Non-local muscle fatigue is mediated at spinal and supraspinal levels.

The objective was to measure the corticospinal excitability and motoneuron responsiveness of the right and left Biceps Brachii (BB), and left Abductor Digiti Minimi (ADM) muscles in response to submaximal isotonic fatiguing contractions performed by the right BB muscle. With the familiarization session, ten young moderately active male subjects came to the lab on seven occasions. Three sets of 3 min seated elbow curls at 25% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) separated by a 1-min rest performed by the right BB muscle were used as the fatiguing protocol. The motor evoked potential (MEP), cervicomedullary motor evoked potential (CMEP), and compound muscle action potential (Mmax) of the right BB muscle (baseline and after each set of the fatiguing task), the left BB and ADM muscles (baseline, post-fatigue, post-10, and post-20 min) were measured. MEP and CMEP were then normalized to Mmax for statistical analysis. The results showed that in the right BB muscle, there was a significant reduction in the MEP after performing the fatiguing task (p= 0.03), while no significant effect of time was seen in the CMEP (p= 0.07). In the left BB muscle, the MEP significantly decreased from pre-fatigue to post-fatigue (p= 0.01) and post-10 (p= 0.001), while there was a significant decline in the CMEP post-fatigue (p= 0.03). In the left ADM muscle, MEP significantly decreased post-fatigue (p= 0.03) and no changes were seen in the CMEP (p= 0.12). These results not only confirm the incidence of non-local muscle fatigue (NLMF) in response to performing submaximal isotonic fatiguing contractions but also as a new finding, imply that both spinal and supraspinal modulations account for the NLMF response.

Exercise training ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in amyloid beta-injected rat model: possible mechanisms of Angiostatin/VEGF signaling.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates angio/neurogenesis and also tightly links to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although exercise has a beneficial effect on neurovascular function and cognitive function, the direct effect of exercise on VEGF-related signaling and cognitive deficit in AD is incompletely understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of exercise on angiostatin/VEGF cascade and cognitive function in AD model rats. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (CON), injection of DMSO (Sham-CON), CON-exercise (sham-EX), intrahippocampal injection of Aß (Aß), and Aß-exercise (Aß-EX). Rats in EX groups underwent treadmill exercise for 4 weeks, then the cognitive function was measured by the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test. mRNA levels of hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and angiostatin were determined in hippocampus by RT-PCR. We found that spatial learning and memory were impaired in Aß-injected rats, but exercise training improved it. Moreover, exercise training increased the reduced mRNA expression level of VEGF signaling, including HIF1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in the hippocampus from Aß-injected rats. Also, the mRNA expression level of angiostatin was elevated in the hippocampus from Aß-injected rats, and exercise training abrogated its expression. Our findings suggest that exercise training improves cognitive function in Aß-injected rats, possibly through enhancing VEGF signaling and reducing angiostatin.

High-intensity interval training increases myocardial levels of Klotho and protects the heart against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Can short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) contribute to the reduction of ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury by enhancing the levels of Klotho and its related axes, including myocardial TRPC6 expression, and antioxidant defence as novel possible mechanisms of exercise-induced cadioprotection (EICP) against IR injury? What is the main finding and its importance? The increase of plasma and myocardial levels of Klotho as a result of preconditioning with HIIT and prevention of a significant reduction of Klotho during IR injury can promote cardioprotection and reduce damage by attenuating myocardial TRPC6 expression and increasing antioxidant defence. The present findings may provide a new mechanism in EICP and IR injury, and provide the knowledge to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches. ABSTRACT: Cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, and ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) insult is the main pathological cause leading to death. Exercise training is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and the development of cardioprotection against IR injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of preconditioning with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on myocardial and plasma levels of Klotho and its related axes as novel mechanisms of exercise-induced cardioprotection against IR injury. Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of control, HIIT, sham, IR and HIIT group that underwent IR injury (H-IR). The training group performed five sessions of HIIT on the treadmill. The cardiac IR injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Infarct size and histopathological assessment of cardiac tissues were determined through Evans Blue-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and haematoxylin-eosin staining, respectively. We investigated lipid peroxidation and markers of cardiac injury, antioxidant enzymes and the plasma levels of Klotho using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Also, myocardial levels of Klotho and TRPC6 expression were determined by western blot assays. The results demonstrated a significant increase in myocardial and plasma levels of Klotho following HIIT and a significant decrease during IR injury. Myocardial TRPC6 channel expression increased following IR. HIIT also prevented a significant reduction of Klotho during IR and consequently reduced the expression of the TRPC6 channel in the H-IR group compared with the IR group. Furthermore, HIIT decreased the infarct size, cardiac injury, lipid peroxidation, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase myocardial band and cardiac troponin-I, and improved total antioxidant capacity and catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities following IR injury. The findings of the present study suggest that HIIT improves cardioprotection against IR injury and reduces cardiac damages through an increase in myocardial and plasma levels of Klotho and its related axes (TRPC6 and antioxidant defence). These findings can help to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches.

The effect of preconditioning with high-intensity training on tissue levels of G-CSF, its receptor and C-kit after an acute myocardial infarction in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Exercise training is known as a practical way to increase cardioprotection against stress, and it seems that stem cell recruitment is one of its mechanisms. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of preconditioning with High-intensity interval training (HIIT) on tissue levels of G-CSF, its receptor and C-Kit following acute myocardial infarction in male rats. METHODS: Twenty Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of control, MI, HIIT, and HIIT+MI. Training groups performed 2 weeks of high intensity interval training in 4 sections. The first section consisted training in 3 days and 2 sessions in each day (4 × 2 min with 35-40 m/min and 3 × 2 min with 25-30 m/min between high intervals. The second part included 2 days of training (4 × 2 min with 40 to 45 m/min and 3 × 2 min with 28 to 32 m /min). The third part was performed in 3 days with one more repetition. The fourth section consisted 2 days of training and with one more repetition compared to section 3. For induction of myocardial infarction, subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline was used. CK, total CK, LDH, and troponin T were measured in serum and G-CSF, G-CSFR and C-Kit proteins were measured by the Western Blot method in the heart tissue. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that enzymes of CK, total CK, LDH, troponin T had a significant increase in both MI and HIIT+MI groups compared to the other two groups (P < 0.001) and these indices in the MI group were significantly higher than the HIIT+MI group. Also, the results demonstrated that G-CSF, G-CSFR and C-Kit protein expression in the heart tissue significantly increased after MI. As well as, 2 weeks of HIIT training significantly increased G-CSF and C-kit in the training group compared to the control group, but the training caused that these proteins does not increase in HIIT+MI group as much as MI group. CONCLUSIONS: Along with other protective pathways, high intensity interval training can increase cardioprotection and decrease heart injuries through the increase in G-CSF, G-CSFR and C-kit level.

The Effects of Performing Mental Exertion during Cycling Exercise on Fatigue Indices.

This study investigated the effect of performing prolonged mental exertion during submaximal cycling exercise on exercise tolerance and fatigue. Participants performed 5 experimental sessions. Session 1: determination of cycling peak power output. Sessions 2 and 3: cycling to exhaustion at 65% peak power output with mental exertion or watching a movie. Sessions 4 and 5: cycling for 45 min at 65% peak power output with mental exertion or while watching a movie. During sessions 2-5, rate of perceived exertion and heart rate were recorded while cycling and cortisol and prolactin concentrations, psychomotor vigilance task performance, and maximal voluntary contraction were measured pre-and post-sessions. During sessions 2 and 3, time to exhaustion was reduced (p<0.01) and rate of perceived exertion was increased (p<0.01) in session 2 compared to 3. Cortisol, prolactin and heart rate increased and psychomotor vigilance task and maximal voluntary contraction decreased from pre-to post-sessions with no difference between sessions. Cortisol, prolactin and rate of perceived exertion were higher (p<0.03) in session 4 than 5. Heart rate increased and maximal voluntary contraction decreased from pre-to post-sessions with no difference between sessions. Prolonged mental exertion during cycling exercise reduces exercise tolerance, which appears to be mediated psychologically rather than physiologically.

Green-photodegradation of model pharmaceutical contaminations over biogenic Fe3O4/Au nanocomposite and antimicrobial activity.

A simple biogenic approach for synthesis of Fe3O4/Au nanocomposite with 31 nm size using aqueous extract of Carum carvi L. seeds has been reported. Phytochemicals of Carum carvi L. seeds extract play three roles, including reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during the nanocomposite fabrication process. Resulting nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential reflectance spectroscopy, vibrating-sample magnetometer, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray elemental mapping. Differential reflectance spectroscopy investigated optical property and absorption spectra display a sharp absorption agreeing to a bandgap of 1.6 eV. Photocatalytic activity of biogenic Fe3O4/Au nanocomposite has been investigated for degradation of imatinib and imipenem drugs under UV and visible light irradiation, due to pharmaceuticals have shown to be recalcitrant in wastewater and conventional wastewater treatments do not remove them, often. Degradation efficiency of imatinib, and imipenem are about 92% and 96% after 1200 s exposure UV light and about 82% and 84% after 3600s exposure visible light in the concentration of 10 ppm drugs. Also, antimicrobial activity of biogenic Fe3O4/Au nanocomposite was investigated on three human pathogens and best result can see in 25 mg/mL of nanocomposite versuse Bacillus subtilis that inhibition zone is about 27 mm. Design of nanocomposites capable of simultaneously removing pharmaceutical and microbial contaminations is important in environments such as hospitals wastewater treatment.

Occlusion Training During Specific Futsal Training Improves Aspects of Physiological and Physical Performance.

This study aimed to examine the effects of lower limb blood flow restriction (BFR) performed during 3-a-side futsal game training on aerobic and anaerobic performance of futsal players. Twelve male futsal players were randomized into two groups (n = 6); both groups performed ten sessions of the 3-a-side game every other day in half of a futsal court; but one group trained under BFR conditions. Pneumatic cuffs used for the BFR group were inflated to 110% leg systolic blood pressure and increased by 10% after each two completed sessions. Before and after the training sessions subjects completed a series of tests to assess aerobic and anaerobic performances along with changes in blood lactate and anabolic and catabolic hormones. All aerobic and anaerobic performance variables improved in both group after training, however improvements in mean power (12.2%, p = 0.03), run time to fatigue (TTF), (7.1%, p = 0.02) and running economy (RE), (-22.7%, p = 0.01) were significantly greater in the BFR group. There were also significant increases in growth hormone (p = 0.01), testosterone to cortisol ratio at first session (p = 0.01) and rate of lactate removal (p = 0.01) at last session in the BFR group compared to the non-BFR group. Small-sided game (SSG) training with the addition of BFR because of accumulated metabolites and hormonal changed leads to substantially greater increases in performance than SSGs training alone.

The greater effect of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury through Klotho levels and attenuate of myocardial TRPC6 expression.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a leading cause of death all over the world, so developing practical approaches to promote cardioprotection against IR injury is essential. Exercise training is an effective strategy to improve cardioprotection. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term preconditioning with two types of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on klotho and TRPC6 mechanisms in cardioprotection. METHODS: Eighty Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups, including Control, HIIT, MICT, Sham, IR, HIIT+IR, and MICT+IR. Training was performed in 5 consecutive days. HIIT protocol consisted of running on the treadmill at intervals 85-90% vo2max that separated by slow intensity periods at 50-60% vo2max. MICT program was performed at 70% VO2max at the same running distance with HIIT groups. The cardiac IR injury was induced by LAD occlusion followed by reperfusion. ELISA kit was used in order to measure the plasma levels of klotho, LDH and CK-MB, and TRPC6 expression was determined using the western blot technique. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that both types of exercise training programs significantly increase plasma levels of klotho and reduce the infarct size and heart injury. In addition, the exercise training decreased the amount of TRPC6 channels expression during IR. However, the effect of HIIT on increasing the klotho and cardioprotection was greater compared to MICT. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, even a short-term of aerobic exercise training, especially HIIT, promotes cardioprotection against IR injury and decreases infarct size via an increase in klotho and attenuate of protein expression of myocardial TRPC6 during IR.

Regulation of PI3K and Hand2 gene on physiological hypertrophy of heart following high-intensity interval, and endurance training.

BACKGROUND: Physical training signals cardiac hypertrophy through PI3K as an upstream and Hand2 gene as a downstream agent. The present study aimed to find the role of PI3K and Hand2 gene in myocardial hypertrophy following interval and endurance training (ET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult Wistar male rats (210-250 g) randomly divided into control, sham, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and ET group. Swimming time in ET increased incrementally 30-75 min, whereas in HIIT, load/body weight, and time/rest ratio increased within 12 weeks. Heart morphometry, including left ventricle end systolic (LVESV) and Diastolic (LVEDV) volume, LV posterior wall (LVPW), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), fraction shortening (%FS), pure heart weight (HW) and left ventricle weight (LVW), and PI3K and Hand2 gene expression were measured. RESULTS: HW and LVW were significantly more than control after ET (P < 0.05) and HIIT (P < 0.05). Both of the training groups demonstrated significantly thicker LVPW (P < 0.05), SV (P < 0.05), and %FS (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PI3K concentration and Hand2 expression significantly increased in ET (P < 0.001; P < 0.001, respectively) and HIIT (P < 0.05; P < 0.001, respectively) compared to control. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that this training protocol caused physiological hypertrophy in both of ET and HIIT groups, whereas HIIT can be more beneficial because of shorter training time.

Swimming Training Attenuates Allodynia and Hyperalgesia Induced by Peripheral Nerve Injury in an Adult Male Rat Neuropathic Model: Effects on Irisin and GAD65.

Objective: The analgesic mechanism of long-lasting exercise on neuropathic pain is not well understood. This study explored the effects of swimming training on neuropathic pain and the expression of irisin, GAD65, and P2X3 after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Methods: Thirty-five male rats were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups: 1) no CCI or swimming (control); 2) swimming without CCI (SW); 3) swimming with CCI (CCISW); 4) CCI without swimming (CCI); and 5) sham CCI surgery (sham CCI). Behavioral responses to mechanical, cold, and heat stimuli were tested before and after CCI surgery, as well as each week throughout the four weeks of swimming training. The expression of irisin, GAD65, and P2X3 proteins in L4-L6 spinal cord segment, ipsilateral to the nerve injury, were evaluated by western blotting. Results: Mechanical hyperalgesia was alleviated between the second and fourth weeks of training in the CCISW group. In the tactile allodynia and heat hyperalgesia tests, withdrawal thresholds of the CCISW group were significantly higher than the CCI group at the third and fourth week of training (P < 0.05), while cold allodynia showed delayed improvement occurring by the fourth week of training. The expression of irisin was lower in the CCISW and SW groups compared with the CCI group at day 33 post-CCI surgery. Moreover, CCI surgery significantly decreased the protein expression of GAD65 in L4-L6 spinal cord segments (P = 0.018), whereas swimming training prevented the decline of GAD65 in the CCISW group. Conclusions: Our findings showed that four weeks of swimming training produce beneficial rehabilitative effects on neuropathic pain symptoms. The analgesic effect of swimming training is partially related to the increase of GAD65. The beneficial role of irisin in neuropathic pain will require further investigation.

Green synthesis of silver/silver oxide nanostructures using the Malva sylvestris extract prior to simultaneous distillation extraction: synthesis, phytochemical and biological analysis.

Nanotechnology and nanoscience are due to their numerous uses in medicine, engineering, and water pollution sensors and their expanding research fields. In this study, the essential oil, methanolic extract, and biosynthesized silver/silver oxide nanostructures (Ag/AgO NSs) using the aqueous extract of the plant were prepared. The phytochemical compounds of the extract and essential oil were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), respectively. The GC/MS technique identified 34 compounds in the essential oil of the plant with the major constituents including oleic acid (18.5%), palmitic acid (11.08%), phytone (6.64%), p-vinylguaiacol (6.4%), and phytol (4.23%). After the phytochemical identification, the total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of the extract was determined, too. Prodelphinidin B3 compound in the Malva sylvestris extract was analyzed and detected by high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV), at a retention time of around 10 min. In addition, M. sylvestris extract was used for green synthesis of Ag/AgO NSs. The as-prepared NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption at λmax 320 nm in the UV-vis spectra confirms the formation of Ag/AgO NSs. The crystalline structure of Ag/AgO NSs was confirmed by XRD analysis. The nanoparticles were found to have a small size, measuring 64.16 nm, 44.33 nm, and 50 nm using the Williamson-Hall, Scherrer, and SEM/EDS methods, respectively. Besides, that spherical shape of Ag NPs with good size distribution was observed in the SEM/EDS analysis. The small size, around 50 nm, and spherical shape of Ag/AgO NSs with good size distribution were observed in the SEM/EDS analysis. Besides, the antibacterial activity of the extract was evaluated against three pathogenic bacteria, by disk diffusion method. Significant antibacterial activity was observed for the prepared extracts of M. sylvestris against the bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the results were compared with the known antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cephalexin, erythromycin, and fluconazole.

Linear jerk variability evaluation in measurements of motor control trainability: Could kinematic variables encompass information about strength and dynamic balance?

As the natural conclusion of talent identification in sports, talent development is the process that involves improving biomechanical capacities and bio-motor abilities. The development progress can be objectively assessed and monitored through measurements of trainability. This study introduces a practical methodology to assess motor control as a trainable factor using kinematic data. The study focused on establishing the relationship between kinematic data and changes in muscle strength and dynamic balance. It illustrates how wearable technology can assess trainability during a functional training programme. Twenty-six female university students were selected and divided into intervention and control groups to investigate motor control trainability. The intervention group performed step aerobics exercises for 24 sessions. A single inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted on S1 captured the oscillatory motion profiles of the centre of mass during these rhythmic exercises. Analysis revealed that the amplitude of linear jerk variability in different anatomical planes could reflect core and lower limb muscle strengthening caused by training. Furthermore, the results indicated that the dynamic balance adaptation to the changing tempo throughout the training programme was dictated primarily by step width. The mediolateral linear jerk variability reflected this adaptation. The minimum instrumentation approach proposed by this study could prove very practical for the talent development monitoring. The methodology illustrates how the recorded kinematic data from an appropriately placed single IMU could become an information-rich source for the coach to monitor, assess and quantify the trainee's progress during long-term athletic development.

Tetracycline removal from wastewater via g-C3N4 loaded RSM-CCD-optimised hybrid photocatalytic membrane reactor.

In this study, a split-type photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR), incorporating suspended graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as photocatalyst and a layered polymeric composite (using polyamide, polyethersulfone and polysulfone polymers) as a membrane was fabricated to remove tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions as the world's second most used and discharged antibiotic in wastewater. The photocatalyst was synthesised from melamine by ultrasonic-assisted thermal polymerisation method and, along with the membrane, was characterised using various methods, including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The PMR process was optimised, using Design-Expert software for tetracycline removal in terms of UV irradiation time, pH, photocatalyst loading, tetracycline concentration, and membrane separation iteration. It was revealed that a membrane-integrated reactor as a sustainable system could effectively produce clean water by simultaneous removal of tetracycline and photocatalyst from aqueous solution. The maximum removal of 94.8% was obtained at the tetracycline concentration of 22.16 ppm, pH of 9.78 with 0.56 g/L of photocatalyst in the irradiation time of 113.77 min after six times of passing membrane. The PMR system showed reasonable reusability by about a 25.8% drop in TC removal efficiency after seven cycles at optimal conditions. The outcomes demonstrate the promising performance of the proposed PMR system in tetracycline removal from water and suggest that it can be scaled as an effective approach for a sustainable supply of antibiotic-free clean water.

Effects of swimming in cold water on lipolysis indicators via fibroblast growth factor-21 in male Wistar rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of swimming in cold water on the release of FGF21 from various tissues and its impact on fat metabolism. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: untrained (C), trained in thermo-neutral water (TN, 30 °C) and trained in cold water (TC, 15 °C). The training groups swam intervals (2-3 min) until exhaustion, 1 min rest, three days a week for six weeks, with 3-6% bodyweight load. The mRNA expression of variables was determined in white fat tissue (WAT), and FGF21 protein was also measured in the liver, brown fat tissue (BAT), serum, and muscle. The experimental protocols resulted in lower body weight gain, associated with reduced WAT volume; the most remarkable improvement was observed in the TC group. Swimming significantly increased FGF21 protein levels in WAT, BAT, and muscle tissues compared to the C group; substantial increases were in the TC group. Changes in FGF21 were highly correlated with the activation of genes involved in fat metabolisms, such as CPT1, CD36, and HSL, and with glycerol in WAT. The findings indicate a positive correlation between swimming in cold water and the activation of genes involved in fat metabolism, possibly through FGF21 production, which was highly correlated with fat-burning genes.

Effects of physical training on coagulation parameters, interleukin-6, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 in COVID-19 survivors.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that uses Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor to enter human cells. The virus leads to an increase in inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-6) and an impaired coagulation system, which can cause serious complications during and after the disease. Physical exercise has been shown to improve COVID-19 complications through various mechanisms, such as modulation of the immune and coagulation systems. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of training on inflammatory, coagulation, and physical factors in patients with COVID-19 during the recovery phase. Twenty-seven male and female volunteers (age 20-45 years) who recently recovered from COVID-19 were assigned to the control (n = 13) or the training group (n = 14). Blood samples, aerobic capacity and muscle endurance were collected 24 h before the start of the interventions and 24 h after the final training session in week 4 and 48 h after the final training session in week 8. IL-6, ACE2, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were measured using ELISA. The training group showed a significant increase in muscle endurance (p = 0.004) and aerobic capacity (p = 0.009) compared to the control group. Serum levels of IL-6 and fibrinogen decreased in the training group but this decrease was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Despite a slight increase in the quality of life and sleep in the training group, no statistically significant difference was observed between the training and the control group. It appears that physical training has beneficial effects on the coagulation system, inflammatory factors, and sleep quality and can facilitate the recovery of COVID-19 patients.

The spinning disc reactor for photocatalytic degradation: A systematic review.

In recent years, the use of a horizontal spinning disc reactor (SDR) as a photocatalytic reactor for the degradation of various pollutants in aqueous solutions has increased. This study was searched based on the PRISMA method. Two autonomous researchers carried out for the relevant studies using Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and Science Direct databases. The search terms expanded focusing on the performance of horizontal spinning disc photocatalytic reactor (SDPR). In this review article, the main objective of the effect of operational factors on the efficiency of the degradation of pollutants with changes in the type of light source (range of visible light and UV radiation), disc rotational speed, flow rate, initial concentration of pollutants, pH, type of disc structure and flow regime are considered. Current challenges in SDPR include issues such as limited mass transfer, uneven light distribution, and difficulties in scaling up. To overcome these challenges, improvements can be made by optimizing reactor design for better mass transfer, enhancing light distribution through advanced light sources or reactor configurations, and developing scalable models that maintain efficiency at larger scales. Additionally, the use of innovative materials and coatings could improve the overall performance of SDPR.

Sonochemical-assisted synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles with the plant-mediated approach and comparative evaluation of some biological activities.

The present study reported a green approach for the sonochemical-assisted synthesis (SAS) of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) by using the aqueous extract of the Ficus johannis plant. The aqueous extract was obtained using ultrasonic-assisted extraction (15 min, 45 °C) and microwave-assisted extraction (15 min, 450 w). Next, the as-prepared extracts were used in a plant-mediated approach for the green synthesis of CuO NPs. The synthesized CuO NPs have been characterized via different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet-visible absorption, photoluminescence, and Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic techniques. As observed, a broad absorption band around 375 nm clarified the successful synthesis of CuO NPs. From the SEM analysis, the average particle size of the prepared CuO NPs was estimated below 50 nm. In addition, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties of the aqueous extracts as well as the as-prepared CuO NPs were evaluated by different assays. These included the release of protein, nucleic acids, disk diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-killing assays.

Swimming in cold water upregulates genes involved in thermogenesis and the browning of white adipose tissues.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an interacting effect of six weeks of swimming in cold water on the gene expression of browning markers in adipose tissue in rodents. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (C, 25 °C), Cold Exposure (CE, 4 °C), Swimming in tepid Water (STW, 30 °C), and Swimming in Cold Water (SCW, 15 °C). The swimming included 2-3 min intervals, 1 min rest, until exhaustion, three days a week for six weeks, with 3 to 6% of bodyweight overload. Rats from CE were exposed to cold for 2 h per day, five days per week. After the experimental protocol, interscapular brown (BAT) and inguinal subcutaneous white (WAT) fat tissues were excised, weighed, and processed for beiging and mitochondrial biogenesis markers gene expression. The experimental protocols resulted in an apparent increase in the number of brown adipocytes (per mm2) in the adipose deposits compared to the C group; substantial changes were observed in the SCW group. Compared to other groups, cold exposure alone increased significantly serum norepinephrine, and also ß2-adrenergic receptor expression was upregulated in the adipocytes compared to the C group. The STW group increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), ß2-adrenergic receptor, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins-α(c/EBP-α) in WAT in comparison with the C group(p < 0.05). In both adipocytes, the SCW intervention significantly upregulated the expression of PGC-1α, PPAR-γ, and c/EBP-α genes in comparison with the C and CE groups. In addition, the expression of TFAM and UCP1 was upregulated substantially in the SCW group compared to other groups. Our data demonstrate that swim training and cold exposure present additive effects in the expression of genes involved in the beiging process and mitochondrial biogenesis markers in BAT and WAT. In addition, it seems that the upregulation of these genes is related to the activation of ß2-adrenergic receptors.

Type-1 α-Fe2O3/TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline from wastewater using CCD-based RSM optimization.

Antibiotic pollution in water is a growing threat to public health and the environment, leading to the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. While photocatalysis has emerged as a promising technology for removing antibiotics from water, its limited efficiency in the visible light range remains a challenge. In this study, we present a novel method for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, the second most commonly used antibiotic worldwide, using α-Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposites synthesized via rapid sonochemical and wet impregnation methods. The nanocomposites were characterised and tested using a range of techniques, including BET, TEM, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, and UV-Vis. The RSM-CCD method was also used to optimize the degradation process by varying four key variables (initial concentration, photocatalyst quantity, irradiation time, and pH). The resulting optimized conditions achieved a remarkable degradation rate of 97.5%. We also investigated the mechanism of photodegradation and the reusability of the photocatalysts, as well as the effect of light source operating conditions. Overall, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in degrading tetracycline in water and suggest that it may be a promising, eco-friendly technology for the treatment of water contaminated with antibiotics.

Regulating the regulatory T cells as cell therapies in autoimmunity and cancer.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), possess a pivotal function in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. The dysregulated activity of Tregs has been associated with the onset of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Hence, Tregs are promising targets for interventions aimed at steering the immune response toward the desired path, either by augmenting the immune system to eliminate infected and cancerous cells or by dampening it to curtail the damage to self-tissues in autoimmune disorders. The activation of Tregs has been observed to have a potent immunosuppressive effect against T cells that respond to self-antigens, thus safeguarding our body against autoimmunity. Therefore, promoting Treg cell stability presents a promising strategy for preventing or managing chronic inflammation that results from various autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, Tregs have been found to be overactivated in several forms of cancer, and their role as immune response regulators with immunosuppressive properties poses a significant impediment to the successful implementation of cancer immunotherapy. However, the targeting of Tregs in a systemic manner may lead to the onset of severe inflammation and autoimmune toxicity. It is imperative to develop more selective methods for targeting the function of Tregs in tumors. In this review, our objective is to elucidate the function of Tregs in tumors and autoimmunity while also delving into numerous therapeutic strategies for reprogramming their function. Our focus is on reprogramming Tregs in a highly activated phenotype driven by the activation of key surface receptors and metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, we examine Treg-based therapies in autoimmunity, with a specific emphasis on Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Treg therapy and T-cell receptor (TCR)-Treg therapy. Finally, we discuss key challenges and the future steps in reprogramming Tregs that could lead to the development of novel and effective cancer immunotherapies.