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Introduction: early respiratory rehabilitation is required for patients with Coronavirus virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) sequelae to reduce the risk of serious disabilities after hospital discharge. Methods: it was a comparative prospective study including patients with persistent symptoms one month after discharge. The patients were hospitalized at the pneumology department D of Abderahman Mami hospital for COVID-19 pneumonia. The study involved two groups: (G1) included patients who participated in respiratory muscle training program (twice a week during 6 weeks), and a control group (G2). The groups were matched based on age, sex and body mass index (BMI). Persistent symptoms and pulmonary lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), maximal inspiratory pressure (PI max) and maximal expiratory pressure (PE max), 6 Minute Walk distance (6-MWD) at baseline and after 6 weeks were compared between the two groups. Results: the two groups of patients were comparable in terms of age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, and extent of lung computed tomography (CT) lesions. Compared to G2, a significant improvement of persistent symptoms was noted in G1, including dry cough (p=0.002), dyspnea (p=0.001), chest pain (p=0.002), and fatigue (p=0.001). The mean of percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) increased from 96.68% to 97.93% (p<0.01) in G1. A significant improvement in the percentages of change of FEV1 (p=0.005), FVC (p=0.003), TLC (p<0.001), DLCO (p<0.001), and 6-MWD (p=0.015) was also noted in G1 after this program. Nevertheless, only the percentage of FEV1 (p=0.02) increased in the control group. No impact of respiratory muscle training on PI max and PE max was noted. Conclusion: the present study demonstrated a significant improvement of persistent symptoms and exercise tolerance after short-term respiratory muscle training in patients suffering from COVID-19 sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are considered natural alternatives to replace synthetic antioxidants. The extraction of polyphenols from Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. was optimized by employing a central composite design. The effect of solvent nature (ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate), extraction temperature (4–80 °C), and extraction time (0.1–4 h) were investigated with an ultrasound-assisted system. Total phenolic compound (TPC) extraction was higher at the combination of methanol, 4 °C, and 4 h for Scenedesmus and methanol, 80 °C, and 4 h for Chlorella. Microalgae were cultivated in BG11 and BG11 + 40% olive mill wastewater (OMUF) media. The extracts were analyzed for their total polyphenol content and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The estimation results of models and experimental results indicated a high consistency when cultivating microalgae in BG11 medium. Polyphenols extracted from microalgae cultured with 40% (OMUF) possess significantly high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Hence, Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. showed a capability to grow in the presence of ultrafiltered OMW and produce high added-value compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common but often under diagnosed disease among elderly persons. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical and polygraphic characteristics of OSAHS in elderly by comparing them to younger patients. Methods: a retrospective study was performed at Pavillon D pneumology at Abderrahmen Mami Hospital in Ariana including 222 patients with OSAHS, divided into two groups: group 1 including 72 patients aged 18 to 45 years and Group 2 including 150 patients aged 65 and over. Clinical and polygraphic data was collected. Results: elderly patients were more female, less exposed to tobacco but more exposed to biomass smoke. The average consultation time was significantly longer for elderly patients compared to young patients. Diurnal fatigue and memory impairment were more observed in elderly patients. Asthma, hypothyroidism, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and atrial fibrillation were most commonly observed in elderly patients. Pauses in airflow and tonsillary hypertrophy were less observed in this group. There was no significant difference in OSAHS severity between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that elderly apneic patients were more likely to be female, to have more memory impairment and to have more comorbidities with HTA, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Conclusion: the frequency of cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive comorbidities requires sleep investigation in apneic elderly subject, whether the clinical presentation is typical or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]