Superior effects of eccentric to concentric knee extensor resistance training on physical fitness, insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles of elderly men

It has been reported that eccentric training of knee extensors is effective for improving blood insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles to a greater extent than concentric training in young women. However, it is not known whether this is also the case for elderly individuals. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis that eccentric training of the knee extensors would improve physical function and health parameters (e.g., blood lipid profiles) of older adults better than concentric training. Healthy elderly men (60–76 years) were assigned to either eccentric training or concentric training group (n=13/group), and performed 30–60 eccentric or concentric contractions of knee extensors once a week. The intensity was progressively increased over 12 weeks from 10 to 100% of maximal concentric strength for eccentric training and from 50 to 100% for concentric training. Outcome measures were taken before and 4 days after the training period. The results showed that no sings of muscle damage were observed after any sessions. Functional physical fitness (e.g., 30-s chair stand) and maximal concentric contraction strength of the knee extensors increased greater (P ≤ 0.05) after eccentric training than concentric training. Homeostasis model assessment, oral glucose tolerance test and whole blood glycosylated hemoglobin

Photosensized Controlling Benzyl Methacrylate-Based Matrix Enhanced Eu3+ Narrow-Band Emission for Fluorescence Applications

This study synthesized a europium (Eu3+) complex Eu(DBM)3Cl-MIP (DBM = dibenzoyl methane; Cl-MIP = 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) dispersed in a benzyl methacrylate (BMA) monomer and treated with ultraviolet (UV) light for polymerization. Spectral results showed that the europium complex containing an antenna, Cl-MIP, which had higher triplet energy into the Eu3+ energy level, was an energetically enhanced europium emission. Typical stacking behaviors of π–π interactions between the ligands and the Eu3+-ion were analyzed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Regarding the luminescence performance of this europium composite, the ligand/defect emission was suppressed by dispersion in a poly-BMA (PBMA) matrix. The underlying mechanism of the effective enhancement of the pure Eu3+ emission was attributed to the combined effects of structural modifications, defect emissions, and carrier charge transfer. Fluorescence spectra were compared to the composite of optimized Eu3+ emission where they were subsequently chelated to four metal ions via carboxylate groups on the BMA unit. The optical enhanced europium composite clearly demonstrated highly efficient optical responses and is, therefore a promising application as an optical detection material

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

Angiosarcoma with Pulmonary Metastasis Presenting with Spontaneous Bilateral Pneumothorax in an Elderly Man

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare and invasive endothelial-derived sarcoma that occurs most frequently in the scalp and facial skin of elderly men. It is frequently accompanied by thin-walled cavitary pulmonary metastasis, and is often obscure on chest radiograph. We report a case of angiosarcoma of the scalp with cystic metastasis to the lung in a 63-year-old man, presenting as recurrent bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Lung metastasis was missed at the first episode of pneumothorax because the lung-expanded chest radiograph showed no significant abnormality. Two months later, bilateral pneumothorax recurred, and high-resolution computed tomography revealed multiple cystic, cavitary and nodular lesions. Pulmonary metastasis was confirmed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and pleurodesis was performed. After the operation, the patient received chemotherapy; no recurrence of pneumothorax was found during 6 months of follow-up. Pneumothorax in the elderly should be differentiated from malignant metastatic lung tumors

Biportal Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint Complex in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Technical Note with 1-Year Follow-Up

Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a common source of low back pain. Previously reported management strategies for this pain include conservative treatment, SIJ injection, radiofrequency denervation ablation, and SIJ fusion. Herein, we describe the use of biportal endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (BERA) to treat patients with low back pain. Methods: We included 16 patients who underwent BERA from April 2018 to June 2020. We marked the S1, S2, and S3 foramina and the SIJ line under fluoroscopy. Skin entry points were positioned at 0.5 cm medial to the SIJ line and at the level of the S1 and S2 foramina. Under local anesthesia, we introduced a 30° arthroscope with a 4 mm diameter through the viewing portal; surgical instruments were inserted through another caudal working portal. We ablated the lateral branches of the S1–S3 foramina and L5 dorsal ramus, which were the sources of SIJ pain. Results: Clinically relevant improvements in both visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were noted at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up time points after surgery. The overall patient satisfaction score was 89.1%. Conclusions: BERA for SIJ pain treatment has the advantage of directly identifying and ablating the innervating nerve to the joint. Through this technique, an expanded working angle can be obtained compared with traditional single-port endoscopy. Our study demonstrated promising preliminary results

Assessment of Rice Developmental Stage Using Time Series UAV Imagery for Variable Irrigation Management

Rice is one of the three major crops in the world and is the major crop in Asia. Climate change and water resource shortages may result in decreases in rice yields and possible food shortage crises. In this study, water-saving farming management was tested, and IOT field water level monitoring was used to regulate water inflow automatically. Plant height (PH) is an important phenotype to be used to determine difference in rice growth periods and yields using water-saving irrigation. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with an RGB camera captured sequential images of rice fields to estimate rice PH compared with PH measured on site for estimating rice growth stages. The test results, with two crop harvests in 2019, revealed that with adequate image calibration, the correlation coefficient between UAV-PH and field-PH was higher than 0.98, indicating that UAV images can accurately determine rice PH in the field and rice growth phase. The study demonstrated that water-saving farming is effective, decreasing water usage for the first and second crops of 2019 by 53.5% and 21.7%, respectively, without influencing the growth period and final yield. Coupled with an automated irrigation system, rice farming can be adaptive to water shortage situations

Diagnostic pitfalls of discriminating lymphoma-associated effusions.

High serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, immunologic defects, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, and frequent hydration and diuresis in lymphoma patients may affect the development of pleural effusion (PE). The study was to assess the clinical utility of "Light criteria" and the "recommended algorithm for investigating PEs" in patients with lymphoma.The characteristics of 126 PEs of lymphoma patients who underwent diagnostic thoracentesis between January 1, 2003, and April 30, 2012, were reviewed. Using Light criteria, 29 (23%) PEs were incorrectly classified. The sensitivity for exudates in Light criteria was 88% and the specificity was only 44%. In 32 transudates, PE LDH correlated with blood LDH concentration (P < 0.001, r = 0.66). Nine transudates were misclassified as exudates (50%; 9/18) just due to PE LDH more than two-thirds the upper limits. Among the 56 bilateral PEs, 33 (59%) were exudates. Ten (63%) polymorphonuclear (PMN)-predominant exudative PEs were malignant. Infective PEs were often mononuclear (67%) rather than PMN predominant.When a patient has lymphoma with either unilateral or bilateral PE, thoracentesis for microbiological testing and cytology is imperative. Carefully clinical correlation in addition to the result from Light criteria and differential cell count is essential for prompt management

Diagnostic pitfalls of discriminating lymphoma-associated effusions.

High serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, immunologic defects, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, and frequent hydration and diuresis in lymphoma patients may affect the development of pleural effusion (PE). The study was to assess the clinical utility of "Light criteria" and the "recommended algorithm for investigating PEs" in patients with lymphoma.The characteristics of 126 PEs of lymphoma patients who underwent diagnostic thoracentesis between January 1, 2003, and April 30, 2012, were reviewed. Using Light criteria, 29 (23%) PEs were incorrectly classified. The sensitivity for exudates in Light criteria was 88% and the specificity was only 44%. In 32 transudates, PE LDH correlated with blood LDH concentration (P < 0.001, r = 0.66). Nine transudates were misclassified as exudates (50%; 9/18) just due to PE LDH more than two-thirds the upper limits. Among the 56 bilateral PEs, 33 (59%) were exudates. Ten (63%) polymorphonuclear (PMN)-predominant exudative PEs were malignant. Infective PEs were often mononuclear (67%) rather than PMN predominant.When a patient has lymphoma with either unilateral or bilateral PE, thoracentesis for microbiological testing and cytology is imperative. Carefully clinical correlation in addition to the result from Light criteria and differential cell count is essential for prompt management