Respiratory patterns and physical fitness in healthy adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The altered respiratory patterns have a significant impact on our health. However, the links between respiration patterns during spontaneous breathing and physical fitness remain unknown. Therefore, we sought to examine how the respiratory pattern during spontaneous breathing interacts with physical fitness. METHODS: A total of 610 participants (aged 20-59 years) were enrolled; 163 men (age = 41 ± 11) and 401 women (age = 42 ± 9) were included for analysis. The parameters of the respiration pattern were respiration rate (RR) and inhalation/exhalation (I/E) ratio. The physical fitness components were body size, visuomotor reaction time, balance, flexibility, hand grip strength, back extension strength, vertical jump height, number of push-ups, number of sit-ups, and the maximum rate of oxygen consumption. The data were analyzed separately for two gender groups. Participants within each gender group were further divided into two age categories (young: 20-39 years, middle-aged: 40-59 years) for the analysis, and both correlational and comparative tests were used to solidify the results. RESULTS: Neither RRs nor the I/E ratios were substantially correlated with physical fitness in women. In addition, the I/E ratios showed no significant correlation with physical fitness in young men, while the results from correlational and comparative tests were inconsistent in middle-aged men. Consistently, men with lower RRs exhibited significantly shorter visuomotor reaction times in two age groups, and demonstrated significantly higher vertical jump heights in the middle-aged group. CONCLUSIONS: In women, respiratory patterns were not correlated with physical fitness. The relationship between middle-aged men's I/E ratios and their physical fitness warrants further investigation. Men with lower RRs may have better visual-motor coordination and/or sustained attention, while middle-aged men with lower RRs may also have greater leg explosive power and neuromuscular coordination, which should be considered for physical assessment and health improvement.

Effect of Baduanjin qigong on postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Baduanjin qigong on improving lung function and postoperative quality of life of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to find an effective home-based pulmonary rehabilitation method. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was carried out from July 2019 to October 2021, which included 216 NSCLC postoperative participants from Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, including the observation (n = 108) group and the control group (n = 108). The control group was given routine lung rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given Baduanjin qigong. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks.The patient's age, sex, smoking history, lung cancer stage, pathological type were recorded. Related indicators of lung function, 6-min walk distance(6MWD), Piper fatigue Scale, and Borg dyspnea score before and after intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Compared with these indicators before indicators, lung function, 6MWD, Piper fatigue Scale score and Borg score were significantly better in the two groups after intervention (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in FVC%, 6MWD and Borg score between the two groups (P > 0.05), whereas FEV1% and Piper fatigue Scale scores in the observation group were better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Baduanjin qigong and traditional pulmonary rehabilitation methods can improve the postoperative lung function and quality of life of patients with NSCLC; and compared with traditional pulmonary rehabilitation training, Baduanjin Qigong may have certain advantages in relieving cancer-related fatigue and FEV1%, and may be another new method of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial No.: ChiCTR1900025121.

Respiratory Movements at Different Ages.

Background and Objectives: The current study aimed to better understand the changes in respiration that occur with aging in men and women to provide accurate recommendations for breathing exercises to improve health. Materials and Methods: A total of 610 healthy subjects, aged 20 to 59, participated in the study. They performed quiet breathing while wearing two respiration belts (Vernier, Beaverton, OR, USA) at the height of the navel and at the xiphoid process to record abdominal motion (AM) and thoracic motion (TM), respectively. Vital capacity, representing maximal inhalation movement, was measured using a spirometer (Xindonghuateng, Beijing, China). After exclusion, 565 subjects (164 men, aged 41 ± 11; 401 women, aged 42 ± 9) were included for statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis U test and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: Abdominal motion and its contribution to spontaneous breathing were significantly larger for older men, while the contribution of thoracic motion was smaller for older men. There was no significant difference in thoracic motion between the younger and older men. The differences in women's respiratory movements among various ages were mild and negligible. The contribution of thoracic motion to spontaneous breathing in women was larger than in men for those of older ages (40-59 years), but not for those of younger ages (20-39 years). Additionally, men's and women's vital capacities were less in those of older ages, and the men's were larger than the women's. Conclusions: The findings indicate that men's abdominal contribution to spontaneous breathing increased from 20 to 59 years of age due to increased abdominal motion. Women's respiratory movements did not change much with aging. The maximal inhalation movement became smaller with aging for men and women. Healthcare professionals should focus on improving thoracic mobility when addressing health concerns about aging.

[Microbial production of food compounds with carbon dioxide and derived low-carbon molecules as substrates].

The construction and optimization of microbial cell factories are crucial steps and key technologies in achieving green biomanufacturing. As concern has been aroused regarding the excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and food security, a new and promising research field, microbial conversion of CO2 into food compounds, has emerged. The research in this field not only holds significant implications for achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals but also plays a role in maintaining food security. This paper provides a comprehensive review and outlook of the research on utilizing CO2 and its derived low-carbon chemicals for the production of food compounds, focusing on the production of glucose, sugar derivatives, and single-cell proteins and the development of artificial CO2 fixation pathways.

Advances in exercise to alleviate sarcopenia in older adults by improving mitochondrial dysfunction.

Sarcopenia is a chronic degenerative disease affecting primarily older adults. A growing aging population is gradually increasing the number of patients suffering from sarcopenia, placing increasing financial pressure on patients' families and society in general. There is a strong link between mitochondrial dysfunction and sarcopenia pathogenesis. As a result, treating sarcopenia by improving mitochondrial dysfunction is an effective strategy. Numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise has a positive effect on mitochondrial dysfunction when treating sarcopenia. Exercise promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial fusion/division to add new mitochondria or improve dysfunctional mitochondria while maintaining mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial antioxidant defense system, and mitochondrial autophagy to promote normal mitochondrial function. Furthermore, exercise can reduce mitochondrial damage caused by aging by inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA damage, and mitochondrial apoptosis. Exercise effectiveness depends on several factors, including exercise duration, exercise intensity, and exercise form. Therefore, Moderate-intensity exercise over 4 weeks potentially mitigates sarcopenia in older adults by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. HIIT has demonstrated potential as a viable approach to addressing sarcopenia in aged rats. However, further investigation is required to validate its efficacy in treating sarcopenia in older adults.

Acute effect of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function under psychological stress.

Introduction: Intensive and long-lasting office work is a common cause of muscular and mental disorders due to workplace stressors. Mindful and slow breathing exercises decrease psychological stress and improve mental health, whereas fast breathing increases neuronal excitability. This study aimed to explore the influence of 5 min of mindful breathing (MINDFUL), slow breathing (SLOW), fast breathing (FAST), and listening to music (MUSIC) on muscle tension and executive function during an intensive psychological task. Methods: Forty-eight participants (24 men and 24 women) were enrolled. Muscle tension was recorded using surface electromyography, and executive function was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop Test). The respiration rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), and the subjects' preferred method were also recorded. During the experiment, participants performed a one-time baseline test (watching a neutral video for 5 min) and then completed 5 min of MUSIC, MINDFUL, SLOW, and FAST in a random sequence. The Stroop Test was performed after each intervention, including the baseline test, and was followed by a 5 min rest before performing the next intervention. Results: None of the methods significantly influenced muscular activity and performance of the Stroop Test in both men and women, based on the average 5 min values. However, at the fifth minute, men's accuracy rate in the Stroop Test was significantly higher after SLOW than after MUSIC and FAST, and the reaction time after the SLOW was the shortest. SpO2 was significantly higher during SLOW than during MUSIC, and RR was relatively lower after SLOW than after MUSIC. Most men preferred SLOW, and most women preferred MUSIC, whereas FAST was the most unfavorable method for both men and women. Conclusion: Brief breathing exercises did not substantially affect muscle tension under psychological stress. SLOW demonstrated greater potential for sustaining executive function in men, possibly via its superior respiration efficiency on SpO2 and inhibition of RR.

An exercise prescription for patients with lung cancer improves the quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

Introduction: Lung cancer has the highest rates of morbidity and mortality among all cancers. Patients with lung cancer inevitably confront psychosocial discomforts and progressively experience depression and anxiety that potentially impact the clinical outcomes [e.g., quality of life (QoL)]. These mental disorders in patients with lung cancer may effectively be alleviated with prescribed Chinese traditional mind-body exercises. This study aimed to determine the effect of the exercise prescription containing Chinese traditional mind-body exercise on QoL, depression, and anxiety in patients with lung cancer. Methods: In this study, 52 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recruited from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital were divided into two groups, namely, the experimental group (N = 26) and the control group (N = 26). The experimental group was treated with an 8-week exercise prescription containing aerobic and resistance training. The control group received the usual care during the study period. The QoL, depression, and anxiety were separately investigated using EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-LC13, the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) at baseline and post-intervention. The scores of questionnaires were analyzed using the paired sample and independent sample t-tests to explore the intragroup and intergroup differences, respectively. Results: The EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, and global QoL in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly higher than those at baseline. The EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and insomnia in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly lower than those at the baseline. The SDS scores (baseline: 57.74 ± 8.77 vs. post-intervention: 51.42 ± 7.31, p < 0.05) and the SAS scores (baseline: 56.63 ± 9.39 vs. post-intervention: 49.16 ± 7.83, p < 0.05) in the experimental group at post-intervention were significantly lower than those at baseline. Conclusions: The 8-week exercise prescription containing moderate-intensity Baduanjin (5 days per week) can effectively alleviate QoL, depression, and anxiety in patients with NSCLC. Our exercise prescription is an effective supportive treatment for lung cancer patients with depression and anxiety. Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900025121).

Women's Respiratory Movements during Spontaneous Breathing and Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing exercises are popular worldwide and have been proven to be beneficial for physical performance. Is abdominal motion (AM) during spontaneous breathing correlated with physical fitness? The present study aimed to answer this question. METHODS: 434 women (aged 20-59) were enrolled and participated in respiration tests using two respiration belts (one was tied at the height of the xiphoid and another at the navel) to detect AM and thoracic motion (TM). They also performed physical fitness tests to measure body size, muscular strength, muscular power, muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, reaction time, and cardiorespiratory endurance. RESULTS: All the correlation coefficients between respiratory movements (AM, TM, AM + TM, AM/(AM + TM)) and physical fitness outcomes were less than 0.4/-0.4. Only AM and muscular power (countermovement jump height) had a weak correlation, with a correlation coefficient close to 0.4 in the 20-29-year age group (rs = 0.398, p = 0.011, n = 40). CONCLUSIONS: Women's respiratory movements during spontaneous breathing were not correlated with physical fitness. Future studies may focus on the relationship between AM and countermovement jump height in young women with a larger sample size and using ultrasound to directly test the excursion of the diaphragm.

[Physiological mechanisms and clinical research progress of cupping therapy].

Cupping therapy is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, and its efficacy has been gradually accepted and confirmed by modern clinical medicine, but its physiological mechanisms have no consensus. In the present paper, we summarized the related mechanisms from results of both domestic and international researches which include 1) blood circulation promotion theory, 2) neurological reflex theory, 3) gate theory of pain, 4) inflammation-immune reaction theory and 5) skin tension increase theory. We also reviewed progresses of clinical researches about application of cupping therapy to cardiovascular diseases, chronic musculoskeletal pain, migraine and other painful symptoms, as well as arthritis which effects involve the above mentioned blood-circulation promotion, tension-increase, gate theory and inflammation-immune reaction, respectively. We believe that the mechanisms of cupping therapy are not independent and should be explored further from different perspectives.

[Effects of electroacupuncture combined with passive stretch exercise on disused muscle atrophy and expression of skeletal troponin in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus passive stretch exercise in the treatment of disused atrophy of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in mice. METHODS: Fifty C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups: blank control, model, passive stretch exercise (exercise), EA and EA+exercise groups. The muscular atrophy model was established by fixing the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with plaster immobilization (by putting the right leg into a plastic vial and then twining the vial with medical plaster bandage from the ankle upwards to the thigh and groin to maintain the knee-joint flexion and ankle joint plantar flexion for 7 days). EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1 mA)was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) for 10 min, once a day for 4 weeks. For mice with the passive exercise, the plastic vial was removed first, followed by pulling out the hindleg to seize the toes to stretch them until the right hindleg is fully extended, then, pushed the leg towards the body. The procedures were repeated once again and again for 10 min. The exercise was conducted once daily, for 4 weeks. The cross-sectional area of fast and slow muscle fibers of the soleus and gastrocnemius was measured under electronic microscope after ATPase histochemical stain and the expression of slow skeletal muscle troponin (TNNI1) and fast skeletal muscle troponin (TNNI2) in the soleus and gastrocnemius was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the cross-sectional areas of the fast and slow muscle fibers of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Following the interventions, the cross-sectional areas of the fast and slow muscle fibers of soleus muscle in the EA+exercise group, and those of the fast and slow muscle fibers of the gastrocnemius muscle in the EA and EA+exercise groups, and the expression levels of TNNI1 and TNNI2 proteins in the gastrocnemius muscle of the EA+exercise group were significantly increased in comparison with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA combined with passive stretch exercise can promote the recovery of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in disused muscle atrophy mice, which may be related to its effect in up-regulating the expression of TNNI1 and TNNI2 proteins.