Physiology international最新文献

Objective: To develop and validate a predictive nomogram for oocyte retrieval and embryo quality based on personalized growth hormone (GH) pretreatment in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Methods: 2,000 women ≤40 years, diagnosed with DOR, were non-randomly assigned to one of four groups based upon hormonal and metabolic markers: G1 (1-month GH pretreatment followed by ART), G2 (2-month GH pretreatment), G3 (GH given only during ovarian stimulation), and G4 (standard ART without GH). 2 IU/day of GH was given to women from G1-G3, hormonal profile was repeated and dynamic stratification was done.

Results: The G2 group showed significantly higher estradiol levels, more oocytes retrieved, and a higher proportion of good-quality embryos compared to G1, G3, and G4 (P < 0.001). HOMA-IR levels were elevated in the G2 group, indicating increased insulin resistance with prolonged GH exposure. Multivariate regression identified GH dose (β = 0.48, P < 0.0001) and AMH (β = 0.35, P = 0.0013) as strong positive predictors, while HOMA-IR (β = -0.22, P = 0.012) and testosterone (β = -0.29, P = 0.028) negatively impacted outcomes. The nomogram modelled through multivariate regression provides a clinically effective tool for personalization of GH pretreatment.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates that GH pretreatment significantly enhances oocyte retrieval and embryo quality. A nomogram-based predictive model stratifies patients, supports the personalization of GH treatment duration, and offers a clinically useful tool toward precision reproductive medicine.

Purpose: Ligustilide, an active ingredient from Rhizoma Chuanxiong, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. We aim to evaluate the protective effects of ligustilide against cuprizone-induced sciatic nerve injury in rats by assessing autophagy, fibrosis and apoptosis.

Methods: Cuprizone-induced sciatic nerve injury was investigated in rats. The severity of injury was evaluated using the open field test, the rotarod test, the wire grip test, and nerve conduction velocity measurements. Additionally, sections of the sciatic nerve were stained with Masson trichrome and immune-stained using an anti-mTOR antibody. Samples from the sciatic nerve were utilized to analyze gene expression and protein levels of mTOR, ATG5, beclin-1, TGF-β, β-catenin, and AMPK. The enzyme activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were assessed.

Results: Ligustilide significantly improved performance in the open field test, extended grip endurance, and yielded enhanced results in the rotarod test among rats. Additionally, it increased nerve conduction velocity and restored the structural integrity of the sciatic nerves. Furthermore, ligustilide reduced the expression levels of mTOR, TGF-β, β-catenin, and AMPK, which are associated with the overexpression of ATG5 and beclin-1. Finally, ligustilide reduced the enzyme activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9.

Conclusion: Ligustilide has demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in rat models of sciatic nerve injury. It enhances autophagy and inhibits fibrosis and apoptosis.

Purpose: To examine muscle oxygenation during running with and without blood flow restriction (BFR).

Methods: Fifteen aerobically trained males randomly completed four, three-minute running bouts at 70%BFR, 80%BFR, and 90%BFR of their top speed with BFR and 100%NOBFR of their top speed without BFR. Oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxygenated Hb (HHb), total Hb (tHb), Hb difference (HbDiff) and muscle tissue oxygenation (StO2) were assessed continuously throughout the running bouts. Separate two-way, 4 (Intensity [70%BFR, 80%BFR, 90%BFR, 100%NOBFR]) × 3 (Time [120, 150, and 180 s]), repeated-measure ANOVA models were constructed to examine O2Hb, HHb, tHb, HbDiff, and StO2 responses.

Results: O2Hb decreased (120- [65.25 ± 6.58%] > 150-s [63.72 ± 6.75%]), while HHb increased (120- [14.4 ± 12.55%] < 150- [16.91 ± 12.6%] < 180-s [18.26 ± 12.87%]) (P < 0.001). tHb was similar across time (P = 0.159) and between intensities (P = 0.454). HbDiff decreased (120- [73.56 ± 6.54%] > 150- [71.66 ± 6.61%] > 180-s [70.98 ± 6.93%]). StO2 decreased and then plateaued (120- > 150- and 180-s) during the 70%BFR (51.87 ± 5.09% > 51.20 ± 5.37% and 51.02 ± 5.21%) (P = 0.004), 80%BFR (52.2 ± 3.93% > 51.34 ± 4.17% and 51.01 ± 4.09%) (P = 0.008), and 100%NOBFR (51.69 ± 4.6% > 50.84 ± 4.87% and 50.62 ± 4.89%) (P < 0.001) bouts, while there were no differences for 90%BFR (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Submaximal running with BFR induced similar responses as maximal running without, despite large differences (i.e., ≤30%) in running speed.

Background: Ketogenic diet (KD) is increasingly recognized as a strategy to combat obesity. However, its effects on cognition in sedentary healthy young adults remain underexplored.

Methods: In a quasi-experimental design, 186 participants were screened, 78 excluded based on predefined criteria, leaving 108 healthy adults (age 25-45 years, BMI 18-29.9 kg m-2, sedentary <5,000 steps/day) assigned to either KD group (<5% carbohydrates, 20-25% protein, 70-75% fat; n = 54) or control group (regular diet ∼50-65% carbohydrates; n = 54). Participants underwent a 4 weeks' dietary intervention. Cognitive domains were assessed at baseline and post intervention using validated computer-based test battery. Pre, mid and post weight, BMI, blood ketones and fasting glucose were also measured. Forty-three participants in the KD group and 38 in the control group completed the trial.

Results: Four weeks of non-energy restricted KD improved processing speed, semantic memory, working memory, episodic memory, fluid cognition, crystallized cognition and overall cognitive composite scores (all P ≤ 0.001) versus controls. Attention and inhibitory control (P = 0.46) and cognitive flexibility (P = 0.21) showed no significant differences. Blood ketones increased (0.12-1.32 mmol L-1, P < 0.001) in KD participants versus controls (0.118-0.105 mmol L-1, P = 0.94). KD reduced weight (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001) and fasting glucose (P < 0.001). Post intervention ketones predicted cognitive gain in most cognitive domains except attention & inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.

Conclusion: Short term KD intervention enhances memory, processing speed, fluid, crystallized and overall cognitive function composite scores in sedentary healthy adults.

To compare the mitigating effects of different interventions-low-concentration oxygen-enriched air and exercise-on mental fatigue. Researchers recruited 25 healthy male subjects and had them perform a Stroop task to induce cerebral fatigue, then different interventions (meditation, placebo, low-concentration oxygen-enriched air, exercise, and low-concentration oxygen-enriched air plus exercise) were used to provide recovery interventions to subjects, and recovery from cerebral fatigue was assessed by measuring psychometric scales, galvanic skin activity, heart rate variability, and cognitive executive tasks. The results showed that low-concentration oxygen-enriched air and exercise were effective in relieving cerebral fatigue and improving cognitive executive function, and the combined intervention was particularly effective, showing the most comprehensive benefits.

Background: Electrical stimulation (ES) is commonly used in stroke rehabilitation to enhance balance and walking, but its effectiveness remains unclear.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of various ES types including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), functional electrical stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on balance and gait in stroke patients.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. RCTs comparing ES with sham or conventional therapies were included. Methodological quality was assessed Via the PEDro scale. Meta analyses were performed for the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), with qualitative analysis for other outcomes.

Results: A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (1,366 participants) examined tDCS, FES, TENS, and NMES effects on balance using BBS, TUG, and TIS. Meta-regression analyses within the FES subgroup revealed that stimulation intensity, frequency, and electrode location did not significantly influence treatment outcomes (all P > 0.05). However, outcome type was a significant moderator (QM = 13.59, P = 0.0011), accounting for approximately 56% of between-study heterogeneity. FES showed larger effect sizes for balance outcomes (BBS) compared to mobility (TUG) or trunk control (TIS) measures. Balance improvements were greatest in the acute stroke phase, suggesting that timing may influence ES effectiveness.

Conclusion: Electrical stimulation significantly improves balance and trunk control in stroke survivors with consistent effects across studies, however functional mobility benefits remain unclear due to high degree of study variability. Early intervention during acute stroke phases appears most effective, supporting the integration of electrical stimulation into post stroke rehabilitation protocols.

Background: Our study evaluated the predictive value of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), as well as their combined assessment, for predicting the risk of postoperative complication in gastric cancer patients.

Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed data from elderly gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy from 2013 to 2016. Preoperative measurements, GNRI and SII, were taken for each patient within seven days before surgery. The severity of postoperative complications was evaluated. There were 280 patients who met the criteria, including 187 patients without postoperative complications and 93 patients with postoperative complications.

Results: It was observed that patients with postoperative complications had significantly higher preoperative SII indices and significantly lower GNRI indices. In addition, in terms of the severity of complications, as the severity of complications increases, there is a notable increase in the SII index and a marked decrease in the GNRI index. Combined assessment of SII and GNRI significantly improved the sensitivity and specificity compared with either index alone.

Conclusions: The concurrent assessment of preoperative SII and GNRI appears to be a valuable tool for predicting long-term prognosis in elderly gastric cancer patients undergoing curative resection.

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation plays a central role in the management of chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), post-COVID syndrome, and asthma. Circuit training is a well-established method in COPD, but has been less studied in post-COVID and asthma. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured circuit training program on pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and dyspnea across these three groups.

Methodology: A prospective, quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 patients (15 COPD, 11 post-COVID, 4 asthma). Participants completed a 12-week supervised circuit training program, which was delivered four times per week in 60-min sessions. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included spirometry (FEV1, FVC, TLC, IVC), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score.

Results: In COPD patients, FEV1 increased by 7.7% of the predicted value (P < 0.001), FVC by 5.7% (P < 0.01), and 6MWD by 59 m (P < 0.01), with mMRC decreasing from 3.2 ± 0.8 to 1.4 ± 0.6 (P < 0.01). In post-COVID participants, FEV1 increased by 9.1% (P < 0.001), FVC by 6.6% (P < 0.001), and 6MWD by 82 m (P < 0.01), while mMRC improved from 3.5 ± 0.9 to 1.4 ± 0.6 (P < 0.01). Asthma patients demonstrated a 4.9% increase in FEV1 (P = 0.012), a 3.5% increase in FVC (P = 0.045), and a 41-m increase in 6MWD (P < 0.01), with mMRC improving from 2.7 ± 0.7 to 1.5 ± 0.5 (P < 0.01). IVC improved in all groups (P ≤ 0.051). There were no adverse events; adherence exceeded 85%.

Conclusion: Circuit training produced clinically meaningful spirometric improvements in COPD, as well as functional and symptomatic benefits across all groups. The findings support circuit training as a safe, feasible, and scalable modality in pulmonary rehabilitation for heterogeneous respiratory populations.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease causing airflow obstruction and breathing problems. Despite the current advances in the treatment of COPD, exercise intolerance remains a challenge, impacting quality of life and increased morbidity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a non-invasive test with concomitant gas exchange analysis that provides a thorough assessment of exercise physiology, involving the integrative respiratory, cardiovascular, muscle and metabolic responses to exercise, and, thus providing insights into exercise limitation mechanisms. This review hypothesizes that CPET offers prognostic value in COPD and can be used to evaluate the response to several therapeutic interventions.

Aim: To investigate the clinical usefulness of CPET in assessing exercise tolerance, disease progression and therapeutic outcomes in COPD patients.

Methods: This this systematic literature review was conducted to analyse studies published between 2020 and 2024 on the role of CPET in COPD management. Studies were reviewed focusing on CPET's prognostic value, its correlation with disease severity, and its impact on therapeutic strategies. The quality of the selected studies was assessed by using PRISMA guidelines.

Results: As a result, CPET-integrated monitoring supports as a valuable tool for evaluating exercise intolerance in COPD, with parameters such as peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak), ventilatory efficiency (V̇E/V̇CO2 slope), and dynamic hyperinflation correlating with disease severity and prognosis. According to studies a V̇O2 peak value below 15 mL kg-1 min-1 is associated with increased mortality risk and hospitalizations. Undoubtedly, CPET-derived thresholds for ventilatory and cardiovascular limitations remain an invaluable tool for COPD diagnosis and management, and contribute to optimizing rehabilitation strategies and pharmacological interventions.

Conclusion: CPET provides important information about the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance in COPD, helping with personalized treatment planning and risk stratification. CPET should be integrated into COPD management guidelines.

Introduction: The immune system's inflammatory response, driven by pro-inflammatory proteins, protects against external threats. Fear and disgust-inducing stimuli have been linked to immune responses, yet their specific physiological and inflammatory mechanisms in trypophobia remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the inflammatory and physiological responses in relation to natural (non-skin) and skin-related trypophobic images.

Material and methods: Fifty participants (n = 50) were recruited for the study, and their sensitivity to trypophobia was measured using the trypophobia questionnaire. Then, participants were randomly assigned to either the skin related or non-skin related visual exposure group and viewed trypophobic images from a computer screen. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-exposure to trypophobic images and analyzed for IL-6 and TNF-α using ELISA and RT-qPCR methods.

Results: IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels significantly increased post-exposure, with IL-6 changes varying by stimulus type. mRNA expression showed significant interaction with participants' trypophobia sensitivity scores, suggesting post-transcriptional mechanisms. Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate were measured before, during, and after exposure using photoplethysmography. Significant changes in HRV metrics, influenced by stimulus type and trypophobia sensitivity, indicated increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic nervous system activity during and after exposure.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of physiological and inflammatory responses in trypophobia, suggesting immune activation and autonomic nervous system involvement based on stimulus type and individual sensitivity. These findings not only contribute to phobia literature but also shed light on the physiological and immunological changes that take place in the bodies of individuals with high sensitivity to trypophobia.