Comparison of skeletal muscle strength between cardiac patients and age-matched healthy controls.

The purpose of the present study was to compare muscular strength of knee extensors and arm flexor muscles of cardiac patients (n = 638) and healthy controls (n = 961) in different age groups. Isometric torques were measured in a sitting position with the elbow, hip, and knee flexed to 90(0). For statistical analysis, age groups were pooled in decades from the age of 30 to 90 years. Additionally, the influence of physical lifestyle prior to disease on muscular strength was obtained in the patients. For statistical analysis three-way ANOVA (factors age, gender, and physical activity level) was used.Both in patients and in controls a significant age-dependent decline in maximal torque could be observed for arm flexors and knee extensors. Maximal leg extensor muscle showed statistically significant differences between healthy controls and cardiac patients as well as between subgroups of patients: Physically inactive patients showed lowest torques (male: 148 +/- 18 Nm; female: 82 +/- 25 Nm) while highest values were measured in control subjects (male: 167 +/- 16 Nm; female: 93 +/- 17 Nm). In contrast, arm flexor muscles did not show any significant influence of health status or sports history.This qualitative difference between weight-bearing leg muscles and the muscle group of the upper extremity suggest that lower skeletal muscle strength in heart patients is mainly a consequence of selective disuse of leg muscles rather than any pathological skeletal muscle metabolism. Since a certain level of skeletal muscle strength is a prerequisite to cope with everyday activities, strength training is recommended as an important part of cardiac rehabilitation.

The battle of two ions: Ca2+ signalling against Na+ stress.

Soil salinity adversely affects plant growth, crop yield and the composition of ecosystems. Salinity stress impacts plants by combined effects of Na+ toxicity and osmotic perturbation. Plants have evolved elaborate mechanisms to counteract the detrimental consequences of salinity. Here we reflect on recent advances in our understanding of plant salt tolerance mechanisms. We discuss the embedding of the salt tolerance-mediating SOS pathway in plant hormonal and developmental adaptation. Moreover, we review newly accumulating evidence indicating a crucial role of a transpiration-dependent salinity tolerance pathway, that is centred around the function of the NADPH oxidase RBOHF and its role in endodermal and Casparian strip differentiation. Together, these data suggest a unifying and coordinating role for Ca2+ signalling in combating salinity stress at the cellular and organismal level.

[Traumatologic risk in ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation groups to leisure time sports groups of healthy athletes]. / Risiko von Sportverletzungen in ambulanten Herzsportgruppen im Vergleich zu Freizeitsportgruppen Gesunder. Sportverletzungen in der ambulanten kardiologischen Rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitation in ambulatory heart groups has become well established in comprehensive cardiac care. The prevention of injuries is critical to the safety and efficiency of the program. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to the ambulatory heart groups in the state of Hessen, Germany and answered by 1935/13 000 (15 %) patients (65.9 +/- 7.6 years, 1504/1935 (77.7 %) men covering approximately 674,000 patient exercise hours. RESULTS: Seventy-eight of the 106 (73.6 %) injuries reported occurred during games encompassing 28/106 (26.4 %) strains, 24/106 (22.6 %) bruises, 17/106 (16.0 %) sprains, 11/106 (10.4 %) bone fractures, 6/106 (5.7 %) ruptured tendons, 8/106 (7.5 %) ruptured muscles, 3/106 (2.8 %) ruptured ligaments, and 9/106 (8.5 %) miscellaneous. The injury risk was neither related to the cardiovascular diagnosis, the prevalence of diabetes, body mass index, previous sport experience, duration of participation in rehabilitation programs, nor to the participant's age. Patients on anticoagulants or after cardiovascular surgery had no excess risk. Gender was the only independent predictor of injuries. In men the overall incidence of injuries was higher (97/1504 [6.4 %]) than in women (9/431 [2.1 %]), p < 0.0005) while the severity was higher in women (6/9 = 66.7 % vs. 22/97 = 22.7 % p < 0.001). The injuries were treated by elastic bandages or band-aids in 69/106 (65.1 %), by splinting in 4/106 (3.8 %), by local injections in 4/106 (3.8 %), by massages in 3/106 (2.8 %), and by others in 26/106 (24.5 %). Five of the 106 (4.7 %) injuries required hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The traumatologic risk in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular outpatients is associated with a low incidence of injuries.