The Snodgrass and Vanderwart set revisited: norms for object manipulability and for pictorial ambiguity of objects, chimeric objects, and nonobjects.

In this paper, we propose a standardized set of 480 black-and-white line drawings, half meaningful and half meaningless. Meaningful pictures represent a common object, and were selected from the Snodgrass and Vanderwart set (1980). Meaningless pictures include 120 chimeric objects (made up of two halves of real objects) and 120 nonobjects, that were constructed from the meaningful pictures while controlling for visual complexity. We report the results of two experiments designed to standardize the revisited Snodgrass and Vanderwart set along two important dimensions for picture processing: object manipulability (Experiment 1) and pictorial ambiguity (Experiment 2). The relevance of these dimensions is discussed. Experiment 1 permit us to sort objects into four manipulability categories (i.e., the ease and distinctiveness with which use of the object can be mimed) and to propose a manipulability index. This experiment provides additional evidence for a partial overlap in the dichotomy between man-made objects and living things, on the one hand, and manipulable and unmanipulable objects, on the other hand. In Experiment 2, a pictorial ambiguity index was computed for meaningful and meaningless pictures. The results of this experiment point the distinction between chimeric objects and nonobjects showing that chimeric objects are more complex to process than nonobjects and objects. This standardized set of pictures provides a database and an hopefully useful tool for research in cognitive neuroscience.

Effects of oral creatine supplementation on maximal pedalling performance in older adults.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of giving short-term doses of creatine by mouth to healthy older male subjects, taking into account their training status. A group of 42 volunteers was divided into three: a sedentary group composed of elderly sedentary men [n = 14, mean age 70.1 (SEM 1.2) years], a trained group composed of elderly trained cyclists [n = 14, mean age 66.4 (SEM 1.4) years] and a young group composed of young sedentary men [n = 14, mean age 26.0 (SEM 1.2) years]. In each group, double-blind randomization was carried out: one half was given creatine (3x5 g x day(-1)), and the other was given an iso-nitrogenated placebo (3x10 g x day(-1)). Before and after the 5 days during which the supplements were given, all subjects performed five all-out 10-s sprints separated by 60-s intervals of passive recovery, seated on a cycle ergometer. Power output, work done and heart rate data were recorded during each sprint. The elderly and the young sedentary subgroups given creatine showed significant (P < 0.05) improvements in maximal power (+3.7% and +2.0%, respectively) and work done (+4.1% and +5.1%, respectively) in the subsequent tests. In contrast, no significant change in pedalling performances was observed in the trained elderly subjects. The creatine did not change the exercise and recovery heart rate profiles, in any group. Our study suggested that creatine given by mouth increases the anaerobic power and work capacity of sedentary people of different ages during maximal pedalling tasks. However, the level of physical activity seems to be a determinant of the ergogenic effect of creatine in older subjects.

Effects of strength exercise and training on the natural killer cell counts in elderly humans.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of strength exercise and training on the natural killer cell counts in elderly humans. METHODS: The study examined strength exercise-induced changes in the number of NK cells and changes in stress hormones in 16 sedentary elderly subjects before and after a 8-week strength training intervention. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately and 6 hours after a standardized strength test. Blood samples were also obtained from ten sedentary young subjects, under the same conditions and from ten resting elderly subjects serving as time controls. RESULTS: Prior to training, older adults immediately decreased (from 165.4+/-19.5 microL to 110.6+/-14.3 microL; mean+/-SEM) their NK cell count in response to the standardized strength test, whereas young controls increased their count (from 157.6+/-28.8 microL(-1) to 241.4+/-39.8 microL(-1)). After strength training, the same old subjects slightly increased (from 159+/-19.8 microL(-1) to 166.6+/-19.7 microL(-1)) their NK cell counts in response to the standardized strength test. In elderly subjects, no increase in stress hormone was observed following the strength test either before or after the strength training programme. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that in sedentary older adults, unlike young subjects, strength exercises can induce a transient decrease in NK cell count which can be cancelled by a short-term strength conditioning. Therefore, caution should be taken regarding immunocompetence of older adults when initiating a rehabilitation programme based on strength.

Cardiovascular tolerance of healthy elderly subjects to weight-lifting exercises.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic strain and the myocardial tolerance of weight-lifting exercises in healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: Sixty-five healthy elderly subjects (32 men/33 women) aged 65-80, were studied. Weight-lifting exercises consisted of two sets of 12 repetitions at 12-repetition maximum (RM) and four sets of five repetitions at 5-RM for, horizontal leg press, seated chest press, and bilateral leg extension movements. Cardiovascular tolerance to weight-lifting exercises was evaluated both physiologically and biologically by measuring heart rate (HR) and blood pressures continuously during exercise, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) blood concentration before and 6 h postexercise. Comparisons between resting and exercise or postexercise values were performed by a bilateral-paired t-test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No significant increase in cTnI circulating concentration was observed secondary to exercise (16.56+/-2.23 vs 14.40+/-1.96 ng x L(-1); mean +/- SEM). This was observed despite a significant (P < 0.001) exercise-induced increase in systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP) and HR. Highest values of SAP, DAP, and HR (223.6+/-3.1 mm Hg, 139.6+/-1.9 mm Hg, and 108+/-2 min(-1), respectively) were measured during the horizontal leg press exercise. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that weight-lifting exercises can be conducted in healthy elderly subjects without clinical, electrical, and biological sign of myocardial ischemia, if appropriate selection criteria, and proper respiratory techniques during exercise are applied.

P300, N400, aerobic fitness, and maximal aerobic exercise.

Electrophysiological effects of aerobic fitness and maximal aerobic exercise were investigated by comparing P300 and N400 before and after a maximal cycling test. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained from 20 students divided into two matched groups defined by their aerobic fitness level (cyclists vs. sedentary subjects). The session of postexercise ERPs was performed immediately after body temperature and heart rate returned to preexercise values. At rest, no significant differences were observed in ERP parameters between cyclists and sedentary subjects. This finding argued against the hypothesis that ERP modifications may be directly assumed by aerobic fitness level. The postexercise session of ERPs showed a significant P300 amplitude increase and a significant P300 latency decrease in all subjects. Similarly, N400 effect increased significantly after the maximal exercise in all subjects. ERP changes were of the same magnitude in the two groups. The present study argues for a general arousing effect of maximal aerobic exercise, independently of the aerobic fitness level.

Responses of total and free insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 after resistance exercise and training in elderly subjects.

To investigate the effects of an acute bout of exercise on total and free insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 plasma concentrations, 32 healthy elderly subjects (67-80 years, 16 men) performed a strength test, which consisted of two sets of 12 repetitions at 12-repetition maximum and four sets of 5 repetitions at 5-repetition maximum for horizontal leg press, seated chest press, and bilateral leg extension movements. Ten out of the 32 subjects served as time controls. Blood samples were drawn prior (08.30 h), immediately (10.30 h), and 6 h (16.30 hours) after the strength test in exercising and resting subjects. The 32 subjects were then randomly assigned to habitual physical activity or to an 8-week strength training program. After 8 weeks, both sedentary and trained groups underwent blood samplings under the above-mentioned conditions. The exercising group showed increased total and free insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations immediately (+17.7 and +93.8%, respectively), and 6 h (+7.5 and +31.2%, respectively) after the test, whereas no significant changes in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 concentrations were observed in either exercising or resting control groups. Strength training induced no significant changes in baseline insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 concentrations. Trained and sedentary groups showed similar hormonal response pattern to the strength test, which consisted of increased total and free insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations. The data indicated that strength exercise can induce an early and sustained insulin-like growth factor-I release, in elderly subjects, regardless of their training status.

Effects of a short-term strength training programme on lymphocyte subsets at rest in elderly humans.

The effects of a short-term strength training programme on resting lymphocyte subsets and stress hormone concentrations were analysed in 32 elderly sedentary subjects. Out of these 32 subjects, 8 women and 8 men [mean age 70.1 (SEM 1.0) years] were randomly assigned to a 8-week strength training programme which consisted of three sets of eight repetitions at 80% of one repetition maximum, for leg press, bilateral leg extension and seated chest press, 3 days a week. The remaining 8 women and 8 men [mean age 70.5 (SEM 0.9) years] served as controls. Absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets (CD20+, CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD3-CD56+CD16+) were measured with a new technique combining fluorescent microspheres and flow cytometry. In the trained subjects, substantial increases in strength took place in one repetition maximum during the 8-week training period for leg press [from means of 20.7 (SEM 1.0) to 23.6 (SEM 1.0) N x kg(-1) LBM (lean body mass)], chest press [from means of 5.4 (SEM 0.3) to 6.2 (SEM 0.3) N x kg(-1) LBM] and bilateral leg extension [from means of 6.3 (SEM 0.2) to 7.4 (SEM 0.3) N x kg(-1) LBM] movements. Baseline cortisol concentration (P < 0.01), CD20+ cell count (P < 0.05), CD3+ cell count (P < 0.05), and CD4+ cell count (P < 0.01) decreased in both groups secondary to circannual variations between winter and summer. No significant effect of strength training on resting adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol concentrations or distributions of lymphocyte subsets at rest was observed. The main finding of this study was to demonstrate that 8-week is too short a duration for a strength training programme to modify counts of lymphocyte subsets at rest in elderly sedentary adults.

Inhibition of calcium influx during hypoxia/reoxygenation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Calcium has been demonstrated to play an important role in hepatocyte damage during ischemia/reperfusion phases. Calcium influx was determined in primary cultured rat hepatocytes submitted to a succession of warm hypoxia and reoxygenation phases in the presence of diltiazem, gallopamil and a Na+/H+ antiport inhibitor, HOE-694. Only diltiazem significantly inhibited calcium influx with higher potency after reoxygenation than after hypoxia only, suggesting a complex mechanism of action of diltiazem which could act on different physiological functions involved in Ca2+ invasion of hepatocytes after hypoxic insult.

Effects of creatine monohydrate ingestion in sedentary and weight-trained older adults.

To investigate the effects of an oral creatine supplementation in older adults, 32 elderly subjects (67-80 years; 16 females, 16 males) were randomly assigned to four equivalent subgroups (control-creatine; control-placebo; trained-creatine; trained-placebo) based on whether or not they took part in an 8-week strength training programme and an 8-week oral creatine monohydrate creatine supplementation programme. The strength training programme consisted of three sets of eight repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum, for leg press, leg extension and chest press, 3 days a week. The 52-day supplementation programme consisted of 20 g of creatine monohydrate (or glucose) and 8 g of glucose per day for the initial 5 days followed by 3 g of creatine monohydrate (or glucose), and 2 g of glucose per day. Prior to and after the training and supplementation periods, body mass, body fat, lower limb muscular volume, 1-, 12-repetitions maxima and isometric intermittent endurance tests for leg press, leg extension and chest press were determined. In all groups, no significant changes in anthropometric parameters were observed. For all movements, the increases in 1- and 12-repetitions maxima were greater (P < 0.02) in trained than control subjects. No significant interactions (supplementation/training/time) were observed for the 1-, 12-repetitions maxima, and the isometric intermittent endurance, whatever the movement considered. We conclude that oral creatine supplementation does not provide additional benefits for body composition, maximal dynamical strength, and dynamical and isometric endurances of healthy elderly subjects, whether or not it is associated with an effective strength training.

[Amelioration of perioperative somatosensory evoked potentials in the surgery of injuries of the spine]. / Amélioration des potentiels évoqués somesthésiques peropératoires dans la chirurgie des traumatismes du rachis.

Somatosensory evoked potentials were performed in 38 patients with traumatic spine pre, per and postoperatively. In 3 cases, the S.E.Ps altered before surgery, were improved after decompression and reduction. This S.E.Ps improvement was associated to clinical improvement. Even though this study was carried out on few cases, it shows prognosis and diagnosis value of intraoperative S.E.Ps in traumatic spine surgery.

Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials and maximal aerobic exercise: does the influence of exercise persist after body temperature recovery?

Transversal studies have shown a strong correlation between specific evoked potential (EP) values and specific physical activities, as well as between EP values and the amount of training. Prior to longitudinal studies investigating the effect of training in EPs, it is mandatory to determine whether a recent training session could interfere with regular EP recording. Exercise-induced hyperthermia is known to modify EP values. The purpose of the study was to determine whether an acute exercise can induce EP modification persisting after body temperature recovery. We measured two sets of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in 16 males (8 cyclists and 8 sedentary peers), one before and the other after a maximal cycloergometric graded exercise test. The second test was performed immediately after body temperature recovery. We chose to test cyclists, as their specific training corresponded to the exercise test we performed on a cycloergometer. The repeated measures before and after the exercise test showed no significant differences, neither in VEPs nor in BAEPs, for any subject of the study. Recording VEPs and BAEPs in cyclists, we observed no difference related to this particular sport training. This study showed that VEP and BAEP values were similar to those measured before a maximal exercise when body temperature returned to pre-exercise value. This original work demonstrated that VEP and BAEP recordings can be reliably performed after a recent training session, provided body temperature has returned to basal level.

Decreased pulmonary diffusing capacity of divers over a 6-year period.

Non-smoking, male, professional firemen divers (n = 15) underwent two pulmonary function tests (PFT) separated by 6 years. Measured data were compared to European Coal Steel Community recommended reference values to permit cross-sectional and then longitudinal study. Higher vital capacity (VC; P < 0.01) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; P < 0.05), and lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) coefficient with VC (MMEF/VC; P < 0.05) were observed in both PFT. Diver's pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL(CO)) and the coefficient with alveolar volume (DL(CO)/V(A)) showed significantly (P < 0.001) different evolution profiles than those expected from predicted values. In divers, DL(CO) and DL(CO)/V(A) decreased from 104.0% to 91.4% and from 106.4% to 91.5% of predicted values respectively. Changes in DL(CO) and DL(CO)/V(A) correlated positively with the initial measurement of DL(CO) (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) and DL(CO)/V(A) (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) respectively, whereas no correlation between changes in pulmonary gas transfer function and age or diving history parameters was found. Thus, it is suggested from our observations that hyperbaric atmosphere exposure increases the effects of aging on pulmonary diffusing capacity and that pulmonary gas transfer function should be regularly tested in professional and recreational divers.

Use of i.v. insulin in well-controlled non-insulin-dependent diabetics undergoing major surgery.

We conducted a randomized, prospective study to assess the effect of i.v. insulin on blood glucose control, development of ketone bodies and hormonal changes in 60 well-controlled, non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDDM) undergoing major surgery. In group A, patients were given only 0.9% saline; in group B, patients were given insulin as a continuous i.v. infusion (1.25 u. h-1); in group C, patients were given insulin 10 u. i.v. boluses every 2 h. Patients in all three groups were given insulin 5 u. when their intraoperative blood glucose concentration increased to greater than 11.1 mmol litre-1. Blood glucose concentrations were measured every 15 min, from just before induction of anaesthesia to 2 h after surgery. Plasma lactate, pyruvate, ketone body, C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormone concentrations were also measured. Blood glucose concentrations in the three groups did not differ significantly. There was a mild-to-moderate increase in plasma ketone body concentrations in group A, but without any deleterious consequences. Plasma C-peptide concentrations decreased significantly in groups B and C, especially in patients given bolus injections of insulin. Plasma growth hormone concentrations also increased significantly in group B and C patients. This study indicated that the "no insulin--no glucose" regimen was a simple, effective way to control blood glucose in well-controlled NIDDM patients, provided blood glucose was measured frequently and insulin used appropriately.

Short-term effect of cold provocation on single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity in subjects with and without Raynaud's phenomenon.

The lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was determined by the single breath method (DLCOsb) before, during, and after immersion of the left hand in cold water in four groups of subjects: (i) normal individuals; (ii) subjects with idiopathic Raynaud's disease; (iii) patients with progressive systemic sclerosis without associated Raynaud's phenomenon; and (iv) patients with connective tissue disease associated with Raynaud's phenomenon. Our results showed significant differences in the evolution of DLCOsb after cold stimulation between the groups. Control subjects (group one) showed a transient but significant reduction in DLCOsb at the end of two minutes of cold stimulation, normalizing ten minutes later. Subjects with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (group two) showed on the contrary a transient but significant rise in DLCOsb after 2 minutes, while subjects with an isolated connective tissue disease without Raynaud's phenomenon (group three) showed a significant decrease in DLCOsb at both observation times. Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon associated with a connective tissue disease (group four) showed a delayed decrease in DLCOsb ten minutes after cold stimulation. This latter result appeared as an addition to the effects of cold stimulation observed in groups two and three.

Relationship between interatrial conduction times and left atrial dimension in patients undergoing atrioventricular stimulation.

Interatrial conduction time (IACT) and left atrial dimension (LAD) were determined in 75 patients (41 males, 34 females, mean age 78.2 +/- 7.9 years) undergoing atrioventricular (AV) stimulation. The LAD was measured by M mode echocardiography as the distance between the posterior aortic wall and the posterior left atrial wall. The IACT was determined during a transvenous dual chamber pacemaker implant done under local anesthesia (lidocaine). The spontaneous interatrial conduction time (SIACT) was measured from the intrinsic deflection (ID) of the right atrium recorded in a unipolar mode (unipolar J-shaped lead positioned in the right appendage) to the ID of the left atrium (bipolar esophageal lead, left atrial positive deflection equal to the negative one) during sinus rhythm. The right atrium then was paced at a rate slightly greater than the spontaneous one. The paced interatrial conduction time (PIACT) was measured from the stimulus artifact to the left atrial ID. The PIACT was also measured during incremental right atrial pacing (10 beats/min step increase to 180 beats/min) and, from these measurements, the maximum increase of PIACT (MIPIACT) was deduced. The LAD was measured at 39.5 +/- 8.7 mm, SIACT at 70.3 +/- 24.8 msec, PIACT at 118.8 +/- 27.9 msec, and MIPIACT at 16.5 +/- 16.4 msec. We found highly significant relationships between SIACT and LAD (P = 0.0006, r = 0.39), PIACT and LAD (P = 0.0001, r = 0.45), and MIPIACT and LAD (P = 0.0006, r = 0.38). We also noted that the LAD was greater in patients in whom MIPIACT was > 10 msec than in patients in whom the MIPIACT was negligible (P < 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of severity of surgery on metabolic control and insulin requirements in insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

We have evaluated insulin requirements and the relationship between hormonal variables, changes in blood glucose and insulin requirements in insulin-dependent diabetic patients undergoing two degrees of severity of surgery: minor (vitrectomy) and major (gastrectomy, bowel resection, hip replacement). The study began just before induction and ended 2 h after surgery. Blood glucose concentrations were comparable in both groups but the total amount of insulin given was significantly greater in the major surgery group. Plasma noradrenaline and cortisol concentrations increased significantly during major surgery and there were significant correlations between the increase in these counter-regulatory hormones and the amount of insulin administered. We conclude that the metabolic changes occurring during surgery were small, but at the cost of a marked increase in insulin requirements during major surgery. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity seems to have been implicated in the increase in insulin requirements.

Intraoperative glycaemic control in non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent diabetes.

We have compared intraoperative glycaemic control, insulin requirements and metabolic and endocrine variables in 40 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) and 40 insulin-dependent diabetic patients (IDDM) undergoing general anaesthesia for elective procedures. Two i.v. insulin regimens were used: continuous i.v. infusion (group A: 1.25 u.h-1) and repeated i.v. boluses (10 u./2 h). Blood concentrations of glucose were measured every 15 min from just before induction of anaesthesia until 2 h after surgery. Plasma lactate and pyruvate concentrations, ketone bodies, C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormones were also measured. Glycaemia did not differ significantly in the two types of diabetes, regardless of the insulin therapy used. The amounts of insulin administered were similar in NIDDM and IDDM. There was no significant difference for other metabolic variables. Plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) increased significantly during surgery, especially in IDDM patients, but this change did not alter intraoperative glycaemic control. We conclude that mean glycaemic control, insulin requirements and development of ketone bodies in NIDDM and IDDM patients did not differ during the operative period, regardless of the insulin regimen used. Therefore, during the operative period, it is not necessary to modify the insulin regimen according to the type of diabetes. The consequences of increased plasma GH concentrations on glycaemic control in IDDM patients after operation are unknown.

Comparison of two methods of i.v. insulin administration in the diabetic patient during the perioperative period.

We have examined the effects of two types of insulin therapy (continuous i.v. infusion (group A: 1.25 u. h-1) and direct i.v. bolus administration of 10 u. every 2 h (group B: 10 u./2 h)) on the metabolic and endocrine responses to surgery in 60 adult diabetic patients undergoing general anaesthesia for elective procedures. Blood glucose concentrations were measured every 15 min from just before induction of anaesthesia until 2 h after surgery. Plasma ketone bodies, lactate, pyruvate, insulin, C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormone concentrations were measured also. Blood glucose concentrations were comparable in both groups, except at 60 min, because of fluctuating blood glucose concentrations in group B. In each group, one patient became hyperglycaemic. One case of hypoglycaemia occurred in group B. There were no statistically significant differences for the other data except for C-peptide. We conclude that, during the operative period, the administration of a direct i.v. bolus of insulin 10 u. every 2 h is a simple and effective method to control blood glucose concentrations; the method can be used when an insulin infusion pump is not available.

Pulmonary function of a firemen-diver population: a longitudinal study.

Non smoking, male professional firemen-divers (n = 20) underwent two pulmonary function tests (PFT) separated by 8-9 years. Measured data were compared to European Coal Steel Community recommended reference values to permit cross-sectional and then longitudinal studies. Higher vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; both P < 0.001), and lower residual volume (P < 0.01) were observed in both PFT. Longitudinal analysis showed a smaller VC reduction than FEV1 reduction, leading to a FEV1/VC percentage decrease with time. Maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF) and MMEF/VC changes during this 9-year period showed an unusually pronounced decrease, suggesting possible chronic effects of diving on small airways. Thus, it is suggested from our observations that a hyperbaric stimulus compensates in part for the effects of aging on VC and that obstructive disease could occur in subjects with long diving experience.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials. Differences related to physical activity.

Shorter sensory-motor reaction times have been reported in athletes compared with sedentary subjects. Previous results have shown significantly shorter visual evoked potentials (VEPs) latencies in a group of tennis players, but there was no difference between a group of rowers and control subjects. In the present study, the same groups were investigated in order to establish whether similar differences could be found in relation to brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). Waves I to V latencies (Ls), interpeak latencies (IPLs) and wave amplitudes were measured. The results showed great differences related to gender. The I-III IPL was shorter in the females than in the males. Differences were also found in relation to physical activity. The most important feature was the significantly shorter III-V IPL observed in the rowers and in the tennis players of both genders compared with sedentary control subjects. In the males these differences were linked to training factors. Therefore, unlike VEPs which seemed to be linked to sports requiring high visual acuity, BAEPs seemed to be linked more widely to top-class physical activity and not to specific sensory aptitude. It was hypothesized that the shorter III-V IPL might be due to shorter synaptic transmission time in the superior olivary complex.