Cigarette smoking and submaximal exercise test duration in a biracial population of young adults: the CARDIA study

Symptom-limited, graded exercise treadmill testing was performed by 4,968 white and black adults, ages 18-30 yr, during the baseline examination for the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Compared with nonsmokers, the mean exercise test duration of smokers was 29-64 s shorter depending on race/gender group (all P < 0.001), but mean duration to heart rate 130 (beats.min-1) ranged from 20-50 s longer (P < 0.05). In each race/gender group, test duration to heart rates up to 150 was 15-35 s longer (P < 0.05) in smokers than in nonsmokers after adjustment for age, sum of skinfolds, hemoglobin, and physical activity score. The mean maximum heart rate was lower in smokers than in nonsmokers (difference ranging from 6.7 beats.min-1 in white men to 11.2 beats.min-1 lower in black women, P < 0.001), although maximum rating of perceived exertion was nearly identical in smokers and nonsmokers. Chronic smoking appears to blunt the heart rate response to exercise, so that exercise duration to submaximal heart rates is increased even though maximal performance is impaired. This may result from downloading of beta-receptors caused by smoking. Smoking status should be considered in the evaluation of physical fitness data utilizing submaximal test protocols, or else the fitness of smokers relative to nonsmokers is likely to be overestimated.     

Lysosomal enzyme and inhibitor levels in the human trabecular meshwork

PURPOSE: To examine in the human trabecular meshwork lysosomal enzymes and one inhibitor of serine proteases that actively participate in the degradation of macromolecules into low molecular weight constituents. METHODS: Using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique, lysosomal proteases and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor were examined in the trabecular meshwork of 23 human eyes with donor ages ranging from 2 to 90 years. These eyes were categorized into three age groups (< or = 20, 21 to 49, and > or = 50 years). Histochemical staining for lysosomal hydrolases was also performed on frozen sections of 20 human eyes. The staining was analyzed by an image analyzer and the levels of lysosomal proteases were further measured by biochemical assays. RESULTS: The trabecular meshwork from all the eyes stained intensely against antibodies to cathepsins B and G and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. The staining for elastase was weaker but evident. Image analyses revealed that the staining intensity for each protease or inhibitor was similar in all age groups. The staining in the uveal meshwork appeared to be the strongest among all the trabecular meshwork regions. Biochemical assays of tissue extracts confirmed that the enzyme and inhibitor levels were comparable among the three donor age groups. Activities of two lysosomal hydrolases, acid phosphatase and acid esterase, were also found in trabecular meshwork cells of 20 eyes. No apparent difference in enzyme activities was found with increasing age, and variation related to region was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the age-independent distribution of a variety of lysosomal enzymes and a protease inhibitor in the human trabecular meshwork. The presence of these proteins suggests a possible role in the metabolic operation of the trabecular meshwork.     

Feminist identity and feminist therapy behaviors of women psychotherapists.

Investigated whether (1) feminist identity development for women therapists was related to their use of feminist therapy behaviors (FTBs) and (2) feminist identity development and use of FTBs for women therapists were related to self-identification as a feminist therapist. 153 women psychologists (aged 30–77 yrs) were administered a women's issues in therapy questionnaire, which included a short version of the Feminist Identity Scale (FIS; K. M. Rickard, 1989, 1990). Ss were categorized into stages of feminine identity development according to their scores on 4 subscales of the FIS: Passive-Acceptance (PA), Revelation (REV), Embeddedness (EMB), and Synthesis (SYN). Ss scoring high on SYN and REV, and low on PA, reported greater use of FTBs; scores on the EMB were not related to the use of FTBs. All 4 subscales were predictive of women therapists who self-identified as feminist therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The risk of seroconversion in surgeons of the hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses (in a specific surgical population)

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was determined in the serum specimens of 288 patients treated surgically in the orthopaedic department of an urban public teaching hospital. The cumulative risk of HBV, HCV and HIV seroconversion for an orthopaedic surgeon during the surgical career span was calculated. We found that 1.4%, 3.1% and 1.7% of patients were seropositive for HBsAg, HCV antibody and HIV antibody, respectively. Seropositivity was neither associated with age nor with trauma, whereas male patients had a greater likelihood of seropositivity. Risk factor assessment did not prove to be discriminating in identifying which patients may pose a potential exposure risk. This study supports the concept of universal infection control precautions for orthopaedic surgeons regardless of the patients' risk factor or serologic status.     

Insiders Behaving Badly

This column goes beyond previous insider analyses to identify a framework for a taxonomy of insider threats including both malicious and inadvertent actions by insiders that put organizations or their resources at some risk. The framework includes factors reflecting the organization, the individual, the information technology system, and the environment.     

The development of adaptive body reactions after intensive physical loading]

The dependence between the activity parameters of muscarine antagonists in the prevention of haloperidol catalepsy in rats and those in tests characterizing the interaction of ligands and various subtypes of m-cholinoceptors was studied. It was established by constructing the mathematical dependence that blockade of m1-cholinoceptors increases, while that of m2-cholinoceptors reduces the antiparkinsonian activity of the drugs. The activity of the muscarine antagonist pentiphan in the prevention of haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats exceeds the activity of such traditional antiparkinsonian drugs as cyclodol and amedin.     

Tissue fixation security in transosseous rotator cuff repairs: a mechanical comparison of simple versus mattress sutures

The primary purpose of this investigation was to compare tissue fixation security by simple sutures versus mattress sutures in transosseous rotator cuff repair. These two repair techniques were each performed in 17 human cadaver shoulders, with two bone tunnels being used for the repair by two simple sutures and two other bone tunnels being used for the repair by one mattress suture. The repairs were loaded to failure in a servohydraulic materials test system. Rotator cuff repair by simple sutures was found to be significantly stronger than repair by mattress sutures (P = .0007). The average ultimate load to failure for the simple suture construct (189.62 N) was 39.72% greater than that for the mattress suture construct (135.71 N). Most of the failures occurred by suture breakage at the knot. Load-sharing by multiple suture tails and multiple knots in the simple suture configuration likely contributed to its superior strength characteristics compared with the mattress suture configuration.     

An analysis of pH tolerance and substrate preference of isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria from Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana

1. The effects of varying pH and substrate on isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria from Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana were investigated. 2. For both species, VO2 max significantly decreased at all pH < 7.3 (P < 0.05), while maximum values were observed at a pH range of 7.3-7.6 with B. marinus maintaining a greater VO2 max than R. catesbeiana. 3. Respiratory control values (RCR) decreased significantly at all pH < 6.9 for both species (P < 0.05). 4. Isolated mitochondria from both species were maintained at pH = 7.2 and O2 consumption measured under five separate substrate conditions. 5. A rank preference was established based upon state 3 and RCR values. 6. Substrate preference was identical for both species and interspecific comparisons revealed differences in state 3 respiration and coupling.