Association among Executive Function, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in Youth.

Background and objectives: Executive function (EF) is an umbrella term that encompasses the set of higher-order processes. Core EFs are inhibition, interference control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The aim of the study was to compare the EF between normal weight (NW) and inactive overweight (OW), NW and sport trained (ST), ST and OW 16-19-year-old youths. In addition, the relationship between EF and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: 10 NW, 14 ST, and 10 OW youths participated in this study. EF was evaluated using the ANAM4 battery. VO2peak was measured during an increasing walking exercise (modified Balke test). Results: The NW youths demonstrated better visual tracking and attention (94.28% ± 3.11%/90.23% ± 2.01%), response inhibition (95.65% ± 1.83%/92.48% ± 1.05%), speed of processing, and alternating attention with a motor speed component (95.5% ± 3.51%/89.01% ± 4.09%) than the OW youths (p < 0.05). The ST youths demonstrated better visual tracking and attention (96.76% ± 1.85%/90.23% ± 2.01%), response inhibition (97.58% ± 0.94%/92.48% ± 1.05%), speed of processing, and alternating attention with a motor speed component (98.35% ± 1.35%/89.01% ± 4.09%) than the OW youths (p < 0.05). The ST youths demonstrated better EF results than NW youths (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The ST 16-19-year-old youths demonstrated better EF than their OW and NW peers. The NW youths demonstrated better EF than their OW peers. There was a significant correlation between VO2peak and EF indicators in all groups of participants.

Teledermatology as an educational tool for teaching dermatology to residents and medical students.

Although teledermatology (TD) is regarded as a tool to improve patient access to specialty healthcare, little has been done to evaluate its role in medical education. We describe the TD program at the Denver (CO) Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and evaluate its use as an educational tool for teaching dermatology to dermatology residents and medical students. Dermatology residents manage TD consultations and review all cases with a faculty preceptor; medical students participate as observers when possible. This study assessed dermatology resident (n=14) and medical student (n=16) perceptions of TD and its usefulness in teaching six core clinical competencies. Both residents (79%) and medical students (88%) "strongly agree" or "agree" that TD is an important educational tool. In general, medical students were slightly more satisfied than residents across all of the core competencies assessed except for patient care. Medical students and residents were most satisfied with the competencies of practice-based learning and improvement and medical knowledge, whereas they were least satisfied with those of interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism. Overall, TD is valued as a teaching tool for dermatology in the areas of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

The effect of physiotherapy in addition to testosterone replacement therapy on the efficiency of the motor system in men with hypogonadism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the addition of physiotherapy to testosterone replacement therapy provides added benefit in improving functional capacity of the motor system in men with hypogonadism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 3 groups of subjects: group 1, healthy men (n=20); group 2, men with hypogonadism who underwent testosterone replacement therapy with physiotherapy (TRT+PT) (n=8); and group 3, men with hypogonadism who underwent testosterone replacement therapy alone (TRT) (n=10). Physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) and body composition (X-SCAN analysis) were analyzed; the vertical jump test (Leonardo Mechanography®) was applied. RESULTS: The application of testosterone replacement therapy together with physiotherapy for 6 months significantly increased the maximum and relative power of jump in the subjects in the TRT+PT group; however, in the TRT group, no statistically significant difference was observed. The maximum jump height for the subjects in the TRT+PT group significantly increased 6 months after the intervention; however, in the TRT group, this index remained unaltered. The lean body mass of the subjects in the TRT+PT group increased (P<0.05); however, in the TRT group, it did not change. The relative fat body mass in the TRT+PT group decreased significantly (P<0.05), but, in the TRT group, it had a tendency to increase, though insignificantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the application of testosterone replacement therapy together with physiotherapy (1 hour twice weekly) in men with hypogonadism may lead to earlier and better results in comparison with testosterone replacement therapy applied alone.