BACKGROUNDThe change of anaerobic exercise abilities during and after a high-altitude expedition or hypoxic exposure is not well studied. To evaluate the effects of an extreme-altitude expedition on anaerobic performance, the 10-second supramaximal test and endocrine hormones were evaluated before and after an expedition to Peak Lenin.

METHODSFour subjects (3 male and 1 female, age (30.5 +/- 16.5) years) were recruited into the study. Three sets of tests were performed, including a basic test at sea level and 20 days before first arrival at the base camp (3600 m), a middle test done at day after returning from the summit to the base camp and the post test at the 10th day after return to the sea level. Both the supramaximal test, performed by a cycle ergometer, and body composition, performed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, were completed before the basic test and post test. The endocrine hormones including cortisol, growth hormone, testosterone, noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine, glucagon and beta-endorphin were measured at all tests.

RESULTSComparing the conditions before and after the expedition, the body measurement parameters were decreased after the expedition, i.e., body weight (-4.22%, P < 0.05), fat-free mass (-2.09%, P < 0.01) and body fat (-8.95%, P = 0.172). The peak power relative/body weight ratio (PP/BW) was similar ((9.70 +/- 1.97) vs (9.11 +/- 1.80) W/kg, P = 0.093), while mean power/body weight ratio (MP/BW) was reduced significantly after the expedition ((9.14 +/- 1.77) vs (8.33 +/- 1.74) W/kg, P < 0.05). Peak power/fat-free mass (PP/FFM), mean power/fat-free mass (MP/FFM) and fatigue index (FI) were significantly lower after the expedition (PP/FFM: (11.95 +/- 1.71) vs (10.99 +/- 1.59) W/kg, P < 0.05; MP/FFM: (11.26 +/- 1.50) vs (10.04 +/- 1.55) W/kg, P < 0.005; FI (85.55 +/- 4.17)% vs (77.25 +/- 4.40)%, P < 0.05). Hormone assays showed a significant increase of noradrenaline (basic vs middle, P < 0.05) as well as decrease of adrenaline (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, a trend towards an increase in dopamine (basic vs middle) and a decrease of beta-endorphin (basic vs post) were also noted.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggested that an expedition to an extreme altitude may have negative effects on anaerobic performance. It showed that a significant increase of noradrenaline (basic vs middle) as well as decrease of adrenaline after the expedition to Peak Lenin had occurred. The real physiological significance needs to be further investigated.

Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Altitude ; Anaerobic Threshold ; physiology ; Dopamine ; blood ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Glucagon ; blood ; Growth Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

Objective To investigate the value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of large hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm.Methods Totally 176 patients with larger hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm (adjacent diaphragm group) and 157 patients with larger hepatic carcinoma not adjacent to the diaphragm (control group) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA treatment,and the data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients,age,gender,the largest diameter of lesions,ablation information,early necrosis rate,recurrence rate,new tumor rate and survival rate were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results Cases of injection physiological saline below the diaphragm during RFA were significantly higher in adjacent diaphragm group than that in control group (P=0.016).The recurrence rate of adjacent diaphragm group was significantly higher than that of control group (P=0.028).There was no significant difference of patients,age,gender,the largest diameter of lesion,RFA instrument,RFA needles,early necrosis rate,new tumor rate,nor complications rate between the two groups (all P＞0.05).There was no significant difference of the 1-,2-,3-,4-and 5-year survival rate between the two groups (P=0.203).Conclusion Large hepatic carcinoma adjacent to diaphragm is more likely to recur after ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA.The method of injection physiological saline below diaphragm and other individualized treatment plan and strategy should be used during RFA treatment.

Objective To investigate the incidence and risk factors of liver abscess after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver cancer.Methods A retrospective study was performed on 1 643 patients from January 2000 to June 2016.All the patients were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC,n =942),cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC,n =31) or metastatic liver carcinoma (MLC,n=670).Univariate and multiple Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors of liver abscess.Results The incidence of liver abscess after RFA was 0.79％％ (13/1 643).Univariate analysis indicated that the liver abscess was significantly correlated with the history of diabetic mellitus (DM),Child-Pugh level,history of surgery and tumor location (all P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the history of DM,history of surgery and tumor location were independent risk factors of liver abscess after RFA for liver cancer.Conclusion History of DM,surgery and tumor location are important factors that result in liver abscess after RFA.