Creatine supplementation prevents acute strength loss induced by concurrent exercise

Purpose

To investigate the effect of creatine (CR) supplementation on the acute interference induced by aerobic exercise on subsequent maximum dynamic strength (1RM) and strength endurance (SE, total number of repetitions) performance.

Methods

Thirty-two recreationally strength-trained men were submitted to a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max: 41.56 ± 5.24 ml kg^?1 min^?1), anaerobic threshold velocity (AT_v: 8.3 ± 1.18 km h^?1), and baseline performance (control) on the 1RM and SE (4 × 80 % 1RM to failure) tests. After the control tests, participants were randomly assigned to either a CR (20 g day^?1 for 7 days followed by 5 g day^?1 throughout the study) or a placebo (PL-dextrose) group, and then completed 4 experimental sessions, consisting of a 5-km run on a treadmill either continuously (90 % AT_v) or intermittently (1:1 min at vVO_2max) followed by either a leg- or bench-press SE/1RM test.

Results

CR was able to maintain the leg-press SE performance after the intermittent aerobic exercise when compared with C (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the PL group showed a significant decrease in leg-press SE (p ≤ 0.05). CR supplementation significantly increased bench-press SE after both aerobic exercise modes, while the bench-press SE was not affected by either mode of aerobic exercise in the PL group. Although small increases in 1RM were observed after either continuous (bench press and leg press) or intermittent (bench press) aerobic exercise in the CR group, they were within the range of variability of the measurement. The PL group only maintained their 1RM.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the acute interference effect on strength performance observed in concurrent exercise may be counteracted by CR supplementation.     

Histochemistry and Immunohistochemistry Evaluation of the Abrikossoff’s Tumour of the Tongue: a Case Report

Abrikossoff’s tumour is a rare benign soft tissue neoplasm that can occur in any part of the body, including the orofacial region. The tumour is usually benign, but there are reports of cases in which the tumour shows a locally aggressive behaviour, malignancy, and distant metastases. The aetiology is unknown, since several studies have shown that different cells are involved. In the present case, a 36-year-old Dominican woman was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Policlinico Federico II, Naples with a circumscribed lesion and sessile nodule on the dorsum of the tongue measuring about 17 mm in diameter. The treatment consisted of an excisional biopsy performed on the basis of the diagnostic hypothesis of Abrikossoff’s tumour, which was confirmed by histopathological analysis and histochemistry and immunohistochemistry evaluation. Abrikossoff’s tumour is an uncommon neoplasm which must be carefully diagnosed considering all the histological and clinical aspects in order to be treated correctly.Key words: Granullar Cell Tumour, Soft Tissue Neoplasm, Tongue     

Micro-shear bond strength and surface micromorphology of a feldspathic ceramic treated with different cleaning methods after hydrofluoric acid etching

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feldspathic ceramic surface cleaning on micro-shear bond strength and ceramic surface morphology.

Material and Methods

Forty discs of feldspathic ceramic were prepared and etched with 10% hydrofluoric acid for 2 minutes. The discs were randomly distributed into five groups (n=8): C: no treatment, S: water spray + air drying for 1 minute, US: immersion in ultrasonic bath for 5 minutes, F: etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 1 minute, followed by 1-minute rinse, F+US: etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 1 minute, 1-minute rinse and ultrasonic bath for 5 minutes. Composite cylinders were bonded to the discs following application of silane and hydrophobic adhesive for micro-shear bond strength testing in a universal testing machine at 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed until failure. Stereomicroscopy was used to classify failure type. Surface micromorphology of each treatment type was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy at 500 and 2,500 times magnification.

Results

One-way ANOVA test showed no significant difference between treatments (p=0.3197) and the most common failure types were cohesive resin cohesion followed by adhesive failure. Micro-shear bond strength of the feldspathic ceramic substrate to the adhesive system was not influenced by the different surface cleaning techniques. Absence of or less residue was observed after etching with hydrofluoric acid for the groups US and F+US.

Conclusions

Combining ceramic cleaning techniques with hydrofluoric acid etching did not affect ceramic bond strength, whereas, when cleaning was associated with ultrasound, less residue was observed.     

Evaluation of <i>MGMT</i> Gene Methylation in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Unresectable neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) often poorly respond to standard therapeutic approaches. Alkylating agents, in particular temozolomide, commonly used to treat high-grade brain tumors including glioblastomas, have recently been tested in advanced or metastatic NENs, where they showed promising response rates. In glioblastomas, prediction of response to temozolomide is based on the assessment of the methylation status of the MGMT gene, as its product, O6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, may counteract the damaging effects of the alkylating agent. However, in NENs, such a biomarker has not been validated yet. Thus, we have investigated MGMT methylation in 42 NENs of different grades and from various sites of origin by two different approaches: in contrast to methylation-specific PCR (MSP), which is commonly used in glioblastoma management, amplicon bisulfite sequencing (ABS) is based on high-resolution, next-generation sequencing and interrogates several additional CpG sites compared to those covered by MSP. Overall, we found MGMT methylation in 74% (31/42) of the NENs investigated. A higher methylation degree was observed in welldifferentiated tumors and in tumors originating in the gastrointestinal tract. Comparing MSP and ABS results, we demonstrate that the region analyzed by the MSP test is sufficiently informative of the MGMT methylation status in NENs, suggesting that this predictive parameter could routinely be interrogated also in NENs.     

Evaluation of the Safety of a Plant-Based Infant Formula Containing Almonds and Buckwheat in a Neonatal Piglet Model

A randomized neonatal piglet trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and the effects of a plant-based formula containing almonds and buckwheat as the main ingredients on growth and plasma parameters. From postnatal day (PND) 2 to 21, the piglets were fed a dairy-based milk formula (Similac Advance) or a plant-based formula (Else Nutrition) and all piglets were euthanized at day 21. No diarrhea was observed after PND 8 and all the piglets completed the trial. Body growth, kcal intake, the complete plasma count parameters and hematological parameters were within the reference range in both groups. Organ growth and development was similar between the two groups. Plasma glucose was higher in the dairy-based-fed piglets relative to the plant-based at 2 weeks of age. Liver function biomarkers levels were greater in the plasma of the plant-based compared to the dairy-based fed group. In addition, calcium levels were higher in the plant-based fed piglets at 1 week of age. Thus, the plant-based formula tested in this study was well tolerated by the piglets and supported similar growth compared to dairy-based milk formula. Therefore, the results support the safety of the tested plant-based infant formula during the neonatal period in comparison to the dairy-based formula fed group.     

Evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of extracts of Sonchus oleraceus L. in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Sonchus oleraceus L. has been used to relieve pain in Brazilian folk medicine.

Aim of the study

Sonchus oleraceus L. has been used to relieve pain in Brazilian folk medicine. This study was conducted to establish the antinociceptive properties of hydroethanolic and dichloromethane extracts from aerial parts of Sonchus oleraceus in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception.

Materials and methods

The formalin, hot plate, and tail immersion tests as well as acetic acid-induced writhing were used to investigate the antinociceptive activity in mice.

Results

Given orally, the extracts at test doses of 30–300 mg/kg, produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin since decreased the number of writhing episodes and the time licking. Treatment with the extracts in the same doses produced a significant increase of the reaction time in tail immersion and in the hot plate test. The extracts administered at 300 mg/kg, p.o. had a stronger antinociceptive effect than indomethacin (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and morphine (10 mg/kg, p.o.).

Conclusion

The extracts of Sonchus oleraceus markedly demonstrated antinociceptive action in mice, which supports previous claims of its traditional use.     

Characterization of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities from Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae)

Aim of the study

Cocos nucifera cultivated in Brazil is known as “coco-da-Bahia” or “coqueiro-da-Índia”. The tea from the husk fiber is widely used to several inflammatory disorders. Crude extract and fractions obtained from Cocos nucifera “common variety” were evaluated to test the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.

Materials and methods

Crude extract (CE, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg), fraction 1 (F1, molecular weight lesser than 1 kDa, 1, 10, and 50 mg/kg), fraction 2 (F2, molecular weight higher than 1 kDa, 1, 10, and 50 mg/kg), and the references drugs morphine (5 mg/kg), acetilsalicilic acid (200 mg/kg), prometazine (30 mg/kg), and metisergide (5 mg/kg) were evaluated on models of analgesia and inflammation.

Results

CE, F1, and F2 significantly develop peripheral and central antinociceptive activity but with less effect on supra-spinal regions of the brain. Administration of the opioid antagonist, naloxone (5 mg/kg) inhibited the antinociceptive effect indicating that Cocos nucifera crude extract and fractions may be acting in opioid receptors. CE and F1 also inhibited rat paw edema induced by histamine, and serotonin.

Conclusions

results demonstrated that Cocos nucifera and its fractions have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities which confirm the popular use of this plant in several inflammatory disorders.