54 research outputs found
The Effectiveness of a Multi-disciplinary Fitness and Wellness Program for Increasing Readiness and Resiliency in Army Soldiers
INTRODUCTION: Structured exercise intervention has been shown to improve overall fitness performance and decrease injury rates in military soldiers. A recent operation order tasked the Holistic Health and Fitness Initiative committee at Fort Riley, Kansas to decrease the number of Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), Body Composition Test failures, and reduce the number of Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. To address these concerns a multi-phase, multidisciplinary fitness program [Fit Nation (FN)]was developed. Phase 1 (P1) of FN focused on introduction to exercise and incorporated high-intensity, low-impact aerobic and anaerobic training. Phase 2 (P2) of FN focused on functional resistive strength development. With a current interest in FNâs influence on strength performance, P2 will be reported. METHODS: Following the completion of P1, soldiers were invited to participate in P2. The P2participants consisted of 16 soldiers (14 males, mean±SD: age=23.2±3.2 years; 2 females, 26.5±7.8 years). Originally 19 participants volunteered in P2, however 3 participants were removed due to incomplete data collection. Participants performed a resistance training protocol developed by a certified strength and condition professional for 12 weeks (5 days/week). Pre- and post-test evaluations were performed prior to and after the 12 week protocol. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Pre- and post- measures of sumo deadlift (SUMODL) to evaluate total body strength, back squat (SQ) to determine lower-body strength, and weighted push-ups (PUPW) to examine upper-body strength were performed. Repeated measures ANOVAs were applied to analyze SUMODL, SQ, and PUPWwith an alpha level of pâ€0.05 to determine statistical significance. RESULTS:A significant difference in SUMODL, SQ, andPUPWperformance was demonstrated (post-mean±SD:=117.5±28.9kg,115.1±30.6kg,47.0 ±16kg;pâ€0.001; p\u3c0.001; pâ€0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: The exercise intervention of P2 of FN has shown beneficial for strength developments of the entire body.This data could provide support for FN as a large-scale operation to improve strength beyond APFTand Body Composition Test failures. However, in its infancy, the long-term influence of FN still requires investigation. The greatest determent of this study was, and continues to be attendance and attrition since active duty soldiers have military assignments and responsibilities such as in-field training and deployment
Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Neuroprotective Effect of a YeastâEnriched Beer
Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage worldwide. It is rich in nutrients, and with its microbial component it could play a role in gut microbiota modulation. Conflicting data are currently available regarding the consequences of alcohol and alcoholâcontaining beverages on dementia and ageâassociated disorders including Alzheimerâs disease (AD), a neurodegeneration characterized by protein aggregation, inflammatory processes and alterations of components of the
gutâbrain axis. The effects of an unfiltered and unpasteurized craft beer on AD molecular hallmarks, levels of gut hormones and composition of micro/mycobiota were dissected using 3xTgâAD mice.
In addition, to better assess the role of yeasts, beer was enriched with the same Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain used for brewing. The treatment with the yeastâenriched beer ameliorated cognition and favored the reduction of A(1â42) and proâinflammatory molecules, also contributing to an
increase in the concentration of antiâinflammatory cytokines. A significant improvement in the richness and presence of beneficial taxa in the gut bacterial population of the 3xTgâAD animals was observed. In addition, the fungal order, Sordariomycetes, associated with gut inflammatory
conditions, noticeably decreased with beer treatments. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the beneficial effects of a yeastâenriched beer on AD signs, suggesting gut microbiota modulation as a mechanism of action
The structure of sedoheptulose-7-phosphate isomerase from Burkholderia pseudomallei reveals a zinc binding site at the heart of the active site
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier. NOTICE: this is the authorâs version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Molecular Biology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Molecular Biology, 2010, Vol. 400, Issue 3, pp. 379 â 392 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2010.04.058Heptoses are found in the surface polysaccharides of most bacteria, contributing to structures that are essential for virulence and antibiotic resistance. Consequently, the biosynthetic enzymes for these sugars are attractive targets for novel antibiotics. The best characterized biosynthetic enzyme is GmhA, which catalyzes the conversion of sedoheptulose-7-phosphate into D-glycero-D-manno-heptopyranose-7-phosphate, the first step in the biosynthesis of heptose. Here, the structure of GmhA from Burkholderia pseudomallei is reported. This enzyme contains a zinc ion at the heart of its active site: this ion stabilizes the active, closed form of the enzyme and presents coordinating side chains as a potential acid and base to drive catalysis. A complex with the product demonstrates that the enzyme retains activity in the crystal and thus suggests that the closed conformation is catalytically relevant and is an excellent target for the development of therapeutics. A revised mechanism for the action of GmhA is postulated on the basis of this structure and the activity of B. pseudomallei GmhA mutants
Allocazione delle risorse per lâattuazione del âProgramma dei Lavori Pubblici" per il Triennio 2020-2022 ed âElenco dei Lavoriâ 2020.
Per lâattuazione degli interventi edilizi dellâIstituto relativamente al triennio 2020-2022 si Ăš predisposto il quadro di dettaglio delle risorse che sono state rese disponibili per tale scopo, con riferimento alla opportuna allocazione delle medesime nel relativo Bilancio di previsione per lâannualitĂ 2021. Il rapporto a tal fine preparato dalla struttura tecnica denominata âTavolo Tecnico Permanente per il Patrimonio Immobiliare e i Lavori Pubbliciâ, Ăš stato redatto sulla scorta degli approfondimenti tecnici ed amministrativi compiuti in fase di istruttoria sulle richieste formulate dalle Strutture di ricerca ubicate su tutto il territorio nazionale, costituenti il quadro generale delle esigenze
Relazione tecnica e tabella contenente gli importi, le coordinate di bilancio di provenienza e di destinazione nonchĂ© le âStrutture di Ricercaâ destinatarie dei fondi di cui allo âElenco dei lavoriâ per lâanno 2020 del âProgramma triennale dei lavori pubblici 2020-2022â approvato con Delibera del 31 marzo 2021, numero 14.
Il presente rapporto tecnico si pone lâobiettivo di individuare gli importi da destinare alle âStrutture di ricercaâ di cui allo âelenco dei lavoriâ per lâanno 2020 del âProgramma triennale lavori pubblici 2020-2022â approvato con delibera del 31 marzo 2021, numero 14 con le relative coordinate di bilancio sia di provenienza che di destinazione secondo quanto previsto con riferimento al Decreto 25 gennaio 2019, âAggiornamento dellâallegato 1 del Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 4 ottobre 2013, numero 132 âPiano dei conti integratoâ, ai sensi dellâarticolo 5 del medesimo D.P.R. e del comma 4, articolo 4 del Decreto Legislativo 31 maggio 2011, numero 91â
I Lavori Pubblici nello âIstituto Nazionale di Astrofisicaâ nel triennio 2020 - 2022. Adozione dello schema di âProgramma Triennale Lavori Pubblici dello "Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica" Triennio 2020-2022, "Elenco dei Lavoriâ per lâanno 2020, ed âElenco degli interventi sotto 100 mila euroâ.
Il rapporto tecnico contiene approfondimenti ai fini della adozione del âProgramma Triennale dei Lavori Pubblici 2020 â 2022â, nella sua articolazione annuale e triennale, volto alla riqualificazione, gestione, recupero, attraverso una attenta e corretta programmazione, dellâingente patrimonio immobiliare dellâEnte, caratterizzato prevalentemente da strutture di grande pregio storico, artistico, scientifico e paesaggistico. Il documento ha inoltre la finalitĂ di definire gli interventi da inserire nello âSchema di Programma Triennale dei Lavori Pubblici 2020-2022", in particolare nellââElenco dei Lavoriâ per lâanno 2020, selezionati in considerazione delle prioritĂ stabilite per Legge in relazione alle disponibilitĂ economiche autonome delle Strutture di Ricerca e della proposta di assegnazione dei fondi destinati ad interventi di edilizia nel Bilancio dellâEnte avanzata dal âTavolo Tecnico Permanente per il Patrimonio Immobiliare e i Lavori Pubbliciâ
Rilevamento geologico-strutturale lungo la Linea di Belluno nella zona di Monte Piad (Provincia di Belluno)
Il prodotto principale del lavoro Ăš la Carta Geologica alla scala 1:5.000 che ha portato un avanzamento delle conoscenze nella zona in esame. Dal punto di vista stratigrafico il Gruppo dei Calcari Grigi Ăš stato suddiviso nelle formazioni giĂ distinte nei Fogli CARG Tione, MalĂš, Trento e Asiago: la Formazione di Monte Zugna, Fm. Di Loppio, Fm. Di Rotzo, Fm. Di Grigno. Ă stato possibile anche rilevare e cartografare lâOolite di S. Vigilio, anche detta Encrinite di Monte Agaro, con uno spessore di circa 5 m sino alla zona di Sass de Falares, cioĂš piĂč ad est di quanto noto in letteratura.
Eâ stato osservato che la Linea di Belluno non Ăš un piano unico, ma comprende altre due faglie: la Linea di Monte Piad che consiste in una faglia inversa che taglia in cerniera lâAnticlinale del Monte Coppolo, e poco a sud la Linea di Sasso Falares che rappresenta la faglia che ha generato la piega per propagazione di faglia del Coppolo, e proseguendo poi verso lâalto ha tagliato tutta la piega emergendo in superficie.
In tal modo si forma il duplex di Sasso Falares, arrangiato in una blanda coppia anticinale-sinclinale tipica della geometria di queste strutture, che risulta delimitato a nord dalla linea omonima e a sud dalla L. di Belluno s.s. che si incontrano a quota circa 700 m.
Si Ăš potuta anche ricostruire la cinematica del piano principale del thrust di Belluno studiando lâaffioramento eccezionale messo a nudo di recente.
Gli assi degli sforzi, agenti in compressione, ricostruiti tramite lâanalisi meso-strutturale, testimoniano una compressione orientata NNW-SSE, correlabile con lâEvento Valsuganese del Serravalliano-Tortoniano, legato ad un asse compressivo N340 che rappresenta lâevento principale nella regione sudalpina. Anche lâEvento compressivo del Cattiano-Burdigalliano con asse N30 ed una compressione orientata circa E-W correlabile con lâEvento Scledense del Messiniano-Pliocene risultano dallâanalisi strutturale
Applied physiological investigations of the structure and mechanics of the muscle-tendon complex in conjunction with associated neuromuscular performance
Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and HealthRyan M. ThieleJ. Phillip VardimanThe primary objective of the investigations presented here were to examine muscle-tendon complex variables with corresponding neuromuscular performance variables. In total, three completed studies are contained within this body of work, employing noninvasive methods of ultrasound (US) and myotonometry (MYO), as well as postural stability (BAL) to explore the roles and relationships of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and Achilles tendon (AT).
Study 1 was developed to identify intra-rater reliability in measurements of MG thickness (MGT), cross-sectional area (CSA), and echo intensity (EI) using two US imaging techniques (B-mode and panoramic) compared with measurements of the same variables between each technique. Findings supported that B-mode and panoramic US imaging are reliable techniques for assessing MG MGT, CSA, and EI (ICC: 0.699-0.999; SEM%: 0.839-5.324%). Good correlations were found between B-mode and Panoramic (r = 0.791-0.892, p = 0.013-0.001), demonstrating that the two techniques might be interchangeable when assessing MGT and EI. No differences were observed between the techniques (B-mode and Panoramic) when measuring EI (p = 0.174-0.828) and MGT (p = 0.185).
Study 2 was designed to explore gender differences in the free AT structure (CSA, tendon thickness [TT], and EI) utilizing B-mode and panoramic US imaging techniques. Results of this investigation demonstrated good to excellent reliability for imaging (ICC = 0.840-0.985, SEM% = 1.96-12.01%). Additionally, only tendon quality (measured as EI) was observed to be gender-dependent (p = 0.001).
Study 3 was designed to explore the relationship between structural (CSA, TT, MGT, EI) and passive mechanical properties (stiffness and elasticity) of the musculotendinous junction of the MG and AT; and how those properties may be related to postural stability performance in young adult males. Findings supported that select MG structures were associated with passive mechanical properties of the AT with significantly high correlations found between MG CSA and AT elasticity (r = 0.773, p = 0.015), MGT and AT elasticity (r = 0.717, p = 0.030). Additionally, a significantly high negative correlation was observed between TT and MG EI (r = -0.770, p = 0.015). A single muscle-tendon complex property was associated with one postural stability variable, MGT and Anterior-Posterior Index (API) demonstrated a significantly high, negative relationship (r = -0.747, p = 0.021).
Finally, a culminating project has been developed to identify mechanical properties (stiffness and elasticity) of the muscle-tendon complex of the knee extensors to provide a timeline of mechanical decay in conjunction with neuromuscular performance across a series of eccentric contractions, and whether age influences the onset of mechanical and neuromuscular alterations. This study will include US imaging and MYO of the rectus femoris (RF) muscle and the patellar tendon (PT) prior to, during, and after an acute bout of 10Ă10 maximal, voluntary eccentric contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 60°➱sËÂč. In addition to muscular structure and passive mechanics, this study will also incorporate surface electromyography (EMG) of the RF to identify and record electrical activity and neuromuscular characteristics (peak torque [PT;Nm], rate of torque development [RTD;N·m·sËÂč], and electromechanical delay [EMD;ms]) throughout the acute eccentric contractions. Pilot data collected and analyzed following a short, acute drop jump exercise with healthy, college age males and females demonstrated a significant interaction for time*tissue, with pre-exercise RF stiffness (N/m) increasing following exercise (p = 0.027). Pilot data also demonstrated PT stiffness was greater than RF stiffness (p = 0.001)
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