Functional hubs with disproportionately extensive connectivities play a crucial role in global information integration in human brain networks. However, most resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) studies have identified functional hubs by examining spontaneous fluctuations of the blood oxygen level-dependent signal within a typical low-frequency band (e.g., 0.01-0.08 Hz or 0.01-0.1 Hz). Little is known about how the spatial distributions of functional hubs depend on frequency bands of interest. Here, we used repeatedly measured R-fMRI data from 53 healthy young adults and a degree centrality analysis to identify voxelwise frequency-resolved functional hubs and further examined their test-retest reliability across two sessions. We showed that a wide-range frequency band (0.01-0.24 Hz) accessible with a typical sampling rate (f_sample = 0.5 Hz) could be classified into three frequency bands with distinct patterns, namely, low-frequency (LF, 0.01-0.06 Hz), middle-frequency (MF, 0.06-0.16 Hz), and high-frequency (HF, 0.16-0.24 Hz) bands. The functional hubs were mainly located in the medial and lateral frontal and parietal cortices in the LF band, and in the medial prefrontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, and several cerebellar regions in the MF and HF bands. These hub regions exhibited fair to good test-retest reliability, regardless of the frequency band. The presence of the three frequency bands was well replicated using an independent R-fMRI dataset from 45 healthy young adults. Our findings demonstrate reliable frequency-resolved functional connectivity hubs in three categories, thus providing insights into the frequency-specific connectome organization in healthy and disordered brains.
Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Connectome/methods* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rest ; Young Adult

Public health crises, such as the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since Dec. 2019, are widely acknowledged as severe traumatic events that impose threats not only because of physical concerns but also because of the psychological distress of infected patients. We designed an internet-based integrated intervention and evaluated its efficacy on depression and anxiety symptoms in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2.
Adult ; Anxiety ; therapy ; Betacoronavirus ; Cell Phone ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; psychology ; Depression ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Internet ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mindfulness ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; psychology ; Prospective Studies ; Psychological Distress ; Relaxation Therapy ; Self Care ; methods

The aim in this literature review was (1) to explore the physiologically and psychologically therapeutic benefits of forest bathing on adults suffering from pre-hypertension or hypertension, and (2) to identify the type, duration, and frequency of an effective forest bathing intervention in the management of pre-hypertension and hypertension, so as to provide directions for future interventions or research. The electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsyINFO, and the China Academic Journals (CAJ) offered through the Full-text Database (CNKI) were searched for relevant studies published from the inception of the databases to April 2019. Of the 364 articles that were identified, 14 met the criteria for inclusion in this review. The synthesis of the findings in the included studies revealed that forest bathing interventions were effective at reducing blood pressure, lowering pulse rate, increasing the power of heart rate variability (HRV), improving cardiac-pulmonary parameters, and metabolic function, inducing a positive mood, reducing anxiety levels, and improving the quality of life of pre-hypertensive or hypertensive participants. Forest walking and forest therapy programs were the two most effective forest bathing interventions. Studies reported that practicing a single forest walking or forest therapy program can produce short-term physiological and psychological benefits. It is concluded that forest bathing, particularly forest walking and therapy, has physiologically and psychologically relaxing effects on middle-aged and elderly people with pre-hypertension and hypertension.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Forests ; Humans ; Hypertension ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prehypertension ; prevention & control ; Relaxation Therapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

Arthritis of hip joints deteriorates the quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Secondary to the articular inflammatory process, the shortened hip-girdle muscles contribute to the decreased joint mobility which may lead to the functional impairment. As the limitation of range of motion (ROM) usually progress slowly, clinicians regard it as a chronic condition and prescribe long-term therapy. However, by short-term intensive multimodal treatment, a 20-year-old man diagnosed as AS with severely limited hip joint ROM who relied on crutches doubled the joint angle and could walk independently only within 2 weeks. The combination included intra-articular steroid injection, electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, heat, manual therapy, and stretching exercises. The management focused on the relaxation of hip-girdle muscles as well as the direct control of intra-articular inflammation. Hereby, we emphasize the effectiveness of intensive multimodal treatment in improving the function even within a short period.
Arthritis ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Crutches ; Exercise ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscles ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Quality of Life ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Relaxation ; Shock ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Young Adult

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a persistent chronic skin condition that is characterized by reticulated macular hyperpigmented lesions caused by repeated exposure to infrared radiation. EAI has reemerged in recent years because of the increasing infrared exposure due to the use of new technologies, such as portable computers and automobile seat heaters. We report a case of a 54-year-old female patient presenting with asymptomatic mottled brownish plaque on both sides of her neck for 1 month prior to the visit. Patient history revealed that she had used a home skincare device for skin rejuvenation and relaxation. The clinicopathological features suggested a diagnosis of EAI. To our knowledge, there has only been one reported case of EAI on the neck related to a thermal pillow, and this was the first case of EAI related to the self-skincare devices. Herein, we report a rare case of EAI presenting on both sides of the neck due to the use of a modern home skincare device.
Automobiles ; Diagnosis ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Rejuvenation ; Relaxation ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy or preterm labor. The current study was conducted to investigate the relaxant effects of nicardipine on the isolated uterine smooth muscle of the pregnant rat.METHODS: We obtained uterine smooth muscle strips from pregnant female SD rats. After uterine contraction with oxytocin 10 mU/ml, we added nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) accumulatively every 20 min. We recorded active tension and frequency of contraction, and calculated EC₅ (effective concentration of 5% reduction), EC₂₅, EC₅₀, EC₇₅, and EC₉₅ of active tension and frequency of contraction using a probit model.RESULTS: Nicardipine (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁸ M) decreased active tension and frequency of contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of active tension of the uterine smooth muscle were 2.41 × 10⁻¹⁰ M and 3.06 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The EC₅₀ and EC₉₅ of nicardipine in the inhibition of frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle were 9.04 × 10⁻¹¹ and 4.18 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Nicardipine relaxed and decreased the frequency of contraction of the uterine smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent pattern. It might be possible to adjust the clinical dosage of nicardipine in the obstetric field based on our results, but further clinical studies are needed to confirm them.
Animals ; Calcium Channels ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nicardipine ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Relaxation ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effect of behavioral relaxation training on distress and cancer screening intention of patients with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.METHODS: The research was conducted in a non-equivalent control group posttest design. Data were collected from endoscopy subjects in B city from October to November of 2018. Fifteen minutes of behavioral relaxation training were provided to the experimental group (n=40) and traditional relaxation therapy methods were provided to the control group (n=40). Outcome measures were distress and cancer screening intention of patients with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Data were analyzed with a χ²-test, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test with SPSS/PC version 23.0.RESULTS: The objective discomfort (t=8.81, p<.001) of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group; there were no significant differences in the subjective discomfort (t=1.73, p=.088). The cancer screening intention (t=−5.85, p<.001) of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group.CONCLUSION: Behavioral relaxation training was effective in heightening cancer screening intention. Therefore it can be usefully applied to increase cancer screening intention.
Early Detection of Cancer ; Education ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Intention ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Relaxation Therapy ; Relaxation

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of Static stretching and Mulligan's Two-leg rotation about the Hamstring flexibility, Hip range of motion, and pain.METHODS: The subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: Static stretching group (n=13) and Mulligan's two leg rotation group (n=14). The study was designed with stretching protocols for four minutes and thirty seconds per day five times a week for three weeks in total. Measurements, including the Sit and reach test, Active/Passive Straight leg raise, and Visual analogue scale, were conducted before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test.RESULTS: The flexibility of the two leg rotation group was higher than the static stretching group after the intervention. The post-sit and reach test value of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than the pre-sit and reach test value of the static stretching group. In addition, the variance of the sit and reach test of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than that of the static stretching group.CONCLUSION: These results showed that two leg rotation techniques have a positive effect on the changes in the sit and reach test and active straight leg raise test. Two leg rotation techniques can be recommended as a self-stretching and easier way to stabilize the lumbopelvic rhythm, reduce the stiffness of the muscle and relieve pain. This is effective in preventing muscle damage, enabling muscle relaxation and reducing the risk of injury to the spine during daily lives and in sports activities.
Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle Stretching Exercises ; Pliability ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine ; Sports ; Young Adult

Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by absence of peristalsis and failure of relaxation of lower esophagus sphincter. The introduction of high resolution manometry (HRM) and per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has made a new chapter in diagnosis and treatment of achalasia. HRM allows classify according to the subtype of achalasia, and help predict prognosis and therapeutic response. POEM is a minimally invasive, effective option for treating achalasia. The management of achalasia required tailored application of various therapies such as botox injection, pneumatic balloon dilatation, POEM, or Heller's myotomy. In this review, we state the important aspects of diagnosis as well as management of achalasia.
Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophagus ; Manometry ; Peristalsis ; Prognosis ; Relaxation

The Chicago classification (CC) defines an esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) as the presence of several instances of intact or weak peristalsis, elevated median integrated relaxation pressure above 15 mmHg, and a discrepancy from the criteria of achalasia. The revised CC addresses the potential etiology of EGJOO, including the early forms of achalasia, mechanical obstruction, esophageal wall stiffness, or manifestation of hiatal hernia. A 58-year-old woman visited the Presbyterian Medical Center with swallowing difficulty. The patient underwent a high resolution manometry (HRM) examination and was diagnosed with EGJOO. Chest CT was performed to exclude a mechanical obstruction as a cause, and CT revealed a subepithelial tumor (SET) at the upper part of the esophagogastric junction. Therefore, laparoscopic surgery was performed and eccentric muscular hypertrophy of the distal esophagus was observed. Longitudinal myotomy and Dor fundoplication were also performed. The histology findings of the surgical specimens were consistent with achalasia. This paper reports a case of early achalasia that was finally diagnosed by the histology findings, but was initially diagnosed as EGJOO using HRM and misdiagnosed as SET in the image study.
Classification ; Deglutition ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fundoplication ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Laparoscopy ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Peristalsis ; Protestantism ; Relaxation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed