A computational model of skeletal muscle metabolism linking cellular adaptations induced by altered loading states to metabolic responses during exercise

Background  

The alterations in skeletal muscle structure and function after prolonged periods of unloading are initiated by the chronic lack of mechanical stimulus of sufficient intensity, which is the result of a series of biochemical and metabolic interactions spanning from cellular to tissue/organ level. Reduced activation of skeletal muscle alters the gene expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms to meet the functional demands of reduced mechanical load, which results in muscle atrophy and reduced capacity to process fatty acids. In contrast, chronic loading results in the opposite pattern of adaptations.     

Relationships among thermal stress, bleaching and oxidative damage in the hermatypic coral, Pocillopora capitata

To examine the response to exposure to a thermal gradient in coral, we assessed the effect of a gradual 10 degrees C temperature increase (22 to 32 degrees C over 10 h) on normal (N), partially bleached (P) and control (C) samples collected from different branches of the same coral (Pocillopora capitata). We examined markers of oxidative stress, including lipid peroxidation (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, indicators of bleaching, including chlorophyll a (Chl a) and carotenoid pigment (PC) levels, as well as zooxanthellae density. Our results revealed that N, P and C coral samples all contained higher levels of PC versus Chl a. The levels of both pigments increased as the temperature increased from 22 to 28 degrees C only in N and C samples, whereas P samples showed less cellular damage than N and C samples at temperatures between 26 and 28 degrees C, and had greater antioxidant activities at temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees C. The rate of zooxanthellar expulsion consistently increased with temperature in all three coral types across the entire temperature range. Collectively, these results indicate that temperature has a direct effect on the antagonistic relationship between temperature-induced damage and protective antioxidant mechanisms in this type of coral.     

Effects of human-induced water level fluctuations on copepod assemblages of the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore

Hydrobiologia - Human-induced water level fluctuations (WLFs) are among the major pressures threatening lake ecosystems. Their effect on meiobenthic species of the littoral zone has been...     

Attitudes towards urban howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in Paraguay

Primates - Increasing urbanisation is encroaching into natural habitats and sometimes forcing wildlife into urban centres. Whether or not wildlife can thrive in an urban environment is dependent on...     

Feeding Ecology and Regurgitation–Reingestion Behavior of the Critically Endangered Indri indri in the Maromizaha Protected Area,Eastern Madagascar

International Journal of Primatology - Deforestation around the world is a major threat to primates. Understanding primate species’ habitat and dietary requirements is critical in creating...     

A novel mode of bathing behavior of hummingbirds recorded in the Brazilian ruby Heliodoxa rubricauda and allies (Aves: Trochilidae)

acta ethologica - The Brazilian ruby, Heliodoxa rubricauda, is a forest species of hummingbird endemic to the Atlantic Forest. It belongs to an Andean clade of birds with robust and strong legs and...     

NAD+ centric mechanisms and molecular determinants of skeletal muscle disease and aging

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential redox cofactor, involved in various physiological and molecular processes, including energy...     

Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Cynara cardunculus (Artichoke) Leaves on Neuroinflammatory and Neurochemical Parameters in a Diet-Induced Mice Obesity Model

Neurochemical Research - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Cynara cardunculus leaf ethanol extract on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in the hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex,...