Inter-observer and segmentation method variability of textural analysis in pre-therapeutic FDG PET/CT in head and neck cancer.

Aim: Characterizing tumor heterogeneity with textural indices extracted from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET/CT) is of growing interest in oncology. Several series showed promising results to predict survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), analyzing various tumor segmentation methods and textural indices. This preliminary study aimed at assessing the inter-observer and inter-segmentation method variability of textural indices in HNSCC pre-therapeutic FDG PET/CT.

Diagnostic value of positron-emission tomography textural indices for malignancy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-avid adrenal lesions.

Background: PET Textural indices could have an add-on diagnostic value for diagnosis of malignancy in patients with FDG-avid adrenal lesions.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred for a FDG-PET/CT to our nuclear medicine department from June 2012 to June 2017 were retrospectively screened. Inclusion criteria were: patients with a FDG-avid adrenal lesion (uptake≥liver background); malignant/benign lesion confirmed histologically or with follow-up imaging examination.

Prognostic value of textural indices extracted from pretherapeutic 18-F FDG-PET/CT in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed at assessing the prognostic value of textural indices extracted from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT in a large cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) of any anatomic subsite and staging.

Methods: Consecutive patients with HNSCC referred for a pretreatment FDG-PET/CT were retrospectively included and followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and textural indices were calculated using LIFEx software.

Incremental diagnostic utility of systematic double-bed SPECT/CT for bone scintigraphy in initial staging of cancer patients.

Background: SPECT/CT has been shown to increase the diagnostic performance of bone scintigraphy for staging of malignancies. A systematic double-bed SPECT/CT of the trunk may allow further improvement. However, this would be balanced by higher dosimetry and longer acquisition time.

Cytokine content in lymphoid and white adipose tissues after repeated CpG oligodeoxynucleotide administration in trained rats.

The increased threat of bioterrorism and the emergence of potentially fatal diseases underscores the need to improve treatments for protecting all segments of the human population including military personnel. New methods need to be developed. The ability of oligodeoxynucleotides containing the CpG motif (CpG ODNs) to promote the production of T(H)1-type pro-inflammatory cytokines suggest they might be useful as vaccine adjuvants, but their potential effects during exercise have not been widely studied.

Influence of protein- versus carbohydrate-enriched feedings on physiological responses during an ultraendurance climbing race.

This study investigated effects of a high protein (PROT) versus a high carbohydrate (CHO) diet on performance and physiological responses during an ultraendurance climbing race at moderate altitude. On two different periods, in a randomised crossover design, ten climbers (30.0+/-0.

Energy expenditure during an ultraendurance alpine climbing race.

Objective: Accurate reports of energy expenditure (EE) during prolonged mountaineering activity are sparse. The purpose of this study was to estimate EE during a winter ultraendurance climbing race and individual mountaineering activities in Mont Blanc, France.

Methods: Seven days before the race, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2(max)) were measured in 10 experienced male climbers (30.

Effects of branched-chain amino acids supplementation on physiological and psychological performance during an offshore sailing race.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of protein diets, rich in branched chain amino acids (BCAA) on perceived exertion, mental and physical performance during an offshore sailing race that lasted 32 h. Twelve sailors were randomly allocated into one of two groups [Control (CON) and BCAA: n = 6/group]. The BCAA group consumed a standard diet of 11.

Coordinate expression of the 19S regulatory complex and evidence for ubiquitin-dependent telethonin degradation in the unloaded soleus muscle.

Catabolic stimuli induce a coordinate expression of the 20S proteasome subunits in skeletal muscles. However, contradictory data have been obtained for the 19S regulatory complex (RC) subunits, which could reflect differential regulation at the transcriptional and/or translational level. To address this point we used a well-established model of muscle atrophy (hindlimb suspension) and determined the mRNA levels for 19S subunits belonging to both the base (non-ATPase S1, ATPases S7 and S8) and the lid (S14) of the 19S RC.

Relationships between leptin levels and carbohydrate intake during rowing training.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the relationship between diet and leptin levels during rowing training.

Methods: Dietary intakes using 3-day food records, training volume and leptin responses to a 90-min exercise (measurement before, at the end and after 2 and 24 h of recovery) were assessed at the beginning and at the end of an 8-month training season for heavyweight rowers.

Results: During the training, we observed increases in energy intake and in training volume (12.

Effect of a probiotics supplementation on respiratory infections and immune and hormonal parameters during intense military training.

This study examined the effect of a probiotics supplementation on respiratory tract infection (RTI) and immune and hormonal changes during the French Commando training (3-week training followed by a 5-day combat course). Cadets (21 +/- 0.4 years) received either a probiotics (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 23) supplementation over the training period.

Effects of chronic exercise on cytokine production in white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of rats.

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a major source of production of cytokines involved in chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Long-term exercise has been proposed as a therapy to reduce chronic inflammation. We investigated here the influence of an intense exercise training (over 7 weeks) on several cytokine concentrations including interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-1beta, and IL-12 in serum, WAT, and skeletal muscle (SM) from non-obese rats.

Comparison of systemic cytokine responses after a long distance triathlon and a 100-km run: relationship to metabolic and inflammatory processes.

Suggested mechanisms for the systemic, circulating cytokinemia observed during heavy physical exertion include inflammation and energy demand. We compared cytokine levels and examined the underlying physiological mechanisms between a long-distance triathlon and a 100-km run, two endurance races of similar duration but characterized by differences in muscle strain. Blood samples were collected from 12 triathletes (34.

Influence of a high carbohydrate diet on the functional activity of 5-HT1B/1D receptors on human peripheral blood lymphocytes during intense military training.

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of a high carbohydrate diet on the functional activity of 5-HT1B/1D receptors in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and on serum cortisol and plasma cytokine responses during intense military training. Thirty two male soldiers (mean age: 21 +/- 2 years) were randomly assigned to two groups and received either 3200 kcal/24 h [13440 kJ; habitual diet group (HD)] or 4200 kcal/24 h [17640 kJ, high carbohydrate diet group (HCD)] by adding 1000 kcal (4200 kJ) of fruit jelly to the HD. They took part in a three-week training program followed by a five-day combat course.

Aerobatic flight effects on baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal balance in experienced pilots.

Background: Aerobatic flights subject pilots to accelerations and, therefore, to heavy physical workloads.

Objective: Our aim was to document changes in spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and disturbances of sympathovagal balance after exposure to "push-pull" accelerations.

Methods: During 30-min flights, five aerobatic pilots performed five series of descending spirals: first, 30 s under negative (-3 Gz max), and then 30 s under positive (+4 Gz max) G loading, climbing between each series to regain altitude.

Brief exposure to -2 Gz reduces cerebral blood flow velocity during subsequent +2 Gz acceleration.

In order to determine the implication of the cerebral vasoconstriction occurring under -Gz acceleration in the mechanism of the push-pull effect, four healthy male non-pilots were submitted to a control centrifugation at +2 Gz, and then to an experimental run with identical +2 Gz plateau, but preceded by -2 Gz exposure. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), pulsatility index, and resistance index (RI) were continually measured with a transcranial Doppler instrument. The decrease in blood pressure and in CBFV was more important during the experimental run, when the change in RI was not different.

Effects of combined stress during intense training on cellular immunity, hormones and respiratory infections.

Objectives: This study was designed to determine immune and hormonal changes and their relationship with the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) during an extremely stressful military training (3 weeks of physical conditioning followed by a 5-day combat course with energy restriction, sleep deprivation and psychological stress).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 21 cadets (21 +/- 2 years old) before training and after the combat course for analysis of leukocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations, serum cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta and IL-10], and hormones [catecholamines, cortisol, leptin, total insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and testosterone]. Symptoms of URTI were recorded from health logs and medical examinations during training.

Effects of an intense training on functional activity of 5-HT(1B) receptors in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter and an immune modulator. At the periphery, the serotonergic system appears to possess a regulatory activity via 5-HT 1B receptors. The present study investigated the effects of a 5-day military course following 3 weeks of combat training on the functional activity of 5-HT 1B/1D receptors in peripheral blood lymphocytes of male soldiers.

Cerebral oxygenation declines despite maintained orthostatic tolerance after brief exposure to gravitational stress.

We examined the effect of a single 120 s of exposure to +3Gz (head-to-foot inertial forces) centrifugation as orthostatic stress on cerebral oxygenation (oxy-Hb) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes in response to stand test, in order to relate the occurrence of altered cerebral oxygenation control to any increase in sympathetic activity. Frontal near-infrared spectroscopy and mean arterial blood pressure at brain level (MAPbrain) were recorded in 14 subjects in supine and then in standing (10 min) position, before and after +3Gz centrifugation. The decrease in oxy-Hb (-7 +/- 5 a.

EEG and ECG changes during simulator operation reflect mental workload and vigilance.

Background: Performing mission tasks in a simulator influences many neurophysiological measures. Quantitative assessments of electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) have made it possible to develop indicators of mental workload and to estimate relative physiological responses to cognitive requirements.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of mental workload without actual physical risk, we studied the cortical and cardiovascular changes that occurred during simulated flight.

Swimming and cycling overloaded training in triathlon has no effect on running kinematics and economy.

The aim of the study was to verify whether an overloaded training (OT) in triathlon deteriorates running kinematics (RK) and running economy (RE). Thirteen well-trained male long-distance triathletes (age: 28.1 +/- 4.

Living high-training low altitude training: effects on mucosal immunity.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the major immunoglobulin of the mucosal immune system. Whereas the suppressive effect of heavy training on mucosal immunity is well documented, little is known regarding the influence of hypoxia exposure on sIgA during altitude training. This investigation examined the impact of an 18-day Living high-training low (LHTL) training camp on sIgA levels in 11 (six females and five males) elite cross-country skiers.

[Overtraining syndrome].

Numerous studies have shown that enhanced physical load can result in an overtraining syndrome, with a decreased capacity for physical exercise and behavioral disturbances. Overtraining is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and output, and is facilitated by chronobiological and psychological stress. These factors are responsible for hormonal changes such as a decrease in gonadal steroids or in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.