Evaluation of anaerobic performance capacity by the isokinetic Ariel computerized exercise system-reliability and validity.

The present study examines the reproducibility and validity of computerized muscle strength and endurance evaluation protocols using the Ariel Computerized Exercise System (ACE). Since the ACE has only recently become commercially available, there are no published normative data for various exercises, nor are the measurements' accuracy and validity for the various exercise protocols documented. Twenty males (17 to 30 years old) performed a set of isokinetic maximal leg and arm exercises on the ACE Multi Function Unit twice on 2 separate days. Test-retest correlation coefficient ranged from 0.44 (bench press) to 0.91 (bench pull and leg extension flexion). Thirty additional male subjects (16 to 31 years old) performed, on 2 separate days, the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) (leg), and various force and endurance leg exercises (squat) on the ACE. Correlation coefficients of the various performance indices between the 2 test systems ranged from -0.02 to 0.23. The results obtained on the ACE indicate moderate to high reproducibility and low concurrent validity with WAnT.     

Lipid peroxidation and the mechanisms of hepatocyte damage and protection in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

A study was made of the indices of lipid peroxidation (LPO)--conjugated dienes (CD) and diene ketones (D), cyclic nucleotides (CN)--cAMP and cGMP, prostaglandins (PG) E and F2 alpha in biopsy tissue of the liver in 55 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) and liver cirrhosis (LC). LPO was determined by spectrophotometry, CH and LC--by a radioimmunoassay. In patients with CPH and CAH the indices of LPO and cGMP were normal, cAMP, PG and PGE/PGF2 alpha were raised. In a severe fast progressive liver lesion disorder of coordination activity of the cell membranous systems was characterized by a high LPO activity, a decrease in cAMP and relative deficit of liver PG.     

Continuous lumbar subarachnoid pressure monitoring as an indicator of shunt operation for so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus

Lumbar subarachnoid pressure (LSP) was continuously monitored via intrathecally introduced polyethylene catheter to select the patients for shunt operation. A total of seventy cases included so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; 34 cases), idiopathic NPH (17 cases), secondary NPH whose symptoms developed after operations for brain tumors, head injuries or meningitis (12 cases) and other intracranial diseases including pseudotumor cerebri or meningeal carcinomatosis, etc. (7 cases). Shunt operation was effective in 36 cases and not effective in 9 cases, while 25 cases were not shunted since LSP was not elevated or clinical manifestations were slight. Mean values of baseline pressure and maximum pressure in shunt effective group, shunt non-effective group and non-shunted group were 14.5, 12.7, 9.0 and 29.9, 25.0, 17.9 mmHg, respectively. Statistical difference was observed between shunt effective group and non-shunted group. Frequency of pressure waves was also significantly higher in shunt effective group than in non-shunted group. Above all, measurement of LSP was regarded as useful in idiopathic NPH. However, preoperative clinical symptoms had a closer relationship to shunt response than results of LSP in post SAH patients. Complication related to this monitoring was negligible except in one case of meningitis which was easily treated by administration of antibiotics. Follow-up study also justified our selection since no further deterioration was noted in non-shunted group. The present study indicates that measurement of LSP would be useful in selecting the patients who will benefit from shunting and in eliminating unnecessary shunt operations because this simple method is easily performed at bed side without perforating the skull.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nimodipine treatment in poor-grade aneurysm patients. Results of a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial

A multicenter, randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial of nimodipine in poor-grade aneurysm patients was carried out in 17 Canadian hospitals. Of 188 patients enrolled in the trial, 32 were excluded for protocol violations and two were excluded due to statistical considerations, leaving 154 patients for valid outcome analysis. Nimodipine treatment was associated with a significantly better outcome (p less than 0.001): 21 (29.2%) of 72 nimodipine-treated patients had a good outcome at 3 months after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) compared to eight (9.8%) of 82 placebo-treated patients. Delayed ischemic deficits from vasospasm alone were significantly less frequent in the nimodipine group (p less than 0.05) with permanent deficits occurring in five nimodipine-treated patients (6.9%) and in 22 placebo-treated patients (26.8%). Improvement in the good outcome rate and reduction in delayed ischemic deficits from vasospasm alone occurred in both Grade 3 and 4 patients, with no difference between nimodipine- and placebo-treated patients being found in Grade 5 patients. Repeat angiography after Day 4 was carried out in 124 patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of moderate or severe diffuse spasm, which was seen in 64.3% of nimodipine-treated patients and 66.2% of placebo-treated patients. The authors conclude that nimodipine treatment in poor-grade patients with SAH results in an increase in the number of good outcomes and a reduction in the incidence of delayed neurological deterioration due to vasospasm. This effect occurs by a mechanism other than prevention of large-vessel spasm as visualized on angiography.     

Alcohol consumption, ACTH level, and family history of alcoholism

Plasma levels of ACTH were evaluated in 18 sons of alcoholics and 18 sons of nonalcoholics before and after they consumed placebo, 0.75 ml/kg of ethanol, and 1.1 ml/kg of ethanol. The analyses revealed significant changes in ACTH levels over time, an effect of ethanol on ACTH overall, and significantly lower ACTH levels in the sons of alcoholics than in the control subjects following the high-dose ethanol challenge. The data corroborate the earlier finding that sons of alcoholics have less intense responses to ethanol and are consistent with the conclusion that changes in cortisol level associated with drinking include a pituitary response as well as effects on the adrenal glands.     

Hemodynamic changes in the blood vessels of the lesser circulation in interstitial pulmonary diseases

Hemodynamic vascular changes of the lesser circulation in granulomatous and diffuse pulmonary diseases shown to be systemic and advanced are suggestive of the existing mechanisms underlying durable compensation of defected blood flow through alveolar septa. One of the mechanisms may be operable by means of arteriolar blood outflow into the venules along dilated major capillaries. In compliance with this conception is venous hypertrophy in tunica media and new growths of the intimal muscular layer.