The Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, muscle soreness (Damas et al., 2016) and can result in subsequent exercise avoidance. Omega-3 (n-3) supplementation has been proposed to minimise EIMD via its anti-inflammatory properties (Jakeman et al., 2017), however its action remains unclear. We aimed to examine the effects of n-3 supplementation on exercise-induced inflammatory response following muscle-damaging exercise. Physically active, healthy Caucasian males (n = 14, 25.07 ± 4.05 years) provided written informed consent, then were single-blind randomised to either receive 3 g/day n-3 supplementation (N-3, n = 7) or placebo (PLA, n = 7). Following 4 weeks n-3 supplementation, a downhill running protocol (60 minutes at 65% V̇O2max, -10% gradient) was performed. Before supplementation (baseline), prior to EIMD, immediately after EIMD, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-EIMD, venous plasma was collected for creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), peak power (PP) and perceived muscle soreness were also quantified. Results are presented here as ‘median and interquartile range’ for CK, IL-6, TNF-a and perceived muscle soreness, and as ‘mean ± SD’ for MVIC and PP. Significant difference in CK activity was found between N-3 and PLA (p = 0.048) at 24 h post-EIMD, with PLA showing a larger increase in serum CK (baseline- vs 24h post-EIMD) compared to N-3 (677.4% vs 459.6%, respectively). PLA showed a larger increase in plasma IL-6 compared to N-3 immediately post-EIMD (143.9% vs 131.1%, respectively), however, there was no significant difference between groups at any time point (p > 0.05). TNF-a showed a smaller increase for the N-3 group compared to the PLA, again, there were no significant differences between groups at any time point (p > 0.05). Significant difference in muscle soreness was found between N-3 and PLA at 24 h post-EIMD (p = 0.034), with PLA showing a higher muscle soreness compared to N-3. A significant main effect for time was observed for MVIC with both groups showing a significant reduction in leg strength immediately post-EIMD. However, there were no significant differences between groups (p = 0.26) nor any group by time interactions (p = 0.90). A significant main effect for time was observed for PP, again, with PLA showing a larger reduction in PP at 24 h post-EIMD (pre- vs 24 h post-EIMD) compared to the N-3 (>96.6% vs N-3). However, there were no significant differences between groups (p = 0.31) nor any group by time interactions (p = 0.51). N-3 supplementation may attenuate EIMD, however, n-3 supplementation had no impact on muscle function nor power output. Even though we recorded some reduction in the inflammatory markers for the N-3 group, there was no statistically significant decrease to allow us to draw any definitive conclusions about the n-3 supplementation on exercise-induced muscle inflammation. Future studies might compare the dosage and duration of n-3 supplementation on muscle function or examine the effect of n-3 supplementation on EIMD during ageing-associated muscle function loss, where increased basal inflammation is seen

The effect of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage

Background Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, muscle soreness and may cause subsequent exercise avoidance. Omega-3 (n-3) supplementation may minimise EIMD via its anti-inflammatory properties, however, its efficacy remains unclear. Methods Healthy males (n = 14, 25.07 ± 4.05 years) were randomised to 3 g/day n-3 supplementation (N-3, n = 7) or placebo (PLA, n = 7). Following 4 weeks supplementation, a downhill running protocol (60 min, 65% V̇O2max, − 10% gradient) was performed. Creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, perceived muscle soreness, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and peak power were quantified pre, post, and 24, 48 and 72 h post-EIMD. Results Muscle soreness was significantly lower in N-3 vs PLA group at 24 h post-EIMD (p = 0.034). IL-6 was increased in PLA (p = 0.009) but not in N-3 (p = 0.434) following EIMD, however, no significant differences were noted between groups. Peak power was significantly suppressed in PLA relative to pre-EIMD but not in N-3 group at 24 h post-EIMD. However, no significant difference in peak power output was observed between groups. MVIC, CK and TNF-α were altered by EIMD but did not differ between groups. Conclusion N-3 supplementation for 4 weeks may successfully attenuate minor aspects of EIMD. Whilst not improving performance, these findings may have relevance to soreness-associated exercise avoidance

3D surface acquisition systems and their applications to facial anatomy : let’s make a point

In the last decades 3D optical devices have gained a primary role in facial anthropometry, where they find several applications from the anatomical research to clinics and surgery. With time the number of articles focusing on 3D surface analysis has raised, as well as validation studies which aim at verifying the reliability of different devices and methods of acquisition in comparison with other methods or direct anthropometry. This review aims at making a point in the field of 3D surface acquisition systems, describing the most used types of available devices and comparing the relevant outcomes in acquiring 3D facial models. Results show that currently stereophotogrammetric devices represent the gold standard, further improved by the diffusion of portable models. Caution should be given to the use of low-cost devices, more and more frequently described by literature, as often they do not meet the basic criteria for being applied to the anatomical study of face

Role of c-kit in mammalian spermatogenesis

The tyrosine-kinase receptor c-kit and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), are essential for the maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in both sexes. However, c-kit and a post-meiotic-specific alternative c-kit gene product play important roles also during post-natal stages of spermatogenesis. In the adult testis, the c-kit receptor is re-expressed in differentiating spermatogonia, but not in spermatogonial stem cells, whereas SCF is expressed by Sertoli cells under FSH stimulation. SCF stimulates DNA synthesis in type A spermatogonia cultured in vitro, and injection of anti-c-kit antibodies blocks their proliferation in vivo. A point mutation in the c-kit gene, which impairs SCF-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, does not cause any significant reduction in PGCs number during embryonic development, nor in spermatogonial stem cell populations. However males are completely sterile due to a block in the initial stages of spermatogenesis, associated to abolishment of DNA-synthesis in differentiating A1-A4 spermatogonia. With the onset of meiosis c-kit expression ceases, but a truncated c-kit product, tr-kit, is specifically expressed in post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis, and is accumulated in mature spermatozoa. Microinjection of tr-kit into mouse eggs causes their parthenogenetic activation, suggesting that it might play a role in the final function of the gametes, fertilization

Current status of the verification and processing system GALILEE-1 for evaluated data

International audienceThis paper describes the current status of GALILÉE-1 that is the new verification and processing system for evaluated data, developed at CEA. It consists of various components respectively dedicated to read/write the evaluated data whatever the format is, to diagnose inconsistencies in the evaluated data and to provide continuous-energy and multigroup data as well as probability tables for transport and depletion codes. All these components are written in C++ language and share the same objects. Cross-comparisons with other processing systems (NJOY, CALENDF or PREPRO) are systematically carried out at each step in order to fully master possible discrepancies. Some results of such comparisons are provided

Physical determinants of Division 1 Collegiate basketball, Women’s National Basketball League and Women’s National Basketball Association athletes: with reference to lower body sidedness

In female basketball the assumed components of success include power, agility, and the proficiency at executing movements using each limb. However, the importance of these attributes in discriminating between playing levels in female basketball have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare lower body power, change of direction (COD) speed, agility, and lower-body sidedness between basketball athletes participating in Division 1 Collegiate basketball (United States), Women\u27s National Basketball League (WNBL) (Australia), and Women\u27s National Basketball Association (WNBA) (United States). Fifteen female athletes from each league (N = 45) completed a double and single leg counter-movement jump, static jump, drop jump, 5-0-5 COD Test, and an offensive and defensive Agility Test. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons, were conducted to compare differences in physical characteristics (height, body mass, age) and performance outcomes (jump, COD, agility assessments) between playing levels. Separate dependent t-tests were performed to compare lower body sidedness (left vs. right lower-limbs) during the single-leg CMJ jumps (vertical jump height) and 5-0-5 COD test for each limb within each playing level. WNBA athletes displayed significantly greater lower body power (P = 0.01 - 0.03) compared to WNBL athletes, significantly faster COD speed (P = 0.02 - 0.03), and offensive and defensive agility performance (P = 0.02 - 0.03) compared to WNBL and Collegiate athletes. WNBL athletes also produced faster defensive agility performance compared to Collegiate athletes (P = 0.02). Further, WNBA and WNBL athletes exhibited reduced lower body sidedness compared to Collegiate athletes. These findings indicate the importance of lower body power, agility, and reduced lower body imbalances to execute more proficient on court movements, required to compete at higher playing levels. Copyright (C) 2017 by the National Strength & Conditioning Association

Diagnostic value of N-terminal ProB-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Emergency Department: Analysis by subgroups

Objectives. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic impact of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement in patients presenting with acute dyspnea in Emergency Department (ED), taking into account clinical and chest x-ray results routinely obtained. Methods. This was a prospective observational study. Four hundred eighty-eight consecutive subjects evaluated for dyspnea in a metropolitan 600 beds hospital ED, entered into the final data analysis. According to a clinical and radiological score, the patients enrolled were divided in three groups: low (A-group), intermediate (B-group), and high (C-group) probability of heart failure. Results. NT-proBNP median value was 2445 ng/L (Inter Quartile Range 631-5847 ng/L), and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC) was 0.854 for NT-proBNP, 0.921 for clinical/radiological score and 0.936 for the two in combination (logistic model). In the B-group (intermediate) NT-proBNP test added correct diagnostic information in 126 subjects with HF and in 53 subjects without a final diagnosis of HF. In A- and C-group NT-proBNP test added correct diagnostic information in 1 patient. Conclusions. NT-proBNP did not substantially enhance diagnostic accuracy in all patients with shortness of breath in ED. However, in patients with not conclusive clinical and radiological results NT-proBNP determinations improved the percentage of correct diagnosis

Spontaneous Learning of Visual Structures in Domestic Chicks

Effective communication crucially depends on the ability to produce and recognize structured signals, as apparent in language and birdsong. Although it is not clear to what extent similar syntactic-like abilities can be identified in other animals, recently we reported that domestic chicks can learn abstract visual patterns and the statistical structure defined by a temporal sequence of visual shapes. However, little is known about chicks’ ability to process spatial/positional information from visual configurations. Here, we used filial imprinting as an unsupervised learning mechanism to study spontaneous encoding of the structure of a configuration of different shapes. After being exposed to a triplet of shapes (ABC or CAB), chicks could discriminate those triplets from a permutation of the same shapes in different order (CAB or ABC), revealing a sensitivity to the spatial arrangement of the elements. When tested with a fragment taken from the imprinting triplet that followed the familiar adjacency-relationships (AB or BC) vs. one in which the shapes maintained their position with respect to the stimulus edges (AC), chicks revealed a preference for the configuration with familiar edge elements, showing an edge bias previously found only with temporal sequences