Characterization of variables related to high stability of raw cow milk.

This research paper analyzes the stability of raw cow milk in the alcohol test and seeks to understand to know the factors that influence milk stability and the occurrence of unstable non-acid milk. Milk samples were collected from the cooling tanks of rural farmers in the state of Paraná twice in summer and twice in winter. The farms were classified according to the production system: pasture with supplementation and feedlot. The following variables were analyzed: stability in the alcohol test, titratable acidity, ionized calcium concentration (iCa), chemical composition of milk, somatic cell count and standard plate count. The results showed that milk stability was greater in winter vs. summer, when the milk contained higher iCa, and in the feedlot vs. pasture system. The Pearson Correlation between variables (ethanol stability, milk composition, iCa, cooling tank temperature, milk volume, number of milking, number of cows milked, fat/protein ratio, distance and travel time) were analyzed. Stability was negatively correlated with iCa concentration and positively with lactose content. Logistic regression of the risk of unstable non-acid milk at 72% alcohol (UNAM72) showed that only iCa and lactose were determinants, while evaluation of the same risk at 78% alcohol revealed iCa, titratable acidity, lactose and milk urea nitrogen as risk factors. Under the dairy farming conditions of Paraná state, the frequency of UNAM72 was low (12.16%) and was higher in summer and in pasture systems with supplementation. In conclusion, in dairy herds bred with high technological level, with adequate nutritional and health management, the frequency of UNAM is low and is related to nutritional management abnd, perhaps, heat stress, factors that alter iCa and lactose levels.

Resistance Training-Induced Gains in Muscle Strength and Power Mediate the Improvement in Walking Speed in Middle-Aged Women Who Are Breast Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT: Santagnello, SB, Martins, FM, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdeFR, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the improvement in walking speed in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 773-782, 2024-(a) Ascertain whether lower muscle mass, strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]), and power (Pmax) in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors (BCS), when compared with women of a similar age never diagnosed with cancer (WNC), are related with lower walking speed (WS). (b) Ascertain whether changes in WS are associated with changes in muscle mass, 1RM, and (or) Pmax after resistance training (RT) in middle-aged BCS. A cross-section study was performed. Twenty WNC and 21 BCS were evaluated for lean mass of legs (LLM), 1RM (knee extension), muscle quality index (MQI = 1RM/LLM), Pmax (maximum muscle power-knee extension), and fast WS (10 and 400-meters). Randomized clinical trial was performed. The BCS were randomly divided into the control group ( n = 9) and the RT group ( n = 11). Breast cancer survivors exhibited lower 1RM (24.2%, p ˂ 0.001), Pmax (30.6%, p ˂ 0.001), MQI (22.2%, p = 0.001), and WS (10-m = 17.0%, p ˂ 0.001 and 400-m = 10.5%, p = 0.002) than WNC. Resistance training increased 1RM (31.6%, p = 0.001), MP (29.0%, p = 0.012), MQI (28.5%, p = 0.008), and WS (10-m = 9.4%, p = 0.009 and 400-m = 6.2%, p = 0.006) in BCS. The changes in WS were positively associated with 1RM (10-m = 68%, p = 0.001 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.036) and Pmax (10-m = 56%, p = 0.005 and 400-m = 40%, p = 0.027) and MQI (10-m = 63%, p = 0.043 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.035). Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the improvement in WS in middle-aged BCS. Resistance training is an effective strategy to improve WS in middle-aged BCS.

Circulating sTREM-1 as a predictive biomarker of pediatric multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

The exacerbation of the inflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2 in adults promotes the production of soluble mediators that could act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for COVID-19. Among the potential biomarkers, the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) has been described as a predictor of inflammation severity. The aim was to evaluate sTREM-1 and cytokine serum concentrations in pediatric patients during the acute and convalescent phases of COVID-19. This was a prospective study that included 53 children/adolescents with acute COVID-19 (Acute-CoV group); 54 who recovered from COVID-19 (Post-CoV group) and 54 controls (Control group). Preexisting chronic conditions were present in the three groups, which were defined as follows: immunological diseases, neurological disorders, and renal and hepatic failures. The three groups were matched by age, sex, and similar preexisting chronic conditions. No differences in sTREM-1 levels were detected among the groups or when the groups were separately analyzed by preexisting chronic conditions. However, sTREM-1 analysis in the seven multisystemic inflammatory syndrome children (MIS-C) within the Acute-Cov group showed that sTREM-1 concentrations were higher in MIS-C vs non-MIS-C acute patients. Then, the receiver operating curve analysis (ROC) performed with MIS-C acute patients revealed a significant AUC of 0.870, and the sTREM-1 cutoff value of > 5781 pg/mL yielded a sensitivity of 71.4 % and a specificity of 91.3 % for disease severity, and patients with sTREM-1 levels above this cutoff presented an elevated risk for MIS-C development in 22.85-fold (OR = 22.85 [95 % CI 1.64-317.5], p = 0.02). The cytokine analyses in the acute phase revealed that IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations were elevated regardless of whether the patient developed MIS-C, and those levels decreased in the convalescent phase, even when compared with controls. Spearman correlation analysis generated positive indexes between sTREM-1 and IL-12 and TNF-α concentrations, only within the Acute-CoV group. Our findings revealed that sTREM-1 in pediatric patients has good predictive accuracy as an early screening tool for surveillance of MIS-C cases, even in patients with chronic underlying conditions.

Immunization of sheep with a recombinant vaccine containing immunogenic nontoxic domains of Clostridium perfringens alpha and beta toxins.

Clostridium perfringens (types A and C) can cause several diseases by secreting alpha (CPA) and beta (CPB) exotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. Although vaccination is the main measure of immunization against C. perfringens, available vaccines have limitations in terms of productivity and safety. Thus, recombinant vaccines are an important, more effective, practical, and safer strategy in the immunization of animals. In this study, we evaluated the immunization of sheep with recombinant Escherichia coli bacterins expressing CPA and CPB complete proteins (co-administered), the immunogenic nontoxic domains rCPA-C247-370 and rCPB-C143-311 co-administered or fused as a bivalent chimera (rCPBcAc). For this, in silico analysis was performed to design rCPBcAc, considering the stability of the mRNA (-278.80 kcal/mol), the degree of antigenicity (0.7557), the epitopes of the B cell ligand, and different physicochemical characteristics. All proteins were expressed in vitro. In vivo, animals vaccinated with the co-administered antigens rCPA + rCPB and rCPA-C+ rCPB-C (200 µg each) had mean CPA and CPB neutralizing antitoxin titers of 4, 10, 4.8, and 14.4 IU/mL, respectively, while those vaccinated with 200 µg of rCPBcAc chimera (approximately 100 µg of each antigen) had titers of <4 and 12 IU/mL of CPA and CPB antitoxins, respectively, 56 days after the administration of the first dose. In addition, the chimera was considered to be immunogenic for inducing antitoxin titers using the half dose. In this study, we presented a new recombinant antigen potentially applicable for vaccines against the CPA and CPB toxins for preventing diseases caused by Clostridium perfringens.

Process development and characterization of recombinant nucleocapsid protein for its application on COVID-19 diagnosis.

COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2). The nucleocapsid (N) protein from Sars-CoV-2 is a highly immunogenic antigen and responsible for genome packing. Serological assays are important tools to detect previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2, complement epidemiological studies, vaccine evaluation and also in COVID-19 surveillance. SARS-CoV-2 N (r2N) protein was produced in Escherichia coli, characterized, and the immunological performance was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and beads-based array immunoassay. r2N protein oligomers were evidenced when it is associated to nucleic acid. Benzonase treatment reduced host nucleic acid associated to r2N protein, but crosslinking assay still demonstrates the presence of higher-order oligomers. Nevertheless, after RNase treatment the higher-order oligomers reduced, and dimer form increased, suggesting RNA contributes to the oligomer formation. Structural analysis revealed nucleic acid did not interfere with the thermal stability of the recombinant protein. Interestingly, nucleic acid was able to prevent r2N protein aggregation even with increasing temperature while the protein benzonase treated begin aggregation process above 55 °C. In immunological characterization, ELISA performed with 233 serum samples presented a sensitivity of 97.44% (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 91.04%, 99.69%) and a specificity of 98.71% (95% CI, 95.42%, 99.84%) while beads-based array immunoassay carried out with 217 samples showed 100% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. The results exhibited an excellent immunological performance of r2N protein in serologic assays showing that, even in presence of nucleic acid, it can be used as a component of an immunoassay for the sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Reaction of an Ion and a Free Radical near 0 K: He+ + NO → He + N+ + O.

The reactions between ions and free radicals are among the fastest chemical reactions. They are predicted to proceed with large rates, even near 0 K, but so far, this prediction has not been verified experimentally. We report on measurements of the rate coefficient of the reaction between the ion He+ and the free radical NO at collision energies in the range between 0 and ∼ kB·10 K. To avoid heating of the ions by stray electric fields, the reaction is observed within the large orbit of a Rydberg electron of principal quantum number n ≥ 30, which shields the ion from external electric fields without affecting the reaction. Low collision energies are reached by merging a supersonic beam of He Rydberg atoms with a supersonic beam of NO molecules and adjusting their relative velocity using a chip-based Rydberg-Stark decelerator and deflector. We observe a strong enhancement of the reaction rate at collision energies below ∼kB·2 K. This enhancement is interpreted on the basis of adiabatic-channel capture-rate calculations as arising from the near-degenerate rotational levels of opposite parity resulting from the Λ-doubling in the X 2Π1/2 ground state of NO. With these new results, we examine the reliability of broadly used approximate analytic expressions for the thermal rate constants of ion-molecule reactions at low temperatures.

Lower-Body Resistance Training Reduces Interleukin-1ß and Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 Levels and Fatigue and Increases Physical Performance in Breast Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT: Martins, FM, Santagnello, SB, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdFR, Michelin, MA, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Lower-body resistance training reduces interleukin-1ß and transforming growth factor-ß1 levels and fatigue and increases physical performance in breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 439-451, 2023-This article ascertains whether resistance training (RT) improves inflammatory markers, fatigue (sensations and fatigability), and physical performance in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and investigates whether the changes in the inflammatory markers, fatigue, and physical performance are associated with each other. Volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 11) and RT group (n = 11). Resistance training (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with 80% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) on 4 exercises-leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise) was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Self-reported fatigue (SRF), fatigability (critical torque [CT] and W prime [W']), muscle strength, and circulating inflammatory markers were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, iDXA, 1RM test, protocol of 60 maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Resistance training reduced interleukin (IL)-1ß, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, and SRF score and increased muscle strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), CT, and W'. In the RT group, the changes in SRF were positively associated with the changes in IL-1ß. The changes in muscle strength were associated with the changes in CT and W', and the changes in the 6MWT were associated with the changes in CT, W', muscle strength, and SRF. Resistance training improved fatigue and physical performance and reduced IL-1ß, and TGF-ß1 in BCS. Although improvement in fatigability seems to be dependent on the increase in muscle strength, improvement in the sensation of fatigue seems to be dependent on the reduction in IL-1ß after RT. Increase in physical performance seems to be dependent on improvement in muscle strength and fatigue.

Cold Ion-Molecule Chemistry: The Very Different Reactions of He⁺ with CO and NO.

The ion-molecule reactions He+ + CO → He + C+ + O and He+ + NO → He + N+ + O have been measured at collision energies between 0 and kB · 10 K. Strong variations of the rate coefficients are observed below kB · 5 K. The rate of the He+ + CO reaction decreases by ~30% whereas that of the He+ + NO reaction increases by a factor of ~1.5. These observations are interpreted in the realm of an adiabatic-channel capture model as arising from interactions between the ion charge and the dipole and quadrupole moments of CO and NO. We show that the different low-energy behavior of these reactions originates from the closed- vs. open-shell electronic structures of CO and NO.

Multipole-moment effects in ion-molecule reactions at low temperatures: part III - the He+ + CH4 and He+ + CD4 reactions at low collision energies and the effect of the charge-octupole interaction.

We present experimental and theoretical studies of the He+ + CH4 and He+ + CD4 reactions at collision energies in the kB·(0-10) K range. Helium atoms in a supersonic beam are excited to a low-field-seeking Rydberg-Stark state and merged with a supersonic beam of CH4 or CD4 using a curved surface-electrode deflector. The ion-molecule reactions are studied within the orbit of the helium Rydberg [He(n)] electron, which suppresses stray-electric-fields-induced heating and makes it possible to reach very low collision energies. The collision energy is varied by adjusting the velocity of the He(n) atoms with the surface deflector, keeping the velocity of the methane beam constant. The reaction product ions (C(H/D)p+ with p∈ {1,2,3}) are collected in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and monitored as a function of the collision energy. No significant energy-dependence of the total reaction yields of either reactions is observed. The measured relative reaction rate coefficient for the He+ + CH4 reaction is approximately twice higher than the one for the He+ + CD4 reaction. The CH+, CH2+ and CH3+ (CD+, CD2+ and CD3+) ions were detected in ratios 0.28(±0.04) : 1.00(±0.11) : 0.11(±0.04) [0.35(±0.07) : 1.00(±0.16):0.04+0.09-0.04]. We also present calculations of the capture rate coefficients for the two reactions, in which the interaction between the charge of the helium ion and the octupole moment of the methane molecule is included. The rotational-state-specific capture rate coefficients are calculated for states with J = (0-3) at collision energies below kB·15 K. After averaging over the rotational states of methane populated at the rotational temperature of the supersonic beam, the calculations only predict extremely weak enhancements (in the order of ∼0.4%) of the rate coefficients compared to the Langevin rate constant kL over the collision-energy range considered.

Multipole-moment effects in ion-molecule reactions at low temperatures: part II - charge-quadrupole-interaction-induced suppression of the He+ + N2 reaction at collision energies below kB·10 K.

We report on an experimental and theoretical investigation of the He+ + N2 reaction at collision energies in the range between 0 and kB·10 K. The reaction is studied within the orbit of a highly excited Rydberg electron after merging a beam of He Rydberg atoms (He(n), n is the principal quantum number), with a supersonic beam of ground-state N2 molecules using a surface-electrode Rydberg-Stark decelerator and deflector. The collision energy Ecoll is varied by changing the velocity of the He(n) atoms for a fixed velocity of the N2 beam and the relative yields of the ionic reaction products N+ and N2+ are monitored in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. We observe a reduction of the total reaction-product yield of ∼30% as Ecoll is reduced from ≈kB·10 K to zero. An adiabatic capture model is used to calculate the rotational-state-dependent interaction potentials experienced by the N2 molecules in the electric field of the He+ ion and the corresponding collision-energy-dependent capture rate coefficients. The total collision-energy-dependent capture rate coefficient is then determined by summing over the contributions of the N2 rotational states populated at the 7.0 K rotational temperature of the supersonic beam. The measured and calculated rate coefficients are in good agreement, which enables us to attribute the observed reduction of the reaction rate at low collision energies to the negative quadrupole moment, Qzz, of the N2 molecules. The effect of the sign of the quadrupole moment is illustrated by calculations of the rotational-state-dependent capture rate coefficients for ion-molecule reactions involving N2 (negative Qzz value) and H2 (positive Qzz value) for |J, M〉 rotational states with J ≤ 5 (M is the quantum number associated with the projection of the rotational angular momentum vector J⃑ on the collision axis). With decreasing value of |M|, J⃑ gradually aligns perpendicularly to the collision axis, leading to increasingly repulsive (attractive) interaction potentials for diatomic molecules with positive (negative) Qzz values and to reaction rate coefficients that decrease (increase) with decreasing collision energies.

Digital Cholangioscopic Interpretation: When North Meets the South.

BACKGROUND: Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (DSOC) (SpyGlass DS™, Boston Scientific, MA, USA) allows for high-definition imaging of the biliary tree. The superior visualization has led to the development of two different sets of criteria to evaluate and classify indeterminate biliary strictures: the Monaco criteria and the criteria in Carlos Robles-Medranda's publication (CRM). Our objective was to assess the interrater agreement (IA) of DSOC interpretation for indeterminate biliary strictures using the two newly published criteria. METHODS: Forty de-identified DSOC video recordings were sent to 15 interventional endoscopists with experience in cholangioscopy. They were asked to score the videos based on the presence of Monaco Classification criteria: stricture, lesion, mucosal changes, papillary projections, ulceration, white linear bands or rings, and vessels. Next, they scored the videos using CRM criteria: villous pattern, polypoid pattern, inflammatory pattern, flat pattern, ulcerate pattern and honeycomb pattern. The endoscopists then diagnosed the recordings as neoplastic or non-neoplastic based on the criteria. Intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis was done to evaluate interrater agreement for both criteria set and final diagnosis. RESULTS: Recordings of 26 malignant lesions and 14 benign lesions were scored. The IA using both the Monaco criteria and CRM criteria ranged from poor to excellent (range 0.1-0.76) and (range 0.1-0.62), respectively. Within the Monaco criteria, IA was excellent for lesion (0.75) and fingerlike papillary projections (0.74); good for tortuous vessels (0.7), mucosal features (0.62), uniform papillary projections (0.53), and ulceration (0.58); and fair for white linear bands (0.4). Within the CRM criteria, the IA was good for villous pattern (0.62), flat pattern (0.62), and honeycomb pattern; fair for ulcerated pattern (0.56), polypoid pattern (0.52) and inflammatory pattern (0.54). The diagnostic IA using Monaco criteria was good (0.65), while the diagnostic IA using CRM was fair (0.58). The overall diagnostic accuracy using the Monaco classification was 61% and CRM criteria were 57%. CONCLUSION: The IOA and accuracy rate of DSOC using visual criteria from both Monaco Criteria and CRM are similar. However, some criteria from both sets suffer from poor IA, thus affecting the overall diagnostic accuracy. More formal training and refinements in visual criteria with additional validation are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02166099.

Fumonisin-containing diets decrease the metabolic activity of myenteric neurons in rats.

Fumonisins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that contaminate food for human and animal consumption. They have neurotoxic effects, but the mechanisms by which these toxins affect the nervous system are not fully known. In the present study, male Wistar rats were fed between 21 and 63 days of age with diets that contained fumonisins B1+B2 at 0, 1, and 4 mg/kg. The following variables were assessed: food consumption, growth, body weight gain, and blood parameters. Morphoquantitave analyses of the most metabolically active myenteric neurons were performed, detected by NADH-diaphorase activity. Nitrergic neurons were detected by NADPH-diaphorase activity. The fumonisin-containing diets did not significantly alter food consumption or the body or plasma parameters. These diets decreased the metabolic activity of jejunal myenteric neurons, reducing neuronal density of the most metabolic active neurons by 30.8% and the cell body area by 4.3%. The diets also decreased the cell body area of nitrergic neurons by 22.1%. The effects of fumonisin B1 on the respiratory metabolism of isolated mitochondria in the brain and liver were also assessed. A decrease in oxygen consumption up to a 29% in the brain and 38% in the liver was observed in mitochondrial isolates to which 50 µM fumonisin B1 was added. The decrease in respiratory activity that was triggered by exposure to fumonisins was related to the lower metabolic activity of myenteric neurons, which had a negative impact on neuroplasticity of the enteric nervous system.

Functional high-intensity interval training is not equivalent when compared to combined training for blood pressure improvements in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Low-volume functional high-intensity interval training (F-HIIT) improves cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and physical function similarly to combined training (CT, gold standard protocol), however no previous studies have compared the F-HIIT equivalence with CT in reducing blood pressure in older people, particularly in postmenopausal women (PW). Therefore, the aim of this study (trial registration: NCT03200639) was designed to test whether F-HIIT of low volume is an equivalent strategy to CT for improving blood pressure (BP) in PW. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-nine PW were divided into two groups: F-HIIT and CT. The F-HIIT protocol was composed of 10 sets of 60 seconds of high-intensity exercises interspersed with 60 seconds of low-intensity exercises for recovery. The CT protocol was composed of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking, followed by five total body resistance exercises. Both protocols were performed 3-times-a-week for 12 weeks. The BP from rest condition (before exercise) was measured before and after 12 weeks of intervention in both groups, using an automatic blood pressure monitor. The boundaries values for equivalence for systolic and diastolic BP was set at 5.14 and 2.92 mmHg, respectively. RESULTS: There was only a significant reduction (P < .05) in systolic BP in CT group from baseline (-3.2 (95% CI, -6.2 to -0.2) mmHg). The difference of systolic BP between F-HIIT and CT was 5.8 (95% CI, 1.3-10.4) mmHg, showing non-equivalence (inferiority) for F-HIIT. CONCLUSION: Thus, these results suggest that low-volume F-HIIT protocol is not an equivalent strategy when compared to CT for BP improvements in PW.

Resistance Training Volume Enhances Muscle Hypertrophy, but Not Strength in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT: Nascimento de Oliveira Júnior, G, de Freitas Rodrigues de Sousa, J, Augusto da Silva Carneiro, M, Martins, FM, Santagnello, SB, Campos Souza, MV, and Orsatti, FL. Resistance training volume enhances muscle hypertrophy, but not strength in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1216-1221, 2022-Among several possible resistance training (RT) variables to be manipulated, the training volume has been considered as a critical variable to maximize RT-induced hypertrophy. Many of the studies that compared one set of RT with 3 sets have failed to show a difference in muscle hypertrophy in older adults. However, it is not clear whether further increases in RT volume (i.e., 6 sets) would result in even greater RT-related hypertrophy than 3 sets in older adults. This study aimed to investigate whether higher-volume RT (HV-RT) maximizes gains in lean body mass and muscle strength (MS) when compared with lower-volume RT (LV-RT) in postmenopausal women (PW). Fifty-eight PW were randomized into 1 of the 3 groups: control group (CT, no exercise), HV-RT (6 sets per exercise), and LV-RT (3 sets per exercise). Volunteers took part in a supervised training program (leg press 45°, leg extension, leg curl and standing calf raises) and were assessed for leg lean mass (LLM; dual X-ray absorptiometry) and lower limb MS (leg press and leg extension; 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) before and after 12 weeks of RT. Both HV-RT and LV-RT groups increased (p < 0.05) LLM and MS when compared with the CT group. Higher increases in LLM gains were observed for the HV-RT group when compared with the LV-RT group (6.1 and 2.3%, p < 0.001). Both HV-RT and LV-RT groups similarly increased 1RM in the leg press and leg extension. Thus, there seems to be a dose-response relationship between RT volume and muscle hypertrophy, but not for MS gains in PW.

Multipole-moment effects in ion-molecule reactions at low temperatures: part I - ion-dipole enhancement of the rate coefficients of the He+ + NH3 and He+ + ND3 reactions at collisional energies Ecoll/kB near 0 K.

The energy dependence of the rates of the reactions between He+ and ammonia (NY3, Y = {H,D}), forming NY2+, Y and He as well as NY+, Y2 and He, and the corresponding product branching ratios have been measured at low collision energies Ecoll between 0 and kB·40 K using a recently developed merged-beam technique [Allmendinger et al., ChemPhysChem, 2016, 17, 3596]. To avoid heating of the ions by stray electric fields, the reactions are observed within the large orbit of a highly excited Rydberg electron. A beam of He Rydberg atoms was merged with a supersonic beam of ammonia using a curved surface-electrode Rydberg-Stark deflector, which is also used for adjusting the final velocity of the He Rydberg atoms, and thus the collision energy. A collision-energy resolution of about 200 mK was reached at the lowest Ecoll values. The reaction rate coefficients exhibit a sharp increase at collision energies below ∼kB·5 K and pronounced deviations from Langevin-capture behaviour. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of an adiabatic capture model describing the rotational-state-dependent orientation of the ammonia molecules by the electric field of the He+ atom. The model faithfully describes the experimental observations and enables the identification of three classes of |JKMp〉 rotational states of the ammonia molecules showing different low-energy capture behaviour: (A) high-field-seeking states with |KM| ≥ 1 correlating to the lower component of the umbrella-motion tunnelling doublet at low fields. These states undergo a negative linear Stark shift, which leads to strongly enhanced rate coefficients; (B) high-field-seeking states subject to a quadratic Stark shift at low fields and which exhibit only weak rate enhancements; and (C) low-field-seeking states with |KM| ≥ 1. These states exhibit a positive Stark shift at low fields, which completely suppresses the reactions at low collision energies. Marked differences in the low-energy reactivity of NH3 and ND3-the rate enhancements in ND3 are more pronounced than in NH3-are quantitatively explained by the model. They result from the reduced magnitudes of the tunnelling splitting and rotational intervals in ND3 and the different occupations of the rotational levels in the supersonic beam caused by the different nuclear-spin statistical weights. Thermal capture rate constants are derived from the model for the temperature range between 0 and 10 K relevant for astrochemistry. Comparison of the calculated thermal capture rate coefficients with the absolute reaction rates measured above 27 K by Marquette et al. (Chem. Phys. Lett., 1985, 122, 431) suggests that only 40% of the close collisions are reactive.

Current overview and perspectives in environmentally friendly microextractions of carbamates and dithiocarbamates.

Carbamates and dithiocarbamates are two classes of pesticides widely employed in the agriculture practice to control and avoid pests and weeds, hence, the monitoring of the residue of those pesticides in different foodstuff samples is important. Thus, this review presents the classification, chemical structure, use, and toxicology of them. Moreover, it was shown the evolution of liquid- and solid-phase microextractions employed in the extraction of carbamates and dithiocarbamates in water and foodstuff samples. The classification, operation mode, and application of the microextractions of liquid-phase and solid-phase used in their extraction were discussed and related to the analytical parameters and guidelines of green analytical chemistry.

Ion-Molecule Reactions below 1 K: Strong Enhancement of the Reaction Rate of the Ion-Dipole Reaction He

The reaction between He^{+} and CH_{3}F forming predominantly CH_{2}^{+} and CHF^{+} has been studied at collision energies E_{coll} between 0 and k_{B}·10 K in a merged-beam apparatus. To avoid heating of the ions by stray electric fields, the reaction was observed within the orbit of a highly excited Rydberg electron. Supersonic beams of CH_{3}F and He(n) Rydberg atoms with principal quantum number n=30 and 35 were merged and their relative velocity tuned using a Rydberg-Stark decelerator and deflector, allowing an energy resolution of 150 mK. A strong enhancement of the reaction rate was observed below E_{coll}/k_{B}=1 K. The experimental results are interpreted with an adiabatic capture model that accounts for the state-dependent orientation of the polar CH_{3}F molecules by the Stark effect as they approach the He^{+} ion. The enhancement of the reaction rate at low collision energies is primarily attributed to para-CH_{3}F molecules in the J=1, KM=1 high-field-seeking states, which represent about 8% of the population at the 6 K rotational temperature of the supersonic beam.

Improvements in muscle strength, power, and size and self-reported fatigue as mediators of the effect of resistance exercise on physical performance breast cancer survivor women: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To gain more knowledge about the mechanism (i.e., mediators) of resistance exercise (RE)-induced improvements in physical performance (PP), we seek to investigate whether improvements in muscle strength (MS), muscle power (MP), and lean body mass (LBM) and (or) self-reported fatigue (SRF) are mediators of the effect of RE on PP in breast cancer survivor women (BCSW). METHODS: The volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CT; n = 9) and resistance exercise (RE; n = 11). The RE protocol consisted of three sets in each exercise (leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise), between 8 and 12 repetitions per set, with an estimated load of 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and three times a week on non-consecutive days for 12 weeks. The CT group performed only stretching exercises twice a week. SRF, maximal muscle power (Pmax), MP, LBM, and PP were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory Questionnaire; 1RM test; isoinertial dynamometer; DXA; and walking speed, sit-to-stand (STS), and timed up and go (TUG) test, respectively. RESULTS: Following 12 weeks, the RE group reduced SRF and increased MP, Pmax, LBM, and performance in all tests (walking speed, STS, and TUG) when compared with the CT group. There were significant associations of the changes in LBM, MS, Pmax, and SRF with changes in physical performance tests only in the RE group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that improvements in LBM, MS, MP, and self-reported fatigue mediate the effect of resistance exercise on physical performance in BCSW.

Muscular Strength Adaptations and Hormonal Responses After Two Different Multiple-Set Protocols of Resistance Training in Postmenopausal Women.

Nunes, PRP, Barcelos, LC, Oliveira, AA, Furlanetto, R, Martins, FM, Resende, EAMR, and Orsatti, FL. Muscular strength adaptations and hormonal responses after two different multiple-set protocols of resistance training in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1276-1285, 2019-We studied the effects of 2 different resistance training (RT) multiple-set protocols (3 and 6 sets) on muscle strength and basal hormones concentrations in postmenopausal women (PW). Postmenopausal women were randomly allocated into 3 groups: control (CT, n = 12), low RT volume (LV = 3 sets for each exercise, n = 10), and high RT volume (HV = 6 sets for each exercise, n = 12). The LV and HV groups performed 8 exercises of a total body RT protocol 3 times a week, at 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for 16 weeks. Muscle strength and basal hormone concentrations were measured before and after RT. Our findings show that 3 sets or 6 sets at 70% of 1RM protocol increased muscular strength similarly after 16 weeks (sum of all exercises, LV: 37.7% and HV: 34.1% vs. CT: 2.1%, p < 0.001). Moreover, the RT volume does not affect basal levels of testosterone (TT) (LV: 0.02%, HV: -0.12%, and CT: 0.006%, p = 0.233), cortisol (C) (LV: 72.4%, HV: 36.8%, and CT: 16.8%, p = 0.892), insulin-like growth factor-1 (LV: 6.7%, HV: 7.3%, and CT: 4.1%, p = 0.802), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (LV: 0.1%, HV: -4.5%, and CT: -6.7%, p = 0.885), and TT:C ratio (LV: -0.9%, HV: -1.6%, and CT: -0.4%, p = 0.429). Our results suggest that 3 sets and 6 sets at 70% of 1RM seem to promote similar muscle strength gain. Thus, 3-set RT is a time efficient protocol for strength gain after 16 weeks in PW.

Brazilian meningococcal C conjugate vaccine: physicochemical, immunological, and thermal stability characteristics.

High temperature is known to cause some instability in polysaccharide-protein conjugated vaccines and studies under stress conditions may be useful in determining whether short-term accidental exposure to undesired conditions can compromise product quality. In this study, we examined the structural stability of three industrial batches of Brazilian Meningococcal C conjugate bulk (MPCT) incubated at 4, 37, and 55 °C for 5 weeks. The effect of exposure to the storage temperatures was monitored by HPLC-SEC, CZE, CD and NMR techniques. The immunological significance of any physicochemical changes observed in MPCT was determined by SBA and ELISA assays of serum from immunized mice. Fluorescence emission spectra at 4 and 37 °C were similar among all samples and compatible with the native fold of the carrier protein. Fluorescence spectra of MPCT stored at 55 °C decreased in intensity and had a significant red-shift, indicating conformational changes. Far-UV CD spectra revealed a trend toward loss of structural conformation as storage temperature was increased to 55 °C. The NMR data showed modified signal intensity of the aromatic and aliphatic residues, mainly for samples incubated at 55 °C, suggesting a partial loss of tertiary structure. About 50% free saccharide content was found in bulks stored at 55 °C, but no difference was observed in the IgG or SBA titers. The present study showed physicochemical methods alone are insufficient to predict the biological activity of a MPCT conjugate vaccine without extensive validation against immunological data. However, they provide a sensitive means of detecting changes induced in a vaccine exposed to adverse environmental condition.