Elevated serum ferritin concentrations in master runners after a marathon race

To evaluate iron stores in master runners, serum ferritin levels were measured 24 hrs before and 1, 24 and 168 hrs after a 42.2 km marathon race in 12 men and 7 women master runners. Mean ferritin concentrations were 88 and 50 ng/ml, respectively, before the race. Significant elevations in serum ferritin levels were observed 24 and 168 hrs after the race for men runners and 1, 24 and 168 hrs after the race for women runners. Serum ferritin levels elevated after a stressful event like a marathon race may no longer accurately reflect body iron stores.     

Health-related quality of life of heart failure and coronary artery disease patients improved during participation in disease management programs: a longitudinal observational study.

The objective of the study was to examine the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the HRQOL trajectory among participants in a disease management (DM) program characterized by personalized models of education, counseling, and supportive contact. In all, 2,590 CAD and 3,182 HF patients were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-enrollment. HRQOL was measured via a computerized dynamic test, whose core consisted of SF-8 items. HRQOL burden was assessed by comparing physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores to demographically adjusted US norms and to historical controls. Disease trajectories were assessed with change score analyses and by a categorization of participants as improving, stable, or deteriorating. Among the results, both groups showed between 1.7 to 2.6 times the likelihood of improving over worsening after a full year of DM participation in all measures. In contrast, historical controls experienced no significant HRQOL improvement or decline after 2 years of standard treatment. After 1 or 2 years they were more likely to decline than to improve in their PCS scores and were about as likely to improve as to worsen in their MCS scores. In conclusion, HF places a substantial burden on HRQOL, and the burden of CAD is also noticeable. While the study design does not allow causal interpretations, HRQOL significantly improved for both CAD and HF patients during DM program participation. This trend is in contrast to historic controls, where no significant HRQOL improvement occurred over time.     

Posterior capsular opacification and intraocular lens decentration. Part I: Comparison of various posterior chamber lens designs implanted in the rabbit model

Experimental phacoemulsification procedures were performed in 54 Rex rabbits. In 96 eyes, posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted in the capsular sac, and 12 eyes served as controls with no lens implantation. The IOLs were divided into eight groups consisting of both one-piece and three-piece styles with various optic designs. Each lens was evaluated for the relative effect on posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and optic decentration, two of the most common complications of modern cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Optics with a convex-anterior, plano-posterior design (the type of IOL optic most frequently implanted today) had the highest incidence of PCO. With capsular fixated IOLs, the features that have a statistically significant impact on reducing PCO include (1) one-piece, all-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) IOL styles, (2) a biconvex or posterior convex optic design, and (3) angulated loops. Lens decentration was not affected by the optic design, but statistical analysis showed that one-piece, all-PMMA IOL construction provided the most consistent centration.     

Ipsilateral fractures of the elbow and forearm.

One hundred and fifty-one patients with distal humeral fractures admitted to three major hospitals in Atlanta were studied retrospectively. Of these, 15 (10%) also had a fracture of the ipsilateral forearm. These appeared to be more severe injuries with a history of greater trauma and more displacement in the elbow fractures. The incidence of complications was the same in both groups with the exception of a higher incidence of cubitus varus among patients with combined fractures.     

Histopathologic correlative study of Kelman-style flexible anterior chamber intraocular lenses

Three of 16 eyes in which Kelman flexible anterior chamber lenses were implanted were obtained for postmortem examination, and the lenses and globes were analyzed histopathologically. Thirteen additional lenses, removed surgically secondary to various complications, were studied by scanning electron microscopy. All of the lenses ere well finished and none showed evidence of degradation or cracking of the polymethylmethacrylate optics or foot plates. Some of the lenses showed deposition of inflammatory debris or erythrocytes, reflecting a clinical history of uveitis. In some cases, the problems seemed to be related to variations in surgical technique or improper sizing.     

Comparison of serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB activities post marathon race versus post myocardial infarction

Serial total creatine kinase (CK) and CK MB activities were determined in the serum of seven runners following a marathon race and compared to enzyme activities in the sera from five patients following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the runner's sera, total CK and CK MB activities were significantly elevated at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours post marathon race when compared to the 1 hour pre-marathon samples (p < 0.01). Serum CK MB activities peaked at 24 hours in both groups of subjects. The MB activities 24 hours following the marathon were substantially higher (91 ± 30 U/l; mean ± SD) than the MB activities 24 hours following AMI (46 ± 38 U/l). However, the percentages of CK MB 24 hours following the marathon and AMI were almost identical (7.0 ± 2.4% and 7.2 ± 2.3%, respectively). Furthermore, CK and CK MB clearances were significantly prolonged (p < 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively) following the marathon race (T $\text{1}\text{2}$ CK, 49 hours; T $\text{1}\text{2}$ CK MB, 29 hours) as compared to following AMI (T $\text{1}\text{2}$ CK, 27 hours; T $\text{1}\text{2}$ CK MB, 12 hours). These results suggest release of CK MB from the skeletal muscle of marathon runners. Therefore, we recommend that elevation of CK MB in the range indicative of myocardial damage be interpreted with caution in long-distance runners.     

Angioid streaks and sickle haemoglobinopathies.

Five patients had angioid streaks associated with sickle cell haemoglobinopathy. Other diseases associated with angioid streaks were ruled out, as was elastic tissue degenegation in sickle cell patients. After studying over 350 patients, we believe the incidence of angioid streaks in sickle cell disease to be between 1 and 2 per cent.