Exercise training-induced changes in the gut microbiota of Standardbred racehorses

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H.D. Janabi ◽  
A.S. Biddle ◽  
D. Klein ◽  
K.H. McKeever

Exercise has a significant effect on different physiological systems in the body of human and animals. Only limited numbers of published studies in laboratory animals or humans have shown the effect of exercise on the gut microbiota, and no studies have shown this effect in horses. In this study, 8 horses (4 mares, 4 geldings) were exercise trained for 12 weeks, and 4 additional mares were used as a parallel seasonal control. To identify bacterial community changes over time for both groups, rectal faecal samples were collected, DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) was sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform. One-way ANOVA, Shannon diversity index, and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) were used to identify differences between and among samples. The exercise training group showed significant changes in the levels of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Spirochaetes phyla (P<0.05), while there were no changes in the gut microbiota of the seasonal control group through the three months of the study (P>0.05). Moreover, with training two genera significantly changed in their relative abundance over time, namely Clostridium and Dysgonomonas (P<0.05). Dysgonomonas spp. was significantly changed in abundance during the exercise training period (P<0.05). Also Treponema spp. showed significant changes during the exercise training period (P<0.05). Shannon diversity index was decreased (P<0.05) in the exercise group at the beginning of the study, but then returned to pre-training levels. PCoA showed significant separation between time points of the exercise training group as far as the levels of genera and species (P<0.05) represented. Our results show that exercise training influences the gut microbiota, especially at the beginning of training.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarwat Mahmud ◽  
Zaina Al Kanaani ◽  
Laith J. Abu-Raddad

Abstract Background With one in every 20 Pakistanis already infected, Pakistan has the second largest number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections globally. The aim of this study was to present a quantitative and analytical characterization of the HCV epidemic in Pakistan. Methods A standardized database of HCV antibody incidence and prevalence and HCV genotypes in all subpopulations was systematically assembled. Random-effects meta-analyses and random-effects meta-regressions were performed. Shannon Diversity Index was calculated to determine genotype diversity. Results The database included two incidence, 309 prevalence, and 48 genotype measures. Pooled mean HCV prevalence ranged between 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.8–8.3%) in Sindh and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.1–2.4%) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (F.A.T.A). Estimated number of chronically-infected persons ranged between 4.2 million in Punjab and 0.03 million in F.A.T.A. HCV prevalence was stable over time [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.0 (95% CI: 1.0–1.0)]. Population classification was the strongest predictor of HCV prevalence, explaining 51.8% of prevalence variation. Relative to the general population, HCV prevalence was higher in people who inject drugs [AOR of 23.8 (95% CI: 13.0–43.6)], populations with liver-related conditions [AOR of 22.3 (95% CI: 15.7–31.6)], and high-risk clinical populations [AOR of 7.8 (95% CI: 4.8–12.7)]. Low genotype diversity was observed (Shannon diversity index of 0.67 out of 1.95; 34.5%). There were only minor differences in genotype diversity by province, with genotype 3 being most common in all provinces. Conclusion Pakistan’s HCV epidemic shows homogeneity across the provinces, and over time. HCV prevalence is strikingly persistent at high level, with no evidence for a decline over the last three decades. Scale up of HCV treatment and prevention is urgently needed.


Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 464
Author(s):  
Frank Nielsen

We generalize the Jensen-Shannon divergence and the Jensen-Shannon diversity index by considering a variational definition with respect to a generic mean, thereby extending the notion of Sibson’s information radius. The variational definition applies to any arbitrary distance and yields a new way to define a Jensen-Shannon symmetrization of distances. When the variational optimization is further constrained to belong to prescribed families of probability measures, we get relative Jensen-Shannon divergences and their equivalent Jensen-Shannon symmetrizations of distances that generalize the concept of information projections. Finally, we touch upon applications of these variational Jensen-Shannon divergences and diversity indices to clustering and quantization tasks of probability measures, including statistical mixtures.


Author(s):  
Myungsoo Choi ◽  
Nayoung Ahn ◽  
Jusik Park ◽  
Kijin Kim

This study analyzed the effects of an exercise training program consisting of a knee joint complex exercise device (leg-link system) with digitally controlled active motion function and squat movement on physical fitness and gait ability of elderly women aged 70 or above. Fifty four (54) elderly women aged 70 or above were divided into three groups as control group (n = 18), aerobic training group (n = 18), and combined training group with resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 18). Health-related physical fitness, gait ability-related physical fitness, and the temporal and spatial parameters of gait ability were compared. The health-related physical fitness after the 12-week training was not significantly altered in control group, whereas combined training group showed significant increase in all factors (p < 0.05) and aerobic training group showed significant increase (p < 0.05) only in the physical efficiency index. The gait ability-related physical fitness and all items of the temporal and spatial parameters of gait were found to have significantly increased (p < 0.05) in combined training group after the 12-week exercise training; however, in aerobic training group, only the factors related to muscular endurance and balance showed significant increase (p < 0.05). This study suggested that the exercise training consisting of knee joint complex exercise with digitally controlled active motion function and squat exercise for strengthening lower extremities and core muscles had positive effects on enhancing the ambulatory competence in elderly women.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Sandri ◽  
Stephan Gielen ◽  
Norman Mangner ◽  
Volker Adams ◽  
Sandra Erbs ◽  
...  

Background: The concept of ventricular-arterial coupling implies that LV-function is determined by the three factors left ventricular diastolic, left ventricular systolic and arterial elastance. We have previously documented an improvement in endothelial function and systolic LV-function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) after 6 months of exercise training (ET). It remains, however, unclear, how shorter ET periods may affect endothelial, systolic and diastolic ventricular function as echocardiographic parameters related to ventricular arterial coupling in patients with CHF. METHODS: In this ongoing study we randomised 43 patients with stable CHF (age 60.3 ± 2.9 years, EF 27.4 ± 1.7%, VO 2 max 14.7 ± 4.3ml/kg*min) to a training or a control group (C). Patients in the training group exercised 4 times daily at 70% of the individual heart rate reserve for 4 weeks under supervision. At baseline and after 4 weeks the E/A ratio and septal/lateral E’/A’ velocities were determined by echocardiography with tissue Doppler. Exercise capacity was measured by ergospirometry and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessed by high-resolution radial ultrasound. RESULTS: After only 4 weeks of ET oxygen uptake at peak exercise increased from 14.9 ± 3.3 to 18.1 ± 4.7 ml/min/kg, (p<0.01 vs. C) in training subjects. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 26.8 ± 4.6 to 33.1 ± 5.5% (p<0.05 vs. C) in patients of the training group while it remained unchanged in the control group. E/A-ratio mended from 0.63 ± 0.12 to 0.81 ± 0.22 (p<0.01 vs. C) in training patients. Septal E’ velocities increased from 5.5 ± 0.5 to 7.8 ± 1.4 cm/s in training patients (p<0.05 vs. C). FMD of the radial artery improved from 8.2 ± 2.1 to 15.2 ± 3.8% (p<0.01 vs. C) as a result of ET. CONCLUSIONS: Only 4 weeks of endurance training are highly effective with significantly improved FMD accompanied by an emended systolic and diastolic LV-function. We hypothesise that the improvement in LV-EF in training patients may be caused by a corrected ventricular-arterial coupling: ventricular diastolic relaxation and effective endothelial function are ameliorated resulting in an augmentation of stroke volume.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 958-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson Pedro Bernardina Batista ◽  
José Márcio de Mello ◽  
Marcel Régis Raimundo ◽  
Henrique Ferraço Scolforo ◽  
Aliny Aparecida dos Reis ◽  
...  

Abstract: The objective of this work was to analyze the spatial distribution and the behavior of species richness and diversity in a shrub savanna fragment, in 2003 and 2014, using ordinary kriging, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In both evaluation years, the measurements were performed in a fragment with 236.85 hectares, in which individual trees were measured and identified across 40 plots (1,000 m2). Species richness was determined by the total number of species in each plot, and diversity by the Shannon diversity index. For the variogram study, spatial models were fitted and selected. Then, ordinary kriging was applied and the spatial distribution of the assessed variables was described. A strong spatial dependence was observed between species richness and diversity by the Shannon diversity index (<25% spatial dependence degree). Areas of low and high species diversity and richness were found in the shrub savanna fragment. Spatial distribution behavior shows relative stability regarding the number of species and the Shannon diversity index in the evaluated years.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Xie ◽  
Xue Jiang ◽  
Yang Yi ◽  
Zi-Jia Liu ◽  
Chen Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract The potential for preventive and therapeutic applications of H2 have now been confirmed in various disease. However, the effects of H2 on health status have not been fully elucidated. Our previous study reported changes in the body weight and 13 serum biochemical parameters during the six-month hydrogen intervention. To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of long-term hydrogen consumption, the plasma metabolome and gut microbiota were investigated in this study. Compared with the control group, 14 and 10 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified in hydrogen-rich water (HRW) and hydrogen inhalation (HI) group, respectively. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that HRW intake mainly affected starch and sucrose metabolism, and DMs in HI group were mainly enriched in arginine biosynthesis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that HRW intake induced significant changes in the structure of gut microbiota, while no marked bacterial community differences was observed in HI group. HRW intake mainly induced significant increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, Clostridium XI, and decrease in Bacteroides. HI mainly induced decreased abundances of Blautia and Paraprevotella. The results of this study provide basic data for further research on hydrogen medicine. Determination of the effects of hydrogen intervention on microbiota profiles could also shed light on identification of mechanism underlying the biological effects of molecular hydrogen.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. 8272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Gogoi ◽  
Vipin Parkash

<p>Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is comprised of five distinct compartments.  A total of 138 species of gilled mushrooms belonging to 48 genera, 23 families, five orders of the class Agaricomycetes, division Basidiomycota, have been collected and analyzed. The order Agaricales was was found with the highest number of species (113), followed by Russulales (14), Polyporales (5), Cantharellales (4) and Boletales (2). The species <em>Coprinellus disseminatus </em>and <em>Megacollybia rodmani</em> have shown the highest (8.26) and the lowest density (0.05), respectively.  A total of 24 species, e.g., <em>Termitomyces albuminosus, Marasmius curreyi, Marasmiellus candidus, Leucocoprinus medioflavus, Mycena leaiana, Hygrocybe miniata, Collybia chrysoropha, Gymnopus confluens</em> were common with frequency percentage of 11.9, whereas <em>Megacollybia rodmani</em> with less frequency percentage (2.4) was found only in few quadrates of the sanctuary.  The highly abundant species were <em>Termitomyces medius</em> (91.7) and <em>Coprinellus disseminatus </em>(86.8), and less abundant species were <em>Psilocybe wayanadensis</em> (1.0) and <em>Lepiota</em> sp. (1.0) in the study site.  The order of the species richness index (<em>R</em>) compartment wise was 2&gt;3&gt;4&gt;5&gt;1. Both the Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity index of agarics was maximum (1.88, 0.98) in compartment 2, whereas minimum (1.72, 0.95) in compartment 1 and 5, respectively.  Moreover, the compartment 2 was found very much similar with compartment 3 and very less similar with compartment 1.</p><div> </div>


Author(s):  
Sumayyah Aimi Mohd Najib

To determine the soil erosion in ungauged catchments, the author used 2 methods: Universal Soil Loss Equation model and sampling data. Sampling data were used to verify and validate data from model. Changing land use due to human activities will affect soil erosion. Land use has changed significantly during the last century in Pulau Pinang. The main rapid changes are related to agriculture, settlement, and urbanization. Because soil erosion depends on surface runoff, which is regulated by the structure of land use and brought about through changes in slope length, land-use changes are one of many factors influencing land degradation caused by erosion. The Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate past soil erosion based on land uses from 1974 to 2012. Results indicated a significant increase in three land-use categories: forestry, built-up areas, and agriculture. Another method to evaluate land use changes in this study was by using landscape metrics analysis. The mean patch size of built-up area and forest increased, while agriculture land use decreased from 48.82 patches in 1974 to 22.46 patches in 2012. Soil erosion increased from an estimated 110.18 ton/km2/year in 1974 to an estimated 122.44 ton/km2/year in 2012. Soil erosion is highly related (R2 = 0.97) to the Shannon Diversity Index, which describes the diversity in land-use composition in river basins. The Shannon Diversity Index also increased between 1974 and 2012. The findings from this study can be used for future reference and for ungauged catchment research studies.


Author(s):  
Rakhbeer Singh Boparai ◽  
Rachel J Skow ◽  
Sauleha Farooq ◽  
Craig D Steinback ◽  
Margie H Davenport

We assessed the impact of a structured lower-limb aerobic exercise training intervention during pregnancy on brachial artery endothelial function, shear rate and patterns, and forearm blood flow and reactive hyperemia. Twenty-seven pregnant women were recruited and randomized into either a control group (n=11; 31.0 ± 0.7 years), or an exercise intervention group (n=16; 32.6 ± 0.9 years; NCT02948439). The exercise group completed 40 minutes of aerobic exercise (50-70% heart rate reserve) 3-4 times per week, between the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD, normalized for shear stress) pre- (16-20 weeks) and post-intervention (34-36 weeks). The exercise training group experienced an attenuated increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) relative to the control group (∆MAP exercise: +2± 2 mmHg vs. control: +7±3 mmHg; p=0.044) from pre- to post-intervention. % FMD change corrected for shear stress was not different between groups (p=0.460); however, the post occlusion mean flow rate (exercise: 437±32 mL/min vs. control: 364±35 mL/min; p=0.001) and post occlusion anterograde flow rate (exercise: 438±32 mL/min vs. control: 364±46 mL/min;p=0.001) were larger for the exercise training group compared to controls, post-intervention. Although endothelial function was not different between groups, we observed an increase in microcirculatory dilatory capacity, as suggested by the augmented reactive hyperemia in the exercise training group. Novelty: • Endothelial function was not altered with exercise training during pregnancy. • Exercise training did contribute to improved cardiovascular outcomes, which may have been associated with augmented reactive hyperaemia, indicative of increased microcirculatory dilatory capacity


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Li ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Shuling Zhang ◽  
Xiang Hu ◽  
Huijun Yang ◽  
...  

This study was designed to investigate beneficial effects of swimming exercise training on learning/memory, synaptic plasticity and CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) expression in hippocampus in a rat model of d-galactose-induced aging (DGA). Eighty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: Saline Control (group C), DGA (group A), Swimming exercise before DGA (group S1), and Swimming during DGA (group S2). These four groups of animals were further divided into Morris water maze training group (M subgroup) and sedentary control group (N subgroup). Spatial learning/memory was tested using Morris water maze training. The number and density of synaptophysin (Syp) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) in hippocampal dentate gyrus area, CREB mRNA and protein expression and DNA methylation levels were determined respectively with immunohistochemistry, western blot, real-time PCR, and MassArray methylation detection platform. We found that compared with group C, DGA rats showed aging-like poor health and weight loss as well as hippocampal neurodegenerative characteristics. Exercise training led to a time-dependent decrease in average escape latency and improved spatial memory. Exercise training group (S2M) had significantly increased swim distance as compared with controls. These functional improvements in S2M group were associated with higher Syp and mGluR1 values in hippocampus (p < 0.01) as well as higher levels of hippocampal CREB protein/mRNA expression and gene methylation. In conclusion, swimming exercise training selectively during drug-induced aging process protected hippocampal neurons against DGA-elicited degenerative changes and in turn maintained neuronal synaptic plasticity and learning/memory function, possibly through upregulation of hippocampal CREB protein/mRNA and reduction of DGA-induced methylation of CREB.


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