Carbohydrate supplementation increases intramyocellular lipid stores in elite runners

The objective was to determine the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation on exercise-induced hormone responses and post-training intramyocellular lipid stores (IMCL). Twenty-four elite male athletes (28.0 +/- 1.2 years) were randomized to receive CHO (maltodextrin solution) or zero energy placebo solution (control group). The high-intensity running protocol consisted of 10 x 800 m at 100% of the best 3000-m speed (Vm3 km) and 2 x 1000 m maximal bouts in the morning and a submaximal 10-km continuous easy running in the afternoon of day 9. IMCL concentrations were assessed by H-1-MRS before (-day 9) and after training (day 9) in soleus (SO) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Blood hormones were also measured before, during, and post-exercise. The percent change (Delta%) in TA-IMCL was higher in the CHO group (47.9 +/- 24.5 IMCL/Cr) than in the control group (-1.7 +/- 13.1, respectively) (P=.04). Insulin concentrations were higher in the CHO group post-intermittent running compared to control (P=.02). Circulating levels of free fatty acids and GH were lower in the CHO group (P>.01). The decline in performance in the 2nd 1000-m bout was also attenuated in this group compared to control (P<.001 and P=.0035, respectively). The hormonal milieu (higher insulin and lower GH levels) in the CHO group, together with unchanged free fatty acid levels, probably contributed to the increased IMCL stores. This greater energy storage capacity may have improved post-exercise recovery and thus prevented performance deterioration. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pancreatic iron stores assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in beta thalassemic patients

Purpose: To assess the correlation between MRI findings of the pancreas with those of the heart and liver in patients with beta thalassemia; to compare the pancreas T2* MRI results with glucose and ferritin levels and labile plasma iron (LPI). Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated chronically transfused patients, testing glucose with enzymatic tests, serum ferritin with chemiluminescence, LPI with cellular fluorescence, and T2* MRI to assess iron content in the heart, liver, and pancreas. MRI results were compared with one another and with serum glucose, ferritin, and LPI. Liver iron concentration (LIC) was determined in 11 patients' liver biopsies by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: 289 MRI studies were available from 115 patients during the period studied. 9.4% of patients had overt diabetes and an additional 16% of patients had impaired fasting glucose. Both pancreatic and cardiac R2* had predictive power (p < 0.0001) for identifying diabetes. Cardiac and pancreatic R2* were modestly correlated with one another (r(2) = 0.20, p < 0.0001). Both were weakly correlated with LIC (r(2) = 0.09, p < 0.0001 for both) and serum ferritin (r(2) = 0.14, p < 0.0001 and r(2) = 0.03, p < 0.02, respectively). None of the three served as a screening tool for single observations. There is a strong log-log, or power-law, relationship between ratio of signal intensity (SIR) values and pancreas R2* with an r(2) of 0.91. Conclusions: Pancreatic iron overload can be assessed by MRI, but siderosis in other organs did not correlate significantly with pancreatic hemosiderosis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

COMMUNITY OF ORIGIN EFFECTS ON VIRTUAL BRAND COMMUNITIES PARTICIPANT

The question about the effectiveness of companies in maintaining their own communities versus benefiting from the ones owned by consumers remains open. We examine differences between firm-managed and customer-managed brand communities regarding the impact of perceived psychographic homogeneity, availability of virtual avenues and relationship with the brand on the community's influence on members and the assessments and intentions of community participants. Data were obtained from 555 respondents in two leading Microsoft XBOX brand communities in Brazil. Results indicate that management of the community of origin is the moderator of all considered relationships. Also, the most favorable effects for the company occur in the community that is not directly controlled and managed by the company itself. Brand loyalty, however, is higher for members of the official brand community. Guidelines on how companies can benefit from consumer-managed communities are discussed.