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Strategies for doping prevention are based on prior identification of opportunities for intervention. There is no current research focusing on the potential role in doping prevention, which might be played by the parents of junior elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes toward doping among parents of Austrian junior athletes and to analyze factors potentially influencing these beliefs. In this study, two questionnaires were distributed to 1818 student athletes, each with instructions that these surveys were to be completed by their parents (ntotal = 3636). Parents filled in questionnaires at home without observation. Responses from 883 parents were included in this analysis. Compared to female parents, male parents demonstrated significantly better knowledge about doping and its side effects and were more likely to be influenced by their own sporting careers and amounts of sports activities per week. Parental sex did not demonstrate a significant influence on responses reflecting attitudes toward doping. Additional research is needed to compare these results with young athletes' knowledge and attitudes to determine if and to what degree parental attitudes and beliefs influence the behavior and attitudes of their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Personnel working in operating theatres and recovery rooms are exposed to a variety of noxious substances. The results of studies of the effects of occupational exposure on immune parameters are conflicting. Neopterin is an acknowledged marker of immunostimulation. Urinary neopterin levels of 58 anaesthetists and anaesthetic nurses were measured over a 3-week period. Neopterin analyses were performed using high performance liquid chromatography. Neopterin levels were within the normal range for all subjects. Younger subjects (aged ≤ 35 years) had significantly higher urinary neopterin concentrations than older subjects (aged > 35 years). The present study is the first to investigate the influence of anaesthetic exposure on neopterin levels. No evidence of immunostimulation was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tachyarrhythmias (TA) represent a frequent and serious problem after cardiac surgery. We retrospectively analyzed 987 cardiac surgery patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit between 1996 and 1999 to assess incidence and risk factors associated with development of postoperative TA in the intensive care unit.Methods: TA (n=149) were defined as non-sinus rhythm with a heart rate (HR) > or =100 bpm in patients with preoperative sinus rhythm or as heart rate > or =130 bpm in patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation. A total of 787 patients served as controls (C). Demographic, premorbidity and perioperative data, admission SAPS and MODS-score, presence of clinical syndromes systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis were univariately compared between groups. For prediction of independent risk factors for TA-development two multiple logistic regression models were finally established.Results: Concerning TA, atrial fibrillation and flutter (76%) were observed most frequently, followed by paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (15%) and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (11%). Age, a history or presence of congestive heart failure, development of SIRS and sepsis, severity of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and in particular severity of cardiovascular failure proved to be independent risk factors for development of TA.Conclusion: In cardiac surgery patients, age, a history or presence of congestive heart failure, postoperative development of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis and the severity of multiple organ function syndrome were independent predictors for development of TA in the intensive care unit. The association of severity of cardiovascular dysfunction with TA strongly suggests a causal relationship between catecholamine therapy and TA-development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with acute respiratory failure due to alveolar haemorrhage associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in a 42-year-old woman with a medical history of antinuclear antibody-negative systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. Severe respiratory failure, circulatory shock and acute renal failure necessitated artificial ventilation, inotropic and vasopressor therapy, and continuous venovenous haemofiltration. A tentative diagnosis of haemorrhagic lupus pneumonitis or pulmonary manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome was made. Lupus anticoagulant, IgG anticardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies were positive. High-dose glucocorticoid, anticoagulation with heparin, plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide improved her clinical condition. Despite this, the patient died several days later of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage. This case illustrates the uncommon manifestation of acute respiratory failure associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]