Sub-maximal and maximal Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2: heart rate response, reproducibility and application to elite soccer.

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the reproducibility of sub-maximal and maximal versions of the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2 test), (2) assess the relationship between the Yo-Yo IE2 test and match performance and (3) quantify the sensitivity of the Yo-Yo IE2 test to detect test-retest changes and discriminate between performance for different playing standards and positions in elite soccer. Elite (n = 148) and sub-elite male (n = 14) soccer players carried out the Yo-Yo IE2 test on several occasions over consecutive seasons. Test-retest coefficient of variation (CV) in Yo-Yo IE2 test performance and heart rate after 6 min were 3.9% (n = 37) and 1.4% (n = 32), respectively. Elite male senior and youth U19 players Yo-Yo IE2 performances were better (P < 0.01) than elite youth U16s and sub-elite players (2,603 ± 451 and 2,534 ± 549 vs. 1,855 ± 535 vs. 1,749 ± 382 m). The intra- and inter-season CV for Yo-Yo IE2 test performance were 4.2 and 5.6%, respectively. A correlation was observed (P < 0.05) between Yo-Yo IE2 test performance and the total (r = 0.74) and high-intensity (r = 0.58) running distance covered in a match. A correlation was also evident (P < 0.01) between Yo-Yo IE2 test heart rate after 6 min expressed in percentage of maximal heart rate and the peak values for high-intensity running performed by midfielders in 5-min (r = -0.71), 15-min (r = -0.75) and 45-min periods (r = -0.77). The present data demonstrate that the Yo-Yo IE2 test is reproducible and can be used to determine the capacity of elite soccer players to perform intense intermittent exercise. Furthermore, the Yo-Yo IE2 test was shown to be a sensitive tool that not only relates to match performance but can also differentiate between intermittent exercise performance of players in various standards, stages of the season and playing positions.

Platelet-rich plasma sequestration, with therapeutic platelet yields, reduces allogeneic transfusion in complex cardiac surgery.

UNLABELLED: Platelet dysfunction is the most common cause of nonsurgical bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We hypothesized that reinfusion of a therapeutic quantity of platelets sequestered before CPB would decrease the need for allogeneic platelet transfusion, as well as decrease bleeding and total allogeneic transfusion, in cardiac surgery patients at moderately high risk for bleeding. Fifty-five patients undergoing either reoperative coronary artery bypass (CABG) or combined CABG and valve replacement were randomized to control or platelet-rich plasma sequestration (pheresis) groups. All patients received intraoperative epsilon-aminocaproic acid infusions. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to preoperative characteristics, duration of CPB, or target postoperative hematocrit. Mean platelet yields were 6.2 +/- 2.1 units (3.1 x 10(11) platelets). Mean pheresis time was 44 min. Allogeneic platelets (range = 6-12 units) were transfused to 28% of control patients, compared with 0% of pheresis patients (P < 0.01). Allogeneic packed red blood cells were transfused to 45% of control patients (1.2 units per patient) versus 31% of pheresis patients (0. 7 unit per patient) (P = 0.35). Total allogeneic units transfused were significantly reduced in the pheresis group (P < 0.02). Mediastinal chest tube drainage was not significantly decreased in the pheresis group. In this prospective, randomized study, therapeutic platelet yields were obtained before CPB. In contrast with recent studies with low platelet yields, these data support the conclusion that platelet-rich plasma sequestration is effective in reducing allogeneic platelet transfusions and total allogeneic units transfused in cardiac surgery patients at moderately high risk for post-CPB coagulopathy and bleeding. IMPLICATIONS: Transfusion of allogeneic blood products, including platelets, is common during complex cardiac surgical procedures. In the present prospective, randomized study, a significant reduction in allogeneic platelet transfusion and total allogeneic units transfused was observed after the reinfusion of a therapeutic quantity of autologous platelets sequestered before cardiopulmonary bypass.

Exposure to systemic prednisolone for 4 hours reduces ex vivo synthesis of GM-CSF by bronchoalveolar lavage cells and blood mononuclear cells of mild allergic asthmatics.

BACKGROUND: In acute severe asthma, the earliest clinical effects of glucocorticosteroids occur from 4 to 5 h after systemic administration, but the mechanisms are unclear. In persistent asthma, corticosteroids are thought to suppress airway inflammation by modulating the expression of adhesion molecules, enzymes, and leucotactic cytokines, including granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF is also overexpressed in the airways of symptomatic asthmatics. OBJECTIVES: To examine the early effects of systemic corticosteroids on cytokine expression, we investigated whether ex vivo synthesis of GM-CSF is suppressed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of normal and mild allergic asthmatic subjects obtained 4 h after a single intravenous dose of prednisolone. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, BAL cells and PBMCs were obtained from mild atopic asthmatic patients (n = 9) and normal subjects (n = 9) 4 h after an intravenous bolus dose of 80 mg prednisolone, and cultured for 0-18 h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 microg/mL). Enzyme immunoassay was used to assess GM-CSF levels in BAL cell and PBMC culture supernatants, and in BAL fluid. RESULTS: After placebo, GM-CSF synthesis tended to be higher in BAL cells from asthmatics than in normals. LPS stimulation significantly increased median (interquartile range) GM-CSF synthesis by BAL cells ex vivo from 16.4 (23 to 74) to 35.8 (3-148) pg/106 cells in normals (P < 0.05), and from 59 (9 to 204) to 134 (24-288) pg/106 cells in asthmatics (P < 0.01). After intravenous prednisolone, the rise in GM-CSF production induced in BAL cells by LPS was completely abolished in both subject groups. In PBMCs of placebo-treated asthmatics (but not normals), LPS stimulated median GM-CSF synthesis from 164 (110 to 300) to 314 (235-485) pg/106 cells (P = 0.02), and this was blocked by intravenous prednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: LPS-stimulated GM-CSF synthesis ex vivo is abolished in BAL cells of mild asthmatic and normal subjects, and in PBMCs of asthmatics, obtained 4 h after a single intravenous dose of prednisolone. Suppression of GM-CSF synthesis in airway and blood leucocytes may contribute to the early clinical efficacy of systemic glucocorticoids in acute allergic asthma.

Effect of intravenous corticosteroid on ex vivo leukotriene generation by blood leucocytes of normal and asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The cysteinyl-leukotrienes (LTC(4), LTD(4), LTE(4)) are critical bronchoconstrictor and eosinophilotactic mediators in asthma while LTB(4) is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant. Glucocorticosteroids are front line anti-inflammatory treatment for asthma but the evidence that they reduce leukotriene (LT) synthesis in vivo is poor. METHODS: In a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial immunoassays were used to measure ex vivo synthesis of LTC(4) and LTB(4) by calcium ionophore stimulated blood leucocytes and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells of eight normal subjects and eight patients with mild allergic asthma 4-6 hours after intravenous administration of a single 100 mg dose of methylprednisolone. RESULTS: Ionophore stimulated synthesis of LTC(4) (but not LTB(4)) in blood granulocytes tended to be higher in asthmatic subjects (mean 9.7 ng/10(6) cells) than in normal subjects (4.2 ng/10(6) cells; p = 0.08) and intravenous methylprednisolone reduced synthesis of LTC(4) (but not LTB(4)) to normal levels (2.9 ng/10(6) cells; 95% CI for the reduction 1.0 to 12.5 ng/10(6) cells; p = 0.03). In blood mononuclear cells methylprednisolone reduced LTC(4) synthesis in asthmatic subjects from 1.26 to 0.79 ng/10(6) cells (95% CI for the reduction 0.26 to 0.79, p = 0.014) and tended to reduce LTC(4) synthesis in normal subjects from 1.51 to 0.86 ng/10(6) cells (p = 0.08). Methylprednisolone also significantly reduced synthesis of LTB(4) in mononuclear cells from both subject groups (p = 0.014). It had no effect on LT synthesis in BAL cells from either group nor on LT levels in BAL fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous methylprednisolone can reduce synthesis of leukotrienes in blood granulocytes and mononuclear cells within six hours of a single intravenous dose.

Residential treatment for women with dependent children: one agency's approach.

The Salvation Army First Choice Program, located in Fort Worth, Texas, provides comprehensive-as well as gender-specific-treatment for addicted women while providing child care and therapeutic services for children. Specific program attributes (including therapeutic interventions, community linkages, and staffing patterns) are described, and the five-year evaluation initiative, designed to examine relationships between client characteristics, program participation, and client progress is outlined. Findings from initial analyses examining correlates of 90-day dropout suggest a complex interaction among specific problems a woman brings to treatment, her level of dysfunction at treatment entry, how much social support is available to her, and what services she receives.

The principles of pharmacology (3).

This is the concluding part of a series of articles which examines the principles of pharmacology. This paper reviews the potential variability of an individual's response to drugs and the unwanted adverse reactions that may occur. Following this theme, the pharmacological considerations of the extremes of age will be briefly reviewed and the implications for perioperative practice highlighted. The reader is encouraged to use the reference list as indicative reading and complete the questions that appear during the text.

The principles of pharmacology (2).

This is the second part of a paper which examines the principles of pharmacology. This article reviews the fundamental principals of drug action and effect: pharmacodynamics. An understanding of pharmacodynamics is important to enable the perioperative practitioner to practise safely. The reader is encouraged to consider the activity questions that appear throughout the article and expand his/her knowledge by further reading. A brief review of the historical background of the development of pharmacology will help put present day understanding into perspective.

The principles of pharmacology (1).

Today, nurses are presented with a bewildering range of medicines which they will have to ensure are safely administered to the patient. The nurse cannot be familiar with the numerous preparations available but he/she should have an understanding of how drugs work to ensure safe practice. Although nurse prescribing in the UK is now established, albeit on a limited basis, as the nurses role continues to evolve within the operating department a sufficient depth of knowledge of the principals of pharmacology is essential to provide holistic care.

Local anaesthesia.

This article is concerned with the care a patient requires whilst receiving a local anaesthetic. The significance of the administration of a local anaesthetic should never be underestimated by the theatre nurse and he or she must have an understanding of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics involved to provide effective care. Local anaesthesia is differentiated from regional anaesthesia as local anaesthesia affects a very specific part of the body whereas regional anaesthesia affects a much larger area of the body. This article will focus on local anaesthesia. Local anaesthetic agents cause a temporary loss of sensation due to inhibition of nerve endings in a specific part of the body. Clearly such agents are a very useful method of analgesia which can be used as a 'stand-alone' approach or as an adjunct to other methods of analgesia.

High intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: early United States clinical experience.

High intensity focused ultrasound via a transrectal approach was used to treat 15 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. The first 10 of these 15 patients underwent continuous temperature monitoring of the periprostatic region throughout the treatment. Patients undergoing transperineal thermocouple placement for the purpose of thermometry were treated while under general or spinal anesthesia, whereas 4 of the 5 remaining patients were successfully treated using intravenous sedation alone. Of the 10 patients 9 did not demonstrate a significant temperature elevation. One patient with a small prostatic anteroposterior diameter had a transient elevation of 17C. No patient experienced a complication related to periprostatic heating. Followup was available at 90 days in all patients. At 90 days the symptom scores decreased from a pretreatment value (American Urological Association questions 1 to 7) of 31.2 (range 22 to 38) to 15.8 (range 8 to 31). Peak flow rate increased by a mean of 4.7 ml per second from 9.3 ml per second before treatment to 14.0 ml per second at 90 days. The most frequent complication was that of transient urinary retention in 11 of 15 patients (73.3%) and hematospermia in 7 (46.7%). No adverse reactions persisted at 90 days. This study represents an initial attempt using high intensity focused ultrasound to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Overall, the safety and effectiveness of high intensity focused ultrasound demonstrated in this pilot study are encouraging.

Effects of serotonin and the 5-HT2/1C receptor agonist DOI on neurons of the cerebellar dentate/interpositus nuclei: possible involvement of a GABAergic interneuron.

The present study was designed to examine the effects of iontophoretically applied serotonin (5-HT) on neurons of the cerebellar dentate/interpositus nuclei in an in vitro slice preparation and to determine if the 5-HT2/1C receptor subtype could be responsible for mediating any effects noted with 5-HT. 5-HT and the 5-HT2/1C-selective agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (DOI) were iontophoretically applied alone and during superfusion of the 5-HT2/1C-selective antagonist, ritanserin. 5-HT and DOI elicited either inhibition or excitation of the spontaneous activity of dentate/interpositus neurons. An inhibitory response was induced by both compounds in the majority of cells responding. Ritanserin significantly attenuated the inhibitory response elicited by both 5-HT and DOI. In addition, the inhibitory response to DOI was significantly attenuated by the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonists, bicuculline and picrotoxin. Our results suggest that the 5-HT2/1C receptor subtype may be partially responsible for mediating 5-HT-induced inhibition of dentate/interpositus neurons, possibly via activation of GABAergic interneurons.

Changes in plasma bile acids, plasma amino acids, and hepatic enzyme pools as indices of functional impairment in liver-damaged sheep.

Plasma bile acids, plasma amino acids, and the total hepatic pools of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase were compared in control sheep (Group 1), sheep with subclinical pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis (Group 2), and in sheep with acute hepatocellular necrosis associated with the hemolytic phase of chronic copper poisoning (Group 3). Subclinical pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis was not associated with any changes in bile acid or amino acid status but was associated with a significant decline in the hepatic pools of sorbitol dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. This observation could not be explained in terms of enzyme leakage from damaged hepatocytes and suggested that pyrrolizidine alkaloids might specifically inhibit hepatocellular enzyme synthesis. Group 3 sheep also had reduced hepatic enzyme pools which were at least partly referable to enzyme leakage from damaged hepatocytes. In these sheep, increases in plasma bile acids were a more sensitive index of hepatic function than were either increased aromatic amino acid concentration or the ratio between branched chain and aromatic amino acids.

Behavioural tests of the dopamine depletion hypothesis of neuroleptic-induced response decrement.

This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that neuroleptic-induced within-session response decrements reflect a fatigue process, resulting from dopamine depletion, that is present before the session begins but is masked briefly by activational cues present at the start of the session. Response decrementing effects of pimozide were examined in rats lever pressing on random interval schedules of food reinforcement. An initial experiment was carried out to rule out a pharmacokinetic explanation of the response decrement. In a second experiment, the response decrement was not exacerbated by an immediately preceding period of intense forced motor activity (wheel running). Experiments 3 and 4 tested two further predictions: that the pimozide-induced response decrement should be overcome by removing the animal to its home cage and then replacing it in the apparatus (thereby reinstating the activational cues present at the start of the session); and that response impairments should be present from the outset if the animal is confined in the apparatus prior to the start of the session (thereby allowing activational cues to dissipate). Neither prediction was confirmed. Overall, the results provide no support for the dopamine depletion hypothesis.

Assessment of the potential toxicity of a poison for rabbits, pindone (2-pivalyl 1, 3 indandione), to domestic animals.

The toxicity of pindone, a rabbit poison, to horses, cattle, goats, chickens, dogs and cats was investigated, using extension of prothrombin time (PT) as an index of poisoning. The daily dose of pindone, administered for 5 days, ranged from 0.3 mg/kg for dogs to 2.5 mg/kg for chickens. This range of dose rates was considered to be indicative of the worst possible case that could arise following a campaign of baiting for rabbits. Although significant elevations in PT (more than double baseline values) were noted in all species other than horses, clinical signs of anticoagulant poisoning were not observed in any of the species tested. From the observed PT, cattle and cats appeared to be the most susceptible, and horses the least susceptible, to pindone toxicity. The half-lives of the elevated PT were calculated as 3.1 days for cattle, 2.8 days for goats and chickens, 1.9 days for horses and dogs and less than one day for cats. It is proposed that these half-lives can be used as a guide for determining the duration of treatment of pindone-affected animals.

Predictors of decline in Alzheimer's disease.

Age of onset and aphasia are frequently proposed as predictors of decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We compared longitudinally the neuropsychological test performance of AD patients classified as Fast Decliners (FD, N = 18) based on the rate of change of their scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMS) and a group classified as Slow Decliners (SD, N = 15). There was no statistical difference in the age of onset of AD or in severity of dementia at first visit. Performance on verbal tests was the best predictor of rapid cognitive decline, even after the influence of the overall degree of dementia had been accounted for. Among the language tasks, performance on a naming test was the best predictor. The results of this study do not support age of onset as a predictor of the course of AD. On the other hand, poor performance on language tests does predict a more rapid rate of decline in AD.

Lack of heart rate changes during an attention-demanding task after right hemisphere lesions.

Patients with right hemisphere lesions may be impaired in mobilizing attention and in emotional behavior. If so, autonomic responses to the mobilization of attention should be blunted. This was found when we studied the anticipatory heart rate deceleration that is seen normally in the foreperiod of a warned reaction task.

Problems in ANA test interpretation: a comparison of two substrates.

Comparison of serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) test results on commercial HEp-2 cell culture preparations and fixed mouse kidney sections demonstrated significant differences in end-point titers and pattern production. When manufacturer's suggested screening titers are used, there is also a significant difference in qualitative results and correlation with clinical status. With individual intralaboratory establishment of screening titer levels, some of these differences become less significant, although this study suggests that mouse kidney substrate slides are more sensitive in detecting nonspecific ANA, and that HEp-2 substrate slides are more specific in detecting ANA from cases of systemic lupus erythematosus. Antinuclear antibody substrate selection must be based on classic sensitivity-specificity considerations and the clinical correlation performance desired. Comparisons of interlaboratory or follow-up ANA results are invalid without consideration of substrate variations. Regardless of substrate utilized, each laboratory should establish its own individual screening titers in relation to suitable age groupings.

Pretest temperature effects on CAP syphilis serology survey samples.

The College of American Pathologists syphilis serology survey participants periodically question survey-sample stability when the samples have possibly been exposed to temperature extremes during shipment. In this study it was demonstrated that short-term pretest incubations at temperatures above 58 degrees C (136.4 degrees F) usually cause a reduction in both rapid plasma reagin and FTA-ABS reactivity. No reactivity changes occurred in either test with short-term exposures to temperatures between -80 degrees C and 58 degrees C.