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Summary:The factors possibly affecting the collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were evaluated in 104 de novo acute leukemia patients (66 myeloid and 38 lymphoblastic leukemias) in first cytological complete remission (CR); all patients achieved CR after first-line induction chemotherapy. The acute myeloid leukemia patients (AML) were given consolidation-mobilization chemotherapy with cytarabine, and daunoblastin or mitoxantrone or idarubicin; the acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients (ALL) were given consolidation-mobilization chemotherapy with cytarabine and etoposide. In all patients, the collection of PBSC was performed during recovery after giving consolidation chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Two main groups were considered according to the CD34 þ cells  10 6 /kg b.w. collected, that is, poor mobilizers (PM), with a collection of o2  10 6 /kg and good mobilizers, with a collection of 42  10 6 /kg. Of 104 patients, 27 (25.9%) were PM; 20/27 had AML and 7/27 had ALL. At multivariate analysis, a lower CD34 þ cells count premobilization chemotherapy (CD34 steady state), the presence of FUO (fever of unknown origin) or infection, and a lower number of CD34 þ cells on the first day of collection correlated with poor mobilization. These results may enable early recognition of patients who may have poor mobilization, and aid selection of patients for different mobilization regimens.

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Mobile devices (i.e., smartphones and tablets) have acquired important functions in both interpersonal and individual spheres. For this reason, they can cause a true dependence for the young people. Moreover, prolonged periods of cognitive activity induce mental fatigue, a psychobiological state which influences the performances in team sports. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of prolonged use of smartphones on physical and technical performance of young footballers. METHODS:In total, 16 young male footballers (15.0 ± 1.1 years) were randomly assigned to two studies, Study 1 (S1, n=8) or Study 2 (S2, n=8), in which the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 and the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test were performed, respectively. The soccer-specific physical and technical performance was assessed for S1 and S2. In both studies, the participants underwent to mental fatigue through the use of smartphones (Brain It On App) for 30 minutes, and to the control condition (normal activities) after at least 48 hours. A crossover study design and a paired t-test (p<0.05) were used.RESULTS: S1 performed shorter running distances in the state of mental fatigue than under the control condition (1610 ± 135 vs. 1780 ± 249 m, Δ -10.56%, p = 0.046). In addition, mental fatigue significantly increased the performance time in S2 compared with the control condition (51 ± 6 vs. 43 ±2.2 s, Δ +15.7%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that prolonged use of smartphones, which causes mental fatigue, can reduce the physical and technical performance of young footballers. Therefore, it is necessary to educate to the conscientious use of technology.

Background and objectives: Lymphoma patients experience a psychological and physiological decline that could be reversed by exercise. However, little is known about the effects of the exercise on psychological and physical fitness variables. Therefore, the purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess self-efficacy, fatigue and physical fitness before and after an eight-week exercise intervention. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six participants (54.4 ± 19.1 years) performed a supervised exercise program (~60 min, 2d·wk−1). Each session included a combined progressive training of cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility and postural education exercises. Self-efficacy and fatigue were measured with the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy scale and 0–10 rating scale, respectively. Physical fitness was assessed with the body mass index, lower back flexibility, static balance, muscle strength and functional mobility. Results: Adherence to exercise was high (91.2% ± 4.8%) and no major health problems were noted in the patients over the intervention period. At baseline, significant differences were found between Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients by age and all dependent measures (p < 0.05). Fatigue significantly decreased and the perceived capability to regulate negative affect and to express positive emotions improved after exercise (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were found for body mass index, trunk lateral flexibility, monopodalic balance, isometric handgrip force and functional mobility (p < 0.001). Fatigue was significantly correlated with handgrip force (r = −0.56, p < 0.001) and functional mobility (r = −0.69, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The supervised exercise program improved psychological and physical fitness without causing adverse effects and health problems. Therefore, exercise to improve fitness levels and reduce perceived fatigue should be considered in the management of lymphoma patients.

Body image is a multidimensional construct encompassing how we perceive, think, feel, and act toward our bodies and lies on a continuum from healthy body perceptions to unhealthy body perceptions. Previous researches suggest that adolescent girls experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction than do their male counterparts. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate on gender differences concerning the perceived body dissatisfaction and uneasiness by adolescents and the role played by the physical education in the process of positive development of the mental representation of the corporeity. 100 students (14-15 years) participated voluntarily in the study and were assigned to trained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) regularly practicing sports outside the school hours, or untrained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) did not practice any extracurricular physical activity in the period before the study. After anthropometric measurements (BMI), two standardized psychological tests to assess the degree of personal satisfaction towards their body were administered (i.e., Body uneasiness test (BUT) and contour drawing rating scale (CDRS)). BUT and CDRS scores were significantly lower for total trained group and trained females (p < .05). Also, total trained group and males and females trained showed a significant lower BMI (p < .05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the untrained and trained males for BUT and CDRS. Findings showed a better bodysize perception and a smaller body uneasiness by trained adolescents. Moreover, girls showed anyway a greater dissatisfaction and uneasiness with the external appearance compared to their male counterpart.

The pericardium bovine patch seems to be safe and effective to successfully repair ventral hernia in potentially contaminated operative fields, especially in association with bowel resection.