Aerobic Energy Expenditure Comparisons Between One Traditional and CrossFit-Based Exercise Session

This study sought to compare aerobic energy expenditure, recovery VO2, peak heart rate, and peak VO2 achieved across 45 min of exercise and 15 min of recovery performing both traditional and CrossFit®-based exercise. Thirty healthy, physically active participants of both genders (15 men, 15 women) performed a workout following the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (traditional) and a workout following the CrossFit® method. Each workout consisted of a 5 min warm-up (light aerobic exercise and stretching), resistance exercise (both focused on leg exercises), cardiorespiratory exercise (a treadmill run for the traditional exercise and circuit training for the CrossFit®-based exercise) and 5 min cool-down (walking). The cool-down was followed by 10 min of sitting to record recovery values. During each workout the participants wore a K4b2 Cosmed unit to measure energy expenditure and VO2, and a Polar heart rate monitor to measure heart rate. Each measure was compared using a Dependent t-Test. Energy expenditure (468 ± 116 vs. 431 ± 96 kcal, p\u3c0.001), peak heart rate (189 ± 8 vs. 172 ± 8 bpm, p\u3c0.001), peak VO2 (3.22 ± 0.73 vs. 2.81 ± 0.63 L/min, p\u3c0.001) and average 15 min recovery VO2 (0.89 ± 0.24 vs. 0.78 ± 0.18 L/min, p\u3c0.001) were significantly greater in the CrossFit®-based workout. The present study suggests that CrossFit®-based exercise may result in greater aerobic energy expenditure than traditional exercise

The railplug: Development of a new ignitor for internal combustion engines

The goal of the railplug project is to commercialize this miniaturized railgun as an engine technology as rapidly as possible. To improve the technology transfer process, a board of industrial advisors was established. A list of representatives is included at the end of this annual report. The Railplug External Advisory Board (REAB) met in Austin on March 17--18, 1991 to discuss the project plan. A list of comments from the REAB is included at the end of this progress report, along with our written response to those comments. An alternate first'' meeting with some representatives of the REAB was held on July 9, 1991. This meeting was attended by most of the board members who were unable to attend the first meeting. The second meeting of the REAB was held in Toronto, Canada, on October 10, 1991. A list of the board members comments from this meeting is included at the end of this report, along with our written response to those comments. These meetings have proven to be most useful in assuring that this project is conducted as efficiently as possible. The railplug project is essentially divided into three main tasks: (1) Railplug system development; (2) application of railplugs to engines; and (3) railplug durability. The status of each of these tasks is described below

Myogenic Regulatory Factor Expression is Downregulated Following Formoterol Stimulation in Thyroid Hormone Depleted Skeletal Muscle

In skeletal muscle (SKM), gene expression of transcription factors regulating myogenesis are dependent on Thyroid Hormone (TH) signal transduction. Expression of myogenic regulatory factors may be altered due to dysregulated TH metabolism, which may result in SKM dysfunction and intolerance to exercise in individuals with hypothyroidism. PURPOSE: Implement an in vitro model of hypothyroidism in SKM and determine the response of myogenic regulatory factor expression during several stages of myogenesis following TH depletion. Formoterol, an exercise mimetic, was also used to examine the effects of exercise signaling on myogenesis in TH depleted cells. METHODS: Human SKM myoblasts (n = 6 per group) were cultured and differentiated until mature myotube formation (Day 6). Groups included control cells (CON), TH depleted cells (ThD), and TH depleted cells plus formoterol stimulation (ThD+F; 30nm for 3h). Total RNA was extracted during mid-myogenesis (Day 4) and at terminal differentiation (Day 6). Gene expression for myogenic regulatory factors (Myf5, MyoD, MyoG) was determined by qPCR. RESULTS: ThD decreased Myf5 at both Day 4 and Day 6 compared to control (P\u3c0.001). Myf5 was increased following ThD + F compared to ThD at Day 4 (P\u3c0.05). MyoD decreased following ThD at both Day 4 and Day 6 (P\u3c0.001). Further, MyoD was decreased following ThD + F at both Day 4 and Day 6 compared to ThD (P\u3c0.001). ThD had no effect on MyoG at Day 4 and Day 6; however, MyoG was decreased following ThD + F compared to ThD and control at both time points (P\u3c0.001). Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. CONCLUSION: TH depletion had no effect on MyoG but did reduce the expression of both Myf5 and MyoD at both Day 4 and Day 6. Additionally, ThD+F resulted in the lowest expression of MyoG and MyoD for both time points. These results indicate TH depletion and formoterol stimulation may inhibit myotube maturation

Mitochondrial Biogenesis is Dysregulated in Thyroid Hormone Depleted Muscle Cells Despite Stimulatory Effects of Formoterol

Skeletal muscle (SKM) is an important regulator of metabolism and adaptations from exercise training influences mitochondrial function. Thyroid hormone (TH) is a regulator of SKM processes, including mitochondrial biogenesis. PURPOSE: To use an in vitro model of hypothyroidism to test the hypothesis that SKM cells will have dysregulated mitochondrial homeostasis. Additionally, the exercise mimetic, formoterol, was used to determine the effects of exercise signaling on mitochondrial biogenesis. METHODS: Human SKM myoblasts (n = 6 per group) were cultured and differentiated until mature myotube formation (Day 6). Groups included control cells (CON), TH depleted cells (ThD), and TH depleted cells plus formoterol stimulation (ThD+F; 30nM for 3h). Total RNA was extracted during mid-myogenesis (Day 4) and at terminal differentiation (Day 6). Gene expression for Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1 Alpha (PGC-1α), Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM), and Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (NRF1) was determined by qPCR. Data was analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: PGC-1α: D4 ThD was decreased compared to D4 ThD+F (-4.6); D4 ThD+F was increased compared to D4 CON (4.6); D6 CON was decreased compared to D6 ThD+F (-2.9); D6 ThD was decreased compared to D6 ThD+F (-3.7). TFAM: D4 ThD+F was greater than D4 CON (3.6); D4 ThD+F was greater than D6 ThD+F (3.6); D6 ThD was decreased compared to D6 CON (-0.55); D6 ThD+F was decreased compared to D6 CON (-0.63). NRF1: D4 ThD was decreased compared to D4 CON (-0.31); D4 ThD was greater than D4 ThD+F (0.36); D4 ThD was greater than D6 ThD (0.17); ThD+F was decreased compared to D4 CON (-0.67); D6 CON was decreased compared to D4 CON (-0.18); D6 ThD was decreased compared to D6 CON (-0.3); D6 ThD+F was decreased compared to D6 CON (-0.42). All reported differences are significant (p \u3c 0.05). Data are expressed as fold changes. CONCLUSION: ThD media resulted in reduced NRF1 signaling in both D4 and D6 with a subsequent decrease in D6 only for TFAM. Formoterol resulted in the expected stimulation of PGC-1α at both D4 and D6, but subsequent signaling for genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis common to PGC-1α stimulation were lost as a result of TH depletion at D6 only for TFAM and both D4 and D6 for NRF1

Formoterol Stimulation In Vitro Influences Myogenic Regulatory Factors During Myogenesis in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells

The process of myogenesis within skeletal muscle (SKM) is essential for growth and repair and is coordinated via the expression of myogenic regulatory genes. Previous animal studies have reported that formoterol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, has stimulating effects on genes related to SKM mitochondrial function and biogenesis, similar to effects found for exercise. Lesser known is the potential “exercise mimetic” influence that formoterol stimulation may have during the stages of myogenesis, especially in human SKM cells. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of formoterol stimulation on expression of myogenic regulatory genes during myogenesis in human SKM cells. METHODS: Human SKM myoblasts (n = 6 per group) were cultured and differentiated until mature myotube formation (Day 6). Groups included control cells (CON) and cells stimulated by 30nM formoterol for 3h prior to RNA extraction points (FORM). Total RNA was extracted during mid-myogenesis (Day 4) and at terminal differentiation (Day 6) (a cell culture model of investigating myogenesis). Gene expression for Myogenic factor 5 (Myf5), Myogenic differentiation 1(MyoD), and Myogenin (MyoG) was determined by qPCR. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Myf5: There was no change for either condition for D4. D6 CON was lower than D4 CON (-0.25). D6 FORM was greater than D4 FORM (0.65) and D6 CON (0.75). MyoD: D4 FORM was lower than D4 CON (-0.57). D6 FORM was greater than D4 FORM (0.85) and lower than D6 CON (-0.16). D6 CON was lower than D4 CON (-0.33). MyoG: D4 FORM was lower than D4 CON (-0.72). D6 CON was lower than D4 CON (-0.44). D6 FORM was lower than D6 CON (-0.24). All reported differences are significant (p \u3c 0.05). Data are expressed as fold changes. CONCLUSION: As expected, for the CON group, Myf5, MyoD, and MyoG expression all decreased from D4 mid-myogenesis to D6 terminal myogenesis, indicating finalization of the myogenic gene program. For the FORM group, Myf5 expression was elevated at D6 compared to CON while MyoG and MyoD expression was lower than CON for D4 and D6. The interpretation is that FORM stimulation increased stimulus of D4 myoblast proliferation and, thus, delayed initiation of differentiation. These results, coupled with other preliminary data from our lab showing increased mitochondrial biogenesis with this model of investigation, suggests that this exercise mimetic stimulation may cause shift in the cell towards bioenergetic preference rather than fusion of myotubes

County and Demographic Differences in Drug Arrests and Controlled Substance Use in Maine

. Introduction: The Diversion Alert Program (DAP) was established to curb misuse of drugs and help identify people who may need treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Law enforcement compiled arrest data into a database accessible by health care providers. Our objectives were to identify regional and demographic differences in drug use and misuse in Maine. Methods: All arrests (N = 11 234) reported to the DAP from 2013 to 2018 were examined by county and arrestee demographics, and classified into families (opioids, stimulants, sedatives). The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) tracks the distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals (Schedule II-III). Opioids were converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). County and zip-code maps were constructed. Results: The most arrests per capita occurred in Androscoggin, Knox, and Cumberland Counties. Opioids were the most common drug class in arrests in all counties except Aroostook County, where stimulants were most common. Medical distribution of opioids varied. Although buprenorphine doubled, many prescription opioids (eg, hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone) exhibited large (\u3e 50%) reductions in distribution. Methadone was the predominant opioid statewide (56.4% of total MMEs), although there were sizable differences between regions (Presque Isle = 8.6%, Bangor = 78.9%). Amphetamine distribution increased by 67.9%. Discussion: The DAP, a unique pharmacoepidemiological resource, revealed a 6-fold difference in drug arrests by county. Regional differences in methadone may be due to heterogeneities in methadone clinic distribution. Conclusions: The decrease in most prescription opioids, but increase in prescription stimulants, may warrant continued monitoring to improve public health

Electrophysiological correlates of high-level perception during spatial navigation

We studied the electrophysiological basis of object recognition by recording scalp\ud electroencephalograms while participants played a virtual-reality taxi driver game.\ud Participants searched for passengers and stores during virtual navigation in simulated\ud towns. We compared oscillatory brain activity in response to store views that were targets or\ud nontargets (during store search) or neutral (during passenger search). Even though store\ud category was solely defined by task context (rather than by sensory cues), frontal ...\ud \u

Tryptophan metabolism, its relation to inflammation and stress markers and association with psychological and cognitive functioning: Tasmanian Chronic Kidney Disease pilot study

Raw Data in five data sheets including Patients relevant metadata, quantified metabolites (given at Οg/L as well as Οmol/L), psychology measures, common medication and comorbidities. (XLS 58 kb