神经肌肉电刺激下小腿肌肉的电学特性研究

目的 采用电阻抗成像（electrical impedance tomography,EIT）方法研究神经肌肉电刺激（neuromuscular electrical stimulation,NMES）下小腿肌肉的电学特性,旨在将EIT作为一种长期监测方法,从而可视化NMES训练对人类小腿肌肉的训练效果。方法 16名实验对象被随机分配到对照组（control group,CG,n=8）和最佳电压强度的NMES训练组（optimal voltage intensity training group,OG,n=8）。对照组保持正常生活方式并不进行NMES和其他的肌肉训练;NMES训练组中使用商业NMES设备对实验对象右小腿进行23 min的NMES训练,每周3次,为期5周。应用EIT测量在每周一训练开始前的电导率分布。并且采用生物电阻抗分析（bioelectrical impedance analysis,BIA）方法测量右腿细胞外含水量与身体总含水量的比率（ECW/TBW） βrl,及身体总含水量（TBW）τ。为了量化NMES在肌肉训练过程中的作用,使用配对样本t检验分析EIT重建图像的...     

胃容积及胃食道液体状态变化的电学特性研究

目的 三维电阻抗成像(3D-EIT)结合二维电阻抗成像(2D-EIT)研究胃容积及胃食道液体状态变化的电学特性响应,旨在探究EIT技术应用于胃食道反流病监测的可能性。方法 8名受试者被要求在实验前4 h禁食,保证实验开始时胃部处于排空状态,实验开始后受试者被要求分两次喝下400 ml经口补水液,在摄入200 ml状态下和摄入400 ml状态下分别应用3D-EIT检测腹腔3D空间的电导率分布。为了定量说明不同状态下电学特性的变化,使用配对样本t检验分析3D-EIT重建3D图像的空间平均电导率(■)。采用数值仿真工具,建立两种尺寸胃容积模型验证,实验结果中胃容积变化是引起受试者腹腔3D空间内电导率变化的原因,并研究胃腔被不同比例补水液填充状态下电学特性的变化趋势,应用2D-EIT数值仿真进行电导率分布图像重建。结果 8名受试者腹腔3D-EIT实验中空间平均电导率■的配对样本t检验结果表明,空间平均电导率从C^{200 ml}状态下的■增加到C^{400 ml}状态下的■(n=8,P<0.05)。因此,受试者腹腔胃部区域空间平均电导率随胃容积增加而显著增...     

灌溉施肥水平对盐渍化农田水盐分布及玉米产量的影响

水资源缺乏和过量施肥影响着干旱半干旱盐渍化地区农业的发展.研究不同灌溉和施肥量对土壤水盐分布和青贮玉米产量的影响,可为该区确定适宜的灌溉和施肥量提供依据.试验于2015和2016年在大同盆地的盐渍化农田进行,设3种灌溉水平:土壤水分上限分别为田间持水率(θ_f)的100%(W₁)、90%(W₂)和80%(W₃),根据各处理灌溉前的土壤平均实际含水率计算灌水量;2015年设4种施肥水平:900(F₁)、750(F₂)、600(F₃)和450 kg·hm^-2(F₄),2016年设F₁、F₂和F₃共3种.试验用化肥为缓释复合肥,总养分含量48%,其中N:P₂O₅:K₂O的比例为30:12:6.结果表明: 土壤表层电导率随施肥量的增加而增大,施肥水平对平均电导率(EC)和含水率的影响在0～10 cm土层显著,与F₁相比,F₂的0～10 cm土层平均EC在2015年和2016年分别降低25.6%～42.7%和6.4%～7.7%.20～80 cm土层的水分含量随施肥量的增加而降低,与F₁相比,2015年F₂、F₃和F₄处理20～80 cm土层平均土壤含水率分别增加5.9%、16.7%和16.7%,2016年F₂和F₃分别增加13.3%和16.7%.产量在两年中均表现为F₁和F₂高于F₃和F₄,W₃低于W₁和W₂; F₁和F₂的产量差异不明显;与W₁相比,W₂的产量减少低于15 %.因此,施复合肥600～750 kg·hm^-2(氮肥含量180～270 kg·hm^-2),且灌溉水平为W₁和W₂时,可以保证该地区盐渍化土壤种植玉米获得较高的产量,并且不会造成根系层的盐分积累.     

日光温室CO2浓度变化规律研究

研究了日光温室内CO₂浓度的时空变化规律.结果表明,日光温室CO₂浓度日变化曲线通常呈不规则“U”形,有时呈不规则“W”形.冬春栽培过程中日最高CO₂浓度逐渐减小,日最低浓度和昼平均浓度先降后升,CO₂亏缺时间逐渐延长.温室内CO₂空间分布特点通常是早晨和傍晚为前部>中部>后部,近地面层>作物冠层>顶层;中午前后为前部<中部<后部,近地面层>顶层>作物冠层.影响日光温室CO₂浓度变化的主要环境因素是光照度,通风不能阻止温室内高浓度CO₂外逸和避免CO₂亏缺.幼苗期群体光合较弱、土壤呼吸旺盛,温室CO₂浓度较高;结果期群体光合旺盛、土壤呼吸衰竭,CO₂亏缺严重.     

黄瓜砧用白籽南瓜对不同盐胁迫的耐性评价

采用营养液栽培,研究Ca(NO₃)₂和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜嫁接用砧木南瓜幼苗生长和抗氧化酶活性的影响,并用隶属函数法综合评价其耐盐性.结果表明： 低浓度盐30 mmol·L^-1Ca(NO₃)₂和等渗的45 mmol·L^-1 NaCl处理促进砧木幼苗生长;高浓度盐60、120 mmol·L^-1Ca(NO₃)₂和等渗的90、180 mmol·L^-1NaCl胁迫下,各砧木幼苗的生长和抗氧化酶系统均受到不同程度的抑制,其中,‘青砧1号’的盐害指数最小,生物量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的下降幅度以及相对电导率的上升幅度均小于其他砧木.高盐Ca(NO₃)₂胁迫下,各砧木SOD、POD和CAT酶活性均高于等渗的NaCl,而盐害指数和相对电导率低于NaCl,表明Ca(NO₃)₂对砧木南瓜幼苗生长的危害小于NaCl.4个砧木品种的耐盐性顺序为‘青砧1号’>‘佐木南瓜’>‘丰源铁甲’>‘超霸南瓜’.     

穿戴腿部压缩套未能缓解下坡跑肌肉损伤和臂踝脉搏波速度

为了探讨下坡跑运动时穿戴腿部压缩套对运动后诱发肌肉损伤及动脉硬化指标-臂踝脉搏波速(brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, baPWV)的影响,本研究选择12名无规律运动习惯的男性大学生,采用随机方式于运动中单腿穿戴腿部压缩套(实验腿),以另一腿为对照腿,接受一次70%保留心率(70%HRR)强度,坡度为-10°30 min原跑步机下坡跑运动,并于下坡跑运动前(前测)及下坡跑运动后24 h (后测)分别进行因变量的检测,检测项目包含肌酸激酶、baPWV、酸痛指数、主动关节活动度、肌肉肿胀围、最大自主等长收缩肌力及超声波股直肌肌肉厚度。本研究表明:下坡跑运动后24 h的CK值((467.08±229.64) U/L)显著高于前测((240.92±189.67) U/L)(p0.05);baPWV在实验处理及时间因子的交互作用未达显著,仅时间因子显示后测的baPWV ((1 110.71±51.30) cm/s)显著高于前测((1 042.92±38.17) cm/s)(p0.05);酸痛指数、主动关节活动度、肌肉肿胀围、最大自主等长收缩肌力及超声波股直肌肌肉厚度等在实验处理及时间因子亦无交互作用,且实验处理主要效果亦无显著性(p0.05)。本研究初步得出结论,穿戴腿部压缩套并无法减缓下坡跑运动所引起的肌肉损伤,及随后的延迟性肌肉酸痛与暂时性的baPWV上升现象。     

脱甲河水系CH4关键产生途径及其稳定碳同位素特征

为明确脱甲河溶存CH₄关键产生途径,明晰水系碳同位素组成及其分布特征,为小流域CH₄排放估算和减排提供数据支撑.利用双层扩散模型法估算了CH₄浓度和传输通量,研究了周年内脱甲河4级河段(S₁～S₄)水体CH₄通量的时空分布及其主控环境因子;运用稳定同位素方法探究了溶存CH₄关键产生途径,分析了溶解CH₄、悬浮颗粒物和沉积物有机质δ¹³C分布特征.结果表明: 水体pH均值为(7.27±0.03),各河段四季差异均显著;溶解氧(DO)在0.43～13.99 mg·L^-1内变化,S₁河段DO浓度最高且夏、秋季差异显著,其他河段均为冬与春、夏、秋季差异显著;可溶性有机碳(DOC)变化范围是0.34～8.32 mg·L^-1,由S₁至S₄河段总体呈递增趋势;水体电导率(EC)和氧化还原电位(ORP)变化范围分别是17～436 μS·cm^-1和-52.30～674.10 mV,各河段差异明显;铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)、硝态氮(NO₃^--N)浓度分别在0.30～1.35(平均0.90±0.10) mg·L^-1和0.82～2.45 (平均1.62±0.16) mg·L^-1内变化.溶存CH₄浓度和传输通量变化范围分别是0～5.28 (平均0.46±0.06) μmol·L^-1和-0.34～619.72 (平均53.88±7.15) μg C·m^-2·h^-1;均存在时空变化且变异规律相似,为春季>冬季>夏季>秋季,S₂>S₃>S₄>S₁.通量与水体铵态氮和DOC浓度均呈显著正相关.各级河段均以乙酸发酵产甲烷途径为主导,但不同河段差异明显,乙酸发酵途径产CH₄贡献率以S₁河段最高(87%),其次为S₄(81%),S₂、S₃分别达到78%和76%.溶存CH₄、悬浮颗粒物和沉积物有机质的δ¹³C均值分别为-41.64‰±1.91‰、-14.07‰±1.06‰和-26.20‰±1.02‰,溶存甲烷δ¹³C与沉积物有机质的δ¹³C呈显著正相关,与其传输通量呈极显著负相关.     

CO2浓度增加对半干旱区春小麦生产和水分利用效率的影响

为了解CO₂浓度升高条件下春小麦生产和水分利用效率(WUE)的响应特征,在典型半干旱区定西,利用开顶式气室(OTC)试验平台开展了CO₂浓度增加模拟试验.试验设对照(390 μmol·mol^-1)、480 μmol·mol^-1和570 μmol·mol^-1 3个CO₂浓度.结果表明: CO₂浓度升高使春小麦冠层空气温度小幅上升,10 cm深处的土壤环境温度下降;CO₂浓度增加对春小麦各器官生物量和总生物量都有明显促进作用,在480和570 μmol·mol^-1浓度下,地上干物质量平均增长20.6%和41.5%,总干物质量平均增长19.3%和39.6%.生物量增加主要是由茎叶干物质量增加所致,与生育中期物质生产能力明显增强有关;在两种CO₂浓度处理下,植株根冠比分别降低7.3%和11.8%,CO₂浓度增加对春小麦地上部分干物质积累的贡献大于地下部分;CO₂浓度升高主要通过影响穗粒数来影响最终产量,在480和570 μmol·mol^-1浓度下,小麦产量分别增加了8.9%和19.9%;大气CO₂浓度升高对春小麦光合作用影响的长期效应不明显,随CO₂浓度升高,光合速率显著提高,蒸腾速率降低,蒸发蒸腾量减小.随CO₂浓度升高,叶片、群体和产量3个水平的WUE都增加,其中群体水平的WUE增幅最大,产量水平的WUE增幅最小.     

CO2浓度增加对半干旱区春小麦生产和水分利用效率的影响

为了解CO₂浓度升高条件下春小麦生产和水分利用效率(WUE)的响应特征,在典型半干旱区定西,利用开顶式气室(OTC)试验平台开展了CO₂浓度增加模拟试验.试验设对照(390 μmol·mol^-1)、480 μmol·mol^-1和570 μmol·mol^-1 3个CO₂浓度.结果表明: CO₂浓度升高使春小麦冠层空气温度小幅上升,10 cm深处的土壤环境温度下降;CO₂浓度增加对春小麦各器官生物量和总生物量都有明显促进作用,在480和570 μmol·mol^-1浓度下,地上干物质量平均增长20.6%和41.5%,总干物质量平均增长19.3%和39.6%.生物量增加主要是由茎叶干物质量增加所致,与生育中期物质生产能力明显增强有关;在两种CO₂浓度处理下,植株根冠比分别降低7.3%和11.8%,CO₂浓度增加对春小麦地上部分干物质积累的贡献大于地下部分;CO₂浓度升高主要通过影响穗粒数来影响最终产量,在480和570 μmol·mol^-1浓度下,小麦产量分别增加了8.9%和19.9%;大气CO₂浓度升高对春小麦光合作用影响的长期效应不明显,随CO₂浓度升高,光合速率显著提高,蒸腾速率降低,蒸发蒸腾量减小.随CO₂浓度升高,叶片、群体和产量3个水平的WUE都增加,其中群体水平的WUE增幅最大,产量水平的WUE增幅最小.     

河西内陆河流域参考作物蒸散量的时空特征

基于河西内陆河流域17个气象站1961-2008年逐日气象数据,采用Penman-Monteith公式计算了逐日参考作物蒸散量(ET₀),利用GIS空间分析功能,采用反距离空间插值方法研究了年和季节ET₀的时空特征.结果表明：1961-2008年,河西内陆河流域年均ET₀（700～1330 mm）由东南向西北逐渐增加;黑河流域和疏勒河流域年均ET₀高值区呈显著下降趋势（P<0.05）,其气候倾向率在-53～-10 mm·（10 a）^-1,石羊河流域年均ET₀低值区呈微弱增加趋势;研究区各流域ET₀年际波动较大,并以临泽为较大的波中心,分别向西北和东南两个方向降低.春季和夏季是河西内陆河流域ET₀的集中季节,且疏勒河流域一直是四季ET₀值最高的地区.研究区ET₀气候倾向率依次为夏季>春季>秋季>冬季.影响河西内陆河流域ET₀变化的主要气候因子是风速和最高温度,其中风速是引起疏勒河和黑河流域ET₀呈现减少趋势的主导因子,最高温度和日照时数是引起石羊河流域ET₀呈现增加趋势的主导因子.     

Changes in Muscle Volume and Composition After Treatment of Hip Dysplasia with Periacetabular Osteotomy

BackgroundPeriacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a common treatment for pre-arthritic hip dysplasia in young adults. The purpose of this study was to better understand changes in muscle volume and composition after PAO visualized using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsA prospectively collected series of individuals that underwent PAO for hip dysplasia were reviewed to identify subjects with pre- and postoperative MRI. In our practice, MRI was obtained preoperatively and greater than 6 months after PAO for persistent hip pain. MRI sequences were selected to optimize visualization of the muscle volume, fatty infiltration, and hip joint cartilage. MRI images were selected at predetermined bony landmarks and analyzed using 3D Slicer (©2021, www.slicer.org) software to measure muscle diameter and calculate muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in 17 individual muscles surrounding the hip. Muscle atrophy was graded using the Goutallier classification for fatty infiltration and acetabular cartilage condition was graded using the Outerbridge classification. We compared pre- and postoperative muscle area and composition as well as cartilage for each case.ResultsA series of six female patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 26 years at time of surgery. All cases had MRI sequences adequate for muscle volume measurements. Fatty infiltration and cartilage changes were recorded in four subjects with appropriate MRI sequences. Separating muscle groups, external rotators underwent the largest volume increase. Hip flexors demonstrated mild volume decrease. CSA change among external rotators averaged +12%, hip flexors -9.3%, and hip abductors -9.2% after PAO. All muscles had either the same or increased fatty infiltration after surgery, with gluteus medius and iliacus undergoing the most average increase. Similarly, cartilage condition worsened by a small margin in this series.ConclusionOur results provide preliminary indication that PAO may have noticeable effects on muscle characteristics and cartilage in the early postoperative period. This was a limited case series of subjects with adequate pre- and post-operative MRI imaging.Level of Evidence: IV     

Control of Cell Volume in Skeletal Muscle

Regulation of cell volume is a fundamental property of all animal cells and is of particular importance in skeletal muscle where exercise is associated with a wide range of cellular changes that would be expected to influence cell volume. These complex electrical, metabolic and osmotic changes, however, make rigorous study of the consequences of individual factors on muscle volume difficult despite their likely importance during exercise. Recent charge-difference modelling of cell volume distinguishes three major aspects to processes underlying cell volume control: (i) determination by intracellular impermeant solute; (ii) maintenance by metabolically dependent processes directly balancing passive solute and water fluxes that would otherwise cause cell swelling under the influence of intracellular membrane-impermeant solutes; and (iii) volume regulation often involving reversible short-term transmembrane solute transport processes correcting cell volumes towards their normal baselines in response to imposed discrete perturbations. This review covers, in turn, the main predictions from such quantitative analysis and the experimental consequences of comparable alterations in extracellular pH, lactate concentration, membrane potential and extracellular tonicity. The effects of such alterations in the extracellular environment in resting amphibian muscles are then used to reproduce the intracellular changes that occur in each case in exercising muscle. The relative contributions of these various factors to the control of cell volume in resting and exercising skeletal muscle are thus described.     

Hypertrophic smooth muscle

Summary An extensive hypertrophy of the muscle coat develops in the small intestine of the guinea pig oral to an experimental stenosis. The profiles of smooth muscle cells become larger and irregular in shape. From the analysis of serial sections the arrangement of the muscle cells is less orderly than in control muscles. Many muscle cells are split into two or more branches over part of their length. The average cell volume is 3–4 times that of control muscle cells; the cell surface increases less dramatically and, in spite of the appearance of deep invaginations of the cell membrane, the surface-to-volume ratio falls from 1.4 to 0.8. The average cell length is only slightly increased compared with controls. Smooth muscle cells in mitosis are observed in all the hypertrophic muscles examined, in both muscle layers; in the circular musculature they occur mainly found in the middle part of the layer.The author thanks Miss Eva Franke for excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Central Research Funds of the University of London     

Volume density and distribution of mitochondria in harbor seal (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoca vitulina</Emphasis>) skeletal muscle

Recent studies have shown that harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) have an increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume density that may be an adaptation for maintaining aerobic metabolism during diving. However, these studies were based on single samples taken from locomotory muscles. In this study, we took multiple samples from a transverse section of the epaxial (primary locomotory) muscles and single samples from the m. pectoralis (secondary locomotory) muscle of five wild harbor seals. Average mitochondrial volume density of the epaxial muscles was 5.6%, which was 36.6% higher than predicted for a terrestrial mammal of similar mass, and most (82.1%) of the mitochondria were interfibrillar, unlike athletic terrestrial mammals. In the epaxial muscles, the total mitochondrial volume density was significantly greater in samples collected from the deep (6.0%) compared with superficial (5.0%) regions. Volume density of mitochondria in the pectoralis muscle was similar (5.2%) to that of the epaxial muscles. Taken together, these adaptations reduce the intracellular distance between mitochondria and oxymyoglobin and increase the mitochondrial diffusion surface area. This, in combination with elevated myoglobin concentrations, potentially increases the rate of oxygen diffusion into mitochondria and prevents diffusion limitation so that aerobic metabolism can be maintained under low oxygen partial pressure that develops during diving.     

Reduction in extracellular muscle volume increases heart rate and blood pressure response to isometric exercise

To investigate the effect of local dehydration on heart rate and blood pressure during static exercise, six healthy male subjects performed exercise of the calf muscles with different extracellular volumes of the working muscles. Exercise consisted of 5 min of static calf muscle contractions at about 10% of maximal voluntary contraction. The body position during exercise was identical in all tests, i.e. supine with the knee joint 90 degrees flexed. During a 25-min pre-exercise period three different protocols were employed to manipulate the calf volume. In test A the subjects rested in the exercise position; in test B the body position was the same as in A but calf volumes were increased by venous congestion [cuffs inflated to 10.67 kPa (80 mmHg)]; in test C the calf volumes were decreased by lifting the calves about 40 cm above heart level with the subjects supine. To clamp the changed calf volumes in tests B and C, cuffs were inflated to 300 mmHg 5 min before the onset of exercise. This occlusion was maintained for 1 min after the termination of exercise. Compared to tests A and B, the reduced volume of test C led to significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure during exercise. Oxygen uptake did not exceed resting levels in tests B and C until the cuffs were deflated, indicating that only calf muscles contributed to the neurogenic peripheral drive. It is concluded that extracellular muscle volume plays a significant role in adjusting heart rate and blood pressure during static exercise.     

Skeletal muscle histology and biochemistry of an elite sprinter, the African cheetah

To establish a skeletal muscle profile for elite sprinters, we obtained muscle biopsy samples from the vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius and soleus of African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Muscle ultrastructure was characterized by the fiber type composition and mitochondrial volume density of each sample. Maximum enzyme activity, myoglobin content and mixed fiber metabolite content were used to assess the major biochemical pathways. The results demonstrate a preponderance of fast-twitch fibers in the locomotor muscles of cheetahs; 83% of the total number of fibers examined in the vastus lateralis and nearly 61% of the gastrocnemius were comprised of fast-twitch fibers. The total mitochondrial volume density of the limb muscles ranged from 2.0 to 3.9% for two wild cheetahs. Enzyme activities reflected the sprinting capability of the cheetah. Maximum activities for pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in the vastus lateralis were 1519.00 ± 203.60 and 1929.25±482.35 μmol min⁻¹ · g wet wt⁻¹, respectively, and indicated a high capacity for glycolysis. This study demonstrates that the locomotor muscles of cheetahs are poised for anaerobically based exercise. Fiber type composition, mitochondrial content and glycolytic enzyme capacities in the locomotor muscles of these sprinting cats are at the extreme range of values for other sprinters bred or trained for this activity including greyhounds, thoroughbred horses and elite human athletes. Accepted: 5 June 1997     

Older adults with sarcopenia have distinct skeletal muscle phosphodiester,phosphocreatine, and phospholipid profiles

The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age (sarcopenia) is a critical healthcare challenge for older adults. 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P‐MRS) is a powerful tool used to evaluate phosphorus metabolite levels in muscle. Here, we sought to determine which phosphorus metabolites were linked with reduced muscle mass and function in older adults. This investigation was conducted across two separate studies. Resting phosphorus metabolites in skeletal muscle were examined by ³¹P‐MRS. In the first study, fifty‐five older adults with obesity were enrolled and we found that resting phosphocreatine (PCr) was positively associated with muscle volume and knee extensor peak power, while a phosphodiester peak (PDE2) was negatively related to these variables. In the second study, we examined well‐phenotyped older adults that were classified as nonsarcopenic or sarcopenic based on sex‐specific criteria described by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. PCr content was lower in muscle from older adults with sarcopenia compared to controls, while PDE2 was elevated. Percutaneous biopsy specimens of the vastus lateralis were obtained for metabolomic and lipidomic analyses. Lower PCr was related to higher muscle creatine. PDE2 was associated with glycerol‐phosphoethanolamine levels, a putative marker of phospholipid membrane damage. Lipidomic analyses revealed that the major phospholipids, (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol) were elevated in sarcopenic muscle and were inversely related to muscle volume and peak power. These data suggest phosphorus metabolites and phospholipids are associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in older adults.     

Stimulation of the creatine transporter SLC6A8 by the protein kinases SGK1 and SGK3

Creatine binds phosphate thus serving energy storage. Cellular creatine uptake is accomplished by the Na+,Cl-, creatine transporter CreaT (SLC6A8). The present study explored the regulation of SLC6A8 by the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase SGK1, a kinase upregulated during ischemia. In Xenopus oocytes expressing SLC6A8 but not in water injected oocytes creatine induced a current which was significantly enhanced by coexpression of wild type SGK1 and constitutively active (S422D)SGK1, but not inactive (K127N)SGK1. Kinetic analysis revealed that (S422D)SGK1 enhanced maximal current without significantly altering affinity. The effect of SGK1 was mimicked by the constitutively active isoform (S419D)SGK3 but not by inactive (K119N)SGK3, wild type isoform SGK2 or constitutively active related kinase (T308D,S473D)PKB. In conclusion, the kinases SGK1 and SGK3 increase SLC6A8 activity by increasing the maximal transport rate of the carrier. Deranged SGK1 and/or SGK3 dependent regulation of SLC6A8 may affect energy storage particularly in skeletal muscle, heart, and neurons.     

Validation of a simplified method for muscle volume assessment

The present study investigated the validity of a simplified muscle volume assessment that uses only the maximum anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA_max), the muscle length (L_M) and a muscle-specific shape factor for muscle volume calculation ( Albracht et al., 2008, J Biomech 41, 2211–2218). The validation on the example of the triceps surae (TS) muscles was conducted in two steps. First L_M, ACSA_max, muscle volume and shape factor were calculated from magnet resonance image muscle reconstructions of the soleus (SO), gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) of a group of untrained individuals (n=13), endurance (n=9) and strength trained (n=10) athletes. Though there were significant differences in the muscle dimensions, the shape factors were similar across groups and were in average 0.497±0.026, 0.596±0.030, and 0.556±0.041 for the SO, GM and GL respectively. In a second step, the shape factors were applied to an independent recreationally active group (n=21) to compare the muscle volume assessed by the simplified method to the results from whole muscle reconstructions. There were no significant differences between the volumes assessed by the two methods. In conclusion, assessing TS muscle volume on the basis of the reported shape factors is valid across populations and the root mean square differences to whole muscle reconstruction of 7.9%, 4.8% and 8.3% for SO, GM and GL show that the simplified method is sensitive enough to detect changes in muscle volume in the context of degeneration, atrophy or hypertrophy.