Physical Functioning and Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue in Sarcoidosis Patients

Scientific reports underscore the importance of measuring the health-related quality of life in sarcoidosis patients. The present study seeks to define how sarcoidosis patients' quality of life, daily physical activity, and physical performance are related to each other. Seventeen patients (mean age 46.8 ± 8.8 years) suffering from sarcoidosis completed the following questionnaires: the fatigue assessment scale (FAS), the quality of life scale (SF-36 questionnaire), and the Borg dyspnea scale. Physical activity (PA) was assessed using accelerometry. Respiratory function, consisting of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of vital capacity (FEV1/%FVC), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), were assessed. In addition, performance in 6-min walk test (MWT), aerobic capacity assessed from maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) were evaluated. We found that daily PA (4566 ± 2378 steps/day) and VO2max (21.8 ± 5.9 ml/kg/min) were lower in sarcoidosis patients than the known predicted values in healthy age-matched individuals. There were significant inverse associations between the FAS score and 6MWT (r = -0.62; p < 0.01), and between SF-36 score and 6MWT (r = -0.55; p < 0.03). In contrast, SF-36 scores associated with fatigue and dyspnea scores (r = 0.72; p < 0.001 and r = 0.85; p < 0.001). These findings imply that sarcoidosis patients are less active compared with healthy subjects. The FAS and SF-36 scales seem to be effective tools for assessing the severity of fatigue in sarcoidosis patients.

Respiratory Function and Language Abilities of Profoundly Deaf Adolescents with and without Cochlear Implants

The objective of the study was to investigate whether hearing loss has an effect on the ventilatory functional capability and whether possible deviations of ventilatory variables from the reference ranges could have to do with the language abilities of deaf adolescents. Spirometric evaluations were performed in 72 prelingually profoundly deaf adolescents with and without cochlear implants (CI) and compared with the results of a control group consisting of 48 participants with normal hearing (CG). The deaf adolescents showed a significantly lower vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and expiratory flows (PEF and MEF) compared with their hearing peers. The adolescents with CI demonstrated predominantly the oral communication mode, which however did not affect the students' education achievements. Perseverance of oral communication was also associated with higher FVC and PEF, compared with deaf participants without CI. We conclude that sensory deprivation of prelingually deaf adolescents affects the respiratory system function. The use of oral communication seems to have beneficial effects on respiratory performance in profoundly deaf adolescents.

Endurance training and the risk of bronchial asthma in female cross-country skiers

Exercise is one of the crucial factors responsible for asthma development and exacerbation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the risk of bronchial asthma in female athletes. Spirometric evaluations and physical exercise test were performed and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels were measured in 12 female elite cross-country skiers. Serum concentrations of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured in all subjects before exercise, immediately after it, and after 15 min of recovery. Peak eNO values were 18.7±4.8 (ppb) and did not confirm the risk of early bronchial asthma symptoms. A graded exercise test caused significant increases in TNF-α and IL-1β concentration (p<0.05) after 15 min of recovery. A significant negative correlation was found between resting and post-exercise eNO and IL-6 levels (p<0.01). Our study did not confirm an increased risk of bronchial asthma or respiratory tract inflammatory conditions among female cross-country skiers exposed to physical exertion.

Effect of day length and exogenous melatonin on chemical composition of sheep milk

Abstract. Changes in day length are a major factor in the productivity of farm animals showing reproductive seasonality. Parameters of milk production in sheep and goats are dependent on melatonin and prolactin concentrations. Changes in the prolactin secretion in lactating sheep have an effect on the amount of milk produced, synthesis of milk proteins, fat and immunoglobulins (i.e. milk composition). In the end the quality and commercial value of milk is determined as well. The aim of this study was therefore to find out the effect of day length and exogenous melatonin on the chemical composition of milk and the level of fatty acids. Subjects were 60 Polish Longwool Sheep. Animals were randomly assigned to three groups, Group I (n=20) – ewes raised under natural day length; Group II (n=20) ewes raised under natural day length and were implanted with melatonin; Group III (n=20) – ewes exposed to an artificially short photoperiod (16D:8L). Sheep were milked twice daily using the Alfa Laval Agri milking machine. Composite milk samples were collected every 28 days to determine chemical composition and fatty acid content. The results obtained showed that the administration of exogenous melatonin and the simulation of a short-day photoperiod during the summer period had significant effects on the milk levels of solids, protein, fat and lactose, and on the fatty acid content of sheep milk.