Search

This research delves into the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management of hyperprolactinemia, particularly focusing on prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas, or prolactinomas, in Dolj County, a region historically underrepresented in medical literature. Hyperprolactinemia, a prevalent endocrine disorder, arises from excessive prolactin secretion by the pituitary gland's lactotrope cells and presents a diverse clinical picture. The most significant etiological contributors identified are prolactinomas, accounting for approximately 39% of all secretory pituitary tumors. In light of hyperprolactinemia's substantial morbidity and prevalence, this study underscores the necessity of comprehensive understanding of its regional epidemiology and clinical presentations. Our methodology incorporated collecting retrospective data across various medical facilities in Dolj, ensuing a meticulous analysis of clinical features, paraclinical investigation outcomes, and therapeutic responses among patients with prolactinomas. Emphasis was placed on discerning risk factors, demographic characteristics, and associated comorbidities to encapsulate the full spectrum of these tumors' impact within the community. Preliminary results suggest a nuanced incidence rate of prolactinomas within Dolj, with specific demographic and clinical trends potentially distinct from those reported in wider literature. These findings stress the critical role of localized studies in enhancing screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic protocols. Ultimately, this investigation offers critical insights into the epidemiology and symptomatology of prolactinomas in Dolj, significantly augmenting existing literature and informing regional medical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Our experimental results regarding the effect of supplementation with a complex of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on aerobic exercise capacity as well as on serum and tissue indicators of the oxidant/antioxidant balance led us to study the effect of a BCAA and curcumin (CCR) supplement under the same conditions. Aims. The increase in oxidative stress (OS) during intense physical exercise and the increase in antioxidant (AO) defense during moderate physical exercise led us to study the effect of BCAA and CCR supplementation on aerobic exercise capacity (AEC) and biochemical redox profile. Methods. The research was performed in 7 groups (n=10 animals/group): group I - controls, group II - controls + exercise (5% load), group III - controls + exercise (10% load), group IV - CCR, group V - CCR + BCAA, group VI - CCR + BCAA + exercise (5% load), group VII - CCR + BCAA + exercise (10% load). AEC was determined by the swimming test; for the O/ AO balance, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total sulfhydryl groups (SH) were determined. Results. BCAA+CCR supplementation induces an increase in AEC after 28 days of BCAA and CCR administration. BCAA+CCR supplementation in sedentary animals has modulating effects on the O/AO balance, with an increase in serum and muscle OS, a stimulation of serum AO defense, and a decrease in muscle and liver AO defense. BCAA+CCR supplementation in exercise trained animals with a 5% load induces a decrease in serum and liver OS and an increase in muscle OS and AO defense, while in animals with a 10% load, it results in a decrease in muscle OS and an increase in liver OS. Conclusions. The BCAA+CCR complex has ergotropic, trophotropic and OS reducing effects in exercise trained animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The high level of the handball game requires a carefully designed physical training program, as well as adequate technical-tactical, psychological and theoretical training. Aims. The indicators of exercise capacity during the spe¬cific training period were studied in young handball players compared to young subjects with general sports training. Methods. The research was performed in 6 groups (n=10 subjects/group): group C1 (18 years), group C2 (17 years), group C3 (16 years) - controls, and group E1 (18 years), group E2 (17 years), group E3 (16 years) - athletes. The measured indicators of exercise capacity were heart rate, maximal O2 consumption, maximal aerobic power, VO2 max depending on age and aerobic exercise capacity. Results. Significant decreases in heart rate and significant increases in VO2 max, aerobic exercise capacity and maximal aerobic power were found in the groups of athletes compared to the groups of non-athletes of the same age. Conclusions. In the post-pubertal period, in young people with general physical training, an increase in VO2 max depending on age occurs. Specific sports training determines an improvement of VO2 max, aerobic exercise capacity and maximal aerobic power in young handball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Specific hand anthropometric parameters might influence performance and could be useful for the selection and identification of talents among junior handball players. Aims. We aimed to study the effect of maturation on specific anthropometric variables - hand span as a static parameter and hand grip strength as a dynamic parameter, in handball players and non-athletes. Methods. The specific anthropometric variables determined by direct methods were the following: hand grip strength as a dynamic parameter; hand span as a static parameter. Results. Specific hand anthropometric parameters increase significantly with age. Hand grip strength and hand span are significantly increased in athletes compared to non-athletes. Conclusions. Specific anthropometric parameters measured in junior handball players can be used for the identification of talents in grip sports and for tertiary selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Hypothermia, which is a basal body temperature below 35°C, has numerous effects: cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, metabolic, immunologic, hormonal, renal, and gastrointestinal effects. The body's short-term adaptation to low temperatures is mainly accomplished through vegetative and somatic mechanisms. Aims. The aim of the experiment was to observe in exercise-trained adult rats the effect of intermittent hypothermic stress on their aerobic exercise capacity, on the one hand, and the cardiovascular changes produced by hypothermic stress, on the other hand. Methods. The research was conducted on groups of white Wistar rats (n=10 animals/group), thus: group I (the control group) was subjected to thermoneutral conditions, at a temperature of 18-20°C, in the laboratory; group II was subjected to intermittent hypothermia, at 12-13°C, in a cold room; group III was subjected to intermittent hypothermia of 4-5°C, in a cold room. The aerobic exercise capacity was tested based on the swimming test, and the cardiovascular changes during exercise were studied based on direct blood pressure and pulse measurement and on indirect pulse pressure and average blood pressure determination. Results. A significant increase in the aerobic exercise capacity was noticed in animals that had undergone exercise-training for 14 days and were subjected to the following temperature conditions: 18-20°C, 12-13°C, 4-5°C, as compared to the original values; a significant decrease in the aerobic exercise capacity in animals that had undergone exercise-training for 14 days and were subjected to hypothermia conditions, as compared to the control group; and significant drops in CAE in animals that had undergone exercise-training for 14 days and were subjected to hypothermia conditions of 4-5°C, as compared to those subjected to hypothermia of 12-13°C. Conclusions. Intermittent hypothermic stress causes a significant decrease in the aerobic exercise capacity in exercisetrained animals and affects the cardiovascular adaptation to exercise, causing bradycardia and hypotension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of inflammation by accessible, reproducible and especially non-invasive methods is one of the main goals for numerous medical specialties. One variable for assessment is the fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO), which correlates with the inflammatory syndrome of the airways. The objective of the present study was the biochemical evaluation of FeNO in children practicing sports in Oltenia, Romania. Between January and December 2018, children practicing sports (football, track and field, judo, fencing, handball, volleyball and basketball) were enrolled in the study. The FeNO values were compared with the asthma history and with the spirometric evaluation. A total of 23 children without a previous asthma diagnosis exhibited positive spirometry results. The prevalence of the disease was 3.6% in the cohort, and FeNO dosing showed higher values in the group at risk in children diagnosed with asthma, compared with that in children without this diagnosis. The children who performed outdoor sports (soccer, and track and field) had higher electrochemical levels of nitric oxide compared with those who performed indoor sports (mean, 29.70 vs. 20.56; P<0.0005), which led to the hypothesis that these children had an increased risk of developing bronchospasm. FeNO dosing can thus be a useful and easy-to-use tool in practice for assessing bronchial inflammation in children practicing various types of sports. The spirometric data of undiagnosed asthma patients from the present study may indicate that the disease is still underdiagnosed within Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Elderly people in institutions are subjected to the occurrence of psychogenic iatrogenic disorders often due to communication errors with the medical staff. These lead to mistrust and the appearance of new physical disorders that affect physical activities. Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical activity, the prevalence of depression and the anti-iatrogenic and antidepressive effect of physical activity of elderly people in state nursing homes. Methods. We included in the study 86 elderly people from a state nursing home in Alba-Iulia in May-June 2008. They were 39 women and 57 men, aged between 61 and 92 years. The elderly people had been in the nursing home between 7 and 10 years. They were divided in two groups: the first group: 40 men with an average age of 75.4±7.5 years; the second group: 36 women, average age 73.2±5.2 years. The following tests were performed: physical activity index (IAF), based on the Dumitriu questionnaire; depression index (ID) based on the Geriatric Depression Scale (SGD), adapted from Sheikh and Yesavage. Results. Body mass index revealed normal values for the majority of the patients in both groups. The Body Mass Index show increased values for the low fitness category males and reasonable fitness category females. The correlation between Body Mass Index and Physical Activity Index is inversely proportional. The correlation between depression scores and Physical Activity Index is inversely proportional. Conclusions. For the elderly people in state nursing homes, aged 70 or older we observed an acceptable physical activity. Physical activity for those aged over 70 years, with regard to the intensity and duration demonstrates anti-iatrogenic, antidepressive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Physical activity is indispensable in the elderly. Institutionalized elderly people frequently present depression, which can be treated with the help of the physical, psychical and social benefits of a regular physical exercise program. Aims. The institutionalized elderly were evaluated for depression, physical activity and its benefits. Methods. The research was carried out on two groups of institutionalized elderly people, men and women, with an average age of more than 73 years. We determined the physical activity index, depression index and cognitive functions based on the Mini Mental State Examination. Results. Our results showed a higher depression score when the physical activity index was lower and a higher MMSE score when the physical activity index was higher. Conclusions. Physical activity of institutionalized elderly people has beneficial anti-iatrogenic effects, fighting depression and iatrogenic illnesses due to institutionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased arterial stiffness is an important feature of vascular aging. Pathogenic mechanisms of arterial stiffness are complex and incompletely elucidated. Very many clinical and experimental data support the involvement of oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and neuro-hormonal mechanisms in arterial wall alteration. Structural modifications which accompany arterial stiffness involve both cellular and extracellular matrix of the vascular wall, including fragmentation of elastin fibers with increase in collagen, irreversible cross-linking between matrix fibers through advanced glycation end-products, vascular fibrosis and calcification. It has been shown that aerobic exercise may be involved in molecular and cellular mechanisms of arterial stiffness, inducing a favorable effect on the arterial wall elasticity. Regular aerobic exercise is currently considered an essential component of non-pharmacological treatment of arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]