The Relationship between VO2 and Muscle Deoxygenation Kinetics and Upper Body Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Judokas and Healthy Individuals.

The present study sought to investigate if faster upper body oxygen uptake (VO2) and hemoglobin/myoglobin deoxygenation ([HHb]) kinetics during heavy intensity exercise were associated with a greater upper body repeated-sprint ability (RSA) performance in a group of judokas and in a group of individuals of heterogenous fitness level. Eight judokas (JT) and seven untrained healthy participants (UT) completed an incremental step test, two heavy intensity square-wave transitions and an upper body RSA test consisting of four 15 s sprints, with 45 s rest, from which the experimental data were obtained. In the JT group, VO2 kinetics, [HHb] kinetics and the parameters determined in the incremental test were not associated with RSA. However, when the two groups were combined, the amplitude of the primary phase VO2 and [HHb] were positively associated with the accumulated work in the four sprints (ΣWork). Additionally, maximal aerobic power (MAP), peak VO2 and the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) showed a positive correlation with ΣWork and an inverse correlation with the decrease in peak power output (Dec-PPO) between the first and fourth sprints. Faster VO2 and [HHb] kinetics do not seem to be associated with an increased upper body RSA in JT. However, other variables of aerobic fitness seem to be associated with an increased upper body RSA performance in a group of individuals with heterogeneous fitness level.

Associations between Trace Elements and Cognitive Decline: An Exploratory 5-Year Follow-Up Study of an Elderly Cohort.

Trace elements (TE) homeostasis is crucial in normal brain functioning. Although imbalances have the potential to exacerbate events leading neurodegenerative diseases, few studies have directly addressed the eventual relationships between TE levels in the human body and future cognitive status. The present study aimed to assess how different TE body-levels relate to cognitive decline. This exploratory research included a study-group (RES) of 20 elderly individuals living in two Portuguese geographical areas of interest (Estarreja; Mértola), as well as a 20 subjects neuropsychological control-group (CTR). Participants were neuropsychologically assessed through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the RES group was biomonitored for TE through fingernail analysis. After 5 years, the cognitive assessments were repeated. Analyses of the RES neuropsychological data showed an average decrease of 6.5 and 5.27 points in MMSE and MoCA, respectively, but TE contents in fingernails were generally within the referenced values for non-exposed individuals. Higher levels of Nickel and Selenium significantly predicted lesser cognitive decline within 5 years. Such preliminary results evidence an association between higher contents of these TE and higher cognitive scores at follow-up, suggesting their contribution to the maintenance of cognitive abilities. Future expansion of the present study is needed in order to comprehensively assess the potential benefits of these TE.

Links between Cognitive Status and Trace Element Levels in Hair for an Environmentally Exposed Population: A Case Study in the Surroundings of the Estarreja Industrial Area.

In the present study, trace elements (TE) levels were evaluated in scalp hair along the continuum from healthy subjects (HS) to patients suffering from subjective memory concerns (SMC), and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and those with already installed dementia (DEM) in order to: (i) assess the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on TE concentrations and (ii) evaluate the analyzed elements as possible diagnostic biomarkers for the disease. The study involved 79 mainly permanent residents, >55 years old, from the city of Estarreja (northern Portugal), a former industrial area. The health status of the participants was assessed by means of a complete socio-demographic questionnaire and through cognitive screening tests, namely the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The test scores were categorized and used in the statistical analysis. Hair samples were collected and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) ICP-MS for selected TE. Dementia appears to be associated with higher age, the female gender, lower education level, and longer residence time in the study area. In addition, most of the participants diagnosed with dementia frequently consume home-grown foodstuffs, some irrigated with contaminated well water. The calculation of the TE enrichment factors of soil samples collected in kitchen gardens/small farms in the vicinity of the Estarreja Chemical Complex (ECC) reinforces the degree of Hg soil contamination in the area, due to anthropogenic sources that can be a source for the population Hg exposure route among others. Mercury levels in hair differed significantly between the four individual groups (HS, SMC, MCI, and DEM), increasing from healthy to dementia participants. Improved diagnostic results can be obtained using hair TE signatures coupled with MMSE scores. This strategy may prove useful for predictive diagnosis in population screening for cognitive impairment.

Five-year Follow-up of Transobturator Sling: 152 Cases with the Same Surgeon.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term subjective cure rate of the transobturator sling, including an analysis of the risk factors and of the impact of increased surgical experience on the results. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent transobturator sling surgery from 2005 to 2011 was conducted. Patients were evaluated by a telephone survey using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and by subjective questions regarding satisfaction. An ICIQ-SF score of 0 was considered a cure. The crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify risk factors for surgical failure. Differences with p < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 152 (70.6%) patients answered the questionnaire. The median follow-up period was 87 months. The urodynamic diagnosis was stress urinary incontinence in 144 patients (94.7%), and mixed urinary incontinence in 8 (5.3%) patients. Complications occurred in 25 (16%) patients. The ICQ-SF results indicated that 99 (65.10%) patients could be considered cured (ICIQ-SF score = 0). Regarding the degree of satisfaction, 101 (66%) considered themselves cured, 43 (28%) considered themselves improved, 7 (4.6%) considered themselves unchanged, and one reported worsening of the incontinence. After the univariate and multivariate analyses, the primary risk factor for surgical failure was the presence of urgency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The transobturator sling is effective, with a low rate of complications and a high long-term satisfaction rate. The risk factors for failure were the presence of urgency and patient age. The increased experience of the surgeon was not a factor that influenced the rate of complications.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a taxa de cura subjetiva do sling transobturatório no longo prazo, incluindo a análise dos fatores de risco e o impacto da experiência do cirurgião nos resultados. MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo em mulheres submetidas à cirurgia do sling transobturatório entre 2005 e 2011. As pacientes foram avaliadas por meio de uma entrevista aplicada por telefone utilizando o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form ("Questionário Internacional de Consulta sobre Incontinência ­ Forma Abreviada", ICIQ-SF, na sigla em inglês) acrescido de questões sobre a satisfação das pacientes com a cirurgia. O critério de cura utilizado foi o ICIQ-SF = 0. A razão de chances bruta e ajustada e intervalos de confiança de 95% foram estimados por meio de modelos de regressão logística univariada e multivariada para identificar fatores de risco para falha cirúrgica. Diferenças com p < 0,05 foram consideradas significativas. RESULTADOS: No total, 152 (70,6%) pacientes responderam. A média do período de acompanhamento foi de 87 meses. O diagnóstico urodinâmico foi incontinência urinária de esforço em 144 pacientes (94,7%) e incontinência urinária mista em 8 (5,3%). Complicações ocorreram em 25 (16%) pacientes. Os resultados do ICQ-SF indicaram que 99 (65,10%) pacientes estavam curadas (pontuação no ICIQ-SF = 0). Quanto ao grau de satisfação, 101 (66%) consideraram-se curadas, 43 (28%) melhoraram, em 7 (4,6%) não houve melhora, e uma relatou piora da incontinência. Após análise univariada e multivariada, o principal fator de risco para falha cirúrgica foi a presença de urgência (p < 0,001). CONCLUSãO: O sling transobturatório é eficaz, tem baixo índice de complicações, e alto índice de satisfação no longo prazo. Os fatores de risco para falha foram a presença de urgência e a idade da paciente. O aumento da experiência do cirurgião não foi um fator que influenciou na taxa de complicações.

Five-year follow-up of transobturator sling: 152 cases with the same surgeon / Cinco anos de seguimento do sling transobturatório: 152 casos com o mesmo cirurgião

Abstract Objective To evaluate the long-term subjective cure rate of the transobturator sling, including an analysis of the risk factors and of the impact of increased surgical experience on the results. Methods A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent transobturator sling surgery from 2005 to 2011 was conducted. Patients were evaluated by a telephone survey using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and by subjective questions regarding satisfaction. An ICIQ-SF score of 0 was considered a cure. The crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify risk factors for surgical failure. Differences with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results In total, 152 (70.6%) patients answered the questionnaire. The median follow-up period was 87 months. The urodynamic diagnosis was stress urinary incontinence in 144 patients (94.7%), and mixed urinary incontinence in 8 (5.3%) patients. Complications occurred in 25 (16%) patients. The ICQ-SF results indicated that 99 (65.10%) patients could be considered cured (ICIQ-SF score = 0). Regarding the degree of satisfaction, 101 (66%) considered themselves cured, 43 (28%) considered themselves improved, 7 (4.6%) considered themselves unchanged, and one reported worsening of the incontinence. After the univariate and multivariate analyses, the primary risk factor for surgical failure was the presence of urgency (p < 0.001). Conclusion The transobturator sling is effective, with a low rate of complications and a high long-term satisfaction rate. The risk factors for failure were the presence of urgency and patient age. The increased experience of the surgeon was not a factor that influenced the rate of complications.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a taxa de cura subjetiva do sling transobturatório no longo prazo, incluindo a análise dos fatores de risco e o impacto da experiência do cirurgião nos resultados. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo emmulheres submetidas à cirurgia do sling transobturatório entre 2005 e 2011. As pacientes foram avaliadas por meio de uma entrevista aplicada por telefone utilizando o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form ("Questionário Internacional de Consulta sobre Incontinência - Forma Abreviada", ICIQ-SF, na sigla em inglês) acrescido de questões sobre a satisfação das pacientes coma cirurgia. O critério de cura utilizado foi o ICIQ-SF = 0. A razão de chances bruta e ajustada e intervalos de confiança de 95% foram estimados pormeio demodelos de regressão logística univariada e multivariada para identificar fatores de risco para falha cirúrgica. Diferenças com p < 0,05 foram consideradas significativas. Resultados No total, 152 (70,6%) pacientes responderam. A média do período de acompanhamento foi de 87 meses. O diagnóstico urodinâmico foi incontinência urinária de esforço em 144 pacientes (94,7%) e incontinência urinária mista em 8 (5,3%). Complicações ocorreram em 25 (16%) pacientes. Os resultados do ICQ-SF indicaram que 99 (65,10%) pacientes estavam curadas (pontuação no ICIQ-SF = 0). Quanto ao grau de satisfação, 101 (66%) consideraram-se curadas, 43 (28%) melhoraram, em 7 (4,6%) não houve melhora, e uma relatou piora da incontinência. Após análise univariada e multivariada, o principal fator de risco para falha cirúrgica foi a presença de urgência (p < 0,001). Conclusão O sling transobturatório é eficaz, tem baixo índice de complicações, e alto índice de satisfação no longo prazo. Os fatores de risco para falha foram a presença de urgência e a idade da paciente. O aumento da experiência do cirurgião não foi um fator que influenciou na taxa de complicações.