Acute Effects of Resistance Exercise on Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Hackett, DA, Li, J, Wang, B, Way, KL, Cross, T, and Tran, DL. Acute effects of resistance exercise on intraocular pressure in healthy adults: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 394-404, 2024-Intraocular pressure (IOP) tends to fluctuate during a resistance exercise (RE). This systematic review examines the acute effects of RE on IOP in healthy adults and factors that influence changes in IOP. Five electronic databases were searched using terms related to RE and IOP. A strict inclusion criterion was applied, which included being 55 years or younger with no medical conditions and RE intensity needing to be quantifiable (e.g., based on a maximal effort). Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Isometric and isotonic contractions produced similar changes in IOP during RE up to 28.7 mm Hg. Exercises that involved larger muscle mass, such as squats and leg press, were found to produce changes in IOP during exercise ranging from 3.1 to 28.7 mm Hg. Smaller changes in IOP during RE were found for exercises engaging less muscle mass (e.g., handgrip and bicep curls). Intraocular pressure was found to increase during RE when lifting heavier loads and with longer exercise durations (e.g., greater repetitions). The Valsalva maneuver (VM) and breath-hold during RE accentuated the change in IOP, with more extreme changes observed with the VM. However, most studies showed that postexercise IOP returned to baseline after approximately 1 minute of recovery. An acute increase in IOP is observed during RE in healthy adults with fluctuations of varying magnitude. Factors that independently increase IOP during RE include exercises involving larger muscle mass, heavy loads, greater set duration, and when the VM or breath-hold is performed.

Hemoperfusion in combination with hemofiltration for acute severe organophosphorus pesticide poisoning: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute severe organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (ASOPP) is one of the major diseases that endanger human life and health. However, the effects of conventional therapy including gastric lavages, mechanical ventilation, muscarinic antagonist drugs, and cholinesterase reactivators were uncertain. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of hemoperfusion combined with hemofiltration besides routine therapy for ASOPP. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search for candidate publications was performed through PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, WanFang, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from database inception to May 12, 2020. The retrieved studies were screened by the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of important end points were extracted. The risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were pooled for categorical variables and continuous variables, respectively. Meta-analyses and publication bias were conducted by using STATA software version 15.1. Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 811 patients were included. Compared to conventional therapy group, patients in the hemoperfusion plus hemofiltration group were significantly superior with regard to mortality (RR 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.25, 0.57], P < 0.001), total atropine dosing (WMD -147.34 mg, 95% CI [-199.49, -95.18], P < 0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD -2.34 days, 95% CI [-3.77, -0.92], P < 0.001), cholinesterase recovery time (WMD -2.49 days, 95% CI [-3.14, -1.83], P < 0.001), and length of stay (WMD -4.52 days, 95% CI [-5.31, -3.73], P < 0.001). Conclusion: Combined hemoperfusion and hemofiltration was a very safe and effective treatment protocol for ASOPP, not only resulting in significantly decreased mortality but also resulting in reduced total atropine dosing, duration of mechanical ventilation, cholinesterase recovery time, and length of stay.

Vascular segmentation in hepatic CT images using adaptive threshold fuzzy connectedness method.

BACKGROUND: Fuzzy connectedness method has shown its effectiveness for fuzzy object extraction in recent years. However, two problems may occur when applying it to hepatic vessel segmentation task. One is the excessive computational cost, and the other is the difficulty of choosing a proper threshold value for final segmentation. METHODS: In this paper, an accelerated strategy based on a lookup table was presented first which can reduce the connectivity scene calculation time and achieve a speed-up factor of above 2. When the computing of the fuzzy connectedness relations is finished, a threshold is needed to generate the final result. Currently the threshold is preset by users. Since different thresholds may produce different outcomes, how to determine a proper threshold is crucial. According to our analysis of the hepatic vessel structure, a watershed-like method was used to find the optimal threshold. Meanwhile, by using Ostu algorithm to calculate the parameters for affinity relations and assigning the seed with the mean value, it is able to reduce the influence on the segmentation result caused by the location of the seed and enhance the robustness of fuzzy connectedness method. RESULTS: Experiments based on four different datasets demonstrate the efficiency of the lookup table strategy. These experiments also show that an adaptive threshold found by watershed-like method can always generate correct segmentation results of hepatic vessels. Comparing to a refined region-growing algorithm that has been widely used for hepatic vessel segmentation, fuzzy connectedness method has advantages in detecting vascular edge and generating more than one vessel system through the weak connectivity of the vessel ends. CONCLUSIONS: An improved algorithm based on fuzzy connectedness method is proposed. This algorithm has improved the performance of fuzzy connectedness method in hepatic vessel segmentation.

Efficacy and Safety of Continuous Micro-Pump Infusion of 3% Hypertonic Saline combined with Furosemide to Control Elevated Intracranial Pressure.

BACKGROUND: Elevated intracranial pressure is one of the most common problems in patients with diverse intracranial disorders, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Effective management for increased intracranial pressure is based mainly on surgical and medical techniques with hyperosmolar therapy as one of the core medical treatments. The study aimed to explore the effects of continuous micro-pump infusions of 3% hypertonic saline combined with furosemide on intracranial pressure control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed data on 56 eligible participants with intracranial pressure >20 mmHg from March 2013 to July 2014. The target was to increase and maintain plasma sodium to a level between 145 and 155 mmol/L and osmolarity to a level of 310 to 320 mOsmol/kg. RESULTS: Plasma sodium levels significantly increased from 138±5 mmol/L at admission to 151±3 mmol/L at 24 h (P<0.01). Osmolarity increased from 282±11 mOsmol/kg at baseline to 311±8 mOsmol/kg at 24 h (P<0.01). Intracranial pressure significantly decreased from 32±7 mmHg to 15±6 mmHg at 24 h (P<0.01). There was a significant improvement in CPP (P<0.01). Moreover, central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, and Glasgow Coma Scale slightly increased. However, these changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of 3% hypertonic saline + furosemide is effective and safe for intracranial pressure control.

Chikungunya emergency in China: microevolution and genetic analysis for a local outbreak.

A small-scale local chikungunya outbreak occurred in a Guangdong village of southern China in October 2010. The five chikungunya viruses (CHIKV) isolated from the epidemic and three other imported cases obtained from the same period were sequenced and analyzed for phylogenesis. The results demonstrated that all of the eight sequences were clustered in the Eastern, Central, Southern, and African group. However, the local strains and imported isolates showed different sequence variations. A226V in E1 gene and V264A in E2 gene were detected in all three imported isolates, the unique substitutions S250P in E1 gene and H313Y in E2 genes could be observed in four of the five local strains. These significant variations might be some of the causes for the outbreak. It would be an important event for CHIKV to have mutated adaption to the local mosquitoes in China, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

Effect of Blood Flow Restriction during the Rest Periods of Squats on Accuracy of Estimated Repetitions to Failure.

This study investigated the impact of resistance training with blood flow restriction during rest (BFRrest) on the accuracy of estimated repetitions to failure (ERF). It also explored associations between error in ERF and mean concentric velocity (MCV) along with physiological responses. In a randomised cross-over study, 18 male trainers (23.4 ± 2.7 years) performed three sets of squats at 70% of their one-repetition maximum until failure. One session integrated BFRrest, while another employed traditional passive inter-set rest (TRAD) during the 3 min inter-set rest intervals. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic measures were taken in the inter-set recovery periods. The results revealed no significant differences between BFRrest and TRAD in terms of ERF and error in ERF. A notable set effect for ERF was observed, with a greater ERF during set 1 compared to sets 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). Additionally, a lower error in ERF was observed during sets 2 and 3 compared to set 1 (p < 0.001). Error in ERF were strongly associated with the respiratory exchange ratio, and moderately associated with end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure, carbon dioxide output, and MCV variables. Notably, the precision of ERF seems to be predominantly influenced by indicators of physiological stress rather than the incorporation of BFRrest.

Effect of Shear History on Solid-Liquid Transition of Particulate Gel Fuels.

Investigating the structural evolution of particulate gels is a very challenging task due to their vulnerability and true flow characteristics. In this work, deeper insight into the rheological properties of gel fuels filled with fumed silica (FS) and aluminum microparticles (Al MPs) was gained by changing shear procedures. Firstly, the flow curves were found to no longer follow the monotonic power law and exhibited subtle thixotropic responses. As the shear rate increased, the gel structure underwent a transition from local shear to bulk shear in the nonlinear region after yielding. This finding reveals the prevalence of nonideal local shear in industry. Secondly, the time-dependent rheological responses demonstrated that the strength spectrum of gel fuels depends on the applied shear rate, with stress relaxation more easily observed at lower shear rates. Those results involved the structural disruption, recovery, and equilibrium of particulate gels from two scales of shear rate and shear time.

Effect of resistance training on local muscle endurance in middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: Local muscle endurance (LME) is a significant indicator of muscle health and function in middle-aged and older adults. However, resistance training (RT) practices which optimise performance in this population are currently unclear. This study examined: 1) the effect of RT on LME; and 2) the impact of acute resistance exercise program variables on LME in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched using terms related to RT, LME, and older adults. Random effects (Hedges' g) meta-analyses were undertaken to estimate the effect of RT on upper and lower body LME assessed via maximal repetitions during an isotonic test. The impact of resistance exercise program variables on LME effects was explored using meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Upon sensitivity analysis, one study was removed. Large effects favoured RT for LME of the upper body (g = 1.10, p < 0.001) and lower body (g = 1.18, p < 0.001). Large effects on LME from RT were found irrespective of training intensity or other resistance exercise program variables. Moderate heterogeneity and publication bias were found in most analyses. DISCUSSION: RT is an effective means for improving LME in middle-aged and older adults. Optimal training characteristics have not been defined by this review, as improvement in LME was unrelated to RT volume or loading intensity. Caution is warranted when interpreting the findings due to heterogeneity and bias present in existing literature. Additional studies are needed with direct comparisons of various training techniques.

Down-regulation of Nedd4L is associated with the aggressive progression and worse prognosis of malignant glioma.

OBJECTIVE: Human neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 4 like (Nedd4L), a ubiquitin protein ligase, is expressed by various cancer cells and might have an oncogenic property. Its expression pattern in glioma tissues is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether Nedd4L is present in glioma and to evaluate the correlation of Nedd4L expression with the progression and prognosis of the disease. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to investigate the expression of Nedd4L protein in 128 patients with gliomas. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed a strong-to-weak range of Nedd4L staining with increasing pathologic grade of glioma (P < 0.001), which was in line with the results from western blot analysis. In addition, a non-parametric analysis revealed that the attenuated Nedd4L expression was significantly correlated with a large tumor diameter (P = 0.02), low Karnofsky performance score (P = 0.008), frequent intra-tumor necrosis (P = 0.01) and worse overall survival (P = 0.009). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that Nedd4L expression (P = 0.02) and intra-tumor necrosis (P = 0.03) were two important independent prognostic factors identified by the Cox proportional hazards model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide convincing evidence for the first time that the expression of Nedd4L is down-regulated in human gliomas. The glioma patients with lower Nedd4L expression have a worse prognosis.

Mechanism of Two Typical Binders BR and F2604 on Thermal Decomposition of HMX.

DSC-TG-FTIR-MS coupling technology was used to study the mechanism of two typical binders, that is, BR and F2604, on the thermal decomposition behavior of the HMX crystal. The results show that both BR and F2604 can induce premature decomposition of HMX and increase the activation energy of HMX. Especially in the case of HMX/BR particles, the decomposition temperature is the lowest, but the activation energy is the highest. Based on the results of DSC-TG-FTIR-MS, it is found that the rapid mechanism of binder and active intermediate products inhibits the reaction of relatively inert intermediate products and prolongs the continuous generation time of gas products in the composite particles, which delays the decomposition of HMX to a certain extent. This study is helpful for us to better understand the thermal decomposition behavior of HMX composite particles and provides reference for the application of high-energy composites.

Over-expression of neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 confers poor prognosis of patients with gliomas.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 is a member of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor family, a group of proteins which are known to activate and thereby regulate Rho family members. Deregulation of neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 expression has been found in certain types of human tumors. To investigate its prognostic value in human gliomas, which is currently unknown, we examined the correlation between neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 expression and prognosis in patients with gliomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 expression patterns in the biopsies from 96 patients with primary gliomas. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox's regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis of patients. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 antibody revealed that neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 was significantly associated with the Karnofsky performance scale score and World Health Organization grades of patients with gliomas. Especially, the positive expression rates of neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 were significantly higher in patients with higher grade (P = 0.001) and lower Karnofsky's performance scale score (P = 0.005). The median survival of patients with high neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 expression was significantly shorter than that with low expression and without expression (316, 892 and 1180 days, respectively). Cox's multifactor analysis showed that the Karnofsky performance scale (P = 0.01), World Health Organization grade (P = 0.008) and neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 (P = 0.006) were independent prognosis factors for human glioma. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our study indicates for the first time that neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 status may be a highly sensitive marker for glioma prognosis and suggest that the expression patterns of neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 might be a potent tool for predicting the clinical prognosis of glioma patients.

[The effects of high frequency signal investigated in a neuron model].

We have investigated the effects of high frequency (HF) signal on firing activity in a biologically realistic system--the noisy Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neuron model via numerical simulations. The results show that when the HF amplitude to frequency ratio (AFR) increases, the firing rate is diminished and stochastic resonance disappears, even the HH neuron model is processing a stimulus of its most sensitive frequency. When the noise intensity is strong, the vibration resonance can be observed. Moreover, the fluctuation around the resting potential will be replaced by an oscillation of the same high frequency with the increasing AFR. The inhibition of the firing activity is consistent with the results of experiment in vivo that HF current can stop the transmission of action potential in peripheral nerve. This study is of functional significance to the biomedical research on the damages caused by electro-pollution in vivo and signal processing.

[Research progress of stochastic resonance in neural models].

In nonlinear systems, noise can improve the responses of the systems with appropriate noise intensity. This phenomenon is called stochastic resonance. Biological neural systems are noisy and stochastic resonance has been found in them experimentally and theoretically. Now many researches focus on the signal transmission and processing in neural models. So this paper introduces the researches of stochastic resonance in noisy neural models. Then the recent research achievement and progress are reviewed in the following three aspects: noise; the development of stochastic resonance; and neural network. At last, the foreground of the study is discussed.

The use of a projection method to simplify portal and hepatic vein segmentation in liver anatomy.

In living donor liver transplantation, the volume of the potential graft must be measured to ensure sufficient liver function after surgery. Couinaud divided the liver into 8 functionally independent segments. However, this method is not simple to perform in 3D space directly. Thus, we propose a rapid method to segment the liver based on the hepatic vessel tree. The most important step of this method is vascular projection. By carefully selecting a projection plane, a 3D point can be fixed in the projection plane. This greatly helps in rapid classification. This method was validated by applying it to a 3D liver depicted on CT images, and the result was in good agreement with Couinaud's classification.

Urokinase vs Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator for Thrombolytic Evacuation of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Basal Ganglia.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of stroke, which leads to a high rate of mortality and poor neurological outcomes worldwide. Thrombolytic evacuation with urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) or tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) has been showed to be a hopeful treatment for ICH. However, to the best of our knowledge, no clinical trials were reported to compare the efficacy and safety of these two fibrinolytics administrated following minimally invasive stereotactic puncture (MISP) in patients with spontaneous basal ganglia ICH. Therefore, the authors intended here to evaluate the differential impact of uPA and tPA in a retrospective study. In the present study, a total of 86 patients with spontaneous ICH in basal ganglia using MISP received either uPA (uPA group, n = 45) or tPA (tPA group, n = 41), respectively. The clinical baseline characteristics prior to the operation were collected. In addition, therapeutic responses were assessed by the short-term outcomes within 30 days postoperation, as well as long-term outcomes at 1 year postoperation. Our findings showed that, in comparison with tPA, uPA was able to better promote hematoma evacuation and ameliorate perihematomal edema, but the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, the long-term functional outcomes of both groups were similar, with no statistical difference. In conclusion, these results provide evidence supporting that uPA and tPA are similar in the efficacy and safety for thrombolytic evacuation in combination with MISP in patients with spontaneous basal ganglia ICH.

A study for accommodating the human crystalline lens by finite element simulation.

This paper constructs two finite element models of human crystalline lens and zonules based on published clinical data. Displacement and pressure were applied to study the mechanism of vision accommodation. The simulation results show that, in Model A, under the pull of the zonules, the thickness of the lens decreased linearly, and the lens diameter increased linearly. The optical power of the lens increased as the zonules displacement increased. Furthermore, the pressure had a remarkable influence on the shape of the lens and the optical power. The lens also became thinner and flatter as the pressure increased. The optical power increased when the pressure increased. In Model B, the lens became thicker and optical power increased as the equatorial zonules stretched. It is basically consistent with Schachar's hypothesis. The outcome of this paper proved that the analytical model presented in this paper can be used in the theoretical study of the accommodation mechanism of the lens.

Membrane Glycolipids Content Variety in Gastrointestinal Tumors and Transplantable Hepatomas in Mice.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the variety of plasma contents of membrane glycolipids in 65 gastrointestinal tumors and 31 transplant hepatomas in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS The experimental model was a transplantable murine hepatoma. Experimental mice were divided into 3 groups. RESULTS The LSA and TSA content in the 2 groups were significantly difference (p<0.01), and were significantly lower in the therapeutic group than in the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that membrane glycolipids index LSA and TSA are sensitive markers in gastrointestinal tumors. In the transplanted hepatomas in mice, they may be considered as ancillary indicators for judging the therapeutic effect of hepatoma.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy assisted by 3-D visualization reconstruction and portal vein arterialization: A case report (a CARE-compliant article).

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional visualization reconstruction, the 3-D visualization model reconstructed by software using 2-D CT images, has been widely applied in medicine; but it has rarely been applied in pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although the hepatic artery is very important for the liver, it has to be removed when tumor invades it. Therefore, portal vein arterialization has been used in clinic as a remedial measure, but there still is professional debate on portal vein arterialization. METHODS: Here, we report 1 case that was diagnosed with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the duodenum. The tumor had large size and invaded surrounding organs and vessels. RESULTS: Preliminary diagnoses were poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the duodenum and viral hepatitis B. Pancreaticoduodenectomy assisted by 3-D visualization reconstruction and portal vein arterialization were performed in this case. The tumor was removed. Liver function returned to normal limits 1 week after operation. Digital subtraction arteriography showed compensatory artery branches within the liver 1 month after operation. CONCLUSION: 3-D visualization reconstruction can provide a reliable assistance for the accurate assessment and surgical design before pancreatoduodenectomy, and it is certainly worth adopting portal vein arterialization when retention of hepatic artery is impossible or conventional arterial anastomosis is required during pancreatoduodenectomy.

[The study of pancreas three-dimensional reconstruction based on the Virtual Chinese Human-Female No 1].

OBJECTIVE: To study the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and 3D visualization of the pancreas and create anatomy of the digitalized visual pancreas so as to construct a concrete basis for virtual operation and surgical operation on pancreas. METHODS: The digital imaging data of pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, arteries and veins were obtained from the Virtual Chinese Human-Female 1 (VCH-F1) and processed using ACDSee and Photoshop so as to reconstruct 3D pancreas digitally and realize 3D visualization of pancreas. RESULTS: We successfully 3D reconstructed and visualized the pancreas and the peri-pancreatic structures: the duodenum, the common bile duct, the inferior vena cava, the portal vein vessels, the aorta, the ceoliac trunk vessels. The 3D and visualized pancreas manifested itself with its complete structure as well as its adjacency to other tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D reconstruction and 3D visualization of the pancreas based on the digital data of VCH-F1 produces a digitally visualized pancreas, which promises us a novel method for virtual operation on pancreas, clinical operation on pancreas and anatomy of 3D visualized pancreas.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous nimodipine administration for treatment of hypertension in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Nicardipine (NC) is the most commonly used antihypertensive drug in neurological patients with hypertension. Although nimodipine (NM) is widely used to treat cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, trials exploring its antihypertensive effect after intravenous administration in subjects with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are scarce. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out to compare the safety and efficacy of NC and NM administered intravenously in patients with ICH. Therapeutic responses were assessed by achievement of goal blood pressure (BP); use of additional medications for BP control; proportion of time spent within goal; variability in BP; time to goal BP; number of dose adjustments; variability in ICH volume, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intracranial pressure; and drug-related complications. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were eligible for analysis (n=46 [NC]; n=41 [NM]), and baseline characteristics between groups were similar. Both agents were effective in achieving goal BP during infusion, with 93.5% and 87.8% patients in the NC and NM groups achieving goal, respectively. Fewer additional medications were needed to control BP in the NC group. BP variability was similar and no differences were observed in the mean time to goal BP and mean numbers of dose adjustments between both groups. Interestingly, intracranial pressure declined (P=0.048) during NC administration but increased (P=0.066) after NM treatment. Finally, the incidences of hematoma expansion, neurological deterioration, and adverse drug events were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: NM is effective and safe for BP control in patients with ICH.