Aerobic exercise in adolescents with obesity: preliminary evaluation of a modular training program and the modified shuttle test

Background  

Increasing activity levels in adolescents with obesity requires the development of exercise programs that are both attractive to adolescents and easily reproducible. The aim of this study was to develop a modular aerobic training program for adolescents with severe obesity, with a focus on variety, individual targets and acquiring physical skills. We report here the effects on aerobic fitness from a pilot study. Furthermore, we examined the feasibility of the modified shuttle test (MST) as an outcome parameter for aerobic fitness in adolescents with severe obesity.     

复方葆春袋泡茶质量标准研究

目的：制订复方葆春袋泡茶质量标准。方法：双波长薄层扫描法测定了五味子乙素的量,对淫羊藿,五味子,女贞子进行了薄层色谱鉴别。结果;加样回收率平均为９７．１５％（ＲＳＤ＝１．２％,ｎ＝５）,标准曲线ｒ＝０．９９９１,重复性ＲＳＤ＝１．４％（ｎ＝６）精密度ＲＳＤ＝２．３％（ｎ＝６）,结论,方法稳定,可靠,可作为该制剂的质量控制方法之一。     

Effect of danazol on clotting factor levels, bleeding incidence, factor infusion requirements, and immune parameters in hemophilia

Several recent studies have reported conflicting results on the effectiveness of danazol, an attenuated androgen, in raising plasma levels of clotting factors VIII and IX in patients with hemophilia. We undertook a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial using 8 weeks' administration of danazol (D), 600 mg/d, and 8 weeks' administration of placebo (P) separated by 2 weeks of rest in 12 patients with hemophilia A and four patients with hemophilia B. Plasma factor VIII and IX levels, frequency and type of bleeding episodes, amount of factor concentrate infused, fibrinogen, fibrinolysis assays, antithrombin III, liver function, and immune parameters were followed. During the danazol phase a minimal increase was noted in the average clotting factor levels, an increase that, although statistically significant, was of hemostatically marginal magnitude. Significant increases in protein C and plasminogen levels, however, were observed during the danazol period, suggestive of danazol-mediated enhanced fibrinolysis. Clinically, bleeding frequency was significantly increased, and more clotting factor was consumed during the danazol period. Furthermore, eight episodes of hematuria and oral mucosal bleeding was reported during the danazol phase in contrast to only one episode of hematuria during the placebo phase, consistent with an enhancement of fibrinolytic activity with danazol. We conclude that danazol does not have a hemostatically significant effect on plasma levels of factor VIII and IX but may be associated with enhancement of fibrinolytic activity, resulting in increased bleeding frequency and requiring more clotting factor infusions. Therefore, danazol is not a viable alternative in the treatment of hemophilia.     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: detection of parasites by immunofluorescence based on a monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorescence test for the detection of Pneumocystis carinii was evaluated in comparison with the conventional direct staining by Grocott's silver methenamine technique. A total of 254 respiratory samples from HIV positive and other immunocompromised patients were examined. Cysts were detected in 30 (12%) of samples using the monoclonal test, but only 15 (6%) positives were found using the Grocott method. There is need for a speedy and efficient test for detection of these organisms, and the monoclonal test was found to be more reliable, quicker and more sensitive than the Grocott technique.     

Autonomic tone and C-reactive protein: a prospective population-based study

Objectives  

To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between cardiac autonomic tone and serum CRP and to investigate potential causal links between these measures.     

Causes of jaundice during hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy

Jaundice develops in many patients with liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). The usual cause is thought to be hepatotoxicity from the chemotherapeutic agent or biliary obstruction from progressive neoplastic disease. The authors evaluated the abdominal computed tomography and ultrasound examinations performed on 49 patients who were jaundiced during long-term HAIC. In only one patient was diffuse intrahepatic biliary dilatation caused by an obstructing mass in the porta. Two patients had metastatic hepatic lesions causing focal biliary obstruction. Intrahepatic dilatation without an obstructing mass occurred in 20 patients. Percutaneous or endoscopic cholangiograms were commonly interpreted prospectively as showing extrinsic compression by metastases, but no mass was confirmed on imaging studies. Seven patients had focal intrahepatic ductal dilatation from stricture without an associated mass. The remaining 19 patients had normal-caliber ducts; their jaundice was caused by chemical hepatitis. This series suggests that the most common causes of jaundice in these patients are chemical hepatitis and common bile duct stricture, complications of intraarterial chemotherapy, rather than neoplastic obstruction. Stricture formation may be confused with extrinsic compression on direct cholangiograms.     

Life history, maintenance, and the early origins of immune function.

There is compelling evidence to suggest that early environments are important determinants of immune function over the life course. While current research focuses on proximate mechanisms and clinical implications, an adaptationist perspective may contribute a theoretical basis for explaining, rather than merely describing, the long-term impact of early environments. Life history theory in particular, with its emphasis on the life cycle and investment in maintenance effort-of which immune function is a central component-provides a predictive framework for identifying prenatal and early postnatal factors that are likely to shape immunity. Key life history issues at these stages include avoiding death from infectious disease, investing in immune defenses that are appropriate for the local disease ecology, and optimizing competing demands for investment in immune function and growth. A series of hypotheses derived from these issues are proposed and evaluated with data from ongoing research in the Philippines and Bolivia. Ecologically-informed research on immunity is in its earliest stages, and life history theory has the potential to make important contributions to our understanding of the development and function of this critical physiological system.     

Arteriovenous malformations of the extremities: MR imaging

Eight patients with angiographically proved arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the extremities (seven congenital, one posttraumatic) were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using a 0.35-T superconducting system and spin-echo pulse sequences. Congenital AVMs appeared as accumulations of dilated tortuous blood vessels infiltrating the involved muscles. A posttraumatic acquired AVM of the shoulder consisted of a large feeding artery associated with a pseudoaneurysm and a soft-tissue mass. MR imaging allowed precise anatomic localization and provided details concerning the size and extent of the AVMs. The relationship of AVMs to specific muscle groups, bones, and vascular structures could be accurately determined. Although major feeding and draining vessels were identified, the exact arteries and veins supplying and draining the AVM could not be ascertained. Images obtained in the transverse plane consistently yielded the most useful information. MR imaging and angiography may be complementary techniques in the initial evaluation, follow-up, and treatment planning of AVMs of the extremities.