Inclusion of Sunflower Oil in the Bovine Diet Improves Milk Nutritional Profile.

Milk and its derivatives are important foods that contribute to daily nutrient requirements and improve consumers' health. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing the diet of lactating dairy cows with sunflower oil (SFO), selenium, and vitamin E on the milk's fatty acid profile and fat oxidative stability as well as the acceptability of the milk by consumers. For this purpose, 32 Jersey dairy cows were allocated to four treatment groups for 60 days, as follows: C (control diet); A (3.5 mg/kg DM (dry matter) organic selenium + 2000 IU vitamin E/cow per day); O (4% SFO DM); OA (equal doses of A and O treatments). The inclusion of SFO decreased the contents of 10:0, 10:1, 11:0, 12:0, 12:1, 14:0, and 9c-14:1 fatty acids as well as odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (13:0, iso 13:0, anteiso 13:0, 15:0, iso 15:0, and 17:0). There was also a tendency for 8:0 and 16:0 fatty acid concentrations to decrease when SFO was included in the cows´ diet. SFO decreased the concentration of 10:0 to 15:0 fatty acids in milk. The sum of the conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), conjugated alpha-linolenic acid intermediates (CLnAs; 18:3 ω6 + 18:3 ω3), and 22:0 fatty acids in milk tended to increase, and there were significant increases in 18:0 and 9c11t-18:2 with SFO. In terms of the effects of SFO on the health-related lipid indices, the atherogenicity index tended to decrease and h/H tended to increase. When cows were supplemented with antioxidants, the concentration of 20:2 fatty acids decreased, the 6 + 7 + 8 + 9t-18:1, 16t-18:1, 20:0, 22:2, and 24:0 fatty acid concentrations increased, and there was a trend for the 22:1 ω9 fatty acid concentration to increase with antioxidants plus oil. There was a tendency for ω6 fatty acids and ω6/ω3 to increase with milk treated with antioxidants plus oil. The oxidative stability of milk was not influenced by the presence of SFO or antioxidants in the diet of dairy cows. Consumers desired the color and mouthfeel of the milk that was treated with SFO. Cows fed with 4% sunflower oil produced milk with an improved fatty acid profile for human nutrition, containing a higher CLA content and an improved ratio of hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids, without increasing the milk's susceptibility to oxidation. The milk was also rated as being more acceptable by consumers.

Effect of linear and undulating training periodization models on the repeated sprint ability and strength of soccer players

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of linear and undulating strength-power training scheme on the repeated sprint ability (RSA) and lower body strength of soccer players. Method: Twenty soccer players (under-20 category) were split into 2 groups: the linear load (LL, n=10) and the undulating load (UL, n=10). In the commencement and at the end of the 6-week pre-season period, the RSA test (6 x 35m) and the 1RM parallel squat test (1RMsquat) were conducted. The LL and UL performed the same type and number of sessions. The training stimulus in the strength training was different between LL (Weeks 1 and 2 = Muscular Endurance; Weeks 3 and 4 = Strength; Weeks 5 and 6 = Power) and UL (daily load variation in the same week). Results: A improvement in RSAmean and 1RMsquat was detected in LL and in UL. No significant difference was noted between LL vs UL for all variables. Conclusion: Both groups improved maximal muscle strength in parallel back squat and RSA. UL induced a greater gain in RSA.(AU)

Supplementation with small-extracellular vesicles from ovarian follicular fluid during in vitro production modulates bovine embryo development.

Pregnancy success results from the interaction of multiple factors, among them are folliculogenesis and early embryonic development. Failure during these different processes can lead to difficulties in conception. Alternatives to overcome these problems are based on assisted reproductive techniques. Extracellular vesicles are cell-secreted vesicles present in different body fluids and contain bioactive materials, such as messenger RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs), and proteins. Thus, our hypothesis is that extracellular vesicles from follicular fluid from 3-6 mm ovarian follicles can modulate bovine embryo development in vitro. To test our hypothesis follicular fluid from bovine ovaries was aspirated and small-extracellular vesicles (<200 nm) were isolated for further analysis. Additionally, small-extracellular vesicles (EVs) were utilized for functional experiments investigating their role in modulating messenger RNA, microRNA as well as global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels of bovine blastocysts. EVs from 3-6 mm follicles were used for RNA-seq and miRNA analysis. Functional annotation analysis of the EVs transcripts revealed messages related to chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. EVs treatment during oocyte maturation and embryo development causes changes in blastocyst rates, as well as changes in the transcription levels of genes related to embryonic metabolism and development. Supplementation with EVs from 3-6 mm follicles during oocyte maturation and early embryo development (until the 4-cell stage) increased the levels of bta-miR-631 (enriched in EVs from 3-6 mm follicles) in embryos. Interestingly, the addition of EVs from 3-6 mm follicles induced changes in global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels compared to embryos produced by the standard in vitro production system. Our results indicate that the supplementation of culture media with EVs isolated from the follicular fluid of 3-6 mm follicles during oocyte maturation and early embryo development can partially modify metabolic and developmental related genes as well as miRNA and global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, suggesting that EVs play an important role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development in vitro.

Interval training based on ventilatory anaerobic threshold increases cardiac vagal modulation and decreases high-sensitivity c-reative protein: randomized clinical trial in coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Autonomic dysfunction and inflammatory activity are involved in the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), and exercise training has been shown to confer a cardiovascular benefit. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects that interval training (IT) based on ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) has on heart rate variability (HRV) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as well as the relationship between both levels, in patients with CAD and/or cardiovascular risk factors (RF). METHOD: Forty-two men (aged 57.88±6.20 years) were divided into two training groups, CAD-T (n= 12) and RF-T (n= 10), and two control groups, CAD-C (n= 10) and RF-C (n=10). Heart rate and RR intervals in the supine position, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, and hs-CRP levels were measured before and after IT. HRV was analyzed by spectral and symbolic analysis. The CAD-T and RF-T underwent a 16-week IT program of three weekly sessions at training intensities based on the VAT. RESULTS: In the RF-T, cardiac sympathetic modulation index and hs-CRP decreased (p<0.02), while cardiac parasympathetic modulation index increased (p<0.02). In the CAD-T, cardiac parasympathetic modulation index increased, while hs-CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures decreased (p<0.02). Both control groups showed increase in hs-CRP parameters (p<0.02). There was a strong and significant association between parasympathetic and sympathetic modulations with hs-CRP. CONCLUSION: The IT program based on the VAT promoted a decrease in hs-CRP associated with improvement in cardiac autonomic modulation.

Interval training based on ventilatory anaerobic threshold increases cardiac vagal modulation and decreases high-sensitivity c-reative protein: randomized clinical trial in coronary artery disease

Background: Autonomic dysfunction and inflammatory activity are involved in the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), and exercise training has been shown to confer a cardiovascular benefit. Objective: To evaluate the effects that interval training (IT) based on ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) has on heart rate variability (HRV) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as well as the relationship between both levels, in patients with CAD and/or cardiovascular risk factors (RF). Method: Forty-two men (aged 57.88±6.20 years) were divided into two training groups, CAD-T (n= 12) and RF-T (n= 10), and two control groups, CAD-C (n= 10) and RF-C (n=10). Heart rate and RR intervals in the supine position, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, and hs-CRP levels were measured before and after IT. HRV was analyzed by spectral and symbolic analysis. The CAD-T and RF-T underwent a 16-week IT program of three weekly sessions at training intensities based on the VAT. Results: In the RF-T, cardiac sympathetic modulation index and hs-CRP decreased (p<0.02), while cardiac parasympathetic modulation index increased (p<0.02). In the CAD-T, cardiac parasympathetic modulation index increased, while hs-CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures decreased (p<0.02). Both control groups showed increase in hs-CRP parameters (p<0.02). There was a strong and significant association between parasympathetic and sympathetic modulations with hs-CRP. Conclusion: The IT program based on the VAT promoted a decrease in hs-CRP associated with improvement in cardiac autonomic modulation.

Efeitos do exercício de longa duraçäo no ciclo menstrual, densidade óssea e potência aeróbica de corredoras / Effects of long-term endurance exercise upon menstrual cycle, bone density and aerobic power in runner women

Objetivo: investigar os efeitos do treinamento de corridas de longas distâncias no ciclo mestrual, densidade óssea, composiçäo corporal e potência aeróbica. Métodos: 17 mulheres, 9 corredoras, e 8 näo praticantes de atividade física regular (grupo-controle), foram submetidas ao seguinte protocolo: 1) dosagem séricas de estradiol, progesterona e prolactina; 2) densidade óssea de coluna (DO col) e fêmur (DO fem); 3) massa magra, gordura corporal e porcentagem de gordura; 4) teste ergoespirométrico máximo, em esteira rolante, para determinar o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 max) e limiar anaeróbico (LA); 5) monitorizaçäo da freqüência cardíaca de treinamento nas corredoras. Resultados: todas as mulheres, corredoras e grupo-controle eram eumenorréicas, näo sendo obervadas diferenças em níveis séricos de estradiol, progesterona e prolactina. A densidade óssea foi maior (p<0,05) nas corredoras do que no grupo-controle (DO col 1,27ñ0,09 vs 1,17 ñ0,08g/cm2 e DOfem 1,05 ñ0,18 vs 0,88 ñ 0,06g/cm2). A massa magra foi maior (p<0,01) nas corredoras que no grupo-controle (41,32 ñ 3,41 vs 36,36 ñ 3,48kg), a gordura corporal e porcentagem de gordura foram maiores (p<0,01) nas mulheres que näo praticavam exercícios, em relaçäo às corredoras (20,42 ñ 6,10 vs 9,87 ñ 4,35 kg e 35,40 ñ 6,07 vs 18,83 ñ 7,14 por cento). O consumo máximo de oxigênio e o limiar anaeróbico foram maiores (p<0,01) nas corredoras do que nas mulheres do grupo-controle (VO2 max 55,18 ñ 3,57 vs 37,01 ñ 3,31 mL/kgmin, LA 44,42 ñ 3,84 vs 20,92 ñ 3,76 mL/kg/min). As corredoras treinavam 68,89 km/semana ( 50 - 100); durante os treinamentos, a freqüência cardíaca era abaixo do limiar anaeróbico, intensidade média de 92,10 por cento LA (88,68-97,17). Conclusäo: os resultados sugerem que, apesar das grandes distâncias pecorridas, o treinamento em intensidade, abaixo do limiar anaeróbio, de todas as corredoras contribuiu para importantes benefícios fisiológicos, sem nenhum prejuízo funcional.

Análise comparativa da aptidäo cardiorrespiratória de triatletas, avaliados em ciclossimulador e bicicleta ergométrica / Comparation of Cardiopulmonary exercise testing of tri-athletes on cyclosimulador and bicycle ergometer

[1]Carvalho Jr., E.,Santos, A.L.G., Schneider A.P., Beretta, L., Tebexreni, A.S., Cesar, M.C., Barros, T.L.Análise comparativa da aptidäo cardiorrespiratória de triatletas avaliados em ciclossimulador e bicicleta ergométrica. Rev. Bras. Ciên. e Mov. 8 (3):21-24,2000. bjetivo: comparar a aptidäo cardiorrespiratória de triatletas, avaliados por testes em bicicleta ergométrica e ciclossimulador (ergômetro mais específico).Métodos: 9 triatletas treinados, 6 do sexo masculino e 3 do sexo feminino, foram submetidos a testes ergoespirométricos em 2 diferentes cicloergômetros, um ciclossimulador e uma bicicleta ergométrica, sendo determinados o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 max), o limiar anaeróbico ventilatório (LA), a freqüência cardíaca máxima (FCmax) e a freqüência cardíaca do limiar anaeróbio (FC LA). Resultados: näo foram encontradas diferenças significantes entre os testes para nenhuma das variáveis determinadas. Os valores dos testes em ciclossimulador e bicicleta ergométrica foram, respectivamente-. VO2 max 62,88 ñ 5,13 vs 62,13 ñ 6,00 ml/kg/min,LA 37,84 ñ 3,75 vs 38,96 ñ 4,92 ml/kg/min, FC max 182,00 ñ 8,72 vs 180,89 ñ 11,16 bpm e FC LA 148,22 ñ6,22 vs 147,89 ñ 8,54 bpm. Conclusäo: os resultados sugerem que a bicicleta ergométrica pode ser utilizada para avaliaçäo física cardiorrespiratória de triatletas com a mesma precisäo do ciclossimulador.

A avaliaçao da aptidao cardiorrespiratória de mulheres praticantes de hidroginástica / The assessment of cardiorespiratory aptitude in women who practice water aerobics

Para avaliar a aptidao física cardiorrespiratória de mulheres que praticam hidroginástica foram estudadas 26 mulheres, sendo 16 alunas de hidroginástica que realizavam duas(n=duas) ou tres(n=2) aulas por semana há, no mínimo, 6 meses, e 10 sedentárias saudáveis(grupo controle). Todas as mulheres foram avaliadas por testes de potência aeróbica, e os resultados nao demonstram diferenças significantes entre o consumo máximo de oxigênio(VO 2max) e o limiar anaeróbico(la) das alunas de hidroginástica em relaçao ao grupo controle, respectivamente, VO 2max(ml/kg/min)34,05+3,27 vs 32,61+4,35 e LA(ml/kg/min)17,78+3,09 VS 16,54+4,53. O gasto energético semanal das aulas de hidroginástica foi determinado de modo indireto pela monitorizaçao dos batimentos cardíacos e foi em média 500,18 kcal, apresentando grande variaçao individual, entre 148 e 383 kcal por semana. Os resultados sugerem que aulas de hidroginástica praticada por mulheres em poucos dias na semana e sem supervisao individualizada nao proporcionam melhora da aptidao física cardiorrespiratória.