Meta-analysis and systematic review of the relationship between sex and the risk or incidence of poststroke aphasia and its types.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and discuss the association of gender differences with the risk and incidence of poststroke aphasia (PSA) and its types, and to provide evidence-based guidance for the prevention and treatment of poststroke aphasia in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from January 1, 2002, to December 1, 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Including the total number of strokes, aphasia, the number of different sexes or the number of PSA corresponding to different sex. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies with missing data, aphasia caused by nonstroke and noncompliance with the requirements of literature types were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: 36 papers were included, from 19 countries. The analysis of 168,259 patients with stroke and 31,058 patients with PSA showed that the risk of PSA was 1.23 times higher in female than in male (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.19-1.29, P < 0.001), with a prevalence of PSA of 31% in men and 36% in women, and an overall prevalence of 34% (P < 0.001). Analysis of the risk of the different types of aphasia in 1,048 patients with PSA showed a high risk in females for global, broca and Wenicke aphasia, and a high risk in males for anomic, conductive and transcortical aphasia, which was not statistically significant by meta-analysis. The incidence of global aphasia (males vs. females, 29% vs. 32%) and broca aphasia (17% vs 19%) were higher in females, and anomic aphasia (19% vs 14%) was higher in males, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in the incidence and types of PSA. The risk of PSA in female is higher than that in male.

Exercise Preconditioning Protects against Acute Cardiac Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Through General Control Nonderepressible 2 Kinase.

Exercise preconditioning may protect against cardiac injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but the mechanism is unresolved. The aim of this study is to explore whether the general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) kinase gene is associated with the protective effect of exercise preconditioning. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J (n = 40) and GCN2 knockout (KO) (n = 40) mice were divided into four groups: control, LPS (L), exercise preconditioning (E), and exercise preconditioning LPS (EL). Mice in the exercise groups performed exercise for eight weeks. After exercise, all mice were given an equal volume of LPS or saline (10 µg/g). We measured the cardiac function using echocardiography and then collected heart tissue. Exercise preconditioning improved cardiac inflammation (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α) and cardiac dysfunction (ejection fraction, fraction shortening) in C57 mice induced by LPS and also decreased the expression levels of GCN2, phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Moreover, GCN2 KO decreased inflammation and cardiac dysfunction induced by LPS in sedentary mice. The inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in the GCN2 KO EL group were lower than in the C57 EL group, and the expression of GCN2, p-eIF2α, and ATF4 in the GCN2 KO EL group was lower than in the C57 EL group. Exercise preconditioning alleviated cardiac injury induced by LPS. GCN2 KO also improved cardiac injury. Exercise preconditioning promoted the effect of GCN2 KO in alleviating cardiac injury, and the GCN2 and eIF2α/ATF4 pathways play an important role in the process.

Effects of Different Caloric Restriction Patterns on Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

CONTEXT: All types of caloric restriction are preventive against cardiovascular risk factors, but the best restriction method and most affected factors have not been identified. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different caloric restriction methods on various cardiovascular risk factors by horizontally comparing program advantages and disadvantages via network meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase literature databases were searched (October 2013 to October 2023). DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible randomized controlled trials involving participants who underwent caloric restriction and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level measurements were included. DATA ANALYSIS: Thirty-six of 13 208 records (0.27%) were included. Two researchers reviewed the articles, extracted data, and assessed article quality. RESULTS: Alternate-day fasting (ADF) reduced SBP (4.88 mmHg; CI, 2.06-7.15) and DBP (5.10 mmHg; CI, 2.44-7.76). Time-restricted eating reduced SBP (2.46 mmHg; CI, 0.16-4.76) but not DBP. Continuous energy restriction (CER) significantly reduced BMI (1.11 kg/m2; CI = 0.16, 2.06) and waist circumference (3.28 cm; CI, 0.62-5.94). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirmed the preventive effect of CER and ADF on various cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, CER is more likely to reduce obesity, and ADF is more likely to reduce blood pressure (BP). Based on this meta-analysis, CER is recommended to control obesity only for people who are obese and do not have elevated BP or other abnormal indicators. Additionally, ADF for early control or prevention is recommended for patients who have abnormal BP or other cardiovascular risk factors. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023455889.

Effect of breathing exercises on oxidative stress biomarkers in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Breathing exercises improve oxidative stress in healthy young adults and patients with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, the mechanism of respiratory intervention is controversial. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of breathing exercises on oxidative stress biomarkers in humans and provide evidence for the clinical application of breathing exercises. Methods: The Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG databases were searched for studies about the effects of breathing exercises on human oxidative stress levels, with no restraints regarding time, race, or language. The experimental group included various breathing exercises, and the outcome index included malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, nitric oxide, vitamin C, or total antioxidant capacity levels from a randomized controlled trial. Data were extracted by more than two authors and reviewed by one author. Results: Ten studies were included from five countries. Data from patients with no disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, or diabetes were included. Participants who performed breathing exercises had greater changes in the included biomarkers than those who did not, suggesting that these biomarkers can be used to evaluate oxidative stress after respiratory interventions. Conclusion: Breathing exercises increased SOD and GSH activities and decreased MDA content. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022337119, identifier CRD42022337119.

An Investigation on the Impact of Unloading Rate on Coal Mechanical Properties and Energy Evolution Law.

In order to further explore the relationship between the excavation speed and the damage of surrounding rocks and dynamic manifestation, the stress paths of unloading confining pressure and loading axial pressure were designed based on the changes in the roadway surrounding rock stress in this study. Additionally, the mechanical properties and energy evolution law of the coal body were investigated under various unloading rates. As the unloading rate increased, the mechanical properties of the coal body including the failure strength, the confining pressure, the axial strain, and horizontal strain tended to decrease at the rupture stage, while the volume strain and the elastic modulus increased, indicating that the rupture form evolved from the ductile failure to brittle failure. Regarding the energy, the axial pressure did positive work while the confining pressure did negative work, with the total work and the stored elastic strain energy decreasing. In addition, with the increase of the dissipation energy, the elastic strain energy conversion rate decreased linearly, indicating that the high unloading rate increased the possibility of dynamic disasters induced by the instantaneous brittle rupture of the coal body. On the other hand, due to the low releasable elastic strain energy stored in the coal body, the strength and probability of subsequent dynamic manifestation of coal body destruction were reduced. Therefore, increasing the excavation speed in a controllable way can benefit the safety of mining.

Determination of Key Technical Parameters in the Study of New Pressure Sealing Technology for Coal Seam Gas Extraction.

Coal is affected by the concentrated stress disturbance of mining, the disturbance of drilling hole formation, and the concentrated stress of coal shrinkage and splitting of gas desorption from the hole wall; these result in a large number of secondary cracks that collect and leak gas. As a result, it is difficult for the coal seam sealing process to meet engineering quality sealing requirements, which results in problems such as low gas concentration during the extraction process. In this paper, based on the analysis of coal pore and fissure characteristics, and in view of the current situation of gas drainage and sealing in this coal seam, combined with the existing grouting and sealing technology, it is proposed to use pressure grouting and sealing to realize the sealing of deep coal bodies in the hole wall. According to the field conditions, the experimental pressure sealing parameter index is as follows: theoretical sealing length L1 = 9.69 m, the sealing length L2 = 13.98 m is verified, and the final sealing length is determined to be 15 m; the sealing radius is determined to be 0.6 m; the cement slurry was prepared on site with a water: cement ratio of 2:1; PG = 0.43 MPa was calculated; the range of the slurry diffusion radius R was 93.4-176.6 cm; the grouting pressure was determined to be 0.516 MPa. Field application practice has proved that: (1) Under the same drilling parameters and sealing parameters, the gas drainage effect of drilling with pressure sealing is 2.3 times higher than that without pressure sealing; (2) Using traditional sealing technology for drilling holes, the gas extraction concentration is far lower than the sealing operation effect of using the pressure sealing process; (3) Reasonably extending the length of the gas extraction drilling and sealing is a basic guarantee for realizing a substantial increase in the gas extraction concentration; (4) Sealing with pressure leads to a reliable and stable hole process.

GCN2 Deficiency Enhances Protective Effects of Exercise on Hepatic Steatosis.

BACKGROUND: Combined aerobic and resistance training has been demonstrated to benefit glycemic control and reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in childhood obesity. General control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) deficiency has been reported to attenuate hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. However, whether GCN2 impacts the positive effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether combined aerobic and resistance exercise improves hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance and the role GCN2 plays in mediating the metabolic regulation of exercise. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and GCN2 knockout (GCN2KO) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 25 weeks. The WT and GCN2KO mice performed exercise (treadmill running + ladder climbing) during the last eight weeks. Their body and liver weights, their triglyceride content, and their levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and blood glucose were measured, and the expressions of proteins involved in the GCN2/eIF2α/ATF4 pathway and the glucolipid metabolism-related proteins (e.g., p-AMPK, SIRT1, PPARα, PGC-1α, GLUT4, and p-GSK-3ß) were determined. RESULTS: The body weight of WT and GCN2KO mice continued to increase until the end of the experiment. The liver weights, hepatic triglyceride content, and AST and ALT levels of the exercised mice were significantly reduced compared to those of the sedentary mice. Exercise improved blood glucose levels and glucose clearance ability in the WT mice, but the glucose intolerance of GCN2KO mice was not improved. Exercise increased PGC-1α, GLUT4, and p-GSK-3ß expressions in the WT rather than the GCN2KO mice. Interestingly however, exercise-trained GCN2KO mice were better protected against hepatic steatosis with downregulated expressions of p-eIF2α and ATF4, upregulated expressions of p-AMPK and SIRT1, and the presence of PPARα in the liver, compared to the exercised WT mice. CONCLUSION: Combined aerobic and resistance exercise had positive effects on hepatic steatosis and the control of glucose intolerance. GCN2 was found to be necessary for exercise-induced improved glucose intolerance. However, the better efficacy in improving hepatic steatosis by exercise in the GCN2-deficient mice enhanced liver lipid metabolism, at least partially, via the AMPK/SIRT1/PPARα pathway.

Medium-Intensity Treadmill Exercise Exerts Beneficial Effects on Bone Modeling Through Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

As a type of multipotential cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and adipocytes under different loading condition or specific microenvironment. Previous studies have shown that BMMSCs and their lineage-differentiated progeny (for example, osteoblasts), and osteocytes are mechanosensitive in bone. The appropriate physical activity and exercise could help attenuate bone loss, effectively stimulate bone formation, increase bone mineral density (BMD), prevent the progression of osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of bone fractures. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is originally discovered as a protein with heterotopic bone-inducing activity in the bone matrix that exerts a critical role in multiple stages of bone metabolism. In the present study, the medium-intensity treadmill exercise enhanced bone formation and increased osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression as well as activation of the BMP-Smad signaling pathway in vivo. In order to investigate the effect of a BMP-Smad signaling pathway, we injected mice with activated enzyme inhibitors (LDN-193189HCL) and subjected the mice to treadmill exercise intervention. LDN-193189HCL attenuated the BMD and bone mass mediated by medium-intensity exercise and BMP-Smad signaling pathway.

Study on the gas desorption law and indicator influencing factors of fixed-size coal samples.

The prediction of dangerous hazards in working faces is an important link to prevent coal and gas outbursts. Improving the accuracy of predictive indicators is of great significance for reducing the phenomenon of being prominently below the critical value and ensuring safe production. The fixed-size desorption index K1 is one of the important indicators for coal face and gas outburst prediction. Based on the diffusion theory and the physical meaning of fixed-size coal samples, the mathematical expression of K1 is established by the self-developed high/low temperature pressure swing adsorption-desorption experimental system. According to the equation, the effects of gas pressure, loss time, coal particle size and diffusion coefficient on K1 are studied. The results show that the K1 index is logarithmically related to the gas pressure. Under the same conditions, the longer the loss time is, the smaller the measured K1 is, and the smaller the particle sizes of the drill cuttings are, the more notable the performance is; the diffusion coefficient represents the ability of gas to bypass micropores and the coal matrix. The greater the ability to bypass the matrix is, the larger the diffusion coefficient under the same conditions is, and the larger K1 is; the coal particle size has a greater influence on K1, and the smaller the size is, the more likely it is that the phenomenon of being prominently below the critical value occurs. Therefore, the particle size composition of coal during on-site measurements is crucial for obtaining the true K1 and the exact critical values.

Effect of acupuncture at ST36 on motor cortical excitation and inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) is often used to facilitate motor recovery after stroke. However, the effect of acupuncture at ST36 on motor cortical excitation and inhibition remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of acupuncture at ST36 on motor cortical excitation and inhibition. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited to receive acupuncture treatment. We selected the acupoint ST36 and its respective sham point as the experimental acupoint. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure motor-evoked potentials (MEP) at 7 time points-before acupuncture (Pre), acupuncture (T0), 4 and 8 min after acupuncture (T4; T8), needle removal (T12), 4 and 8 min after needle removal (T16; T20). Simultaneously, paired TMS (pTMS) was employed to measure short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI [short latency intracortical inhibition]; LICI [long latency intracortical inhibition]), respectively, at three time points-before acupuncture (Pre), acupuncture (T0), needle removal (T12). After removing the acupuncture needle, all subjects were asked to quantify their Deqi sensation using a Gas table. RESULTS: The average Deqi sensation score of all subjects during acupuncture at ST36 was higher than that observed at the sham point. With acupuncture at ST36, the MEP amplitude was higher at three time points (T0, T4, T8) than at Pre, although the MEP amplitude tended toward Pre after needle removal. The MEP amplitude was also higher at the same time points (T0, T4, T8) than at the sham point. Furthermore, the Deqi sensation score was correlated with MEP amplitude. With acupuncture at ST36, SICI and LICI at T0 were higher than those at Pre, and SICI and LICI at T0 were higher than those at the sham point. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at ST36 increased motor cortical excitation and had an effect on the remaining needle phase. Deqi sensation was correlated with MEP amplitude. Acupuncture at ST36 also decreased motor cortical inhibition.

AMPKα2 Deficiency Does Not Affect the Exercise-Induced Improvements in Glucose Tolerance and Metabolic Disorders in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Exercise can improve obesity and metabolic disorders in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), but the role of AMPKα2 in the process remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AMPKα2 in the exercise-induced improvements in glucose tolerance and metabolic turnover in obesity mice. Male wild-type mice (n=12) and AMPKα2 knockout (AMPKα2 KO) mice (n=12) were fed a HFD for 16 wk and were then randomly divided into four groups: WT HFD group (WT HF), AMPKα2 KO HFD group (AMPKα2 KO HF), WT HFD exercise group (WT HE), and AMPK HFD exercise group (AMPKα2 KO HE). The HF groups continue to be fed a HFD from 16 wk to 24 wk, and the HE groups were fed a HFD and performed exercise training. After 8 wk of exercise, all mice were placed in an energy metabolism chamber to test their metabolic turnover, include locomotor activity, food intake, oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER), over a period of 3 d. Exercise improved glucose tolerance, VO2, VCO2 and EE in mice fed a HFD (p<0.05). The VO2, VCO2 and EE in AMPKα2 KO HE group were lower than these in WT HE group (p<0.05). Our findings revealed exercise improved glucose tolerance and metabolic disorders in C57 and AMPKα2 KO mice fed a HFD. AMPKα2 is not essential for exercise-induced improvements in glucose tolerance and metabolic disorders.

Cyclic compression stimulates osteoblast differentiation via activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

It is widely accepted that mechanical stress is an important factor in bone associated cell differentiation, including that of mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts and osteocytes. The present study aimed to determine the effect of mechanical cyclic compressive load on osteoblast differentiation, and whether this was associated with activation of the wingless­type (Wnt)/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Using a 3D scaffold model, MC3T3­E1 cells were exposed to cyclic compressive loading via the Flexcell­5000C™ Compression system. Sinusoidal wave magnitudes of 0.33, 0.5 and 1 MPa were applied for 4, 6 and 8 h, at 1 Hz frequency. Expression levels of genes associated with osteoblast differentiation were enhanced following compression, including alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, runt­related transcription factor 2 and osterix. Optimal compression was observed using a magnitude of 0.5 MPa for 6 h, whereas a magnitude of 1 MPa had no effect on osteoblast differentiation, and had a negative effect when applied for prolonged time periods. Compressive loading additionally enhanced the mRNA expression levels of the Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway component, low density lipoprotein receptor­related protein 5, and the protein expression levels of Wnt1, disheveled segment polarity protein­2 (DVL2) and ß-catenin. By contrast, mRNA expression levels of sclerostin and the inactive form of ß-catenin (phosphorylated at Ser33/37/Thr41) were reduced following compressive loading. Following compressive loading of cells, dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK­1), an inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway, increased protein expression levels of the inactive form of the Wnt­associated protein, phosphorylated­ß­catenin, compared with compression alone. However, DVL2 and Wnt1 protein expression levels were unaffected, suggesting that the loading­induced activation of Wnt/ß­catenin signaling decreased however, it was not prevented by DKK­1 treatment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that cyclic compressive load promoted osteoblast differentiation and may be dependent on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in regard to magnitude and duration.

Treadmill running exercise prevents senile osteoporosis and upregulates the Wnt signaling pathway in SAMP6 mice.

This study examined the effects of different exercise intensities and durations on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6) and determined the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in exercise-induced osteogenesis. Three-month-old male SAMP6 mice were randomly assigned to different speeds of treadmill running exercise representing low, medium and high intensity, with the duration of five and nine weeks, respectively. We showed that medium-intensity exercise had positive effects on skeletal health, including BMD and bone strength, and the efficacy was higher than that of low-intensity exercise. Interestingly, high-intensity exercise can maintain or even increase bone strength, despite its negative effects on bone mass. Nine weeks of exercise was superior to 5 weeks of exercise, particularly for low-intensity exercise. Furthermore, these effects of exercise-induced osteogenesis are accompanied by activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that the positive effects of exercise on osteoporosis prevention are intensity and duration-dependent, and may involve the regulation of Wnt signaling pathways.

The roles of exercise in bone remodeling and in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

With a rapid increase in the aging population, osteoporosis has become a global health problem. Although anti-resorption and anabolic drugs are available, osteoporosis cannot be completely cured. Exercise is an economical, efficacious, and safe way to prevent the development of osteoporosis. Recent studies have investigated the mechanisms by which exercise affects bone remodeling. Here we update the progress made on the effects of exercise on bone cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts, as well as on bone mass, bone strength, and geometry, hoping to provide a theoretical basis to improve osteoporosis prevention and treatment with exercise.