The Influence of Lung Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength on Quadriceps Muscle Fatigability in COPD Patients Under Long-term Oxygen Therapy.

Background: This research investigates quadriceps muscle fatigability (MF) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) at different levels of lung obstruction [severe obstruction (SO)=FEV <50% and >30% versus very severe obstruction (VSO)=FEV ≤30%]. It explores the relationships between quadriceps MF and lung function, respiratory muscles, and oxygenation status.

Methods: A post hoc cross-over analysis in 45 COPD patients (20 SO and 25 VSO) undergoing long-term oxygen therapy was performed.

Upper-limb interval constant-load exercise in patients with COPD: a physiological crossover study.

Objective: Upper-limb exercise is recommended for patients with COPD, albeit there are limited data concerning the optimal modality to implement. We compared interval (INT-EX) to continuous (CONT-EX) upper-limb exercise in terms of exercise tolerance, ventilatory and metabolic responses when both conditions were sustained at an equivalent work rate.

Methods: 26 stable COPD patients undertook three upper-limb exercise sessions to initially establish peak work rate (PWR) an incremental exercise test and subsequently two equivalent work rate tests to the limit tolerance in balanced order: 1) INT-EX consisting of 30-s work at 100% PWR interspersed with 30-s work at 40% of PWR; and 2) CONT-EX at 70% PWR.

Evaluating long-term smell or taste dysfunction in mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients: a 3-year follow-up study.

Introduction: No studies have reported data on 3-year prevalence and recovery rates of self-reported COVID-19-related olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to estimate the 3-year prevalence and recovery rate of self-reported COVID-19-related chemosensory dysfunction in a cohort of patients with antecedent mild COVID-19.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study, measuring the prevalence of altered sense of smell or taste at follow-up and their variation from baseline, on adult patients consecutively assessed at Treviso and Trieste University Hospitals, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by polymerase chain reaction during March 2020.

Comparison between conventional and neuronavigated strategies to assess corticospinal responsiveness in unfatigued and fatigued knee-extensor muscles.

In studying neuromuscular fatigability, researchers commonly use functional criteria to position and hold the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil during testing sessions. This could influence the magnitude of corticospinal excitability and inhibition responses due to imprecise and unsteady positions of the coil. To reduce coil position and orientation variability, neuronavigated TMS (nTMS) could be used.

Concurrent metaboreflex activation increases chronotropic and ventilatory responses to passive leg movement without sex-related differences.

Previous studies in animal models showed that exercise-induced metabolites accumulation may sensitize the mechanoreflex-induced response. The aim of this study was to assess whether the magnitude of the central hemodynamic and ventilatory adjustments evoked by isolated stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in humans are influenced by the prior accumulation of metabolic byproducts in the muscle. 10 males and 10 females performed two exercise bouts consisting of 5-min of intermittent isometric knee-extensions performed 10% above the previously determined critical force.

Hybrid Funnel Technique: A Novel Approach for Implant Site Preparation: A Pilot Study.

(1) Background: Different techniques and tools have been developed for implant site preparation. In this clinical scenario, Hybrid Funnel Technique (HFT), a novel osteotomy procedure, has been proposed. (2) Aim: The aim of this retrospective observational study was to consider the different responses to compression of the histological bony compartments (cancellus and cortical).

Prior Involvement of Central Motor Drive Does Not Impact Performance and Neuromuscular Fatigue in a Subsequent Endurance Task.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether central motor drive during fatiguing exercise plays a role in determining performance and the development of neuromuscular fatigue during a subsequent endurance task.

Methods: On separate days, 10 males completed three constant-load (80% peak power output), single-leg knee-extension trials to task failure in a randomized fashion. One trial was performed without preexisting quadriceps fatigue (CON), and two trials were performed with preexisting quadriceps fatigue induced either by voluntary (VOL; involving central motor drive) or electrically evoked (EVO; without central motor drive) quadriceps contractions (~20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)).