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The sympathetic nervous responses to cold stress are known; however, concurrent cardiovascular and ocular parameter alterations in the responses are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the cold pressor test (CPT) on cardiovascular and ocular parameters in young adult subjects. There was a total of 86 participants. The CPT was conducted by submerging each participant's left hand in cold water (3–5 °C) for 3 min. During the CPT, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate were found to be significantly increased compared to the baseline and significantly decreased compared to recovery, including the mean of the standard deviations of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN). In the recovery phase, the SDNN continued to decrease statistically significantly compared to the baseline and the CPT. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that the CPT impacted intra-ocular pressure (IOP), ACD, and pupil size parameters. There was a positive correlation between the MAP and IOP in both eyes during the CPT. The cold stress stimulates a sympathetic response, leading to an increase in the MAP. The pupil size increased in response to the CPT in both eyes, indicating that ocular function was increased in response to the CPT in young adults compared to baseline. In conclusion, our results suggest that in young adults, cardiovascular and ocular parameters respond to the sympathetic nervous system during the CPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The current study was performed to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) properties of Antidesma thwaitesianum, also known as "MAO," whole plant extract on Opisthorchiasis in animal models and CCA cell lines. Materials and Methods: Ethanol was used to extract compounds from the whole ripe fruit. The phytochemical investigation of MAO extract was done to evaluate antioxidant activity, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to identify the active compounds. The efficacy of MAO extract against OV was evaluated in vivo. The anti-CCA activity was evaluated using superoxide dismutase (SRB), cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and western blot analyses. Results: MAO extract possessed flavonoid and phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, and an expressed cyanidin-3-O-glycosides content of 0.08 µg/mg extract. MAO extract demonstrated hepatoprotective effects through raised alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels, as well as an influence on oxidative stress via decreased MDA and increased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. MAO extract significantly inhibited the migration of CCA cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, as well as triggered cell cycle arrest on G1 and activated apoptosis pathways via upregulation of C3, downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, cyclin D, and cyclin-dependent kinases 2 expression. MAO extract inhibited inflammation, which in turn decreased fibrosis in hamsters. It also increased hepatoprotective activity. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the potential benefits of MAO extract in both in vitro and animal studies of hamster opisthorchiasis. However, more research should be done to ascertain the mechanisms of activity of MAO extracts and elute bioactive components in order to confirm their safety and examine their clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has known health implications, particularly affecting the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. These impacts can be evaluated by assessing reductions in peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) and alterations in heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is a lack of studies investigating the effects of seasonal smogassociated PM2.5 on individuals with hypertension. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the consequences of short-term exposure to PM2.5 during seasonal smog on cardiopulmonary fitness and cardiac autonomic control in hypertensive patients. A total of 80 hypertensive patients 50 to 59 years of age were divided into 2 groups: (a) the Controlled Hypertension Group (N = 38); and (b) the Uncontrolled Hypertension Group (N = 42). The subjects' blood pressure, cardiopulmonary fitness, and HRV were assessed at three times: July 2021 (baseline), November 2021 (low PM2.5), and March 2022 (high PM2.5). Repeated measures ANOVA was employed to identify differences in the variables across these time points. The results showed that uncontrolled hypertensive patients underwent significant increases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate during the high PM2.5 period. Also, the Six-Minute Walk Test and VO2 peak exhibited a notable decrease. Additionally, uncontrolled hypertensive patients exhibited reductions in SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF when PM2.5 was high, indicating diminished cardiac autonomic control. In contrast, the controlled hypertensive patients did not display any significant alterations in these variables during the high PM2.5 periods. In summary, the uncontrolled hypertensive patients showed a decrease in cardiopulmonary fitness and an impairment in cardiac autonomic control when exposed to elevated levels of seasonal PM2.5 smog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Airway inflammation and oxidative stress may be linked in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. We determined the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in reducing fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in OSA patients. Methods. Thirteen patients with OSA and 13 normal controls were recruited. FeNO and MDA levels were measured in the controls and in OSA patients before and after three months of CPAP therapy. Results. FeNO and MDA levels were higher in the patients compared to the age and gender matched controls (FeNO: 25.9 ± 5.0 versus 17.5 ± 5.9 ppb, P

The purpose of this study was to assess the performance capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness in female adolescents who were normal weight and overweight/obese, using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Thirty adolescents (15 normal weight and 15 overweight/obese) participated in this study. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured. All participants performed the 6MWT on a 30-meter walkway at a self-selected pace. The subject's walking distance was used to estimate metabolic equivalents (METs) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max). The values were then calculated and recorded. The findings indicate that anthropometric indices, including weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio values were significantly higher in the Overweight/Obese Group vs. the Normal Weight Group. Also, the Overweight/Obese Group had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure vs. the Normal Weight Group. We also found that the 6MWT distance, VO2 max, and METS were lower in the Overweight/Obese Group vs. the Normal Weight Group. This study demonstrated that adolescents who were overweight or obese had lower performance capacity and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. Furthermore, the results indicate that the 6MWT is useful for the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promsrisuk T, Kongsui R, Sriraksa N, Srithawong A, Nabheerong P, Suttikullabud K, Boonla O. Oxygen Pulse at Anaerobic Threshold and Maximal Exercise and Their Correlation with Age, Weight, Height, and Pulmonary Function in Healthy Thais. JEPonline 2022;25(4):26-36. Oxygen pulse (O2 pulse) is a surrogate for stroke volume (SV) and arteriovenous oxygen difference, and it is an important index of cardiovascular efficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate O2 pulse at anaerobic threshold and maximal exercise and to verify the correlation of age, weight, height, and pulmonary function with O2 pulse in healthy Thais. Two hundred healthy Thai subjects (100 males and 100 females) between 20 and 69 years of age were recruited. All the subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a treadmill ramp protocol until symptom limitation. O2 pulse, SV, cardiac output (Qt), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) at anaerobic threshold in males were significantly higher than in females by 40%, 46%, 48%, and 16%, respectively (P<0.001). O2 pulse, SV, Qt, and SBP at maximal exercise in males were significantly higher than in females by 46%, 47%, 50%, 9%, and 4%, respectively (P<0.001). Moreover, we found a positive correlation between O2 pulse at anaerobic threshold and weight (r = 0.6673), height (r = 0.6058), FEV1 (r = 0.2373), FEV1/FVC (r = 0.4195), and MVV (r = 0.3132) (P<0.001) in both genders. O2 pulse at maximal exercise was negatively correlated with O2 pulse at maximal exercise and age (r = -0.1866, P<0.01), and positively correlated with weight (r = 0.6639), height (r = 0.6401), FEV1 (r = 0.3376), FEV1/FVC (r = 0.4348), and MVV (r = 0.4392) (P<0.001) in both genders. The present study provides values for O2 pulse at anaerobic threshold and maximal exercise for healthy Thai adults of both genders. O2 pulse values vary with age, gender, and body size in healthy subjects. Moreover, O2 pulse increases with increasing pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinostrobin, a key bioactive compound found in the medicinal plant Boesenbergia rotunda (L.), has been noted for its beneficial biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer and anti-amnesia activities. In view of this, the present study purposed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of pinostrobin in reversing scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment involving oxidative stress and cholinergic function in rats. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6): Group 1 received vehicle as a control, group 2 received vehicle + scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), group 3 received pinostrobin (20 mg/kg, p.o.) + scopolamine, group 4 received pinostrobin (40 mg/kg, p.o.) + scopolamine and group 5 received donepezil (5 mg/kg, p.o.) + scopolamine. Treatments were administered orally to the rats for 14 days. During the final 7 days of treatment, a daily injection of scopolamine was administered. Scopolamine impaired learning and memory performance, as measured by the novel object recognition test and the Y-maze test. Additionally, oxidative stress marker levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) expression were determined. Consequently, the findings demonstrated that the administration of pinostrobin (20 and 40 mg/kg) markedly improved cognitive function as indicated by an increase in recognition index and by spontaneous alternation behaviour. Pinostrobin also modulated the levels of oxidative stress by causing a decrease in malondialdehyde levels accompanied by increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione activities. Similarly, pinostrobin markedly enhanced cholinergic function by decreasing AChE activity and promoting ChAT immunoreactivity in the hippocampus. Additionally, the reduction in GluR1 expression due to scopolamine was diminished by treatment with pinostrobin. The findings indicated that pinostrobin exhibited a significant restoration of scopolamine-induced memory impairment by regulating oxidative stress and cholinergic system function. Thus, pinostrobin could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to establish cutoff values for the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) to predict physical performance in mild-post- coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) individuals and to compare the 1STST with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in assessing hemodynamic response and to explore the correlation between 1STST, 6MWT, and muscle strength, including leg and respiratory muscle strength., Methods: A cross-sectional study of 93 participants with mild post-COVID-19 symptoms was conducted. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected, and pulmonary function, as well as respiratory and quadriceps muscle strength, were evaluated. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6MWT and 1STST. Additionally, hemodynamic responses, fatigue, and dyspnea were measured before and after each test., Results: The cutoff for the 1STST in mild post-COVID-19 individuals was ≥29 repetitions, with an AUC of 0.84, sensitivity of 80.52%, and specificity of 75.00%. The 1STST resulted in higher heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and dyspnea compared to the 6MWT, and showed a significant moderate correlation with the 6MWT (r = 0.532, p < 0.0001) and weak correlations with leg strength and respiratory muscle strength., Conclusion: A cutoff of less than 29 repetitions on the 1STST indicates functional impairment in mild post-COVID-19 cases, as it induces greater physiological stress than the 6MWT and correlates with muscle strength, making it crucial for rehabilitation assessment., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: The 2-minute step test (2MST) is a simple and inexpensive functional test that measures an individual's ability to perform continuous stepping up and down on a step platform for two minutes. This study evaluated the 2MST as a tool for assessing functional fitness in older individuals with hypertension and determined the correlation between the 2MST and physical fitness tests., Methods: A total of 91 older individuals with hypertension performed physical fitness tests, including the 2MST, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), grip strength and leg strength assessments, and timed up and go test (TUG) to collectively assess their physical fitness., Results: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST had 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity in predicting functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension. Additionally, the number of steps in the 2MST was positively correlated with the distance covered in the 6MWT, isometric grip strength, and isometric leg strength and negatively correlated with the duration of the FTSST and TUG., Conclusions: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST predicted functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension with 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity and was correlated with other physical fitness tests, suggesting that the 2MST is a useful tool for assessing functional exercise performance.