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IntroductionProlonged and repeated exercise performed during an ultra-endurance event can induce general and cardiac fatigue known as exercise-induced cardiac fatigue. Our objective was to find a possible correlation between the cardiac function and the autonomic cardiac function.MethodsDuring a multistage ultra-endurance event, a female well-trained cyclist underwent daily rest echocardiography and heart rate variability measurements to assess the cardiac function and the cardiac autonomic function.ResultsThe athlete completed 3,345 km at 65% of her maximum heart rate and 39% of her maximum aerobic power. A progressive improvement of the systolic function for both the left ventricle and the right ventricle was observed during the event.DiscussionAlterations were observed on the cardiac autonomic function with an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic, but there was no sign of a significant correlation between the cardiac function and the autonomic cardiac function and no signs of cardiac fatigue either. Further analysis should be performed on a larger sample to confirm the obtained results.

Introduction: Prolonged and repeated exercise performed during an ultraendurance event can induce general and cardiac fatigue known as exerciseinduced cardiac fatigue. Our objective was to find a possible correlation between the cardiac function and the autonomic cardiac function. Methods: During a multistage ultra-endurance event, a female well-trained cyclist underwent daily rest echocardiography and heart rate variability measurements to assess the cardiac function and the cardiac autonomic function. Results: The athlete completed 3,345 km at 65% of her maximum heart rate and 39% of her maximum aerobic power. A progressive improvement of the systolic function for both the left ventricle and the right ventricle was observed during the event. Discussion: Alterations were observed on the cardiac autonomic function with an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic, but there was no sign of a significant correlation between the cardiac function and the autonomic cardiac function and no signs of cardiac fatigue either. Further analysis should be performed on a larger sample to confirm the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeEffects of intense and/or prolonged exercise have been studied extensively in male athletes. Nevertheless, data are scare on the effect of long duration events on cardiac function in female athletes. Our aim was to investigate the effect of a long-lasting moderate-intensity stage cycling event on cardiac function of young female athletes.MethodsSeven well-trained female cyclists were included. They completed a cycling event of 3529 km on 23 days. All underwent an echocardiography on 6 time-points (baseline and at the arrival of day (D) 3, 7, 12, 13 and 23). Cardiac function was assessed by conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking techniques. Daily exercise load was determined by heart rate (HR), power output and rate of perceived exertion data (RPE, Borg scale).ResultsAll stages were mainly done at moderate intensity (average HR: 65% of maximal, average aerobic power output: 36% of maximal, average RPE: 4). Resting HR measured at the time of echocardiography did not vary during the event. Resting cardiac dimensions did not significantly change during the 23 days of cycling. No significant modification of cardiac function, whatever the studied cavity, were observed all along the event.ConclusionThe results suggest that, in the context of our case study, the long-lasting moderate-intensity stage cycling event was not associated with cardiac function alteration. Nevertheless, we must be careful in interpreting them due to the limits of an underpowered study.

Background: Echocardiographic signs of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF) have been described after strenuous endurance exercise. Nevertheless, few data are available on the effects of repeated strenuous exercise, especially when associated with other constraints as sleep deprivation or mental stress which occur during military selection boot camps. Furthermore, we aimed to study the influence of experience and training level on potential EICF signs.Methods: Two groups of trained soldiers were included, elite soldiers from the French Navy Special Forces (elite; n = 20) and non-elite officer cadets from a French military academy (non-elite; n = 38). All underwent echocardiography before and immediately after exposure to several days of uninterrupted intense exercise during their selection boot camps. Changes in myocardial morphology and function of the 4 cardiac chambers were assessed.Results: Exercise-induced decrease in right and left atrial and ventricular functions were demonstrated with 2D-strain parameters in both groups. Indeed, both atrial reservoir strain, RV and LV longitudinal strain and LV global constructive work were altered. Increase in LV mechanical dispersion assessed by 2D-strain and alteration of conventional parameters of diastolic function (increase in E/e' and decrease in e') were solely observed in the non-elite group. Conventional parameters of LV and RV systolic function (LVEF, RVFAC, TAPSE, s mitral, and tricuspid waves) were not modified.Conclusions: Alterations of myocardial functions are observed in soldiers after uninterrupted prolonged intense exercise performed during selection boot camps. These alterations occur both in elite and non-elite soldiers. 2D-strain is more sensitive to detect EICF than conventional echocardiographic parameters.

This study aims to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of a direct resin composite to CAD-CAM resin composite blocks treated with different surface treatments: micromechanical, chemical or a combination of both. Eight CAD-CAM resin composite blocks, namely Brilliant Crios, Cerasmart 270, Vita Enamic, Grandio block, Katana Avencia, Lava Ultimate, Tetric CAD and Shofu Block HC were chosen. The micromechanical surface treatment protocols tested were hydrofluoric acid, polyacrylic acid or sandblasting, and the chemical one was a universal primer. These treated CAD-CAM blocks were tested to determine the SBS of a light-curing composite resin Z100 bonded to their surface. Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was used to investigate the difference in SBS. Failures were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test. Bonding interfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The micromechanical surface treatments give the highest SBS values: sandblasting appears to be the most efficient procedure for dispersed filler composite blocks, while hydrofluoric acid etching is preferable for polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) blocks. The use of universal primer does not improve SBS values on dispersed filler composite blocks. For PICN blocks, the use of universal primer significantly increases SBS values when combined with hydrofluoric acid etching.

This document is a corrigendum for an article titled "Cardiac function and autonomic cardiac function during a multi-stage cycling event: a brief report." The corrigendum addresses an error in the affiliations for one of the authors, Lucien Robinault. The correct affiliation should be "Independent Researcher, Auckland, New Zealand" instead of the previously stated affiliations. The authors apologize for the error and clarify that it does not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. The corrigendum also includes a note from the publisher stating that the views expressed in the article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their affiliated organizations or the publisher. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Effects of intense and/or prolonged exercise have been studied extensively in male athletes. Nevertheless, data are scare on the effect of long duration events on cardiac function in female athletes. Our aim was to investigate the effect of a long-lasting moderate-intensity stage cycling event on cardiac function of young female athletes. Methods: Seven well-trained female cyclists were included. They completed a cycling event of 3529 km on 23 days. All underwent an echocardiography on 6 time-points (baseline and at the arrival of day (D) 3, 7, 12, 13 and 23). Cardiac function was assessed by conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking techniques. Daily exercise load was determined by heart rate (HR), power output and rate of perceived exertion data (RPE, Borg scale). Results: All stages were mainly done at moderate intensity (average HR: 65% of maximal, average aerobic power output: 36% of maximal, average RPE: 4). Resting HR measured at the time of echocardiography did not vary during the event. Resting cardiac dimensions did not significantly change during the 23 days of cycling. No significant modification of cardiac function, whatever the studied cavity, were observed all along the event. Conclusion: The results suggest that, in the context of our case study, the long-lasting moderate-intensity stage cycling event was not associated with cardiac function alteration. Nevertheless, we must be careful in interpreting them due to the limits of an underpowered study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of a direct resin composite to CAD-CAM resin composite blocks treated with different surface treatments: micromechanical, chemical or a combination of both. Eight CAD-CAM resin composite blocks, namely Brilliant Crios, Cerasmart 270, Vita Enamic, Grandio block, Katana Avencia, Lava Ultimate, Tetric CAD and Shofu Block HC were chosen. The micromechanical surface treatment protocols tested were hydrofluoric acid, polyacrylic acid or sandblasting, and the chemical one was a universal primer. These treated CAD-CAM blocks were tested to determine the SBS of a light-curing composite resin Z100 bonded to their surface. Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used to investigate the difference in SBS. Failures were analyzed by Fisher's exact test. Bonding interfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The micromechanical surface treatments give the highest SBS values: sandblasting appears to be the most efficient procedure for dispersed filler composite blocks, while hydrofluoric acid etching is preferable for polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) blocks. The use of universal primer does not improve SBS values on dispersed filler composite blocks. For PICN blocks, the use of universal primer significantly increases SBS values when combined with hydrofluoric acid etching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Areas endemic for Plasmodium falciparum, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) overlap in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. HBV and HCV infections develop in the liver, where takes place the first development stage of P. falciparum before its further spread in blood. The complex mechanisms involved in the development of hepatitis may potentially influence the development of the liver stage of malaria parasites. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these interactions could provide new pathophysiological insights for treatment strategies in Malaria. METHODOLOGY: We studied a cohort of 319 individuals living in a village where the three infections are prevalent. The patients were initially given a curative antimalarial treatment and were then monitored for the emergence of asexual P. falciparum forms in blood, fortnightly for one year, by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: At inclusion, 65 (20.4%) subjects had detectable malaria parasites in blood, 36 (11.3%) were HBV chronic carriers, and 61 (18.9%) were HCV chronic carriers. During follow-up, asexual P. falciparum forms were detected in the blood of 203 patients. The median time to P. falciparum emergence in blood was respectively 140 and 120 days in HBV- and HBV+ individuals, and 135 and 224 days in HCV- and HCV+ individuals. HCV carriage was associated with delayed emergence of asexual P. falciparum forms in blood relative to patients without HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study represents first tentative evidence of a potential epidemiological interaction between HBV, HCV and P. falciparum infections. Age is an important confounding factor in this setting however multivariate analysis points to an interaction between P. falciparum and HCV at the hepatic level with a slower emergence of P. falciparum in HCV chronic carriers. More in depth analysis are necessary to unravel the basis of hepatic interactions between these two pathogens, which could help in identifying new therapeutic approaches against malaria.

Background: Areas endemic for Plasmodium falciparum, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) overlap in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. HBV and HCV infections develop in the liver, where takes place the first development stage of P. falciparum before its further spread in blood. The complex mechanisms involved in the development of hepatitis may potentially influence the development of the liver stage of malaria parasites. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these interactions could provide new pathophysiological insights for treatment strategies in Malaria. Methodology: We studied a cohort of 319 individuals living in a village where the three infections are prevalent. The patients were initially given a curative antimalarial treatment and were then monitored for the emergence of asexual P. falciparum forms in blood, fortnightly for one year, by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Principal Findings: At inclusion, 65 (20.4%) subjects had detectable malaria parasites in blood, 36 (11.3%) were HBV chronic carriers, and 61 (18.9%) were HCV chronic carriers. During follow-up, asexual P. falciparum forms were detected in the blood of 203 patients. The median time to P. falciparum emergence in blood was respectively 140 and 120 days in HBV- and HBV+ individuals, and 135 and 224 days in HCV- and HCV+ individuals. HCV carriage was associated with delayed emergence of asexual P. falciparum forms in blood relative to patients without HCV infection. Conclusions: This pilot study represents first tentative evidence of a potential epidemiological interaction between HBV, HCV and P. falciparum infections. Age is an important confounding factor in this setting however multivariate analysis points to an interaction between P. falciparum and HCV at the hepatic level with a slower emergence of P. falciparum in HCV chronic carriers. More in depth analysis are necessary to unravel the basis of hepatic interactions between these two pathogens, which could help in identifying new therapeutic approaches against malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-two cases of human central nervous tumor and one experimental glioma were studied in fixed paraffin or epon embedded tissues using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The present study confirms the usefulness of immunohistochemical methods for the diagnostic evaluation of neuro-epithelial neoplasms. The authors also include some prognostic and histogenetic comments about glial tumors.

Extraneural metastases of central nervous system tumours are very rare (248 of histologically proven examples in the literature). They are mainly in adult males and in the following descending order of frequency: gliomas (39.5%), meningeal tumours and sarcomas (28.2%), neuronal tumours (14.1%), lymphomas-microgliomas (12.5%), pineal tumours (4%) and melanomas (1.6%); 10 cases out of 248 developed through a shunt. 19 were observed without any surgical operation. There are still many uncertainties about their pathogenesis. It seems however that in some tumours the increased survival time and the repetition of the craniotomy favorises the metastasis.

The presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) was tested in biopsy or autopsy specimens of 207 human central nervous system tumors. Samples were fixed, paraffin-embedded and GFA was detected using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The second part of this study dealt mainly with medulloblastomas and hemangioblastomas. Of the 17 cerebellar medulloblastomas, 15 contained less than 5% GFA positive cells. These were classified according to the Mannoji et al., 1981, criteria. Ten medulloblastomas contained type 1, 2 and 3 cells; 1 was composed of only type 1 cells, and 4 were composed of only type 3 cells. Of the 8 cerebellar or medullary hemangioblastomas, 3 contained only a few GFA positive cells which were, in two cases stroma cells and in another, astrocytes. GFA positive cells were found in 7 oligoastrocytomas, 3 gangliogliomas and 1 hamartoma of the hypothalamus. Similarly, a GFA positive astrocytic differentiation was found in a pineocytoma. In a case of tuberous sclerosis no GFA was found in the giant cells of cortical tubers. Nor was GFA observed in one intracerebral tumor of tuberous sclerosis. GFA was not found in 5 meningiomas, 4 oligodendrogliomas, 4 pituitary adenomas, 3 neurinomas of the VIII cranial nerve, 1 primary cerebellar malignant lymphoma, 1 familial lymphohistiocytosis with cerebellar involvement and 4 brain metastases. The authors also include diagnostic, histogenetic and nosological comments -about neuroglial tumors. The findings in the two parts of this study fail to establish a correlation between GFA positivity and histological grade of astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

The presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) was tested in biopsy or autopsy specimens of 207 human central tumors. Samples were fixed, paraffin-embedded and GFA was detected using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technic. The first part of this study dealt mainly with glioblastomas (36 cases) and astrocytomas (87 cases). Tumors were classified in three categories according to their histological grade: 24 astrocytomas grade I and II, 63 astrocytomas grade III and IV and 36 glioblastomas (grade IV). For each of these tumors GFA positive cells were counted in 5 different fields using objectives of 2,5, 10 and 25. The results were as follows: less than 50% GFA positive cells were found in 22 out of 24 low grade astrocytomas, 49 out of 63 high grade astrocytomas and 32 out of 36 glioblastomas. Conversely, over 50% GFA positivity was found in 2 benign astrocytomas, 14 malignant astrocytomas and 4 glioblastomas. In 3 high grade tumors (2 astrocytomas, 1 glioblastoma) GFA positivity was found to be over 75%. Of the 17 ependymomas, 14 were GFA positive; however, no correlation could be established between the degree of GFA positivity and histological grade. The three papillomas of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles found in children were GFA negative. In adults, a GFA positive focus of ependymal differentiation was found in a papilloma of the choroid plexus in the posterior cerebral fossa.

A 49-year old man developed myositis of the left masticatory muscles followed by myositis of the right supinator longus; these two lesions were histologically confirmed. Blood and bone marrow eosinophilia was present. Cure was obtained with systemic corticosteroids. Only one similar case was found in the literature. These cases differ from the various localized or focal forms of myositis as well as from eosinophilic polymyositis. Despite some similarities with masseteric myopathies in animals, no hypothesis can be formulated concerning the cause of the disease.

An osteomusculocutaneous flap using the clavicle, and pedunculated on the sternocleidomastoid muscle, was used in two patients to repair loss of post-radicular mucosa and bone substance. Healing of mucosa and bone consolidation was obtained with evidence of production of bone callus on radiography. The hypothesis advanced to explain this reconstruction of necrosed mandible is the presence of the new vascular supply.

The authors relate five cases of primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder that occurred between 1977 and 1983. Four tumours were located in the base and the lateral sides of the bladder, while the fifth was in the dome. Four tumours out of five were invading when diagnosis was done and were cured by a wide surgical cutting-away; the fifth which was a superficial one, was stopped by endoscopic resection. Bladder primary adenocarcinoma represent less than two percent of the whole epithelial tumours of this organ. They can be found under two specific topographic aspects: the first one, located in the dome or in the anterior wall is considered as a tumour of urachus, the second one, usually located in the trigonal and peri-trigonal area is considered as a vesical adenocarcinoma proper. The histogenesis of these lesions quite probably lies in a mechanism of vesical urothelium metaplasia under the influence of mechanical and infectious factors. Most of these tumours are isolated and invading when they are found out. One might distinguish adenocarcinomas similar to those of the gut, from urothelial carcinomas where the metaplastic glandular features are predominant. Clinically, glandular tumours hardly differ from the usual urothelial invading carcinoma except by a mucus secretion in the bladder that is, however quite unusual. Prognosis of such lesions is bad but a little better in urachus carcinoma cases. The treatment is surgical and involves a wide cutting-away, the extent of which can be discussed for urachus tumors. The impact of radiotherapy and chemotherapy upon them has still to be proved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The preferred composite flap is the musculocutaneous flap from pectoralis major for repair of loss of mucocutaneous substance due to cancer or injury. In rare indications the musculocutaneous flap from sternocleidomastoid muscle is used. When loss of bone substance combined with a cutaneous or mucosal defect has to be corrected use is made of the bone-muscle-skin flap from pectoralis major to include the 5th rib, or the bone-muscle-skin flap from sternocleidomastoid to include internal portion of clavicle. Reliability on use of these two flaps has led to their application in surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis. In addition to allowing repair of bone continuity, the vascular and cellular capacities of the flap provide colonization and rehabilitation of the borders of lost substance with live tissue, as shown by subsequent bone remodelling. Results of statistical analysis of 50 cases are presented.

Radiography in a patient with this syndrome showed marked lesions in the condylar head. Histology after condylectomy showed alterations throughout the condyle with associated arthrosic and osteonecrotic lesions. Possible relations between the two processes are discussed, the extensive nature of the necrosis suggesting that this is the initial lesion.

Conventional treatment of osteoradionecrosis of mandible is by antibiotics combined if necessary with a hemimandibulectomy. A method is proposed which reduces bone excision to infected and necrotic tissue while respecting mandibular continuity. The bone remaining is covered by a flap taken from a distant region. Five cases treated in this way are reported. When mandibular continuity has to be interrupted to suppress infected foci, immediate repair is performed using an osteo-musculo-cutaneous flap, and six cases treated by this method are reported. A part from their mechanical covering and reconstructing roles these well vascularized flaps improve vitality of tissues they enclose, including the mandibular bone.

The authors report a clinical and pathological case of carcinoïd heart disease in a 70-years old man. The primary carcinoïd tumor was ileal with both hepatic and neighbouring lymph node metastases. The clinical history was dominated by a typical carcinoïd syndrom biologically confirmed and accompanied by a tricuspid insufficiency. An autopsy permitted to described with precision the topography and extent of the cardiac affection. The originality of this work is due to the ultrastructural study which has rarely been done. This study permitted us to make some clinical histopathological, histogenetic and pathogenetic comments.