COM Group Research Articles

Beneficial effects of combined exercise training on early recovery cardiopulmonary exercise testing indices in patients with chronic heart failure.

Exercise training induces several beneficial effects in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This study investigated the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) compared with combined AIT and strength training (COM) on early ventilatory and metabolic recovery pattern after symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in CHF patients. Stable CHF patients (N = 42; 54 ± 10 years [mean ± SD], 35 males) participated in an exercise training program for 12 weeks, 3 times per week. Participants were randomly assigned to either AIT (n = 20) or COM group (n = 22). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed before and after completion of the program. Primary measurements included absolute and percentage difference of oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, minute ventilation ((Equation is included in full-text article.)E), tidal volume (VT), respiratory rate, and the first-degree slope of oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2/t slope) and carbon dioxide output ((Equation is included in full-text article.)CO2/t slope) during the first minute of recovery after maximal exercise. The COM group had a greater improvement in the absolute and the percentage difference of (Equation is included in full-text article.)E (P = .03 and P = .04, respectively) and respiratory rate (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively) during the first minute of recovery period after exercise compared with the AIT group alone. No significant changes were noted for VT measurements. A significant increase in (Equation is included in full-text article.)CO2/t slope was observed in COM compared with the AIT group (P = .01). There was a trend for a greater increase in (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2/t slope in the COM group (P = .07). The addition of strength training to AIT induces significant beneficial effects in terms of ventilatory and metabolic recovery kinetics than AIT alone in CHF patients, possibly indicating greater ventilatory efficiency and metabolic improvement.

Stage 2 sleep and intelligence measures in autistic children

Studies showed that sleep spindle activity correlate with IQ scores in typically developing individuals. Sleep spindles are diminished in children and adults with autism compared to typically developing individuals. We investigated the relationship between IQ scores and sleep spindles activity in children with autism. Thirteen boys with high functioning autism (HFA: 10.2 ± 2.1 years old) and 13 comparison children (COM: 10.2 ± 2.0 years old) were recorded for two consecutive nights. They completed the WISC-III in the morning after night 2. The absolute number of sleep spindles and spindle index (number/hour) sigma EEG power (slow: 12–13 Hz, fast 13.25–15.75 Hz) were recorded and computed from frontal (Fp1, Fp2) and central (C3, C4) electrodes during S2 sleep. Results from the two groups were compared using Student t-tests and Mann–Whitney U- tests. Correlations between EEG measure and IQ were tested using Pearson’s rho (alpha = .05). There were no group differences on IQ (HFA: Global = 105.2 ± 18.7, Performance = 106.2 ± 13.0, Verbal = 103.8 ± 22.3; COM: 115.8 ± 10.3, 114.1 ± 12.1, and 115.1 ± 12.8, respectively). Spindle number and index were lower in the HFA than the COM group at Fp2 electrode (669.7 ± 467.3 and 126.8 ± 87.1 vs. 1018.8 ± 466.4 and 216.2 ± 121.2). The HFA group showed a negative correlation between C3 spindles index in the first quarter part of the night and the WISC global ( r = −0.52) and verbal (C3 1/4 r = −0.62) scales. Sigma power was lower in the HFA than the COM group for C3 and C4 electrodes in the last quarter of the night (HFA: C3 = 0.925 ± 0.096, C4 = 0.650 ± 0.226; COM: C3 = 1.06 ± 0.18, C4 = 0.888 ± 0.301). The COM group showed a positive correlation between C4 fast Sigma activity in the last quarter of the night and global IQ ( r = 0.592). There were no significant correlation between IQ and Sigma activity in the HFA group. These findings indicate that the relationship between sleep EEG and IQ is different in autistic and typically developing children, both with normal IQ scores. These differences are in terms of scalp location (frontal vs. more posterior), EEG markers (spindles vs. Sigma activity) and time of night (early and late night). Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the “Fonds de la recherche du Québec – Santé”.

The effect of a single episode of short duration heart rate variability biofeedback on measures of anxiety and relaxation states.

This study examines the acute effect of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback on anxiety and relaxation states. Eighteen healthy males exposed to work-related stress were randomized into an HRV biofeedback group (BIO) or comparative group (COM). The device used by the COM group appeared identical to the HRV biofeedback device, however, it did not provide biofeedback, rather it displayed a wave which the subjects were instructed to observe. Subjects completed a modified Stroop task before and after a 10-min intervention. The Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIT) was completed at recruitment, and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (STAIS) and Smith Relaxation States Inventory 3 (SRSI3) were completed before and after testing. Subjects rated perceived efficacy and feelings of sleepiness using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Analysis of the VAS scores revealed that the COM group felt sleepier than the BIO group after using the intervention. After testing, HRV biofeedback resulted in large improvements in scores for mindfulness, energized positive feelings and basic relaxation, and the comparative intervention resulted in a moderate improvement in basic relaxation, small improvement in mindfulness, and no improvement in energized positive feelings. Both groups had moderate improvements in transcendence. There was a large decrease in state anxiety in the BIO group and moderate decrease in the COM group. These findings suggest that although there was benefit to both interventions, a single episode of short duration HRV biofeedback led to greater benefit and may be a valuable tool to include in the

Protective effect of taurine on HK-2 cells exposed to oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal in vivo

Objective To investigate the protective effect of taurine on HK-2 cells exposed to oxalate (Ox) and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal (COM) in vivo.Methods HK-2 cells,a proximal tubular epithelial cell line,were cultured.Five groups were divided in this study:control group (only HK-2 cells) ; Ox and COM group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM) ; Taurine group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM + Taurine) ; Apocynin group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM + Apocynin) ; Catalase group (HK-2 cells + Ox + COM +Catalase).After 6 hrs,the cultures medias from each group were tested for LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,and MCP-1 protein.Cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA and P47phox mRNA were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.After 24 hrs,cells livability was investigated by MTT.Results Compared with the control,cells livability was reduced when exposed to Ox and COM (P ＜ 0.05),Treatment with Taurine,Apocynin and Catalase significantly increased the cells livability (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the control,the expression of LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,and cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA and P47phox mRNA were increased following exposure to Ox and COM (P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P ＜0.05).Treatment with Taurine,Apocynin and Catalase significantly reduced the expression of LDH,H2O2,8-isoprostane,as well as the cellular expression of MCP-1 mRNA.Expression of P47phox mRNA in Taurine group was not reduced significantly (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions This study showed that Taurine protected the HK-2 cells from oxidative injury exposed to Ox and COM by the pathway that may not be in relation to the inhibition of P47phox mRNA expression. Key words: Tubular epithelial cell; Oxalate; Calcium oxalate monohydrate; Oxidative stress; Taurine

The Effect of a Single Session of Short Duration Biofeedback-Induced Deep Breathing on Measures of Heart Rate Variability During Laboratory-Induced Cognitive Stress: A Pilot Study

This study examines the acute effect of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback on HRV measures during and immediately after biofeedback and during the following laboratory-induced stress. Eighteen healthy males exposed to work-related stress were randomised into an HRV biofeedback group (BIO) or a comparative group (COM). Subjects completed a modified Stroop task before (Stroop 1) and after (Stroop 2) the intervention. Both groups had similar physiological responses to stress in Stroop 1. In Stroop 2, the COM group responded similarly to the way they did to Stroop 1: respiratory frequency (RF) and heart rate (HR) increased, RMSSD and high frequency (HF) power decreased or had a tendency to decrease, while low frequency (LF) power showed no change. The BIO group responded differently in Stroop 2: while RF increased and LF power decreased, HR, RMSSD and HF power showed no change. In the BIO group, RMSSD was higher in Stroop 2 compared to Stroop 1. In conclusion, HRV biofeedback induced a short term carry-over effect during both the following rest period and laboratory-induced stress suggesting maintained HF vagal modulation in the BIO group after the intervention, and maintained LF vagal modulation in the COM group.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different parenteral nutrition delivery systems in critically ill and malnourished patients upon the time spend at the intensive care unit (ICU) and at the hospital. Hypothesis: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is provided to patients in several situations when the gastrointestinal tract is either non functional or when its absorptive capacity is impaired. It is an essential nutritional therapy but that has been associated with numerous problems including bloodstream infections (BSI). A recent study demonstrated that the delivery system can affect the incidence of BSI (Pontes-Arruda et al, JPEN 2012). Therefore, the PN delivery system may also have impact over other outcomes, such as time at the ICU and time of hospitalization. Methods: This was a prospective, international, multicenter, randomized and open-label study that included patients either moderately or severely malnourished and using 3-in-1 PN (containing lipids, aminoacids and dextrose). Patients were randomized to receive their PN using either a ready-to-use and multichamber bag (MCB) or a compounded PN (COM) (trial registration NCT#00798681). Baseline characteristics were collected as well as ICU and hospital days. Results: 316 patients were evaluated,156 in the MCB group and 160 in the COM group, all either moderately or severely malnourished in accordance with the subjective global assessment(SGA). Demographic characteristics of the patients in the two groups such as age; APACHE II score and SOFA score upon admission was considered adequately bal1anced. Both the time at the ICU and at the hospital was evaluated as statistically different. The median hospital days was 15 (13-21) and 18 (14-24) (p=.038); and median ICU days was 8 (6-11) and 11 (7-14) (p=.027) (all MCB vs. COM). Conclusions: The type of delivery system can produce a relevant impact upon the time malnourished and critically ill patients in need of PN spend both at the ICU and at the hospital, which can be translated into an important financial burden associated with PN.

The Effect of a Single Session of Short Duration Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on EEG: A Pilot Study

This pilot study examines the effect of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback on measures of electroencephalogram (EEG) during and immediately after biofeedback. Eighteen healthy males exposed to work-related stress, were randomised into an HRV biofeedback (BIO) or a comparative group (COM). EEG was recorded during the intervention and during rest periods before and after the intervention. Power spectral density in theta, alpha and beta frequency bands and theta/beta ratios were calculated. During the intervention, the BIO group had higher relative theta power [Fz and Pz (p < 0.01), Cz (p < 0.05)], lower fronto-central relative beta power (p < 0.05), and higher theta/beta [Fz and Cz (p < 0.01), Pz (p < 0.05)] than the COM group. The groups showed different responses after the intervention with increased posterior theta/beta (p < 0.05) in the BIO group and altered posterior relative theta (p < 0.05), central relative beta (p = 0.06) and central-posterior theta/beta (p < 0.01) in the post-intervention rest period. The findings of this study suggest that a single session of HRV biofeedback after a single training session was associated with changes in EEG suggestive of increased internal attention and relaxation both during and after the intervention. However, the comparative intervention was associated with changes suggestive of increased mental effort and possible anxiety during and after the intervention.

Effect of composite mixture of seafood by-products and soybean proteins in replacement of fishmeal on the performance of red sea bream, Pagrus major

Feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the potentialities of using a mixture of different protein sources based on seafood by-products and soybean proteins to partially or completely replace fishmeal in practical diets for red sea bream, Pagrus major. Four diets (50% crude protein and 20kJg−1 gross energy) were formulated by replacing 0 (FM100), 60 (FM40), 80 (FM20) and 100% (FM0) of fishmeal with different proportions of sea food by-products and soybean proteins. A commercial diet (19.3kJg−1 gross energy) was used as the reference diet (COM). The growth trial was conducted with fifteen fish (average initial weight, 1.35g), stocked in triplicate in each of 15, 100-l polycarbonate circular tanks and fed all the test diets to apparent satiation by hand twice daily for 56days. After the growth trial, the remaining fish of each treatment were used to assess the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs). Dietary effects on heavy metal accumulation in fish fillets were evaluated by an independent feeding trial. Duplicate groups of fish (5.50g) were supplied FM100, FM20 and FM0 diets for 120days. A group of similar size red sea bream fed COM diet collected from a commercial farm in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan was compared as a reference.Results of the study indicated that weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (% day−1) of fish were not differed significantly (P>0.05) with up to 80% fishmeal replacement. In this replacement level, growth of fish was also comparable (P>0.05) with those fed COM. Feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P<0.05) depressed in 100% fishmeal replacement group (FM0); however, no difference was found among the rest. Similar trends were also found for protein gain and retention. Whole body protein was comparatively higher and total lipid was significantly lower in the COM group. No difference was found in condition factor and hepatosomatic index among treatments. There was no abnormal sign in hematological parameters and oxidative stress condition of fish and it was assumed that all the fish were in good physiological state. The ADC of protein was significantly decreased in the FM0 group. Dietary treatments had no significant effects on the heavy metal accumulation in fish fillet after 120days. Based on the present experimental conditions, it has been concluded that 80% of the fishmeal in a typical commercial diet could be replaced with a combination of seafood by-products and soybean proteins while confirming performance and quality of red sea bream.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in male subjects with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) appear to play a significant role in atherogenesis. In fact, circulating ox-LDL concentrations have been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main objectives of this study were to assess the effects of antioxidant vitamins on ox-LDL as a biomarker of CVD in male subjects with CVD risk factors. The effect of antioxidant vitamins on ox-LDL as a biomarker of CVD in male subjects with CVD in male subjects with CVD risk factors at baseline and after 12 weeks of supplementation with vitamin E (400 IU), C (500 mg), ß-carotene (15 mg), and the combined supplements (E, C, and ß-carotene) respectively defined as group E, C, B and control group was considered as group P. The mean values for ox-LDL at the baseline were 86.93 ± 26.30 U/l in group C, 94.52 ± 38.40 U/l in group E, 79.73±2.07 U/l in group B, 85.97±23.07 U/l in combined group, and 84.90± 14.66 U/l in group P. After 12 weeks of intervention the percentage of changes for group C, group E, group B, COM group, and group P were (-18.32), (-2286), (-17.31), (-19.01) and (-2.0), respectively. Using Wilcoxon method, significant differences were detected in the mean ox-LDL concentrations of baseline and after intervention, values in the C, E, B and combined groups (P< 005). This study illustrated that diet supplemented with vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (400 IU), ß-carotene (15 mg), and the combination of these vitamins was associated with lower serum ox-LDL levels.

A Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Corpus Callosum From Adult Patients With Migraine Complicated With Depressive/Anxious Disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible microstructural abnormalities of the corpus callosum (CC) in adult patients with migraine without aura complicated with depressive/anxious disorder. Emotional disorders, especially depression and anxiety, are with relatively higher incidence in migraine population. However, the mechanism of migraine complicated with depressive/anxious disorder remains unclear. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 12 adult patients with simple migraine (without aura and without depressive/anxious disorder) (S-M group), 12 adult patients with complicated migraine (without aura but complicated with depressive/anxious disorder) (Co-M group), and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (Control group). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient were measured at genu, body, and splenium of the CC, respectively. There were significant differences in FA values at all locations of the CC among the 3 groups. The FA values from both the SM and Co-M groups were significantly lower than the control (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively). The FA values from Co-M group were significantly lower than the SM group (P < .01). The apparent diffusion coefficient values of the above regions had no significant differences among these groups (P > .05). There were negative correlations between FA value of genu of the CC and disease course as well as FA value of genu and body of the CC and headache frequency (P < .05). Negative correlations were also found between FA values at all locations of the CC and Hamilton anxiety and Hamilton depression scores (both P < .05). There might be an integrity change of neurofibrotic microstructures existing as a possible neuroanatomical basis in the CC of migraine patients complicated with depressive/anxious disorder.

Efficacy, immune responses and side-effects of vaccines against Johne's disease in young red deer (Cervus elaphus) experimentally challenged with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis

AIMS: To test the efficacy of a commercially available and an experimental vaccine against Johne's disease in young red deer (Cervus elaphus), using experimental challenge with live virulent Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb), measure injection-site reactions, and assess the effects of vaccination and challenge on results of subsequent skin tests and ancillary blood tests for bovine tuberculosis (Tb). METHODS: Ninety 6–8-week-old red deer fawns were randomly allocated to three equal groups of 30, and received either a 1-ml S/C injection of either a commercially available whole-cell killed vaccine with a mineral-oil adjuvant (COM), or a live attenuated M. ptb experimental vaccine with a lipid adjuvant (EXP), or were unvaccinated controls. Ten weeks later (Week 10), all 90 fawns received an oral challenge with ˜108 cfu of a bovine strain of M. ptb daily for 4 days. The fawns were regularly weighed and monitored for clinical signs of Johne's disease, and regularly blood-sampled and tested for antibodies to M. ptb, using the Paralisa test, an IgG1 ELISA, and for antibodies to Mycobacterium bovis, using a similar test. A mid-cervical tuberculin skin test (MCT) was administered at Week 23, and comparative cervical skin tests (CCTs) were administered at Weeks 37 and 57. All animals were electively killed at Week 59, injection sites inspected, gastrointestinal tracts examined for gross lesions, and samples taken for culture and histopathology. RESULTS: There were no clinical cases of Johne's disease but, at slaughter, more gross lesions in intestinal lymph nodes were observed in Control (20%) than COM animals (0%; p<0.05). This latter group also had less severe histopathological lesions in samples of intestines and lymph nodes compared with the Control group (p<0.05), but not deer in the EXP group. Over 89% of deer in all three groups were shown by culture to be infected with M. ptb, while only 21-33% of faecal samples were culture-positive. Time to positive culture was longer for COM vs EXP and Control groups (p<0.01), refl ecting fewer M. ptb organisms in samples from the ileocaecal valve (ICV) in that group. Almost all (>-90%) deer reacted to the MCT at Week 23, and there were no signifi cant differences between groups. One or two deer in each group were classifi ed as Tb reactors to the CCT at Week 37, and none were classifi ed as Tb reactors to the CCT at Week 57. At the time of challenge, over 50% of deer in the COM group were classifi ed as positive (9/28) or suspicious (7/28) for M. ptb antibodies in the Paralisa test, one animal in the EXP group was classifi ed as suspicious, and all the Controls were negative. From Week 23 to the end of the trial, 25/28 (89%) deer in the COM group were Paralisa-positive or -suspicious. The proportion of animals in the EXP and Control groups that were Paralisa-positive peaked at Week 39 (60% and 55%, respectively). The majority of deer in the COM group had significant levels of antibody to M. bovis 10 weeks after vaccination, while the proportion of M. bovis-antibody positive Control deer rose gradually throughout the trial, reaching 23/30 (77%) at slaughter. Injection-site lesions in COM deer ranged from 10–38 mm in diameter 4 weeks after vaccination, and then resolved. Minimal injection-site lesions were observed in EXP deer. At slaughter, 14 months after vaccination, 19/28 deer in the COM group had 5–15-mm nodules that were easily trimmed from the carcass. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental challenge with M. ptb produced subclinical Johne's disease in the majority of deer, but did not cause any clinical disease. The number and severity of gross and microscopic lesions was signifi cantly reduced in the COM compared with Control and EXP groups; vaccination of the EXP group did not appear to give signifi cant protection. Deer vaccinated with the commercial vaccine are likely to give a false-positive reaction to the MCT but should have an avian reaction to the CCT, if it is carried out >12 months after vaccination. Most of the deer vaccinated with the commercial vaccine produced significant levels of antibodies against both M. ptb and M. bovis, which interfered with ancillary Tb tests. If this vaccine or similar oil-based vaccines are used on deer farms in the future, it may be advisable to only vaccinate animals destined for slaughter, that would not need to be Tb-tested, but would be ‘works-monitored’ for evidence of Tb instead.

Different Waist Circumferences, Different Metabolic Risks in Koreans

We investigated the difference in metabolic parameters by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) in a population of Korean men and women. We collected data on 69,535 Korean men and women and performed a cross-sectional analysis of the data. Study subjects were grouped by BMI and WC. We measured metabolic parameters for each group and compared the differences in the metabolic abnormalities. Subjects were grouped as follows: normal group (NG; normal WC and normal BMI); centrally obese group (COG; high WC and normal BMI); generally obese group (GOG; normal WC and high BMI); and combined obese group (COM; high WC and high BMI). Subjects in the COM group showed more metabolic parameter abnormalities in comparison to the other groups. In men, triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were higher in the COG than in the GOG. Correspondingly, total cholesterol (TC), TG, and FBG levels were higher in the female COG than in the female GOG. In addition, the mean numbers of abnormal metabolic parameters in the COG were higher than in the GOG for both men and women. More men and women developed metabolic syndrome in the COG (39.1% in men, 33.0% in women) than in the GOG (9.7% in men, 7.8% in women). Among Koreans, the COG had more metabolic abnormalities and metabolic syndrome than the GOG.

Different patterns of illness‐related interaction in couples coping with rheumatoid arthritis

To learn more about the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on couples' relationships and how couples manage the illness within their dyad. Eight women with RA (ages 31-60 years) and their partners, and 4 men with RA (ages 43-75 years) and their partners were recruited from the rheumatology case load of a hospital in the UK. Interpretative phenomenologic analysis was used for data collection and analysis. During semistructured interviews, couples were asked about the effect of RA on their lives and relationship. This study found clear differences in the way couples managed the illness of one partner and in the nature of their illness-related interactions. Based on these differences, the couples were allocated to 1 of 3 groups: the shared illness management group (SIM), the ill partner in charge group (IPIC), or the conflict over management group (COM). In the SIM group, both partners attended appointments and shared decisions about illness management. In the IPIC group, the ill person claimed and was conceded the right to make autonomous decisions about illness management. In the COM group, the well partner was dissatisfied with the way the ill person was managing the illness, and conflict resulted. Heterogeneity exists in the intradyad management of RA. Identifying each couple's style of illness management could make medical consultations and education programs more responsive to the needs and preferences of patients and their partners. Dissatisfaction of either partner with illness management and resulting conflict could be addressed, with benefits for both partners and possible improvement in disease management.

The Effect of a Combined High-Intensity Strength and Speed Training Program on the Running and Jumping Ability of Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined heavy-resistance and running-speed training program performed in the same training session on strength, running velocity (RV), and vertical-jump performance (VJ) of soccer players. Thirty-five individuals were divided into 3 groups. The first group (n = 12, COM group) performed a combined resistance and speed training program at the same training session, and the second one (n = 11, STR group) performed the same resistance training without speed training. The third group was the control group (n = 12, CON group). Three jump tests were used for the evaluation of vertical jump performance: squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jump. The 30-m dash and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) tests were used for running speed and strength evaluation, respectively. After training, both experimental groups significantly improved their 1RM of all tested exercises. Furthermore, the COM group performed significantly better than the STR and the CON groups in the 30-m dash, squat jump, and countermovement jump. It is concluded that the combined resistance and running-speed program provides better results than the conventional resistance training, regarding the power performance of soccer players.

Short-Term Performance Effects of High Power, High Force, or Combined Weight-Training Methods

Some controversy exists concerning the “transfer of training effect” from different methods of resistance-training programs to various athletic performance variables. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 3 different resistance-training methods on a variety of performance variables representing different portions of the force velocity curve, ranging from high force to high speed movements. Forty-two previously trained men (1 repetition maximum [RM] squat kg per kg body mass ≥ 1.4) served as subjects. After a 4-week high-volume training period and the pretests, the subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. The groups were high force (HF; n = 13), high power (HP; n = 16), and a combination training group (COM; n = 13); each group trained 4 d·wk−1 for 9 weeks. Group HF trained using 80–85% of their 1RM values. Group HP trained at relative intensities approximating 30% of peak isometric force. Group COM used a combination training protocol. Variables measured pre-and posttraining were the 1RM parallel squat, 1RM 1/4 squat, 1RM midthigh pull, vertical jump (VJ), vertical jump power, Margaria-Kalamen power test (MK), 30-m sprint, 10-yd shuttle run (10-yd), and standing long jump (SLJ). Data were analyzed within groups with t-tests, and the between-group analysis used a group χ trials analysis of variance test. The HF group improved significantly in 4 variables (p ≤ 0.05 for squat, 1/4 squat, midthigh pull, MK), the HP group in 5 variables (p ≤ 0.05 for 1/4 squat, midthigh pull, VJ, MK, SLJ), and the COM group in 7 variables (p ≤ 0.05 for squat, 1/4 squat, midthigh pull, VJ, VJP, 10-yd). These results indicate that when considering the improvement of a wide variety of athletic performance variables requiring strength, power, and speed, combination training produces superior results.

Early endocrine therapy versus radical prostatectomy combined with early endocrine therapy for stage D1 prostate cancer.

To compare disease progression and survival of patients with stage D1 adenocarcinoma after treatment with either early androgen ablation alone or combined with radical prostatectomy. A retrospective non-randomized study was performed in a series of 76 consecutive patients who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and had pathological stage D1 (T1-3, pN1-2, MO) prostate cancer; 37 patients underwent early endocrine therapy (EET) and 39 underwent radical prostatectomy with immediate adjuvant endocrine therapy (combined therapy, COM). The median follow-up was 3.8 years (range 0.26-13). The patients were statistically homogeneous for tumour grade, local tumour stage and nodal involvement, but not for age at lymphadenectomy (67 years and 62 years, respectively, P = 0.019, a confounding factor in favour of COM). Twelve patients (32%) in the EET group and 11 (28%) in the COM group died: the Kaplan-Meier actuarial overall survival curves showed no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups, but there was a trend in favour of the COM group. There was also no significant difference in the cause-specific survival. In the EET group, 17 men (46 %) had local (five of 37, 14%) or systemic (13 of 37, 35%) progression and in the COM group 23 patients (59%) had local (eight of 39, 21%) or systemic (20 of 39, 51%) progression. Four patients had an elevated level of prostate specific antigen with no clinical recurrence. Transurethral resection of the prostate was necessary for three (8%) patients in the EET group and for two (5%) of those receiving COM. The Kaplan-Meier actuarial disease-free survival curves were not significantly different. Similar results were obtained when the 25 patients with early-stage (T1 and T2) and the 51 patients with advanced primary tumours (T3 and T4) were analysed separately. These results suggest that in patients with stage D1 prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy combined with adjuvant endocrine therapy offers no advantage over endocrine therapy alone, neither for curative nor palliative intent.

The effects of spatial filtering and contrast reduction on visual search times in good and poor readers

Recent experiments with reading disabled children have shown that image blurring (produced with frosted acetate overlays) results in an immediate benefit in search performance, eye movement pattern and reading comprehension. This suggests that the contrast and spatial frequency content of visual stimuli are important factors for these children. In the present experiment, spatial frequency filtering and contrast reduction were employed to determine whether either of these factors contributes to the beneficial effects observed. Letter arrays were spatially filtered to produce low pass (<3.5 c/deg) and high pass (>7.0 c/deg) images. In addition, a low contrast control image was generated to match the low contrast of the high pass image. Children classified as good reader controls (CON), specific reading diabled (SRD), attention deficit disordered (ADD) or comorbid SRD/ADD (COM) were asked to perform a visual search task with each type of image. With high contrast, unfiltered arrays, the search times for the CON and ADD groups were much shorter than those of the SRD and COM groups. While both high pass and low pass filter conditions improved the search speed for the COM group, improvement for the SRD group was only obtained with low contrast stimuli. These results support the notion that the beneficial results of image blurring with SRDs derives from the contrast reduction produced by such manipulations.