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Introduction: Acute respiratory failure is a leading cause of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), with mortality rates remaining stagnant despite advances in resuscitation techniques. Comorbidities, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, significantly impact ICU patient outcomes. Pulmonary emphysema, commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, poses a significant risk, yet its influence on ICU mortality remains understudied., Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of ICU patients with pulmonary emphysema requiring mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, evaluating the impact of emphysema severity., Methods: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2015 to 2021. Patients with pulmonary emphysema requiring invasive ventilation were included. Emphysema severity was assessed using chest computed tomography scans. Data on mortality, length of stay, and ventilator-free days were collected. Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with outcomes., Results: Of the 89 included patients, 31.5% died during their ICU stay, with a 39.3% mortality within 12 months postdischarge. Emphysema severity did not significantly correlate with mortality or ventilator-free days. Chronic heart failure emerged as a significant predictor of ICU and in-hospital mortality., Conclusions: Emphysema severity does not appear to independently affect mortality in intubated ICU patients with acute respiratory failure. However, mortality rates remain high, warranting further investigation into contributing factors. Our findings underline the complexity of managing critically ill patients with pulmonary emphysema and emphasise the need for comprehensive patient assessment and personalised treatment approaches., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Physical activity, such as running, protects against cardiovascular disease and obesity but can induce oxidative stress. Athletes often consume antioxidants to counteract the overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during exercise. Spirulina , particularly its phycocyanin content, activates the Nrf2 pathway, stimulating antioxidant responses. Studies show that phycocyanin enhances antioxidant defenses and reduces inflammation, potentially improving muscle adaptation and recovery. This study evaluates a Spirulina liquid extract (SLE) supplementation during endurance training, hypothesizing that phycocyanin improves oxidant status and performance in soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles., Methods: Three-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a sedentary control group (C), a sedentary group supplemented with SLE (SP), an endurance training group (T), and an endurance training group supplemented with SLE (SPT). After 8 weeks of treadmill training, blood and muscle were collected. Biochemical parameters and gene expression analyses were performed to assess the effects of training and supplementation., Results: The maximal aerobic speed improved significantly in the SPT group. Plasma lipid profiles showed a reduction in triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and atherogenic index in the trained groups, especially with SLE supplementation. Muscle malondialdehyde levels decreased in the SPT group compared to T. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of Nrf2 and mitochondrial biogenesis genes in both muscles, with differences between groups for genes related to glycogen storage and β-oxidation., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that SLE supplementation enhanced exercise performance and promoted muscle molecular adaptations. These findings suggest SLE as a promising functional food supplement for athletes, optimizing recovery and performance.