The Effects of Exercise During a 10-Week Basic Military Training Program on the Physical Fitness and the Body Composition of the Greek Naval Cadets.

Introduction: The period of basic military training (BMT) is a sudden change in the individual habits of the trainees and is characterized by significant improvements in body composition such as the percentage of body fat (%BF) and lean body mass (BM). Research has shown that physical activity during the period of BMT lasting 7-10 weeks has positive effects on the physical condition and BM of cadets. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training combining cardiovascular conditioning, circuit strength training, swimming, team sports, and obstacle course on physical fitness and body composition during a 10-week BMT period over 4 years in the Hellenic Naval Academy (HNA).

Glomerular filtration rate is an independent factor of mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Aim: Although serum creatinine is included in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, it is an inaccurate marker of renal function, namely, of glomerular filtration rate ("true" GFR) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Our aim was to investigate the impact of MELD score and "true" GFR as determinants of survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: We included all consecutive patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were admitted to our department.

Association between ratio of sodium to potassium in random urine samples and renal dysfunction and mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Estimates of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are used to assess renal function and are an independent prognostic factor for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, but are impractical for routine use. We investigated whether the ratio of sodium to potassium in randomly collected urine samples (UNa/K) is associated with mortality and renal dysfunction in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites.

Methods: We assessed data from 126 consecutive patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ascites (93 men; age, 56 ± 12 y; 55% with viral-related disease) admitted to the Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece, from September 2010 through January 2012.

Scintigraphic, biochemical, and clinical response to zoledronic acid treatment in patients with Paget's disease of bone.

Bisphosphonates have long been used with success in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone (PDB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the early (up to 3 months) and late (at 12 months) scintigraphic, biochemical, and clinical response to a single intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid (ZOL) in patients with PDB serially assessed for 1 year. Nine patients with 30 bone lesions caused by PDB were prospectively evaluated.

Uncommon findings in Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin venography in distal inferior vena cava obstruction.

In inferior vena cava obstruction, collateral pathways allow the retrograde flow of venous blood from the lower part of the body. Unanticipated findings of Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) venography in 3 cases with deep vein thrombosis of the legs and infrarenal inferior vena cava obstruction are presented. Apart from extensive collateral networks in the legs and the abdomen, the visualization of the liver indicates a shunt of the systemic venous blood flow through the paraumbilical vein to the portal vein.

201Tl gated single photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging in the assessment of global and regional left ventricular function. Would it be favoured over equilibrium radionuclide angiography?

Background: This study investigates the clinical performance of routine 201Tl gated single photon emission computed tomographic (201Tl GSPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging. Equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA) was used as the standard for comparison.

Methods And Results: One hundred and seventy-two consecutive patients were submitted to both myocardial 201Tl GSPECT imaging, at stress and in redistribution, and ERNA.