Effects of physical training on pulmonary arterial pressure during exercise under hypobaric hypoxia in rats

In this investigation, we assessed the effects of physical training on exercise-induced systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic changes under hypobaric hypoxia in catheter-implanted rats. We made continuous measurements of pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures during progressive treadmill exercises under hypobaric hypoxia (equivalent to altitudes of 2500 and 5500 m) in 46 control and 41 trained rats. Trained rats were exercised on two running schedules: 4 weeks (4-trained) and 6 weeks (6-trained). Both these groups of trained rats were exercised for the same length of running time each day. The increase in resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure with increasing equivalent altitude was lower in the two trained groups than in the control group. The increase in with progressive intensity of exercise was lower in the 6-trained than in the 4-trained and control groups at 610 and 2500 m. The 6-trained rats showed higher pH,P _{a CO 2} and O₂ saturation in their blood than did the control group, whereas theP _{a O 2} was less. Lung tissue cyclic AMP concentration at rest was higher in the 6-trained than in the control group. Finally, it may be noted that exercise-induced lung tissue vasodilator responses seem to be enhanced in well-trained rats under both normobaric normoxia and hypobaric hypoxia. This study indicates that exercise training may be useful in preventing pulmonary hypertension resulting from both hypoxia and exercise.     

功率自行车下肢亚极量运动对慢性阻塞性肺疾病康复影响的临床报告*

目的: 研究慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者功率自行车下肢亚极量运动的康复治疗效果。方法: 30例门诊COPD患者随机分为康复组和对照组,每组15例,康复前后均完成常规肺功能（PFT）、心肺运动试验（CPET）、血气分析（ABG）、呼吸困难Borg评分和COPD患者自我评估测试问卷（CAT评分）,并比较前后变化。康复组采用功率自行车锻炼,以CPET80%峰值功率强度,每次运动30 min,每周3次,完成12周。结果: 康复组在康复后IC显著提高(P<0.01),peakW和peakVO₂也显著提高(P<0.01);Borg评分和CAT评分显著降低 (P<0.01)。末次运动持续时间较首次明显延长(P<0.01)。而对照组的这些指标均无显著改变(P>0.05)。两组在康复前后的PFT指标和血气分析等参数无明显变化。结论: COPD患者可以安全有效地进行运动康复治疗。功率自行车下肢亚极量运动康复能使COPD患者整体功能改善、运动时间延长、生活质量提高、患者获益。     

The influence of right ventricular stimulation on acute response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy

Background

The contribution of right ventricular (RV) stimulation to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) remains controversial. RV stimulation might be associated with adverse haemodynamic effects, dependent on intrinsic right bundle branch conduction, presence of scar, RV function and other factors which may partly explain non-response to CRT. This study investigates to what degree RV stimulation modulates response to biventricular (BiV) stimulation in CRT candidates and which baseline factors, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, determine this modulation.

Methods and results

Forty-one patients (24 (59 %) males, 67 ± 10 years, QRS 153 ± 22 ms, 21 (51 %) ischaemic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 25 ± 7 %), who successfully underwent temporary stimulation with pacing leads in the RV apex (RV_apex) and left ventricular posterolateral (PL) wall were included. Stroke work, assessed by a conductance catheter, was used to assess acute haemodynamic response during baseline conditions and RV_apex, PL (LV) and PL+RV_apex (BiV) stimulation.Compared with baseline, stroke work improved similarly during LV and BiV stimulation (∆+ 51 ± 42 % and ∆+ 48 ± 47 %, both p < 0.001), but individual response showed substantial differences between LV and BiV stimulation. Multivariate analysis revealed that RV ejection fraction (β = 1.01, p = 0.02) was an independent predictor for stroke work response during LV stimulation, but not for BiV stimulation. Other parameters, including atrioventricular delay and scar presence and localisation, did not predict stroke work response in CRT.

Conclusion

The haemodynamic effect of addition of RV_apex stimulation to LV stimulation differs widely among patients receiving CRT. Poor RV function is associated with poor response to LV but not BiV stimulation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12471-015-0770-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The use of Doppler and atrioventricular plane motion echocardiography for the detection of changes in left ventricular function after training

In this study we compared the efficacy of Doppler and atrioventricular plane motion echocardiography in detecting the changes in left ventricular function caused by moderate-intensity training. Fifty-nine healthy men and women (aged 40-68 years) were divided into either a group of walkers (n = 32) or controls (n = 27). Pre-intervention, there were no significant differences between the groups for gender, age, height, mass or predicted maximal oxygen consumption. The walkers completed a progressive 18-week walking programme that resulted in an estimated mean gross energy expenditure whilst walking of 4.0 (1.3) MJ x week(-1) for the duration of the study, and 5.9 (1.7) MJ x week(-1) during the final 6 weeks. After the 18-week programme there were no significant changes in Doppler measures of early or late filling velocities. However, the walkers showed an increase in the velocity of relaxation (1.2 cm x s(-1)) (P < 0.02) of the left free wall, as measured using atrioventricular plane motion echocardiography, while the controls showed no significant changes. The findings suggest that atrioventricular plane motion echocardiography is more sensitive than Doppler echocardiography in detecting the left ventricular changes caused by exercise intervention.     

Right bundle branch block pattern after uncomplicated right ventricular outflow tract pacing in a patient with a left sided superior vena cava and corrected tetralogy of Fallot

Usually an electrocardiogram after right ventricular (RV) pacing should yield left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern. However, the presence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern after pacemaker implantation should alert the physician to a malposition of lead. We report a case of 18-year-old female who underwent dual chamber pacemaker implantation and had RBBB pattern post implantation. Detailed evaluation revealed an uncomplicated right ventricular outflow tract pacing. The possible causes of this abnormal pattern after an uncomplicated RV pacing are also reviewed.     

Cardiac troponin I for predicting right ventricular dysfunction and intermediate risk in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism

Background

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are important tools for risk stratification in pulmonary embolism (PE). We investigate the association of RVD and cTnI in normotensive PE patients and calculate a cTnI cut-off level for predicting RVD and submassive PE.

Methods

Clinical, laboratory, radiological and echocardiagraphic data were analysed. Patients were categorised into groups with or without RVD and compared focussing on cTnI. Effectiveness of cTnI for predicting RVD and submassive PE was tested.

Results

One hundred twenty-nine normotensive PE patients, 71 with and 58 without RVD, were included. Patients with RVD were older (75.0 years (61.3/81.0) vs. 66.0 years (57.7/75.1), P = 0.019). cTnI (0.06 ng/ml (0.02/0.23) vs. 0.01 ng/ml (0.00/0.03), P < 0.0001) and D-dimer values (2.00 mg/l (1.08/4.05) vs. 1.23 mg/l (0.76/2.26), P = 0.016) were higher in PE with RVD. cTnI was associated with RVD (OR 3.95; 95 % CI 1.95–8.02, p = 0.00014). AUC for cTnI diagnosing RVD was 0.79, and for submassive PE0.87. Cut-off values for cTnI predicting RVD and submassive PE were 0.01 ng/ml, with a negative predictive value of 73 %. cTnI was positively correlated with age, D-dimer and creatinine.

Conclusions

In normotensive PE patients, cTnI is helpful for risk stratification and excluding RVD. cTnI elevation is correlated with increasing age and reduced kidney function.     

Effects of milrinone on left ventricular cardiac function during cooling in an intact animal model

A significant reduction in immunogenicity has been observed in some frozen-thawed tissues after cryopreservation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of programmed cryopreservation on immunogenicity of rabbit bladder mucosa and on the extent of immunological rejection caused by the allograft. This study would provide theoretical support for the application of allogenic frozen-thawed bladder mucosa in the treatment of urethral stricture. Forty-two adult male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. The immunogenicity was detected by mixed lymphocyte reaction using the allograft of bladder mucosa (fresh and frozen-thawed) and spleen lymphocytes. Twelve urethral stricture models were established in New Zealand rabbits for substitution urethroplasty using the allograft of bladder mucosa, which were divided into fresh and frozen-thawed group. Two weeks after operation, lymphocyte proliferation was detected in both blood and spleen of recipient rabbits. At the same time, immunohistochemical staining of urethral allograft was performed and the expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 were observed. The mRNA of bladder mucosa (fresh and frozen-thawed) was extracted and the expressions of RLA-I, RLA-II and RLA-III gene were detected by real-time PCR. By mixed lymphocyte reaction, we found that allogenic lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by frozen-thawed bladder epithelial cells was significantly weaker than that of the fresh cells. The blood and spleen lymphocytes from fresh bladder mucosa group showed significantly higher proliferation rate than frozen-thawed group. Compared with the fresh group, the expression of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrated in the operation locus of bladder mucosa urethroplasty was significantly decreased in the frozen-thawed group. However, the expressions of RLA genes did not change significantly after the freeze-thaw procedure. This study demonstrates for the first time that a programmed freeze-thaw procedure of rabbit bladder mucosa could reduce its immunogenicity in allogenic bladder mucosa urethroplasty and thus restrict the extent of immunological rejection, therefore, provides theoretical support for the application of frozen-thawed bladder mucosa in the treatment of urethral stricture.     

BALB/c小鼠多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌肺部感染模型的建立和评估

本研究旨在构建小鼠多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌肺部感染模型,评估模型小鼠各项炎性指标的变化特征,为研究多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌的体内致病性提供参考。首先采用聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)检测拟建模用鲍曼不动杆菌的毒力基因分布特征,然后通过感染秀丽隐杆线虫筛选建模菌株。结果显示,A5株携带更多的毒力基因,致病性也更强,被选为建模菌株。给小鼠注射环磷酰胺建立免疫抑制,雾化吸入A5株菌液(高、低密度组),监测小鼠状态、肺组织改变、肺组织和肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中菌落计数、外周血白细胞和中性粒细胞计数、细胞因子等的变化。结果显示,感染A5株的小鼠较对照组状态更差,肺充血水肿,肺组织和BALF中出现鲍曼不动杆菌增殖。与低密度组相比,高密度组小鼠外周血白细胞和中性粒细胞增加更明显(白细胞F=78.630,P=0.000;中性粒细胞:F=4.762,P=0.053)。与对照组相比,感染A5株的小鼠血清白细胞介素6(interleukin 6,IL-6)水平升高并趋于稳定(F=14.382, P=0.001),而...     

Increased depressive-like traits in an animal model of premenstrual irritability

Women are at higher risk of anxiety and mood disorders, especially at transitions across the reproductive life cycle (premenstruum, postpartum, menopause). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is one of female mood disorders associated with changing ovarian hormone levels. Because anxiety and depression frequently occur in women with PMDD, premenstrual dysphoria might be a manifestation of certain vulnerability traits increasing the risk of those disorders. The present study was conducted to elucidate a potential association between estrous cycle-dependent aggression, the rodent model of "premenstrual irritability" (resident-intruder test), and anxiety (elevated plus maze), depressive-like traits (forced swim test) as well as carbohydrate craving in female Wistar rats. Some aggressive and nonaggressive females were restraint-stressed before testing to determine their sensitivity to stress at different hormonal stages. The results revealed that females expressing the estrous cycle-dependent aggression but not those not expressing cycle-dependent aggression spent longer time immobile and shorter time swimming in the forced swim test at metestrus compared to proestrus phase of the estrous cycle. There was no difference between aggressive and nonaggressive females in anxiety, locomotor activity and sensitivity to restraint stress and sucrose consumption. The present study suggests a common neurobiological background for the estrous cycle-dependent aggression and depressive-like traits in rodents. This phenomenon could potentially aid the elucidation of premenstrual emotional dysfunctions and might be used as an ethological model to study a biochemical and genetic proneness to depression.     

布地格福与布地奈德福莫特罗粉对COPD缓解期患者肺功能、运动耐力的影响对比

摘要 目的：探讨布地格福与布地奈德福莫特罗粉对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）缓解期患者肺功能、运动耐力的影响。方法：选取2020年1月至2022年12月本院收治的300例COPD缓解期患者,将其随机分为A组（n=150）和B组（n=150）,A组予以布地格福吸入治疗,B组予以布地奈德莫特罗粉吸入治疗。连续治疗3个月后,比较两组疗效及用药安全性;比较两组肺功能、血气水平、运动耐力和生活质量、炎症指标变化。结果：连续治疗3个月后,A组治疗总有效率为96.00 %,高于对照组的90.00 %（P＜0.05）;治疗后两组第1 s用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、FEV₁/用力肺活量、FEV₁占预计值百分数、血氧分压、6 min步行距离较治疗前均有提升,且A组高于B组（P＜0.05）;治疗后两组残气容积/肺总量、二氧化碳分压、白细胞介素-17、基质金属蛋白酶-9、圣乔治呼吸问卷评分较治疗前均有降低,且A组低于B组（P＜0.05）;治疗期间两组均未发生严重的不良反应（P＞0.05）。结论：相较于布地奈德福莫特罗,布地格福对COPD缓解期的治疗效果更佳,能有效减低气道炎症损伤,改善其肺功能及血气水平,提升患者运动耐力及生活质量。     

CMR-derived TAPSE measurement: a semi-quantitative method of right ventricular function assessment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Aim

To compare cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived right ventricular fractional shortening (RVFS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion with a reference point within the right ventricular apex (TAPSE_in) and with one outside the ventricle (TAPSE_out) with the standard volumetric approach in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods and results

105 patients with HCM and 20 healthy subjects underwent CMR. In patients with HCM, TAPSE_in (r = 0.31, p = 0.001) and RVFS (r = 0.35, p = 0.0002) revealed a significant but weak correlation with right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), whereas TAPSE_out (r = 0.57, p < 0.0001) showed a moderate correlation with RVEF. The ability to predict RVEF < 45 % in HCM patients was best for TAPSE_out. In patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), RVEF showed a significant but weak correlation with TAPSE_out (r = 0.36, p = 0.02) and no correlation with TAPSE_in (r = 0.05, p = 0.07) and RVFS (r = 0.02, p = 0.2). In patients with hypertrophic non-obstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM), there was a moderate correlation between RVEF and TAPSE_out (r = 0.57, p < 0.0001) and a weak correlation with TAPSE_in (r = 0.39, p = 0.001) and RVFS (r = 0.38, p = 0.002). In the 20 healthy controls, there was a strong correlation between RVEF and all semi-quantitative measurements.

Conclusion

CMR-derived TAPSE_in is not suitable to determine right ventricular function in HCM patients. TAPSE_out showed a good correlation with RVEF in HNCM patients but only a weak correlation in HOCM patients. TAPSE_out might be used for screening but the detection of subtle changes in RV function requires the 3D volumetric approach.     

Short-term exposure to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes: Effects on pulmonary function in humans

Zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes typically induce a systemic inflammation indicated by increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, also known as welding fume fever. It typically includes symptoms like fever, myalgia or headaches, but only a quarter of patients experience respiratory symptoms, e.g. coughing. This retrospective analysis of data of three studies with either control (filtered air) or zinc- and copper-containing welding fume exposure aims to identify and characterize the effect of the welding fumes on lung function. Spirometry and body plethysmography data of male healthy volunteers were analyzed and comparisons between different timepoints after a 6 h exposure were conducted. For controls no significant changes in spirometry were observed between baseline and 6 h, 24 h and 1 week after exposure. For volunteers exposed to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes no significant reductions in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and minimal reductions in vital capacity (VC) (52 ml, 0.9%) were detected after 6 h. After 24 h significant reductions in FEV1 (147 ml, 3.2%) and VC (162 ml, 2.9%) could be observed. 1 week after exposure FEV1 was still significantly reduced (102 ml, 2.1%) and airway resistance were increased while no differences in VC were detected. The reduction of FEV1% after 24 week significantly correlated with increases in CRP levels. In conclusion, a single exposure to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes leads not only to a systemic inflammation but could also induce slight sustained airway constrictions after 24 h and 1 week. The observed slight airway constriction is not caused by immediate effects but possibly inflammatory processes. Although welding fume fever does not necessarily present respiratory symptoms, welders exposed to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes should be monitored for respiratory symptoms and obstructive ventilation pattern.     

大剂量乙酰半胱氨酸对高龄患者慢性阻塞性肺病合并肺间质纤维化急 性加重期的干预作用及机制初探

目的:观察大剂量乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)对高龄患者慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)合并肺间质纤维化(PIF)急性加重期的干预作用,并对干预机制进行初步探讨。方法:年龄大于80岁COPD合并PIF患者18例,分为对照组(8例)和观察组(10例),对照组给予常规治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上给予口服乙酰半胱氨酸颗粒600 mg/次,3次/d,连用30天,观察两组治疗前后临床症状、肺功能指标(FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC)、动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、血液中细胞因子(IL-2和TNF-α)和影像学的变化。结果:观察组治疗总有效率和细菌培养转阴率显著升高(P<0.05);两组治疗后FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PaO2均较治疗前显著上升(P<0.05),血液中IL-2和TNF-α较治疗前显著下降(P<0.05);组间比较存在显著性差异(P<0.05);观察组治疗后胸部CT见感染明显控制。结论:在常规治疗基础上合用大剂量NAC可以有效治疗急性加重期COPD合并PIF的老年患者,机制可能与抑制炎性因子表达、减少细菌在呼吸道内的附着有关。     

大剂量乙酰半胱氨酸对高龄患者慢性阻塞性肺病合并肺间质纤维化急性加重期的干预作用及机制初探

目的：观察大剂量乙酰半胱氨酸（NAC）对高龄患者慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）合并肺问质纤维化（PIF）急性加重期的干预作用,并对干预机制进行初步探讨。方法：年龄大于80岁COPD合并PIF患者18例,分为对照组（8例）和观察组（10例）,对照组给予常规治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上给予口服乙酰半胱氨酸颗粒600mg／次,3次／d,连用30天,观察两组治疗前后临床症状、肺功能指标（FVC、FEV1、FEV1／FVC）、动脉血氧分压（PaO2）、血液中细胞因子（IL-2和TNF—α）和影像学的变化。结果：观察组治疗总有效率和细菌培养转阴率显著升高（P〈0．05）;两组治疗后FVC、FEV1、FEV1／FVC、PaO2均较治疗前显著上升（P〈0．05）,血液中IL-2和TNF—α较治疗前显著下降（P〈0．05）;组间比较存在显著性差异（P〈0．05）;观察组治疗后胸部CT见感染明显控制。结论：在常规治疗基础上合用大剂量NAC可以有效治疗急性加重期COPD合并PIF的老年患者,机制可能与抑制炎性因子表达、减少细菌在呼吸道内的附着有关。     

Effects of exercise training on brain opioid peptides and serum LH in female rats

In order to investigate the effects of long-term exercise training on brain endorphin systems, and the latter's possible effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, female Wistar rats were subjected to daily treadmill running. A sedentary control group was also employed. After 8 weeks of training, and just prior to sacrifice, one-half of each group received a final fatiguing bout of exercise. Thus the final four groups consisted of a trained-fatigued (TF), trained-nonfatigued (TN), control-fatigued (CF), and control-nonfatigued (CN) group. Regional brain levels of beta-endorphin (beta E), methionine enkephalin and leucine enkephalin (LE) were assayed with independent RIAs from the nucleus accumbens, cortex, caudate-putamen, septum, amygdala, anterior and posterior hypothalamus, substantia nigra and ventral tegmentum. Diestrus serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin (PRL) were also determined. Fatiguing resulted in a decrease in serum LH levels as well as an increase in beta E content in the nucleus accumbens, and LE content in the ventral tegmentum. Finally, TF animals exhibited less LE in the amygdala than the TN rats. Taken together, these changes in brain endorphins may indicate an acute, fatigue-running modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.     

The diabetic vasculature: Physiological mechanisms of dysfunction and influence of aerobic exercise training in animal models

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a number of complications of which chronic vascular complications are undoubtedly the most complex and significant consequence. With a significant impact on health care, 50–80% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and other vascular disease), making it the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. A healthy lifestyle is essential in the management of DM, especially the inclusion of aerobic exercise, which has been shown effective in reducing the deleterious effects in vasculature. Interest in exercise studies has increased significantly with promising results that demonstrate a future for investigation. Considering the importance of this emerging field, the aim of this mini-review is to summarize and integrate animal studies investigating physiological mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and remodeling in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and how these are influenced by chronic aerobic exercise training.     

基于奥马哈理论的护理模式 对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者肺功能及细菌感染率的影响

目的探讨基于奥马哈理论的护理模式对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者肺功能、症状控制、细菌感染率及生活质量的影响。方法选取2018年1月至2019年1月我院收治的134例COPD患者,采用随机数字表法将研究对象分为观察组(n=69)与对照组(n=65),对两组患者住院期间肺功能、症状控制情况、细菌感染率、睡眠情况以及生活质量进行评估和分析。结果观察组患者肺功能情况优于入院时(P0.05)。两组患者泌尿系统感染发生率最高,其次为褥疮创面感染和口腔感染。观察组患者泌尿系感染的发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者干预后PSQI量表评分和CAT评分均低于入院前,且观察组患者总分低于对照组(均P0.05)。干预后观察组患者SF-36评分均高于对照组(均P0.05)。结论在基于奥马哈理论的护理模式下,COPD患者的肺功能得到加强,继发感染的发生减少,生活质量得到提高。     

Long term effects of an integrated care intervention on hospital utilization in patients with severe COPD: a single centre controlled study

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality globally. In Trondheim in 2008 an integrated care model (COPD-Home) consisting of an education program, self-management plan, home visits and a call centre for patient support and communication was developed. The objective was to determine the efficacy of an intervention according to the COPD-Home model in reducing hospital utilization among patients with COPD stage III and IV (GOLD 2007) discharged after hospitalization for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).

Methods

A single centre, prospective, open, controlled clinical study comparing COPD-Home integrated care (IC) with usual care (UC).

Results

Ninety-one versus 81 patients mean age 73.4 ± 9.3 years (57% women) were included in the IC group (ICG) and the UC group (UCG) respectively, and after 2 years 51 and 49 patients were available for control in the respective groups. During the year prior to study start there were 71 hospital admissions (HA) in the ICG and 84 in the UCG. There was a 12.6% reduction in HA in the ICG during the first year of follow-up and a 46.5% reduction during the second year (p = 0.01) compared to an 8.3% increase during the first year and no change during the second year in the ICG. During the year prior to study start, the number of hospital days (HD) was 468 in the ICG and 479 in the UCG. In the IC group, the number of HD was reduced by 48.3% during the first year (p = 0.01), and remained low during the second year of follow-up (p=0.02). In the UC group, the number of HD remained unchanged during the follow-up period. There was a trend towards a shorter survival time among patients in the ICG compared to the UCG, hazard ratio 1.33 [95% CI 0.77 to 2.33].

Conclusion

Intervention according to the COPD-Home model reduced hospital utilization in patients with COPD III and IV with a persisting effect throughout the 2 years of follow-up. However, there was a trend towards a shorter survival time in the intervention group.     

Effects of exercise training on plasma cytokine and chemokine levels, and thermoregulation

Pyrogenic factors may include the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-8 (chemokine). Exercise also causes cytokinemia that might result in pyrogenically mediated body temperature elevation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of exercise training on exercise-induced plasma concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8. Messenger RNA levels of these factors were also evaluated in peripheral blood leukocytes. We also observed the relationship between cykokines, chemokines, and sweating after exercise. Nine tennis athletes (n=9) and untrained sedentary control subjects (n=10) ran for 1 h at 75% intensity of VO_2max. Venous blood samples were analyzed for plasma concentrations and mRNA expression in leukocytes of cytokines and chemokine of interest. Sweat volume was calculated by measuring body weight changes. Leukocyte mRNA expression and plasma protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 immediately increased after exercise in both groups, but to a much greater extent in the athletic group. However, mRNA expression and plasma protein level for IL-6 and TNF-α, unlike IL-1β and IL-8, decreased more quickly in the athletic group compared to the control group during the recovery period. Compared to the control group, greater sweat loss volumes, and lower body temperatures in athletic group were observed at all time points. In conclusion, exercise training improved physical capacity and sweating function so that body temperature was more easily regulated during and after exercise. This may due to improved production of specific cytokine and chemokine in sweating during exercise.