Evaluating the value of p70s6k and mTOR signaling pathway in monitoring exercise-induced central fatigue in rats.

Exercise leads to muscle fatigue and decreased muscle strength in response to contraction activity, and besides, it causes central fatigue. In the current study, we evaluated the value of p70s6k and mTOR signaling pathways in monitoring exercise-induced central fatigue in rats. For this purpose, 12 male rats were divided into control (n=6) and intervention (n=6) groups. The intervention group performed five sessions of climbing a one-meter ladder with a weight hanging on the tail for eight weeks. The weekly load increase was based on the mice's body weight, so it reached 30% in the first week to 200% in the eighth week. In order to evaluate central fatigue, the sedation score system was used. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, a blood sample was prepared, the expression level of related proteins was measured by the ELISA method, and the one-way ANOVA method was used for statistical analysis. This study showed that central fatigue did not significantly affect the total mTOR protein content (F=0.720, P=0.421). However, the level of phosphorylated mTOR in the intervention group had a significant difference compared to the control group (F=684.893, P=0.001, Eta2=0.988). There was a significant effect for total p70S6K content (F=5.84, P=0.04, Eta2=0.42). Also, for phosphorylated p70S6K, there was a significant difference between the mentioned groups (F=7.262, P=0.027, Eta2=0.476). In General, it was shown in this study that central fatigue is directly related to the increase in p70S6K production and phosphorylation of p70S6K and mTOR. Therefore, these two proteins can probably be evaluated for monitoring exercise-induced central fatigue, although we need more evaluations.

Extracting Diameter at Breast Height with a Handheld Mobile LiDAR System in an Outdoor Environment.

Mobile laser scanning (MLS) is widely used in the mapping of forest environments. It has become important for extracting the parameters of forest trees using the generated environmental map. In this study, a three-dimensional point cloud map of a forest area was generated by using the Velodyne VLP-16 LiDAR system, so as to extract the diameter at breast height (DBH) of individual trees. The Velodyne VLP-16 LiDAR system and inertial measurement units (IMU) were used to construct a mobile measurement platform for generating 3D point cloud maps for forest areas. The 3D point cloud map in the forest area was processed offline, and the ground point cloud was removed by the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm. The trees in the experimental area were segmented by the European clustering algorithm, and the DBH component of the tree point cloud was extracted and projected onto a 2D plane, fitting the DBH of the trees using the RANSAC algorithm in the plane. A three-dimensional point cloud map of 71 trees was generated in the experimental area, and estimated the DBH. The mean and variance of the absolute error were 0.43 cm and 0.50, respectively. The relative error of the whole was 2.27%, the corresponding variance was 15.09, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.70 cm. The experimental results were good and met the requirements of forestry mapping, and the application value and significance were presented.

Improved data assimilation for algal bloom dynamics simulation in the Three Gorges Reservoir using particle filter.

Algal blooms have been increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially in lakes and reservoirs; their accurate prediction is essential for preserving water quality. In this study, the observed chlorophyll a (chl-a) levels were assimilated into the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) of algal bloom dynamics by using a particle filter (PF), and the state variables of water quality and model parameters were simultaneously updated to achieve enhanced algal bloom predictive performance. The developed data assimilation system for algal blooms was applied to Xiangxi Bay (XXB) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). The results show that the ensemble mean accuracy and reliability of the confidence intervals of the predicted state variables, including chl-a and indirectly updated phosphate (PO4), ammonium (NH4), and nitrate (NO3) levels, were considerably improved after PF assimilation. Thus, PF assimilation is an effective tool for the dynamic correction of parameters to represent their inherent variations. Increased assimilation frequency can effectively suppress the accumulation of model errors; therefore, the use of high-frequency water quality data for assimilation is recommended to ensure more accurate and reliable algal bloom prediction.

The efficacy of Tai Chi for depression: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a commonly occurring and recurrent mental disorder cross the world. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise which could be used to treat mental disorders including depression. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficiency of Tai Chi for patients with depression. METHODS: This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol statement. Literature will be searched at PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Technology Journal Database, and Wan Fang database from the start date to September 2021. The Review Manager 5.3 software will be used to manage literature. After literature screening, 2 reviewers will extract data from the respects of general information, methodology, and results. The data analysis will be conducted with Review Manager and Stata 16 software, and the publication bias and literature quality will be both evaluated. RESULTS: The results will contain the evaluation of clinical efficacy of Tai Chi practice for depression, as well as the assessment of literature quality and publication bias. CONCLUSION: The current review will provide new evidence on whether and to what extent patients with depression can benefit from Tai Chi practice.Registration number: DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/AUDNQ (https://osf.io/audnq).

Immobilization of phosphorus in sediments by nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) from the view of mineral composition.

Immobilization of phosphorus (P) in sediments is essential for controlling eutrophication in natural waters. As sediment is a complex assemblages of minerals, it is necessary to explore the intrinsic mechanisms of immobilization from the view of mineral composition. In this study, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is used as an example to immobilize P in sediment from Tai Lake and minerals of quartz, hematite, potassium feldspar, illite, montmorillonite, calcite, and kaolin (i.e. the main components of natural sediment), to consider the role of mineral composition on P immobilization). Results show that the immobilization efficiency increases gradually with the increasing amount of adopted nZVI, until a maximum value of about 60% - 80% when 0.03-0.05 g/g of nZVI is added. Particularly, the maximum P immobilization efficiency is the highest for hematite (about 86%) due to the chemical reaction between hematite and P that inhibiting P release, followed by quartz, illite, montmorillonite, and kaolin (about 64% - 72%) which only physically adsorb P. However, the maximum P immobilization efficiency of nZVI is only 31% and 17% for potassium feldspar and calcite, respectively, due to their relatively high pH values that reducing the formation of iron (Fe)-P precipitation and inhibiting P immobilization. Thus, the P immobilization is mainly due to the reaction between nZVI/mineral and P to form FeP precipitates, followed by physical adsorption; and the particle size, elemental composition (e.g. the calcium (Ca) in calcite and Fe in hematite) and pH value also affect the P immobilization efficiency. Moreover, based on the P immobilization efficiencies for various minerals, P immobilization in sediments can be reasonably predicted from the mineral composition through methods such as component additivity.

Effects of roughness and permeability on solute transfer at the sediment water interface.

Understanding the mechanisms of solute transfer across the sediment-water interface plays a crucial role in water quality prediction and management. In this study, different arranged particles are used to form typical rough and permeable beds. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is used to model the solute transfer from the overlying water to sediment beds. Three rough wall turbulence regimes, i.e., smooth, transitional and rough regime, are separately considered and the effects of bed roughness on solute transfer are quantitatively analyzed. Results show that the classic laws related to Schmidt numbers can well reflect the solute transfer under the smooth regime with small roughness Reynolds numbers. Under the transitional regime, the solute transfer coefficient (KL+) is enhanced and the effect of Schmidt number is weakened by increasing roughness Reynolds number. Under the rough regime, the solute transfer is suppressed by the transition layer (Brinkman layer) and controlled by the bed permeability. Moreover, it is found that water depth, friction velocity and bed permeability can be used to estimate the solute transfer velocity (KL) under the completely rough regime.

A review on sediment bioflocculation: Dynamics, influencing factors and modeling.

Sediment in a water column provides excellent substratum for microorganism colonization, and biological processes would alter the physical and chemical of sediment, resulting in substantial changes in sediment dynamics. The flocculation of sediment with biological processes are defined as sediment bioflocculation, which has been ubiquitously observed across aquatic ecosystems, activated sludge plants and bioflocculant applications, as a result of various processes involving particle aggregation and breakage under the complex effects of microorganisms and their metabolic products (e.g., extracellular polymeric substances EPS). EPS are complex high-molecular-weight mixtures of polymers, which are the primary components that hold microbial aggregates together by acting as a biological glue. Several mechanistic aggregation theories such as the alginate theory, adsorption bridging theory, divalent cation bridging theory, and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, and a number of influencing factors (e.g., sediment properties, microbial activity, EPS quantities and components, and external environment conditions) have been proposed to elucidate the role of microorganisms and EPS in sediment aggregation, promoting the investigation of the sediment bioflocculation evolution and kinetics models. However, due to the complex interrelationships of multiple physical, chemical, and biological processes and the incomprehensive knowledge of microorganisms and EPS, considerable research should be further conducted to fully understand their precise roles in the sediment bioflocculation process. In this study, a review of dynamic characterizations, mechanism, influencing factors and models of sediment bioflocculation are given to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of sediment bioflocculation dynamics.

[Design and construction of pulsatile-flow-cultivation system for the tissue engineering heart valve].

A plane, three-dimensional chamber of pulsatile-flow-cultivation and the liquid store chamber connected by medical silica gel tube were designed and constructed by ourselves according to the design principle. The rotator pump of cardiopulmonary bypass unit was acted as the power source. The mixed gas containing 5% CO2 and 95% air was supplied through the ventilation orifice of the liquid store chamber. The temperature of these components was stabilized by thermostatic waterbath. The test of biomechanics and biological compatibility for the system was carried out by cultures experiment during two weeks. The results of the experiment showed that there was no leak in the pulsatile-flow-cultivation components in which the concentration of CO2 was controlled about 5%+1%, the temperature at 37 +/- 1 degree C, and the value of pH between 6.8 and 7.5. The flow rate of the system could be adjusted exactly between 0.125 L/min and 6.0 L/min. The endothelial cells on the viable homograft valve increased about 10 times after being cultured for 2 weeks. The cultures of cell and mould taken from the leaf and Dacron cloth of homograft valve were reported to be negative. The results of the experiment demonstrated that there was satisfactory homeostasis of these components in effective modeling pulsatile-flow-field for the implantation cells cultured, proliferated, and remodeled under the condition inferior or superior to physiological level in vitro. The system can meet the need for study of pulsatile-flow-cultivation and tissue engineering heart valve constructed in vitro.

Evaluation of high levels of sports activity and the beneficial effect on postprandial blood glucose profiles / Avaliação dos altos níveis de atividade esportiva e o efeito benéfico nos perfis de glicemia pós-prandial / Evaluación de los niveles elevados de actividad deportiva y el efecto positivo en los perfiles de glucemia postprandial

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hyperglycemia is the principal characteristic component of type 2 diabetes. High blood glucose concentrations for long periods can be countered with postprandial exercise by increasing glucose retention involuntary muscles. However, no research is present on the relationship between exercise time and glucose levels. Objective: This study evaluates the relationship between sports activity and postprandial glycemia levels. Methodology: Forty-five individuals were included in the study, 10 males and 35 females with an age of 27.11±2.8 years; a body fat percentage of 25.02% ±5.04%; and a body mass index of 22.74±4.55 kg/m2. Participants were included via WhatsApp for daily information on postprandial activity levels. WhatsApp messages were forwarded to a total of 2,500 people at different colleges and universities. Out of the total 60 active people (2.40%) who responded, 45 individuals participated in the study. They were divided into three categories based on self-reported postprandial activity: not very active (15), quite active (15), highly active (15). All active individuals completed an oral glucose intake test with blood samples obtained for evaluation at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-rest. On a gender basis, the groups could not be associated (P =.057). Results: All active groups showed a remarkable effect on blood glucose level at one hour (P =.031). A mean increase in blood glucose level in the first hour of 1.50 mmol/L was observed for every extra 1.0 mmol/L of standard glycemic amount, on average, women had a higher blood glucose amount of 1.35 mmol/L than men. Conclusion: It can be concluded that a high amount of postprandial activity generates a good outcome on glycemic parameters. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

RESUMO Introdução: A hiperglicemia é o principal componente característico na diabetes tipo 2. Altas concentrações de glicose por longos períodos podem ser combatidas com o exercício pós-prandial, aumentando a retenção de glicose nos músculos voluntários. Porém, ainda não há estudos sobre a relação entre o tempo de exercício e os níveis de glicose. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a relação entre a atividade esportiva e os dados temporais de glicemia pós-prandial. Metodologia: Foram incluídos 45 indivíduos no estudo, sendo 10 do sexo masculino e 35 do sexo feminino com idade de 27,11± 2,8 anos; percentual de gordura corporal de 25,02% ±5,04%; e índice de massa corporal de 22,74±4,55 kg/m2. Os participantes foram incluídos via WhatsApp para obter informações diárias sobre os níveis de atividade pós-prandial. As mensagens de WhatsApp foram encaminhadas para um total de 2.500 pessoas em diferentes faculdades e universidades. No total de 60 pessoas ativas (2,40%) que responderam, participaram do estudo 45 indivíduos. Eles foram divididos em três categorias com base na atividade pós-prandial autorrelatada: pouco ativos (15), bastante ativos (15), altamente ativos (15). Todos os indivíduos ativos finalizaram um teste de ingestão de glicose oral com amostras de sangue obtidas para avaliação em 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 e 120 minutos pós-repouso. Na base de gênero, os grupos não puderam ser associados (P =.057). Resultados: Todos os grupos ativos revelaram um efeito notável do nível de glicose no sangue em uma hora (P =.031). Foi observado um aumento médio no nível de glicemia na primeira hora de 1,50 mmol/L para cada 1,0 mmol/L extra de quantidade glicêmica padrão, em média, as mulheres tiveram uma quantidade glicêmica no sangue de 1,35 mmol/L superior aos homens. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a alta quantidade de atividade pós-prandial gera um bom desfecho nos parâmetros glicêmicos. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción: La hiperglucemia es el principal componente característico de la diabetes de tipo 2. Las concentraciones elevadas de glucosa durante largos periodos pueden combatirse con el ejercicio postprandial, aumentando la retención de glucosa en los músculos voluntarios. Sin embargo, todavía no hay estudios sobre la relación entre el tiempo de ejercicio y los niveles de glucosa. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar la relación entre la actividad deportiva y los datos de glicemia postprandial. Metodología: Se incluyeron 45 individuos en el estudio, siendo 10 hombres y 35 mujeres con una edad de 27,11±2,8 años; un porcentaje de grasa corporal de 25,02% ±5,04%; y un índice de masa corporal de 22,74±4,55 kg/m2. Se inscribió a los participantes a través de WhatsApp para obtener información diaria sobre los niveles de actividad postprandial. Se enviaron mensajes de WhatsApp a un total de 2.500 personas de diferentes colegios y universidades. Del total de 60 personas activas (2,40%) que respondieron, 45 individuos participaron en el estudio. Fueron divididos en tres categorías basadas en la actividad postprandial auto declarada: poco activos (15), bastante activos (15), muy activos (15). Todos los individuos activos completaron una prueba de ingesta de glucosa oral con muestras de sangre obtenidas para su evaluación a los 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 y 120 minutos después del reposo. En lo que respecta al género, los grupos no pudieron asociarse (P = 0,057). Resultados: Todos los grupos activos revelaron un efecto notable del nivel de glucosa en la sangre a una hora (P = 0,031). Se observó un aumento medio del nivel de glucosa en la sangre en la primera hora de 1,50 mmol/L por cada 1,0 mmol/L adicional de la cantidad de glucemia estándar; por término medio, las mujeres tuvieron una cantidad de glucosa en la sangre más alta de 1,35 mmol/L que los hombres. Conclusión: Se concluye que la elevada actividad postprandial genera un buen resultado en los parámetros glucémicos. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Refinement of saliva mi-rna biomarkers for sport-related concussion / Refinamento de biomarcadores de saliva mi-rna para concussão relacionada ao esporte / Refinamiento de los biomarcadores de mi-arn de la saliva para la conmoción encefálica relacionada con el deporte

ABSTRACT Introduction: The changes in brain structure caused by a sports-related concussion may initially be indistinguishable, however, the irreversible deleterious effects are noted in the long term. An early diagnosis may provide the patient with a better recovery chance and increased survival. For this purpose, this paper studies the feasibility of a diagnosis for concussion by microRNA (mi-RNA) biomarkers contained in the saliva of athletes. Objective: Verify whether salivary miRNAs could be considered good biomarkers for sports concussion. Methodology: Salivary mi-RNA levels were determined from 120 saliva samples of 120 players. There were 43 with a diagnosis of concussion and 77 without a diagnosis of concussion. Samples from players with a concussion were collected 30 minutes prior to activity, samples from individuals who did not engage in physical activity were also compared. Results: On the evaluation of 30 miRNA from individuals with a concussion between contact and non-contact sports there was high detection reliability(P<.05). Both miR-532-5p and miR-182-5p showed reduced amounts of physical activity. The miRNA-532-5p and miRNA-182-5p show significant results among 43 subjects from pre-exercise to post-exercise. The miRNA-4510 showed a significant result (p < 0.05) between contact and non-contact sport types. The amount of miRNA-4510 expanded in 20 individuals in the contact sport at post-exercise but remained normal in the non-contact sports group. Conclusion: The salivary miRNAs are reliable biomarkers for concussion. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

RESUMO Introdução: As alterações da estrutura cerebral provocadas por uma concussão relacionada ao esporte podem ser inicialmente indistinguíveis, porém os efeitos deletérios irreversíveis são notados a longo prazo. Um diagnóstico precoce poderá fornecer ao paciente uma chance maior de recuperação e aumento de sobrevida. Para tanto, estuda-se a viabilidade de um diagnóstico de concussão por biomarcadores de micro RNA (mi-RNA) contidos na saliva de esportistas. Objetivo: verificar se os miRNAs salivares são biomarcadores confiáveis para concussão esportiva. Metodologia: Os níveis de mi-RNA salivares foram determinados a partir de 120 amostras de saliva de 120 jogadores. Haviam 43 com diagnóstico de concussão e 77 sem diagnóstico de concussão. Amostras de jogadores com concussão foram coletadas 30 minutos antes da atividade, amostras de indivíduos que não praticaram atividade física também foram comparadas. Resultados: Na avaliação de 30 mi-RNA de indivíduos com concussão entre esportes de contato e sem contato houve grande confiabilidade de detecção(P<,05). Tanto o miR-532-5p quanto o miR-182-5p mostraram quantidades reduzidas na atividade física. O miRNA-532-5p e o miRNA-182-5p mostram resultados significativos entre 43 indivíduos desde o pré-exercício até o pós-exercício. O miRNA-4510 mostrou um resultado significativo (p < 0,05) entre os tipos de esporte com contato e sem contato. A quantidade de mi-RNA-4510 expandiu-se em 20 pessoas no esporte com contato no pós-exercício, mas permaneceu normal no grupo de esporte sem contato. Conclusão: Conclui-se que os miRNAs salivares são biomarcadores confiáveis para concussão. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los cambios en la estructura cerebral causados por una conmoción encefálica relacionada con el deporte pueden ser inicialmente indistintos, sin embargo, los efectos deletéreos irreversibles se manifiestan a largo plazo. Un diagnóstico anticipado puede proporcionar al paciente una mayor posibilidad de recuperación y una mayor supervivencia. Por lo tanto, se estudia la viabilidad de un diagnóstico de conmoción encefálica mediante los biomarcadores de microARN (mi-ARN) contenidos en la saliva de los deportistas. Objetivo: verificar si los miARN salivales son biomarcadores fiables para la conmoción encefálica deportiva. Metodología: Se determinaron los niveles de mi-ARN salival a partir de 120 muestras de saliva de 120 jugadores. Había 43 con diagnóstico de conmoción encefálica y 77 sin diagnóstico de conmoción encefálica. Las muestras de los jugadores con conmoción encefálica se recogieron 30 minutos antes de la actividad, también se compararon las muestras de los individuos que no practicaban actividad física. Resultados: En la evaluación de 30 miRNA de individuos con conmoción encefálica entre deportes de contacto y sin contacto hubo una alta fiabilidad de detección (P<.05). Tanto miR-532-5p como miR-182-5p mostraron cantidades reducidas en la actividad física. El miRNA-532-5p y el miRNA-182-5p muestran resultados significativos entre los 43 sujetos desde antes del ejercicio hasta después del mismo. El miRNA-4510 mostró un resultado significativo (p < 0,05) entre los tipos de deporte de contacto y de no contacto. La cantidad de miARN-4510 se expandió en 20 individuos en el deporte de contacto en el momento posterior al ejercicio, pero se mantuvo normal en el grupo de deporte sin contacto. Conclusión: Llegamos a la conclusión de que los miARN salivales son biomarcadores fiables para la conmoción encefálica. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.