Influence on Strength and Flexibility of a Swing Phase-Specific Hamstring Eccentric Program in Sprinters' General Preparation

Guex, KJ, Lugrin, V, Borloz, S, and Millet, GP. Influence on strength and flexibility of a swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric program in sprinters' general preparation. J Strength Cond Res 30(2): 525-532, 2016-Hamstring injuries are common in sprinters and mainly occur during the terminal swing phase. Eccentric training has been shown to reduce hamstring injury rate by improving several risk factors. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that an additional swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training in well-trained sprinters performed at the commencement of the winter preparation is more efficient to improve strength, ratio, optimum angle, and flexibility than a similar program without hamstring eccentric exercises. Twenty sprinters were randomly allocated to an eccentric (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). Both groups performed their usual track and field training throughout the study period. Sprinters in the eccentric group performed an additional 6-week hamstring eccentric program, which was specific to the swing phase of the running cycle (eccentric high-load open-chain kinetic movements covering the whole hamstring length-tension relationship preformed at slow to moderate velocity). Isokinetic and flexibility measurements were performed before and after the intervention. The eccentric group increased hamstring peak torques in concentric at 60 degrees .s by 16% (p < 0.001) and at 240 degrees .s by 10% (p < 0.01), in eccentric at 30 degrees .s by 20% (p < 0.001) and at 120 degrees .s by 22% (p < 0.001), conventional and functional ratios by 12% (p < 0.001), and flexibility by 4 degrees (p < 0.01), whereas the control group increased hamstring peak torques only in eccentric at 30 degrees .s by 6% (p </= 0.05) and at 120 degrees .s by 6% (p < 0.01). It was concluded that an additional swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training in sprinters seems to be crucial to address different risk factors for hamstring strain injuries, such as eccentric and concentric strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio ratio, and flexibility.

Systematic evaluation of matrix effects in hydrophilic interaction chromatography versus reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

Reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) is the gold standard technique in bioanalysis. However, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) could represent a viable alternative to RPLC for the analysis of polar and/or ionizable compounds, as it often provides higher MS sensitivity and alternative selectivity. Nevertheless, this technique can be also prone to matrix effects (ME). ME are one of the major issues in quantitative LC-MS bioanalysis. To ensure acceptable method performance (i.e., trueness and precision), a careful evaluation and minimization of ME is required. In the present study, the incidence of ME in HILIC-MS/MS and RPLC-MS/MS was compared for plasma and urine samples using two representative sets of 38 pharmaceutical compounds and 40 doping agents, respectively. The optimal generic chromatographic conditions in terms of selectivity with respect to interfering compounds were established in both chromatographic modes by testing three different stationary phases in each mode with different mobile phase pH. A second step involved the assessment of ME in RPLC and HILIC under the best generic conditions, using the post-extraction addition method. Biological samples were prepared using two different sample pre-treatments, i.e., a non-selective sample clean-up procedure (protein precipitation and simple dilution for plasma and urine samples, respectively) and a selective sample preparation, i.e., solid phase extraction for both matrices. The non-selective pretreatments led to significantly less ME in RPLC vs. HILIC conditions regardless of the matrix. On the contrary, HILIC appeared as a valuable alternative to RPLC for plasma and urine samples treated by a selective sample preparation. Indeed, in the case of selective sample preparation, the compounds influenced by ME were different in HILIC and RPLC, and lower and similar ME occurrence was generally observed in RPLC vs. HILIC for urine and plasma samples, respectively. The complementary of both chromatographic modes was also demonstrated, as ME was observed only scarcely for urine and plasma samples when selecting the most appropriate chromatographic mode.

Postoperative Adjuvant Lapatinib and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Maintenance Lapatinib Monotherapy in High-Risk Patients With Resected Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: This multicenter phase III study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lapatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB2 inhibitor, administered concomitantly with chemoradiotherapy and as maintenance monotherapy in patients with high-risk surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with resected stage II to IVA SCCHN, with a surgical margin ≤ 5 mm and/or extracapsular extension, were randomly assigned to chemoradiotherapy (66 Gy total radiation dose and cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) per day administered on days 1, 22, and 43) plus placebo or lapatinib (1,500 mg per day) before and during chemoradiotherapy, followed by 12 months of maintenance monotherapy. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-eight patients were enrolled (lapatinib, n = 346; placebo, n = 342). With a median follow-up time of 35.3 months, the study ended early because of the apparent plateauing of disease-free survival (DFS) events. Median DFS assessed by an independent review committee was 53.6 months and not reached for lapatinib and placebo, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.43). Investigator-assessed results confirmed the independent review committee assessment. No significant differences in DFS by human papillomavirus status or overall survival were observed between treatment arms. Similar numbers of patients in both treatment arms experienced adverse events (AEs), with more patients in the lapatinib arm than the placebo arm experiencing serious AEs (48% v 40%, respectively). The most commonly observed treatment-related AEs were diarrhea and rash, both predominantly in the lapatinib arm. CONCLUSION: Addition of lapatinib to chemoradiotherapy and its use as long-term maintenance therapy does not offer any efficacy benefits and had additional toxicity compared with placebo in patients with surgically treated high-risk SCCHN.

Les besoins en soins de support chez les patients en phase d'un traitement ambulatoire, suivant l'annonce d'un diagnostic de cancer : étude descriptive transversale

Problématique L'incidence du cancer ne cesse d'augmenter dans les pays occidentaux et en Suisse, en constituant la deuxième cause de mortalité après les maladies cardiovasculaires. Si d'une part, les différents traitements oncologiques ont le potentiel de guérir certains cancers et d'augmenter l'espérance de vie des personnes concernées, ils sont associés à de multiples problèmes physiques et psychosociaux. De même, l'annonce de la maladie provoque une fragilité émotionnelle et sociale et la phase de traitement qui suit le diagnostic de cancer est souvent associé à des besoins psychologiques et d'information élevés. But Cette étude vise à décrire les besoins en soins de support insatisfaits chez les patients nouvellement diagnostiqués d'un cancer, au cours d'un traitement ambulatoire dans un Hôpital Cantonal de la Suisse. Elle vise également à identifier les associations entre les besoins en soins de support insatisfaits et les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et médicales. Méthode Cette étude corrélationnelle descriptive a été conduite auprès de 67 patients nouvellement atteints d'un cancer primaire ou d'une récidive, recrutés selon un échantillonnage non probabiliste par convenance consécutive. Le questionnaire auto-administré comprenait le Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34 et un questionnaire sur des données sociodémographiques. Les données médicales ont été collectées par les chercheurs à travers les dossiers médicaux. Résultats Les trois besoins exprimés comme les plus insatisfaits étaient « la peur que le cancer se propage » (48,5%), « l'incertitude face à l'avenir » (45,4%) et « vos préoccupations face à l'incertitude de vos proches » (43,9%). Nous constatons une insatisfaction plus élevée des besoins psychologiques (M: 32,6 ; ET: 20,4) et des besoins d'information (M: 29,3 ; ET: 17,5) par rapport aux autres dimensions de besoins. À propos des caractéristiques associées a un plus haut niveau de besoins insatisfaits, nous trouvons qu'être plus jeune (29-56 ans) ou âgés de > 72 ans est positivement associé aux besoins insatisfaits du domaine psychologique (F = 3,50 ; p = 0,02) et de l'information/système de santé (F = 3,48 ; p = 0,02). Le jeune âge est aussi associé à plus de besoins dans le domaine sexuel (F = 2,85 ; p = 0,04). Il semble exister une association négative entre le niveau d'instruction et le degré d'insatisfaction des besoins psychologiques (F = 2,92, p = 0,06). Être retraité coïncide avec un plus grand degré d'insatisfaction dans les besoins physiques et des activités de la vie quotidienne (F = 4,64 ; p = 0,013). Finalement, avoir un moins bon état général est relié à plus de besoins physiques et de besoins issus du domaine des activités de la vie quotidienne (t = -2,85 ; p = 0,005). Conclusions Les présents résultats concordent avec les études antérieures. Cette étude a la particularité d'avoir identifié les besoins insatisfaits durant la phase de traitement qui suit l'annonce du diagnostic, sans se restreindre à une maladie cancéreuse spécifique, ce qui a été peu effectué auparavant. Les chercheurs infirmiers devraient poursuivre, en collaboration avec d'autres professionnels de la santé, les recherches visant le développement d'approches efficaces pour réduire les besoins insatisfaits chez des personnes atteintes de maladies cancéreuses.