Different amount of training affects body composition and performance in High-Intensity Functional Training participants.

The effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on body composition and the relationship of the latter with performance are not well defined. In this work we investigated, by means of Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, the relative proportions of fat-, lean soft tissue-, and mineral mass in CrossFit® (CF, a popular mode of HIFT) participants (n = 24; age, 28.2 ± 3.39 y; BMI, 25.3 ± 2.04 kg/m2) with at least 1 year of CF training experience and weekly amount of training > 10 h/w (n = 13; Higher Training, HT) or < 10 h/w (n = 11; Lower Training, LT) as well as age- matched and BMI-matched physically active controls (CHT, CLT). Performance was assessed in the "Fran" workout. Data were analyzed by one-way or repeated measures ANOVA where needed. Association between variables was assessed with the Pearson's correlation coefficient r. Partial correlation was used where needed. Results showed that HT performed better than LT in the "Fran" (P < 0.001) and they had higher whole-body bone mineral density (P = 0.026) and higher lean soft mass (P = 0.002), and borderline lower percent fat mass (P = 0.050). The main difference between CF participants (HT, LT) and their respective controls (CHT, CLT) was a lower adiposity in the former. In CF participants, performance positively correlated with appendicular lean soft tissue mass (P = 0.030). It can be concluded that, in CF participants, a higher amount of weekly training improves most notably lean body mass and increases performance in association with increased skeletal muscle mass. CF participation is especially effective in reducing fat mass vs. age- and BMI-matched physically active controls.

Abacavir adverse reactions related with HLA-B*57: 01 haplotype in a large cohort of patients infected with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Carriage of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*57:01 allele increases the risk of abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, since 2008 HIV treatment guidelines recommend HLA-B*57:01 screening before abacavir administration, greatly reducing hypersensitivity reaction rate. However, clinically suspected abacavir-related hypersensitivity reactions are described in allele non-carriers. Major aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HLA-B*57:01 pattern and abacavir-related hypersensitivity reaction, focusing on hypersensitivity reaction prevalence in allele non-carriers. METHODS: We included all outpatients aged >18 years old with HIV infection and known HLA-B*57:01 pattern, followed at our Department from January 2000 until December 2017. Patients were divided according to HLA-B*57:01 pattern and first antiretroviral treatment prescribed (containing or not abacavir) as follows: HLA-B*57:01 allele carriers treated with abacavir and HLA-B*57:01 allele non-carriers treated with abacavir. We considered all adverse events reported during first abacavir administration, differentiating between confirmed hypersensitivity reactions and non-hypersensitivity reactions, according to abacavir hypersensitivity reaction definition included in the abacavir EU Summary of Product Characteristics and the US Prescribing Information. RESULTS: A total of 3144 patients had a known HLA-B*57:01 pattern. About 5.4% of them showed allele polymorphism; Caucasian ethnicity was the most represented. In this cohort, 1801 patients were treated with a first abacavir-containing regimen (98.2% of them was represented by allele non-carriers). 191 out of 1801 patients discontinued abacavir because of toxicity/intolerance; among them 107 described adverse events fulfilled the criteria of confirmed abacavir hypersensitivity reaction (22/32 allele-positive patients and 85/1769 allele-negative patients). After having experienced a confirmed abacavir hypersensitivity reaction, abacavir was re-administered to eight HLA-B*57:01 negative patients. Seven of them re-experienced a syndrome consistent with hypersensitivity reaction, finally leading to drug discontinuation. Overall, no fatal reactions were described. CONCLUSION: Not all abacavir-related side effects occur as a result of classic HLA-B*57:01-mediated hypersensitivity reaction, as they can develop irrespective of HLA-B*57:01 status. Clinical vigilance must be an essential part of the management of individuals starting abacavir, at any time during treatment. In a 'real-life' setting, clinical diagnosis of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reaction in allele non-carriers remains crucial for further clinical decision making.

Probable Etoricoxib-Induced Severe Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of likely etoricoxib-induced severe thrombocytopenia. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 32-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for disseminated petechial rash after 7 days of therapy with etoricoxib. At admission, the patient's platelet count was 3,000/mm3. At Naranjo's scale correlation between thrombocytopenia and drug was considered as "probable." With the diagnostic tests performed we did not find other causes of thrombocytopenia. Etoricoxib was discontinued. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids with a complete resolution of the thrombocytopenia in a few days. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia induced by etoricoxib should be studied as it may not be very rare.

[Analysis of online reports on the potential misuse of benzidamine]. / Analisi dei report online relativi al potenziale uso errato della benzidamina.

Benzydamine/Tantum Rosa is a drug for external use. It is typically available in Europe, without the need of a medical prescription, for the treatment of vaginal inflammatory processes. Between December 2009 and January 2010, the Milan and Pavia (I) Poison Centres have identified some 50 cases of inappropriate benzydamine ingestion. Reasons for this misuse have been attributed to an allegedly misleading television advert. However, the recreational misuse of benzydamine is a well-known phenomenon in Brazil and in some EU countries as well, notably in Poland and Romania. It is here suggested that the recent increase in benzydamine misuse reports in Italy may well be associated with a parallel increase in level of online information regarding the molecule potential for misuse. According to the online reports, benzydamine is typically taken at a dosage of 1-4 sachets, dissolved in water and ingested orally. Its intake may be associated with hallucinations (mostly visual), sleeping disorders and euphoria. Only future, prospective, studies will confirm and better describe the benzydamine misuse potential.

Schmidt camera correctors for large telescopes.

Designing large Schmidt cameras using the polynomial expansion may yield a not-perfect spherical aberration correction. We indicate an alternative method to design the corrector, whose integration in a software package is in progress. The shape of the corrector can be determined with a simple recursive method. The incidence point can also be calculated for any ray, as well as the corresponding unitary vector normal to the surface.