Ischaemia modified albumin in horses exercised at different intensities in treadmill

Ischaemia modified albumin (IMA) is considered a biomarker of myocardial ischaemia in humans in contrast to other biomarkers released when cardiac necrosis occurs. Little is known about release conditions of IMA in exercise and this is the first report in equine species. For this purpose, ten clinically healthy untrained horses were submitted to a high intensity test (HIT) followed by a low intensity test (LIT) seven days later. Blood samples were taken before, during and immediately after exercise, and 15 min and 30 min thereafter. Serum IMA, lactate and albumin, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. There were no significant changes in IMA concentration in any of the exercise tests. There was also a negative correlation between IMA and albumin levels in both tests, and between IMA and lactate levels in LIT, suggesting possible assay interferences. It was concluded that HIT and LIT did not promote significant changes in IMA concentration in horses under these conditions.

Detecção imunoistoquímica de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona no endométrio de vacas Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) durante o anestro pós-parto

Twenty-four postpartum anestrous Nelore purebred cows were used in the study. Anestrous was determined based on the reproductive history which was confirmed in each cow based on plasma progesterone concentration and by transrectal ultrasonography. Endometrial biopsies were collected. The animals were separated into two groups according to maximum follicular diameter- Group 1: follicles <6mm (n=12) and Group 2: follicles >-6mm follicles (n=12). The immunohistochemistry technique was employed to evaluate the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterine glandular epithelium and stroma. High counts of positive nuclei and high intensity of immunostain for estrogen and progesterone receptors in the glandular epithelium and stroma were observed in the two groups. However, the immunostain intensity of progesterone receptors in the glandular epithelium was higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1. When glandular epithelium and stroma were compared within each group, the relative number of estrogen receptors in the Group 1 was higher in the glandular epithelium compared to stroma and the immunostain intensity for the progesterone receptor in Group 2 was higher in the glandular epithelium compared to stroma. The results suggest that the mechanisms that control the expression of endomerial receptors in the anestrus are similar to the ones observed during the estrus cycle.

Influência de gênero e do ciclo estral no reflexo auditivo de sobressalto em ratos Wistar

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos da suplementação de taurina ou flavonóides de cacau associado à achocolatado sobre a composição corporal, metabolismo de carboidratos e proteinas, desempenho fisico, dano muscular e estresse oxidativo em atletas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos da suplementação de taurina ou flavonóides de cacau associado à achocolatado sobre a composição corporal, metabolismo de carboidratos e proteinas, desempenho fisico, dano muscular e estresse oxidativo em atletas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Toward a Clinical Protocol for Assessing Rod, Cone, and Melanopsin Contributions to the Human Pupil Response

PURPOSE. To better understand the relative contributions of rod, cone, and melanopsin to the human pupillary light reflex (PLR) and to determine the optimal conditions for assessing the health of the rod, cone, and melanopsin pathways with a relatively brief clinical protocol. METHODS. PLR was measured with an eye tracker, and stimuli were controlled with a Ganzfeld system. In experiment 1, 2.5 log cd/m(2) red (640 +/- 10 nm) and blue (467 +/- 17 nm) stimuli of various durations were presented after dark adaptation. In experiments 2 and 3, 1-second red and blue stimuli were presented at different intensity levels in the dark (experiment 2) or on a 0.78 log cd/m(2) blue background (experiment 3). Based on the results of experiments 1 to 3, a clinical protocol was designed and tested on healthy control subjects and patients with retinitis pigmentosa and Leber`s congenital amaurosis. RESULTS. The duration for producing the optimal melanopsin-driven sustained pupil response after termination of an intense blue stimulus was 1 second. PLR rod-and melanopsin-driven components are best studied with low-and high-intensity flashes, respectively, presented in the dark (experiment 2). A blue background suppressed rod and melanopsin responses, making it easy to assess the cone contribution with a red flash (experiment 3). With the clinical protocol, robust melanopsin responses could be seen in patients with few or no contributions from the rods and cones. CONCLUSIONS. It is possible to assess the rod, cone, and melanopsin contributions to the PLR with blue flashes at two or three intensity levels in the dark and one red flash on a blue background. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011; 52: 6624-6635) DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-7586

Histomorphometric analysis of the effects of creatine on rat myometrium

Objective: To analyze the myometrial thickness of rats subjected to creatine (Cr) ingestion. Study design: A total of 14 rats was equally divided into the control group (ConGr) receiving 1 ml potable water and the creatine group (CrGr) subjected to the ingestion of 1.6 g/kg Cr diluted in 1 ml potable water. At the end of 8 weeks, the animals were anesthetized (xylazine and ketamine) and sacrificed, the uteri and ovaries stained with hematoxylin and eosin, the thickness of both the myometrium and the epithelium measured and the follicles counted. Results: Analysis revealed a significant increase in thickness of the myometrium in the CrGr (272.26 +/- 66.71 mu m) contrasted with that from the ConGr (160.76 +/- 35.65 mu m), CrGr > ConGr (p < 0001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that Cr changed myometrial morphology in rats by enhancing myometrial thickness, but its action mechanism in the smooth muscle is still unclear.

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.

Is there a relationship between the total volume of load lifted in bench press exercise and the rating of perceived exertion?

Aim. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the total volume of load lifted (TVLL) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) measures during different resistance training (RT) schemes using the bench press exercise. Methods. The present study was divided into two experiments. In the first experiment, 18 healthy men performed three different RT schemes: a strength oriented scheme (SS), a muscular endurance oriented scheme (ES) and a hypertrophy oriented scheme (HS). TVLL was calculated for each scheme. Mean-RPE and session-RPE were assessed. In the second experiment, 23 men performed two resistance exercise bouts at different intensities (50 %-1RM and 75%-1RM) with matched TVLL. Mean-RPE and session-RPE were also assessed. Results. SS and HS showed higher TVLL and greater RPE scores as compared to ES (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between SS and HS. It was verified significant positive correlations between TVLL and session-RPE (SS r=0.63, HS r=0.64, ES r=0.56; P<0.05), and between mean-RPE and TVLL (SS r=0.55, HS r=0.52, ES r=0.47; P<0.05) for all schemes. No differences were observed for mean-RPE, session-RPE and TVLL between the 50%-1RM and 75%1RM. Significant positive relationships between TVLL and session-RPE (50 %-1RM r=0.61, 75 %-1RM r=0.66; p<0.05) and between TVLL and mean-RPE (50 %-1RM r=0.51, 75%1RM r=0.49; P<0.05) were observed. Conclusion. The results of this study have shown that the TVLL in RT influences RPE measures. These findings corroborates the existence of a relationship between total work performed (external training load) and perception of effort (internal training load).

Energy demands in taekwondo athletes during combat simulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate energy system contributions and energy costs in combat situations. The sample consisted of 10 male taekwondo athletes (age: 21 +/- 6 years old; height: 176.2 +/- 5.3 cm; body mass: 67.2 +/- 8.9 kg) who compete at the national or international level. To estimate the energy contributions, and total energy cost of the fights, athletes performed a simulated competition consisting of three 2 min rounds with a 1 min recovery between each round. The combats were filmed to quantify the actual time spent fighting in each round. The contribution of the aerobic (WAER), anaerobic alactic (W-PCR), and anaerobic lactic (Wleft perpendicularLA-right perpendicular) energy systems was estimated through the measurement of oxygen consumption during the activity, the fast component of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and the change in blood lactate concentration in each round, respectively. The mean ratio of high intensity actions to moments of low intensity (steps and pauses) was similar to 1:7. The W-AER, W-PCR and (Wleft perpendicularLA-right perpendicular) system contributions were estimated as 120 +/- 22 kJ (66 +/- 6%), 54 +/- 21 kJ (30 +/- 6%), 8.5 kJ (4 +/- 2%), respectively. Thus, training sessions should be directed mainly to the improvement of the anaerobic alactic system (responsible by the highintensity actions), and of the aerobic system (responsible by the recovery process between high- intensity actions).

Carbohydrate supplementation delays DNA damage in elite runners during intensive microcycle training

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on free plasma DNA and conventional markers of training and tissue damage in long-distance runners undergoing an overload training program. Twenty-four male runners were randomly assigned to two groups (CHO group and control group). The participants were submitted to an overload training program (days 1-8), followed by a high-intensity intermittent running protocol (10 x 800 m) on day 9. The runners received maltodextrin solution (CHO group) or zero energy placebo solution as the control equivalent before, during, and after this protocol. After 8 days of intensive training, baseline LDH levels remained constant in the CHO group (before: 449.1 +/- 18.2, after: 474.3 +/- 22.8 U/L) and increased in the control group (from 413.5 +/- 23.0 to 501.8 +/- 24.1 U/L, p < 0.05). On day 9, LDH concentrations were lower in the CHO group (509.2 +/- 23.1 U/L) than in the control group (643.3 +/- 32.9 U/L, p < 0.01) post-intermittent running. Carbohydrate ingestion attenuated the increase of free plasma DNA post-intermittent running (48,240.3 +/- 5,431.8 alleles/mL) when compared to the control group (73,751.8 +/- 11,546.6 alleles/mL, p < 0.01). Leukocyte counts were lower in the CHO group than in the control group post-intermittent running (9.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 12.2 +/- 0.7 cells/mu L; p < 0.01) and at 80 min of recovery (10.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 13.9 +/- 1.1 cells/mu L; p < 0.01). Cortisol levels were positively correlated with free plasma DNA, leukocytes, and LDH (all r > 0.4 and p < 0.001). The results showed that ingestion of a carbohydrate beverage resulted in less DNA damage and attenuated the acute post-exercise inflammation response, providing better recovery during intense training.

Strength Training with Blood Flow Restriction Diminishes Myostatin Gene Expression

LAURENTINO, G. C., C. UGRINOWITSCH, H. ROSCHEL, M. S. AOKI, A. G. SOARES, M. NEVES JR, A. Y. AIHARA, A. DA ROCHA CORREA FERNANDES, and V. TRICOLI. Strength Training with Blood Flow Restriction Diminishes Myostatin Gene Expression. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 406-412, 2012. Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether the similar muscle strength and hypertrophy responses observed after either low-intensity resistance exercise associated with moderate blood flow restriction or high-intensity resistance exercise are associated with similar changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of selected genes involved in myostatin (MSTN) signaling. Methods: Twenty-nine physically active male subjects were divided into three groups: low-intensity (20% one-repetition maximum (1RM)) resistance training (LI) (n = 10), low-intensity resistance exercise associated with moderate blood flow restriction (LIR) (n = 10), and high-intensity (80% 1RM) resistance exercise (HI) (n = 9). All of the groups underwent an 8-wk training program. Maximal dynamic knee extension strength (1RM), quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA), MSTN, follistatin-like related genes (follistatin (FLST), follistatin-like 3 (FLST-3)), activin IIb, growth and differentiation factor-associated serum protein 1 (GASP-1), and MAD-related protein (SMAD-7) mRNA gene expression were assessed before and after training. Results: Knee extension 1RM significantly increased in all groups (LI = 20.7%, LIR = 40.1%, and HI = 36.2%). CSA increased in both the LIR and HI groups (6.3% and 6.1%, respectively). MSTN mRNA expression decreased in the LIR and HI groups (45% and 41%, respectively). There were no significant changes in activin IIb (P > 0.05). FLST and FLST-3 mRNA expression increased in all groups from pre- to posttest (P < 0.001). FLST-3 expression was significantly greater in the HI when compared with the LIR and LI groups at posttest (P = 0.024 and P = 0.018, respectively). GASP-1 and SMAD-7 gene expression significantly increased in both the LIR and HI groups. Conclusions: We concluded that LIR was able to induce gains in 1RM and quadriceps CSA similar to those observed after traditional HI. These responses may be related to the concomitant decrease in MSTN and increase in FLST isoforms, GASP-1, and SMAD-7 mRNA gene expression.

Influence of different resistance exercise loading schemes on mechanical power output in work to rest ratio - equated and - nonequated conditions

Paulo CA, Roschel H, Ugrinowitsch C, Kobal R and Tricoli V. Influence of different resistance exercise loading schemes on mechanical power output in work to rest ratio-equated and -nonequated conditions. J Strength Cond Res 26(5): 1308-1312, 2012-It is well known that most sports are characterized by the performance of intermittent high-intensity actions, requiring high muscle power production within different intervals. In fact, the manipulation of the exercise to rest ratio in muscle power training programs may constitute an interesting strategy when considering the specific performance demand of a given sport modality. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different schemes of rest intervals and number of repetitions per set on muscle power production in the squat exercise between exercise to rest ratio-equated and -nonequated conditions. Nineteen young males (age: 25.7 +/- 4.4 years; weight: 81.3 +/- 13.7 kg; height: 178.1 +/- 5.5 cm) were randomly submitted to 3 different resistance exercise loading schemes, as follows: short-set short-interval condition (SSSI; 12 sets of 3 repetitions with a 27.3-second interval between sets); short-set long-interval condition (SSLI; 12 sets of 3 repetitions with a 60-second interval between sets); long-set long-interval (LSLI; 6 sets of 6 repetitions with a 60-second rest interval between sets). The main finding of the present study is that the lower exercise to rest ratio protocol (SSLI) resulted in greater average power production (601.88 +/- 142.48 W) when compared with both SSSI and LSLI (581.86 +/- 113.18 W; 578 +/- 138.78 W, respectively). Additionally, both the exercise to rest ratio-equated conditions presented similar performance and metabolic results. In summary, these findings suggest that shorter rest intervals may fully restore the individual's ability to produce muscle power if a smaller exercise volume per set is performed and that lower exercise to rest ratio protocols result in greater average power production when compared with higher ratio ones.

Effects of a combined aerobic and strength training program in youth patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Cure rates of youth with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) have increased in the past decades, but survivor's quality of life and physical fitness has become a growing concern. Although previous reports showed that resistance training is feasible and effective, we hypothesized that a more intense exercise program would also be feasible, but more beneficial than low- to moderate-intensity training programs. We aimed to examine the effects of an exercise program combining high-intensity resistance exercises and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises in young patients undergoing treatment for ALL. A quasi-experimental study was conducted. The patients (n = 6; 5-16 years of age) underwent a 12-week intra-hospital training program involving high-intensity strength exercises and aerobic exercise at 70% of the peak oxygen consumption. At baseline and after 12 weeks, we assessed sub-maximal strength (10 repetition-maximum), quality of life and possible adverse effects. A significant improvement was observed in the sub maximal strength for bench press (71%), lat pull down (50%), leg press (73%) and leg extension (64%) as a result of the training (p < 0.01). The parents' evaluations of their children's quality of life revealed an improvement in fatigue and general quality of life, but the children's self-reported quality of life was not changed. No adverse effects occurred. A 12-week in-hospital training program including high-intensity resistance exercises promotes marked strength improvements in patients during the maintenance phase of the treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia without side-effects. Parents' evaluations of their children revealed an improvement in the quality of life.

Combined pre- and subtemporal transtentorial approach for epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle

Objective Epidermoid cysts of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) can be a surgical challenge for the pediatric neurosurgeon. Ideally, total removal must be achieved; however, occasional adhesions of these tumors to vital neurovascular structures and extension far beyond the midline may preclude their total removal. The aims of this article are to present an alternative surgical approach to these lesions and to provide the rationale for this technique. Material and methods A 16-year-old boy was admitted to our pediatric neurosurgery department with a 1-year history of nonspecific headaches. His neurological examination showed right-sided dysmetria and gait ataxia. Magnetic resonance scans showed a space-occupying lesion on the right CPA with low intensity on T-1-weighted images and high intensity on T-2-weighted images. Results Craniotomy for tumor excision via pre- and subtemporal transtentorial approach was performed disclosing a 3.5 x 3 x 2.8-cm(3) well-encapsulated tumor, which was confirmed to be an epidermoid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusions A combined pre- and subtemporal approach utilizes a wide opening of the tentorium and the option of supratentorial retraction of the cerebellum to provide an excellent angle of approach to CPA lesions involving the anterolateral aspect of the brain stem in children.