Effects of long-term metformin administration associated with high-intensity interval training on physical performance, glycogen concentration, GLUT-4 content, and NMR-based metabolomics in healthy rats.

The aim was to investigate the long-term effects of metformin ingestion on high-intensity interval training on performance, glycogen concentration (GC), GLUT-4 content, and metabolomics outcomes in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into baseline, metformin (500 mg daily), and control groups. Training consisted of 4 sets of 10 jumps with 30 s of passive recovery per day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. The intensity equivalent was 50% of body mass (BM) in the first four weeks and 70% of BM in the last four weeks. The animals were submitted to a weekly jump test until exhaustion at 50% of BM. Serum and tissues were collected at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks for biochemical and metabolomics analysis. The number of jumps increased in the Control group without a significant difference between groups at 4 and 8 weeks. GLUT4 was lower in the gastrocnemius muscle in the Metformin at the fourth week compared to Control (P=0.03) and compared to Metformin (P=0.02) and Control (P=0.01) at eight weeks. Hepatic and soleus GC were not altered by metformin. Gastrocnemius GC was lower after 8 weeks in the Metformin group compared to Control (P=0.01). Significantly lower levels of pyruvate and phenylalanine and higher levels of ethanol, formate, betaine, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and creatine were found in the Metformin compared to the Control. Although chronic administration of metformin decreased food intake and negatively influenced the synthesis of muscle glycogen, it did not significantly change physical performance compared to the Control.

Effects of long-term metformin administration associated with high-intensity interval training on physical performance, glycogen concentration, GLUT-4 content, and NMR-based metabolomics in healthy rats

The aim was to investigate the long-term effects of metformin ingestion on high-intensity interval training on performance, glycogen concentration (GC), GLUT-4 content, and metabolomics outcomes in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into baseline, metformin (500 mg daily), and control groups. Training consisted of 4 sets of 10 jumps with 30 s of passive recovery per day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. The intensity equivalent was 50% of body mass (BM) in the first four weeks and 70% of BM in the last four weeks. The animals were submitted to a weekly jump test until exhaustion at 50% of BM. Serum and tissues were collected at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks for biochemical and metabolomics analysis. The number of jumps increased in the Control group without a significant difference between groups at 4 and 8 weeks. GLUT4 was lower in the gastrocnemius muscle in the Metformin at the fourth week compared to Control (P=0.03) and compared to Metformin (P=0.02) and Control (P=0.01) at eight weeks. Hepatic and soleus GC were not altered by metformin. Gastrocnemius GC was lower after 8 weeks in the Metformin group compared to Control (P=0.01). Significantly lower levels of pyruvate and phenylalanine and higher levels of ethanol, formate, betaine, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and creatine were found in the Metformin compared to the Control. Although chronic administration of metformin decreased food intake and negatively influenced the synthesis of muscle glycogen, it did not significantly change physical performance compared to the Control.

Biochemical and hormonal parameters of goats kept in a controlled environment consuming water with different levels of salinity / [Parâmetros bioquímicos e hormonais de caprinos consumindo água com diferentes níveis de salinidade mantidos em ambiente controlado]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biochemical and hormonal variables of Moxotó and Canindé goats submitted to two temperatures - 26.0±0.6 (thermoneutral) and 32.0±1.2°C (above thermal comfort zone) - and consuming water with three levels of salinity (1.0, 6.0 and 12.0 dSm-1). Thirty-six animals (18 of each breed) were used, with an average age of 5.0±0.6months and an average weight of 20.0±2.3kg, housed in metabolic cages inside a climate chamber. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme (2 breeds, 2 temperatures and 3 levels of salinity) and three replications. The glucose and urea had a significant effect (P>0.05) according to water salinity. Glucose, cholesterol, protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and hormones (T4, T3 and cortisol) varied according to temperature (P<0.05). There was a significant effect of time on hormonal variables (P<0.05). Biochemical and hormonal variables changed according to temperature and day shift, so that metabolism was reduced in the animals under thermal stress and accelerated when animals were in the thermal comfort zone.(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais de caprinos das raças Moxotó e Canindé, submetidos a duas temperaturas (26,0±0,6ºC e 32,0±1,2ºC), termoneutra e acima da zona de conforto térmico, respectivamente), consumindo água com três níveis de salinidade (1,0, 6,0 e 12,0dSm-1), utilizando-se 36 animais (18 de cada raça), com idade média de 5,0±0,6 meses e peso médio de 20,0±2,3kg, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas no interior de uma câmara climática. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com esquema fatorial de 2 x 2 x 3 (2 raças, 2 temperaturas e 3 níveis de salinidade) e três repetições. A glicose e a ureia apresentaram efeito significativo (P<0,05) em função da salinidade da água. Glicose, colesterol, proteína, albumina, globulina, AST e hormônios (T4, T3 e cortisol) variaram conforme as temperaturas (P<0,05). Observou-se efeito significativo do horário sobre as variáveis hormonais (P<0,05). As variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais sofrem alterações em função da temperatura e do turno do dia, de modo que o metabolismo é reduzido em animais sob estresse térmico e acelerado quando os animais encontram-se na zona de conforto térmico.(AU)

Carboxymethylcellulose and psyllium effects in sand output of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulation / [Efeitos da carboximetilcelulose e do psyllium sobre a eliminação de areia de cavalos com sablose assintomática]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Psyllium (PSY) and Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) administration on fecal elimination of sand in horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations. Eight horses were selected from sandy areas and randomly divided into 2 groups of four animals. The subjects were treated either with CMC or PSY. The presence of intestinal sand was confirmed through radiography and glove sedimentation test. The study was performed in two phases, with a 7-day interval. In phase I, all the animals received 8 liters of warm water; in phase II, the CMC group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of CMC, whereas the PSY group received 8 liters of water + 1g/kg of PSY. All administrations were performed through nasogastric intubation and fractionated in 2 equal volume administrations with an interval of two hours. General and specific physical examination of the digestive system were performed in conjunction with abdominal ultrasonography before the administrations and after 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours, aiming to evaluate intestinal motility and presence of sand. All the feces eliminated by the animals within the 72 hours following the administrations were quantified, diluted and sedimented in order to calculate the sand output (g/kg of feces). All the animals were also subjected to radiographic examination to quantify sand accumulation prior to phase I and after 72 hours of phases I and II. No adverse effects were observed after the treatments. It was possible to notice higher sand elimination in both groups during the phase I, whereas no difference was observed in sand elimination rates between the groups in phase II. The radiographic scores presented differences between the initial timepoint and 72h in phases I and II for both groups. Based on the sand elimination rates and radiographic score, this study demonstrated that sand output was greater after administration of water alone, compared to CMC and Psyllium, leading to the inference that removal of the sandy environment and prevention of sand re-ingestion are effective measures for the elimination of sand from the colon of horses with asymptomatic sand accumulations.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração do psyllium (PSY) e da carboximetilcelulose (CMC) sobre a eliminação fecal de areia em equinos com sablose assintomática. Oito equinos com confirmação radiográfica de sablose assintomática foram divididos em dois grupos (grupo CMC e grupo PSY). O estudo foi realizado em duas fases, com intervalo de sete dias. Na fase 1, todos os animais receberam 8L de água; na fase 2, o grupo CMC recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de CMC e o grupo PSY recebeu 8L de água + 1g/kg de PSY. Antes da administração de cada solução e após seis, 12, 24, 36 e 48 horas, foram realizados exame físico e ultrassonografia abdominal. Todas as fezes eliminadas em 72 horas foram avaliadas para quantificar a eliminação de areia (g/kg de fezes). Antes da fase 1 e após 72 horas das fases 1 e 2, o exame radiográfico foi realizado para quantificar o escore de acúmulo de areia. Houve maior eliminação de areia após a administração de água em comparação com a administração de CMC, e não se observou diferença entre a CMC e o PSY. Uma redução significativa nos escores radiográficos de acúmulo de areia foi observada após a administração de água, bem como a manutenção dos escores após a administração da CMC e do PSY. Com base na produção de areia e no escore radiográfico, este estudo sugere que a remoção do ambiente arenoso, impedindo a reingestão de areia, é uma medida eficaz para a eliminação da areia do cólon de cavalos com acúmulos de areia assintomáticos.(AU)

Corresponding Assessment Scenarios in Laboratory and on-Court Tests: Centrality Measurements by Complex Networks Analysis in Young Basketball Players.

Besides technical and tactical aspects, basketball matches involve high aerobic and anaerobic capacities, conferring the final performance of a team. Thus, the evaluation of physical and technical responses is an effective way to predict the performance of athletes. Field and laboratory tests have been used in sports. The first involving high ecological validity and low cost, and the second, greater control and accuracy but not easy application, considering the different preparation phases in a season. This study aimed, through complex networks analysis, to verify whether centrality parameters analysed from significant correlations behave similarly in distinct scenarios (laboratory and on-court), emphasizing aerobic and anaerobic physical parameters and technical performances. The results showed that, in a compelling  analysis involving basketball athletes, the studied centralities (degree, betweenness, eigenvector and pagerank) revealed similar responses in both scenarios, which is widely attractive considering the greater financial economy and lower time when applying tests in the field.

Developmental programming: intrauterine caloric restriction promotes upregulation of mitochondrial sirtuin with mild effects on oxidative parameters in the ovaries and testes of offspring.

According to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, changes in the maternal environment are known to reprogram the metabolic response of offspring. Known for its redox modulation, caloric restriction extends the lifespan of some species, which contributes to diminished cellular damage. Little is known about the effects of gestational caloric restriction, in terms of antioxidant parameters and molecular mechanisms of action, on the reproductive organs of offspring. This study assessed the effects of moderate (20%) caloric restriction on redox status parameters, molecular expression of sirtuin (SIRT) 1 and SIRT3 and histopathological markers in the ovaries and testes of adult rats that were subjected to gestational caloric restriction. Although enzyme activity was increased, ovaries from female pups contained high levels of oxidants, whereas testes from male pups had decreased antioxidant enzyme defences, as evidenced by diminished glyoxalase I activity and reduced glutathione content. Expression of SIRT3, a deacetylase enzyme related to cellular bioenergetics, was increased in both ovaries and testes. Previous studies have suggested that, in ovaries, diminished antioxidant metabolism can lead to premature ovarian failure. Unfortunately, there is little information regarding the redox profile in the testis. This study is the first to assess the redox network in both ovaries and testes, suggesting that, although intrauterine caloric restriction improves molecular mechanisms, it has a negative effect on the antioxidant network and redox status of reproductive organs of young adult rats.

Reliability of the Three-minute All-out Test for Non-motorized Treadmill Tethered Running.

The 3-min all-out test was developed and validated on a cycle ergometer using a modification of a linear mathematical equation (1/time vs. power) obtained from the original critical power model. The purpose of this development was to obtain, in a single test, the aerobic and anaerobic capacity parameters and identify the exercise transition moment from heavy to severe intensity. The aim of this study was to propose an adaptation of the all-out 3-min cycle ergometer to a non-motorized treadmill with tethered running. In addition, we tested the reproducibility of this adapted protocol, highlighting the need for mechanical power evaluation using a specific ergometer. Consequently, 10 physically active individuals visited the laboratory 4 times for testing and data collection. The results suggested that the protocol adaptation for the 3-min all-out test for non-motorized treadmill with tethered running was reproducible and feasible. It was also possible to show that the AO3 application in this ergometer ensures the specificity of the sports that involve the running exercise, from assessment of both aerobic and anaerobic parameters, accomplished in a single day of application.

All-out Test in Tethered Canoe System can Determine Anaerobic Parameters of Elite Kayakers.

The aims of this study were to use a specific all-out 30-sec tethered test to determine the anaerobic parameters in elite kayakers and verify the relationship between these results and sports performance. Twelve elite slalom kayakers were evaluated. The tethered canoe system was created and used for the all-out 30-sec test application. Measurements of peak force, mean force, minimum force, fatigue index and impulse were performed. Performance evaluation was determined by measuring the time of race in a simulated race containing 24 gates on a white-water course. Blood was collected (25-µl) for analysis of lactate concentration at rest and at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10-min intervals after both the all-out test and the simulated race. The Pearson product moment correlation shows a inverse and significant relationship of peak force, mean force and impulse with time of race. Blood lactate concentrations after the all-out test and the simulated race peak at same time (4 min). Additionally, no interaction was visualized between time and all-out test/simulated race for blood lactate concentrations (P <0.365). These results suggest a relationship between the parameters of the all-out test and performance. Thus, the tethered canoe system is a useful tool for determining parameters that could be used in training control of slalom kayakers.

[Measurement of the severity of clinical conditions resulting from surgical procedures: magnitude estimate versus category estimate]. / Mensuração da gravidade de quadros clínicos resultantes de cirurgias: estimação de magnitudes versus estimação de categorias.

The gravity of clinical illnesses resultant of surgeries was scaled by the psychophysics methods of magnitude and categories estimations by 20 physicians and 20 nurses. Results showed: 1--the continuum of gravity of clinical illnesses resultant of surgeries has quantitative or prosthetic characteristics and non-qualitative or metathetic characteristics. 2--the variability of the estimations of magnitudes is a linear function of the magnitude of the estimations according to Ekman's law.

[Nurses' professional prestige: estimate of magnitudes and expanded categories]. / Prestígio profissional do enfermeiro: estimação de magnitudes e de categorias expandidas.

The prestige of professionals such as social workers, biologists, dentists, nurses, engineers, pharmacists, physicists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, psychologists, chemists and sociologists was scaled by the psychophysical methods of estimation of magnitudes and expanded categories. Results showed that: 1) when we increase the limited amplitude of categories, this method has the same characteristics as those of the estimation of magnitudes. 2) the relationship between the estimations of magnitudes and estimations of expanded categories is a power function with an exponent that is not significantly different from 1.0. These data enabled the following conclusions: 1--The nursing profession is in the seventh or eighth position regarding the prestige of the 13 professions whereas physicians are in the first position in the scale obtained by the used methods; 2--the orders resulting from the methods produce positions of prestige that highly agree for the different professions.

[Measurement of the care directed by nurses: comparison between three psychophysical methods]. / Mensuração da atenção dirigida do enfermeiro: comparaçã entre três métodos psicofísicos.

The degree of directed care required from nurses who work at the critical care unit environment was assessed and compared through three different psychophysical methods: magnitude estimation, category rating and ordinal scales. The sample was formed by 29 participants whose ages varied from 25 to 44 years. Based on the results, authors concluded that: a) data indicated a high concordance among participants regarding different situations with a Kendall's coefficient of 0.83 (p < 0.0016); b) the results obtained with magnitude estimation scaling proved superiority of this method when compared to others. c) the continuum of directed attention (non metric) has characteristics of a protetic continuum.

[Estimation of the number of minimum salaries attributed to professions in function of their prestige]. / Estimação do número de salários mínimos atribuído a cada profissão em função de seu prestígio.

The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between professional prestige scaled through estimations and the professional prestige scaled through estimation of the number of minimum salaries attributed to professions in function of their prestige in society. Results showed: 1--the relationship between the estimation of magnitudes and the estimation of the number of minimum salaries attributed to the professions in function of their prestige is characterized by a function of potence with an exponent lower than 1,0,2--the orders of degrees of prestige of the professions resultant from different experiments involving different samples of subjects are highly concordant (W = 0.85; p < 0.001), considering the modality used as a number (estimation of magnitudes of minimum salaries).

[Social perceptions of nurses]. / Percepção social do enfermeiro.

The purpose of this study was to scale nurses' social perception through the psychophysics method of category estimation. Therefore, undergraduate students from the areas of psychology, nursing, dentistry and medicine were invited to participate in the study. Results showed: 1) in our environment the characteristic tidy has a central role, and with the characteristic responsible form nurse's stereotype and 2) the high correlations among the category estimations of the sub-groups reflect a great concordance in the levels of attributions given by different samples of university students regarding the characteristics of the nurse professional, indicating that the estimations are stabilized among the samples.

Thermodynamic binding studies of lectins from the diocleinae subtribe to deoxy analogs of the core trimannoside of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides.

Lectins from seven different species of the Diocleinae subtribe have been recently isolated and characterized in terms of their carbohydrate binding specificities (Dam, T. K., Cavada, B. S., Grangeiro, T. B., Santos, C. F., de Sousa, F. A. M., Oscarson, S., and Brewer, C. F. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 12082-12088). The lectins included those from Canavalia brasiliensis, Cratylia floribunda, Dioclea rostrata, Dioclea virgata, Dioclea violacea, and Dioclea guianensis. All of the lectins exhibited specificity for Man and Glc residues, but much higher affinities for the branched chain trimannoside, 3,6-di-O-(alpha-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose, which is found in the core region of all asparagine-linked carbohydrates. In the present study, isothermal titration microcalorimetry is used to determine the binding thermodynamics of the above lectins, including a new lectin from Canavalia grandiflora, to a complete series of monodeoxy analogs of the core trimannoside. From losses in the affinity constants and enthalpies of binding of certain deoxy analogs, assignments are made of the hydroxyl epitopes on the trimannoside that are involved in binding to the lectins. The pattern of binding of the deoxy analogs is similar for all seven lectins, and similar to that of concanavalin A which is also a member of the Diocleinae subtribe. However, differences in the magnitude of the thermodynamic binding parameters of the lectins are observed, even though the lectins possess conserved contact residues in many cases, and highly conserved primary sequences. The results indicate that non-contact residues in the lectins, even those distant from the binding sites, modulate their thermodynamic binding parameters.

[Comparison of two psychophysical methods for the estimation of the severity of illness]. / Comparação entre os métodos psicofísicos escalares de estimação de magnitudes e de estimação de categorias da gravidade de quadros clínicos.

In this study, 15 diagnoses were selected and evaluated by the methods of estimation of magnitudes and estimation of categories. These methods were performed by 46 subjects (10 physicians, 20 nurses and 16 psychologists). The results show that the non-metric continuum of seriousness of an illness exhibits prosthetic characteristics and the variability of estimates is a linear function of the magnitude estimation, thus confirming that Ekman's law is also valid for non-metric continua.

[Ratio scaling evaluation of nurses' professional prestige through a cross-modality method]. / Validação da escala de razão de prestígio profissional do enfermeiro através do método de emparelhamento intermodal.

Professional prestige was determined using the psychophysical methods of magnitude estimation and cross-modality matching with line lengths and dynamometric forces as responses. The main results revealed that: (a) the rankings order resulting from all methods employed provide degrees of prestige which are in close agreement with the different professions (w = 0.94), (b) the non-metric continuum of professional prestige exhibits prothetic characteristics, (c) the variability of estimations is a linear function of the estimation of magnitudes, thus confirming that Ekman's law is also valid for non-metric continua, (d) the exponents obtained using matchings of number, line lengths and force of hangrip were not significantly different from the exponents predicted by the transitivity property of scales and, finally (e) the data furnish a scale of professional prestige which, at the level of ratio measurement, is valid, stable and consistent.

[Evaluation of the severity of clinical illness: a psychophysical approach]. / Estimação de magnitude da gravidade de quadros clínicos: um enfoque da psicofísica clínica.

The severity of clinical illness was evaluated through the psychophysics method of magnitude estimation. The purpose of this experiment was: 1) to compare the scales derived from right judgement (magnitude estimation) used in three different Brazilian samples; 2) to verify the stability and agreement of severity estimations of clinical situations judged in Brazil, USA and England. In order to develop this study, professionals who work in the areas of psychology, nursing and medicine were invited. The lower coefficient of Pearson's correlation among the groups were of 0.88 the and the greater of 0.94. The exponents found between the Brazilian and American samples were of 1.22 and between the Brazilian and English samples of 1.15.

[Estimation of categories in the description of postoperative pain]. / Estimação em categorias dos descritores da dor pós-operatória.

In this study we investigate the language used by nurses in the characterization of postoperative pain. In order to do this, an instrument was elaborated containing initially 308 pain descriptors, which were studied as to their apparent and content validity. After this study, using 119 descriptors, the instrument was applied to 116 nurses. The category estimation method was used, with scores varying from 1 to 7. The mean score and standard deviation were calculated for the scores obtained. The descriptors of highest ascriptions were, in a decreasing order: intense, strong, acute, unbearable and continuous; those of lower ascriptions were: circulating, assailing, circular, slow and formidable.

Purification and characterization of a lectin from seeds of Vatairea macrocarpa Duke.

A lectin from Vatairea macrocarpa Duke seeds (VML) was isolated using affinity chromatography on a guar gum column. The lectin, a glycoprotein without erythrocyte specificity, displays specificity to galactose and some derivatives. On SDS-polyacrylamide gels, V. macrocarpa seed lectin is composed of two major high-Mr bands of 34 and 32 kDa and two minor low-Mr bands of 22 and 13 kDa. N-Terminal sequencing showed that the 34, 32, and 13 kDa products possess identical N-terminal sequence, which display best similarity with the N-terminal portion of Robinia pseudoacacia lectins (RPL). On the other hand, the N-terminal sequence of the 22 kDa band can be aligned with an internal sequence of RPL starting at residue 149 of the cDNA-derived sequence. These data indicate that, like other leguminous lectins, VML is made up of a mixture of one-chain 30-35 kDa glycoforms and of 22 and 13 kDa endogenous C- and N-terminal fragments. Size-exclusion chromatography indicated that, at neutral pH, VML is predominantly a dimeric (70 kDa) protein, although tetramers (115 kDa) and larger aggregates (300 kDa) were also present.

[Measurement and assessment of postoperative pain: a short review]. / Mensuração e avaliação da dor pós-operatória: uma breve revisão.

How to measure pain is a great challenge to those who desire to control adequately such a complex experience. Standardized instruments that take into consideration the patient's own account, have been developed in order to make such a task easier. In this article we carry out a revision of the instruments used mostly for measuring postoperative pain, and we point out some of the advantages and disadvantages. We emphasize the need for specific research focusing on the measurement of surgical pain, taking into consideration the multiple dimensions of a painful experience.