Morphology of the esophago–duodenal anastomotic region after total gastrectomy: early changes

Total gastrectomy is considered to be a major treatment for gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of total gastrectomy on the esophago–duodenal anastomotic region morphology along with the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) immunoreactivity during the early period. A series of rats underwent total gastrectomy via esophago–duodenostomy. Thirty days postoperatively, the morphology of the esophago–duodenal anastomotic region was determined at the light and electron microscopical levels. Esophago-duodenal anastomotic region samples were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and colloidal iron-PAS. In addition, CEA immunolocalization was also investigated. In the duodenal site of the anastomotic region, there were intervillous fusions along with a decrease in villous height and goblet cell secretory activity. There were neoplastic glands in the submucosa of esophagus and duodenum and their secretions were PAS positive. CEA immunoreactivity was observed widely in the cellular membrane surface surrounding the neoplastic glands, in their products, and in the connective tissue of the glands. It is likely that total gastrectomy causes adverse morphological changes throughout the esophago–duodenal anastomotic region. Strong CEA immunoreactivity may be a relevant marker for potential anastomotic region cancer in the early postoperative period after total gastrectomy.     

The association between antibiotic use and resistance: the role of secondary antibiotics

Using susceptibility rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae over time as markers, we assessed the significance of the change of susceptibility rates to imipenem, ceftriaxone, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin over time and the relationship to antibiotic use for the period 2000–2006. Antibiotic use–susceptibility relationships were assessed using longitudinal regression analysis. The variables “time” and define daily doses (DDD)/1,000 patient days for the specific drug related to the susceptibility rates of that particular model’s dependent variable were considered as the main effects, with significance determined at the 0.05 level. Decreases in susceptibility of the target organisms were common over the period of observation. Decreasing susceptibility trends over time were not statistically associated with the primary drug (e.g., organism susceptibility rate to imipenem with imipenem usage). However, secondary drug use was associated with susceptibility rates (e.g., susceptibility of E. cloacae to cefepime with piperacillin/tazobactam usage). These results suggest that antibiotic use–resistance relationships are influenced by the use of secondary antibiotics. Thus, a resistance problem may not be adequately addressed by simply altering the utilization of the primary antibiotic.     

Effect of Gastroenteritis During Pregnancy on Neonatal Outcome

Previous studies have shown that gastrointestinal disease in women during pregnancy may be a risk factor for low-birthweight infants. In the present study, the prevalence of gastroenteritis during pregnancy and its effect on neonatal outcome was examined for each gestational month in 10,597 single-birth mother-infant pairs in the ABIS Project (All Babies in Southeast Sweden). After exclusion of mothers with inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or cow's milk allergy, data on the remaining 10,229 mother-infant pairs were compiled. Overall, 32.5% of the mothers suffered from gastroenteritis during pregnancy (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.5–32.5%). Risk factors included young maternal age (P for trend, <0.001), previous infants (P<0.001), work in a pediatric day-care facility (P=0.004), and experience of a major life event (P=0.027). Binary logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were adopted for the following variables of neonatal outcome: birth week, preterm birth (<37 weeks), birthweight, low birthweight (≤2,499 g), birth length, cesarean section, and hospitalization in a neonatal care unit. Maternal gastroenteritis during month 4 (–0.18 week; 95%CI=–0.36, –0.01 week), month 5 (–0.30 week; 95%CI=–0.49, –0.11 week), or month 7 (–0.18 week; 95%CI=–0.35, –0.01 week) of pregnancy was associated with a shorter pregnancy (adjusted for confounders). Gastroenteritis during part of the pregnancy was associated with a shortened pregnancy, but it had no other adverse effects on neonatal outcome. The reduction in the duration of pregnancy is probably of little clinical relevance. These findings should be confirmed in a prospective study. Electronic Publication     

Genome structure affects the rate of autosyndesis and allosyndesis in AABC,BBAC and CCAB <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis> interspecific hybrids

Gene introgression into allopolyploid crop species from diploid or polyploid ancestors can be accomplished through homologous or homoeologous chromosome pairing during meiosis. We produced trigenomic Brassica interspecific hybrids (genome complements AABC, BBAC and CCAB) from the amphidiploid species Brassica napus (AACC), Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica carinata (BBCC) in order to test whether the structure of each genome affects frequencies of homologous and homoeologous (both allosyndetic and autosyndetic) pairing during meiosis. AABC hybrids produced from three genotypes of B. napus were included to assess the genetic control of homoeologous pairing. Multi-colour fluorescent in situ hybridisation was used to quantify homologous pairing (e.g. A-genome bivalents in AABC), allosyndetic associations (e.g. B–C in AABC) and autosyndetic associations (e.g. B–B in AABC) at meiosis. A high percentage of homologous chromosomes formed pairs (97.5–99.3%), although many pairs were also involved in autosyndetic and allosyndetic associations. Allosyndesis was observed most frequently as A–C genome associations (mean 4.0 per cell) and less frequently as A–B genome associations (0.8 per cell) and B–C genome associations (0.3 per cell). Autosyndesis occurred most frequently in the haploid A genome (0.75 A–A per cell) and least frequently in the haploid B genome (0.13 B–B per cell). The frequency of C–C autosyndesis was greater in BBAC hybrids (0.75 per cell) than in any other hybrid. The frequency of A–B, A–C and B–C allosyndesis was affected by the genomic structure of the trigenomic hybrids. Frequency of allosyndesis was also influenced by the genotype of the B. napus paternal parent for the three AABC (B. juncea × B. napus) hybrid types. Homoeologous pairing between the Brassica A, B and C genomes in interspecific hybrids may be influenced by complex interactions between genome structure and allelic composition.     

Management of Brain Abscesses with Sequential Intravenous/Oral Antibiotic Therapy

 Eight patients with brain abscesses who refused prolonged hospitalisation were treated with a short course (6–12 days) of intravenous antibiotics followed by prolonged treatment (15–19 weeks) with an oral antibiotic regimen consisting of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin. All patients responded favourably as shown clinically and in imaging studies. No severe adverse events or sequelae were noted. On admission all patients had a normal or mildly impaired mental status, abscesses less than 3 cm in diameter and no serious predisposing factors. Although combined surgical/medical treatment remains the standard approach in management of these patients, the findings suggest that oral antibiotic therapy only subsequent to a short course of intravenous antibiotics may be an acceptable alternative in selected cases.     

Regulated acid–base transport in the collecting duct

The renal collecting system serves the fine-tuning of renal acid–base secretion. Acid-secretory type-A intercalated cells secrete protons via a luminally expressed V-type H⁺-ATPase and generate new bicarbonate released by basolateral chloride/bicarbonate exchangers including the AE1 anion exchanger. Efficient proton secretion depends both on the presence of titratable acids (mainly phosphate) and the concomitant secretion of ammonia being titrated to ammonium. Collecting duct ammonium excretion requires the Rhesus protein RhCG as indicated by recent KO studies. Urinary acid secretion by type-A intercalated cells is strongly regulated by various factors among them acid–base status, angiotensin II and aldosterone, and the Calcium-sensing receptor. Moreover, urinary acidification by H⁺-ATPases is modulated indirectly by the activity of the epithelial sodium channel ENaC. Bicarbonate secretion is achieved by non-type-A intercalated cells characterized by the luminal expression of the chloride/bicarbonate exchanger pendrin. Pendrin activity is driven by H⁺-ATPases and may serve both bicarbonate excretion and chloride reabsorption. The activity and expression of pendrin is regulated by different factors including acid–base status, chloride delivery, and angiotensin II and may play a role in NaCl retention and blood pressure regulation. Finally, the relative abundance of type-A and non-type-A intercalated cells may be tightly regulated. Dysregulation of intercalated cell function or abundance causes various syndromes of distal renal tubular acidosis underlining the importance of these processes for acid–base homeostasis.     

The effect of exercise on the production and clearance of testosterone in well trained young men

Summary Tritium-labelled testosterone was infused into four well-trained subjects at rest and during one hour of exercise at about 60% of their maximum aerobic power. This exercise regime led to a mean increase of 27% (range 10–51%) in plasma testosterone concentration. At the same time there were significant decreases in the estimated hepatic plasma flow (EHPF) (45%; range 28–67%), metabolic clearance rate of testosterone (MCR_T) (29%; range 18–37%) and plasma volume (8.2%; range 3–10%). The production rate of testosterone decreased by 10% (range 9–22%) but this was not statistically significant. The ratio MCR_T: EHPF increased in 3 out of 4 subjects in response to exercise but there was considerable inter-subject variation both at rest and during exercise. These findings suggest that the exercise-induced elevation of testosterone level is due solely to the reduction in the rate at which testosterone is cleared from the plasma. The principal cause of the reduction in MCR_T is probably the reduction in EHPF but the variation in the ratio MCR_T: EHPF suggests that changes in the extrahepatic clearance of testosterone may also be involved.     

In vitro and in vivo activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> leaf exudate in experimental visceral leishmaniasis

The leishmanicidal activity of Aloe vera leaf exudate (AVL) has been demonstrated in promastigotes and axenic amastigotes, but its effectiveness in animal models has not been evaluated. The presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, cyanidines, proanthocyanidines, tannins, and saponins in AVL was identified. Its effectiveness in four Leishmania donovani strains was studied both in promastigotes (IC₅₀ ranged from 70–115 μg/ml) and amastigotes (IC₅₀ ranged from 3.1–11.4 μg/ml). In amastigotes, the killing by AVL was facilitated through its induction of nitric oxide in leishmania-infected macrophages. The safety index was good as AVL up to 300 μg/ml remained non-toxic to monocytes and macrophages. In a L. donovani BALB/c mouse model, oral or subcutaneous administration of AVL (15 mg/kg body weight × 5 days) reduced parasitemia by >90% in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow without impairment of hepatic and renal functions. Collectively, we conclude that AVL shows promising antileishmanial activity and may provide a new lead agent in the treatment of Leishmaniasis. Chitra Mandal and Mitali Chatterjee should be considered as joint senior authors.     

Estimation of desvenlafaxine transfer into milk and infant exposure during its use in lactating women with postnatal depression

This study characterises the extent of desvenlafaxine transfer into milk and provides data on infant exposure to desvenlafaxine via breast milk in ten women with postnatal depression and their breastfed infants. Desvenlafaxine concentration in milk and plasma was measured chromatographically in milk and in maternal and infant plasma collected at steady state. Theoretic and relative infant doses via milk were estimated and the per cent drug in infant versus mother’s plasma was calculated. Theoretic infant dose via milk was 85 (53–117) μg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ (mean and 95% confidence interval) and relative infant dose was 6.8% (5.5–8.1%). The ratio of drug in infant/maternal plasma also gave an infant exposure estimate of 4.8% (3.5–6.2%) for all ten infants and 5.3% (4.2–5.7%) in the eight infants who were exclusively breastfed. No adverse effects were seen in the infants. The relative infant dose was similar to that for previous studies using venlafaxine and was supported by a separate exposure measure using the ratio of drug in the infant’s plasma relative to that in the mother’s plasma. The theoretic infant dose of desvenlafaxine was 41–45% of that for venlafaxine and its metabolite desvenlafaxine in previous studies, reflecting the lower recommended maternal dose for desvenlafaxine. Although our data for desvenlafaxine use in lactation are encouraging and there are supporting data from venlafaxine studies, more patients and their infants need to be studied before the safety of desvenlafaxine as a single therapeutic agent can be fully assessed.     

Renovascular and tubular effects of neuropeptide Y are discriminated by PP56 (D-myo-inositol 1,2,6-triphosphate) in anaesthetized rats

 Systemic infusion of neuropeptide Y (NPY; 1 μg kg^–1 min^–1) for 120 min rapidly reduced renal blood flow and increased mean arterial pressure and renovascular resistance and, at later time points (> 30 min), enhanced diuresis, natriuresis and calciuresis in anaesthetized rats. Infusion of the reported NPY antagonist PP56 (D-myo-inositol 1,2,6-triphosphate, 333 mg kg^–1 min^–1) slightly but significantly enhanced renal blood flow and reduced renovascular resistance over the course of the infusion period. Infusion of PP56 together with NPY (starting 30 min prior to the NPY infusion) significantly inhibited NPY-induced alterations of mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow and renovascular resistance. Coinfusion of PP56 also attenuated the renovascular effects of bolus injections of NPY (0.1–10 μg/kg) but at the highest NPY dose the antagonistic effect of PP56 could partially be overcome. In contrast to the antagonism of the vascular NPY effects, infusion of PP56 did not significantly affect NPY-induced enhancements of diuresis, natriuresis and calciuresis. Thus, PP56 is a surmountable antagonist of vascular but not tubular NPY effects. We conclude that tubular NPY effects occur largely independently of alterations of renal haemodynamics. Received: 9 July 1996 / Received after revision: 9 December 1996/ Accepted: 7 January 1997     

Improvement of the detectability of simulated pathological tremour e.m.g.s by means of demodulation and spectral analysis

In e.m.g.s recorded from patients with pathological tremours, the tremour cannot often be recognised by visual inspection. Demodulation of tremour e.m.g.s improves the detectability of the tremour, but the signal-to-noise ratio remains poor. In this study, demodulated artificially generated tremour e.m.g.s and e.m.g.s from a patient with a pathological tremour were subjected to digital spectral analysis. Power spectra, phase and coherence functions of the modulating and demodulated signals were calculated. The result is that the detectability is improved from a modulation depth of 60% in modulated noise to 2–4% after demodulation and spectral analysis. The results suggest a useful application of the demodulator and analysing software to tremour e.m.g.s in clinical practice.     

The ADR-01 dialysis device with dialyzate regeneration: Design and results of preliminary testing

Conclusions 1. The ADR-01 dialysis device with the DIP-02-02 dialyzer (1 m² of “kuprofan” membrane, 500 ml/min perfusate flow rate) under recirculation mode and electrochemical regeneration of 3 liters of perfusate during 3.5–4 h operation provides reduction of concentration of urea and creatinine by 40–60% with the average flow rate of not less than 8 g/h. Such reduction of concentration corresponds to the efficiency of dialysis devices with dialyzate discharge of 100–120 liters per dialysis procedure. The 30–40-fold reduction of dialyzate volume eliminates the necessity for complex, bulky, expensive, and scarce auxiliary equipment for preparation of water and concentrate. 2. During electrochemical regeneration, the ionic content and pH of the perfusate remain practically unchanged: deviation in ion concentrations from their initial levels do not exceed 10%. The KU 2 × 8 chS cationite (sodium form), or klinoptilalite, or their combination is used for removing excessive potassium. With total volume of the sorbents of 0.3–0.5 liters, the average rate of potassium removal is not less than 0.5 g/h. 3. The small volume of dialyzate (only 3 liters) and the opportunity for using the usual non-sterile saline solution as the dialyzate increase the independence of dialysis equipment, simplify its clinical application, and improves the physiological background of dialysis. Dialysis with dialyzate regeneration allows the use of acetate to be avoided, and it can be considered as an alternative for bicarbonate dialysis. Scientific Research Institute for Medical Instrument Engineering and Scientific Center for Surgery, Moscow. Special Design Bureau, Electromechanical Plant “Avangard”, Arzamas-16. L. Ya. Karpov Scientific Research Institute for Physical Chemistry and Scientific Research Institute for Textile and Haberdashery Industry, Moscow. Translated from Meditsinskaya Tekhnika, No. 3, pp. 28–31, May–June, 1993.     

Contraction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis tissue in diabetic nephropathy,as demonstrated in an in vitro fibrosis model

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN) was investigated using an in vitro tissue model of remodeling, to determine the pathogenic mechanism of fibrosis that leads to renal atrophy, i.e., renal failure. The remodeling model consisted of a renal fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL). The overexpression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the diabetic kidney gave rise to FPCL contraction. FPCL relaxation was induced by the subsequent addition of cytochalasin D. The FPCL failed to contract when exposed to TGF-β1 plus Y27632, a Rho kinase inhibitor. TGF-β1 induced the phosphorylation of myosin light chains, and Y27632 blocked this activity. TGF-β1-induced FPCL contraction was suppressed by the addition of 2,3-butanedione monoxime, a myosin ATPase inhibitor. As shown in the video, the contraction rate of the projections of the cells in the FPCL was significantly greater in the TGF-β1 group than in the control group. Collectively, these results indicate that TGF-β1-induced FPCL contraction is attributable to actin–myosin interactions in the fibroblasts through the activation of Rho kinase, the phosphorylation of myosin light chains, and the subsequent activation of myosin ATPase. We propose that via these mechanisms, tubulointerstitial fibrosis generates tissue contraction that leads to renal atrophy and renal failure in DN.     

Exenatide enhances kaliuresis under conditions of hyperkalemia

Experiments on Wistar rats showed that exenatide (0.015–0.5 nmol per 100 g body weight) somewhat increased renal excretion of potassium from 7 ± 1 to 16 ± 1 μmol/h/100 g body weight (p < 0.05) in animals with normal serum concentration of glucose (4.6 ± 0.4 mM) and potassium (4.3 ± 0.1 mM). Exenatide dramatically enhanced excretion of potassium under conditions of hyperkalemia (11.4 ± 0.4 mM) produced by intraperitoneal injection of 1.25% KCl solution (5 ml per 100 g body weight). During the fi rst postinjection hour, potassium excretion increased 2-fold and attained 97 ± 11 μmol/h/100 g body weight in comparison with potassium load alone (47 ± 9 μmol/h/100 g body weight, p < 0.05). The data attest to a possible role of peptide regulators in normalization of potassium balance via renal mechanisms.     

Recombinant factor VIIa use in patients with the rarest forms of inherited coagulation-factor deficiencies: a study of cases from the www.haemostasis.com registry

Rare inherited coagulation disorders (RICDs) with a prevalence of ≤1/1,000,000 include deficiencies in factor II, factor V, combined factor V/factor VIII, factor X, factor XI and factor XIII. These abnormalities are associated with spontaneous haemorrhage and excessive bleeding after surgery or trauma. Management is complicated by limited information and variations in biochemical characteristics and bleeding phenotypes. The independently managed international registry, , was established to collect data on investigational use of activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) in preventing or treating severe bleeding episodes. Patients suffering from the rarest forms of RICDs and receiving rFVIIa as treatment were identified from the registry. Case providers were contacted to verify data and obtain consent for inclusion in this study. Eleven patients were identified; permission for inclusion was declined in two cases. The nine cases reported in this study included patients with factor II, factor V, combined factor V/factor VIII, combined factor V/von Willebrand’s disease, factor X, factor XI, factor XI with inhibitors and factor XIII deficiencies. The median individual dose of rFVIIa was 105.9 μg/kg body weight (range: 55–508 μg/kg), whereas the median total dose was 327.3 μg/kg body weight (range: 78.4–880 μg/kg). rFVIIa treatment was associated with a decrease, cessation or prevention of bleeding in eight cases; bleeding after trauma remained unchanged in one case of factor XIII deficiency. Positive pro-coagulatory responses were shown to occur at a wide range of anatomical sites. No deaths or rFVIIa-related adverse events were reported. In conclusion, this study suggests that rFVIIa has a favourable safety profile and that it may be used to treat or prevent haemorrhage in patients with RICDs.     

Prognostic value of procalcitonin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Legionella</Emphasis> pneumonia

The diagnostic reliability and prognostic implications of procalcitonin (PCT) (ng/ml) on admission in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Legionella pneumophila are unknown. We retrospectively analysed PCT values in 29 patients with microbiologically proven Legionella-CAP admitted to the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, between 2002 and 2007 and compared them to other markers of infection, namely, C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/l) and leukocyte count (10⁹/l), and two prognostic severity assessment scores (PSI and CURB65). Laboratory analysis demonstrated that PCT values on admission were >0.1 in over 93%, >0.25 in over 86%, and >0.5 in over 82% of patients with Legionella-CAP. Patients with adverse medical outcomes (59%, n = 17) including need for ICU admission (55%, n = 16) and/or inhospital mortality (14%, n = 4) had significantly higher median PCT values on admission (4.27 [IQR 2.46–9.48] vs 0.97 [IQR 0.29–2.44], p = 0.01), while the PSI (124 [IQR 81–147] vs 94 [IQR 75–116], p = 0.19), the CURB65 (2 [IQR 1–2] vs 1 [1–3], p = 0.47), CRP values (282 [IQR 218–343], p = 0.28 vs 201 [IQR 147–279], p = 0.28), and leukocyte counts (12 [IQR 10–21] vs 12 [IQR 9–15], p = 0.58) were similar. In receiver operating curves, PCT concentrations on admission had a higher prognostic accuracy to predict adverse outcomes (AUC 0.78 [95%CI 0.61–96]) as compared to the PSI (0.64 [95%CI 0.43–0.86], p = 0.23), the CURB65 (0.58 [95%CI 0.36–0.79], p = 0.21), CRP (0.61 [95%CI 0.39–0.84], p = 0.19), and leukocyte count (0.57 [95%CI 0.35–0.78], p = 0.12). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that patients with initial PCT values above the optimal cut-off of 1.5 had a significantly higher risk of death and/or ICU admission (log rank p = 0.003) during the hospital stay. In patients with CAP due to Legionella, PCT levels on admission might be an interesting predictor for adverse medical outcomes. Jeannine Haeuptle, Roya Zaborsky, and Rico Fiumefreddo contributed equally to this article.     

Combination of Methods for <Emphasis Type="Italic">in Vitro</Emphasis> Study of Antioxidant Properties of Chemical Compounds

Blood ammonia concentration increased in the portal vein (by 1.4 times) and inferior vena cava (caudal to the renal vein inflow, by 2.2 times; and cranial to the hepatic vein inflow, by 2.5 times) of rats 3 h after intragastric administration of 16.57 M ethanol solution (446 mmol/kg, ≈ 1.4 LD_{50/48 h}). Ammonia concentration in mixed blood samples (post-decapitation) increased by 39%. The rate of ammonia accumulation was 3-fold higher in an intraperitoneal lavage solution. Three-hour exposure of ethanol-treated animals to atmospheric ammonia (0.84–1.07 mg/liter, i.e. ≈ 1/8LC₅₀ for intact rats) was followed by a 2.4-fold increase in blood ammonia concentration as compared to specimens of the ethanol group. Ammonia inhalation potentiated the lethal effect of ethanol (dose variation factor 0.81), suppressed external respiration, and decreased oxygen consumption. Our results indicate that kinetic changes in endogenous ammonia have an adverse effect on the outcome of alcohol intoxication in rats. __________ Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 6, pp. 688–690, June, 2008     

An electroencephalograph-waveform simulator

Summary This paper describes the design and construction of an e.e.g. waveform simulator which provides variable output frequencies in the alpha (8–13 Hz), beta (13 Hz), delta (4 Hz) and theta 94–8 Hz) bands. A fundamental requirement of the machine is that it should be possible either to select any individual output or the sum of two or more of the available output signals. In addition, in order to simulate ‘real-life’ conditions as nearly as possible, a programming circuit has been incorporated so that ‘bursts’ of any combination of signals can be generated.     

Influence of maximal muscle strength and intrinsic muscle contractile properties on contractile rate of force development

‘Explosive’ muscle strength or contractile rate of force development (RFD) is a term to describe the ability to rapidly develop muscular force, and can be measured as the slope of the torque–time curve obtained during isometric conditions. Previously, conflicting results have been reported regarding the relationship between contractile RFD and various physiological parameters. One reason for this discrepancy may be that RFD in various time intervals from the onset of contraction is affected by different physiological parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between voluntary contractile RFD in time intervals of 0–10, 0–20,..., 0–250 ms from the onset of contraction and two main parameters: (1) voluntary maximal muscle strength and (2) electrically evoked muscle twitch contractile properties. The main finding was that voluntary RFD became increasingly more dependent on MVC and less dependent on muscle twitch contractile properties as time from the onset of contraction increased. At time intervals later than 90 ms from the onset of contraction maximal muscle strength could account for 52–81% of the variance in voluntary RFD. In the very early time interval (<40 ms from the onset of contraction) voluntary RFD was moderately correlated to the twitch contractile properties of the muscle and was to a less extent related to MVC. The present results suggest that explosive movements with different time spans are influenced by different physiological parameters. This may have important practical implications when designing resistance training programs for specific sports.