Kinematic And Electromyographic Analysis Of The Legs, Torso, And Arms During An Exhaustive Run.

Distance running performance is dependent on the integration of the complex mechanisms of neuromuscular control, central and peripheral cardiovascular performance, and fatigue resistance. The end result of these interactions is movement, as defined by running mechanics. During high-intensity running, specific muscles may demonstrate signs of neuromuscular fatigue, which may alter running local and whole-body running mechanics. There are few published studies specific to running which describe neuromuscular fatigue of torso and arm muscles, how fatigue affects the kinematics of the upper body, and how neuromuscular fatigue relates to kinematic changes. Fifteen trained male distance runners were recruited to participate in this study. Each subject performed an exhaustive run at an intensity approximating 95% of maximal oxygen consumption. Electromyographic data were collected from thirteen muscles unilaterally and kinematic data were collected from key joints of the upper and lower body during the exhaustive run. Increased motor unit recruitment was observed in nearly all muscles studied, many demonstrating statistically significant linear trends. Torso muscles demonstrated similar levels of recruitment to the leg muscles. Statistically significant models of neuromuscular fatigue were observed during the exhaustive run for two leg muscles and one torso muscle. None of the arm muscles demonstrated statistically significant changes indicative of fatigue. A number of statistically significant kinematic changes were observed throughout the run for all regions of the body. Some kinematic changes were significantly correlated to changes in motor unit recruitment patterns or neuromuscular fatigue. These results confirm that runners develop neuromuscular fatigue during high intensity running and this may limit performance. Based on these results, general recommendations for muscle-specific training programs may be made for groups of athletes similar to the population studied. However, there are many individual differences within this population and therefore personalized training recommendations require a thorough neuromuscular and kinematic evaluation. Groups of runners with different demographics may also show different trends in fatigue patterns. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the effect of exhaustive running on various populations. Additionally, research is needed to validate training programs which aim to delay or prevent neuromuscular fatigue as a means of enhancing running performance

The efficacy of resveratrol in controlling hypertension: study protocol for a randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background: Hypertension is a global health concern for which novel treatment strategies are necessary. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4′-trihydroxystilbene, a polyphenol present in grapes) in controlling blood pressure in participants diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. Methods/design: In a randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 50 participants with prehypertension (diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure, 80–89 mmHg and 120–139 mmHg, respectively) and 50 participants with stage 1 hypertension (diastolic and systolic, 90–99 mmHg and 140–159 mmHg, respectively) will be assigned to receive resveratrol (99 % pure, from Biotivia Longevity Bioceuticals LLC Company, USA, in 500 mg capsules, twice daily for 4 weeks, orally) or placebo (500 mg neutral microcellulose capsules, twice daily for 4 weeks) in a 2 × 2 crossover design (4 weeks treatment—4 weeks washout—4 weeks treatment). The blood pressure of each participant will be recorded (a mean of two times within a 15-minute interval) every week during the study. The participants in the prehypertensive group will not receive any medication, while those in the stage 1 hypertensive group will continue to receive their routine medications during the study. Blood samples will be taken from all groups and examined for various biochemical parameters. Discussion: This trial will help to establish whether resveratrol is an effective antihypertensive agent in prehypertensive and stage 1-hypertensive patients. The trial outcome will provide novel insight into the clinical efficacy of resveratrol and provide valuable information for conducting future clinical studies with resveratrol. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT201407078129N7. Registered on 15 August 2014. Keywords: Resveratrol, Hypertension, Blood pressure, Polypheno

Mechanisms of foot-and-mouth disease virus tropism inferred from differential tissue gene expression.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) targets specific tissues for primary infection, secondary high-titer replication (e.g. foot and mouth where it causes typical vesicular lesions) and long-term persistence at some primary replication sites. Although integrin αVβ6 receptor has been identified as primary FMDV receptors in animals, their tissue distribution alone fails to explain these highly selective tropism-driven events. Thus, other molecular mechanisms must play roles in determining this tissue specificity. We hypothesized that differences in certain biological activities due to differential gene expression determine FMDV tropism and applied whole genome gene expression profiling to identify genes differentially expressed between FMDV-targeted and non-targeted tissues in terms of supporting primary infection, secondary replication including vesicular lesions, and persistence. Using statistical and bioinformatic tools to analyze the differential gene expression, we identified mechanisms that could explain FMDV tissue tropism based on its association with differential expression of integrin αVβ6 heterodimeric receptor (FMDV receptor), fibronectin (ligand of the receptor), IL-1 cytokines, death receptors and the ligands, and multiple genes in the biological pathways involved in extracellular matrix turnover and interferon signaling found in this study. Our results together with reported findings indicate that differences in (1) FMDV receptor availability and accessibility, (2) type I interferon-inducible immune response, and (3) ability to clear virus infected cells via death receptor signaling play roles in determining FMDV tissue tropism and the additional increase of high extracellular matrix turnover induced by FMDV infection, likely via triggering the signaling of highly expressed IL-1 cytokines, play a key role in the pathogenesis of vesicular lesions

Differential expression of IL-1 family genes.

<p>The log 2 expression ratios (FMDV-targeted tissues versus non-target tissue) in three non-infected (A) and two infected (B) animals. MCS: metacarpal skin; LNG: lung; NTE: nasal turbinate epithelium; PIS: persistent infection site; SRS: secondary replication site; -c: not infected; -i: FMDV infected; and data label indicating that the difference between two tissue groups is statistically significant.</p

Differential expression of genes in the interferon JAK-STAT signal pathway.

<p>The log 2 expression ratios (FMDV-targeted tissues versus non-target tissue) in three non-infected (A) and to infected (B) animals. MCS: metacarpal skin; LNG: lung; NTE: nasal turbinate epithelium; PIS: persistent infection site; SRS: secondary replication site; -c: not infected; -i: FMDV infected; and data label indicating that the difference between two tissue groups is statistically significant.</p

Differential expression of genes in the interferon PI3K-AKT signal pathway.

<p>The log 2 expression ratios (FMDV-targeted tissues versus non-target tissue) in three non-infected (A) and two infected (B) animals. MCS: metacarpal skin; LNG: lung; NTE: nasal turbinate epithelium; PIS: persistent infection site; SRS: secondary replication site; -c: not infected; -i: FMDV infected; and data label indicating that the difference between two tissue groups is statistically significant.</p

The average microarray signal intensity of FMDV target sequences in the tissues of two infected animals collected at 72 hours post FMDV infection.

<p>CB: coronary band; DSP: distal soft palate; DSP: distal nasal pharynx; IDC: interdigital cleft skin; LNG: middle anterior lung; MCS: metacarpal skin (control for secondary replication sites); NTE: nasal turbinate (control for primary replication sites); TE: tongue epithelium; VR: FMDV replication; VL: vesicular lesion; PI: persistent infection.</p

The number of genes differentially expressed between tissues different in FMDV tropism in non-infected animals.

<p>CB: coronary band; DSP: distal soft palate; DSP: distal nasal pharynx; IDC: interdigital cleft skin; LNG: middle anterior lung; MCS: metacarpal skin; NTE: nasal turbinate epithelium; TE: tongue epithelium; NTS: not FMDV targeted sites (MCS, NTE); PIS: persistent infection sites (DNP, DSP); PRS: primary replication sites (DNP, DSP, and LNG); SRS: secondary replication sites (TE, IDC, and CB); -up: up-regulated expression in the tissue group; and -down: down-regulated expression in the tissue group.</p

Average expression signal intensity of integrins and fibronectin in the tissues of two infected and three non-infected animals.

<p>MCS: metacarpal skin; LNG: lung; NTE: nasal turbinate epithelium; PIS: persistent infection site; SRS: secondary replication site; -c: not infected; -i: FMDV infected;</p>*<p>statistically significantly different between SRS and the rests;</p>**<p>the sum of the signal intensity of ITGB1-binding integrin α subunits (ITGAs) or RGD-binding integrin β subunits (ITGBs) according to cited reference <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0064119#pone.0064119-Hynes1" target="_blank">[27]</a>; and ***: estimated level of integrin αVβ6 heterodimeric receptor.</p