3-day Record Research Articles

Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure in Adolescent Male Sport Participants and Nonparticipants Aged 13 to 16 Years

Sport has high social valence and is a primary context for physical activity for the majority of youth. The aim of this study was to estimate the contribution of participation in organized sport to the total daily energy expenditure and also to its moderate-to-vigorous portion in male adolescents. The sample comprised 165 Portuguese male youth, aged 13 to 16 years. Physical activity was assessed with a multi-method approach (Actigraph GT1M accelerometer plus 3-day diary record). Differences in the intensities of physical activity and sedentary behavior of male sport participants and nonsport participants were compared using independent sample t-test. Male participants in organized sports spent significantly more time in moderate-to-vigorous activities than nonparticipants, although the P-value for the 15 to 16 years age-group was marginal (P = .08) on the weekend days. In addition, male adolescents spent 11% to 13% of total daily energy expenditure in organized sports which corresponded to 35% to 42% of the moderate-to-vigorous portion of daily energy expenditure. Organized sport appears to be a relevant component of daily activity energy expenditure to promote healthy lifestyles among male adolescents.

Doppler Evidence of Persistent Left Atrial Mechanical Standstill with Normal P-Waves by Electrocardiogram after Biatrial CryoMaze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

A 64-year-old female with exertional shortness of breath and a history of mitral regurgitation with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent robotically assisted mitral valve repair (34 mm Cosgrove annuloplasty ring; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA), left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation, and biatrial Maze procedure (CryoMaze; ATS Medical, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). Postoperatively the patient’s electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal sinus rhythm (NSR). A Holter monitor 3 months later (7-day continuous recording) revealed NSR and no episodes of AF. Follow-up ECGs and transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were performed 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Each ECG revealed NSR (Fig. 1). Each postoperative TTE was essentially the same. Mitral regurgitation was mild and overall left ventricular (LV) systolic function was normal. Mitral Doppler inflow (Fig. 2), however, failed to demonstrate late diastolic filling (A-wave) and mitral annulus (lateral, septal, anterior, and posterior) tissue Doppler showed no late diastolic velocity (a’; Fig. 3). In contrast, an A-wave was noted with tricuspid Doppler inflow (Fig. 4). Also, the lateral tricuspid annulus demonstrated an a’-wave (Fig. 5). These Doppler findings suggest preserved right atrial (RA) mechanical contraction, but lack of left atrial (LA) mechanical contraction (LA standstill). The mechanism for this finding may

Participation in community-based sport skills learning programmes, physical activity recommendations and health-related fitness for children in Greece

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of participation in a community-based sport skills learning programme on reported physical activity (PA), daily step counts and fitness levels of children aged 10–12 years. Participants in this study were 119 students, 59 girls (age 11.02±0.8 years, mean±SD) and 60 boys (age 11.2±0.9 years), from the prefecture of Thesprotia in Greece. Reported physical activity was assessed with the 3-day physical activity record — Greek self report record and the number of daily steps determined with a pedometer. Physical fitness was assessed using the Fitnessgram 8.0 tests. Participants in a sport skills learning programme formed group A (n = 59) and participants only in physical education classes formed group B (n = 60). Children in group A showed higher physical activity (p 0.001), aerobic capacity (p<0.001), and abdominal strength (p<0.001). Additionally, there were more children meeting the recommendations for the number of daily steps and the Healthy Fitness Zone standards in group A than in group B. In conclusion, community-based sport skills learning programmes, by serving their main goal of motor skill learning, had positive effects on selected elements of physical fitness and helped children achieve daily physical activity recommendations although intraindividual variations should not be overlooked.

Reliability and validity of Web‐SPAN, a web‐based method for assessing weight status, diet and physical activity in youth

Web-based surveys are becoming increasing popular. The present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Web-Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition (Web-SPAN) for self-report of height and weight, diet and physical activity by youth. School children aged 11-15years (grades 7-9; n=459) participated in the school-based research (boys, n=225; girls, n=233; mean age, 12.8years). Students completed Web-SPAN (self-administered) twice and participated in on-site school assessments [height, weight, 3-day food/pedometer record, Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), shuttle run]. Intraclass (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficients and paired samples t-tests were used to assess the test-retest reliability of Web-SPAN and to compare Web-SPAN with the on-site assessments. Test-retest reliability for height (ICC=0.90), weight (ICC=0.98) and the PAQ-C (ICC=0.79) were highly correlated, whereas correlations for nutrients were not as strong (ICC=0.37-0.64). There were no differences between Web-SPAN times 1 and 2 for height and weight, although there were differences for the PAQ-C and most nutrients. Web-SPAN was strongly correlated with the on-site assessments, including height (ICC=0.88), weight (ICC=0.93) and the PAQ-C (ICC=0.70). Mean differences for height and the PAQ-C were not significant, whereas mean differences for weight were significant resulting in an underestimation of being overweight/obesity prevalence (84% agreement). Correlations for nutrients were in the range 0.24-0.40; mean differences were small but generally significantly different. Correlations were weak between the web-based PAQ-C and 3-day pedometer record (r=0.28) and 20-m shuttle run (r=0.28). Web-SPAN is a time- and cost-effective method that can be used to assess the diet and physical activity status of youth in large cross-sectional studies and to assess group trends (weight status).

Nutrition Intake in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Compared With the General Population

Background: Food and diet are central issues, which concern patients with IBS. Despite this, there are few studies that have thoroughly analyzed dietary intake in patients with IBS. Patients with IBS often use diet as a way of controlling their gastrointestinal symptoms, since food can be a 'trigger' and worsen symptoms. Several publications mention that patients with IBS avoid different food items, as a way of coping with their disease, which potentially could lead to a lower intake of energy and essential nutrients. Aims: To determine the nutritional intake in Swedish IBS patients and to compare this with the nutritional intake of the general Swedish population. We also want to evaluate if the food intake in the IBS patients meets the Nordic nutrition recommendations. Methods: We included 188 consecutive IBS patients (mean age 39 (19-70) years; 138 females) referred to our outpatient clinic. The patients completed a 4-days food registration record. The results were compared with an age-, and gender matched group of subjects (n=376; 276 females) from a nation-wide Swedish dietary survey; ‘Riksmaten’ (RM). The participants in RM had filled in a 7-days record. Both methods had quantity indications in household measures. The results were also compared with the Nordic nutrition recommendations. Results: The mean average daily intake in IBS-patients was 2026±532 kcal (mean±SD), which is similar to the intake of the matched population from RM of 1990±533 kcal, p=ns. The distribution of energy from protein was higher in patients with IBS (17 E%) than in RM (16 E%)(p=0.001), and in accordance with the Nordic nutrition recommendations (15-20 E%). The energy distribution from fat and carbohydrates did not differ between patients and control subjects and were however close to the recommendations. We did not find differences for the majority of vitamins or minerals. IBS patients had higher daily intakes compared with the matched population in RM, of vitamin E (9±6 mg; vs. 7±2 mg, p=0.001), folate (245±107 μg; vs. 218±69 μg, p=0.001), vitamin C (98±63 mg; vs. 86±53 mg, p=0.018), and iron (12±5 mg; vs. 11±4 mg, p=0.046) indicating a higher intake of fruit and vegetables in the IBS group. The intake of dietary fibers were higher in the IBS group (19±7 g vs. 16±5 g, p<0.001), also suggesting a higher intake of vegetables in IBS patients. Conclusion: Even though many IBS patients state that they avoid several food items because of worsening of their symptoms, this does not seem to influence their intake of nutrients. The food intake in our IBS patients was similar to the general population and they meet nutrition recommendations to the same degree as the general population in Sweden.

Quantitative analysis of the postcontractile blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) effect in skeletal muscle

Previous studies show that transient increases in both blood flow and magnetic resonance image signal intensity (SI) occur in human muscle after brief, single contractions, and that the SI increases are threefold larger in physically active compared with sedentary subjects. This study examined the relationship between these transient changes by measuring anterior tibial artery flow (Doppler ultrasound), anterior muscle SI (3T, one-shot echo-planar images, TR/TE = 1,000/35), and muscle blood volume and hemoglobin saturation [near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)] in the same subjects after 1-s-duration maximum isometric ankle dorsiflexion contractions. Arterial flow increased to a peak 5.9 ± 0.7-fold above rest (SE, n = 11, range 2.6-10.2) within 7 s and muscle SI increased to a peak 2.7 ± 0.6% (range 0.0-6.0%) above rest within 12 s after the contractions. The peak postcontractile SI change was significantly correlated with both peak postcontractile flow (r = 0.61, n = 11) and with subject activity level (r = 0.63, n = 10) estimated from 7-day accelerometer recordings. In a subset of 7 subjects in which NIRS data acquisition was successful, the peak magnitude of the postcontractile SI change agreed well with SI calculated from the NIRS blood volume and saturation changes (r = 0.80, slope = 1.02, intercept = 0.16), confirming the blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) mechanism underlying the SI change. The magnitudes of postcontractile changes in blood saturation and SI were reproduced by a simple one-compartment muscle vascular model that incorporated the observed pattern of postcontractile flow, and which assumed muscle O(2) consumption peaks within 2 s after a brief contraction. The results show that muscle postcontractile BOLD SI changes depend critically on the balance between O(2) delivery and O(2) consumption, both of which can be altered by chronic physical activity.

Effects of 6 weeks of n-3 fatty acids and antioxidant mixture on lipid peroxidation at rest and postexercise

The purpose of this randomized study was to measure the influence of 6weeks of LCPUFA (600mg EPA and 400mg DHA per day) supplementation alone or in association with 30mg vitamin E, 60mg vitamin C and 6mg β-carotene on resting and exercise-induced lipid peroxidation in judoists (n=36). Blood samples were collected at rest before (T (1)) and after the supplementation period, in preexercise (T (2)) and postexercise (T (3)) conditions, for analysis of α-tocopherol, retinol, lag phase (Lp) before free radical-induced oxidation, maximum rate of oxidation (R (max)) during the propagating chain reaction, maximum amount of conjugated dienes (CD(max)) accumulated after the propagation phase, and nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and lipoperoxide (POOL) concentrations. Dietary data were collected using a 7-day diet record. There were no significant differences among treatment groups with respect to habitual intakes of energy from fat, carbohydrate, or protein. At T (1), there were no significant differences among treatment groups with respect to lipid peroxidation, lag phase, and levels of α-tocopherol or retinol. The consumption of an n-3 LC PUFA supplement increased oxidative stress at rest and did not attenuate the exercise-induced oxidative stress. The addition of antioxidants did not prevent the formation of oxidation products at rest. On the contrary, it seems that the combination of antioxidants added to the n-3 LCPUFA supplement led to a decrease in, CD(max), R (max), and POOL and MDA concentrations after a judo training session.

Intake of micronutrients among Danish adult users and non-users of dietary supplements

Objectives: To evaluate the intake of micronutrients from the diet and from supplements in users and non-users of dietary supplements, respectively, in a representative sample of the Danish adult population. A specific objective was to identify the determinants of supplement use.Design: A cross-sectional representative national study of the intake of vitamins and minerals from the diet and from dietary supplements.Method: The Danish National Survey of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity, 2000–2004. Participants (n=4,479; 53% females) aged 18–75 years gave information about the use of dietary supplements in a personal interview. The quantification of the micronutrient contribution from supplements was estimated from a generic supplement constructed from data on household purchases. Nutrient intakes from the diet were obtained from a self-administered 7-day pre-coded dietary record. Median intakes of total nutrients from the diets of users and non-users of supplements were analysed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.Results: Sixty percent of females and 51% of males were users of supplements. With the exception of vitamin D, the intake of micronutrients from the diet was adequate at the group level for all age and gender groups. Among females in the age group 18–49 years, the micronutrient intake from the diet was significantly higher compared with the non-users of dietary supplements. The use of dietary supplements increased with age and with ‘intention to eat healthy.’Conclusion: Intake of micronutrients from the diet alone was considered adequate for both users and non-users of dietary supplements. Younger females who were supplement users had a more micronutrient-dense diet compared to non-users.

Effect of 6 Weeks of n-3 Fatty-Acid Supplementation on Oxidative Stress in Judo Athletes

The aim of this investigation was to assess the effects of 6 wk of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) supplementation on resting and exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in judoists. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or a capsule of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 600 mg EPA and 400 mg DHA). Blood samples were collected in preexercise and postexercise conditions (judo-training session), both before and after the supplementation period. The following parameters were analyzed: α-tocopherol, retinol, lag phase , maximum rate of oxidation (Rmax) during the propagating chain reaction, maximum amount of conjugated dienes (CDmax) accumulated after the propagation phase, nitric oxide (NO) and malondyaldehide (MDA) concentrations, salivary glutathione peroxidase activity, and the lipid profile. Dietary data were collected using a 7-day dietary record. A significant interaction effect between supplementation and time (p < .01) on triglycerides was noted, with values significantly lower in the n-3 long-chain-PUFA (LCPUFA) group after supplementation than in the placebo group. Significant interaction effects between supplementation and time on resting MDA concentrations and Rmax were found (p = .03 and p = .04, respectively), with elevated values in the n-3 LCPUFA group after supplementation and no change in the placebo group's levels. The authors observed a significantly greater NO and oxidative-stress increase with exercise (MDA, Rmax, CDmax, and NO) in the n-3 LCPUFA group than with placebo. No main or interaction effects were found for retinol and α-tocopherol. These results indicate that supplementation with n-3 LCPUFAs significantly increased oxidative stress at rest and after a judo-training session.

Electronic and Paper Diary Recording of Infant and Caregiver Behaviors

To assess (1) preference of parental use of an electronic diary (e-diary) over a paper diary to record continuous infant and caregiver behaviors over 7 days; (2) whether e-diary recordings would differ in systematic ways from those obtained by paper diaries, and (3) frequency of diary entries when parents provide entries when convenient. Mothers of normal newborns were randomized at 5 weeks infant age to a paper diary first (n = 34) or e-diary first (n = 35) group. With 3 days between, mothers completed 7-day recordings on both the paper Baby's Day Diary and an analogous personal digital assistant e-diary for infant (sleep, awake alert, feeding, fussing, crying, inconsolable crying) and caregiver (carrying/holding, moving) behaviors, and completed post diary ease-of-use ratings and poststudy preference ratings. Mothers found e-diaries less bothersome but similarly disruptive and enjoyable to paper diaries. At study end, more found e-diaries easier to use, less bothersome and more efficient. E-diary behaviors were consistently more frequent, but rarely different in duration, then paper diary behaviors. Time-stamped e-diary entries (1) generally declined across weeks, (2) were higher if e-diaries were used first, and (3) settled at a modal 2 to 3 entries/day by the second week. For behavioral recording of infant and caregiver behaviors, mothers generally expressed more approval for e-diaries than paper diaries, but neither was considered onerous. E-diaries consistently report more frequent but similar durations of behaviors. If recording when convenient, daily diary entries trend toward 2 to 3 entries a day. The e-diary results provide convergent evidence that paper diary recordings of common infant and caregiver behavior durations provide good estimates of durations, but that behavioral frequencies may be underestimated.

Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility Alleles on Chromosome 4q25 Modulate Response to Catheter Ablation

Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility Alleles on Chromosome 4q25 Modulate Response to Catheter Ablation

Association of dietary AGEs with circulating AGEs, glycated LDL, IL-1α and MCP-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients

The association of dietary advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) intake with the oxidative and inflammatory status in type 2 diabetic patients was examined. Seventy-four healthy controls, 50 low AGEs intake and 68 high AGEs intake type 2 diabetic patients were requested to complete a 7-day dietary record. Blood levels of several oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers were determined. Diabetic patients with high AGEs intake had significantly elevated plasma levels of AGEs, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL-cholesterol and glycated LDL than low AGEs intake patients and controls (P<0.05). These high AGEs intake patients also had significantly increased plasma levels of 8-isoprostane, interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than low AGEs intake patients (P<0.05). Correlation coefficients of dietary AGEs versus plasma AGEs, HbA1c, 8-isoprostane, IL-1α and MCP-1 were >0.6; but the correlation coefficient of dietary AGEs versus plasma SOD activity was <-0.6. Increasing dietary AGEs intake might enrich circulating AGE level and contribute to oxidative and inflammatory progression under diabetic condition. The circulating 8-isoprostane, IL-1α and MCP-1 levels and SOD activity might be appropriate biomarkers used to evaluate dietary AGEs-associated oxidative and inflammatory stress.

Heart Rate Variability on 7-Day Holter Monitoring Using a Bootstrap Rhythmometric Procedure

Heart rate variability (HRV) markers have been widely used to characterize the autonomous regulation state of the heart from 24-h Holter monitoring, but long-term evolution of HRV indexes is mostly unknown. A dataset of 7-day Holter recordings of 22 patients with congestive heart failure was studied. A rhythmometric procedure was designed to characterize the infradian, circadian, and ultradian components for each patient, as well as circadian and ultradian fluctuations. Furthermore, a bootstrap test yielded automatically the rhythmometric model for each patient. We analyzed the temporal evolution of relevant time-domain (AVNN, SDNN, and NN50), frequency-domain (LF, HF, HFn, and LF/HF), and nonlinear (alpha(1) and SampEn) HRV indexes. Circadian components were the most significant for all HRV indexes, but the infradian ones were also strongly present in NN50, HFn, LF/HF, alpha(1), and SampEn indexes. Among ultradian components that one corresponding to 12 h, was the most relevant. Long-term monitoring of HRV conveys new potentially relevant rhythmometric information, which can be analyzed by using the proposed automatic procedure.

Chromosome 4q25 Variants and Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation

This study tested the hypothesis that chromosome 4q25 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associate with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. Recent genome-wide association studies identified 2 SNPs on chromosome 4q25 associated with AF. Although the mechanisms underlying this increased risk are unknown, the closest gene, PITX2, is critical for myocardium development in the pulmonary veins. A total of 195 consecutive patients (mean age 56 +/- 12 years, 73% male) with drug-refractory paroxysmal (78%) or persistent (22%) AF who underwent AF catheter ablation were included. Two SNPs, rs2200733 and rs10033464, were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Serial 7-day Holter electrocardiographic recordings were acquired to detect AF recurrences. Early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) (within the first 7 days) was observed in 37%, whereas late recurrence of atrial fibrillation (LRAF) (between 3 and 6 months) occurred in 21% of the patients. None of the clinical or echocardiographic baseline characteristics were associated with ERAF or LRAF. In contrast, the presence of any variant allele increased the risk for both ERAF (odds ratio [OR]: 1.994, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.036 to 3.837, p = 0.039) and LRAF (OR: 4.182, 95% CI: 1.318 to 12.664, p = 0.011). In patients with ERAF, 45% had LRAF, as opposed to 8% in patients without ERAF (OR: 9.274, 95% CI: 3.793 to 22.678, p < 0.001). Polymorphisms on chromosome 4q25 modulate the risk for AF recurrence after catheter ablation. This finding points to a potential role for stratification of AF ablation therapy or peri-interventional management by genotype.

Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation: back to the future?

antrum within the encircling lesions, elimination of anchor points of high frequency drivers, atrial debulking, and possibly ablation of ganglionated plexi within the targeted encircling lesions. As the role of PV antrum in AF is better understood, antral PV isolation has been widely performed as an effective ablation strategy to eliminate AF. It is within this context that we should evaluate the contribution by Arya et al. 7 in the current issue of the Journal. The authors report their experience in 674 consecutive patients, 85% of whom had paroxysmal AF, undergoing CPVA using a steerable sheath during 2005‐2007. An irrigated-tip ablation catheter was used with a maximum power of 25 W near the oesophagus and 40‐50 W elsewhere in the left atrium. The sole procedural endpoint was voltage attenuation along the circumferential lines around each set of PVs in patients with paroxysmal AF. Pulmonary vein isolation was not an endpoint of the procedure, but was achieved in 38% of patients. In a minority of patients with persistent AF, linear ablation along the roof and mitral isthmus was performed without confirmation of conduction block. Antiarrhythmic agents (flecainide or amiodarone) were used in 45% and 21% of patients for the first 3 and 6 months, respectively, and were discontinued after 6 months in all patients. Clinical outcome was based on symptoms or the presence of AF or AT on serial 7-day Holter recordings performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the ablation procedure. The procedure and fluoroscopic times were approximately, 3 h, and 24 min, respectively. After a single-ablation procedure using a steerable sheath, 76% of patients were free from atrial arrhythmias during a 7-day monitoring period at 12 months. Approximately 50% of patients experienced early recurrence, which was due solely due to AT in about one-third of the patients. Early recurrence and a LA diameter .5 cm were associated with arrhythmia recurrence during follow-up. The clinical efficacy was similar among patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Six patients experienced pericardial tamponade, one of whom required surgery.

The use of artificial neural networks to forecast biological atmospheric allergens or pathogens only as Alternaria spores

The monitoring of atmospheric Alternaria spores is of major importance due to their adverse effects on crops and their role as human allergens. Most species act as plant pathogens, prompting considerable economic losses worldwide on important crops such as potato, tomato or wheat. Fungal spores can also have serious detrimental effects on human health, triggering respiratory diseases and allergenic processes. The aim of this study was not only to examine the relationship between the atmospheric Alternaria spore content and the prevailing meteorological parameters, but also to predict the atmospheric Alternaria spore content in the Northwest Spain using a novel data analysis technique, ANNs (Artificial Neural Networks). A Hirst-type LANZONI VPPS 2000 volumetric 7-day recording sampler was used to collect the airborne spores from 1997 to 2008. Neural networks provided us with a good tool for forecasting Alternaria airborne spore concentration, and thus could help the automation of the prediction system in the aerobiological information diffusion to the population suffering from allergic problems or the prevention of considerable economic worldwide losses on important crops. Our proposed model would be applied to different geographical areas; nevertheless, the adjustment of the model, by using the available and adequate variables, would be realised in each case.

Long-term results and the predictors of outcome of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using steerable sheath catheter navigation after single procedure in 674 patients

Identifying suitable candidates for circumferential left atrial pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA). CPVA is widely used as an ablation strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Understanding the predictors of long-term success of single catheter ablation procedure of AF based on CPVA can help to identify those patients who have a high risk of recurrence based on this approach. In this retrospective analysis 674 consecutive patients (464 male, mean age 57.3 +/- 10.8 years) with AF (84.8%, paroxysmal) treated with CPVA ablation between May 2005 and August 2007 using a manually controlled steerable sheath (Agilis((R)) St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA), were included. The endpoint of the ablation was the completion of predefined lesions (CPVA for paroxysmal, and CPVA+mitral isthmus and roof line ablation for persistent AF). Seven day Holter recordings were done immediately, 3, 6, and 12 month after ablation. AF longer than 30 s was considered as recurrence. The success was defined as lack of recurrence during 7-day Holter recordings done 3, 6, and 12 months after ablation. Early recurrence was defined as recurrence during the first 7-day Holter recording immediately after ablation. Forty-five and 20.8% of the patients received antiarrhythmic medications for the first 3 and 6 months after ablation procedure, respectively. After 6 months all antiarrhythmics were discontinued. About 51.5% experienced early recurrence. Twelve months success rate was 75.7% (paroxysmal: 75.7%, persistent: 75.0%, P = 1.0). Using multivariate analysis left atrial (LA) diameter > or =50 mm was the predictor of early recurrence {Hazard Ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 5.1 (2.0-12.9)}. LA Diameter > or =50 mm [HR (95% CI) = 4.6 (2.6-9.1)]; early recurrence [HR (95% CI) = 4.3 (2.0-9.1)]; and arterial hypertension [HR (95% CI) = 4.6 (2.6-9.1)] were predictors of late recurrence. In our patients' cohort, a single catheter ablation procedure based on CPVA using steerable sheath for catheter navigation resulted in a 1 year success rate of 75.7% [without (91.0%) and with (58.6%) early recurrence, respectively, P = 0.0001]. Among those patients who are at high risk for recurrence after CPVA other ablation endpoints rather than completion of predefined lesions might be necessary to increase the success rate.

Iron Status in Highly Active and Sedentary Young Women

This study examined iron status and nutrient intake in highly active (n = 28; 20 +/- 2 yr, >/=12 hr purposeful physical activity per week [PPA/wk]) and sedentary (n = 28; 24 +/- 3 yr, </=2 hr PPA/wk) women. Participants completed a 7-day weighed-food record (energy, protein, fiber, alcohol, and micronutrients), 7-day pedometer/activity log, and fasting blood draw (hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell indices, C-reactive protein, serum iron, percent transferrin saturation, total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, transferrin receptor [sTfR], and sTfR index). Independent-sample t tests and the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test compared mean values between groups. Lower serum ferritin (p = .01) and mean cell hemoglobin (p < .01) concentrations were found in active than in sedentary women. Higher mean sTfR (p = .01) and sTfR index (p < .01) values were found in the active women. No significant differences were found between groups for the other blood markers. Serum ferritin concentrations (storage iron) indicated iron depletion (Stage I) in 21% of active and 18% of sedentary participants. Nonetheless, 50% of active and 18% of sedentary participants were iron depleted as evidenced by the sTfR index (ratio of functional-to-storage iron). Elevated sTfR concentrations (functional iron) were observed in 25% of active and 3% of sedentary participants. Although the active women reported greater iron (p < .01) but similar heme iron intakes, they had higher mean sTfR, higher sTfR index, and lower serum ferritin concentrations than the sedentary women. Assessment of iron status may require measures not commonly used in routine assessments.

Fatty acid composition of diet, cord blood and breast milk in Chinese mothers with different dietary habits

The influence of two different dietary patterns on maternal fatty acid (FA) intake on the composition of umbilical cord blood plasma phospholipids and transitional breast milk was investigated. A 7-day dietary record was completed in the last trimester of pregnancy by women living in an inland and a coastal area of south-eastern China. The FA composition in maternal diet was calculated using the 2002 Chinese food composition database. Cord blood and transitional breast milk samples were collected and their FA composition was analyzed by capillary gas–liquid chromatography. Mothers in the coastal area showed higher intake of long-chain polyunsaturated FA (LCPUFA) including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA,20:5ω3) but lower linoleic acid (LA, 18:2ω6) and α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3ω3) than the mothers in the inland area. The intake of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4ω6) did not differ between the two areas. LA, ALA, AA and DHA in breast milk of day 5 reflected the maternal diet except that the EPA content in breast milk at day 5 was similar for the areas. LA, ALA and AA were lower and EPA higher in umbilical cord plasma phospholipids in infants from the costal compared to the inland area. There were significant differences in maternal intakes of FA confirming different dietary habits, which influenced the FA composition of cord plasma phospholipids and transitional breast milk. Since FA influence gene expression the found variation implies that the long-term follow-up of this cohort will be interesting.

Increased interleukin-10 but unchanged insulin sensitivity after 4 weeks of (1, 3)(1, 6)-β-glycan consumption in overweight humans

Obesity-induced insulin resistance has been suggested to be a systemic inflammatory condition with activation of the innate immune system. Animal studies indicate that certain dietary fibers such as (1,3)(1,6)-beta-D-glycans (BDG) have potent effects on immune activity such as increasing the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors. Therefore, we hypothesized that BDG consumption improves inflammatory markers and insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese subjects with moderately increased levels of C-reactive protein, indicating subclinical inflammation. We screened 180 overweight and obese subjects for moderately increased C-reactive protein levels on 2 or more occasions, in the absence of any signs of acute infection. Twelve of the subjects met all inclusion criteria and were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design for 2 x 4 weeks (washout > or =4 weeks). Subjects ingested capsules containing 3 x 0.5 g of highly purified BDG or 3 x 0.5 g of placebo (waxy maize starch) daily. Maintenance of the normal diet of the participants and the correct intake of the capsules were monitored, using 6 x 3-day food recording and counting of the provided capsules. Predefined outcome measures were BDG-induced changes in pro and antiinflammatory markers in circulating blood and gene expression in adipose tissue and peripheral insulin sensitivity expressed as M value. The BDG consumption for 4 weeks significantly increased both circulating levels and adipose tissue messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 in overweight and obese humans. Insulin sensitivity as well as circulating levels and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines were unaffected by BDG treatment. Increased IL-10 after BDG consumption might be a contributing factor to the known beneficial effects of dietary fiber intake.