Effects of Varying Load Intensity on Skeletal Muscle Damage Between Two Isovolumic Resistance Exercise Bouts

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 1212-1221, 2022. There are limited data comparing the efficacy of resistance loads within the hypertrophy range for promoting muscular growth, particularly when similar training volumes are utilized. The purpose of this study was to determine if two similar volume-loads, utilizing different intensities, would produce dissimilar muscular damage and inflammation. Eleven resistance-trained, college-aged males participated in this study. After testing 1RM barbell squats, participants completed two similar volume-load barbell squat sessions at two different resistance loads (67% and 85% of 1RM) on two separate visits. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline and one hour after completion of each exercise session. Plasma was isolated and analyzed for myoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) expression via ELISA. Plasma myoglobin expression was significantly elevated above baseline (BASE) values only after the 85% of 1RM (HHL) session (p =0.031), though the 67% (LHL) trial (p = 0.054; h2 = 0.647) was approaching significance (BASE: 1.42+.12 ng/mL; LHL: 4.65+1.13 ng/mL; HHL: 5.00+1.01 ng/mL). No changes in plasma CRP were observed. Despite attempts to equate volumes between resistances, mean total volume-load was significantly higher during the 67% of 1RM trial than during the 85% trial. Resistance loads at 85% of 1RM inflict significantly increased muscle damage over baseline values, even when significantly less total volume was lifted during the 85% trial. Individuals looking to maximize strength and hypertrophy during general training or during rehabilitation may benefit from these findings when determining the appropriate training load

A Prospective Study Comparing Distance-based vs. Time-based Exercise Prescriptions of Walking and Running in Previously Sedentary Overweight Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(5): 782-798, 2017. Prior work has reported that the declines observed in body mass index (BMI) and circumference measurements in their cross-sectional data were twice as large when calculated from distance energy expenditure estimations compared to energy expenditure estimations based on time and intensity. The primary purpose of this study was to compare walking/running for distance to walking/running for time as part of an exercise intervention. This study followed a between-subjects, repeated measures design. Fifteen overweight, but otherwise healthy participants completed the study. The time-based group walked/ran for self-reported time while the distance-based group walked/ran for self-reported distance. A mixed-factor repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare all dependent variables both within-subjects and between-subjects. Weekly adherence rates to the exercise program did not exhibit a significant difference (p \u3e 0.05). Significant interactions were shown for mean body mass loss between groups as well as mean blood glucose level (p \u3c 0.05). Distance-based group exhibited a decline in body mass and blood glucose while the time-based group exhibited an increase in both variables. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to directly compare a distance-based vs. a time-based exercise program for walking and running for improvement of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The results of this study would suggest that a distance-based exercise prescription of walking or running should provide a clinician or researcher with a closer estimation of overall accumulated exercise and resultant weight loss

Educational Brochures Influence Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Exercise during Pregnancy: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(3): 581-589, 2019. Women who are pregnant report receiving little or no advice about physical activity during pregnancy from their obstetric provider. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an evidence-based educational brochure on both immediate and two-week retention of knowledge about exercise during pregnancy. Thirty-two women of childbearing age (age: 25.0 ± 4.0 years, body mass index: 29.5 ± 6.5 kg/m2, 93.7% Caucasian, 83.4% had at least some college) completed a survey before exposure to an evidence-based educational brochure regarding exercise during pregnancy. Post surveys were taken immediately after viewing the educational brochure and again 2-weeks later. After exposure to educational brochures, survey scores on both surveys were significantly higher immediately-post and two-weeks post compared to baseline survey scores (Survey 1 (assessing beliefs) – pre: 79.2 ± 8.9%, post: 92.6 ± 7.4%, 2-weeks post: 92.0 ± 6.5%, p \u3c 0.001; Survey 2 (assessing knowledge) – pre: 65.3 ± 16.4%, post: 81.3 ± 14.9%, 2-weeks post: 78.8 ± 12.4%, p \u3c 0.001). No significant differences detected between immediate post and 2-weeks post for either Survey 1 (p = 0.72) or Survey 2 (p = 0.52); suggesting the information was retained. An evidence-based educational brochure is effective for improving and retaining information 2-weeks later regarding exercise during pregnancy. However, replication studies in more diverse populations are needed to confirm the results of this pilot study. The long-term goal for this line of research is to urge health care providers to consider providing patients with educational information in order to improve knowledge and patient-provider communication on this topic

Empowering Latino parents to transform the education of their children

This article emphasizes the role of parental involvement in the college preparation of Latino elementary and secondary school students. Although literature shows that education is highly valued in Latino families, actual college enrollment rates for Latino youth are below average. This has been attributed to barriers including lack of financial resources, problems in communication with schools, and low familiarity with the college planning process. The American Dream Academy is a university outreach program that is designed to help Latino families overcome these barriers. We conducted a qualitative analysis of speeches that were prepared and delivered by parents at graduation ceremonies of the program from 2007 to 2009. Our analysis revealed six themes: facing challenges, envisioning success, understanding the school system, taking ownership, community raising a child, and creating a supportive home environment. The findings enrich existing literature and help understand the complex systems that are at play with parental involvement in Latino families

Impact of identity politics on education in Pakistan: a comparison between Balochistan and Punjab

This research paper examines the impact of ethnic identity based politics on education in Pakistan through in-depth interviews with young professionals from Balochistan and Punjab. Findings suggest that there is the Punjabi-dominated power structure results in an unequal allocation of financial resources, whereby Balochistan lacks the financial resources to invest in education development. In addition, political instability caused by unprecedented ethnic strife contributes towards poor quality education, which, as a result, adversely impacts a Balochi's future course of life. On the other hand, Punjabis are at an advantage in the public arena because of their robust educational foundation

The social affordances of flashpacking: exploring the mobility nexus of travel and communication

The proliferation of digital devices and online social media and networking technologies has altered the backpacking landscape in recent years. Thanks to the ready availability of online communication, travelers are now able to stay in continuous touch with friends, family and other travelers while on the move. This article introduces the practice of ‘flashpacking’ to describe this emerging trend and interrogates the patterns of connection and disconnection that become possible as corporeal travel and social technologies converge. Drawing on the concepts of ‘assemblages’ and ‘affordances’, we outline several aspects of this new sociality: virtual mooring, following, collaborating, and (dis)connecting. The conclusion situates this discussion alongside broader questions about the shifting nature of social life in an increasingly mobile and mediated world and suggests directions for future research at the intersection of tourism and technology

A comparison between Asian and Australasia backpackers using cultural consensus analysis

This study tests the differences in the shared understanding of the backpacker cultural domain between two groups: backpackers from Australasia and backpackers from Asian countries. A total of 256 backpackers responded to a questionnaire administered in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Krabi Province (Thailand). Cultural consensus analysis (CCA) guided the data analysis, to identify the shared values and the differences in the backpacker culture of the two groups. The findings revealed that while the two groups share some of the backpacker cultural values, some other values are distinctively different from one another. The study provides the first empirical evidence of the differences in backpacking culture between the two groups using CCA. Based on the study findings, we propose some marketing and managerial implications

Chitosan-coated mesoporous MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles as improved bio-compatible oral nanocarriers

Nanometric biocompatible Metal-Organic Frameworks (nanoMOFs) are promising candidates for drug delivery. Up to now, most studies have targeted the intravenous route, related to pain and severe complications; whereas nanoMOFs for oral administration, a commonly used non-invasive and simpler route, remains however unexplored. We propose here the biofriendly preparation of a suitable oral nanocarrier based on the benchmarked biocompatible mesoporous iron(III) trimesate nanoparticles coated with the bioadhesive polysaccharide chitosan (CS). This method does not hamper the textural/ structural properties and the sorption/release abilities of the nanoMOFs upon surface engineering. The interaction between the CS and the nanoparticles has been characterized through a combination of high resolution soft X-ray absorption and computing simulation, while the positive impact of the coating on the colloidal and chemical stability under oral simulated conditions is here demonstrated. Finally, the intestinal barrier bypass capability and biocompatibility of CS-coated nanoMOF have been assessed in vitro, leading to an increased intestinal permeability with respect to the noncoated material, maintaining an optimal biocompatibility. In conclusion, the preservation of the interesting physicochemical features of the CS-coated nanoMOF and their adapted colloidal stability and progressive biodegradation, together with their improved intestinal barrier bypass, make these nanoparticles a promising oral nanocarrier

Nuclear role for human Argonaute-1 as an estrogen-dependent transcription coactivator

In mammals, argonaute (AGO) proteins have been characterized for their roles in small RNA mediated posttranscriptional and also in transcriptional gene silencing. Here, we report a different role for AGO1 in estradiol-triggered transcriptional activation in human cells. We show that in MCF-7 mammary gland cells, AGO1 associates with transcriptional enhancers of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and that this association is up-regulated by treating the cells with estrogen (E2), displaying a positive correlation with the activation of these enhancers.Moreover, we show that AGO1 interacts with ERα and that this interaction is also increased by E2 treatment, but occurs in the absence of RNA. We show that AGO1 acts positively as a coactivator in estradiol-triggered transcription regulation by promoting ERα binding to its enhancers. Consistently, AGO1 depletion decreases long-range contacts between ERα enhancers and their target promoters. Our results point to a role of AGO1 in transcriptional regulation in human cells that is independent from small RNA binding.Fil: Gómez Acuña, Luciana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Nazer, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Seguí, Santiago Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Pozzi, María Berta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Buggiano, Valeria Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Marasco, Luciano Edmundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Agirre, Eneritz. Karolinska Huddinge Hospital. Karolinska Institutet; SueciaFil: He, Cody. University of Chicago; Estados UnidosFil: Alló, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Kornblihtt, Alberto Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

A Multiproxy Database of Western North American Holocene Paleoclimate Records

Holocene climate reconstructions are useful for understanding the diverse features and spatial heterogeneity of past and future climate change. Here we present a database of western North American Holocene paleoclimate records. The database gathers paleoclimate time series from 184 terrestrial and marine sites, including 381 individual proxy records. The records span at least 4000 of the last 12 000 years (median duration of 10 725 years) and have been screened for resolution, chronologic control, and climate sensitivity. Records were included that reflect temperature, hydroclimate, or circulation features. The database is shared in the machine readable Linked Paleo Data (LiPD) format and includes geochronologic data for generating site-level time-uncertain ensembles. This publicly accessible and curated collection of proxy paleoclimate records will have wide research applications, including, for example, investigations of the primary features of ocean-atmospheric circulation along the eastern margin of the North Pacific and the latitudinal response of climate to orbital changes. The database is available for download at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12863843.v1 (Routson and McKay, 2020)