scholarly journals A Murine Effort Model for Studying the Influence of Trichinella on Muscular Activity of Mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ionut MARIAN ◽  
Călin Mircea GHERMAN ◽  
Andrei Daniel MIHALCA
Keyword(s):  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Activity Wheel ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Instantaneous Power ◽  
Muscular Effort

Trichinella are nematodes parasitic in the skeletal muscles of terrestrial vertebrates, generally transmitted via predatorism. It is expected that the infection would have certain influences on the muscular activity in infected animals. The aim of the study was to develop an experimental model for studying the muscular effort in laboratory mice prior to the experimental infection with Trichinella and to evaluate the method in trained (with free access to a voluntary activity wheel) and untrained (without access to activity wheel) animals. Ten laboratory mice (all adult males), equally divided in two groups were used: a control group (untrained mice) and a second group (trained). The weight was evaluated individually. The muscular activity was evaluated using an effort-wheel. Values were expressed in instantaneous power (IP) and data were recorded using a constant speed of 5 rpm for 5 and 20 minutes. The instantaneous power (IP) developed by the effort wheel at 5 minutes was significantly lower in the control group than in trained mice. Similar results were obtained for the maximum power (MP). Interestingly, for the trained mice, there was no difference between the average IP at 5 and 20 minutes of activity. The results show the utility of trained mice, establish the necessary experiment time and validate the method for evaluating the influence of Trichinella spp. on the muscular activity of experimentally infected mice.

scholarly journals PSV-8 Glucocorticoid receptor agonist (GRA): what is the best delivery method to newly weaned pigs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 158-159
Author(s):  
Hailey Wooten ◽  
Hwanhee Kim ◽  
Amanda Rakhshandeh ◽  
Anoosh Rakhshandeh
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Weaned Pigs ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Nursery Pigs ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
Randomized Design

Abstract We previously found that i.m. injection of GRA, similar to in-feed antibiotics, improves measures of intestinal integrity, nutrient digestibility, and overall growth performance in nursery pigs. In addition, we have demonstrated that the mitigating effects of GRA on the stress of weaning is predominantly done by subsiding the inflammatory response that often accompanies early weaning. The objective of the current study was to explore the most practical methods for delivering GRA to newly weaned pigs. One-hundred and sixty-seven PIC pigs were weaned at 25 ±1.0 days of age (BW 7 ±1.2 kg), and assigned to fourteen treatments (3-4 pigs /pen; 3 pens/treatment). Seven treatments were tested within two sexes (gilts vs. barrows). The treatments were: 1) i.m. injection of GRA (two injections, 0.2 mg/kg BW at -1 and 3 d post-weaning), 2) two levels of in-water GRA (0.8 and 1.6 ppm), 3) in-feed GRA (2.5 and 5.0 ppm), 4) in-feed antibiotic (ANT, 100 ppm tylosin), and 5) control. Dexamethasone was used as GRA. Pigs had free access to in-feed or in-water GRA or ANT during the 1st-week post-weaning. Parameters of growth performance were measured weekly until the end of the nursery phase. A completely randomized design and repeated measurement ANOVA (PROC MIXED) in SAS were used for statistical analyses. In-water, in-feed, and i.m. GRA treatments resulted in growth performance outcomes comparable to that of in-feed ANT. Relative to CON pigs, both ANT and GRA improved ADG and G: F during the nursery phase (P < 0.05). Among the delivery methods tested, 2.5 ppm of in-feed GRA resulted in superior ADG (GRA vs. CON; 0.29 vs. 0.20 kg/d) and G: F (0.63 vs. 0.40 ± 0.05), compared to the control group (P < 0.02). Collectively, these results suggested that in-feed treatment is the best method for delivering GRA to newly weaned pigs.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Abdominal Wall Muscle Thickness in Female Rugby Players Versus Non-Athletic Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanesa Abuín-Porras ◽  
Mónica de la Cueva-Reguera ◽  
Pedro Benavides-Morales ◽  
Rocío Ávila-Pérez ◽  
Blanca de la Cruz-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Transversus Abdominis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sport Practice ◽  
Ultrasound Evaluation ◽  
Rugby Players

Background and Objectives: Rugby players engage in demanding, high loading muscular activity in the spine. Study of the abdominal wall architecture in female rugby athletes is relevant to the possible muscular asymmetry secondary to sport practice and the relationship between the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor muscles. Activation of the transversus abdominis (TrAb) generates an increase in the bladder neck muscle. Moreover, an increased interrecti distance (IRD) is related to urinary incontinence and has a higher prevalence in athletic women. The aim of the present study was to compare and quantify, with ultrasound imaging (USI), the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrAb), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), and interrecti distance (IRD) in female rugby players versus non-athletic women in order to improve upon existing knowledge about abdominal wall configuration in female athletes. Materials and Methods: A sample of 32 women was recruited at the Universidad Europea Research Lab and divided in two groups: a rugby group (n = 16) and a non-athletic women group (n = 16). The thickness of the TrAb, EO, IO, RA, and IRD were assessed by USI in both groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences for the ultrasound evaluation thickness of the right TrAb (p = 0.011; d = 0.10), EO (p = 0.045; d = 0.74), IO (p = 0.003; d = 1.32), and RA (p = 0.001; d = 1.38) showing a thickness increase for the rugby group with respect to the control group. For the IRD thickness, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups. Conclusions: An increased TrAb, IO, EO, and RA thickness may be shown in female rugby players versus non-athletic women. Nevertheless, statistically relevant differences were not found for the IRD between both groups.

Ergonomics in the Dental Clinic

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (26) ◽  
pp. 197-200
Author(s):  
Rose-Ange Proteau
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Pectoral Girdle ◽  
Dental Hygienists ◽  
Dental Clinic ◽  
Arm Support ◽  
Muscular Effort

A number of dental hygienists have developed pathologies that cause them to be absent from work for long periods of time, and making it difficult for them to return to work. Hygienists' work involves extended static muscular effort in the neck and pectoral girdle, combined with recurrent dynamic movements of the wrist and fingers, associated with efforts to remove tartar from the teeth. Over the last two years, a dozen dental hygienists have consulted us for various shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and finger problems. Changes in methods, instruments, equipment and the environment have allowed hygienists to adopt safer working positions. Reduced muscular activity was confirmed by EMG testing. The use of telescopic pivoting armrests has facilitated the adoption of new working methods by dental hygienists, and also provided needed arm support. A new concept for a pivoting armrest has been developed with round gel elbows-rests.

Mindfulness Meditation Apps: An Effective Tool to Improve Mental Health Among Graduate Students in STEM Programs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Grogan
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptom ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Stem Programs

Abstract This paper seeks to determine whether or not mindfulness meditation training via a simple meditation app can effectively improve well-being among graduate students enrolled in STEM programs. Graduate students were recruited from STEM programs at the University of Florida. Participants were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. The control group simply proceeded as they normally would during an academic semester. The treatment group received free access to the Ten Percent Happier app and were asked to meditate once per day for eight weeks. Both groups completed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention surveys that included the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7). The treatment group averaged about 10 minutes of meditation per day, and the average participant meditated on about 82% of days within the intervention period. At the end of the 8-week intervention, the treatment group reported CES-D and GAD-7 scores that were about 35% and 41% lower than the control group and their physical symptom score was about 36% lower. Relative to their own starting scores, CES-D, GAD-7, and physical symptom scores decreased 35%, 50%, and 43%, respectively for the treatment group, while the control group experienced no change in scores.

Effects of exercise on insulin distribution and action in testosterone-treated oophorectomized female rats

2000 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 2116-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Niklasson ◽  
Peter Daneryd ◽  
Peter Lönnroth ◽  
Agneta Holmäng
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Insulin Action ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp ◽  
Severe Insulin Resistance ◽  
Ovx Rats ◽  
Running Wheels

Administration of testosterone (T) to oophorectomized (Ovx) female rats is followed by severe insulin resistance, localized to postreceptor cellular events in the muscle. In this study, intervention by exercise was introduced to examine whether circulatory adaptations are involved in insulin resistance. Two groups of Ovx rats were studied: one group was given T (Ovx+T); another group had free access to running wheels (Ovx+T+Ex). In addition, one control group (sham operated) was studied. Insulin sensitivity was measured with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique (submaximal) for 150 min. Muscle interstitial glucose and insulin concentrations were measured by microdialysis. The measurements showed that, in Ovx+T rats, the onset of insulin action was significantly ( P < 0.05) slower during the first 95 min of the clamp compared with that in Ovx+T+Ex and controls. Muscle interstitial concentrations of insulin but not glucose were lower in both Ovx+T and Ovx+T+Ex rats than in controls throughout the clamp. It was concluded that physical exercise prevented the slow onset of insulin action in Ovx+T rats without changing the distribution time of muscle interstitial insulin. The results indicate that hyperandrogenicity is characterized by delayed muscle insulin action. Physical exercise reverses these defects without any beneficial effect on muscle interstitial insulin concentrations.

scholarly journals Planning to Minimize the Human Muscular Effort during Forceful Human-Robot Collaboration

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Luis F. C. Figueredo ◽  
Rafael De Castro Aguiar ◽  
Lipeng Chen ◽  
Thomas C. Richards ◽  
Samit Chakrabarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscular Activity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Shared Object ◽  
Muscular Load ◽  
Robot Configuration ◽  
Human Robot Collaboration ◽  
Muscular Effort

This work addresses the problem of planning a robot configuration and grasp to position a shared object during forceful human-robot collaboration, such as a puncturing or a cutting task. Particularly, our goal is to find a robot configuration that positions the jointly manipulated object such that the muscular effort of the human, operating on the same object, is minimized while also ensuring the stability of the interaction for the robot. This raises three challenges. First, we predict the human muscular effort given a human-robot combined kinematic configuration and the interaction forces of a task. To do this, we perform task-space to muscle-space mapping for two different musculoskeletal models of the human arm. Second, we predict the human body kinematic configuration given a robot configuration and the resulting object pose in the workspace. To do this, we assume that the human prefers the body configuration that minimizes the muscular effort. And third, we ensure that, under the forces applied by the human, the robot grasp on the object is stable and the robot joint torques are within limits. Addressing these three challenges, we build a planner that, given a forceful task description, can output the robot grasp on an object and the robot configuration to position the shared object in space. We quantitatively analyze the performance of the planner and the validity of our assumptions. We conduct experiments with human subjects to measure their kinematic configurations, muscular activity, and force output during collaborative puncturing and cutting tasks. The results illustrate the effectiveness of our planner in reducing the human muscular load. For instance, for the puncturing task, our planner is able to reduce muscular load by 69.5\% compared to a user-based selection of object poses.

scholarly journals Perspectives approach to the assessment of the quality of the vaccine plague live in terms of immunogenicity. Epidemiology and Vaccinal Prevention

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
S. E. Gostischeva ◽  
N. V. Abzaeva ◽  
E. L. Rakitina ◽  
D. G. Ponomarenko ◽  
M. V. Kostuchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Control Group ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Early Activation ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Stimulation Of

Research objective–studying of a possibility of application antigen – stimulated cellular in vitro tests and technology of the cytometric analysis for control of immunogene activity of batches of vaccine plague live.Materials and methods.As biomodels used white laboratory mice, immunized commercial medicine of vaccine of the plague NIIEG line, live from a strain of Yersinia pestis EV, in doses – 8 х 102, 4 х 103, 2 х 104 and 1 х 105 of living microbic cells. Blood for a research was taken from intact mice and on 7, 14 and 21 days after immunization. The intensity of an antigenreaktivnost of lymphocytes was defined in cellular in vitro tests, analyzing a marker of early activation (CD45+CD3+CD25+) of lymphocytes with use of the monoclonal antibodies conjugated from fluorokhroma. As specific antigen used a complex of water-soluble antigens of a plague microbe.Results.As a result of a research it is shown that at the animals vaccinated by doses 4 х 103 – 1 х 105 living microbic cells, the highest level of an expression activation marker lymphocytes at anti-gene stimulation of in vitro is registered on 14 days after immunization, at the same time the quantity of CD25 – positive lymphocytes are on average 6.8 times higher, than in control group. High degree of direct link (coefficient of correlation of r = 1,000) quantities of the survived animals with increase in level of lymphocytes, expressiruyushchy markers of early activation – CD25 is established.Conclusions.The offered technique can be used as the additional test when studying degree of immunogenicity of new (kandidatny) vaccines against plague.

scholarly journals Possible Amelioration of the Severity of Nutritional Steatohepatitis by Guggulsterone in Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
Sara Ameen Nafeer ◽  
Munaf Zalzala
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Commercial Diet ◽  
Group I ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Control Group Group

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, which characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The aim of this designed study is to evaluate the ability of guggulsterone to prevent high fat diet induced steatohepatitis in mice. Five groups of male mice were selected and treated as the following: group I, mice had free access to standard commercial diet and considered as control group, group II, mice were fed a specially formulated high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce non-alcoholic liver disease, while groups III, IV and V the mice were administered high fat diet containing guggulsterone at 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm concentration respectively for 12 weeks. Maintaining mice on fat rich diet only resulted in inducing the metabolic and histological NAFLD associated. While the treatment with guggulsterone significantly improves the evaluated markers. These results demonstrate guggulsterone may be useful in preventing the development of steatohepatitis.

scholarly journals Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Addition in Dairy Cows Diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Marinela ENCULESCU
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fresh yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in the dairy cows’ diets on productive performances and health status. The study was carried out in the experimental farm of the Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotești on 50 multiparous Romanian Black and Spotted dairy cows, randomly divided into two groups (N = 25 heads/group), according to age, milk yield, body weight and health status. The experimental group received 80 g Saccharomyces cerevisiae/head/day for one year. The groups were fed with the same diet and had free access to water and salt. Results were expressed as a mean (±Standard Deviation). The t-test was applied to obtain the significance of difference. Supplementation of the diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a significant effect (P <0.001) on milk yield (20.71±1.65 l/head/day) for the experimental group comparing with the control group (18.22±1.81 l/head/day), and on milk protein and lactose (P <0.05). The addition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dairy cows’ diet did not improve the milk fat, hematological and biochemical/urine indicators in the experimental group (P >0.05). However, for alkaline phosphatase, differences at the end of the study have been observed (P <0.01). The beneficial effect of the yeast and yeast products in ruminants could be attributed to microbial activity by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the rumen of the animals. The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an alternative source of economic protein, vitamins and minerals in dairy cows’ diet represents an effective measure to optimize animal productivity.

scholarly journals Use of oil-rich diet for gaited horses during physical training

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
HŽélio Cordeiro Manso Filho ◽  
Monica Miranda Hunka ◽  
Luzilene Araœjo de Souza ◽  
Helena Emília Cavalcanti da Costa Cordeiro Manso
Keyword(s):  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Blood Lipid ◽  
Dietary Fats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Intense Training ◽  
Metabolic Performance ◽  
Gaited Horses

In Brazil, gaited horses are selected based on field tests, during which they move at speeds of 3 to 4 m/s for 30 to 60 min. To cover their nutrient requirements, feed manufacturers have developed oil-rich dietary supplements and concentrates. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of increasing the density of dietary fats in the feed of 16 Campolina horses undergoing intense gaited training. The training schedule consisted of training 4 × a week: 3 days riding for 60 min (10' warm-up, 40' doing marcha gait, and 10' cool down, and 1 day walking for 90'). The horses were divided in two groups: control and supplemented. The dietary supplementation was isocaloric, with the control group receiving an ordinary concentrate (3.5% fat) and the supplemented group fed 1.0 kg of the supplement (18% fat) plus the ordinary concentrate. Both groups had free access to fresh grass, salt and water. Blood samples were collected prior to and after 4 and 8 weeks of supplementation to calculate the complete blood count, glucose, total protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). The results were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The supplemented group showed elevated levels of NEFA, red blood cells and haematocrit (P < 0.05), while the control group showed high triglyceride concentrations; both groups showed reduced plasma protein concentrations (P < 0.05). The other indices did not change (P > 0.05). The increase in dietary fat intake increased the blood lipid biomarkers and antioxidant capacity of gaited horses during intense training, possibly contributing to improve their metabolic performance.

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