Vitamin D3 Supplementation Reduces the Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection during Winter Training in Vitamin D-Insufficient Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Vitamin D insufficiency may be associated with increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in athletes. This study examined the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on salivary immune functions and symptoms of URTI in vitamin D-insufficient taekwondo athletes. Twenty-five male taekwondo athletes, aged 19–22 years with vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentrations (25(OH)D, 31.3 ± 1.39 nmol/L)], participated in this study. They were randomized to receive 5000 IU/day of vitamin D3 (n = 13) or placebo capsule (n = 12) during 4 weeks of winter training. Blood samples were collected two times (pre- and post-tests) for analyzing serum 25(OH)D concentration while salivary samples were obtained three times (pre-, mid-, and post-tests) for secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and lactoferrin analyses. The symptoms of URTI were reported daily during the intervention. Serum 25(OH)D concentration significantly increased by 255.6% in the vitamin D group, whereas in the placebo group it did not change (p \u3c 0.001). While the significant increase in SIgA was observed in both groups (p \u3c 0.001), elevated salivary lactoferrin level in response to winter training was found only in the placebo group (p = 0.011). The change in serum 25(OH)D concentration was negatively associated with total URTI symptoms (r = −0.435, p = 0.015). Vitamin D3 supplementation may be effective in reducing the symptoms of URTI during winter training in vitamin D-insufficient taekwondo athletes

Identification of the optimal hiit protocol for fatigue resistance in adolescent athletes: a randomized controlled trial

The combat sports athletes developed great gains in both muscular function and fatigue resistance by utilizing high-intensity interval training (HIIT). However, it has not been investigated fully whether different work-to-rest ratios of HIIT show the effectiveness on muscle function in adolescent athletes. The purpose of the study was to compare different work-to-rest ratios by applying different rest times in response to the identical work time during HIIT on muscle function in adolescent taekwondo athletes. Forty-seven adolescent male taekwondo athletes (mean age: 16.7±0.8 years) were randomly assigned to the control group (n=11) vs. three HIIT groups by work-to-rest ratios; (1) 1:2 [30s:60s] (n=12), (2) 1:4 [30s:120s] (n=12), and (3) 1:8 [30s:240s] (n=12). All groups completed 10 experimental sessions over four weeks, while the control group maintained their regular taekwondo training. Muscular functions were measured by assessing isokinetic muscle strength and endurance of the knee extensor and flexor. The participants performed three sets of twenty maximal extension and flexion contractions at 120°s-1 with a 1-min interval between the sets for fatigue resistance. Blood samples were collected to measure free-testosterone, cortisol, creatine kinase, and urea as stress-to-recovery indicators. A positive effect on improving muscle fatigue resistance was observed at the first set of assessments in the HIIT with 1:4 (Δ10.2%, p<.05) and 1:8 groups (Δ8.6%, p<.05). Additionally, the 1:4 group exhibited fatigue resistance improvement in the second set (Δ7.7%, p<.01) without any changes of stress-to-recovery indicators, while the other groups did not show any improvement. The 30s all-out work with 120s rest time, lasting over a brief 4-week period, improved participants’ fatigue resistance. A certain amount of rest time between high-intense movements is required to optimize muscle development in adolescent athletes compared with insufficient rest time

Blood neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for monitoring and predicting paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with gynecological cancers

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the potential of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) as reliable biomarkers for paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN).MethodsForty-eight patients with gynecologic cancer scheduled to undergo six cycles of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy at the National Cancer Center of Korea between September 2020 and January 2022 were prospectively assessed during and after chemotherapy.ResultsAt the end of the chemotherapy, 12 (25%) patients were classified as having grade 3 PIPN according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria. The sNfL levels increased during paclitaxel treatment in all patients. After two, four, and six cycles, patients with grade 3 PIPN exhibited higher mean sNfL levels than those in the 0–2 grade range (p = 0.004, p = 001, and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). For sNfL levels ≥ 124 pg/mL, after two cycles of chemotherapy, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting grade 3 PIPN at the end of treatment were 80% and 79%, respectively. Over the course of paclitaxel-based treatment, sBDNF levels continued to decrease regardless of the severity of PIPN. At the end of treatment and six months after chemotherapy, patients with grade 3 PIPN had lower sBDNF levels than those within the 0–2 grade range (p =0.037 and 0.02, respectively), and the patients in the latter group had better clinical symptoms six months after the end of treatment.ConclusionsThe sNfL levels during paclitaxel-based chemotherapy reflect ongoing neuroaxonal injury and serve as reliable biomarkers of PIPN severity. The sNfL levels during early treatment with paclitaxel might be prognostic indicators for PIPN progression. Low sBDNF levels 6 months after chemotherapy might adversely affect PIPN recovery

Two Dermoid Cysts Developing in An Accessory Ovary and An Eutopic Ovary

Accessory ovary is a rare gynecologic condition, and tumors arising in accessory ovaries are extremely rare. Accessory ovary may result from separation of migrating ovaries during embryogenesis and injuries such as inflammation and operation on normal ovary. Congenital malformations, most frequently malformations of the genitourinary organ, are seen in connection with the accessory ovary. We experienced the first case of two dermoid cysts developing in an accessory ovary located in the left infundibulopelvic ligament and another in the eutopic ovary at the same side concurrently. Here, we present this extremely rare case with a review of the literature

A Case of Wernicke's Encephalopathy Following Fluorouracil-based Chemotherapy

The pyrimidine antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent used widely for various tumors. Common side effects of 5-FU are related to its effects on the bone marrow and gastrointestinal epithelium. Neurotoxicity caused by 5-FU is uncommon, although acute and delayed forms have been reported. Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute, neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from thiamine deficiency, and has significant morbidity and mortality. Central nervous system neurotoxicity such as Wernicke's encephalopathy following chemotherapy with 5-FU has been reported rarely, although it has been suggested that 5-FU can produce adverse neurological effects by causing thiamine deficiency. We report a patient with Wernicke's encephalopathy, reversible with thiamine therapy, associated with 5-FU-based chemotherapy