Sports Drink Intake Pattern Affects Exogenous Carbohydrate Oxidation during Running

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine whether the pattern of carbohydrate sports drink ingestion during prolonged submaximal running affects exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates and gastrointestinal (GI) comfort.

METHODS

Twelve well-trained male runners (27 ± 7 yr; 67.9 ± 6.7 kg; V˙O2peak, 68 ± 7 mL·kg·min) completed two exercise trials of 100 min steady-state running at 70%V˙O2peak. In each of the trials, 1 L of a 10% dextrose solution, enriched with [U-C] glucose, was consumed as either 200 mL every 20 min (CHO-20) or 50 mL every 5 min (CHO-5). Expired breath and venous blood samples were collected at rest and every 20 min during exercise. Subjective scales of GI comfort were recorded at regular intervals.

RESULTS

Average exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates were 23% higher during exercise in CHO-20 (0.38 ± 0.11 vs 0.31 ± 0.11 g·min; P = 0.017). Peak exogenous carbohydrate oxidation was also higher in CHO-20 (0.68 ± 0.14 g·min vs 0.61 ± 0.14 g·min; P = 0.004). During exercise, total carbohydrate oxidation (CHO-20, 2.15 ± 0.47; CHO-5, 2.23 ± 0.45 g·min, P = 0.412) and endogenous carbohydrate oxidation (CHO-20, 1.78 ± 0.45; CHO-5, 1.92 ± 0.40 g·min; P = 0.148) were not different between trials. Average serum glucose (P = 0.952) and insulin (P = 0.373) concentrations were not different between trials. There were no differences in reported symptoms of GI comfort and stomach bloatedness (P > 0.05), with only 3% of reported scores classed as severe (≥5 out of 10).

CONCLUSION

Ingestion of a larger volume of carbohydrate solution at less frequent intervals during prolonged submaximal running increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates. Neither drinking pattern resulted in increased markers of GI discomfort to a severe level.

Correcting for missing and irregular data in home-range estimation

Home-range estimation is an important application of animal tracking data that is frequently complicated by autocorrelation, sampling irregularity, and small effective sample sizes. We introduce a novel, optimal weighting method that accounts for temporal sampling bias in autocorrelated tracking data. This method corrects for irregular and missing data, such that oversampled times are downweighted and undersampled times are upweighted to minimize error in the home-range estimate. We also introduce computationally efficient algorithms that make this method feasible with large data sets. Generally speaking, there are three situations where weight optimization improves the accuracy of home-range estimates: with marine data, where the sampling schedule is highly irregular, with duty cycled data, where the sampling schedule changes during the observation period, and when a small number of home-range crossings are observed, making the beginning and end times more independent and informative than the intermediate times. Using both simulated data and empirical examples including reef manta ray, Mongolian gazelle, and African buffalo, optimal weighting is shown to reduce the error and increase the spatial resolution of home-range estimates. With a conveniently packaged and computationally efficient software implementation, this method broadens the array of data sets with which accurate space-use assessments can be made.

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the adrenal gland: report of a case and review of the literature

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia (PEH) is a benign vascular proliferative process most frequently seen in the skin and integument, but may involve any of the visceral organs. It is a rare entity, with less than 30 cases of visceral PEH described in the literature. Adrenal papillary endothelial hyperplasia is an exceedingly rare process and is the basis of this review. A 66-year-old female was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic 6 cm right adrenal mass. Computed tomography indicated that the lesion was solid and hypervascular. After appropriate workup, the patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The pathologic analysis was consistent with adrenal PEH. The patient recovered without incident and is doing well at 1 year follow-up. A review of the world's literature on papillary endothelial hyperplasia (PEH), and in particular adrenal PEH, yields five previous reports of this entity, and no comprehensive review. A compilation of the now six patients with adrenal PEH reveals several common features: five of six patients were female and mean age was 64 years. The disease radiologically mimics adrenal cortical carcinoma mandating a surgical oncological technique. Pathologic differentiation from angiosarcoma can be a difficult task requiring evaluation by an experienced pathologist.

Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia of the Adrenal Gland: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia (PEH) is a benign vascular proliferative process most frequently seen in the skin and integument, but may involve any of the visceral organs. It is a rare entity, with less than 30 cases of visceral PEH described in the literature. Adrenal papillary endothelial hyperplasia is an exceedingly rare process and is the basis of this review. A 66-year-old female was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic 6 cm right adrenal mass. Computed tomography indicated that the lesion was solid and hypervascular. After appropriate workup, the patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The pathologic analysis was consistent with adrenal PEH. The patient recovered without incident and is doing well at 1 year follow-up. A review of the world's literature on papillary endothelial hyperplasia (PEH), and in particular adrenal PEH, yields five previous reports of this entity, and no comprehensive review. A compilation of the now six patients with adrenal PEH reveals several common features: five of six patients were female and mean age was 64 years. The disease radiologically mimics adrenal cortical carcinoma mandating a surgical oncological technique. Pathologic differentiation from angiosarcoma can be a difficult task requiring evaluation by an experienced pathologist.

Downregulation of PAR-4, a pro-apoptotic gene, in pancreatic tumors harboring K-ras mutation

Oncogenic ras is known to inhibit cell death and growth inhibitory genes and activate prosurvival genes. Proapoptotic gene PAR-4, has been found to be downregulated by oncogenic ras. Since pancreatic tumors harbor a high incidence of K-ras point mutations, we hypothesized that oncogenic K-ras might influence the function and expression of PAR-4. PAR-4 expression levels were analyzed in 4 established pancreatic tumor cell lines, 10 normal pancreatic tissues, 44 frozen tumor tissues and 25 paraffin-embedded pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples by Real Time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. K-ras mutational status was analyzed by allele-specific oligonucleotide-hybridization. Expression levels of PAR-4 were correlated with the K-ras mutational status and clinical characteristics. Further, modulation of endogenous PAR-4 was tested by transiently expressing oncogenic ras in a wild-type K-ras pancreatic cancer cell line, BxPC-3. Three cell lines with K-ras mutations showed low levels of PAR-4 when compared to a normal pancreatic tissue. Of 44 frozen tumors, 16 showed appreciable upregulation of Par mRNA and 27 showed significant downregulation of PAR-4 mRNA when compared to normal pancreatic tissue and 1 had levels equivalent to normal pancreatic tissue. Of 25 paraffin-embedded tumors, 9 showed downregulation of PAR-4 protein and this downregulation of PAR-4 correlated significantly with K-ras mutational status (p < 0.00002). In addition, the presence of PAR-4 mRNA or protein expression in pancreatic tumors correlated with prolonged survival. Transient overexpression of oncogenic ras in wild-type K-ras BxPC-3 cells significantly downregulated the endogenous PAR-4 protein levels and conferred accelerated growth. Thus, downregulation or loss of PAR-4 expression by oncogenic ras may provide a selective survival advantage for pancreatic tumors, through inhibition of proapoptotic pathway mediated by PAR-4.

Creation, evaluation, and continuing assurance of excellence of the certified surgical specialist

A position paper on the subject of certified surgical specialists was published in 1966 under the direction of Professor Charles Wells of Liverpool, England. President John Terblanche of the International Federation of Surgical Colleges brought together leaders in surgical education from four nations (Australia, Japan, South Africa, United States) to update current "state-of-the art" views. Presentations were made at the 38th Congress of the International Society of Surgery, August 18, 1999 in Vienna, Austria. After careful review of the four presentations, it was clear that surgeons all over the world have made great improvements in the many facets of surgical education. Yet the advances remain spotty, with gaps noted when viewed from an international perspective.

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis or "oriental cholangiohepatitis' in occidentals: case reports of four patients

The first description of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis occurring in four occidentals is presented. While recurrent pyogenic cholangitis is a common syndrome of uncertain aetiology among orientals (also known as oriental cholangiohepatitis), it has not previously been described in occidentals. Four such patients are described. They presented with recurrent attacks of ascending cholangitis and associated hepatolithiasis, biliary stricturing and dilation. Focal hepatic involvement was treated by segmental liver resection and recurrent disease by interventional endoscopy or radiology.

MRP (materiel requirements planning) II implementation: a case study

Manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) is a powerful and effective business planning template on which to build a continuous improvement culture. MRP II, when successfully implemented, encourages a disciplined yet nonthreatening environment centered on measurement and accountability. From the education that accompanies an MRP II implementation, the employees can better understand the vision and mission of the organization. This common goal keeps everyone's energy directed toward the same final objective. The Raymond Corporation is a major materiels handling equipment manufacturer headquartered in Greene, New York, with class "A" MRP II manufacturing facilities in Greene and Brantford, Ontario and an aftermark distribution facility in East Syracuse, New York. Prior to the implementation of MRP II in its Greene plant (from 1988 through 1990) good intentions and hard work were proving to be less than necessary to compete in the global market. Certified class "A" in February 1990. The Raymond Corporation has built a world-class organization from these foundations.

Post-marketing surveillance of enalapril: experience in 11,710 hypertensive patients in general practice

Post-marketing surveillance in general practice represents an important part of the monitoring of adverse events associated with newly introduced drugs. Such a study of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril maleate has been undertaken in 11 710 patients with essential hypertension. Serious adverse events occurred in 1.7% of patients, though most of these were not thought to be related to the treatment. The incidence rates of death (0.09%), stroke (0.11%) and myocardial infarction (0.15%) were compatible with rates predicted from age, sex and blood pressure considerations. Other events reported were hypotension (0.3%), angioneurotic oedema (0.03%), rash (0.5%), taste disturbance (0.2%) and cough (1.0%). The degree of blood pressure reduction attained was similar to that previously reported from pre-marketing development studies, as was the overall nature and frequency of both serious and non-serious adverse events. The most frequently reported event during enalapril therapy was of an improvement in well-being (19.8%).

Adjuvant and suppressive effects of Grass Conjuvac and other alginate conjugates on IgG and IgE antibody responses in mice

BALB/c mice were immunized with grass pollen extract (GPE), GPE conjugated to sodium alginate (Conjuvac) or GPE absorbed to aluminium hydroxide gel (alum). Conjuvac was a more potent immunogen than the other two preparations of GPE when anti-GPE IgG antibody levels were compared. In contrast, the highest IgE antibody titres in the Conjuvac treated mice, were some sixteen-fold lower than the highest titres in the mice immunized with GPE in alum. The suppressive effects of Conjuvac on IgE antibody titres were also studied. Mice were immunized with 1 microgram dinitrophenyl (DNP)-GPE in alum and the anti-DNP and anti-GPE IgE antibody titres determined. After 4 and 5 weeks, the mice were injected with GPE or Conjuvac. The Conjuvac and the GPE failed to reduce the ongoing primary anti-GPE IgE responses but both suppressed the secondary responses by up to eight-fold. The suppression was not dose-related however. The ongoing primary and secondary anti-DNP IgE titres were suppressed in a dose-related manner by up to sixty-four fold by Conjuvac but GPE treatment was much less suppressive. We went on to investigate the suppressive properties of DNR-alginate (DNP-alg) conjugates. In these experiments mice were immunized with 1 microgram DNP-ovalbumin (DNP-OA) mixed with alum. After 4 and 5 weeks, the mice were injected with a dose of 6--600 micrograms DNP-alg with an average hapten density of 2 or 10 per alginate molecule. After a further 8 weeks a second injection of 1 microgram DNP-OA was given. All dose levels of both DNP-alg conjugates suppressed the continuing primary as well as the secondary anti-DNP IgE responses. It is concluded that alginate has properties similar to those of known T-cell adjuvants and that Conjuvac may prove useful in the immunotherapy of atopic allergy.

Ige antibody formation in BALB/c mice without adjuvant: induction of responses to grass pollen extract and to a hapten-carrier conjugate

The IgE antibody responses of inbred BALB/c mice to subcutaneously injected antigens, given without adjuvant, were studied. Cocksfoot grass pollen extract (GPE) (100-100,000 pnu) induced no detectable primary IgE antibody responses but following second and subsequent injections, substantial secondary responses were produced. Weekly injections for 9 weeks of doses of doses of 0.1-10,000 pnu GPE all produced similar IgE antibody titres as measured by 24 h passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats challenged with 16,000 pnu GPE. A similar schedule of injections of doses of 10(-10)-10(-5) g of DNP-OA also produced substantial and similar anti-DNP IgE antibody titres as measured by PCA in rats challenged with 1 mg DNP-BSA. As the challenging dose of DNP-BSA used in the induction of PCA was reduced progressively however, the PCA titres of the mouse sera showed more and more dependence on immunizing antigen dose. At limiting doses of antigen in PCA, the serum titres rose to a peak and then declined, as the immunizing dose of DNP-OA used in the mice was progressively increased. The possible implications of these results with regard to our understanding of the IgE antibody response in atopic patients is discussed.

Effect of lung tissue on the inhibitory actions of isoprenaline, theophylline, disodium cromoglycate and PGE1 on antigen-induced mast cell degranulation

Isoprenaline, disodium cromoglycate and PGE1 poorly inhibit antigen-induced degranulation of sensitised rat peritoneal mast cells, but in the presence of chopped rat lung their inhibitory activities were markedly enhanced. The chopped lung preparation had no effect on degranulation in the absence of an inhibitor and did not enhance the weak inhibitory potency of theophylline. Lung tissue suspensions pretreated with isoprenaline released a factor into the supernatant which enhanced the action of isoprenaline on peritoneal mast cells. The activity of this supernatant factor was destroyed by boiling for 5 min. Supernatant fluid from untreated lung tissue did not itself reduced antigen-induced degranulation or enhance the inhibitory potency of isoprenaline.

The anti-anaphylactic actions of disodium cromoglycate, theophylline, isoprenaline and prostaglandins

Various drugs used in the treatment of either allergy or inflammation have been studied in the rat. Prausnitz-Küstner (PK) type reactions, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and peritoneal mast cell degranulation (MCD) were used as models of type I anaphylactic hypersensitivity. In the PK test, the rank order of potency of the drugs tested was isoprenaline > PGF_2α > disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) > indomethacin > theophylline. In the PCA test, the rank order was similar, although the difference between the potencies of DSCG and indomethacin was greater here than in the PK reaction. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP was inactive in both forms of cutaneous anaphylaxis. Noradrenaline, imidazole and propranolol induced MCD. Marked inhibition of phospholipase-A-induced degranulation occurred in the presence of DSCG, theophylline, indomethacin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, aspirin, propranolol and phentolamine. Isoprenaline and prostaglandins E_1; E₂ and A₁ all slightly inhibited MCD over a wide range of concentrations. Isoprenaline was synergistic with DSCG and theophylline in both PCA and MCD, and PGE₁ was synergistic with both DSCG and theophylline in MCD. However, there was no synergism between DSCG and theophylline or between isoprenaline and PGE₁. The role of cyclic AMP in allergic reactions of the rat is discussed as is the mode of action of DSCG.

Mast cell degranulation: a comparison of the inhibitory actions of disodium cromoglycate, drugs known to influence the level of intracellular cyclic nucleotide and diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP)

Rat peritoneal mast cells have been used to study further the effect of drugs on the calcium-independent and calcium-dependent stages of phospholipase-A-induced mast cell degranulation. Evidence is presented which suggests that disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and drugs known to raise the level of intracellular cyclic AMP block the degranulation process during, or after, the calcium-dependent step. The cyclic AMP active drugs and DSCG also potently inhibited calcium-independent compound 48/80-induced degranulation. In contrast diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), which potently inhibited antigen-induced mast cell degranulation, completely failed to inhibit either calcium-independent 48/80- or calcium-independent noradrenaline-induced degranulation. It is concluded that the DFP-sensitive step in the process of antigen-induced mast cell degranulation is independent of the cyclic nucleotide system and that the therapeutic effect of DSCG does not involve the DFP-sensitive step.

Anti-allergic actions of disodium cromoglycate and other drugs known to inhibit cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase

Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) inhibited rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation induced by anti-rat serum, noradrenaline, imidazole, phospholipase-A, and antigen. Antigen-induced degranulation was also inhibited by theophylline, isoprenaline, and dibutyryl cAMP, whereas ATP-induced degranulation was inhibited by indomethacin but not by DSCG or drugs known to influence the level of intra-cellular cyclic AMP. The inhibition by DSCG of compound 48/80-induced degranulation was shown to be independent of calcium ions. DSCG, isoprenaline, and prostaglandin E₁ inhibited the calcium-independent activation stage of phospholipase-A-induced degranulation rather than the calcium-dependent granule extrusion stage. Theophylline-like drugs and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, on the other hand, inhibited degranulation when present in either first or second stage. The rate of development of tolerance to DSCG was also studied and found to be increased by addition of isoprenaline but decreased by addition of theophylline. These results are discussed in terms of the inhibitory activity of DSCG and theophylline-like drugs on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.