Twenty-Four week Taichi training improves pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study evaluated the effect of 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training on pulmonary diffusion capacity and glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-eight patients with T2DM were randomly divided into three groups: Group A-Taichi training: practiced Taichi 60 min/day, 6 days/week for 24 weeks; Group B-Taichi plus resistance band training: practiced 60-min Taichi 4 days/week plus 60-min resistance band training 2 days/week for 24 weeks; and Group C-controls: maintaining their daily lifestyles. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was applied to predict diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) by fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor, and prostaglandin I-2. Taichi with or without resistance band training significantly improved DLCO, increased insulin sensitivity, eNOS and NO, and reduced fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, TNF-α, vWF, IL-6, ICAM-1, and ET-1. There was no change in any of these variables in the control group. DLCO was significantly predicted (R2 = 0.82) by insulin sensitivity (standard-ß = 0.415, P<0.001), eNOS (standard-ß = 0.128, P = 0.017), TNF-α (standard-ß = -0.259, P = 0.001), vWF (standard-ß = -0.201, P = 0.007), and IL-6 (standard-ß = -0.175, P = 0.032) in patients with T2DM. The impact of insulin sensitivity was the most important predictor for the variation of DLCO based on the multiple regression modeling. This study demonstrates that 24-week Taichi training and Taichi plus resistance band training effectively improve pulmonary diffusion capacity and blood glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Variation of DLCO is explained by improved insulin sensitivity and endothelial function, and reduced inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, vWF, and IL-6.

Impact of Age on Cognitive Testing Practice Effects and Cardiorespiratory Responses.

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that healthy aging attenuates cognitive practice effects and, consequently, limits the familiarity-associated reductions in heart rate (HR) and breathing frequency (BF) responses during retesting. Methods: Twenty-one cognitively normal older and younger adults (65 ± 2 vs. 26 ± 1 years old) participated in the study. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Digit-Span-Test (DST), Trail Making Test (TMT-B), and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II) were administered twice at 3-week intervals, while HR and BF were monitored by electrocardiography and plethysmography, respectively. Results: Cognitive performances were not affected by the age factor, and the retest factor only affected CVLT-II. HR and BF increased only in the younger adults (p < .01) during cognitive tests; retesting attenuated these responses (retest factor p < .01). Long-delay free-recall in CVLT-II was unchanged in cognitively normal older versus younger adults. Healthy aging did not diminish short-term memory assessed by DST and CVLT-II short-delay or long-delay free-recalls. Conclusions: Only CVLT-II, but not MMSE, DST or TMT-B, demonstrated cognitive retesting practice effects in the younger and older adults. Cognitive testing at 3-week intervals in cognitively normal older and younger subjects revealed divergent cardiorespiratory responses to MMSE, DST, and TMT-B cognitive testing, particularly HR, which increased only in younger adults and to a lesser extent during retesting despite the absence of practice effects.

Mechanisms maintaining cerebral perfusion during systemic hypotension are impaired in elderly adults.

Postural hypotension abruptly lowers cerebral perfusion, producing unsteadiness which worsens with aging. This study addressed the hypothesis that maintenance of cerebral perfusion weakens in the elderly due to less effective cerebrovascular autoregulation and systemic cardiovascular responses to hypotension. In healthy elderly (n = 13, 68 ± 1 years) and young (n = 13, 26 ± 1 years) adults, systemic hypotension was induced by rapid deflation of bilateral thigh cuffs after 3-min suprasystolic occlusion, while heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (VMCA) were recorded. VMCA/MAP indexed cerebrovascular conductance (CVC). Durations and rates of recovery of MAP and VMCA from their respective postdeflation nadirs were compared between the groups. Thigh-cuff deflation elicited similar hypotension and cerebral hypoperfusion in the elderly and young adults. However, the time elapsed (TΔ) from cuff deflation to the nadirs of MAP and VMCA, and the time for full recovery (TR) from nadirs to baselines were significantly prolonged in the elderly subjects. The response rates of HR (ΔHR, i.e. cardiac factor), MAP (ΔMAP, i.e. vasomotor factor), and CVC following cuff deflation were significantly slower in the elderly. Collectively, the response rates of the cardiac, vasomotor, and CVC factors largely explained TRVMCA. However, the TRVMCA/ΔMAP slope (-3.0 ± 0.9) was steeper (P = 0.046) than the TRVMCA/ΔHR slope (-1.1 ± 0.4). The TRVMCA/ΔCVC slope (-2.4 ± 0.6) was greater (P = 0.072) than the TRVMCA/ΔHR slope, but did not differ from the TRVMCA/ΔMAP slope (P = 0.52). Both cerebrovascular autoregulatory and systemic mechanisms contributed to cerebral perfusion recovery during systemic hypotension, and the vasomotor factor was predominant over the cardiac factor. Recovery from cerebral hypoperfusion was slower in the elderly adults because of the age-diminished rates of the CVC response and cardiovascular reflex regulation. Systemic vasoconstriction predominated over increased HR for restoring cerebral perfusion after abrupt onset of systemic hypotension.

Habitual physical activity improves vagal cardiac modulation and carotid baroreflex function in elderly women.

The impact of habitual physical activity on vagal-cardiac function and baroreflex sensitivity in elderly women is poorly characterized. This study compared vagal-cardiac modulation and carotid baroreflex (CBR) function in eight physically active (67.6 ± 1.9 years; peak O2 uptake 29.1 ± 2.5 mL/min/kg) versus eight sedentary (67.3 ± 1.8 years; peak O2 uptake 18.6 ± 0.9 mL/min/kg) elderly women. Heart rate (HR) variabilities and maximal changes of HR and mean arterial pressure (MAP) elicited by 5-s pressure pulses between +40 and -80 mmHg applied to the carotid sinus were measured at rest and during carotid baroreceptor unloading effected by -15 mmHg lower-body negative pressure (LBNP). HR variability was greater in active than sedentary women in both low (0.998 ± 0.286 versus 0.255 ± 0.063 bpm2; P = 0.036) and high (0.895 ± 0.301 versus 0.156 ± 0.045 bpm2; P = 0.044) frequency domains. CBR-HR gains (bpm/mmHg) were greater (fitness factor P < 0.001) in active versus sedentary women at rest (-0.146 ± 0.014 versus -0.088 ± 0.011) and during LBNP (-0.105 ± 0.014 versus -0.065 ± 0.008). CBR-MAP gains (mmHg/mmHg) tended to be greater (fitness factor P = 0.077) in active versus sedentary women at rest (-0.132 ± 0.013 versus -0.110 ± 0.011) and during LBNP (-0.129 ± 0.015 versus -0.113 ± 0.013). However, LBNP did not potentiate CBR-MAP gains in either sedentary or active women (LBNP factor P = 0.94), and it depressed CBR-HR gains in both groups (LBNP factor P = 0.003). CBR-HR gains in the sedentary women did not differ (sex factor P = 0.65) from gains reported in age-matched sedentary men, although CBR-MAP gains tended to be greater (sex factor P = 0.109) in the men. Thus, tonic vagal modulation indicated by HR variability and dynamic vagal responses assessed by CBR-HR gain were augmented in physically active women. Enhanced vagal-cardiac function may protect against senescence-associated cardiac electrical and hemodynamic instability in elderly women.

Hypoxic breathing produces more intense hypoxemia in elderly women than in elderly men.

Background: Brief hypoxic exposures are increasingly applied as interventions for aging-related conditions. To optimize the therapeutic impact of hypoxia, knowledge of the sex-related differences in physiological responses to hypoxia is essential. This study compared hypoxia-induced hypoxemic responses in elderly men and women. Methods: Seven elderly men (70.3 ± 6.0 years old) and nine women (69.4 ± 5.5 years old) breathed 10% O2 for 5 min while arterial (SaO2; transcutaneous photoplethysmography) and cerebral tissue O2 saturation (ScO2; near-infrared spectroscopy), ventilatory frequency, tidal volume, minute-ventilation, and partial pressures of end-tidal O2 (PETO2) and CO2 (mass spectrometry) were continuously monitored. Cerebral tissue oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) equaled (SaO2-ScO2)/SaO2. Results: During 5 min hypoxia SaO2 fell from 97.0 ± 0.8% to 80.6 ± 4.6% in the men and from 96.3 ± 1.4% to 72.6 ± 4.0% in the women. The slope ΔSaO2/min was steeper in the women than the men (-4.71 ± 0.96 vs. -3.24 ± 0.76%/min; p = 0.005). Although SaO2 fell twice as sharply per unit decrease in PETO2 in the women than the men (-1.13 ± 0.11 vs. -0.54 ± 0.06%/mmHg; p = 0.003), minute-ventilation per unit hypoxemia increased less appreciably in the women (-0.092 ± 0.014 vs. -0.160 ± 0.021 L/min/%; p = 0.023). OEF fell with hypoxia duration in the women, but remained stable in the men. Conclusion: During 5 min hypoxic breathing, elderly women experience more intense hypoxemia and reduced chemoreflex sensitivity vs. their male counterparts, which may lower OEF stability in women despite augmented O2 dissociation from hemoglobin during hypoxia. These sex-related differences merit attention when implementing brief hypoxic exposures for therapeutic purposes.

Surface Chelation Enabled by Polymer-Doping for Self-Healable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Polymer doping is an efficient approach to achieve self-healing perovskite solar cells. However, achieving high self-healing efficiency under moderate conditions remains challenging. Herein, an innovative self-healable polysiloxane (PAT) containing plenty of thiourea hydrogen bonds was designed and introduced into perovskite films. Abundant thiourea hydrogen bonds in PAT facilitated the self-healing of cracks at grain boundaries for damaged SPSCs. Importantly, the doped SPSCs demonstrated a champion efficiency of 19.58% with little hysteresis, almost rivalling those achieved in control atmosphere. Additionally, owing to the effective chelation by PAT and good level of thiourea hydrogen bonds, after 800 cycles of stretching, releasing and self-healing, the doped SPSCs retained 85% of their original IPCE. The self-healing characteristics were demonstrated in situ after stretching at 20% strain for 200 cycles. This strategy of pyridine-based supramolecular doping in SPSCs paves a promising way for achieving efficient and self-healable crystalline semiconductors.

Diagnostic Value and High-Risk Factors of Two-Dimensional Ultrasonography Combined with Four-Dimensional Ultrasonography in Prenatal Ultrasound Screening of Fetal Congenital Malformations.

Objective: This study mainly analyzes the diagnostic value of two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) combined with four-dimensional ultrasonography (4D-US) in prenatal ultrasound screening of fetal congenital malformations (CMs) and explores the high-risk factors affecting fetal malformations. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of 2247 pregnant women who underwent prenatal fetal malformation screening in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between February 2020 and October 2021 were collected and analyzed, retrospectively. All pregnant women underwent 2D-US, and those with suspected fetal malformations were further inspected by 4D-US. The accuracy of ultrasound examination results relative to actual pregnancy outcomes was analyzed, taking the neonatal malformation after induced labor or actual delivery as the gold standard, and the risk factors influencing the occurrence of fetal malformations were discussed. Results: A total of 87 cases (3.87%) of fetal malformations were detected out of the 2247 parturients examined. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 2D-US diagnosis were 81.40%, 43.68%, and 82.92%, respectively, while the data were 83.67%, 51.72%, and 84.95% for 4D-US, respectively, and 93.59%, 90.80%, and 93.70%, respectively, for 2D-US +4D-US. The combined diagnosis of 2D-US +4D-US achieved statistically higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity than either of them alone. One-way analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that the independent risk factors affecting fetal malformation were age ≥ 35, history of adverse pregnancy and childbirth, medication during pregnancy, toxic exposure during pregnancy, and history of seropositive for TORCH-IgM. Folic acid supplementation was a protective factor. Conclusions: Prenatal US is an effective approach for screening fetal malformations. 2D-US +4D-US can effectively improve the diagnostic rate of fetal malformations. For pregnant women with high-risk factors, prevention should be given priority, and prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis should be standardized to reduce the occurrence of fetal malformations.

Interface Chelation Induced by Pyridine-Based Polymer for Efficient and Durable Air-Processed Perovskite Solar Cells.

Polymer doping is a significant approach to precisely control nucleation and crystal growth of perovskites and enhance electronic quality in perovskite solar cells (PSC) prepared in air. Here, a brand-new self-healing polysiloxane (SHP) with dynamic 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (PDCA) coordination units and plenty of hydrogen bonds was designed and incorporated into perovskite films. PDCA units, showing strong intermolecular Pb2+ -Namido , I- -Npyridyl , and Pb2+ -Oamido coordination interactions, were expected to enhance crystallinity and passivate the grain boundary. In addition, abundant hydrogen bonds in SHP afforded the self-healing of cracks at grain boundaries for fatigue PSCs. Significantly, the doped device demonstrated a champion efficiency of 19.50 % with inconspicuous hysteresis, almost rivaling those achieved in control atmosphere. This strategy of heterocyclic-based macromolecular doping in PSCs will pave a way for realizing efficient and durable crystalline semiconductors.

Elucidating the Role of Serum tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker in Gastric Cancer (GC).

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world. Early diagnosis combined with surgical treatment can significantly improve the prognosis of patients. Therefore, it is urgent to seek higher sensitivity and specificity biomarkers in GC. tRNA-derived small RNAs are a new non-coding small RNA that widely exists in tumor cells and body fluids. In this study, we explore the expression and biological significance of tRNA-derived small RNAs in GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First of all, we screened the differentially expressed tRNA-derived small RNAs in tumor tissues by high-throughput sequencing. Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE), Sanger sequencing, and Nuclear and Cytoplasmic RNA Separation Assay were used to screen tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD as a potential tumor biomarker for the diagnosis of GC. Then, we detected the different expressions of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in 24 pairs of GC and paracancerous tissues, the serum of 111 GC patients at first diagnosis, 89 normal subjects, 48 superficial gastritis patients, and 28 postoperative GC patients by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Finally, we used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to analyze its diagnostic efficacy. RESULTS: The expression of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD has good stability and easy detection. tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD was highly expressed in tumor tissue, serum, and cell lines of GC, and the expression was significantly related to TNM stage, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion. The expression of serum tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in the GC patients decreased after the operation (P = 0.0003). Combined with ROC curve analysis, tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD has better detection efficiency than conventional markers. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD in the tumor and paracancerous tissues, the serum of GC patients and healthy people, and the serum of GC patients before and after operation were different. tRF-31-U5YKFN8DYDZDD is not only a diagnostic biomarker of GC but also a predictor of poor prognosis.

Intermittent Hypoxia Training Prevents Deficient Learning-Memory Behavior in Mice Modeling Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.

In mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), normobaric intermittent hypoxia training (IHT) can preserve neurobehavioral function when applied before deficits develop, but IHT's effectiveness after onset of amyloid-ß (Aß) accumulation is unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that IHT improves learning-memory behavior, diminishes Aß accumulation in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and enhances cerebrocortical contents of the neuroprotective trophic factors erythropoietin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in mice manifesting AD traits. Twelve-month-old female 3xTg-AD mice were assigned to untreated 3xTg-AD (n = 6), AD+IHT (n = 6), and AD+sham-IHT (n = 6) groups; 8 untreated wild-type (WT) mice also were studied. AD+IHT mice alternately breathed 10% O2 for 6 min and room air for 4 min, 10 cycles/day for 21 days; AD+sham-IHT mice breathed room air. Spatial learning-memory was assessed by Morris water maze. Cerebrocortical and hippocampal Aß40 and Aß42 contents were determined by ELISA, and cerebrocortical erythropoietin and BDNF were analyzed by immunoblotting and ELISA. The significance of time (12 vs. 12 months + 21 days) and treatment (IHT vs. sham-IHT) was evaluated by two-factor ANOVA. The change in swimming distance to find the water maze platform after 21 d IHT (-1.6 ± 1.8 m) differed from that after sham-IHT (+5.8 ± 2.6 m). Cerebrocortical and hippocampal Aß42 contents were greater in 3xTg-AD than WT mice, but neither time nor treatment significantly affected Aß40 or Aß42 contents in the 3xTg-AD mice. Cerebrocortical erythropoietin and BDNF contents increased appreciably after IHT as compared to untreated 3xTg-AD and AD+sham-IHT mice. In conclusion, moderate, normobaric IHT prevented spatial learning-memory decline and restored cerebrocortical erythropoietin and BDNF contents despite ongoing Aß accumulation in 3xTg-AD mice.

Anlotinib combined with gefitinib can significantly improve the proliferation of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The effect of anlotinib combined with epidermal growth factor receptor TKIs (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and the possible molecular mechanisms are still unclear. METHODS: From April 2018 to June 2020, 20 patients with advanced NSCLC who had developed potential acquired drug resistance after receiving gefitinib or icotinib were enrolled. Anlotinib (12 mg orally, once a day) was added to the targeted drug at the original dose. Patients underwent computed tomography every 8 weeks, and the curative effect and related side effects were observed. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were performed to study the effect of anlotinib alone or in combination with gefitinib on the proliferation and clone-forming ability of NSCLC cells (A549 cells: EGFR wild-type; H1975 cells: with L858R and T790M mutations). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of related proteins (Ki-67, CD31, EGFR, P-EGFR, VEGFR2, and p-VEGFR2). RESULTS: After the administration of anlotinib, 8 patients were in a stable condition and continued to receive treatment, and the best efficacy disease control rate (DCR) was 100%. The median follow-up time was 6.6 months (4.08-8.28 months). The median progression-free survival was 15.7 months (10.19-18.87 months). The levels of the tumor marker (carcinoembryonic antigen) were found to be significantly decreased in seven patients. The main adverse reactions reported after anlotinib administration were hypertension, hand-foot-skin reaction, diarrhea, fatigue, oral ulcers, and anorexia.In the in vitro experiment, anlotinib combined with gefitinib significantly inhibited the proliferation and cloning ability of lung cancer cells. In the nude mouse model, this combination treatment significantly inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. Immunohistochemical results showed that anlotinib combined with gefitinib significantly inhibited the expression of Ki-67, CD31, EGFR, P-EGFR, VEGFR2, and p-VEGFR2 in tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Anlotinib combined with gefitinib inhibited the proliferation of EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells in vitro and tumor angiogenesis in vivo. It also significantly improved the treatment efficacy for some patients, delaying disease progression and improving survival, with only mild side effects. This drug combination is therefore a promising treatment for patients with EGFR-TKI-resistant and potentially secondary drug-resistant advanced NSCLC.

Intermittent Hypoxic Preconditioning: A Potential New Powerful Strategy for COVID-19 Rehabilitation.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory virus, which can proliferate by invading the ACE2 receptor of host cells. Clinical studies have found that the virus can cause dyspnea, pneumonia and other cardiopulmonary system damage. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and even death. Although there are currently no effective drugs or vaccines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the patient's prognosis recovery can be effectively improved by ameliorating the dysfunction of the respiratory system, cardiovascular systems, and immune function. Intermittent hypoxic preconditioning (IHP) as a new non-drug treatment has been applied in the clinical and rehabilitative practice for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and other diseases. Many clinical studies have confirmed that IHP can improve the cardiopulmonary function of patients and increase the cardiorespiratory fitness and the tolerance of tissues and organs to ischemia. This article introduces the physiological and biochemical functions of IHP and proposes the potential application plan of IHP for the rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19, so as to provide a better prognosis for patients and speed up the recovery of the disease. The aim of this narrative review is to propose possible causes and pathophysiology of COVID-19 based on the mechanisms of the oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune response, and to provide a new, safe and efficacious strategy for the better rehabilitation from COVID-19.

Determinants of student's physical activity: a 12-month follow-up study in Ningxia province.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has many health benefits for children and adolescents. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity in school-aged children and adolescents remains high in China. Many factors impact the levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among students. This study investigated the factors associated with students' MVPA levels and the determinants of changes in their MVPA behaviour. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study with a 12-month follow-up. The study samples were obtained from 2016 and 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study, and they included 1597 students (aged 9-18 years) from 31 primary, junior high, and high schools in Ningxia Province. Factors related to the individual (Age, Sex, BMI and attitude to PA), school (school exercise facility, PE class, teacher support, PA time and PA environment) and neighbourhood (free skill training, sport events, sport organization, sport facility) factors were measured via questionnaire at baseline and after 12 months. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the factors that impact students' MVPA level and the determinants of changes in students' MVPA behaviour. RESULTS: There was no difference in students' MVPA levels between 2016 and 2017. Boys were more physically active than girls at baseline (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10, 2.20). Neighbourhood factors associated students' MVPA levels were significant, but all of these factors (neighbourhood sport events, organizations, facilities, etc.) were removed from the longitudinal model. Individual and school factors were important for students' MVPA maintenance and positive development (e.g., gender, attitude, school PE class and PA time). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both neighbourhood and school factors may affect students' MVPA, but school appears to plays a more critical role in maintaining and promoting students' MVPA levels. In addition, individual factors may be more important than school and neighbourhood factors in influencing students' MVPA levels. Our research demonstrates that students' attitudes towards PA and school factors should be considered targets for future intervention programmes to promote MVPA. More education programmes may help enhance students' attitudes towards PA, but more studies with large samples and objective assessments are needed to explore the determinants of MVPA.

Wuqinxi Exercise Improves Hand Dexterity in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Wuqinxi after one session and 12-week intervention on hand dexterity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Forty-six elderly participants with mild-to-moderate PD were randomly assigned to the groups trained with Wuqinxi (n = 23) or stretching (n = 23). All participants practiced 60 min session of either of these exercises, 2 sessions a week for 12 weeks in standing position. The score of Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and time for Soda Pop Test (SPT) were performed to assess hand dexterity and motor function along assessing the 39 items of Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire before and after 12-week interventions. In addition, the PPT scores were compared before vs. after one session of either of these two exercise modes. RESULTS: Single session with either Wuqinxi or stretching exercise tended to improve PPT scores in PD patients. Furthermore, the improved SPT time was significant (P < 0.01) following 12-week training interventions with Wuqinxi (-1.32 ± 0.38 sec) or stretching (-0.89 ± 0.16 sec), which showed no group difference (P=0.734). However, only the participants in Wuqinxi group significantly improved the PPT scores of the dominant hand (+0.61 ± 1.34), both hand (+1.83 ± 3.13) and assemble (+2.04 ± 3.44) performance after 12-week training intervention. In parallel with improved hand dexterity and motor function, 12-week Wuqinxi training also significantly improved the patient's emotional wellbeing. CONCLUSION: The Wuqinxi intervention could be safely and effectively applied to improve hand dexterity following single-session exercise or 12-week training, which were accompanied by improved quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate PD.

MicroRNA­195 suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion in epithelial ovarian carcinoma via inhibition of the CDC42/CCND1 pathway.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most common cause of gynecological cancer mortality, and poses a threat to women. MicroRNA­195 (miR­195) has been reported to induce apoptosis of human OVCAR­3 cells by inhibiting the VEGFR2/AKT pathway. However, the role of miR­195 in EOC remains unknown. A previous study reported that cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) can serve as a target gene of miR­195 and mediate malignant progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR­195 in EOC and the regulation in CDC42/CCND1 pathway. Tissues samples and clinical materials were collected from 78 enrolled patients with EOC to analyze the expression and clinical significance of miR­195, CDC42 and cyclin D1 (CCND1). Human EOC cell lines OVCA420, OVCAR­3, A2780 and SKOV3 cell lines were used to assess the expression and function of miR­195, CDC42 and CCND1 in vitro. Cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as the cell migratory and invasive abilities were detected in vitro using BrdU incorporation, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays, along with flow cytometry. miR­195 was downregulated, while CDC42 and CCND1 were upregulated in human EOC tissues and cells, and the aberrant expression of both was associated with increased EOC malignancy. Moreover, miR­195 expression was negatively correlated with CDC42 and CCND1 expression levels, and negatively regulated these expression levels. Thus, it was suggested that miR­195 functions as a tumor suppressor, but CDC42 and CCND1 act as tumor promoters based their abilities to enhance cell proliferation, cell cycle entry, migration and invasion, as well as decrease apoptosis in OVCAR­3 cells. the present results demonstrated that miR­195 inhibited human EOC progression by downregulating CDC42 and CCND1 expression. Furthermore, it was identified that miR­195, CDC42 and CCND1 may be effective biomarkers for EOC diagnosis and treatment.

Intermittent Hypoxia Training for Treating Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study.

Although intermittent hypoxia training (IHT) has proven effective against various clinical disorders, its impact on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is unknown. This pilot study examined IHT's safety and therapeutic efficacy in elderly patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI). Seven patients with aMCI (age 69 ± 3 years) alternately breathed 10% O2 and room-air, each 5 minutes, for 8 cycles/session, 3 sessions/wk for 8 weeks. The patients' resting arterial pressures fell by 5 to 7 mm Hg (P < .05) and cerebral tissue oxygenation increased (P < .05) following IHT. Intermittent hypoxia training enhanced hypoxemia-induced cerebral vasodilation (P < .05) and improved mini-mental state examination and digit span scores from 25.7 ± 0.4 to 27.7 ± 0.6 (P = .038) and from 24.7 ± 1.2 to 26.1 ± 1.3 (P = .047), respectively. California verbal learning test score tended to increase (P = .102), but trail making test-B and controlled oral word association test scores were unchanged. Adaptation to moderate IHT may enhance cerebral oxygenation and hypoxia-induced cerebrovasodilation while improving short-term memory and attention in elderly patients with aMCI.

Plasma thymidylate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase mRNA levels as potential predictive biomarkers of pemetrexed sensitivity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: High levels of thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression in tumour tissues are an indicator of ineffective responses to pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in various tumours, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, tumour tissues are highly heterogeneous, so a single biopsy may not reflect genetic alterations during disease progression. This study investigated the potential use of plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels as biomarkers for predicting sensitivity to pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 245 patients with advanced NSCLC and 30 healthy donors. Total RNA was extracted from the plasma samples, and TS and DHFR mRNA levels were determined via real-time PCR. TS and DHFR mRNA levels between cancer patients and healthy controls were compared. The association between plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels and tumour response to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy was analysed. RESULTS: The plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels decreased in patients with advanced NSCLC compared with healthy controls. Moreover, plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels negatively correlated with tumour response to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Overall survival time was prolonged in patients with low TS mRNA expression compared with those with high TS mRNA expression, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Low expression levels of plasma TS and DHFR mRNA confer increased tumour sensitivity to pemetrexed/cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. The results suggested that plasma TS and DHFR mRNA levels are promising biomarkers for choosing patients who are likely to respond and benefit the most from pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.

Reduced cerebrovascular and cardioventilatory responses to intermittent hypoxia in elderly.

BACKGROUND: The impact of aging on cerebrovascular function and tissue oxygenation during graded hypoxemia is incompletely known. This study compared the age effect on these variables during cyclic hypoxemia-reoxygenation. METHODS: Hypoxia-induced changes in arterial (SaO2) and cerebral tissue (ScO2) O2 saturation, middle cerebral arterial flow velocity (VMCA), estimated cerebral vascular conductance (CVC), heart rate (HR) and ventilation were compared between 12 elderly (71 ± 2 yr, 7 women) and 13 young (24 ± 3 yr, 5 women) adults during the first and fifth 5-min exposures to 10% O2. RESULTS: Although pre-hypoxia SaO2 did not differ between the groups, ScO2 was lower (P < 0.05) in the elderly (68.4 ± 1.2%) than young (73.8 ± 0.9%) adults, commensurate with a lower resting VMCA (P < 0.05). SaO2 fell less sharply (P < 0.05) in the elderly subjects during the first and fifth hypoxia exposures. Moreover, the responses of ScO2, VMCA, CVC, HR and breathing frequency to hypoxia were attenuated in the elderly subjects. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures fell by 2-6 mmHg during hypoxia in both young and elderly. Thus, hypoxemia developed more gradually in elderly than young adults during normobaric hypoxia, concordant with a reduced metabolic demand in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly adults safely tolerated cyclic, moderate hypoxemia which lowered SaO2 by 20-25%, despite dampening of cerebrovascular and cardiac responses to hypoxemia.

Effects of Exercise Training on the Autophagy-Related Muscular Proteins Expression in Ovariectomized Rats.

Ovariectomy disrupts estrogen production and homeostasis. However, whether exercise training (ET) could counteract the ovariectomy-induced effect on muscular autophagy has remained elusive. This study examined muscular autophagy in ovariectomized (OVX) rats following 8 weeks of swimming ET. Here, 40 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated control (Sham), OVX control (OVX), OVX with 60-min ET (OVX-60ET), 90-min ET (OVX-90ET), and 120-min ET (OVX-120ET) for 6 days/week. According to the results of Western blotting, the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins in the OVX gastrocnemius muscle, including mammalian target of rapamycin, uncoordinated 51-like kinase 1, Beclin-1, autophagy-related gene (Atg-7), and microtubule-associated protein light chains 3 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05), while there was an elevation on the p62 level. ET appreciably mitigated the OVX-induced negative effects on muscle quality and the autophagy pathway, which seemed to be dependent on ET volume. The most optimal outcomes were observed in the OVX-90ET group. The OVX-120 group had an adversely augmented catabolic process associated with gastrocnemius muscle atrophy. In conclusion, the expression levels of autophagy proteins are decreased in OVX rats, which can be appreciably mitigated following 8 weeks of swimming ET.

Risk Factors Associated with Poor Physical Fitness in Three- to Six-Year-Old Children in Tujia-Nationality Settlement of China.

BACKGROUND: Physical fitness has been recognized not only as an integrated predictor of the body's functional status, but also as an important marker of health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with physical fitness among 3-6-year-old children within the Tujia-Nationality settlement in the years 2005, 2010, and 2014. METHODS: Demographics questionnaires and fitness assessment were performed to identify the risk factors for poor physical fitness (PPF) among 3- to 6-year-old children in the years 2005, 2010, and 2014 in the area of southwest Hubei of China. RESULTS: Of the 2128 children, 495 were classified as PPF (23.3%). In 2005, the percentage of PPF children was 21.7%, and the percentage of PPF children decreased from 29.1% in 2010 to 18.8% in 2014. Furthermore, Urban area children had a significant risk of PPF than rural area children (OR=1.299, P=0.031). Three-year-old children had 2.150-fold risk of PPF as compared to 6-year-old children. The children with less than 0.5 hours of activity time per day had 1.95-fold risk of PPF as compared to those with 1-2-hour activity time per day, respectively. Underweight and overweight/obese children had 2.74-fold and 1.67-fold risk of PPF as compared to normal weight children. Children had 1.97-fold risk of PPF when their father's schooling ceased after middle school and 1.51-fold risk of PPF when their father's schooling ceased after high school, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that the incidence of PPF children went up from 2005 to 2010 and then down from 2010 to 2014 within the Tujia settlement. For the children in this area, the risk factors associated with PPF included urban location, younger age, less than 1-hour activity time per day in kindergarten, underweight/overweight, low father's education level, and mother's childbearing age being less than 20 years.