Molecular adaptations to concurrent training.

This study investigated the chronic effects of concurrent training (CT) on morphological and molecular adaptations. 37 men (age=23.7±5.5 year) were divided into 4 groups: interval (IT), strength (ST) and concurrent (CT) training and a control group (C) and underwent 8 weeks of training. Maximum strength (1RM) and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were evaluated before and after training. Muscle samples were obtained before the training program and 48 h after the last training session. VO2max improved in 5±0.95% and 15±1.3% (pre- to post-test) in groups CT and IT, respectively, when compared to C. Time to exhaustion (TE) improved from pre- to post-test when compared to C (CT=6.1±0.58%; IT=8.3±0.88%; ST=3.2±0.66%). 1RM increased from pre-to post-test only in ST and CT groups (ST=18.5±3.16%; CT=17.6±3.01%). Similarly, ST and CT groups increased quadriceps CSA from pre-to post-test (6.2±1.4%; 7.8±1.66%). The p70S6K1 total protein content increased after CT. The ST group showed increased Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 (45.0±3.3%) whereas AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 increased only in IT group, (100±17.6%). In summary, our data suggest that despite the differences in molecular adaptations between training regimens, CT did not blunt muscle strength and hypertrophy increments when compared with ST.

Multivariate analysis in the maximum strength performance.

This study performed an exploratory analysis of the anthropometrical and morphological muscle variables related to the one-repetition maximum (1RM) performance. In addition, the capacity of these variables to predict the force production was analyzed. 50 active males were submitted to the experimental procedures: vastus lateralis muscle biopsy, quadriceps magnetic resonance imaging, body mass assessment and 1RM test in the leg-press exercise. K-means cluster analysis was performed after obtaining the body mass, sum of the left and right quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area (∑CSA), percentage of the type II fibers and the 1RM performance. The number of clusters was defined a priori and then were labeled as high strength performance (HSP1RM) group and low strength performance (LSP1RM) group. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed by means of body mass, ∑CSA, percentage of the type II fibers and clusters as predictors' variables and 1RM performance as response variable. The clusters mean ± SD were: 292.8 ± 52.1 kg, 84.7 ± 17.9 kg, 19249.7 ± 1645.5 mm(2) and 50.8 ± 7.2% for the HSP1RM and 254.0 ± 51.1 kg, 69.2 ± 8.1 kg, 15483.1 ± 1104.8mm(2) and 51.7 ± 6.2%, for the LSP1RM in the 1RM, body mass, ∑CSA and muscle fiber type II percentage, respectively. The most important variable in the clusters division was the ∑CSA. In addition, the ∑CSA and muscle fiber type II percentage explained the variance in the 1RM performance (Adj R2=0.35, p=0.0001) for all participants and for the LSP1RM (Adj R2=0.25, p=0.002). For the HSP1RM, only the ∑CSA was entered in the model and showed the highest capacity to explain the variance in the 1RM performance (Adj R2=0.38, p=0.01). As a conclusion, the muscle CSA was the most relevant variable to predict force production in individuals with no strength training background.

Effects of strength training and vascular occlusion.

The purpose of our study was to determine if vascular occlusion produced an additive effect on muscle hypertrophy and strength performance with high strength training loads. Sixteen physically active men were divided into two groups: high-intensity (HI = 6 RM) and moderate-intensity training (MI = 12 RM). An occlusion cuff was attached to the proximal end of the right thigh, so that blood flow was reduced during the exercise. The left leg served as a control, thus was trained without vascular occlusion. Knee extension 1 RM and quadriceps cross-sectional area (MRI) were evaluated pre- and post-8 weeks of training. We only found a main time effect for both strength gains and quadriceps hypertrophy (p < 0.001). Therefore, we conclude that vascular occlusion in combination with high-intensity strength training does not augment muscle strength or hypertrophy when compared to high-intensity strength training alone.

Reconstruction technique for umbilical endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To present a technique for immediate umbilical reconstruction in women undergoing resection of umbilical endometriosis. METHODS: Umbilical reconstruction using 2 semicircular defatted skin flaps was performed in 7 patients surgically treated for umbilical endometriosis from October 2000 to June 2004. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Anatomical aspect, depression, and abdominal wall scar were considered satisfactory, although hypertrophic umbilical scars developed in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: This technique using 2 semicircular defatted flaps is efficient in creating a new umbilicus with a natural appearance while leaving a minimal scar. Moreover, it allows for laparoscopic inspection of the abdominal cavity.

Malnutrition as an additional risk factor to gentamicin nephrotoxicity / Desnutrição como um fator de risco adicional na nefrotoxidade à gentamicina

A relação entre a desnutrição e as doenças infecciosas tem sido descrita há algum tempo. A gentamicina é um antibiótico aminoglicosídeo muito utilizado no tratamento de infecções graves por gram-negativos, apesar de sua nefrotoxidade. Estudos experimentais e clínicos também mostraram alterações importantes na função renal durante a desnutrição. Assim sendo, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se o uso da gentamicina (G) em ratos submetidos à restrição alimentar (R) pode interferir no desenvolvimento da nefrotoxidade à gentamicina. Ratos Wistar machos com dois meses de idade foram submetidos à restrição alimentar (50 porcento) durante 30 dias. Nos 10 últimos dias, eles foram tratados com soro fisiológico ou gentamicina (40mg/kg/dia intraperitoneal). Os grupos estudados foram: C)- ratos com alimentação ad libitum + soro fisiológico, G)- alimentação ad libitum + gentamicina, R)- restrição alimentar + soro fisiológico, RG)- restrição alimentar + gentamicina. Uma queda significativa na taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) foi observada nos grupos R (5,69 ± 0,22) e G (5,31 ± 0,27) se comparados ao grupo C (7,17 ± 0,42 ml.min kg). No grupo RG, a diminuição a TFG foi mais evidente do que nos grupos G ou R, (4,42 ± 0,24 ml.min-1.kg-1). Em todos os grupos experimentais, a diminuição da TFG ocorreu paralelamente à diminuição do fluxo plasmático renal (FPR), de modo que a fração de filtração (FF porcento) foi mantida. Um declínio na proporção inulina urina/plasma foi observado em ambos os grupos tratados com gentamicina e também no grupo com restrição alimentar. Apesar de G e R "per se" causarem um aumento na excreção de Na elevado a +, os valores mais altos foram obtidos no grupo RG. Apesar do nosso estudo ter sido realizado num modelo experimental, se extrapolado a protocolos humanos pode-se sugerir que o uso de antibióticos aminoglicosídeos nos pacientes desnutridos deve ser feito com cautela, especialmente devido a função renal e considerando o risco aumentado potencial exibido por estes pacientes.