Comparison of Upper Extremity Muscle Activation Levels Between Isometric and Dynamic Maximum Voluntary Contraction Protocols

Background: Muscle activations (MA) during maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) are commonly utilized to normalize muscle contributions. Isometric MVC protocols may not activate muscles to the same extent as during dynamic activities, such as falls on outstretched hands (FOOSH), that can occur during sport or recreational activities. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the peak MA of upper extremity muscles during isometric and dynamic MVC protocols. Methods: Twenty-four (12 M, 12 F) university-aged participants executed wrist and elbow flexion and extension actions during five-second MVC protocols targeting six upper extremity muscles (three flexors and three extensors). Each protocol [isometric (ISO); dynamic (eccentric (ECC), concentric (CON), elastic band (ELAS), un-resisted (UNRES)] consisted of three contractions (with one-minute rest periods between) during two sessions separated by one week. Muscle activation levels were collected using standard electromyography (EMG) preparations, electrode placements and equipment reported previously. Results: Overall, the ECC and CON dynamic protocols consistently elicited higher peak muscle activation levels than the ISO protocol for both males and females during both sessions. Over 95% of the CON trials resulted in mean and peak muscle activation ratios greater than ISO, with 56.3% being significantly greater than ISO (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher activation levels can be elicited in upper extremity muscles when resistance is applied dynamically through a full range of motion during MVC protocols

[Brain metabolism alterations in patients with anorexia nervosa observed in 1H-MRS]

Contains fulltext : 48323.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The causes of metabolic brain changes in patients with anorexia nervosa are still not fully explained. The purpose of this study was to use the 1H-MRS method in investigating metabolic changes in the brain of patients with anorexia nervosa. We studied 10 patients for visible alternations in brain metabolism and compared the results to healthy controls. 1H-MRS was acquired by the method of single voxels in white and grey matter. Proton MRS was performed after image guided localization using stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence with a short echo time of 20 ms. For data evaluation we used standard Siemens software and the additional PC. Choosing of the MRS sequences was related with particular interest in metabolites of short time echo: myoinositol and lipids. Besides this we evaluated peaks of: N-acetylaspartate (NAN), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho). The results show significant differences in the levels of metabolites connected with fatty metabolism. In white matter we observed the reduction of lip-peak. The data was evaluated approximately and presented as lip:Cr. We did not observe any differences in other metabolites. As far as we know similar results had been reported and our study confirmed significant disorders in metabolism of these chemicals in patients with anorexia nervosa

Fístula carótido-cavernosa com epistaxe letal: relato de caso Carotid-cavernous fistula with lethal epistaxis: case report

A fístula carótido-cavernosa é uma comunicação patológica entre a artéria carótida interna e o seio cavernoso. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente de 32 anos de idade com fístula carótido-cavernosa devida a traumatismo crânio-encefálico. O tratamento preconizado é a embolização mas neste caso em especial houve falha devido às características próprias da fístula, e o paciente progrediu de maneira desfavorável evoluindo ao óbito por epistaxe incontrolável.<br>We report the case of a 32 years old male patient with carotid-cavernous fistula caused by head injury who died from massive epistaxis. Treatment assesment of this case is faced with the literature

Three-dimensional imaging of Prox1-EGFP transgenic mouse gonads reveals divergent modes of lymphangiogenesis in the testis and ovary

The lymphatic vasculature forms a specialized part of the circulatory system, being essential for maintaining tissue fluid homeostasis and for transport of hormones, macromolecules, and immune cells. Although lymphatic vessels are assumed to play an important role in most tissues, their morphogenesis and function in the gonads remains poorly understood. Here we have exploited a lymphatic-specific Prox1-EGFP reporter mouse model and optical projection tomography technology to characterize both the temporal and spatial development of the lymphatic vessel network in mouse testes and ovaries. We find that lymphangiogenesis in the testis is initiated during late gestation, but in contrast to other organs, lymphatic vessels remain confined to the testis cap and, unlike blood vessels, do not infiltrate the entire organ. Conversely, lymphatic vessels invade the ovarian tissue, beginning postnatally, and sprouting from preexisting lymphatic vessels at the extraovarian rete. The ovary develops a rich network of lymphatic vessels, extending from the medulla into the surrounding cortex adjacent to developing follicles. This study reveals distinct patterns of lymphangiogenesis in the testes and ovaries and will serve as the basis for the identification of the divergent molecular pathways that control morphogenesis and the function of the lymphatic vasculature in these two organs

X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study of Novel Inorganic-organic Hybrid Ferromagnetic Cu−pyz−[M(CN)8]3−\mathrm{Cu-pyz-[M(CN)_{8}]^{3-}} Assemblies

We present a unique interpretation of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra at Cu:K, W:L(3), and Mo:K edges of structurally related magnetic Cu(II)-[M(V)(CN)(8)](3-) compounds. The approach results in description of the structure of novel three-dimensional (3-D) Cu(II)(3)(pyz)[M(V)(CN)(8)](2)·xH(2)O, M = W (1), Mo, (2) polymers. Assemblies 1 and 2 represent hybrid inorganic-organic compounds built of {Cu(II)[W(V)(CN)(8)](-)}(n) double-layers linked by cyanido-bridged {Cu(II)-(μ-pyz)(2+)}(n) chains. These Cu(II)-M(V) systems reveal long-range magnetic ordering with T(c) of 43 and 37 K for 1 and 2, respectively. The presence of the 3-D coordination networks and 8 cyanido-bridges at M(V) centers leads to the highest Curie temperatures and widest hysteresis loops among Cu(II)-[M(V)(CN)(8)](3-) systems

Design of One-Dimensional Coordination Networks from a Macrocyclic {3d-4f} Single-Molecule Magnet Precursor Linked by [W(CN)8]3− Anions

The outcome of 1:1 reactions of the tetranuclear 3d-4f Single Molecule Magnet (SMM) [Cu3Tb(LPr)(NO3)2(H2O)]NO3 (1) with (TBA)3[W(CN)8] (TBA = tri-nbutyl ammonium cation, [(n-Bu)3N−H]+) in dimethylformamide (DMF) is dependent on the crystallization method employed: liquid−liquid diffusion of the reagents together gives {[Cu3Tb(LPr)W(CN)8(DMF)4]*(DMF)}n (2) whereas diethyl ether vapor diffusion into the reaction solution gives {[Cu3Tb(LPr)W(CN)8(DMF)3(H2O)3]*(DMF)1.5*(H2O)0.5}n (3). Both compounds are obtained as black single crystals and feature one-dimensional (1D) coordination networks (chains) of [1]3+ macrocycles linked by [W(CN)8]3− anions. The two assemblies differ from a structural point of view...