Comparative Study of Army Physical Readiness Protocol TC 3-22.20 vs. ROTC CrossFit Training

The purpose of this research study was to compare two premier training programs’ effectiveness in college-aged ROTC cadets at the College at Brockport. Ten volunteer participants, five from each test group, were asked to complete a battery of tests, including Biodex System II Isokinetic Dynamometer, Sit and Reach, Push-Up to Failure, and Forestry Step Test, to evaluate their lower body strength, flexibility, upper body strength, muscle endurance, metabolic, and flexibility improvements after training for four weeks. Cadets (n=5) in their first or second year of ROTC (19.6±0.54), known as MSI’s and MSII’s, using the TC 3-22.20 Military Physical Readiness Training Protocol were pre-tested the first week in April 2012, and again the last week in April 2012. Similarly, third year cadets (n=5), MSIII’s training with the CrossFit program were pre and post-tested in the same weeks as the TC 3-22.20 group. The testing results from pre and post tests from each test group were compared in an attempt to determine effectiveness of each training regimen. The test results for the Biodex System II, lower body strength evaluation, show an increase (16.92%) in average concentric flexion strength at the knee of the dominant leg for the TC 3-22.20 test group (48.26ft-lbs to 57.18ft-lbs). The CrossFit group increased (2.40%) from pre-test to post-test, concentric flexion strength at the knee of the dominant leg (56.68ft-lbs to 58.06ft-lbs). Using the Biodex, concentric average strength of extension at the knee was increased in the TC 3-22.20 group (6.40%) and CrossFit group (4.40%). The TC 3-22.20 group increased average strength of extension at the knee (113.52ft-lbs to 121.02ft-lbs), while the CrossFit group showed average increase (103.42ft-lbs to 108.02ft-lbs). Average flexibility values negatively changed in the TC 3-22.20 group (-47.8%), and the CrossFit group (-11.0%). Push-ups to failure average percent change (-37.2%) in TC 3-22.20 total group decrease (44.0 to 30.2). Push-up to failure count average in CrossFit group positively changed (5.79%). Average push-ups to failure increased (73.8 to 78.2). Estimated 1-RM average, TC 3-22.20 group (-31.2%) decreased (164.7lbs to 120.2lbs) overall. CrossFit test group 1-RM average positively changed (4.05%) corresponding to an increase (239.0lbs to 248.9lbs). Finally, estimated VO2 Max average was decreased (-40.0%) in the TC 3-22.20 test group (46.8ml/kg/min to 31.2ml/kg/min). Estimated VO2 Max average values in the CrossFit group changed (1.27%) and an increase of (47.1ml/kg/min to 48.0ml/kg/min). Paired T-tests were performed on each data set. The results of this study produced little statistically significant data to scientifically suggest one training program to be more effective than its counterpart in this four week trial. T-test results yield a p-value (0.052) indicating a statistically significant decrease in estimated VO2 Max for TC 3-22.20 test group. More research is required to accurately determine if enhanced effectiveness results from training protocol TC 3-22.20 or CrossFit in college-aged ROTC cadets

Molecular diversity, metabolic transformation, and evolution of carotenoid feather pigments in cotingas (Aves: Cotingidae)

Abstract Carotenoid pigments were extracted from 29 feather patches from 25 species of cotingas (Cotingidae) representing all lineages of the family with carotenoid plumage coloration. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, chemical analysis, and 1 H-NMR, 16 different carotenoid molecules were documented in the plumages of the cotinga family. These included common dietary xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin), canary xanthophylls A and B, four well known and broadly distributed avian ketocarotenoids (canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, a-doradexanthin, and adonixanthin), rhodoxanthin, and seven 4-methoxy-ketocarotenoids. Methoxy-ketocarotenoids were found in 12 species within seven cotinga genera, including a new, previously undescribed molecule isolated from the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock Rupicola peruviana, 3 0 -hydroxy-3-methoxy-b,b-carotene-4-one, which we name rupicolin. The diversity of cotinga plumage carotenoid pigments is hypothesized to be derived via four metabolic pathways from lutein, zeaxanthin, b-cryptoxanthin, and b-carotene. All metabolic transformations within the four pathways can be described by six or seven different enzymatic reactions. Three of these reactions are shared among three precursor pathways and are responsible for eight different metabolically derived carotenoid molecules. The function of cotinga plumage carotenoid diversity was analyzed with reflectance spectrophotometry of plumage patches and a tetrahedral model of avian color visual perception. The evolutionary history of the origin of this diversity is analyzed phylogenetically. The color space analyses document that the evolutionarily derived metabolic modifications of dietary xanthophylls have resulted in the creation of distinctive orange-red and purple visual colors

Carotenoids from the crimson and maroon plumages of Old World orioles (Oriolidae)

a b s t r a c t Recent analyses of the orange, red, and purple plumages of cotingas (Cotingidae) and broadbills (Eurylaimidae) revealed the presence of novel carotenoid molecules, suggesting that the diversity of pigments and the metabolic transformations they undergo are not yet fully understood. Two Old World orioles, the Black-and-Crimson Oriole Oriolus cruentus, and the Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii, exhibit plumage colors that are similar to those of some cotingas and broadbills. To determine if these oriole plumage colors are produced by the same carotenoids or with other molecules, we used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, and chemical analyses. The data show that the bright red feathers of O. cruentus contain a suite of keto-carotenoids commonly found in avian plumages, including canthaxanthin, adonirubin, astaxanthin, papilioerythrinone, and a-doradexanthin. The maroon feathers of O. traillii were found to contain canthaxanthin, a-doradexanthin, and one novel carotenoid, 3 0 ,4-dihydroxy-e,ecarotene-3-one, which we have termed ''4-hydroxy-canary xanthophyll A.'' In this paper we propose the metabolic pathways by which these pigments are formed. This work advances our understanding of the evolution of carotenoid metabolism in birds and the mechanisms by which birds achieve their vivid plumage colorations

CMR-based blood oximetry via multi-parametric estimation using multiple T2 measurements

Abstract Background Measurement of blood oxygen saturation (O2 saturation) is of great importance for evaluation of patients with many cardiovascular diseases, but currently there are no established non-invasive methods to measure blood O2 saturation in the heart. While T2-based CMR oximetry methods have been previously described, these approaches rely on technique-specific calibration factors that may not generalize across patient populations and are impractical to obtain in individual patients. We present a solution that utilizes multiple T2 measurements made using different inter-echo pulse spacings. These data are jointly processed to estimate all unknown parameters, including O2 saturation, in the Luz-Meiboom (L-M) model. We evaluated the accuracy of the proposed method against invasive catheterization in a porcine hypoxemia model. Methods Sufficient data diversity to estimate the various unknown parameters of the L-M model, including O2 saturation, was achieved by acquiring four T2 maps, each at a different τ 180 (12, 15, 20, and 25 ms). Venous and arterial blood T2 values from these maps, together with hematocrit and arterial O2 saturation, were jointly processed to derive estimates for venous O2 saturation and other nuisance parameters in the L-M model. The technique was validated by a progressive graded hypoxemia experiment in seven pigs. CMR estimates of O2 saturation in the right ventricle were compared against a reference O2 saturation obtained by invasive catheterization from the right atrium in each pig, at each hypoxemia stage. O2 saturation derived from the proposed technique was also compared against the previously described method of applying a global calibration factor (K) to the simplified L-M model. Results Venous O2 saturation results obtained using the proposed CMR oximetry method exhibited better agreement (y = 0.84× + 12.29, R2 = 0.89) with invasive blood gas analysis when compared to O2 saturation estimated by a global calibration method (y = 0.69× + 27.52, R2 = 0.73). Conclusions We have demonstrated a novel, non-invasive method to estimate O2 saturation using quantitative T2 mapping. This technique may provide a valuable addition to the diagnostic utility of CMR in patients with congenital heart disease, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension

Spectral heterogeneity and carotenoid-to-bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer in LH2 light-harvesting complexes from Allochromatium vinosum

Photosynthetic organisms produce a vast array of spectral forms of antenna pigment-protein complexes to harvest solar energy and also to adapt to growth under the variable environmental conditions of light intensity, temperature, and nutrient availability. This behavior is exemplified by Allochromatium (Alc.) vinosum, a photosynthetic purple sulfur bacterium that produces different types of LH2 light-harvesting complexes in response to variations in growth conditions. In the present work, three different spectral forms of LH2 from Alc. vinosum, B800-820, B800-840, and B800-850, were isolated, purified, and examined using steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and ultrafast time-resolved absorption spectroscopy. The pigment composition of the LH2 complexes was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and all were found to contain five carotenoids: lycopene, anhydrorhodovibrin, spirilloxanthin, rhodopin, and rhodovibrin. Spectral reconstructions of the absorption and fluorescence excitation spectra based on the pigment composition revealed significantly more spectral heterogeneity in these systems compared to LH2 complexes isolated from other species of purple bacteria. The data also revealed the individual carotenoid-to-bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer efficiencies which were correlated with the kinetic data from the ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopic experiments. This series of LH2 complexes allows a systematic exploration of the factors that determine the spectral properties of the bound pigments and control the rate and efficiency of carotenoid-to-bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer