Variations of serum testosterone concentrations after physical exercises of different duration

Serum testosterone concentration was determined before and after physical activities of different duration. The subjects under study were: (1) 7 competitive walkers before and after a 20-km race (average race time 1 h 30 min); (2) 9 middle-distance runners before and after 1-h training; (3) 16 marathon runners before and after a marathon run (average running time 2 h 33 min); (4) 30 ultramarathon runners before and after a 107-km race (average running time 14 h). Serum testosterone increased by 51.8% (NS) in competitive walkers, by 38.2% (P less than 0.05) in middle-distance runners, and by 44.9% (P less than 0.01) in marathon runners; it decreased by 31.9% (P less than 0.001) in the ultramarathon runners. These findings, and similar variations of serum testosterone observed in an ultramarathon runner during a 6-h training session, suggest that serum testosterone increases during physical activities lasting up to 3 h and decreases to or even below the pre-exercise values for longer physical efforts. The possible mechanisms responsible for these differences are discussed.     

Ibuprofen does not affect serum electrolyte concentrations after an ultradistance run

Objective

To determine the effects of ibuprofen on serum electrolyte concentrations after a 160 km running race.

Methods

Twenty nine subjects (mean (SD) age 47.9 (7.4) years) ingested 600 mg ibuprofen the day before, and 1200 mg ibuprofen during, a 160 km competitive trail running race (approximately every 4 h in 200 mg doses). Twenty five control subjects (mean (SD) age 46.8 (10.3) years) avoided ingestion of ibuprofen before or during the race. Blood was drawn on the day before the race and immediately after the race. Serum biochemical profiles were analysed by a clinical laboratory. Significant effects of treatment and time were determined with a general linear model with repeated measures.

Results

Subjects in the two groups did not differ by age, training volume, race experience, body mass index, body fat, or finishing time (25.8 (3.3) vs 25.6 (3.9) h). Body weight did not change significantly over the race (measured before, mid‐race (90 km), and after). Ibuprofen ingestion did not significantly affect any of the serum markers including creatine kinase (p = 0.16). A significant decrease in serum sodium (p = 0.006), potassium (p = 0.001), chloride (p<0.001), calcium (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.001) and globulin (p<0.001) was observed after the race. Increases were seen in creatine kinase (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p<0.001), uric acid (p<0.001) and glucose (p<0.001) as the result of the race.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the non‐specific cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, does not alter serum electrolyte concentrations during ultradistance running. However, the stress of ultradistance running appears to be related to significant changes in certain serum markers.     

MR imaging of the small bowel with increasing concentrations of an oral osmotic agent

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of MR imaging and level of adverse effects with increasing concentrations of gastrografin. This is a prospective study with 24 healthy volunteers which were randomised into four groups receiving 50%, 25%, 10% and 0% gastrografin. The endpoint was bowel image quality based on distension, signal homogeneity and wall delineation evaluated by three independent radiologists, and the maximum bowel diameter at three different levels. The subjects also scored any adverse events on a 1–5 scale. The interradiologist agreement was relatively good, with kappa values varying between 0.81 and 0.41. Improved bowel distension and image quality were achieved with increasing concentrations. But significant dose-response effects were found between increasing osmolalities and the bowel diameters and also versus the score of adverse events. The most frequent adverse reactions were diarrhea, nausea and lack of palatability. There is a gradient relationship between increasing osmolality of gastrografin and improved image quality and the score of adverse effects. The optimum concentration of gastrografin is dependent of the tolerance of the adverse events.     

Changes of serum complement concentrations in tumour patients prior and after radiotherapy

Peripheral blood concentrations of leucocytes, platelets and complement factors Clq, C3c, C3d, C4 and C5 were examined in 30 patients suffering from malignant tumours prior and after radiotherapy. In general, a decrease of blood cell concentrations as well as serum complement levels was noted using regression analysis. Two groups were formed: patients with (group I) and without (group II) foregoing tumour surgery. A positive correlation was found for all complement factors prior therapy in group I, whereas only some complement components did correlate in group II. The results in group I are in agreement with complements classical pathway activation. We conclude that the alternative pathways influence is responsible for the different results in group II.     

High dose rate brachytherapy using molds after chemoradiotherapy for oral cavity cancer

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the combined use of customized molds and a high dose rate (HDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy apparatus with a ¹⁹²Ir microsource in the treatment of superficial oral carcinomas after chemoradiotherapy.     

长期食入低剂量贫铀对大鼠的生殖毒性研究

目的 研究长期食入低剂量贫铀对大鼠的生殖毒性。方法给予初断乳大鼠含贫铀饲料，食入贫铀的剂量分别为0、0．4、4和40mg·k^-1·d^-1，4个月后，采用两代-窝法观察整体生殖毒性效应；放射免疫法检测睾酮（T）、黄体生成素（LH）、卵泡刺激素（FSH）等血清性激素水平；比色法测定睾丸中乳酸脱氢酶同工酶（LDH—X）、琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）及Na^＋-K^＋’ATPase、ca2’-ATPase等精子生成和代谢有关酶的比活性。结果亲代（F0代）大鼠各项指标未见显著改变。子代（F1代）高剂量组的受孕率、正常分娩存活率、幼仔出生存活率、幼仔哺育存活率均下降，与对照组相比，差异有统计学意义。食入贫铀的F0代大鼠血清性激素含量较正常组增加，但F1代除T升高外，其余性激素均下降。Fn代高剂量组睾丸中LDH含量降低；F1代大鼠中、高剂量组SDH、LDH和Na^＋-K^＋-ATPaSe含量降低。结论长期食入低剂量的贫铀对F0代大鼠未见明显生殖毒性，但F1代大鼠的生殖毒性效应显著增加。     

Coil embolization of an anastomotic leak after ascending aorta replacement

Surgical treatment of diseases of the thoracic aorta (aneurysms, dissections, and ruptures) may be associated with serious postoperative complications. Endovascular repair of thoracic aorta pathology is less invasive and offers a therapeutic alternative in high-surgical-risk patients, particularly in the presence of previous surgical repair of the thoracic aorta. The endovascular procedure, however, is almost only possible in the descending thoracic aorta, although advances have also been made in the aortic arch as well as in the ascending aorta with branched stent grafts. We report a case of a surgically treated aneurysm in the ascending thoracic aorta complicated with an anastomotic leak. If a short prosthesis (6 cm) had been available, the anastomotic leak would have been treated with endovascular repair. In lack of this prosthesis, we were forced to treat the patient with a method not generally accepted--embolization with endovascular coils--successfully resulting in occlusion of the leakage.     

子宫内膜异位症患者血清CA125表达研究

 目的 探讨子宫内膜异位症患者血清CAl25的表达特点及相关影响因素.方法 分析104例子宫内膜异位症患者血清CAl25的表达.根据修正的美国生育学会标准分期,统计不同分期、不同类型、不同生育史、不同盆腔状态患者术前血清CAl25水平,评估术前血清CA125与子宫内膜异位症之间的相关性,用卡方检验及线性相关对数据进行分析.结果 (1)子宫内膜异位症患者血清CA125水平与患者生育次数及流产次数无相关性;(2)血清CA125水平随rAFS分期的增高而升高,I期与Ⅳ期、Ⅲ期与Ⅳ期、Ⅱ期与Ⅳ期之间差异有统计学意义,具有相关性;(3)单纯卵巢型内异症与合并多部位内异症的血清CA125水平差异有统计学意义;(4)血清CA125水平随子宫直肠窝是否封闭及封闭程度的逐渐加重而升高,存在相关性;与盆腔粘连范围无相关性,但随粘连程度的加重而升高,且具有相关性;(5)CA125水平随痛经程度的加重而升高,两者之间存在相关性.结论 血清CA125在异位症患者中明显升高,尤其是重度者,可作为评判内异症严重程度的辅助指标.CA125可作为术前评价内异症盆腔粘连严重程度的一个指标.     

Ethyl glucuronide concentrations in beard hair after a single alcohol dose: evidence for incorporation in hair root

Background

Despite the growing importance of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair for detection of chronic excessive alcohol consumption, the mechanism of incorporation is not yet clear. Deposition from sweat is believed to be the main route. In order to get more information, EtG was determined in daily shaved beard hair after single higher alcohol doses.

Methods

Three volunteers drank within 5.5?h 153, 165 and 200?g ethanol followed by abstinence. Daily shaved beard hair was analysed for EtG using a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method with a limit of quantification of 2?pg/mg.

Results

For all three volunteers, small concentrations of EtG were already detected 9?h after end of drinking. The concentrations increased to maxima of 182, 242 and 74?pg/mg on days 2 to 4 and then gradually decreased to limit of quantification on days 8 to 10.

Discussion

The time course of EtG is discussed based on literature data about anatomic dimensions of the hair root, physiology of hair growth, kinetics of EtG formation and elimination in blood, and in comparison to literature results about drugs in beard hair. It follows that for beard hair the predominant portion of EtG is incorporated in the upper part of the hair root between suprabulbar region and isthmus leading to a positive zone of about 3?mm (8–9?days) after a single drinking event. Deposition from sweat which is only possible into the residual hair stubble after shaving and in the infundibulum down to the sebaceous gland mouth was found to be of minor importance but could play a greater role in long hair.

Conclusion

It is concluded that EtG in hair fulfils the prerequisites for time-resolved interpretation of segmental concentrations and that a single excessive drinking can be well detected in sufficiently short hair segments. However, in the routinely investigated 3-cm proximal scalp hair segment and using the cutoff of 7?pg/mg, a negative result can be expected with high probability because of dilution by negative hair.     

C-reactive protein serum concentrations in well-trained athletes

Previously it had been shown that there is a sharp increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) serum concentration during the first few days after severe exercise. To evaluate the effect of physical training on the CRP levels, a sensitive enzyme immunoassay was developed and used to assess the basal CRP concentrations in 356 male and 103 female athletes, who trained at least 4 times per week in various disciplines, in 45 male and 40 female untrained controls, and in 35 elderly coronary patients. In male athletes the lowest CRP values were found in swimmers (median: 102 ng/ml, n = 59), which were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) than those of male controls (median: 502 ng/ml, n = 45). The CRP concentrations in rowers (median: 260 ng/ml, n = 108) were also significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than in the control group. CRP levels in middle- and long-distance runners (median: 315 ng/ml, n = 53), racing cyclists (median: 620 ng/ml, n = 111), and soccer players (median: 660 ng/ml, n = 25) did not differ significantly from those of the controls. In female athletes the lowest CRP concentrations were also found in swimmers (median: 110 ng/ml, n = 49), which were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) than those of the female controls (median: 396 ng/ml, n = 40). Female middle- and long-distance runners (n = 36) and female rowers (n = 18) had median CRP values of 250 and 285 ng/ml, respectively. This results suggest that training induces a suppressive effect upon CRP, responsible for the low serum levels in athletes (particularly swimmers) when compared to controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Delivered dose changes in COMS plaque-based ocular brachytherapy arising from vitrectomy with silicone oil replacement

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to determine dosimetric effects of performing concurrent I-125 Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study plaque brachytherapy and vitrectomy with replacement using silicone oil, previously shown to be a means of shielding uninvolved parts of the eye.Methods and MaterialsMonte Carlo simulations using MCNP6 were performed to compare the dosimetry with all eye materials assigned as water, and for the vitreous (excluding the tumor), composed of polydimethylsiloxane oil for three generic, one large tumor, and two patient geometry scenarios. Dose was scored at the tumor apex, along the sclera, and within a 3D grid encompassing the eye. The assessed patient cases included vitrectomies to treat intraocular pathologies; not to enhance attenuation/shielding.ResultsThe doses along the sclera and for the entire eye were decreased when the silicone oil replaced the vitreal fluid, with a maximum decrease at the opposite sclera of 63%. Yet, absolute changes in dose to critical structures were often small and likely not clinically significant. The dose at the tumor apex was decreased by 3.1–9.4%. Dose was also decreased at the edges of the tumor because of decreased backscatter at the tumor-oil interface.ConclusionsConcurrent silicone vitrectomy was found to reduce total radiation dose to the eye. Based on current radiation retinopathy predictive models, the evaluation of the absolute doses revealed only a subset of patients in which a clinically significant difference in outcomes is expected. Furthermore, the presence of the silicone oil decreased dose to the tumor edges, indicating that the tumor could be underdosed if the oil is unaccounted for.     

膝关节置换术后X射线摄影中不同曝光模式对影像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的 探讨膝关节置换术（TKA）术后最佳摄影条件及临床应用的可行性。方法 根据不同的曝光方式,分为自动曝光模式组（AEC）、手动曝光模式组（FIXED）,以固定kV、依次改变相应mAs的方式,对模体进行曝光,记录各曝光条件下入射剂量（ESD）、剂量曝光指数（DEI）、主观图像质量评价,经统计学分析后得出最优化试验组参数与回顾组进行辐射剂量及主观评价比较。结果 AEC组ESD与kV呈负相关（r=-0.973,P < 0.05）,在相同mA条件下,DEI随kV增加呈先减后增的弧线型变化,主观图像质量评价均值为（1.96±0.56）,DEI与主观图像评分呈负相关（r=-0.840,P < 0.05）。FIXED组ESD随mAs的增加而成线性增加,呈正相关（r=0.845,P < 0.05）,DEI与kV、mAs成正相关（r=0.628、0.674,P < 0.05）。主观图像质量评价均值为（4.33±0.79）,与DEI无相关性。选择最优化实验组与回顾组相比,主观图像质量评价分值增加,辐射剂量降低明显。结论 对于膝关节置换假体植入受检患者,采用手动曝光模式,80 kV/1.25~1 mAs、75 kV/2~1 mAs、70 kV/2.5~1.25 mAs、65 kV/3.2~1.6 mAs和60 kV/3.2~2 mAs为最优化区间。