OBJECTIVETo study the changes in cardiopulmonary function induced by mid/long-term simulated microgravity with 6° head down bed rest (HDBR), and the effects of Taikong Yangxin Prescription (, TYP) as a countermeasure.

METHODSFourteen healthy male volunteers were randomly divided into a control group and a Chinese medicine (CM) group (7 in each group) by a random digital table based on their body weight. Both groups underwent 6° HDBR for 60 days. Subjects in the CM group received daily TYP pills and subjects in the control group received daily placebo pills. Cardiac systolic and pumping functions were measured by echocardiography before HDBR; on days 20, 42, and 57 of HDBR; and on day 3 of recovery after HDBR (R+3). Cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity were evaluated before HDBR, on day 29, and on day R+3 by exercise testing.

RESULTSThe heart rate (HR) increased gradually during HDBR. The HR was significantly higher on day 57 than before HDBR in the control group (P<0.05), but did not increase significantly in the CM group. The stroke volume/stroke volume index, ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening tended to decrease over time in the control group, but not in the CM group. These parameters were significantly higher in the CM group than in the control group on day 42 (P<0.05 or <0.01). Exercise testing showed that maximum O2 consumption (VO2max), metabolic equivalents, relative O2 consumption (VO2), O2 pulse, and exercise duration were significantly lower on day 29 than before HDBR in the control group, but not in the CM group.

CONCLUSIONSSixty days of 6° HDBR induced a reduction in cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and reduced cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity. Administration of TYP significantly improved cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and maintained cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity.

Adult ; Bed Rest ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Exercise Test ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Lung ; physiology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the neural representations underlying alternating two acupoint combinations (ACs) are the same or not.

METHODSIn this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, two sets of analgesia ACs were utilized, including Waiguan (TE5) and Qiuxu (GB40) for Group A, and Neiguan (PC6) and Taichong (LR3) for Group B, which are the most commonly adopted in clinical treatment. Each group had 20 healthy subjects. An experimental design was proposed, which consisted of a pre-needling resting phase, a needling phase and a post-needling resting phase. This paradigm optimally mimics the clinical protocol as well as focuses on both the stimulation and the resting periods. The results were subjected to general linear model analysis, conjunction analysis and the functional connectivity analysis.

RESULTSThe rostral anterior cingulated cortex was engaged in the initiative period of the acupuncture effect in both groups, and it was chosen as the seed region for the functional connectivity analysis for the following resting period. The results showed that several shared brain regions were involved in both groups, in particular the insula, amygdala and hypothalamus. Moreover, significant differences were located at the posterior cingulated cortex as revealed by a two sample -test (P<0.05, corrected). Other regions showed no significant differences. This finding was further supported by the spatial correlation analysis that the two groups were significantly correlated (r =0.51, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThis preliminary research helps us understand the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture when following clinical guidelines on ACs, as well as provides an important opportunity to develop better treatment strategies for reducing, or even preventing pain.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Gyrus Cinguli ; physiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nerve Net ; physiology ; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena ; Psychophysics ; Rest ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Statistics as Topic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the age-related changes in resting functional connectivity of the marginal division (MrD) of the neostriatum in healthy adults detected using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

METHODSForty-four healthy volunteers aged between 22 and 44 years (mean 30.36∓6.31 years) and 20 elderly volunteers aged between 48-83 years (mean 61.4∓10.25 years) underwent conventional MRI, 3D structural MRI and rs-fMRI. MrD was defined manually on the structural images for computation of the functional connectivity maps. The single group data were analyzed with independent sample t test, and the data of the two-group were examined by analysis of covariance with gender as the covariance.

RESULTSIn the young volunteers, the brain regions of functional connectivity related with the MrD were located in bilateral middle cingulate gyri, putamen, thalamus and amygdala, as compared with the brain regions of the bilateral putamen, thalamus, amygdala, insular cortex, rolandic operculum and right supramarginal gyrus in the elderly volunteers. Compared with the young volunteers, the elderly volunteers showed decreased functional connectivity related with the MrD in the bilateral middle cingulate gyri, parahippocampal gyri and left hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONAn increased age is associated with alterations in the functional connectivity related with the MrD in healthy adults.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Limbic System ; physiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neural Pathways ; Rest ; Young Adult

Vigilance is defined as the ability to maintain attention or alertness over prolonged periods of time. Since Mid-20th century, following the increasing man-machine communication, high level of vigilance has been demanded in many areas including driving safety, medical care and therapy, aerospace and military affairs, etc. Therefore, finding quick methods to improve the level of vigilance has become a key issue in medical study. Based on physical regulation, chemical regulation and physiological regulation, the research progress has been summarized in this paper. We, furthermore, also try to predict the future trend in this academic area and develop some tentative ideas about seeking more effective and convenient ways to improve the level of brain vigilance.
Arousal ; physiology ; Attention ; Brain ; physiology ; Coffee ; Humans ; Light ; Rest ; physiology ; Sound

OBJECTIVEEnergy metabolism of critically ill children has its own characteristics, especially for those undergoing mechanical ventilation. We tried to assess the energy expenditure status and evaluate the use of predictive equations in such children. Moreover, the characteristics of the energy metabolism among various situation were explored.

METHODFifty critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation were selected in this study. Data produced during the 24 hours of mechanical ventilation were collected for computation of severity of illness. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined at 24 hours after mechanical ventilation (MREE). Predictive resting energy expenditure (PREE) was calculated for each subject using age-appropriate equations (Schofield-HTWT, White). The study was approved by the hospital medical ethics committee and obtained parental written informed consent.

RESULTThe pediatric risk of mortality score 3 (PRISM3) and pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) were (7 ± 3) and (82 ± 4), respectively. MREE, Schofield-HTWT equation PREE and White equation PREE were (404.80 ± 178.28), (462.82 ± 160.38) and (427.97 ± 152.30) kcal/d, respectively; 70% were hypometabolic and 10% were hypermetabolic. MREE and PREE which were calculated using Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation, both were higher than MREE (P = 0.029). Correlation analysis was performed between PRISM3 and PCIS with MREE. There were no statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hypometabolic response is apparent in critically ill children with mechanical ventilation; Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation could not predict energy requirements within acceptable clinical accuracy. In critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation, the energy expenditure is not correlated with the severity of illness.

Basal Metabolism ; physiology ; Body Weight ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; Oxygen Consumption ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rest ; physiology ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVE: Resting-state networks (RSNs), including the default mode network (DMN), have been considered as markers of brain status such as consciousness, developmental change, and treatment effects. The consistency of functional connectivity among RSNs has not been fully explored, especially among resting-state-related independent components (RSICs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This resting-state fMRI study addressed the consistency of functional connectivity among RSICs as well as their spatial consistency between 'at day 1' and 'after 4 weeks' in 13 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: We found that most RSICs, especially the DMN, are reproducible across time, whereas some RSICs were variable in either their spatial characteristics or their functional connectivity. Relatively low spatial consistency was found in the basal ganglia, a parietal region of left frontoparietal network, and the supplementary motor area. The functional connectivity between two independent components, the bilateral angular/supramarginal gyri/intraparietal lobule and bilateral middle temporal/occipital gyri, was decreased across time regardless of the correlation analysis method employed, (Pearson's or partial correlation). CONCLUSION: RSICs showing variable consistency are different between spatial characteristics and functional connectivity. To understand the brain as a dynamic network, we recommend further investigation of both changes in the activation of specific regions and the modulation of functional connectivity in the brain network.
Brain/*physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Neural Pathways/*physiology ; Regression Analysis ; Rest/*physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the recovery duration of manual lifting tasks.

METHODS30 college student volunteers with gender equally distributed were involved in the simulated stoop-, squart- and semi squart-lifting tasks in the laboratory. Signals of electromyography (EMG) at the back muscles (left and right thorax m. erector spinae, LT(10) and RT(10); left and right lumbar m. erector spinae, LL(3) and RL(3)) and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded during the rest intervals. The percentage of maximum voluntary electrical activation (MVE%), EMG median frequency (MF), and heart rate (HR) were analyzed to predict the recovery time required.

RESULTSDuring the break, MVE% at 4 back muscles of all the male subjects were recovered to resting level within 5 minutes and 91.8% were within 2 minutes. Except for RL(3) after squat- and stoop-lifting task, the MVE% of female subjects went back to resting level within 3 minutes and 67.8% were within 2 minutes. The MF of male subjects were recovered in 10 minutes and 74.9% within 2 minutes, with the exception of RL(3) after stoop- and squat-lifting tasks. All the female MF were recovered in 8 minutes and 83.4% were within 2 minutes. However, during the last 20 minute break after the lifting tasks, the MVE% and MF of all male and female subjects were recovered, while HR came back to resting level within 14 and 5 minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSFor the three manual lifting tasks with 25% MVC workload lasting for 4.5 min, a break of 15 minutes is sufficient for most erectors spinae to recover from local muscle load. However, in terms of the HR, a break of 15 minutes is enough for the recovery of systematic load.

Adult ; Back ; Electrocardiography ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Lifting ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Posture ; Rest ; physiology ; Weight-Bearing ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: In this study rest-activity rhythm, sleep pattern and quality of life of patients with restless legs syndrome were compared with those of a normal group. METHODS: The participants in this study were 36 patients with restless legs syndrome diagnosed by a neurologist and 36 participants in the normal group. An actigraph, sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index scale were used as measurement tools for the study. Chi-square test, Lamda test, t-test and Kendall's correlation with SPSS 12.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Patients with restless legs syndrome had a higher rest-activity rhythm curve of Least 5 hr's activity (L5) and Most 10 hr's activity (M10) than those of normal group and sleep problems included decreased sleep efficiency and increased sleep latency, wake time and number of awakenings. The scores for the subscales of quality of life in patients with restless legs syndrome were lower than the normal group for general health, physical functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, role limitation due to physical problems, social functioning, bodily pain, vitality and mental health. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that further studies are needed to identify rest-activity rhythm according to symptom severity and to develop nursing interventions which consider rest-activity rhythm.
Adult ; Aged ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Quality of Life ; *Rest ; Restless Legs Syndrome/*psychology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sleep/*physiology

OBJECTIVETo measure the energy expenditure of reading and watching TV for young women.

METHODSAll 30 girls in the college were selected according to questionnaire, medical examination, blood test, liver function and thyroid gland level. Energy expenditure of reading and watching TV was measured respectively by the Cosmid K4b2 portable gas analysis system from Italy. Basic metabolic rate (BMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were measured as to analyzing results conveniently.

RESULTSThe energy expenditure in reading was (226.35 +/- 56.07) kJ/h and the heart rate was (69 +/- 5) bmp. For watching TV it was (220.79 +/- 65.69) kJ/h and the heart rate was (68 +/- 5) bmp. BMR was (178.53 +/- 53.51) kJ/h and the heart rate was (62 +/- 6) bmp. RMR was (214.76 +/- 44.56) kJ/h and the heart rate was (65 +/- 6) bpm.

CONCLUSIONSThe energy expenditure in reading should be higher than that of watching TV, however, the difference was not obvious. The expenditure rates might get closer to those of RMR. It might be regarded as an expenditure of very light physical active in Chinese.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Basal Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Reading ; Rest ; physiology ; Television

OBJECTIVETo assess functional relationship by calculating inter- and intra-hemispheric electroencephalography (EEG) coherence at rest and during a working memory task of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODSThe sample consisted of 69 subjects: 35 patients (n=17 males, n=18 females; 52-71 years old) and 34 normal controls (n=17 males, n=17 females; 51~63 years old). Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) of two groups revealed that the scores of MCI patients did not differ significantly from those of normal controls (P>0.05). In EEG recording, subjects were performed at rest and during working memory task. EEG signals from F3-F4, C3-C4, P3-P4, T5-T6 and O1-O2 electrode pairs are resulted from the inter-hemispheric action, and EEG signals from F3-C3, F4-C4, C3-P3, C4-P4, P3-O1, P4-O2, T5-C3, T6-C4, T5-P3 and T6-P4 electrode pairs are resulted from the intra-hemispheric action for delta (1.0-3.5 Hz), theta (4.0-7.5 Hz), alpha-1 (8.0-10.0 Hz), alpha-2 (10.5-13.0 Hz), beta-1 (13.5-18.0 Hz) and beta-2 (18.5-30.0 Hz) frequency bands. The influence of inter- and intra-hemispheric coherence on EEG activity with eyes closed was examined using fast Fourier transformation from the 16 sampled channels.

RESULTSDuring working memory tasks, the inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences in all bands were significantly higher in the MCI group in comparison with those in the control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences between two groups at rest.

CONCLUSIONExperimental results comprise evidence that MCI patients have higher degree of functional connectivity between hemispheres and in hemispheres during working condition. It suggests that MCI may be associated with compensatory processes during working memory tasks between hemispheres and in hemispheres. Moreover, failure of normal cortical connections may exist in MCI patients.

Aged ; Cognition Disorders ; physiopathology ; Electrodes ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Rest ; physiology