Objectives Fecal calprotectin seems to have a diagnostic precision in predicting relapse in quiescent ulcerative colitis patients. However, the data remain controversial in Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the role of fecal calprotectin as a predictive marker for 1-year follow-up in patients with asymptomatic Crohn's disease. Methods Fifty-three Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission were consecutively included providing at the beginning of the study a single stool sample as well as a blood sample and regularly followed-up for 12 months. Fecal calprotectin level was measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results Among 53 patients, 10 (18.9%) developed clinical relapse during the 12-month follow-up period. Median fecal calprotectin level was significantly higher in relapse group patients compared with that in nonrelapse group (380.5 vs. 155 μg/g, P<0.001). With a cutoff value of 340 μg/g fecal calprotectin gave sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 90.7% in predicting clinical relapse. Fecal calprotectin level greater that 340 μg/g gave an 18-fold higher risk to develop relapse (log rank P<0.001) and was found to be an independent predictive factor of relapse (P=0.02). Conclusion Fecal calprotectin seems to be a reliable marker of relapse in quiescent Crohn's disease patients.

Ataxia with vitamin E deficiency is an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia caused by mutations in the α-tocopherol transfer protein coding gene localized on chromosome 8q, leading to lower levels of serum vitamin E. More than 91 patients diagnosed with ataxia with vitamin E deficiency have been reported worldwide. The majority of cases originated in the Mediterranean region, and the 744delA was the most common mutation among the 22 mutants previously described. We examined the clinical and molecular features of a large cohort of 132 Tunisian patients affected with ataxia with vitamin E deficiency. Of these patients, nerve conduction studies were performed on 45, and nerve biopsy was performed on 13. Serum vitamin E was dramatically reduced for 105 of the patients analysed. Molecular analysis revealed that 91.7% of the patients (n = 121) were homozygous for the 744delA mutation. Three other mutations were detected among the remaining patients (8.3%, n = 11) in the homozygous state. Two were previously reported (400C>T and 205-1G>T), and one was novel (553+1T>A). Age of onset was 13.2 ± 5.9 years, with extremes of 2 and 37 years. All described patients exhibited persistent progressive cerebellar ataxia with generally absent tendon reflexes. Deep sensory disturbances, pyramidal syndrome and skeletal deformities were frequent. Head tremor was present in 40% of the patients. Absence of neuropathy or mild peripheral neuropathy was noted in more than half of the cohort. This is the largest study of the genetic, clinical and peripheral neuropathic characteristics in patients with ataxia and vitamin E deficiency. The 744delA mutation represents the most common pathological mutation in Tunisia and worldwide, likely because of a Mediterranean founder effect. Our study led us to suggest that any patient displaying an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia phenotype with absent tendon reflexes and minor nerve abnormalities should first be screened for the 744delA mutation, even in the absence of a serum vitamin E measurement.

Although High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown its effectiveness in improving body composition, cardio-respiratory fitness and lipid profile in obese adults, evidences remain limited in overweight/obese youth. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a 12-week HIIT program without caloric restriction on body composition and lipid profile among young overweight/obese men. Twenty healthy obese youth were randomly allocated into two groups; experimental group (HIIT) and control group. The HIIT program consisted in 3 exercises sessions per week (30 sec of work at 100% maximal aerobic velocity [MAV]) interspersed by 30 sec of active recovery at 50% MAV, starting by 15 repetitions to reach 27 by the end of the program. Aerobic capacity (MAV and maximum oxygen uptake [VO2max]), body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and fat mass percent) and lipid profile (triglycerides [TG] and total, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol) were determined before and after the HIIT program. Following 12 weeks of HIIT, WC, BMI (P<0.01), and fat mass percent (P<0.05) were significantly decreased. MAV and VO2max were significantly improved in the HIIT group, only. Total cholesterol (P<0.05) and TG (P<0.05) decreased significantly in the HIIT group, while LDL and HDL cholesterol levels remained unchanged in both groups. HIIT may be particularly useful in overweight/obese youth to improve body composition, aerobic fitness and lipid profile.

To examine the effects of short high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition, physical performance and plasma lipids in overweight/obese compared to normal-weight young men. Nine overweight/ obese and nine normal-weight men (control group) aged 17 to 20 years underwent a HIIT...