Can energy drinks reduce the depressor effect of ethanol? An experimental study in mice

Although the popularization of the combined use of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks (ED) containing caffeine, taurine and other substances has increased, there are no controlled experimental studies on the effects of ED alone or combined with ethanol. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of ED combined or not with ethanol, on the locomotor activity of Swiss mice. The administration of 3.57, 10.71 or 17.86 ml/kg of ED alone increased the locomotor activity of the animals in relation to a control group. Low doses of ethanol (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) alone or in combination with 10.71 ml/kg of ED did not affect their locomotor activity. However, the reduction of activity observed after 2.5 g/kg of ethanol was antagonized by 10.71 ml/kg of ED. Further studies on the mechanisms of this interaction are still needed.     

所谓抗癫(癎)"中成药"中暗地添加抗癫(癎)西药成分的调查

目的:调查所谓抗癫癎“中成药”制剂中是否有西药成分。方法:对北大医院癫癎门诊1995-2005年口服“中成药”制剂就诊的癫癎患者进行苯巴比妥、苯妥英钠、卡马西平、丙戊酸钠四种药物的血药浓度监测,并对结果进行分析。结果:在所监测的患者服用的76种“中成药”中,暗中都添加了上述4种西药成分,其中含有一种西药成分有45种,含有二种西药成分有22种,含有三种西药成分有7种,含有四种西药成分有2种。有44种中药添加了苯巴比妥,占的比例最大,其余依次为苯妥英钠、卡马西平、丙戊酸钠。结论:在所谓抗癫癎的“中成药”中暗地里加西药已成为较普遍的现象,严重地侵犯了患者的权益,妨碍抗癫癎的正规治疗,损害了患者的健康。     

Large,Consistent Estimates of the Heritability of Cognitive Ability in Two Entire Populations of 11-Year-Old Twins from Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 and 1947

Twin studies provide estimates of genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive ability differences, but could be based on biased samples. Here we report whole-population estimates using twins from unique mental surveys in Scotland. The Scottish Mental Surveys of 1st June 1932 (SMS1932) and 4th June 1947 (SMS1947), respectively, administered the same validated verbal reasoning test to almost everyone born in 1921 or 1936 and attending school in Scotland. There were 572 twin pairs from the SMS1932, and 517 pairs from the SMS1947. Information on zygosity was unavailable. A novel application of a mixture distribution was used to estimate genetic and environmental components of verbal reasoning variation by maximum likelihood. We found consistent heritability (~0.70) and shared environment (~0.21) estimates. The estimates did not change substantially when additional quantitative traits (height and weight) were added in a multivariate analysis. More generally for studies in genetics, the methodological innovation developed here implies that large (national) data collections can provide sufficient information on twin pairs to estimate genetic parameters, even without zygosity.     

Optimum cycle frequencies in hand-rim wheelchair propulsion

Summary To study the effect of different cycle frequencies on cardio-respiratory responses and propulsion technique in hand-rim wheelchair propulsion, experienced wheelchair sportsmen (WS group; n=6) and non-wheel chair users (NW group; n=6) performed wheelchair exercise tests on a motor-driven treadmill. The WS group wheeled at velocities of 0.55, 0.83, 1.11 and 1.39 m · s^–1 and a slope of 2°. The NW group wheeled at 0.83, 1.11 and 1.39 m · s^–1 and a 1° slope. In each test, a 3-min period at a freely chosen cycle frequency (FCF: 100%) was followed by four 3-min blocks of paced cycle frequencies at 60%, 80%, 120% and 140% FCF. Effects of both cycle frequency and velocity on physiological and propulsion technique parameters were studied.Analysis of variance showed a significant effect (p<0.05) of cycle frequency on oxygen cost and gross mechanical efficiency in both the WS and NW group. This indicated the existence of an optimum cycle frequency which is close to the FCF at any given velocity. The optimum cycle frequency increased with velocity from 0.67 to 1.03 cps over the range studied (p< 0.05). Oxygen cost was 10% less at 100% FCF than at 60% or 140% FCF. Gross mechanical efficiency for the WS group at 100% FCF was 8.5%, 9.7%, 10.4% and 10.1%, respectively, at the four velocities. The similarity in the trend of oxygen cost and gross mechanical efficiency data in both the WS and NW groups suggests that an optimum cycle frequency is not merely a consequence of practice alone, but also reflects a physiologically determined optimum, dependent on muscle mechanics, e.g. velocity of contraction and power output of the muscles used.     

丹酚酸B对缺血小鼠脑能量代谢和脑水肿的影响

目的： 通过探讨丹酚酸B（SalB）对缺血小鼠脑能量代谢的影响，研究其对脑水肿的作用。方法：将NIH小鼠分为假手术组、缺血组、SalB治疗组和尼莫地平（Nim）治疗组，测定缺血30 min时脑组织能荷（EC）、磷酸肌酸（PCr）、ATP酶活性、兴奋性氨基酸（EAA）含量以及脑含水量。结果：SalB治疗组EC（0.520±0.034）和PCr［（98.344±13.249）μmol/g］的含量、Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase［（0.593±0.013）×10³ U/g］和Ca²⁺-ATPase［（0.484±0.053）×10³ U/g］的活性明显高于缺血组EC（0.465±0.037）、PCr［（81.614±9.919）μmol/g］的含量、Na+-K+-ATPase［（0.244±0.065）×10³ U/g］和Ca²⁺-ATPase［（0.321±0.086）×10³ U/g］ 的活性，2者相比显著差异（P<0.01）；而SalB治疗组Glu［（0.405±0.110）μmol/g］和Asp［（0.141±0.020）μmol/g］的含量和脑含水量［（38.1±0.1）%］ 则明显低于缺血组Glu［（0.550±0.140）μmol/g］、Asp［（0.287±0.050）μmol/g］的含量和脑含水量［（44.1±0.1）%］，2者比较亦有显著差异（P<0.05,P<0.01）。结论：增强脑组织能量代谢和ATP酶活性，并降低脑组织中兴奋性氨基酸的含量，可能是SalB减轻小鼠缺血性脑水肿的作用机制。     

Skinfold thickness versus isotope dilution for body fat assessment during simulated microgravity: results from three bed-rest campaigns in men and women with and without countermeasures

Because body composition is altered during head-down bed rest (HDBR), body mass can not be used as an index of energy balance. Consequently diet allowances should not be based on body mass evolution but on fat mass changes. Though criticized, skinfold thickness (ST) is the costless, easiest and fastest method to use for such an objective. The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of body fat (%BF) estimated by ST with the isotope dilution of H₂¹⁸O. We compiled data from three HDBR campaigns, one on women (n=8) in November 1998 and two on the same men (n=8) in December 1997 (without countermeasure) and January 1998 (with thigh-cuffs countermeasure), according to a crossover design. Body composition was assessed before and after 6 days of HDBR. %BF was derived from the biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and sup-iliac ST according to Durnin and Wormersly (1974). Fat-free mass was measured on the same day by H₂¹⁸O dilution and fat mass was calculated by the difference with body mass and expressed as a percentage. Based on precision tests, the minimum measurable change by ST was 1.1%BF for single measurement point. Both intercepts (F _4,30=0.89, P=0.45) and slopes (F _4,30=0.74; P=0.57) of the ST versus dilution relationships were not affected by the periods (December vs January), experimental conditions (control vs HDBR vs HDBR + thigh cuffs) or sex allowing the derivation of a common relationship %BF_st=0.94 × %BF_dil (F _1,47=97.9, P<0.0001; non-significant intercept excluded) with a bias between methods of −1.7±2.0 %BF (95% CI: −5.8, 2.4 %BF). ST can be used to measure %BF during HDBR provided great care is placed on training and changes are higher than 1.1 %BF. If the method can be applied for in-flight energy balance monitoring given the high observed energy deficit, a tight monitoring of the individual nutritional status as needed during simulation appears, however, dubious based on this solely method.     

Overcompensation of food intake following brief periods of food restriction

Four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, maintained on an ad lib feeding schedule were deprived for either 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours during the dark phase of the day-night cycle. It was found that the latency to initiate the first meal following the deprivation was independent of the previous deprivation interval. The animals were found to overcompensate for the periods without food by eating a large initial meal that increased proportionately in size with the duration of food restriction. Furthermore, the animals continued to overeat throughout the day. This deprivation-induced overeating by the animals resulted in an overcompensation in total food consumption that was 21–56% greater than on control days. The role of food intake as a regulator of body weight is discussed.     

大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤对心脏能量代谢和结构的影响及其机制

目的：探讨肝缺血再灌注损伤对心脏能量代谢和结构的影响及其可能的发生机制。方法：健康雄性Wistar大鼠48只，随机分为对照组、缺血30 min组（I组）及缺血30 min再灌注即刻组、2 h组、4 h组和6 h组（I/R组、I/R 2 h组、I/R 4 h组和I/R 6 h组），每组8只。用偶氮显色法测定血清中的内毒素，用放射免疫法测定心肌组织胰岛素和胰岛素抗体，取心肌制备组织匀浆测丙二醛（MDA）、髓过氧化物酶（MPO），乳酸含量。 结果：在肝缺血再灌注损伤过程中，内毒素在I组和I/R组达到高峰，随着再灌注时间的延长逐渐下降，但仍高于对照组（P<0.05）。I组及I/R各组MDA的含量明显高于对照组，在I/R 2 h组、I/R 4 h组、I/R 6 h组差别更为明显（P＜0.05）；再灌注各组MPO活性明显高于对照组、I组（P＜0.05）；随着再灌注时间的延长，心肌组织中乳酸含量明显增加（P＜0.05），但在I/R 6 h组呈下降趋势（P＜0.05）；胰岛素的含量在I/R 4 h组和I/R 6 h组明显下降（P＜0.05）；而胰岛素抗体在各组间无显著差异（P＞0.05）。结论：肝缺血再灌注损伤过程中，肠源性内毒素吸收入血及肝脏解毒功能的降低所致的内毒素血症可能是引起心脏能量代谢和结构改变的始动环节。     

Estimating relative physical workload using heart rate monitoring: a validation by whole-body indirect calorimetry

Measuring physical workload in occupational medicine is fundamental for risk prevention. An indirect measurement of total and relative energy expenditure (EE) from heart rate (HR) is widely used but it has never been validated. The aim of this study was to validate this HR-estimated energy expenditure (HREEE) method against whole-body indirect calorimetry. Twenty-four-hour HR and EE values were recorded continuously in a calorimetric chambers for 52 adult males and females (19–65 years). An 8-h working period was retained, comprising several exercise sessions on a cycloergometer at intensities up to 65% of the peak rate of oxygen uptake. HREEE was calculated with reference to cardiac reserve. A corrected HREEE (CHREEE) was also calculated with a modification to the lowest value of cardiac reserve. Both values were further compared to established methods: the flex-HR method, and the use of a 3rd order polynomial relationship to estimate total and relative EE. No significant difference was found in total EE when measured in a calorimetric chamber or estimated from CHREEE for the working period. A perfect linear and identity relationship was found between CHREEE and energy reserve values for intensities ranging from 15% to 65%. Relative physical workload can be accurately assessed from HR recordings when expressed in CHREEE between 15% to 65%, and EE can be accurately estimated using the CHREEE method.     

Mechanical step variability during treadmill running

The present study was designed to study intra-individual step variability measured both on vertical displacement of the body (Z) and on step time (t) parameters by means of a kinematic arm and during treadmill running. A group of 17 subjects ran successively at 60%, 80%, 100% and 140% of their maximal aerobic velocity (v _amax). The total number of steps analysed was 6116. The absolute Z step variability (Z) ranged between 5 mm and 21 mm while the absolute t variability (t) ranged between 6 ms and 40 ms. Step variabilities were due to step asymmetry (from 38.5% to 48.5% of the step variability) and to stride variability. For submaximal velocities (60%, 80%, and 100%v _amax) both t and Z were independent of velocity or body dimensions whereas differences between subjects were significant (P < 0.01) for Z. On the other hand, variabilities were significantly increased when velocity was changed from submaximal to the 140%v _amax level. Furthermore, at submaximal levels Z was linked to the subject's energy cost of running (P < 0.05). Therefore, the intra-individual step variability should not be neglected in future studies on mechanical efficiency of running and it is suggested that, to obtain a good accuracy (better than 1%,P < 0.05) on mean value and variability of the mechanical parameters, measurements should be performed on at least 32–64 consecutive steps, which corresponds to about 15 to 20 s of running.