Evoked oscillatory cortical activity during acute pain: Probing brain in pain by transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalogram.

Temporal dynamics of local cortical rhythms during acute pain remain largely unknown. The current study used a novel approach based on transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalogram (TMS-EEG) to investigate evoked-oscillatory cortical activity during acute pain. Motor (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were probed by TMS, respectively, to record oscillatory power (event-related spectral perturbation and relative spectral power) and phase synchronization (inter-trial coherence) by 63 EEG channels during experimentally induced acute heat pain in 24 healthy participants. TMS-EEG was recorded before, during, and after noxious heat (acute pain condition) and non-noxious warm (Control condition), delivered in a randomized sequence. The main frequency bands (α, ß1, and ß2) of TMS-evoked potentials after M1 and DLPFC stimulation were recorded close to the TMS coil and remotely. Cold and heat pain thresholds were measured before TMS-EEG. Over M1, acute pain decreased α-band oscillatory power locally and α-band phase synchronization remotely in parietal-occipital clusters compared with non-noxious warm (all p < .05). The remote (parietal-occipital) decrease in α-band phase synchronization during acute pain correlated with the cold (p = .001) and heat pain thresholds (p = .023) and to local (M1) α-band oscillatory power decrease (p = .024). Over DLPFC, acute pain only decreased ß1-band power locally compared with non-noxious warm (p = .015). Thus, evoked-oscillatory cortical activity to M1 stimulation is reduced by acute pain in central and parietal-occipital regions and correlated with pain sensitivity, in contrast to DLPFC, which had only local effects. This finding expands the significance of α and ß band oscillations and may have relevance for pain therapies.

Combined training is not superior to strength and aerobic training to mitigate cardiovascular risk in adult healthy men.

Although the beneficial effects of aerobic training on cardiovascular risk factors are evident, the potential beneficial effect of strength and combined training on these risk factors is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerobic and strength training programmes, performed alone or in combination, on cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary, apparently healthy and non-obese adult men. The study was conducted with 37 subjects who were randomly divided into the following groups: aerobic (AG), combined (ASG), strength (SG) and control (CG). The exercise programmes were performed three times a week and lasted approximately 50 minutes. Dietary intake, anthropometry, blood pressure, muscular strength, aerobic capacity, lipid profile and glycaemic control were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the intervention. One-way analysis of variation (ANOVA) for baseline, and ANOVA for repeated measures were used to assess differences between the initial and final time points of the four groups. Changes in blood pressure and glycaemic control were not significant in any of the groups. No differences were observed in LDL-C between training groups. HDL-C increased significantly only in the AG. In conclusion, if minimal changes in the lipid profile are needed, an aerobic training programme can provide possible benefits for HDL-C in apparently healthy and non-obese adult men.

Distinct Regulation of Dopamine D3 Receptor in the Basolateral Amygdala and Dentate Gyrus during the Reinstatement of Cocaine CPP Induced by Drug Priming and Social Stress.

Relapse in the seeking and intake of cocaine is one of the main challenges when treating its addiction. Among the triggering factors for the recurrence of cocaine use are the re-exposure to the drug and stressful events. Cocaine relapse engages the activity of memory-related nuclei, such as the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), which are responsible for emotional and episodic memories. Moreover, D3 receptor (D3R) antagonists have recently arisen as a potential treatment for preventing drug relapse. Thus, we have assessed the impact of D3R blockade in the expression of some dopaminergic markers and the activity of the mTOR pathway, which is modulated by D3R, in the BLA and DG during the reinstatement of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) evoked by drug priming and social stress. Reinstatement of cocaine CPP paralleled an increasing trend in D3R and dopamine transporter (DAT) levels in the BLA. Social stress, but not drug-induced reactivation of cocaine memories, was prevented by systemic administration of SB-277011-A (a selective D3R antagonist), which was able, however, to impede D3R and DAT up-regulation in the BLA during CPP reinstatement evoked by both stress and cocaine. Concomitant with cocaine CPP reactivation, a diminution in mTOR phosphorylation (activation) in the BLA and DG occurred, which was inhibited by D3R blockade in both nuclei before the social stress episode and only in the BLA when CPP reinstatement was provoked by a cocaine prime. Our data, while supporting a main role for D3R signalling in the BLA in the reactivation of cocaine memories evoked by social stress, indicate that different neural circuits and signalling mechanisms might mediate in the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviours depending upon the triggering stimuli.

Effects of Local Vibration on Dynamic Strength Training.

ABSTRACT: Drummond, MDM, Couto, BP, Oliveira, MP, and Szmuchrowski, LA. Effects of local vibration on dynamic strength training. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3028-3034, 2021-The study aim was to compare the chronic effects of maximal dynamic strength training with and without the addition of local vibration (LV) on maximal force generation and hypertrophy of the elbow flexor muscles in trained subjects. Twenty men were divided into 2 groups (conventional training [CT] group and vibration training [VT] group). The CT group performed conventional maximal dynamic strength training, and the VT group performed maximal dynamic strength training with mechanical vibrations (frequency of 26 Hz and amplitude of 6 mm). CT and VT groups performed 5 sets of 3-4 repetitions, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets. The subjects trained 3 times per week for 12 weeks. After the training period, the CT group presented a significant increase in the mean 1 repetition maximum (1RM) value in the elbow flexion exercise in the orthostatic position (EFO) (7.2 ± 1.5%) (p < 0.0001) and elbow flexion exercise using the Scott bench (EFSB) (6.3 ± 1.8%) (p < 0.0001). The VT group also showed significant increases in 1RM values in the EFO (6.87 ± 0.8%) (p < 0.0001) and EFSB (6.56 ± 1.4%) (p < 0.0001). The CT group presented a significant increase in the mean maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) value after the training period (8.2 ± 2.3%) (p < 0.0001). The VT group also showed a significant increase in the mean MVIC value after training (9.1 ± 2.4%) (p < 0.0001). After the training period, both groups presented a significant increase in the mean value of elbow flexor thickness (CT = 5.6 ± 3.5%, VT = 5.1 ± 2.8%) (p = 0.001). The increases in 1RM, MVIC, and muscle thickness were statically similar between groups. Therefore, the addition of LV does not represent an additional stimulus for individuals trained in dynamic maximal strength training.

Individual Responses to Different Vibration Frequencies Identified by Electromyography and Dynamometry in Different Types of Vibration Application.

ABSTRACT: Oliveira, MP, Menzel, H-JK, Cochrane, DJ, Drummond, MD, Demicheli, C, Lage, G, and Couto, BP. Individual responses to different vibration frequencies identified by electromyography and dynamometry in different types of vibration application. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1748-1759, 2021-The application of mechanical vibration is a common neuromuscular training technique used in sports training programs to generate acute increases in muscle strength. The principal aim of the study was to compare the individual optimal vibration frequency (IOVF) identified by electromyography (EMG) activity and force production in strength training. Twenty well-trained male volunteers (age: 23.8 ± 3.3 years) performed a familiarization and 2 interventions sessions, which included 5 maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the elbow flexors with a duration of 10 seconds and 5-minute intervals between each MVC. The first MVC was performed without vibration followed by 4 randomized MVCs with application of vibration in the direction of the resultant muscle forces' vector (VDF) or whole-body vibration (WBV) at frequencies of 10, 20, 30, or 40 Hz. The mechanical vibration stimulus was superimposed during the MVC. Individual optimal vibration frequency, as identified by EMG, did not coincide with IOVF identified by force production; low agreement was observed between the vibration frequencies in generating the higher EMG activity, maximal force, and root mean square of force. These findings suggest that the magnitude of the vibratory stimulus response is individualized. Therefore, if the aim is to use acute vibration in conjunction with strength training, a preliminary vibration exposure should be conducted to determine the individualized vibratory stimulus of the subject, so that training effects can be optimized.

Load Monitoring Variables in Training and Competition Situations: A Systematic Review Applied to Wheelchair Sports.

The aim of this review was to identify the main variables for load monitoring in training and competition situations in wheelchair sports. Studies were identified from a systematic search of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SportDiscuss), with search phrases constructed from MeSH terms, alone or in combination, limited to English-language literature, and published up to January 2016. Our main findings were that variables related to external load (distance, speed, and duration) are used to monitor load in competition. In training situations, researchers have used variables related to internal load (heart rate and VO2); in both training and competition situations, researchers used internal load measurements (training impulse and ratings of perceived exertion). We conclude that the main variables for load monitoring in competitive situations were distance, speed, and duration, whereas the variables for training situations were heart rate, VO2, training impulse, and ratings of perceived exertion.

Effect of strength training on regional hypertrophy of the elbow flexor muscles.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle hypertrophy is the main structural adaptation to strength training. We investigated the chronic effects of strength training on muscle hypertrophy in different regions of the elbow flexor muscles. METHODS: Eleven untrained men (21.8 ± 1.62 years) underwent magnetic resonance imaging to determine the proximal, medial, distal, and mean cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the elbow flexors. The volunteers completed 12 weeks of strength training. The training protocol consisted of 4 sets of 8-10 maximum repetitions of unilateral elbow flexion. The interval between sets was 120 s. The training frequency was 3 sessions per week. RESULTS: The magnetic resonance images verified the presence of significant and similar hypertrophy in the distal, medial, and proximal portions of the elbow flexor muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle hypertrophy may be assessed using only the medial CSA. We should not expect different degrees of hypertrophy among the regions of the elbow flexor muscles. Muscle Nerve 54: 750-755, 2016.

Microemulsification: an approach for analytical determinations.

We address a novel method for analytical determinations that combines simplicity, rapidity, low consumption of chemicals, and portability with high analytical performance taking into account parameters such as precision, linearity, robustness, and accuracy. This approach relies on the effect of the analyte content over the Gibbs free energy of dispersions, affecting the thermodynamic stabilization of emulsions or Winsor systems to form microemulsions (MEs). Such phenomenon was expressed by the minimum volume fraction of amphiphile required to form microemulsion (Φ(ME)), which was the analytical signal of the method. Thus, the measurements can be taken by visually monitoring the transition of the dispersions from cloudy to transparent during the microemulsification, like a titration. It bypasses the employment of electric energy. The performed studies were: phase behavior, droplet dimension by dynamic light scattering, analytical curve, and robustness tests. The reliability of the method was evaluated by determining water in ethanol fuels and monoethylene glycol in complex samples of liquefied natural gas. The dispersions were composed of water-chlorobenzene (water analysis) and water-oleic acid (monoethylene glycol analysis) with ethanol as the hydrotrope phase. The mean hydrodynamic diameter values for the nanostructures in the droplet-based water-chlorobenzene MEs were in the range of 1 to 11 nm. The procedures of microemulsification were conducted by adding ethanol to water-oleic acid (W-O) mixtures with the aid of micropipette and shaking. The Φ(ME) measurements were performed in a thermostatic water bath at 23 °C by direct observation that is based on the visual analyses of the media. The experiments to determine water demonstrated that the analytical performance depends on the composition of ME. It shows flexibility in the developed method. The linear range was fairly broad with limits of linearity up to 70.00% water in ethanol. For monoethylene glycol in water, in turn, the linear range was observed throughout the volume fraction of analyte. The best limits of detection were 0.32% v/v water to ethanol and 0.30% v/v monoethylene glycol to water. Furthermore, the accuracy was highly satisfactory. The natural gas samples provided by the Petrobras exhibited color, particulate material, high ionic strength, and diverse compounds as metals, carboxylic acids, and anions. These samples had a conductivity of up to 2630 µS cm(-1); the conductivity of pure monoethylene glycol was only 0.30 µS cm(-1). Despite such downsides, the method allowed accurate measures bypassing steps such as extraction, preconcentration, and dilution of the sample. In addition, the levels of robustness were promising. This parameter was evaluated by investigating the effect of (i) deviations in volumetric preparation of the dispersions and (ii) changes in temperature over the analyte contents recorded by the method.

Sensitive Monitoring of the Minimum Inhibitor Concentration under Real Inorganic Scaling Scenarios.

Flow assurance is a long-term challenge for oil and gas exploration as it plays a key role in designing safe and efficient operation techniques to ensure the uninterrupted transport of reservoir fluids. In this regard, the sensitive monitoring of the scale formation process is important by providing an accurate assessment of the minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) of antiscale products. The optimum dosage of antiscale inputs is of pivotal relevance as their application at concentrations both lower and higher than MIC can imply pipeline blockages, critically hindering the entire supply chain of oil-related inputs and products to society. Using a simple and low-cost impedimetric platform, we here address the monitoring of the scale formation on stainless-steel capillaries from its early stages under real topside (ambient pressure and 60 °C) and subsea (1000 psi and 80 °C) sceneries of the oil industry. The method could continuously gauge the scale formation with a sensitivity higher than the conventional approach, i.e., the tube blocking test (TBT), which proved to be mandatory for avoiding misleading inferences on the MIC. In fact, whereas our sensor could entail accurate MICs, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, TBT suffered from negative deviations, with the predicted MICs being lower than the real values. Importantly, the impedance measurements were performed through a hand-held, user-friendly workstation. In this way, our method is envisioned to deliver an attractive and readily deployable platform to combat the scale formation issues because it can continuously monitor the salt precipitation from its early stages and yield the accurate determination of MIC.

Prefrontal oscillatory slowing in early-course schizophrenia is associated with worse cognitive performance and negative symptoms: a TMS-EEG study.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) oscillations are neurophysiological signatures of schizophrenia thought to underlie its cognitive deficits. Transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) provides a measure of cortical oscillations unaffected by sensory relay functionality and/or patients' level of engagement, which are important confounding factors in schizophrenia. Previous TMS-EEG work showed reduced fast, gamma-range oscillations and a slowing of the main DLPFC oscillatory frequency, or natural frequency, in chronic schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether this DLPFC natural frequency slowing is present in early-course schizophrenia (EC-SCZ) and is associated with symptom severity and cognitive dysfunction. METHODS: We applied TMS-EEG to the left DLPFC in 30 EC-SCZ and 28 healthy control (HC) subjects. Goal-directed working memory performance was assessed using the "AX" Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT). The EEG frequency with the highest cumulative power at the stimulation site, or natural frequency, was extracted. We also calculated the local Relative Spectral Power (RSP) as the average power in each frequency band divided by the broadband power. RESULTS: Compared to HC, EC-SCZ had reduced DLPFC natural frequency (p=0.0000002, Cohen's d=-2.32) and higher DLPFC beta-range RSP (p=0.0003, Cohen's d=0.77). In EC-SCZ, the DLPFC natural frequency was inversely associated with negative symptoms. Across all participants, the beta-band RSP negatively correlated with the AX-CPT performance. CONCLUSIONS: A DLPFC oscillatory slowing is an early pathophysiological biomarker of schizophrenia that is associated with its symptom severity and cognitive impairments. Future work should assess whether non-invasive neurostimulation can ameliorate prefrontal oscillatory deficits and related clinical functions in EC-SCZ.

Association between ACTN3 (R577X), ACE (I/D), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), and AGT (M268T) polymorphisms and performance phenotypes in Brazilian swimmers.

BACKGROUND: The influence of genetic polymorphisms on athletic performance has been widely explored. This study investigated the interactions between the polymorphisms ACTN3 (R577X), ACE (I/D), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), and AGT (M/T) and their association with endurance and strength phenotypes in Brazilian swimmers. METHODS: 123 athletes (aged 20-30 years) and 718 controls participated in the study. The athletes were divided into elite and sub-elite (N = 19 and 104, respectively) and strength and endurance experts (N = 98 and 25, respectively). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in all groups. RESULTS: Considering the ACE polymorphism, it was observed a higher frequency of the DD genotype than expected in the strength experts of the elite group, whereas the strength experts sub-elite athletes had a higher frequency of the ID genotype (χ2 = 8.17; p = 0.01). Subjects with XX genotypes of ACTN3 are more likely to belong to the athlete group when compared to the control group (OR = 1.79, p = 0.04). The DD homozygotes of the ACE are more likely to belong to the elite group with strength phenotypes than the group of sub-elite (OR = 7.96, p = 0.01) and elite strength experts compared to elite endurance (OR = 18.0, p = 0.03). However, no significant differences were observed in the allelic distribution of the polymorphisms evaluated when comparing Elite, sub-elite athletes and controls. CONCLUSION: ACE and ACTN3 allele frequencies should be considered with regard to performance influencing factors in Brazilian swimmers.

Data set on soil physicochemical parameters, biomass accumulation and carbon credit generation in different management systems in Rio Verde, GO, Brazil.

Soil organic carbon is critical to reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions, highlighting the importance of carbon sequestration on agricultural lands. No-till agricultural practices have been shown to be effective in improving soil quality and sequestering carbon, thereby supporting global efforts to mitigate climate change. Based on the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region, five reference areas were selected, with different characteristics in terms of conditions (A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5) in 5 different farms in the municipality of Rio Verde, GO, Brazil. Soil and biomass samples left by the crop after harvest were collected. These areas represent 3 priority management systems in the Cerrado region of central Brazil, namely: no-till with soybean and maize in sequence in a rainfed system; no-till with soybean and maize in sequence in a central pivot irrigation system; first cut sugar cane; second cut sugar cane. In October 2022, 15 points per area were sampled for soil carbon stock estimation and for chemical and physical characterization purposes along linear transects. Transect sampling approach is widely used in soil attributes studies for comparison and data collection. Biomass samples were used to estimate soil biomass accumulation and carbon stock indices. The physic-chemical parameters of the soil in each area were determined through a complete analysis of the 0-20 cm profile. By presenting a new dataset of soil organic carbon stocks and carbon credits from several long-term no-till areas in central Brazil, this article contributes to the knowledge of the potential of conservation management systems for carbon trading, providing insights into their current contributions and future modelling.

Adolescent pre-exposure to ethanol and 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) increases conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA and drug-induced reinstatement.

Many adolescents often take ethanol (EtOH) in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). In the present work, we used a mouse model to study the effect of repeated pre-exposure during adolescence to EtOH (2 g/kg), MDMA (10 or 20 mg/kg) or EtOH + MDMA on the rewarding and reinstating effects of MDMA in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Pre-exposure to EtOH, MDMA or both increased the rewarding effects of a low dose of MDMA (1.25 mg/kg). These pre-treatments did not affect the acquisition of the CPP induced by 5 mg/kg of MDMA. However, the CPP was more persistent in mice pre-exposed to both doses of MDMA or to EtOH + MDMA20. After extinction of the CPP induced by 5 mg/kg of MDMA, reinstatement was observed in all groups with a priming dose of 2.5 mg/kg of MDMA, in the groups pre-exposed to EtOH or MDMA alone with a priming dose of 1.25 mg/kg, and in the groups pre-treated with MDMA alone with a priming dose of 0.625 mg/kg. Pre-treatment during adolescence with MDMA or EtOH induced long-term changes in the level of biogenic amines [dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, homovanillic acid, dopamine turnover, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the striatum, and 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the cortex] after the first reinstatement test, although these effects depended on the dose used during conditioning. These results suggest that exposure to EtOH and MDMA during adolescence reinforces the addictive properties of MDMA.

Increased cortisol levels caused by acute resistance physical exercise impair memory and learning ability.

Acute physical exercise works as an activator of the responses of the human organism to stress. This is based on the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting physical, physiological and psychological levels. This study aimed to analyse the effects of a single bout of high-intensity resistance exercise on cognitive-behavioural responses: visuo-spatial path learning and memory, as well as physiological responses (salivary cortisol levels). Nineteen healthy male military-trained powerlifting subjects were tested in a within-subject design on two experimental days with an interval of 48 h. The stress and cognitive variables were measured by cortisol levels and Ruff-Light trail-learning test (RULIT) test scores, respectively. The results showed the immediate influence of acute exercise on cortisol, with significantly higher cortisol levels found in subjects after completion of the acute resistance exercise. In addition, this study found a significant deterioration of memory and learning ability after a dose of intense resistance exercise. In conclusion, the study highlights the relative effects of resistance exercise on cortisol and cognitive performance depending on the intensity and type of the exercise, the moment of measurement and the cerebral areas implicated.

Fatigue and Recovery Time Course After Female Soccer Matches: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the extent of fatigue responses after female soccer matches and the ensuing recovery time course of performance, physiological, and perceptual responses. METHODS: Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) were searched in October 2020 and updated in November 2021. Studies were included when participants were female soccer players, regardless of their ability level. Further, the intervention was an official soccer match with performance, physiological, or perceptual parameters collected pre- and post-match (immediately, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h-post). RESULTS: A total of 26 studies (n = 465 players) were included for meta-analysis. Most performance parameters showed some immediate post-match reduction (effect size [ES] = - 0.72 to - 1.80), apart from countermovement jump (CMJ; ES = - 0.04). Reduced CMJ performance occurred at 12 h (ES = - 0.38) and 24 h (ES = - 0.42) and sprint at 48 h post-match (ES = - 0.75). Inflammatory and immunological parameters responded acutely with moderate-to-large increases (ES = 0.58-2.75) immediately post-match. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase alterations persisted at 72 h post-match (ES = 3.79 and 7.46, respectively). Small-to-moderate effects were observed for increased cortisol (ES = 0.75) and reduced testosterone/cortisol ratio (ES = -0.47) immediately post-match, while negligible to small effects existed for testosterone (ES = 0.14) and estradiol (ES = 0.34). Large effects were observed for perceptual variables, with increased fatigue (ES = 1.79) and reduced vigor (ES = - 0.97) at 12 h post-match, while muscle soreness was increased immediately post (ES = 1.63) and at 24 h post-match (ES = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Acute fatigue exists following female soccer matches, and the performance, physiological, and perceptual parameters showed distinctive recovery timelines. Importantly, physical performance was recovered at 72 h post-match, whereas muscle damage markers were still increased at this time point. These timelines should be considered when planning training and match schedules. However, some caution should be advised given the small number of studies available on this population. REGISTRATION: The protocol for this systematic review was pre-registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, Registration Number: CRD42021237857).

Prosomeric Hypothalamic Distribution of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Positive Cells in Adolescent Rats.

Most of the studies on neurochemical mapping, connectivity, and physiology in the hypothalamic region were carried out in rats and under the columnar morphologic paradigm. According to the columnar model, the entire hypothalamic region lies ventrally within the diencephalon, which includes preoptic, anterior, tuberal, and mamillary anteroposterior regions, and sometimes identifying dorsal, intermediate, and ventral hypothalamic partitions. This model is weak in providing little or no experimentally corroborated causal explanation of such subdivisions. In contrast, the modern prosomeric model uses different axial assumptions based on the parallel courses of the brain floor, alar-basal boundary, and brain roof (all causally explained). This model also postulates that the hypothalamus and telencephalon jointly form the secondary prosencephalon, separately from and rostral to the diencephalon proper. The hypothalamus is divided into two neuromeric (transverse) parts called peduncular and terminal hypothalamus (PHy and THy). The classic anteroposterior (AP) divisions of the columnar hypothalamus are rather seen as dorsoventral subdivisions of the hypothalamic alar and basal plates. In this study, we offered a prosomeric immunohistochemical mapping in the rat of hypothalamic cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to levodopa (L-DOPA) and a precursor of dopamine. This mapping was also combined with markers for diverse hypothalamic nuclei [agouti-related peptide (Agrp), arginine vasopressin (Avp), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cart), corticotropin releasing Hormone (Crh), melanin concentrating hormone (Mch), neuropeptide Y (Npy), oxytocin/neurophysin I (Oxt), proopiomelanocortin (Pomc), somatostatin (Sst), tyrosine hidroxilase (Th), and thyrotropin releasing hormone (Trh)]. TH-positive cells are particularly abundant within the periventricular stratum of the paraventricular and subparaventricular alar domains. In the tuberal region, most labeled cells are found in the acroterminal arcuate nucleus and in the terminal periventricular stratum. The dorsal retrotuberal region (PHy) contains the A13 cell group of TH-positive cells. In addition, some TH cells appear in the perimamillary and retromamillary regions. The prosomeric model proved useful for determining the precise location of TH-positive cells relative to possible origins of morphogenetic signals, thus aiding potential causal explanation of position-related specification of this hypothalamic cell type.

The Mediator Role of Feelings of Guilt in the Process of Burnout and Psychosomatic Disorders: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Burnout was recently declared by WHO as an "occupational phenomenon" in the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11), recognizing burnout as a serious health issue. Earlier studies have shown that feelings of guilt appear to be involved in the burnout process. However, the exact nature of the relationships among burnout, guilt and psychosomatic disorders remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediator role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and psychosomatic disorders, and perform a cross-cultural validation of the multi-dimensional model by Gil-Monte in two samples of teachers (Portuguese vs. Spanish). The study sample was composed of 1,266 teachers, 1,062 from Spain, and 204 from Portugal. Burnout was measured by the Spanish Burnout Inventory. Hypotheses were tested together in a path model. The results obtained provide empirical evidence for the mediator role of guilt in the relationship between the Burnout syndrome and psychosomatic disorders in the sample of teachers from Spain and Portugal, and they contribute to the empirical validation of the model by Gil-Monte. The results indicate that guilt should be incorporated as a symptom of burnout in order to identify individuals affected by burnout and profiles or types of burnout to differentiate it from other pathologies like depression.

The effect of post-match resistance training on recovery in female footballers; when is best to train?

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of resistance training (RT) performed at 24 or 48h post-match on recovery in female soccer players. METHODS: In a randomized cross-over design, 10 professional female soccer players undertook matches followed by three conditions: Control (no RT), RT-24h and RT-48h post-match. RT was a high-speed and low-load session, consisting of 3 sets of 6 repetitions of lower-body exercises at 50%1RM. During training, one exercise (half-squat) was performed on a force platform to determine mean and peak forces. Tests were undertaken pre, 24, 48 and 72h post-match including countermovement jump (CMJ), 20m sprint, C-reactive protein (CRP) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Effect size (ES) analyses compared the time-course of recovery. RESULTS: Despite no significant differences between conditions, ES for changes from pre to 72h were larger for CMJ, 10 and 20m sprint time, and DOMS in RT48h (ES=0.38-2.13) than in RT24h (ES=0.08-0.66) and in Control (ES=0.09-0.36). No differences in forces of half-squat exercise existed between conditions (p>0.05; ES=0.05-0.06). CONCLUSION: The trend for suppressed recovery of speed, power and perceptual responses at 72h post-match suggests RT48h is less ideal in female soccer players, particularly during congested micro-cycles.

A Handful of Details to Ensure the Experimental Reproducibility on the FORCED Running Wheel in Rodents: A Systematic Review.

A well-documented method and experimental design are essential to ensure the reproducibility and reliability in animal research. Experimental studies using exercise programs in animal models have experienced an exponential increase in the last decades. Complete reporting of forced wheel and treadmill exercise protocols would help to ensure the reproducibility of training programs. However, forced exercise programs are characterized by a poorly detailed methodology. Also, current guidelines do not cover the minimum data that must be included in published works to reproduce training programs. For this reason, we have carried out a systematic review to determine the reproducibility of training programs and experimental designs of published research in rodents using a forced wheel system. Having determined that most of the studies were not detailed enough to be reproducible, we have suggested guidelines for animal research using FORCED exercise wheels, which could also be applicable to any form of forced exercise.

Time-course of changes in performance, biomechanical, physiological and perceptual responses following resistance training sessions.

This study determined the time-course of recovery after resistance training (RT) sessions and the association between changes in performance with changes in biomechanical, physiological and perceptual parameters. After a 4-week familiarization period, 14 resistance-trained males performed 3 experimental conditions, each one including 2 sessions with a recovery interval of 24, 48 h or 72 h, in a randomized order. RT sessions consisted of 5 sets of 8-10RM on squat and leg press exercises. The resistance was equal for the 2 sessions of each condition and repetitions were performed until concentric failure. Volume load (VL) and first set volume load (FSVL) were compared between sessions. Tests before each session included countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), creatine kinase (CK) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). (2 × 3) ANOVA with effect sizes (ES) assessed the time-course of recovery and Kendall test the correlation between variables (α = 0.05). Significant interaction was observed for all variables, except for CK, where a condition main effect occurred. Comparisons between post and pre-intervals showed VL (p = 0.011;ES = -0.90) decreased for 24 h condition, while FSVL remained decreased for 48 h (p = 0.031;ES = -0.63) and DOMS increased (p = 0.001;ES = 3.52). CMJ (p = 0.025;ES = 0.25) and MVIC (p = 0.031;ES = 0.14) performance increased at 72 h. FSVL (r = 0.424), CMJ (r = 0.439), MVIC (r = 0.389) and DOMS (r = -0.327) were significantly correlated with VL (p < 0.05). Time-course of VL showed the necessity of at least 48 h for the reestablishment of performance, though better perceptual responses were evident at 72h. Thus, both recovery intervals may be beneficial after lower-limbs RT until concentric failure, though chronic effects still need to be investigated.