Lung Volume Research Articles

Do Anatomical Variations of Sphenoid Sinus Influence Sella Exposure and Residual Disease in Pituitary Surgery? - A Study in an Indian Population.

Introduction Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) is the standard practice in pituitary surgeries. The sellar exposure becomes the main factor which determines the residual disease in ETS. Not many studies can be found in the literature on the influence of anatomical variations of the sphenoid on intraoperative sella exposure. Objective The aim of the current study is to ascertain whether sphenoid sinus variations play a role in sellar exposure and residual tumor volume. Methods This is a prospective study conducted in a south Indian tertiary care center between June 2020 to June 2022, with 21 study participants who were scheduled to have ETS. The relation of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters with the intraoperative area of sellar exposure and residual tumor volume was evaluated. Results Sphenoid sinus dimensions, like presellar width (mean = 1.89 ± 0.51 cm), maximum width (mean = 2.94 ± 1.09 cm), presellar depth (mean = 1.14 ± 0.55 cm), suprasellar depth (mean = 1.08 ± 0.24 cm), infrasellar depth (mean = 2.36 ± 0.92 cm), presellar height (mean = 2.22 ± 0.47 cm), or the 9 internal carotid artery (ICA)-related measures, did not have any correlation with the mean intraoperative area of sellar exposure (0.57 ± 0.28 cm 2 ). Also, the adequacy of sellar exposure did not relate to the residual tumor. Preoperative tumor volume was found to be higher (20.2 [55.3-13.2] cm 3 ) in patients with residual tumor compared with those with no residual tumor (5.9 [6.8-5.2] cm 3 ). Tumor extension had a significant association with the residual tumor volume. Conclusion According to the present study, anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus do not influence the adequacy of sellar exposure. Further studies need to be undertaken concerning residual tumor volume as well as preoperative tumor volume and extension.

Analysis of vertebrotomy treatment in children with congenital scoliosis with unsegmented rod and rib synostosis

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies of vertebral development account for 2%–11% of cases in the general structure of nosologies that cause spinal deformity. An unsegmented rod (unilateral violation of vertebral segmentation) is attributed to a prognostically unfavorable malformation. Rib synostosis causes the development of thoracic insufficiency syndrome. AIM: To analyze the results of treatment of children with congenital scoliosis caused by an unsegmented rod and rib synostosis by vertebrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort, retrospective, monocenter study evaluated the treatment results of 55 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1, children aged 2–8 years, the scope of intervention was wedge-shaped osteotomy of a non-segmented rod at the apex of the deformity, and group 2, children aged 8–18 years, the scope of intervention was wedge-shaped osteotomy at the apex of the deformity and two linear osteotomies of a non-segmented rod in the cranial and caudal directions. Clinical, radiological, and statistical research methods were used. RESULTS: Significant correction of scoliosis was achieved in 65.5% of patients aged 2–7 years (group 1) and 56.3% in children aged 8–18 years (group 2). Hypokyphosis of the thoracic spine was observed in the patients. The percentage of correction of kyphosis was 21.1% in group 1 and 19.1% in group 2. Lung volume increased by 27.9% (p = 0.01776) in group 1, and lung volume on the concave side increased by 23.5% (p = 0.04975) and on the convex side by 29.6% (p = 0.01073). Improvement in the overall respiratory impedance reached 47.3% (p 0.05). In group 2, a insignificant increase was found in VVC by 12.6% (p = 0.3509) and FEV1 by 8.7% of the initial (p = 0.1534), as well as an increase in total lung volume of 13.3% (p = 0.1527) and the contribution of the lung along the concave side of 18.8% (p = 0.1535), and the lung along the convex side was 8.4% (p = 0.169), indicating no significant impact on lung development and function. CONCLUSIONS: In children with spinal deformity caused by a non-segmented rod with normal respiratory function, vertebrotomy at the apex of the deformity with subsequent correction and stabilization of the spinal deformity is recommended. Performing simultaneous multilevel osteotomies of a non-segmented rod allows for significant correction of rigid spinal deformity.

The first Japanese case of autosomal dominant cutis laxa with a frameshift mutation in exon 30 of the elastin gene complicated by small airway disease with 8 years of follow-up

BackgroundCutis laxa constitutes a diverse group of connective tissue diseases, both inherited and acquired, characterized by loose skin and varying systemic involvement, including pulmonary lesions. While cutis laxa has been linked to conditions like emphysema, asthma, and bronchiectasis, the specific pathological and radiological characteristics underlying pulmonary complications related to cutis laxa remain unclear.Case presentationA 36-year-old woman, diagnosed with cutis laxa at birth, presented to our outpatient clinic with severe obstructive ventilatory impairment, evident in pulmonary function tests (expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC): 34.85%; %residual volume [RV]: 186.5%; %total lung capacity [TLC]: 129.2%). Pulmonary function tests also indicated small airway disease (%FEF50%, 7.9%; %FEF75%, 5.7%; and %FEF25–75%, 6.8%). Computed tomography (CT) revealed the lack of normal increase in lung attenuation on expiratory CT scan, with no discernible emphysematous changes. Exome sequencing was performed to confirm the association between the pulmonary lesions and cutis laxa, revealing a frameshift variant in exon 30 of the elastin gene (ELN). Further analysis employing a parametric response map revealed a longitudinal increase in the percentage of functional small airway disease (fSAD) from 37.84% to 46.61% over the 8-year follow-up, despite the absence of overt changes in CT findings, specifically the lack of normal increase in lung attenuation on expiratory CT scan. Over the same follow-up interval, there was a modest reduction of 25.6 mL/year in FEV1 coupled with a significant increase in %RV. Pulmonary function test metrics, reflective of small airway disease, exhibited a continual decline; specifically, %FEF50%, %FEF75%, and %FEF25–75% diminished from 7.9% to 7.0%, 5.7% to 4.6%, and 6.8% to 5.4%, respectively.ConclusionsThis case highlighted an instance of autosomal dominant cutis laxa arising from a frameshift variant in exon 30 of ELN, accompanied by small airway disease. Comprehensive investigation, utilizing quantitative CT analysis, revealed a longitudinal increase in fSAD percentage with a mild reduction in FEV1. These findings indicate that elastin deficiency may not only diminish elastic fibers in the skin but also be implicated in small airway disease by impacting components of the extracellular matrix in the lungs.

Urinary tract infections and associated factors among patients with an enlarged prostate at a tertiary hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe objectives are to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and associated factors among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.DesignHospital-based cross-sectional study.SettingsUrology clinic and urology...

The Effect of Astragalus mongholicus Water Extract on Urinary Function in Rats

This study investigated the effect of combining Astragalus mongholicus (A. mongholicus) water extract with electroacupuncture to improve bladder urinary function in rats with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 18 SPF-grade unfertilized female SD rats were used, among which 15 rats were selected to establish the SUI model through simulated labor injury combined with bilateral oophorectomy. The 15 SUI rats were randomly divided into three groups: the model group, the Astragalus group (treated with A. mongholicus water extract), and the Astragalus+acupuncture group, with 5 rats in each group. The remaining three rats constituted the control group. After 6 weeks of treatment, the study compared bladder function parameters before and after treatment, including the positive rate of sneezing test, urethral baseline pressure (UBP), the amplitude of urethral response during sneezing (A-URS), maximum bladder capacity (MBC) indicating bladder function, leak point pressure (LPP), abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP), urine output, residual urine volume, and urination efficiency. Masson staining was used to observe changes in collagen fiber proportion in bladder tissue. Compared to the control group, the model group exhibited increased positive sneezing test, urination output, and residual urine volume, while bladder function decreased. Both the Astragalus group and Astragalus+acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvements in UBP, A-URS, MBC, LPP, ALPP, urination efficiency, collagen fiber proportion, and other indicators compared to the model group. Furthermore, the Astragalus+acupuncture group exhibited superior treatment effects compared to A. mongholicus water extract alone, suggesting the potential of this combined approach for SUI.

A randomized, active-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GV1001 in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

ObjectivesTo determine and compare the efficacy and safety of GV1001 and 5 mg finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Patients and methodsThis randomized, active-controlled, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 423 patients aged ≥50 years with a prostate volume (PV) >30 mL. Patients were randomized into Group 1 (GV1001 0.56 mg + finasteride placebo), Group 2 (GV1001 1.12 mg + finasteride placebo), or Group 3 (GV1001 placebo +5 mg finasteride). The patients received the study drug during clinic visits every 2 weeks at weeks 0–22. Changes in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), PV, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, residual urine volume, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and international index of erectile function (IIEF) were assessed. ResultsWe included 408 (96.45%) patients (Group 1, n = 138; Group 2, n = 134; Group 3, n = 136) in full analysis set for primary efficacy evaluations. All groups showed significant decreases and increases in the IPSS and Qmax, respectively (Groups 1, 2, and 3, IPSS: −4.78 ± 6.50, −4.99 ± 6.66, and −5.51 ± 6.42, respectively; P < 0.0001; Qmax: P = 0.0005, P = 0.0039, and P < 0.0001, respectively). PV reductions were observed in Groups 2 and 3 (−0.75 ± 8.21 mL [P = 0.3280] and −2.47 ± 7.92 mL [P = 0.0010], respectively). The PSA and testosterone levels of Group 3 significantly decreased and changed, respectively (−0.90 ± 1.25 ng/mL, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the residual urine volume. DHT significantly decreased in all groups (Groups 1, 2, and 3: −71.41 ± 244.06 ng/mL [P = 0.0025], −73.84 ± 249.26 ng/mL [P = 0.0019], and −106.60 ± 178.29 ng/mL [P < 0.0001], respectively). Only Group 3 exhibited a significantly decreased IIEF (−3.06 ± 15.34; P = 0.0323). Acute urinary retention occurred in one patient in Group 2. No patients underwent prostate surgery or minimally invasive procedures during the study. ConclusionsGV1001 exhibited corresponding efficacy and tolerability, providing evidence of amelioration in urinary symptoms among patients with BPH in comparison to the use of 5 mg finasteride.

Citrullination, a novel posttranslational modification of elastin, is involved in COPD pathogenesis.

Elastin is an extracellular matrix protein (ECM) that supports elasticity of the lung, and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, the structural changes that reduce the amount of elastic recoil, lead to loss of pulmonary function. We recently demonstrated that elastin is a target of peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) enzyme-induced citrullination, thereby leading to enhanced susceptibility of this ECM protein to proteolysis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PAD activity in vivo and furthermore assessed whether pharmacological inhibition of PAD activity protects against pulmonary emphysema. Using a Serpina1a-e knockout mouse model, previously shown to develop inflammation-mediated emphysema, we validated the involvement of PADs in airway disease. In line with emphysema development, intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide in combination with PADs provoked significant airspace enlargement (P < 0.001) and diminished lung function, including loss of lung tissue elastance (P = 0.0217) and increases in lung volumes (P = 0.0463). Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with the PAD inhibitor, BB-Cl-amidine, prevented PAD/LPS-mediated lung function decline and emphysema and reduced levels of citrullinated airway elastin (P = 0.0199). These results provide evidence for the impact of PADs on lung function decline, indicating promising potential for the future development of PAD-based therapeutics for preserving lung function in patients with COPD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides evidence for the impact of peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) enzymes on lung function decline, indicating promising potential for the future development of PAD-based therapeutics for preserving lung function in patients with COPD.

Low-Dose Whole-Chest Dynamic CT for the Assessment of Large Airway Collapsibility in Patients with Suspected Tracheobronchial Instability.

Purpose To quantify tracheal collapsibility using low-dose four-dimensional (4D) CT and to compare visual and quantitative 4D CT-based assessments with assessments from paired inspiratory-expiratory CT, bronchoscopy, and spirometry. Materials and Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed 4D CT examinations (January 2016-December 2022) during shallow respiration in 52 patients (mean age, 66 years ± 12 [SD]; 27 female, 25 male), including 32 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage predicted [FEV1%], 50% ± 27), with suspected tracheal collapse. Paired CT data were available for 27 patients and bronchoscopy data for 46 patients. Images were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus, classifying patients into three groups: 50% or greater tracheal collapsibility, less than 50% collapsibility, or fixed stenosis. Changes in minimal tracheal lumen area, tracheal volume, and lung volume from inspiration to expiration were quantified using YACTA software. Tracheal collapsibility between groups was compared employing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). For related samples within one group, ANOVA with repeated measures was used. Spearman rank order correlation coefficient was calculated for collapsibility versus pulmonary function tests. Results At 4D CT, 25 of 52 (48%) patients had tracheal collapsibility of 50% or greater, 20 of 52 (38%) less than 50%, and seven of 52 (13%) had fixed stenosis. Visual assessment of 4D CT detected more patients with collapsibility of 50% or greater than paired CT, and concordance was 41% (P < .001). 4D CT helped identify more patients with tracheal collapsibility of 50% or greater than did bronchoscopy, and concordance was 74% (P = .39). Mean collapsibility of tracheal lumen area and volume at 4D CT were higher for 50% or greater visually assessed collapsibility (area: 53% ± 9 and lumen: 52% ± 10) compared with the less than 50% group (27% ± 9 and 26% ± 6, respectively) (P < .001), whereas both tracheal area and volume were stable for the fixed stenosis group (area: 16% ± 12 and lumen: 21% ± 11). Collapsibility of tracheal lumen area and volume did not correlate with FEV1% (rs = -0.002 to 0.01, P = .99-.96). Conclusion The study demonstrated that 4D CT is feasible and potentially more sensitive than paired CT for central airway collapse. Expectedly, FEV1% was not correlated with severity of tracheal collapsibility. Keywords: CT-Quantitative, Tracheobronchial Tree, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Imaging Postprocessing, Thorax Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Bilateral lung volume reduction surgery outperforms the unilateral approach in functional improvement.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an established treatment approach for patients with severe pulmonary emphysema, enhancing lung function and quality of life in selected patients. Functional benefits and outcomes after uni- versus bilateral lung volume reduction remain a topic of debate. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LVRS from January 2018 to October 2022 was conducted. After encouraging initial results, the standard unilateral LVRS approach was switched to bilateral. The goal of this study was to assess the impact on functional outcomes at 3 and 6 months post-surgery compared to preoperative levels for the uni- versus the bilateral approach. A total of 83 patients were included (43 bilateral, 40 unilateral). Baseline demographic and functional parameters were comparable between groups. The most common complication was prolonged air leak in 19 patients (11 in the unilateral group, 8 in the bilateral group). Two patients died perioperatively (2.4%). Overall, LVRS improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s by 8.3% after 3 and 12.5% after 6 months postoperatively compared to baseline. Bilateral surgery presented significantly superior forced expiratory volume in 1 s improvement than unilateral approach at both 3 (29.2% versus 2.9%; P = 0.0010) and 6 months (21.5% versus 3%; P = 0.0310) postoperatively. Additionally, it reduced hyperinflation (residual volume) by 23.1% after 3 months and by 17.5% after 6 months, compared to reductions of 16% and 9.1% in the unilateral group. Bilateral approach resulted in better functional outcomes 3 and 6 months postoperatively compared to unilateral surgery.

Characteristics of altered biventricular hemodynamics after arterial switch operation for patients with d-transposition of the great arteries with preserved ejection fraction: a four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) study.

The long-term monitoring of biventricular function is essential to identify potential functional decline in patients following the arterial switch operation (ASO). The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for altered biventricular hemodynamics in ASO patients are not yet well understood. This study sought to: (I) compare the biventricular kinetic energy (KE) and vorticity of ASO patients and age- and sex-matched controls; (II) investigate the associations of four-dimensional (4D) flow biventricular hemodynamics parameters and neo-aortic root dilation, supravalvular pulmonary stenosis, and pulmonary artery transvalvular pressure difference. A total of 34 patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) who underwent ASO, and 17 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were prospectively recruited for this study. All the subjects underwent cine and 4D flow and late gadolinium enhancement scans, and all the patients underwent echocardiography within two weeks of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. The following four flow components were analyzed: direct flow, retained inflow, delayed ejection flow, and residual volume. In addition, the following six phasic blood flow KE parameters, normalized to the end-diastolic volume (EDV) and vorticity, were analyzed for both the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV): peak systolic phase, average systolic phase, peak diastolic phase, average diastolic phase, peak E-wave phase, and peak A-wave phase. The independent sample Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, univariable and multivariable stepwise regression analyses, intra and inter-observer variability analyses were used to compare patients and controls. In relation to the LV, the D-TGA patients had significantly decreased average vorticity, peak systolic vorticity, systolic vorticity, diastolic vorticity, and peak A-wave vorticity compared to the controls (all P<0.01). In relation to the RV, the pulmonary stenosis group had significantly increased peak E- and A-wave kinetic energy normalized to the end-diastolic volume (KEiEDV), and peak and average vorticity compared to the non-pulmonary stenosis group (all P<0.05). in the multivariable logistic regression model analysis, diastolic KEiEDV, peak E-wave KEiEDV peak A-wave KEiEDV, and average vorticity were associated a with transvalvular pressure difference (β=13.54, P<0.001 for diastolic KEiEDV; β=105.26, P<0.001 for peak E-wave KEiEDV; β=-49.36, P=0.027 for peak A-wave KEiEDV; and β=-56.37, P<0.001 for average vorticity). We found that 4D flow biventricular hemodynamics were more sensitive markers than the ejection fraction in the postoperative D-TGA patients. The RV diastolic KEiEDV parameters and average vorticity were risk factors for pulmonary artery obstruction in the multivariable model.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Effect on Physiological and Biochemical Parameters Occupationally Exposed to Silica Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Occupational workers are at health risk due to exposure to silica dust, which is present in the construction and manufacturing sectors, masonry works, as well in mining sectors. Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz, and many other types of rock. Materials and methods: Occupational workers who are exposed to silica and working in cement factories. Who fulfills the inclusion criteria, the sample size was (n = 160) divided into a control group (n =8 0) and an experimental group (n = 80). A pretest was conducted on to control and experimental groups. Pulmonary parameters, baseline clinical variables, spirometry to check pulmonary function, 6-MWT stress tolerance test, Hemoglobin (HB), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Random Blood Sugar (RBS) blood investigations, pranayama (yoga), and nutritional education were done for the experimental group. Supervised pulmonary rehabilitation was carried out, and the posttest was done after 12, 18, and 24 weeks. The results were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods using the SPSS statistical package (Systat Software Inc., San Jose, USA). Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation (pranayama and nutritional education) showed significant improvement in lung capacity and pulmonary functions, and improved quality of life showed statistical significance (P &lt; 0.001).

Quantitative assessment of residual tumor is a strong and independent predictor of survival in methylated glioblastoma following radiochemotherapy with CCNU/TMZ.

Maximum tumor resection improves overall survival (OS) in patients with glioblastoma. The extent of resection (EOR) is historically dichotomized. The RANO resect group recently proposed criteria for volumetry-based EOR assessment in patients that were treated according to Stupp´s protocol. The purpose of this study was (1) to investigate the prognostic value of EOR in patients receiving combined chemotherapy with lomustine (CCNU)/temozolomide (TMZ), and (2) to analyse the prognostic performance of binary EOR assessment compared to volumetric assessment. 78 patients with newly diagnosed MGMT-methylated GBM undergoing tumor resection followed by radiochemotherapy with CCNU/TMZ were included in this study. Residual contrast-enhancing (CE) tumor volume after the first resection was measured and its influence on OS and PFS was analysed using uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis as well as two-sided log rank test. Patients were divided into RTV ≤1 cm³, >1 cm³ - ≤5 cm³ and >5 cm³ following the proposed criteria of the RANO resect group. Prolonged OS was associated with age <60 years, low RTV, and gross total resection (GTR). Residual tumor volume (RTV) had a superior prognostic value compared to binary EOR assessment. Patients with total or near total resection of CE tumor (≤1 cm³ RTV) showed prolonged OS (median 54.4 months, 95% CI 46.94-not reached), with a 5-year survival rate of 49%. Low RTV is associated with increased survival in glioblastoma patients undergoing radiochemotherapy with CCNU/TMZ. This study demonstrates the applicability of the recently proposed RANO resect criteria in this subgroup of patients.

Is It Time to Expand the Criteria for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Very Low FEV1 and DLCO Emphysema.

Is It Time to Expand the Criteria for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Very Low FEV1 and DLCO Emphysema.

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Pulmonary Function Among Healthcare Workers in Mosul City/Iraq

The study was designed to evaluate if there is a relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and pulmonary function. This highlights the mechanisms by which obesity and overweight status could affect lung health, through parameters such as Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1%). To determine pulmonary function, spirometry is the main method. It defines the severity of pulmonary function impairment according to FEV1% as normal to mild: average ≥70%, moderate 40-69%, and severe ≤39%. Interestingly, the review even points out that a form of malnutrition can also cause pulmonary function decline. This is why nutritional status should be one consideration in clinical assessments for some types of diseases. Reflecting the fact that obesity is an important contributing factor to respiratory health. It is stated in the document that obesity results from some unwanted changes which can cause the development of smaller lung volumes and also reduce total capacity even less sucking capacities (compared to non-obese people). It also considers waist circumference and additional waist-to-hip ratio as potentially better predictors of pulmonary function than BMI only, because body fat distribution is not reflected by the presence or absence of obesity. The research likewise links this eating pattern to the worldwide rise in obesity and suggests a correlation with myriad health issues such as asthma. This indicates that mechanical consequences of increased body mass could exacerbate airway remodeling, predisposing to subclinical airway dysfunction. Second, it emphasizes the extra burden of breathing experienced by obese patients that may render them short of breath and possibly wheezy. In conclusion, whilst BMI remains a pragmatic measurement to reflect body fat content adequately and therefore pulmonary implications of obesity on lung physiology upstream from Acute exacerbations are also influenced not just by the quantitative trajectory of adiposity (BMI) but qualitative factors related to body distribution including abdominal girth as well as overall nutritional status.

Outcomes of lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema: unilateral and bilateral

Outcomes of lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema: unilateral and bilateral

Simultaneous effects of high-speed circuit training (HSCT) and high-speed interval training (HSIT) on physical fitness and lung volumes of males after coronavirus disease

BackgroundPeople who are quarantined after coronavirus disease experience immobility, obesity and changes in the cardiopulmonary system. We hypothesized that the concurrent use of high-speed circuit training (HSCT) and high-speed interval training (HSIT) can be used to improve physical fitness and respiratory functions. MethodologyPhysical education students (n = 65, 18–22 yrs. Old) who recovered from a previous coronavirus infection were randomly divided into either an experimental (n = 38) or control (n = 27) group. Physical fitness tests such as heart rate (HR), Cooper's test, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), speed of 30 m, flexibility, balance of right and left legs, agility 4 × 9 m, barfix, sit-up, Sargent jump, push-up, and spirometry tests were conducted before and after the training protocols (HSCT and HSIT for 12 weeks). The control group only took regular university classes. ResultsThe simultaneous implementation of HSCT and HSIT had a positive significant effect on physical fitness indicators (VO2max, flexibility, sit-ups, push-ups, vertical jump, barfix, balance legs, agility 4 × 9, 30 m sprint, and Cooper test) and respiratory indicators (FVC, FEV1, PEF, MVV and FEV1/FVC). While it did not affect other variables. ConclusionThe simultaneous implementation of HSCT and HSIT can have a positive significant effect on physical fitness indicators and respiratory indicators of male university students. Therefore, students have more aerobic capacity for physical activities.

Dose-Volume Constraints Parameters for Lung Tissue in Thoracic Radiotherapy Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment.

This study aims to identify risk factors associated with symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP, Grade ≥ 2) following immunotherapy preceding thoracic radiotherapy (ICI-TRT) and establish safe dose constraints. This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of symptomatic RP (Grade ≥ 2), as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Clinical and lung dosimetric parameters were analyzed to determine their associations with symptomatic RP. Dosimetric parameters included mean lung dose (MLD) and the percentage of lung volume receiving ≥10 Gy (V10), ≥20 Gy (V20), ≥30 Gy (V30), and ≥40 Gy (V40). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to predict the risk of developing symptomatic RP to establish optimal threshold values for each dosimetric predictor. Among the 118 patients included, the incidence of symptomatic RP was 25.4%. Tumor locations, intervals between immunotherapy and radiotherapy, and MLD, V10, V20, V30, and V40 were identified as independent risk factors for symptomatic RP. The area under the curve (AUC) values for MLD, V10, V20, V30, and V40 were 0.788 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.704-0.873), 0.789 (95% CI 0.705-0.874), 0.791 (95% CI 0.706-0.876), 0.784 (95% CI 0.697-0.871), and 0.749 (95% CI 0.656-0.842), respectively. The optimal threshold values for MLD, V10, V20, V30, and V40 were 9.7 Gy, 26.3%, 15.9%, 13.3%, and 8.6%, respectively. These thresholds are lower than current guideline recommendations, and maintaining dosimetric parameters below these values resulted in a cumulative symptomatic RP incidence of <12%. The recommended dose thresholds for MLD, V10, V20, V30, and V40 are lower than the current guidelines, underscoring the importance of radiotherapy planning to minimize symptomatic RP occurrence in patients receiving ICI-TRT.

Topology optimization of coronary artery stent considering structural and hemodynamic parameters

In the present study, the impact of geometric variables and structural features of stents on hemodynamic parameters is investigated. Intravascular stent implantation is a treatment method whose success largely depends on the geometric structure of the stent and its effect on hemodynamic parameters. Medical devices called stents are inserted into arteries to restore blood flow when an artery is blocked. In this research, an optimal stent was designed and its effect compared to the common commercial stent used for coronary arteries was investigated and compared. It has been found that the geometry of the stent has an effective impact on the wall shear stress in the stented artery. Therefore, in this article, the importance of stent structures in the treatment of the coronary artery disease is discussed. For this purpose, first, an optimal stent is created with the topology optimization technique to find the best structure in the stent design. Finally, the optimized stent is numerically verified with ANSYS software and compared with existing commercial stents, and then the prototype is fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial software ABAQUS, SolidWorks, and ANSYS are used in this research. The results showed that in optimizing a square plate, a sample with a minimum residual volume limit equal to 10 and 7 % can be selected as the optimal state. The results indicate that the new design can improve the distribution of wall shear stresses to reduce the adverse hemodynamic changes. Therefore, the proposed stent geometric structure can help improve the treatment. Finally, the optimized stent along with a commercial stent was made with the 3D printing method.

Improving lung function capacity in patients with chronotropic incompetence using closed loop stimulation: A randomized crossover study

BackgroundChronotropic incompetence (CI) severely limits exercise tolerance due to impaired heart rate responses. This study investigated whether pacemaker with closed-loop stimulation (DDD-CLS) pacing, which provides rate acceleration in response to exertion, could enhance lung function and cardiopulmonary capacity compared pacemaker without CLS pacing in patients with CI. MethodsThis randomized crossover trial included 32 patients with CI who were compared to each CLS and DDD pacing over 2 months. Spirometry was used to assess the forced vital capacity (FVC). Cycling-based cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) measured peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). ResultsDDD-CLS pacing yielded significantly higher FVC (2.2 ± 0.8 L) versus DDD pacing (2.0 ± 0.7 L), p = 0.036, a 3.2% improvement. Moreover, those in the DDD-CLS mode showed a significantly higher FEV1 of 1.8 ± 0.6 L compared to the DDD mode of 1.7 ± 0.5 L (p = 0.03). Compared with DDD pacing, DDD-CLS pacing also achieved superior peak VO2 (14.9 ± 4.0 vs 12.2 ± 3.7 mlO2/kg/min, p < 0.001) and peak heart rate (106.9 ± 9.7 vs 98.3 ± 19.8 bpm, p = 0.013). DDD-CLS and DDD pacing modes showed significant correlations between FVC and peak VO2 and between peak VO2 and peak heart rate during CPET. ConclusionsCompared with DDD mode, DDD-CLS pacing provided physiological chronotropic support to improve cardiopulmonary function during exertion, which enhanced lung capacity in patients with CI.

Impact of pectus excavatum deformity on the cardiopulmonary function: a literature review

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum deformity is the most common chest wall malformation. Currently, surgeons and researchers of this problem have no consensus on whether pectus excavatum is a purely aesthetic problem or whether pectus excavatum disturbs the function of the cardiopulmonary system. AIM: To analyze publications on the effect of pectus excavatum on the cardiorespiratory system and the functional features of the heart and lung after thoracoplasty in patients with pectus excavatum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were searched in the scientific databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Crossref, and eLibrary without language limitation. In this article, the method of analysis and synthesis of information was used. Most of the studies included in the analysis were published in the last 20 years. RESULTS: In patients with pectus excavatum, severity of cardiorespiratory dysfunction depends on the degree of chest deformity. According to obtained data, the pulmonary function test in patients with pectus excavatum in the majority of cases revealed restrictive pattern (formed vital capacity 80% of the norm, with normal ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 minute to forced lung capacity). In most cases, echocardiography showed compression of the right heart chambers. Comparative analysis of the pre- and postoperative study of cardiorespiratory system in most cases indicated improvement and adaptation of the cardiopulmonary system to stress after surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Funnel chest is an aesthetic problem wherein a severe degree of deformity leads to impaired respiratory mechanics and dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. Surgical restoration of the volume of the retrosternal space allows improvement of the functional capabilities of the heart and lungs.