance. The questionnaires are sent to 78 automotive based companies located in the Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. 19 questionnaires were returned and used as pilot test to validate and calibrate the instrument. The responds from the organization are tabulated and run in WinSteps software for the purpose of validating and calibrating the instrument by implementing the Rasch ‘quality control' and reduction of items. Not all the outfit items are removed from the instruments, Rasch Model did provide room for the researcher to make decision either to remove or not those outfit items. In this study those outfit items need to be corrected in order to ensure that the instrument is reliable and fit to measure the performance of the organization. As a result 68 items are removed from the questionnaires

Effective-mass Klein-Gordon Equation for non-PT/non-Hermitian Generalized Morse Potential

The one-dimensional effective-mass Klein-Gordon equation for the real, and non-\textrm{PT}-symmetric/non-Hermitian generalized Morse potential is solved by taking a series expansion for the wave function. The energy eigenvalues, and the corresponding eigenfunctions are obtained. They are also calculated for the constant mass case.Comment: 14 page

Suitable MLP Network Activation Functions For Breast Cancer And Thyroid Disease Detection.

This paper presents a comparison study of various MLP activation functions for detection and classification problems

Solar irradiance uncertainty management based on Monte Carlo-beta probability density function: case in Malaysian tropical climate

In recent years, solar PV power generation has seen a rapid growth due to environmental benefits and zero fuel costs. In Malaysia, due to its location near the equator, makes solar energy the most utilized renewable energy resources. Unlike conventional power generation, solar energy is considered as uncertain generation sources which will cause unstable energy supplied. The uncertainty of solar resource needs to be managed for the planning of the PV system to produce its maximum power. The statistical method is the most prominent to manage and model the solar irradiance uncertainty patterns. Based on one-minute time interval meteorological data taken in Pekan, Pahang, West Malaysia, the Monte Carlo-Beta probability density function (Beta PDF) is performed to model continuous random variable of solar irradiance. The uncertainty studies are needed to optimally plan the photovoltaic system for the development of solar PV technologies in generating electricity and enhance the utilization of renewable energy; especially in tropical climate region