High physical fitness is associated with reduction in basal- and exercise-induced inflammation.

C-reactive protein (CRP) increases after strenuous exercise. It has been a concern that prolonged strenuous exercise may be harmful and induce a deleterious inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess and quantify the magnitude of CRP response following an endurance cycling competition in healthy middle-aged recreational cyclists. (b) Identify important determinants of this response. (c) Identify the relationship between CRP, myocardial damage (cardiac Troponin I (cTnI)), and myocardial strain (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP]). (d) Identify the relationship between CRP and clinical events, defined as utilization of healthcare services or self-reported unusual discomfort. Race time was used as a measure of physical fitness. A total of 97 individuals (43±10 years of age, 74 [76%] males) were assessed prior to and 0, 3, and 24 hours following the 91-km mountain bike race "Nordsjørittet" (Sandnes, Norway, June 2013). There was a highly significant increase in CRP from baseline to 24 hours (0.9 (0.5-1.8) mg/L vs. 11.6 (6.0-17.5) mg/L (median[IQR]), P<.001), with no correlation of CRP to cTnI and BNP at any time-point. CRP was strongly correlated to race time at baseline (r=.38, P<.001) and at 24 hours following the race (r=.43, P<.001), In multivariate models, race time was an independent predictor of CRP both at baseline and at 24 hours (P<.01). There was no relationship between CRP levels and clinical events. In conclusion, high physical fitness was associated with reduction in both basal- and exercise-induced CRP. No adverse relationship was found between high intensity physical exercise, CRP levels, and outcomes.

Cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies: a 5-year prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We report the cognitive decline in persons diagnosed with mild dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) during 5 years of annual follow-ups. METHODS: Patients were recruited into the study from geriatric, psychiatric and neurology clinics in Western Norway during 2005-2013. They were diagnosed according to clinical consensus criteria, based on standardised clinical rating scales. Autopsy-based diagnoses were available for 20 cases. Cognitive decline for up to 5 years was assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Survival analysis including Cox regression (time to reach severe dementia) and linear mixed-effects (lme) modelling were used to model the decline on MMSE. RESULTS: At least one follow-up assessment was available for 67 patients with DLB and 107 patients with AD, with a median follow-up time of 4.3 years. The time to reach severe dementia was significantly shorter in DLB (median 1793 days) compared with AD (1947 days; p=0.033), and the difference remained significant in the multiple Cox regression analysis (HR=2.0, p<0.02). In the adjusted lme model, MMSE decline was faster in DLB (annual decline 4.4 points) compared with AD (3.2 points; p<0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that from the mild dementia stage, patients with DLB have a more rapid cognitive decline than in AD. Such prognostic information is vital for patients and families and crucial for planning clinical trials and enabling health economic modelling.

Timing of cord clamping in relation to start of breathing or ventilation among depressed neonates-an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal timing of cord clamping (CC) in nonbreathing neonates needing stabilisation/resuscitation remains unclear. The objective was to describe the relationship between time to CC, initiation of breathing or positive pressure ventilation (PPV) after stimulation/suction and 24-hour neonatal mortality/morbidity. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: A rural Tanzanian referral hospital. POPULATION: Depressed nonbreathing newborns. METHODS: Trained research assistants have observed every delivery (November 2009 through January 2014) using stop-watches and recorded data including fetal heart rate; time intervals from birth to CC and start of breathing or PPV and perinatal characteristics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-four-hour neonatal outcome (dead, admitted, normal). RESULTS: There were 19 863 liveborn infants; 16 770 (84.4%) initiated spontaneous respirations, 3093 (15.6%) received stimulation/suctioning to initiate breathing. However, 1269 (41.0%) neonates failed to breath and received PPV at 98 ± 66 seconds and CC at 39 ± 35 seconds after birth. Adverse outcomes in neonates receiving PPV included 126 (9.9%) deaths and 100 (7.8%) neonatal admissions. In 1146/1269 (90%) neonates, CC occurred before PPV and was associated with 209 (18%) deaths/admissions. In 98 (8%) neonates, CC followed initiation of PPV with 14 (14%) deaths/admissions (P = 0.328). By logistic modelling, initiation of PPV before versus after CC was not associated with death/admission when adjusted for time to PPV. The risk for death/admission increased by 12% for every 30-second delay in PPV (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study failed to demonstrate any relationship between time to CC and onset of breathing or initiation of PPV following stimulation/suction, and 24-hour outcome. Delay in initiation of PPV was significantly associated with death/admission. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: No relationship between time to cord clamp, breathing or ventilation and 24-hour deaths in depressed neonates.

Early detection of psychosis: positive effects on 5-year outcome.

BACKGROUND: During the last decades we have seen a new focus on early treatment of psychosis. Several reviews have shown that duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is correlated to better outcome. However, it is still unknown whether early treatment will lead to a better long-term outcome. This study reports the effects of reducing DUP on 5-year course and outcome. METHOD: During 1997-2000 a total of 281 consecutive patients aged >17 years with first episode non-affective psychosis were recruited, of which 192 participated in the 5-year follow-up. A comprehensive early detection (ED) programme with public information campaigns and low-threshold psychosis detection teams was established in one healthcare area (ED-area), but not in a comparable area (no-ED area). Both areas ran equivalent treatment programmes during the first 2 years and need-adapted treatment thereafter. RESULTS: At the start of treatment, ED-patients had shorter DUP and less symptoms than no-ED-patients. There were no significant differences in treatment (psychotherapy and medication) for the 5 years. Mixed-effects modelling showed better scores for the ED group on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative, depressive and cognitive factors and for global assessment of functioning for social functioning at 5-year follow-up. The ED group also had more contacts with friends. Regression analysis did not find that these differences could be explained by confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment had positive effects on clinical and functional status at 5-year follow-up in first episode psychosis.