Effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy on timing sequence recovery of muscle fatigue in chinese university male athletes.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the timing sequence recovery effects of single and repeated Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (MHOT) on muscle fatigue induced by cycling exercise through a comprehensive set of parameters. Methods: This study employed a controlled crossover design involving 12 Chinese secondary national-level male athletes. Each participant completed two identical trials over six days. Each trial consisted of a 90-min cycling exercise followed by either a Control (CON) intervention (1 atm absolute (ATA), 20.9 % oxygen, 60 min) or MHOT intervention (1.25 ATA, 26%-28 % oxygen, 60 min). Various physiological parameters including Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Heart Rate (HR), Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO2), Perfusion Index (PI%), Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Lactic Acid (LA), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Standing Long Jump Distance (SLJ) were measured at six different time points throughout the trials. Results: RPE revealed that the MHOT group experienced reduced subjective fatigue in comparison to the CON group (P < 0.05). Additionally, MHOT demonstrated quicker recovery in HR and PI% compared to the CON group (P < 0.05). Regarding CK, LA, BUN, SOD, and MDA levels, the MHOT group exhibited accelerated recovery post-6 intervention and at the 24-h mark after six interventions, showing significant improvement over the CON group (P < 0.05). However, no notable disparity was observed between groups concerning SpO2, LDH, and SLJ. Conclusions: Both single and repeated sessions of MHOT demonstrated efficacy in alleviating subjective fatigue and promoting recovery of heart rate and blood perfusion following muscle fatigue, ensuring parallel structure and consistency in their effects. Repeated MHOT sessions (six times) exhibit a significant reduction in levels of blood markers associated with muscle damage, metabolites, and oxidative stress. However, the impact of a single MHOT intervention was less pronounced.

PGPB Consortium Formulation to Increase Fermentable Sugar in Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue: A Study in the Field.

Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha-1), medium (10 L ha-1), and high (15 L ha-1), with a cellular density of 1 × 108 CFU mL-1 and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4-5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6-7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield.

Autochthonous Wheat Grown in Organic and Conventional Systems: Nutritional Quality of Flour and Bread.

A growing interest in the recovery and enhancement of crops, particularly local varieties such as 'Caaveiro' wheat, has been observed. This study aims to investigate the impact of cultivation systems (organic versus conventional) on the nutritional quality of 'Caaveiro' flour and breads protected by the PGI "Pan Galego," employing two fermentation methods (sourdough versus sourdough and biological yeast). Organic flour exhibited significantly higher levels of moisture, fat, sucrose, phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and copper (Cu) while also exhibiting a lower total starch and zinc (Zn) content. Organic bread, produced using both fermentation methods, demonstrated significantly higher protein, carbohydrate, total, resistant, and rapidly digestible starch, ash, Na, P, iron (Fe), and Cu content. Additionally, they contained less moisture compared to conventional bread. Despite variations in nutritional characteristics based on the cultivation system, the organic approach proved effective at producing high-quality products with a positive environmental impact, which is highly appreciated by consumers.

Screening of Galician grapevine varieties by SNPs, phenotypic traits, and phytopathology.

The genetic erosion of the European grapevine diversity in the last century has promoted the conservation of varieties in germplasm banks to prevent their disappearance. The study of these varieties is necessary as it would allow the diversification of the wine market, as well as provide a source of genes to face new pathogens or climate constraints. In this work, the grapevine varieties preserved in the "Estación de Viticultura e Enoloxía de Galicia" (EVEGA) Germplasm Bank (Ourense, Spain) were widely characterized, combining ampelography, ampelometry, agronomy, and phytopathology. Moreover, genetic characterization was carried out through the analysis of 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A Bayesian analysis based on the SNP data was carried out to define the genetic structure of the EVEGA Germplasm Bank, which allowed the differentiation of two main reconstructed panmictic populations (RPPs), confirming previous results obtained based on microsatellite markers (SSRs). A great diversity between varieties was found for almost every parameter evaluated for ampelography, ampelometry, phytopatology, phenology, and berry quality. A principal component analysis (PCA) performed with these phenotypical data allowed discrimination among some groups of varieties included in different genetic populations. This study allowed us to evaluate the grapevine diversity maintained in the EVEGA Germplasm Bank and characterize varieties of potential value for breeding programs of interest for the Galician viticulture.

Effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment and Bio-Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation (BEMER) therapy on generalized musculoskeletal neck pain in adults.

CONTEXT: General neck pain is a prevalent complaint made by patients to their physicians and is often of a suspected musculoskeletal origin. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a form of manual therapy utilized by osteopathic physicians and some allopathic physicians to treat a broad variety of musculoskeletal ailments, including neck pain. Bio-Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation (BEMER) is an emerging therapeutic modality that deploys a biorhythmically defined stimulus through a pulsed electromagnetic field and has been shown to reduce musculoskeletal pain. Studies on these treatments have independently yielded promising results. Therefore, it is possible that the utility of OMT and BEMER can produce an additive improvement in the treatment of neck pain. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to investigate the individual and combined effects of OMT and BEMER therapy on neck pain in adults. METHODS: Adults with nonspecific neck pain were recruited for the study. A total of 44 participants met the study inclusion criteria and were randomized into one of four study groups: OMT-only, BEMER-only, OMT+BEMER, or CONTROL (light touch and sham). Forty subjects completed the study, and data for 38 participants were included in our analyses. An OMT and BEMER protocol were specifically designed for this study under the guidance of a licensed osteopathic physician. Participants underwent intervention for a duration of 3 weeks. Data were obtained through baseline and postintervention assessments utilizing three surveys: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Short Form 12-item Health Survey (SF-12, divided into Mental and Physical). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis was performed retrospectively on pre- and postintervention absolute means between study groups. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference in pre- vs. postintervention mean scores between BEMER and CONTROL (p<0.05), BEMER compared to OMT (p<0.005), and BEMER compared to BEMER+OMT (p<0.05), in the NDI. The OMT+BEMER group reported an average reduction in pain on the VAS of 21.3 (±29.3) points, or a 65.0 % reduction of pain. A similarly substantial decrease in pain was reported in the BEMER study group, which showed a 46.2 % reduction in pain from baseline. The OMT and CONTROL study groups only reported a 2.9 and 23.9 % decrease, respectively. The BEMER and OMT+BEMER study groups also demonstrated a reduction in subjective reporting on the NDI, by 53.8 and 26.3 %, respectively. The BEMER study group also achieved the most substantial improvement in mental and physical well-being as reported by the SF-12. CONCLUSIONS: Study arms that incorporated BEMER yielded improvements on the NDI, VAS, and SF-12, indicating benefits to BEMER regarding improved overall functionality in routine daily activities as well as a reduction in nonspecific neck pain. Perceived pain, as demonstrated on the VAS, was seemingly improved in an additive fashion from the BEMER group to the OMT+BEMER group, although the results did not achieve statistical significance. Further study with greater participation could provide additional insight.

Thermal Treatment to Obtain 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural (5-HMF), Furfural and Phenolic Compounds from Vinasse Waste from Agave.

Vinasses represent important final disposal problems due to their physical-chemical composition. This work analyzed the composition of tequila vinasses and increased 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, and phenolic compounds using thermal hydrolysis with hydrogen peroxide as a catalyst. A statistical Taguchi design was used, and a UPLC-MS (XEVO TQS Micro) analysis determined the presence and increase of the components. The treatment at 130 °C, 40 min, and 0.5% of catalyst presented the highest increase for 5-HMF (127 mg/L), furfural (3.07 mg/L), and phenol compounds as chlorogenic (0.36 mg/L), and vanillic acid (2.75 mg/L). Additionally, the highest removal of total sugars (57.3%), sucrose (99.3%), and COD (32.9%). For the treatment T130:30m:0P the syringic (0.74 mg/L) and coumaric (0.013 mg/L) acids obtained the highest increase, and the treatment T120:30m:1P increased 3-hydroxybenzoic (1.30 mg/L) and sinapic (0.06 mg/L) acid. The revaluation of vinasses through thermal treatments provides guidelines to reduce the impact generated on the environment.

Cryotherapy on Subjective Sleep Quality, Muscle, and Inflammatory Response in Chinese Middle- and Long-Distance Runners After Muscle Damage.

ABSTRACT: Qu, C, Wu, Z, Xu, M, Lorenzo, S, Dong, Y, Wang, Z, Qin, F, and Zhao, J. Cryotherapy on subjective sleep quality, muscle, and inflammatory response in Chinese middle- and long-distance runners after muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2883-2890, 2022-The purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI), contrast-water therapy (CWT), and whole-body cryotherapy (CRY) on subjective sleep quality, muscle damage markers, and inflammatory markers in middle- and long-distance runners after muscle damage. Twelve male runners from Beijing Sport University completed a muscle damage exercise protocol and were treated with different recovery methods (CWI, CWT, CRY, or control [CON]) immediately after exercise and at 24-, 48-, and 72-h postexercise. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, myoglobin (Mb) activity, interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) activity were measured at 7 time points (preexercise; immediately postexercise; and at 1-, 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-h postexercise). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores indicated that the CRY condition had improved sleep quality compared with the CON and CWI conditions (p < 0.05). In terms of LDH activity, the CRY and CWT conditions had improved recovery compared with the CON and CWI conditions (p < 0.05). In terms of Mb activity, the CRY condition exhibited improved recovery compared with that of the CON and CWI conditions (p < 0.05), and the CWT condition showed better recovery than that of the CON condition (p < 0.05). In terms of IL-6 activity, the CRY condition showed improved recovery compared with the CWI condition (p < 0.05). Finally, in terms of sICAM-1 activity, the CRY condition had enhanced recovery compared with the other 3 conditions (p < 0.05). The results from this study suggest that CRY improves subjective sleep quality and reduces muscle damage and inflammatory responses in middle- and long-distance runners. In addition, CWT reduced muscle damage and inflammatory responses, but its effects on the other parameters were inconclusive.

Determining the environmental and economic implications of lupin cultivation in wheat-based organic rotation systems in Galicia, Spain.

Crop rotation represents a potentially sustainable strategy to address environmental problems of intensive agricultural practices, such as soil degradation, biodiversity reduction, and greenhouse gas emissions. This manuscript assesses the environmental and economic implications of introducing lupin cultivation into winter wheat-based rotation systems under an organic regime in Galicia, Spain. Life Cycle Assessment methodology was used to determine the environmental impacts of three rotation systems over a six-year period: lupin → wheat → rapeseed (OA1), lupin → potato → wheat (OA2), and lupin → wheat → rapeseed ‖ maize (OA3). For a robust assessment, three functional units were applied: land management (ha), economic indicator (gross margin in euros) and protein content (1 kg of protein-corrected grain). Moreover, the environmental profiles were compared with rotation systems without lupin crop in a conventional regime. In terms of Global Warming, impacts of about 2214, 3119 and 766 kg CO2eq·ha-1 were obtained for OA1, OA2 and OA3, respectively. Moreover, OA1 is the best rotation in terms of land and protein. Meanwhile, OA2 rotation is the best choice in the economic function, as it obtained the highest level of gross margin (5708 €·ha-1). Furthermore, with the exception of acidification, organic systems are less impactful than conventional systems. Ammonia emissions from the use of manure are the reason for these higher impacts. Organic rotations OA1 and OA2 have about 6 % or 15 % less gross margin than their conventional counterparts, respectively, however, an increase of 28 % was obtained for rotation OA3. This study helps decision-makers to implement environmentally and economically viable strategies.

Introducing lupin in autochthonous wheat rotation systems in Galicia (NW Spain): An environmental and economic assessment.

Crop diversification, as a sustainable land management practice, is a potential strategy to face soil degradation, climate change and food security, being the incorporation of legumes in cereal rotation systems, a strategy that improves soil nutrient levels. In a context of sustainable agriculture, this manuscript aims to evaluate the effect of lupin cultivation from an environmental and economic perspective in Galician winter wheat-based rotation systems. The life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology was applied for three rotation systems over a six-year period: lupin + wheat + oilseed rape (RA1), lupin + potato + wheat (RA2), and lupin + wheat + oilseed rape + maize (RA3). The general approach of this study was to collect primary data associated with the rotation crops to quantify their environmental impacts and economic benefits and to identify their advantages or disadvantages. Comparing and contrasting the environmental profiles based on three functional units: hectare land (ha), financial indicator (gross margin, €) and yield production (kg of wheat grain) allows a robust evaluation of each crop rotation system. Relating to rotations without lupin, the results indicate that for the impact categories evaluated, the introduction of lupin proved to be favourable with notable reductions of 64% and 30% in the environmental categories of Global Warming and Marine Eutrophication, respectively. Moreover, favourable economic consequences were evident in rotations RA1 and RA2 with a 19% and 51% increase in financial indicators, respectively, but with a marginal reduction of 2% in gross margin in RA3. This study motivates stakeholders to understand the environmental impacts of diversification strategies in agricultural systems and serves as a baseline to address the assessment of the social aspects of these systems for a complete sustainability perspective.

Element Content in Different Wheat Flours and Bread Varieties.

The most consumed cereal-based product worldwide is bread. "Caaveiro", an autochthonous variety with a recent growing interest, is one of the wheat varieties that fulfill the 25% local flour requirement in the PGI "Pan Galego" bread baking industry. The element content of the refined wheat flours used to make "Pan Galego" (''Caaveiro'', FCv; Castilla, FC; and a mixture of both, FM) was evaluated in ICP-MS. In addition, wholegrain flour (FWM) was included in the analysis. Loaves of bread were made with these flours (a, 100% FC; b, 100% FCv); and c, FM: 75% FC + 25% FCv) and their element content was analyzed. Wholegrain flour ranked the highest in almost all elements, highlighting the P (494.80 mg/100 g), while the FM and the FC presented the opposite behavior, with the highest Se values (14.4 and 15.8 mg/100 g, respectively). FCv was situated in an intermediate position regarding P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe and Na content, standing closer to FWM, although it presents the highest values for Cu (1076.3 µg/100 g). The differences observed in flour were maintained in bread. Hence, the local cultivar ''Caaveiro'' has an interesting nutritional profile from the point of view of the element content.

Modbus Access Control System Based on SSI over Hyperledger Fabric Blockchain.

Security is the main challenge of the Modbus IIoT protocol. The systems designed to provide security involve solutions that manage identity based on a centralized approach by introducing a single point of failure and with an ad hoc model for an organization, which handicaps the solution scalability. Our manuscript proposes a solution based on self-sovereign identity over hyperledger fabric blockchain, promoting a decentralized identity from which both authentication and authorization are performed on-chain. The implementation of the system promotes not only Modbus security, but also aims to ensure the simplicity, compatibility and interoperability claimed by Modbus.

COVID-19 response: mitigating negative impacts on other areas of health.

'Vertical' responses focused primarily on preventing and containing COVID-19 have been implemented in countries around the world with negative consequences for other health services, people's access to and use of them, and associated health outcomes, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). 'Lockdowns' and restrictive measures, especially, have complicated service provision and access, and disrupted key supply chains. Such interventions, alongside more traditional public health measures, interact with baseline health, health system, and social and economic vulnerabilities in LMICs to compound negative impacts. This analysis, based on a rapid evidence assessment by the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform in mid-2020, highlights the drivers and evidence of these impacts, emphasises the additional vulnerabilities experienced by marginalised social groups, and provides insight for governments, agencies, organisations and communities to implement more proportionate, appropriate, comprehensive and socially just responses that address COVID-19 in the context of and alongside other disease burdens. In the short term, there is an urgent need to monitor and mitigate impacts of pandemic responses on health service provision, access and use, including through embedding COVID-19 response within integrated health systems approaches. These efforts should also feed into longer-term strategies to strengthen health systems, expand universal healthcare coverage and attend to the social determinants of health-commitments, both existing and new-which governments, donors and international agencies must make and be held accountable to. Crucially, affected communities must be empowered to play a central role in identifying health priorities, allocating resources, and designing and delivering services.

Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment and bio-electromagnetic energy regulation therapy on lower back pain.

CONTEXT: Lower back pain (LBP) is prevalent and is a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) can alleviate alterations in the body that leads to musculoskeletal disorders such as LBP. Bio-electromagnetic Energy Regulation (BEMER; BEMER International AG), which has also been shown to relieve musculoskeletal pain, is a therapeutic modality that deploys a biorhythmically defined stimulus through a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF). Therefore, it is possible that combined OMT and BEMER therapy could reduce low back pain in adults more than the effect of either treatment modality alone. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the individual and combined effects of OMT and BEMER therapy on LBP in adults. METHODS: Employees and students at a medical college were recruited to this study by email. Participants were included if they self-reported chronic LBP of 3 months' duration or longer; participants were excluded if they were experiencing acute LBP of 2 weeks' duration or less, were currently being treated for LBP, were pregnant, or had a known medical history of several conditions. Ultimately, 40 participants were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: an OMT only, BEMER only, OMT+BEMER, or control (light touch and sham). Treatments were given regularly over a 3 week period. Data on LBP and quality of life were gathered through the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Short Form 12 item (SF-12) health survey, and Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire/Oswestry Disability Index prior to treatment and immediately after the 3 week intervention protocol. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed retrospectively and absolute changes for each participant were calculated. Normal distribution and equal variances were confirmed by Shapiro-Wilk test (p>0.05) and Brown-Forsythe, respectively. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Despite a lack of statistical significance between groups, subjective reports of pain reported on the VAS showed a substantial mean percentage decrease (50.8%) from baseline in the OMT+BEMER group, compared with a 10.2% decrease in the OMT-only and 9.8% in BEMER-only groups when comparing the difference in VAS ratings from preintervention to postintervention. Participants also reported in quality of life assessed on the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire/Oswestry Disability Index, with the OMT+BEMER group showing a decrease of 30.3% in score, the most among all groups. The OMT+BEMER group also reported the greatest improvement in score in the physical component of the SF-12, with an increase of 21.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The initial data from this study shows a potential additive effect of combination therapy (OMT and BEMER) for management of LBP, though the results did not achieve statistical significance.

Life cycle assessment of autochthonous varieties of wheat and artisanal bread production in Galicia, Spain.

For millennia, bread and wheat have been one of the most important sources of nutrients in many civilizations. Today, mechanization and evolution in agriculture and food processing have intensified yields and modified the biological and nutritional aspects of multiple crops and foods. The Galician bread is a reference value of food heritage in Spain, which is made from common wheat grain and is a mixture of indigenous Galician wheat and conventional Spanish wheat. In the pursuit of product excellence, it is interesting to identify the environmental profile as support criteria in decision-making, not only to analyse product environmental sustainability, but also as a marketing element to improve consumer awareness. The paper has a twofold perspective to analyse the environmental burdens of wheat cultivation and the bread sector, using life cycle assessment approach: 1) the comparison of the different types of agricultural systems, i.e. the cultivation of Galician wheat following a strategy of monoculture and crop rotation, certified Galician seed production and its comparison with conventional wheat cultivation and 2) the environmental profile of Galician bread. The functional units chosen were 1 kg of wheat grain transported to the milling facility and 1 kg of Galician bread. The results show that wheat cultivation presents the main environmental impacts of bread production, mainly due to the use of agrochemicals and field emissions. The best cultivation scenario corresponds to a crop rotation system, since chemical fertilisation is not applied. In comparative terms with many staple foods produced in Europe, Galician bread has a low environmental impact. The overall environmental results of bread production draw attention to the dependence of bread and flour manufacturers on the agricultural sector, highlighting the need to share responsibilities across the supply chain. In addition, this study contributes to the stakeholder debate on environmental impacts related to food heritage.

A Role-Based Access Control Model in Modbus SCADA Systems. A Centralized Model Approach.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control systems and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks implement industrial communication protocols to enable their operations. Modbus is an application protocol that allows communication between millions of automation devices. Unfortunately, Modbus lacks basic security mechanisms, and this leads to multiple vulnerabilities, due to both design and implementation. This issue enables certain types of attacks, for example, man in the middle attacks, eavesdropping attacks, and replay attack. The exploitation of such flaws may greatly influence companies and the general population, especially for attacks targeting critical infrastructural assets, such as power plants, water distribution and railway transportation systems. In order to provide security mechanisms to the protocol, the Modbus organization released security specifications, which provide robust protection through the blending of Transport Layer Security (TLS) with the traditional Modbus protocol. TLS will encapsulate Modbus packets to provide both authentication and message-integrity protection. The security features leverage X.509v3 digital certificates for authentication of the server and client. From the security specifications, this study addresses the security problems of the Modbus protocol, proposing a new secure version of a role-based access control model (RBAC), in order to authorize both the client on the server, as well as the Modbus frame. This model is divided into an authorization process via roles, which is inserted as an arbitrary extension in the certificate X.509v3 and the message authorization via unit id, a unique identifier used to authorize the Modbus frame. Our proposal is evaluated through two approaches: A security analysis and a performance analysis. The security analysis involves verifying the protocol's resistance to different types of attacks, as well as that certain pillars of cybersecurity, such as integrity and confidentiality, are not compromised. Finally, our performance analysis involves deploying our design over a testnet built on GNS3. This testnet has been designed based on an industrial security standard, such as IEC-62443, which divides the industrial network into levels. Then both the client and the server are deployed over this network in order to verify the feasibility of the proposal. For this purpose, different latencies measurements in industrial environments are used as a benchmark, which are matched against the latencies in our proposal for different cipher suites.

Assessment of Pulmonary Function After Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment vs Standard Pulmonary Rehabilitation in a Healthy Population.

CONTEXT: Standard pulmonary rehabilitation (SPR) does not use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), but OMT has potential to improve lung function and patient perception of breathing. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the immediate effects of OMT and SPR techniques on pulmonary function using spirometry and subjective ratings in young, healthy persons. METHODS: Participants were healthy students recruited from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton and were randomly assigned to either the OMT or SPR group. During the first 4 weeks, each participant in the OMT group received 1 OMT technique (rib raising, doming of the diaphragm, thoracic lymphatic pump, and thoracic high velocity, low amplitude), and each participant in the SPR group received 1 SPR treatment (tapotement, pursed lip breathing, saline nebulizer, and rest) per week. Treatments were then ranked based on positive change in pulmonary function as measured by forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). During the fifth week, the OMT group received the 2 highest-ranked OMT techniques, and the SPR group received the 2 highest-ranked SPR treatments. During the sixth week, the OMT group received the highest-ranked OMT and SPR treatment, while the SPR group received the same treatment combination but in the reverse order. Pulmonary function, as measured through FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC, were collected before and after each treatment or treatment combination. Participants subjectively rated change in breathing after each treatment. RESULTS: A total of 53 students participated in the study, with 28 in the OMT group and 25 in the SPR group. In the OMT group, rib raising yielded the highest positive mean (SD) change of 0.001 (0.136) L in FEV1 and 0.052 (0.183) L in FVC, followed by lymphatic pump, with a change of 0.080 (0.169) L in FEV1 and -0.031 (0.229) L in FVC. In the SPR group, pursed lip breathing yielded the highest positive mean (SD) change of 0.101 (0.278) L in FEV1 and 0.031 (0.179) L in FVC, followed by tapotement, with a change of 0.045 (0.229) L in FEV1 and 0.061 (0.239) L in FVC. Saline treatment significantly decreased lung function. All other treatments did not result in any significant changes in lung function. Overall, SPR subjective ratings were significantly lower than ratings for both OMT and combination (OMT+SPR) treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Saline significantly reduced lung function and had low subjective posttreatment ratings in young healthy adults. Additionally, OMT and combination OMT and SPR significantly improved subjective breathing more than SPR alone. Future applications of this study include evaluating OMT and SPR effects on lung function in patients with various pulmonary conditions.

Ten days of repeated local forearm heating does not affect cutaneous vascular function.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether 10 days of repeated local heating could induce peripheral adaptations in the cutaneous vasculature and to investigate potential mechanisms of adaptation. We also assessed maximal forearm blood flow to determine whether repeated local heating affects maximal dilator capacity. Before and after 10 days of heat training consisting of 1-h exposures of the forearm to 42°C water or 32°C water (control) in the contralateral arm (randomized and counterbalanced), we assessed hyperemia to rapid local heating of the skin (n = 14 recreationally active young subjects). In addition, sequential doses of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 and 10 mM) were infused in a subset of subjects (n = 7) via microdialysis to study potential nonthermal microvascular adaptations following 10 days of repeated forearm heat training. Skin blood flow was assessed using laser-Doppler flowmetry, and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as laser-Doppler red blood cell flux divided by mean arterial pressure. Maximal cutaneous vasodilation was achieved by heating the arm in a water-spray device for 45 min and assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated as forearm blood flow divided by mean arterial pressure. Repeated forearm heating did not increase plateau percent maximal CVC (CVCmax) responses to local heating (89 ± 3 vs. 89 ± 2% CVCmax, P = 0.19), 1 mM ACh (43 ± 9 vs. 53 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.76), or 10 mM ACh (61 ± 9 vs. 85 ± 7% CVCmax, P = 0.37, by 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA). There was a main effect of time at 10 mM ACh (P = 0.03). Maximal FVC remained unchanged (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 0.14 ± 0.02 FVC, P = 0.30). No differences were observed in the control arm. Ten days of repeated forearm heating in recreationally active young adults did not improve the microvascular responsiveness to ACh or local heating.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show for the first time that 10 days of repeated forearm heating is not sufficient to improve cutaneous vascular responsiveness in recreationally active young adults. In addition, this is the first study to investigate cutaneous cholinergic sensitivity and forearm blood flow following repeated local heat exposure. Our data add to the limited studies regarding repeated local heating of the cutaneous vasculature.

Hot environments decrease exercise capacity and elevate multiple neurotransmitters.

AIMS: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that different neurotransmitters and hormones are presented at exercise fatigue in hot temperatures with differing relative humidities (RH). MAIN METHODS: Eight trained male athletes performed a graded maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) test in five different environmental conditions, namely, 21°C/20% RH (Normal), 33°C/20% RH (Hot 20%), 33°C/40% RH (Hot 40%), 33°C/60% RH (Hot 60%), and 33°C/80% RH (Hot 80%). Blood samples were taken pre- and post-exercise and analyzed for noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (ADR), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and prolactin (PRL). Weight and oral and skin temperatures were recorded pre- and post-exercise. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise. KEY FINDINGS: Hot 20%, Hot 40%, and Hot 80% had lower VO2max levels compared with Normal (P<0.05). The data pooled from all five conditions indicated that the NA (P<0.0001), PRL (P<0.0001), 5-HT (P=0.002), 5-HIAA (P=0.029), and DA (P=0.016) levels were affected by exercise. Accordingly, NA level was significantly associated with performance time. However, ADR did not show any significant effect between pre- and post-exercise (P=0.187). SIGNIFICANCE: The maximal aerobic capacity was impaired in high temperature and most humidity conditions. NA was strongly associated with exercise time, which suggested that exercise duration and intensity had an important influence on NA neurotransmitter level irrespective of the environmental conditions.

Ventilatory responses at peak exercise in endurance-trained obese adults.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in respiratory mechanics predispose healthy obese individuals to low lung volume breathing, which places them at risk of developing expiratory flow limitation (EFL). The high ventilatory demand in endurance-trained obese adults further increases their risk of developing EFL and increases their work of breathing. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and magnitude of EFL in fit obese (FO) adults via measurements of breathing mechanics and ventilatory dynamics during exercise. METHODS: Ten (seven women and three men) FO (mean ± SD, 38 ± 5 years, 38% ± 5% body fat) and 10 (seven women and three men) control obese (CO) (38 ± 5 years, 39% ± 5% body fat) subjects underwent hydrostatic weighing, pulmonary function testing, cycle exercise testing, and the determination of the oxygen cost of breathing during eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea. RESULTS: There were no differences in functional residual capacity (43% ± 6% vs 40% ± 9% total lung capacity [TLC]), residual volume (21% ± 4% vs 21% ± 4% TLC), or FVC (111% ± 13% vs 104% ± 15% predicted) between FO and CO subjects, respectively. FO subjects had higher FEV1 (111% ± 13% vs 99% ± 11% predicted), TLC (106% ± 14% vs 94% ± 7% predicted), peak expiratory flow (123% ± 14% vs 106% ± 13% predicted), and maximal voluntary ventilation (128% ± 15% vs 106% ± 13% predicted) than did CO subjects. Peak oxygen uptake (129% ± 16% vs 86% ± 15% predicted), minute ventilation (128 ± 35 L/min vs 92 ± 25 L/min), and work rate (229 ± 54 W vs 166 ± 55 W) were higher in FO subjects. Mean inspiratory (4.65 ± 1.09 L/s vs 3.06 ± 1.21 L/s) and expiratory (4.15 ± 0.95 L/s vs 2.98 ± 0.76 L/s) flows were greater in FO subjects, which yielded a greater breathing frequency (51 ± 8 breaths/min vs 41 ± 10 breaths/min) at peak exercise in FO subjects. Mechanical ventilatory constraints in FO subjects were similar to those in CO subjects despite the greater ventilatory demand in FO subjects. CONCLUSION: FO individuals achieve high ventilations by increasing breathing frequency, matching the elevated metabolic demand associated with high fitness. They do this without developing meaningful ventilatory constraints. Therefore, endurance-trained obese individuals with higher lung function are not limited by breathing mechanics during peak exercise, which may allow healthy obese adults to participate in vigorous exercise training.