Effect of overreaching on cognitive performance and related cardiac autonomic control.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of a 2-week overload period immediately followed by a 1-week taper period on different cognitive processes including executive and nonexecutive functions, and related heart rate variability. Eleven male endurance athletes increased their usual training volume by 100% for 2 weeks, and decreased it by 50% for 1 week. A maximal graded test, a constant speed test at 85% of peak treadmill speed, and a Stroop task with the measurement of heart rate variability were performed at each period. All participants were considered as overreached. We found a moderate increase in the overall reaction time to the three conditions of the Stroop task after the overload period (816 ± 83 vs 892 ± 117 ms, P = 0.03) followed by a return to baseline after the taper period (820 ± 119 ms, P = 0.013). We found no association between cognitive performance and cardiac parasympathetic control at baseline, and no association between changes in these measures. Our findings clearly underscore the relevance of cognitive performance in the monitoring of overreaching in endurance athletes. However, contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find any relationship between executive performance and cardiac parasympathetic control.

Effect of training cessation on muscular performance: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of resistance training cessation on strength performance through a meta-analysis. Seven databases were searched from which 103 of 284 potential studies met inclusion criteria. Training status, sex, age, and the duration of training cessation were used as moderators. Standardized mean difference (SMD) in muscular performance was calculated and weighted by the inverse of variance to calculate an overall effect and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results indicated a detrimental effect of resistance training cessation on all components of muscular performance: [submaximal strength; SMD (95% CI) = -0.62 (-0.80 to -0.45), P < 0.01], [maximal force; SMD (95% CI) = -0.46 (-0.54 to -0.37), P < 0.01], [maximal power; SMD (95% CI) = -0.20 (-0.28 to -0.13), P < 0.01]. A dose-response relationship between the amplitude of SMD and the duration of training cessation was identified. The effect of resistance training cessation was found to be larger in older people (> 65 years old). The effect was also larger in inactive people for maximal force and maximal power when compared with recreational athletes. Resistance training cessation decreases all components of muscular strength. The magnitude of the effect differs according to training status, age or the duration of training cessation.

Effect of functional overreaching on executive functions.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive performance was a valid marker of overreaching. 10 well-trained male endurance athletes increased their training load by 100% for 2 weeks. They performed a maximal graded test, a constant speed test, a reaction time task and a computerized version of the Stroop color word-test before and after this overload period. Regarding performance results, five participants were considered as overreached and the five remaining were considered as well-trained. We found no significant differences between groups in performing the Stroop test. Noteworthy, we found a small increase in response time in the more complex condition in overreached athletes (1 188+/-261 to 1 297+/-231 ms, effect size=0.44), while it decreased moderately in the well-trained athletes (1 066+/-175 to 963+/-171 ms, effect size=-0.59). Furthermore, we found an interaction between time and group on initiation time of the reaction time task, since it increased in overreached athletes after the overload period (246+/-24 to 264+/-26 ms, p<0.05), while it remained unchanged in well-trained participants. Participants made very few anticipation errors, whatever the group or the period (error rate <2%).We concluded that an unaccustomed increase in training volume which is accompanied by a decrement in physical performance induces a deterioration of some executive functions.

[Seizure and Bourneville tuberous sclerosis: think about insulinoma]. / Crise comitiale et sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville: penser à l'insulinome.

Bourneville tuberous sclerosis is a phacomatosis characterized by skin, neurological and ophthalmological lesions. At first, seizure can reveal cerebral lesions, but other causes may be suspected. We report a case of a Bourneville tuberous sclerosis in a 41-year-old-man with hypoglycemia leading to seizures, resulting from an insulinoma.

[Acromegaly in the elderly]. / L'acromégalie du sujet âgé.

UNLABELLED: Multicentric registers such as The French Acromegaly Register provide data on rare disorders that are otherwise difficult to obtain, so avoiding extrapolation from limited data sets. This study focuses on clinical, hormonal and therapy characteristics of acromegaly in people over 70 years old. The objective was to compare this population with the youngest to disclose if the medical management was similar. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data were obtained from the 30 centres that have registered patients in the Acromegaly Register since 1999. RESULTS: The register listed 644 acromegaly patients on 1st January 2005, of whom 68 (22 men and 46 women) were over 70 years old, independently of the diagnosis date of their disease. Their average age was 76.8 + or - 5 years (range: 70-95) and they had suffered from acromegaly for 11 + or - 6 years (compared to 7 years in those aged less than 70). Their BMI were similar. Diabetes and hypertension were more frequent than in younger acromegalic patients and in the general French population matched for age. Circulating GH and IGF-1 concentrations were lower than in the younger acromegalic patients on inclusion and 1 year after treatment. There was no significant difference in the tumor size. Only 44% of the patients over 70 underwent surgery, against 90% of patients under 70 years. However, the fractions of young and elderly patients with a controlled disease 1 year after inclusion were the same (51%). CONCLUSION: In the limits of the use of register, these data reveal a high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the eldest acromegalic patients. Despite much less frequent surgical intervention, patients' disease under control is equivalent to the younger population 1 year after the initial interview, confirming the effectiveness of the choices of treatment.

What is the role of computed tomographic coronary angiography in diabetic patients?

UNLABELLED: All diabetes specialists are aware of the frequency and severity of coronary disease in diabetics. Non-invasive diagnostic tests perform well, but they could be better. AIM: To assess the role of computed tomographic coronary angiography in diabetics. New cardiac imaging techniques such as CT coronary angiography are promising tools for the selection of patients for conventional X-ray coronary angiography, which remains the key for diagnosis and angioplasty. The limitations of CT coronary angiography, even using the most advanced machines with a 64-slice capacity, are its resolution, the need for an iodine contrast agent and the cumulative radiation from repeated examinations. CONCLUSION: CT coronary angiography appears to have great potential for patients at risk where non-invasive tests cannot absolutely exclude coronary disease and for the follow-up of coronary bypass surgery.

Insulin-pump use in everyday practice: data from an exhaustive regional registry in France.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) under real-life conditions among all patients treated with CSII in the south of Paris. METHODS: The 42 diabetologists practising in the region enrolled all patients treated with CSII or admitted for CSII initiation. During the study visit, the data for pump use and clinical results were recorded. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 424 patients, mean age 44.2+/-15.6 years, disease duration 18.7+/-10.6 years, including 339 treated with CSII for longer than three months (mean duration: 3.5+/-3.5 years; range: 3-258 months). Most of the patients (N=285, 84.8%) had type 1 diabetes; 44 (13.1%) had type 2 diabetes. In patients treated for more than three months, HbA1c decreased significantly between CSII initiation (9.1+/-1.9%) and the study visit (7.8+/-1.4%; P<0.0001). Patients with HbA1c >9%, using the pump, experienced a significant 0.9% improvement in their HbA1c levels with CSII versus multiple daily injections (P=0.001). The number of episodes of moderate hypoglycaemia was 2.7+/-2.5 per patient per week; of severe hypoglycaemia, 0.34 per patient per year and of ketoacidosis, 0.11 per patient per year. Factors significantly associated with HbA1c levels included amount of physical activity, pregnancy, HbA1c at CSII initiation and number of glucose self-determinations. Those associated with the number of moderate hypoglycaemia episodes were basal rate number, female gender and HbA1c level. HbA1c was negatively correlated with moderate hypoglycaemia (P<0.001), but not with severe hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSION: This 'pump' registry establishes the effectiveness of CSII in everyday practice, yet underscores the risks of severe hypoglycaemia and ketosis episodes. It could help diabetologists to improve patient training programmes and follow-up.

Should we have more definitions of metabolic syndrome or simply take waist measurement?

The disorder now known as metabolic syndrome has been recognized for 50 years, but its multiple definitions have led to some confusion and even doubt about its very nature. Metabolic syndrome is directly linked to the presence of android obesity, which indicates insulin resistance and lies at the root of all risk factors and early indications of type 2 diabetes. It is diagnosed by systematic measurements of waist size and its direct interpretation taking ethnic origin into account. This pragmatic approach avoids the uncertainties generated by differing definitions and is subtler than the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome in a given patient. Drug-free treatment of an android obese patient is inexpensive and effective, but this apparently simple approach masks difficulties of application. However, these are sociological problems.

[Hypertension and acromegaly in the elderly: French Registry Data]. / Hypertension artérielle et acromégalie du sujet âgé: données du registre français.

UNLABELLED: Multi centre registries such as the French Acromegaly Registry created in 1999 provide data on rare disorders that are otherwise difficult to obtain. This study focuses on the characteristics of high blood pressure in people aged of over 70 years old. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data were obtained from the thirty centres where patients had been recorded on the Acromegaly Registry since 1999. RESULTS: The Register listed a total of 644 patients with acromegaly at January 1st 2005, of whom 68 (22 men and 46 women) were aged over 70 years old (10.6%). Their mean age was 76.8 +/- 5 years (range 70 - 95) and they had been presenting acromegaly for 11 +/- 6 years (compared to 7 years in those aged less than 70). Their BMI were 27.9 +/- 4 kg/m2 for men, 27.7 +/- 4 for women (respectively 28.4 +/- 4.3 and 26.7 +/- 4.4 in those aged less than 70 years). Hypertension was particularly frequent in this population, reaching 80% vs. 27% under 70 years (p=0.0001). Prevalence was then higher than in general population (referring to FLAHS study). Mean blood pressure was 143 +/- 12 / 84 +/- 15 mmHg for men and 141 +/- 17 / 79 +/- 9 for women. 46% of men and 30% of women treated or not, had blood pressure over 140 / 90 mmHg. Data showed 12% of arrhythmic cardiopathy, 8% of cardiac insufficiency, 12% of ischemic cardiopathy and 12% of patients suffering from arteritis or stroke. Although various therapeutic strategies had been applied for young and elderly patients, 51% in each group were in remission one year after inclusion. DISCUSSION: More than 10% of patients are aged over 70 years in the French Acromegaly Registry and hypertension is very frequently observed in this population. The increasing life expectancy due to currently available treatments justifies a strict management of patients in order to reduce cardiovascular risks, which stay the main cause of morbidity and mortality.

[Recommendations of the French National Health Authority for management of high blood pressure in clinical practice]. / Les recommandations de la Haute Autorité de Santé sur la prise en charge de l'HTA à l'épreuve des faits.

UNLABELLED: The new recommendations of the French national authority for health (or Haute Autorité de Santé: HAS) concerning management of high blood pressure (HBP) deserve to be compared with real clinical practices in a large population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] EPIMIL is a prospective epidemiological study designed to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and the risk factors in a 2045 French male military personnel coming from Paris area. The different recommendations of the HAS have been applied to these subjects, and the aim of this work is to compare these theoretical objectives to what is done in real practice. RESULTS: Among these 2045 subjects aged of mean 38,6 +/- 8,8 years, 78 (4%) are known and treated for HPB. Although half of them present more than two associated risk factors, the means of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure stay at high levels. The blood pressure (BP) targets established at 140/90 mmHg are only reached by 33 patients (42%). Among the 1967 subjects considered to have normal BP, the BP considered as optimal (120/80 mmHg) is only found in 695 subjects (35.3%) and 428 (21.7%) do present ignored or neglected HBP, in spite of the presence of important associated risk factors. Then, the cardiovascular risk stratification into levels, as recommended by the HAS, shows that for these subjects considered to have normal BP, risk is finally low for 6%, moderate for 12%, and high for 3.5%. COMMENTS: In a selected and in theory regularly followed population, the recommendations of the HAS are insufficiently applied, as well for detection or treatment of HBP. Then, information of both medical personnel and also the interested parties should be necessary, in order to see these recommendations applied in real practice.

[Role of nocturnal blood pressure in the onset of diabetic nephropathy]. / Responsabilité de la pression artérielle nocturne dans l'apparition d'une néphropathie chez les diabétiques.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess the responsibility of night-time blood pressure in the onset of nephropathy in diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 98 diabetic patients (mean age: 54 +/- 15 years, diabetes duration: 15 +/- 10 years). An evaluation of diabetes and a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure were performed at the initial evaluation (Y0) and about five years later (Y5). At Y0, all patients had normal urinary albumin excretion (UAE) (<30 mg/24h). They were separated into two groups according to urinary albumin excretion at Y5: group (N +): UAE>30 mg/24h and group (N-): UAE<30 mg/24h. Twenty four hours ambulatory blood pressure, clinical and biological parameters recorded at Y0 were compared in both. RESULTS: At Y5, there was 18 patients in group (N +) and 78 in group (N-). Patients of group (N +) were older than those of group (N-): 62.9 +/- 9.5 vs. 52.6 +/- 15.7 years, p<0.01, and their BMI was higher (28 +/- 5 vs. 25 +/- 4 kg/m2, p<0.03). Diabetes duration and Hb A1c levels did not differ from significant manner in both. At Y0, UAE was significantly higher in group (N +) than in group (N-): 13 +/- 7 vs. 8 +/- 6 mg/24h, p<0.01. At the initial evaluation, daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not differ from significant manner in both. Systolic and diastolic BP night-time were higher in diabetic patients who developed microalbuminuria (SBP: 122 +/- 19 vs. 113 +/- 13 mmHg, p<0.05 and DBP: 70 +/- 6 vs. 65 +/- 10 mmHg, p<0.03). UAE collected at Y5 was correlated to night-time BP recorded at Y0 (SBP: r=0.381, p=0.001 and PAD: r=0.294, p=0.004) and night-time systolic BP explained 12.3% of the UAE variance. Progression of UAE between the two evaluations was found to be correlated to the night-time systolic BP recorded at Y0 (r=0.335, p=0.0008) and night-time systolic BP explained 11.7% of the progression variance. There was a negative correlation between UAE at A5 and the difference between daytime and night-time BP recorded during the same evaluation (r=- 0.230, p=0.024 with SBP and r=- 0.243, p=0.017 with DBP). CONCLUSION: The results underlign the resposability of night-time blood pressure, and more especially of nighttime systolic blood pressure, for the onset of nephropathy in diabetic patients.

[Modifications of 24-h blood pressure profile associated with reduction of the heart rate variability in type 1 diabetic patients]. / Modifications du profil tensionnel nycthéméral associées à la réduction de la variabilité de la fréquence cardiaque chez le diabétique de type 1.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to assess the blood pressure modifications in type 1 diabetic patients who present reduction of heart rate variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 70 type 1 diabetic patients (mean age: 42 +/- 13 years, diabetes duration: 13.2 +/- 9 years. They were free for complications and did not receive other treatment than insulin. Heart rate variability was evaluated using 24-h continuous ECG record spectral analysis. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether log high frequency power was lower (group 1, N=36) or higher (group 2, N=3 4) than 70 patients'mean. Clinical and biological features and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Patients of group 1 were older than group 2 (47.8 +/- 11.2 vs. 35.7 +/- 12.2 years, p<0.0001) and diabetes duration was higher (16.9 +/- 8.4 vs. 9.4 +/- 8 years, p<0.001). BMI and Hb A1c did not differ from significant in both. Night-time blood pressure was upper in group 1 (SBP: 112 +/- 13 vs. 103 +/- 11 mmHg, p<0.01 and DBP: 66 +/- 8 vs. 60 +/- 7 mmHg, p<0.001). The difference between blood pressures during day and night (DeltaBP) were lower in group 1 than in group 2 (DeltaSBP: 10 +/- 9 vs. 15 +/- 7 mmHg, p<0.02 and DeltaDeltaBP: 9 +/- 7 vs. 12 +/- 5 mmHg, p<0.04). DSBP and DDBP were found to be correlated with log HF power (r=0.356, p<0.003), which could explain 11.8% and 12% of their variance. Urinary albumin excretion rate was higher in group 1 (8 +/- 4 vs. 5 +/- 3 mg/24h, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In type 1 diabetic patients free for complications, reduction in heart rate variability linked to age and diabetes duration is associated with a reduction in nighttime BP fall. These two parameters of autonomic neuropathy could have a pathogenic role in the development of incipient nephropathy.

[Nelson's syndrome management: current knowledge]. / Prise en charge du syndrome de Nelson: données actuelles.

PURPOSE: Nelson's syndrome is a severe complication of bilateral adrenalectomy performed in the treatment of some Cushing's diseases, and its management remains difficult. Trough the observation of a patient suffering from a severe form of Nelson's syndrome for more than 10 years, the authors review the literature and discuss the main current therapeutic possibilities. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Many molecules have been used with variable results. In our observation cabergoline at 2 mg per week seems to be efficient after a 3 and a half years follow-up, in accordance with some recent publications. More than bromocriptine, this dopamine agonist provides interesting prospects for this disease's management. Moreover, if the conventional treatments as valproic acid or cyproheptadine are not very efficient, somatostatin analogs seem to be of some therapeutic interest. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: New molecules are currently evaluated, but studies are difficult to conduct because of the low disease prevalence. Tumour receptors analysis undoubtedly constitutes an attractive way to find new therapeutic targets.

[Silent thyroiditis in a patient under lithium therapy]. / Thyroïdite silencieuse chez un patient traité par lithium.

While hypothyroidism secondary to treatments by lithium are well known, cases of hyperthyroidism are less common. A 48 years old patient under lithium carbonate from about 10 years ago presents hyperthyroidism without any auto-immunity biological markers, associated with a very low thyroid tracer uptake on scintigraphy. Treatments by anti thyroid agents will be necessary during months in order to normalize the hormone level, whereas lithium is maintained. Only few tens of cases of hyperthyroidism related to lithium have been reported in the literature. This observation shows the importance of the thyroid hormonal follow up for patients under lithium, in order to treat them before the outbreak of a thyroid dysfunction. The causal toxic mechanism is still unclear, and may be related with a direct damage of lithium to follicular cells.

[Influence of blood pressure level on urinary albumin excretion rate and erythropoietin production in diabetic patients]. / Influence de la pression artérielle sur l'excrétion urinaire d'albumine et la production d'érythropoïétine des diabétiques.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to investigate blood pressure variations during diabetic incipient nephropathy and to evaluate theirs consequences for erythropoietin (EPO) production. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 94 diabetic patients (mean age: 59.9 +/- 15.3 years, diabetes duration: 13.8 +/- 15.3 years). Patients were divided in two groups according to urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE): group 1: UAE <30 mg/24 hrs, N=64 and group 2: 30

[Pasteurella dagmatis spondylodiscitis in a diabetic patient]. / Spondylodiscite à Pasteurella dagmatis chez un diabétique.

INTRODUCTION: Healthy pets contact are able to induce unusual and severe diseases. CLINICAL CASE: This case reports the medical history of a dorsal spondylodiscitis in a diabetic patient admitted for a chronic wound of his toes. He had a long-standing history of regular consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Blood bottles and biopsy of intervertebral disc infected discovered Pasteurella dagmatis, commonly colonizing the oropharynx of healthy dogs and cats. In this case, licking of his injured toe by his dog was the likely source of entry of the organism. DISCUSSION: We found no identical cases in the medical literature. Diabetes mellitus and other immunocompromised disorders justify to change behaviours toward domestic animals.

Epidemiology of the metabolic syndrome in 2045 French military personnel (EPIMIL study).

CONTEXT: The Metabolic syndrome is considered to be an important public health problem, but few epidemiological studies have defined the present situation in France. EPIMIL is a prospective epidemiological study that began on February 1, 2003. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was designed to identify the clinical and laboratory parameters of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in a population of 2045 male military personnel based in the Paris region. The initial 1-year cross-sectional study will be followed by a 10-year follow-up and patient care. RESULTS: The 2045 subjects included 185 (9%) presented at least 3 of the 5 NCEP ATP III criteria defining metabolic syndrome. They were significantly older (42.2 +/- 8.5 yrs) than the other subjects (37.3 +/- 8.7 yrs, P<0.001), had a higher BMI (29.5 +/- 3.4 vs 24.8 +/- 2.9 kg/m2, P<0.001) and a greater body weight at age 20 (75.4 +/- 11 vs 70.4 +/- 8.5 kg, P<0.01). Smoking, little physical activity and family histories of diabetes and arterial hypertension were more frequent in these men. While levels of the cholesterol and CRP us were higher, Lp(a) and homocysteine concentrations were normal. Plasma insulin and BMI (r = 0.456 P<0.0001) and plasma insulin and waist circumference (r = 0.446 P<0.0001) were well correlated. Lastly, plasma insulin, free fatty acids and cardiovascular risk increased steadily with the increase in the number of metabolic syndrome criteria. CONCLUSIONS: These results in a large and particularly uniform population of men show the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult men, and demonstrate its link with insulin resistance. Men with several risk factors require specific care, particularly for hypertension and dyslipidemia; the effectiveness of this care will be evaluated during the follow-up period.

[Is mild hyperhomocysteinemia an additional risk factor of the metabolic syndrome?]. / L'hyperhomocystéinémie est-elle un facteur de risque supplémentaire du syndrome métabolique?

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome is a cardiovascular risk factors cluster and hyperhomocysteinemia an obvious independant risk factor. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: "Epimil" is a prospective epidemiologic survey, which began by a cross-sectionnal study of cardiovascular risk factors in a French population, which then will be followed for ten years for supervision and intervention. Initial data collection, blood pressure measurement, ECG and blood samples (biology and DNA) have been performed. For the metabolic syndrome, we used the criterias of the third report of the national cholesterol education program expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (NCEP ATP III). RESULTS: Out of 2045 men aged from 20 to 58 years (37.7+/-8.7 years), 185 (9%) have metabolic syndrome (at least three criterias), 587 (29%) a blood homocysteine>or=12 micromol/L and 202 (10%)>or=15 micromol/L. Homocysteinemia is 10.97+/-5.01 micromol/L for the whole population and doesn't differ with (11.4+/-6 micromol/L) or without (10.9+/-5 micromol/L) the metabolic syndrome, as does its values distribution. It's not correlate with the body mass index, waist and hip measurements, nor with glycemia, HbA1c, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk markers (CRPus, microalbuminuria). It weakly correlates with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, creatinine clearance, tobacco use, cholesterolemia, triglycerides and free fatty acids but not with HDL and LDL fractions, nor lipoprotein (a). Among this population, it slightly contributes to the ten years vascular risk evaluated according to Framingham equations or Score system. CONCLUSIONS: Homocysteinemia and the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia don't differ with or without the metabolic syndrome and doesn't correlate its main criterias.

[Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas discovered after diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and acute pancreatitis]. / Tumeur intracanalaire papillaire mucineuse du pancréas révélée par une pancréatite aiguë et un diabète.

INTRODUCTION: Imaging of the pancreas soon after diagnosis of diabetes can help screen for tumors. CASE: A 45 year-old man with recently diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes and no other notable history was found to have intraductal papillary mucinous tumour of the pancreas (IPMTP), a month after an unexplained and benign acute pancreatitis. DISCUSSION: The histology of IPMTP differs from that of the adenocarcinomas usually described in these circumstances, and they are far rarer. Because they carry the risk of malignant degeneration, early diagnosis is important. Surgery is the only curative treatment and should therefore be discussed.