To assess the effects of short term physical training on left ventricular dimensions and function, 12 young sedentery subjects were studied with echocardiography before and after 10 weeks of endurance physical conditioning consisted of a 3000 meter running protocol 3 days a week.
Exercise training led to an increase in maximal oxygen uptake (Vo₂max: 48.3±4.4 versus 60.0±6.2ml/kg/min: p<0.001) . This functional improvement, however, was not accompanied by any significant change in resting echocardiographic measurements including left ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening.
On semi-supine exercise echocardiography no significant change was revealed after 10 weeks of physical training.
This study suggests that short term physical training in young subjects result in significant increase in Vo₂max but this functional improvement is not always associated with significant alterations in left ventricular dimensions and function as observed by echocardiogram.

An 89-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of hepatolithiasis causing recurrent cholangitis. He had undergone a prior Whipple procedure. Computed tomography demonstrated left-sided hepatolithiasis. First, we conducted peroral direct cholangioscopy (PDCS) using an ultraslim endoscope. Although PDCS was successfully conducted, it was unsuccessful in removing all the stones. The stones located in the B2 segment were difficult to remove because the endoscope could not be inserted deeply into this segment due to the small size of the intrahepatic bile duct. Next, we substituted the endoscope with an upper gastrointestinal endoscope. After positioning the endoscope, the SpyGlass digital system (SPY-DS) was successfully inserted deep into the B2 segment. Upon visualizing the residual stones, we conducted SPY-DS-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy. The stones were disintegrated and completely removed. In cases of PDCS failure, a treatment strategy using the SPY-DS can be considered for patients with hepatolithiasis after a Whipple procedure.
Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangitis ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Lithotripsy

No abstract available.
Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2