Physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male boxing,Muay Thai and silat athletes

Background

This study aimed to determine the differences in physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male state boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes.

Methods

Forty participants with mean age 16.7?±?1.5 years participated in this study. They were divided into four groups, i.e., sedentary control, boxing, Muay Thai and silat groups with 10 participants per group. Participants’ lung capacity, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), Wingate anaerobic capacity, isokinetic muscular peak torque (strength) and power, hand-grip strength, back and leg strength, explosive power, agility, static balance and flexibility were measured. Bone sonometer was used to measure tibial and radial bone speed of sound (SOS). The research approach employed was purposive method and the duration for completing data collection was 3 months.

Results

The result of the present study showed that boxing athletes exhibited significantly (p?<?0.05) greater arm isokinetic muscular strength and power than silat athletes, and greater arm isokinetic muscular power than Muay Thai athletes respectively. Boxing athletes also showed significantly (p?<?0.05) higher estimated VO_2max compared to silat athletes. Muay Thai athletes exhibited significantly (p?<?0.05) greater radial bone SOS value compared to sedentary controls.

Conclusions

The Malay male adolescent boxing athletes had greater arm isokinetic muscular performance than their silat and Muay Thai counterparts. Boxing athletes also showed better aerobic fitness compared to silat athletes. In addition, Muay Thai athletes had better bone health status than sedentary individuals. This study provides new scientific information on physiological profiles and bone health status of Malay adolescent male state boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes in the field of martial arts.

     

Low incidence of left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal EF who present for pulmonary vein antrum isolation procedure

Introduction: The incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) who present for pulmonary vein antrum isolation procedure (PVAI) is unknown.
Methods and Results: All consecutive patients from January 2000 to June 2004 who underwent a PVAI received a computed tomography (CT) to evaluate LAA thrombus before the procedure and 3 months post-PVAI. All patients were followed prospectively. One thousand two hundred twenty-one patients received a PVAI during the study dates. All patients received a CT pre-PVAI at 3 months, and 601 (49%) received a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) pre-PVAI. Per protocol, all patients who had CT scans that were positive for LAA thrombus received a TEE. There were 9 patients who had LAA thrombus on CT scan, but only 3 had LAA thrombus on TEE. Using TEE as the gold standard, only 3 patients had an LAA thrombus before PVAI; of these patients, 2 had chronic AF with average ejection fraction (EF) of 48% and 1 patient had PAF with EF 25%. No patients with PAF and normal EF had LAA thrombus. Patients with LAA thrombus pre-PVAI had lower EF than patients without LAA thrombus (40% vs. 53%, P = 0.007) but had similar LA size (5.0 vs. 4.5 cm, P = 0.77). No other differences in baseline characteristics were noted.
Conclusions: In this registry of 1,221 patients, we did not observe LA thrombus in PAF patients with normal EF who present for PVAI. Prescreening CT alone is likely to be sufficient in paroxysmal AF patients with normal EF, and the use of TEE may not be needed.     

Sulfur mustard and respiratory diseases

Victims exposed to sulfur mustard (HD) in World War I and Iran-Iraq war, and those suffered occupational or accidental exposure have endured discomfort in the respiratory system at early stages after exposure, and marked general physical deterioration at late stages due to pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiolitis obliterans or lung cancer. At molecule levels, significant changes of cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum, and of selectins (in particular sE-selectin) and soluble Fas ligand in the serum have been reported in recent studies of patients exposed to HD in Iran-Iraq war, suggesting that these molecules may be associated with the pathophysiological development of pulmonary diseases. Experimental studies in rodents have revealed that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, their product peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), nitric oxide synthase, glutathione, poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase, activating protein-1 signaling pathway are promising drug targets for preventing HD-induced toxicity, whereas N-acetyl cysteine, tocopherols, melatonin, aprotinin and many other molecules have been proved to be effective in prevention of HD-induced damage to the respiratory system in different animal models. In this paper, we will systemically review clinical and pathophysiological changes of respiratory system in victims exposed to HD in the last century, update clinicians and researchers on the mechanism of HD-induced acute and chronic lung damages, and on the relevant drug targets for future development of antidotes for HD. Further research directions will also be proposed.     

Study of action spectrum of papulovesicular light eruption (PVLE)

Eight patients suffering from papulovesicular light eruption (PVLE) were phototested for reproduction of skin lesions with FL20SE and FL20BLB. Of the 8 patients, 50.0% developed typical lesions of PVLE at the test site by provocative phototesting with FL20SE (3 daily exposure of 2MED). In these patients, similar lesions were induced by the provocative test with FL20BLB for 2 consecutive days without filter, but no eruptions were induced when a sharp cut filter UV-35 was used. In conclusion, it is important to consider not only UVB but also the border spectrum between UVB and UVA (320-340 nm) as the action spectrum of PVLE.     

Allergic photocontact dermatitis due to suprofen

We report 5 cases of photocontact dermatitis due to suprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug introduced to the Japanese market in 1989, and available as a 1% ointment. The patients developed pruritic eczematous lesions after applying the ointment for from 2 weeks to 3 months. All 5 patients reacted positively to photopatch testing with ultraviolet A (UVA) and suprofen down to 0.1-0.01% pet., and 3 patients showed positive reactions with ultraviolet B (UVB) and suprofen down to 1.0-0.1%. Moreover, all patients showed a cross-reaction with tiaprofenic acid, which has a very similar chemical structure to suprofen. However, there was no cross-reaction between suprofen and ketoprofen. Prescribers should be aware of the existence of photocontact sensitivity due to these drugs.     

Electrocardiography series. Non-ischaemic causes of ST segment elevation

ST segment elevation is one of the most important electrocardiographic features that need to be recognised. Although ST segment elevation myocardial infarction is one of the main causes of this abnormality, there are other non-ischaemic causes that are also important. We discuss reversible apical ballooning syndrome or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, pericarditis and a case of ST segment elevation due to 'early repolarisation pattern'.     

Triplet combination of gemcitabine, paclitaxel, and carboplatin followed by maintenance 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND.: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a disease that is highly responsive to various chemotherapeutic agents. In the metastatic setting, 2-drug combination chemotherapy generally provides a response rate of 55% to 75%, and median survival of 10 to 12 months. The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy of a 3-drug combination followed by maintenance treatment in patients with metastatic NPC. METHODS.: Patients with metastatic NPC were treated with a combination of gemcitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2), paclitaxel at a dose of 70 mg/m(2), and carboplatin at an area under the concentration-time-curve (AUC) of 2.5 on Days 1 and 8 every 21 days. Patients who achieved partial or complete response continued to receive weekly 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 450 mg/m(2) and leucovorin at a dose of 30 mg/m(2) for 48 weeks. RESULTS.: Twenty-eight patients were recruited. Twenty-two (79%) patients had >/=2 sites of disease. Toxicities were mainly from bone marrow suppression, with 79% grade 3/4 neutropenia, 32% grade 3/4 anemia, and 29% grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria). The overall response rate to the 3-drug regimen was 86%, with a complete response rate of 11%. The median duration of response was 8 months and the median overall survival was 22 months. CONCLUSIONS.: This regimen of a 3-drug combination followed by maintenance is feasible and has demonstrated an encouraging response rate and overall survival. Cancer 2008. (c) 2008 American Cancer Society.     

Immunochemical characterization of edible bird’s nest allergens

Background: We have previously described anaphylaxis induced by edible bird’s nest (BN) and demonstrated that this condition is IgE mediated. Objectives: This study aimed at describing the immunochemical properties of the BN allergens. Comparative studies between 3 commercially available sources (according to the country of origin) of BN were also made. Methods: Crude extracts of commercially available processed BN from Sarawak (Malaysia), Thailand, and Indonesia and fresh unprocessed BN from the caves of Sarawak were obtained by means of aqueous extraction. Specific IgE toward these sources were determined by using fluorescence allergosorbent tests (FASTs). Cross-reactivity studies between the 3 sources of commercially available processed BN were carried out by means of FAST inhibition. Immunochemical characterization by means of IgE immunoblot, periodate treatment, and heat stability studies were carried out on fresh unprocessed BN from Sarawak. Results: Serum from allergic patients showed differences in IgE binding to the 3 sources of commercially available BN, with the highest levels of specific IgE recorded with the Sarawak source (P < .0001). Of these, only the Sarawak and Thailand sources showed considerable cross-reactivity. Further work on the unprocessed fresh Sarawak source identified a putative 66-kd major allergen containing several isoforms. Periodate treatment resulted in loss of IgE binding. Despite a progressive decline in the molecular weights of allergens on SDS-PAGE with increasing periods of boiling, IgE binding, as assessed by means of FAST, was not affected. N-terminal sequence of the major putative allergen (66 kd) showed homology to a domain of an ovoinhibitor precursor in chicken (SWISS-PROT accession No. P10184). Conclusions: We have described the immunochemical properties of BN allergens. Edible BN from different sources are allergenically dissimilar. The putative major allergen is a 66-kd protein. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:1082-8.)     

Impact of duration of symptoms on CSF dynamics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Czosnyka Z, Owler B, Keong N, Santarius T, Baledent O, Pickard JD, Czosnyka M. Impact of duration of symptoms on CSF dynamics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 414–418.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective – Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure–volume compensation may change over time as part of normal ageing, where the resistance to CSF outflow increases and the formation of CSF decreases with age. Is CSF compensation dependent on duration of symptoms in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH)? Methods – We investigated 92 patients presenting with iNPH. Mean age was 73 (range 47–86). There were 60 men and 32 women. They all presented with gait disturbance and ventricular dilatation. Memory deficit occurred in 72% and urinary incontinence in 52% of patients. All patients underwent computerized CSF infusion tests. Sixty‐four shunted patients were available for follow‐up, and their improvement was expressed using the NPH score. Results – Mean intracranial pressure (ICP) was 10.1 ± 5.1 mmHg, and mean resistance to CSF outflow was 17.3 ± 5.2 mmHg/(ml/min). Mean duration of symptoms was 24 ± 19 months (range from 2 weeks to 86 months). Baseline ICP, magnitude of ICP pulse waveform, brain compliance and improvement after shunting (72% of patients improved) did not exhibit any dependency on the duration of symptoms. The resistance to CSF outflow showed a strong tendency to decrease in time with the duration of symptoms beyond 2 years (R = −0.702; P < 0.005). Conclusion – This is a preliminary observation, and it suggests that for patients with duration of symptoms longer than 2–3 years, the threshold for normal resistance to CSF outflow should be duration‐adjusted.