Endurance training and L-arginine intake: Their effect on antioxidant indices in the heart muscles of rats.

Background: One of the side effects of doing sports activities is the increase of free radicals and oxidative stress. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of increasing endurance training with L-arginine supplementation on oxidative indices in the cardiac organ of male Wistar rats. Methods: 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups control, L-arginine, endurance training, and L-arginine plus endurance training. Animals in the endurance training groups completed increasing endurance training on a motorized treadmill (60-min/session, 5 times/week) for 8 weeks. Animals in the L-arginine groups consumed an L-arginine solution daily (4 mg/kg/body weight). In the supplement group, L-arginine was given to the mice as a solution in water and as a gavage. Forty- eight hours after the last endurance training session, a heart tissue sample was taken and placed in an RNAlater liquid. Spectrophotometry and an ELISA kit were used to calculate the concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results: The present study showed that endurance training and L-arginine consumption did not affect SOD activity. L-arginine intake increased GPX. Endurance training caused a significant increase in MDA compared to the supplemented group (p = 0.01). Also, the consumption of L-arginine significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity TAC in the supplement group compared to the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: It seems that taking an L-arginine supplement can increase antioxidant enzymes.

Moisture Dynamics of Wood-Based Panels and Wood Fibre Insulation Materials.

Moisture performance is an important factor determining the resistance of wood-based building materials against fungal decay. Understanding how material porosity and chemistry affect moisture performance is necessary for their efficient use, as well as for product optimisation. In this study, three complementary techniques (X-ray computed tomography, infrared and low-field NMR spectroscopy) are applied to elucidate the influence of additives, manufacturing process and material structure on the liquid water absorption and desorption behaviour of a selection of wood-based panels, thermally modified wood and wood fibre insulation materials. Hydrophobic properties achieved by thermal treatment or hydrophobic additives such as paraffin and bitumen, had a major influence on water absorption and desorption rates. When hydrophobic additives did not play a role, pore distributions and manufacturing process had a decisive influence on the amount and rate of absorption and desorption. In that case, a higher porosity resulted in a higher water absorption rate. Our results show that there is a clear potential for tailoring materials towards specific moisture performance by better understanding the influence of different material characteristics. This is useful both for achieving desired moisture buffering as well as to increase service life of wood-based materials. From a sustainability perspective, fit-for-purpose moisture performance is often easier to achieve and preferred than wood protection by biocide preservative treatments.

The Effects of Sildenafil and/or Nitroglycerin on Random-pattern Skin Flaps After Nicotine Application in Rats.

Smoking aggravates skin necrosis as a complication of random-pattern flap ischaemia. Sildenafil and nitroglycerin (NTG) are vasodilator agents that may affect skin flap survival. Fifty rats were subjected to a dorsal random-pattern flap operation and randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group received no treatment. The ischaemic group were administered local nicotine injections. The sildenafil group were administered oral sildenafil treatment in addition to the same intervention as the ischaemic group. The NTG group received topical NTG ointment application instead of sildenafil. The combined group were given both sildenafil and NTG treatments. After 7 days, all rats were sacrificed for flap assessment. Flap survival percentages at the 3rd and 7th days were significantly higher in the combined group than in the other study groups. Histologically, the ischaemic group exhibited dermal disorganization and inflammatory cell infiltration, which were improved in the 3 treated groups; however, the combined group presented the most relevant effect. The epidermal thickness showed a decrease in the ischaemic group (23.1 µm) that was significantly increased in the sildenafil (28.4 µm), NTG (28.8 µm) and combined (35.8 µm) groups. Immunohistochemically, the combined group exhibited a significant decrease in the apoptotic index and an increase in the proliferative index (2.3 and 56.9%, respectively) compared to those in the ischaemic (63.2 and 3%), sildenafil (41.7 and 28.1%) and NTG (39.3 and 30.4%) groups. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the combined group displayed improvement in most of the ischaemic changes. Our analyses suggest that the combined use of sildenafil and NTG is more efficacious than using only one of these treatments for skin flap survival.

Using a three-dimensional computer assisted stone volume estimates to evaluate extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy treatment of kidney stones.

This study describes and evaluates the use of non-contrast enhanced computerized tomography (NCCT) before and after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Computer measured stone volume was used as an exact measurement for treatment response. 81 patients received SWL of kidney stones at Herlev Hospital between April 2013 and January 2014 and follow-up was possible in 77 (95 %) patients. NCCT was used before and after treatment. Treatment response was expressed as a reduction of the stone volume. Stone characteristics as the stone volumes, HU, SSD and localization were measured by radiologist using a vendor non-specific computer program. Complications, patient characteristics and additional treatment were registered. On average, 5858 shocks were given each patient. The follow-up NCCT was performed 24 days after treatment. It was possible to calculate the stone volume in 88 % of the patients-the remaining 12 % it was not possible due to stone disintegration. The stone free rate was 22 %. The average relative reduction in stone burden was 62 %. Only 8 % of the patients were radiological non-responders. Steinstrasse was observed in 13 (17 %) and 28 (36 %) patients had additional treatment performed. Irradiation dose per NCCT was 2.6 mSv. Stone volume could be calculated in most patients. The relative reduction in stone burden after treatment was 62 %. The stone volume was redundant when evaluating stone free patients, but in cases of partial response it gave an exact quantification, to be used in the further management and follow-up of the patients.