Polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) in relation to cardiovascular risk factors in men

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of polymorphisms in codon 16 (Arg16Gly) and codon 27 (Gln27Glu) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) on anthropometric, endocrine, metabolic and haemodynamic variables. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A subgroup of 284 Swedish men from a population sample of 1040 at the age of 51 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Genotype examination of ADRB2 polymorphisms in codon 16 and codon 27 with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and abdominal sagittal diameter. Endocrine measurements included blood levels of testosterone, insulin-like growth factor I, and leptin plus salivary cortisol. Overnight fasting values of serum insulin, blood glucose, triglycerides, total, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as blood pressure and resting heart rate, were also determined. RESULTS: Polymorphisms were frequent in both codon 16 and codon 27. The Arg16Gly genotype showed significant relationships to elevated central distribution of body fat and to systolic blood pressure, whilst the Glu27Glu genotype was associated with elevated leptin and triglyceride levels but not to other measurements, including obesity variables. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that only a few cardiovascular risk factors are associated with DNA sequence variation in the ADRB2 in Swedish men.     

Exercise testing at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 18 months after infarction and the outcome at 3 years in young patients (under 55 years).

To examine the prognostic value of routine postinfarction exercise tests in young patients, exercise tests were carried out at 3 and 6 weeks and 18 months after infarction in 149 patients aged under 55 years at the time of the index infarction. The patients also had coronary angiography and left ventriculography a mean of 3 months after infarction. Three years after infarction, only two of the 149 patients have died, reinfarction occurred in only seven (4.7%) patients; unstable angina in four (3%) patients and coronary artery surgery was needed in 31 (20.8%) patients; 16 in the first, 10 in the second, and 5 in the third year of follow-up. Angina on exercise testing at 6 weeks was the only variable with any predictive value. Eighteen (38%) of the 47 patients with, compared to 12 (11.8%) of the 102 patients without, angina on exercise testing at 6 weeks had coronary surgery (less than 0.001). None of the other exercise variables reliably predicted death, or other complications, including coronary surgery. Ten (13.8%) of the 75 patients excluded from the study died during follow-up; six of them within 6 weeks of infarction. Four (67%) of these patients were excluded from the study because of heart failure. Therefore, the 3-year outcome in young survivors of a myocardial infarction is good and is not reliably predicted by exercise testing at 3 and 6 weeks or 18 months.     

Post-Circuit Blues: Motivations and Consequences of Crystal Meth Use Among Gay Men in Miami

Miami, Florida was at the vanguard of the rise of circuit parties and attendant club drug use—especially ecstasy, GHB, and ketamine—in the 1990s. Crystal methamphetamine, a drug of abuse among gay men for some years on the West coast, gradually moved east toward the end of the decade and recently became prevalent in Miami. This paper reports the results of focus group research into the motivations and consequences of crystal use among gay men in this new setting. Loneliness, fears about physical attractiveness due to aging and illness, and desires to lose sexual inhibitions were common motivations for using the drug. Continued use of crystal was often described as the cause of lost friendships, employment and long-term relationships, as well as sexual behaviors that put men at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Implications for drug and sexual risk prevention interventions are discussed.     

His bundle pacing in a young child guided by electroanatomical mapping

Pediatric patients with complete congenital atrio‐ventricular (AV) block are generally exposed to life‐long dyssynchronous right ventricular (RV) pacing. His bundle pacing (HBP) is an alternative method of pacing that better restores physiological ventricular activation which could prevent pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy. We present a case of a 5‐year‐old child with complete AV block who underwent successful permanent HBP implantation. Three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping system was used to facilitate the procedure and reduce the fluoroscopy time. There were no acute procedure‐related complications, and electrical parameters were stable at short‐term follow‐up.     

Professor James M. Tanner and the sport sciences

Background: Although Tanner was not directly involved in physical education or the sport sciences, several of his papers addressed issues related to research in the area.

Aim: To consider the implications of selected papers and research projects for the sport sciences.

Papers and Implications: Several early papers addressed ratio standards, somatotype and total cholesterol, and anthropometric and somatotype changes associated weight training and cessation of training in young adult men. The papers have, respectively, implications for current studies of allometric scaling, physique and risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic complications, and responses to training. The survey of athletes at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games not only added to the literature but to some extent also set the stage for subsequent surveys of Olympic athletes in 1968, 1972 and 1976. Although not directly involved in the mixed-longitudinal study of Training of Youth Athletes (TOYA) in several sports, it was conducted in his department. Results from TOYA indicated no influence of systematic training for sport on growth in height, young adult height and sexual maturation. Growth at Adolescence was also a fixture in many graduate programs.

Conclusion: Though not a sport scientist, Tanner contributed directly and indirectly to the field.