BACKGROUND: Neck cooling is a practical method for preventing heat-related illness, however, its effectiveness in general workers is not well established. This study aimed to assess the effects of neck cooling on core body temperature and other physiological markers during exercise in a hot environment. METHODS: This randomized crossover trial was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 at the Shared-Use Research Center at UOEH. Fourteen healthy adult males participated in the study under two conditions: with neck cooling (COOL) and without neck cooling (CON). All participants completed both conditions, and the order of condition assignment was determined by a random draw. Participants first rested for 10 minutes in a 28.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment, followed by a rest in a 35.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment for another 10 minutes. In the COOL condition, participants wore a neck cooler containing 1,200 g of ice while exercising at 50% Heart Rate Reserve on a bicycle ergometer for 20 minutes. Afterward, they rested for 15 minutes in the hot environment while still wearing the cooler. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Core body temperature (rectal and esophageal), forehead skin temperature, and heart rate were continuously monitored and compared using a mixed model. Estimated sweat volume was calculated based on changes in body weight before and after the experiment. RESULTS: At the end of the rest period, no significant differences were observed between the COOL and CON conditions in rectal temperature (37.76 ± 0.18 °C versus 37.75 ± 0.24 °C, p = 0.9493), esophageal temperature (37.75 ± 0.30 °C versus 37.76 ± 0.23 °C, p = 0.7325), forehead skin temperature (36.87 ± 0.29 °C versus 36.88 ± 0.27 °C, p = 0.2160), or heart rate (104.18 ± 7.56 bpm versus 107.52 ± 7.40 bpm, p = 0.1035). Estimated sweat loss was similar between conditions (578 ± 175 g for CON versus 572 ± 242 g for COOL, p = 0.5066). While more participants felt cooler in the COOL condition, RPE showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION Neck cooling did not significantly affect core temperature or perceived exertion. Maintaining close contact with the skin at sufficiently low temperatures or utilizing cooling methods that prevent excessive negative feedback may be necessary to enhance the effectiveness of neck cooling.
Humans ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Exercise/physiology* ; Adult ; Neck/physiology* ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; Young Adult ; Body Temperature ; Heart Rate ; Skin Temperature ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Cold Temperature

Objective:The variability of the apnea-hypopnea index（AHI） measured in the first and second halves of the night is significant in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome（OSAHS）. This variation may be related to fluid redistribution caused by the supine position during sleep. Methods:Eighty-nine adult subjects were enrolled. Circumferences（neck, chest, waist, and calf） were measured before sleep onset and upon awakening. Polysomnography（PSG） was performed, and the night was divided into two halves based on the midpoint of total sleep time to calculate AHI for each half. The correlation between changes in AHI and changes in circumferences was analyzed. Results:Twenty simple snorers and sixty-nine OSAHS patients were included, with a median AHI of 22.6（11.8, 47.3） events/hour. Compared to pre-sleep measurements, there was no significant change in neck circumference upon awakening in the control group（P=0.073）, while reductions were observed in the other three measurements（P=0.006, P=0.038, P<0.001）. In the OSAHS group, neck circumference increased（P<0.001）, and reductions were noted in the other three measurements（P<0.001 for all）, with the most significant change observed in calf circumference 40.0（37.1, 42.0） cm to 38.0（35.8, 40.5） cm. Compared to the first half of the night, total AHI, supine AHI, and NREM AHI significantly decreased in the second half（P=0.010, P=0.031, P=0.001）, while no significant changes were observed in lateral AHI and REM AHI（P=0.988, P=0.530）. Further analysis revealed a significant relationship between increased chest circumference and decreases in NREM AHI, supine AHI, and supine NREM AHI（P=0.036, P=0.072, P=0.034）, as well as between decreased lateral position AHI and increased waist circumference（P=0.048）. Additionally, this study found a negative correlation between changes in calf circumference and changes in AHI（R=-0.24, P=0.048）, while neck circumference changes positively correlated with changes in AHI（R=0.26, P=0.03）. Conclusion:In OSAHS patients during the second half of sleep compared to before sleeping, chest circumference, waist circumference, and calf circumference decrease while neck circumference increases; total AHI, supine position AHI, and NREM period AHI decrease; increases in chest circumference are associated with decreases in NREM period AHI, supine position AHI, supine position NREM period AHI. There is nocturnal variability in AHI among OSAHS patients that may be associated with fluid shifts during sleep.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Polysomnography ; Fluid Shifts/physiology* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sleep/physiology* ; Snoring/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between cervical vertigo and vestibular function evaluated by vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(VEMPs) and analyze the correlations between cervical vertigo and vestibular dysfunction, discuss the related factors of cervical vertigo and guide the clinical treatment of patients with cervical vertigo. METHODS: A total of 75 patients with cervical vertigo as the main complaint in the outpatient clinic of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from August 2019 to July 2020 were set as the diseased group, and 60 patients without cervical and vestibular related diseases in the hospital were selected to set as non-diseased group. The age of diseased group was 12 to 70 years with an average of (46.40±10.91) years, including 25 males and 50 females;and the age of non-diseased group was 22 to 60 years with an average of(43.78±7.75) years, including 19 males and 51 females. VEMPs were performed in the two groups. The data of VEMPs were collected and the results were compared and analyzed. The patients with abnormal cervical myogenic vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) were divided into light, moderate and severe groups. The correlation between VEMPs and cervical vertigo and its severity were analyzed by statistical method. RESULTS: (1)The severity of cervical vertigo in diseased group:33 cases of mild, 34 cases of moderate, 8 cases of severe; cVEMP examination:62 cases were positive and 13 cases were negative, including 13 cases of mild, 33 cases of moderate, 16 cases of severe. The cVEMP of non-diseased group:4 cases were positive and 56 cases were negative.(2) The level of cVEMP in diseased group was higher than that in non-diseased group (P<0.001). It can be considered that there was a correlation between cervical vertigo and vestibular function.(3)The correlation between the level of cVEMP and the level of cervical vertigo in diseased group was analyzed. The Spearman rank sum test was used, and the correlation coefficient was 0.687, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). And it can be considered that the two indicators have a high degree of correlation. CONCLUSION It is feasible to evaluate the relationship between cervical vertigo and vestibular function by VEMPs. For patients with cervical vertigo, the higher the severity, the greater the positive rate of VEMPs, which indicates that it has a greater impact on vestibular function. The treatment of patients with cervical vertigo should be the combination of cervical rehabilitation and vestibular function.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials/physiology* ; Young Adult

Objective: To expore the correlation between neck disability, neck pain and muscle strength in cervical pondylosis of office worker, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis. Methods: In April 2021 ,234 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated in the Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2015 to April 2017 were selected, the correlation between Neck Disability Index (NDI) score, neck pain and muscle strength was analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation method. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference of maximum muscle strength of isometric contraction. Results: NDI score was negatively correlated with neck flexion, extension, and muscle strength in the left and right flexion directions (r(s)=-0.164, -0.169, -0.222, -0.176, P=0.012, 0.010, 0.001 , 0.007). In mild and moderate functional disorder patients, the muscle strength in flexion, extension and left and right flexion direction was greater, the difference was statistically significant (P <0.01). Conclusion: There is a negative correlation between cervical functional disorder and cervical muscle strength in office workers, suggesting that strengthening cervical muscle strength may be a way to improve cervical spine function.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Muscle Strength/physiology* ; Neck Muscles/physiology* ; Neck Pain/physiopathology* ; Occupational Diseases/physiopathology* ; Range of Motion, Articular/physiology* ; Spondylosis/physiopathology*

BACKGROUND: Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) applied for osteoporosis diagnosis unavoidably results in the missingdiagnosis in patients with large bones and misdiagnosis in those with small bones. Therefore, we try to find a new adjusted index of bone mineral content (BMC) to make up shortcomings of aBMD in osteoporosis diagnosis. METHODS: In this multi-center epidemiological study, BMC and aBMD of lumbar spines (n = 5510) and proximal femurs (n = 4710) were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We analyzed the correlation between the bone mass and body weight in all subjects including four age groups (<19 years, 20-39 years, 40-49 years, >50 years). And then the body weight was used for standardizing BMC (named wBMC) and applied for the epidemiological analysis of osteoporosis. RESULTS: The correlation of body weight and BMC is 0.839 to 0.931 of lumbar vertebra 1-4 (L1-4), and 0.71 to 0.95 of femoral neck in different age groups. When aBMD was applied for diagnosing osteoporosis, the prevalence was 7.55%, 16.39%, and 25.83% in patients with a high, intermediate, and low body weight respectively. However, the prevalence was 21.8%, 18.03%, and 11.64% by wBMC applied for diagnosing osteoporosis. Moreover, the prevalence of osteoporosis increased by 3.76% by wBMC with the body weight increased by 5 kg. The prevalence decreased by 1.94% when the body weight decreased by 5 kg. CONCLUSIONS wBMC can reduce the missed diagnosis in patients with large body weight and reduce misdiagnosis in those with small body weight. Including children, wBMC may be feasible for osteoporosis diagnosis individuals at any age.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Body Weight ; physiology ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Female ; Femur Neck ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to expand current knowledge of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and to discover potential lncRNA prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC based on next-generation RNA-seq. METHODS: RNA-seq data of 546 samples from patients with HNSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), including 43 paired samples of tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue. An integrated analysis incorporating differential expression, weighted gene co-expression networks, functional enrichment, clinical parameters, and survival analysis was conducted to discover HNSCC-associated lncRNAs. The function of CYTOR was verified by cell-based experiments. To further identify lncRNAs with prognostic significance, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed. The identified lncRNAs were validated with an independent cohort using clinical feature relevance analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: We identified nine HNSCC-relevant lncRNAs likely to play pivotal roles in HNSCC onset and development. By functional enrichment analysis, we revealed that CYTOR might participate in the multistep pathological processes of cancer, such as ribosome biogenesis and maintenance of genomic stability. CYTOR was identified to be positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, and significantly negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) of HNSCC patients. Moreover, CYTOR inhibited cell apoptosis following treatment with the chemotherapeutic drug diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP). HCG22, the most dramatically down-regulated lncRNA in tumor tissue, may function in epidermis differentiation. It was also significantly associated with several clinical features of patients with HNSCC, and positively correlated with patient survival. CYTOR and HCG22 maintained their prognostic values independent of several clinical features in multivariate Cox hazards analysis. Notably, validation either based on an independent HNSCC cohort or by laboratory experiments confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS Our transcriptomic analysis suggested that dysregulation of these HNSCC-associated lncRNAs might be involved in HNSCC oncogenesis and progression. Moreover, CYTOR and HCG22 were confirmed as two independent prognostic factors for HNSCC patient survival, providing new insights into the roles of these lncRNAs in HNSCC as well as clinical applications.
Adult ; Aged ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology* ; Ribosomes/physiology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/pathology*

Ultrasonography has increasingly moved from being a modality confined to the radiology department to an active diagnostic and therapeutic aid available to the head and neck at the point of patient care. However, the application of ultrasonography to the laryngeal disorder is very rare due to progressive age-related ossification of laryngeal cartilage and the presence of air in the lumen, which contribute to difficult conditions for transmission of the ultrasonic waves. The observation about the movements of larynx or surrounding structures is important to understand the physiology of phonation or swallowing and to diagnose the disease. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive and safe imaging technique that can be used to investigate the anatomic structures of the head and neck. Recently, the development of high-frequency ultrasonography makes it possible to apply the ultrasound in the evaluation of larynx.
Deglutition ; Diagnosis ; Head ; Laryngeal Cartilages ; Larynx ; Neck ; Patient Care ; Phonation ; Physiology ; Ultrasonic Waves ; Ultrasonography

To investigate the effect of silencing DJ-1 on xenografted human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) Hep-2 cells in nude mice.Xenograft model of human LSCC was established by subcutaneous transplantation of Hep-2 cells in 24 nude mice. The LSCC-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (=8 in each):DJ-1 siRNA low dose group and DJ-1 siRNA high dose group were injected in tumors with 20 μg of DJ-1 siRNA or 40 μg of DJ-1 siRNA in 50 μL, respectively; control group was injected with 5% glucose solution in 50 μL, twice a week for 3 weeks. The weight and size of tumors were measured before injection. The animals were sacrificed 48 h after the final treatment, and the tumors were harvested and weighed. The apoptosis and proliferation of tumor cells were determined; the expressions of Caspase-3 and Ki-67 in tumor specimens were detected with immunohistochemistry. The expression of DJ-1, PTEN, survivin mRNA and protein in tumor tissues were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.Tumor weight in low dose group[(0.66±0.15)g] and high dose group[(0.48±0.11)g] were significantly lower than that in control group[(0.83±0.16)g, all<0.05]. The inhibition rates of low dose group and high dose group were (20.48±0.18)% and (42.16±0.13)%, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Caspase-3 was increased and Ki-67 was reduced in tumor specimens, compared with the control group (all<0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that in low dose group and high dose group the mRNA and protein expression of DJ-1 and survivin significantly decreased (all<0.05), while PTEN mRNA and protein content increased (all<0.05).High dose DJ-1 siRNA can inhibit the tumor growth in human LSCC xenograft nude mouse model, which indicates that down-regulating DJ-1 and survivin, and up-regulating PTEN expression may lead to blockage of PI3K-PKB/Akt signaling pathway and promoting tumor cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Caspase 3 ; analysis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; chemistry ; drug effects ; physiology ; transplantation ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Heterografts ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; analysis ; drug effects ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; drug effects ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Mice, Nude ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; analysis ; drug effects ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; drug effects ; Protein Deglycase DJ-1 ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; drug effects ; RNA Interference ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology

ObjectiveTo compare and analyze the effects of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with bladder detrusor overactivity.

METHODShis study included 51 cases of BPH with bladder detrusor overactivity treated by TURP and another 58 treated by HoLEP. We evaluated the urination of the two groups of patients during the recovery period and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences in such baseline data as the blood PSA level, prostate volume, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QOL) between the two groups of patients, except in effective bladder capacity, which was higher in the TURP than in the HoLEP group (［315±59］ vs ［287±76］ ml, P<0.05). Urine storage symptoms were obviously improved in both of the groups postoperatively, with the storage symptoms score significantly decreased from 12.6±4.9 preoperatively to 7.5±3.9 at 3 months and 6.1±4.2 at 6 months after surgery in the TURP group (P<0.01) and from 13.7±5.7 to 7.9±4.2 and 7.0±5.1 in the HoLEP group (P<0.01). HoLEP manifested significant advantages over TURP in the postoperative urethral catheterization time (［2.7±0.8］ vs ［5.1±1.2］ d, P<0.05), postoperative bladder contracture time (［4.1±1.9］ vs ［5.8±2.4］ d, P<0.05), postoperative hospital stay (［4.4±1.8］ vs ［5.9±2.5］ d, P<0.05), and improvement of the maximum urinary flow rate, which was increased from (7.9±3.7) ml/s preoperatively to (16.8±4.3) ml/s at 3 months after surgery in the HoLEP group and from (8.6±3.2) ml/s to (14.6±4.3) ml/s in the TURP group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth TURP and HoLEP can improve bladder function and detrusor overactivity in BPH patients, with similar effects in improving urination at 3 to 6 months after surgery. However, HoLEP has more advantages over TURP during the period of postoperative recovery.

Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; surgery ; Urinary Catheterization ; statistics & numerical data ; Urination ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional characteristics of swallowing and to analyze the parameters of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: The medical records of 32 patients with head and neck cancer who were referred for a videofluoroscopic swallowing study from January 2012 to May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were allocated by duration after starting CCRT into early phase (<1 month after radiation therapy) and late phase (>1 month after radiation therapy) groups. We measured the modified penetration aspiration scale (MPAS) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System swallowing scale (ASHA-NOMS). The oral transit time (OTT), pharyngeal delay time (PDT), and pharyngeal transit time (PTT) were recorded to assess the swallowing physiology. RESULTS: Among 32 cases, 18 cases (56%) were of the early phase. In both groups, the most common tumor site was the hypopharynx (43.75%) with a histologic type of squamous cell carcinoma (75%). PTT was significantly longer in the late phase (p=0.03). With all types of boluses, except for soup, both phases showed a statistically significant difference in MPAS results. The mean ASHA-NOMS level for the early phase was 5.83±0.78 and that for the late phase was 3.79±1.80, with statistical significance (p=0.01). The PTT and ASHA-NOMS level showed a statistically significant correlation (correlation coefficient=–0.52, p=0.02). However, it showed no relationship with the MPAS results. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that in the late phase that after CCRT, the OTT, PDT, and PTT were longer than in the early phase and the PTT prolongation was statistically significant. Therefore, swallowing therapy targeting the pharyngeal phase is recommended after CCRT.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Deglutition* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Head* ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Medical Records ; Physiology ; Retrospective Studies