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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are an array of conditions affecting the human locomotor system, such as muscles, tendons, nerves, bones, and joints. It is related to physiological, kinesiological and biomechanical changes which result in pain, paresthesia, inflammation, weakness, tiredness, heaviness in limbs, fatigue, reduced range of motion and/or compression of peripheral nerves. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of positive (massage gum) or negative pressure (vacuum therapy) combined with laser on the health of workers with back pain, investigating pain intensity, shoulder mobility, spinal flexibility, life quality, and well-being. Twenty-one workers (female and male) aged between 20 and 60 years and who had medical referral for pain complaint in low back, neck and shoulders due to WMSDs participated in this study and were randomized into 3 groups: (1) Positive Pressure plus Laser Group (PPL): positive pressure using a massage gun was applied after the laser; (2) Negative Pressure plus Laser Group (NPL): negative pressure by vacuum was applied together with the laser and; (3) Control group (CG): without positive and negative pressure treatments or laser therapy. All workers received an educational booklet with postural orientation and suggestions focused on stretching exercises. Anamnesis, visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity, and functional tests to assess spine flexibility and shoulders mobility were performed. Quality of life and well-being also were evaluated. The regions of lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine were treated once a week, totaling seven sessions. The main result was a reduced pain and an increased spinal flexibility, shoulders mobility, and quality of life in the PPL and NPL groups compared to the CG (p < 0.05). Furthermore, NPL showed better results compared to PPL (p < 0.05) for lumbar and cervical pain, as well as for right shoulder mobility. Therefore, laser combined with negative pressure massage was more effective in reducing lumbar and cervical pain and increasing shoulder mobility compared to positive pressure massage in workers. • The most workers remain sitting for long periods, indicating a factor which may lead to complaints of back pain. • The positive or negative pressure massage plus laser reduce pain, increase function and improve quality of life. • Negative pressure massage combined with laser showed better results for pain relief and shoulder mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: The Rapid-O2 oxygen insufflation device® (Rapid-O2) was designed primarily for rescue oxygenation in cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate (CICO) events; thus, hypercapnia is inevitable. Rapid-O2 was modified to enhance ventilation using the Venturi effect during expiration. Methods: To determine the most effective combination of inner catheters (20 gauge [G], 18 G, 16 G, 14 G, and 2-mm inner diameter [ID] transtracheal catheter [TTC]) and insufflation catheters (16 G, 14 G, and 2-mm ID TTC) for achieving optimum ventilation, insufflating and expiratory flows were measured at an oxygen flow rate of 15 L/min. The insufflating and expiratory pressures were measured at 6-15 L/min. The flows and pressures were measured using a gas flow analyzer. The insufflating and expiratory times were measured using a trachea-lung model to obtain minute volumes. To assess the improvement by modifying the Rapid-O2, minute volumes were measured using the Rapid-O2. Results: The most appropriate inner catheter was 18 G. The insufflating pressures ranged from 97 (2-mm ID TTC) to 377 cmH2O (16 G) at 15 L/min. During expiration, similar negative pressures of 50 cmH2O were measured in the insufflation catheters at 15 L/min. At lung compliance of 100 ml/cmH2O, the minute volumes through a 2-mm ID and 14 G insufflation catheters were 7.0 and 5.37 L/min, respectively, at 15 L/min. The minute volumes were significantly greater in modified Rapid-O2. Conclusions: Modified Rapid-O2 provided sufficient minute volumes in adults using a 14 G or 2-mm ID insufflation catheter at 15 L/min, demonstrating its potential for ventilation in CICO events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background: High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a rapidly developing non-invasive treatment method for tumors in recent years. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the lesion and temperature effects of HIFU combined with different concentrations and volumes of ethanol on porcine liver. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, different concentrations and volumes of ethanol were injected into the focal area of porcine liver using B-mode ultrasound, and the focal temperature was monitored using a k-type needle thermocouple. The peak negative pressure and sound intensity at the focal point of porcine liver were calculated by Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation. Further, the presence of cavitation effects within porcine liver was further determined by ultrasound hyperechoic. The differences in lesion volume and temperature, caused by different concentrations and volumes of ethanol on porcine liver, were measured. Results: HIFU irradiation combined with ethanol injection caused greater lesion volume and higher focal temperature in porcine liver. At the same HIFU irradiation power, an increase in the volume of ethanol resulted in an increase in lesion volume and focal temperature. At a fixed volume of ethanol injected and HIFU irradiation power, higher ethanol concentrations resulted in higher lesion volumes and focal temperature. Conclusion: The combination of HIFU and ethanol synergistically affects the lesion of porcine liver, manifested as the larger the ethanol concentration and volume, the larger the lesion volume and the higher the focal temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Research has not demonstrated whether multiple cups of negative pressure cupping therapy would induce interactions of hemodynamic responses between different areas. A multichannel near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin oscillations in response to cupping therapy. Wavelet transform and wavelet phase (WPC) coherence were used to quantify NIRS signals. Three levels of negative pressure (−75, −225, and −300 mmHg) were applied to the gastrocnemius in 12 healthy adults. Oxyhemoglobin coherence between the two inside‐cup areas was higher at −75 mmHg compared to −300 mmHg in both metabolic (WPC = 0.80 ± 0.11 vs. 0.73 ± 0.13) and neurogenic (WPC = 0.70 ± 0.11 vs. 0.60 ± 0.17) controls. Deoxyhemoglobin coherence was also higher at −75 mmHg compared to −300 mmHg in both metabolic (WPC = 0.78 ± 0.11 vs. 0.66 ± 0.14) and neurogenic (WPC = 0.67 ± 0.11 vs. 0.58 ± 0.13) controls. Our study provides first evidence on the interaction of hemodynamic responses between the two cups of cupping therapy using WPC analysis of NIRS signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Symmastia, a term used to describe the medial intermammary confluence that may appear as a complication following breast augmentation or reconstruction, is a cosmetic issue breast surgeons occasionally encounter and must be prepared to correct. Over-dissection of medial structures, oversized implants, and forces applied to implants in the sub-pectoral space have all been proposed as potential causes of the development of symmastia. Numerous techniques to correct symmastia have been described in previous literature, including capsulorrhaphy, dermo-sternal adhesion, neo-pocket creation, and techniques based on muscle repair. However, these methods are susceptible to recurrence. In this case report series, we present three cases in which symmastia was successfully corrected following surgical repair with post-operative external negative pressure therapy over the intermammary sulcus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

• Co-pyrolysis under negative pressure is beneficial to the tar formation. • Negative pressure co-pyrolysis contributes to more limonene production. • Secondary reactions can be suppressed by negative pressure pyrolysis. • Low pyrolysis pressure inhibited the influence of WT molten state on co-pyrolysis. Co-pyrolysis of waste tire and low-rank coal is an efficient and clean technology for the utilization of solid wastes. Pyrolysis at negative pressure can minimize the secondary reactions of the pyrolysis volatiles, and is beneficial to understand the co-pyrolysis mechanism. In this study, an infrared-heated fixed-bed coupled with the vacuum pyrolysis equipment via the real-time pyrolysis pressure control was adopted to explore the co-pyrolysis interactions of Naomaohu coal and waste truck tire based on co-pyrolysis products distribution and tar compositions. Result shows that under atmospheric pressure, the highest tar yield of 21.62 wt.% was obtained at the heating rate of 600 °C/min, and the best co-pyrolysis synergistic performance was obtained when the pyrolysis temperature was 550 °C, along with 50% waste tire content. Pyrolysis pressure exerted the influence on the pyrolysis products distribution. When the absolute pyrolysis pressure decreased from 101 kPa to 11 kPa, tar yield exhibited an increasing trend from 38.27 wt.% to 48.72 wt.%, and the best tar synergistic effect was obtained at 550 °C with blend ratio 1/1. The limonene content in co-pyrolysis tar under vacuum pressure reached the maximum 32.10% at the absolute pyrolysis pressure of 11 kPa, which was 9.31% higher than that under atmospheric co-pyrolysis. Co-pyrolysis under negative pressure could inhibit the molten state of waste tire and decrease the secondary reaction of the volatiles, which provides a simple route to improve the tar from co-pyrolysis of coal with waste tire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Intermittent negative pressure is an emerging treatment for lower limb vascular disease but the specific physiological effects, particularly upon large artery haemodynamics are unclear. This study examined the influence of intermittent negative pressure upon popliteal artery shear rate during both supine and sitting postures. Background: Eleven healthy participants (5 female; age: 28.3 ± 5.8 y; weight: 69.6 ± 9.8 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.07 m) received intermittent negative pressure (-37 mmHg; 9.5-sec on, 7.5-sec off), upon the lower leg during both supine and sitting postures. Popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate were recorded (duplex ultrasound), accompanied by heart rate (3-lead ECG) and blood pressure (volume clamp method). Participants and methods: Eleven healthy participants (5 female; age: 28.3 ± 5.8 y; weight: 69.6 ± 9.8 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.07 m) received intermittent negative pressure (-37 mmHg; 9.5-sec on, 7.5-sec off), upon the lower leg during both supine and sitting postures. Popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate were recorded (duplex ultrasound), accompanied by heart rate (3-lead ECG) and blood pressure (volume clamp method). Results: ; all median [IQR]) and negative pressure phases (supine: 24[15]; sitting: 17[14] sec -1 ; both p<0.05). While supine, negative pressure raised mean shear rate above baseline levels (p<0.05) and reduced it upon return to atmospheric pressure (p < 0.05). In sitting, mean shear rate only differed from baseline at the points of peak and minimum shear (peak:18[17]; minimum: 10[9] sec -1 ; both p<0.05). Shear pattern (oscillatory shear index) showed changes from baseline during both postures (p<0.05), but was not different between postures. Conclusions: Intermittent negative pressure influenced lower limb popliteal artery shear rate during both the supine and sitting postures, the effect was greater while supine. Fluctuation in shear pattern seen during both positions may account for positive clinical effects observed following intermittent negative pressure treatment. These findings are framed against previous work investigating clinical populations. Future work should investigate any differences in lower limb haemodynamics and markers of endothelial function among patients with vascular disease.-1 ; both p<0.05). Shear pattern (oscillatory shear index) showed changes from baseline during both postures (p<0.05), but was not different between postures. Conclusions: Intermittent negative pressure influenced lower limb popliteal artery shear rate during both the supine and sitting postures, the effect was greater while supine. Fluctuation in shear pattern seen during both positions may account for positive clinical effects observed following intermittent negative pressure treatment. These findings are framed against previous work investigating clinical populations. Future work should investigate any differences in lower limb haemodynamics and markers of endothelial function among patients with vascular disease. more...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, and the progressive nature heightens the calamity of the disease. In existing COPD studies, lung mechanics are often reported under positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) and extrapolations made from these studies pose restrictions as recent works have divulged disparate elastic and energetic results between PPV and more physiological negative-pressure ventilation (NPV) counterparts. This nonequivalence of PPV and NPV must be investigated under diseased states to augment our understanding of disease mechanics. To assess the comparability of diseased pulmonary mechanics in PPV and NPV, we pose a novel study to parse out the currently entangled contributions of ventilation mode and diseased state by analyzing murine PV curves from porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and hog dust extract (HDE) induced COPD models under positive and negative pressures. We find that, for PPE-exposed, under NPV, volume, compliance ( C, C start , and C def ), and hysteresis are increased in diseased states and that under PPV, only compliance ( C and C start ) is increased. For HDE-exposed, under NPV, volume, compliance ( C, C inf , C def , and K ), and hysteresis are decreased, whereas, under PPV, only volume and static compliance decreased. All significant mechanical variations due to disease were observed solely at higher pressures (40 cmH 2 O) under both PPV and NPV. Our nuanced conclusions indicate the detection capabilities of multiple mechanics-based biomarkers are sensitive to the ventilation mode, where NPV exhibits more altered mechanics metrics in PPE-exposed and HDE-exposed groups compared with PPV counterparts, suggesting the resolution of biomarkers when applied under NPV research considerations may offer greater versatility. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We evaluate whether ubiquitous pressure-volume (PV) curve biomarkers depend on the ventilation mode under which they were collected (i.e., positive- or negative-pressure ventilation). This is a significant investigation considering recent works have revealed PV curves are distinct and noninterchangeable under the two ventilation modes. Multiple biomarkers noted under negative-pressure ventilation are lacking from positive-pressure counterparts, albeit for small-scale species considerations. Future investigations should confirm the applicability of these findings for large-scale specimens for clinical considerations. more...