Does Higher Intensity Increase the Rate of Responders to Endurance Training When Total Energy Expenditure Remains Constant? : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Standardized training prescriptions often result in large variation in training response with a substantial number of individuals that show little or no response at all. The present study examined whether the response in markers of cardiorespiratory ftness (CRF) to moderate intensity endurance training can be elevated by an increase in training intensity. Methods Thirty-one healthy, untrained participants (46±8 years, BMI 25.4±3.3 kg m−2 and V˙O2max 34±4 mL min−1 kg−1 ) trained for 10 weeks with moderate intensity (3 day week−1 for 50 min per session at 55% HRreserve). Hereafter, the allocation into two groups was performed by stratifed randomization for age, gender and VO2max response. CON (continuous moderate intensity) trained for another 16 weeks at moderate intensity, INC (increased intensity) trained energy-equivalent for 8 weeks at 70% HRreserve and then performed high-intensity interval training (4×4) for another 8 weeks. Responders were identifed as participants with VO2max increase above the technical measurement error. Results There was a signifcant diference in V˙O2max response between INC (3.4±2.7 mL kg−1 min−1 ) and CON (0.4±2.9 mL kg−1 min−1 ) after 26 weeks of training (P=0.020). After 10 weeks of moderate training, in total 16 of 31 participants were classifed as VO2max responders (52%). After another 16 weeks continuous moderate intensity training, no further increase of responders was observed in CON. In contrast, the energy equivalent training with increasing training intensity in INC signifcantly (P=0.031) increased the number of responders to 13 of 15 (87%). The energy equivalent higher training intensities increased the rate of responders more efectively than continued moderate training intensities (P=0.012). Conclusion High-intensity interval training increases the rate of response in VO2max to endurance training even when the total energy expenditure is held constant. Maintaining moderate endurance training intensities might not be the best choice to optimize training gains. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00031445, Registered 08 March 2023—Retrospectively registered, https://www.drks.de/DRKS0003144

Effects on cardiorespiratory fitness of moderate-intensity training vs. energy-matched training with increasing intensity

Introduction: The present study investigated the role of training intensity in the dose–response relationship between endurance training and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The hypothesis was that beginners would benefit from an increase in training intensity after an initial training phase, even if the energy expenditure was not altered. For this purpose, 26 weeks of continuous moderate training (control group, CON) was compared to training with gradually increasing intensity (intervention group, INC) but constant energy expenditure. Methods: Thirty-one healthy, untrained subjects (13 men, 18 women; 46 ± 8 years; body mass index 25.4 ± 3.3 kg m−2 ; maximum oxygen uptake, VO2max 34 ± 4 ml min−1 kg−1 ) trained for 10 weeks with moderate intensity [3 days/ week for 50 min/session at 55% heart rate reserve (HRreserve)] before allocation to one of two groups. A minimization technique was used to ensure homogeneous groups. While group CON continued with moderate intensity for 16 weeks, the INC group trained at 70% HRreserve for 8 weeks and thereafter participated in a 4 × 4 training program (high-intensity interval training, HIIT) for 8 weeks. Constant energy expenditure was ensured by indirect calorimetry and corresponding adjustment of the training volume. Treadmill tests were performed at baseline and after 10, 18, and 26 weeks. Results: The INC group showed improved VO2max (3.4 ± 2.7 ml kg−1 min−1 ) to a significantly greater degree than the CON group (0.4 ± 2.9 ml kg−1 min−1 ) (P = 0.020). In addition, the INC group exhibited improved Vmax (1.7 ± 0.7 km h−1 ) to a significantly greater degree than the CON group (1.0 ± 0.5 km h−1 ) (P = 0.001). The reduction of resting HR was significantly larger in the INC group (7 ± 4 bpm) than in the CON group (2 ± 6 bpm) (P = 0.001). The mean heart rate in the submaximal exercise test was reduced significantly in the CON group (5 ± 6 bpm; P = 0.007) and in the INC group (8 ± 7 bpm; P = 0.001), without a significant interaction between group and time point

IL4I1 Is a Metabolic Immune Checkpoint that Activates the AHR and Promotes Tumor Progression

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy induces the AHR-activating enzyme IL4I1, which promotes tumor progression, through its effects on tumor cell motility and adaptive immunity

Kindheitspädagogik und Gender

Die Arbeit untersucht die Bedeutung sexueller und geschlechtlicher Vielfalt in der institutionellen Kindertagesbetreuung, um daraus Professionalisierungsmöglichkeiten für Fachkräfte abzuleiten. Zu diesem Zweck wird nach einer intensiven theoretischen Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik eine mit pädagogischen Fachkräften durchgeführte Expert_innenbefragung qualitativ nach Joseph A. Maxwell (2012) ausgewertet. Dabei wird gezeigt, dass vielfältige Anknüpfungspunkte an sexuelle und geschlechtliche Vielfalt im Kita-Alltag zwar existent sind, aber selten als solche wahrgenommen werden. Dadurch gehen Chancen verloren, Kinder optimal in ihrer Identitätsentwicklung zu begleiten und Entwicklungsrisiken vorzubeugen, obwohl kindheitspädagogische Fachkräfte mit ihrem bedürfnisorientierten Blick auf das Kind und einem reflektierten, kritischen Umgang mit gesellschaftlichen Geschlechterstereotypen dafür bereits wichtige Voraussetzungen erfüllen. Eine prinzipielle Offenheit für Themen der sexuellen und geschlechtlichen Vielfalt scheint gegeben, aber es fehlen ein umfassendes fachliches Wissen und ein geschulter Blick auf entsprechende Aspekte. Auch die Gestaltung von Erziehungspartnerschaften erweist sich im Umgang mit sexueller und geschlechtlicher Vielfalt als schwierig. Chancen für eine Professionalisierung liegen dabei aus Sicht der Fachkräfte in einer Erweiterung des Angebots an Aus- und Fortbildungsinhalten, stärker aber noch im Ausbau der Angebote spezifischer Beratungsstellen, die dem Wunsch der Fachkräfte nach einer bedarfsorientierten, flexiblen Unterstützung vor Ort gerecht werden. Die Arbeit bietet interessante Erkenntnisse für Mitarbeiter_innen in Beratungsstellen, frühpädagogischen Fachberatungen und pädagogischen Ausbildungsstätten wie Fach- und Hochschulen

Investigation of knee joint stability in surgically repaired canine cruciate ligament ruptures by cyclic passive joint motions

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a prevalent injury in dogs. A consequence of a cruciate ligament rupture is instability in the affected knee joint. A veterinary, mostly surgical treatment of the cruciate ligament rupture is usually unavoidable. The suitability of an arthroscopic surgical method with ligament replacement material was investigated. The stability of the knee joint was determined several times during 1,200 passive robotic motion cycles with movement radius between 90° flexion and 140° extension. The stability condition was measured by triggering the drawer test. After 300 motion cycles, the drawer test could be triggered (positive drawer test). In the following movement cycles up to 1,200 cycles, the drawer test could also be triggered. However, no significant differences occurred between these triggered drawer tests. The ligament replacement material showed no damage and no loosening after the tests. The first results showed that the developed arthroscopic surgical method could be a promising approach for the surgical treatment of cruciate ligament ruptures in canines

Development of a camera-marker system (CMS) for locking nails during intramedullary osteosynthesis in large animals – First results

In large animals, fractures of the upper long tubular bones such as forearm and humerus as well as lower and upper leg, continue to represent a major surgical challenge. An implant and a corresponding surgical procedure for intramedullary osteosynthesis in fractures of long bones were developed at fzmb GmbH. Fixation of the implanted nail to the distal drill holes has proven to be difficult and requires a high level of X-ray monitoring. Therefore, a camera-marker system (CMS) was developed without the need for X-ray monitoring during drilling. The test was performed on 10 equine femora. The results showed that 8 of 10 implants could be securely fixed and no complications occurred in the experimental procedure. For the first two implants, the distal drill holes could not be hit in the first attempt. This is due to the circumstance, that the handling of the CMS needs to be practiced to hit the distal drill holes accurately and appropriately, resulting in a hit rate of 80 %. However, the described method has great potential and does not require X-ray exposure

Effects on cardiorespiratory fitness of moderate-intensity training vs. energy-matched training with increasing intensity

Introduction: The present study investigated the role of training intensity in the dose–response relationship between endurance training and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The hypothesis was that beginners would benefit from an increase in training intensity after an initial training phase, even if the energy expenditure was not altered. For this purpose, 26 weeks of continuous moderate training (control group, CON) was compared to training with gradually increasing intensity (intervention group, INC) but constant energy expenditure. Methods: Thirty-one healthy, untrained subjects (13 men, 18 women; 46±8 years; body mass index 25.4 ± 3.3 kg m−2; maximum oxygen uptake, VO2max −1 −1 34 ± 4 ml min kg ) trained for 10 weeks with moderate intensity [3 days/week for 50 min/session at 55% heart rate reserve (HRreserve)] before allocation to one of two groups. A minimization technique was used to ensure homogeneous groups. While group CON continued with moderate intensity for 16 weeks, the INC group trained at 70% HRreserve for 8weeks and thereafter participated in a 4 × 4 training program (high-intensity interval training, HIIT) for 8 weeks. Constant energy expenditure was ensured by indirect calorimetry and corresponding adjustment of the training volume. Treadmill tests were performed at baseline and after 10, 18, and 26 weeks. Results: The INC group showed improved VO2max (3.4 ± 2.7 ml kg−1 min−1) to a significantly greater degree than the CON group (0.4 ± 2.9 ml kg−1 min−1) (P = 0.020). In addition, the INC group exhibited improved Vmax (1.7 ± 0.7 km h−1) to a significantly greater degree than the CON group (1.0 ± 0.5 km h−1) (P = 0.001). The reduction of resting HR was significantly larger in the INC group (7±4bpm) than in the CON group (2±6bpm) (P=0.001). The mean heart rate in the submaximal exercise test was reduced significantly in the CON group (5±6bpm; P=0.007) and in the INC group (8±7bpm; P=0.001), without a significant interaction between group and time point

Trafficking of the microdomain scaffolding protein reggie-1/flotillin-2

The reggie/flotillin proteins oligomerize and associate into clusters which form scaffolds for membrane microdomains. Besides their localization at the plasma membrane, the reggies/flotillins reside at various intracellular compartments; however, the trafficking pathways used by reggie-1/flotillin-2 remain unclear. Here, we show that trafficking of reggie-1/flotillin-2 is BFA sensitive and that deletion mutants of reggie-1/flotillin-2 accumulate in the Golgi complex in HeLa, Jurkat and PC12 cells, suggesting Golgi-dependent trafficking of reggie-1/flotillin-2. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we observed fast cycling of reggie-1/flotillin-2-positive vesicles at the plasma membrane, which engaged in transient interactions with the plasma membrane only. Reggie-1/flotillin-2 cycling was independent of clathrin, but was inhibited by cholesterol depletion and microtubule disruption. Cycling of reggie-1/flotillin-2 was negatively correlated with cell cell contact formation but was stimulated by serum, epidermal growth factor and by cholesterol loading mediated by low density lipoproteins. However, reggie-1/flotillin-2 was neither involved in endocytosis of the epidermal growth factor itself nor in endocytosis of GPI-GFPs or the GPI-anchored cellular prion protein (PrPc). Reggie-2/flotillin-1 and stomatin-1 also exhibited cycling at the plasma membrane similar to reggie-1/flotillin-2, but these vesicles and microdomains only partially co-localized with reggie-2/flotillin-1. Thus, regulated vesicular cycling might be a general feature of SPFH protein-dependent trafficking

Genomic basis for drought resistance in European beech forests threatened by climate change

In the course of global climate change, Central Europe is experiencing more frequent and prolonged periods of drought. The drought years 2018 and 2019 affected European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.) differently: even in the same stand, drought-damaged trees neighboured healthy trees, suggesting that the genotype rather than the environment was responsible for this conspicuous pattern. We used this natural experiment to study the genomic basis of drought resistance with Pool-GWAS. Contrasting the extreme phenotypes identified 106 significantly associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the genome. Most annotated genes with associated SNPs (>70%) were previously implicated in the drought reaction of plants. Non-synonymous substitutions led either to a functional amino acid exchange or premature termination. An SNP assay with 70 loci allowed predicting drought phenotype in 98.6% of a validation sample of 92 trees. Drought resistance in European beech is a moderately polygenic trait that should respond well to natural selection, selective management, and breeding

Genomic basis for drought resistance in European beech forests threatened by climate change

In the course of global climate change, Central Europe is experiencing more frequent and prolonged periods of drought. The drought years 2018 and 2019 affected European beeches (Fagus sylvatica L.) differently: even in the same stand, drought-damaged trees neighboured healthy trees, suggesting that the genotype rather than the environment was responsible for this conspicuous pattern. We used this natural experiment to study the genomic basis of drought resistance with Pool-GWAS. Contrasting the extreme phenotypes identified 106 significantly associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the genome. Most annotated genes with associated SNPs (>70%) were previously implicated in the drought reaction of plants. Non-synonymous substitutions led either to a functional amino acid exchange or premature termination. An SNP assay with 70 loci allowed predicting drought phenotype in 98.6% of a validation sample of 92 trees. Drought resistance in European beech is a moderately polygenic trait that should respond well to natural selection, selective management, and breeding