Search

After menopause, women have less favorable lipid profiles than before menopause. While regular exercise improves lipid metabolism in men, the specifics for doing so in pre- and postmenopausal women are not fully understood. Literature review suggests that higher-volume aerobic exercise programs increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Although longitudinal studies of resistance training did not reveal increases in HDL-C levels in women, other favorable benefits observed included decreases in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and body fat. Cross-sectional studies, however, seem to favor high-volume exercise for increasing HDL-C levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the effects of a supervised, intensive (85% of one repetition maximum (1-RM)) 14 week resistance training programme on lipid profile and body fat percentage in healthy, sedentary, premenopausal women.Subjects: Twenty four women (mean (SD) age 27 (7) years) took part in the study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a non-exercising control group or a resistance exercise training group. The resistance exercise training group took part in supervised 45-50 minute resistance training sessions (85% of 1-RM), three days a week on non-consecutive days for 14 weeks. The control group did not take part in any structured physical activity.Results: Two way analysis of variance with repeated measures showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in strength (1-RM) in the exercising group. There were significant (p < 0.05) decreases in total cholesterol (mean (SE) 4.68 (0.31) v 4.26 (0.23) mmol/1 (180 (12) v 164 (9) mg/dl)), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (2.99 (0.29) v 2.57 (0.21) mmol/l (115 (11) v 99 (8) mg/dl), the total to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio (4.2 (0.42) v 3.6 (0.42)), and body fat percentage (27.9 (2.09) v 26.5 (2.15)), as well as a strong trend towards a significant decrease in the LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio (p = 0.057) in the resistance exercise training group compared with their baseline values. No differences were seen in triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. No changes were found in any of the measured variables in the control group.Conclusions: These findings suggest that resistance training has a favourable effect on lipid profile and body fat percentage in healthy, sedentary, premenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) laxity (as evaluated with the KT-2000 and radiographic measures) is associated with concentrations of reproductive hormones during the menstrual cycle and whether the KT-2000 knee arthrometer is a valid measurement technique, compared with radiographic techniques. DESIGN AND SETTING: A within-subjects linear model was used. Venipuncture was conducted in an exercise science laboratory. The KT-2000 and radiographic measurements were performed in a hospital radiology laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twelve females presented with a dominant right leg free of injury. They were mild to moderately active and had a 12-month history of normal menstrual cycles (28-35 days). Subjects had not used hormonal therapy for the previous 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were tested at the onset of menses, near ovulation, and on day 23 of the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. At each session, 14 mL of blood was obtained by venipuncture. Blood samples were analyzed via radioimmunoassay to determine the relative levels of each hormone. Anterior cruciate ligament laxity was simultaneously measured by KT-2000 and radiographic techniques. RESULTS: Anterior cruciate ligament laxity measurements were significantly greater with the KT-2000 than with radiographic measurement. No significant differences were noted between menstrual-cycle phase and ACL laxity for either method. The concentration of luteinizing hormone was negatively correlated with laxity at the onset of menses using the radiographic technique. CONCLUSIONS: We found no associations between follicular-, ovulatory-, and luteal-phase hormonal concentrations and ACL laxity as measured on the KT-2000 and radiographs; no effects of menstrual-cycle phase on ACL laxity as measured by the KT-2000 and radiographs; and significant differences between KT-2000 and radiographic measures of ACL laxity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2021, the National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative (NSSRI) released voluntary sugar reduction targets for packaged foods and drinks in the United States., Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe trends in added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and beverages among children and youth and estimate possible reductions if industry were to meet the targets., Design: This study consisted of cross-sectional and trend analyses of demographic and 24-hour dietary recall data from eight survey cycles (2003-2004 to 2017-2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey., Participants/setting: The study sample included 23,248 children and youth (aged 2 to 19 years)., Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was the percent of daily calories from added sugar for foods and beverages in NSSRI categories., Statistical Analyses Performed: Foods and beverages reported by participants were mapped to one of the NSSRI's categories or coded as a non-NSSRI item. Trends over time in added sugar intake were assessed using regression models. To assess possible reductions in added sugar intake if industry were to meet the targets, sales-weighted mean percent reductions for 2023 and 2026 targets were applied to NSSRI items in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Suvey data. Results were examined overall and by demographic characteristics., Results: From 2003-2004 to 2017-2018, added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and beverages declined, but consumption remained high. During 2017-2018, NSSRI categories accounted for 70% of US child and youth added sugar intake. If industry met the NSSRI targets, US children and youth would consume 7% (2023 targets) to 21% (2026 targets) less added sugar., Conclusions: Although added sugar intake from NSSRI foods and drinks has declined over the past decade, added sugar intake from all sources remains high and consumption of added sugar from certain NSSRI categories has remained steady over time. If met, the NSSRI targets are expected to result in meaningful reductions in added sugar intake for US children and youth., (Copyright © 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives. To determine the extent to which reductions in sodium during the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI) target-setting period (2009-2014) continued after 2014. Methods. We used the NSRI Packaged Food Database, which links products in the top 80% of US packaged food sales to nutrition information, to assess the proportion of products meeting the NSRI targets and the sales-weighted mean sodium density (mg/100 g) of 54 packaged food categories between 2009 and 2018. Results. There was an 8.5% sales-weighted mean reduction in sodium between 2009 and 2018. Most change occurred between 2009 and 2012, with little change in subsequent years. The proportion of packaged foods meeting the 2012 and 2014 targets increased 48% and 45%, respectively, from 2009 to 2012, with no additional improvements through 2018. Conclusions. Food manufacturers reduced sodium in the early years of the NSRI, but progress slowed after 2012. Public Health Implications. The US Food and Drug Administration just released 2.5-year voluntary sodium targets for packaged and restaurant food. Continued assessment of industry progress and further target setting by the Food and Drug Administration is crucial to reducing sodium in the food supply.

Background: High intake of added sugar is linked to weight gain and cardiometabolic risk. In 2018, the US National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative proposed government-supported voluntary national sugar reduction targets. This intervention's potential effects and cost-effectiveness are unclear., Methods: A validated microsimulation model, CVD-PREDICT (Cardiovascular Disease Policy Model for Risk, Events, Detection, Interventions, Costs, and Trends), coded in C++, was used to estimate incremental changes in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and cost-effectiveness of the US National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative policy. The model was run at the individual level, incorporating the annual probability of each person's transition between health statuses on the basis of risk factors. The model incorporated national demographic and dietary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey across 3 cycles (2011 through 2016), added sugar-related diseases from meta-analyses, and policy costs and health-related costs from established sources. A simulated nationally representative US population was created and followed until age 100 years or death, with 2019 as the year of intervention start. Findings were evaluated over 10 years and a lifetime from health care and societal perspectives. Uncertainty was evaluated in a 1-way analysis by assuming 50% industry compliance and probabilistic sensitivity analyses through a second-order Monte Carlo approach. Model outputs included averted diabetes cases, CVD events and CVD deaths, QALYs gained, and formal health care cost savings, stratified by age, race, income, and education., Results: Achieving the US National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative sugar reduction targets could prevent 2.48 million CVD events, 0.49 million CVD deaths, and 0.75 million diabetes cases; gain 6.67 million QALYs; and save $160.88 billion net costs from a societal perspective over a lifetime. The policy became cost-effective (<150 000/QALYs) at 6 years, highly cost-effective (<50 000/QALYs) at 7 years, and cost-saving at 9 years. Results were robust from a health care perspective, with lower (50%) industry compliance, and in probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The policy could also reduce disparities, with greatest estimated health gains per million adults among Black or Hispanic individuals, lower income, and less educated Americans., Conclusions: Implementing and achieving the US National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative sugar reformation targets could generate substantial health gains, equity gains, and cost savings.

Introduction: Studies show that outdoor advertisements for unhealthy, consumable products are associated with increased intake and often target youth, low-income neighborhoods, and neighborhoods of color. Despite evidence that overconsumption of sugary drinks contributes to obesity and other chronic conditions, little is known specifically regarding the patterns of outdoor sugary drink advertising., Methods: The number of outdoor, street-level advertisements featuring sugary drinks was assessed in a random sample of retail-dense street segments (N=953) in low, medium, and high-poverty neighborhoods in each of New York City's 5 boroughs in 2015. Negative binomial regression was used to determine associations between sugary drink ad density, poverty level, and other census tract-level demographics (2009-2013 estimates) in each borough and New York City overall. Data were analyzed in 2017-2019., Results: In New York City and in 3 of 5 boroughs, sugary drink ad density was positively associated with increased percentages of black, non-Latino residents (New York City: incidence rate ratio=1.20, p<0.001; Bronx: incidence rate ratio=1.30, p=0.005; Brooklyn: incidence rate ratio=1.18, p<0.001; Manhattan: incidence rate ratio=1.20, p<0.05). Positive associations were also observed with poverty level in Brooklyn (low versus medium poverty: incidence rate ratio=2.16, p=0.09; low versus high poverty: incidence rate ratio=2.17, p=0.02) and Staten Island (low versus medium poverty: incidence rate ratio=3.27, p=0.03)., Conclusions: This study found a consistent positive association between the density of outdoor sugary drink advertisements and the presence of non-Latino black residents in New York City and, in some boroughs, evidence of a positive association with neighborhood poverty. These findings highlight the inequities where sugary drinks are advertised in New York City., (Copyright © 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In the canonical ramp compression experiment, a smoothly increasing load is applied to the surface of the sample, and the particle velocity history is measured at two or more different distances into the sample, at interfaces where the surface of the sample can be probed. The velocity histories are used to deduce a stress-density relation, usually using iterative Lagrangian analysis to account for the perturbing effect of the impedance mismatch at the interface. In that technique, a stress-density relation is assumed in order to correct for the perturbation and is adjusted until it becomes consistent with the deduced stress-density relation. This process is subject to the usual difficulties of nonlinear optimization, such as the existence of local minima (sensitivity to the initial guess), possible failure to converge, and relatively large computational effort. We show that, by considering the interaction of successive characteristics reaching a free surface, the stress-density relation can be deduced directly by recursion rather than iteration. This calculation is orders of magnitude faster than iterative analysis and does not require an initial guess. Direct recursion may be less suitable for very noisy data, but it was robust when applied to trial data. The stress-density relation deduced was identical to the result from iterative Lagrangian analysis.

Previous research demonstrates that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves insulin effectiveness. Whether higher exercise intensities improve insulin action more so is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various levels of aerobic intensity on insulin action in young adult men and women. Forty-five healthy subjects (22.2 ± 3.9 years; 169 ± 9 cm; 74.5 ± 17.8 kg) were matched for age, gender, and VO2max and randomly assigned to moderate-intensity (50% heart rate reserve [HRR]), vigorous-intensity (75% HRR), maximal-intensity intervals (95/50% HRR) or a non-exercising control group. Subjects completed a 6-week training protocol on a stationary bicycle ergometer. Weekly duration and frequency of training varied to ensure equivalent energy expenditure across groups. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were used to assess insulin effectiveness. Significant increases occurred after training in VO2max in the vigorous-intensity(15.4%) and maximal-intensity(14.2%) groups (p < 0.01) but not the moderate-intensity or control group. There were no significant changes in insulin effectiveness in any exercise group. Training intensity did not significantly affect insulin effectiveness in a young adult population as assessed by HOMA or QUICKI; it did, however, significantly affect VO2max.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate various types of sedentary behavior children participate in and to look for an association to childhood obesity., Methods: Questionnaires were used to gather data on physical and sedentary activity, dietary intake, demographics, and anthropometrics of 9- to 12-year-old military dependents and their parents., Results: Using body mass index (BMI), 39.8% of children were obese. A significant relationship was found between childhood obesity and computer usage, television watching, total hours in sedentary behavior, and maternal BMI. An indirect significant relationship with childhood obesity was also shown if a parent was home when the child got home from school and if a father participated in exercise with their child. Caloric intake, total time in physical activity, demographic variables, and father's BMI showed no significant relationship with children's BMI., Conclusion: Interventions should be designed targeting total time spent on the computer, total time watching television, and maternal obesity in child obesity programs.

Creatine supplementation has been shown to augment muscle PCr content and increase the rate of ATP resynthesis. Thus, we hypothesized that creatine supplementation might enhance sprinting performance. Eighteen subjects completed both of two testing sessions (control and postsupplement) 1 week apart, wherein they sprinted three 60-m distance trials that were recorded with videotape. Following the control session, for 7 days, subjects in the treatment group ingested a creatine-glucose mixture, while the placebo group consumed a glucose powder, followed by the postsupplementation session. Velocities of the subjects through three testing zones within the 60-m sprint were calculated from the videotape. Resultant velocities were analyzed using a MANOVA with a 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 (Group x Session x Trial x Zone) design. Results indicated that there were no statistically significant main or interaction effects on velocity between groups for session, trial, or zone. These data do not support the hypothesis that supplementary creatine ingestion will enhance velocity during the early or latter segments of a 60-m sprint.

We investigated the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim L (ESML) on performance during submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise. Twenty highly trained distance runners randomly assigned in matched pairs to either an experimental (ESML) or placebo (PL) group, participated in an 8-wk double-blind study during which they completed five trails of a 10-min treadmill run at their 10 km (10K) race pace and a maximal treadmill test (T(max)). Following a baseline trail, ESML and PL consumed, respectively, 3.4 ml of ESML extract or placebo daily for 6 wk. Subjects were tested every 2 wk during supplementation and 2 wk following withdrawal. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), expired minute volume (VE), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the 10K and T(max) tests. Resting, post-10K and post-T(max) blood samples were analyzed for serum lactate. No significant differences were observed between ESML and PL for: HR, VO2, VE, VE/VO2, RER, or RPE; T(max) time to exhaustion; or serum lactate. The data do not support an ergogenic effect of ESML supplementation on selected metabolic, performance, or psychologic parameters associated with submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise tasks.

Knowledge of wound healing is necessary for the clinician when determining the time of prosthodontic treatment after periodontal surgery. Wound healing and longitudinal clinical studies indicate that the clinician should wait approximately 8 weeks before proceeding with the final restoration. Restorative procedures could be considered as early as 6 weeks if (1) the patient shows good systemic health; (2) injury is not inflicted on the gingiva by the restorative technique; (3) restorative margins are supragingival; and (4) esthetics are not critical. With a thick periodontium, more common in posterior areas, the gingiva often will move coronally as the tissue matures. Thin periodontal tissues may recede postsurgically, and in areas of esthetic concern, postponement of final restoration for up to 5 to 6 months may be desirable to assure gingival margin stability. Modifiers that may affect time and quality of healing, such as the patient's smoking frequency and age, should be considered when scheduling restorative treatment after periodontal surgery.

Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is the least common cartilage-producing tumor. In Dahlin and Unni's series of 8,542 bone tumors, 39 of which were CMF, none were found in the femoral shaft. In this case, a CMF in the femoral shaft presented initially as a pathologic fracture. Attempts at curettage and autogenous bone graft failed, and en bloc resection and segmented allograft reconstruction were eventually required.

We examined the relationships among reproductive hormone concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD) in 43 women runners classified as eumenorrheic (n = 24), oligomenorrheic (n = 8), or amenorrheic (n = 11). Results were compared with a eumenorrheic nonrunner control group (n = 11). Serum 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations were determined in daily blood samples for 21 days, and integrated concentrations (areas under the curve) were calculated. BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine and proximal femur by dual-photon absorptiometry. As expected, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, and lumbar spine BMD were higher in the control and eumenorrheic runner groups than in the oligomenorrheic and amenorrheic runner groups (P less than 0.05). Progesterone concentration was significantly correlated with lumbar spine BMD in the eumenorrheic runners (r = 0.61). None of the steroid hormones was significantly related to BMD in the oligomenorrheic/amenorrheic group. The present data suggest that circulating levels of gonadal steroid hormones affect axial BMD in eumenorrheic runners.

Few data are available regarding endometrial histologic features in asymptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. This study encompasses endometrial biopsy specimens obtained from 801 such women before enrollment in a multicenter study of estrogen-progestin replacement. One endometrial cancer was found (0.13%); four additional biopsy specimens showed atypia (total 0.63%). The endometrium was atrophic in 373 (46.9%), proliferative in 133 (16.7%), secretory in 54 (6.8%), and hyperplastic in 41 (5.2%). Insufficient tissue for diagnosis was obtained in 195 (24.5%). We conclude that the yield for neoplasia is so low that screening endometrial biopsy is not justified in asymptomatic perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

We have reported a case of fungal splenic abscess caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Splenic abscess is an uncommon disorder, and fungus as the causative organism is rare. The diagnosis of splenic abscess can be rapidly made with radionuclide and CT scanning and ultrasonography. Splenectomy with appropriate antifungal chemotherapy is the currently recommended therapy.

The surgical pathology files at the University of Alabama Medical Center for 1958 through 1973 contain records of 157 cases of vaginal carcinoma. Of the 141 patients on whom complete records are available, 37 had primary and 104 secondary vaginal carcinoma. Only 3 of the primary vaginal malignancies were adenocarcinoma; the rest were epidermoid. The microscopic appearance of these carcinomas was frequently lateral spreading or papillary, but in a few instances the growth pattern was submucosal. Prognosis appeared to be related to the stage of the disease. Vaginal carcinomas associated with cervical cancer clustered either within 1 year or 5 years after the therapeutic treatment. In this paper, the relationship between primary vaginal cancer and cervical cancer is discussed.

The osteoclastic giant cell tumor of the pancreas is a rare primary neoplasm that by light and electron microscopy mimics giant cell tumor of bone. In the proper clinical setting, this lesion can be diagnosed by fine needle aspiration. Review of 10 cases reveals a female predominance, a median survival of 12 months, and a tendency for local invasion, rather than lymphatic or distant metastasis, and for invasion of large veins. An epithelial origin is favored for this malignant neoplasm, which expresses varying degrees of mesenchymal differentiation.

The type II histamine receptor antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, widely used in treatment of peptic ulcer disease have been reported to cause bradycardia. To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of H2 antagonists nineteen healthy volunteers were entered into a double-blind crossover comparison of cimetidine 300 mg qid, ranitidine 150 mg bid, and placebo. Subjects ingested study medicine for 7 days prior to being tested by the Bruce Exercise Test. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, expiratory volume, and fractional expiration of CO2 and O2 were measured at rest, exercise and recovery. A plasma sample for determination of cimetidine and ranitidine levels were obtained prior to the exercise period. Multivariate analysis and paired t test revealed no significant differences for the cardiovascular or pulmonary variables. However, in 5 subjects, the heart rate at 25% maximum VO2 was depressed 8% (P less than or equal to 0.03). This effect in a small percentage of the population suggests that further studies are needed to determine if subpopulations are affected.

This patient had retroperitoneal multiseptated masses, which extensively invaded the right flank and thigh musculature. The radiologic, pathologic, and clinical findings were consistent with a retroperitoneal pseudomyxoma from an appendiceal mucocele.

The association of Actinomyces with IUD wearers has been widely documented and the possibility of the recognition of actinomycetes-like organisms in routine Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears has been reported. We conducted a retrospective study of IUD wearers to determine the prevalence and significance of actinomycetes-like organisms found in such smears. Three hundred smears from current IUD wearers were rescreened for actinomycetes-like organisms. Of this group, 200 patients were from a public health family planning clinic, and 100 were private patients. The incidence for the public health group was 25.5% and for the private patient group, 8%. A case history of actinomycosis is included. Findings such as other infectious agents, abnormal cytology and symptoms are also discussed. Although the presence of Actinomyces probably represents an opportunistic infection, the threat of pelvic actinomycosis with serious complications poses a management problem to the clinician when Actinomyces is reported in a routine Papanicolaou smear. Our findings lead us to question the practicality of the earlier recommendations of IUD removal and antibiotic therapy.