Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces exercise-induced perceived pain and improves endurance exercise performance.

PURPOSE: Muscle pain is a natural consequence of intense and prolonged exercise and has been suggested to be a limiter of performance. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) have been shown to reduce both chronic and acute pain in a variety of conditions. This study sought to ascertain whether TENS and IFC could reduce exercise-induced pain (EIP) and whether this would affect exercise performance. It was hypothesised that TENS and IFC would reduce EIP and result in an improved exercise performance. METHODS: In two parts, 18 (Part I) and 22 (Part II) healthy male and female participants completed an isometric contraction of the dominant bicep until exhaustion (Part I) and a 16.1 km cycling time trial as quickly as they could (Part II) whilst receiving TENS, IFC, and a SHAM placebo in a repeated measures, randomised cross-over, and placebo-controlled design. Perceived EIP was recorded in both tasks using a validated subjective scale. RESULTS: In Part I, TENS significantly reduced perceived EIP (mean reduction of 12%) during the isometric contraction (P = 0.006) and significantly improved participants' time to exhaustion by a mean of 38% (P = 0.02). In Part II, TENS significantly improved (P = 0.003) participants' time trial completion time (~2% improvement) through an increased mean power output. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that TENS can attenuate perceived EIP in a healthy population and that doing so significantly improves endurance performance in both submaximal isometric single limb exercise and whole-body dynamic exercise.

Hepatitis B infection among Iraqi children: the impact of sanctions.

Effect of sanctions on hepatitis B vaccine availability and occurrence of viral hepatitis B among Iraqi children was studied. Between June 2000 and June 2001, families of patients attending the Public Health Laboratory, Mosul, for hepatitis B follow-up were screened. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe. We diagnosed 74 children born 1994-1998 as HBsAg carriers. For 62 of 74 cases, parents had consulted vaccine centres promptly: 41 were not vaccinated and 21 had only one vaccine dose. HBeAg marker was positive for 9 (14.5%) and anti-HBe for 50 (80.7%). Parental reluctance was the reason for non-vaccination for 12. Vaccine shortages during the birth years of cases were documented, even after implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 986.

Hepatitis B infection among Iraqi children: the impact of sanctions

Effect of sanctions on hepatitis B vaccine availability and occurrence of viral hepatitis B among Iraqi children was studied. Between June 2000 and June 2001, families of patients attending the Public Health Laboratory, Mosul, for hepatitis B follow-up were screened. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBe. We diagnosed 74 children born 1994-1998 as HBsAg carriers. For 62 of 74 cases, parents had consulted vaccine centres promptly: 41 were not vaccinated and 21 had only one vaccine dose. HBeAg marker was positive for 9 [14.5%] and anti-HBe for 50 [80.7%]. Parental reluctance was the reason for non-vaccination for 12. Vaccine shortages during the birth years of cases were documented, even after implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 986

Follow-up of pregnant women with active cytomegalovirus infection.

Pregnant women (60) with and without serological evidence of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were followed until delivery to detect the incidence and types of overt congenital CMV infection in neonates in Mosul, Iraq. Infection was diagnosed by the detection of CMV-IgM, using ELISA. CMV-IgM was detected in cord blood samples of six (10%) overtly sick infants (with different congenital malformations) born to mothers with active CMV infection. Central nervous system abnormalities were detected in all six cases (two with microcephaly and four with hydrocephaly). Congenital CMV infection should be suspected in infants born with congenital malformations, especially those of the central nervous system. The detection of a significant number of hydrocephalus cases in our study is notable.

Follow-up of pregnant women with active cytomegalovirus infection

Pregnant women [60] with and without serological evidence of active cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection were followed until delivery to detect the incidence and types of overt congenital CMV infection in neonates in Mosul, Iraq. Infection was diagnosed by the detection of CMV-IgM, using ELISA. CMV-IgM was detected in cord blood samples of six [10%] overtly sick infants [with different congenital malformations] born to mothers with active CMV infection. Central nervous system abnormalities were detected in all six cases [two with microcephaly and four with hydrocephaly]. Congenital CMV infection should be suspected in infants born with congenital malformations, especially those of the central nervous system. The detection of a significant number of hydrocephalus cases in our study is notable

Voluntary exercise increases gonadotropin secretion in male Golden hamsters.

To determine the effect of voluntary exercise and food restriction on reproductive hormone secretion, 48 adult male hamsters were placed in cages with (EX) or without (SED) running wheels. One-half of the animals in each exercise group was fed ad libitum, and the other half was food restricted to reduce their body weight to 90 g over 4 wk. After 10 wk, the EX ad libitum-fed group had much larger testes and much higher serum follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels than the other three groups, but these values in the EX food-restricted hamsters were similar to those in the SED food-restricted group. In experiment 2, 20 adult male hamsters were castrated and later implanted with silicone rubber capsules containing testosterone. Two weeks after implantation of the capsules, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels were higher in the EX than in the SED group of testosterone-treated hamsters, but not in animals receiving blank capsules. These data suggest that exercise increases gonadotropin secretion by inhibiting the negative feedback of testosterone.

Preparation, analysis and application of [99mTc]Human Albumin Microspheres ([99mTc]HAM) for lung scanning.

Kits were developed for the sterile labelling of Human Albumin Microspheres with 99mTc. The microspheres were prepared, sieved to get the desired particle size and autoclaved for sterilization. The spheres were treated with stannous chloride and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to 3.7 with phosphate buffer. After freeze-drying the contents of single reaction vials from different batches were reacted with 99mTc and the radiochemical yield (higher than 97%) was determined. The HAM kits were stable and the stability of [99mTc]HAM was followed for 5 h. Lung and liver uptake in mice was determined to be about 90 and 1% respectively. The preparation of [99mTc]HAM is performed in a single step process and excellent human lung scans were obtained.