Validating the EMG(FT) from a single incremental cycling test.

The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the EMG(FT) from a single incremental cycle ergometry test and (2) validate this fatigue threshold by having participants perform constant workload rides at 70, 100 and 130% of the estimated EMG(FT). 11 healthy college-age participants performed incremental cycle ergometry on the initial visit. The EMG amplitude was recorded from the vastus lateralis muscle for each power output and fitted with linear regression which provided the estimated EMG(FT). In subsequent visits, participants exercised at 3 percentages of their EMG(FT) with the EMG amplitude recorded for each condition. The results indicated no significant (p>0.05) increases in EMG amplitude vs. time for the 70% and 100% workloads, respectively. In addition, the participants were able to maintain these exercise intensities for over 40 min. For the 130% workload, however, EMG amplitude vs. time increased significantly (p<0.001) and the participants were able to maintain the exercise condition for less than 12 min. These findings indicate that the EMG(FT) estimated from a single incremental cycle ergometry test is a valid measure of neuromuscular fatigue and may potentially be useful in assessing the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions.

Safety and efficacy of insulin lispro in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Lispro is a human insulin analogue with a very rapid onset of action, and a shorter duration of activity than soluble insulin. In order to assess the therapeutical value of lispro, we have had an open-label, non-comparative study, for 12 weeks, involving 19 IDDM patients. The treatment regimen with lispro and Humulin N has been adapted depending on each patient characteristics. Patients attended three visits, and the main metabolic control parameters included values of hemoglobin Alc, fasting and postprandial blood glucose monitoring. The patients themselves monitored their blood glucose using a glucometer. The mean age value of 19 patients (8 females and 11 males) was 22.32 (+/- 13.59) years. In patients previously receiving insulin treatment, therapy with lispro insulin significantly reduced postprandial glucose values. Lispro has been administered t.i.d. in 14 patients, and b.i.d. in 5 patients. At visit 1, mean value of HbAlc was 10.32% (+/- 1.63%); at visit 3, mean HbAlc was 9.90% (+/- 1.59%). Total insulin daily dose and the rate of short and long acting insulin did not change from visit 1 to visit 3. There has been reported only one serious adverse event during the study: a ketoacidosis due to a technical dosing error. Ten patients have reported mild hypoglycemic episodes. The outcomes of clinical study and of Quality of Life Questionnaire suggests that lispro--the first human insulin analogue used in humans--is effective, safe, and it is broadening beneficially the spectrum of insulins.

[An epidemiological assessment of acute diarrheal diseases in Iasi city and County (1985-1994)]. / Evaluari epidemiologice asupra bolii diareice acute în municipiul si judetul Iasi (1985-1994).

Acute diarrhoea, with a remarkable etiologic, clinic and epidemiologic polymorphism represents, for various reasons, an important concern for health preservation both in industrialised countries and, mainly, in the developing ones. It is that, at world level, 1.2-1.5 milliards of diarrhoea episodes, of which 750-950 millions in children, causing death in over 4 millions aged 0-5 years, are recorded. In Romania, although the real data of morbidity by acute diarrhoea are not known, the reports show a significant decrease in the past 10 years. In 1993, 420.2 cases at 100,000 inhabitants were reported, the most commonly affected being the children age 0-4 years. In Moldavia (Romania), numerous extensive studies on the epidemiology of acute diarrhoea have been carried out. This paper present and aims rendering evident some epidemiological aspects of acute diarrhoea cases reported in the interval 1985-1994 in Iasi County and town.

The variations of the serum IgD and of the circulant immune complexes in diabetic patients.

The levels of serum IgD and of the circulating immune complexes (CIC) were determined in 168 diabetic patients, of whom 78 with type 1, 59 with type 2 and 31 with the so-called "intermediary" type of the disease, in comparison with 124 non-diabetic subjects for IgD and 100 for CIC. The results revealed very low IgD titres (less than 1 mg%, considered undetectable) in almost 3/4 of the cases; values over 1 mg% were recorded mostly in the cases of type 1, followed by those of "intermediary" and of type 2 diabetes. The mean CIC values of 67.13 +/- 36.53 optic density units (O.D.U.) were significantly higher than in the non-diabetic controls. Certain differences with respect to age, diabetes type, duration of the disease and of the insulin therapy were also recorded. The data are interpreted with caution, further investigations being necessary to the assertion of definite conclusions.