Comparison between the Acute Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia and Aerobic Exercise on the Nitric Oxide Value, Blood Pressure and the Respiratory Function in Apnea

Background: Apnea is a common disorder in the community. The aim of the study was to compare the acute effects of activity and periodic hypoxia on the nitric oxide, blood pressure, and the pulmonary function in apnea. Methods: The study was as a clinical, pretest, and posttest intervention. A total of 11 males enrolled in the study and completed at least four options of the STOP-Bang inventory. They performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill with intensity of 70 0/0 heart rate reserve, during 40 minutes in intermittent hypoxia. The subjects inhaled intermittently 5 minutes normoxic and hypoxic (11%) air at sitting position for 1 hour. Nitric oxide, blood pressure, and lung function were measured before and after interventions. SPSS22 was used to analyze the collected data. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests were used. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Significantly elevated nitric oxide and reduced systolic blood pressure were observed at 40, 50 and 60 minutes in the intermittent aerobic exercise (Pvalue ≤ 0.05). We found a significant relationship between reduction in systolic blood pressure at 50 minutes and PEF in post 30 and 60 minutes. The results revealed heightened serum nitric oxide after aerobic exercise sessions and diminished systolic blood pressure. However, there was no difference in the lung function factors before and after the interventions. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise increases the nitric oxide better than hypoxia does and reduces blood pressure. Thus, it can be used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Keywords: Nitric oxide, Acute training, Lung function, Apnea

Comparison between the Acute Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia and Aerobic Exercise on the Nitric Oxide Value, Blood Pressure and the Respiratory Function in Apnea

Background: Apnea is a common disorder in the community. The aim of the study was to compare the acute effects of activity and periodic hypoxia on the nitric oxide, blood pressure, and the pulmonary function in apnea. Methods: The study was as a clinical, pretest, and posttest intervention. A total of 11 males enrolled in the study and completed at least four options of the STOP-Bang inventory. They performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill with intensity of 70 0/0 heart rate reserve, during 40 minutes in intermittent hypoxia. The subjects inhaled intermittently 5 minutes normoxic and hypoxic (11%) air at sitting position for 1 hour. Nitric oxide, blood pressure, and lung function were measured before and after interventions. SPSS22 was used to analyze the collected data. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests were used. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Significantly elevated nitric oxide and reduced systolic blood pressure were observed at 40, 50 and 60 minutes in the intermittent aerobic exercise (Pvalue ≤ 0.05). We found a significant relationship between reduction in systolic blood pressure at 50 minutes and PEF in post 30 and 60 minutes. The results revealed heightened serum nitric oxide after aerobic exercise sessions and diminished systolic blood pressure. However, there was no difference in the lung function factors before and after the interventions. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise increases the nitric oxide better than hypoxia does and reduces blood pressure. Thus, it can be used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Keywords: Nitric oxide, Acute training, Lung function, Apnea

Examining Effects of Pilates Workout and Jujube Supplementation on Liver Fat Content, Enzymes, and Platelet Count

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the fastest-growing health issues worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of an eight-week Pilates exercise program and jujube supplementation on liver fat content, liver enzymes, and platelet count in women with NAFLD. Materials and Methods: The current work is a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study with a control group. Forty middle-aged women with NAFLD were selected via purposive sampling and allocated randomly to four equal groups, including jujube, Pilates, Pilates+jujube, and control. Liver enzymes measurement, platelet count, and ultrasonography were conducted to determine the fatty liver degree 24 hours before and 48 hours after the intervention. The Pilates protocol was performed three sessions weekly for eight weeks. The jujube supplementation group and the Pilates+jujube group consumed .4 g/kg jujube daily in the morning and evening. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and dependent t-test. The level of significance was set at P <.05. Results: AST, platelet count, waist-to-hip ratio, and fat levels in the Pilates, jujube, and Pilates+jujube groups changed significantly compared with the control group and baseline values (P <.05). Conclusion: Pilates exercise and jujube consumption can lower serum enzyme concentrations along with fat content of the liver and raise blood platelet count. As a result, they may be regarded as efficient techniques to treat NAFLD

Full-Gradient Optimization of the Vibroacoustic Performance of (Non-)auxetic Sandwich Panels

This paper aims to optimize vibro-acoustic response of (non-) auxetic sandwich panels by use of topology optimization method. First, structural noise and vibration responses of the auxetic panel with the re-entrant hexagonal honeycomb core are studied. It is proved that the interactions between the structural vibrations and induced noise are more complex when expected for a low-frequency range, and the optimized noise reduction can be obtained by a proper combination of auxetic and non-auxetic properties within a single structure. Therefore, vibro-acoustic response of the sandwich panel with a re-entrant hexagonal honeycomb core by applying a full-gradient two-dimensional geometry optimization method is analyzed and optimized. It is shown that under various random loads, the sound power level can be reduced by about 20% at the cost of a slight increase (< 5%) of the total mass. Besides, the structural Eigen frequencies are shifted to lower values that are desirable for applications, e.g., in the aerospace industry. The obtained results ensure that the proposed optimization approach delivers extra noise reduction for auxetic sandwich panels as compared to the results available in the literature

Factors predicting patient satisfaction in the emergency department: a single-center study

Objective: Patient satisfaction (PS) is a major quality assessment index for the emergency department (ED) which affects patient safety, litigation, reimbursements, and consumer satisfaction. In this study we aimed to recognize the factors affecting PS in our center. Method: Random shifts during a week were selected and all patients disposed from the ED were asked to fill out a revised and validated Persian version of the Press-Ganey questionnaire with the help of a research assistant. Results were analyzed using a linear regression model by SPSS software version 21. Results: Findings reaffirmed some of the factors previously described. These included longer door to treatment area times having a negative effect on satisfaction (P < 0.001), and providing vivid discharge information improving PS (P < 0.001). Other important factors were also found that had not previously been focused on, namely cleanliness of the area (P < 0.0001) and courtesy of the staff in charge of patient transfer (P = 0.03). We also found that men had a more satisfying ED experience (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Cultural expectations may have an important effect on PS. Thus, every institution should determine and alter the expectations most relevant to them

The management of water resources between traditions and sustainability: the qanats of Shahrood Province (North-eastern Iran)

Qanats, Iran, multidisciplinary study, water supply

The efficacy of Schwann cell transplantation on motor function recovery after spinal cord injuries in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: This article aimed to assess the efficacy of Schwann cell transplantation on motor function recovery in animal model of spinal cord injuries via meta-analysis. Methods: An extended search was carried out in the electronic databases of Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (via OvidSP), CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science (BIOSIS), and ProQuest. Finally, 41 eligible studies conducted on 1046 animals including 517 control animals and 529 transplanted animals were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported. Results: The findings showed that treatment with Schwann cells leads to a modest motor function recovery after spinal cord injury (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.63–1.07; p < 0.001). Transplantation of these cells in acute phase of the injury (immediately after the injury) (OR = 4.30; 95% CI: 1.53–12.05; p = 0.007), application of mesenchymal/skin-derived precursors (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.28–4.29; p = 0.008), and cells with human sources are associated with an increase in efficacy of Schwann cells (OR = 10.96; 95% CI: 1.49–80.77; p = 0.02). Finally, it seems thatthe efficacy of Schwann cells in mice is significantly lower than rats (OR = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.003–0.41; p = 0.009). Conclusion: Transplantation of Schwann cells can moderately improve motor function recovery. It seems that inter-species differences might exist regarding the efficacy of this cells. Therefore, this should be taken into account when using Schwann cells in clinical trials regarding spinal cord injuries

The requirements and challenges in preventing of road traffic injury in Iran. A qualitative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Among middle-income countries, Iran has one of the highest mortality rates from RTIs. Action is critical to combat this major public health problem. Stakeholders involved in RTI control are of key importance and their perceptions of barriers and facilitators are a vital source of knowledge. The aim of this study was to explore barriers to the prevention of RTIs and provide appropriate suggestions for prevention, based on the perceptions of stakeholders, victims and road-users as regards RTIs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with informants in the field of RTI prevention including: police officers; public health professionals; experts from the road administrators; representatives from the General Governor, the car industry, firefighters; experts from Emergency Medical Service and the Red Crescent; and some motorcyclists and car drivers as well as victims of RTIs. A qualitative approach using grounded theory method was employed to analyze the material gathered.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The core variable was identified as "The lack of a system approach to road-user safety". The following barriers in relation to RTI prevention were identified as: human factors; transportation system; and organizational coordination. Suggestions for improvement included education (for the general public and targeted group training), more effective legislation, more rigorous law enforcement, improved engineering in road infrastructure, and an integrated organization to supervise and coordinate preventive activities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The major barriers identified in this study were human factors and efforts to change human behaviour were suggested by means of public education campaigns and stricter law enforcement. However, the lack of a system approach to RTI prevention was also an important concern. There is an urgent need for both an integrated system to coordinate RTI activities and prevention and a major change in stakeholders' attitudes towards RTI prevention. The focus of all activities should take place on road users' safety.</p

Effects of arm cranking exercise, training and thermal stress on indices of cardiovascular risk in spinal cord injured and able-bodied individuals

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo