Different training status may alter the continuous blood glucose kinetics in self-paced endurance running.

The main purpose of the systemic energy metabolism is to provide a source of energy, mainly glucose, for the brain; therefore, blood glucose levels would be expected to correlate with exercise performance. The individual training status may also affect the blood glucose levels. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between blood glucose levels and running velocity during prolonged running in athletes with different training statuses. Two female college athletes, a triathlete and a tennis player, ran a course that was 247.4 m in circumference for 5 h while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring system. Blood was obtained at time-points of -1, 1, 3 and 5 h. The athletes had free access to food and fluids throughout the run. The athletes ran at almost the same pace without a sudden decrease in pace. The blood glucose levels increased and remained high in the triathlete, whereas the tennis player remained hypoglycemic throughout the run. Carbohydrate ingestion did not affect the blood glucose levels. The magnitude of hormonal changes, e.g. insulin, adrenaline and cortisol, was greater in the tennis player. The blood glucose concentration did not correlate with the running velocity or the carbohydrate ingestion; however, a discrepancy in blood glucose transition was observed between the triathlete and the tennis player, indicating a possible association between the adaptation to endurance exercise and the blood glucose kinetics during prolonged running.

Participation of surgical residents does not adversely affect the outcome of inguinal hernia repair in an integrated teaching program.

OBJECTIVE: The Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair is commonly performed and suitable for teaching basic surgical skills. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure for surgical training, particularly in regard to patient outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective case review after introduction of an integrated teaching program. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair is the standard procedure for adult primary unilateral inguinal hernia since 2003 at Jichi Medical University. We introduced an integrated teaching system of lectures, skill training. and videos to teach the skills for Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair to residents and junior faculty in 2003. Cases were retrospectively divided into 4 groups based on the experience of the operating surgeon; junior residents (PGY 1-2, group A), senior residents (PGY 3-5, group B), junior faculty (PGY 6-10, group C), and senior faculty (PGY 11 or more, group D). Background, perioperative factors, and outcomes were evaluated among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 246 elective inguinal hernia repairs (group A: 136, group B: 49, group C: 42, group D: 19) were performed. There was a significant difference in the frequency of concomitant diseases (p = 0.012) and anticoagulant therapy (p = 0.031). Average operating time was 80.7 ± 24.9, 72.6 ± 20.8, 63.5 ± 22.0, and 54.7 ± 27.9 (min ± SD) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively, with a significant difference between groups A and D (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in estimated blood loss (p = 0.216) or morbidity (p = 0.294). CONCLUSIONS: The Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair can be safely performed by residents and junior faculty with the appropriate supervision of senior faculty without any disadvantage to patients. This integrated teaching program for Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair is effective and feasible for training residents and junior faculty.

Carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder: report of two cases.

We report two cases of carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. Case 1 was a 59-year-old woman who presented with epigastric pain. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed a 16 mm polypoid lesion in the neck of the gallbladder. Tumor markers were within normal limits. Open cholecystectomy was performed with a preoperative diagnosis of early cancer of the gallbladder. Case 2 was a 45-year-old man. A polyp in the gallbladder was incidentally detected on annual checkup. Ultrasound and CT showed an 18 mm protruding lesion in the neck of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and the tumor diagnosed as a carcinoid tumor based on the findings of funicular and tubular cells in the lamina propria mucosa, homogeneous nuclei, basophilic cytoplasm, and positive staining with chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The postoperative course of both patients was uneventful, with no recurrence at 44 and 41 months after surgery. In this literature review of 39 cases, classical carcinoid of the gallbladder has a favorable postoperative outcome. Of cases reviewed, 60% are located in the neck of the gallbladder and 50% have a polypoid shape.