Polymyxin-Resistant Acinetobacter spp. Isolates: What is Next?

Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Div Infect Dis, Lab Especial Microbiol Clin, BR-04025010 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Infect Dis, Lab Especial Microbiol Clin, BR-04025010 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Multivariate relationships among morphology, fitness and motor coordination in prepubertal girls

Motor coordination and physical fitness are multidimensional concepts which cannot be reduced to a single variable. This study evaluated multivariate relationships among morphology, physical fitness and motor coordination in 74 pre-pubertal girls 8.0-8.9 years of age. Data included body dimensions, eight fitness items and four motor coordination tasks (KTK battery). Maturity status was estimated as percentage of predicted mature stature attained at the time of observation. Canonical correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between multivariate domains. Significant pairs of linear functions between indicators of morphology and fitness (r(c) = 0.778, Wilks' Lambda = 0.175), and between fitness and motor coordination (r(c) = 0.765, Wilks' Lambda = 0.289) were identified. Girls who were lighter and had a lower waist-to-stature ratio and % fat mass attained better scores in the endurance run, sit-ups and standing long jump tests, but poorer performances in hand grip strength and 2-kg ball throw. Better fitness test scores were also associated with better motor coordination scores. Relationships between body size and estimated fatness with motor fitness suggested an inverse relationship that was particularly evident in performance items that required the displacement of the body through space, while motor coordination was more closely related with fitness than with somatic variables

Pain in patients with pancreatic cancer: prevalence, mechanisms, management and future developments

Pain affects approximately 80% of patients with pancreatic cancer, with half requiring strong opioid analgesia, namely: morphine-based drugs on step three of the WHO analgesic ladder (as opposed to the weak opioids: codeine and tramadol). The presence of pain is associated with reduced survival. This article reviews the literature regarding pain: prevalence, mechanisms, pharmacological, and endoscopic treatments and identifies areas for research to develop individualized patient pain management pathways. The online literature review was conducted through: PubMed, Clinical Key, Uptodate, and NICE Evidence. There are two principal mechanisms for pain: pancreatic duct obstruction and pancreatic neuropathy which, respectively, activate mechanical and chemical nociceptors. In pancreatic neuropathy, several histological, molecular, and immunological changes occur which correlate with pain including: transient receptor potential cation channel activation and mast cell infiltration. Current pain management is empirical rather etiology-based and is informed by the WHO analgesic ladder for first-line therapies, and then endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) in patients with resistant pain. For EUS-CPN, there is only one clinical trial reporting a benefit, which has limited generalizability. Case series report pancreatic duct stenting gives effective analgesia, but there are no clinical trials. Progress in understanding the mechanisms for pain and when this occurs in the natural history, together with assessing new therapies both pharmacological and endoscopic, will enable individualized care and may improve patients’ quality of life and survival

Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile:Review, Synthesis and Recommendations

There is a direct relationship between chronically elevated cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemia) and coronary heart disease. A reduction in total cholesterol is considered the gold standard in preventative cardiovascular medicine. Exercise has been shown to have positive impacts on the pathogenesis, symptomatology and physical fitness of individuals with dyslipidaemia, and to reduce cholesterol levels. The optimal mode, frequency, intensity and duration of exercise for improvement of cholesterol levels are, however, yet to be identified. This review assesses the evidence from 13 published investigations and two review articles that have addressed the effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined aerobic and resistance training on cholesterol levels and the lipid profile. The data included in this review confirm the beneficial effects of regular activity on cholesterol levels and describe the impacts of differing volumes and intensities of exercise upon different types of cholesterol. Evidence-based exercise recommendations are presented, aimed at facilitating the prescription and delivery of interventions in order to optimize cholesterol levels

Effects of biological maturation on body composition, muscular strength, and agility in female tennis players

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of biological maturation on body composition and motor fitness among young tennis players. METHODS: Forty-seven female players, 10.6-13.2 years of age (11.5 ± 0.7 years), were tested on stature, sitting height, body mass, skinfolds (triceps and medial calf), maximal isometric grip strength, and hexagon agility test. Body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentages (BF%) were calculated accordingly. Number of years of experience in regular tennis training, weekly training (tennis and fitness) volume and self-reported parental heights were recorded. According to their maturational status, estimated by percentage of predicted adult stature (PAS), they were classified into two groups as prepubertal (85-90% of PAS). RESULTS: ANCOVA results, when chronological age was controlled as a covariate, revealed that early pubertal players were significantly taller and heavier and have higher values on BMI and BF% than their prepubertal counterparts. However, there were no significant differences between groups in grip strength and agility performances. Similar results were also observed on sports-specific experience duration and volume of weekly tennis and fitness trainings. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that young female tennis players from distinct maturity stages may not differ in their muscular capacity and agility performances, but may differ in their body size and composition when they are trained similarly

Maturity status, morphology and fitness discrepancies between higher and lower ranked prepubertal male tennis players

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the discrepancies between higher and lower ranked prepubertal (maturity offset =-2.6 ± 0.4 years) tennis players regarding their biological maturity status, morphology, and motor fitness. METHODS: Thirty-six male players, 10.3-11.2 years of age (10.8 ± 0.3 years), were divided into two groups on the basis of their national ranking. They were tested on stature, sitting height, body mass, skinfolds (triceps and medial calf), maximal isometric grip strength, and hexagon agility test. Age at peak height velocity, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentages (BF%) were calculated accordingly. Their weekly training (tennis and fitness) volume, age to start playing tournaments and the number of tournaments played until the onset of the study was recorded. RESULTS: Independent sample t test results showed no significant differences between groups in chronological and biological ages. Similar results were also observed on stature, sitting height, body mass, BMI, BF%, and weekly tennis training volume. On the other hand, upper ranked players performed significantly superior scores on agility and grip strength measures and have greater amounts of weekly fitness training then their lower ranked counterparts. Moreover, they start playing tournaments at earlier ages and have attended more tournaments. CONCLUSION: Results of the study highlighted potential positive influences of sports-specific experience duration and volume of weekly fitness training on the ranking and various functional capacities in prepubertal male tennis players born in the same calendar year