Risk of low energy availability and nutrition knowledge among female team sport athletes.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition knowledge influences adequate dietary intake in athletes. Inadequate dietary intakes can result in low energy availability (LEA) which can lead to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). To date, there is little information on the relationship between nutrition knowledge and the risk of LEA in female team sport athletes. This study investigates if general and sports nutrition knowledge are associated with the risk of LEA in female team athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Female athletes (>16 years) who participate in team sports in New Zealand were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The LEA in Females Questionnaire and the Abridged Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire were included. LEA risk and general/sports nutrition knowledge were assessed. The relationship between LEA risk and knowledge was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis Test of independent variables and χ2 tests. RESULTS: Among 100 female athletes, 53% were at-risk for LEA, and 70% (N.=67) had poor nutrition knowledge. Athletes who were "at-risk" for LEA and those who were "not at-risk" for LEA did not differ statistically in terms of age (P=0.350) or BMI (P=0.576). Of those "not at risk" 54% had an A-NSK score between 50 and 60% (i.e., average knowledge), whereas 54% of the athletes who were "at risk" for LEA had poor nutrition knowledge. There was no statistical difference between the groups (P=0.273). CONCLUSIONS: The poor nutrition knowledge and the high rates of those "at risk" of LEA among team sports athletes indicates the need for more nutrition education in this population.

The development and validation of a questionnaire to assess relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) knowledge.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing knowledge of signs and symptoms of relative energy deficiency in sport among healthcareprofessionals and physically active individuals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The questionnaire was created in two phases: 1)Item development was established through a literature review, expert review (n = 4), and pre-testing among healthcare professionals, dietetic students, and the general population (n = 35). 2) Validity (item analysis, construct validity) and internal reliability were assessed by administrating the questionnaire to healthcare professionals (n = 97) and physically active individuals who engaged in moderate to intense physical activity (n=77). The questionnaire was re-administered in a subset of the same groups (n = 88) for test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The expert responses showed >80% acceptability and pretesting through interviews indicated good content and face validity. Item response analysis resulted in removal of 6 items due to low discrimination ability. Significantly higher knowledge scores in health professionals compared with non-health professionals (mean difference (95% CI) = 2.8 (1.9, 3.7)) confirmed construct validity. Internal consistency, assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.79), and test-retest reliability using intra-class correlation coefficients (intra-class correlation coefficients = 0.80; Spearman's correlation = 0.84, p < 0.001) were good. The final questionnaire had 18 items assessing knowledge of signs and symptoms of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire provides a valid and reliable tool to assess knowledge of signs and symptoms of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport among health professionals and physically active individuals, which could guide future education requirements by assessing current knowledge.

FIP1L1-PDGFRA-Positive Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia: A Low-Burden Disease with Dramatic Response to Imatinib - A Report of 5 Cases from South India.

OBJECTIVE: Eosinophilia associated with FIP1L1-PDGFRA rearrangement represents a subset of chronic eosinophilic leukemia and affected patients are sensitive to imatinib treatment. This study was undertaken to learn the prevalence and associated clinicopathologic and genetic features of FIP1L1-PDGFRA rearrangement in a cohort of 26 adult patients presenting with profound eosinophilia (>1.5x10(9)/L). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis were used for the detection of FIP1L1-PDGFRA rearrangement. RESULTS: Five male patients with splenomegaly carried the FIP1L1-PDGFRA gene rearrangement. All patients achieved complete hematological response within 4 weeks of starting imatinib. One patient had previous deep vein thrombosis and 1 patient had cardiomyopathy, which improved with steroids and imatinib. Conventional cytogenetics was normal in all these patients. No primary resistance to imatinib was noted. CONCLUSION: This study indicates the need to do the FIP1L1-PDGFRA assay in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome. Prompt treatment of this condition with imatinib can lead to complete hematological response and resolution of the organ damage that can be seen in this setting.

Efficacy of two gingival retraction systems on lateral gingival displacement: A prospective clinical study.

PURPOSE: Gingival management is a substantive procedure in fixed dental prosthesis treatment. Various new retraction cord systems are available and used. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a new retraction cord (Stay-Put, Coltene Whaledent AG) and a conventional retraction cord (Ultrapak, Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, Utah) on lateral gingival displacement in continuation with the treatment protocol of the subjects fixed dental prosthesis for various partial edentulous conditions requiring fixed dental prosthesis. METHOD: Thirty subjects were selected who needed bilateral fixed dental restoration. In selected subjects both gingival retraction cords were placed bilaterally buccolingually by simple randomization method. After removing the cords, impressions were made and undamaged definitive casts were retrieved. The abutment teeth were sectioned buccolingually at the buccal ridge followed by decimal measurement of the width (in millimeter) of the retracted gingival sulcus, under a traveling microscope. RESULTS: Data was analyzed using SPSS version. Paired "t" test was used to compare the difference between the displaced gingival width in two retraction group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although mean gingival retraction in Stay-Put system (0.528 ± 0.12 mm) was higher as compared to that in Ultrapak (0.487 ± 0.10 mm), the difference between the two systems (0.041 ± 0.11) was not significant statistically (p = 0.057).

Prefabricated stock trays for impression of auricular region.

The conventional methods of impression making for maxillofacial defects are cumbersome and time consuming for both patient and operator. This study focuses upon standardizing and simplifying the impression making methodology for auricular prosthesis with the help of prefabricated stock trays for auricular region. The stock trays were designed on positive replicas of anatomical structures, broadly divided into long and narrow, short and broad and long and broad ear. For each stock tray, impressions of auricle, of patients of different morphology were made with plastic funnels of different shape and size ensuring at least 6 mm of space between the anatomical part and inner surface of funnel and master cast was obtained. Subsequent adaptation of wax was done and fabrications of stock stainless steel trays were done. A standardized stock tray for making of auricular impressions was developed. From this innovative technical procedure it is possible to get an accurate impression of auricular defects now by the use of prefabricated stock trays rather than the cumbersome conventional method.

Chromoblastomycosis due to Cladosporium carrionii.

An 81-year-old male presented with irregular verrucous growth of 6 years duration over the right leg. KOH preparation of the scrapings and histopathology of the lesion showed "sclerotic" bodies diagnostic of chromoblastomycosis. Culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar yielded Cladosporium carrionii.