The “ReDune” index (Restoration of coastal Dunes Index) to assess the need and viability of coastal dune restoration

Overpopulation and deficient management of the worlds coastlines have seriously degraded beaches and coastal dunes, which are environments that provide valuable ecosystem services to society. The need to restore these ecosystems is increasingly urgent; however, this is a complex task since variables that differ widely (i.e. ecological, geomorphological and socio-economic) must all be taken into consideration. The present study proposes an index in the form of a weighted checklist named the “ReDune” Index (Restoration of coastal Dunes). This index allows decision makers and non-specialized professionals with some level of understanding of coastal dynamics to decide whether coastal dunes (foredunes) require and can be restored. Furthermore, in cases where more than one coastal dune system is to be evaluated, the index can distinguish which are in the most urgent need of restoration. The index consists of four sections: the first evaluates the degree of perturbation. The second determines the presence of endogenous and exogenous stress factors that may compromise the long-term stability of the restoration. The third section is focused on highlighting the abiotic and biotic elements that may facilitate restoration. Finally, the fourth section contributes to the identification of interests related to the conservation of the site and the provision of ecosystem services. The index was tested on 31 locations along the Gulf of Mexico, with differing sedimentary, ecological and human pressure characteristics and clearly distinguished between locations where restoration is urgent from those where it is not. This index can be applied on any foredune.     

Electromyographic analysis of upper limb muscles during standardized isotonic and isokinetic robotic exercise of spastic elbow in patients with stroke

Although it has been reported that strengthening exercise in stroke patients is beneficial for their motor recovery, there is little evidence about which exercise method is the better option. The purpose of this study was to compare isotonic and isokinetic exercise by surface electromyography (EMG) analysis using standardized methods.Nine stroke patients performed three sets of isotonic elbow extensions at 30% of their maximal voluntary isometric torque followed by three sets of maximal isokinetic elbow extensions with standardization of mean angular velocity and the total amount of work for each matched set in two strengthening modes. All exercises were done by using 1-DoF planner robot to regulate exact resistive torque and speed. Surface electromyographic activity of eight muscles in the hemiplegic shoulder and elbow was recorded. Normalized root mean square (RMS) values and co-contraction index (CCI) were used for the analysis.The isokinetic mode was shown to activate the agonists of elbow extension more efficiently than the isotonic mode (normalized RMS for pooled triceps: 96.0 ± 17.0 (2nd), 87.8 ± 14.4 (3rd) in isokinetic, 80.9 ± 11.0 (2nd), 81.6 ± 12.4 (3rd) in isotonic contraction, F[1, 8] = 11.168; P = 0.010) without increasing the co-contraction of muscle pairs, implicating spasticity or synergy.     

Lactate modeling and its application to endurance training

1. 1. In this short review, previous studies regarding the modeling of lactate (La) response to exercise and its application to endurance training have been summarized.

2. 2. Additionally the result of a recent study by the present authors are shown.

3. 3. Several models for La response to step and ramp exercise are already proposed and deductions derived from them are used for practical purposes such as the prediction of race performance in middle-and long-distance runners as well as for construction of their training regimens.

4. 4. Only a limited number of models however have tried to quantify whole body La kinetics to exercise in humans concomitantly with describing physiological mechanisms underlying the observed phenomenon.

5. 5. In a recent study described further in this paper a 2 compartment model was used for the purpose of clarifying the current “La production vs degradation” controversy during La adaptation to training.

6. 6. It was determined from this investigation that the La metabolic clearance rate during recovery is enhanced by the endurance training.

7. 7. This is in accordance with another recent observation of an increased La metabolic clearance rate at high absolute work rates and all relative work rates during exercise.

Effects of training on axial muscle of two cyprinid species: Chondrostoma nasus (L.) and Leuciscus cephalus (L.)

The effect of an endurance training program lasting 17 weeks was studied in two cyprinid species, Chondrostoma nasus (L.) and Leuciscus cephalus (L.). Red, intermediate and white axial muscle were investigated. Morphometrical analysis revealed that training induced, in both species, increased red and intermediate muscle mass, fibre diameter and capillarization. Differences between species in the response to training were observed for volume densities of mitochondria and lipid. In contrast to C. nasus, L. cephalus show higher values for these compartments in red and intermediate fibres. The results are considered adaptational changes which increase the aerobic capacity of red and intermediate muscle fibres to meet higher sustained swimming activities.     

上海地区某三级医院新职工岗前培训效果分析

目的 旨在通过对我院岗前培训8年经验的总结，摸索出一套在医院文化背景下的岗前培训体系。方法 采用问卷方法对2007—2009年新员工岗前培训效果进行匿名调查，并使用Excel进行数据录入和统计。结果 调查对象中76.63%的员工对师资配置情况及课程设置情况表示满意，54.08%的员工对培训时间与进度表示很合适，69.47%的员工对培训保障措施表示满意，69.42%和80.08%的员工分别对授课形式和培训受益情况表示满意。结论 医院文化及人文医学培训是医院人力资源处岗前培训的核心内容，这对每个从医人员树立正确的职业价值观具有指导作用和现实意义。岗前培训中培训师的授课技巧、专业知识及能力有待进一步提高，今后应不断完善内部培训师的培养途径与方法。     

TRAINING LOAD,IMMUNE SYSTEM,UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND PERFORMANCE IN WELL-TRAINED CYCLISTS THROUGHOUT A COMPETITIVE SEASON

This study aimed to evaluate the leukocyte subset counts, serum immunoglobulin A, performance and upper respiratory symptoms (URS), as well as their interrelationships, of well-trained cyclists for a 29-week training season using monitored loads. The season was divided into three phases: preparatory (nine weeks), first competitive phase (nine weeks) and second competitive phase (11 weeks). The sample consisted of eight well-trained cyclists, aged 18 ± 2 years. Immunological parameters and performance were evaluated during weeks 1 (baseline), 10 (early first competitive phase), 19 (early second competitive phase) and 29 (end of the second competitive phase). The training loads (volume x rating of perceived exertion) were monitored daily while the monitoring of URS was performed every 15 days using the WURSS-44 questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and a Pearson correlation test with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. No significant differences were found for training load, leukocyte subset counts or serum immunoglobulin A among the three phases. However, serum immunoglobulin A was 50.9% below the control group values. URS were significantly higher during the preparatory period, and there were significant correlations between URS and training load (strain) in the preparatory period (r = 0.72, p = 0.032) and second competitive phase (r = 0.73, p = 0.036). In conclusion, indicators of training load without a significant change throughout the season did not significantly affect immune parameters measured; however, the increase of strain can cause an increase of upper respiratory symptoms throughout the season, but without loss of performance.     

Influence of training in the dark or light phase on physiologic and metabolic parameters of Wistar rats submitted to aerobic exercise

Light and dark phase training may influences rodents’ physiologic parameters because these animals have nocturnal habits. Thus, we verify the effects of the training in different photoperiods on metabolism and corporal composition of rats. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups – G1: non-trained; G2: trained in the light phase; G3: trained in the dark phase. Rats were allowed to swim for 60 min, five times per week during six weeks. Trained animals presented a smaller weight gain and fat percentage in carcass. Rats of G3 increased gastrocnemius relative weight. The adipocyte diameter of G3 rats was smaller than the other groups. The levels of the total cholesterol, low-density proteins, and triacylglycerols were decreased in animals of G2 while the glycemia was increased. Training in light phase provided more alterations in the blood biochemical profile while the training in the dark increased the gastrocnemius weight and decreased the diameter of the adipocyte.     

Resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy is mediated by TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway in male Wistar rats

The TGF-β1-Smad pathway is a well-known negative regulator of muscle growth; however, its potential role in resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy is not clear. The present study proposed to determine whether and how this pathway may be involved in resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy. Skeletal muscle samples were collected from the control, trained (RT), control + SB431542 (CI_TGF), and trained + SB431542 (RTI_TGF) animals following 3, 5, and 8 weeks of resistance training. Inhibition of the TGF-β1-Smad pathway by SB431542 augmented muscle satellite cells activation, upregulated Akt/mTOR/S6K1 pathway, and attenuated FOXO1 and FOXO3a expression in the CI_TGF group (all p < .01), thereby causing significant muscle hypertrophy in animals from the CI_TGF. Resistance training significantly decreased muscle TGF-β1 expression and Smad3 (P-Smad3^S423/425) phosphorylation at COOH-terminal residues, augmented Smad2 (P-Smad2-L^S245/250/255) and Smad3 (P-Smad3-L^Ser208) phosphorylation levels at linker sites (all p < .01), and led to a muscle hypertrophy which was unaffected by SB431542, suggesting that the TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway is involved in resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy. The effects of inhibiting the TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway were not additive to the resistance training effects on FOXO1 and FOXO3a expression, muscle satellite cells activation, and the Akt/mTOR/S6K1 pathway. Resistance training effect of satellite cell differentiation was independent of the TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway. These results suggested that the effect of the TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway on resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy can be attributed mainly to its diminished inhibitory effects on satellite cell activation and protein synthesis. Suppressed P-Smad3^S423/425 and enhanced P-Smad2-L^S245/250/255 and P-Smad3-L^Ser208 are the molecular mechanisms that link the TGF-β1-Smad signaling pathway to resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy.