Effect of capsaicin supplementation on repeated sprinting performance

Performance in many team sports is partially dependent on the ability to perform repeatedly at high intensity. Previous research demonstrates that capsaicin (CAP) has physiological and metabolic effects that could influence exercise performance and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of CAP on performance of and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) response to repeated sprints. Nineteen healthy male experienced athletes, age 18-30 years, participated in a placebo (PCB)-controlled, crossover study. During 1 trial, they consumed 3 g·d(-1) cayenne (25.8 mg·d(-1) CAP) and the other a PCB for days. Directly after the supplementation period, they completed a repeated sprint test (RST) consisting of 15 30-m maximal effort sprints on 35-second intervals with sprint times measured via an electronic dual-beam timing system. Fasted blood draws for IL-6 were taken at baseline before supplementation, 45 minute pre-RST, and immediately post-RST. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), muscle soreness (MS), and gastrointestinal distress (GD) for 5 symptom subscales were measured 1-minute pretest, during, posttest, and 1-minute posttest. The MS was additionally measured for 3-day posttest. Relative to the PCB, CAP significantly increased the sum of ratings of GD symptoms by 6.3-fold. There was no difference between treatments in fastest or mean sprint time, fatigue, IL-6 response, RPE, or MS. In summary, CAP did not influence repeated sprint performance or the IL-6 response but caused substantial GD. The CAP is not recommended for athletes involved in repeated sprinting.     

Multimodal communication in a noisy environment: a case study of the Bornean rock frog Staurois parvus

High background noise is an impediment to signal detection and perception. We report the use of multiple solutions to improve signal perception in the acoustic and visual modality by the Bornean rock frog, Staurois parvus. We discovered that vocal communication was not impaired by continuous abiotic background noise characterised by fast-flowing water. Males modified amplitude, pitch, repetition rate and duration of notes within their advertisement call. The difference in sound pressure between advertisement calls and background noise at the call dominant frequency of 5578 Hz was 8 dB, a difference sufficient for receiver detection. In addition, males used several visual signals to communicate with conspecifics with foot flagging and foot flashing being the most common and conspicuous visual displays, followed by arm waving, upright posture, crouching, and an open-mouth display. We used acoustic playback experiments to test the efficacy-based alerting signal hypothesis of multimodal communication. In support of the alerting hypothesis, we found that acoustic signals and foot flagging are functionally linked with advertisement calling preceding foot flagging. We conclude that S. parvus has solved the problem of continuous broadband low-frequency noise by both modifying its advertisement call in multiple ways and by using numerous visual signals. This is the first example of a frog using multiple acoustic and visual solutions to communicate in an environment characterised by continuous noise.     

TissuePatch™ as a novel synthetic sealant for repair of superficial lung defect: in vitro tests results

Controversies surrounding the efficacy of surgical sealants against alveolar air leaks (AAL) in lung surgery abound in the literature. We sought to test the sealing efficacy of a novel synthetic sealant, TissuePatch? in an in vitro lung model. The lower lobe of freshly excised swine lung (n?=?10) was intubated and ventilated. A superficial parenchymal defect (40?×?25 mm) was created, followed by AAL assessment. After sealant application, AAL was assessed again until burst failure occurred. The length of defect was recorded to evaluate the elasticity of the sealant. Superficial parenchymal defects resulted in AAL increasing disproportionally with ascending maximal inspiratory pressure (Pmax). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed strong correlation between AAL and Pmax, compliance, resistance. After sealant application, AAL was sealed in all ten tests at an inspired tidal volume (TVi) of 400 ml, in nine tests at TVi?=?500 ml, in seven at TVi?=?600 ml and in five at TVi?=?700 ml. The mean burst pressure was 42?±?9 mBar. Adhesive and cohesive sealant failures were found in six and three tests respectively. The length of defect before sealant failure was 8.9?±?4.9% larger than that at TVi?=?400 ml, demonstrating an adequate elasticity of this sealant film. TissuePatch? may be a reliable sealant for alternative or adjunctive treatment for repair of superficial parenchymal defects in lung surgery. The clinical benefits of this sealant should be confirmed by prospective, randomised controlled clinical trials. Die Wirksamkeit von chirurgischen Klebstoffen zur Prävention von alveolo-pleuralem Luftleck (APL) ist trotz zunehmenden klinischen Anwendungen in Lungenchirurgie immer noch kontrovers diskutiert. Wir evaluierten die Abdichtungswirksamkeit von einem neuartigen synthetischen Kleber, TissuePatch? mittels eines in vitro Lungenmodels. Der Unterlappen von frisch entnommenen Schweinlungen (n?=?10) wurde intubiert und beatmet. Eine pleurale Läsion (40?×?25 mm) wurde erstellt und APL mit steigendem inspiratorischem Tidalvolumen (TVi) untersucht. Nach Applikation von TissuePatch? wurde APL auf die gleiche Weise gemessen bis zur Auftritt von Kleberbruch. Zur Untersuchung der Elastizität des Klebers wurde die Länge der pleuralen Läsion gemessen. Pleurale Läsion führte bei aufsteigendem maximalem inspiratorischem Druck (Pmax) zu überproportionalem Anstieg von APL. Multiple lineare Regressionsanalyse ergab eine starke Korrelation zwischen APL und Pmax, Lungencompliance sowie Widerstand. Nach der Applikation von Klebstoff wurde APL bei TVi?=?400 ml in allen zehn Testen versiegelt, bei TVi?=?500 ml in neun Testen, bei TVi?=?600 ml in sieben und bei TVi?=?700 ml in fünf Testen. Der mittlere Pmax, der zu Kleberbruch führte, betrug 42?±?9 mBar. Bei den Versuchen wurden adhäsiver und kohäsiver Kleberbruch in jeweils sechs und drei Testen gefunden. Die Länge der pleuralen Läsion vor dem Kleberbruch war 8,9?±?4,9% größer als die bei TVi?=?400 ml. Unsere Versuche zeigten eine zuverlässige Versiegelung von TissuePatch? unter mechanischer Ventilation. Die klinische Nützlichkeit vom Kleber als unterstützende Maßnahme zur Prävention von alveolo-pleuralem Luftleck in Lungenchirurgie sollte durch prospektive, randomisierte kontrollierte klinische Studien bestätigt werden.     

Copper(II) coordination polymers derived from triethanolamine and pyromellitic acid for bioinspired mild peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane

The new inorganic 1D coordination polymer [Cu₂(H₃tea)₂(μ₄-pma)]_n has been prepared, via self-assembly in aqueous medium, from copper(II) nitrate, triethanolamine (H₃tea), pyromellitic acid (H₄pma) and lithium hydroxide, and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. This compound and the related 2D polymer [Cu₂(μ-H₂tea)₂{μ₃-Na₂(H₂O)₄}(μ₆-pma)]_n · 10nH₂O are shown to mimic the alkane partial oxidation activity of the multicopper particulate methane monooxygenase, acting as catalysts precursors for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane into cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, by hydrogen peroxide (as green oxidant) and at room temperature in acidic MeCN/H₂O medium. An overall yield (based on cyclohexane) of 29% has been achieved.     

Modelling the hydro-geochemistry of acid-sensitive catchments in Finland under atmospheric deposition and biomass harvesting scenarios

The dynamic hydro-geochemical Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) was used to predict the response of 163 Finnish lake catchments to historic and future atmospheric deposition (1880–2100) and future tree harvesting practices. Deposition was assumed to follow current legislated European emission reduction policies (CLe) and a scenario based on maximum (technically) feasible reductions (MFR). Future harvesting was assumed to shift from stem-only harvesting (SOH) to whole-tree harvesting (WTH) owing to the potential increased utilisation of biofuels. Despite the modest changes in atmospheric deposition under CLe (compared to current day), these reductions are predicted to halt the decline in soil base saturation; however, further reductions are required to improve soil and lake water chemistry. The MFR scenario predicted a significant long-term improvement in soil base saturation leading to continued long-term recovery in surface waters (all lakes with ANC > 0 by 2100). However under the WTH scenario, significant long-term impacts (re-acidification) were predicted for soil and surface water chemistry (14 lakes with ANC < 0 by 2100). To some extent the long-term negative impacts were reduced under MFR, indicating that increased utilisation of biofuels will necessitate ‘trading emissions for timber’, or soil amendment, to maintain ecosystem quality and sustainable forest growth. The current practice of SOH is close to the sustainable maximum harvesting under current (legislated) atmospheric deposition in Finland.     

Hybridization and crossability in Caiophora (Loasaceae subfam. Loasoideae): Are interfertile species and inbred populations results of a recent radiation?

Interspecific hybridization is considered a possible mechanism of plant diversification. The Andes are a hotspot of biodiversity, but hybridization in Andean taxa has so far not been investigated intensively. The current study investigates crossability in Caiophora (Loasaceae subfam. Loasoideae) by experimental interspecific hybridization of seven different species. Hand pollination was undertaken, developing fruits counted, thousand (seed) grain weights, and seed viability were examined. Cross pollination led to some fruit set in 36 of the 37 different combinations. Overall fruit set was virtually identical irrespective of the combination of parental plants. Mean germination rates were much higher in hybrid seeds, indicating a marked heterosis effect and the possible presence of an inbreeding depression in the source populations: In experimental hybridization the divergent taxa of Caiophora behave like isolated, inbred populations of a single species. Allopatry and different habitat preferences seem to be the key factors keeping the (interfertile) taxa of Caiophora apart in the apparent absence of both postmating isolating mechanisms and obvious isolating mechanisms in phenology and floral biology. Interspecific hybrids reported from the wild appear to be the result of secondary contact due to human impact.     

Observations on the biogeography of the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone in northern Peru

Some scientists have suggested that the Huancabamba Depression in northern Peru—i.e., the partial interruption of the Andean chain by the Rio Chamaya drainage system—represents a major biogeographical barrier to montane taxa. Others have suggested that the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone in the Andes of northern Peru and the extreme south of Ecuador is an area of particular biological diversity and possibly a phytogeographical zone in its own right. The phytogeography of this area is investigated here with data mainly from the Loasaceae, supplemented by data on other plant and animal groups and by some new data fromPassiflora L. (Passifloraceae) andRibes L. (Grossulariaceae). The Huancabamba Depression itself does not seem to have been a major dispersal barrier for these groups. However, a phytogeographical zone—the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone—between the Río Jubones system in Ecuador and the Río Chamaya system in Peru can be recognized from the available data. This zone seems to be home to numerous endemic species and species groups and has a high level of diversity (6–8 times as high as adjacent areas to the north and to the south in the groups studied). The species of this area show narrow endemicity and often strikingly aberrant morphological characters, compared with representatives of the same groups from other areas. The overlap between northern and southern groups in the area, the mosaic nature of its habitats (geology, geography, and climate), and a varied geological history (habitat fragmentation, secondary contact) seem to be the three most important factors contributing to these patterns of diversification. At least some phylogenetically old taxa appear to have survived in the Amotape-Huancabamba Zone. The region thus seems to be home to a high number of both neoendemics and paleoendemics.     

Targeting of malate synthase 1 to the peroxisomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells depends on growth on oleic acid medium.

The eukaryotic glyoxylate cycle has been previously hypothesized to occur in the peroxisomal compartment, which in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae additionally represents the sole site for fatty acid beta-oxidation. The subcellular location of the key glyoxylate-cycle enzyme malate synthase 1 (Mls1p), an SKL-terminated protein, was examined in yeast cells grown on different carbon sources. Immunoelectron microscopy in combination with cell fractionation showed that Mls1p was abundant in the peroxisomes of cells grown on oleic acid, whereas in ethanol-grown cells Mls1p was primarily cytosolic. This was reinforced using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Mls1p reporter, which entered peroxisomes solely in cells grown under oleic acid-medium conditions. Although growth of cells devoid of Mls1p on ethanol or acetate could be fully restored using a cytosolic Mls1p devoid of SKL, this construct could only partially alleviate the requirement for native Mls1p in cells grown on oleic acid. The combined results indicated that Mls1p remained in the cytosol of cells grown on ethanol, and that targeting of Mls1p to the peroxisomes was advantageous to cells grown on oleic acid as a sole carbon source.     

CFC1 Mutations in Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Double-Outlet Right Ventricle

Recent investigations identified heterozygous CFC1 mutations in subjects with heterotaxy syndrome, all of whom had congenital cardiac malformations, including malposition of the great arteries. We hypothesized that a subset of patients with similar types of congenital heart disease---namely, transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle, in the absence of laterality defects---would also have CFC1 mutations. Our analysis of the CFC1 gene in patients with these cardiac disorders identified two disease-related mutations in 86 patients. The present study identifies the first autosomal single-gene defect for these cardiac malformations and indicates that some cases of transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle can share a common genetic etiology with heterotaxy syndrome. In addition, these results demonstrate that the molecular pathway involving CFC1 plays a critical role in normal and abnormal cardiovascular development.