Effect of exercise on the reproductive outcome and fetal development of diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on pregnancy outcome in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n = 11 animals/group). These animals were randomly assigned to sedentary (G1) and exercised groups, beginning from day 0 (G2) or 7 (G3) to day 20 of pregnancy. The moderate exercise was a swimming programme. At day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anaesthetized and killed to obtain pregnancy outcome data. All rats presented glycaemia higher than 300 mg/dl, regardless of the exercise training. The G3 group showed higher live fetus number per implantation site and lower resorption number per implantation site compared with the G1 group. The fetal and placental mean weights per litter and the total number of ossification sites were significantly lower in the exercised groups (P < 0.05). Placental index was lower in the G2 and G3 groups compared with the G1 group. The occurrence of skeletal anomalies indicated that exercise increased the number of altered fetuses. Thus, moderate exercise achieved better outcomes by increasing the number of live births and decreasing resorption. However, exercise increased skeletal anomalies and decreased fetal and placental weights.     

Anorectal myectomy in treatment of ultrashort segment Hirschsprung's disease. Report of 26 cases

A diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in children with constipation. An accurate neonatal history of bowel function and testing of anorectal pressure responses will aid the diagnosis. In the period 1971-75 inclusive, 140 children, aged 6 months to 14 years, were investigated by anorectal manometry. 26 showed a failed inhibition response to rectal dilatation, suggesting Hirschsprung's disease and were treated by anorectal myectomy. In 24 the disease was confirmed histologically. Two specimens were diagnostically unsuitable. 4 required repeat myectomies, and 3 anterior resection. At follow-up all had normal bowel movements without soiling.     

Flowing cerebrospinal fluid in normal and hydrocephalic states: appearance on MR images

The signal intensity of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cerebral aqueduct and lateral ventricles on magnetic resonance (MR) images was evaluated in 16 healthy individuals and in 32 patients with various forms of hydrocephalus (20 with chronic normal pressure hydrocephalus [NPH], seven with acute communicating hydrocephalus, and five with hydrocephalus ex vacuo [atrophy]). The low signal intensity frequently observed in the cerebral aqueduct is believed to reflect the pulsatile motion of CSF, which is related to the cardiac cycle. While this "aqueductal flow void phenomenon" can be observed in healthy individuals, it is most pronounced in patients with chronic, communicating NPH; is less evident in patients with acute, communicating hydrocephalus; and is least evident in patients with atrophy. Ventricular compliance is known to be essentially normal in atrophy; mildly decreased in acute, communicating hydrocephalus; and severely decreased in NPH. The degree of aqueductal signal loss is believed to reflect the velocity of the pulsatile CSF motion, which in turn depends on the relative ventricular compliance and surface area.     

Fitness testing and career progression in AFL football

Relationships between fitness testing and career progression in the Australian Football League (AFL) are under-explored. This study investigated relationships between anthropometric and fitness tests conducted at the annual AFL National Draft Camp and subsequent career progression of players. A total of 283 players was tested over three consecutive camps (1999-2001). The anthropometric and fitness measures were: height, mass, sum of skinfolds, 20-m sprint test, vertical jump (standing and bilateral running), agility run and a multi-stage incremental shuttle run. The five outcome variables were: drafted (yes/no), AFL debut (yes/no), number of AFL games played to the end of 2003, and subjective ratings of career potential and career value (5-point scale). Of 205 players (72%) subsequently drafted, 166 (59%) eventually made their AFL debut. Players drafted to AFL clubs were faster over 5 m, 10 m and 20 m, ran further in the shuttle run and ran marginally faster in the agility test than players not drafted. Multi-regression analysis showed small to moderate correlations (r = 0.27-0.31) between the designated outcome variables and selected fitness tests: 20-m sprint time (faster), agility run test (faster), and running vertical jump (higher absolute height and smaller difference between left and ride sides). Regression analysis for the standing vertical jump relative to standing reach height showed a counterintuitive negative correlation with positive outcomes, possibly reflecting non-compliance with testing procedures by the less successful athletes. We conclude that the 20-m sprint, jump, agility and shuttle run tests have a small but important association with career progression of AFL footballers.     

Do androgens enhance the response to antithymocyte globulin in patients with aplastic anemia? A prospective randomized trial

We analyzed the effect of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) with or without androgens in 121 patients with aplastic anemia. Fifty-three patients with moderate to severe aplastic anemia were prospectively randomized to receive ATG with or without oral androgens. Eleven of 26 patients (42%) receiving ATG plus androgen responded, including three complete and eight partial responses. Twelve of 27 patients (44%) receiving ATG plus placebo responded, including five complete and seven partial responses. The difference in response rates was not significant (P greater than .9). Survival was also comparable in the two groups; for patients with severe aplastic anemia, actuarial survival at two years was 55% +/- 24% (95% confidence interval) in patients receiving ATG plus androgen compared with 50% +/- 24% in the ATG plus placebo group (P = .65). Furthermore, results in both groups were indistinguishable from those obtained in 68 historical controls receiving ATG without androgens. These data indicate that androgens are not required in order to respond to antithymocyte globulin and the addition of androgens, as used in this trial, did not significantly improve response rates to ATG treatment.