Search

Abstract Background The aging global population is experiencing escalating challenges related to cognitive deficits and dementia. This study explored the interplay between pulmonary function, physical activity, and cognitive function in older U.S. adults to identify modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. Methods Utilizing NHANES 2011–2012 data, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 729 participants aged ≥ 60 years. Cognitive function, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and physical activity were assessed. Weighted logistic regression and mediation analyses were employed to examine associations. Results The sample size was 729 (weighted mean [SD] age, 67.1 [5.3] years; 53.6% female participants). Preliminary correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the global cognitive score and physical activity (β = 0.16; p 100%, the PEF% (80-100%) group (OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.34–5.29; p = 0.005) and PEF%

Abstract Background Asthma is one of the most common chronic airway diseases in children. Preventing asthma exacerbation is one of the objectives of all asthma action plans. In patients with poor perception, it is difficult to identify acute asthma exacerbations by clinical asthma score, asthma control test or asthma control questionnaire. The aim of this study is to analyze whether children with asthma have changes in peak expiratory flow(PEF)before an acute asthma exacerbation and to evaluate the relationship between PEF and asthma exacerbation. Methods Basic information (including sex, age, atopy, etc.) and clinical information of asthmatic children who registered in the Electronic China Children’s Asthma Action Plan (e-CCAAP) from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2021 were collected. Subjects with 14 consecutive days of PEF measurements were eligible. Subjects in this study were divided into an exacerbation group and a control group. We analyzed the relationship between changes in PEF% pred and the presence of asthma symptoms. Result A total of 194 children with asthma who met the inclusion criteria were included, including 144 males (74.2%) and 50 females (25.8%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.88:1. The mean age of the subjects was 9.51 ± 2.5 years. There were no significant differences in sex, age, allergy history or baseline PEF between the two groups. In children with and without a history of allergy, there was no significant difference between the variation in PEF at 14 days. Patients who only had a reduced in PEF but no symptoms of asthma exacerbation had the greatest reduction in PEF compared to the other groups. The most common cause of acute exacerbations of asthma is upper respiratory tract infection. Among the causes of acute exacerbations of asthma, the variation in PEF caused by air pollution was significantly higher than that of other causes (P

Abstract Background Adequate cough or exsufflation flow can indicate an option for safe tracheostomy decannulation to noninvasive management. Cough peak flow via the upper airways with the tube capped is an outcome predictor for decannulation readiness in patients with neuromuscular impairment. However, this threshold value is typically measured with tracheotomy tube removed, which is not acceptable culturally in China. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of using cough flow measured with tracheostomy tube and speaking valve (CFSV) > 100 L/min as a cutoff value for decannulation. Study design Prospective observational study conducted between January 2019 and September 2022 in a tertiary rehabilitation hospital. Methods Patients with prolonged tracheostomy tube placement were referred for screening. Each patient was assessed using a standardized tracheostomy decannulation protocol, in which CFSV greater than 100 L/min indicated that the patients’ cough ability was sufficient for decannulation. Patients whose CFSV matched the threshold value and other protocol criteria were decannulated, and the reintubation and mortality rates were followed-up for 6 months. Results A total of 218 patients were screened and 193 patients were included. A total of 105 patients underwent decannulation, 103 patients were decannulated successfully, and 2 patients decannulated failure, required reinsertion of the tracheostomy tube within 48 h (failure rate 1.9%). Three patients required reinsertion or translaryngeal intubation within 6 months. Conclusions CFSV greater than 100 L/min could be a reliable threshold value for successful decannulation in patients with various primary diseases with a tracheostomy tube. Trial registration This observational study was not registered online.

Abstract Respiratory health is a critical determinant of athletic performance, and the utilization of restorative strategies, such as strategic napping, may offer a competitive edge to athletes. This study investigates the effects of nap duration on the respiratory function of young elite athletes who have achieved top rankings national competitions. Participants engage in three test sessions with varying nap durations: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), and a 45-minute nap (N45), with a minimum 72-hour interval between sessions. Respiratory parameters including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEF), Forced Expiratory Flow at 25–75% of FVC (FEF25-75%), and Forced Expiratory Time (FET) are assessed. Results reveal a significant enhancement in PEF values following a 45-minute nap (N45) compared to the no-nap control (N0) [F1 − 11=7.356, p =.004, ηp 2 = 0.401, (95% CI for difference: -1.56 to − 0.056)], indicating a potential positive influence of napping on maximum expiratory flow rate and, consequently, athletes’ respiratory performance. While no significant changes are observed in other respiratory parameters across different nap durations, these findings underscore the potential benefits of strategic napping in optimizing respiratory health in young elite athletes.

Abstract Background The multiple modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission including airborne, droplet, contact and faecal–oral transmissions that cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contribute to a public threat to the lives of people worldwide. Heavy aerosol production by coughing and the big peak expiratory flow in patients with respiratory infections (especially SARS-CoV-2) during recovery from general anaesthesia are the highest risk factors for infection in healthcare workers. To perform sedation before extubation significantly reduced the incidence of coughing during recovery from general anaesthesia. However, there are few studies on endotracheal tube removal under BIS-guided sedation in postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). We speculated that the BIS-guided sedation with dexmedetomidine and propofol would better prevent coughing caused by tracheal extubation and reducing peak expiratory flow. Methods Patients with general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to Group S (dexmedetomidine was infused in the operating room for 30 min, and the bispectral index (BIS) value was maintained 60–70 by infusion propofol at 0.5~1.5 μg/ml in the PACU until the endotracheal tubes were pulled out) and Group C (no dexmedetomidine and propofol treatment, replaced with the saline treatment). The incidence of coughing, agitation and active extubation, endotracheal tube tolerance and the peak expiratory flow at spontaneous breathing and at extubation were assessed. Results A total of 101 patients were randomly assigned to Group S (51 cases) and Group C (50 cases). The incidence of coughing, agitation and active extubation was significantly lower (1(51), 0(51) and 0(51), respectively) in Group S than (11(50), 8(50) and 5(50), respectively) in Group C (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, respectively); the scores of cough were significantly reduced (1(1, 1)) in Group S than (1(1, 2)) in Group C (p < 0.01); and the endotracheal tube tolerance was significantly improved (0(0, 1)) in Group S than (1(1, 3)) in Group C (p < 0.001). The peak expiratory flow at spontaneous breathing and at extubation was significantly reduced (5(5, 7) and 6.5(6, 8), respectively) in Group S than (8(5, 10) and 21(9, 32)) in Group C (p < 0.001). Conclusions BIS-guided sedation with dexmedetomidine and propofol significantly prevented coughing and reduced peak expiratory flow during recovery from general anaesthesia, which may play an important role in preventing medical staff from contracting COVID-19. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200058429 (registration date: 09-04-2022) “retrospectively registered”.

Abstract Background Previous studies have indicated that lower lung function is related to a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, causal inferences may be affected by confounders, coheritability or reverse causality. We aimed to explore the causal association between lung function and VTE. Methods Summary data from public genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for lung function and VTE were obtained from published meta-analysis studies and the FinnGen consortium, respectively. Independent genetic variables significantly related to exposure were filtered as proxy instruments. We adopted linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to infer the genetic backgrounds and causal associations between different lung functions and VTE events. Results LDSC showed a genetic correlation between forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (rg = − 0.189, P = 0.005). In univariate MR (UVMR), there was suggestive evidence for causal associations of genetically predicted force vital capacity (FVC) with DVT (odds ratio (OR) 0.774; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.641–0.934) via forwards analysis and genetically predicted pulmonary embolism (PE) with FVC (OR 0.989; 95% CI 0.979–0.999) via reverse analysis. Multivariate MR (MVMR) analyses of lung function-specific SNPs suggested no significant direct effects of lung function on VTE, and vice versa. Of note is the borderline causal effect of PE on FEV1 (OR 0.921; 95% CI 0.848–1.000). Conclusions Our findings identified a coheritability of FEV1 (significant) and FVC (suggestive) with DVT. There was no convincing causal relationship between lung function and the risk of VTE events. The borderline causal effect of PE on FEV1 and the significant genetic correlation of FEV1 with DVT may have clinical implications for improving the quality of existing prevention and intervention strategies.

Abstract Background Pulmonary chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a devastating complication and often diagnosed at a late stage when lung dysfunction is irreversible. Identifying patients before transplant who are at risk may offer improved strategies to decrease the mortality. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the typical manifestation of pulmonary cGVHD, which is clinically diagnosed by pulmonary function test (PFT). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of PFT pre-HSCT for BOS. Methods A single center cohort of 923 allo-HSCT recipients was analyzed, including 15 patients who developed pulmonary cGVHD. Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze the 3 year progression free survival and 3 year overall survival (OS). A Cox regression model was applied for univariate and multivariate models. Results The 3 year cumulative incidence of pulmonary cGVHD was 2.04% (95% CI 1.00–3.08%). According to the cut-off values determined by receiver operator characteristic curve, higher ratio of forced expiratory volume during one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) pre-HSCT was correlated to a lower incidence of pulmonary cGVHD [0.91% (95% CI 0.01–1.81%) vs. 3.61% (95% CI 1.30–5.92%), P

Abstract Background Peak inspiratory and expiratory flows (PIF, PEF) are parameters used to evaluate the mechanics of the respiratory system. These parameters can vary based on whether they are measured using mechanical devices vs. spirometry and based on the barometric pressure at which the measurements are obtained. Our objectives were (1) to report the normal values and variability of PEF and PIF of a Latin American population living at a moderate altitude (2240 m above sea level), (2) to analyze the adjustment of reference values obtained at sea level with those obtained in healthy subjects living at a moderate altitude, and (3) to assess the correlation between PEF obtained by spirometry (PEFs) and PEF obtained by mechanical devices (PEFm). Methods In this prospective and transversal study, men and women with good respiratory health aged between 2.8 and 68 years old were invited to participate. Randomly, they underwent spirometry (to measure PEFs and PIFs) and mechanical flowmetry (to measure PEFm). Results A total of 314 subjects participated, with an average age of 24.3 ± 16.4 years; 59% were Women. The main determinants for the reference equations were age, weight, height and sex at birth. The agreement of the PEFm, PEFs and PIFs values was inconsistent with that reported by other authors, even at the same barometric pressure. The association between PEFm and PEFs was r = 0.91 (p

Abstract Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable and fatal neurodegenerative disease; most ALS patients die within 3 to 5 years after symptom onset, usually as a consequence of respiratory failure. In the present study, we aim to screen the survival-related pulmonary function parameters, and to explore the predictive value of peak expiratory flow (PEF) in disease severity and prognosis in patients with ALS. Methods The discovery cohort included 202 ALS patients, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of eligible patients were collected and pulmonary function tests were performed using MS-PFT spirometer. In the validation cohort, 62 newly diagnosed ALS patients performed the pulmonary function test by MS-PFT spirometer and household peak flow meter (KOKA) simultaneously. Results Among 12 pulmonary function parameters, FVC, FEV1, PEF, MEF75%, and MVV were identified to be independent predictive factors for survival. PEF was highly correlated with FVC (r = 0.797), MVV (r = 0.877), FEV1 (r = 0.847), and MEF75% (r = 0.963). Besides, the values of PEF were positively associated with disease severity (ALSFRS-R score, rs = 0.539, P

Abstract Background The adverse effects of Asian dust (AD) on health have been demonstrated in earlier studies, but there is no standardized definition for heavy–AD. This study aimed to examine which definition of heavy–AD has the most adverse effect on respiratory function. Methods One–hundred–and–thirty–seven adults with asthma, and 384 school children self-measured their morning peak expiratory flow (PEF). The four definitions of heavy–AD are: (1) the definition provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), (2) daily median AD particle level ≥ 0.07 km−1, obtained through light detection and ranging (LIDAR) (3) hourly AD particle level ≥ 0.1 km−1, and (4) hourly level ≥ 0.07 km−1. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the effects of heavy–AD, by definition type, on daily PEF values. Results In adults with asthma, as per the JMA’s definition, significantly reduced PEF were observed on heavy–AD days (lag 0), lag 0–1, and lag 0–3. In school children, after a heavy–AD event, as defined by the JMA, PEF significantly decreased on lag 0–1, lag 0–2, and lag 0–3. However, as per the other definitions, there was no significant decrease in the PEF in the adults and children. Conclusion The associations between heavy–AD and respiratory function differed between these definitions.