Effects of qigong Training on Muscle Strengths, Flexibility, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, and Antioxidant/Oxidant Responses in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Women: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Qigong exercise training has been suggested to elicit beneficial effects on physical functioning, reduction of oxidative stress, and improved antioxidant capacity in women. However, regular exercise training may support the development of antioxidant defense mechanisms and beneficially modulate oxidant/antioxidant responses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an 8-week qigong exercise training on exercise performance and oxidative stress responses in sedentary middle-aged and elderly women suffering from type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Method/design: Quasi-experimental design, placebo-controlled study. Setting: The Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Thailand. Participants: Thirty-six sedentary middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM. Intervention: Participants were allocated to qigong exercise (n = 20) or to the control group (CG, n = 20). Primary outcome measures: Muscle strengths, flexibility, VO2 max predicted, and walking intensity derived from the 6-minute walk test. Secondary outcome measures: Fasting plasma glucose, antioxidant/oxidant stress parameters, and body composition. Results: Leg strength and trunk flexibility were improved after qigong training and changes were significantly different compared with the CG (all p < 0.05). VO2 max predicted, 6-min walking distance, and walking intensity were all increased (p < 0.05), and oxidative stress markers were diminished after qigong training (p < 0.05). The antioxidant/oxidant balance was improved after qigong training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The presented findings indicate that 8 weeks of qigong training significantly improved leg strength and trunk flexibility in middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM, partly associated with a more favorable antioxidant/oxidant balance. These effects may beneficially impact on health in this specific population. Clinical Trial Number: TCTR20221003001.

Effects of Qigong Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Young Sedentary Females: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Qigong exercise represents one type of traditional Chinese exercise that might positively affect physical and psychological functioning, slow down disease development and improve quality of life. However, study findings are somewhat conflicting and mechanisms contributing to expected beneficial effects are rather poorly known. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of qigong exercise training for 8 weeks on selected physical, cognitive, and biochemical outcomes in young sedentary females. Method/Design: Quasi-experimental design, placebo-controlled study. Setting: The study was performed at the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Bangsean, Chonburi province, Thailand. Participants: Participants were 41 females with sedentary lifestyles. Interventions: 41 sedentary females were allocated to qigong exercise (QG, n = 20) or to the control group (CG, n = 21). Primary Outcome Measures: VO2 max predicted from step testing, aspects of cognitive functions (e.g., digit span forward, DSF, and digit span backward, DSB, task), hematological and biochemical parameters, and body composition were assessed in both groups before and after the 8-week training period. Results: Physical performance (estimated VO2 max) significantly increased after qigong training compared to the CG (P < .001). Working memory (DSB) increased after intervention only within the QG (P = .009) but changes did not reach significance between the groups. Changes in neutrophils (potential mediators of inflammation) tended to be improved in the QG in comparison to the CG (P = .075). Body composition remained unchanged. Conclusion: These findings indicate that 8 weeks of qigong training increased aerobic capacity and tended to improve working memory in otherwise sedentary young females. Neutrophils tended to decrease within the QG. Thus, it was speculated that enhanced oxygen supply to the brain and the decrease of neutrophils adhering to cortical capillaries might have contributed to improved cognitive function.

Anemia, iron deficiency, and thalassemia among the Thai population inhabiting at the Thailand-Lao PDR-Cambodia triangle.

Anemia is a major public health problem in many areas of Southeast Asia. Ascertaining anemia and defining its underlying causes is essential for providing appropriate care, management, and establishment of a control program. Limited studies on these have been carried out on people living at the borders of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia. This cross-sectional study was done in four areas along the borders of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia. Blood specimens were collected from subjects aged 15-18 years in four districts including Kantharalak, Si Sa Ket province (n = 36), Nam Khun (n = 109), Nam Yuen (n = 98), and Na Chaluai (n = 128), Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. RBC parameters were recorded, and serum ferritin (SF) level was measured. Diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies was based on hemoglobin (Hb) and DNA analyses. Measurement of C-reactive protein was performed to exclude false-negative result of iron deficiency. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 25.1%. ID accounted for only 10.5%. Various types of thalassemia were identified in 67.7% of the subjects. The overall prevalence of thalassemia included 3.5% α0-thalassemia, 0.8% ß-thalassemia, 47.7% Hb E, and 53.6% α+-thalassemia. The proportions of ID, thalassemia and combined ID and thalassemia among anemic subjects were 6.5%, 66.6%, and 20.4%, respectively. The results indicate that thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies rather than ID are major causes of anemia in Thailand-Lao PDR-Cambodia triangle. This information should prove useful for implementing an anemia control program in the regions.

Five Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Loci (D17S5, APOB, TPO Intron 10, IL-1α Intron 6, and CIAS1) in Thais and Application in the Prenatal Diagnostic Laboratory.

Background: Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disease requires DNA analysis of fetal tissue of a responsible gene. Accurate diagnosis is useful for the appropriate management of pregnancy. However, maternal contamination of fetal specimens poses a high preanalytical risk of prenatal misdiagnosis. We have examined five variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms for use in monitoring potential maternal contamination. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted to examine the heterozygosities of five VNTR loci including, D17S5, APOB, TPO intron 10, IL-1α intron 6, and CIAS1 in 200 unrelated Thai subjects and applied to the monitoring of maternal contamination in 22 families at risk of having fetuses with severe thalassemia. Results: The heterozygosities of D17S5, APOB, TPO intron 10, IL-1α intron 6, and CIAS1 VNTRs were 59.5, 19.5, 66.0, 35.5, and 42.0%, respectively. Therefore, the TPO intron 10 and D17S5 loci were chosen for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in 22 families. Analyses of these VNTRs demonstrated an increase of informative data from 59.1% provided by the routine D1S80 VNTR analysis to 90.9%. Conclusions: The VNTR diagnostic procedure described above is simple, cost-effective, rapid, and does not require the use of sophisticated instruments; it should prove useful in the prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia.

Thin Film Plastic Antibody-Based Microplate Assay for Human Serum Albumin Determination.

Herein we demonstrate molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) as plastic antibodies for a microplate-based assay. As the most abundant plasma protein, human serum albumin (HSA) was selected as the target analyte model. Thin film MIP was synthesized by the surface molecular imprinting approach using HSA as the template. The optimized polymer consisted of acrylic acid (AA) and N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) in a 2:3 (w/w) ratio, crosslinked with N,N'-(1,2-dihydroxyethylene) bisacrylamide (DHEBA) and then coated on the microplate well. The binding of MIP toward the bound HSA was achieved via the Bradford reaction. The assay revealed a dynamic detection range toward HSA standards in the clinically relevant 1-10 g/dL range, with a 0.01 g/dL detection limit. HSA-MIP showed minimal interference from other serum protein components: γ-globulin had 11% of the HSA response, α-globulin of high-density lipoprotein had 9%, and ß-globulin of low-density lipoprotein had 7%. The analytical accuracy of the assay was 89-106% at the 95% confidence interval, with precision at 4-9%. The MIP-coated microplate was stored for 2 months at room temperature without losing its binding ability. The results suggest that the thin film plastic antibody system can be successfully applied to analytical/pseudoimmunological HSA determinations in clinical applications.

Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study.

Regular exercise is associated with the production of small amounts of oxidative stress which might promote individual antioxidant capacity contributing to favorable training effects potentially interrelated with skeletal muscle strength. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise training on muscle strengths associated with responses of oxidative stress and antioxidants in young sedentary females. A total of 41 sedentary women were allocated to the Qigong exercise group (QG, N=20) or to the control group (CG, N=21). After 8 weeks of Qigong training, back and leg strength was significantly improved compared to baseline and the CG (P<0.05). Plasma oxidative stress levels were reduced and total antioxidant capacity was enhanced in the QG compared to the CG (P<0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that improvements in muscle strength (including both groups) were associated with changes in the levels of oxidative stress (reduction) and antioxidants (elevation). The presented findings indicate that strength training effects seem at least partly to be interrelated with alterations of the oxidant-antioxidant balance generated by the 8-week Qigong training in young sedentary females.

Effects of arm swing exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and electrolytes in persons aged 60-80 years with prehypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect and carry-over effect of arm swing exercise (ASE) training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiovascular risk factors, and blood electrolytes in older persons with prehypertension. METHODS: Subjects were 50 individuals with prehypertension (aged 66.90 ±â€¯5.50 yr, body mass index 23.84 ±â€¯3.65 kg/m2). They were randomly assigned into ASE group and control group. Subjects in the ASE group underwent an ASE training program for 3 months at a frequency of 30 min/day, 3 days/week. Subjects in the control group maintained their daily routine activities minus regular exercise. Blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular risk factors including blood glucose, lipid profile, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and electrolytes were evaluated on 3 occasions: before and after the 3-month intervention, and 1 month after intervention ended. RESULTS: Following the 3-month intervention, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum hsCRP concentration were significantly lower, while serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations, standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (RMSSD) and high frequency (HF) power values were higher in the ASE group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). At the 1-month follow-up interval, SBP and serum hsCRP concentration remained lower while serum HDL-cholesterol and K+ concentrations remained higher in the ASE group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ASE training decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration, increased serum HDL-cholesterol, K+, and Mg2+ concentrations and increased RMSSD and HF power values in older persons with prehypertension. In addition, there were carry-over effects of ASE training i.e. decreased SBP and serum hsCRP concentration as well as increased serum HDL-cholesterol and K+ concentrations.

Hb Phimai [ß72(E16)Ser→Thr]: a novel ß-globin structural variant found in association with Hb constant spring in pregnancy.

A Thai pregnant woman with α and ß hemoglobinopathies is described. Initial hemoglobin (Hb) analysis revealed an unknown variant with a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) elution pattern similar to Hb Hope [ß136(H14)Gly→Asp]. Subsequent DNA-based diagnostics revealed that she was a carrier of Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS, α142, TAA>CAA (α2)] and a novel ß-globin chain variant [ß72(E16)Ser→Thr, AGT>ACT] which we named Hb Phimai. Her hematological findings and a simple DNA test for differential diagnosis of Hb Phimai and Hb Hope are presented.

Secondary erythrocytosis caused by hemoglobin Tak/(뫧)0-thalassemia syndrome.

Secondary erythrocytosis may arise from several causes, but an association with oxygen transport is rare. We describe for the first time a form of secondary erythrocytosis caused by compound heterozygosity for hemoglobin (Hb) Tak and (δß)(0)-thalassemia found in an adult Thai individual. The patient had marked erythrocytosis and microcytosis with increased Hb and hematocrit values. Hb analyses using the Hb Gold Analyzer showed Hb A2 (72.5%) and Hb F (30.0%) without Hb A while the capillary electrophoresis revealed 2.3% Hb A2 and a major peak of Hb F (91.2%). Further molecular investigation identified that he was in fact a compound heterozygote for Hb Tak and deletional (δß)(0)-thalassemia. Hematological parameters of the patient were compared with those observed for a Thai boy who demonstrated features of erythrocytosis and microcytosis caused by homozygous Hb Tak with α(+)-thalassemia and with those of pure carriers of Hb Tak and (δß)(0)-thalassemia in our series. This report confirms the importance of both Hb and molecular investigations for the assessment of genotype/phenotype correlation and the appropriate management of the patients.

Hemoglobin Q-Thailand related disorders: origin, molecular, hematological and diagnostic aspects.

We describe the molecular and hematological profiles of thalassemia syndromes caused by interactions of hemoglobin (Hb) Q-Thailand [α74(EF3) Asp-His] and various hemoglobinopathies found in 52 unrelated adult Thai subjects. Ten genotypes including several previously undescribed conditions were observed, which were classified into 4 groups. Group I included 26 Hb Q-Thailand heterozygotes and a homozygotous subject. Group II included subjects with Hb Q-Thailand and other α-thalassemia alleles in trans including 1 compound Hb Q-Thailand/α(+)-thalassemia (-α(3.7)), 2 Hb Q-Thailand/Hb Constant Spring disease and 6 Hb H/Q-Thailand disease. The average levels of Hb Q-Thailand were found to be 29.8%, 82.3%, 34.7%, 49.2-49.3% and 79.4%, respectively. Both Hbs Bart's and H were observed in addition to Hb Q-Thailand in all 6 cases with Hb Q-H disease but not in a homozygous Hb Q-Thailand. Group III included 7 double heterozygotes for Hb Q-Thailand/Hb E, 3 Hb Q-Thailand/Hb E/α(+)-thalassemia (-α(3.7)), 3 heterozygous Hb Q-Thailand/homozygous Hb E and 1 triple heterozygote for Hb Q-Thailand/Hb Constant Spring/Hb E. In this group, Hbs E (α(A)(2)ß(E)(2)), Q-Thailand (α(QT)(2)ß(A)(2)) and QE (α(QT)(2)ß(E)(2)) were observed on both HPLC and capillary electrophoresis. The Hb QE, rather than Hb Q-Thailand, was detected in all 3 cases with heterozygous Hb Q-Thailand and homozygous Hb E. The remaining two cases in group 4 were double heterozygotes for Hb Q-Thailand and ß(0)-thalassemia in which Hb Q-Thailand, elevated Hb A(2) (α(A)(2)δ(2)), and Hb QA(2) (α(QT)(2)δ(2)) were detected. DNA analysis identified the Hb Q-Thailand mutation (α74: GAC-CAC) and the linked (-α(4.2)) in all cases. Analysis of α-globin gene haplotype provided the first evidence of a single origin of this Hb variant in Thai population.

Complex interaction of Hb E [beta26(B8)Glu-->Lys], Hb Korle-Bu [beta73(E17)Asp-->Asn] and a deletional alpha-thalassemia-1 in pregnancy.

A pregnant Thai woman with mild hypochromic microcytic anemia caused by alpha- and beta- globin defects is described. The proband was a 26-year-old pregnant woman discovered through our ongoing thalassemia screening program. Initial hemoglobin (Hb) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed a homozygosity for an unknown variant at the D window, inconsistent with results of family analyses. Further Hb analysis using automated capillary zone electrophoresis identified that the proband was in fact a compound heterozygote for Hb E [beta26(B8)Glu-->Lys, GAG>AAG] and another beta chain variant. DNA analysis demonstrated that she carried the Hb Korle-Bu mutation [beta73(E17)Asp-->Asn (GAT>AAT)] in trans to the Hb E and an alpha-thalassemia-1 (alpha-thal-1) with the Southeast Asian (- -(SEA)) deletion. Family studies identified that her father and sister were double heterozygotes for Hb Korle-Bu and alpha-thal-1, whereas her mother was a double heterozygote for Hb E/Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS; alpha142, Term-->Gln (TAA>CAA in alpha2)]. The genotype-phenotype relationship observed in this Thai family with complex hemoglobinopathies and methods for characterization are presented.

Molecular characterization and origins of Hb Constant Spring and Hb Paksé in Southeast Asian populations.

Hemoglobin Constant Spring (Hb CS) and Hb Paksé, two abnormal Hbs characterized by elongated alpha-globin chains resulting from mutations of the termination codon in the alpha2-globin gene, are the most prevalent nondeletional alpha-thalassemias in Southeast Asia. To determine the origins of these two variants in the region, we have determined alpha-globin gene haplotypes associated with these two variants on 120 Thai, eight Cambodian, and six Laos alleles, and the results were compared with those reported previously for the Chinese and Mediterranean. Five haplotypes were found to be associated with 131 alpha(CS) genes examined, whereas a single haplotype was linked to all the alpha(Paksé) genes in these Southeast Asian populations. All the alpha(CS) haplotypes differed from those of the Mediterranean, but one of them was similar to a Chinese alpha(CS) gene reported previously. It is concluded that there are multiple origins of the alpha(CS) and a single origin of the alpha(Paksé) mutations in Southeast Asia. Hematological findings confirm the mild thalassemia intermedia phenotypes for pure homozygous Hb CS and homozygous Hb CS with Hb E heterozygote and Hb E homozygote. The appearance of Hb CS peak by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis indicates the ability to form a tetrameric Hb molecule between the alpha(CS) and beta(E) chains, leading to a novel derivative with similar characteristics to Hb CS.

Coexistence of Southeast Asian ovalocytosis and beta-thalassemia: a molecular and hematological analysis.

We describe hematological and molecular characterization of a Thai female who had Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) associated with beta+-thalassemia trait. The proband had mild microcytosis with Hb 12.9 g/dl, Hct 35.8%, MCV 74.4 fl, MCH 26.8 pg, MCHC 36.0 g/dl, and elevated Hb A2 (5.6%), characteristics of beta-thalassemia trait. Peripheral blood film examination revealed prominent ovalocytosis. However, a one-tube osmotic fragility (OF) test commonly used for thalassemia screening was negative and a normal OF curve was observed. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses identified the beta(-28A-G) mutation in the beta-globin gene and a 27 bp deletion in erythrocyte band 3 protein gene, indicating a genetically compound heterozygote. Hematological data of the proband was comparatively presented with those of eight female and 15 male carriers of pure beta-thalassemia with the same mutation. The finding demonstrates that although the association of the SAO and beta-thalassemia does not produce a more severe clinical picture, this could lead to a mis-screening of beta-thalassemia using an OF test as a primary screening test. Additional blood film examination followed by PCR could help in the detection of this unusual genetic interaction in the region.

Rapid molecular characterization of Hb Queens and Hb Siam: two variants easily misidentified as sickle Hb.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid differential diagnosis of hemoglobin (Hb) Queens and Hb Siam from other clinically relevant variants. DESIGN AND METHODS: Molecular and hematological features associated with two pregnant Thai women who were mistaken for Hb S were investigated. A simultaneous DNA diagnosis based on multiplex allele specific PCR approach was developed and tested with other common variants. RESULTS: Apart from mild anemia, the two subjects were generally healthy. DNA analysis identified that they were respectively carriers of Hb Siam [alpha15(A13)Gly-Arg] and Hb Queens [alpha34(B15)Leu-Arg]. A successful application of the multiplex allele specific PCR for differential diagnosis was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of these clinically relevant hemoglobinopathies is problematic in the routine setting, and the method developed should prove useful in complementing routine Hb analysis for providing accurate diagnosis.