Agnieszka Chwałczyńska

Thermovision Analysis Changes of Human Hand Surface Temperature in Cold Pressor Test

The cold pressor test (CTP) as a diagnostic method of the circulatory system reactivity may be a basis for the qualification for thermal stimulation therapy. The aim of the work was a thermovisual assessment of the reaction to the Hines and Brown cold pressor test. A group of 30 healthy men in the age of 23.5 ± 0.8 years were examined. The average weight of the examinees was 78.4 ± 9.2 kg, their height 180.7 ± 5.9 cms, and BMI 23.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2. A thermovisual picture of a tested and not tested hand of all the subjects was taken before and after the cold pressor test. Under the influence of cold water the surface temperature of a tested hand has decreased in a statistically significant way by 8.3°C on average, which is 29% of the temperature before the test, whilst the temperature of an untested hand dropped by 0.67°C. The decreases of temperature were not even and there was a statistically significant difference between the dorsal and palmar side of the hand. The correlation between the changes of systolic blood pressure and the hand surface temperature before and after CTP was observed.

Bone quantitative ultrasound at hand phalanges of women following breast cancer surgery

Breast cancer surgery and its adjunctive therapy follow in lymphedema, decreased limb mobility and bone deterioration. The aim was to establish relation of postsurgical limb lymphedema with bone properties assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement of hand phalanges in postmenopausal women after breast cancer surgery. In all, 63 women aged 62.81 ± 8.83 years, after breast cancer surgery were compared with control group of 418 age-matched women. Their skeletal status was assessed by QUS measurements at proximal phalanges using DBM Sonic 1200. There were no statistically significant differences in QUS measurements (Ad-SoS) between groups of operated subjects and the controls, between limbs (operated vs. nonoperated side, with and without lymphedema), and regarding method of surgery. Ad-SoS was greater in estrogen-treated patients than in nontreated ones at the side with no breast surgery (1994.11 ± 67.83 vs. 1943.27 ± 58.34; P = 0.046). Ad-SoS was lower in patients with adjunctive antiestrogen therapy than without this therapy at the side of surgery (1937.35 ± 54.71 vs. 1966.78 ± 59.18; P = 0.0449), and nonbreast surgery side (1934.55 ± 52.06 vs. 1973.31 ± 57.17; P = 0.0066). Breast cancer surgery followed by concomitant therapies does not influence significantly QUS at hand phalanges. This was proven regarding method of surgery, side of surgery, and lymphedema. Additional hormonal treatment can influence phalangeal QUS in breast cancer survivors.

The Influence of a Therapeutic Programme on the Segmentary Body Composition in over - and Underweight Children at the Early-School Age: Pilot Studies

Background: Underweight and obesity are important factors affecting the level of physical fitness. Aim: The objective of the work was the assessment of the change in body composition and physical fitness in early-school-age children participating in a 6-week therapeutic programme aimed at children with low body mass and those overweight. Methods: Examined were 175 children of 7-10 years of age from Wroclaw. Their body composition (before and after the therapeutic programme) being marked with the 8-electrode body composition analyzer BC-418 MA Tanita. On the basis of BMI under and overweight children were selected to take part in a 6-week therapeutic programme (2 × 45 min/week). Results: Underweight and overweight was found in 12% of the 175 children examined. Twenty children participated in the therapeutic programme (9 underweight, 11 overweight). No body mass change in overweight children was observed with a simultaneous decrease in body fat. Statistically significant changes in body composition were observed in underweight children. Conclusion: The therapeutic programme lowered body mass (in underweight children only) and fat content along with an increase in muscle mass (FFM). It was observed that the 6-week programme needs to be prolonged to at least 10 weeks in order to obtain significant changes in body composition in the group of overweight children.

The Comparison of the Body Composition of Children at the Early School Age from Urban and Rural Area in Southwestern Poland

The aim of the study was to compare the segmental body composition with the use of fat–fat-free (FFF) index in children at early school age, depending on sex and place of residence, with particular emphasis on urban and rural areas. The study consisted of 329 children aged 7.78 (SD = 0.88; mean age in years). The study group was divided according to the place of residence and sex. The height and body mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), segmental body composition (Tanita BC-418MA), and FFF were calculated. A more frequent occurrence of excessive body weight was observed in children from rural areas (over 20%) compared to their peers from the urban area (10%). Statistically significant lower values of FFF index as well as in the lower limbs and torso were observed in the case of the examined children from the urban area as compared with their peers from the rural areas. The body composition of children living in metropolitan and rural areas is diverse. Lower values of FFF indexes were found in children from the city than in children living in villages. There are more children in the city with signs of being underweight and of normative body mass and paradoxically more overweight ones in the village.

Quantitative Ultrasound at the Hand Phalanges in Adolescent Girls is Related to Their Overall Physical Fitness.

BACKGROUND Growing of the skeleton, depends on genetic, health, nutritional and environmental influences. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the ultrasound properties of bone measured at hand phalanges in adolescent girls regarding the influence of pubertal status and level of physical fitness. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group was 56 adolescent girls aged 12-14 yrs, the controls were 86 girls matched for age, recruited from 1256 subjects undergoing bone measurement for screening purposes. The skeletal status (amplitude-dependent speed of sound - Ad-SoS) was assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at proximal phalanges using DBM Sonic 1200. Physical fitness was assessed by the Zuchora index and pubertal development by the Tanner scale. RESULTS The adolescent girls from our study group had greater body weight, height, BMI and Ad-SoS values than the controls. Overall physical fitness was highest in girls with the lowest BMI and lowest in girls with the highest BMI values. The highest results of the Ad-SoS were reported in girls presenting highest level of physical fitness. They were statistically significantly higher than in girls with a minimal level of physical fitness. There was a statistically significant correlation between the overall physical fitness score and Ad-SoS results. No correlations between Ad-SoS and the Tanner scale, particular the elements of physical fitness (speed, jumping ability, flexibility, shoulder muscular strength, abdominal muscle strength) and BMI were shown. CONCLUSIONS The bone properties assessed by QUS at the hand phalanges in adolescent girls aged 12-14 years depend on their overall physical fitness. Pubertal development, body size and particular elements of physical fitness, especially shoulder muscular strength, have limited influence.

Quantitative ultrasound at the hand phalanges in adolescent boys in relation to their pubertal development and physical efficiency

INTRODUCTION Our aim was to assess the ultrasound properties of bone measured at hand phalanges in 55 adolescent boys aged 13-15 years regarding the influence of pubertal status and level of physical efficiency including muscular strength. MATERIAL AND METHODS They were divided into two age groups: Group I (n = 37, boys aged 159-171 months) and Group II (n = 18, aged 172-184 months). The controls were 94 boys matched for age, recruited from 1,256 subjects undergoing bone measurement for screening purposes. The skeletal status (amplitude-dependent speed of sound - Ad-SoS) was assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at proximal phalanges with the use of DBM Sonic 1200. Physical efficiency was assessed using Zuchoras test, and pubertal development by Tanners score. RESULTS There was no difference in mean Ad-SoS between the entire study group and controls. Ad-SoS values were greater in older than in younger boys, both in right and left hands. There were no differences between left and right hand measurements. There were positive correlations between Ad-SoS and shoulder muscle strength in boys. Negative correlations between Ad-SoS at phalanges of right and left hand and BMI were shown in younger adolescent boys only. Similarly, only in the younger group were positive correlations present between both hands Ad-SoS and overall physical efficiency and age. Ad-SoS correlated positively better with Tanners scale scoring in the older group. CONCLUSION QUS at hand phalanges in adolescent boys aged 13-15 years depends on pubertal development and shoulder muscle strength. The overall physical efficiency has limited influence on bone properties assessed by QUS.