Half-time and high-speed running in the second half of soccer.

This study investigated if the quantity of high-speed running (movements >15 km.h(-1) completed in the first 15 min of competitive football matches differed from that completed in the corresponding 15 min of the second half. 20 semi-professional soccer players (age 21.2±3.6 years, body mass 76.4±3.8 kg, height 1.89±0.05 m) participated in the study. 50 competitive soccer matches and 192 data files were analysed (4±2 files per match) using Global Positioning Satellite technology. Data were analysed using 2-way repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlations. No differences were found between the first 15 min of each half for the distance completed at high-speed (>15 km.h(-1) or sprinting (>21 km.h(-1), or in the number of sprints undertaken (p>0.05). However, total distance covered was shorter (1st half vs. 2nd half: 1746±220 vs. 1644±224 m; p<0.001) and mean speed lower (1st half vs. 2nd half: 7.0±0.9 vs. 6.6±0.9 km.h(-1); p<0.001) in the first 15 min of the second half compared to the first. The correlations between the duration of the half-time interval and the difference in the high-speed running or sprinting between first and second halves (0-15 min) were very small (r=0.08 [p=0.25] and r=0.04 [p=0.61] respectively). Therefore, this study did not find any difference between the amount of high-speed running and sprinting completed by semi-professional soccer players when the first 15 min of the first and second half of competitive matches were compared The maintenance of high-speed running and sprinting, as total distance and mean speed declined, may be a function of the pacing strategies adopted by players in competitive matches.

Stratum corneum pharmacokinetics of the anti-fungal drug, terbinafine, in a novel topical formulation, for single-dose application in dermatophytoses.

OBJECTIVE: The stratum corneum (SC) pharmacokinetics of terbinafine following single-dose administration of a novel cutaneous solution (film-forming solution, FFS) containing terbinafine hydrochloride and a film-forming agent, was investigated in three studies. Terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil) was included as a benchmark in two of these studies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Drugs were applied to areas of the back, and skin strips were taken from defined areas at baseline and from 1 to 312 h after application. Samples were analysed using validated liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The residence time of the film on the skin was up to 72 h after application (up to 12 h for the 1% cream). After application of terbinafine FFS, 30% of the total amount of drug delivered into the SC occurred during the first 2 h, 31% from 2-12 h, and 39% thereafter. The C(max) was observed as early as 1.5 h (t(max)). SC levels were still detected after 13 days (24 ng/cm(2)) (t(1/2)) was 162 h). Terbinafine 1% cream showed a similar t(max) (2 h) with a lower C(max) than terbinafine 1% FFS, and mean SC levels after 7 days of treatment were 46 ng/cm(2) (day 13). The t(1/2) was 68 h. Washing at 30 min removed 86% of the film still present on the surface; the decrease of terbinafine concentration in the SC was 84%. A later washing at 12 h removed 73% of the film in comparison to non-washed skin and induced a decrease in the terbinafine content in the SC of 27%. CONCLUSIONS: The SC pharmacokinetic profile of terbinafine 1% FFS indicates that this novel formulation is efficient in delivering high amounts of terbinafine to the skin for a prolonged time and supports its use in the treatment of dermatophytoses with a single application.

A study of potential skin atrophy following topical application of weak corticosteroids.

A double-blind, half-side comparative dermal atrophy study of fluocortin butylester 0.75% clobetasone butyrate 0.05%, hydrocortisone acetate 1% and placebo creams was carried out in 29 healthy human male volunteers. Skin thickness was measured by a modified radiographic technique before and after an 8-week application period of the test preparations. Significant skin thinning occurred in 3 of the 10 subjects treated with clobetasone butyrate and atrophy of marginal significance in 1 of the 29 subjects treated with fluocortin butylester. The results suggest that, compared with other fluorinated topical steroids, fluocortin butylester 0.75% is unlikely to produce significant dermal atrophy when used in the short and medium term.

Combined estrogen and progestogen for the menopause.

A single-blind pilot study using combined estrogen and progestogen therapy was undertaken in 25 patients for a period of six months in an attempt to evaluate symptomatic control, the acceptability or otherwise of bleeding patterns, and the effect on endometrial pathology. Two different progestogens were employed, i.e. norgestrel and norethisterone acetate, and each was given in combination with estradiol valerate in a cyclical and a continuous regime. Symptomatic control was good in all groups, but there was a mild recrudescence of some symptoms during the tablet-free interval in the cyclical groups. Regular withdrawal bleeding was reported in almost all cases receiving cyclical therapy, and unscheduled bleeding was noted in those on continuous regimes. Endometrial hyperplasia did not occur following treatment in any of the groups, and there was a return to the normal histology in two patients in whom hyperplasia existed prior to treatment. These results support the view that endometrial hyperplasia is least likely to occur if progestogens are administered in combination with estrogen. There were no obvious differences between the effects of the two progestogens.

A study of the comparative efficacy of diflucortolone valerate 0.3% ointment and clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment.

Three hundred and fifty-four patients with symmetrical dermatoses took part in a multicentre, doubleblind, half-side study in order to compare the efficacy of a new topical steroid, diflucortolone valerate 0.3% (Nerisone Forte) against that of an established, potent topical steroid, clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate). The assessment of overall response, as judged by the physicians' preference for one side or another, showed no difference between the two compounds. However, when the results were examined by separate diagnostic category, the number of preferences was greater for diflucortolone valerate 0.3% in eczema, and for clobetasol propionate 0.05% in psoriasis, although neither of these differences reached levels of statistical significance. The graded assessments of response indicated that both compounds were highly effective, potent, topical steroids. Eighty-one percent of all patients showed marked improvement or healing with diflucortolone valerate 0.3%, and 84% showed marked improvement or healing with clobetasol propionate 0.05%. This difference was not statistically significant. Analysis of response, either by diagnosis or grade of severity, showed no statistically significant differences between the two compounds. No significant differences in the incidence of severity of side-effects were observed. It was concluded that the two compounds were of equal clinical efficacy.

Plasma cortisol values after topical application of diflucortolone valerate (0.3%) or clobetasol propionate (0.05%) in psoriatic patients.

A double-blind randomized study to compare the plasma cortisol values at both 9.00 a.m. and 12 midnight following topical application fo 10 g daily for 7 days of either diflucortolone valerate 0.3% (Nerisone Forte) ointment or clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Dermovate) ointment in 20 hospital inpatients suffering from severe psoriasis, showed that clinically both compounds behaved as potent, highly active topical preparations and caused rapid clinical improvement. Diflucortolone valerate 0.3% caused only slight and non-significant depression of mean plasma cortisols. On the other hand, clobetasol caused an immediate, persistent and statistically significant depression of the 9.00 a.m. coritsol values, which appeared to recover towards normality only on the third day after therapy had been withdrawn. the difference between these 2 compounds was found to be statistically significant (P less than 0.05). From these observations, it is concluded that diflucortolone valerate 0.3% ointment suppresses adreno-cortical function to a significantly lesser extent than clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment.

Menopausal therapy and endometrial pathology.

PIP: A report is made of a pilot study on the effect of administration of a cyclical or continuous course of a combined estrogen and progesterone preparation on bleeding patterns and the endometrium. Small treatment groups received either 1) cyclical estradiol valerate 2 mg plus norgestrel .5 mg for 21 of 28 days; 2) continuous estradiol valerate 2 mg plus norgestrel .5 mg daily; 3) continuous estradiol valerate 1 mg twice daily plus levonorgestrel .25 mg daily; 4) cyclical estradiol valerate 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg for 21 of 28 days; or 5) continuous estradiol valerate 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg daily. Withdrawal bleeding occurred in all but 1 cyclical patient, but unscheduled bleeding occurred in most continuous patients. In 2 patients, pretreatment hyperplasia had changed to proliferative in 1 and secretory in the other in 6 months of treatment (1 cyclical and the other continous). All pretreatment currettings with proliferative endometrium became secretory endometrium after treatment. It is concluded that cyclical therapy of a combined estrogen and progesterone is least likely to be acceptable to the patient. The advantages of combined versus sequential administrations and optimal doses remains to be determined.^ieng

Sustained action tetracycline preparation--tetrabid-organon blood level study.

A comparison of the plasma levels of tetracycline obtained whilst taking standard therapeutic doses of Tetrabid-Organon was made in twelve healthy volunteers. Two standard production batches were used in the study which was conducted under double-blind conditions. Sampling 12 hours and 8 hours after dosing showed no significant differences in plasma levels, with each batch. Even at these lowest levels satisfactory concentrations were rapidly obtained following initial administration, and were maintained when the drug was given at 12-hourly intervals. No side-effects of the drug were noted.