Comparison of two abdominal training devices with an abdominal crunch using strength and EMG measurements

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the training effects of the Ab-Flex (F), Ab-Roller (R) and standard crunch (C) on EMG production, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and isokinetic average peak torque at 30 degrees/sec (ISO) of the abdominal muscles. It was hypothesized that the training devices would have similar value in a strength training program. METHODS: Experimental design: this was a prospective study involving 18 training sessions of progressively increasing repetitions. Setting: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh. Subjects: thirty-two subjects volunteered for this study, but only 26 completed the training. Each subject participated in recreational activity, but had not performed any abdominal training prior to starting this study. Each subject was randomly assigned to either the control group or one of the treatment groups. Interventions: there were three interventions: two training devices (Ab-Flex and Ab-Roller) and the standard crunch, considered a control group. Measures: the pretest consisted of skin fold measurements (%), EMG activity (V) during the three interventions, and peak torque (Nm) plus EMG during the MVC and ISO tasks. The 18 training sessions over three weeks consisted of three sets of exercise with increasing repetitions from 10 to 20, by 2, every three sessions. The difference in pretest/posttest scores were compared using a One-way ANOVA on the mean differences (Mdiff) for each of: MVC, ISO (peak torque), and EMG for upper rectus (UR), lower rectus (LR), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO). A T-Test was used to detect significance for the body fat measures. RESULTS: Mean differences (Mdiff) were normally distributed about zero for both MVC and ISO (MVC = -0.55, ISO = 4.57). The analysis by group showed no difference (p = 0.596) on the reported means (Nm) -3.16 (C), 5.84 (F) and -4.83 (R). The change associated to the treatment during MVC was only 4% (eta = 0.04). For the ISO the Mdiff (Nm) were 1.39 (C), 13.66 (F) and -2.06 (R) which were not significant (p = 0.127). The Ab-Flex was the only group to have a 95% confidence interval above zero, increasing by an average of 16.5%. There were no significant differences for the EMG activity for Mdiff or between group scores. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found with this study. These results would suggest that using these devices does not add significantly to overall abdominal strength development, or reduction of body fat. A suggestion could be made that certain devices influence muscles differently.     

Characterization of a novel 5-HT4 receptor antagonist of the azabicycloalkyl benzimidazolone class: DAU 6285

Summary Three chemical classes of serotonin 5-HT₄ receptor agonists have been identified so far: 5-substituted indoles (e.g. 5-HT), benzamides (e.g. renzapride) and benzimidazolones (e.g. BIMU 8). In a search for 5-HT₄ receptor antagonists, we have discovered that the benzimidazolone derivative DAU 6285 (for structure see text), is 3–5 times more potent than tropisetron in blocking 5-HT, renzapride and BIMU 8 induced stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in mouse embryo colliculi neurons. Schild plot analysis yielded K_i values of 220, 181 and 255 nmol/l, respectively. In addition, DAU 6285 showed poor activity as a 5-HT₃ receptor ligand with respect to tropisetron, as demonstrated by in vitro binding studies (K_i, 322 vs 2.8 nmol/l) and by its antagonistic activity in the Bezold-Jarisch reflex test (ID₅₀, 231 vs 0.5 g/kg, i.v.). No significant binding (K_i>10 mol/l) of DAU 6285 to serotonergic 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_1B, 5-HT_1C, 5-HT_1D, and 5-HT₂ receptors as well as to adrenergic ₁, ₂, dopaminergic D₁, D₂ or muscarinic M₁–M₃ receptor subtypes was found. The data indicate that DAU 6285 has a somewhat higher affinity than tropisetron for 5-HT₄ receptors, a property confirmed in functional tests, and much lower affinity than tropisetron for 5-HT₃ receptors. The compound represents a new interesting tool for investigating the pharmacological and physiological properties of 5-HT₄ receptors. Send offprint requests to A. Dumuis at the above address     

Treatment of localized prostate cancer using a combination of high dose rate Iridium‐192 brachytherapy and external beam irradiation: Initial Australian experience

Combination high dose rate brachytherapy (HDRB) and external beam radiation therapy is technically and clinically feasible as definitive treatment for localized prostate cancer. We report the first large Australian experience using this technique of radiation dose escalation in 82 patients with intermediate‐ and high‐risk disease. With a median follow up of 3 years (156 weeks), complications were low and overall prostate‐specific antigen progression‐free survival was 91% using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition. The delivery of hypofractionated radiation through the HDRB component shortens overall treatment time and is both biologically and logistically advantageous. As a radiation boost strategy, HDRB is easy to learn and could be introduced into most facilities with brachytherapy capability.     

Comparing sulindac with indomethacin for closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

Objectives: A prospective study comparing the efficiacy and side-effects of oral sulindac with intravenous indomethacin in clinically stable preterm infants (<1750 g) requiring non-invasive closure of haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Methodology: As maturity and birthweight are the two major determinants of ductal closure, infants were matched as closely as possible for these parameters. An eligible patient was first assigned to the sulindac group and a subsequent patient with similar gestational age (± 1 week) and birthweight (±100 g) to the previously recruited infant would automatically receive indomethacin. A total of eight infants were enrolled in each group.
Results: The ductus arteriosus was successfully closed in all eight infants receiving indomethacin, and in seven of eight infants receiving sulindac. No significant differences were found with regards to the ductal size between the two groups at diagnosis or on each of the consecutive days of treatment ( P >0.25). More renal adverse effects were encountered in the indomethacin group. Significant differences in changes from baseline value for urine output, plasma sodium, urea and creatinine concentrations were noted at 24, 48 and 72 h after commencement of treatment between the two groups ( P <0.05). All the parameters returned to normal or pre-treatment levels 48 h after stopping therapy. Unexpectedly, severe gastrointestinal complications were encountered in the sulindac group.
Conclusions: Sulindac is capable of promoting ductal constriction in clinically stable preterm infants without compromising the renal function. The spectrum of gastrointestinal complications observed in sulindac treated infants were similar to those described for indomethacin. The use of sulindac for ductal closure in the preterm infant should remain experimental.     

Erythromycin treatment for gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants

To report our clinical experience on the use of oral erythromycin for the treatment of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.

Methodology:

A case series study of seven preterm infants (six were very low birthweight) with severe intestinal dysmotility in a tertiary neonatal centre.

Results:

All responded favourably without adverse effects and tolerated full enteral feeding within 1–2 weeks of the commencement of the drug.

Conclusions:

As prolonged total parenteral nutrition carries significant risk of complications, this therapy could be considered in selected preterm infants who fail to establish enteral feeding after an extended period, and in whom an anatomically obstructive lesion of the gastrointestinal tract has been excluded. Meanwhile, we would caution against the widespread implementation of this therapeutic approach until formal evaluation by randomized controlled trials have established the exact role of erythromycin, or its analogues, in the treatment of intestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.     

A follow-up study of infants ≤ 2000 g birthweight treated in central Queensland

This follow-up study was undertaken in an effort to ascertain the morbidity in the survivors of infants ≤2000 g birthweight cared for in the two Rockhampton intensive care nurseries.

Methodology:

The records of all infants ≤2000 g delivered in or transferred to Rockhampton during the 11 year period 1979 through 1989 inclusive were extracted. Efforts were made to contact and examine all of these children. Those found to be disabled were assessed as being mildly, moderately or severely affected.

Results:

Of the 482 infants of birthweight ≤2000 g treated in the period under review, 393 survived to be discharged from hospital. Eight were known to have died subsequently. Of the remaining 385 children, 288 (74.8%) were able to be contacted and their health status determined. A total of 36 infants were found to have significant disabilities. Twenty-four were mildly affected, five moderately and seven severely affected. Severe disability in infants of ≤1000 g was 16% (3/19).

Conclusions:

The incidence of disability was established in 74.8% of the surviving population, It was not dissimilar to the incidence of disability in similar birthweight groups in some Australian tertiary centres for the years under study. It is emphasized that the follow-up was incomplete and recognized that the survival rates and incidence of disability in survivors has improved in tertiary centres since the time frame of this study.     

Bronchoscopic management of airway obstruction in pediatric endobronchial tuberculosis

The present report describes a case of severe airway obstruction caused by endobronchial tuberculosis in an 11-year-old girl who was successfully treated by bronchoscopic balloon dilation. This case illustrates the insidious presentation and the increasingly important role of bronchoscopic intervention in the management of endobronchial tuberculosis. In addition, a brief literature review of the condition in the pediatric age group is included.     

Endogenous protein phosphorylation by resting and activated human neutrophils

NADPH oxidase is an enzyme in the plasma membrane of the neutrophil that catalyzes the production of O2-, a species central to the oxygen- dependent killing mechanisms of this cell. The oxidase is dormant in resting cells and is activated upon the addition of a stimulus. Neutrophils of patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) manifest no oxidase activity when stimulated. The possible role of protein phosphorylation in the activation of NADPH oxidase was examined in normal and CGD neutrophils by measuring the incorporation of 32Pi into proteins as determined by gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. Resting neutrophils from normal subjects exhibit at least 40 distinct phosphoprotein bands. The level of phosphorylation of these bands was examined after the addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), opsonized zymosan, digitonin, N-formyl-methionyl- phenylalanine (FMLP), or NaF. PMA and opsonized zymosan increased the phosphorylation of a set of 6 protein bands. Digitonin and FMLP consistently caused the phosphorylation of 4 of these protein bands, while NaF failed to induce increased phosphorylation of any protein band. All activators tested caused the dephosphorylation of one specific protein band. The time course of phosphorylation (dephosphorylation) was examined using PMA as the activating agent. Increased phosphorylation of one protein band was evident by 12 sec after the addition of PMA. The most slowly phosphorylated protein band did not slow evidence of change until 5 min after the addition of PMA. Three of the phosphoproteins examined were phosphorylated either earlier than or concomitant with the activation of NADPH oxidase. CGD neutrophils were compared with normal cells for their ability to phosphorylate proteins in response to PMA. The phosphoprotein banding patterns of CGD neutrophils were identical with those of normal neutrophils in both the resting and activated states. The evidence presented shows that the phosphorylation of proteins is a prominent feature of neutrophil metabolism. The striking similarity of phosphorylation changes induced by the various activators tested suggests that protein phosphorylation may play a role in some aspects of neutrophil activation. Evidence was not obtained, however, regarding a link between protein phosphorylation and activation of NADPH oxidase.     

Hepatitis B infection in a non-drug abusing prostitute population in Mexico

The prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B infection were studied in 354 non-drug abusing female prostitutes and 360 female controls in Tijuana, Mexico. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in the same percentage (0.8%) of prostitutes and controls. In contrast, antibody markers (anti-HBs or anti-HBc) were found in a significantly higher percentage of prostitutes than controls (8.2% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.0006). Prostitutes also had a higher prevalence of a positive RPR/FTA-ABS test for syphilis (p less than 0.0001). There was a significant association between the presence of hepatitis B markers and positive syphilis serology and a history of having had a STD. In this non-drug abusing population, prostitution was found to be a risk factor for total hepatitis B infection but not for surface antigenemia. Further studies are indicated to determine the incidence of chronic infection in adult women following sexual transmission of hepatitis B.