Investigation of white blood cell characteristics in cerebrospinal fluid samples at pediatric brain tumor diagnosis

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - The role of white blood cells (WBC) in the pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumor microenvironment is incompletely defined. We hypothesized that the WBC profile in...     

Acute psycho-physiological responses to perceptually regulated hypoxic and normoxic interval walks in overweight-to-obese adults

ObjectivesWe investigated psycho-physiological responses to perceptually regulated interval walks in hypoxia versus normoxia in obese individuals.DesignWithin-participants repeated measures.MethodsTen obese adults (BMI = 32 ± 3 kg/m^?2) completed a 60-min interval session (15 × 2 min walking at a rating of perceived exertion of 14 on the 6–20 Borg scale with 2 min of rest) either in hypoxia (FiO₂ = 13.0%, HYP) or normoxia (NOR). A third trial replicating the HYP speed pattern was carried out in normoxia as a control (CON). Exercise responses were analysed comparing the average of 1st to 3rd exercise bouts to those of the 4th–6th, 7th–9th, 10th–12th and 13th–15th exercise bouts (block 1 versus 2, 3, 4 and 5).ResultsTreadmill speed was slower during block 4 (6.14 ± 0.67 versus 6.24 ± 0.73 km/h^?1) and block 5 (6.12 ± 0.64 versus 6.25 ± 0.75 km/h^?1) in HYP compared to NOR or CON (p = 0.009). Compared to NOR and CON, heart rate was +6–10% higher (p = 0.001), whilst arterial oxygen saturation (?12–13%) was lower (p < 0.001) in HYP. Perceived limb discomfort was lower in HYP and CON versus NOR (?21 ± 4% and ?34 ± 6%; p = 0.004).ConclusionsIn overweight-to-obese adults, perceptually regulated interval walks in hypoxia versus normoxia leads to progressively slower speeds along with lower limb discomfort and larger physiological stress than normoxia. Walking at the speed adopted in hypoxia produces similar psycho-physiological responses at the same absolute intensity in normoxia.     

Is routine extubation overnight safe in cardiac surgery patients?

Objectives

Expedient extubation after cardiac surgery has been associated with improved outcomes, leading to postoperative extubation frequently during overnight hours. However, recent evidence in a mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit population demonstrated worse outcomes with overnight extubation. This study investigated the impact of overnight extubation in a statewide, multicenter Society of Thoracic Surgeons database.

Long-term Implications of Tracheostomy in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Decannulation and Mortality

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An electromyographic study of the effect of hand grip sizes on forearm muscle activity and golf performance

The study describes the differences in surface electromyography (EMG) activity of two forearm muscles in the lead and trail arm at specific phases of the golf swing using a 7-iron with three different grip sizes among amateur and professional golfers. Fifteen right-handed male golfers performed five golf swings using golf clubs with three different grip sizes. Surface EMG was used to measure muscle activity of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) on both forearms. There were no significant differences in forearm muscle activity when using the three golf grips within the group of 15 golfers (p > 0.05). When using the undersize grip, club head speed significantly increased (p = 0.044). During the backswing and downswing phases, amateurs produced significantly greater forearm muscle activity with all three grip sizes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, forearm muscle activity is not affected by grip sizes. However, club head speed increases when using undersize grips.     

Interactions between cancer cells and immune cells drive transitions to mesenchymal-like states in glioblastoma

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