Plasma Lipid Profiling Identifies Phosphatidylcholine 34:3 and Triglyceride 52:3 as Potential Markers Associated with Disease Severity and Oxidative Status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: To identify plasma alterations in lipid species in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as, relationships with smoking status, oxidative and inflammatory markers.

Methods: Plasma was obtained from 100 patients with COPD and 120 healthy controls. Pulmonary function was assessed by plethysmography.

Anthropometric, Psychosocial, Physiological, and Postural Observances During Ramadan in Men With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This study aimed to carry out a Ramadan observance (RO) on anthropometric, psychosocial, physiological, and postural characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty COPD patients were evaluated. Tests performed 1 week before Ramadan (C), and during the second (R-2) and the fourth weeks of Ramadan (R-4) included standard anthropometry, spirometry, a quality of life questionnaire (VQ11), a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), measurement of maximal voluntary contraction force of the quadriceps (MVC), Timed Get Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Unipedal Stance (UST).

MMPs and TIMPs levels are correlated with anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and endothelial function in obesity.

The association between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and obesity as well as obesity-related disease including metabolic syndrome is not fully explored. Our aims are that: (i) to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and their ratios in non-obese people, overweight and obese people with or without metabolic syndrome, (ii) to investigate correlations between MMPs or TIMPs levels and several anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, endothelial function. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined in 479 randomly selected participants, subdividing according to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome status.

Effects of specific inspiratory muscle training combined with whole-body endurance training program on balance in COPD patients: Randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with endurance training (ET) on balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We studied 32 male patients (62 ± 6 years) with moderate to very severe COPD. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (IMT+ET) n = 16 or a control group (ET) n = 16 with similar characteristics.

Acute Exercise and Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Many studies have shown the impact of acute aerobic exercises (AAE) on cognition in healthy adults or at a pre-dementia stage. Few studies, however, have explored the positive effects of AAE in moderate Alzheimer's disease (ADM) patients.

Objective: Evaluating the effect of AAE on cognitive functions in ADM patients.