EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF STRENGTH TRAINING ON RUNNING ECONOMY: A SIMULATION STUDY

Strength training can improve running economy (RE) and performance in distance runners. This study investigated the effect of potential adaptations stemming from strength training on RE using simulation. Muscle-tendon unit (MTU) properties (muscle strength and mass, pennation angle, tendon stiffness, fibre composition) of muscle groups were altered within muscle-driven simulations of running at 4.5 and 6.5 m·s-1. Outputs from the muscle-driven simulations were input to an energetics model to determine whole-body metabolic power. Alterations to MTU properties resulted in variable changes (range = 1.4% decrement – 8.9% improvement in RE) to whole-body metabolic power and RE. The findings highlight potential targets for strength training programs aiming to improve RE in distance runners

Distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPS) IN wild Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from different FAO capture zones

Residues of environmental contaminants in food represent a concern in food safety programs. In this study, the distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were evaluated in 79 tuna samples from FAO areas 51 (Indian Ocean), 71 (Pacific Ocean), 34 (Atlantic Ocean), and 37 (Mediterranean Sea). 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 16 organochlorines (OCs) and 7 polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were selected as representative compounds according to EFSA POPs monitoring guidelines. An analytical method, based on Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE), with an "in-line" clean-up step and GC-MS/MS detection, was developed, validated and applied. PCBs were detected in all FAO areas, with a prevalence of 100% for most of them. In the FAO area 37, only, all PBDEs were detected. Only 5 OCs were detected. The results showed that POPs contamination of tuna reflects FAO area contamination; in particular FAO area 37 was the most polluted. Moreover, tuna muscle was an appropriate matrix for monitoring contamination and for obtaining information about food safety

Hemp Flour Particle Size Affects the Quality and Nutritional Profile of the Enriched Functional Pasta

The rheological and chemical quality of pasta samples, which were obtained using the durum wheat semolina fortified with the hemp seed solid residue, after oil extraction, sieved at 530 mu m (Hemp 1) or 236 mu m (Hemp 2) at different percentages of substitution (5%, 7.5%, and 10%, were evaluated. The total polyphenolic content in hemp flour was quantified in the range of 6.38-6.35 mg GAE/g, and free radical scavenging was included in the range from 3.94-3.75 mmol TEAC/100 g in Hemp 1 and Hemp 2, respectively. The phenolic profiles determined by UHPLC-ESI/QTOF-MS showed that cannabisin C, hydroxycinnamic and protocatechuic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds in both hemp flours. Among the amino acids, isoleucine, glutamine, tyrosine, proline, and lysine were the most abundant in raw materials and pasta samples. Although the hemp seeds were previously subjected to oil extraction, hemp flours retain about 8% of oil, and the fatty acids present in the largest amount were linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Characterization of the minerals showed that the concentration of macro and trace elements increased according to fortification percentage. Sensory evaluation and cooking quality indicated that the best performance in terms of process production and consumer acceptance was obtained using Hemp 2 at 7.5%. Hemp supplementation could be a potential option for producing high-quality, nutritionally rich, low-cost pasta with good color and functionality

Volatile anesthetic agent pollution in operating rooms in a large Roman hospital. A preliminary note

Gli autori riportano i risultati di un'indagine, effettuata in alcune sale operatorie di un nosocomio romano, per determinare le concentrazioni di agenti anestetici volatili e verificare la relazione tra i diversi sistemi di bonifica ambientale presenti ed il grado di inquinamento. Vengono discussi i risultati ed individuate le possibili soluzioni del problem

Measurement error associated with gait cycle selection in treadmill running at various speeds

A common approach in the biomechanical analysis of running technique is to average data from several gait cycles to compute a ‘representative mean.’ However, the impact of the quantity and selection of gait cycles on biomechanical measures is not well understood. We examined the effects of gait cycle selection on kinematic data by: (i) comparing representative means calculated from varying numbers of gait cycles to ‘global’ means from the entire capture period; and (ii) comparing representative means from varying numbers of gait cycles sampled from different parts of the capture period. We used a public dataset (n = 28) of lower limb kinematics captured during a 30-second period of treadmill running at three speeds (2.5 m s−1, 3.5 m s−1 and 4.5 m s−1). ‘Ground truth’ values were determined by averaging data across all collected strides and compared to representative means calculated from random samples (1,000 samples) of n (range = 5–30) consecutive gait cycles. We also compared representative means calculated from n (range = 5–15) consecutive gait cycles randomly sampled (1,000 samples) from within the same data capture period. The mean, variance and range of the absolute error of the representative mean compared to the ‘ground truth’ mean progressively reduced across all speeds as the number of gait cycles used increased. Similar magnitudes of ‘error’ were observed between the 2.5 m s−1 and 3.5 m s−1 speeds at comparable gait cycle numbers —where the maximum errors were < 1.5 degrees even with a small number of gait cycles (i.e., 5–10). At the 4.5 m s−1 speed, maximum errors typically exceeded 2–4 degrees when a lower number of gait cycles were used. Subsequently, a higher number of gait cycles (i.e., 25–30) was required to achieve low errors (i.e., 1–2 degrees) at the 4.5 m s−1 speed. The mean, variance and range of absolute error of representative means calculated from different parts of the capture period was consistent irrespective of the number of gait cycles used. The error between representative means was low (i.e., < 1.5 degrees) and consistent across the different number of gait cycles at the 2.5 m s−1 and 3.5 m s−1 speeds, and consistent but larger (i.e., up to 2–4 degrees) at the 4.5 m s−1 speed. Our findings suggest that selecting as many gait cycles as possible from a treadmill running bout will minimise potential ‘error.’ Analysing a small sample (i.e., 5–10 cycles) will typically result in minimal ‘error’ (i.e., < 2 degrees), particularly at lower speeds (i.e., 2.5 m s−1 and 3.5 m s−1). Researchers and clinicians should consider the balance between practicalities of collecting and analysing a smaller number of gait cycles against the potential ‘error’ when determining their methodological approach. Irrespective of the number of gait cycles used, we recommend that the potential ‘error’ introduced by the choice of gait cycle number be considered when interpreting the magnitude of effects in treadmill-based running studies

Identification of a Drug Targeting an Intrinsically Disordered Protein Involved in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are prevalent in eukaryotes, performing signaling and regulatory functions. Often associated with human diseases, they constitute drug-development targets. NUPR1 is a multifunctional IDP, over-expressed and involved in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. By screening 1120 FDA-approved compounds, fifteen candidates were selected, and their interactions with NUPR1 were characterized by experimental and simulation techniques. The protein remained disordered upon binding to all fifteen candidates. These compounds were tested in PDAC-derived cell-based assays, and all induced cell-growth arrest and senescence, reduced cell migration, and decreased chemoresistance, mimicking NUPR1-deficiency. The most effective compound completely arrested tumor development in vivo on xenografted PDAC-derived cells in mice. Besides reporting the discovery of a compound targeting an intact IDP and specifically active against PDAC, our study proves the possibility to target the ''fuzzy'' interface of a protein that remains disordered upon binding to its natural biological partners or to selected drugs

Characterization and quantifi cation of endogenous fatty acid nitroalkene metabolites in human urine

The oxidation and nitration of unsaturated fatty acids transforms cell membrane and lipoprotein constituents into mediators that regulate signal transduction. The formation of 9-NO2-octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid and 12-NO2-octadeca- 9,11-dienoic acid stems from peroxynitrite- and myeloperoxidase-derived nitrogen dioxide reactions as well as secondary to nitrite disproportionation under the acidic conditions of digestion. Broad anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective responses are mediated by nitro-fatty acids. It is now shown that electrophilic fatty acid nitroalkenes are present in the urine of healthy human volunteers (9.9 + 4.0 pmol/mg creatinine); along with electrophilic 16- and 14-carbon nitroalkenyl β-oxidation metabolites. High resolution mass determinations and co-elution with isotopically-labeled metabolites support renal excretion of cysteine-nitroalkene conjugates. These products of Michael addition are in equilibrium with the free nitroalkene pool in urine and are displaced by thiol reaction with HgCl2. This reaction increases the level of free nitroalkene fraction >10-fold and displays a KD of 7.5x10-6 M. In aggregate, the data indicates that formation of Michael adducts by electrophilic fatty acids is favored under biological conditions and that reversal of these addition reactions is critical for detecting both parent nitroalkenes and their metabolites. The measurement of this class of mediators can constitute a sensitive non-invasive index of metabolic and inflammatory status.Fil: Salvatore, Sonia Rosana. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Vitturi, Dario A.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Baker, Paul R. S.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Bonacci, Gustavo Roberto. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Koenitzer, Jeffrey R.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Woodcock, Steven R.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Freeman, Bruce A.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Schopfer, Francisco J.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unido

Running in standard versus minimalist shoes

The purpose of this study was to determine if running in a minimalist shoe results in a reduction in ground reaction forces and alters kinematics over standard shoe running. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine if within–session accommodation to a novel minimalist shoe occurs. Running in a minimalist shoe appears to, at least in the short–term, increase loading of the lower extremity over standard shoe running. The accommodation period resulted in less favorable landing mechanics in both shoes. These findings bring into question whether minimal shoes will provide enough feedback to induce an alteration that is similar to barefoot running

Immunological fingerprint of 4CMenB recombinant antigens via protein microarray reveals key immunosignatures correlating with bactericidal activity

Serogroup B meningococcus (MenB) is a leading cause of meningitis and sepsis across the world and vaccination is the most effective way to protect against this disease. 4CMenB is a multi-component vaccine against MenB, which is now licensed for use in subjects >2 months of age in several countries. In this study, we describe the development and use of an ad hoc protein microarray to study the immune response induced by the three major 4CMenB antigenic components (fHbp, NHBA and NadA) in individual sera from vaccinated infants, adolescents and adults. The resulting 4CMenB protein antigen fingerprinting allowed the identification of specific human antibody repertoire correlating with the bactericidal response elicited in each subject. This work represents an example of epitope mapping of the immune response induced by a multicomponent vaccine in different age groups with the identification of protective signatures. It shows the high flexibility of this microarray based methodology in terms of high-throughput information and minimal volume of biological samples needed