OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNING PERFORMANCE

The aim of this study was to understand the mechanism underlying the physiological adaptation of a kind purely aerobic workout. Particular attention has also been given to the analysis of oxidative stress by detecting some enzymatic blood parameters. We investigate the effect of 2 months of training on middle distance running (800 meters and 1500 meters) agonistic athletes; nine active specifically trained males of mean (± SD) age 19,9 years. The physiological characteristics of middle runners are different from those sprinters and long distance runners because include a variety of aerobic and anaerobic capabilities. Two weeks prior to the 2 months period of exercise, subjects were tested f…

Influence of occlusal vertical dimension on cervical spine mobility in sports subjects

Introduction: In the scientific literature, a number of studies have reported conflicting results regarding the effects of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) on sports-related skills. The purpose of this study was to increase OVD in sports subjects so as to specifically investigate the influence on cervical spine mobility. In particular, we measured cervical range of motion (ROM) before and after increasing OVD in individuals, either with or without malocclusion, analyzing both sports and sedentary subjects. Materials and methods: Participants were divided into two groups: a sports group (SG) and a control group (CG), each including 18 subjects. The SG was composed of sports subjects (age: 2…

Relationship between Wingate test and vertical jump in young female volleyball players

Aims: Maximum vertical jump is an important component in performing spike and block skill in volleyball and is a reflection of explosive muscle strength(Bosco et al. 1983). The Wingate test (WT is used to evaluate anaerobic performance by measuring muscle power during short-term, high-intensity exercise(Bar-Or 1987). The aim of this study was twofold: to investigate the possible relationship between power performance on the Wingate test (WT) and explosive leg strength performed during a vertical counter-movement jump test(CMJ) and whether anaerobic power assessed could identify players with the best performance. Methods: 14 young female volleyball players, age 16–26 years, were grouped by p…

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and hemodynamic function in cardiac disease.

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide were measured in eight patients with cardiac disease but normal resting right atrial pressure, during cardiac catheterization. No patient had clinical evidence of overt heart failure. An increase in peptide concentrations was observed between the aorta or the peripheral vein and the pulmonary artery. A linear relation was found between peripheral vein and pulmonary artery peptide concentration. Mean pulmonary artery and capillary wedge pressure also correlated with the peptide levels. No correlation was observed between mean right atrial pressure and peptide concentration. These findings demonstrate that atrial natriuretic peptide release,…

Competing risks and prognostic stages of cirrhosis: A 25-year inception cohort study of 494 patients

Summary Background Morphological, haemodynamic and clinical stages of cirrhosis have been proposed, although no definite staging system is yet accepted for clinical practice. Aim To investigate whether clinical complications of cirrhosis may define different prognostic disease stages. Methods Analysis of the database from a prospective inception cohort of 494 patients. Decompensation was defined by ascites, bleeding, jaundice or encephalopathy. Explored potential prognostic stages: 1, compensated cirrhosis without oesophago-gastric varices; 2, compensated cirrhosis with varices; 3, bleeding without other complications; 4, first nonbleeding decompensation; 5, any second decompensating event.…

Plasma membrane redox system in the erythrocytes of rowers: Pilot study

The oxidative stress results from a change in the physiological balance between oxidant and antioxidant species. This type of stress is a chemical change in the redox state of cells. The increased production of reactive species is related to an excessive metabolic activation, for example, from an intense physical exercise or an excessive caloric intake (1). In physiological conditions, muscle fibers are provided with an antioxidant system able to keep under control the excessive production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

Relationship between heart rate variability and repeated sprint exercise in young soccer players

Aim: The sport of soccer is characterized by neuromuscular performance resulting in short bursts interspersed by brief recovery periods over an extended period of time. Several studies suggest that the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) may provide useful information regarding the functional adaptations to training stimulus. Although HRV has often been associated with aerobic power and cardiovascular fitness, the influence of sympathovagal balance on neuromuscular performance in young athletes is not well assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the autonomic system on the performance of repeated sprints, involving predomina…

Thromboxane formation by platelets and platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Prevention of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Patients

The prevalence of varices in patients with cirrhosis is stated to be about 50% and the risk of variceal bleeding 40% with mortality ranging from 30% to 60%. Differences may be due to patient selection and diagnostic criteria. The death risk of first bleeding seems to be higher than that of subsequent episodes (Christensen et al. 1981; D’Amico et al. 1986), indicating that the first bleeding episode causes a selection.

Platelet Function Changes In Acute Myocardial Infarction

Whether the thrombotic component of myocardial infarction is primary or secondary in a given patient, platelet function alterations can influence many mechanism from which depends if the thrombotic lesion grows or sends platelet emboli to the smaller myocardial vessels. Recently in some cases of infarction, coronary artery spasm has been demonstrated angiographically; thromboxanes, vasoconstrictive and platelet-aggregating substances, are released by platelets during myocardial ischemia. The local release of these substances may modify the myocardial cell viability and regional blood flow.The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in platelet function in relation to the time in…

Platelet Function Changes in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Whether the thrombotic component of myocardial infarction is primary or secondary in a given patient, platelet function alterations can influence many mechanisms — operating at the microenvi-ronmental level — from which it depends if the thrombotic lesion grows or sends platelet emboli to the smaller myocardial vessels.

Hemodynamic Effects of Ventricular Pacing

Fixed rate ventricular pacing is used in most cases of implanted pacemakers. It does not usually create considerable hemodynamic problems, as the heart, by its adaptation mechanism, is capable of varying its pump performance to meet the metabolic needs[1,3].

Effects of tinnitus on postural control and stabilization: A pilot study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tinnitus's impacts on postural control. Material and methods: Sixty-six subjects (age: 46,71 ± 15,12 years, height 166,32 ± 8,88 cm, weight 64,85 ± 12,57 kg) with idiopathic tinnitus were recruited for the study and were tested. Each subject underwent to ‘Romberg test’, ‘Static balance’ and ‘posture analysis’. Static balance and posture analysis were performed two times, with open and close eyes, and were measured through the FreeMed posturography system. Results: showed that subjects had worse Baropodometric performances respect to benchmarks; moreover according to literature the results show that these patients had significant differ…

Effetti cardiorespiratori degli sprint ripetuti in giovani calciatori

Scopo: Nel calcio la performance dipende da attività caratterizzate da sforzi di breve durata, talora ad alta intensità, con ridotti tempi di recupero. Questo tipo di sforzo può avere maggiore potenzialità aritmogena rispetto a sforzi, anche massimali, iniziati e terminati in modo graduale. Gli sprint ripetuti permettono di valutare la performance e lo stato di allenamento in giovani calciatori. Scopo del nostro lavoro è stato quello di valutare gli effetti degli sprint ripetuti sul sistema cardiorespiratorio in giovani calciatori delle rappresentative regionali siciliane della FIGC. Metodi: Sono stati esaminati 12 calciatori, di età media di 15±1 anni. Per valutare lo stato di fitness card…

Influences of baseline heart rate variability on repeated sprint performance in young soccer players

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the autonomic system on the performance of repeated sprints, involving predominantly neuromuscular power, in young soccer players. METHODS: Twelve young soccer players, selected for the Sicilian Regional Football Representative, mean age 15 years, were recruited. Baseline heart rate variability (HRV) was measured and indices of power spectral analysis (LF, HF, and ratio LF/HF) were calculated to evaluate the sympathovagal balance. The athletes performed 10 maximal 6--sec cycling sprints (RS), interspersed with 30--sec of recovery, to measure the peak power output (PP) represented by the highest power value recorded during a 6--sec sp…

Severe acute colitis associated with CMV: a prevalence study.

Abstract Background. Cytomegalovirus has been identified as a pathogen that contributes to flares of colitis when detected in colonic specimens of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aim. To determine the overall prevalence and the role of cytomegalovirus infection in a consecutive series of patients with acute severe colitis admitted to our department from 2000 to 2003. Methods. Among 42 patients (38 with ulcerative colitis and 4 with Crohn's disease) admitted to our hospital for acute severe colitis, we performed proctoscopy and biopsy together with blood sample for cytomegalovirus determination at the time of admission, regardless of their steroid resistance. Results. In the 42 pat…

Natural history of congestive gastropathy in cirrhosis

In a prospective study of the natural history of congestive gastropathy, 212 consecutive cirrhotic patients (75 treated with sclerotherapy) were included. Mean follow-up was 46 months. Mild gastropathy (mosaiclike pattern) was found in 110 patients and severe gastropathy (granular mucosa with cherry spots) was found in 20. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, formerly Campylobacter pylori, was 50% in patients without, 43% in those with mild, and 28% in those with severe gastropathy. Congestive gastropathy was significantly more frequent in patients treated with sclerotherapy (83% vs. 50%, P less than 10(-5)). Sixty-month actuarial proportions of patients free of anemia (in the absence of hema…

The effects of a 3-week training on basal biomarkers in professional soccer players during the preseason preparation period

Prognostic indicators of successful endoscopic sclerotherapy for prevention of rebleeding from oesophageal varices in cirrhosis: a long-term cohort study

Abstract Background. Although band ligation is now recommended for prevention of rebleeding from oesophageal varices in cirrhosis, sclerotherapy is still widely used. Patients submitted to chronic sclerotherapy undergo several endoscopies and experience a large number of serious complications. However, long-term outcome is poorly defined. Aims. To assess the clinical course and prognostic indicators of patients undergoing chronic sclerotherapy for prevention of variceal rebleeding as a basis for future evaluation of long-term band ligation outcome. Methods. Prospective cohort study prognostic analysis by the Cox proportional hazards model. Results. A total of 218 consecutive cirrhotic patie…