Endurance training does not affect diaphragm mitochondrial respiration

We sought to determine if chronic endurance training would increase mitochondrial respiration or protein content in rat diaphragm muscle. To this end, 20 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C) or an 8-week endurance training (T) group, n = 10 per group. At the end of T, VO2 max was 13% greater in T (83.3 vs 73.8 ml X kg-1 X min-1) and peak max power output was 32% greater (2.63 vs 1.98 kg X m X min-1). Mitochondrial specific activities of pyruvate-malate and cytochrome oxidase (expressed per mg mitochondrial protein) in both plantaris and diaphragm were similar in C and T rats, as were ADP/O and respiratory control ratios. When expressed per gram wet weight, whole muscle homogenate oxygen uptake (pyruvate + malate) and cytochrome oxidase activity increased 36 and 23%, respectively (P less than 0.05) in plantaris from T rats but did not change in diaphragm. Control oxidative capacity and mitochondrial protein content in the diaphragm were ca. 2-fold those in control plantaris. Plantaris mitochondrial protein content increased ca. 50% with T while the diaphragm was unaffected. We conclude that: plantaris muscle oxidative capacity adapts to training by increasing mitochondrial protein content, since there was no evidence for functional improvement of existing mitochondria, and in the face of a substantial training effect in whole animal and plantaris, the T stimulus was not sufficient to induce mitochondrial protein changes in the diaphragm. This finding is the result of either a 'pre-adaptation' secondary to the diaphragm's high chronic activity, or a sub-threshold increase in diaphragm recruitment during the exercise conditions studied.     

Paratesticular desmoid tumor

A primary intrascrotal mass clinically mimicking a testicular tumor was found to be a desmoid tumor originating from the spermatic cord. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a paratesticular desmoid tumor.     

Lesser metatarsophalangeal joint implants

A double-stemmed MTP joint silastic implant has been described that acts as a flexible spacer for a number of pathologic conditions that affect the lesser metatarsophalangeal joints. Preliminary results suggest that this is a feasible alternative to joint destructive procedures with advantages over previously described implants.     

Effectiveness and nutritional consequences of amino acid-based vs glucose-based dialysis solutions in infants and children receiving CAPD

Excessive glucose absorption and dialysate amino acid and protein losses contribute to malnutrition in children on glucose-based continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We used 2.5 and 4.25% glucose and 1.1 and 2.0% amino acid dialysates to assess short-term effectiveness and nutritional consequences of amino acid-based dialysis solutions. Plasma and effluent urea and creatinine concentrations were similar with amino acid and glucose dialysis although 16% less fluid was removed with amino acid dialysates. Absorption of 77.3 +/- 5.3% of dialysate amino acids exceeded losses of amino acids and protein in glucose effluent. With amino acid dialysates, fasting plasma glucose concentrations were maintained while plasma amino acid levels rose, peaked at 1 h, and, excepting methionine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine with the 2.0% solution, returned to initial levels after 5 h. Compared with glucose, amino acid dialysates provide reduced but satisfactory fluid and waste removal, maintain normoglycemia, and more than compensate for effluent losses of amino acids and protein.     

Rifampin alone or with trimethoprim for contacts of children with Haemophilus influenzae type b infections.

We carried out a nonrandomized, unblinded study to compare the efficacy of rifampin alone with that of rifampin in combination with trimethoprim in the eradication of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) carrier state among contacts of patients with invasive HIB infection. The study population comprised 17 index patients admitted to hospital with severe HIB infections and 233 contacts, 43 of whom had nasopharyngeal colonization with HIB of the same biotype as that of the index patient. Rifampin in a daily dose of 20 mg/kg (maximum 600 mg) for 4 days eradicated the carrier state in 86% of cases, as did the combination of rifampin at the same dosage and trimethoprim in a daily dose of 5 mg/kg (maximum 160 mg) for 4 days.     

Computed tomography of acute radiation nephritis

A patient with Hodgkin’s disease received a fractionated 3, 740 rad dosage over 4 weeks to a portal that included both kidneys. Three months later a computed tomographic scan obtained 2 hours after intravenous contrast injection demonstrated sharply demarcated, dense, persistent nephrograms corresponding to the irradiated areas. These changes are ascribed to acute radiation nephritis, reflecting tubular stasis and ischemia.