Training Synesthetic Letter-color Associations by Reading in Color

Synesthesia is a rare condition in which a stimulus from one modality automatically and consistently triggers unusual sensations in the same and/or other modalities. A relatively common and well-studied type is grapheme-color synesthesia, defined as the consistent experience of color when viewing, hearing and thinking about letters, words and numbers. We describe our method for investigating to what extent synesthetic associations between letters and colors can be learned by reading in color in nonsynesthetes. Reading in color is a special method for training associations in the sense that the associations are learned implicitly while the reader reads text as he or she normally would and it does not require explicit computer-directed training methods. In this protocol, participants are given specially prepared books to read in which four high-frequency letters are paired with four high-frequency colors. Participants receive unique sets of letter-color pairs based on their pre-existing preferences for colored letters. A modified Stroop task is administered before and after reading in order to test for learned letter-color associations and changes in brain activation. In addition to objective testing, a reading experience questionnaire is administered that is designed to probe for differences in subjective experience. A subset of questions may predict how well an individual learned the associations from reading in color. Importantly, we are not claiming that this method will cause each individual to develop grapheme-color synesthesia, only that it is possible for certain individuals to form letter-color associations by reading in color and these associations are similar in some aspects to those seen in developmental grapheme-color synesthetes. The method is quite flexible and can be used to investigate different aspects and outcomes of training synesthetic associations, including learning-induced changes in brain function and structure.     

Time-restricted eating and exercise training improve HbA1c and body composition in women with overweight/obesity: A randomized controlled trial

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Effects of physical exercise training in DNA damage and repair activity in humans with different genetic polymorphisms of hOGG1 (Ser326Cys)

The main purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the possible influence of genetic polymorphisms of the hOGG1 (Ser326Cys) gene in DNA damage and repair activity by 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1 enzyme) in response to 16 weeks of combined physical exercise training. Thirty‐two healthy Caucasian men (40–74 years old) were enrolled in this study. All the subjects were submitted to a training of 16 weeks of combined physical exercise. The subjects with Ser/Ser genotype were considered as wild‐type group (WTG), and Ser/Cys and Cys/Cys genotype were analysed together as mutant group (MG). We used comet assay in conjunction with formamidopyrimidine DNA glycoslyase (FPG) to analyse both strand breaks and FPG‐sensitive sites. DNA repair activity were also analysed with the comet assay technique. Our results showed no differences between DNA damage (both strand breaks and FPG‐sensitive sites) and repair activity (OGG1) between genotype groups (in the pre‐training condition). Regarding the possible influence of genotype in the response to 16 weeks of physical exercise training, the results revealed a decrease in DNA strand breaks in both groups, a decrease in FPG‐sensitive sites and an increase in total antioxidant capacity in the WTG, but no changes were found in MG. No significant changes in DNA repair activity was observed in both genotype groups with physical exercise training. This preliminary study suggests the possibility of different responses in DNA damage to the physical exercise training, considering the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

心肺康复训练对脑卒中患者的康复效果及对血清BDNF、NT-3、MMP-9及心肺功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨心肺康复训练对脑卒中患者的康复效果及对血清脑源性神经生长因子（BDNF）、神经营养因子-3（NT-3）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）及心肺功能的影响。方法：选择2020年01月-2021年01月在我院接受治疗的129例脑卒中患者，采用抽签法分为试验组（n=65）和对照组（n=64）。对照组给予常规康复治疗，试验组给予心肺康复训练治疗。比较两组患者的临床疗效、血清BDNF、NT-3、MMP-9、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、左心室收缩末期内径（LVESD）、最大心率、静息心率、峰值摄氧量（VO_2peak ）、无氧阈（AT）、峰值能量代谢当量（MET peak）、每分峰值通气量（VE _peak ）及Fugl-Meyer评定量表（FMA）、改良Barthel指数（MBI）评分变化情况。结果：治疗后，两组总有效率比较差异显著（P<0.05）；治疗前，试验组和对照组血清BDNF、NT-3、MMP-9比较无显著差异；治疗后，试验组和对照组血清BDNF随着时间的推移而升高，且试验组均高于对照组，NT-3、MMP-9随着时间的推移而降低，且试验组均低于对照组，差异显著（P<0.05）；治疗前，试验组和对照组LVEF、LVESD、最大心率及静息心率比较无显著差异；治疗后，试验组和对照组LVEF、最大心率随着时间的推移而升高，且试验组均高于对照组，LVESD、静息心率随着时间的推移而降低，且试验组均低于对照组，差异显著（P<0.05）；治疗前，试验组和对照组VO_2peak 、AT、MET peak及VE _peak 比较无显著差异；治疗后，试验组和对照组VO_2peak 、AT、MET _peak 及VE _peak 随着时间的推移而升高，且试验组均高于对照组，差异显著（P<0.05）；治疗前，试验组和对照组FMA、MBI评分比较无显著差异；治疗后，试验组和对照组FMA、MBI评分随着时间的推移而升高，且试验组均高于对照组，差异显著（P<0.05）。结论：在脑卒中患者中应用心肺康复训练临床效果更好，可有改善患者血清BDNF、NT-3、MMP-9及心肺功能。     

Synergic effects of exercise training and octopamine on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator -1a and uncoupling protein 1 mRNA in heart tissue of rat treated with deep frying oil

Octopamine (OCT) have an adverse effect on heart function. One of the positive effects of exercise training is improving cardiac function and cardiomyocytes signaling, which along with herbal supplements can have better effects on the heart tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise training and OCT on changes of PGC1α and UCP1 expression in heart tissue of rat treated with deep frying oil (DFO). In this study, 45 male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 9 in each): I) control (Co), II) DFO, III) DFO + exercise, IV) DFO + OCT, and V) DFO + OCT + exercise. The quantification of apoptotic effects of DFO in heart tissue was assessed by TUNEL assay. Masson's trichrome stain applied to study cardiomyocytic fibers. Moreover, PGC1α and UCP1 genes and proteins expression in all groups were investigated using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical method. A significant increase in apoptotic cells was observed in the DFO-treated group (p < 0.05). In Masson's Trichrome stain study, more cardiomyocytic fibers were observed and some lymphocytic cells were present in some fibers. Also, the expression of PGC1α and UCP1 was significantly increase in DFO + exercise group, DFO + OCT group, and DFO + OCT + exercise group compare to DFO group (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, exercise and octopamine can be considered as factors affecting the expression of PGC1α genes and UCP1 as well as drug poisoning.     

The effect of physical training on the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis of Sprague–Dawley rats

The impact of physical activity on carcinogenesis has been demonstrated in many studies. Taking into account the discrepant results of physical exercise on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer, we aimed to examine the impact of physical training on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-(MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Fifty female rats were divided into four groups according to the intensity of physical activity they undertook. The number of developed tumors, tumor volume, and histopathological diagnoses were noted. Apoptosis and cell proliferation were studied by the number of TUNEL-positive and Ki-67-expressing cells. We demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the tumor number between all trained groups and the control group. The results were most pronounced in the group with a moderate intensity of training. Moreover, we showed a decrease in tumor volume as training intensity increased, though the differences were not statistically significant. The mean number of TUNEL-positive cancer cells was significantly higher in the training groups than in the control group. These data suggest that physical training, especially of moderate intensity, may alleviate MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The results could suggest that physical exercise-induced apoptosis may be a protective mechanism.     

Moderate walnut consumption improved lipid profile,steroid hormones and inflammation in trained elderly men: a pilot study with a randomized controlled trial

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of walnut consumption on lipid profile, steroid hormones and inflammation in trained elderly men performing concurrent (resistance and endurance) training. Twenty healthy elderly males were divided into two matched groups, in a randomized controlled trial, that trained three sessions per week: concurrent training + dietary walnut consumption (15 g/day for six weeks, CTW: n = 10); concurrent training + control diet (CT: n = 10). Fasting blood samples were taken 48 hours before and after intervention for biochemical assessments. levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased only in CTW compared to baseline (19.8%, p < 0.01). Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels significantly decreased only for CTW (i.e., 13%, 18%, and 18.5% at p < 0.01 for all). Testosterone (T) increased after the training compared to pre-training for CTW and CT (10.3%, p < 0.01, 4.27% p < 0.05, respectively), but the increase was significantly higher in CTW (p < 0.05). Serum cortisol (C) was lower for CTW compared to CT (p < 0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased in CTW in comparison with CT. The present study revealed that 6-week moderate walnut supplementation (15 g/day) improved lipid profile, steroid hormones and systematic inflammation in aged men performing concurrent training. These findings could be attributable to the potential effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in walnut (linoleic acid, n-6; linolenic acid, n-3).     

Increased concentrations of interleukin 1-β in whole blood cultures supernatants after 12 weeks of moderate endurance exercise

The aim of the study was to investigate whether a regular moderate endurance exercise programme influenced the in vitro cytokine synthesis by stimulated whole blood cultures. To this end, eight healthy subjects exercised moderately by running for 3-5 h a week over a period of 12 weeks, whilst seven other healthy subjects served as the control group. The intensity of the exercise was determined by lactic acid concentrations in the blood which were maintained between 1.8 and 2.5 mmol x l(-1). Over the period of training the running velocity producing the 4 mmol x l(-1) lactic acid threshold increased from 2.86 (SD 0.83) m x s(-1) to 3.06+/-0.79 m x s(-1) (P < or = 0.008). Blood samples were taken at rest before and after the training programme. The following blood parameters were determined: leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count, lymphocyte subpopulations [CD14 positive (+)/CD45+, CD4+/ CD25+, CD8+, CD16+/CD122+]. Whole blood cultures were stimulated with lipopolysaccarides [interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6] and staphylococcal enterotoxin B [IL-2, soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL2-R) and interferon (IFN)-gamma]. Cytokine concentrations in the supernatants were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The white blood cell count, differential leucocyte count, lymphocyte subset distribution and the expression of the CD25 and CD122 antigen on lymphocytes were unchanged by training. After the training programme the IL-1 beta production changed significantly [1496 (SD 264) pg ml(-1) before, compared to 2127 (SD 672) pg ml(-1) after training, P < or = 0.008]. In the control group these parameters remained unchanged. With respect to changes in the values in both groups the syntheses of IL-1 beta (P < or = 0.023) and IL-6 (P < or = 0.021) were significantly higher after regular training. The syntheses of IL-2, sIL-2 and INF-gamma were not significantly influenced. Regular endurance exercise influenced the in vitro production of monocyte derived cytokines, while the effect of exercise on the cytokines synthesized by T-cells appeared to be of lesser importance.