Objective: To evaluate the effect of caffeine on white cell distribution and muscle injury markers in professional soccer players during exercise. Methods: 22 male athletes completed a placebo controlled double blind test protocol to simulate a soccer match, followed by a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Results: Exercise caused an increase in packed cell volume that was enhanced by caffeine. Caffeine and exercise had a synergistic effect on the blood lymphocyte count, which increased by about 38% after exercise, and by an additional 35% when combined with caffeine. Caffeine promoted an exercise independent rise in circulating monocytes, and a synergistic action of exercise and caffeine was observed on segmented neutrophils. Caffeine promoted thrombocytosis. Plasma adenosine deaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations were enhanced by exercise, and alanine transaminase concentration was enhanced in both groups, with a synergistic effect of caffeine. Conclusions: The pronounced increase in the white cell count in the group receiving caffeine appeared to be caused by greater muscle stress and consequently more intense endothelial and muscle cell injury. The use of caffeine may augment the risk of muscle damage in athletes.

Our data suggest that caffeine might decrease systemic urea by decreasing the glutamine serum concentration, which decreases the transportation of ammonia to the liver and thus urea synthesis.

Epilepsy and other neurological disorders can have profound social, physical and psychological consequences, especially when they begin in childhood. Moreover, seizure episodes may cause fractures, burns, head injuries and oral injuries. This report presents a case history of an adolescent with a severe tongue injury related to epileptic seizures and outlines the proposed treatment, which included use of a maxillary silicone bite guard that allowed healing of the tongue injury within a few months.

No abstract

These are surely no less deserving of our protection than the feeble in body. To take advantage of the feebleness of intellect of one already on the borderland of insanity to annihilate by hypnotic suggestion the little remnant of reason and will-power that remains to him is equivalent to destroying a feeble, defenceless, or injured life. The gift of reason and free-will is our most cherished possession, and I maintain that we have no more right to deprive a human being of this gift for the sake of supposed ulterior advantages than we have to destroy human life for the supposed benefit of the human race.-I am, Sir, yours faithfully,