Exercise rapidly increases eukaryotic elongation factor 2 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle of men

Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle is known to decrease during contractions but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here, the effect of exercise on skeletal muscle eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) phosphorylation, a key component in protein translation machinery, was examined. Eight healthy men exercised on a cycle ergometer at a workload eliciting ∼67% peak pulmonary oxygen consumption     with skeletal muscle biopsies taken from the vastus lateralis muscle at rest as well as after 1, 10, 30, 60 and 90 min of exercise. In response to exercise, there was a rapid (i.e. < 1 min) 5- to 7-fold increase in eEF2 phosphorylation at Thr56 that was sustained for 90 min of continuous exercise. The in vitro activity of skeletal muscle eEF2 kinase was not altered by exercise indicating that the increased activity of eEF2 kinase to eEF2 is not mediated by covalent mechanisms. In support of this, the increase in AMPK activity was temporally unrelated to eEF2 phosphorylation. However, skeletal muscle eEF2 kinase was potently activated by Ca²⁺–calmodulin in vitro , suggesting that the higher eEF2 phosphorylation in working skeletal muscle is mediated by allosteric activation of eEF2 kinase by Ca²⁺ signalling via calmodulin. Given that eEF2 phosphorylation inhibits eEF2 activity and mRNA translation, these findings suggest that the inhibition of protein synthesis in contracting skeletal muscle is due to the Ca²⁺-induced stimulation of eEF2 kinase.     

Fracture repair during external fixation: Torsion tests of rabbit osteotomies

Bone repair was studied in the rabbit tibiofibular bone after a midshaft transverse osteotomy stabilized by external fixation and heavy compression. Both subendosteal and subperiosteal callus formation with concomitant contact healing were observed within 3 weeks, and were further succeeded by subendosteal resorption and increased porosis resulting in atrophy of the cortical bone. Subjected to the torsion test, the bones exhibited restoration of strength within 3 weeks, with maximal energy absorption and elasticity at 6 weeks. The failure of the osteotomy in the torsion test, with radiographic visibility of the osteotomy, characterized the soft-tissue type of behavior of the bones. Hard-tissue like behaviour of the bones with resistance to torsion at the osteotomy site and radiographic obliteration of the osteotomy line occurred by 12 weeks, indicating complete union of the osteotomy. Our experiments demonstrate that elastic external fixation is preferable to the rigid compression plate.     

The effect of coffee on blood lipids and blood pressure. Results from a Norwegian cross-sectional study, men and women, 40-42 years

The association between boiled and filter coffee consumption and levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure was studied, including 14168 men and 14859 women. A total of 94% drank coffee, 55% of the men and 48% of the women drank more than 4 cups per day. The type of coffee consumed varied between the counties, from 11 to 49% boiled and 49 to 87% filter coffee. Serum cholesterol increased linearly with increasing coffee consumption, and most strongly for boiled coffee. Controlling for other variables gave, for boiled coffee, an 8% increase for men and 10% for women. For filter coffee drinkers the coffee dose-cholesterol association remained significant only for women. Triglycerides showed a negative association with coffee, significant after adjustment for other variables. This effect was stronger for filter than for boiled coffee in both sexes. For men and women drinking 1 cup of coffee or more, a significant negative association between both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and number of cups of filter coffee was found. The influence of high consumption of different coffee-types on death rate from coronary heart disease is discussed.     

Gianotti-Crosti-Syndrom nach Impfung

Es wird über 4 Kleinkinder berichtet, bei denen ein Gianotti-Crosti-Syndrom (GCS) mit einer Latenz von 6–8 Tagen nach Impfung auftrat. Nachfolgende Auffrischungsimpfungen wurden problemlos vertragen. W?hrend das Auftreten eines GCS in Assoziation mit einer Virusinfektion gut dokumentiert ist, liegen über das Auftreten eines GCS im Anschluss an eine Impfung nur wenige Mitteilungen vor. Auf einen derartig m?glichen Zusammenhang sollte jedoch bei Vorstellung dieses Krankheitsbildes (GCS) im Rahmen der Anamneseerhebung unbedingt eingegangen werden.     

Operative versus closed treatment of primary dislocation of the patella Similar 2-year results in 125 randomized patients

To assess whether initial surgery is beneficial for patients with primary dislocation of the patella, we carried out a prospective randomized study. Knee stability was examined under anesthesia, and associated injuries were excluded by diagnostic arthroscopy. 55 patients then had closed treatment and 70 patients were operated on with individually adjusted proximal realignment procedures.

Surgery gave no benefit based on 2 years of follow-up. The subjective result was better in the non-operative group in respect of mean Houghston VAS knee score (closed 90, operative 87), but similar in terms of the patient's own overall opinion and mean Lysholm II knee score. Recurrent instability episodes (redislocation or recurrent subluxation) occurred in 20 nonoperated and in 18 operated patients. Of these, 15 and 12, respectively, then suffered redislo-cations. Function was better after closed treatment. Serious complications occurred after surgery in 4 patients.

In conclusion, the recurrence of patellar dislocation may be more frequent than reported, whatever the form of treatment. Routine operative management cannot be recommended for primary dislocation of the patella.     

Seat belt use among drinking drivers in Minnesota.

OBJECTIVES. Among the reasons cited for recent declines in alcohol-related traffic fatalities is the enactment of seat belt use laws by most states. It is suspected that drinking drivers are less likely to comply with such laws, although evidence on the relationship between belt use and drinking by drivers is sparse and conflicting. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of drinking to driver seat belt use. METHODS. Observational, self-report, and chemical breath test data were collected on nighttime drivers in 16 Minnesota communities during September, 1990. RESULTS. Drivers with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (> or = 100 mg/dL) were substantially less likely to be wearing a seat belt (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17). Belt use was also more common among females (OR = 2.02) and before midnight (OR = 1.47). Males who had been drinking were less likely to be belted. Belt use was related to drinking before, but not after, midnight. Belt use was not related to drinking status among college graduates, but it was strongly related to drinking status among those with less education. CONCLUSIONS. The present findings provide further argument for rapid implementation of passive countermeasures (airbags) and for development of creative, carefully focused interventions to target high-risk populations.