Comparative Study of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness Between Football and Judo Groups in Prepubertal Boys.

BACKGROUND: Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) commonly occurs during exercise. The comparative effects of different sports on airway responsiveness among prepubertal boys remain to be determined. OBJECTIVES: To assess differences in post exercise spirometry between footballers, judokas and a control group in prepubertal boys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of ninety six prepubertal boys were studied. Bronchial hyper responsiveness (BHR) to exercise challenge test was defined by a diagnosis of baseline spirometry, followed by an incremental exercise test. To date, the best test to confirm EIB may simply be standard pulmonary function testing before and after high-intensity exercise. A 10% or greater post-challenge fall in forced expiratory volume in FEV1 is used as a diagnostic criterion. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline spirometry between all groups (P > 0.05). The post exercise spirometry test revealed the presence of EIB in 16 of 32 (50%) footballers against 9 out of 32 (28.12%) in both judokas and control subjects at 5 min after the exercise. Also, there was a significantly higher decrease (P < 0.05) in mean FEV1 at 5 minuts in footballers (-9.60 ± 6.18) compared to judokas (-5.41 ± 5.85). CONCLUSIONS: The footballers have more BHR than judokas, especially at 5min after the exercise. This may be due to prolonged hyperventilation, atopy and increased exposure to inhaled allergens and pollutants during training and competition.

Prevalence and Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Type 2 Diabetes in Tunisian Patients over Sixty Years Old.

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a population aged over sixty years with type 2 diabetes and to study the impact of anxiety and depression on glycemic balance and disease outcome. Results. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in the 62 subjects included in the study was, respectively, 40.3% and 22.6%. We found a relationship between these disorders and complicated diabetes. The subjects having an imperfectly balanced diabetes had a higher average anxiety score than those having a good glycemic control (9.1 ± 4.2 versus 6.5 ± 3.1; P = 0.017). No relationship was found between diabetes balance and depression. Conclusion. Association between anxiety and depressive disorders and diabetes is frequent and worsens patients' outcome, in terms of diabetes imbalance as well as in terms of diabetic complications. Our study shows that there is need for physicians to detect, confirm, and treat anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly diabetic patients.

Comparative study of aerobic performance between football and judo groups in prepubertal boys.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of the practice of football and judo on lung function and aerobic performance of prepubertal boys. METHODS: A total of ninety six prepubertal boys were studied. They assessed a measure of body composition using the skin folds method. They performed lung plethysmography at rest, followed by an incremental exercise test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline spirometry between all groups (P>0.05). The maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] and the VO2 at the ventilatory threshold [VT] were similar between all groups (P>0.05). The maximal minute ventilation [VEmax] of judokas was significantly higher than footballers (P<0.01) and similar at the [VT]. The Heart rate [HR] at [VT] of footballers and judokas was similar and significantly higher than control group (P<0.01). VO2max was significantly related to LM and negatively associated with FM. At the [VT] there was a significant relationship between P[VT] and LM and mainly with VE to VO2 [VT], P[VT] and HR[VT] in all groups. CONCLUSION: Training in football and judo does not affect lung volumes and capacities, VO2max and VO2 at the [VT].

Change of diet, plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and fatty acids during Ramadan: a controversial association of the considered Ramadan model with atherosclerosis risk.

Different Islamic populations have different alimentary habits, notably during Ramadan. The paper reports the change of diet, lipids, and lipoproteins produced during Ramadan in one Tunisian population. During Ramadan, the study subjects consumed more proteins, cholesterol, vitamin E (p<0.01), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.05). At the same time, they exhibited an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p<0.01) and apoprotein B (p<0.05) and a decrease in the ratio of apoprotein AI to apoprotein B (p<0.01). All assayed saturated fatty acids were unaffected by Ramadan fasting while three unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1cis9, C18:2n-6, and C30:4n-6) increased significantly. A return to the habitual diet for a four-week period was not sufficient to restore the pre-fasting patterns. For the study subjects, Ramadan was clearly associated with a change of diet and biochemical profile but its effective impact on atherosclerosis risk was unclear, perhaps, because other non-alimentary changes ought to be considered too. Future studies considering the no-alimentary factors, such as sleep and physical activity, would be useful to clarify the contribution of dietary change in the observed modification of biological profile.

[The six minute walk test: which predictive values to apply for Tunisian subjects aged between 40 and 80 years?]. / Le test de marche de six minutes: quelles valeurs predictives a appliquer pour les sujets ages entre 40 et 80 ans de la population Tunisienne?

AIM: To establish predictive values for the six minutes walk test (6MWT) specific to subjects old more than 40 years from Tunisian population and to compare them with the other pre-established reference equations. METHODS: 155 voluntary Tunisian subjects, including 75 women, from 40 to 80 years old, sedentaries, no smokers, and without acute or chronic pathologies carried 2 TM6m in a hospital corridor on a way of 30 meters length according to the American Thoracic Society recommendations. Covered distance, heart rate and level of dyspnea were given during each 6MWT. RESULTS: The covered distance was better at the second 6MWT and was significantly different from the predicted values from pre-established equations. Age, sex, weight and size contributed in a multiple linear regression model to explain 60% of the variance of the covered distance and to establish the following regression equation: calculated distance (m) = 299.8 - (4.34 * ageyears) + (342.6 * heightm) - (1.46 * weightkg) + (62.5 * sex) with sex=1 for men and 0 for women and the lower Limit of the normal = calculated distance--124.5 m CONCLUSION: The use of the regression equation established in this study would be adapted to the subjects between 40 and 80 years old and pertaining to the Tunisian population, and its use must be limited to these criteria.

[Comparison of male and female thermal, cardiac, and muscular responses induced by a prolonged run undertaken in a hot environment]. / Comparison inter-sexuelle des réponses thermique, cardiaque, et musculaire lors d'une course prolongée en ambiance chaude.

The aim of this study was to compare male and female thermal, cardiac, and muscular responses induced by a prolonged run undertaken in a hot environment. Twelve volunteers participated in this study. The first group consisted of 6 men and the second one consisted of 6 women. After determination of their VO(2)max and maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), each athlete completed a 40-min run at 65% MAV in a hot and dry environment (temperature 31-33 degrees C, relative humidity 30%). Immediately before and after the run, each subject performed two different vertical jumps, i.e., a squat jump (SJ) and a counter-movement jump (CMJ) on a force platform. Force, velocity, power, and jump height were measured during each jump. The completion of the run was associated with a significant loss (p < 0.001) of body mass (BM) and significant increases (p < 0.001) in heart rate, tympanic temperature, and lactate concentration ([La]). Muscle power was significantly improved (+9%, p < 0.05) during the SJ only in the women. A significant enhancement of this parameter was also demonstrated during the CMJ in both groups (men: +10%, p < 0.05; women: +8%, p < 0.01). Surprisingly, a comparison of thermal, cardiac, and muscular responses did not reveal any significant differences between the sexes. Moderate dehydration (-2.0 to -2.3% of BM) and a rise in core temperature (above 39.2 degrees C) induced by the 40-min run led to an improvement of muscular strength in both men and women. However, the results of this study did not reveal any significant between-sex differences in thermal, cardiac, and muscular responses after exercising in the heat.

[Comparison of four techniques for the measurement of lung volumes and airway resistances by plethysmography]. / Comparaison de quatre techniques de mesure pléthysmographique des résistances des voies aériennes et des volumes pulmonaires.

OBJECTIVE: To search influence of measurement technique of thoracic gas volume(Vgt) and airway resistance(Raw) by plethysmography on results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 healthy subjects, aged 22.75 + 0.40 years were studied. Vgt and Raw were measured by series of gentle panting manoeuvres (GPM) or calm respiration (CR) before and after closure of a shutter valve. So, four methods were compared : method 1 (M1) CR before ahd after, method 2 (M2): CR before and GPM after, method 3 (M3) GPM before and CR after, and method 4 (M4): GPM before and after the closure of the shutter valve. Five tests were maked with each method. RESULTS: There is no significant inter-tests variability with each method. Raw(cm H2O/L/s) measured by M1 and M2 were so elevated if compared to M3 and M4 (M1 : 2.65 + 0.102; M2: 2.47 + 0.171; M3: 1.21 + 0.080; M4: 1.30 + 0.102 ; p < 0.05). There is also a significant variability intermethods in Vgt I): (M1: 3.53 + 0.188; M2 : 3.60 + 0.203; M3 : 3.91 + 0.262; M4: 3.84 + 0.247; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The plethysmography measurement method must be considered in the interpretation of Vgt and Raw values.

Trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials in trichloroethylene-exposed workers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEP) in evaluating toxicity of trichloroethylene to the trigeminal nerve. METHODS: Trichloroethylene (TCE), an excellent fat solvent largely used in industry, has a neurotoxic effect particularly on the trigeminal nerve. In March 2002, several TCE-exposed workers presented to Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia, for burned or numbness of the face. Twenty-three workers manipulating TCE underwent clinical, biological and toxicological assessment. Neurophysiologic study consisted of the measurement of the latencies and the amplitudes of TSEP in 23 exposed workers and 23 controls. RESULTS: Abnormal TSEP were observed in 6 workers with clinical evidence of trigeminal involvement and in 9 asymptomatic workers. We observed a significant positive correlation between duration of exposure and the N2 latency (r=0.5, p<0.01) and P2 latency (r=0.6, p<0.02). The sensitivity of TSEP was 65% and the specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: Trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials are a useful tool in the diagnosis and management of chronic neurological complications of TCE intoxication. Since alterations of TSEP precede clinical symptoms, trigeminal nerve involvement can be demonstrated at the infra-clinical stage.

Antioxidant effects of zinc supplementation in Tunisians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of zinc (Zn) supplementation on oxidative stress in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). DESIGN: Tunisian adult subjects with HbA1c >7.5% were supplemented for six months with 30 mg/day of Zn as Zn gluconate or placebo. The effects of supplementation on plasma zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), urinary Zn, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities (GPX) in red blood cells, blood lipids and lipoproteins, HbA1c and fasting glucose were measured at the beginning of the study and after three and six months. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, more than 30% of the subjects exhibited plasma Zn values less than the normal minimum of 10.7 micro mol/L, whereas levels of plasma Cu and antioxidant RBC Cu-Zn SOD and GPx enzyme activities were in the normal ranges. Oxidative stress, monitored by plasma TBARS, was increased in individuals with diabetes compared with healthy Tunisian subjects (3.32 +/- 0.05 micro mol/L vs. 2.08 +/- 0.04 micro mol/L) and an inverse correlation was found between Zn plasma levels and plasma TBARS. After three and six months of Zn supplementation, all of the subjects exhibited plasma Zn values greater than 10.7 micro mol/L. There was a decrease of plasma TBARS in Zn supplemented group after six months (15%) with no significant changes in the placebo group. Supplementation did not alter significantly HbA1c nor glucose homeostasis. No adverse effects of Zn supplementation were observed on Cu status or HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the potential beneficial antioxidant effects of Zn supplementation in persons with type 2 DM. These results are particularly important in light of the deleterious consequences of oxidative stress in persons with diabetes.

[Ventilatory mechanics and alveolo-capillary diffusion in diabetes]. / La mecanique ventilatoire et la diffusion alveolo-capillaire dans le diabete.

In order to appreciate the repercussion of diabetes on the respiratory function, we measured the pulmonary volumes, the ventilatory flows, the airways resistances (Raw) and the diffusing capacity for the carbon monoxide (DLCO) of 49 diabetes distributed into 27 IDDM and 22 NIDDM aged from 15 to 56 years, compared to 31 control subjects. We found a significant decrease in the total pulmonary capacity (TCL), the vital capacity (VC), the inspiratory capacity (IC), the ventilatory flows and the DLCO. The decrease of the VC and the FEV1 will be more marked in the IDDM. The decrease of the DLCO will be more pronounced within masculine sex, it seems to be correlated with the duration of diabetes and more impaired if a diabetic nephropathy is associated especially in IDDM. Our results suggest that in the diabetes evolution, the lung is among the target organs in the degenerative complications. The respiratory tests reflect the pulmonary reach in the diabetes and provides important perspectives in the following.