Acute high-intensity interval rowing increases thrombin generation in healthy men.

PURPOSE: High-intensity exercise induces several health benefits, but may acutely and transiently increase the risk of cardiovascular events due to thrombotic changes promoting blood coagulation and thrombin formation. This study examined the effects of high-intensity exercise on plasma thrombin generation and triacylglycerol concentrations. METHODS: Sixteen healthy men completed two, 2-day conditions separated by 1 week. On day 1, participants rested (control) or completed four, 3-min high-intensity rowing intervals at an average rating of perceived exertion of 17 (exercise). Venous blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention to determine plasma thrombin generation. On day 2, participants rested and consumed a glucose load (0 h) and high-fat meal (2 h). Fifteen venous blood samples were collected between 0 and 8 h to measure plasma thrombin generation and triacylglycerol concentrations. RESULTS: On day 1, lag time was shorter and peak thrombin and endogenous thrombin potential were greater in the exercise than control condition (ES ≥ 0.37, main effect condition P ≤ 0.03), and post-intervention compared with pre-intervention (ES ≥ 0.49, main effect time P ≤ 0.003). The magnitude of the post-intervention change was greater in the exercise than control condition for all thrombin generation parameters (condition by time interaction P ≤ 0.05). On day 2, no differences in postprandial thrombin generation parameters were seen between conditions (P ≥ 0.21). The total area under the curve for triacylglycerol was lower in the exercise than control condition (ES = 0.34, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: An acute bout of high-intensity interval rowing increased plasma thrombin generation immediately after exercise, but these differences were eliminated 16-24 h after exercise.

Effect of repeated sprints on postprandial endothelial function and triacylglycerol concentrations in adolescent boys.

This study investigated whether repeated, very short duration sprints influenced endothelial function (indicated by flow-mediated dilation) and triacylglycerol concentrations following the ingestion of high-fat meals in adolescent boys. Nine adolescent boys completed two, 2-day main trials (control and exercise), in a counter-balanced, cross-over design. Participants were inactive on day 1 of the control trial but completed 40 × 6 s maximal cycle sprints on day 1 of the exercise trial. On day 2, capillary blood samples were collected and flow-mediated dilation measured prior to, and following, ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch. Fasting flow-mediated dilation and plasma triacylglycerol concentration were similar in the control and exercise trial (P > 0.05). In the control trial, flow-mediated dilation was reduced by 20% and 27% following the high-fat breakfast and lunch; following exercise these reductions were negated (main effect trial, P < 0.05; interaction effect trial × time, P < 0.05). The total area under the plasma triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve was 13% lower on day 2 in the exercise trial compared to the control trial (8.65 (0.97) vs. 9.92 (1.16) mmol · l(-1) · 6.5 h, P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that repeated 6 s maximal cycle sprints can have beneficial effects on postprandial endothelial function and triacylglycerol concentrations in adolescent boys.

Effect of exercise on postprandial endothelial function in adolescent boys.

The ingestion of high-fat meals induces a state of endothelial dysfunction in adults. This dysfunction is attenuated by prior exercise. The response of young people to these nutritional and physiological stressors has not been established. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate if a bout of moderate-intensity exercise influenced endothelial function (as indicated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD)) following the ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch in adolescent boys (aged 12·6-14·3 years). Two, 2 d main trials (control and exercise) were completed by thirteen adolescent boys in a counter-balanced, cross-over design. Participants were inactive on day 1 of the control trial, but completed 60 min of walking at 60 % peak oxygen uptake in the exercise trial. On day 2, endothelial function was assessed via FMD prior to, and following, ingestion of a high-fat breakfast and lunch. There was no difference in fasting FMD between the control and exercise trial (P= 0·449). In the control trial, FMD was reduced by 32 % following consumption of the high-fat breakfast and by 24 % following lunch. In the exercise trial, the corresponding reductions were 6 and 10 %, respectively (main effect trial, P= 0·002). These results demonstrate that moderate-intensity exercise can attenuate the decline in FMD seen following the consumption of high-fat meals in adolescent boys.

Effect of the Great Activity Programme on healthy lifestyle behaviours in 7-11 year olds.

The study investigated the effect of a school-based healthy lifestyles intervention on physical activity and dietary variables. In total 378 children (177 intervention, 201 control; age 9.75 ± 0.82 years (mean ± s)) took part in the 7-month intervention comprising: preparation for and participation in 3 highlight events (a dance festival, a walking event and a running event); an interactive website for pupils, teachers and parents; and vacation activity planners. Primary outcome measures were objectively measured physical activity (pedometers and accelerometers), endurance fitness and dietary variables. Multi-level modelling was employed for data analysis. The increase in physical activity was greater in the intervention group than the control group (steps: 1049 vs 632 daily steps each month; moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) total: 4.6 min · day(-1) · month(-1) vs 1.3 min · day(-1) · month(-1); MVPA bouts: 5.4 min · day(-1) · month(-1) vs 2.6 min · day(-1) · month(-1); all P < 0.05). The increase in multi-stage fitness test distance was greater for intervention participants (46 vs 29 m · month(-1) of intervention, group × month interaction, P < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in dietary variables, body composition, knowledge of healthy lifestyles or psychological variables. Thus an intervention centred around highlight events and including relatively few additional resources can impact positively on the objectively measured physical activity of children.

Intracapsular Tonsillectomy Using Plasma Ablation Versus Total Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To determine whether intracapsular tonsillectomy, using plasma ablation, results in differences in postoperative patient outcomes to total tonsillectomy. Data Sources: A systematic review of two databases (Embase and PubMed) was conducted in March 2022 to identify published English-language randomized controlled trials and observational studies which provided a comparison between intracapsular tonsillectomy, using plasma ablation, and total tonsillectomy. Review Methods: Qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were used to compare outcomes between techniques. Results: Seventeen studies were identified for inclusion. Across these, 1996 and 4565 patients underwent intracapsular and total tonsillectomy, respectively. Studies included 8 randomized controlled trials, 1 prospective cohort study, and 8 retrospective cohort studies. Time to pain free, time on analgesia, time to normal diet, and time to normal activity were significantly shorter with intracapsular tonsillectomy by on average 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-5.9; p < .0001), 4.1 (95% CI 2.7-5.4; p < .0001), 3.5 (95% CI 1.7-5.4; p = .0002) and 2.8 (95% CI 1.6-4; p < .0001) days, respectively. Risk of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage was significantly lower following intracapsular tonsillectomy (relative risk [RR] 0.36; 95% CI 0.16-0.81; p = .0131); risk of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring surgical management was lower but failed to reach significance (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.19-1.39; p = .19). Conclusion: Intracapsular tonsillectomy using plasma ablation has similar efficacy in managing indications for tonsil surgery to total tonsillectomy while significantly reducing the postoperative morbidity and likelihood of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage experienced by patients, allowing them to return to their normal life faster.

Dentistry, the press and a pandemic.

Introduction Newspapers are a valuable source of information for many people and report on a variety of topics including dentistry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, where there has been a considerable amount of information seeking from health professionals and the public alike, this study examines how dentistry has been represented in the media.Methods and materials Articles which involve dentistry were searched for between 23 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 across multiple newspaper websites. Qualitative analysis was carried out of the data obtained to identify themes.Results In total, 179 articles were included in the study and themes identified. These related to access to dental services, do-it-yourself (DIY) dentistry, dental pain and emergency care, financial concerns and practice closures, oral health, personal protective equipment, as well as the return to work in June. There were very few stories about dental misconduct.Conclusions Constructive collaboration between newspapers and dentists existed as many articles were promoting positive oral health messages, discussed problems facing dentists re-opening as well as issues many patients faced during the first lockdown period.

Short Sprints Accumulated at School Modulate Postprandial Metabolism in Boys.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the efficacy of maximal sprint running accumulated during a typical school day to modulate postprandial metabolism in adolescent boys. METHODS: Nineteen adolescent boys completed three 2-d experimental conditions: a standard-practice control (CON), an accumulated in-school sprint running (ACC), and a single block of afterschool sprint running (BLO). On day 1, a fasting capillary blood sample was taken at 0735 h in the school. Three subsequent postprandial blood samples were taken at predetermined times after consumption of standardized breakfast and lunch. During ACC, participants accumulated four sets of 10 × 30-m maximal-intensity sprint runs across natural breaks in lessons. During BLO, participants performed the same number of sprints (40) in a single after-school exercise session. The blood samples from day 1 were replicated on the day after exercise (day 2). RESULTS: On day 1, no significant differences in total area under the plasma triacylglycerol concentration versus time curve (TAUC-TAG) were observed between conditions (P = 0.126). However, TAUC-insulin was lower in ACC compared with BLO (-26%, effect size [ES] = 0.86, P = 0.001) and CON (-22%, ES = 0.72, P = 0.010). On day 2, TAUC-TAG was 12% lower after ACC (ES = 0.49; P = 0.002) and 10% lower after BLO (ES = 0.37; P = 0.019) compared with CON. No significant differences were observed between conditions on day 2 for postprandial insulin or glucose (P ≥ 0.738). CONCLUSION: Four sets of 10 × 30-m sprints, accumulated in four separate bouts (<5 min) during the school day, reduced postprandial triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations in adolescent boys and may represent an effective in-school exercise strategy to promote metabolic health.