The ASSIST trial: Acute effects of manipulating strength exercise volume on insulin sensitivity in obese adults: A protocol for a randomized controlled, crossover, clinical trial.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease in which insulin action is impaired, and an acute bout of strength exercise can improve insulin sensitivity. Current guidelines for strength exercise prescription suggest that 8 to 30 sets could be performed, although it is not known how variations in exercise volume impact insulin sensitivity. Additionally, this means an almost 4-fold difference in time commitment, which might directly impact an individual's motivation and perceived capacity to exercise. This study will assess the acute effects of high- and low-volume strength exercise sessions on insulin sensitivity. After being thoroughly familiarized, 14 obese individuals of both sexes (>40 year old) will undergo 3 random experimental sessions, with a minimum 4-day washout period between them: a high-volume session (7 exercises, 3 sets per exercise, 21 total sets); a low-volume session (7 exercises, 1 set per exercise, 7 total sets); and a control session, where no exercise will be performed. Psychological assessments (feeling, enjoyment, and self-efficacy) will be performed after the sessions. All sessions will be held at night, and the next morning, an oral glucose tolerance test will be performed in a local laboratory, from which indexes of insulin sensitivity will be derived. We believe this study will aid in strength exercise prescription for individuals who claim not to have time to exercise or who perceive high-volume strength exercise intimidating to adhere to. This trial was prospectively registered (ReBEC #RBR-3vj5dc5 https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-3vj5dc5).

High-intensity interval training mitigates the progression of periodontitis and improves behavioural aspects in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on periodontitis (PD) progression and behavioural outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: non-trained (NT); non-trained with PD; HIIT with PD; and HIIT. The HIIT protocol, involving daily treadmill sessions, spanned 8 weeks, with PD induced by ligature after the 6th week. Behavioural tests were conducted to assess anxiety and memory. Post euthanasia, we evaluated the systemic inflammatory profile and oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus and amygdala. A morphological evaluation and elemental composition analysis of the mandibular alveolar bone were performed. RESULTS: PD exacerbated alveolar bone level, bone surface damage and alterations in calcium and phosphorus percentages on the bone surface (p < .05), while HIIT attenuated these changes (p < .05). HIIT improved systemic inflammatory markers altered by PD (tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-10, TNF-α/IL-10 and IL-1ß/IL-10 ratios, p < .05). PD animals exhibited lower total antioxidant capacity and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the amygdala and hippocampus, respectively (p < .05). HIIT maintained these parameters at levels similar to those in NT animals. HIIT improved anxiety and memory outcomes altered by PD (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: HIIT attenuates systemic inflammation, anxiety and memory outcomes promoted by PD.

SARS-CoV-2 genome incidence on the inanimate surface of the material used in the flow of biological samples from the collection point to the testing unit.

Despite the undeniable effect of vaccination against COVID-19 in reducing disease severity, there is still a need to monitor and limit SARS-CoV-2 circulation and transmission. Thus, this study evaluated the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome on the surfaces of highly touched objects manipulated in the biological sample collection point and at the reception unit of the diagnostic laboratory. Surfaces were sampled once a week, for 6 weeks, between September 18th and October 23rd, 2020. RT-qPCR was used for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The coolers for biological sample transportation and the envelope containing the patient form were the objects with the highest occurrence of viral genome detection, although it was detected in each object in only two of the 6 evaluations. And the SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected just once on the vehicle steering wheel, computer keyboard, bathroom door handle and disinfection bench. The virus genome was not detected in any object on three of the six evaluations. And eight was the largest number of surfaces contaminated by the virus genome on one occasion. The reduced incidence of object contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 genome can be explained by the exposure of the objects to environmental conditions and the adoption of virus-spread containment measures. It can also reflect the low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 during the study's development period. Despite the low frequency of SARS-CoV-2 genome detection, our findings show that the virus was present in the environment at some point. This highlights the importance of adopting personal preventive measures to reduce respiratory virus spread, especially during epidemics and outbreaks.

Intense Caloric Restriction from Birth Prevents Cardiovascular Aging in Rats.

We previously demonstrated that a 50% caloric restriction (CR) from birth improves several cardiometabolic risk factors in young rats. In this study, we investigated in middle-aged rats the consequences of a 50% CR from birth on cardiometabolic risk factors, heart function/morphology, ventricular arrhythmia, and fibrillation incidence, and cardiac intracellular proteins involved with redox status and cell survival. From birth to the age of 18 months, rats were divided into an Ad Libitum (AL18) group, which had free access to food, and a CR18 group, which had food limited to 50% of that consumed by the AL18. Resting metabolic rate, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded, and oral glucose and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests were performed. Blood was collected for biochemical analyses, and visceral fat and liver were harvested and weighed. Hearts were harvested for cardiac function, histological, redox status, and western blot analyses. The 50% CR from birth potentially reduced several cardiometabolic risk factors in 18-month-old rats. Moreover, compared with AL18, the CR18 group showed a ∼50% increase in cardiac contractility and relaxation, nearly three to five times less incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and fibrillation, ∼18% lower cardiomyocyte diameter, and ∼60% lower cardiac fibrosis. CR18 hearts also improved biomarkers of antioxidant defense and cell survival. Collectively, these results reveal several metabolic and cardiac antiaging effects of a 50% CR from birth in middle-aged rats.

Seroprevalence of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses antibodies in a cohort of asymptomatic pregnant women in a low-income region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2018-2019.

Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses are arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) that infect millions of individuals in tropical and subtropical regions. In the Americas, arboviruses represent a major public health problem, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. In this study, the seroprevalence of IgM or IgG against these arboviruses in pregnant, young women in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the influence of sociodemographic factors on the incidence/prevalence of infection in this group were investigated. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted on a total of 135 pregnant women for Dengue and Chikungunya IgM and 88 pregnant women for Zika IgG. Dengue IgM was found on the serum of twenty participants (14.8%) and only one woman (0.7%) tested positive for Chikungunya IgM. Zika IgG was found in three (3.4%) participants and 2 women who tested positive for Zika virus were also positive for Dengue virus IgM. Although the arboviruses seroprevalence was higher frequency among young (20-25 years old), brown and high school women, with a monthly income of 1-3 minimum wages, no association between these sociodemographic factors and arboviruses seroprevalence was found.

Association between Anti-DENV IgM Serum Prevalence and CD11b Expression by Classical Monocytes in Obesity.

Dengue and obesity are currently highly prevalent conditions worldwide and the association between these two conditions may result in greater risk for DENV infection and disease severity. In this study the association between obesity and recent, inapparent dengue was investigated. Serum DENV IgM and NS1 were evaluated in 49 adult volunteers (15 lean and 34 individuals with obesity, according to body mass index), between September 2017 and June 2018. Adiposity, endocrine, metabolic, and immune data of the participants were also obtained. None of the study participants tested positive for the DENV NS1 antigen. DENV IgM was detected in 33.3% of the lean individuals, and in 44.1% of those with obesity; the presence of DENV IgM was not associated with body mass index (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.59-2.98, p = 0.48). However, body fat index was higher in obese individuals who had recent inapparent dengue (14.7 ± 3.1 versus 12.7 ± 2.1 kg/m2, p = 0.04), as was the expression of CD11b by classical (CD14++CD16-) monocytes (1103.0 ± 311.3 versus 720.3 ± 281.1 mean fluoresce intensity). Our findings suggest an association between adiposity and recent inapparent dengue and the involvement of classical monocytes in this association.

Corrigendum: Modulation of leukocyte subsets mobilization in response to exercise by water immersion recovery.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.867362.].

Modulation of Leukocyte Subsets Mobilization in Response to Exercise by Water Immersion Recovery.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of different water immersion temperatures on the kinetics of blood markers of skeletal muscle damage and the main leukocyte subpopulations. Methods: Eleven recreationally trained young men participated in four experimental sessions consisting of unilateral eccentric knee flexion and 90 min of treadmill running at 70% of peak oxygen uptake, followed by 15 min of water immersion recovery at 15, 28 or 38°C. In the control condition participants remained seated at room temperature. Four hours after exercise recovery, participants completed a performance test. Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after exercise, after immersion, immediately before and after the performance test and 24 h after exercise. The number of leukocyte populations and the percentage of lymphocyte and monocytes subsets, as well as the serum activity of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined. Results: Leukocytosis and increase in blood markers of skeletal muscle damage were observed after the exercise. Magnitude effect analysis indicated that post-exercise hot-water immersion likely reduced the exercise-induced lymphocytosis and monocytosis. Despite reduced monocyte count, recovery by 38°C immersion, as well as 28°C, likely increased the percentage of non-classical monocytes in the blood. The percentage of CD25+ cells in the CD4 T cell subpopulation was possibly lower after immersion in water at 28 and 15°C. No effect of recovery by water immersion was observed for serum levels of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase. Conclusions: Recovery by hot-water immersion likely attenuated the leukocytosis and increased the mobilization of non-classical monocytes induced by a single session of exercise combining resistance and endurance exercises, despite no effect of water immersion on markers of skeletal muscle damage. The monocyte response mediated by hot water immersion may lead to the improvement of the inflammatory response evoked by exercise in the skeletal muscle.

High-intensity interval training reduces monocyte activation in obese adults.

Alterations in the distribution and activation of monocyte subsets are frequently observed in individuals with obesity and their participation in the pathological complications of obesity is proposed. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be a time-efficient alternative to counteract the inflammatory outcomes of obesity, but so far, its effects on monocytes in obesity has not been fully explored. In this study, we investigated whether 8 weeks of HIIT can modify the distribution and activation of the three monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate and non-classical monocytes) in individuals with obesity. Our data show that individuals with obesity have a higher percentage of non-classical monocytes compared to control, lean individuals, and consequently an imbalance among the CD16+ monocyte subsets. Also, the expression of HLA-DR by intermediate monocytes is higher in insulin-resistant obese individuals, which indicates monocyte activation in obesity. After 8 weeks of HIIT, the percentage of non-classical monocytes was reduced in individuals with obesity, restoring the balance among the CD16+ monocytes. Also, the expression of HLA-DR by intermediate monocytes in insulin-resistant obese subjects was lower after HIIT. Both findings indicate that monocyte activation in individuals with obesity was reduced by HIIT. These modifications were observed in the absence of changes in weight and body composition, although they were accompanied by the improvement in the metabolic status (reduced insulin levels). Our findings indicate that HIIT can be considered a time-efficient strategy to manage obesity-related monocyte alterations and strengthen the immunomodulatory potential of HIIT.