Moral issues of prenatal control

The modern diagnostic methods that are used in the reproductive process are in position to provide a lot of useful information on the physiology of the embryo. This paper aims to discuss moral and social issues of prenatal control and the necessity to establish a specific legislative framework which regulates these issues, taking into account both the constitutionally guaranteed rights and social and ethical concepts in the context of Greek society

Low back pain under control - Bartzokas' maneuver: a case report

Low back pain (lumbago) is a common health problem globally. It is related to age, modern lifestyle (no exercise etc), and injuries. Its treatment includes a very broad spectrum of methods and its prevention is still unclear

The effects of acute low-volume HIIT and aerobic exercise on leukocyte count and redox status

A single bout of exercise can result in inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress and upregulation of enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. Although low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular, its acute responses on the above mechanisms have not been adequately studied. The present study evaluated the effects of HIIT on hematological profile and redox status compared with those following traditional continuous aerobic exercise (CET). Twelve healthy young men participated in a randomized crossover design under HIIT and CET. In HIIT session, participants performed four 30-sec sprints on a cycle-ergometer with 4 min of recovery against a resistance of 0.375 kg/kg of body mass. CET consisted of 30-min cycling on a cycle-ergometer at 70% of their VO2max. Blood was drawn at baseline, immediately post, 24h, 48h and 72h post-exercise and was analyzed for complete blood count and redox status (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, [TBARS]; protein carbonyls, [PC]; total antioxidant capacity, [TAC]; catalase and uric acid). White blood cells (WBC) increased after both exercise protocols immediately post-exercise (HIIT: 50% and CET: 31%, respectively). HIIT increased (+22%) PC post-exercise compared to baseline and CET (p 0.05) for TBARS and catalase following either exercise protocol. Low-volume HIIT is associated with a greater acute phase leukocyte count and redox response than low-volume CET, and this should be considered when an exercise training program is developed and complete blood count is performed for health purposes

Evidence of a Redox-Dependent Regulation of Immune Responses to Exercise-Induced Inflammation

We used thiol-based antioxidant supplementation (n-acetylcysteine, NAC) to determine whether immune mobilisation following skeletal muscle microtrauma induced by exercise is redox-sensitive in healthy humans. According to a two-trial, double-blind, crossover, repeated measures design, 10 young men received either placebo or NAC (20 mg/kg/day) immediately after a muscle-damaging exercise protocol (300 eccentric contractions) and for eight consecutive days. Blood sampling and performance assessments were performed before exercise, after exercise, and daily throughout recovery. NAC reduced the decline of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes and the increase of plasma protein carbonyls, serum TAC and erythrocyte oxidized glutathione, and TBARS and catalase activity during recovery thereby altering postexercise redox status. The rise of muscle damage and inflammatory markers (muscle strength, creatine kinase activity, CRP, proinflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules) was less pronounced in NAC during the first phase of recovery. The rise of leukocyte and neutrophil count was decreased by NAC after exercise. Results on immune cell subpopulations obtained by flow cytometry indicated that NAC ingestion reduced the exercise-induced rise of total macrophages, HLA+ macrophages, and 11B+ macrophages and abolished the exercise-induced upregulation of B lymphocytes. Natural killer cells declined only in PLA immediately after exercise. These results indicate that thiol-based antioxidant supplementation blunts immune cell mobilisation in response to exercise-induced inflammation suggesting that leukocyte mobilization may be under redox-dependent regulation

Disparate habitual physical activity and dietary intake profiles of elderly men with low and elevated systemic inflammation

The development of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation in the elderly (inflammaging) has been associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes, and functional impairments. The aim of this study was to examine differences in habitual physical activity (PA), dietary intake patterns, and musculoskeletal performance among community-dwelling elderly men with low and elevated systemic inflammation. Nonsarcopenic older men free of chronic diseases were grouped as ‘low’ (LSI: n = 17; 68.2 ± 2.6 years; hs-CRP: 1 mg/L) systemic inflammation according to their serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP). All participants were assessed for body composition via Dual Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength, daily PA using accelerometry, and daily macro- and micronutrient intake. ESI was characterized by a 2-fold greater hs-CRP value than LSI (p < 0.01). The two groups were comparable in terms of body composition, but LSI displayed higher physical performance (p < 0.05), daily PA (step count/day and time at moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were greater by 30% and 42%, respectively, p < 0.05), and daily intake of the antioxidant vitamins A (6590.7 vs. 4701.8 IU/day, p < 0.05), C (120.0 vs. 77.3 mg/day, p < 0.05), and E (10.0 vs. 7.5 mg/day, p < 0.05) compared to ESI. Moreover, daily intake of vitamin A was inversely correlated with levels of hs-CRP (r = −0.39, p = 0.035). These results provide evidence that elderly men characterized by low levels of systemic inflammation are more physically active, spend more time in MVPA, and receive higher amounts of antioxidant vitamins compared to those with increased systemic inflammation

Circulating Sclerostin responses to acute weight and non weight bearing sport activity in pre adolescent males

Mechanical loading, i.e. physical activity and/or exercise, promotes bone formation during growth. Sclerostin, a glycoprotein, mediates osteocytes' response to mechanical loading by inhibiting the Wnt/lf-catenin pathway thereby inhibiting bone formation.Published versio

Recovery kinetics of knee flexor and extensor strength after a football match

© 2015 The Authors. Published by PLOS. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128072We examined the temporal changes of isokinetic strength performance of knee flexor (KF) and extensor (KE) strength after a football match. Players were randomly assigned to a control (N = 14, participated only in measurements and practices) or an experimental group (N = 20, participated also in a football match). Participants trained daily during the two days after the match. Match and training overload was monitored with GPS devices. Venous blood was sampled and muscle damage was assessed pre-match, post-match and at 12h, 36h and 60h post-match. Isometric strength as well as eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee flexors and extensors in both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at baseline and at 12h, 36h and 60h after the match. Functional (KFecc/KEcon) and conventional (KFcon/KEcon) ratios were then calculated. Only eccentric peak torque of knee flexors declined at 60h after the match in the control group. In the experimental group: a) isometric strength of knee extensors and knee flexors declined (P<0.05) at 12h (both limbs) and 36h (dominant limb only), b) eccentric and concentric peak torque of knee extensors and flexors declined (P<0.05) in both limbs for 36h at 60°/s and for 60h at 180°/s with eccentric peak torque of knee flexors demonstrating a greater (P<0.05) reduction than concentric peak torque, c) strength deterioration was greater (P<0.05) at 180°/s and in dominant limb, d) the functional ratio was more sensitive to match-induced fatigue demonstrating a more prolonged decline. Discriminant and regression analysis revealed that strength deterioration and recovery may be related to the amount of eccentric actions performed during the match and athletes' football-specific conditioning. Our data suggest that recovery kinetics of knee flexor and extensor strength after a football match demonstrate strength, limb and velocity specificity and may depend on match physical overload and players' physical conditioning level.Published versio

Central venous catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients with cancer: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of long-term non-tunneled silicone central venous catheters (CVC) impregnated with minocycline and rifampin (MR-CVC) in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). Additionally to evaluate the possibility that the clinical use of such catheters is associated with an increased risk for development of staphylococcal resistance to the catheter coating antibiotics. Participants and Methods: Two independent studies were conducted. In order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MR-CVC in preventing CRBSI, a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). The participants were randomized to receive either a MR-CVC or an uncoated CVC (control). In order to evaluate the impact of the clinical use of MR-CVC on the susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates, we conducted a separate retrospective study. Based on the fact that in MDACC all BMT recipients during the pre-engraftment period receive MR-CVC whereas MR-CVCs are not part of standard care in the leukemia department, we evaluated the impact of a 4 year period or MR-CVC clinical use on the susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus spp. isolates causing primary bloodstream infections in BMT patients. Results: The prospective study took place between September 1999 and May 2002. In total 356 evaluable catheters were used, 182 MR-CVC and 174 non-impregnated ones. A total of 17 catheter-related bloodstream infections occurred, 3 were associated with the use of MR-CVC and 14 with the non-impregnated catheters, with a rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection of 0.25 and 1.28/1,000 catheter-days, respectively (p=0.003). During the study period (July-December 2001) of the retrospective study there were 212 BMT and 460 leukemia in-patients. The rates of primary staphylococcal bacteremia were 1.2 and 5.4/1,000 patient days for BMT and leukemia patients respectively (p=0.003). Nine staphylococcal isolates from the leukemia and one from the BMT service were resistant to rifampin. No resistance to minocycline was recorded. Conclusion: Long-term non-tunneled central venous catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin are efficacious and safe in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients and are associated with low risk of development of staphylococcal resistance to minocycline and rifampin.Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν η διερεύνηση της δυνατότητας των μόνιμων φλεβικών καθετήρων από σιλικόνη, επικαλυμμένων με μινοκυκλίνη και ριφαμπικίνη (ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ), να αποτρέψουν λοιμώξεις σχετιζόμενες με τη μακροχρόνια χρήση τους. Επιπροσθέτως σκοπός ήταν να διερευνηθεί εάν η μακροχρόνια χρήση των ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ συνέβαλε στην εμφάνιση μικροοργανισμών ανθεκτικών στα χρησιμοποιούμενα ως επικάλυψη αντιμικροβιακά. Μέθοδοι: Πραγματοποιήθηκαν δύο ανεξάρτητες μελέτες. Προκειμένου να ερευνηθεί η αποτελεσματικότητα των ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ στην πρόληψη βακτηριαιμιών που σχετίζονται με καθετήρες (ΒΣΚ), εκπονήθηκε στο M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) μια προοπτική, τυχαιοποιημένη διπλά τυφλή κλινική μελέτη. Οι ασθενείς τυχαιοποιήθηκαν να λάβουν είτε ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ είτε ένα απλό χωρίς επικάλυψη με αντιμικροβιακές ουσίες καθετήρα (control). Μια επιπλέον, ανεξάρτητη της προηγουμένης, μελέτη εκπονήθηκε προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί εάν η κλινική χρήση ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ συμβάλλει στην ανάπτυξη μικροβιακής αντοχής στη μινοκυκλίνη και ριφαμπικίνη. Βασιζόμενοι στο γεγονός ότι στο MDACC έχει καθιερωθεί σε όλους τους ασθενείς που πρόκειται να λάβουν μεταμόσχευση προγονικών αιμοποιητικών κυττάρων (PSCT) να χρησιμοποιούνται ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ, ενώ αντιθέτως το τμήμα λευχαιμίας δε χρησιμοποιεί καθετήρες αυτού του τύπου, πραγματοποιήσαμε μια αναδρομική μελέτη τεσσάρων χρονών κλινικής χρήσης των ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ, ελέγχοντας την ευαισθησία στα αντιμικροβιακά όλων των στελεχών Staphylococcus spp. που προκάλεσαν πρωτοπαθή βακτηριαιμία σε ασθενείς με μεταμόσχευση προγονικών αιμοποιητικών κυττάρων και στο τμήμα λευχαιμίας. Αποτελέσματα: Στην προοπτική μελέτη (Σεπτέμβριος 1999 - Μάιος 2002) μελετήθηκαν συνολικά 356 καθετήρες (182 ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ, 174 απλοί-μη επικαλυμμένοι-controls). Κατά τη διάρκεια διεξαγωγής της μελέτης καταγράφηκαν συνολικά 17 ΒΣΚ (3 συσχετιζόμενες με ΜΡ-ΜΦΚ και οι 14 με control καθετήρες). Η αναλογία ΒΣΚ με βάση τις ήμερες καθετηριασμού ήταν 0,25 και 1,28 ανά 1000 ήμερες καθετηριασμού αντίστοιχα (p=0,003). Στην ανεξάρτητη αναδρομική μελέτη (Ιούλιος-Δεκέμβριος 2001) μελετήθηκαν 212 ασθενείς με PSCT και 460 ασθενείς με λευχαιμία. Απομονώθηκαν 9 στελέχη Staphylococcus spp. σε ασθενείς με λευχαιμία και 1 σε μεταμοσχευμένο ασθενή ανθεκτικά στη ριφαμπικίνη. Αντιθέτως δεν καταγράφηκε αντοχή στη μινοκυκλίνη. Συμπέρασμα: Οι κατασκευασμένοι από σιλικόνη επικαλλυμένοι με μινοκυκλίνη και ριφαμπικίνη μόνιμοι φλεβικοί καθετήρες είναι ασφαλείς και αποτελεσματικοί στην πρόληψη λοιμώξεων που σχετίζονται με καθετήρες σε ασθενείς με νεοπλασία. Επιπροσθέτως φαίνεται ότι σχετίζονται με χαμηλό κίνδυνο εμφάνισης σταφυλοκοκκικής αντοχής στα χρησιμοποιούμενα ως επικάλυψη αντιμικροβιακά