Acute effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet) on the Achilles tendon

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet) on Achilles tendon elongation during muscle contraction, as well as the circulation in the peritendinous region. Sixteen healthy men participated in this study. All 16 participants underwent 2 interventions: (1) CRet trial and (2) CRet without power (sham trial). Tendon elongation was measured four times. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, the blood circulation (volume of total-hemoglobin (Hb), oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb), and deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb)) was measured for 5 min before the intervention and for 30 min after the intervention. The differences between the measurements obtained before and after intervention were compared between the two interventions. The changes in tendon elongation and deoxy-Hb were not significantly different between the interventions. Total- and oxy-Hb were significantly increased in the CRet trial compared with the sham trial. In addition, the increases in total-Hb and oxy-Hb lasted for 30 min after the CRet intervention (CRet vs. sham: oxy-Hb: F = 8.063, p = 0.001, total-Hb: F = 4.564, p = 0.011). In conclusion, CRet significantly improved blood circulation in the peritendinous region.     

Curcumin attenuates oxidative stress following downhill running-induced muscle damage

Downhill running causes muscle damage, and induces oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. Recently, it is shown that curcumin possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Interestingly, curcumin reduces inflammatory cytokine concentrations in skeletal muscle after downhill running of mice. However, it is not known whether curcumin affects oxidative stress after downhill running-induced muscle damage. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress following downhill running induced-muscle damage. We also investigated whether curcumin affects macrophage infiltration via chemokines such as MCP-1 and CXCL14. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups; rest, rest plus curcumin, downhill running, or downhill running plus curcumin. Downhill running mice ran at 22 m/min, −15% grade on the treadmill for 150 min. Curcumin (3 mg) was administered in oral administration immediately after downhill running. Hydrogen peroxide concentration and NADPH-oxidase mRNA expression in the downhill running mice were significantly higher than those in the rest mice, but these variables were significantly attenuated by curcumin administration in downhill running mice. In addition, mRNA expression levels of MCP-1, CXCL14 and F4/80 reflecting presence of macrophages in the downhill running mice were significantly higher than those in the rest mice. However, MCP-1 and F4/80 mRNA expression levels were significantly attenuated by curcumin administration in downhill running mice. Curcumin may attenuate oxidative stress following downhill running-induced muscle damage.     

Mimicking human neuronal pathways in silico: an emergent model on the effective connectivity

We present a novel computational model that detects temporal configurations of a given human neuronal pathway and constructs its artificial replication. This poses a great challenge since direct recordings from individual neurons are impossible in the human central nervous system and therefore the underlying neuronal pathway has to be considered as a black box. For tackling this challenge, we used a branch of complex systems modeling called artificial self-organization in which large sets of software entities interacting locally give rise to bottom-up collective behaviors. The result is an emergent model where each software entity represents an integrate-and-fire neuron. We then applied the model to the reflex responses of single motor units obtained from conscious human subjects. Experimental results show that the model recovers functionality of real human neuronal pathways by comparing it to appropriate surrogate data. What makes the model promising is the fact that, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first realistic model to self-wire an artificial neuronal network by efficiently combining neuroscience with artificial self-organization. Although there is no evidence yet of the model’s connectivity mapping onto the human connectivity, we anticipate this model will help neuroscientists to learn much more about human neuronal networks, and could also be used for predicting hypotheses to lead future experiments.     

Fermented product of rice with Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens induces anti-aging effects and heat stress tolerance in nematodes via DAF-16

ABSTRACT

Rice kefiran is superior in functionality, has high concentration of mucilaginous polysaccharide, and low lipid content, compared to conventional kefiran. However, reports on its physiological functionality, especially studies on life expectancy and aging, in model organisms are rare. In this study, nematodes were used as model organisms that were fed rice kefiran, along with Escherichia coli OP50, as a result of which, the lifespan of nematodes was extended and age-related retardation of mobility was suppressed. It also increased the heat stress resistance in nematodes. Experiments using daf-16 deletion mutant revealed that rice kefiran functions via DAF-16. Thus, this study revealed the longevity, anti-aging and heat stress tolerance effects of rice kefiran in nematodes.     

Head-up suspension in humans: effects on sympathetic vasomotor activity and cardiovascular responses

Wehypothesized that muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) andcardiovascular responses to the conventional head-up tilt (HUT) aredifferent from those to head-up suspension (HUS) because of antigravitymuscle activity. The MSNA from the tibial nerve, heart rate, bloodpressure, stroke volume, cardiac output, and calf blood flow weremeasured in 13 healthy young subjects. Left atrial diameter wasmeasured by two-dimensional echocardiography in another nine subjects.The resting MSNA and cardiovascular responses at a low level (20°)of orthostasis were similar during both modes. At higher levels (40 and60°), the responses of MSNA, heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiacoutput were significantly stronger and there was a smaller reduction incalf blood flow during HUT than during HUS(P < 0.05). Left atrial diameter was decreased significantly from the resting values during HUT and HUSwithout any significant difference between the modes of orthostasis. The results provide evidence that the engagement of antigravity musclesduring HUT may have additive effects on sympathetic vasoconstrictor andcardiovascular responses to orthostatic stress.