Ergogenic Effect of Sodium Phosphate Intake in Physically Active Subjects

Este estudio pretende evaluar los efectos de la ingesta de fosfato sódico a corto plazo, sobre la composición corporal, serie roja y parámetros ergoespirométricos máximos y submáximos. A una muestra de 20 sujetos físicamente activos, separados en dos grupos, se les suministró fosfato sódico durante 7 días (50 mg/kg masa magra) o placebo. Ambos grupos realizaron una prueba de esfuerzo incremental máxima en cicloergómetro, siguiendo el protocolo Fatmax, se les determinó la composición corporal y se les realizó un hemograma antes y después de la suplementación. En el grupo experimental, se observó una disminución en el peso e índice de masa corporal (IMC), un aumento en la potencia máxima alcanzada y una mejor eficiencia energética en la zona Fatmax. No se observaron cambios en parámetros hematológicos. Estos resultados pueden atribuir un efecto ergogénico al fosfato sódico en actividades aeróbicas y aquellas donde el peso corporal influya en el rendimientoThis study aims to evaluate the effects of short-term sodium phosphate intake upon body composition, haemogram, maximal ergospirometer parameters and submaximal ones in the maximal fat oxidation zone (Fatmax). 20 active subjects participated in this study randomly divided into two groups: The experimental group which ingested sodium phosphate for 7 days (50 mg/kg lean mass) and the placebo group. Both performed an incremental maximal cycle ergo meter test following the Fatmax protocol, body composition assessment and blood analysis (CBC) before and after the supplementation period. In the experimental group, phosphate supplementation produced a decrease in weight and body mass index (BMI), an increase in maximal power output and it also improved energy efficiency in the Fatmax zone. No changes were observed in the parameters listed in the CBC. These results may attribute an ergogenic effect of sodium phosphate in aerobic activities and sports where body weight is considered to be an important factor for performanceEsta investigación fue financiada por el Gobierno de Extremadura. Grupo de Investigación CTS-03

A transcriptomic approach highlights induction of secondary metabolism in citrus fruit in response to Penicillium digitatum infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postharvest losses of citrus fruit due to green mold decay, caused by the fungus <it>Penicillium digitaum</it>, have a considerable economic impact. However, little is known about the molecular processes underlying the response of citrus fruit to <it>P. digitatum</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we describe the construction of a subtracted cDNA library enriched in citrus genes preferentially expressed in response to pathogen infection followed by cDNA macroarray hybridization to investigate gene expression during the early stages of colonization of the fruit's peel by <it>P. digitatum</it>. Sequence annotation of clones from the subtracted cDNA library revealed that induction of secondary and amino acid metabolisms constitutes the major response of citrus fruits to <it>P. digitatum </it>infection. Macroarray hybridization analysis was conducted with RNA from either control, wounded, ethylene treated or <it>P. digitatum </it>infected fruit. Results indicate an extensive overlap in the response triggered by the three treatments, but also demonstrated specific patterns of gene expression in response to each stimulus. Collectively our data indicate a significant presence of isoprenoid, alkaloid and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes in the transcriptomic response of citrus fruits to <it>P. digitatum </it>infection. About half of the genes that are up-regulated in response to pathogen infection are also induced by ethylene, but many examples of ethylene-independent gene regulation were also found. Two notable examples of this regulation pattern are the genes showing homology to a caffeine synthase and a berberine bridge enzyme, two proteins involved in alkaloid biosynthesis, which are among the most induced genes upon <it>P. digitatum </it>infection but are not responsive to ethylene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provided the first global picture of the gene expression changes in citrus fruit in response to <it>P. digitatum </it>infection, emphasizing differences and commonalities with those triggered by wounding or exogenous ethylene treatment. Interpretation of the differentially expressed genes revealed that metabolism is redirected to the synthesis of isoprenes, alkaloids and phenylpropanoids.</p

Exact solutions for transient mixing of two gases of different densities

This Brief Communication presents a number of exact solutions describing the transient mixing of two gases of different molecular weights. Descriptions are given for both the concentration field and the associated induced motion in one-dimensional spherical, cylindrical, and planar configurations, including mixing layers, pockets, coflow jets, and concentrated mass sources

Highly efficient t2 cobalt ferrite nanoparticles vectorized for internalization in cancer cells

Uniform cobalt ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized using an electrochemical synthesis method in aqueous media. Their colloidal, magnetic, and relaxometric properties have been analyzed. The novelty of this synthesis relies on the use of iron and cobalt foils as precursors, which assures the reproducibility of the iron and cobalt ratio in the structure. A stable and biocompatible targeting conjugate nanoparticle-folic acid (NP-FA) was developed that was capable of targeting FA receptor positivity in HeLa (human cervical cancer) cancer cells. The biocompatibility of NP-FA was assessed in vitro in HeLa cells using the MTT assay, and morphological analysis of the cytoskeleton was performed. A high level of NP-FA binding to HeLa cells was confirmed through qualitative in vitro targeting studies. A value of 479 Fe+Co mM-1s-1 of transverse relaxivity (r2 ) was obtained in colloidal suspension. In addition, in vitro analysis in HeLa cells also showed an important effect in negative T2 contrast. Therefore, the results show that NP-FA can be a potential biomaterial for use in bio medical trials, especially as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

An Active Isodicentric X Chromosome in a Case of Refractory Anaemia with Ring Sideroblasts Associated with Marked Thrombocytosis

Refractory anaemia with ring sideroblasts and marked thrombocytosis (RARS-T) is a provisional entity in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. It displays features characteristic of both myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative neoplasia plus ring sideroblasts ≥15% and marked thrombocytosis. Most patients with RARS-T show a normal karyotype. We report a 76-year-old woman diagnosed with RARS-T (76% of ring sideroblasts) with JAK2 (V617F) mutation and a load of 30-40%. Classical and molecular cytogenetic (FISH) studies of a bone marrow sample revealed the presence of isodicentric X chromosome [(idic(X)(q13)]. Moreover, HUMARA assay showed the idic(X)(q13) as the active X chromosome. This finding was correlated with the cytochemical finding of ring sideroblasts. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an active isodicentric X in a woman with RARS-T

Collecting high-order interactions in an effective pairwise intermolecular potential using the hydrated ion concept: The hydration of Cf3+

This work proposes a new methodology to build interaction potentials between a highly charged metal cation and water molecules. These potentials, which can be used in classical computer simu- lations, have been fitted to reproduce quantum mechanical interaction energies (MP2 and BP86) for a wide range of [M(H2O)n]m+(H2O)l clusters (n going from 6 to 10 and l from 0 to 18). A flexible and polarizable water shell model (Mobile Charge Density of Harmonic Oscillator) has been coupled to the cation-water potential. The simultaneous consideration of poly-hydrated clusters and the polarizability of the interacting particles allows the inclusion of the most important many-body effects in the new polarizable potential. Applications have been centered on the californium, Cf(III) the heaviest actinoid experimentally studied in solution. Two different strategies to select a set of about 2000 structures which are used for the potential building were checked. Monte Carlo simulations of Cf(III)+500 H2O for three of the intermolecular potentials predict an aquaion structure with coordination number close to 8 and average RCf–O in the range 2.43–2.48 Å, whereas the fourth one is closer to 9 with RCf–O = 2.54 Å. Simulated EXAFS spectra derived from the structural Monte Carlo distribution compares fairly well with the available experimental spectrum for the simulations bearing 8 water molecules. An angular distribution similar to that of a square antiprism is found for the octa-coordination.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CTQ2011-2593

The effects of an appropriate behavior program on elementary school children social skills development in physical education

The purpose of this study was to see the effects of an appropriate behavior development program in relation to the improvement of fair play and social skills behaviors of elementary school children during the physical education class. The participants of this study were 204 students from 5th and 6th grade from seven different public schools in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Data was collected through a questionnaire to measure students' pre and post appropriate behaviors when winning, appropriate behaviors when loosing, appropriate behaviors during the game, fair play skills and social skills, during the physical education class. Results from this study revealed that participants improved their behaviors with the implementation of the intervention (appropriate behavior program), generating positive changes in students? attitudes and social skills during physical education class. In relation to children gender, girls had better scores than boys in relation to appropriate behaviors when losing. Further, when comparing students' age, those from 10 to 11 years old scored higher in fair play behaviors and social skills. In conclusion, the intervention program was effective to improve the behaviors of the school children, generating positive changes in their attitudes and social skills during physical education.Fil: Gil Madrona, Pedro. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; EspañaFil: Gutiérrez Marín, Eva Cristina. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; EspañaFil: Cupani, Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; ArgentinaFil: Samalot Rivera, Amaury. State University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Díaz Suárez, Arturo. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: López Sánchez, Guillermo F.. Universidad de Murcia; Españ

Furfural, 5-HMF, acid-soluble lignin and sugar contents in C. ladanifer and E. arborea lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates obtained from microwave-assisted treatments in different solvents

Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L. are the two most representative shrub species from the Iberian Peninsula. With a view to their valorization, their biomass hydrolysate components, obtained from microwave-assisted treatments with choline chloride/urea - HNO3 10%, N,N-dimethylacetamide/NaHCO3 and N,N-dimethylacetamide/CH3OK as solvents, have been measured using a spectrophotometric method. Concentrations of furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF) in the filtrate have been determined after reduction with NaBH4. The production of total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars has also been assessed. The obtained results support the choice of microwave-assisted choline chloride/urea deep eutectic solvent in acid media as the preferred method (over the polar aprotic solvent-based alternatives) for the extraction of lignin, furfural, 5-HMF and sugars from C. ladanifer and E. arborea biomass, attaining the best production yields for 60¿min exposure times. Another is the case if the aim of the treatments is to recovery sugars from both shrubs for subsequent enzymatic saccharification: the very low 5-HMF contents resulting from the dimetylacetamide systems (especially is association with CH3OK) make them highly advantageous as compared to the traditional method using NaOH