Reliability and suitability of physiological exercise response and recovery markers

There is currently insufficient evidence about the reliable quantification of exercise load and athlete’s recovery management for monitoring training processes. Therefore, this test–retest study investigated the reliability of various subjective, muscle force, and blood-based parameters in order to evaluate their suitability for monitoring exercise and recovery cycles. 62 subjects completed two identical 60-min continuous endurance exercise bouts intermitted by a four-week recovery period. Before, immediately after, three, and 24 h after each exercise bout, analysis of parameters were performed. Significant changes over time were found for rating of perceived exertion (RPE), multidimensional mood state questionnaire (MDMQ), maximum voluntary contraction parameters (MVCs), and blood-based biomarkers (p 0.90). A good reliability was found for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (ICC = 0.79) and haematological markers (ICC = 0.75–0.86). For RPE, MDMQ, interleukin (IL-) 1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) only moderate reliability was found (ICC < 0.75). Significant associations for IL1-RA and CK to MVC were found. The excellent to moderate reliability of TBARS, LDH, IL-1RA, six measured haematological markers, MVCs and MDMQ implicate their suitability as physiological exercise response and recovery markers for monitoring athletes’ load management. © 2020, The Author(s)

[Ocular Manifestations in Sarcoidosis].

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory multi-organ disease of unknown pathogenesis, characterised by non-necrotising granulomata. Sarcoidosis predominantly manifests in the lung, but any other organ may be affected. Ocular involvement is present in about 25 to 50 % of patients. The most common ocular manifestation is uveitis, especially of the anterior eye segment. If ocular sarcoidosis is suspected, interdisciplinary assessment of the patient is mandatory, including laboratory tests, chest X-ray, assessment by a specialist in internal medicine and, ideally, histological evidence of granuloma formation in a tissue specimen. Other (infectious) causes of granulomatous inflammation need to be excluded, especially tuberculosis or syphilis. For the ophthalmological assessment, detection of granulomatous lesions is of particular importance, especially by visualising chorioretinal granuloma by fluorescein and indocyanin green angiography. Cystoid macular oedema and glaucoma are the most frequent complications limiting visual acuity. Corticosteroids, which can be administered either locally or systemically, are the mainstay of therapy. Depending on the clinical course and the development of ocular complications, systemic steroid-sparing immunosuppressive medication may be indicated

[Diagnosis and treatment of episcleritis and scleritis].

Episcleritis is a benign and self-limiting disease, often with a recurrent course, manifesting mainly in young adults. In less than a third of patients, an associated systemic disease can be found. In contrast, scleritis is observed mainly in patients between the 4th and 6th decade of life, may lead to severe ocular complications, and is often associated with a systemic rheumatological disease. Diffuse, nodular, and necrotizing forms of scleritis can be differentiated. Necrotizing and posterior scleritis have a higher risk of complications and worse visual outcome. In most cases, medical history and slit lamp examination allow differentiation of episcleritis and scleritis. Whereas episcleritis is treated mainly symptomatically with artificial tears, topical corticosteroids, and potentially with systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, scleritis requires early and aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment in a stepwise approach