Weight Loss, Performance and Psychological Related States in High-level Weightlifters.

We examined the effects of a rapid weight loss on dietary intakes, psychological parameters and physical performance of 11 international weightlifters. During the first period (T1), all subjects maintained their body weight and participated in a simulated weightlifting competition. Then, they were assigned into 2 groups depending on whether they lost (Group 2) or maintained (Group 1) their body weight over 6 days. A battery of tests was performed at T1 and after a 6-day food restriction (T2), including assessment for body composition, performance, evaluation of mood states and fatigue. Dietary data were collected using a 6-day diet record. A 4.34% reduction of body weight was achieved by a significant reduction of total energy intakes (- 40%), inducing a significant alteration of the general recovery score (p<0.05) and evaluated through the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes. Increase in conflicts/pressure, emotional stress and physical complaints were observed. Intakes of vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9 and magnesium were significantly lower than the recommendations during the weight loss period. However, the food restriction did not impair weightlifting performance. Reduced energy and micronutrient intakes, inducing a rapid weight loss, could be a limiting factor to training adaptations and a threat towards athlete's health if frequently used.

Beneficial Effects of Photoperiod Lengthening on Sleep Characteristics and Mechanical Hyperalgesia in Injured Rats.

Sleep and muscle injury-related pain are in negative relationship, and sleep extension may be a favorable countermeasure. In response to muscle injury, an adaptive sleep response has been described in rats, characterized by an increase in total sleep time (TST) and nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. This study examined the effects of photoperiod lengthening (a model of sleep prolongation in rats) on the sleep characteristics of muscle-injured rats and whether this lengthening could benefit injury-induced mechanical hyperalgesia using the Von Frey test. Switching from the conventional 12:12 light/dark (LD) photoperiod (light on: 08:00-20:00) to LD 16:8 (light extended to 24:00) gives rats an extra window of sleep. Our results show higher TST and NREM sleep times in LD 16:8 versus LD 12:12 injured rats during 4 h of light lengthening for 7 d postinjury, showing the efficiency of photoperiod lengthening to increase sleep time in injured rats. In addition, a cumulative effect with the adaptive sleep response to muscle injury occurred with higher TST and NREM sleep times in LD 16:8 injured versus noninjured rats during the dark period, reflecting the high need for sleep after the injury. Greater stability and higher relative delta power of NREM sleep during the extended light period were also observed in injured rats. Finally, the extended photoperiod limits the muscle injury-induced mechanical hyperalgesia for 13 d and allows faster recovery of the baseline mechanical threshold. This is associated with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in pain processing.

Muscle injury induces an increase in total and non-rapid eye movement sleep time.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study describes macro- and micro-sleep responses to a myotoxic skeletal muscle injury and investigates possible mechanisms. METHODS: We recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG)/electromyogram (EMG) of 24 Wistar rats before and after induction of tibialis anterior muscle injury (n = 8 per group: control, control + buprenorphine and injured). A top-down analysis of sleep characteristics was processed from total sleep time (TST), sleep stages, sleep stability, spectral analysis, and spindles. To further investigate the mechanisms involved, we analyzed the protein level of sleep regulatory molecules including tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) in plasma, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and tibialis anterior, collected at day +2 after injury from non-EEG/EMG implanted rats. RESULTS: Muscle injury induces a significant increase in TST at 48 and 72 h post-injury, specific to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. These increases occur during the dark period and are associated with the higher stability of sleep over 24 h, without change in the different power/frequency spectral bands of NREM/REM sleep. There was no corresponding sleep increase in slow-wave activity or spindle density, nor were there changes in brain levels of the sleep-regulating proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, which is otherwise involved in the local response to injury. Conversely, decreased protein levels of brain IGF-1 and muscle BMAL1, a core circadian clock gene, after injury may play a role in increased sleep time. CONCLUSION: Muscle injury induces an increase in total sleep time at 48- and 72-h post-injury, specific to NREM sleep during the dark period in rats and is associated with higher sleep stability over 24 h.

Effect of one night of sleep loss on changes in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in healthy men.

Total sleep deprivation in humans is associated with increased daytime sleepiness, decreased performance, elevations in inflammatory cytokines, and hormonal/metabolic disturbances. To assess the effects of 40 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD) under constant and well controlled conditions, on plasma levels of TNF-α and its receptor (TNFR1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP), sleepiness and performance, 12 healthy men (29±3 years) participated in a 5-days sleep deprivation experiment (two control nights followed by a night of sleep loss and one recovery night). Between 0800 and 2300 (i.e. between 25 and 40 h of sleep deprivation), a serial of blood sampling, multiple sleep latency, subjective levels of sleepiness and reaction time tests were completed before (day 2: D2) and after (day 4: D4) one night of sleep loss. We showed that an acute sleep deprivation (i.e. after 34 and 37 h of sleep deprivation) induced a significant increase in TNF-α (P<0.01), but there were no significant changes in TNFR1, IL-6, cortisol and CRP. In conclusion, our study in which constant and controlled experimental conditions were realized with healthy subjects and in absence of psychological or physical stressors, an acute total sleep deprivation (from 34 h) was sufficient to induce secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as TNF-α, a marker more described in chronic sleep restriction or deprivation and as mediators of excessive sleepiness in humans in pathological conditions.

Motorcycling performance and sleepiness during an extended ride on a dynamic simulator: relationship with stress biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: Powered two-wheelers (PTW) make up a large proportion of fatal accidents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of time-of-day and total sleep deprivation (SD) on simulated motorcycling performance during extended riding sessions (60 min), while evaluating stress mechanisms. APPROACH: A total of 16 healthy males participated in four simulated motorcycling sessions at 07:00, 11:00, 15:00 and 19:00, including city (8 min), country (2 min) and highway pathways (40 min), after a normal night of sleep and after total SD (30 h), in a randomized counterbalanced order. The recorded motorcycle parameters included: variation of lateral position, number of inappropriate line crossings (ILC), falls, riding errors, speed and speed limit violations. Subject parameters included the number of microsleeps in each pathway, the number of lapses during the 3-min psychomotor vigilance task (PVT-Brief version), and the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) score. Saliva samples were used to assess cortisol (sC), α-amylase (sAA), and chromogranin-A (sCgA). ANOVAs and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed between these variables. MAIN RESULTS: Most parameters were influenced by an interaction effect between 'Motorcycling pathways' × 'SD' (speed (p < 0.05), legal speed violations (p < 0.01), variation of lateral position (p < 0.001), falls (p < 0.001), EEG-microsleeps (p < 005)). An interaction effect between 'SD' × 'Time-of-day' influenced the number of ILCs (p < 0.01), sC (p < 0.05) and sCgA (p < 0.05) levels. SD affected KSS scores (p < 0.001) and PVT lapses (p < 0.05). The highest disturbances were associated with highway motorcycling simulation. SIGNIFICANCE: Sleepiness due to circadian or SD and fatigue effects significantly affect riding and increase the risks involved with PTWs. The activation of both stress systems seems not sufficient to alleviate these deleterious effects.

Effect of Sleep Extension on the Subsequent Testosterone, Cortisol and Prolactin Responses to Total Sleep Deprivation and Recovery.

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) in humans is associated with altered hormonal levels, which may have clinical relevance. Less is known about the effect of an extended sleep period before TSD on these hormonal changes. Fourteen subjects participated in two experimental counterbalanced conditions (randomised cross-over design): extended sleep (21.00-07.00 h time in bed, EXT) and habitual sleep (22.30-07.00 h time in bed, HAB). For each condition, subjects performed two consecutive phases: six nights of either EXT or HAB. These nights were followed by 3 days in the sleep laboratory with blood sampling at 07.00 and 17.00 h at baseline (B-07.00 and B-17.00), after 24 and 34 h of continuous awakening (24 h-CA, 34 h-CA) and after one night of recovery sleep (R-07.00 and R-17.00) to assess testosterone, cortisol, prolactin and catecholamines concentrations. At 24 h of awakening, testosterone, cortisol and prolactin concentrations were significantly lower compared to B-07.00 and recovered basal levels after recovery sleep at R-07.00 (P < 0.001 for all). However, no change was observed at 34 h of awakening compared to B-17.00. No effect of sleep extension was observed on testosterone, cortisol and catecholamines concentrations at 24 and 34 h of awakening. However, prolactin concentration was significantly lower in EXT at B-07.00 and R-07.00 compared to HAB (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, 24 h of awakening inhibited gonadal and adrenal responses in healthy young subjects and this was not observed at 34 h of awakening. Six nights of sleep extension is not sufficient to limit decreased concentrations of testosterone and cortisol at 24 h of awakening but may have an impact on prolactin concentration.

[Osteo-articular tuberculosis and postpartum: a casual association?]. / Tuberculose ostéo-articulaire et post-partum: une association fortuite ?

INTRODUCTION: Most cases of active tuberculosis in France are due to a recurrence of latent tuberculosis. It seems that immunorestitution during the postpartum can contribute to the return of latent tuberculosis. EXEGESIS: We report three observations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis osteo-articular infections (two Pott's diseases and one sterno-clavicular arthritis) occurring during the postpartum of women non infected by HIV. Two patients need a surgical treatment. The response to standard tuberculous treatment was favourable and all patients were cured. CONCLUSION: One must consider osteo-articular tuberculosis when a patient is suffering from osseous pains not proving reliable during the postpartum. We must remind ourselves of the relationships between tuberculosis and postpartum as well as the necessity to the threat both mother and child. Additional epidemiological studies should be realised. It appears necessary to increase in France measures for tracking tuberculosis in particularly about the latent forms.

[Pulmonary eosinophilia in France: possible toxocariasis]. / Poumon éosinophile en métropole, ne pas oublier la toxocarose.

INTRODUCTION: In France, except in the overseas departments and territories, pulmonary eosinophilia rarely has a parasitic cause except among subjects who have traveled to tropic areas. CASE: A 19-year-old man was hospitalized for incidentally discovered hypereosinophilia. The thoracic CT scan showed several hyperdense nodules that suggested bilateral interstitial alveolar lesions. Diagnosis was finally based on serologic results positive for toxocariasis. A 14-day course of albendazole led to regression of the eosinophilia and of the radiographic images. DISCUSSION: The frequency of toxocariasis or visceral larva migrans syndrome is probably underestimated. In adults, the symptoms can be atypical and possibly serious. Albendazole, for 14 days, is the reference treatment.

Effects of exercise on brain and peripheral inflammatory biomarkers induced by total sleep deprivation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise induces neuroprotection through anti-inflammatory effects and total sleep deprivation is reported an inflammatory process. We examined whether 7 weeks of exercise training attenuates markers of inflammation during total sleep deprivation (24-h wakefulness) in the rat brain and periphery. METHODS: Four groups of 10 rats were investigated: Sedentary control, Sedentary sleep-deprived, Exercised control, and Exercised sleep-deprived. Sleep deprivation and exercise training were induced using slowly rotating wheels and a motorized treadmill. We examined mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6) cytokine-related genes using real-time PCR, and protein levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, as well as circulating concentrations. RESULTS: Compared to Sedentary control rats, hippocampal and cortical IL-1ß mRNA expressions in Sedentary sleep-deprived rats were up-regulated (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). At the protein level, hippocampal IL-1ß and TNF-α and cortical IL-6 contents were higher in Sedentary sleep-deprived rats (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Peripherally, TNF-α, IL-6 and norepinephrine concentrations were higher in Sedentary sleep-deprived rats compared to Sedentary control (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). Exercise training reduced the sleep deprivation-induced hippocampal IL-1ß increases (mRNA expression and protein content) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), and TNF-α content (p < 0.001). At the periphery, exercise reduced sleep deprivation-induced increase of IL-6 concentration (p < 0.05) without effect on TNF-α and norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that a 7-week exercise training program before acute total sleep deprivation prevents pro-inflammatory responses in the rat hippocampus, particularly the IL-1ß cytokine at the gene expression level and protein content.

In-flight automatic detection of vigilance states using a single EEG channel.

Sleepiness and fatigue can reach particularly high levels during long-haul overnight flights. Under these conditions, voluntary or even involuntary sleep periods may occur, increasing the risk of accidents. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of an in-flight automatic detection system of low-vigilance states using a single electroencephalogram channel. Fourteen healthy pilots voluntarily wore a miniaturized brain electrical activity recording device during long-haul flights ( 10 ±2.0 h, Atlantic 2 and Falcon 50 M, French naval aviation). No subject was disturbed by the equipment. Seven pilots experienced at least a period of voluntary ( 26.8 ±8.0 min, n = 4) or involuntary sleep (N1 sleep stage, 26.6 ±18.7 s, n = 7) during the flight. Automatic classification (wake/sleep) by the algorithm was made for 10-s epochs (O1-M2 or C3-M2 channel), based on comparison of means to detect changes in α, ß, and θ relative power, or ratio [( α+θ)/ß], or fuzzy logic fusion (α, ß). Pertinence and prognostic of the algorithm were determined using epoch-by-epoch comparison with visual-scoring (two blinded readers, AASM rules). The best concordance between automatic detection and visual-scoring was observed within the O1-M2 channel, using the ratio [( α+θ )/ß] ( 98.3 ±4.1% of good detection, K = 0.94 ±0.07, with a 0.04 ±0.04 false positive rate and a 0.87 ±0.10 true positive rate). Our results confirm the efficiency of a miniaturized single electroencephalographic channel recording device, associated with an automatic detection algorithm, in order to detect low-vigilance states during real flights.