Effects of estrogen deprivation on human benign prostatic hyperplasia

Sex steroids are thought to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Since recent studies in animal models and in men have shown that estrogens might be causally linked to the onset and maintenance of BPH, we examined the effect of 1-methyl-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (Atamestane), a newly developed aromatase inhibitor, in men with BPH. In an open multicenter study 49 men (mean age 70.1 years, range 55 to 84) with obstructive BPH were treated with atamestane (3 × 200 mg/day) for 3 months. Of the 49 patients 44 completed the treatment period; the other patients discontinued the study for reasons unrelated to treatment. With treatment BPH-related symptoms such as daytime voiding frequency, nycturia, peak flow and residual urine improved considerably; however, these parameters did not reach statistical significance. The mean prostatic volume decreased significantly from 74.2 ± 31.7 to 64.0 ± 31 ml (mean ± SD). Serum estrogen levels decreased markedly during treatment. In addition intraprostatic estrogen concentration decreased with treatment as compared to estrogen levels in hyperplastic prostates from untreated patients. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: first, estrogens appear to have an important supportive role in established BPH, and second, estrogen deprivation improved BPH-related symptoms and reduced significantly prostatic volume.     

经尿道等离子前列腺剜除术与经尿道前列腺电切术治疗良性前列腺增生症的临床疗效对比研究

摘要 目的：对比经尿道等离子前列腺剜除术（TUKEP）与经尿道前列腺电切术（TURP）治疗良性前列腺增生症（BPH）的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析我院2018年1月1日至2021年3月17日期间收治的200例BPH患者的临床资料。根据手术方式的不同将患者分为A组（n=83）和B组（n=117）,A组手术方式为TURP,B组手术方式为TUKEP,比较两组围术期指标,随访6个月,对比两组性功能、尿流动力学变化及并发症发生情况。结果：B组手术时间、术中出血量、尿管留置时间、住院时间、术后冲洗时间短于A组（P<0.05）。术后6个月,两组患者的最大尿流速（Qmax）、膀胱顺应性（BC）升高,剩余尿量（PVR）降低（P<0.05）,且B组患者的Qmax、BC高于A组,PVR低于A组（P<0.05）。术后6个月,两组患者的勃起功能评分表（IIEF-5）、射精功能评分表（CIPE-5）评分降低（P<0.05）,但B组、A组IIEF-5、CIPE-5评分组间对比无明显统计学差异（P>0.05）。B组的并发症发生率小于A组（P<0.05）。结论：TUKEP、TURP治疗BPH,疗效相当,TUKEP在缩短手术时间、尿管留置时间、术后冲洗时间、住院时间,降低术中出血量,减少并发症发生率,改善尿流动力学方面更有优势。     

Attainment of puberty in female pigs: Influence of boar stimulation

The object of the present study was to investigate whether the presence of a boar is of importance for the age at puberty and the expression of external heat symptoms in female pigs. Altogether 60 crossbred gilts were purchased at an age of 12 weeks and grouped, three or four per pen, in three separate barns (treatment groups A, B and C). Treatment group A: Boars were kept in adjacent pens to the gilts during the whole period. One vasectomized boar was penned with the gilts daily for 20 min during the experimental period, which started at a mean age of 142 days. Treatment group B: Boars were kept in adjacent pens to the gilts during the whole period. Treatment group C: No boars were kept in the barn at any time.The study was performed six times. Daily heat control was carried out during the experimental period, which was terminated when the gilts had passed at least two oestrous cycles. Blood samples for progesterone analysis were taken once a week. Laparoscopy was performed in all gilts after their first observed heat. The gilts were slaughtered after their third or fourth heat. The effects of treatment group were estimated by the method of least squares analysis.All gilts except one showed external heat symptoms at regular intervals during the experimental period. A few gilts did not stand for the boar at each oestrous period, regardless of oestrous number. Gilts belonging to group A showed their first oestrus on average 20 days earlier than gilts in group B and 35 days earlier than gilts in group C. These differences were highly significant (P < 0.001). The stimulatory effect of the boar on the age at puberty varied between the six experimental groups and the interaction between treatment and experimental groups was significant (P < 0.01).     

妊娠期缺铁性贫血的影响因素及琥珀酸亚铁片的治疗效果研究

摘要 目的：研究妊娠期缺铁性贫血（IDA）的影响因素及琥珀酸亚铁片的治疗效果。方法：选取2017年5月~2019年6月期间我院收治的妊娠期IDA患者156例作为贫血组,选取同期于我院体检的健康妊娠期志愿者100例作为非贫血组。采用抽签法将贫血组患者分为对照组（常规治疗）和研究组（常规治疗基础上给予琥珀酸亚铁片治疗）,各78例,均治疗8周。对比贫血组各亚组患者的疗效、血象指标、铁代谢指标及不良反应发生情况。采用Logistic回归分析妊娠期IDA的影响因素。结果：治疗8周后,研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,研究组的平均血红蛋白量（MCH）、血红蛋白（Hb）、平均红细胞体积（MCV）高于对照组,红细胞体积分布宽度（RDW）低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗8周后,研究组的血清铁蛋白（SF）、血清铁（SI）高于对照组,血清转铁蛋白受体（sTFR）、总铁结合力（TIBC）低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组的不良反应发生率对比无统计学差异（P>0.05）。单因素分析发现,妊娠期IDA发病与年龄、文化程度、家庭月收入、是否存在不良饮食习惯、是否有慢性胃肠道疾病史、月经初潮年龄、初次性交年龄、初次妊娠年龄、人工流产次数、产次有关（P<0.05）,而与体质量指数无关（P>0.05）。Logistic 回归分析结果显示,年龄>30岁、文化程度为初中及以下、存在不良饮食习惯、伴有慢性胃肠道疾病史、月经初潮年龄<13岁、初次妊娠年龄<18岁、人工流产次数>3次是妊娠期 IDA发病的独立危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：引起妊娠期IDA发病的影响因素较多,应针对这些因素进行干预,以降低妊娠期 IDA 的发生率。琥珀酸亚铁片治疗妊娠期IDA,可有效调节铁代谢,改善红细胞形态,缓解贫血症状,且不增加不良反应发生率。     

剥离式经尿道前列腺电切术对前列腺增生症患者性功能、尿流动力学及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨剥离式经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)对前列腺增生症(BPH)患者性功能、尿流动力学及生活质量的影响。方法:回顾性分析我院2016年1月~2019年2月期间收治的267例BPH患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同分为A组(n=130,TURP术)和B组(n=137,剥离式TURP术),对比两组患者围术期指标、性功能、尿流动力学、生活质量及并发症发生情况。结果:两组手术时间比较无差异(P>0.05),B组膀胱冲洗时间、拔除导尿管时间、术后住院时间短于A组,术中出血量少于A组,切除组织重量多于A组(P<0.05)。两组术后6个月国际勃起功能指数-5(IIEF-5)各项评分、生活质量评分(SF-36)各维度评分均改善,且B组优于A组(P<0.05)。两组患者术后6个月最大尿流(Qmax)升高,且B组高于A组(P<0.05);膀胱残余尿量(RU)降低,且B组低于A组(P<0.05)。B组术后并发症发生率低于A组(P<0.05)。结论:与TURP术式相比,BPH患者应用剥离式TURP可获得更好的治疗效果,在性功能、尿流动力学、生活质量等方面的改善效果确切,并发症较少。     

Nosocomial infection due to Trichosporon asahii: clinical revision of 22 cases

Twenty two cases of nosocomial infection caused by Trichosporon asahii, detected during a period of six years (1999-2005) is described. The patients were predominantly males with an average age of 47.3 years-old. The predominant diseases in the study group were respiratory insufficiency, cancer, diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, cirrhosis and AIDS. The main predisposing conditions were antibiotic therapy, mechanical ventilation, urethral catheterization, catheter, corticoids, transplant, immunosuppressive therapy, chemotherapy, granulocytopenia, surgical procedures and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The most used antifungal drugs were fluconazole and amphotericin B. In some cases several antifungals were administered. Five patients did not receive antifungal treatment, and one patient received granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Nine patients showed clinical improvement, nine died and the progress of four patients is unknown. T. asahii is an emergent pathogen in patients with immunodeficiency and its presence in these type hosts can not be considered colonization, as there is an important risk of invasive infection. So, in susceptible patients to develop trichosporonosis it is advisable to take into consideration this disease especially in intensive clinical care units.     

Estrogen and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor accelerate the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia by inducing prostatic fibrosis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common and progressive urological disease in elderly men worldwide. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the speed of disease progression varies among individuals, while the pathophysiological mechanisms of accelerated clinical progression in some BPH patients remain to be elucidated. In this study, we defined patients with BPH as belonging to the accelerated progressive group (transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] surgery at ≤50 years old), normal-speed progressive group (TURP surgery at ≥70 years old), or non-progressive group (age ≤50 years old without BPH-related surgery). We enrolled prostate specimens from the three groups of patients and compared these tissues to determine the histopathological characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying BPH patients with accelerated progression. We found that the main histopathological characteristics of accelerated progressive BPH tissues were increased stromal components and prostatic fibrosis, which were accompanied by higher myofibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition. Mechanism dissection demonstrated that these accelerated progressive BPH tissues have higher expression of the CYP19 and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) with higher estrogen biosynthesis. Estrogen functions via GPER/Gαi signaling to modulate the EGFR/ERK and HIF-1α/TGF-β1 signaling to increase prostatic stromal cell proliferation and prostatic stromal fibrosis. The increased stromal components and prostatic fibrosis may accelerate the clinical progression of BPH. Targeting this newly identified CYP19/estrogen/GPER/Gαi signaling axis may facilitate the development of novel personalized therapeutics to better suppress the progression of BPH.Subject terms: Urogenital reproductive disorders, Prostatic diseases, Preclinical research, Endocrine reproductive disorders     

The Effect of Recombinant Human Iduronate-2-Sulfatase (Idursulfase) on Growth in Young Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II; Hunter syndrome) is an X-linked, recessive, lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase. Early bone involvement leads to decreased growth velocity and short stature in nearly all patients. Our analysis aimed to investigate the effects of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with idursulfase (Elaprase) on growth in young patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II. Analysis of longitudinal anthropometric data of MPS II patients (group 1, n = 13) who started ERT before 6 years of age (range from 3 months to 6 years, mean 3.6 years, median 4 years) was performed and then compared with retrospective analysis of data for MPS II patients naïve to ERT (group 2, n = 50). Patients in group 1 received intravenous idursulfase at a standard dose of 0.58 mg/kg weekly for 52–288 weeks. The course of average growth curve for group 1 was very similar to growth pattern in group 2. The average value of body height in subsequent years in group 1 was a little greater than in group 2, however, the difference was not statistically significant. In studied patients with MPS II, idursulfase did not appear to alter the growth patterns.     

Sertoli cell tumor causing prepubertal gynecomastia in a boy with peutz-jeghers syndrome: the outcome of 1-year treatment with the aromatase inhibitor testolactone

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare disorder characterized by benign intestinal hamartomatous polyps and mucocutaneous pigmentation, and with an increased risk for intestinal and extra-intestinal neoplasms. Sertoli cell tumors in boys with PJS have been increasingly recognized as a cause of prepubertal gynecomastia. However, an association between nephrocalcinosis and PJS has not been reported before. We report on a 7.25-year-old boy with PJS, bilateral gynecomastia, Sertoli cell tumor and nephrocalcinosis, and present the outcome of 1-year treatment with the aromatase inhibitor testolactone. The patient presented with bilateral breast and testis enlargement, and mucocutaneous pigmentation. Testicular ultrasound revealed parenchymal multiple microcalcifications. Histopathological examination was consistent with Sertoli cell tumors. Nephrocalcinosis due to idiopathic renal hypercalciuria was also detected. The aromatase inhibitor testolactone was begun in an attempt to prevent acceleration in skeletal maturation. One-year treatment with testolactone reduced the breast base diameter from 7 to 3 cm, and bone age advanced 1.2 years during this period. Our case demonstrates that waiting for the effect of aromatase inhibitors on gynecomastia before making a decision for mastectomy may be a reasonable option. We also consider that the association between PJS and nephrocalcinosis may be a coincidence.     

生物蛋白胶封堵合并宫颈环扎术治疗胎膜早破的疗效观察

目的:观察生物蛋白胶封堵合并宫颈环扎术治疗胎膜早破,对孕妇、胎儿及新生儿的影响,明确该技术治疗胎膜早破的疗效。方法:我院产科共收治妊娠<30周胎膜早破患者48例,采用生物蛋白胶封堵合并宫颈环扎术治疗胎膜早破,观察治疗后孕妇羊水指数,胎儿双顶径,新生儿出生时体重,及孕妇的副反应。结果:在本次封堵治疗过程中均一次封堵成功,没有不良反应发生,所有孕妇术后阴道流水情况均明显改善,其中有2例孕妇术后1周阴道流水停止。所有孕妇术后羊水漏出量均明显减少,B超检查显示羊水指数均在(6±2)cm,胎儿每周双顶径增长均达到(0.15±0.02)cm,延长孕周最短(5±2)w,10例早产,38例继续妊娠至37 w。新生儿出生时体重为(2000±260)g,无1例发生NRDS。同期没有进行宫颈内封堵仅行药物保胎治疗的10例孕妇,胎龄延长最长达到10 d,最短者24 h内出现早产分娩,早产儿平均体重1400 g,均发生NRDS,有2例放弃治疗,4例在NICU行治疗,最终因各种并发症死亡。48例行封堵治疗孕妇未发生过敏反应,无阴道出血及产后出血和感染等。结论:应用生物蛋白胶结合宫颈环扎术治疗胎膜早破,手术操作简单,可延长了孕周,提高了新生儿成活率,无不良反应,具有广泛的应用前景。     

Stimulation of healing of chronic wounds by epidermal growth factor.

We evaluated the effect of topical epidermal growth factor treatment on healing of chronic wounds in a prospective, open-label, crossover trial. Five males and four females who ranged in age from 40 to 72 years (average 57 +/- 9 years) were enrolled. Four patients had adult-onset diabetes mellitus, two had rheumatoid arthritis, two had old burn scars, and one had a failed abdominal incision. The average duration of the ulcers prior to treatment with epidermal growth factor was 12 +/- 5 months (range 1 to 48 months). Following failure of the wounds to heal with conventional therapies, including debridement, skin graphs, and vascular reconstruction, wounds were treated twice daily with Silvadene alone for periods ranging from 3 weeks to 6 months. No evidence of healing was observed in any of the patients' wounds during Silvadene treatment, and patients were crossed over to twice a day treatment with Silvadene containing 10 micrograms epidermal growth factor per gram. Wounds of eight patients healed completely with epidermal growth factor-Silvadene treatment in an average of 34 +/- 26 days (mean +/- SD, range 12 to 92 days) and did not reoccur for periods ranging from 1 to 4 years. One patient failed therapy. These results suggest that topical treatment of chronic wounds with epidermal growth factor may stimulate healing.     

Detraining in the older adult: effects of prior training intensity on strength retention

In this study, we assessed the influence of training intensity on strength retention and loss incurred during detraining in older adults. In a previous study, untrained seniors (age = 71.0 +/- 5.0; n = 61) were randomly divided into 3 exercise groups and 1 control group. Exercise groups trained 2 days per week for 18 weeks with equivalent volumes and acute program variables but intensities of 2 x 15 repetitions maximum (RM), 3 x 9RM, or 4 x 6RM. Thirty of the original training subjects (age 71.5 +/- 5.2 years) participated in a 20-week detraining period. A 1RM for 8 exercises was obtained pre- and posttraining and at 6 and 20 weeks of detraining. The total of 1RM for the 8 exercises served as the dependent variable. Analysis of variance procedures demonstrated significant increases in strength with training (44-51%; p < 0.05), but no group effect. All training groups demonstrated significant strength decreases at both 6 and 20 weeks of detraining independent of prior training intensity (all group average 4.5% at 6 weeks and 13.5% at 20 weeks; p < 0.04). However, total-body strength was significantly greater than pretraining values after the detraining period (all group average 82% at 6 weeks and 49% at 20 weeks; p < 0.001). The results suggest that when older adults participate in progressive resistance exercise for 18 weeks, then stop resistance training (i.e., detrain), strength losses occur at both 6 and 20 weeks of detraining independent of prior resistance training intensity. However, despite the strength losses, significant levels of strength are retained even after 20 weeks of detraining. The results have important implications for resistance-trained older adults who could undergo planned or unplanned training interruptions of up to 5 months.     

Reduction of C-peptide secretion in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients with long duration of insulin treatment

We examined the responses of serum free C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) during a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on diabetic patients undergoing different kinds and durations of treatment. None of the patients were ketosis-prone or had any history of nephropathy and they all developed diabetes when over the age of 30. The sigma serum free CPR (the sum of serum free CPR values during OGTT) of group A (duration of insulin treatment was less than 5 years, N = 10) was found to be higher than that of group B (duration of insulin treatment was 5 years or more, N = 10) (p less than 0.005). On the other hand, the sigma serum free CPR of group C (treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent for less than 5 years, N = 9) was not statistically different from that of group D (treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent for 5 years or more, N = 11). There were no statistical differences between group A and group B in age at onset, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose, relative body weight index, serum creatinine or sigma BG (the sum of blood glucose values during OGTT). Just before the start of insulin treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the following: 1. fasting blood glucose values (all 10 patients measured in group A and 9 patients in group B) 2. blood glucose and plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) responses (7 patients measured in group A and 6 in group B). Among those with plasma IRI measured on the previous occasion, sigma serum free CPR was found to be higher in group A than in group B (p less than 0.025) at the time of the present study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

GH assessment and three years' hGH therapy in girls with Turner syndrome.

Fifteen girls with Turner syndrome (TS) were submitted to GH secretion assessment before undergoing hGH therapy. In the first 9 months, hGH was given at a dose of 0.5 IU/kg/week s.c. daily; afterward, the dose was increased to 1 IU/kg/week s.c. daily. The girls were prepubertal, with a mean (SD) chronological age (CA) of 12.5 (2.6) years, and a mean (SD) bone age of 10.5 (1.8) years. A clonidine stimulation test, 1-29 GHRH test and GH spontaneous nocturnal secretion assessment were performed in all patients. Results showed a variable pattern of GH secretion in 10 patients, in only 2 did we find all values definitely normal, and in 3 we found a total GH deficiency. Height velocity, expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) for CA according to Turner references, during the first year of treatment increased significantly: 0.36 (1.15) -3.30 (2.87) (p < 0.001), and the increment remained quite unchanged during both the second and third years: 3.16 (2.96) and 2.55 (3.87), respectively (n.s.). Height, expressed in SDS for CA for Turner references, increased significantly throughout the whole period of treatment and reached the highest value at the end of the third year of therapy. GH secretion parameters poorly correlated with pretreatment auxological data or response to treatment. Our long-term study confirms that in TS GH measurement is not useful in indicating hGH therapy or in predicting the response.     

Thumb reconstruction in children through metacarpal lengthening

In 7 children, aged 10 to 14 years, we did thumb reconstructions by a gradual lengthening of the first metacarpal. In all cases, spontaneous bone consolidation occurred between the distracted fragments. The average period of treatment was 4 months, and a mean metacarpal elongation of 88% was achieved. The quality of the skin sensitivity in the amputation stump was preserved after the lengthening.     

Androgen therapy in constitutional delay of growth

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Two modalities of androgen therapy prevail in the treatment of constitutional delay of growth (CDG): monthly injections of testosterone or daily tablets of the non-aromatizable oxandrolone. The present study was undertaken to prospectively compare both compounds and dose. METHODS: Thirty patients with CDG were the subjects of this study. The protocol required that they all be at age 12-14 years with a bone age delay of more than 2 'years', height less than -2 SDS and growth velocity less than -0.5 SDS. The subjects were at a Tanner stage 1 or 2 and testicular volume were no larger than 4 ml. They were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups: group 1 patients received monthly injections of 25 mg testosterone propionate-enanthate; group 2 patients received monthly injections of 50 mg testosterone propionate-enanthate; group 3 patients received oral oxandrolone at a weekly dose of 0.7 mg/kg. Treatment was given for a period of 6 months and follow-up commenced 6 months later and yearly thereafter for 2 years. RESULTS: Height velocity and height increased significantly only in groups 2 and 3. Bone age advanced most in group 2. Puberty progressed faster in that group as compared with group 3. The predicted adult height before and 2 years after completion of treatment remained unchanged in the two testosterone groups. It increased significantly in the oxandrolone group from a mean 169.8 cm before therapy to a mean 177.5 cm 2 years after completion of therapy. Peak GH levels were significantly higher on both testosterone 50 mg and oxandrolone, as compared to pretreatment levels. The increment was significantly greater in group 2 as was the increment in serum IGF-1 and IGFBP3. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that 6 months of testosterone injections at a dose of 50 mg, but not 25 mg, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with CDG, with no considerable impact on final height prediction. On the other hand, daily oxandrolone treatment, starting at age 12-14 years, may increase the predicted final adult height.     

Randomized,DIM Light Controlled,Crossover test of Morning Bright Light Therapy for Rest-Activity Rhythm Disorders in Patients with Vascular Dementia and Dementia of Alzheimer's type

The authors compared the therapeutic effect of morning bright and dim light exposure on rest-activity (R-A) rhythm disorders in patients with vascular dementia (VD) and patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). Participants in this study were 12 patients with VD (M/F = 5/7; average age = 81 years) and 10 patients with DAT (M/F = 4/6; average age = 78 years). They were exposed to 2 weeks of bright light (BL; 5000-8000 lux) and 2 weeks of dim light (DL; 300 lux) in the morning (09:00-11:00) in a randomized crossover design in which the 2-week treatment period took place between pretreatment (1 week) and posttreatment (1 week) periods. Continuous R-A monitoring was performed at 1-minute intervals throughout the study using an actigraph around the nondominant wrist. The BL exposure for 2 weeks induced a significant reduction in both nighttime activity and percentages of nighttime activity to total activity compared with the pretreatment period, as well as compared with the DL condition in the VD group, but not in the DAT group. These findings support the assumption that the therapeutic efficacies of morning BL exposure are prominent in VD patients and are mainly due to its photic effect rather than nonphotic effects such as the intensification of social interaction accompanying light therapy. (Chronobiology International, 15(6), 647-654, 1998)     

Effects of an 18-week strength training program on low-handicap golfers' performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 18-week strength training program on variables related to low-handicap golfers' performance. Ten right-handed male golfers, reporting a handicap of 5 or less, were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CG) (N = 5, age: 23.9 ± 6.7 years) and the treatment group (TG) (N = 5, age: 24.2 ± 5.4 years). CG players followed the standard physical conditioning program for golf, which was partially modified for the TG. The TG participated in an 18-week strength training program divided into three parts: maximal strength training including weightlifting exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks), explosive strength training with combined weights and plyometric exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks), and golf-specific strength training, including swings with a weighted club and accelerated swings with an acceleration tubing system (3 days a week for 6 weeks). Body mass, body fat, muscle mass, jumping ability, isometric grip strength, maximal strength (RM), ball speed, and golf club mean acceleration were measured on five separate occasions. The TG demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in maximal and explosive strength after 6 weeks of training and in driving performance after 12 weeks. These improvements remained unaltered during the 6-week golf-specific training period and even during a 5-week detraining period. It may be concluded that an 18-week strength training program can improve maximal and explosive strength and these increases can be transferred to driving performance; however, golfers need time to transfer the gains.     

Diagnostic scintigraphy and effectiveness of 131I radioiodine therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)

INTRODUCTION: Since the effect of pre-therapeutic scintigraphy on the outcome of DTC treatment is debated, we evaluated factors affecting the effectiveness of (131)I therapy with respect to the delay between diagnostic scintigraphy and the application of radioiodine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the studied group of 60 patients with DTC, mean age 54.6 +/- 13.0 years, four weeks prior to the planned diagnostics, L-thyroxine was withdrawn and the following tests performed: (131)I (4 MBq) uptake above the neck, thyroid volume by USG, TSH and hTg level. Wholebody scintigraphy (37 MBq) was performed. The time between this diagnostic scintigraphy and application of (131)I (3657 MBq) was calculated. Based on whole-body 131I scintigraphy (74 MBq) performed 1 year after radioiodine treatment, the patients were divided into: group I - 42 patients with no tracer accumulation, and group II--18 patients who continued to accumulate (131)I in the neck. RESULTS: The differences between the median values of (131)I uptake and of thyroid volumes, and between the TSH and hTg median values in the two groups of patients were found not to be statistically significant. The average times between diagnostic scintigraphy and (131)I treatment in group I and II (9.4 vs. 8.3 weeks, respectively) were not significantly different either. CONCLUSION: Despite the different effectiveness of supplementary (131)I treatment, patients in group I and group II showed no statistically significant differences in the studied parameters. It appears that the diagnostic (131)I activity of 37 MBq and the time between diagnostic scintigraphy and application of (131)I did not have any effect on the results of the treatment in our group of patients.     

腰椎间盘突出症康复治疗中腰部核心肌力训练的临床评估

为了系统评估腰椎间盘突出症患者康复治疗中腰部核心肌力训练治疗的临床疗效,本研究选取2012年1月至2014年1月研究者所在医院就诊的150例腰椎间盘突出症腰肌锻炼康复治疗患者,随机分成A、B两组。A组患者进行腰部核心肌力训练治疗,即核心肌力组;B组患者给予传统腰肌功能锻炼治疗,即传统腰肌锻炼组;康复治疗均在医生指导下进行,所有患者每天早晚各锻炼1次,每次持续15 min,共训练治疗12周。所有患者均定期随访,治疗后6周和12周分别通过VAS疼痛评分、JOA腰椎功能评分和ODI腰椎功能评分变化进行效果评价。治疗后6周,核心训练组VAS评分平均(5.0±1.5)分,JOA评分平均(21.4±2.6)分,ODI评分平均(29.5±8.0)分;但与传统腰肌训练组比较无明显差别(p>0.05);治疗后12周核心肌力锻炼组疼痛症状缓解明显,VAS平均(2.9±1.2)分;腰椎功能改善明显JOA评分平均(25.2±3.2)分,ODI评分平均(38.8±9.4)分;与传统腰肌训练组比较差异具有统计意义(p<0.05)。本研究说明腰肌核心肌力训练长期锻炼效果好于传统腰肌训练。