Force-, power-, and elasticity-velocity relationships in walking,running, and jumping

Summary Ground reaction forces and mechanical power were investigated when the subjects walked normally, while they were racing or running at four speeds, and when they performed the running long jump take-off. In addition, the apparent spring constants of the support leg in eccentric and concentric phases were investigated at the four running speeds, during the running long jump take-off, and in the triple jump. Six club level track and field athletes, four national level long jumpers, and six national level triple jumpers took part in the study. Cinematographic technique and a mathematical model of hopping (Alexander and Vernon 1975) were employed in the analysis. Force and power values were found to vary in the following order (from highest to lowest): long jump take-off, maximal running speed, submaximal running (80, 60, and 40% of maximum speed), racing gait, and normal gait. The data disclosed that the measured parameters had the highest values in the long jump take-off performed by the long jump athletes. Their peak values were: resultant ground reaction force 3270±74 N and mechanical power 160.1±10.5 J×kg^–1×s^–1. For the track and field athletes the values were 2010±80 N and 126.0±12.6 J ×kg^–1×s^–1. The apparent spring constant values of the support leg in the national level jumper group were in eccentric phase 30.54±8.38 N×mm^–1 ×kg^–1 and in concentric phase 0.129±0.012 N×mm^–1×kg^–1. In the track and field athletes the values were 13.97±1.01 N×mm^–1×kg^–1 and 0.093±0.003 N×mm^–1×kg^–1, respectively. In general, the increase in force and mechanical power output was related to the value of the apparent spring constant of the support leg in the eccentric phase. The spring constant in the eccentric phase increased with the velocity of motion in running, the long jump take-off and the triple jump. This suggests that it may be possible to use this parameter as a measure of mechanical performance, as it may reflect the combined elasticity of muscles, tendons, and bones.     

Hyperandrogenemia, psychological distress, and food cravings in young women

Reproductive disorders and psychological distress are common co-morbidities of obesity in young women. Psychological and reproductive disturbances may also be associated with increased food cravings but the relationships between these factors have not been explored. This study aimed to explore the pattern of food cravings and to determine the relationship between psychological distress, reproductive health and food cravings in overweight and obese young women using baseline data in a weight loss trial. A total of 198 young women were included in this analysis (BMI 33.3 ± 0.3 kg/m², age 28 ± 0.3 years). The most frequently craved food item was chocolate (3.9 ± 0.08 i.e., sometimes-often). The most frequently craved food categories were fast foods (2.6 ± 0.07) and sweets (2.5 ± 0.05). Psychological distress was significantly correlated with food cravings (R² = 0.18, P < 0.05). High fat (r = 0.2), sweets (r = 0.17) and overall cravings (r = 0.20) were significantly correlated with energy intake (P < 0.05). Psychological distress did not correlate with energy intake (P > 0.05). Participants with menstrual disturbances had greater fast food cravings independent of age, BMI and PCOS status (P < 0.05). Participants with hyperandrogenemia had greater high fat food cravings independent of age, BMI and PCOS status (P < 0.01). Energy intake did not differ with menstrual disturbances or hyperandrogenemia (P > 0.05). These results suggest that psychological distress, hyperandrogenemia and menstrual disturbances are associated with greater food cravings. Further investigations are required to elucidate the relationship between hyperandrogenemia and food cravings in young women.     

Skeletal muscle telomere length in healthy, experienced, endurance runners

Measuring the DNA telomere length of skeletal muscle in experienced endurance runners may contribute to our understanding of the effects of chronic exposure to endurance exercise on skeletal muscle. This study compared the minimum terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length in the vastus lateralis muscle of 18 experienced endurance runners (mean age: 42 ± 7 years) to those of 19 sedentary individuals (mean age: 39 ± 10 years). The runners had covered almost 50,000 km in training and racing over 15 years. Minimum TRF lengths measured in the muscle of both groups were similar (P = 0.805) and within the normal range. Minimum TRF length in the runners, however, was inversely related to their years spent running (r = −0.63, P = 0.007) and hours spent training (r = −0.52, P = 0.035). Therefore, since exposure to endurance running may influence minimum TRF length, and by implication, the proliferative potential of the satellite cells, chronic endurance running may be seen as a stressor to skeletal muscle.     

Cycling on Earth, in space, on the Moon

The mechanical power for cycling (P_c) at constant ground speed (s), in the absence of wind on smooth hard terrain is the sum of the power dissipated against rolling resistance, gravity and air resistance: P_c=a · s + M · g · s · sin γ + b · s ³, where a and b are constants, M is the mass of the subject plus bike, g is the acceleration of gravity and γ is the angle of the terrain with the horizontal. The constant b depends upon the drag coefficient (C_d), the overall area projected on the frontal plane (A _f), and the air density (ρ_a): b=0.5 · C_d · A _f · ρa. In turn, ρ_a depends on air pressure (P _B) and temperature (T): ρ_a=ρ₀ · 0.359 · P _B · T ⁻¹, where ρ₀ is the air density at 760 mmHg (101.3 kPa) and 273 K. The metabolic power developed by the cyclist (Ė _c) is related to P_c:Ė _c=P_c·η⁻¹, where η is the mechanical efficiency of cycling. The experimental values of a, b and η are fairly well known so that, if the maximal metabolic power as a function of the performance time is known for a given cyclist, the following set of data can be individually calculated: (1) best performances over any given distance and for any given altitude above sea level, (2) the effects of posture and body size on maximal speeds, and (3) the maximal incline of the terrain that can be overcome at any given speed or coasting speed for any given downslope. The above set of information makes it possible also to calculate the characteristics of a “Twin Bikes System” (TBS) for preventing microgravity deconditioning during long-term space flight. The TBS consists of two bicycles that are mechanically coupled by a differential gearing, which move at the very same speed, but in the opposite sense, along the inner wall of a cylindrically shaped space module. The circular trajectories induce a centrifugal acceleration vector (a _c) oriented along the head-to-feet direction of each subject: a _c=v _t ² · r ⁻¹ where v _t is the tangential velocity and r the radius of gyration, which is equal to the inner radius of the space module. So, any desired value of a _c can be achieved by appropriately selecting v _t, wherefrom the mechanical and metabolic powers that the astronauts must generate can be readily calculated. Experiments performed in a ground-based human centrifuge have shown that the discomfort derived from the rotating environment is reasonably low and well tolerated. If the appropriate atmospheric pressure is provided, cycling on circular or elliptical tracks may be useful to reduce cardiovascular deconditioning that occurs due to the reduced gravity in permanently manned lunar bases. Indeed, on the curved parts of the path a cyclist will generate a horizontal outward acceleration: a _c=s ² · r ⁻¹, where s is the velocity along the track and r is the radius of curvature. To counterbalance a _c, the subject plus bike must lean inwards so that the vectorial sum of a _c plus the lunar gravity (g _L=1.62 m · s⁻²) is applied along a straight line that includes the centre of mass of the system and the point of wheel contact with the ground. For values of s from 10 to 20 m · s⁻¹ and r from 50 to 200 m, this vectorial sum ranges from 1.05 to 5.03 g _L (0.17–0.83 g). Accepted: 20 March 2000     

Plug-and-play, infrared, laser-mediated PCR in a microfluidic chip

Microfluidic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems have set milestones for small volume (100 nL–5 μL), amplification speed (100–400 s), and on-chip integration of upstream and downstream sample handling including purification and electrophoretic separation functionality. In practice, the microfluidic chips in these systems require either insertion of thermocouples or calibration prior to every amplification. These factors can offset the speed advantages of microfluidic PCR and have likely hindered commercialization. We present an infrared, laser-mediated, PCR system that features a single calibration, accurate and repeatable precision alignment, and systematic thermal modeling and management for reproducible, open-loop control of PCR in 1 μL chambers of a polymer microfluidic chip. Total cycle time is less than 12 min: 1 min to fill and seal, 10 min to amplify, and 1 min to recover the sample. We describe the design, basis for its operation, and the precision engineering in the system and microfluidic chip. From a single calibration, we demonstrate PCR amplification of a 500 bp amplicon from λ-phage DNA in multiple consecutive trials on the same instrument as well as multiple identical instruments. This simple, relatively low-cost plug-and-play design is thus accessible to persons who may not be skilled in assembly and engineering.     

Age,muscle fatigue,and walking endurance in pre-menopausal women

Aging is associated with loss of endurance; however, aging is also associated with decreased fatigue during maximal isometric contractions. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between age and walking endurance (WE) and maximal isometric fatigue (MIF) and to determine which metabolic/fitness components explain the expected age effects on WE and MIF. Subjects were 96 pre-menopausal women. Oxygen uptake (walking economy) was assessed during a 3-mph walk; aerobic capacity and WE by progressive treadmill test; knee extension strength by isometric contractions, MIF during a 90-s isometric plantar flexion (muscle metabolism measured by ³¹P MRS). Age was related to increased walking economy (low VO₂, r = −0.19, P < 0.03) and muscle metabolic economy (force/ATP, 0.34, P = 0.01), and reduced MIF (−0.26, P < 0.03). However, age was associated with reduced WE (−0.28, P < 0.01). Multiple regression showed that muscle metabolic economy explained the age-related decrease in MIF (partial r for MIF and age −0.13, P = 0.35) whereas walking economy did not explain the age-related decrease in WE (partial r for WE and age −0.25, P < 0.02). Inclusion of VO_2max and knee endurance strength accounted for the age-related decreased WE (partial r for WE and age = 0.03, P > 0.80). In premenopausal women, age is related to WE and MIF. In addition, these results support the hypothesis that age-related increases in metabolic economy may decrease MIF. However, decreased muscle strength and oxidative capacity are related to WE.     

gamma delta cells in gut infection, immunopathology, and organogenesis

Conclusions  γδ cells are disproportionately abundant in the gut epithelium of a broad phylogenetic range of vertebrates. The cells respond to infection and seemingly to cell transformation, and via the production of cytokines and/or cytolytic effectors, exert measurable effects on immuno-protection and the course of ensuing immune responses. Consistent with this, γδ cells are implicated in the course of gut immunopathologies such as CD and IBD. These responses of γδ cells are most likely induced by the recognition of either low molecular mass pathogen-encoded antigens, or autologous “stress antigens” expressed by neighboring enterocytes and/or lymphoid cells. The recognition of autologous growth-regulated antigens in the absence of microbial challenge may explain data that indicate a role for γδ cells in the natural development of the gut. This may in turn reflect an evolutionarily ancient yet conserved mode of organogenesis whereby some gut γδ cells develop in situ, largely independently of a thymus.     

Association study between HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 alleles and Psoriatic arthritis in southern France

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. HLA association studies performed in northern Europe, comparing patients with control populations, have shown that the highest risk for PsA is carried by HLA-C*06, HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*27 alleles.This retrospective association study compared HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR alleles of 500 patients from southern France, who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), with 2346 controls from healthy blood donors, using the chi-square test.We classified PsA patients into three different subgroups according to disease: purely axial, purely peripheral and combined axial and peripheral. The ‘axial’ subgroup was associated with HLA-B*27 (OR = 16.3, p = 2.7 × 10^?28) and its haplotypes: HLA- B*27-C*01 (OR = 12.4, p = 1.7 × 10^?12) and HLA-B*27-C*02 (OR = 8.7, p = 10 × 10^?9). The ‘axial and peripheral’ and the ‘peripheral’ subgroups were associated with HLA-C*06 (respectively OR = 1.5, p = 3.6 × 10^?10 and OR = 2.4, p = 3.6 × 10^?12) and its haplotypes HLA-C*06-B*13 (respectively OR = 2.4, p = 1.2 × 10^?6 and OR = 2.8, p = 6.4 × 10^?11).This association study on a southern French PsA cohort identifies HLA-C*06 as a marker for peripheral PsA and HLA-B*27 as a marker for purely axial PsA.     

Risk factors for disease severity,unimprovement, and mortality in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan,China

ObjectiveIn December 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan. However, the characteristics and risk factors associated with disease severity, unimprovement and mortality are unclear and our objective is to throw some light on these.MethodsAll consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 11 to February 6, 2020, were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study.ResultsA total of 663 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. Among these, 247 (37.3%) had at least one kind of chronic disease; 0.5% of the patients (n = 3) were diagnosed with mild COVID-19, while 37.8% (251/663), 47.5% (315/663), and 14.2% (94/663) were in moderate, severe, and critical conditions, respectively. In our hospital, during follow-up 251 of 663 patients (37.9%) improved and 25 patients died, a mortality rate of 3.77%. Older patients (>60 years old) and those with chronic diseases were prone to have a severe to critical COVID-19 condition, to show unimprovement, and to die (p <0.001, <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified being male (OR = 0.486, 95%CI 0.311–0.758; p 0.001), having a severe COVID-19 condition (OR = 0.129, 95%CI 0.082–0.201; p <0.001), expectoration (OR = 1.796, 95%CI 1.062–3.036; p 0.029), muscle ache (OR = 0.309, 95%CI 0.153–0.626; p 0.001), and decreased albumin (OR = 1.929, 95%CI 1.199–3.104; p 0.007) as being associated with unimprovement in COVID-19 patients.ConclusionMale sex, a severe COVID-19 condition, expectoration, muscle ache, and decreased albumin were independent risk factors which influence the improvement of COVID-19 patients.     

Endometritis in gilts: reproductive data, bacterial culture, histopathology, and infiltration of immune cells in the endometrium

The aim of the present study was to quantify the number of immune cells infiltrated in the endometrium of endometritis gilts. Based on gross morphology, a selected 28 genital organs of endometritis gilts were investigated. The gilts were classified according to the ovarian appearance into three groups, i.e. follicular, luteal, and ovarian quiescent phases. Historical data, reason for culling, histopathology, bacterial identification, and number and type of immune cells in different layers of the endometrium were examined. The gilts were culled at 336 ± 63 days of age at a body weight of 142 ± 20 kg. The culling reasons included abnormal vaginal discharge (n = 10), repeat breeding (n = 6), anestrus (n = 6), abortion (n = 4), and not pregnant (n = 2). Bacteria identified from pus exudates included Escherichia coli (33.3%), Staphylococcus sp. (17.5%), α-hemolytic Streptococcus sp. (14.3%), and β-hemolytic Streptococcus sp. (9.5%). Neutrophils were the most common immune cells in the epithelial and subepithelial tissue layers of the endometrium, while lymphocytes were the most common immune cells in the glandular layer. Neutrophils in the epithelial and subepithelial layers of the endometrium in the luteal phase were lower than in the follicular and ovarian quiescent phase. During the acute stage, neutrophils were the most common immune cells in the endometrium, while during the chronic stages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils were the dominant immune cells. In conclusion, the number and type of immune cells in the endometrium of the endometritis gilts varied according to both the reproductive cycles and the stage of endometritis. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils indicate stages and the severity of endometritis.     

Telomere length, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in elderly men in Zutphen and Crete

The incidence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases is lower in Mediterranean Southern Europe than Northern Europe. This may be due to a lower level of oxidative stress and a higher antioxidant status in people living around the Mediterranean Sea. Oxidative stress may influence the rate of shortening of telomeres, the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of chromosomes. We compared leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in elderly men from Northern and Southern Europe and investigated the possible relationship between LTL and indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant status. We examined 143 elderly Dutch men (mean age 83.9 years) and 109 Greek elderly men (mean age 84.6 years) and found that the Greek men had significantly longer telomeres (geometric mean 4.95 kbp, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.71-5.23 kbp) compared to the men from the Netherlands (4.76 kbp, 95% CI: 4.55-4.98 kbp; P = 0.001). Age was inversely associated with LTL (β = −0.10, P = 0.31 in Cretan men and β = −0.19, P = 0.02 in Dutch men). In all men LTL was not related to indicators of oxidative stress and plasma antioxidants. However, the endogenous antioxidants serum albumin (β = 0.18, P = 0.007) and uric acid (β = 0.13, P = 0.045) were positively associated with LTL. The age-adjusted difference between Crete and Zutphen was reduced by 25% after adjustment for serum albumin and uric acid. We conclude that Greek elderly men have significantly longer LTL compared to Dutch counterparts. The endogenous antioxidants albumin and uric acid were positively associated with longer telomeres.     

Ghrelin,resistin and insulin in obese diabetic women in Wad-Madani,Sudan

BackgroundObesity in the Sudan is increasing at alarming rate with the tendency of reaching an epidemic proportion in women. It is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Some adipokine hormones such as resistin are associated with obesity.ObjectivesTo study how the levels of resistin, ghrelin and insulin are associated with obesity,fat distribution and (T2D) and to ascertain any interrelationships between them.Subjects and methods150 women, age ≥18 years old, resident in Wad-Madani town, Sudan were participated in the study. They were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI) value: I (normal weight), II (overweight) and III (obese diabetic). Fasting serum resistin and ghrelin concentrations were measured using ELISA method. Insulin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay(RIA).ResultsThe mean±SD levels of resistin 5.80±4.91ng/mL,Ghrelin107.60±26.67pg/M and Insulin 11.92±8.54mLU/ml in obese diabetic were found to be greater than in normal or overweight women. In normal weight values were 3.07±2.15 ng/mL 83.30±13.38pg/mL, and 6.62±6.77mLU/ml for resistini, ghrelin and Insulin, respectively. Values for overweight women 3.64±2.63 pg/mL 90±17.35 pg/mL and 8.13±7.54 mLU/ml for resistin, ghrelin and insulin respectively.Conclusions and recommendationsIncreased BMI, waist circumference (WC) and hormones (ghrelin and resistin) were associated with insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to accept or refute these findings.     

Lipid and lipoprotein profiles, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and diet during and after resistance, aerobic and combination training in young women

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of various modes of training on the time-course of changes in lipoprotein-lipid profiles in the blood, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition after 16 weeks of training and 6 weeks of detraining in young women. A group of 48 sedentary but healthy women [mean age 20.4 (SD 1) years] were matched and randomly placed into a control group (CG, n=12), an aerobic training group (ATG, n=12), a resistance training group (RTG, n=12), or a cross-training group that combined both aerobic and resistance training (XTG, n=12). The ATG, RTG and XTG trained for 16 weeks and were monitored for changes in blood concentrations of lipoprotein-lipids, cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and dietary composition throughout a 16 week period of training and 6 weeks of detraining. The ATG significantly reduced blood concentrations of triglycerides (TRI) (P < 0.05) and significantly increased blood concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) after 16 weeks of training. The correlation between percentage fat and HDL-C was 0.63 (P < 0.05), which explained 40% of the variation in HDL-C, while the correlation between maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max) and HDL-C was 0.48 (P < 0.05), which explained 23% of the variation in HDL-C. The ATG increased V˙O_2max by 25% (P < 0.001) and decreased percentage body fat by 13% (P < 0.05) after 16 weeks. Each of the alterations in the ATG had disappeared after the 6 week detraining period. The concentration of total cholesterol (TC), TRI, HDL-C and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the blood did not change during the study in RTG, XTG and CG. The RTG increased upper and lower body strength by 29% (P < 0.001) and 38%, respectively. The 6 week detraining strength values obtained in RTG were significantly greater than those obtained at baseline. The XTG increased upper and lower body strength by 19% (P < 0.01) and 25% (P < 0.001), respectively. The 6 week detraining strength values obtained in XTG were significantly greater than those obtained at baseline. The RTG, XTG and CG did not demonstrate any significant changes in either V˙O_2max, or body composition during the training and detraining periods. The results of this study suggest that aerobic-type exercise improves lipoprotein-lipid profiles, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in healthy, young women, while resistance training significantly improved upper and lower body strength only. Accepted: 9 April 2000     

GH-, PRL-, POMC-, beta-TSH-, beta-LH-, beta-FSH-mRNA in gonadotroph adenomas of the pituitary by in situ hybridization in comparison with immunostaining and clinical data

In situ hybridization (ISH) enables the visualization of specific mRNA for pituitary hormones. Our collection consists of 40 surgically removed pituitary adenomas that were classified as follicle stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone (FSH/LH) cell adenomas by structure and by immunostaining (IH) for all pituitary hormones. All forty adenomas were regarded as clinically inactive. The aim of our study was to examine nonfunctioning adenomas by ISH for demonostration of mRNAs for all pituitary hormones. The results were compared with proliferation markers, invasiveness and clinical data. ISH detected signals for all pituitary hormones at a range of 30% for prolactin (PRL) to 85% for proopiomelanocortin (POMC). mRNA for β-FSH was detected in 70% and β-LH mRNA in 43% of adenomas. Thirty-three percent of adenomas revealed negative mRNA detection for β-LH but positive hormone content. The majority of adenomas (75%) expressed more than two mRNAs simultaneously, mostly the combination of POMC mRNA together with β-FSH mRNA and one to four others. Comparison with clinical data showed no significant differences except for one adenoma with a high Ki-67 index (>2.1% positive nuclei). This adenoma showed very high signals for PRL and β-TSH mRNA.     

Comparison of serum enzyme activity in great sturgeon, Huso huso, cultured in brackish and freshwater earth ponds in Iran

Blood samples were collected from 60 great sturgeons, Huso huso, to establish the following serum enzyme activity: aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using an autoanalyzer, and acid phosphatase (ACP) by manual method. Thirty 5-year-old cultured fish were caught from each of two sites; a brackish-water earth pond in Bafgh and a freshwater pond in Gorgan in the centre and northeast of Iran, during May 2006. Results of the serum enzymes activity for H. huso samples from Bafgh and Gorgan were: AST, 502.9 ± 258.2 and 436.1 ± 186.8; ALT, 104.4 ± 35.1 and 53.1 ± 38.7; LDH, 3094.2 ± 1277.5 and 2486.3 ± 1393.3; CK, 3632.9 ± 2618.7 and 3967 ± 5054.9; ALP, 281.2 ± 112.7 and 762.2 ± 600.2; ACP, 13.3 ± 2.5 and 33 ± 6.8 IU/L. Mean values of ALT, ALP and ACP were significantly different in the fish from the two sites (p < 0.05). These results may be used to understand some biological (e.g., serum enzyme activity) and ecological characteristics of cultured H. huso.     

HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in the Serbian population

This study provides the first published detailed analysis of five loci polymorphisms as well as reports of two, three and five loci haplotype frequencies in the Serbian population in a sample of 1992 volunteer bone marrow donors recruited from different part of the country. Typing was performed by PCR SSO method combined with PCR SSP techniques to resolve ambiguities. In total, 16 HLA-A, 28 HLA-B, 14 HLA-C, 13 HLA-DRB1 and 5 HLA-DQB1 allelic groups were identified. The most frequent in allele groups are HLA-A^∗02 (29.5%), HLA-A^∗01 (14.2%), HLA-B^∗35 (13.1%), HLA-B^∗51 (12.8%), HLA-C^∗07 (24.8%), HLA-DRB1^∗11 (16.9%), HLA-DRB1^∗13 (13.2%), HLA-DQB1^∗03 (33.3%) and DQB1^∗05 (33.0%). The most frequent three- and five-loci haplotypes were A^∗01-B^∗08-DRB1^∗03 (5.9%) and A^∗02-B^∗18-DRB1^∗11 (1.9%), A^∗01-B^∗08-C^∗07-DRB1^∗03-DQB1^∗02 (6.6%) followed by A^∗02-B^∗18-C^∗07-DRB1^∗11-DQB1^∗03 (2.5%), then A^∗33-B^∗14-C^∗08-DRB1^∗01-DQB1^∗05 and A^∗02-B^∗35-C^∗04-DRB1^∗16-DQB1^∗05 (2.2% both), respectively. The results of cluster analysis showed that the Serbian population is closely related to the populations living in central Balkan and neighboring European regions. The level of allelic diversity found in this study are relevant to facilitate searching for unrelated matched donor and provide a healthy control population from our region that should be useful in the future disease association study.     

Bronchodilation of umeclidinium,a new long-acting muscarinic antagonist,in COPD patients

Background

This study evaluated the dose–response of the new long-acting muscarinic antagonist umeclidinium (GSK573719) in patients with COPD.

Methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study evaluated three once-daily doses of umeclidinium (125, 250 and 500 μg) for 28 days in 285 patients with COPD having FEV₁ of 35–70% predicted (mean (SD) age = 61.4 (8.41); mean (SD) post-bronchodilator FEV₁ = 1.577 (0.450)). The primary endpoint was morning trough FEV₁ at Day 29. Secondary endpoints included 0–6 h weighted mean FEV₁ and serial FEV₁ measured over 6 h post-dose and at trough. Safety and pharmacokinetics were also assessed.

Results

All doses of umeclidinium significantly increased trough FEV₁ over placebo from 150 to 168 mL (p < 0.001), 0–6 h weighted mean FEV₁ from 113 to 211 mL (p < 0.001), and serial FEV₁ at each point in time over 24 h. Reductions in salbutamol use and improvements in FVC were noted for all doses. Umeclidinium was well tolerated with no apparent treatment-related changes in vital signs.

Conclusion

Once-daily umeclidinium provides clinically significant, sustained improvement in lung function and is well tolerated.     

Obesity in older mothers,gestational weight gain,and risk estimates for preterm phenotypes

Objective

To assess whether advanced maternal age modifies the relationship between maternal pregravid weight status, gestational weight gain patterns, and the occurrence of spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) and medically indicated preterm birth (MIPB).

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis of vital statistics data from the state of Florida for the period 2004 through 2007 comprising 311,422 singleton pregnancies (two age groups: 20–24 years old or younger women and ≥35 years or older women). Mothers were classified into five clusters based on their pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) values: non-obese (less than 30), class I obese (30.0 ≤ BMI ≤ 34.9), class II obese (35.0 ≤ BMI ≤ 39.9), class III obese (40 ≤ BMI ≤ 49.9), and super-obese (BMI ≥ 50.0).

Results

MIPB occurred more frequently among older than younger women [11.8% vs. 6.4%, respectively (p < 0.0001)) whereas SPB occurred more frequently among younger women [11.3% vs. 10.5%, respectively (p < 0.0001)). Maternal obesity increased the risk for MIPB but not for SPB. Regardless of BMI status, the risk of MIPB was elevated among older mothers, particularly among those with suboptimal (<0.23 kg/week) and supraoptimal (>0.68 kg/week) gestational weight gain. A dose–response relationship with increasing gestational weight gain was evident (p < 0.01); the greatest risk for MIPB occurred among older mothers with weekly gestational weight gain in excess of 0.79 kg (OR = 7.76, 95% CI = 5.73–10.5).

Conclusion

The occurrence of medically indicated preterm birth is positively associated with increased maternal pregravid body weight, older maternal age and extremes of gestational weight gain. Targeted pre- and inter-conception weight management efforts should be particularly encouraged in older mothers.     

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle soreness in an 894-km relay trail run

We describe the effects of multi-day relay trail running on muscle soreness and damage, and systemic immune, inflammatory, and oxidative responses. 16 male and 4 female athletes ran 894 km in 47 stages over 95 h, with mean (SD) 6.4 (1.0) stages per athlete and 19.0 (1.7) km per stage. We observed post–pre run increases in serum creatine kinase (qualified effect size extremely large, p = 0.002), IL-6 (extremely large, p < 0.001), urinary 8–isoprostane/creatinine (extremely large, p = 0.04), TNF-α (large, p = 0.002), leukocyte count (very large, p < 0.0001) and neutrophil fraction (very large, p < 0.001); and reductions in hemoglobin (moderate, p < 0.001), hematocrit (moderate, p < 0.001), and lymphocyte fraction (trivial, p < 0.001). An increase in ORAC total antioxidant capacity (TAC, small, p = 0.3) and decrease in urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine (small, p = 0.1) were not statistically significant. During the run, muscle soreness was most frequent in the quadriceps. The threshold for muscle pain (pain-pressure algometry) in the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius was lower post-run (small, p = 0.04 and 0.03). Average running speed was correlated with algometer pain and leukocyte count (large, r = 0.52), and TAC was correlated with IL-6 (very large, r = 0.76) and 8-isoprostane/creatinine (very large, r = −0.72). Multi-day stage-racing increases inflammation, lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and soreness without oxidative DNA damage. High TAC is associated with reduced exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, but is not related to immune response or muscle damage.     

Leukocyte infiltration in lung,muscle, and liver after limb compression in rats

Muscle crush injury is associated with systemic manifestations known as crush syndrome. A systemic inflammatory response syndrome may be triggered by isolated crush injury. Using myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and plasma fatty acid composition, we investigated the inflammatory response in distant organs after isolated limb compression in rats. Male Wistar rats were submitted to 1 h of hind limb compression by a latex ribbon. Myeloperoxidase activity was measured in muscle, liver, and lung at progressive times (1, 2 or 4 h) after bandage release. Plasma fatty acid composition was evaluated as an indirect measure of oxidative stress. The liver and hind limb muscles showed a transient increase in MPO activity. Pulmonary MPO activity, otherwise, increased progressively throughout the study and reached statistically significant values at 4 h when compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of unsaturated fatty acids decreased gradually after decompression (p < 0.05 compared to controls after 4 h). Blunt traumatic muscle compression was associated with rapid and transient muscle and liver inflammatory cell infiltration but otherwise, polymorphonuclear cells showed progressive aggregation in lungs. The plasmatic unsaturated index decreased throughout the 4 h after muscle release. We demonstrated that limb compression was associated with oxidative stress and distant inflammatory responses. Progressive inflammatory cell infiltration in lungs could be related with the delayed systemic adverse responses found after crush injury.