Virtual reality rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose: This study compared the effects of inpatient-based rehabilitation program of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using non-immersive virtual reality (VR) training with a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program. The aims of this study were to determine 1) whether rehabilitation featuring both VR as well as exercise training provides benefits over exercise training (ET) alone and 2) whether rehabilitation featuring VR training instead of exercise training provides equivalent benefits. Patients and Methods: The study recruited 106 patients with COPD to a 2-week high-intensity, five times a week intervention. Randomized into three groups, 34 patients participated in a traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program including endurance exercise training (ET), 38 patients participated in traditional pulmonary rehabilitation, including both endurance exercise training and virtual reality training (ET+VR) and 34 patients participated in pulmonary rehabilitation program including virtual reality training but no endurance exercise training (VR). The traditional pulmonary rehabilitation program consisted of fitness exercises, resistance respiratory muscle and relaxation training. Xbox 360® and Kinect® Adventures software were used for the VR training of lower and upper body strength, endurance, trunk control and dynamic balance. Comparison of the changes in the Senior Fitness Test was the primary outcome. Analysis was performed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: The comparison between ET and ET+VR groups showed that ET+VR group was superior to ET group in Arm Curl (p<0.003), Chair stand (p<0.008), Back scratch (p<0.002), Chair sit and reach (p<0.001), Up and go (p<0.000), 6-min walk test (p<0.011). Whereas, the comparison between ET and VR groups showed that VR group was superior to ET group in Arm Curl (p<0.000), Chair stand (p<0.001), 6-min walk test (p<0.031). Conclusion: Results suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation program supplemented with VR training is beneficial intervention to improve physical fitness in patients with COPD

Assessing the symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder among college/university students: An international validation study of a self-report

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of a self-report scale for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) symptoms according to the DSM-5 and ICD-11 among 3270 college/university students (2095 [64.1%] females; age mean 21.6 [3.1] years) from different countries worldwide. Croatian, English, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Turkish, and Vietnamese versions of the scale were tested. The study showed that symptoms of IGD could be measured as a single underlying factor among college/university students. A nine item-symptom scale following DSM-5, and a short four-item scale representing the main ICD-11 symptoms, had sound internal consistency and construct validity. Three symptom-items were found non-invariant across the language samples (i.e., preoccupation with on-line gaming, loss of interests in previous hobbies and entertainment, and the use of gaming to relieve negative moods). This study provides initial evidence for assessing IGD symptoms among college/university students and will hopefully foster further research into gaming addiction in this population worldwide especially with taking into account language/cultural differences

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study.

INTRODUCTION: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. RESULTS: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them

Transcriptional dynamics during cell wall removal and regeneration reveals key genes involved in cell wall development in rice

Efficient and cost-effective conversion of plant biomass to usable forms of energy requires a thorough understanding of cell wall biosynthesis, modification and degradation. To elucidate these processes, we assessed the expression dynamics during enzymatic removal and regeneration of rice cell walls in suspension cells over time. In total, 928 genes exhibited significant up-regulation during cell wall removal, whereas, 79 genes were up-regulated during cell wall regeneration. Both gene sets are enriched for kinases, transcription factors and genes predicted to be involved in cell wall-related functions. Integration of the gene expression datasets with a catalog of known and/or predicted biochemical pathways from rice, revealed metabolic and hormonal pathways involved in cell wall degradation and regeneration. Rice lines carrying Tos17 mutations in genes up-regulated during cell wall removal exhibit dwarf phenotypes. Many of the genes up-regulated during cell wall development are also up-regulated in response to infection and environmental perturbations indicating a coordinated response to diverse types of stress

Effects of regular six-months physical activity on cutaneous microcirculation in smoking individuals measured by laser Doppler flowmetry

Wstęp. Znany jest szkodliwy wpływ palenia papierosów na układ krążenia, jednak zaburzenia naczyniowe u czynnychi biernych palaczy wydają się w pewnym stopniu odwracalne. Dlatego też celem pracy jest zbadanie wpływu 6-miesięcznego systematycznego wysiłku fizycznego na mikrokrążenie skórne nałogowych palaczy mierzone za pomocą laserowej przepływometrii dopplerowskiej. Materiał i metody. W badaniu wzięło udział 34 zdrowych ochotników, mężczyzn, 18 osób niepalących, 16 osób palących przynajmniej 4 lata co najmniej 20 papierosów dziennie. Żaden badany nie uprawiał wcześniej systematycznie aktywności fizycznej. Badani uczestniczyli w 6-miesięcznym treningu tlenowym na cykloergometrze rowerowym. Trening odbywał się trzy razy w tygodniu po 45 min. Badani pedałowali z obciążeniem 50-70% VO2max, z częstotliwością obrotów 60/min. Każdy trening aerobowy uzupełniono treningiem anaerobowym. Pomiar mikrokrążenia skórnego wykonano za pomocą laserowego przepływomierza dopplerowskiego Perifluks 4001 firmy Perimed (Szwecja). Oceniano przepływ spoczynkowy, reakcję hyperemiczną, hypertermiczną i ortostatyczną mikrokrążenia skórnego. Analizowano częstotliwość sygnałów otrzymywanych drogą laserowej przepływometrii dopplerowskiej w przedziale od 0,01 HZ do 2 Hz podczas przepływu podstawowego. Wyniki. Stwierdzono różnice w badanych parametrach pomiędzy grupą kontrolną a palącymi (grupa kontrolna: przepływ podstawowy - 12,93 ± 6,34 PU; zero biologiczne - 2,81 ± 0,37 PU; reakcja hyperemiczna - 171,42 ± 101,86 PU; reakcja hypertermiczna - 229,07 ± 129,4 PU; reakcja ortostatyczna - 54%; pułap tlenowy - 36,54 ± 6,32 ml kg min-1. Odpowiednio w grupie palących: przepływ podstawowy - 10,39 ± 2,66 PU; zero biologiczne - 2,63 ± 0,87 PU; reakcja hyperemiczna - 149,33 ± 48,48 PU; reakcja hypertermiczna - 193,85 ± 49,4 PU; reakcja ortostatyczna - 48,3%; pułap tlenowy - 32,42 ± 4,6 ml kg min-1). Po 6 miesiącach systematycznej aktywności fizycznej palących badane parametry kształtowały się na poziomie: przepływ podstawowy - 13,64 ± 3,86 PU; zero biologiczne - 2,76 ± 0,54 PU; reakcja hyperemiczna - 155,26 ± 38,98 PU; reakcja hypertermiczna - 200,1 ± 34,45 PU; reakcja ortostatyczna - 52,7%; pułap tlenowy - 38,75 ± 10,87 ml kg min-1. Analiza częstotliwości sygnału dopplerowskiego wykazała istotnie zwiększoną aktywność śródbłonka oraz istotnie mniejsze oscylacje współczulne w grupie niepalących oraz poprawę tych parametrów po treningu. Wnioski. 1. Wartości przepływu podstawowego oraz prowokowanych reakcji przekrwiennych są wyższe w grupie osób niepalących w stosunku do osób palących, co może świadczyć o ujemnych skutkach działania dymu tytoniowego na skórne łożysko naczyniowe. 2. 6-miesięczny systematyczny trening tlenowo-beztlenowy palaczy przyniósł poprawę wartości charakteryzujących funkcjo-nowanie mikrokrążenia skórnego.Introduction. The harmful effects of active or passive smoking on the circulatory system are widely known, however, vascular disorders seem to be partially reversible. Therefore, the aim of the study was the examination of the influence of six month systematic physical exercises on the skin microcirculation of heavy smokers, measured by means of laser Doppler flowmetry. Material and methods. 34 healthy volunteers men, 18 nonsmokers, 16 smokers from at least 4-years, with at least 20 cigarettesa day, took part in the test. All individuals did not performed any physical activities prior the test. The 6-month oxygen training on a bike ergometer was administered, three times a week and lasted 45 min. The subjects were performing with a load of 50-70% VO2max, at a 60/min revolution frequency. Each aerobic training was compensated with some anaerobic exercises. The skin microcirculation was measured with the laser Doppler flowmeter Perifluks 4001, Perimed (Sweden). The rest flow was studied, as well as skin microcirculation hyperemic reactions, hyperthermal and orthostatic ones. The frequencies of the Doppler signals received were analyzed in the 0,01 to 2 Hz span during the basic flow. Results. Some differences in the tested parameters between the control group and the smokers were found (control group: rest flow - 12,93 ± 6,34 PU; biological zero - 2,81 ± 0,37 PU; hyperemic reaction - 171,42 ± 101,86 PU; hyperthermic reaction - 229,07 ± 129,4 PU; orthostatic reaction - 54%; maximal minute oxygen uptake - 36,54 ± 6,32 ml kg min-1. Respectively in the group of smokers: rest flow - 10,39 ± 2,66 PU; biological zero - 2,63 ± 0,87 PU; hyperemic reaction - 149,33 ± 48,48 PU; hyperthermic reaction - 193,85 ± 49,4 PU; orthostatic reaction - 48,3%; maximal minute oxygen uptake - 32,42 ± 4,6 ml kg min-1). After 6 months of systematic physical activity of the smokers, the tested parameters were on the level of: rest flow - 13,64 ± 3,86 PU; biological zero - 2,76 ± 0,54 PU; hyperemic reaction - 155,26 ± 38,98 PU; hyperthermic reaction - 200,1 ± 34,45 PU; orthostatic reaction - 52,7%; maximal minute oxygen uptake - 38,75 ± 10,87 ml kg min-1. The analysis of the Doppler signal frequency revealed a significant increase of endothelium activity and a significant decrease of sympathetic oscillations within the non-smokers group and an improvement of these parameters after the training phase. Conclusions. 1. Basic flow values and hyperaemia provoked reactions are higher in the non-smokers group in relation to the smokers group, what may indicate negative effects of tobacco smoking on the skin vascular bed. 2. 6-month systematic aerobic-anaerobic training of the smokers improved the values of the skin microcirculation functioning