Alterations In Respiratory Function Research Articles

Hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block: a prospective cohort study

Background and objectivesThe frequent onset of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis during interscalene block restricts its use in patients with respiratory insufficiency. Supraclavicular block could be a safe and effective alternative. Our primary objective was to assess the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis following ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block and compare it to that of interscalene block. MethodsAdults warranting elective shoulder surgery under regional anesthesia (Toulouse University Hospital) were prospectively enrolled from May 2016 to May 2017 in this observational study. Twenty millilitres of 0.375% Ropivacaine were injected preferentially targeted to the “corner pocket”. Diaphragmatic excursion was measured by ultrasonography before and 30 minutes after regional anesthesia. A reduction ≥25% in diaphragmatic excursion during a sniff test defined the hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Dyspnoea and hypoxaemia were recorded in the recovery room. Predictive factors of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (gender, age, weight, smoking, functional capacity) were explored. Postoperative pain was also analysed. ResultsForty-two and 43 patients from respectively the supraclavicular block and interscalene block groups were analysed. The incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis was 59.5% in the supraclavicular block group compared to 95.3% in the interscalene block group (p < 0.0001). Paradoxical movement of the diaphragm was more common in the interscalene block group (RR = 2, 95% CI 1.4–3; p = 0.0001). A similar variation in oxygen saturation was recorded between patients with and without hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (p = 0.08). No predictive factor of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis could be identified. Morphine consumption and the highest numerical rating scale numerical rating scale (NRS) at 24 hours did not differ between groups. ConclusionsGiven the frequent incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis following supraclavicular block, this technique cannot be recommended for patients with an altered respiratory function.

Superior vena cava syndrome and lung cancer: survival and prognostic factors

Introduction: The superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a set of signs related to the obstruction of the upper cava current caused by a compression, an invasion or a thrombosis of the superior vena cava. Its etiologies are numerous but dominated by neoplastic causes mainly of bronchopulmonary origin. Aim of the work: The aim of this study is to evaluate survival and to identify the prognostic factors of superior vena cava syndrome in patients with lung cancer. We also propose to draw up the clinical profile as well as the therapeutic management in SVCS of malignant origin. Materials and methods: A total of 108 patients with SVCS complicating primary bronchial cancer were hospitalized in the Pneumology Department at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital during a period of 25 years. Results: The results showed the existence of a clear male predominance (98.1%) and an average age of 60.2 years. Smoking was found in 68.5% of cases .The superior vena cava syndrome revealed a neoplasm in 55% of cases and it was metachronous in 30.5% of cases. Median survival was 7months. In univariate study, survival was reduced in patients having general health impairment with Performans Status (PS) score≥2, signs of severity of SVCS, altered respiratory function, chronic respiratory failure, histological type of non small cell lung carcinoma and exclusive symptomatic treatment for bronchopulmonary cancer. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender, smoking, PS score and signs of severity were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: The management of the SVCS is multidisciplinary. It requires medical treatment whose effectiveness is still uncertain and radiotherapy which is considered the gold standard of treatment for SVCS.

Orthodontic treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

Abstract Introduction The craniofacial skeleton in the growing child is responsive to changing functional demands and environmental factors. Orthopedic modification of facial bones through the application of constant forces over long periods of time has been a mainstay of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic therapy. Aim of the study The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in pharyngeal structures after rapid palatal expansion (RPE) and compare them with those after using a removable mandibular advancement device (MAD). Material and methods In order to accomplish function we modified the pattern of neuromuscular activity throught mandible forward position. Results This finding shows that maxillary deficiency and mandibular retrognathism have been reportedly linked to OSA as both etiologic factors and sequelae of prolonged mouth breathing during the period of growth, these illustrate the potential interaction between alteration in respiratory function and craniofacial morphology. Conclusions Craniofacial anatomic defects, including inferior displacement of the hyoid bone, larger gonial angle, smaller anterior cranial base, altered anterior and posterior facial heights, and mandibular deficiency, have been suggested as predisposing factors for upper airway obstruction during sleep. Cephalometry has been used extensively in the fields of orthodontics and anthropology to record craniofacial form. Recently, it has been also suggested that cephalometry could be an adjunctive procedure for assessing craniofacial patterns associated with OSAS. Estimating efficacy of rapid maxillary expansion and mandibular advanced in the treatment of paediatric SDB. This might provide alternatives to primary treatments and/or enhance interdisciplinary treatment planning for the children suffering from OSA. The relationships between maxillofacial malocclusions and upper airway volumes were investigated. Literature studies on the association of upper airway narrowing with dento-skeletal malocclusions have been confirmed by us for the group of patients studied.

Angina and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: facing the perfect storm.

The association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is challenging both in terms of prognosis and of pharmacological treatment. An 83-year-old Caucasian male patient has chronic kidney disease, COPD, previous myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) on left anterior descending (LAD), saphenous vein graft (SVG) on obtuse marginal (OM)1 and on right coronary artery, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on LAD (occlusion of LIMA) and on SVG for OM1 (SVG critical stenosis). Recently, the patient complained worsening angina [Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) III] and had residual ischaemia in the anterior wall after an unsuccessful attempt of PCI was performed on LAD for in-stent occlusion due to restenosis. Bisoprolol uptitration failed due to worsening of pulmonary function at spirometry. For this reason, ivabradine 5 mg b.i.d. was added to bisoprolol. Afterwards, the patient referred amelioration of symptoms and he is actually in CCS Class I. The control spirometry showed moderate obstruction comparable to his chronic situation. Patients with IHD and COPD often do not receive β-blockers due to the fear of adverse effects. However, cardioselective β-blockers do not worsen pulmonary function while they reduce mortality in COPD patients. In this setting, ivabradine could be extremely helpful in order to control symptoms since it is effective in patients with asthma and COPD, with no alteration in respiratory function or symptoms and improves exercise capacity and functional class in COPD patients.

Longitudinal changes in pulmonary function and respiratory impedance of rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to examine long-term changes in pulmonary function and respiratory impedance (Zrs) as assessed by forced oscillation technique (FOT) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related pulmonary disorders. Data of 42 RA patients who underwent pulmonary function tests and Zrs measurements at least twice at a >900-day interval were retrospectively reviewed. Zrs, respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs), were measured as a function of oscillatory frequency from 4 to 36 Hz. The Rrs and difference between inspiratory and expiratory phases of Xrs were significantly decreased. Annual changes in Xrs parameters significantly correlated with those of spirometric parameters. Zrs parameters were significantly different between the low (the lower 75 percentile of incidence) and high (the top quartile) frequency of adverse respiratory event groups. The Zrs combined with spirometry may be beneficial to evaluate alterations in respiratory functions of RA.

The impact of fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index on childhood respiratory function and atopy: a prospective case-control study

Objective: To determine if an elevated fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index is associated with abnormal respiratory function and atopy in children aged 12 years.Methods: This prospective case-control study compared children that had an elevated fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index (>90th centile) to those with a normal pulsatility index (<90th centile). All subjects were delivered at full-term and with appropriate growth for gestational age. Outcome measures included; (i) presence of asthma and/or atopy; (ii) spirometry measurements and (iii) serum C-reactive protein and leptin. Multiple regression was used to account for parental smoking, childhood age, gender and socioeconomic status.Results: 174 children with an average age of 12.1 (±0.6 SD), 48% of who were male were included in the analysis. Of the 174, 99 (57%) were in the normal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index group and 75 (43%) elevated umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index groups. The overall proportion of subjects with asthma was 28% (48/174) and atopy 56% (98/174). No association was found between elevated fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index and asthma (p = .47) or atopy (p = .75) at age 12 years. Similarly there was no association between FEV1(%) (p = .96), forced vital capacity (FVC)(%) (p = .98), elevated serum C-reactive protein (p = .69) or leptin (p = .20) and an elevated fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index.Conclusions: An elevated umbilical artery Doppler at 28-weeks gestation in the absence of prematurity or fetal growth restriction is not associated with altered respiratory function or the presence of atopy in children aged 12 years. These findings support the theory that such disease has a multifactorial pathophysiology.

Respiratory Muscle Strength Evaluation in Healthy Adult and Elderly Women—Respiratory Muscle Strength Assessment in Adult and Elderly

Measurement of respiratory muscle strength is performed through static measurements of maximal respiratory pressures and is an important tool for determining the existence and prognosis of neuromuscular and pulmonary disorders, such as weakness or fatigue of this musculature. Objectives: To evaluate and compare respiratory muscle strength among healthy adult and elderly women. Methods: A total of 163 healthy women were recruited through convenience sampling at the family centers of the city of Manaus (AM, Brazil), divided into two groups: adult women (age 20 - 59 years) and elderly women (over 60 years of age). The evaluation was performed by Manovacuometry, in order to measure the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). For statistical analysis we used the Student’s T test, considering significant p value ≤ 0.05. Results: The final sample consisted of 116 adult women and 47 elderly women. The mean age in the group of women between 20 - 59 years was 44.5 ± 12 and the elderly group was 65 ± 6.6. MIP values in adult women were significantly higher when compared to the elderly (−108 ± 5.3 cmH2O × −79.5 ± 4 cmH2O, p = 0.0014, respectively). The same behavior was observed in the evaluation of MEP (87.1 ± 2.9 cmH2O in adults and 69.8 ± 3.5 cmH2O in the elderly; p = 0.0008). Conclusion: The results indicate that inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength is lower in older women, suggesting that the aging process tends to interfere with those muscles, resulting in altered respiratory system function.

Altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype in COPD: disease vs. disuse.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit an altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype, which often includes reduced mitochondrial density, altered respiratory function, and elevated oxidative stress. As this phenotype may be explained by the sedentary lifestyle that commonly accompanies this disease, the aim of this study was to determine whether such alterations are still evident when patients with COPD are compared to control subjects matched for objectively measured physical activity (PA; accelerometry). Indexes of mitochondrial density [citrate synthase (CS) activity], respiratory function (respirometry in permeabilized fibers), and muscle oxidative stress [4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content] were assessed in muscle fibers biopsied from the vastus lateralis of nine patients with COPD and nine PA-matched control subjects (CON). Despite performing similar levels of PA (CON: 18 ± 3, COPD: 20 ± 7 daily minutes moderate-to-vigorous PA; CON: 4,596 ± 683, COPD: 4,219 ± 763 steps per day, P > 0.70), patients with COPD still exhibited several alterations in their mitochondrial phenotype, including attenuated skeletal muscle mitochondrial density (CS activity; CON 70.6 ± 3.8, COPD 52.7 ± 6.5 U/mg, P < 0.05), altered mitochondrial respiration [e.g., ratio of complex I-driven state 3 to complex II-driven state 3 (CI/CII); CON: 1.20 ± 0.11, COPD: 0.90 ± 0.05, P < 0.05), and oxidative stress (4-HNE; CON: 1.35 ± 0.19, COPD: 2.26 ± 0.25 relative to β-actin, P < 0.05). Furthermore, CS activity ( r = 0.55), CI/CII ( r = 0.60), and 4-HNE ( r = 0.49) were all correlated with pulmonary function, assessed as forced expiratory volume in 1 s ( P < 0.05), but not PA ( P > 0.05). In conclusion, the altered mitochondrial phenotype in COPD is present even in the absence of differing levels of PA and appears to be related to the disease itself. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with debilitating alterations in the function of skeletal muscle mitochondria. By comparing the mitochondrial phenotype of patients with COPD to that of healthy control subjects who perform the same amount of physical activity each day, this study provides evidence that many aspects of the dysfunctional mitochondrial phenotype observed in COPD are not merely due to reduced physical activity but are likely related to the disease itself.

Alteraciones de las funciones respiratoria y cardíaca en tabaquistas

El hábito de fumar es cada vez más frecuente entra la población, especialmente en los países en desarrollo, y se prevé que incrementará en los próximos años, con lo cual también aumentará la mortalidad asociada. Ante esto, algunas instituciones enfocan la atención en este tipo de población, pero es necesario, aparte de brindarles el tratamiento adecuado para abandonar el consumo de tabaco, implementar medidas de detección temprana para diagnosticar ciertas patologías que se pueden presentar con mayor frecuencia en los tabaquistas. Objetivo. Establecer las alteraciones de las funciones respiratoria y cardíaca en pacientes tabaquistas. Materiales y Métodos. Enfoque cuantitativo, con diseño descriptivo, transversal, observacional, retrospectivo. La muestra fue de 91. Resultados. La proporción de las alteraciones obstructivas de la pequeña vía aérea fue de 40.7%; el 29.7% presentaba obstrucción leve; el 58.8%, moderada, 13.5%, severa. El 13.2% presentó alteraciones de la gran vía; de estos, el 33.3% fueron casos de obstrucción leve y el 66.7% de moderada. El 40% de la población presentó enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (epoc), de los cuales el 92.5% se encontraba en estadio cero y el 7.5% en epoc moderada. El 5.5%, presentó bloqueo de rama derecha y el 1.1%, hipertrofia de ventrículo derecho. Conclusiones. La epoc en el estadio cero y la obstrucción moderada de la pequeña vía aérea fueron las alteraciones de la función respiratoria que predominaron en la población de estudio. Las alteraciones de la función cardíaca se presentaron en menor proporción, predominando los bloqueos de la rama derecha del haz de His.CREA CIENCIA Vol. 11 No 1-2 ISSN 1818-202X enero-diciembre 2017, p. 60-66

Neither walking test performance nor fatty liver suggest altered respiratory function in obese children assessed by appropriate spirometry percentiles

Neither walking test performance nor fatty liver suggest altered respiratory function in obese children assessed by appropriate spirometry percentiles

Staphylococcus aureus nitric oxide synthase (saNOS) modulates aerobic respiratory metabolism and cell physiology.

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated from arginine and oxygen via NO synthase (NOS). Staphylococcus aureus NOS (saNOS) has previously been shown to affect virulence and resistance to exogenous oxidative stress, yet the exact mechanism is unknown. Herein, a previously undescribed role of saNOS in S. aureus aerobic physiology was reported. Specifically, aerobic S. aureus nos mutant cultures presented with elevated endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide levels, as well as increased membrane potential, increased respiratory dehydrogenase activity and slightly elevated oxygen consumption. Elevated ROS levels in the nos mutant likely resulted from altered respiratory function, as inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase brought ROS levels back to wild-type levels. These results indicate that, in addition to its recently reported role in regulating the switch to nitrate-based respiration during low-oxygen growth, saNOS also plays a modulatory role during aerobic respiration. Multiple transcriptional changes were also observed in the nos mutant, including elevated expression of genes associated with oxidative/nitrosative stress, anaerobic respiration and lactate metabolism. Targeted metabolomics revealed decreased cellular lactate levels, and altered levels of TCA cycle intermediates, the latter of which may be related to decreased aconitase activity. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a key contribution of saNOS to S. aureus aerobic respiratory metabolism.

Effect of thoracic mobilization on respiratory parameters in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Altered respiratory function has been found to be associated with back pain. Limited chest excursion in subjects with chronic low back pain (CLBP) may be due to co-contraction or bracing of erector spinae and abdominal muscles; their flexed spinal posture; and/or their compromised spinal stability resulting from dysfunctional transversus abdominis. To check for the effects of thoracic mobilization on respiratory parameters in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain. Sixty-two subjects (excluding 11 dropouts) with CLBP of age group 30-60 were randomly allocated to two groups. Both groups received individualized treatment for low back pain (LBP) and HEP (home exercise program) regime of breathing exercises. In addition, group 1 received Maitland's Central postero-anterior vertebral pressure for thoracic spine (T1-T8). Total treatment duration was 10 sessions in 2 weeks (5 sessions/week). Results showed significant improvement in respiratory parameters viz. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Sustained Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (SMIP) and Chest Wall Expansion (CWE) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in both groups (p< 0.05) at end of 2 weeks of intervention. However, improvement was significantly more in group 1 (p < 0.05) receiving additional thoracic mobilization. Subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain with or without radiation to lower limbs when treated with thoracic central PA mobilization, in addition to LBP specific treatment and breathing exercises, show an improvement in respiratory parameters and reduction in disability.

EVALUATION OF THE THORACOABDOMINAL MOBILITY OF OBESE SUBJECTS IN PRE-BARIATRIC SURGERY.

ABSTRACTBackground: Obesity can affect the thorax, diaphragm, and alterations in respiratory function even if the lungs are within normality. The respiratory compliance is very reduced by the increase in fat mass. Aim: To evaluate the effect of the physical therapeutic respiratory exercises on the thoracoabdominal mobility of obese individuals in pre-bariatric surgery Methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study, which used the cirtometry (axillary, xiphoid and abdominal) to evaluate the mobility of 74 individuals, 27 men and 47 women, in pre-bariatric surgery, assisted by the team EMAD, after eight weeks of physiotherapy, following a protocol of exercises, reevaluating and compared the measures pre and post intervention. Results: Had positive correlation abdominal mobility in the total volume of all participants (p=0.010) and also for all the measures in the measurement of residual volume in three levels (p=0.000). Comparing genders, in total volume, cirtometry abdominal greater for women (p=0.015) when compared to men and residual volume, significance for either men or women in all measurements (p=0.000). Conclusion: Obese patients that underwent the physiotherapeutic treatment during the preoperative period, had pré respiratory dynamics improved by the increase in the mobility of the chest cavity and by the improvement of respiratory conscience.

Severe congenital scoliosis: What possibilities for seating installation and mobility?

We call congenital scoliosis a spinal curve which may be present before age of 3 [1] . Some resolve spontaneously while others can severely progress, but the literature do not report data about their prevalence. Its impact is multiple: the curve can induce an oblique pelvis, an alteration of respiratory function, some nutritional troubles or pain. All those can impair, daily the possibilities of prone or sitting positions, or capacities of mobility. And those problems, as we know, have not being studied in publications up to now. From 5 situations, we will approach the complaints of children and teenagers with severe congenital scoliosis, about their sitting installation with discomfort, their mobility or participation limitations. In each case, we will also report some possible difficulties for the adaptation of compensation devices. Young patients with severe scoliosis can suffer daily of bad installation, painful and impossible to sustain during hours. They can need devices to support their mobility (scooter, wheelchair). Those problems are not enough evaluated and taken into account while they can impact patient's quality of life. Attribution of devices for compensation is not a simple course, from the evaluation to the technical realization (custom-made most generally) with sometimes even legal difficulties.

Persistently Altered Brain Mitochondrial Bioenergetics After Apparently Successful Resuscitation From Cardiac Arrest.

BackgroundAlthough advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation have improved survival from cardiac arrest (CA), neurologic injury persists and impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics may be critical for targeted neuroresuscitation. The authors sought to determine if excellent cardiopulmonary resuscitation and postresuscitation care and good traditional survival rates result in persistently disordered cerebral mitochondrial bioenergetics in a porcine pediatric model of asphyxia-associated ventricular fibrillation CA.Methods and ResultsAfter 7 minutes of asphyxia, followed by ventricular fibrillation, 5 female 1-month-old swine (4 sham) received blood pressure–targeted care: titration of compression depth to systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg and vasopressor administration to a coronary perfusion pressure >20 mm Hg. All animals received protocol-based vasopressor support after return of spontaneous circulation for 4 hours before they were killed. The primary outcome was integrated mitochondrial electron transport system (ETS) function. CA animals displayed significantly decreased maximal, coupled oxidative phosphorylating respiration (OXPHOSCI+CII) in cortex (P<0.02) and hippocampus (P<0.02), as well as decreased phosphorylation and coupling efficiency (cortex, P<0.05; hippocampus, P<0.05). Complex I– and complex II–driven respiration were both significantly decreased after CA (cortex: OXPHOSCI P<0.01, ETSCII P<0.05; hippocampus: OXPHOSCI P<0.03, ETSCII P<0.01). In the hippocampus, there was a significant decrease in maximal uncoupled, nonphosphorylating respiration (ETSCI+CII), as well as a 30% reduction in citrate synthase activity (P<0.04).ConclusionsMitochondria in both the cortex and hippocampus displayed significant alterations in respiratory function after CA despite excellent cardiopulmonary resuscitation and postresuscitation care in asphyxia-associated ventricular fibrillation CA. Analysis of integrated ETS function identifies mitochondrial bioenergetic failure as a target for goal-directed neuroresuscitation after CA. IACUC Protocol: IAC 13-001023.

Obesity and lung function: a systematic review.

ABSTRACTObesity is a chronic disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat that is harmful to the individuals. Respiratory disorders are among the comorbidities associated with obesity. This study had the objective of investigating the alterations in respiratory function that affect obese individuals. A systematic review was performed, by selecting publications in the science databases MEDLINE and LILACS, using PubMed and SciELO. The articles that assessed pulmonary function by plethysmography and/or spirometry in obese individuals aged under 18 years were included. The results demonstrated that the obese individuals presented with a reduction in lung volume and capacity as compared to healthy individuals. Reduction of total lung capacity and reduction of forced vital capacity, accompanied by reduction of the forced expiratory volume after one second were the most representative findings in the samples. The articles analyzed proved the presence of a restrictive respiratory pattern associated with obesity.

Reperfusion-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the porcine heart is reduced by TRO40303 in the area at risk predominantly through preservation of outer mitochondrial membrane intactness

Mitochondria are considered to play critical roles in cell death pathways following ischemia-reperfusion injury. The objective of the present study was to perform a functional assessment of mitochondria following ischemia-reperfusion injury of the porcine heart as well as to evaluate mitochondrial effects of hypothermia and the outer membrane translocator protein (TSPO) ligand TRO40303. Pigs were subjected to 40 min occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Three groups of pigs were treated either by administration of 15 mg/kg TRO40303 or the same volume of saline (1 ml/kg) at normothermia 5 min before reperfusion, or by hypothermia (32°C) initiated prior to occlusion, n=8 for all groups. Transmural needle biopsies were taken from the non-ischemic area in the left lateral wall, from the area at risk in the midventricular anterior wall and from the ischemic core area in the apical anterior wall. Mitochondrial respiratory function was evaluated polarographically in skinned heart fibers using specific substrates and inhibitors. In the control group, heart fibers from both ischemic areas demonstrated a general reduction of respiratory states. However, respiration linked to respiratory complex I was more affected than that to complex II indicating loss of soluble matrix components such as NAD (H). Addition of exogenous cytochrome c (CytC) increased the level of respiration several fold in both ischemic areas indicating increased permeability of the outer membrane and that CytC loss contributed to the reduced levels of respiration. These changes were diminished by hypothermia in both ischemic areas. TRO40303 attenuated inhibition of respiration involving complex II and reduced the stimulatory effects of CytC in the area at risk, but did not significantly reduce the altered ratio of complex I- and II-mediated respiration, and was without effect in the ischemic core area. It is concluded that mitochondria in both the ischemic core area and the area at risk undergo significant alterations in respiratory function following ischemia-reperfusion injury consistent with both inner and outer mitochondrial membrane permeabilization which can be inhibited by hypothermia initiated prior to occlusion. Administration of TRO40303 prior to reperfusion appears to reduce reperfusion-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the area at risk mainly by preserving outer membrane intactness and limiting CytC release.

Different Patterns of Respiration in Rat Lines Selectively Bred for High or Low Anxiety

In humans, there is unequivocal evidence of an association between anxiety states and altered respiratory function. Despite this, the link between anxiety and respiration has been poorly evaluated in experimental animals. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that genetic lines of rats that differ largely in their anxiety level would display matching alterations in respiration. To reach this goal, respiration was recorded in high-anxiety behavior (HAB, n = 10) and low-anxiety behavior (LAB, n = 10) male rats using whole-body plethysmography. In resting state, respiratory rate was higher in HABs (85±2 cycles per minute, cpm) than LABs (67±2 cpm, p<0.05). During initial testing into the plethysmograph and during a restraint test, HAB rats spent less time at high-frequency sniffing compared to LAB rats. In addition, HAB rats did not habituate in terms of respiratory response to repetitive acoustic stressful stimuli. Finally, HAB rats exhibited a larger incidence of sighs during free exploration of the plethysmograph and under stress conditions. We conclude that: i) HAB rats showed respiratory changes (elevated resting respiratory rate, reduced sniffing in novel environment, increased incidence of sighs, and no habituation of the respiratory response to repetitive stimuli) that resemble those observed in anxious and panic patients, and ii) respiratory patterns may represent a promising way for assessing anxiety states in preclinical studies.

A Comparative Study of Yoga and Aerobic Exercises in Obesity and its Effect on Pulmonary Function

Introduction: Obesity is becoming a serious Global Public Health issue especially in developed countries. Evidence indicates that obesity is associated with wide range of health conditions including respiratory diseases can result in altered respiratory function. Yoga is a form of physical activity which may assist in achieving recommended levels of physical fitness. Yoga may be atractive as an aerobic training program because it requires little space and no equipment. Some yoga postures helps to reduce weight with significant health benefits. Materials and methods: Prospective comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Rural Community. Total 60 subjects male and females diagnosed with Obesity from medicine dept. PMT, Loni.by the WHO criteria. Out of sixty thirty subjects were divided into two groups by block random sampling method that is group I and II. After explaining procedure both groups were revaluated for baseline parameters like B.M.I. and pulmonary functions. (MVV, FEV1/FVC) group I started with aerobic exercise that is walking and Group II started with pranayama & postures of yoga that can help to reduce weight. Results: Statistical analysis was done for comparison of both groups. After applying “ t ” test pre yoga practice and aerobics also post yoga and aerobics practice data shows highly significance difference between mean and standard deviation values of all parameters in group II ( Yoga group) i.e. (p <0.01) Conclusion: Our study concludes that regular practice of yoga is really helpful in weight reduction & improves the pulmonary functions.

Defective mitochondrial fusion, altered respiratory function, and distorted cristae structure in skin fibroblasts with heterozygous OPA1 mutations

Deleterious consequences of heterozygous OPA1 mutations responsible for autosomal dominant optic atrophy remain a matter of debate. Primary skin fibroblasts derived from patients have shown diverse mitochondrial alterations that were however difficult to resolve in a unifying scheme. To address the potential use of these cells as disease model, we undertook parallel and quantitative analyses of the diverse reported alterations in four fibroblast lines harboring different OPA1 mutations, nonsense or missense, in the guanosine triphosphatase or the C-terminal coiled-coil domains. We tackled several factors potentially underlying discordant reports and showed that fibroblasts with heterozygous OPA1 mutations present with several mitochondrial alterations. These included defective mitochondrial fusion during pharmacological challenge with the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazone, significant mitochondrial elongation with decreased OPA1 and DRP1 proteins, and abnormal mitochondrial fragmentation during glycolysis shortage or exogenous oxidative stress. Respiratory complex IV activity and subunits steady-state were decreased without alteration of the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid size, amount or transcription. Physical link between OPA1 protein and oxidative phosphorylation was shown by reciprocal immunoprecipitation. Altered cristae structure coexisted with normal response to pro-apoptotic stimuli and expression of Bax or Bcl2 proteins. Skin fibroblasts with heterozygous OPA1 mutations thus share significant mitochondrial remodeling, and may therefore be useful for analyzing disease pathophysiology. Identifying whether the observed alterations are also present in ganglion retinal cells, and which of them underlies their degeneration process remains however an essential goal for therapeutic strategy.