Adaptations to Post-exercise Cold Water Immersion: Friend, Foe, or Futile?

In the last decade, cold water immersion (CWI) has emerged as one of the most popular post-exercise recovery strategies utilized amongst athletes during training and competition. Following earlier research on the effects of CWI on the recovery of exercise performance and associated mechanisms, the recent focus has been on how CWI might influence adaptations to exercise. This line of enquiry stems from classical work demonstrating improved endurance and mitochondrial development in rodents exposed to repeated cold exposures. Moreover, there was strong rationale that CWI might enhance adaptations to exercise, given the discovery, and central role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1a (PGC-1a) in both cold- and exercise-induced oxidative adaptations. Research on adaptations to post-exercise CWI have generally indicated a mode-dependant effect, where resistance training adaptations were diminished, whilst aerobic exercise performance seems unaffected but demonstrates premise for enhancement. However, the general suitability of CWI as a recovery modality has been the focus of considerable debate, primarily given the dampening effect on hypertrophy gains. In this mini-review, we highlight the key mechanisms surrounding CWI and endurance exercise adaptations, reiterating the potential for CWI to enhance endurance performance, with support from classical and contemporary works. This review also discusses the implications and insights (with regards to endurance and strength adaptations) gathered from recent studies examining the longer-term effects of CWI on training performance and recovery. Lastly, a periodized approach to recovery is proposed, where the use of CWI may be incorporated during competition or intensified training, whilst strategically avoiding periods following training focused on improving muscle strength or hypertrophy

Editorial: The use of post-exercise cooling as a recovery strategy: Unraveling the controversies

Post-exercise cooling is a popular recovery strategy utilized by athletes, and of interest to many research groups. Significant body of research have examined the effects of post-exercise cooling on outcomes such as physical performance, regulation of inflammatory biomarkers, and psychophysical indices related to perceived fatigue, recovery and wellbeing. ..

PGC-1α mediated muscle aerobic adaptations to exercise, heat and cold exposure

PGC-1α is regarded as a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis due to its central role in regulating the activity of key transcription factors associated with encoding mitochondrial components. Additionally, PGC-1α has shown to mediate adaptations that increase fat metabolism and angiogenesis, contributing to the overall oxidative phenotype of the muscle. While it is well established that exercise is a potent stimulator of PGC-1α, recent evidence indicates that heat and cold exposures may also influence mitochondrial biogenesis through the up-regulation of PGC-1α. This highlights the potential use of these modalities in conjunction with exercise to enhance training adaptations. As such, the purpose of this review is to describe the possible mechanisms and pathways by which exercise, as well as hot and cold exposures may influence mitochondrial biogenesis. It is clear that changes in intracellular calcium, oxidative stress and phosphorylation potential are major up-regulators of PGC-1α during exercise. Moreover, there is evidence implicating calcium signalling, in addition to β-adrenergic activation in cold-induced mitochondrial biogenesis, while PGC-1α during heat exposure is likely triggered by changes in phosphorylation potential and nitric oxide signalling. However, these mechanisms appear to change considerably when cold/heat is administered following exercise, and seem to be dependent on the experimental models used (i.e. in vitrovs. in vivo, rodent vs. human). Understanding the effects heat/cold exposure and its interaction with exercise may lead to the optimisation and development of temperature-related interventions to enhance training adaptations, or aid in the treatment of mitochondrial related diseases

Influence of cupping treatment on high-intensity anaerobic performance

The use of cupping therapy prior to sports events has increased in popularity, with limited evidence to support its efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dry and wet cupping therapy on subsequent Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) performance. Twelve trained men participated in this repeated measures randomized crossover study (age 24.9 ± 4.8 years; body mass index 27.6 ± 14.3 kg.m-2). Participants were familiarized with the ergometer and the Wingate anaerobic test on three separate occasions. They then randomly performed three experimental Wingate tests separated by 48-72 h after either dry cupping (DRY), wet cupping (WET), or no treatment (CON). Repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to analyze data and determine the relationships between WAnT and peak lactate and heart rate (HR). Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) were similar in all treatments (p=.47-.72). Heart rate (HR) and lactate increased similarly at all time points in all treatments (p<.001 for all comparisons). Post-WAnT peak HR was moderately negatively correlated with PP in all treatments and MP in CON only (p<.05 for all correlations). No other significant correlations were detected. The present findings demonstrate no beneficial effects of wet and dry cupping therapy, and hence do not support its use prior to high-intensity anaerobic sports events

Predicting Failure Modes of RC Beams Strengthening With FRP-NSM System: A Statistical Approach

FRP strengthening using near surface mounted (NSM) is recognized as a highly effective method for strengthening structures using FRP material. However, there are some drawbacks associated with this technique. One of the challenges is concrete cover separation failure, which leads to premature material failure and restricts NSM technique applicability. To address this issue, multinomial logistic regression (MLR) analysis is used. This analysis aimed to investigate the factors (total equivalent steel ratio, stirrup steel ratio, and presence of an anchorage) that can be used to predict the failure modes of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with the FRP-NSM system using a previously published dataset consisting of 99 beam tests from 19 studies. By using odds ratios, which are exponential coefficients, the MLR results were interpreted. The study showed that low TESR and stirrup steel ratio were the major factors leading to flexural failure, FRP bar debonding, and FRP bar rupture compared to concrete cover separation. Moreover, the reinforced concrete beams strengthened with the FRP-NSM system without anchorage had a positive effect on the failure modes, especially with flexural failure and FRP bar debonding compared to concrete cover separation. Based on the classification table analysis, the model’s correct classification rate was 56.6%. The model is accurate in predicting failure modes, as its rate is higher than the chance accuracy rate of 33.7%

An Investigating of the Impact of Bed Flume Discordance on the Weir-Gate Hydraulic Structure

Discordance and concordance play a significant role in the hydraulic response for the flume, open channel, hydraulic structure, and flow field measurement. Bed discordance and bed concordance are regarded as common problems in open channels. Discordance is the dominant one, which could have an effect on the hydraulic structure that is constructed inside the channel. This paper deals with the impact of bed flume discordance on hydraulic flow characteristics at the weir-gate downstream hydraulic regime. Four configurations with different lengths and heights of the bed flume discordance are adopted here to investigate the impact of these configurations on the hydraulic characteristics. In addition, one configuration of the bed flume concordance is adopted to compare with the other four configurations. At downstream, the average water depth becomes dimensionless by dividing by upstream water depth, vertical distance between weir and gate, length of downstream, length of concordance, and length of discordance in order to evaluate the inequality in the distribution of Froude number. On one hand, certain results appear strongly between Reynolds number and Froude number at downstream, actual discharge and flow velocity at downstream, flow area past the gate and Froude number at downstream. On the other hand, there was a complex dramatic relation between the weir-gate discharge coefficient and Froude number at downstream. Overall, the study shows that there is a good relationship between specific energy, water depth, and flow speed. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-03-09 Full Text: PD

Efeito sinérgico da oxitetraciclina em um tratamento combinado com Carboplatina na linhagem de células cancerígenas pulmonares MCF-7

In breast cancer treatment, chemotherapy resistance is a major problem where many receptive tumors rebound and develop resistance. When provided in combination, cancer drugs are most successful, thus reducing the risk of developing resistant cancer cells. However, the evaluation of combination therapies has increased rapidly in recent years. Consequently, by repurposing old treatments, the discovery of additional medicines that may interact synergistically with chemotherapy is considered a current medical aim through discovering a new cancer medication or therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this research is to increase the anti-cancer activity of carboplatin (CP) by increasing the apoptotic effect of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) during in vitro experiments in combination with oxytetracycline. Our results showed a high synergistic effect between oxytetracycline and carboplatin, MCF-7 representative cell treated with carboplatin with/without different concentrations of oxytetracycline (5% and 10% of IC50). Oxytetracycline, which potentiated the action of carboplatin and/or had notable activity was reported as a single agent. This research demonstrated the synergistic relationship between oxytetracycline and carboplatin in viability assays. Surprisingly, our findings suggest that inhibiting treatment strategies can extend carboplatin’s therapeutic window, potentially allowing for cancer therapy.No tratamento do câncer de pulmão a resistência à quimioterapia é o maior problema no qual muitos tumores receptivos apresentam um rebote e desenvolvem a resistência. Quando oferecidas em combinações, as drogas anticancerígenas apresentam maior taxa de sucesso, reduzindo assim o risco de desenvolvimento de células cancerígenas resistentes. Contudo, a avaliação das terapias de combinação tem crescido muito rapidamente. Consequentemente, por reaproveitamento de tratamentos antigos, a descoberta de novos medicamentos adicionais que podem interagir sinergicamente com a quimioterapia que é considerada como auxílio médico na corrente busca à descoberta de novas medicações anticancerígenas ou estratégias terapêuticas. O propósito da presente pesquisa é aumentar a atividade anticancerígena da Carboplatina (CP) pelo incremento do efeito apoptótico de células de câncer pulmonar (MCF-7) em experimentos in vitro pela combinação com oxitetraciclina. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram elevado efeito sinérgico entre oxitetraciclina e Carboplatina em células MCF-7 representativas tratadas com Carboplatina, com e sem diferentes concentrações de oxitetraciclina (5% e 10% de IC50). A oxitetracilina que potencializou a ação da Carboplatina e/ou teve uma notável atividade relatada como um agente isolado. A pesquisa demonstrou a relação sinérgica entre oxitetraxiclina e Carboplatina nos ensaios de viabilidade. Surpreendentemente, os resultados obtidos sugeriram que as estratégias de tratamento inibidor podem aplicar uma janela terapêutica da Carboplatina com potencial para a terapia do câncer

LATEST TOURNAISIAN (EARLY CARBONIFEROUS) CONODONTS FROM THE TABAI LIMESTONE, TIRAH, NORTHWESTERN PAKISTAN

A new stratigraphic unit, the Tabai Limestone of the poorly known Tirah area of northwest Pakistan, is one of several Early Carboniferous carbonate units distributed along the North Gondwana margin, some connected with transgressive interludes. The Tabai Limestone has produced latest Tournaisian (Early Carboniferous) conodonts indicative of the middle of the anchoralis-latus Zone

The surgical procedure of Appendectomy: Delivering Effective Relief from Appendicitis and explain the role of anesthesia

Background: Appendicectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure in general surgery which involves the removal of the appendix with the aim of preventing complications arising from appendicitis. The procedure can be carried out using either the open or laparoscopic method and can be conducted under either general or regional anaesthesia. The objective of the study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes associated with effective surgical techniques in appendectomy under anaesthesia. Methods:&nbsp; All clinical data for patients in Baghdad hospitals - Iraq was collected for a period between March 16, 2022, to August 25, 2023. The clinical data of the patients was divided into two groups, the first of which included laparoscopic appendectomy (74) patients and open appendectomy. This study compared patients in the two groups in terms of duration of surgery, length of hospital stays, postoperative pain and complications, and quality of life. Results: The length of the surgical procedure played a critical role in the results achieved. The laparoscopic appendectomy had a mean duration of 53.66 ± 15.74 minutes, in contrast to the relatively shorter mean duration of 30.51 ± 12.82 minutes for open appendectomy. Clinical outcome analysis revealed that the laparoscopic appendectomy group experienced only four instances of blood loss, while the open appendectomy group had 8 cases. Hypertension was detected in two cases in the laparoscopic group and five cases in the open appendectomy group. The postoperative phase showed differences in the complication rate, with 15 cases in the laparoscopic appendectomy group and 25 in the open appendectomy group. The most encountered complications were wound infections, paralytic ileus, and vomiting. The pain scores of patients in the laparoscopic appendectomy group were found to be successful compared to the open appendectomy group over a period of 72 hours. The hospital stay duration for open appendectomy patients (2.5 ± 2.8) was longer than those who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (1.7 ± 0.3). Conclusion: The study found that laparoscopic appendectomy is the preferred surgical procedure for patients under general anesthesia due to its higher effectiveness, success rate, and safety compared to open appendectomy. &nbsp

Estimation of Testosterone, Estradiol and some Markers in Sera of Iraqi Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common disease and major cause of morbidity in elderly men which may lead to bladder outflow obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Although sex steroid hormones play fundamental roles in prostate growth, their clinical significance is not completely clear. In the present study we assessed whether serum hormones levels as markers of prostate disease. This study includes (40) patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and (40) control group with age rang (41-79) and (42-71) years respectively. The following biochemical investigations have been studied: Testosterone, Estradiol (E2), and Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) levels using ELISA method which correlated with the disease. Also body mass index (BMI), the prostate size by digital rectal examination (DRE), flow rate, and American Urology Association Symptoms Index (AUASI), of the patients which correlate hormones levels with age. The testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in patients with BPH than control group (p?0.05), while the Estradiol and PSA concentrations were significantly higher in patients with BPH than control group (p?0.05). The net result is a significant decrease in the T/E2 ratio allowing the imbalance between androgens and estrogen regulation of prostate growth to shift towards estrogen dominance. It has been proposed that increased estrogenic stimulation of the prostate in the aging male may lead to reactivation of growth and subsequent hyperplasia transformatio