The aim of this study was to reassess and confirm the relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and manifestations of psychomotor deficiency in 4–6-yr-old kindergarteners, which has remained elusive to date. A cross-sectional study with bi-township analysis was designed whereby 353 kindergarteners, aged 4–6 whose caries were greater (dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth, dmft index) = 5.25) than that of the national average, located in a rural township of central Taiwan were recruited using simple random-selection. Besides the personal, demographic, and dietary information, the measurements for caries and the amended comprehensive scales (CCDI) of children’s psychomotor development were used to address their relationship. One-way ANOVA vs. multiple linear regression were employed to compare the differences of variables between age, gender, BMI (Body Mass Index), and dmft scores vs. relationships among all variables, respectively. The results confirmed that there was a positive relationship between severe ECC (dmft > 3~8) and psychomotor deficiency (i.e., expressive language and comprehension-concept scales, etc.) amongst the kindergarteners analyzed. Our cross-sectional bi-township analysis has confirmed that there is indeed an association between severe ECC and psychomotor deficiency in kindergarteners, and we suggest that this may arise through critical stages of growth, not only via personal language communications, but psycho-social engagements as well. Therefore, a new hypothesis is proposed.

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is classified as an S9 glucocorticoid in the 2014 Prohibited List published by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which caused it to be prohibited in-competition when administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly or rectally. The Minimum Required Performance Level (MRPL) for the detection and identification of glucocorticoids is 30 ng/mL. Other common local injection routes, such as intraarticular, intratendinous, or intrabursal injection, are not prohibited. The purpose of this study was to analyze the TA and triamcinolone (T) concentrations in urine after a single injection of TA in patients to determine if it would produce a positive result. This study was performed on 40 patients with sports injuries or joint pains. TA was administered locally (doses varied from 12 to 80 mg). Samples were extracted using a solid-phase extraction column, followed by hydrolysis and liquid extraction using diethyl ether. The elution solvents were collected and dried. The dried residue was reconstituted and assayed by performing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in positive ionization mode using electrospray ionization and multiple-reaction monitoring as the acquisition mode. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of both TA and T in urine exceeded the MRPL (30 ng/mL) after a single local injection. We obtained positive results for TA in 25 patients, and a positive result for T in one patient. Furthermore, the metabolic situation of TA, a long-acting glucocorticoid, was not an exact linear model. The highest concentrations of TA and T appeared 1-4h after injection. This information could be useful for limiting the misuse of TA by athletes. We suggest that athletes be aware when using TA injections during a competition period and obtain approval for therapeutic use exemption prior to using TA.

BackgroundThe purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), known as the "queen of fruit," is widely consumed and unique not only because of its outstanding appearance and flavor but also its remarkable and diverse pharmacological effects. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of acute mangosteen supplementation on physical fatigue during exercise.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was carried out by 12 healthy adults. The participants were randomly assigned to receive acute oral administration of either 250 mL of the mangosteen-based juice (supplementation treatment; 305 mg of α-mangostin and 278 mg of hydroxycitric acid) or a placebo (control treatment) 1 h before cycle ergometer exercise. Time to exhaustion, heart rate, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion score, blood biochemical markers (namely ammonia, cortisol, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and lactate), muscle dynamic stiffness, and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were evaluated and recorded.ResultsThe results showed all parameters we examined were significantly altered by the exercise challenge, which demonstrated they directly reflected the condition of fatigue. However, there were no differences between the two treatments besides a positive impact on the POMS examination.ConclusionsThe occurrence of physical fatigue depends on multiple underlying mechanisms. We concluded that acute mangosteen supplementation had no impact on alleviating physical fatigue during exercise.

Triamcinolone (T) is a glucocorticoid commonly used to relieve inflammation and treat arthritis, severe allergies, and asthma; however, it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency in competition for athletes when administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally. The minimum required performance limit (MRPL) for urinary T is 30 ng/mL. However, the data about the urinary excretion of T after oral administration is limited. We investigate the elimination profile and determine whether single-dose administration of T would cause a positive doping result. Twelve healthy volunteers received a single-dose of 4-mg T rally, and urine samples were collected for 24 hours. A validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was used to determine urinary T levels. Non-compartmental modeling was used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters. All the urinary T concentrations were much higher than the MRPL. The peak urinary T concentration was 3211.4 ± 860.3 ng/mL (mean ± SD), time to peak concentration was 1.7 ± 0.9 hours, and the estimated elimination half-life was 4.4 ± 2.8 hours. About 27.76% of the consumed dose was eliminated via urine within 24 hours of intake. After a single-dose oral administration, urinary T concentrations still exceeded the MRPL after 24 hours. This information could be useful for limiting the misuse of T. Athletes should be aware when using T in competition and acquire approval for a therapeutic use exemption prior to use. Moreover, the elimination profile of orally administered T may be crucial information for distinguishing different dosage routes.

A sideslip (p) sensor calibration method based on fuzzy logic is developed to improve the accuracy and reliability of the sensor. Corrections to the measured values are assumed to be dependent on five variables: Mach number, indicated angle of sideslip, calibrated angle of attack, roll rate and yaw rate. Using fuzzy logic as a multi-dimensional method for nonlinear functional approximation, the calibration system will output the correction to the sensed P upon input of these five variables. In addition to being robust inherent in a fuzzy logic algorithm, this calibration method allows all influencing variables to vary at the same time in a given flight maneuver. Therefore, the number of flights required to calibrate the sensor can be reduced.