Changes In Respiratory Rate Research Articles

Continuous characterisation of exacerbation pathophysiology using wearable technologies in free-living outpatients with COPD: a prospective observational cohort study

The most recent exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD) classification criteria relies in part on changes in respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Despite this paradigm shift, a thorough understanding of exacerbation patterns is still lacking, as is the identification of physiological exacerbation biomarkers. Using a convenience sampling approach, this prospective observational cohort study was conducted between February 2023 and January 2024. Continuous measurements of daytime/overnight respiratory (primary outcome), cardiovascular, autonomic, activity and sleep-related parameters were collected by a wearable biometric wristband and ring over 21 consecutive days in free-living outpatients experiencing and receiving treatment (≤3 days) for a current exacerbation from the home environment. The EXACT-PRO questionnaire served as the validated reference for daily symptom burden and to identify 'recovered' versus 'persistent worsening' participants. Unadjusted and adjusted (for age, sex, FEV1) linear mixed-effects models were fitted to estimate associations between each physiological parameter with daily EXACT-PRO score (points, pts), in all, 'recovered', and 'persistent worsening' participants. Results are presented as point estimates with 95% CIs. In 21 participants with COPD (43% female, mean age 66.8, BMI 27.7kg/m2, FEV1 36.3% predicted; 85.7% with GOLD 3-4 disease), significant associations in unadjusted models with daily EXACT-PRO score included RR variability (-1.45 [-2.84,-0.073] pts/breath/min) but not RR, daily step count (-0.56 [-0.82,-0.31] pts/1000 steps), and sleep efficiency (-0.12 [-0.20,-0.037] pts/%asleep). In 'recovered' participants (n=10), significant associations included nighttime HR, movement intensity and nightly SpO2. In 'persistent worsening' participants (n=11), significant associations included HR variability, nightly RR variability, nightly SpO2, sleep efficiency, and skin temperature. Similar results were found in adjusted models. This study provides a prospective continuous characterisation of exacerbations of COPD using remotely collected, ambulatory/free-living data. The physiological patterns presented may contribute to the understanding of exacerbations and may enhance the development of effective remote monitoring solutions. University hospital (MUHC-CAS) grant.

The thrill of chance: Psychophysiological responses in loot boxes and simulated slot machines

Loot boxes (LBs) are microtransactions within video games that offer players the opportunity to acquire virtual items randomly. LBs shared structural and psychological features with gambling, especially slot machines. However, one potential shared feature that has been scarcely explored in LBs, is the level of arousal experienced by players. This study explores changes in electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) during the opening of LBs in FIFA and during simulated slot machine spin in gamblers (n = 14, M = 19.93 years), LB users (n = 13, M = 19.62 years) and a control group (n = 13, M = 21.92 years). Additionally, the study aimed to compare psychophysiological activation levels produced by both dynamics in each group. Results indicated that both gamblers and LB users showed increased EDA during LB opening and slot machine spins, while HR or RR did not exhibit significant changes. The control group showed increased EDA during the slot machine spin, with no changes during LB opening or in other psychophysiological measures. The comparison between LB opening and slot machine spin revealed similar levels of psychophysiological activation for gamblers and LB users. These findings suggest a potential link between gambling and LBs, which could inform the development of policies for safer gaming environments.

Spontaneous reversal of small molecule-induced mitochondrial uncoupling: the case of anilinothiophenes.

Tissue specificity can render mitochondrial uncouplers more promising asleading compounds for creating drugs against serious diseases. In searchof tissue-specific uncouplers, we address anilinothiophenes as possible glutathione-S-transferase substrates (GST). Earlier, 'cyclic' uncoupling activity was reported for 5-bromo-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,4-dinitro-2-thiophenamine (BDCT) in isolated rat liver mitochondria (RLM). The mechanism by which BDCT induced two-phase changes in mitochondrial respiration (stimulation followed by deceleration) was unknown. To clarify this issue, we synthesized BDCT and its two analogues. Among these, 5-bromo-3,4-dinitro-N-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-thiophenamine (BDNT) appeared to be the most effective as a mitochondrial uncoupler, decreasing membrane potential and stimulating respiration at submicromolar concentrations. Importantly, BDNT exerted two-phase changes in both mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration rate of RLM, which were enhanced by the addition of glutathione (GSH) but inhibited by the compounds capable of GSH depleting, such as 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). By contrast, the phase of recoupling was not observed in rat heart mitochondria (RHM). Remarkably, BDNT elicited mitochondrial depolarization in primary human fibroblasts but not in cultured human liver (HepG2) cells. By detecting proton-selective electrical current through planar bilayer lipid membranes, we demonstrated the ability of BDCT and BDNT to transfer protons across membranes. BDNT proved to be an anionic protonophore with a pKa of 7.38. By using LC-MS and capillary electrophoresis, we directly showed the formation of BDNT conjugates with GSH upon incubation with RLM but not RHM. Therefore, we hypothesize that GST is involved in the disappearance of the anilinothiophene uncoupling activity in RLM, ensuring the tissue-specific behavior of the uncoupler.

The impact of different prong-nares ratio on ventilation in COPD patients using nasal high-flow (NHF) – a physiological study

IntroductionNasal high flow (NHF) is a popular technique to provide support in respiratory failure in different conditions. Recently published bench studies have hypothesized that airway pressure can be increased by using different cannula sizes and corresponding prongs resulting in a range of prong-nare ratios. We conducted this study to verify these experimental findings in clinical practice.MethodsWe characterized prong size and flow rate dependent changes in ventilation parameters and changes in hypercapnia in an interventional clinical setting. Outcome parameters included changes in mean airway pressure, tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (RR), minute volume (MV) and decrease in pCO2. The ventilatory parameters were determined at 20, 30, 40 and 50 l/min with 3 different prong sizes. 20 and 40 l/min and the 3 different prong sizes were used to document the changes in pCO2.ResultsIn this study we demonstrate changes in ventilation with increasing flow rates of NHF. A significant increase in mean airway pressure was seen with every 10 l/min increase in flow rate. Respiratory rate and minute volume (using large prongs) changed significantly with larger increases in flow rate, while tidal volume was not significantly altered. When the flow rate was increased by 20 l/min (i.e. from 20 l/min to 40 l/min) capillary pCO2 decreased significantly. None of the measured values were significantly altered by the prong size used.ConclusionIn summary, we presented strong indications that different prong sizes have no influence on essential respiratory parameters or the elimination of pCO2 when using NHF in COPD patients.

Breathing modulates network activity in frontal brain regions during anxiety.

Anxiety elicits various physiological responses, including changes in respiratory rate and neuronal activity within specific brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Previous research suggests that the olfactory bulb (OB) modulates the mPFC through respiration-coupled neuronal oscillations (RCOs), which have been linked to fear-related freezing behavior. Nevertheless, the impact of breathing on frontal brain networks during other negative emotional responses, such as anxiety-related states characterized by higher breathing rates, remains unclear. To address this, we subjected rats to the elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm while simultaneously recording respiration and local field potentials in the OB and mPFC. Our findings demonstrate distinct respiratory patterns during EPM exploration: slower breathing frequencies prevailed in the closed arms, whereas faster frequencies were observed in the open arms, independent of locomotor activity, indicating that anxiety-like states are associated with increased respiratory rates. Additionally, we identified RCOs at different frequencies, mirroring the bimodal distribution of respiratory frequencies. RCOs exhibited higher power during open arm exploration, when they showed greater coherence with breathing at faster frequencies. Furthermore, we confirmed that nasal respiration drives RCOs in frontal brain regions, and found a stronger effect during faster breathing. Interestingly, we observed that the frequency of prefrontal gamma oscillations modulated by respiration increased with breathing frequency. Overall, our study provides evidence for a significant influence of breathing on prefrontal cortex networks during anxious states, shedding light on the complex interplay between respiratory physiology and emotional processing.Significance Statement Understanding how breathing influences brain activity during anxious states could pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions targeting respiratory control to alleviate anxiety symptoms. Our study uncovers a crucial link between respiratory patterns and anxiety-related neural activity in the brain. By investigating the interplay between breathing, neuronal oscillations, and emotional states, we reveal that anxiety induces distinct respiratory patterns, with higher breathing rates correlating with anxious behavior. Importantly, we demonstrate that respiration drives oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex, and this effect is potentiated during the fast breathing associated with anxiety. Furthermore, faster breathing modulates the emergence of faster prefrontal gamma oscillations. This discovery sheds new light on the intricate relationship between respiratory physiology and emotional processing.

Hyperaccumulation of metal in the apoplast contributes to the tolerance of the phytoremediator Pistia stratiotes L. to manganese-contaminated water

Phytoremediation of manganese (Mn)-contaminated water requires the selection of Mn-tolerant species. This study reports on physiological changes and Mn bioaccumulation in the aquatic macrophyte Pistia stratiotes cultivated under various MnCl2 concentrations: control, 80, 340, 600, 1000, 2000, and 4000 µM. Few visual symptoms of Mn toxicity, such as chlorosis, were observed after 10 days, especially in plants treated with 2000 and 4000 µM MnCl2. High Mn accumulation was recorded, with maximum values of 23,700 and 24,600 µg g−1 DW in the shoots and roots, respectively, at 4000 µM Mn, contrasting with 825.01 and 1587.53 µg g−1 DW in control plants. Cellular fractioning showed that Mn in shoots and roots was mainly associated with the cell wall, with approximately 90% of the Mn in roots detected in the apoplast. There were no significant changes in net CO2 assimilation or respiratory rates after 5 and 10 days of Mn exposure. These results demonstrate that P. stratiotes is a Mn hyperaccumulator species with excellent phytoremediation potential, as shown by its high bioaccumulation capacity and its ability to maintain photosynthetic efficiency under Mn stress.

Effect of Long-Term Yoga Practice on Stress, Blood Pressure, and Pupil Limbus Diameter Ratio

Background:Yoga has been reported to provide potential health benefits for anxiety, stress reduction, and general well-being. The relaxation induced by meditation helps to stabilize the autonomic nervous system with a tendency towards parasympathetic dominance. Long-term yoga practice helps yoga practitionersbecome more resilient to stressful conditions and reduce a variety of important risk factors for various diseases. Pupil to limbus Diameter [PLD]is a simple non-invasive technique to identify the altered autonomic responses during yoga practice. Perceived stress scale [PSS] is the most widely employed psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. Methodology: Thus the study aims to assessthe autonomic changes and stress levels in long-term yoga practitioners by assessing the PLD ratio and noting the PSS scale in 48 control and 45 yoga practitioners recruited from the Yogisha Mission Trust. As the regular practice of yoga is known to regulate Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in hypertensive patients, changes in blood pressure, pulse rate (PR) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded. Result: There was a significant decrease in the mean PLD ratio of the right eye, left eye and both eyes when compared between the control and the study group[ yoga practicing group] (p<0.05). A significant reduction in perceived stress levelblood pressure, PR and RR was noted in people practicing yoga when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: From our study, we conclude that long-term practice of yoga helps in the reduction of stress, blood pressureand PLD ratio.

Dynamics of Respiratory Rate and Heart Rate Variability when Performing a Cognitive Task of Two Levels of Complexity

The study examined heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory rate during a cognitive task (reading) at two difficulty levels. Time, frequency and nonlinear analysis of HRV was used. It has been shown that both some indicators of HRV (HR, SDNN, RMSSD, SD2, SD2/SD1) and respiratory rate change with increasing mental load, however, they do not separately demonstrate significant differences at all three stages of the study. Therefore, for the first time for cognitive studies, an integral indicator was used that links the parameters of the heart with respiration – the physiological cost of activity (PhysCost), which was previously used in work with athletes when they performed physical exercises to failure. Changes in the PhysCost showed that differences between a simple and a complex task are observed at all stages of the study. Thus, it has been established that the difference in the functional state of a person in the process of performing a continuous task of two levels of complexity is most reliably revealed when using an integrative indicator connecting the activity of the respiratory system and the circulatory system.

Transfer Learning‐Assisted Porous Polymer Humidity Sensor for Powered Air‐Purifying Mask

Masks protect respiratory health in the coal, oil, and gas industries. However, prolonged exposure to high humidity inside masks can cause discomfort and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. To address the issue, in this work, a porous polymer humidity sensor suitable for monitoring respiratory changes in high humidity environment is prepared and integrated into the power air‐purifying mask. Combined with the transfer learning algorithm, the problem with respiratory resistance caused by delayed air supply due to signal processing in the traditional power air‐purifying mask is overcome, and the respiratory signal is effectively predicted in advance, so as to achieve real‐time on‐demand air supply. The brief process is as follows: A porous polymer humidity sensor with fast response/recovery times (2.94/4.86 s) at 95% relative humidity (RH) is developed for monitoring respiratory rate changes in high humidity environments. By integrating this sensor with a powered air‐purifying system and employing a transfer learning algorithm, the system predicts respiratory signals and adjusts the air supply in real‐time. This reduces mask humidity from 95% RH to 40–50% RH in 1.8 s, ensuring comfortable, low‐resistance breathing for workers.This work will be conductive to the development of comfortable poweredair‐purifying respirators with low resistance and humidity.

The Effect of Breathing and Relaxation Exercises on Self-Care, Dyspnea, and Fatigue in Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Dyspnea, fatigue, and self-care are common occurrences of heart failure. This study evaluated the effects of yoga breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises on dyspnea, fatigue, and self-care in heart failure. The study conducted between April 2023 and March 2024 randomized 66 heart failure patients into 3 groups (yoga breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation exercise, and control). The intervention groups engaged in specific exercises tailored to their assigned regimen for 10minutes twice daily over a 2-week period, while the control group maintained their pharmacological treatment. At the end of the intervention (second week) yoga breathing exercise notably ameliorated fatigue, dyspnea, and self-care (P <.001), changes in saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate favoring the intervention groups (P <.05). Yoga breathing exercises enhance self-care, alleviate fatigue, and dyspnea in heart failure. Additionally, yoga breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises provide benefits in regulating saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate in heart failure.

Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Passive Non-invasive Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) Device for Delivering Positive Pressure Therapy Compared to Standard Care in Non-critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were reports of a shortage of ventilators and oxygen supply, particularly in resource-limited settings. We report the preliminary evaluation of a non-invasive positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) mask in hospitalized non-critically ill patients with COVID-19. We randomly assigned hospitalized adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and requiring greater than 40% supplemental oxygen to either standard care oxygen delivery (control) or via Materialise passive non-invasive PEEP device mask (intervention; Belgium). The primary outcome was a change in mean respiratory rate from baseline over the first three hours after the commencement of the intervention. Secondary outcomes included dyspnea score, need for escalation of respiratory or cardiovascular support, days alive and free of ICU, and day-28 mortality. Between April 30, 2021, and October 10, 2021, we enrolled 132 (65 control, 67 intervention) patients in the study. The mean respiratory rates at baseline were 23 ± 3 and 23 ± 3 in the control and intervention groups, with no significant differences at three hours (23 ± 2.3 vs. 23 ± 2.1, p=0.14). The control group had a higher mean dyspnea score compared to the intervention group (day 5: 5.4 ± 1.6 vs. 4.7 ± 1.4, p=0.015; day 6: 4.7 ± 1.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.7, p=0.008). A higher proportion of patients in the control group required escalation of respiratory support (38%), as compared to intervention (12%) (p=0.0004). The two groups had no significant differences across other secondary outcomes or with respect to adverse events (barotrauma, aspiration pneumonia, need for vasopressor support). The use of the novel mask compared to standard care in hospitalized non-critically ill patients with COVID-19 was not associated with reductions in the respiratory rate but was associated with a reduction in the need for escalation of respiratory support without an increase in adverse effects. Large-scale clinical trials of this device are warranted.

Role of Squalene Epoxidase Gene (SQE1) in the Response of the Lichen Lobaria pulmonaria to Temperature Stress.

Currently, due to the increasing impact of anthropogenic factors and changes in solar activity, the temperature on Earth is rising, posing a threat to biodiversity. Lichens are among the most sensitive organisms to climate change. Elevated ambient temperatures can have a significant impact on lichens, resulting in more frequent and intense drying events that can impede metabolic activity. It has been suggested that the possession of a diverse sterol composition may contribute to the tolerance of lichens to adverse temperatures and other biotic and abiotic stresses. The major sterol found in lichens is ergosterol (ERG); however, the regulation of the ERG biosynthetic pathway, specifically the step of epoxidation of squalene to 2,3-oxidosqualene catalyzed by squalene epoxidase during stress, has not been extensively studied. In this study, we used lichen Lobaria pulmonaria as a model species that is well known to be sensitive to air pollution and habitat loss. Using in silico analysis, we identified cDNAs encoding squalene epoxidase from L. pulmonaria, designating them as LpSQE1 for the mycobiont and SrSQE1 for the photobiont Symbiochloris reticulata. Our results showed that compared with a control kept at room temperature (+20 °C), mild temperatures (+4 °C and +30 °C) did not affect the physiology of L. pulmonaria, assessed by changes in membrane integrity, respiration rates, and PSII activity. An extreme negative temperature (-20 °C) noticeably inhibited respiration but did not affect membrane stability. In contrast, treating lichen with a high positive temperature (+40 °C) significantly reduced all physiological parameters. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that exposing thalli to -20 °C, +4 °C, +30 °C, and +40 °C stimulated the expression levels of LpSQE1 and SrSQE1 and led to a significant upregulation of Hsps. These data provide new information regarding the roles of sterols and Hsps in the response of lichens to climate change.

Training Protocol for Nellore Cattle in Respirometry Flow Trials Using Non-Ventilated Facial Mask.

Training is instrumental in identifying and selecting cattle that exhibit greater cooperation with experimental conditions required in flow respirometry assays, like restraint and the use of a valved facial mask. In our study, a tailored training protocol for Nellore cattle facilitated their participation in flow respirometry assays with a valved facial mask. Over 127 days, 30 entire Nellore males, weighing 450 ± 25 kg and averaging 32 ± 2 months, underwent training from May to September 2022. The regimen involved gradually altering the animals' environment and providing positive reinforcement, divided into three phases. Physiological and behavioral responses to containment routines and facial mask use were meticulously assessed. Principal component analyses revealed dissimilarity patterns among the animals. Animals classified as less reactive showed increased acceptance of handling, reduced reactions to weighing, and greater tolerance of the facial mask. In the final phase, the least reactive animals tolerated wearing a valved mask for extended periods without notable changes in respiratory rate. The training protocol effectively identified and selected Nellore cattle displaying enhanced cooperation with restraint and mask use during flow respirometry assays, without apparent behavioral or physiological alterations.

Effects of nesting and murottal Al-Qur’an on vital sign change in infants with low birth weight

Background: A comfortable position, touch, soothing sound sensory will produce a neuroligic response that will make the infant feel relaxed, calm and can help in the stability of physiological functions of infants with low birth weight. Purpose: To determine effectiveness of nesting and murottal Al-Qur'an on vital sign change in infants with low birth weight Method: Samples were divided into two groups infants with low birth weight in stable conditions, 15 infants with low birth weight were listened to the murottal Qur'an by using meli's nesting for 45 minutes daily for 3 days, the murottal Qur'an was listened to with a noise level of 50-65dB. 15 infants of control group have not any intervention, the measurements of vital signs were carried out toward control and intervention group before and after the intervention. Results: Analysis of wilcoxon test showed that significance in vital signs only occurred in changes in oxygen saturation with a value of α = 0.006 (significance of α &lt; 0.05), the heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature experienced changes in numbers which all led to normal values of the physiological condition of infants with low birth weight.​ Conclusion: The use of meli's nesting and murottal Qur'an is combined therapy to newborns which is able to improve the physiological function of low birth weight infants seen through their vital signs.

Cercospora leaf spot impacts on postharvest disease and respiration of affected sugarbeet roots.

In Michigan, sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris) are stored for up to 200 days post-harvest, during which sugar loss may occur due to energy use from respiration and factors like rot. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) has been considered a potential predisposing factor for increased storage rot. To investigate these impacts, field and postharvest studies evaluated storage rot symptom development in sugarbeets with designated 'high' or 'low' in-season CLS severity. Root slices of sugarbeets from each CLS level were inoculated with Fusarium graminearum, Botrytis cinerea, or Penicillium vulpinum and symptoms assessed after seven days. Across three CLS-susceptible commercial varieties, there were no significant differences between storage rot susceptibility to any of the tested pathogens in hand-harvested sugarbeets, regardless of CLS level, at any storage timepoint in 2020 or 2021 (P > 0.05). In studies using CLS-susceptible and -resistant germplasm and varieties, CLS effects were inconsistent and only significant in one parameter at two of six storage timepoints across years (P < 0.05). Across storage pathogens, prior CLS level also did not impact root respiration or the change in respiration rate from initial to final storage timepoint in either 2021 or 2023 (P > 0.05). Of note, B. cinerea caused more severe symptoms than other pathogens in these studies (P < 0.05). Finally, varietal responses differed significantly to storage pathogens (P < 0.05) and may be of interest to future cultivar development efforts. This research increases our understanding of factors contributing to potential storage losses, which will improve yield and profit for sugar growers.

Autonomic Responses Associated with Olfactory Preferences of Fragrance Consumers: Skin Conductance, Respiration, and Heart Rate.

Assessing the olfactory preferences of consumers is an important aspect of fragrance product development and marketing. With the advancement of wearable device technologies, physiological signals hold great potential for evaluating olfactory preferences. However, there is currently a lack of relevant studies and specific explanatory procedures for preference assessment methods that are based on physiological signals. In response to this gap, a synchronous data acquisition system was established using the ErgoLAB multi-channel physiology instrument and olfactory experience tester. Thirty-three participants were recruited for the olfactory preference experiments, and three types of autonomic response data (skin conductance, respiration, and heart rate) were collected. The results of both individual and overall analyses indicated that olfactory preferences can lead to changes in skin conductance (SC), respiration (RESP), and heart rate (HR). The trends of change in both RESP and HR showed significant differences (with the HR being more easily distinguishable), while the SC did not exhibit significant differences across different olfactory perception preferences. Additionally, gender differences did not result in significant variations. Therefore, HR is more suitable for evaluating olfactory perception preferences, followed by RESP, while SC shows the least effect. Moreover, a logistic regression model with a high accuracy (84.1%) in predicting olfactory perception preferences was developed using the changes in the RESP and HR features. This study has significant implications for advancing the assessment of consumer olfactory preferences.

Influence of static cartoons combined with dynamic virtual environments on preoperative anxiety of preschool-aged children undergoing surgery.

Preschoolers become anxious when they are about to undergo anesthesia and surgery, warranting the development of more appropriate and effective interventions. To explore the effect of static cartoons combined with dynamic virtual environments on preoperative anxiety and anesthesia induction compliance in preschool-aged children undergoing surgery. One hundred and sixteen preschool-aged children were selected and assigned to the drug (n = 37), intervention (n = 40), and control (n = 39) groups. All the children received routine preoperative checkups and nursing before being transferred to the preoperative preparation room on the day of the operation. The drug group received 0.5 mg/kg midazolam and the intervention group treatment consisting of static cartoons combined with dynamic virtual environments. The control group received no intervention. The modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale was used to evaluate the children's anxiety level on the day before surgery (T0), before leaving the preoperative preparation room (T1), when entering the operating room (T2), and at anesthesia induction (T3). Compliance during anesthesia induction (T3) was evaluated using the Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC). Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) were also recorded at each time point. The anxiety scores of the three groups increased variously at T1 and T2. At T3, both the drug and intervention groups had similar anxiety scores, both of which were lower than those in the control group. At T1 and T2, MAP, HR, and RR of the three groups increased. The drug and control groups had significantly higher MAP and RR than the intervention group at T2. At T3, the MAP, HR, and RR of the drug group decreased and were significantly lower than those in the control group but were comparable to those in the intervention group. Both the drug and intervention groups had similar ICC scores and duration of anesthesia induction (T3), both of which were higher than those of the control group. Combining static cartoons with dynamic virtual environments as effective as medication, specifically midazolam, in reducing preoperative anxiety and fear in preschool-aged children. This approach also improve their compliance during anesthesia induction and helped maintain their stable vital signs.

The use of ultrasound for noninvasive monitoring of anesthetic effects in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Compared with the use of ultrasound for noninvasive monitoring of the anesthetic sodium pentobarbital versus tribromoethanol in an animal model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Adult rats were randomly assigned to a renal ischemia-reperfusion injury model, and preoperative anesthetics were administered as either sodium pentobarbital or tribromoethanol. Color Doppler ultrasound and spectral Doppler ultrasound were used to detect changes in respiratory rate and heart rate during and after the surgery, as well as measure renal hemodynamic parameters including peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistance index. The frequency of changes in respiration and heart rate was significantly higher in the sodium pentobarbital anesthesia group compared to the tribromoethanol anesthesia group. The peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity values in the sodium pentobarbital anesthesia group were significantly lower than those in the tribromoethanol group. However, the resistance index in the sodium pentobarbital group was higher than that in the tribromoethanol group. Ultrasound can be used to dynamically monitor the effects of anesthesia during the experiment, including changes in respiratory rate and heart rate, as well as semi-quantitatively monitor hemodynamic changes in the kidneys, which indirectly reflects whole-body hemodynamic changes in rats.

Segmentectomy versus lobectomy: does FEV1.0 change accurately reflect the postoperative cardiopulmonary function?

The postoperative respiratory function has been compared between lobectomy and segmentectomy based on the resting spirometric change in many previous studies. However, spirometric change has only been assessed in static conditions, and it is unclear whether it accurately reflects the cardiopulmonary function. We used spirometry and a 6-min walk test to evaluate patients who underwent lobectomy and segmentectomy and examined the changes in heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2) before and after walking between the two groups. The present study included 24 patients who underwent segmentectomy and 21 who underwent lobectomy. There was no significant difference in the reduction of the median forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1.0) after surgery. In the 6-min walk test, the increase in HR and RR after surgery has no significant differences between lobectomy and segmentectomy (HR: p = 0.372 and RR: p = 0.131). However, the two groups showed a significant difference in the reduction of SpO2 (p < 0.001). In addition, correlation analysis found that the more the number of resected segments, the more the reduction of SpO2 with a statistical significance (p = 0.002). Patients who received segmentectomy showed to suppress the reduction of SpO2 with a statistical difference after the 6-min walk test in comparison to those who received lobectomy. These results suggest that segmentectomy has less impact on the cardiopulmonary function and the 6-min walk test is useful for evaluating the postoperative cardiopulmonary function.

Conquer Fear of Heights Using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy With Cognitive Restructuring

Acrophobia has traditionally been treated using exposure therapy; however, virtual reality technology has emerged as an alternative that minimizing security risks by presenting three-dimensional stimuli. This study aimed to investigate virtual reality exposure therapy-cognitive restructuring (VRET-CR) effectiveness in reducing acrophobia symptoms. In a pretest-posttest control group design, 27 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=14). An independent sample t-test revealed a significant differences in the gain scores of the acrophobia questionnaire (AQ) 1 [t (17.08) = -6.173; p &lt;0.05] and AQ 2 [t (25) = -4.250; p &lt;0.05] between these groups. Scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Autonomic Perception Questionnaire (APQ) decreased after six exposure sessions, supporting these findings. Skin conductance and respiratory rate changes during therapy were less significant than heart rate changes. Overall, the results demonstrated the effectiveness of VRET-CR in reducing acrophobia symptoms.