Pre-Participation Cardiac Screening: consideration for Young Athletes

This article is the first of two focusing on the utility and evidence base for pre-participation cardiac screening in competitive athletic populations. The second article will focus on the diagnostic value of different screening modalities used in the large-scale screening of athletic populations. The current article, however, focuses on the incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletic populations and goes on to consider the effectiveness of cardiac screening programmes for reducing the risk of SCD. Cardiac screening in athletic populations is problematic as it may be difficult to distinguish between physiological adaptations resulting from a specific exercise training stimulus and pathological conditions. Different types of chronic exercise training can induce eccentric or concentric myocardial hypertrophy, which may mimic pathological conditions. The final section discusses some of the practical issues that a clinician may face when needing to advise a young athlete to either stop or modify his/her habitual patterns of physical activity including future exercise considerations

Cycling and Health Innovative Pilot Projects (Executive summary)

The Cycling and Health Innovative Pilot Project (CHIPPS) provided cycle training for adults in Nottingham and Northamptonshire from 2007 to 2010. The Primary Care Trusts in each area have delivered these projects in collaboration with partners. In Nottingham collaboration with Ridewise delivered the Cycling for Health Project that aimed to involve people from deprived communities and employees of the Primary Care Trust; in Northamptonshire the Easy Rider project delivered via Age UK was also aimed at those living in deprived areas and middle-aged people. Throughout the three years the initiative was evaluated by the Carnegie Research Institute of Leeds Metropolitan University. Those taking part completed questionnaires at the outset, at the end of their training, three months later and finally after a year. In addition, a mix of one-to-one interviews and focus groups were conducted with policy makers, those delivering the projects and participants (including those who dropped out)

Variability in heart rate recovery measurements over 1 year in healthy, middle-aged adults.

This study assessed the longer-term (12-month) variability in post-exercise heart rate recovery following a submaximal exercise test. Longitudinal data was analysed for 97 healthy middle-aged adults (74 male, 23 female) from 2 occasions, 12 months apart. Participants were retrospectively selected if they had stable physical activity habits, submaximal treadmill fitness and anthropometric measurements between the 2 assessment visits. A submaximal Bruce treadmill test was performed to at least 85% age-predicted maximum heart rate. Absolute heart rate and Δ heart rate recovery (change from peak exercise heart rate) were recorded for 1 and 2 min post-exercise in an immediate supine position. Heart rate recovery at both time-points was shown to be reliable with intra-class correlation coefficient values ≥ 0.714. Absolute heart rate 1-min post-exercise showed the strongest agreement between repeat tests (r = 0.867, P < 0.001). Lower coefficient of variation (≤ 10.2%) and narrower limits of agreement were found for actual heart rate values rather than Δ heart rate recovery, and for 1-min rather than 2-min post-exercise recovery time points. Log-transformed values generated better variability with acceptable coefficient of variation for all measures (2.2-10%). Overall, 1 min post-exercise heart rate recovery data had least variability over the 12-month period in apparently healthy middle-aged adults

The long-term prognostic significance of 6-minute walk test distance in patients with chronic heart failure

Background. The 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) is used to assess patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The prognostic significance of the 6-MWT distance during long-term followup ( > 5 years) is unclear. Methods. 1,667 patients (median [inter-quartile range, IQR]) (age 72 [65-77] ; 75% males) with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic impairment undertook a 6-MWT as part of their baseline assessment and were followed up for 5 years. Results. At 5 years' followup, those patients who died (n = 959) were older at baseline and had a higher log NT pro-BNP than those who survived to 5 years (n = 708). 6-MWT distance was lower in those who died [163 (153) m versus 269 (160) m; P 360 m. 6-MWT distance was a predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.96-0.97; Chi-square = 184.1; P < 0.0001). Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were decreasing 6-MWT distance, increasing age, increasing NYHA classification, increasing log NT pro-BNP, decreasing diastolic blood pressure, decreasing sodium, and increasing urea. Conclusion. The 6-MWT is an important independent predictor of all-cause mortality following long-term followup in patients with CHF. © 2014 Lee Ingle et al

Use of growth parameters of feeder steers to predict finishing performance

The objective of this experiment was to determine the feasibility of utilizing certain feeder calf characteristics to predict subsequent feedlot performance and carcass value. Data from 144 steers (72 Angus and 72 Angus-Hereford cross) in Trial I (1984-85) and 144 steers (same distribution of breeds) in Trial II (1985-86), purchased by an order buyer from East Tennessee and the surrounding area, formed the basis of this study. Animals were considered to be representative of the predominate breeds preferred by buyers of Tennessee feeder steers. Initial and final linear body measurements, subcutaneous fat thickness and weights were recorded for the growth phase in each Trial. Carcass traits and days on feed needed to reach 12 mm fat thickness were recorded for the finish phase of Trials I and II. In Trial I, initial width (P \u3c .001) and average daily gain during the growth phase (P \u3c .01) significantly effected subsequent carcass value. These variables were therefore utilized to allot the steers on Trial II to feedlot pens. These allotment systems proved to be effective in predicting days on feed needed to reach optimal slaughter endpoint of 12 mm fat thickness (P \u3c .01). However, no differences in the effectiveness of predicting days on feed were found between the two allotment systems. The results of analysis of variance on the combined data set from Trials I and II indicated that an increase in final height, initial length, initial width and total weight gain during the growth phase significantly increased subsequent carcass value (P \u3c .001). An increase in final fat thickness at the end of the growth phase also increased carcass value (P \u3c .0001). Neither initial height, final shoulder width, final length or initial fat thickness had any effect on carcass value. An increase in initial and final fat thickness significantly decreased the number of days on feed needed to reach optimal slaughter endpoint (P \u3c .0001). An increase in final shoulder width also decreased days on feed (P \u3c .01). However, initial and final height, initial and final length, initial shoulder width and total weight gain during the growth phase had no significant effect on days on feed. By grouping the animals in Trials I and II by net worth, it was determined that animals with higher linear body measurements and weight gains during the growth phase yielded higher carcass values due to the increase in carcass weight. The animals with lower linear body measurements and total weight gains during the growth phase required fewer average days on feed to reach optimal slaughter endpoint, however they yielded carcasses of lower values due to lower carcass weights. Initial shoulder width and weight gains during the growth phase can be an accurate predictors of subsequent feedlot performance and carcass value. Initial length and final height may be utilized as predictors of carcass value, also, after further study. Initial width and/or weight gain during the growth phase could be useful to the feedlot operator in predicting feedlot performance and carcass value of feeder steers of British breeds. Linear body measurements and weight gains might also be useful to the beef producer in selecting management techniques and marketing strategies to increase net revenue

Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of a New Flavonoid Compound

Flavonoids are highly luminescent compounds that are used in diagnosing and treating certain diseases.They are composed of two aromatic rings (ring A and ring B) and a six-membered heterocyclic pyran ring (ring C) that contains a carbonyl and hydroxyl group, which are responsible for unique photophysical characteristics associated with flavonoids. The target flavonoids (compound 1, or 1, and compound 2 or 2) were synthesized, purified and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The photophysical properties of the flavonoid were investigated in varying solvents by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Such properties include Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT), Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT), and solvatochromism. As expected, 1 was more red-shifted than 2 both for absorbance and emission. Compound 1 had the highest fluorescent intensity in toluene whereas 2 had the highest fluorescent intensity in acetonitrile

The Sound and the Theory: A Study of the Theoretical Position within Metzian Film Semiotics of Sound in Cinema

The purpose of this study is to identify and critique the theory of sound in film semiotics. In order to accomplish this task, a cursory analysis of the nature and objectives of semiotics generally and cinesemiotics especially has been included. Direct references to the function of sound recording made by pioneer film semiologist Christian Metz, as well as others in that discipline, constitute the object of this study. Finally, a detailed critique of the resulting cinesemiotic position concerning sound in film evaluates this position in light of stated goals. As is the case with most theories of film, the aural signifying elements-- i.e., spoken words, music and sound effects-- receive only secondary attention in film semiotics. Because the photographic image has historically been viewed as the primary material of meaning in cinema, sound recording tends to be studied as a mere supplement, dependent upon the image track for its very existence. This attitude toward sound cinema as expressed by respected cinesemiologists has not yet been properly articulated, and presents a problem area of this new theoretical and critical methodology. While semiotics, applied to cinema, aims at a rigorous and scientific account of meaning in films, its theoretical stance on the issue of sound recording remains incomplete and poorly reasoned. If film semiotics is ever to achieve its objectives, it must address each signifying practice within the cinema without privilege or prejudice. That it has not done so in the particular case of sound reveals a necessary area for improvement

Validity of Telemetric-Derived Measures of Heart Rate Variability : A Systematic Review

Validity of Telemetric-Derived Measures of Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review. JEPonline 2016;19(6):64-84. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a widely accepted indirect measure of autonomic function with widespread application across many settings. Although traditionally measured from the ‘gold standard’ criterion electrocardiography (ECG), the development of wireless telemetric heart rate monitors (HRMs) extends the scope of the HRV measurement. However, the validity of telemetric-derived data against the criterion ECG data is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to systematically review the validity of telemetric HRM devices to detect inter-beat intervals and aberrant beats; and (b) to determine the accuracy of HRV parameters computed from HRM-derived inter-beat interval time series data against criterion ECG-derived data in healthy adults aged 19 to 62 yrs. A systematic review of research evidence was conducted. Four electronic databases were accessed to obtain relevant articles (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus. Articles published in English between 1996 and 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Outcome measures included temporal and power spectral indices (Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (1996). The review confirmed that modern HRMs (Polar® V800™ and Polar® RS800CX™) accurately detected inter-beat interval time-series data. The HRV parameters computed from the HRM-derived time series data were interchangeable with the ECG-derived data. The accuracy of the automatic in-built manufacturer error detection and the HRV algorithms were not established. Notwithstanding acknowledged limitations (a single reviewer, language bias, and the restricted selection of HRV parameters), we conclude that the modern Polar® HRMs offer a valid useful alternative to the ECG for the acquisition of inter-beat interval time series data, and the HRV parameters computed from Polar® HRM-derived inter-beat interval time series data accurately reflect ECG-derived HRV metrics, when inter-beat interval data are processed and analyzed using identical protocols, validated algorithms and software, particularly under controlled and stable conditions

The repeatability of the abbreviated (4-h) Oral Fat Tolerance Test and influence of prior acute aerobic exercise

© 2016 The Author(s) Purpose: The Oral Fat Tolerance Test (OFTT) is regarded as a repeatable measure used to assess postprandial triglyceride (TAG) levels, with higher levels observed in cardio-metabolic disorders. Acute aerobic exercise intervention before OFTT reduces the TAG response, but the repeatability of this effect is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the repeatability of the abbreviated 4-h OFTT with and without immediate prior aerobic exercise. Methods: On four separate days, healthy adult male participants underwent two 4-h OFTT (n = 10) and another two 4-h OFTT with 1-h of standardised moderate intensity aerobic exercise performed immediately before meal ingestion (n = 11). The OFTT meal composition included 75.4 g total fat, 21.7 g carbohydrate and 13.7 g protein. Venous blood was sampled at baseline and hourly up to 4 h after the OFTT meal ingestion, and TAG area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Results: Nonparametric Bland–Altman analysis of 4-h TAG AUC revealed that 9 of 10 repeat measurements fell within ±15 % of the median TAG AUC for the OFTT. By contrast, two of 11 repeat measurements fell within ±15 % of the median TAG AUC for the OFTT undertaken with 1-h prior aerobic exercise. Conclusions: The 4-h OFTT is a repeatable test of postprandial TAG responses in healthy men. However, aerobic exercise performed immediately before OFTT considerably increases the variability of TAG AUC. These findings have implications for interpretation of research studies investigating exercise intervention performed immediately before OFTT. Future studies should also investigate the repeatability of exercise performed 8–24 h before OFTT