The Effects of a 6-Week Strength Training on Critical Velocity, Anaerobic Running Distance, 30-M Sprint and Yo-Yo Intermittent Running Test Performances in Male Soccer Players.

UNLABELLED: The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a moderate intensity strength training on changes in critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (D'), sprint performance and Yo-Yo intermittent running test (Yo-Yo IR1) performances. METHODS: two recreational soccer teams were divided in a soccer training only group (SO; n = 13) and a strength and soccer training group (ST; n = 13). Both groups were tested for values of CV, D', Yo-Yo IR1 distance and 30-m sprint time on two separate occasions (pre and post intervention). The ST group performed a concurrent 6-week upper and lower body strength and soccer training, whilst the SO group performed a soccer only training. RESULTS: after the re-test of all variables, the ST demonstrated significant improvements for both, YoYo IR1 distance (p = 0.002) and CV values (p<0.001) with no significant changes in the SO group. 30-m sprint performance were slightly improved in the ST group with significantly decreased performance times identified in the SO group (p<0.001). Values for D' were slightly reduced in both groups (ST -44.5 m, 95% CI = -90.6 to 1.6; SO -42.6 m, 95% CI = -88.7 to 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: combining a 6-week moderate strength training with soccer training significantly improves CV, Yo-Yo IR1 whilst moderately improving 30-m sprint performances in non-previously resistance trained male soccer players. Critical Velocity can be recommended to coaches as an additional valid testing tool in soccer.

The role of obsessive beliefs in patients with major depressive disorder.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in obsessional beliefs between patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and matched healthy controls using the obsessive-beliefs questionnaire (OBQ). METHODS: The study sample included 74 outpatients with MDD and 74 healthy subjects. The two groups were matched for age, gender, and education level. The diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV). The severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). All participants filled out the 44-item OBQ. RESULTS: The total and subscale OBQ scores [Responsibility/Threat Estimation (RT), Perfectionism/Certainly (PC), and Importance/Control of Thoughts (ICT)], were significantly higher in patients with MDD than those of the control group. There was a positive correlation between HAM-D scores and the OBQ subscale scores (RT, PC, and ICT) in the patients. CONCLUSION: Obsessional beliefs appear to be related to MDD.

Sexual dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia in Turkey: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is one of several factors related to medication compliance in patients taking antipsychotic medication but the magnitude of this problem is unknown. AIM: Compare the self-reported sexual functioning of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic medication to that of healthy controls using the Turkish version of the 5-item Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). This scale, which has previously been validated in Turkey, assesses 5 components of sexual function: sex drive, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to achieve orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. METHODS: The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, and ASEX were administered to 101 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia (38 females and 63 males). The ASEX was also administered to 89 control subjects (41 females and 48 males) without a history of mental illness. Respondents were classified as having sexual dysfunction if ASEX total score (range 5-30) >18, if any ASEX item score (range 1-6) ≥ 5, or if 3 or more ASEX items ≥4. RESULTS: Male patients with schizophrenia have significantly more self-reported sexual dysfunction than healthy controls (46% vs. 8%). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is higher in female patients than in male patients (68% vs. 46%), but it was also very high in healthy female controls (68%), so the sexual dysfunction of female patients cannot be attributed to their illness or to the medications they are taking. Within the patient group, there was no significant relationship between the severity of positive or negative symptoms and the severity of sexual dysfunction, and the severity of sexual function was not different between patients taking first-generation or second-generation antipsychotic medications. CONCLUSIONS: The very different findings by gender in Turkey highlights the importance of assessing location-specific and gender-specific sexual norms when trying to assess the role of mental illness and medications on sexual functioning. Prospective studies are needed to distinguish the relative importance of cultural norms, the schizophrenic illness, and the use of antipsychotic medication in the etiology and course of sexual dysfunction among individuals with schizophrenia.

[The life threatening adverse effects of psychotropic drugs: a case report]. / Psikotrop Ilaçlarin Yasami Tehdit Eden Yan Etkileri: Olgu Sunumu.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare idiosyncratic reaction to antipsychotic drugs that is potentially fatal. Characteristic features of NMS are hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, severe autonomic dysregulation and disturbed consciousness. Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome (SS) can be grouped into four inclusive categories that are almost identical to those of NMS. Clinically, NMS and SS share many features, suggesting different spectrums of a similar disorder. To make a distinction between the two is often difficult because of a large clinical overlap. We present a case of a 42-year-old male with a history of schizophrenia that developed signs and symptoms inconsistent with either NMS or SS after intramuscular administration of 2 typical antipsychotics along with 1 dose of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The patient abruptly developed the clinical features in just 24 h. The patient presented with altered mental status and increased levels of creatinine phosphokinase. Twelve days of intensive care unit treatment was chiefly supportive and included bromocriptine. The final outcome was positive with complete disappearance of the symptoms. The treatment for both NMS and SS is similar. The therapeutic interventions primarily consist of removing the suspected agent and providing supportive care. We present this case to highlight some controversial issues concerning the life threatening adverse effects of psychotropic drugs, which illustrate the spectrum concept.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with ticlopidine.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a syndrome characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neurological symptoms, fever and renal dysfunction. Although the syndrome is usually associated with various infections, vasculitis and pregnancy, rarely can it be associated with certain neoplasms and drugs such as ticlopidine. A 63-year-old woman, who had undergone coronary angioplasty and had been started on ticlopidine, was admitted to our clinic with a history of vomiting, fatigue, hematuria and deterioration in her cognitive abilities. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura was diagnosed on the basis of neurological changes, an increase in LDH, urea, creatinine, indirect bilirubin levels, anemia and peripheral smear findings. Treatment was initiated with daily plasmapheresis and complete clinical and laboratory recovery developed. The patient was discharged after 14 days.

A Case Report: Large Granular Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (LGL).

We presented a 64-year-old male patient with T-large granular cell leukemia/lymphoma with an agressive clinical course. Large granular lymphocytes were noted on peripheral blood smear. The phenotyping of the cells was typical T-cell lineage [CD2 (+), CD3 (+), CD5 (+)]. Clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor gene (TCR) was demonstrated by DNA hybridization technique. Large granular cell leukemia/lymphoma is a distinct entity with spesific clinicobiological aspects. The clinical spectrum is wide and immunophenotyping and genotyping studies need to make a diagnosis.