Physiological profile comparison between high intensity functional training, endurance and power athletes.

INTRODUCTION: High intensity functional trainings (HIFT), a recent development of high intensity trainings, includes in the same training session components of endurance exercises, elements of Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting, gymnastics, plyometrics and calisthenics exercises. Therefore, subjects practicing this type of activity are supposed to show physiological features that represent a combination of both endurance and power athletes. The aim of this study was to compare the physiological profile of three groups of age-matched endurance, HIFT and power athletes. METHODS: A total of 30 participants, 18 to 38-year-old men were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided in three groups: HIFT (n = 10), endurance (END, n = 10), and power (POW, weightlifters, n = 10) athletes. All were evaluated for anthropometric characteristics, VO2peak, handgrip, lower limb maximal isometric and isokinetic strength, countermovement vertical jump and anaerobic power through a shuttle run test on the field. RESULTS: VO2peak/kg was higher in END and HIFT than POW athletes (p = 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively), but there were no significant differences between the first two. POW and HIFT athletes showed significant greater strength at the handgrip, countermovement jump and leg extension/flexion tests than END athletes. HIFT athletes showed highest results at the dynamic isokinetic test, while there were no significant differences at the shuttle run test among groups. CONCLUSIONS: As HIFT reach aerobic levels similar to END athletes and power and strength output similar to POW athletes, it appears that HIFT programs are effective to improve both endurance-related and power-related physical fitness components.

Mechanisms of head stability during gait initiation in young and older women: A neuro-mechanical analysis.

Decreased head stability has been reported in older women during locomotor transitions such as the initiation of gait. The aim of the study was to investigate the neuro-mechanical mechanisms underpinning head stabilisation in young and older women during gait initiation. Eleven young (23.1 ±â€¯1.1 yrs) and 12 older (73.9 ±â€¯2.4 yrs) women initiated walking at comfortable speed while focussing on a fixed visual target at eye level. A stereophotogrammetric system was used to assess variability of angular displacement and RMS acceleration of the pelvis, trunk and head, and dynamic stability in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Latency of muscle activation in the sternocleidomastoid, and upper and lower trunk muscles were determined by surface electromyography. Older displayed higher variability of head angular displacement, and a decreased ability to attenuate accelerations from trunk to head, compared to young in the anteroposterior but not mediolateral direction. Moreover, older displayed a delayed onset of sternocleidomastoid activation than young. In conclusion, the age-related decrease in head stability could be attributed to an impaired ability to attenuate accelerations from trunk to head along with delayed onset of neck muscles activation.

Effect of whole body vibration frequency on neuromuscular activity in ACL-deficient and healthy males.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been shown to enhance muscle activity via reflex pathways, thus having the potential to contrast muscle weakness in individuals with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The present study aimed to compare the magnitude of neuromuscular activation during WBV over a frequency spectrum from 20 to 45 Hz between ACL-deficient and healthy individuals. Fifteen males aged 28±4 with ACL rupture and 15 age-matched healthy males were recruited. Root mean square (RMS) of the surface electromyogram from the vastus lateralis in both limbs was computed during WBV in a static half-squat position at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 Hz, and normalized to the RMS while maintaining the half-squat position without vibration. The RMS of the vastus lateralis in the ACL-deficient limb was significantly greater than in the contralateral limb at 25, 30, 35 and 40 Hz (P<0.05) and in both limbs of the healthy participants (dominant limb at 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 Hz, P<0.05; non dominant limb at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 Hz, P<0.05). The greater neuromuscular activity in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb of the ACL-deficient patients and to both limbs of the healthy participants during WBV might be due to either augmented excitatory or reduced inhibitory neural inflow to motoneurons of the vastus lateralis through the reflex pathways activated by vibratory stimuli. The study provides optimal WBV frequencies which might be used as reference values for ACL-deficient patients.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) bioindicator of lead and copper pollution in Sicily (Italy).

The aim of this study was to evaluate Pb and Cu accumulation in muscle and skin samples of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Sicily, for monitoring of environmental metals pollution. Metals determination, carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), showed the presence of Pb and Cu in all samples analyzed. Pb concentrations were similar in muscle (0.04±0.009 mg/kg) and skin (0.03±0.004 mg/kg) samples, while Cu levels resulted higher in muscle (1.842±0.178 mg/kg) than in skin (1.22±0.151 mg/kg). In addition, a comparative analysis of Pb and Cu concentrations was carried out among samples from different areas of Sicily and between female and male, young and old, immature and mature foxes. Metals content found in all muscle and skin samples demonstrates that V. vulpes could be a valid "sentinel" species of rural and suburban areas to study the environmental metals pollution and the habitat quality.

Evaluation of mercury levels in pangasius and cod fillets traded in Sicily (Italy).

Predator fishes at the top of the aquatic food chain can accumulate large concentrations of metals and their consumption, consequently, makes a significant contribution, in particular, to mercury intake. The aim of this study was to determine mercury levels in fillets of two predatory species: pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) from the Vietnam region of Megong and Chao Pharayai and cod (Gadus morhua) from the Baltic and North Sea, both being commercially important in the Italian market. A comparative analysis of these two imported fish species was carried out as a risk assessment for consumer safety. The results showed the presence of higher mercury levels in pangasius (0.41 ± 0.08 mg kg(-1)) than in cod (0.11 ± 0.004 mg kg(-1)) fillets. These data underline the importance of monitoring on imported fish before marketing, to evaluate better the risk of mercury exposure through fish and seafood consumption, and of selecting safer fishes for consumption by those groups more sensitive to the toxic effects of this metal.

Interventions for the prevention of overweight and obesity in preschool children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to analyse interventions for the prevention of overweight and obesity in children under 5 years of age. We carried out a systematic review focusing exclusively on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data sources include Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychInfo and Web of Science. Data were extracted from seventeen articles describing seven RCTs identified through electronic search, screening of references in systematic reviews, own files and contact with authors. RCTs were assessed with the Jadad scale. Four trials were carried out in preschool settings, one with an exclusive educational component, two with an exclusive physical activity component and one with both. Two trials were family-based, with education and counselling for parents and children. The remaining trial was carried out in maternity hospitals, with a training intervention on breastfeeding. None of the interventions had an effect in preventing overweight and obesity. The failure to show an effect may be due to the choice of outcomes, the quality of the RCTs, the suboptimal implementation of the interventions, the lack of focus on social and environmental determinants. More rigorous research is needed on interventions and on social and environmental factors that could impact on lifestyle.

[The descending necrotizing mediastinitis]. / La mediastinite discendente necrotizzante.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a primary complication of cervical or odontoiatric infections that can spread to the mediastinum through the anatomic cervical spaces. The delay of the diagnosis or under assessment of the disease, with no adequate draining techniques, results in high mortality up to 20%. We report our experience about 9 clinical cases of DNM observed and surgically treated in our unit from 2000 to 2006; five of these patients were admitted in the last two years. We stress the differences of management of this affection that needs a close cooperation between surgeon, intensive care unit and infectious disease specialist.

Control of head stability during gait initiation in young and older women.

Transition tasks between static and dynamic situations may challenge head stabilization and balance in older individuals. The study was designed to investigate differences between young and older women in the upper body motion during the voluntary task of gait initiation. Seven young (25+/-2.3 years) and seven older healthy women (78+/-3.4 years) were required to stand on a force platform and initiate walking at their self-selected preferred speed. Angles of head, neck and trunk were measured by motion analysis in the sagittal plane and a cross-correlation analysis was performed on segments pairs. Variability of head and neck angular displacements, as indicated by average standard deviation, was significantly greater in the older than in the young participants. The young women maintained dynamic stability of the upper body, as forward flexion of the trunk was consistently counteracted by coordinated head-neck extension. Differently, movement patterns employed by the older women also included a rigid motion of all upper body segments leaning forward as a single unit. These results demonstrated that older women perform the transition from standing to walking with greater variability in the patterns of upper body motion compared to young women.

[Enteric viruses and bacteriological parameters in molluscs]. / Parametri virali e batterici in molluschi bivalvi.

Eighty-seven samples of shellfish were collected considering: type of mollusc, origin, growing area, monitoring or for human purpose. The bacteriological parameters were: Fecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella; whereas the virological parameters included: Hepatitis A and E virus, Rotavirus, Astrovirus and Enterovirus. In total, 63.2% of samples had normal bacteria values, only one sample was Salmonella positive. The percentage of positive samples for Hepatitis A virus was 5.7%, Rotavirus 29.9%, Astrovirus 27.6%, Enterovirus 10.3%. The recovery of hepatitis E virus was always negative, whereas 13 samples (14.9%) were positive for two viruses.

Waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak in Albania.

Three different studies are reported concerning the environmental pollution caused by viruses in Albania. The first study describes an outbreak of gastroenteritis in the capital city, involving 2,722 children attending the Paediatric Unit of Tirana Hospital. The age group with the highest morbidity was 0-5 years, with 89.5%; no fatalities were recorded during the outbreak. Rotavirus was detected in 26/28 faecal samples by RT-PCR, although astrovirus, adenovirus and calicivirus were also present. The second study describes an outbreak of hepatitis A virus involving the city of Lac. Two hundred cases were recorded, with the highest incidence in the age-group 5-9 years. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1/2A region showed the presence of a unique sequence: genotype IA. Rotavirus was identified in drinking-water samples collected during the outbreak. The third study describes the prevalence of HAV and HEV in 202 sera randomly collected from 12 different cities in Albania. HAV showed a high incidence (66.2%), whereas none was positive for HEV. The genomic analysis of the VP1/2A junction revealed the presence of only one genotype (IA) with few point mutations and just two amino acid substitutions at codons 22 and 34. Additionally, two potential antigenic variants were detected, the first at position 46 of VP3 and the second at position 23 of VP1.

[Virus transmission in drinking water]. / La diffusione di virus nelle acque potabili.

Several epidemiological data confirm the presence of enteric viruses in drinking water. The present paper deals with several problems tied to the virological analysis, such as the concentration of the samples, the isolation and the identification of enteric viruses.

Is the coactivation of biceps femoris during isometric knee extension affected by adiposity in healthy young humans?

This study aimed to verify if the level of biceps femoris antagonist activity measured during isometric knee extension was affected by the individual degree of adiposity in 14 young healthy subjects of both genders aged between 18 and 24. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the biceps femoris muscle of the dominant leg during isometric knee extension at three levels of voluntary contraction: maximum (MVC), 80% MVC and 200 N, respectively. In addition, whole-body percentage of fat, volume of the thigh and skinfold thickness below the electrodes were achieved. Biceps femoris coactivation values were: 28.5 +/- 17.9%, 30.9 +/- 17.7% and 25.3 +/- 17.5% for MVC, 80% MVC and 200 N trials, respectively (NS). Neither the whole-body percentage of fat nor the skinfold thickness influenced percentage coactivation, irrespective of the intensity of contraction. However, an increase in the whole-body percentage of fat showed a tendency to augment the biceps femoris coactivation (P(I)=0.079; P(II)=0.575). No differences in coactivation were observed between genders. In addition, the duration of contraction did not affect the level of coactivation.

Time-resolved X-ray powder diffraction on a three-way catalyst at the GILDA beamline.

Time-resolved X-ray diffraction experiments carried out at the beamline BM08-GILDA of ESRF allowed a study of the structural modifications taking place in a Pt/ceria-zirconia catalyst while the CO oxidation reaction was in progress. The capillary tube in which the sample is stored acts effectively as a chemical microreactor that ensures homogeneity of the sample treatments and minimization of diffusion effects. During the flowing of the reactant CO/He mixture, the investigated catalyst undergoes a fast Ce(IV)-Ce(III) partial reduction that involves the release of one O atom for every two reduced Ce cations. Because Ce(III) has a larger ionic radius than Ce(IV), the structural modification produces an increase of the lattice constant of the ceria-zirconia mixed oxide, and this increase is monitored by the translating imaging-plate device implemented at GILDA. The CO(2) resulting from the oxidation of the fluxed CO is monitored by a quadrupole mass spectrometer during the recording of the time-resolved X-ray diffraction pattern. The chemical and structural information was combined to show that the CO(2) yield is nearly constant until the catalytic system can provide oxygen for the reaction, while the structural rearrangement of the catalyst is delayed with respect to the switching on of the CO/He flux. After this induction time, during which CO(2) is produced with no structural modification of the catalyst, a fast increase of the lattice constant takes place.

Electromyogram changes during sustained contraction after resistance training in women in their 3rd and 8th decades.

The present study aimed at investigating the neuromuscular adaptations to 6 weeks of resistance training in women in their third (6 experimental, 8 controls) and eighth decades (8 experimental, 8 controls). The surface electromyogram (sEMG) was measured from the biceps brachii muscle during constant-force isometric contractions lasting 12 s at 80% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). All the signals were analysed adopting in the time domain the root mean square (RMS) as a measure of amplitude and in the frequency domain the median frequency (MDF) of the power spectrum. Quantitative analysis was performed from the 3rd to the 6th second, to describe the early phase of the contraction ("Early"), starting from point at which 80% of the MVC was reached, and from the 9th to the 12th second, to describe the last part of the constant-force sustained contraction ("Late"). After training, the MVC increased by 22.4% in the young (P < 0.0001) and by 13.4% in the older (P < 0.05) women. The "Early" RMS increased by 60.4% with respect to the pre-training condition in the young (P < 0.01) but not in the older women. In contrast, the "Late" RMS increased by 46.7% in the older (P < 0.05) but not in the young women. The MDF remained unchanged in both groups. These results indicate that young and older women showed different training-induced adaptation of the motor unit (MU) activation pattern, in order to keep a constant level of force during a sustained isometric contraction at 80% of MVC.

Ambulation training of neurological patients on the treadmill with a new Walking Assistance and Rehabilitation Device (WARD).

STUDY DESIGN: Patients with neurological walking impairment were rehabilitated with a new system, consisting of an apparatus to constantly relieve the body weight and a treadmill: The Walking Assistance and Rehabilitation Device (WARD). Patients were evaluated before and after rehabilitation with clinical scales and physiological measurements. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the WARD in improving walking capability in these patients. SETTING: The study was carried out in a clinical environment (IRCCS S. Lucia, Rehabilitation Hospital, Rome, Italy). METHODS: Seven patients (six with spinal cord injuries, one with brain injury) underwent a 1 - 2 month training period with the WARD. During the WARD training the body weight constant unloading (BWCU) applied to the patient through the WARD was regularly evaluated. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and heart rate were measured in order to obtain energy and cardiac costs of walking. These measurements were carried out while walking with the WARD at an appropriate treadmill speed (ATS) and in the open field at the most comfortable speed (MCS). All measurements, in addition to clinical scores related to the walking capability, were carried out at the beginning of the WARD training period (BWT) and at the end (EWT). At the EWT the patients were tested walking with the WARD observing the same BWT conditions (same ATS and BWCU), referred to as beginning conditions second measurements (BCSM). The relationships between physiological costs and ATS were described through second order polynomial regression curves and studied. RESULTS: Comparing the data obtained at the BWT and EWT, the following results were found significantly different: (1) Clinical scores improved; (2) All patients increased their ATS; (3) The BWCU was reduced; (4) The Walking Energy Cost (WEC) and the Walking Cardiac Cost (WCC) measured when walking with the WARD at the ATS improved in all patients; and (5) The WEC and WCC measured in the open field improved in all patients. The WEC vs ATS curve found at the EWT in the BCSM was found significantly different from the BWT curve, demonstrating a major improvement due to the WARD training. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations due to sample size and functional ambulation scale, this study has demonstrated that the WARD training is effective in improving the walking capability and efficiency of the patients.

Cost of walking and locomotor impairment.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance and the necessity of metabolic measurements to quantify locomotor impairment in a clinical context. Oxygen consumption, heart rate, pulmonary ventilation and walking speed were measured during locomotion in 14 normal subjects, used as a control group, and 82 patients with different pathologies [hemiparetic, paraparetic, tetraparetic, orthopaedic and paraplegic patients, who walked using a reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO)]. The subjects were characterized on the basis of a cumulative impairment score (CIS), based on clinical scales commonly used to evaluate impairment and disability in locomotion. Appropriate indices of energy, cardiac and ventilatory costs expressed per metre walked, globally called physiological costs, were obtained. It resulted that the most comfortable speed (MCS) of normal subjects was significantly higher than that of each group of patients. Normal subjects' physiological costs were found to be significantly lower than those of patients who needed either a device or the help of a person to walk. All measured parameters correlated significantly with each other. The MCS was found to be the most correlated parameter with the CIS (r = 0.8), and therefore it must be considered the best single measurement, if only one is to be used. Measurements more precise than MCS, such as the physiological costs, may be necessary in clinical trials.

Determinants of maximal instantaneous muscle power in women aged 50-75 years.

The present study aimed at analysing the age-related decline in maximal muscle power (W) in 52 sedentary healthy women aged between 50 and 75 years to determine whether force or velocity is the major determinant. Maximal muscle power was estimated from two types of vertical jumps, squatting (SJ) and countermovement (CmJ), performed on a force platform. It was obtained by measuring the vertical force (F(opt)) applied to the body centre of gravity and calculating the corresponding vertical velocity (v(opt)). An age-related decline in absolute W was statistically significant in all the conditions examined and in both peak W and average power (W) values. The decrease in v(opt) was also statistically significant. Also F(opt) declined but this reduction was not statistically significant with the exception of the average value in CmJ. Not surprisingly the highest W were obtained in CmJ, and the difference in power production between the two types of jump showed an age-related decrement only in W. The main finding of the study was the demonstration that v(opt) was the critical determinant of the age-related decline in W in healthy elderly women.

[Long-term central venous access. Our experience]. / Accesso venoso centrale a lungo termine. Nostra esperienza.

Prolonged venous access devices (PVAD) represent a useful tool for many patients with chronic diseases. In the last 3 years 50 PVAD have been placed. Polyurethane catheters with a subcutaneous tunnel > 6 cm, have been used. There were no complications related to catheter insertion. The average life of PVAD was 95 days (range 7-425).

Streptococcus sanguis bacteremia and colorectal cancer.

Streptococcal bacteremia is an uncommon presentation for colorectal malignancy, yet most physicians are aware of the association between Streptococcus bovis infection and these malignancies. Many are unaware, however, that other streptococcal species are associated with colon and rectal cancers. In this case report and brief review, we highlight this association and discuss a case of Streptococcus sanguis bacteremia associated with an early invasive rectal cancer.