Correlation between the bone mass of athletes and biochemical and genetic markers of bone tissue remodeling

The association of the polymorphism of the VDR, Col1a1, and CALCR genes with a form of osteoporosis frequently occurring as a consequence of intense physical exercise in athletes was studied. Biochemical parameters of bone remodeling and its neuroendocrine regulation, as well as the bone masses, of 22 amateur athletes were determined immediately before a strenuous nine-week training cycle (TC) and eight months later. The possible association of these factors with the polymorphism of the genes coding for bone tissue proteins was studied. Long-term intense physical training was found to be associated with a significant activation of bone tissue resorption accompanied by continued rapid synthesis. Nevertheless, and in spite of the strong activation of resorption caused by the TC, the athletes exhibited no osteoporosis (even eight months after the discontinuation of the TC); some of them, however, displayed an individual tendency to osteopenia. According to the results of genetic analysis, this was associated with the polymorphism of predisposition genes (genotype TT of the VDR gene and the functionally weakened s allele of the Col1a1 gene).     

Antagonism by an LHRH agonist of the steroidogenic effects of exogenous human chorionic genadotrophin in the rhesus monkey

Fourteen regularly cycling female rhesus monkeys were observed daily for menstruation and bled from the saphenous vein at regular intervals throughout the study. Plasma samples were assayed by RIA for progesterone levels. The animals were divided into 3 subgroups. The first (n=5) received daily subcutaneous injections of 1000 IU hCG from the 18th to 36th day following onset of menstruation. The second (n=7) received the same hCG treatment and was also implanted subcutaneously from the 18th to 40th days with 1.2 mg [Des-gly¹⁰, DTrp⁶, ProNHEt⁹] LHRH contained in cholesterol matrix pellets. The third (n=2) was untreated. Intermenstrual interval was significantly extended by hCG treatment. The extension was partially overcome by the LHRH agonist. The hCG-induced elevation in plasma progesterone to peak values over 17ng/ml was blocked by the LHRH agonist to give mean values not significantly different from control luteal phase levels. Plasma estradiol levels were unaffected by hCG or LHRH agonist.     

Rechargeable Dual‐Ion Batteries with Graphite as a Cathode: Key Challenges and Opportunities

Rechargeable graphite dual‐ion batteries (GDIBs) have attracted the attention of electrochemists and material scientists in recent years due to their low cost and high‐performance metrics, such as high power density (≈3–175 kW kg^?1), energy efficiency (≈80–90%), long cycling life, and high energy density (up to 200 Wh kg^?1), suited for grid‐level stationary storage of electricity. The key feature of GDIBs is the exploitation of the reversible oxidation of the graphite network with concomitant and highly efficient intercalation/deintercalation of bulky anionic species between graphene layers. In this review, historical and current research aspects of GDIBs are discussed, along with key challenges in their development and practical deployment. Specific emphasis is given to the operational mechanism of GDIBs and to unbiased and correct reporting of theoretical cell‐level energy densities.     

Postnatal changes of some enzymatic activities of energy supplying metabolism in the cortex, inner and outer medulla of the rat kidney

1. In rat kidney cortex, outer and inner medulla the development of activities of seven enzymes was investigated during postnatal ontogeny (10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days of age). The enzymes were selected in such a manner, as to characterize most of the main metabolic pathways of energy supplying metabolism: hexokinase (glucose phosphorylation, HK), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (glycerolphosphate metabolism or shunt, GPDH), triose phosphate dehydrogenase (glycolytic carbohydrate breakdown, TPDH), lactate dehydrogenase (lactate metabolism, LDH), citrate synthase (tricarboxylic acid cycle, aerobic metabolism, CS), malate NAD dehydrogenase (tricarboxylic acid cycle, intra-extra mitochondrial hydrogen transport, MDH) and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (fatty acid catabolism, HOADH). 2. The renal cortex already differs metabolically from the medullar structures on the 10th day of life. It displays a high activity of aerobic breakdown of both fatty acids and carbohydrates. Its metabolic capacity further increases up to the 30th day of life. 3. The outer medullar structure is not grossly different from the inner medulla on the 10th day of life. Further it differentiates into a highly aerobic tissue mainly able to utilize carbohydrates. It can, however, to some extent, also utilize fatty acids aerobically and produce lactate from carbohydrates anaerobically. 4. The inner medullar structure is best equipped to utilize carbohydrates by anaerobic glycolysis, forming lactate. This feature is already pronounced on the 10th day of life, its capacity increases to some extent during postnatal development, being highest between the 10th and the 60th day of life.     

Selective loss of uncoupling protein mRNA in brown adipose tissue on deacclimation of cold-acclimated mice

The time course of changes in the level of uncoupling protein mRNA when cold-acclimated mice were returned to a thermoneutral environment (33 degrees C) was examined using a cDNA probe. Upon deacclimation, there was a marked loss of uncoupling protein mRNA within 24 h, which precedes the loss of uncoupling protein from mitochondria. This loss of uncoupling protein mRNA was selective, since there was no change in the relative proportion of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV mRNA or poly(A)+ RNA in total RNA. The results suggest that the decrease in the mitochondrial content of uncoupling protein during deacclimation is likely the result of turnover of existing protein, with very little replacement due to a lower level of its mRNA.     

Changes in the size of the myocardial damaged area in postischemic reperfusion

The changes in the size of the myocardial injury area during reperfusion after the coronary occlusion-induced ischemia lasting 30 minutes are phasic in nature. Until 3.5 h the injured area increases and after 23.5 h relatively diminishes. After a more prolonged ischemia such manifestations are either unmarked or absent. Ischemia lasting from 30 min to 4 hours followed by reperfusion, as compared with ischemia of the same duration without reperfusion, normally gives rise to the formation of an area of injury, which is less or occasionally equal in size. The data obtained and reported indicate that in the area of coronary occlusion there are groups of cardiomyocytes that differ as regards the resistance to ischemia.