Analysis of Archery Shooting Techniques by Means of Electromyography

The interaction between the processes of excitation and inhibition plays a major role in the mechanisms of motor coordination. In the inhibitory phenomenon, from Hoffmann (1920) cited in Hoff et al. (1934) to Abraham et al. (1987), it has been shown that an electromyographic silent period is evident just before the voluntary movement following the preparatory phase, The present authors (Nishizono et al. 1984, Nishizono et al. 1987) demonstrated the inhibition prior to skilled voluntary movement. In the movement of shooting an arrow, there is a large amount of neuromuscular involvement in the «simple act». Neurophysiologically, the movement of shooting an arrow is the stable posture in a typical tonic neck reflex. To get a good record in an archery competition, one requires a well-balanced and highly reproducible release during the shooting. The stages for archery shooting, such as Bow Hold, Drawing, Full Draw, Aiming, Release and Follow-Through, are the stable sequence of movements and are suitable for studying the motor control and skill-aquiring processes of the voluntary movement. In the present study, first, the shooting techniques of world class archers were analysed compared with middle-class and beginner archers by means of EMGs, and second, archers of three shill levels were employed to measure the EMGs during archery shooting, to clarify the differences of the releasing movement

EFFECT OF AMBIENT LEVELS OF OZONE ON PHOTOSYNTHETIC COMPONENTS AND RADICAL SCAVENGING SYSTEM IN LEAVES OF AFRICAN COWPEA VARIETIES

Tropospheric ozone (O3), a main component of photochemical oxidants, adversely affects not only human health but also vegetation. To clarify the long-term effects of ambient levels of tropospheric ozone (O3) on photosynthetic components and radical scavenging system in the leaves of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L.), two African varieties, Blackeye and Asontem, were grown in open-top chambers and exposed to filtered air (FA), non-filtered air (NF) or non-filtered air with additional O3 of approximately 50 nl l-1. Ambient levels of O3 significantly reduced chlorophyll concentration, quantum yield and activity of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), thus contributing to the reduction in net photosynthetic rate at the reproductive growth stage of both varieties; with no significant variety difference in the sensitivity to O3. The O3-induced significant reduction in catalase activity was observed in Blackeye at vegetative and reproductive growth stages; and in Asontem at reproductive growth stage. On the other hand, exposure to O3 significantly increased ascorbate peroxidase activity in Blackeye at reproductive stage and did not significantly affect that in Blackeye at vegetative growth stage and that in Asontem at both growth stages. At reproductive growth stage, activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase were significantly increased by the exposure to O3 in both varieties. The results obtained in this study suggest that, although ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase played important roles in scavenging O3-induced reactive oxygen species in the leaves, radical scavenging ability of these enzymes is not sufficient to avoid detrimental effects of ambient levels of O3 on photosynthesis in both African cowpea varieties.L\u2019ozone troposph\ue9rique (O3), un composant essential des oxydants photochimiques, a des effets pervers sur la sant\ue9 humaine et la v\ue9g\ue9tation. Afin de clarifier les effets \ue0 long-terme des niveaux ambiants de l\u2019ozone troposph\ue9rique (O3) sur les composantes de la photosynth\ue8se et le syst\ue8me d\u2019\ue9puration des feuilles du ni\ue9b\ue9 ( Vigna unguiculata L.), deux vari\ue9t\ue9s de ni\ue9b\ue9 Africain, Blackeye et Asontem, ont \ue9t\ue9 cultiv\ue9es dans une chambre d\u2019exp\ue9rimentation et expos\ue9es \ue0 l\u2019air filtr\ue9 (FA), l\u2019air non filtr\ue9 (NF) ou air non filtr\ue9 additionn\ue9 de O3 \ue0 50 nl l-1. Les niveaux ambiants d\u2019O3 ont r\ue9duit de fa\ue7on significative la concentration en chlorophylle, le rendement en quantum et l\u2019activit\ue9 de ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), contribuant ainsi \ue0 la r\ue9duction du taux photosynth\ue9tique net au stade reproductif des deux vari\ue9t\ue9s; il n\u2019y a pas eu de diff\ue9rence significative dans la sensibilit\ue9 des vari\ue9t\ue9s \ue0 O3. Une r\ue9duction significative induite par l\u2019O3 dans l\u2019activit\ue9 de catalase a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9e aux stades v\ue9g\ue9tatif et reproductif chez la vari\ue9t\ue9 Blackeye; et au stade reproductif chez Asontem. D\u2019autre part, l\u2019exposition \ue0 l\u2019O3 a augment\ue9 de fa\ue7on significative l\u2019activit\ue9 de l\u2019ascorbate peroxidase seulement au stade reproductif chez Blackeye mais aux deux stades v\ue9g\ue9tatif et reproducteur chez la vari\ue9t\ue9 Asontem. Au stade reproductif, l\u2019activit\ue9 de monodehydroascorbate r\ue9ductase et de glutathione r\ue9ductase ont \ue9t\ue9 augment\ue9e de fa\ue7on significative par l\u2019exposition \ue0 l\u2019O3 chez les deux vari\ue9t\ue9s. Les r\ue9sultats obtenus dans cette \ue9tude sugg\ue8rent que malgr\ue9 le role important que jouent ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate r\ue9ductase et glutathione r\ue9ductase dans l\u2019\ue9puration dans les feuilles des esp\ue8ces \ue0 oxyg\ue8ne r\ue9actif induit par l\u2019O3, l\u2019habilet\ue9 d\u2019\ue9puration de ces enzymes n\u2019est pas assez pour \ue9viter les effets nocifs des niveaux ambiants d\u2019O3 sur la photosynth\ue8se chez les vari\ue9t\ue9s de ni\ue9b\ue9 Africain

Bee products prevent VEGF-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of pathogenic angiogenesis in diseases such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy. Bee products [royal jelly (RJ), bee pollen, and Chinese red propolis] from the honeybee, <it>Apis mellifera</it>, have been used as traditional health foods for centuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of bee products using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In an <it>in vitro </it>tube formation assay, HUVECs and fibroblast cells were incubated for 14 days with VEGF and various concentrations of bee products [RJ, ethanol extract of bee pollen, ethanol extract of Chinese red propolis and its constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)]. To clarify the mechanism of <it>in vitro </it>angiogenesis, HUVEC proliferation and migration were induced by VEGF with or without various concentrations of RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE significantly suppressed VEGF-induced <it>in vitro </it>tube formation in the descending order: CAPE > Chinese red propolis >> bee pollen > RJ. RJ and Chinese red propolis suppressed both VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and migration. In contrast, bee pollen and CAPE suppressed only the proliferation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the bee products, Chinese red propolis and CAPE in particular showed strong suppressive effects against VEGF-induced angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Chinese red propolis and CAPE may have potential as preventive and therapeutic agents against angiogenesis-related human diseases.</p

Phosphodiesterase-III Inhibitor Prevents Hemorrhagic Transformation Induced by Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice Treated with tPA

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor and antiplatelet drug, would prevent tPA-associated hemorrhagic transformation. Mice subjected to 6-h middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated with delayed tPA alone at 6 h, with combined tPA plus cilostazol at 6 h, or with vehicle at 6 h. We used multiple imaging (electron microscopy, spectroscopy), histological and neurobehavioral measures to assess the effects of the treatment at 18 h and 7 days after the reperfusion. To further investigate the mechanism of cilostazol to beneficial effect, we also performed an in vitro study with tPA and a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. Combination therapy with tPA plus cilostazol prevented development of hemorrhagic transformation, reduced brain edema, prevented endothelial injury via reduction MMP-9 activity, and prevented the blood-brain barrier opening by inhibiting decreased claudin-5 expression. These changes significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality at 18 h and 7 days after the reperfusion. Also, the administration of both drugs prevented injury to brain human endothelial cells and human brain pericytes. The present study indicates that a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor prevents the hemorrhagic transformation induced by focal cerebral ischemia in mice treated with tPA

Prognostic relevance of Centromere protein H expression in esophageal carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many kinetochore proteins have been shown to be associated with human cancers. The aim of the present study was to clarify the expression of Centromere protein H (CENP-H), one of the fundamental components of the human active kinetochore, in esophageal carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological features.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the expression of CENP-H in immortalized esophageal epithelial cells as well as in esophageal carcinoma cells, and in 12 cases of esophageal carcinoma tissues and the paired normal esophageal tissues by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, we analyzed CENP-H protein expression in 177 clinicopathologically characterized esophageal carcinoma cases by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were applied to test for prognostic and diagnostic associations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The level of CENP-H mRNA and protein were higher in the immortalized cells, cancer cell lines and most cancer tissues than in normal control tissues. Immunohistochemistry showed that CENP-H was expressed in 127 of 171 ESCC cases (74.3%) and in 3 of 6 esophageal adenocarcinoma cases (50%). Statistical analysis of ESCC cases showed that there was a significant difference of CENP-H expression in patients categorized according to gender (<it>P </it>= 0.013), stage (<it>P </it>= 0.023) and T classification (<it>P </it>= 0.019). Patients with lower CENP-H expression had longer overall survival time than those with higher CENP-H expression. Multivariate analysis suggested that CENP-H expression was an independent prognostic marker for esophageal carcinoma patients. A prognostic value of CENP-H was also found in the subgroup of T3~T4 and N0 tumor classification.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that CENP-H protein is a valuable marker of esophageal carcinoma progression. CENP-H might be used as a valuable prognostic marker for esophageal carcinoma patients.</p

Lifespan-Extending Effects of Royal Jelly and Its Related Substances on the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

One of the most important challenges in the study of aging is to discover compounds with longevity-promoting activities and to unravel their underlying mechanisms. Royal jelly (RJ) has been reported to possess diverse beneficial properties. Furthermore, protease-treated RJ (pRJ) has additional pharmacological activities. Exactly how RJ and pRJ exert these effects and which of their components are responsible for these effects are largely unknown. The evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that control longevity have been indicated. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether RJ and its related substances exert a lifespan-extending function in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and to gain insights into the active agents in RJ and their mechanism of action.We found that both RJ and pRJ extended the lifespan of C. elegans. The lifespan-extending activity of pRJ was enhanced by Octadecyl-silica column chromatography (pRJ-Fraction 5). pRJ-Fr.5 increased the animals' lifespan in part by acting through the FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, the activation of which is known to promote longevity in C. elegans by reducing insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS). pRJ-Fr.5 reduced the expression of ins-9, one of the insulin-like peptide genes. Moreover, pRJ-Fr.5 and reduced IIS shared some common features in terms of their effects on gene expression, such as the up-regulation of dod-3 and the down-regulation of dod-19, dao-4 and fkb-4. 10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which was present at high concentrations in pRJ-Fr.5, increased lifespan independently of DAF-16 activity.These results demonstrate that RJ and its related substances extend lifespan in C. elegans, suggesting that RJ may contain longevity-promoting factors. Further analysis and characterization of the lifespan-extending agents in RJ and pRJ may broaden our understanding of the gene network involved in longevity regulation in diverse species and may lead to the development of nutraceutical interventions in the aging process