Inspiratory effort and respiratory muscle activation during different breathing conditions in patients with weaning difficulties: An exploratory study.

Background: Recent studies suggest that fast and deep inspirations against either low or high external loads may provide patients with weaning difficulties with a training stimulus during inspiratory muscle training (IMT). However, the relationship between external IMT load, reflected by changes in airway pressure swings (ΔPaw), and total inspiratory effort, measured by oesophageal pressure swings (ΔPes), remains unexplored. Additionally, the association between ΔPes, ΔPaw, and inspiratory muscle activations remains unclear.

Respiratory muscle dysfunction in acute and chronic respiratory failure: how to diagnose and how to treat?

Assessing and treating respiratory muscle dysfunction is crucial for patients with both acute and chronic respiratory failure. Respiratory muscle dysfunction can contribute to the onset of respiratory failure and may also worsen due to interventions aimed at treatment. Evaluating respiratory muscle function is particularly valuable for diagnosing, phenotyping and assessing treatment efficacy in these patients.

Similar Weaning Success Rate with High-Intensity and Sham Inspiratory Muscle Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial (IMweanT).

Rationale: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves respiratory muscle function in patients with weaning difficulties. IMT protocols involve performing daily sets of breaths against external loads. However, the impact of IMT on weaning outcomes while incorporating sham control interventions remains unclear.

Clinical implications of frailty assessed in hospitalized patients with acute-exacerbation of interstitial lung disease.

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) experience frailty, which remains unexplored in acute exacerbations of ILD (AE-ILD). A better understanding may help with prognostication and resource planning. We evaluated the association of frailty with clinical characteristics, physical function, hospital outcomes, and post-AE-ILD recovery.

Accuracy of respiratory muscle assessments to predict weaning outcomes: a systematic review and comparative meta-analysis.

Background: Several bedside assessments are used to evaluate respiratory muscle function and to predict weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients on the intensive care unit. It remains unclear which assessments perform best in predicting weaning success. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and compare the accuracy of the following assessments to predict weaning success: maximal inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory pressures, diaphragm thickening fraction and excursion (DTF and DE), end-expiratory (Tdi) and end-inspiratory (Tdi) diaphragm thickness, airway occlusion pressure (P0.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on exertional breathlessness in patients with unilateral diaphragm dysfunction: a randomised trial.

Background: Unilateral diaphragm dysfunction (UDD) is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnoea. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is the only conservative treatment for UDD, but the mechanisms of improvement are unknown. We characterised the effects of IMT on dyspnoea, exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle function in people with UDD.

Occurrence Rate and Outcomes of Weaning Groups According to a Refined Weaning Classification: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objectives: The weaning according to a new definition (WIND) classification groups mechanically ventilated (MV) patients into "short weaning," "difficult weaning," "prolonged weaning," and "no weaning." The aims of the study were: 1) to describe the weaning group distribution, 2) to evaluate if "short weaning" patients can be divided into groups with distinct characteristics and outcomes depending on the MV duration, and 3) to study 1-year outcomes related to weaning groups.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Do Cerebral Cortex Perfusion, Oxygen Delivery, and Oxygen Saturation Responses Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Differ Between Patients Who Fail or Succeed in a Spontaneous Breathing Trial? A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Alterations in perfusion to the brain during the transition from mechanical ventilation (MV) to a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) remain poorly understood. The aim of the study was to determine whether changes in cerebral cortex perfusion, oxygen delivery (DO), and oxygen saturation (%StiO) during the transition from MV to an SBT differ between patients who succeed or fail an SBT.

Methods: This was a single-center prospective observational study conducted in a 16-bed medical intensive care unit of the University Hospital Leuven, Belgium.

Comparing two types of loading during inspiratory muscle training in patients with weaning difficulties: An exploratory study.

Background: Inspiratory muscle training improves respiratory muscle function and may improve weaning outcomes in patients with weaning difficulties. Compared to the commonly used pressure threshold loading, tapered flow resistive loading better accommodates pressure-volume relationships of the respiratory muscles, which might help to facilitate application of external loads and optimise training responses.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare acute breathing pattern responses and perceived symptoms during an inspiratory muscle training session performed against identical external loading provided as pressure threshold loading or as tapered flow resistive loading.

Complementarity of mDSC, DMA, and DRS Techniques in the Study of and Sub- Transitions in Amorphous Solids: PVPVA, Indomethacin, and Amorphous Solid Dispersions Based on Indomethacin/PVPVA.

Recently, glasses, a subset of amorphous solids, have gained attention in various fields, such as polymer chemistry, optical fibers, and pharmaceuticals. One of their characteristic features, the glass transition temperature () which is absent in 100% crystalline materials, influences several material properties, such as free volume, enthalpy, viscosity, thermodynamic transitions, molecular motions, physical stability, mechanical properties, etc. In addition to , there may be several other temperature-dependent transitions known as sub- transitions (or β-, γ-, and δ-relaxations) which are identified by specific analytical techniques.

High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Scalene and Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Oxygenation Parameters in Patients With Weaning Difficulties: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Critically ill patients who have difficulties weaning from the mechanical ventilator are prone to develop respiratory muscle weakness. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can improve respiratory muscle strength. Whether IMT can improve scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscle oxygenation parameters is unknown.

A ROR2 coding variant is associated with craniofacial variation in domestic pigeons.

Vertebrate craniofacial morphogenesis is a highly orchestrated process that is directed by evolutionarily conserved developmental pathways. Within species, canalized development typically produces modest morphological variation. However, as a result of millennia of artificial selection, the domestic pigeon displays radical craniofacial variation within a single species.

Measurement validity of an electronic training device to assess breathing characteristics during inspiratory muscle training in patients with weaning difficulties.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves respiratory muscle function and might enhance weaning outcomes in patients with weaning difficulties. An electronic inspiratory loading device provides valid, automatically processed information on breathing characteristics during IMT sessions. Adherence to and quality of IMT, as reflected by work of breathing and power generated by inspiratory muscles, are related to improvements in inspiratory muscle function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Training Specificity of Inspiratory Muscle Training Methods: A Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) protocols are typically performed using pressure threshold loading with inspirations initiated from residual volume (RV). We aimed to compare effects of three different IMT protocols on maximal inspiratory pressures (PImax) and maximal inspiratory flow (V̇Imax) at three different lung volumes. We hypothesized that threshold loading performed from functional residual capacity (FRC) or tapered flow resistive loading (initiated from RV) would improve inspiratory muscle function over a larger range of lung volumes in comparison with the standard protocol.

Early mobilization in clinical practice: the reliability and feasibility of the 'Start To Move' Protocol.

Purpose: The properties of a local Intensive Care Unit early mobilization protocol ('Start To Move As Soon As Possible') in critically ill patients, consisting of an objective diagnostic assessment linked to six treatment levels were evaluated. This study aimed to investigate whether the protocol can be reliably applied by different health-care providers (reliability), to examine the associations between prescribed and delivered treatments (feasibility) and to explore safety and patient satisfaction with the protocol.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study evaluating the reliability of the protocol between physiotherapist was evaluated with Cohen's kappa, percentage of agreement, and intraclass correlation coefficients in 61 patients.

A copy number variant is associated with a spectrum of pigmentation patterns in the rock pigeon (Columba livia).

Rock pigeons (Columba livia) display an extraordinary array of pigment pattern variation. One such pattern, Almond, is characterized by a variegated patchwork of plumage colors that are distributed in an apparently random manner. Almond is a sex-linked, semi-dominant trait controlled by the classical Stipper (St) locus.

Cerebral cortex and respiratory muscles perfusion during spontaneous breathing attempts in ventilated patients and its relation to weaning outcomes: a protocol for a prospective observational study.

Introduction: In addition to the well-documented factors that contribute to weaning failure, increased energy demands of the respiratory muscles during spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) might not be met by sufficient increases in energy supplies. This discrepancy may deprive blood and oxygen of other tissues. In this context, restrictions in perfusion of splanchnic organs and non-working muscles during SBT have been associated with weaning failure.

Pigeon foot feathering reveals conserved limb identity networks.

The tetrapod limb is a stunning example of evolutionary diversity, with dramatic variation not only among distantly related species, but also between the serially homologous forelimbs (FLs) and hindlimbs (HLs) within species. Despite this variation, highly conserved genetic and developmental programs underlie limb development and identity in all tetrapods, raising the question of how limb diversification is generated from a conserved toolkit. In some breeds of domestic pigeon, shifts in the expression of two conserved limb identity transcription factors, PITX1 and TBX5, are associated with the formation of feathered HLs with partial FL identity.

Associations of Sedentary Behavior and Abdominal Muscle Density: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Sedentary behaviors (SB) may exacerbate loss of muscle mass and function, independent of physical activity levels. This study examined the associations of SB with abdominal muscle area and density, a marker of muscle quality, in adults.

Methods: A total of 1895 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis completed detailed health history, physical activity and SB questionnaires, computed tomography to quantify body composition, and measurements of inflammatory markers.

Can inspiratory muscle training improve weaning outcomes in difficult to wean patients? A protocol for a randomised controlled trial (IMweanT study).

Introduction: Respiratory muscle dysfunction has been associated with failure to wean from mechanical ventilation. It has therefore been hypothesised that these patients might benefit from inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Evidence, however, is thus far limited to data from small, single-centre studies with heterogeneity in inclusion criteria, training modalities and outcomes.

Associations of Abdominal Muscle Area and Radiodensity with Adiponectin and Leptin: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective: This study examined the associations of muscle area and radiodensity with adiponectin and leptin.

Methods: A total of 1,944 participants who enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition and measurements of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and resistin.

Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 64.

Abdominal Muscle Density Is Inversely Related to Adiposity Inflammatory Mediators.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle is the largest regulator of glucose metabolism, but few population-based studies have examined the associations between muscle and inflammation. We studied the relationships between abdominal muscle area and density with selected adiposity-associated inflammatory mediators.

Methods: Nearly 2000 subjects underwent computed tomography of the abdomen and had venous fasting blood drawn concomitantly.

Genomic determinants of epidermal appendage patterning and structure in domestic birds.

Variation in regional identity, patterning, and structure of epidermal appendages contributes to skin diversity among many vertebrate groups, and is perhaps most striking in birds. In pioneering work on epidermal appendage patterning, John Saunders and his contemporaries took advantage of epidermal appendage diversity within and among domestic chicken breeds to establish the importance of mesoderm-ectoderm signaling in determining skin patterning. Diversity in chickens and other domestic birds, including pigeons, is driving a new wave of research to dissect the molecular genetic basis of epidermal appendage patterning.